April, 2014 - DIY Bride

Haley + Seth’s Cute and Offbeat DIY Wedding

Today’s wedding is full of love, laughter, and DIY prettiness. Captured by Sur La Lune Photography, Haley + Seth DIY all their decorations. Coffee filter flowers? Check. DIY photo booth background? Check. Large piñatas that doubled as “hanging decorations”? Check. Come see for yourself how fun this wedding was!

Not only did Haley opted to not wear the traditional white, she and Seth also opted to get ready together and helped each other dress for their big day. Although Haley + Seth worked on many DIY decor projects, my ultimate love are the large coffee filter flowers that were carried by the flower girls. And how about them piñatas? What a fun, cool idea to have!

Congratulations to Haley + Seth!!

Photographer: Sur La Lune Photography//Wedding Date:09.07.2013//Event Venue: 1869 Homestead Bed and Breakfast//Hair Stylist:Bella Salon//Caterer: Chuy’s Restaurant//Equipment Rentals:Kentucky Music Company//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Kristin + David’s “Words With Friends” Wedding

We’re kicking off this week with a lovely yellow + grey scrabble-themed DIY wedding from Love Tree Studios. Our couple Kristin + David were encouraged by a mutual friend to start playing “Words With Friends” game with each other, and this beautiful friendship eventually bloomed into real love. Our bride Kristin is talented at DIY crafting and used her skills well to honor the game that changed their lives forever into a theme.

Let’s see, where do I start? So many lovely aspects to this DIY wedding. I love the large pinwheels that decorated the ceremony backdrop as well as vases of the yellow cut-out birds sitting on small bunches of white branches. I especially adore the different center pieces that Kristin created by choosing different photos of her + David as well as spelling out different words such as “cherished” with scrabble letters. And my favorite? Kristin’s gorgeous work on all the bouquets and boutonnieres.

Congratulations to Kristin + David!!!

Photographer: Love Tree Studios//Wedding Date:04.06.2013//Dress Store:David’s Bridal//Floral Designer:Hyvee//Tuxedo and Mens Attire:Savvi Formalwear//Floral Designer:Addie Jane Originals//Jewelry:Buchroeders Jewelers//Reception Venue:Cherry Hill Event Center//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Becca + Mike’s E-Session at Valley Forge National Park

Today’s Fall E-session from Lindsay Docherty Photography is gorgeous with all the gold and browns. How can it be not when the weather was great and the Valley Forge National Park had all the amazing colors.

According to the photographer Lindsay Docherty, Becca + Mike is, in a way, total opposites. She’s petite and he’s a “big lug”. She loves and is good at shopping, while he’s awesome at mowing stripes on the lawn. I love that they share how when they first met at a mutual friend’s party years ago, Becca basically Facebook stalked him and messaged him before they went out on their first date. I love it because let’s face it, who doesn’t do that these days???

The love between the two is apparent and combined with the gorgeous setting, you get one awesome e-session.

Photographer: Lindsay Docherty Photography//Shoot Date: 11.06.2013//Other Location:Valley Forge National Park//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Nicole + John’s Timeless DIY Wedding in SoCal

Boy, oh boy, do I have a beauty to show you lovelies today. From the talent behind Viera Photographics, today’s feature is a very classic and neat DIY wedding that the bride described as “Jonathan Adler meets Great Gatsby”. Nicole + John decided to get hitched in Palm Springs, California since not only does the place suit their sense of style, but also because they wanted to get married by the Father and in the church that Nicole’s late mother was very fond of. Despite the raging SoCal heat of 106F the day of their wedding, Nicole + John planned well for the decorations they were going to use so that nothing is welted.

Enlisting help from her group of friends, Nicole and her girls spent a few get-togethers crafting away. One of the favorite projects that Nicole loved doing for her wedding was the crepe paper flowers project. She opted making these flowers instead of using the real flowers so that these would last a lot longer in the high SoCal summer heat as well as for the ease of packing for travel. She’s even re-purposed some as gift decorations post-wedding!

Since their wedding was on the 13th, Nicole gold-leafed dice on 1 and 3 and mailed a pair with all the invites. She had some leftover so she also used them as decoration around the reception.

In Nicole’s own words about her table runners: “The table runners were stenciled on butcher paper then spray painted in an ombre sea mist to teal. I had a slight panic attack when the smell seemed to take about a week to dissipate, but some Febreeze and time did the trick and they were easy to roll up and transport to the site.” Great tip!

The Adler-inspired clay animals as table decorations? Yep! Handmade by Nicole’s friend Staci. Those were cool!
From Nicole’s gorgeous and timeless wedding gown (and the veil!) to all the special Adler-inspired decorations, Nicole + John’s wedding was as classic as it gets. Thank you to Viera Photographics for the incredibly beautiful photos and sharing them with us here on DIY Bride!

Congratulations to Nicole + John!!!

Photographer: Viera Photographics//Wedding Date:09.13.2013//Ceremony Location:Sacred Heart Palm Desert//Hair Stylist:The Light Fantastic Salon Spa//Event Venue:The Parker Palm Springs//Band:The Titan Ups//Event Planner:Vivacious Design and Event Planner//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Sydney + Greg’s Fun & Eclectic Backyard Wedding

For Sydney + Greg’s fun-filled wedding, they chose Sydney’s beloved grandmother’s house as their venue. Perhaps it’s Sydney fun-natured personality, or just how comfortable they are at where they are getting married, Debra Gulbas Photography was able to captured all the different sides to Sydney + Greg on their day. This incredible couple and their family used lots of different colors and patterns to showcase their personalities. Be prepared to smile!

Sydney hand-created all the amazing jeweled + fabric bouquets that she and her bridesmaids carried. I love that similar fabric was used for groomsmen’s boutonnieres, flower girl’s headpiece, as well as all the flags that were strung all over the back yard. The draped flags are resemblance to Nepal’s prayer flags that are hung across the mountains. As said best by Debra Gulbas, “According to tradition, prayer flags promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. It is commonly believed that prayer flags will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. I couldn’t wish for more for such an incredible couple like Sydney and Greg.”

I can almost hear Sydney’s laughters coming across these photos, and you just can’t help but smile and be happy with her. Sydney + Greg’s sense of eclectic style was strong and beautiful. I adore her amazing bouquets that she created and all the flags that were strung across the lawn. Thanks for showing us this awe-inspiring fun wedding!

Congratulations to Sydney + Greg!!

Photographer: Debra Gulbas Photography//Wedding Date:04.21.2012//Cake Designer: Fourth Street Bakery//Caterer:Jerry and Agnes Kostroun//Musicians: Orpheus Music Academy//Officiant: St. Mark’s Episcopal Austin//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jessica + Arek’s Elegant Yellow Wedding at Wadsworth Mansion

For their big day, Jessica + Arek incorporated wine corks (for their mutual love of wine) and honored Arek’s Polish heritage by including Polish traditions. Captured by the lovely Michelle Girard Photography, their summer wedding at the beautiful Wadsworth Mansion was an elegant affair with lots of white & yellow.

Although there aren’t that many big DIY projects present in this elegant modern wedding, Jessica + Arek made sure to personalized as much as they can. They personalized beer mugs for groomsmen and hoodies for bridesmaids. They incorporated Arek’s Polish heritage into the decorations by using empty Polish liquor bottles as vases as well as adding a Polish Ritual for Health and Peace into their ceremony. As mentioned, the couple’s mutual love for wine is displayed using wine corks as decoration in vases as well as on reception tables. They also put together really simple and elegant center pieces by only using wine glasses and candles.

My favorite part of Jessica + Arek’s elegant wedding was the “First Looks”. There was the “First Look” with Jessica and her father, and then the “First Look” with Jessica + Arek. Michelle Girard captured perfectly how the men were just stunned by how amazing Jessica looked.

Congratulations to Jessica + Arek!!

Photographer: Michelle Girard Photography//Wedding Date:08.17.2013//Dress Store: Bridal Heirlooms//DJ:CNT Entertainment//Floral Designer: Dandelions //Makeup Artist: Makeup Artistry by Liz//Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Modern Formals//Dress Store: Pearl Bridal Boutique//Reception Venue: Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Knitted Fairytale Winter Wedding Styled Shoot

We’re featuring a super lovey-dovey winter styled shoot that’s not only romantic and sweet, but knitted-themed. Brought to us by Warmphoto, this styled shoot/e-session was shot in Russia earlier this year. With the main color palette full of browns + pinks and lots of vintage items and knitted and woven lovelies (from Miss Woolly), this shoot was not short on lots of warmth and sizzling fuzzy feelings from Elizabeth and Vladimir.

From Warmphoto:

“There was a decorated area in the park with large coils, tangles, knitted accessories and vintage items, hot tea, candles, birds, baskets with pine cones. It was comfortable and stylish! Nearly the whole decor was created manually by talented decorator Funt of Happy.
Photographer: Warmphoto//Shoot Date:02.09.2014//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jessie + Ruben’s Glittery Purple Wedding Extravaganza

On this lovely Friday, we’re featuring a sparkly wedding that will sure warm your heart. Captured by Carrie Wildes Photography, the bride Jessie DIY and personalized many aspects of her and Ruben’s wedding with lots of purple rhinestones… simply because, well, she loves everything purple and sparkly! The couple’s affections for purple, sparkly things, Mets (Ruben’s!), and their kids are apparent on their wedding day.

“When Ruben proposed, one of the things he gave Jessie was a little heart with a tiny ring and their names on it. She added that to the stem on her bouquet. Jessie actually made her shoes by covering them in purple rhinestones!! She also made her favors (S’mores!), the glasses for the candles and her friend made her wedding cake”

What an amazing wedding cake! So regal and grand. I love all the little special moments, especially ones of Ruben and Jessie’s two sons. Family love is the theme here, and it is what makes this wedding oh-so-heartwarming. My favorite DIY for the wedding has got to be Jessie’s shoes. I cannot imagine the time and the meticulousness of it all for her to place individual rhinestones all over her heels!

Congratulations to Jessie + Ruben and wishing you both and your new family lots of love and happiness!

Photographer: Carrie Wildes Photography//Wedding Date:11.22.2013//Floral Designer: Flowers By Design//Hair Stylist: Lilis Weddings Makeup and Hair Styling Group//Caterer: palmetto club and puff n stuff catering//Caterer: Puff N Stuff//Dress Store: The White Closet Co.//Reception Venue: TPepin’s Hospitality Centre//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Paige + Jordan’s 20s-Themed Wedding

Paige + Jordan chose the historic home, The Historic Obici House, as the venue for their 20s-themed wedding. Great thing there was a back-up plan of hosting the ceremony indoors as it rained on their day (originally planned for an outdoor ceremony). Brought to us by Caitlin Gerres Photography, this wedding is filled with many handmade crafty elements (think unique bouquets and center pieces).

From the photographer:

“With the help of her mom and bridesmaids, Paige crafted many of the wedding day elements, starting with the bouquets. She covered each bouquet with brooches she had collected. She created peacock feather hairpieces for the bridesmaids and feathered headbands to get her guests in the 20s mood.
She also designed and printed her own paper goods, from the invitations to the photo scavenger hunt list she created to amuse the guests throughout the evening. On the back of the program, she designed a crossword puzzle that included personal details from the groom’s favorite video game to their puppy’s name.

On the morning of the wedding, Paige and her bridesmaids put together each of the reception centerpieces from a collection of blue glass vases, bird cages, fresh flowers, and vintage finds.
The maid of honor helped execute the bride’s vision and even baked the wedding cake, a mix of funfetti and red velvet, the couple’s favorite flavors.”

I love that Paige and her bridesmaids wore mustache rings as a fun accessory. I love crossword puzzles and mad libs and all, but what a great, fun idea to do a photo scavenger hunt to keep the guests entertained for the entire wedding! This 20s-themed wedding is definitely not short on unique details and fun factor.

Congratulations to Paige + Jordan!!

Photographer: Caitlin Gerres Photography//Wedding Date:06.22.2013//Makeup Artist: Behind the Veil Studio//Photo Booth Equipment: Boardwalk Photo Booth Company//Event Venue: The Historic Obici House//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Courtney + Will’s Pretty in Pink Sewing Wedding

Today, we are bringing you a super cutesy, melt-in-your-heart, and sweet wedding from Kate Bentley Photo. This gorgeous DIY/rustic/sewing-themed wedding came to us from Wisconsin and features origami cranes, homegrown herbs, paper hearts, and a wedding dress made by the bride. Courtney + Will are so adorable together, and with their awesome family and friends by their side, this wedding is just too pretty for you to miss!

As mentioned earlier, Courtney made her wedding dress that was short and cute and very perfect for her wedding. When she wasn’t sewing her dress, she was growing all the herbs she used to make her unique center pieces. And can I just say, how awesome were the copper cans? Instant rustic-glam effects!

Obviously, Courtney + Will could not have pulled off this dreamy wedding without help. The beer served were made by their friends, and all the beautifully folded origami cranes were by Will’s mother. I love how by using different paper patterns, the cranes were all unique. One of my favorites were the pair that were used as cake toppers! Oh, and the cake was made by a dear friend of Courtney’s.

This sweet sewing-themed DIY wedding is filled with laughter, love, and creativity. I love their use of colors (I maaaay be slightly biased towards pink!), their way of doing “here comes your bride”, and all the sewing-related items that tied everything together. Courtney + Will are a fun-loving couple, and their wedding is a perfect extension of their personalities.

Congratulations to Courtney + Will!

Photographer: kate bentley photo//Wedding Date:08.17.2013//Event Venue:Emerald Ridge Outdoor Weddings//Floral Designer:Jennifer Joyce Design//Submitted via Two Bright Lights