Ballroom - DIY Bride

Molly + Rodrigo’s Elegant Purple Wedding

Trust me when I tell you that today’s wedding is nothing short of perfection. I just seriously can’t stop staring at this fabulous flamenco inspired fete! Infused with pops of bright color, this pretty purple palette has combined all things elegant with the lovingly captured photography from Sarah at Ampersand Photography. Molly + Rodrigo’s wedding just blends all things intimate, elegant, cultural, and just down right BE-YOU-TI-FUL so perfectly, you simply have to find some Monday morning downtime to stop and stare yourselves.

Molly + Rodrigo were not only lucky enough to have some seriously amazing vendors within their reach the DC area, they also had one heck of planner/ coordinotor/ decorator right in the family. Rodrigo’s sister Ana was the mastermind behind the amazing floral gorgeousness and the decor of the day. This is truly one of the most elegant candy bars I’ve ever seen! When you add in this dreamy location, a couple that looks like movie stars, and an Uh-Maz-Ing BHLDN gown, just stick a fork in me ‘cuz I’m done. (Preferably one of the forks of off the super elegant purple and gilded place settings, please.)

What a lovely job Ana did designing this dazzling wedding! A super big thanks to Ampersand Photography for sharing it with us! Congratulations Molly + Rodrigo!

Vendor Information:

Date: May 12, 2012

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Photographer: Ampersand Photography

Reception Venue: Maison Biltmore

Caterer: Versatile Foods Ltd.

Musicians: DC Flemenco

Dress Designer: BHLDN

Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN

Cake Designer: Patisserie Poupon

Band: Trio Caliente

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Iva + Nick’s Art Deco Foodie Wedding

Foodies, take a sip of water, clean your palettes, whet you whistles, and then squeal with joy! Today’s wedding from Wendy K. Yalom Photography is delightfully filled with twenties inspired details, dazzling brooch bouquets, and deeeeeliscious menus. Would you expect anything less when Wolfgang Puck is a family friend who catered and attended Iva and Nick’s wedding. But it doesn’t stop there. Iva’s sister also happens to be a master baker at Cake Coquette in San Francisco and was the master mind behind their gorg-a-liscious cake.

Although there is no question the food at Iva and Nicks stylish soiree is a stand-out, you cannot overlook the Gatsby-esque glamour of the entire day. The beautiful Beaux Arts style of Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchant Exchange Building is just stunning. Perfectly complimented with Iva and Nick’s rich and chic color palette, all of the opulent and glitzy details, like the sensational brooch bouquets Iva crafted, just have me drooling all over again.

Just like any good dish, there are so many subtle little details in the layers of flavor to this wedding! I would highly advise a second helping of the beautiful gallery by Wendy K Yalom Photography to soak in all of the style, color and scrumptious plate inspiration. Thanks Wendy Yalom for sharing this beautiful day! Congratulations Iva and Nick!

Vendor Information:

Date: August 4, 2012

Location: San Francisco, CA

Photographer: Wendy K Yalom Photography

Caterer: Wolfgang Puck

Floral Designer: An Added Touch

Reception Venue: Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchants Exchange

Cinema and Video: Thomas Hughes Films

Cake Designer: Cake Coquette

DJ: Joel Nelson Productions

Photo Booth Equipment: Perfect Pixel Photo Booth

Christa + Marvin’s Easel Inspired Wedding

When a super creative couple goes from “Will you?” to “I do”, you know the whole ride is going to be pretty fabulous! Are you ready for a super cute proposal story? With a shared love of all things artistic and creative, Christa had always wanted to arrange a sketching date with her sweetie Marvin at a small, nearby art studio. Needless to say, time often gets in the way of our best intentions and the two never quite made it. So Marvin arranged for an impromptu creative date where they set up easels on a street sidewalk and sketched facing each other. (Swooning at the romantic gesture alone) He quickly called Christa over to view the sketch of “Will you Marry Me?” on his easel where he waited with a ring for Christa’s response. (Chills anyone?!) Needless to say anything artsy is important to these two. Full of easels, and budget crafty goodness, Chloe Austin Photography has snapped up a gallery of gorgeous photos, in this photo and art inspired wedding that can’ be missed!

As another homage to the sweet easel proposal, a timeline of the darling duo’s childhood in photos on easels led guests to the a fantastic frame backdrop that was borrowed from Christa + Marvin’s church. Don’t you just love the way it creates a focal point without blocking the gorgeous views of Stetson University? With a graphic designer groom, you can bet all of the printed material from invites to signs were going to be fabulous, but you have to check out the personalized invites for the twenty person (Whoa!) bridal party! And you have to love Christa’s fabric flower craftinesss. Bouts, bouquets, the flowers on her shoes and veil (and even the veil itself) were all made with bride’s budget savvy ability. Most of the fabrics were re-purposed from things around the house or finds from local thrift shops.

And though you can’t deny that this one heck of a crafty couple, you’ve got to give some props to their friends. MOB helped with all of the fabric sourcing and centerpieces, a friend of the grooms created the sand ceremony shadow box that is a work of art in Chrsita + Marvin’s new home, and the getaway car…Well there is no lack of creativity for this kind of guest book, and it’s surely never to be forgotten! You also have to add Chloe Austin Photography to the mix who captured every last detail perfectly to document this momentous occasion. Thanks Chloe Austin for sharing this. Congratulations Christa + Marvin!

Vendor Information:

Date: March 10, 2013

Location: Deland, FL

Photography: Chloe Austin Photography

Bridesmaids Bouquets: Global Rose

Ceremony Location: Stetson University

Reception Location: Clarion Hotel

Music by: Don’t Sigh Daisy

Cake: Linda Kotch of Kotch Cakes

Invitations: Marvin Eans (groom)

Dress: bought from Doralynn’s Bridal – Designed by Alfred Angelo

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Charlotte Russe, Laceaffair.com, Windsor

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Hair: Lucy’s Hair Studio

Wedding Director: Elina Morgan

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jess + Drew’s Traditional Vintage Wedding

Hold on to your pin cushions! We are starting off the week another amazing craftstress who tackled her own gown. That’s right folks, Jess (with the help of her mom) homespun the fashion for this fete. Leah Fruth shot some killer portraits in this super sweet, traditional with a touch of vintage wedding that makes Jess and Drew’s big day so perfectly classic and timeless.

Stunning is too simple of word to describe this exquisite two-piece gown! Jess’s mantilla veil is pure pe

rfection. Throw in the brooch bouquet and bridal party jewelry that Jess put together and… Oh Mylanta! The perfect balance of classic, vintage and personal for a refined and polished day. The twinkling lights in the Columbus Athenaeum and the simple elegance of the paper crafts provide only some of the reasons to check out the full gallery.

Thanks Leah Fruth for capturing such a charmingly classic good time. Congratulations Jess and Drew!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Leah Fruth

Event Venue: Columbus Athenaeum

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Michelle + Joe’s Wrigley Mansion Wedding

As Khris embarks on her handmade gown journey, I thought it only “fitting” to include a wedding with handmade gown. (Get it? Wedding gown humor…Sorry, I had to.) The dress is so often one of the most anticipated parts of planning process. So when your mom is as seriously talented as Michelle’s mom, I’m pretty sure it’s safe to assume you’ll be in good hands. Once you check out this stunning mom-made gown, you will certainly see why sometimes mommy does know best. With a solid plan of splurging only on two things, their venue and their photographer, Jill Lauren Photography was the perfect choice to seamlessly snapp Michelle and Joe’s custom fit wedding at Wrigley Mansion.

Talent like Michelle’s mom’s tends to run in families and you can see the proof in the impressive cream, pink, and succulent bouquets arranged by Michelle. The centerpieces and Wrigley gum favors added that sweet touch of fun to a sophisticated day. The one thing I love most is when photos capture how much fun the couple is. You just see it their smiles! Michelle and Joe get it. As lovely as the DIY injected into the day was, they never seemed to take things too seriously. It was about love, and personality and sharing the day with the people you love. And a good old fashioned cake smushing never hurts either!

Thanks Jill Lauren Photography for shooting this made to order day of DIY loveliness with the same sweetness and sophistication as Michelle and Joe. Congratulations Michelle and Joe!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Jill Lauren Photography

Event Venue: Wrigley Mansion

Tuxedo and Men’s Attire: Mr. Formal

Makeup Artist: Beauty by Erica

Submitted via Two Bright Lights