Brooke + Galen

On my first official day as the Real Weddings intern, I wanted to showcase a beautiful wedding from my home state of Oregon. In the words of photographer Sara Gray, “Brooke and Galen decided to do things a little differently – they went to a covered bridge they loved in college and exchanged vows in front of family and friends at this simple elopement ceremony.”

The bride and groom were married in front of the Goodpasture Bridge in Eugene. It is one of the longest covered bridges in Oregon, as well as one of the oldest at 73 years old. After the vows, they toasted their new marriage with their party of eight. What I adore about this wedding is the love that jumps off the page. This wedding feels so organic, rich, and full of happiness. Which is what weddings are all about. Enjoy.

 

DETAILS

Photographer: Sara Gray Photography

Venue: Goodpasture Bridge

Location: Eugene, OR

 

Jessica + Evan

While DIY for most of us means creating invitations and decoration. For Jessica and Evan, do-it-yourself meant transforming Jessica’s parents property into their venue.

In the words of photographer Anne Nunn:

Jessica and Evan’s wedding took place on her parent’s property near a wetland area in Oregon. She showed us the property 6 months before the wedding and it was not even close to being ready for a ceremony. She shared with us their plans of how they are going to make it ready, and I couldn’t help but get excited! I knew it was going to be beautiful! That was an understatement!

They had cleared paths so the guests could walk through the picturesque property while signing the guest book, getting their picture taken by an old oak tree, and choosing their ball jar that had been decorated with their wedding date to fill with water or wine to drink during the ceremony. They family had perfectly placed the ceremony location underneath two large trees and built a simple platform as a place to exchange wedding vows.

The ceremony took place at a time when the sun was setting behind the trees, making it the most beautiful setting. The family also built all of the open buildings for the cake and for the guests seating. And then added draped, flowing fabric to cover the buildings. One of the family members arranged the bouquets and purchased potted plants for the tables, and she did a marvelous job! They left trees and added more native plants to the reception and ceremony area so they could hang lanterns and candles; making every detail perfect throughout the wedding day.

 

Details:

Jessica Minniti & Evan Scarola
October 02, 2010
Oregon, United States

Photographer:  Anne Nunn Photographers
Reception Venue:  Private Residence
Dress Store:  Blush Bridal Salon
Dress Designer:  Allure Bridals
Cake Designer:  Leda Hermecz

Steph + Isaiah

Weddings by the water are somehow inherently romantic. While most have beach or by-the-ocean affairs, we’re beginning to see a bit of an uptick in the number of lakeside weddings. I love this! Lakes are an underutilized venue option. I hope this wedding, that of Isaiah and Steph inspires you to explore your local lakes. Isn’t this just so romantic, inviting, and warm?

Details:

Couple: Steph & Isaiah

Wedding Date: 06/2010

Country: United States

Photographer: Ampersand Photography

Reception Venue: Smith Mountain Lake – home

Cake Designer: Robert Clarkin cakes

Additional information about this wedding from the photographer: Isaiah & Steph did most of the wedding planning, decorating, and everything else all on their own (and with the help of tons of loving family and friends). The wedding was held in the backyard of a family friend (they have a gazebo right on the lake). Steph’s mom, sister, and aunts did the flowers, and friends helped her coordinate everything. The morning of the wedding all of Steph’s bridesmaids were out by the lake setting everything up and decorating. Isaiah & Steph have friends that own a bluegrass band, and they did the music during the ceremony and the reception. One friend made the cake, another friend made barbecue for the reception meal, and still another friend did her make-up. Isaiah searched for weeks to find the perfect ring for her, and finally settled on a 1920’s antique ring, which is absolutely perfect for her.

 

Kacie + Jake

DIYer Kacie and her fabulous crew put together one heck of a do-it-yourself event. They constructed everything from the flowers to the aisle markers to the cake, food, drink and even the girls’ hair and makeup. The result? A beautiful, personal country wedding. Outstanding!

 

DETAILS

Couple: Kacie + Jake
Wedding Date: April 2010
Location: College Station, Texas
Photographer: Jonathan Ivy Photography
Reception Venue: 7F Lodge
Cinema and Video: 2nd Generation Video
Additional information about this wedding: This DIY bride & her crew constructed everything in her wedding from the flowers, to the aisle markers, to the cake, food, drink and even the girls hair and makeup. The brought together a great crew and pull this beautiful outdoor Texas country wedding together!

Taylor + Dominique

DIYBride recently opened our doors to real DIY weddings submissions and, well, the weddings coming in are utterly delightful. Case in point: Taylor & Dominique.

Photographer Joshua Caine submitted today’s real wedding from a couple who’ve really embraced who they are and created a day that’s fun, eclectic, and totally them.

The full gallery and details are after the jump.

The Deets:

Location:  Parkfield, California
Theme:  Inspired by one of their favorite songs Big Rock Candy Mountain
Wedding Planner:  Jour Parfait (http://jourparfait.com/)

Unique Details:

Taylor & Dominique’s wedding was all about DIY with much of the elements coming from garage sales and swap meets. Their fabulous second-hand finds include: the plates, bull dog, bar man, and the gum ball machine that sat on the bar; all of the furniture for the smoking lounge (decorated with a cigarette-adorned tree for the guests to take).

Each guest had a mason jar with chalk board painted on it for them to write their name on.

In the champagne glasses we put colored rock candy at the bottom so when the champagne hit it would turn different colors.

Taylor hung all the lights, bird cages with lights and old window frames that he put their engagement pictures in and spray painted black.

They made a great mixed CD. They recorded big rock candy mountain with both of them.

Then they had matches as more favors.

Dominique walked down the isle to a Ava Marie, recorded by her late grandfather.

The linens were also made by the Mother of the groom.

Lace covered the picnic tables

They had a large popcorn maker with many toppings for guest to have as the evening went on.

Bleachers were put up for guests to sit at during the ceremony.

Karaoke was part of the entertainment

All guests could camp over after the wedding.
Visit Joshua Caine’s blog for more photography goodness at:  joshuacaine.com/blog.

Exit mobile version