Cultural - DIY Bride

Nina + Dave’s Colorful Engagement Ceremony

Happy Monday crafties! Today’s real wedding sent in by Martina at MickoPhoto is so bright and vibrant that it’s sure to wash away any manic Monday blues. Rich in tradition, custom, and symbolism and handwoven with love and care, Nina + Dave’s engagement ceremony reminds me of a beautiful heirloom tapestry.

I love the way this traditional, cultural wedding blends color and custom so seamlessly that it reaches your every sense. With all of the brightly colored florals and a sari that will make you swoon, this wedding gallery cannot be missed. From the brilliant backdrop, and the eco-friendly favors, all the way to runners handcrafted by the groom and a feast that will nourish your soul, Nina + Dave have created a pattern for love that we should all adopt. Take one madly in love couple, parallel that thread with spirituality, weave in generous amounts of meaning and some time-honored traditions, finally glam it up with sprinkles of color, and display to all of those that you can share your warmth and safety.

Nina + Dave are such a stunning couple! Having fun against their crepe paper back drop and so at peace during their ceremony, it almost gives you a taste of what their lives together will be like. (P.S. Nina shared the tutorial for this DIY doozie here. Thanks Nina!) This engagement ceremony taking place last September is only a prelude to another gorgeous affair that past this May. I can’t thank MickoPhoto enough for capturing such a lovely day. Congratulations Nina + Dave!

Vendor Information:

Photogrpaher: MickoPhoto

Submitted via Two Bright Light

Ju + Derrick’s Modern Beach Engagement

Engagement sessions just keep surprising me in the best way possible. What’s better than a beach, a balloon, and cute pup for an engagement session? How about several wardrobe changes, a photographer like Mike L Photography, and a totally B.A. couple willing to capture their love and romance in a fun and whimsical way?

Ju and Derrick seem to have combined their crazy-fun spirits with romance and mystique at the beach, the Griffith Observatory, and Chinatown. I love the modern shots and poses that give you a hint of their bright personalities. You just know these two are a blast to be around!

Thank you Mike L Photography for sharing this fantastic shoot! To Ju and Derrick who are hopefully reveling in marital bliss and just returning from a bomb diggity honeymoon, congratulations!!!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Mike L Photography

Event Venues: Huntington Beach

Griffith Observatory

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Tatiana + Rick’s Vibrant Vineyard Wedding

I like wine a lot. I like weddings a lot. Put the two together and I’m intoxicated with the amount of beauty captured by Sara Wight Photography. Combine this craftsy couple with Karma Flowers and Trunk Vintage Rentals, some bold blue hues, a beautiful Buddhist ceremony, and the grounds of Alba Vineyard and you have the perfect cocktail of vibrant vineyard charm.

I can’t possibly talk about all the cool crafts in this wedding, so I highly recommend taking a look at the entire gallery. (Well, actually I could- they are that good- but I would probably need two posts.) Along with the fabulous flowing fabric backdrop, chandeliers and the groom’s green thumb terrariums, the best part about Tatiana and Rick’s Real Wedding was that it was really real. Tatiana not only shared some crazy cute budget friendly ideas to steal like her craft paper menus and cardboard chalkboard signs, she also let us in on some of moments that can drive a DIY bride crazy.

She also shared some 20/20 hindsight on some projects that didn’t quite have the stamina to hold up to this wild party complete with youngins: like a photo backdrop without too thin ribbon and a hand-sewn ring pillow that may have been missing some ties and dropped the ring coming down the aisle. (Not that she experienced this or anything…)

From the bride:

“We had a blast and it turned out just as we had hoped. In fact, better because for a while there I was worried it was going to be too much going on. In the end it was just enough.”

Just enough is understatement. This wedding was beautifully crafted and executed and we can’t thank Sara Wight for documenting the deets so perfectly. Congratulations Tatiana and Rick!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Sara Wight Photography

Venue: Alba Vineyards

Florals, event design, and rentals: Karma Flowers and Trunk Vintage Rentals

Submited via Two Bright Lights

Lucia + David’s Rustic Spanish Boda (aka Wedding)

Aye Caramba!

Some things are just meant to be: arroz con pollo, me and this job, mannequins and cars, TOMS and Vera Wang, Lucia and David. The Spanish elements of this wedding reminded me of some of the family weddings I attended as a kid, so I felt a little connection here. But Lucia and David’s fiesta didn’t just speak to my Spanish roots; it was literally spoken in Spanish.

The amount of romance in this wedding is ridiculous! David spoke his traditional vows in Spanish. (Swoon!) Lucia’s mother is an opera singer and sang during the ceremony. You know that got some tears. (Aye, aye, aye!) Not to worry though, there were hankies with hand sewn Spanish phrases like “I love you” to keep any make up smudges from ruining the gorgeous work captured by Evangeline Lane Photography

If for some reason that isn’t enough to make you feel all warm and gooey, two adorable ring bearers in light summery linen carried one of the many handmade signs that add fantastic personal Spanglish touches. The Mexican papel picado details combined with the beautiful rustic gardens of the Larz Auto Museum are perfect compliments to one another.

Since we are the topic, this reception venue is just another example of things that are meant to be; lush gardens and brick castle-like structures, cars and well-dressed mannequins?! This must have been designed by a bride and groom for a future happy couple. Lucia and David added rustic touches like baby’s breath and wildflowers in rustic mason jars which offset the stylish brick surrounding and chevron runners.

Whoever designed it, I’m glad they did. More importantly I’m thrilled that Lucia and David chose this fabulous location and to share it with us here at DIY Bride!

Felicidades Lucia y David!

Vendor info:

Photography: Evangeline lane photography

Hair Stylist: Jean-Pierre Salon

Caterer: Season To Taste Catering

Floral Designer: : Nellie’s Wildflowers

Reception Venue: Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Invitation Designer: Wicked Bride Stationery

Dress Designer: Vera Wang

DJ: DJ RMC Productions

Ceremony Location: Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Makeup Artist: Jamie Perez Makeup Artist

Shoes: TOMS Shoes

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Tabitha + Taylor’s Nature Inspired Wedding

Today’s green wedding comes to us from High Pocket farm in Massachusetts, complete with handpicked wildflowers and centerpieces made with elements found in nature. Which is totally fitting since Tabitha and Taylor met in college when they both joined the wildlife society.

The couple really wanted to showcase the environment in their wedding. As mentioned earlier, they hand picked all the beautiful wildflowers used in the wedding from a farm via their local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and the bride and the maid of honor arranged them all.

As part of the ceremony, they had each guest hold a rock and make a blessing, and then everyone put the rocks in a jar, which the couple now keeps at home. This ties into Taylor’s proposal, when he spelled out “Marry Me?” using tiny rocks while on a nature walk.

The chuppah was built by the groom and his friends using paper birch trees. I love how guests are casually gathered around. It makes the event feel so much more comfortable and organic.

More from the bride: “The centerpieces were tree cookies cut from trees we had previously cut down in our yard. On top of the tree cookie we placed a large rock which we collected from locations we have visited together (beaches, rivers, etc.) Using a permanent marker we labeled the rocks with the table name (also places that we created memories together). The flower vases were glass jars wrapped in birch bark (harvested from already dead birch trees or bark we found on the ground). The flowers were handpicked at a local CSA wildflower farm, and the moss, lichen and twigs were also collected during hikes to decorate the rest of the centerpiece.”

“The favors were mason jars that we hand stamped for people to use during our wedding. Our goal was to reduce waste and give people something special to take home to remember the day.”

“For the place cards we used branches from our yard that we cut slits in with a sawzall. The place cards were wildflower seed paper that people could take home to plant.”

“The cake stand was also hand made using trees we cut in our yard.”

(Ed. note – I’m having difficulty processing how adorable the cake is. I mean, LOOK.)

Right before dinner, it started pouring down rain. A normal couple would panic, but not this nature-loving couple. The bride now says it’s one of her favorite memories of the day.

Rainy day wedding kayaking, anyone?

Awesome wedding, Tabitha and Taylor! Thanks for sharing it with us.

DETAILS:
Photographer: Orchard Cove Photography
Caterer: Cliff’s Smokin Barbeque
Floral: Wilder Brook Farm
Band: Destroy Babylon
Event Venue: High Pocket, Colrain, Massachusetts

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Nadira and Naeem’s Atlanta Muslim Wedding

Today’s wedding features a traditional Muslim ceremony, with gorgeous henna, bright florals, and lots of gold and sparkle. This is my kind of wedding. The bride is a graphic designer and created a wedding logo that was used throughout the decor. The decor also had an subtle tea theme, including teabag shaped place cards, teapot shaped table numbers, and guest favor boxes that included tea leaves and a cookie, made by the bride. The orchids used in the centerpieces were gifted by friends. You would never know it but the wedding was scheduled to be outside but a rainstorm forced them to move everyone, including the steel drummer, inside for the ceremony. The couple took everything in stride and obviously the wedding turned out simply amazing!

In keeping with the tea theme, the escort cards were shaped to look like tea bags.

I simply love all the gold with pops of red. It make the event feel so regal.

Congrats Nadira and Naeem!

DETAILS:
Photographer: Suburbanite Photography
Caterer: Bridge Catering
Event Planner: Nikki’s Event Planning
Floral Designer: For Armor Events and Motes Orchids
Musicians: Paul Voger
Reception Venue: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Linens and Coverings: Table Cloths Factory
Makeup Artist: Mirror Mirror Makeup and Hair
Shoes: Nina Shoes
Bakery: Sister’s Sweet Creations

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Leah + Chris’ Budget-Friendly Farm Wedding

Hello, and Happy Friday! Why do the short holiday weeks always seem like the longest weeks?!? But I’m happy it’s Friday because that means I get to share another gorgeous DIY wedding with you all!

Today’s wedding is kind of special … well, all of our weddings are special, of course. But this wedding stands out because this couple shared their budget with us. We know our DIY couples are clever, crafty, and thrifty, but would you believe all this amazingness was done for just around $1000??? As their photographer Christian told us, “It goes to show you don’t have to spend thousands on a wedding and you can still have it be lovely and memorable.

This wedding was truly a group effort. The bride made all the floral arrangements and decor herself, using lots of dried roses and baby’s breath. Their friends and family made the food and desserts. Their venue was the farm of a family friend. The bride’s gown was passed down by her mother and was also worn by her grandmother – true vintage. The photographer, a friend of the groom, donated his time and talent. A lot of people came together to give Leah and Chris their dream wedding – they must be a very special couple!

Congrats Chris and Leah!

DETAILS:

Photographer: Christian Agha

Venue: Private Residence, Virginia

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Ann + Mark

Lovely sighs all around this afternoon – Chinese lanterns figure prominently in this wedding, and I love them so much. The effect is stunning. Be sure to take a beat this afternoon and check out today’s wonderful Real Wedding gallery. Ann and Mark are both graphic designers, and they designed every inch of their destination wedding with a warm color wheel of reds and yellows to emphasis the latin vibe. They letterpressed and screen printed the invites, welcome bags, and coasters, as well as creating the decor.

DETAILS

Location: Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Photography: Comfort Studio

Venue: Hacienda Pinilla

Coordinator: Events & Weddings Costa Rica

Florals: Stylos y Flores

Invitations: Baltimore Print Stu dios

Cake Designer: Construcciones Dulces

Wedding Dress: La Sposa

Bridesmaid Attire: Priscilla of Boston

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

Make Up: Maravilla Weddings

Mens Attire: Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger

Jewelry: Blue Nile

DJ: Cabo Luna Event Rentals

Equipment Rentals: Eventos Boadicea

Elizheva + Robert

From photographer Carlie: Elizheva did an amazing job creating all of the handmade details that brought so much soul to this wedding, from the handmade huppah that she designed from ribbons given by her guests, to the hand knit yamakas and custom programs, to the purple petticoat that she added to the inside of her dress and the purple glitter that she added to the soles of her shoes! Robert is the architect behind Fink Architecture, so he fell in love with Costanoa for it’s beautiful eco design and it’s functionality in housing many of their guests for a weekend of celebrations. Elizheva and Robert’s entire wedding was inspired by the Jewish faith, the wildflowers of California and all shades of purple, and these inspirations could be seen and felt through every part of the day. The morning began with a women’s gathering where Elizheva’s closest ladies sang and danced and gave their blessings to the bride, while the men gathered amid the eucalyptus tress and shared their words of wisdom over shots of whiskey. Then they had their amazing klesmer band Kugelplex lead the men to meet the women where their custom ketubah was signed and the veiling ceremony performed.

Elizheva + Robert

August 15, 2010

Pescadero, California Photographer: carlie statsky photography

Reception Venue: Costanoa

Cinema and Video: Royal Weddings

Morgan + James

I am so in love with lush-yet-intimate intimate outdoor weddings. Washington state couple Morgan and James took advantage of their local greenery for this beautiful wedding. And, really, how could you resist guys in kilts?

There’s a lot of great handmade and upcycled details here: check out the cut wine bottle candle chimneys, the centerpieces bought at Goodwill, and succulent favors. What makes this all work is a rich palette that beautifully compliments the outdoor setting while still feeling fun and playful.

The Details

Couple: Morgan & James
Wedding Date: July 10, 2010
Location: Shelton, Washington

Photographer: Katie Anderson Photography
Hair Stylist: Studio B
Caterer: Mudflower Catering
Event Designer: Tashana Klonius Designs
Reception Venue: Walter Dacon Wines
Dress Store: David’s Bridal
Cake Designer: Costco

Continue reading Morgan + James