Spring Weddings - 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

Leah + Kaleb’s Vintage Engagement Session

I get excited when I get to share a love story from start to finish with all of you lovelies! Especially when it’s a story this pretty. It all started with a handcrafted vintage e-sesh captured by Booth Photographics. Leah + Kaleb fully fashioned this love shoot themselves. And I do mean fashioned- Leah made that gorge lace back dress of hers! Full of of all kinds of little handpicked and handmade details, this love shoot is the prequel to an awesome wedding to come!

From the photographer:

You see, real love is not just quantified by 2 people giddy with excitement and affectionate hugs. It is so much more; it is in the fabric of how these two interact. Capturing Leah & Kaleb’s vintage engagement session was truly a story unfolding before our eyes with both personal and handmade details. These two have some serious skills! We can’t get over the vintage truck and their excitement and affectionate hugs.

Thanks to Booth Photographics, we can share this fantastic e-sesh and tell you that there’s more to see where this came from. You see Stephen over at Booth Photographics, has also shared their fantastic DIY wedding where Leah continued to fashion the fashion for her bridesmaids and flower girls. Just like this e-sesh, it’s a must see! So take some time to get inspired here and check back soon to help us wish Leah + Kaleb a second big congrats!

Vendor Information:

Date: May 10, 2013

Location: USA

Photographer: Booth Photographics

Ana + Brandon’s Rustic Budget Friendly Wedding

You know what I love more than a super sweet couple’s amazing DIY wedding photos? When I find out that the gorgeousness oozing off the page was created by craft crazy bride with a tight budget in mind. Ana + Ben are certainly adorable enough to love by themselves. And the details and moments captured by Katelyn Owens Photography are superb too. And it goes without saying our obsession over some good DIY decor. But when Ana shared that all of this amazing crafting was created for under $10k. Well, let’s just say time to start pinning my dears, time to start pinning.

xxx

I am so in love with this little outdoor chapel at Stone Oak Ranch! With a short and sweet ceremony the party moved into the barn where BBQ was cooked and served by close friend on mismatched china to tables with handmade wildflower centerpieces. A photo timeline bunting of the happy couple served as wall decor, and the pies and cake were also made by friends and fam. But Ana here was no joke, she was just having too much fun to stop at a few recycled apple sauce jar lanterns.

From the bride:

We had a very small budget to work with (under 10,000) but with a LOT of help from family and friends and some creativity, we were able to have our dream wedding at an affordable price. With an “I can make that!” attitude I worked late into the night making save the dates, invitations, flower girl baskets, a ring-bearer pillow and the list goes on and on. Everyone thought i was crazy, but it was too much fun too quit.

All of Ana’s crafting insanity and beautiful vision of a rustic chic event was brilliantly captured by Katelyn Owens Photography. And while we are super excited about this, she also managed to capture the real details that make every wedding unique- the special love between the bride and groom.

All of Ana’s late night crafting really did pay off with this country beauty. Thanks Katelyn Owens Photography for sharing this with us. Congratulations Ana + Brandon!

Vendor Information:

Date: March 30, 2013

Location: Murchison, TX

Photographer: Katelyn Owens Photography

Event Venue: Stone Oak Ranch

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Amanda + Ryan’s Whimsical Picnic Wedding

Since so many of us will be holding a last hurrah picnic with our nearest and dearest this weekend, I thought it only fit to share a picnic wedding with you all today too! Woo hoo!! Labor Day Bonus! This is no ordinary picnic though. Inspired by Grandma’s groovy buttons and strawberry lemonade, featuring puppies, pink dining blankets, pinwheels, and penny lawn games and a runaway groom (more on that in a minute), this whimsy and fun lawn party captured so beautifully by M.A. Rose Photography is the kind of inspiration that of those you planning a festive lawn fete for next summer should start taking notes to remember all of these great ideas!

Now beyond all of whimsical and fun deets Amanda fashioned like her gorgeous hairpiece and necklace from her grandmother’s button jar as her “something old, ” and all of the paper pinwheels for the decor, bouquets, and bouts, the goal of this artistry was two-fold. From the bride, Amanda:

The two most important aspects to me was that all my guests have fun, and that the wedding reflects our values and lifestyle. As artists, DIY enthusiasts, and environmentalists this meant making choices that would limit the impact we were having on the environment and minimizing waste as well as making it beautiful and fun.

And what an amazing job these two have done! I don’t know about you, but this vegan spread looks as pretty as it does delicious! And topping it off some homemade mason jar apple pie? Mmmmm…Yes, please and thank you!! Full of yummy, personal details and eco-friendly fun Amanda and Ryan have a perfect picnic wedding tri-fecta!

So what about the runaway groom, you may be asking? Well a certain groom may have been saying “Lego my vows” to his car where he left his vows and had to make a fast getaway (and comeback) in the middle of the ceremony. It’s pretty clear that Amanda + Ryan are one happy and lucky couple to have each other- Congratulations!!! M.A.Rose Photography was also one lucky photog to have this much picnic fun and we are one lucky blog to get to share this gorgeous gallery with you today! As a double awesome bonus- Amanda and Ryan shared their music choices which we love to hear!

Musical Choices:

Processional- “Just Breathe”, Pearl Jam

Recessional- “Fine By Me”, Andy Grammer

First Dance- “Keep on Loving You”, REO Speedwagon

Vendor Information:

Date: May 25, 2013

Location: Redlands, CA

Photographer: M.A. Rose Photography

Catering: Olive Avenue Market

Event Venue: Kimberly Crest House and Gardens

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

Stephanie + Lucas’ Intimate Country Wedding

This wedding? Ummmm? I’m a little bit floored. I just still can’t get over how you crazy kids dream up these amazing details! You know that moment when your head over heels in love with a ridiculously perfect and sweet country wedding and you see a DIY project and you think: “Now why didn’t I think of that!?” Yep. That’s the kind of wedding we have here today. A slap yourself silly kind of wedding with some stellar country chic niceties and oh-so-pretty images from Sara Lynn Photographic.

Since Stephanie happens to be a photographer, you could of gotten pretty good odds that the details and location were going to be top notch. From the photographer:

Almost every little detail was hand-made. Her bouquet was made from wheat, which was also picked up in the boutonnieres and centerpieces- all made my Stephanie. The centerpieces were a collection of bibles that the family had came across along with mason jars filled with vintage portraits of the bride and groom (touching on the photographers in them) that Stephanie has printed and torn to give that rustic, worn feel too.

My “D’Oh!” moment had to be the scrapbook paper place mats that created such a simple, shabby-chic touch that pulled everything together. (If you’re with me, let’s say it together…Why didn’t I think of that!?) And in true DIY/DIT style, family and friends banded together to make many of the dazzling details. From sweet treats and the potluck buffet to every last one of the picnic benches and clearing the brush and poison ivy under the amazing naturally arched altar Stephanie and Lucas married under, Lucas’s family farm was transformed into an al fresco wedding wonderland dotted with dried florals.

Thank you Sara Lynn Photographic for capturing this lovely day! Congratulations Stephanie and Lucas!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Sara Lynn Photographic

Event venue: Private home

Dress designer: David’s Bridal

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Amanda + Dustin’s Romantic Barn Wedding

If there’s one thing I’ll never tire of, it’s beautiful barn weddings illuminated by tons of twinkling lights and radiating love. With this wedding from Taylor Whitham Photography, it’s pretty hard to find something not to love. With it’s neutral palette and pops of pink Amanda + Dustin’s wedding at Mustard Seed Gardens is every part rustic romance meets pretty perfection.

When your dad has a vineyard, you are sure to have an awesome bar. I love the labels with their favorite engagement photos! Amanda + Dustin did a fantastic job planning every little pink and rustic detail that complimented the barn venue so well. Everything from the simple centerpieces on burlap squares, to the hanging mason jar florals is rustically awe inspiring. And those lights! They just set the mood for romance and create the best head table back drop!

Thanks Taylor Whitham Photography for sharing this great barn bash! Congratulations Amanda + Dustin!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Taylor Whitham Photography

Event Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens

DJ: Trent Dean Entertainment

Officiant: Dow Boyer

Floral Designer: Kathy’s Kloset of Flowers

Cake Designer: Parcha Sweets

Dress Store: Blushing Bride

Hair Stylist: Annie Drake

Makeup Artist: Erica Foit

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Terriana + Jay’s Bright Bold Wedding

One guy on an international floor full of 15 women sounds like every man’s dream. Well, it certainly seems to have worked to Jay’s advantage! Finding his dream girl whose bold move to ask him out first (after a bet with a friend as to who could ask him first) saw this duo to hold this bright beauty of a day. From bold moves to bright colors, this wedding is nothing short of chic and regal elegance with little hints of rustic charm. Held at the Red Corral Ranch that houses the peacocks that inspired this classy color palette, you don’t want to miss this multi-color magnificence. Photography by Vanessa has captured Terriana + Jay’s bright personalities brilliantly in this can’t miss love story and detailed event!

From the bride:

We got engaged on my 27th birthday, on July 28th 2012 at 11:58pm 🙂 About eight years ago, the day before I left to study abroad in Spain for six months, Jay gave me a pair of sapphire heart earrings. I lost one of them when I moved to Texas, but I gave him the remaining earring and told him that I wanted it back one day in the form of an engagement ring, which ended up being one that I designed just to highlight the sapphire that I held so dear.

Besides the enduring romance of this bubbly couple, I love the heart and pride they poured into it. The colored glass that donned the tables were an undergrad project Jay created himself. And in less than three months, Terriana planned and executed an amazing event surely worthy of pride! Thanks Photography by Vanessa, and congratulations Terriana and Jay.

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Photography by Vanessa

Event Venue: Red Corral Ranch

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Lucy + Nick’s Sweet Spring Engagement

Ever since I fell in love with love shoots, I get a little giddy when I see the infectious love of a super sweet couple. Lucy and Nick are one of those couples you just have to love! There young, fresh, and fun vibe combined with a super sweet spring day and the fantastic photography of Micheal B equals e-sesh perfection.

There’s not too much else to wish for from an engagement session like this one. Micheal B. has snapped up a beautiful blend of all things fabulous about an engagement shoot and everything fun and adoringly loving about Lucy and Nick. Thank you Micheal B. Photography for sharing this sweet session with us. Congratulations Lucy and Nick!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Micheal B.

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Lauren + Matt’s Vintage Voyage Couple’s Wedding Shower

Lauren and Matt realized that dream wedding was only being postponed because of the price tag and eloped in a beautiful and intimate beach ceremony. That didn’t stop them from going forward their dream wedding day though! Making it official in front of the friends and family in May of 2013, Lauren and Matt have a clever and crafty family that organized a couple’s wedding shower to help them celebrate their dream honeymoon in Thailand with a honeymoon registry instead of the typical housewares. This destination celebration was caught by mattnnat Photographers and shared here today!

The vintage travel inspired theme was completed with tasty Thai food and adorably finished frames of the happy couple. The DIY decor and awesome gift ideas are riding captain and co-pilot on this journey!

One of my favorite things to come out of the DIY movement in weddings is that weddings are no longer just about a bride. More and more,we are coming to realize that brides and grooms alike deserve some pre-wedding attention since a wedding is really about a couple. Don’t get me wrong, a little extra attention for the bride never hurts, but the customization and we-ness options out there for couples is endless! Congratulations Lauren and Matt! We hope you had two wonderful weddings and enjoy your honeymoon! Thank you mattnnat Photographers for sharing these great inspirational images!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: mattnnat Photographers