Adrienne and Paul didn’t necessarily plan on having a snowy winter wedding, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The night before their wedding a surprise blizzard swooped in, moving their previously outdoor ceremony indoors at the Willow Ridge Manor near Denver, Colorado. But this couple handled everything in stride, including doing their first look and taking pictures in 30 degree temperatures (it was so cold, Adrienne couldn’t even bring her bouquet outside). Their last minute indoor ceremony location was accented by gorgeous string icicle lights, which remind me of the holidays, and their black and red palette made the room feel warm and romantic in spite of the chilly weather.
The bride was a DIY machine, making everything from the votive favors, to the centerpieces, to the candy buffet. She created their cake design based on the detailing on their invitation suite. She even had a faux fur wrap custom made for her at the last minute when the forecast turned snowy. The bride has detailed some of her projects below. Thanks, Adrienne!
Personalized vellum-wrapped votive holder place cards/favors: The place cards and favors were one in the same. I ordered glass votive holders in bulk from eBay. I printed each guest’s name and table number on vellum, cut it out, and wrapped and adhered it to the candle holder using double sided tape. I trimmed it in red ribbon and hid the vellum seam in the back with a line of stick-on rhinestones.
Bonus: This doubled as extra lighting for the room. They were a TON of work but I don’t regret it. We loved how they turned out.
Tissues for the ceremony: I bought small envelopes in bulk and put about 5 folded up tissues in each one. I sealed it with a label that had our logo/monogram on it and read “For your tears of joy.” These were placed on every chair at the ceremony.
Table numbers and menus: Each table had a black decorative frame (picked them up at a discount store for $2 each) and each table was assigned a number, and for each number was a quote from a child about love/marriage with the corresponding age (Table 2 had a quote from a 2 year old, etc). Menus were also printed using the same frames and placed at each table.
Candelabra centerpieces: We wanted to go for a lavish Victorian look without the big budget. Floral centerpieces are expensive and get thrown away. Our venue had giant silver candelabras that we were able to use free of charge. I spent hours at the venue brainstorming and then thought of using crystal (acrylic) swag to go on the candelabras. I ordered several hundred feet of the acrylic garland from www.shopwildthings.com and bought jump rings and heavy gauge crafting wire and created the swags for the candelabras. The day before the wedding we attached these to every single candelabra.
Card Box: I created my card box using circular cardboard hat boxes from Joann Fabric. I painted the boxes and then stacked them on each other, carved a slit in the top, and added silver glitter ribbon, rhinestone letters, and black ostrich feathers.
Lanterns/unity ceremony: We had originally planned for our ceremony to be outside but a blizzard forced us to move inside. In planning for the wind outside, we used two small lanterns and one large lantern, found at Hobby Lobby, for our unity ceremony. We still have these and now they sit in front our our fireplace.
Parasols: I desperately wanted to make parasols to use in pictures, so I bought a dozen from Oriental Trading Company. I made a template in Adobe Publisher and hand painted the names on the parasols using acrylic paints. It took forever at first but I got better as I went along. This was also part of the bridesmaids gifts. I made teeny ones for the flower girls and also one for Paul and I.
Guest book quilt: My mom designed a quilt for us and cut out the pieces and had everyone sign a message to us on the fabric pieces. After the wedding, she pieced them all together and quilted them for us with our invitation in the center of the quilt.
“WE DO” letters: Wooden letters that were painted red to decorate the cake table.
CANDY BUFFET: I collected glass candy containers from various thrift stores. I also purchased some ornate pedestals from HomeGoods and spray painted them silver. They had the same crystal garland from the centerpieces hanging from the pedestals, also. I created labels and tied them on the candy containers with ribbons.
Congrats Paul and Adrienne!
DETAILS
Photographer: Traci & Nic Turchin of Real Photography
Venue: Willow Ridge Manor , near Denver, Colorado
Florist: Dawn Ackerman at Hillside Consultants
Videographer: Denver Wedding Films
DJ: Maestro Mobile Music
Hair & Make Up: Rachel Pfeffer at Girls and Curls
Dress & Veil: David’s Bridal
Seamstress: Christine Hoyt (also made the bride’s custom wrap)
Invitations: The American Wedding
Groom’s Tux: The Men’s Wearhouse
Caterer & Event Company: Lifestyles Catering
Alcohol: Primo Vino
Cake: Das Meyer Pastry Chalet
Officiant: Father Marty Hunckler
Bride’s engagement ring: Tacori, purchased at Robbins Bros
Bride’s wedding band: Custom made by 5th Avenue Designs
Groom’s wedding band: King Crown Jewelry on eBay!
