Pennsylvania - DIY Bride

Becca + Mike’s E-Session at Valley Forge National Park

Today’s Fall E-session from Lindsay Docherty Photography is gorgeous with all the gold and browns. How can it be not when the weather was great and the Valley Forge National Park had all the amazing colors.

According to the photographer Lindsay Docherty, Becca + Mike is, in a way, total opposites. She’s petite and he’s a “big lug”. She loves and is good at shopping, while he’s awesome at mowing stripes on the lawn. I love that they share how when they first met at a mutual friend’s party years ago, Becca basically Facebook stalked him and messaged him before they went out on their first date. I love it because let’s face it, who doesn’t do that these days???

The love between the two is apparent and combined with the gorgeous setting, you get one awesome e-session.

Photographer: Lindsay Docherty Photography//Shoot Date: 11.06.2013//Other Location:Valley Forge National Park//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jackie + Chang’s Classic Autumn Wedding

For our Monday feature this week, we’re sharing a traditional Autumn affair from Lindsay Docherty Photography. Jackie + Chang had their traditional church wedding in Delaware at the same location where Jackie’s sister, parents, and grandparents were also married in. For their celebration, they decided to hosted it at Kings Mills in Pennsylvania, where Jackie allowed her creativity to shine.

Jackie incorporated lots of yellow, orange, and gold all over the details for her Fall wedding. What was pretty amazing was that Jackie + Chang had only visited and seen their venue once and were able to visualize how they want their reception to look. Jackie went to work and created each unique center pieces for the tables, the cake topper, signs, favors, and the masks worn by the wedding party.

Lots of fun dancing, bright sparklers, and sky lanterns send-offs to round out a beautiful wedding, Jackie + Chang’s classic autumn wedding was one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Jackie’s unique center pieces were the stars of the show (next to Jackie + Chang, of course), and the matching bridesmaids’ gold glittery heels were great complements to Jackie’s own heels in hot pink.

Congratulations to Jackie + Chang on their marriage!!

Photographer: Lindsay Docherty Photography//Wedding Date:11.02.2014//Dress Store:Francesca’s Collections//Jewelry: Jared//Caterer: Kings Mills//Reception Venue:Kings Mills//Veils and headpieces:Simply Blue Bridal//Musicians:Sky Brady//Floral Designer:Wildflowers by Alicia//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Ashley + Justin’s Elegant Winter Soiree in Philly

We’re kicking off this Monday with a super gorgeous Philadelphia soiree from BG Productions Photography and Videography. This late Fall/early Winter wedding just oozes sophistication and elegance, with help from the presence of the historical venue, The German Society of Pennsylvania. Using main colors black, white, and gold for the palette and lots of lace, Ashley + Justin pulled off one awe-inspiring wedding with gorgeous details!

Ashley + Justin incorporated DIY touches where they can. For example, Ashley ordered bulk flowers from
Falls Flowers to put flower arrangements together herself. Ashley’s mom and aunt made amazingly beautiful handmade snowflake ornaments as favors for guests. And I’m in complete awe of how neat and clean their chalkboard signs were.

I love Ashley + Justin’s use of lace as table runners, which show up especially well against the black table cloths. I also love Ashley’s bold choice of using black lace dresses to dress her bridal party, which they all look amazing and romantic. I also just can’t stop adoring over their First Looks with BG Productions Photography and Videography, featuring scenes from all over their favorite spots in Philly (e.g. Race Street Pier, where they got engaged; Painted Bride, which is down the street from their house; and of course their super adorable dog and the Philly skyscrapers as background).

Much congratulations to Ashley + Justin for their beautiful wedding and pulling off this super classy wedding!

Photographer: BG Productions Photography and Videography//Wedding Date:11.23.2013//Photo Booth Equipment:BG Productions Photography & Videography//Cake Designer:Classic Cake//Location:Loews Hotel//DJ: No Macarena DJ//Caterer:Blue Monkey Catering//Floral Designer: Falls Flowers//Reception Venue: The German Society of PA//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Becky + John’s Gorgeous Backyard Wedding at Strawberry Mansion

Having a strict budget was not an issue for our couple Becky + John. They are such a picturesque couple that they somehow managed to look so good and stylish no matter what they do. And apparently, that sense of style easily translated into their wedding as well. With a little help from their good friend and stylist Jessica Wohlers, Becky + John DIY most of the wedding themselves. Add a couple of props (tandem bike + parasol) and the talent behind Danielle Nowak Photography, you got some really amazing photos.

To stay within their limited budget, Becky + John and stylist friend Jessica got to work on their DIY projects. According to their photographer, “The flowers were donated only with a few bunches from local vendors, Jesse created a cascading effect with the flowers & candle lit mason jars wrapped in hemp for the table tops. She also handmade the veil, bouquet & boutonniere. Created the “Arbor” by a sculpted string, hanging candles & lights.”
Much congratulations to our gorgeous couple Becky + John!!!

Photographer: Danielle Nowak Photography//Wedding Date:05.18.2013//Personal Stylist: Jessica Wohlers//Reception Venue:Strawberry Mansion//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Alison + Christian’s Yellow and Grey Rustic Farm Wedding

Featured wedding for the day comes from the talented Jeff of Brooke Courtney Photography. This Pennsylvania wedding at The Farm at Eagles Ridge was love at first sight for our couple Alison + Christian. They had a vision of getting married at a “big open barn with lots of natural light, hardwood floors, and rustic charms”, and that’s exactly what they got. Alison has always loved the colors yellow and grey, so obviously, she felt that golden yellow with grey accents would be perfect for her early Fall wedding in the country… and I couldn’t agree more with her!

Alison + Christian wanted to DIY their decor to make sure that their wedding is truly about them and added vintages pieces wherever they see fit. They “collected vintage postcards from all of the places [they] had traveled for [their] guests to write special messages on. [They] made homemade butterscotch walnut fudge for [their] favors.” From Alison: “My maid of honor, Kendra, made all of the bunting that was hung in the barn. She cut yards and yards of fabric and sewed for months, and her family even helped hang it all the day of. The groom’s sister, Larissa, is an amazing cook and baked our entire wedding cake from scratch. She customized it to fit the fall season and flavors we love, like pumpkin spice and caramel apple. My father cut all of the wood slices from fallen trees near our home that our table centerpieces and wedding cake sat on.”

Alison honored her mother by wearing her wedding dress. Not only was it super comfy for her to wear, but it made her feel her mother’s presence. I love the photograph of Alison holding a framed picture of her mother… there’s just something so sweet and heart-tugging about it.

Thank you so much to Jeff of Brooke Courtney Photography for submitting this uber-sweet wedding… Much congrats to Alison + Christian!!

Photographer: Jeff of Brooke Courtney Photography//Wedding Date:10.06.2013//Event Venue:The Farm at Eagles Ridge//Videography:Foundation Videography//Flowers:Country Lane Flowers//Event Planning:Stylish Occasions//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Heather + Chris’ DIY Wedding at the Family Farm

Our second feature for the day is brought to us by Nikki May Day Photography. This colorful summer wedding was held at a farm belonging to Heather’s relatives in Pennsylvania, featuring Lake Erie (for the ceremonial site) and a big barn where the reception was held nearby.

Both Heather + Chris are creative people (Heather art directed and Chris handled design and production). Together, they put lots of neat special touches to their day. From the photographer:

“They designed their own Save the Dates, Invitations, Thank You’s and Programs and they were AWESOME. They even designed their own H&D temporary tattoo’s (which were a huge hit) as well as making their own light up H&D sign. All of the direction signs were hand painted, the wedding pie was home made, the linens were all collected by Heather, and even Heather’s engagement ring was customized by Chris.”
I super adore their invitation suite, I mean, how can you not when you have a couple who are incredibly talented as Heather + Chris? I also love how they are not afraid to use bold colors such as yellow and red to showcase the playfulness of their wedding. Flower seed packets for favors? They totally have my heart!

Congratulations to Heather + Chris!!!
Photographer:Nikki May Day Photography//Wedding Date: 06/15/2013//Dress Designer: Saja//Dress Designer: Saja Wedding//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Megan & Jeff’s Old Books Charm Wedding

This Pennsylvania wedding brought to our attention from photographer Rebekah Pillmore @ Pill Photography is nothing short of charms. What else can you expect from a writer and an antique collector? Megan and Jeff chose Friedman Farm as their picturesque venue with a beautiful old barn to decorate as they please. They adorned the barn with choice antique pieces collected by Megan herself, and lit the whole place up with a romantic chandelier and draping lights on tree branches. Everything was just so… timeless.

Megan collected vintage cameras as center pieces, old library card catalogue used as seat assignment holder, and framed covers of their favorite books as table signs are all part of what makes this wedding so sweet and charming. To personalize their wedding some more, even the menu was catered to their health-conscious choices: salmon, roasted veggies, and lean meats!

Before I end this feature, I want to share something special about this wedding. It’s nothing new when a couple wants to write their own vows… or to have a family member to preside over the ceremony (it’s an uncle in this one), but it’s super sweet and special for all guests to feel involved when the couple surprised everyone to ask all who came to marry them via what’s called a Quaker Wedding or Self-Uniting Marriage in Pennsylvania. They created a special paper and ask all to sign to witness their wedding!
Photographer: Pill Photography {Rebekah Pillmore}//Wedding Date: June 08, 2013//Floral Designer:Creedon Flowers//Reception Venue: Friedman Farms//Linens and Coverings:Lavender Linens//Bakery:Lynn Sandy’s Bakery//Dress Store:Something Blue Bridal Boutique //Caterer: The Epicurean Delight Catering Co Inc//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Bryn + Paul’s Bohemian Spring Wedding

This is one of those weddings. You know the kind I’m talking about. The kind that you spend hours gazing at some of the sweetest, coolest, prettiest details and find something prettier with each view. The kind that you return to over and over and find yourself smiling alongside some of the funnest (yes-that’s a word today) couples as if you were there kind of weddings. Perfectly captured by Brooke Courtney Photography, this one that’s sure to make a top ten favorites list!

So let’s talk about these ridiculously amaze details that were the perfect compliment to The Old Mill‘s ivy covered walls and beautiful outdoor spring setting. All of the fern and tree stump centerpieces brought the wonderful woodland feel inside for the reception. To add equal parts woodsy, vintage, and boho touches the wooden garland, pearl string chandeliers and nest favors were beyond a gorgeous compliment to Bryn’s cray cray pretty floral shrug. Bryn handmade the little yarn nests and filled them with moss, paper flowers, and a seed bomb. While we’re on the subject of paper flowers- are you dying over those portraits yet?

Most of all this wedding captures the fun and love between friends and family. Three friends performed a ridiculous dance to Florence and the Machine’s, Cosmic Love, which was a hit on it’s own! Thank you Brooke Courtney Photography for sharing such a fun and fabulous wedding! Congratulations Bryn + Paul!

Vendor Information:

Date: April 26, 2013

Location: Rose Valley, PA

Photographer: Brooke Courtney Photography

Event Venue: The Old Mill

Katie + Lake’s Whimsical Summer Wedding

Fact. A good wedding doesn’t require a huge budget. Fact. A good wedding does require a ton of love! Fact. Katie and Lake’s whimsical wedding proves all of this and shows that some quality crafting and an awesome photos from Brianna Wilbur Photography can a create a perfect dream wedding without breaking the bank.

Taking place in a public park, Katie and Lake arranged all of the seating and brightly colored blooms too. Katie also made the backdrop and every last one of the ten thousand heart stiicks that lined the aisle. Okay. Maybe not ten thousand- but there are alot, and they are adorable! The fun and playful vibe rolled over into the sweet sprinkle exit and just kept on going. I’m kind of loving the mustache seating charts, and I more than giggled over the signs that Katie crafted. We can’t forget the DIY groom too. Lake cut all the wood slabs for the centerpieces and even wrote and a performed a special song for Katie on their big day. (Swoon much?)

What a fantastically whimsy and fun wedding that incorporates everything that good wedding are made of: lots of love, humor, personality, and pretty. Thanks to Brianna Wilbur Photography for capturing all of that. Congratulations Katie and Lake!

Vendor Information:

Date: June 2, 2013

Location: Pennsylvania, United Sates

Photographer: Brianna Wilbur Photography

Reception Venue: Carlisle Ribbon Mill

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