DIY Bride

Ashley + Sean’s Budget Friendly Backyard Wedding

Weddings are a team sport. They require all the main player to reach a level of synchronicity and synergy that professional sports teams strive for through grueling hours of practice, practice, practice. And when you’re on a budget, a good team is what can make or break your big day. Ashley + Sean’s wedding is proof of how championship teams are often right in our own backyards. Today’s flower filled fete had a terrifically talented pool of friends and fam to pick from including a chef, a songstress and an incredibly creative and skilled Dad. MickoPhotos has beautifully documented the day and the DIY deets and vintage touches (like Ashley’s amazing gown) that make this backyard beauty a winner!

From the bride:

Our whole wedding was DIY, creative and personal. It was done with the help and talents of so many of our friends and family. I designed and we hand printed all of our invitations. My maids of honor wrote and performed an original song during our ceremony that all of our wedding party and then all of our guests chimed in on. My sister in law wrote and recited a poem, my father designed and built our chuppah. My brother, a chef, created the menu and prepped all the food with our friend. A family friend made our delicious carrot cakes and designed our beautiful dessert buffet. Friends and family contributed flowers from their gardens and helped us arrange the flowers and bouquets. Another of my friends did my hair and make up. I could go on and on, we have amazingly talented friends and family and they all contributed in their own way with every aspect of the wedding which made it so personal, special and memorable.

Part of what makes a great team work is trusting each other and giving credit where credit is due. Well, Dad, amazing hustle on that chuppah! It’s so pretty I would want to hang out under it all day, every day. And bro-man, a menu that good deserves an end-zone dance. Get the high fives and butt-pats going after all the contributions every line made to this wedding. This goes for MVP’s Ashley and Sean too! A great team follows a great couple; which is easy to spot in the emotion and fun captured by Martina at MickoPhotos. Congratulations Ashley and Sean! Thanks Martina at MickoPhoto for submitting the best kind of championship ring ceremony.

Vendor Information:

Photography: MickoPhoto

Tent and rentals: Green Mountain Tent Rentals

Band: Will Patton

Food: Zachary Corbin

Desserts: Patricia Johnson

Dress: Palm Beach Vintage

Bridal Bouquet: Windham Flowers

Cierra + Martin’s Playful Love Shoot

Sometimes, no matter how good our intentions are to be offbeat and original, we can easily get lost the inspiration of all things wedding and suddenly find ourselves walking through the woods to get that gorgeous shot when the closest thing we get to the outdoors in our everyday lives is trekking through the jungle in the new Tomb Raider game. Lucky for us, our DIY bride couples never lose sight of what’s important- YOU! Kimberly at Hand in Hand Photography has sent us Cierra and Martin’s offbeat love shoot that proves just that.

From the photographer:

Cierra and Martin are amazing. and fun. and ridiculously in love. For their engagement they wanted something totally fun and offbeat and went to the Family Fun Center in Edmonds, WA. They wanted to have a not only a kick butt session but a great EXPERIENCE.

And kick-butt it was! (I just hope Cierra’s not kicking my butt in those fantastic mint heels.) A perfectly playful and posh shoot that proves all you need is some real romance to ooze off the photos. Thanks Hand in Hand Photography capturing that, and congratulations Cierra and Martin!

Vendor Information:

Photgrapher: Hand in Hand Photography

Venue: Family Fun Center

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Anna’s Crafty Country Tea Bridal Shower

Confession time. I’m little envious today of Anna’s besties. Anna’s shower was handmade by her incredibly crafty bridesmaids who created a pretty and feminine tea party with just a hint of burlap and country to keep it from feeling stuffy. T.C. Engle Photography was lucky enough to have grabbed one of the handmade invites and captured the divine details of the day.

In my inner circle of friends we have the kooky one, the smart one, the fashion savvy one, and since I probably take the label of the crafty one that means that I do all the work for festivities. I’m not complaining, my girls rock! I couldn’t have asked for a better set of buds. And I know I just got finished on my DIY-make-it-about- you-soapbox-speech in the last post, which I stick to like washi tape on straws, but I am a little jelly that I didn’t have fig butter and scones at my shower. Sue me.

Actually, the entire homemade spread looks delish and the fun peacock veil to honor Anna’s love of the regal birdies’ feathers is a strikingly simple addition the day. Now that I’ve swallowed my girl envy, I want to say a true congrats to Anna and her future DH Allen. Your love for each other is evident in the fab photos from T.C. Engle Photography and we wish you all the best!

Vendor Information:

Photography: T.C. Engle Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Downloads Unavailable

Hi DIYers! The plugin (software) that manages our downloads area died on us a couple of days ago and caused the site to go down. Since it’s an older plugin and no longer supported by its developer, we’re looking to get a workable solution online as soon as we can. Until then, the downloads will be offline.

Teresa + Dustin’s Coastal Coca-Cola Wedding

Welcome to the weekend fellow crafties and wedding enthusiasts! To start this party right let’s grab a nice cold Coke, and head to the beach for a late night bonfire! If that sounds good to you, then you’re going to love Teresa and Dustin’s wedding at The PostCard Inn just as much as I did. Carrie Wildes Photography has captured some sweet DIY deets and moments that are sure to make you go coastal about weddings.

From the photographer:

Dustin wore khaki pants, tan vest, and a very cool tan fedora. Teresa was simply stunning in her lace gown and starfish necklace. They did a “first touch”, not first look:-) Such a sweet and priceless moment. They whispered I love you from each side of the “barn doors” where they were separated while holding hands on the side.

I love a good signature cocktail. But when the signature cocktail doubles as your inspiration for your centerpieces and toasting glass; I am loving it even more! The burlap and shell bouts and table coverings offset the venue, coral and turquoise color scheme, and setting so well to add hint of vintage to the fabulous fall Florida day. Be sure to check out the whole gallery for some fun on the beach, hot rod trucks, and a precious pearl bracelet. Thanks Carrie Wildes Photography, and congrats Teresa and Dustin! Thank you for sharing your day with us!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Carrie Wildes Photography

Reception Venue: Postcard Inn on the Beach

Other: Postcard Inn on the Beach

Cake Designer: Cakes By Carolynn

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Emma + Bobby’s Elegant Winter Wedding

Now that spring is in full bloom in the North East, I do the happy dance every morning when deciding which swing sets my two year old and I will go visit. But when I saw this wedding form Emily Clack Photography, I did a little winter jig for my favorite frenemy season. I might have a love/hate relationship with winter, but winter weddings I simply love! Emma and Bobby’s wintery wedding is so full of just the right amounts of cool DIY and hot Gatsby-ish style that it will give you chills and warm your heart at the same time!

I am fascinated by all the pretty paper work in this wedding. It’s almost too hard for even me to believe that these steal worthy laser cut, dip-dyed, and embossed invites are handmade. The beautiful book-page blooms complimented Emma’s beyond dazzling dress while setting the tone for the cool grey color palette of the day complete with cozy fur stoles. Oh! And the place cards! Pack my bags and call me Sally, these just made me giggle with giddiness!

Before I go on and on about everything I love form Emma and Bobby’s elegant affair, just two more words: Krispy Kreme. I would highly recommend snuggling up to all of these amazing images from Emily Clack Photography. She, Emma, and Bobby have created a gallery of DIY wedding loveliness that will send you off to a wonderland of vintage travel inspired dreams. Thank you for sharing this wedding with us. Congratulations Emma and Bobby!