DIY Bride

Lorel + Sean’s Whimsy Just Because Love Shoot

Happy holiday weekend crafters! Whether you will be roasting your hot dogs and s’mores on the beach or in the woods, set up camp here this morning for some amazing inspiration. Lorel and Sean decided to do a just for funsies couple shoot which is full of whimsical, movie themed details that bring you somewhere back to being a kid in your basement and watching the dancing popcorn concession trailer at the drive-in. Who says you have to have a ring to show off your couple cuteness factor?

Even though these two acting students may be comfortable in front of audience, there’s no doubt that the magic between these two lovebirds is like the combinations of popcorn and Raisinettes: 100% pure goodness. Sweetly shot by Emmy L ou Virginia Photography, we can’t thank you enough for this sneak-peek.

Good luck Lorel and Sean on your sure to be prosperous endeavors! We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s show and have healthy, happy holiday weekend!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Emmy Lou Virginia

Event Venue: Stanley Park

Ju + Derrick’s Modern Beach Love Shoot

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 MikeL 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 MikeL 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: MikeL Photography

Event Venues: Huntington Beach

Griffith Observatory

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Tara + Justin’s Country Chic Wedding

This is a special week for me. I’m feeling very connected to our Real Weddings this week. Let’s see, we’ve had a baby and today I get the share the culmination of the love shoot that changed my whole outlook on engagement sessions. Remember these country cuties? (In case you missed it, be sure to check out the Seriously Sabrina E-sesh here.) For Tara and Justin, their big day has finally come and Seriously Sabrina has once again detailed all of the DIY details so beautifully I can’t help but grin from ear to ear like a proud DIY Mama.

This wedding truly is a barn burner, because the decorations are DY-NO-MITE!!! I just can’t get over how the Red Orchard Barn feels so cozy with its country touches yet stays so classy with the elegant draping and twinkling lights. (Have I mentioned that I think burlap and denim is my new favorite color combination? Yep, I said color… When something works you just go with it man!) And that altar!!!!! The hay bales, and garland curtain, and roses- Oh My! It can’t get any better! Unless of course it doubles as the dessert table backdrop too. Please excuse me as I faint with delight.

Seriously Sabrina has captured every little elegant rustic nuance from Tara’ s romantically ruffled gown and bubbled burlap wreath centerpieces, to the calendar guest book and Tara and Justin’s romantic tractor getaway. I am so thankful that this team has shared this amazing day with us! Congrats Tara + Justin!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Seriously Sabrina

Event Venue: Red Orchard Barn

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Thalia + Andy’s Rural Barn Wedding

One of the cool parts about this job is that fantastic artists like Teddi Yeager Photography make you feel like a virtual guest at some happy couple’s big day. Every once in a while, we need to be nosy and pick the brains of our creative couples. An email here, a thank you there, and we have the all of the details our bandwidth can handle. But today’s wedding is a little special for me. I actually got to speak, well, text, with the bride herself and get to share some great news. As if you needed a reason to love barn weddings more, we have Thalia and Andy’s wedding which is chock full of big smiles and dripping in DIY gorgeousness. Even better, it’s a wedding with a really happy ending!

From Thalia’s brilliantly beaded princess gown and the mismatched multi-color ribbons, to the twig and floral archway and hay bale seating, Thalia and Andy have achieved a perfect union of classic rustic details. DIY’ing everything from invites and centerpieces to hair and make up. And yep, they even wrote their own vows. I’m also starting to get convinced that a country style wedding isn’t truly complete without horses, chickens and a few donkeys. You simply must view the entire gallery to make sure you enjoy the scrumptious dessert buffet and wedding cake masterfully crafted by the groom’s sister.

Ultimately, Teddi Yeager Photography has allowed us to share the fun and festivities with Thalia and Andy on their big day. It’s the guilty pleasure part of wedding gawking that a great photog shares to make you feel like a member of the family. Speaking of family members, not only do we thank Teddi Yeager Photography for adding us to the guest list, but we would like to congratulate Thalia and Andy on their new addition! Yep the happy ending to this tale is a new bundle of joy whose girly nursery is surely decked out in some sweet DIY. Congrats on your wedding and the best wishes with the baby Thalia and Andy! Thank you for taking the time to chat!

Vendor Information:

Photography: Teddi Yeager Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Love & Cherish Wedding Sample Boxes

Our sister-site, Love & Cherish, a wedding-sample box service has re-launched its beta program this morning! The beta box (a small trial box) features products from AmericanBridal.com, Michelle WORLDESIGNS, VIP Sparklers, MD Cards & Gifts, zoe loves, Spiral Event Co, and … us, 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.