DIY Bride

Melissa + Derek’s Eco-Friendly Backyard Wedding

I am quite keen on green weddings. Although I do love the color, I mean the green, eco-friendly- reduce the carbon footprint your union, kind of green. And although Kermit may have said it’s not easy, Melissa and Derek prove that it’s not only possible but beautiful too. Lucky for us, Sharalee Prang Photography was there to capture the beauty of green surroundings, environmentally friendly DIY, and a couple so darling it will make you green with envy

Melissa + Derek's Eco-friendly Backyard Wedding

Held on a relative’s property, (which is always a great way to reduce energy usage for those looking to go green) Melissa created the succulent bouquets, bouts, and centerpieces herself. The groom and his boys even wore recycled rubber tire sandals blending fashion conscious with eco-conscious. The fabu favors of home roasted coffee and homemade jam make a great breakfast treat for guests the day after ensuring not dust collecting goodies here. And in what I think might the best bridal entrance I’ve seen in a while, the bride’s dad rowed her in on a boat while Derek’s brother played guitar. Minimal carbon emissions and an in-house band, double earth friendly bomb! The clincher of this carbon friendly day, was a tree potting ceremony symbolizing their union. (Move over sand ceremony, I may have a new favorite tradition…)

All in all this is the kind of wedding that makes you look at all the ways you can declare your love to each other and the earth without sacrificing design and style. A little bit of boho and whole lot of chic Melissa and Derek’s wedding is great blueprint for leaving a smaller footprint. Thank you, Sharalee Prang Photography for capturing this gorgeous green day. And congratulations Melissa and Derek!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Sharalee Prang Photography

Catering: Formaggio Fine Foods & Catering

Aarin + Ryan’s Sweet Southern Wedding

A DIY wedding is lot like becoming a mother. You spend months creating this perfect little creature that you can’t wait to meet. When it finally happens and you see what all the torturous sleepless nights full of heartburn and headaches were for, you smile knowing all the pain was worth it. I think after nine months of planning and preparing Aarin and Ryan would agree.

This Charleston wedding has given us some of the best multiples since OctoMom. There’s mason jar goblets, an handmade ribbon arbor, paper lanterns (courtesy of bride’s mother), and poms galore all in shades of coral that represent Aarin and Ryan’s South Carolina roots. The best part about most of this wedding…It can all be used again for home decorating. You can’t tell me those pillows and napkin rings aren’t worthy of a department store display?!

Aarin + Ryan Sweet Southern Wedding

You have to check out the gallery to see the amazing sweet grass roses and baby’s breath centerpieces too. (Technically, not DIY’ed but I must learn how to make them, they are phenomenal!) We are so happy that Aarin and Ryan created this labor of love and that Lori Lee Photography was there to capture every sweet Southern moment. Congratulations!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Lori Lee Photography

Event Venue: The Gold Bug

Vanessa + Damian Red-Hot Romantic Love Session

Warning! The contents of this next shoot may not be suitable for all audiences. Those easily impressed by beautiful photography, adventure, romance, and easy, high style ways of creating the perfect engagement shoot should not read on. If this title sounds a little too suggestive, you now understand why my husband is convinced I have DIY and wedding voyeur tendencies. But wait! I can explain! It’s not my fault! When you have a couple like Vanessa and Damian who are so obviously in love set among the Doffo Winery with bikes and balloons, and photographed so superbly by Lovato Images, it’s impossible not to be seduced.

From the photographer: ”Vanessa and Damian wanted an engagement story that told the romantic side of their story.”

Well, Vanessa has the most entrancing eyes. Damian and his father run Doffo Winery; a winery specializing in hand crafted wines and a collection of vintage and racing motorcycles. Few could overcome this deadly combination of temptation. Romance pours out of the scenery, while adventure races on the bikes, and excitement whispers in the wind with the fantastic wardrobe changes that set the mood. Before I get any more overheated about this shoot, I’d like to thank Lovato Images for capturing this fantastic love story in photos. Congratulations Vanessa and Damian!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Lovato Images

Event Venue: Doffo Winery

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jamie + Philip’s Whimsical Picnic Love Session

Happy weekend everyone! After you’ve enjoyed this upcoming fantastic gallery of high flying fun, I hope you’ll plan a picnic full of DIY goodness since Seriously, Sabrina, has done it again. Not only have you convinced me that engagement sessions are a must, but that they can also share the lens with some whimsy DIY to make them even more perfect.

From the photographer:

For Jamie and Philip’s engagement shoot I made 20 DIY kites from scrapbook paper and yarn. I also made one large DIY kite from dowel rods and fabric and secured the frame of the kite using glue and tying the joints with yarn. The kites were tied to a huge tree on the grounds of a Montessori school where the fun loving couple showed their engagement by standing under the kites, swinging on a large rope swing, and capturing cute portraits of them on a blanket in the grass.

Even though I’m seriously crushing on the kites that Sabrina made for this shoot, I’m just as smitten with Jamie + Philip’s story. Why all the kites you ask? That’s how they got engaged. Go ahead, let out a big “AWWWW!” like I did, then fold your hands and under you chin and stare and smile at the fun and whimsical styled shoot that this adorable couple has created. Now go ahead and skip into a sweet weekend of DIY, kites, swings, picnics and loved ones!

Vendor Information:

Photographer/Event stylist: Seriously Sabrina Photgraphy

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jenny + John’s Industrial Vintage Wedding

In the few short weeks that I’ve been a part of the DIY Bride community, I hope you’ve come to learn that I believe in wedding equality. I love all weddings equally regardless of size, style or setting. That being said, I have a confession. I have a particularly soft spot for brick venues. I admit it, call me biased, call me what you will, but beautiful brick with exposed beams and pipes with romantic satin, lace, sparkles, beads, paper, fabric and everything in between just makes me all mushy inside. So, you’re going to have to excuse my drool on this next wedding.

For those of you that may be growing tired of the vintage trend, be ready to be re-inspired. Using the Winter Park Farmer’s Market as the jump off point, Jenny created some seriously inspiring DIY that balanced the old-world feel of the venue so well. The centerpieces were the perfect touch of femininity to create the most romantic vintage-y feel. I am seriously jelly over the beautiful bouquets hand-crafted from paper, buttons, and brooches. And that metal faucet holder? What!? I’m dying. It’s no wonder guests spent a good portion of the wedding oogling all of Jenny’s perfect projects.

I had such a hard time deciding on what makes Jenny and John’s wedding stand out. Ultimately, it has to be the look. The look of a perfect couple, in a perfect place, so perfectly happy-ahhhh! That couldn’t have been realized without the help of Jaclyn of At Last Wedding + Event Design or the fab photography of Norman Yu Photography. It’s these moments and details that make me a big mush ball and I can’t thank you all enough for that. You must check out the complete gallery for more mush-worthy photos of fun and DIY perfection.

Congratulations Jenny and John! And thank you Jaclyn for submitting my guilty pleasure of the day!

Vendor Information:

Wedding and Event Planning: At Last Wedding + Event Planning

Photographer: Norman Yu Photography

Venue: Winter Park Farmer’s Market

Mahogany Chairs: Orlando Wedding + Party Rentals

Officiant: Eddie The Shaman

DJ/Lighting: DJ Live Productions

Caterer: John + Shirleys

Cake/Cupcakes: Sweet by Good Golly Miss Holly

Elizabeth + Tobin’s Rustic Woodsy Wedding Weekend

I have yet to be invited to a wedding weekend. When the invite does come though, I’m crossing my fingers that it will be a wedding like Elizabeth and Tobin’s in Hidden Valley. It just feels like such a down to earth good time! With the cool grey and purple color combo, the rustic-y vibe among the trees, the fun modern chevron, Thai food, and some darling DIY and all; I just can’t resist but being sucked into every beautiful photo from Flutter Glass Photography.

Elizabeth + Tobin's Woodsy Wedding Weekend

From the bride:

“We love the outdoors and we are a fairly casual couple. With that in mind, I went for a laid-back, fun, and rustic style. I wanted to have natural elements but maintain a modern and fun vibe.

Elizabeth + Tobin's Woodsy Wedding Weekend

Mission accomplished Elizabeth! I’m pretty sure I’ll be gathering some of my wedding treasures to bury in the woods this weekend. I absolutely adore the curtained entrance and the ladder photo display which added a little bit of the indoors to vast outdoor setting. The “seeding” chart was a fresh way of keeping things formal without being stuffy. Oh! And chevron- how I love your versatility! This funky pattern provides just the right amount of punch that lets you know this wedding weekend is all about being chill and having a good time.

Congratulations Elizabeth and Tobin!