DIY Bride

Gail + Pete’s Contemporary Architectural Love Shoot

Since we are on the topic of love shoots, I think it’s only appropriate that we have a double header today. Another pro of engagement sessions is that photographers often know some great locations to shoot. I don’t know about you, but the only thing I might love more than an amazing rustic barn shoot filled with blue skies and a cute couple, is a shoot full of architectural elements, great angles and beautiful smiles.

After Tara and Justin’s Country Chic session, the perfect contrast is Gail and Pete’s pretty city shoot. Love stories like these always melt my heart. Gail moved to North Carolina to be near her sweetie who is a reservist in the Coast Guard from Tampa, FL. Any sacrifice here is made up for in the obvious amount this couple has for each other.

Open Aperture Photography not only did a fantastic job capturing the love they exposed for the cameras, but also the amazing exposed brick and historic architecture of downtown New Bern, North Carolina. A town located at the intersection of two rivers, this shoot is the intersection of beautiful natural elements, history and contemporary architecture.

Thank you for sharing this lovely shoot! Congratulations Gail and Pete!

Tara + Justin’s Country Chic Love Shoot

I confess. I skipped on an engagement shoot. At the time it seemed like a good place to cut some bucks, but now that I look back I think engagement shoots are more than just a practice run or a means to great save-the-dates. In reality they are love shoots. Love for each other, love for your photographer and their style, and love for the places that say everything about you as couple. After seeing these shots from Seriously Sabrina that capture the sweet love of Tara and Justin, I think I want a do-over.

From the photographer: “Tara wanted their engagement session to be county chic with elements that capture their personalities and life together like denim jackets, cowboy boots, diesel trucks, John Deere, tractors, and plaid shirts.” These types of shots are as diy as ribbon wands or mason jars because it’s these details that represent you as couple.

Tara and Justin’s sweetness is hard not to capture, but Seriously Sabrina seriously shows why engagements sessions are a good idea. While it’s hard not to like an these photos, (You have to check out the whole gallery to see this cute couple bathed in dreamy lighting!) an engagement shoot also gives you the opportunity to get a feel for your photogs style. It’s always a good idea to let your photog know your likes, dislike, must haves and don’t; so what better way than reference your love shoot.

Congrats Tara and Justin! Thanks for sharing your special moments with us!

Tiff + Dave’s Sentimental Rainy Day Wedding

I’m feeling sentimental today, so I’ve decided to share another great wedding! Perhaps because it rained on my big day and I have been blessed since, I can’t help but smile at rainy day weddings. There’s something that happens at rainy day weddings, especially to DIY ones, that makes the day extra special.

Be sure to check out the gallery to see the super sentimental vintage details like the typewriter that belonged to the bride’s late grandma and the sparkly family brooch bouquet. There’s also some pretty pastel bunting, a ring pillow worthy of display, and a swing…weeeeee!

While some might stress that the hard work and perfectionism will get washed away, rain somehow makes all these little details shine brighter than any rainbow since they become a reminder of why you worked so hard to begin with; pure, spectacular love! A fabulous planner like Easy Entertaining Inc. and a kick-butt pair of rain boots with a gosh-darn purdy dress never hurt either. Lovely couples like and Tiff and Dave and a great photographer like Justine Johnson Photography can overcome any shower. Thanks for sharing, and nothing but blue sky wishes for the happy couple!

Vendor Information

Photography: Justine Johnson Photgraphy

Event Planner: Easy Entertaining Inc.

Floral Designer: Robin Hollow Farm

Reception Venue: Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farm

Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero,Vera Wang

Other: Bartending by Dennis

Cake Designer: The Cupcakerie

DJ: Moondance Productions

Makeup Artist: M.A.W.Beauty Hair & Makeup Studio

Transportation: Viking Tours

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Brittany + Ryan’s Modern, Classic Wedding

Um. There are very few times that I am rendered speechless, but Brittany and Ryan’s wedding left me that way for a while. I found myself going through this gallery over and over admiring so many things from the bride’s amazingly ruffled dress and the sweet first look, to the to-die-for simple diy name frame favors and the oh-so modern guestbook.

If you haven’t fallen in love with the grey and yellow color combo yet, you will now. Brittany and Ryan showed how to blend the colors beautifully. The fun patterns they incorporated gave the colors a modern edge, but the simple styling of the event kept thing perfectly classic. With the historic Z Mansion in Tucson as the backdrop, they showed that DIY is as classic as it is classy.

As much as I loved this color palette, the bride’s stunning style and all the little details like the packaged streamers to throw for the get-away, there was more thing about this wedding that made my heart skip a beat. Lowe Photos let us know that this couple’s love story started in kindergarten. Talk about timeless romance!

We can’t forget to thank Lowe Photos for capturing every one of these sweet moments and perfect details. Congratulations Brittany and Ryan! Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous day!

Vendor Information:

Venue: Z Mansion, Tucson AZ

Décor, Flowers, and Linens: All Party Solutions- Amelia Romero

Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal

Wedding Shoes: Anne Michelle

Bride’s Bracelet: Enchantedly Yours

Bride’s Earrings: Lavendar by Jurgita

Hair/Makeup: Fierce Shears

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo

Groom’s Suit: Mens Warehouse

Groom’s Shoes: Converse

Wedding Caterer: Smokin Hochs Catering
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Mindy + John David’s Colorful Vintage Picnic Wedding

As the New York days get longer and warmer, spring fever quickly turns into an ache for hot dogs, hamburgers, pickles and chips. I mean what’s better in the summer than a great picnic with family and friends? I know one thing- this awesome vintage picnic wedding does. Complete with a bride as bright and happy as the fun yellow flats that compliment her amazing tea length vintage style gown, add a gingham groom, some yellow billy balls, and some throwback games and you’ve got yourself one heck of a shindig.

Mindy, the bride, said “I didn’t want to just go to one store to supply all my needs but wanted to hand pick each item to make everything look organic.” Job well done, Mindy! Combining some great flea market finds with upcycled vintage pieces she already had like the hand tatted doilies and runners created a casual vintage feel. No cookie cutter wedding here.

This is why you have to love DIY brides. Everything about these weddings is so original and fun that feel like you were a guest. Do make sure that you check out the gallery to see the great job Peacock Photography did capturing the colorful pieces that really give you a flare for Mindy and John David’s personalities.

Congratulations Mindy and John David!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Peacock Photography

Venue: Bethesda Baptist Church

Krystyn + Matt’s Garden-Style Waterfront Wedding

Oh Canada! You have outdone yourself. Warning! Prepare your pin fingers people. This one’s a beaute!

A Brit & A Blonde photgraphers have done such a fabulous job capturing Krystyn and Matt’s outdoor garden wedding on Lake Rosseau that it will have you wondering why they call it “Great White North.” It should just be Great. A Brit & A Blonde summed up this wedding weekend perfectly calling it “A really sweet cottage feel with garden party fun. Muskoka is one of those places where Canadians love escaping the city and enjoying pure cottage country life and air.” I know I certainly wouldn’t mind escaping to Windermere House after seeing these shots.

The bride Krystyn added the perfect touches of vintage garden party to the day taking care of all of the paper and design details herself. I highly recommend viewing the entire gallery for some serious pretty. (I must say I am drooling over the glittery Kate Spade’s. I mean glitter and shoes?! Does it get any better?)

A couple of awe inspiring DIY creations from the breathtaking and stylish bride herself that are absolute must-sees are the phenomenal moss covered initials and table number, the lace embroidery circles over the dessert table, and the punched tin can candle holder centerpieces on the cocktail tables.

It doesn’t end there. The birch place card settings are the perfect earthy balance to the other natural, vintage elements. And those photo fans at the ceremony…um, love them! I know many will be asking about the “love is sweet” and “happily ever after” books, so for the record, those the bride purchased on Etsy. These and the florals created by Seasons in the Country, worked in perfect harmony Krystyn’s super star status DIY projects.