{Real Wedding} Jessica & Dwight: Cheery Morning Ceremony with Fun Nighttime 80's Themed Reception

This wedding is doubly good.  It is full of cheery yellow love in its morning ceremony, and the couple had an 80's themed party as their reception later that night.  With an 80's cover band and everyone wearing 80's outfits.  I would love to be invited to a wedding like that so I could get my crimper out of retirement (you know you had a crimper too!)

The ceremony venue was pure rustic gorgeousness.

At the end of the ceremony, guests serenaded the couple with "All You Need is Love" by The Beatles.

I love DIY petal cones!

There may be nothing better than billy button boutonnieres.

The stationery suite set the warm and cheery tone.  

And check out that 80's themed reception card above!

The lovely florals were simple single arrangements and multiples in vintage mason jars and bottles.

And now, on to the party!

This might be my favorite picture.  Ever.

If you're the bride and having an 80's themed party, who better to be than Madonna!?

Photography by Q Weddings submitted via Two Bright Lights

What a happy and fun wedding!  It looked like a true celebration of the couple and I'm so honored I got to share it with you.  Congrats Jessica and Dwight!

Etsy Favorites {#3}

It's time for another round of etsy favorites.  This time I'm featuring items from some of my favorite etsy sellers.

First up is Ink and Button.  I love the adorable headbands and fascinators that she makes, and she does custom orders.  Plus, she uses mason jars in her photos, and you know how much I love mason jars!

{Ink and Button}

Next is etsy seller Tytie who turns old things like books into furniture pieces for your home.  LOVE these, but seriously, how cute is that tea cup light!?

{tytie}

Looking for a more wedding specific etsy seller?  How about goosegrease, who makes custom wedding toppers, or even sells DIY kits so you can make your own!

{goosegrease}

Twists on the Traditional

Want to give programs to your wedding guests, use escort cards to tell them where to sit, and have them sign your guestbook?  Those elements of the wedding experience can be made more unique with these twists on the traditional ideas.

How about personalized newspapers as programs?  

Photo by La Vie Photography from Love and Lavender.

Or how about escort cards made from paper dolls.  

Photo by Trevor Booth via Snippet and Ink.

Or remember this post I did a while back?

Photos by Jennifer Roper

Do you have any original or unique twists on the traditional wedding elements?  

Anthropologie-Inspired DIY Pinata

Are you a fan of music or vintage paper?  If so, this anthropologie-inspired DIY pinata might be right up your alley.  It would be great DIY project for a wedding or photo shoot.  You can fill it with anything, but the idea is to fill it with "love notes."  They could be notes from famous couples throughout history or from your favorite films, from you and your husband to each other, or from your wedding guests to you, the couple.

You take a balloon (oversized ones work best), soak newspaper strips in water and glue, and cover the balloon.  Let the balloon dry, then cover in strips of vintage sheet music (you could also use vintage book pages, but be sure to use already damaged books!).  After that dries, pop the balloon and cut a hole where you will insert your love notes or other filling.  Then reattach the cut piece and cover with more sheet music.  Then hang with string, ribbon, or whatever you choose.

By Lollipop Events and Design via Ruffled Blog and photos by John Schnack Photography

DIY Outdoor Chandelier

Spotted over on DIY Weddings, this DIY project is easy, affordable, and eco-friendly!  Plus, it is a great budget-friendly way to add "chandeliers" to your wedding decor.  And you can hang them in your garden after your day has passed.

Go to Michelle Kaufman's blog for full instructions.

Details, Details - Part 2

So yesterday I talked about how important it is to infuse yourself in the details of your wedding.  I also told you that you don't have to blow your budget to do it.  This wedding is a perfect example of what I mean.

This couple used color, and lots of it, as well as some simple and fun DIY projects to personalize their day.  From homemade table runners to cupcake flags, the details were well thought out and personal.  These are some very inexpensive ways to make your guests feel special and to make your day feel like "you."

To see more of this wedding, go here.  Photographs by Crimson Photos.  For more fun and budget friendly ideas on how to personalize your day, see this old post and this old post.

Best DIY Bridal Blogs Vote on One Wed

I just learned that One Wed is asking readers to vote on the best DIY Bridal Blog, and this blog is one of eleven being considered.  I'm so excited and honored!  Check out my DIY section and if you like the projects I've posted please head over and cast your vote.  Thanks to the readers and to One Wed.

Sew in Love

There's nothing better than being in love.  Happy Valentine's Day.

How cute is this DIY card?  From Bird and Banner.

Make: Pin Prick Valentines

Just in time for Valentine's Day is a great DIY project - pin prick cards.  You can make and use these for any occasion (or no occasion), but I think they would make great homemade valentines.

Supplies:
• template/artwork
• pencil
• blank card stock and envelopes
• cardboard
• pushpin

Directions:

1.   Decide what you want to make and select or make artwork to use

2.   Turn over artwork and trace design with pencil

3.   Place card face down on cardboard and place artwork (pencil side-up) on card

4.   Prick away

Tip: Try using different sizes of needles and pushpins which can give you various looks

To print out the templates from the cards in the image, go here.

Found on the Etsy Blog via Apartment Therapy

New Favorite Blogs

While weddings are my true love, I'm also a sucker for DIY blogs, home blogs, food blogs, craft blogs, or any combo of those.  While these blogs aren't new, they are newer to me and I wanted to share them.  Whether you own or rent your home, are handy around the house or not so handy, have lots of money to spend or very little, there is something for you.

Young House Love
I absolutely love this blog and what it represents- a young couple who bought their first home and renovated it with lots of love and little money!  There are so many great household projects featured and I have a few on my list thanks to this blog.  I also love how they show you the before and after photos of their own house and tell you where they bought everything.

Mod Cloth Blog

This blog has a little of everything- fashion, travel, food, crafts, DIY projects, music, and more.  I particularly enjoy the "DIY" and "Now You're Cookin" sections!

City Cradle Designs
For any type of event or party planning details, this blog has it!  There are tons of cute party DIY decor ideas, personal touches, and fun ideas.  It is a perfect resource for that cocktail party you want to throw for friends, or your baby's first birthday party.

GOOP

Ok, so many of you probably know of GOOP, and it isn't new to me either, but I've developed a renewed love for all things GOOP recently.  If you aren't familiar with GOOP, it is a blog written by Gwyneth Paltrow about her favorite things, places, people, restaurants, must-dos, etc.  While you may not be interested in the cleanse she does to drop 10 pounds quick (I wish I could but I'm just not that disciplined!), you may want to check out her favorite restaurants in a city you'll be visiting sometime soon.  Also, I just adore Gwyneth!  I think she is fabulous, and I appreciate the time and information she pours into this site.  And I think she would be a fun girl to have a beer with.

Favorite DIY and Budget-friendly Wedding Blog: Once Wed

There are some great DIY blogs out there and some wonderful wedding blogs.  But Once Wed is my favorite combination of the two.  There are beautiful real wedding features, fun and easy DIY projects, and you can even buy or sell your wedding gown there!

To see my favorite all-time post on Once Wed, check out this collaboration with Jose Villa!