Ruffled® » vintage

Chic St. Augustine Wedding

Amanda — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:30:33 +0000

Whenever you fuse your wedding day with the talents at Our Labor of Love, it’s essentially a guarantee that you’ll have one raucous, beautiful day. This is one seriously stunning bride, one classically dapper groom, and one heck of a dance party! If these smiles are an indication of all the fun St. Augustine has to offer, I might just have to book a flight soon…

From the bride, Marie: We chose St. Augustine, Florida because my family is from nearby Jacksonville. My family would spend weekends in St. Augustine. When I grew up and moved away, I began bringing friends from Atlanta and New York there and everyone always loved it. Ryan and I had great trips there together too. It seemed like a place our loved ones would enjoy for our wedding. We chose the Cathedral Basilica because it is a church I attended as a child and because it is beautiful. We chose the Casa Monica Hotel because of the Art Deco feel of its event spaces.

What style and feel did you envision for your wedding? Vintage- We started out with a 20′s Gatsby theme but ended up with elements from the 20s-60s really. We wanted our wedding to feel like a cocktail or dinner party from those eras. We particularly focused on the parties featured in the movie “Bright Young Things.”

For our guestbook and guestbook table, we had framed maps with pictures of all the trips Ryan and I have taken together. The guestbook was a vintage atlas and a nearby sign read “Sign the atlas on the place where you traveled from or the place where you think we should travel next.” The table was near both the bar and the Smilebooth so as guests got rowdier the atlas became filled with awesome messages and drawings!

We purposefully did not have wedding “colors.” We went with black and cream, and glitter(!), elements to evoke the feel I described above. We thought pop colors would be too focal and take away from the feeling of being at a great party like those in “Bright Young Things” where the focus is on the glitzy people in attendance. In the end, the colors that popped were from the guests’ cocktail attire. Black and cream/white also worked out because we wanted to incorporate our pit bull, Mama, into the wedding, and she is, guess what, black and white. There were a ton of DIY projects involved! Friends made the invitations and my second dress and I made a lot of the paper goods used throughout the wedding. Two days before the wedding my relatives stayed up until 4am assembling the favor boxes, welcome bags, and escort Coca-Cola bottles.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Make a timeline so you can get projects and bookings completed well in advance. I saved very little for the weeks before my wedding so I just got to enjoy the anticipation of being married without much stress of wedding planning. And hire a wedding planner, especially for the day of. Karen of St. Augustine Weddings and Special Events was a lifesaver.

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

Wedding Vendors (St. Augustine, FL):

Ceremony Venue: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine / Reception Venue: Casa Monica Hotel / Wedding Photographer: Our Labor of Love / Wedding Planner: Karen Erwin of St. Augustine Weddings and Special Events / Wedding Flowers: Robert Capers of PRI Productions / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge / Reception Dress: Amy Wright / Hair Accessories: ban.do / Earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane / Bracelets: J. Crew and vintage / Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Maid of Honor’s Dress: Vera Wang Lavender Label / Bridesmaids: ASOS and French Connection / Groom’s Suit: J. Crew / Wedding Hair: Martha Morrison at Hawthorn / Wedding Makeup: Paulina Perez / Wedding Cakes: Arlene of Sweet Weddings / Wedding Invitations: Chanthavanh Souriyavong / Wedding Favors: Baking for Good

Colorado Mountainside Wedding

Ashley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:32:47 +0000

Poring through these pictures was like stepping into every little girl’s dream — bridesmaids in shades of pink, breathtaking mountain scenery, and horses roaming freely. Add in a stunning couple shot by Rachael Grace Photography and you have Joseph and Stacey’s Colorado wedding. Keep an eye out for some incredible bouquets and a lace wedding cake!

From the bride, Stacey: Our theme was definitely mountain wedding. We had a outdoor/indoor cozy lodge wedding. It was vintage, romantic, casual, and intimate. There were tons of DIY projects involved. My self and the groom spent countless hours in antique stores picking out the books for the centerpieces, the vintage suit cases, and some of the old jars. We made all of the glass candles for the centerpieces that we wrapped some in lace and some in book pages. Each book page was something that was meaningful to us. Some had definitions of love, love poems and maps of places we have lived or traveled to, and some had our invitations wrapped around them. The brooches on the bouquets were all from my grandmother and great-grandmother.

The groom stained all of the mason jars that sat on the windowsills blue and tied twine around them. We borrowed the green glass vases from another bride who had used them for her weddings centerpieces. (She cut 150 green glass wine bottles into vases.) We made the mini chalk boards that had menu items on them. We went to our favorite local candy shop to get all of the candy for the dessert table. I made all of the favors from pretty boxes and ribbons that I ordered online and the paper straws were ordered in the same place. One of the bridesmaids, who is a graphic designer, designed and made all of our invitations and response cards. We also bought all of the pillows and blankets that covered the seating during the cocktail hour for a cozy feel.

The unity candle was the same candle that my sister used for her wedding 10 years ago and it is pink in honor of our mother who passed away from breast cancer. We also made welcome baskets for all of our guests, most of them were from out of town. They included all local Colorado themed items and little gift bags for any of the children that were at the wedding including little games and candies to keep them busy! We also spent a Saturday going out to a farm and picking up pumpkins, mums, and cider and other tasty treats that were used for ceremony decor and welcome baskets.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Something that I am sure every bride has heard numerous times but keep in mind what you and your soon to be spouse want. If you try to please everyone you will not be able to please yourself. It is your day and should be done your way. Ask for help if you need it. I had amazing support from all of my friends and family who went above and beyond and they really made everything that much more special for us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! They will be happy to help and you will be less overwhelmed.

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

Wedding Music:
Bridal Party Processional: “All I Want Is You,” U2 cover by Vitamin String Quartets
Bride’s Processional: “Canon in D Major,” Pachelbel
Recessional: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Cake Cutting Song: “You and Me,” Dave Matthews Band

Wedding Vendors (Tabernash, Colorado):

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Devil’s Thumb Ranch / Wedding Photographer: Rachael Grace Photography / Event Planner and Large Wedding Sign: Jazmine Polite of A Touch of Bliss / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet “St. Barts” / Wedding Veil: Sara Gabriel “Rae” / Bridesmaids Dresses: Jasmine Belsoie / Wedding Flowers: Pretty Petal / Wedding Caterer: Devil’s Thumb Ranch / Wedding Cake: Teacup / Cake Pops: Starbucks / Linens: Linen Hero / Makeup Artist: Blush Artistry and Company / Wedding Invitations: Elizabeth Mitkish / Wood Signs: Made by groom

Chicago Woodland Wedding Inspiration

Ashley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:25:25 +0000

Even though wedding season might be slowing down as the cold weather continues to roll in, some vendors are taking this as an opportunity to meet up and throw together incredible inspiration shoots. A Chicago team of vendors did just this, led by Katie of Jayne Weddings and Events and Jessie of Simply Jessie Photography. We love how this shoot manages to be somewhat masculine while still retaining a sense of regal femininity!

From the Event Stylist, Katie of Jayne Weddings and Events: A group of Chicago vendors worked together on this barren forest look. Wedding season has slowed and we all wanted to do something creative and fun with only one rule: no pastels. We all love happy sunny weddings, but what about the bride with a love of nature and the beautiful emptiness it holds during the winter months. We painted a picture of our lovely snow-white-esque bride awaiting her prince, semi-vintage and a bit more opulent then rustic.

We set the table to reflect how long she waits. Woodland creatures take over the once lush table, flowers are replaced my items found on the forest floor, but the candles still flicker and the linens still gleam a bright shade of purple. Using candle plates instead of typical salad plates brought a nice matte black finish to the table. The chairs were wrapped in a braided fabric rope to make them look festive, but not over the top. Bundles of sticks were wrapped in matching mini rope as a “favor” to the guest.

We paired the wedding dress with a knee high lace up boot to create a more edgy feel. Her hair and makeup was done to be more dramatic then most brides would choose to have, and looked a bit regal. The bride lays and daydreams of her love in a bed of gold fallen leaves.

In keeping with the natural melancholy aesthetic of shoot, the film was shot in an dramatic raw perspective with an original music composition by Paper Door. We didn’t want a smooth over-produced video but the edges a bit unkempt and an intimate perspective into this bride’s waiting.

View all images from this shoot in the gallery

Wedding Vendors (Chicago, IL):

Event Design and Coordination: Katie of Jayne Weddings and Events / Wedding Photography: Simply Jessie Photography / Wedding Dress: Mignonette Designs / Hair: Shelby Smith / Makeup: Dena Miller / Wedding Flowers: Fleur / Paper Goods: Ruby the Fox / Linens: Private Label Linens / Vintage Rentals: Aged Vintage Rentals / Cinematography: Put Down the Bourbon by Simply Jessie / Model: Brit Cooper Robinson

DIY Vintage Tin Ceiling Board

Amanda — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:06:57 +0000

This Old Hollywood Glam shoot by Melanie of She-n-He Photography and Design, Margaret Three Apples Events and Zinnia and Company is proof that you don’t need an equally lavish budget to throw a gorgeous wedding. Can you spot 3 budget-friendly ideas? Here’s one – we’re loving the gold magnolia leaves on the wedding cake! This vintage tin ceiling seating chart project is a great way to add a jolt of charm to any wedding and is super easy to make.

Supply list:

vintage tin ceiling tiles (or you can buy new ones at hardware stores like this one)
mini magnetic disks (here is a great place for bulk purchases)
hot glue
filigree findings (can be found online like here)

View all images from this shoot in the gallery

Wedding Vendors (Austin, TX):

Event Venue: The Vista on Seward Hill / Event Design & Coordination: Three Apples Events / Wedding Photographer: She-n-He Photography / Floral Design and Production: Zinnia and Company / Invitations, Table Number, Escort Cards: She-n-He Photography and Design / China and Glassware: Antiquaria / Chargers, Linens, and Flatware: Premiere Party Central / Dress, Jewelry, Perfume Bottle, other décor pieces: Gilda Grace Collections
Wedding Cake: Blue Note Bakery

She-N-He Photography and Antiquaria, and Three Apples Events members of our wedding vendor guide Blue Label.

Vermont Christmas Wedding

Amanda — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:33:53 +0000

We adore this Winter Wedding for its ability to tie in the holiday spirit without coming across as overly “themey.” Niurka and Eric married right before Christmas last year, and welcomed their guests into the festivities with holiday songs played by Vermont’s own Symphony Orchestra. Love. A huge thank you to Morgan Trinker for these photographs and Niurka for sharing their story with us!

From the bride, Niurka: My husband is very fashion forward and chic. My style is vintage inspired all the way. We wanted to incorporate both of these styles for our day, but also create a general atmosphere of playfulness. Our wedding day was a big tribute to the many children who attended as well as the kid in all of our hearts – ice skating and snow fights followed the reception, skiing and snowboarding filled most of our weekend, and, of course, we had a very A-list celebrity pop in for a visit – jolly old Saint Nick. It’s hard to tell who was more excited when he walked in, the kids or the adults! We also paid tribute to our nearest and dearest time and time again. We surprised Eric’s sister by using her recipe of Coquito (Latin American eggnog) as our signature drink. In honor of our immigrant parents and in the holiday spirit, for favors, we chose granola made by the non profit organization Hot Bread Kitchen whose proceeds benefit immigrant women and families. Our wedding centerpieces we redonated to a local senior citizen’s home for their annual holiday party. We really wanted to embrace and share the Holiday spirit in every way.

When I think of our wedding, I think of phrases like Old Americana, Winter Wonderland, Christmas Cheer, and Latin spice. The color theme for our ceremony was navy, deep purple, and silver – very wintry. Our reception site was green, red, and gold – it was all about the Holidays.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? My advice to brides and grooms is to imagine their wedding day from the point of view of the guest via all five senses. Imagine what guests will see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. For guests, the most fun weddings are those where the reception or cocktail hour immediately follows the ceremony and where driving between the ceremony and reception site is kept to a minimum, so don’t be afraid to get the portraits out of the way before the ceremony. Once Eric and I started picturing our wedding day from the guest’s view, we realized the first thing we wanted our guests to see when they walked in was a friendly smile from one of the incredible folks at the Round Barn, and we wanted them to taste some fresh apple cider. We realized after walking in from the cold, the warmth of the cider would be comforting, and we wanted them to hear some great Christmas tunes right from the start, so we instructed our ceremony musicians (the string quartet from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra) to start playing just before the first guest walked in. All this worked, many friends told us our wedding day felt like Christmas morning.

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

Watch the video by Monachetti Cinematography:

Wedding Songs:
Bridal Party Processional: “Yellow,” Coldplay
Bride’s Processional: Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
Recessional: “All You Need is Love,” The Beatles
Groom & Bride First Dance: “Tu Amor Me Hace Bien,” Marc Anthony
Bride and Father of the Bride Dance: “De Nina a Mujer,” Julio Iglesias
Groom and Mother of the Groom Dance: “Veronica,” Cristian Castro
The Groom also did a special Dance with his sister, our DJ played Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up”

From the photographer, Morgan: Niurka and Eric were married in snowy Vermont last December, right before Christmas. I absolutely fell in love with the whole idea of the wedding from the first moment Niurka described their vision to me: one part winter wonderland, one part Norman Rockwell meets Tim Burton, one part intimate family affair. They chose the Round Barn Inn as the central location for the weekend’s festivities, which included a morning ceremony and a delicious brunch and dancing in the barn, followed by an afternoon of ice skating and an evening spent sharing drinks and good memories with friends and family. The whole day was magical, from the picture perfect snowy setting, to Santa and Mrs. Claus, who made an appearance at the brunch, to Niurka’s show-stopping gown and fur wrap, to the energetic Latin band who played as guests enjoyed holiday-inspired brunch treats. A winter wonderland wedding, indeed!

Wedding vendors (Waitsfield, VT):

Wedding Venue: The Inn at the Round Barn Farm / Wedding Photographer: Morgan Trinker / Event Designer: Luli Meets Tulle / Wedding Dress: Christos “Sutton” / Wedding Shoes: Pour la Victoire / Bride’s Reception Veil: Agnes Hart / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Groom’s Suit: Theory / Groomsmen’s Suits: J. Crew / Wedding Flowers: The Blue Toad / Bride’s Hair: Kerry Armstrong / Bride’s Makeup: Jamie Dragon / Ceremony Music: Vermont Symphony Orchestra / Reception Music: Grupo Sabor / Wedding Videography: Monachetti Cinematography / Wedding Invitations: Sheena Powers of BagLady Designs / Master of Ceremony: Favors and More

Elegant Alder Manor Wedding

Amanda — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:43:51 +0000

A bride who wants a “Great Gatsby meets Great Expectations” vibe to her wedding? Say no more. Photographer Brookelyn traveled up to Yonkers to spend the day in one of our all-time favorite venues, Alder Manor, and photograph Carolyn and Tom’s amazing day.

From the bride, Carolyn: We wanted a style and feel that was fitting for the venue. The Alder Manor is grand and ornate but after so many years, it’s also perfectly imperfect, with crumbling statues, creeping ivy, and peeling wallpaper. So we went with a vintage-inspired, romantic feel that recalled the glamor of the Manor’s heyday without being too polished. We tried to capture a “Great Gatsby meets Great Expectations” feel.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? With all the endless inspiration out there on blogs, shows, mags, etc., it’s easy to get overwhelmed and second guess everything you choose. If that happens, just go with your gut. Ask yourself what was the first centerpiece/veil/bridesmaid dress, etc. that you truly fell in love with, and stick with it. You won’t regret it!

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

Wedding Songs:
Processional: “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis Presley
Bride’s Entrance: “First Day of My Life,” Bright Eyes
Recessional: “Oh, It Is Love,” Hellogoodbye
First dance: “You Send Me,” Sam Cooke
Father/bride dance: “Unforgettable,” Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole
Mother/groom dance: “Greatest Love of All,” Whitney Houston

Wedding Vendors (Yonkers, NY):

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Alder Manor / Wedding Photographer: Brookelyn Photography / Wedding Dress: Christos “Gracia” / Hair and Makeup: Joanne and Valerie, Salon V, Mamaroneck, NY / Wedding Shoes: Macy’s / Bride’s Jewelry: Bobbles and Lace / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters / Groom’s Tuxedo: J. Crew / DJ: DJ Ceremony / Wedding Caterers and Desserts: Chefs at Work / Wedding Invitations: Sal Trovato

Vintage State Park Wedding

Amanda — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:23:40 +0000

Nothing like a scrumptious vintage 1920s lace gown to get us all giddy of excitement. Fawn and Brian’s wedding, aside from throwing one amazing party, had lots of vintage and handmade touches that made us ooh and ah at every image. Vintage fabric prints, sweet little handmade birds and lawn games are just a few of the things that made us fall in love with this Pacific Palisades wedding from Sweet Monday Photography. Check out the invitations with the couple’s two precious kitties and an illustration of the bride’s wedding dress, all in the gallery waiting for you!

From the bride, Fawn: Hi there Ruffled readers! I have to tell you as I was planning my wedding I was reading this gorgeous blog religiously, constantly being inspired by all the ways brides were able to make their days deeply personal and special for their guests. Brian and I knew we wanted a simple wedding that stayed true to our values and honored who we were as a couple. We incorporated a lot of vintage including my dress from the 1920’s, floral tablecloths, and tons of homemade crafty goodies. One of my favorite projects was the chalkboard table numbers with felt love-birds on top. The other project I loved was screen printing our own totes to give to guests with lyrics from one of our favorite songs, “Today was a good day” (Ice Cube). It was super fun and romantic.

If I had to give advice to a bride I would say two things. First, work only with people who put a smile on your face. If anyone makes you nervous or is not so nice DON’T book them! I would like to send a shout out to Amy Harmon at M Café and April & Lindsey of Sweet Monday Photography! These ladies helped to make our day so smooth and carefree. I can’t thank them enough. Second, invest in memories! Splurge on a killer photographer and get someone to video your event. My mom went out and purchased a video camera (and my step father trained himself how to use it) for the day. Being able to watch ourselves exchange our vows was such a precious gift! I didn’t cry at the ceremony but balled watching it later!

We were super lucky to be surrounded by amazing friends and family on our special day. My dear friend Amy single handedly made all the floral arrangements and used glass food jars we saved up for a year. Another good friend became ordained to marry us. We did not have to hire a wedding planner as our good friend Lauren happened to be amazing at organizing. At the end of the day Brian and I were beyond touched to have so many good friends participate and that really made the day just so much more special.

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

From the photographer: Fawn & Brian not only adore all things vintage but they are super duper crafty and they put together an amazingly gorgeous, sweet and intimate wedding on a Sunday afternoon in one of the local Los Angeles area state parks. Bicycle rides en masse are very popular, especially on the east side of LA and Fawn & Brian happened to be riding next to each other one night & they’ve been inseparable ever since. For their wedding they spent months & months scouring Etsy, eBay and various other online outlets and local antique stores for the different elements of their wedding. Fawn’s dress was vintage from the 20s and she had a slip made by the woman who makes the costumes for the TV show “Pan Am.” They collected vintage table cloths & quilts, all of the bridesmaids dresses were vintage, Fawn made fabric buntings, chalkboard table numbers, felt birds (the fabric on the birds wings matched the fabric buttons on the escort cards), yarn wreaths, and she & Brian even took a screenprinting class when they had their tote bag party favors printed. They designed their own Save the Date and RSVP cards and had them printed by a local LA printer. And perhaps our personal favorite element was their custom invitation designed by Le French Circus which shows the two of them on their wedding day with their bicycles and their two kitties sitting in a tree. The quilts were laid out on the ground with various board & lawn games. Other than us, the only other “pro” vendor was a local vegan restaurant and otherwise all of the flowers, music, video, etc. that went into creating the mood of the day was provided by their talented & generous friends and family. The parasols and the escort card numbers were donated by a friend that had been married recently. So not only was the day adorably vintage but it was also incredibly eco-friendly!

Wedding vendors (Los Angeles, CA):

Venue: Temescal Gateway Park (Deer Meadow) / Photographer: Sweet Monday Photography / Wedding dress: Vintage / Bride’s slip: Revamp Vintage / Bridesmaids Dresses: Vintage from Shareens, Etsy and a flea market / Groom’s attire: J Crew suit, H&M shirt, Top Shop for Men tie, Barneys Co-Op shoes / Invitation Designer: Le French Circus / Printer for Invitations & RSVP cards: Indie Printing / Screenprinter for tote bag party favor & Save the Dates: Grow Your Own Media / Caterer: M Café

Martin Johnson House San Diego Wedding

Amanda — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:30:39 +0000

This beachy San Diego wedding shot by Marissa Rodriguez was handcrafted by the bride and groom, and amongst the fun little details there were artichokes! They used them throughout their decor, mixing natural elements and vintage finds. They also used river rocks for guests to leave them a message; at the end of the day they had a fun guestbook to bring home! They also used wine bottles as part of their centerpieces. A long time ago I shared this DIY on a quick dripping candle effect that is worth a peek!

View all images in the gallery

Wedding Vendors and Venue (La Jolla, CA):

Venue: Martin Johnson House at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography / Photographer: Marissa Rodriguez / Florist: Tarah Henderson

Sweet Ranch Texas Wedding

Be My Honey Bee

Amanda — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:20:03 +0000

This fun shoot styled by Mr. & Mrs. Weddings and Events, and shot by Josh Gull Wedding Photography, is sweeter than honey indeed. With a “Be my honey Bee” concept, a bit of Betty Draper thrown in, gorgeous paper goods by Nico and Lala, and flowers by Amanda Jerkins Design, this fun bridal shower or engagement party theme is perfect for those couples who are inseparable! The black and white striped tablecloth, the metallic gold touches and hexagon cards make me weak in the knees. The hive mini cakes by Sweetface Cakes? Designed to perfection.

There is more where this comes from in the gallery!

From the stylist: When photographer Josh Gull first approached me with the idea of a honey themed shoot based on Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” my immediate thought, of course, was of twine, burlap and mason jars. As the original inspiration came from a country music hit why not make the shoot very “Nashville” with lots of rustic country charm? I didn’t want the design to be so expected so we decided to go the opposite direction with lots of dramatic color, black and white stripes and glitzy gold accents for a contemporary country vibe.

Being honey bee themed we still wanted to give it an open, fresh outdoor feel so I chose Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN as the location for the shoot. Carnton is a gorgeous property and venue that was once the site of the Battle of Franklin. The area is steeped in history and is the focal point in the novel, The Widow of the South. The breathtaking garden area was the perfect backdrop for the shoot.

We set the shoot up as a mock engagement inspired by the lyrics, “you be my honeysuckle / I’ll be your honey bee,” and most of the signs in the shoot are lyrics from the song. The food and beverages were honey themed with different types of local honey. We decided to pour the honey on floral plates to show the different colors/types of honey we were featuring. We also included a Tennessee signature with the Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey whiskey and a bottle of wine from everyone’s favorite local Nashville-area winery, Arrington Vineyards.

The florist used beautiful gold and brass containers for the centerpieces and small glass vases that mimicked beehives. She did a great job bringing in tons of bold colors and a dramatic flair with the floral design. The baker created the gorgeous beehive cakes and the pretty yellow cupcakes were vanilla with orange blossom honey buttercream – scrumptious!

Wedding Vendors and Venue (Franklin, TN):

Venue: Carnton Plantation / Photographer: Josh Gull Wedding Photography / Stylist: Mr. & Mrs. Weddings and Events / Florist: Amanda Jerkins Design / Cake and Cupcakes: Sweetface Cakes / Paper Products and Design: Nico and Lala / Makeup and Hair: Lisa Ensminger / Jewelry: Kim with Stella and Dot / Rentals: Music City Tents and Events / Linens: BBJ Linen / Models: Philip Lucia and Colby Dee Coskery

York Homespun Wedding

Amanda — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:02:38 +0000

Quintessentially British, Kath and Ste’s wedding will charm you with loads of style. Emma Case Photography, who is not new to Ruffled, was on hand to capture their day at the York Maze – a corn maze field complete with a pretty barn and a giant trampoline!

Neither of us had a specific idea of how our wedding might look, but we both wanted it to be an informal, fun and relaxed event. It was also important to us for our guests to have a good time. When I first started looking at magazines, I saw some beautiful weddings but they didn’t feel like our style. It wasn’t until I discovered the world of wedding blogs that I found some real inspiration – we particularly liked the look of a lot of the casual, backyard style American weddings, and stole a lot of our DIY ideas from these.

We didn’t want to spend a lot on decorations, so I made the hanging fans in the barn myself with lots of help from my bridesmaid Ruth (a primary school teacher so very useful in crafty situations) although I did manage to superglue my fingers together in the process. The flowers were an incredible joint effort by our parents who cut them from their gardens the day before and arranged them in a mix of mason / jam jars and old milk bottles from my grandad’s farm. We also put tea lights into lots of jam jars and put them outside when it got dark.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? I would just say relax, enjoy the planning and don’t let it become all consuming. Remember that the wedding industry is a big business, so stand your ground and don’t just do something because it’s the done thing or because a supplier is intimidating you into it – my first dress shopping experience was awful because I had such a pushy sales assistant. Having vendors that you like, trust and that understand what you want make life so much easier – so do your research, choose wisely, and it’s half the battle won.

View all images in the gallery

Wedding Songs:
Processional: “Sweet Thing”- Van Morrison
Recessional: “Good Day Sunshine”- The Beatles
First dance: “Two For The Road”- Bruce Springsteen

Wedding Vendors and Venue (Elvington Lane, York, England):

Venue: York Maze / Photographer: Emma Case Photography / Florist: DIY / Wedding Dress: Fur Coat No Knickers / Shoes: Joules / Rings: Rust / Hair: Bang Hair / Makeup: Catherine Gajewska / Groom’s suit: Debenhams / DJ: friends and family / Dessert: Yorkshire Wolds Dairy Ice Cream / Wedding invitations and posters: Liz Newell (liznewell84@hotmail.com)