From the bride, Sarah: Our wedding was truly a reflection of our unique personalities and our attitude as a couple, we feel so lucky to have had such a fabulous time surrounded by our nearest and dearest! John & I dreamed of a wedding that would be classy and understated but with a lot of humor and quirk. We are total goofballs and the little details really allowed our guests to clown around with us; from the “fingerstache” temporary tattoos in the bathroom to the kazoos that guests could sound off to get us to kiss. Our friends and family really enjoyed snapping candid shots with the Instax camera and dancing with mustache props in hand! I had an enormous amount of help from my friends and family to pull together all of my DIY projects, and my vendors completely understood what I was going for. The result was a wedding that felt warm and creative, where I feel like I lived in every moment, and that is still making me laugh.

My advice to any bride would be to stay true to yourself, if you want to scrap some traditional elements (I had pie instead of cake, and didn’t do a bouquet or garter toss) and make things unique, go for it! In the end, I had so many compliments on how relaxed the atmosphere was and it made everything more fun! Involve your family, and let them feel like a part of your day. I had frames with wedding photos from all our aunts and uncles, our parents and our grandparents lining the shelves in the library. They really felt special when they were pointing out their photos during the cocktail hour.

Wedding Vendors (Oakbrook, IL):

Wedding Venue: Mayslake Peabody Estate / Wedding Photographer: Jennica Jo Photography / Wedding Coordinator: Kristy Webber of Special Occasion Services / Event Designer: Traci and Mark from Whimsy / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Hair Accessory: Twigs and Honey / Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Groom and Groomsmen’s Suits: J. Crew / Groom’s Bow Tie: Forage / Ring Pillow: EmersonMade / Wedding Flowers: Bella Fiori / Wedding Caterer: Dan McGee’s Restaurant / Bartender: With a Twist / Dessert Pies: Hoosier Mama (Chicago) / Wedding Music: Indigo / Wedding Stationery: Maria Pelley of SwellInk

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Posted under: Vintage Weddings centerpieces, estate, Illinois, Jennica Jo Photography, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oakbrook, pink

From the bride: My idea of romance is a private cabin for two curled up next to a fireplace under twinkly lights. I always wanted a winter wedding and to celebrate at such a magical time of year. Chad wanted to be in the mountains, so we flew out to Colorado; just the two of us. Devil’s Thumb Ranch had the perfect blend of a rustic backdrop with luxury amenities. We were lucky enough to be the first couple to get married in the newly built Yager House, let alone the first couple to elope at Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Ella Fitzgerald was playing while I was getting ready and it set the mood for the rest of the day. It was 25º all morning, but I didn’t care at all. I just hiked up my dress and ran through the snow as we took photos. I can’t even tell you how excited we were for ice skating. The sun was setting and we had the incredible mountains (including Devil’s Thumb) behind us while we skated around the outdoor rink.

By then the temperature dropped to 9º and we ran inside to warm up with some hot chocolate. The staff was setting up our table for dinner and then our song came on, “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke. We took to the floor in a circle of peony petals and giggled about our day.

The food was incredible, we joked about how couples rarely get to eat at their own weddings while making the rounds. All four courses were served with its own wine pairing. At the end of the night we were served two petit fours in place of a wedding cake. There’s a special place in my heart for miniaturized food, so it was perfect. Everything was perfect, I wouldn’t change a thing. We spent the rest of the week exploring Colorado as our honeymoon before traveling back to New England for three days worth of parties.

Wedding Vendors (Colorado):

Wedding Venue: Devil’s Thumb Ranch / Wedding Photographer: James Christianson / Event Planning: Frosted Pink Weddings / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals / Hair Accessory: Lo Boheme / Earmuffs: Flat Tail Furs / Furs and Jewelry: Vintage / Bride’s Shoes: Miz Mooz / Groom’s Suit: J. Crew / Groom’s Necktie: General Knot & Co. / Groom’s Shoes: Sebago / Wedding Flowers: Pink Posey Design / Officiant: Matt Raynek at Lyssabeth’s Wedding Officiants

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Posted under: Indie Weddings Colorado, Devil's Thumb Ranch, elopement, James Christianson, ranch, Tabernash, winter, winter weddings

From the bride, Lynette: We envisaged a relaxed and fun filled festival celebrating first and foremost our love and commitment to one another in the presence of God, our family and friends. When Kobus and I went venue hunting we fell in love with the simplicity and honesty that the “Strandkombuis” venue reflected. We immediately knew that all we wanted for our wedding could be achieved here.

We used bunting, beach games, signage, fairy lights, candles in jam jars and beautiful table stationery to help create the fair/festival feel. To help everyone to get into the festive spirit we used our favourite drink – tequila – as welcoming drinks! The colourful bunting spanned around the tented roof created a joyous expectation and a welcome entrance to the more earthy beachwashed-wood interior of the venue.

The theme for the wedding was “Kaapse Liefdesfees” (The Cape Festival of Love) as the wedding was being held in the Cape. The color scheme represented the immediate surroundings each in a special way: teal = fynbos flowers, brown= earth, red = love & blue = sea.

Most of our decorating was handmade. DIY projects such as table runners and the flowers were arranged in 9 canned fruit jars piled in old coke cola crates per table. Each guest name was then stitched to their napkin with a funky material button. Driftwood and candles in canned fruit bottles completed the décor which subtly enhanced the basic character of “Strandkombuis.” Each guest also received a CD that we compiled of our favorite love songs along with a printed material pouch of farm coffee.

View all images from this wedding HERE

Wedding Music:
Wedding song for ceremony: Suikerbossie – Traditional Afrikaans song
Reception Entrance: “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles),” The Proclaimers
First Dance: “Book of Love,” Peter Gabriel
Father/Daughter Dance: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Jason Castro

Wedding Vendors (Yzerfontein, Western Cape, South Africa):

Wedding Venue: Strandkombuis / Wedding Photographer: welovepictures / Wedding Dress and Bridesmaids’ Dress: House of Fashion / Wedding Shoes: Trenery / Groom’s Suit: Hilton Weiner / Groom’s Shoes: Hugo Boss / DJ: Cape DJs / Wedding Cake: Nelle Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Seven Swans

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 9 comments | Posted under: Whimsical Weddings beach weddings, international weddings, red, South Africa, teal, welovepictures, Western Cape

From the bride, Jenna: Matt and I originally wanted a winter snowy wedding in the mountains but after careful thought with elderly grandparents we didn’t think it would be the best idea to have a destination wedding. My Mom told me about the Chapel and the second we saw it we knew this was everything we wanted (minus the snow). We felt like we were standing in the middle of the mountains. The floor to ceiling glass windows are breathtaking with the redwood trees. Its like the outdoors our inside.

The reception venue wasn’t as important detail to our wedding as other things. Matt and I knew we wanted to spend our money on the details that went into our wedding and needed a space that complimented our theme. When we saw The Reef we instantly connected with the garden room. It reminded us of a living room. Since our wedding was under 100 people we loved the idea that it gave us the warm and cozy feeling we were looking for.

Love their ceremony programs printed on graph paper! You can download a template for your DIY cootie catcher template here.

Any advice for future brides planning their weddings? Really put thought into all the details of your wedding. You may not think they are important but in the long run when you look back at your wedding through photos you will see they played a big part in bringing your wedding together. Make sure you are including details of your wedding that represent you as a couple. And definitely take the time with each other at the wedding to take a step back and soak in the your day, even if its for just for a few minutes.

From the photographer: Candice: Jenna and Matt met in elementary school, and while their love story did not start there, it inspired their adorable wedding! Jenna and Matt’s wedding ceremony was held at the Wayfarers Chapel; the almost entirely glass structure is stunning and overlooks the ocean cliffs of Palos Verdes! Guests loved their unique cootie-catcher ceremony programs! The reception was then moved to The Reef Restaurant in beautiful Long Beach. During the cocktail hour, guests were able to sign the ‘guest book’ a large canvas where guest could place their fingerprint to create leaves on a tree, find their grade (AKA tables) on pencils, enjoy the courtyard with adorable school bus florals from Tustin Florist Floral Designs, and visit with a silhouette artist!

Wedding Music:
Prelude: “Cannon in D Major” by Pachelbel – piano version
“The Ludlows” from Soundtrack Legends of the Fall – piano version
Processional: “Love Theme” from Soundtrack Romeo and Juliet – piano version
Bridal Walk: “Marry Me” by Train – piano version
Rose Ceremony “Marry Me” by Train – piano version
Recessional: “Everything,” Michael Buble – piano version

Wedding Vendors (Long Beach, CA):

Ceremony Venue: Wayfarer’s Chapel / Reception Venue: The Reef Restaurant / Wedding Photographer: Candice Benjamin / Event Stylist: Intertwined Events / Wedding Dress: Saison Blanch Boutique / Wedding Shoes: Vince Camuto / Garter Belt: Garter Lady / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Wedding Flowers: Tustin Flowers / Wedding Cake: Rossmoor Bakery / DJ: Andy Nation / Videographer: Click 54 / Vintage Rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals / Chairs and Linens: Baker Party Rentals / Transportation: White Rose Limo

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 12 comments | Posted under: DIY Weddings blue, California, Candice Benjamin, Long Beach, military, red, school

From the photographer, Denis: We can’t express how much we love this wedding. Old farm house location, dash of vintage theme and details, and a band that perfectly fits the ambiance complete their story. Rick and Darren had waited forever for this day to come and it was our pleasure to be part of it.

View all images from this wedding in the gallery

Wedding Vendors (Salisbury, CT):

Ceremony Venue: Lion Rock Farm / Reception Venue: Ragamont House / Wedding Photographer: Binaryflips Photography / Design and Planning: Ambiance Luxe Wedding Designs / Live Band: Carte Blanche Vintage Wedding Flowers: Candi’s Floral Creations / Lighting: Correlation Productions / Rentals: Taylor Rental Party Plus

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 12 comments | Posted under: Vintage Weddings 1920's, Binaryflips Photography, Connecticut, fall weddings, orange, red, Salisbury, same sex weddings

From the bride, Frances: We let our locations do a lot of the work for us. Mt. Tamalpais, where we had the ceremony, is probably the most epic place in the Bay Area. The amphitheater was perfectly suited to a Zen ceremony. Jeffrey rang a bell as we walked in, which was haunting and beautiful in the mist of the forest-quiet. Our guests couldn’t believe how magical it was. The tiny, secret coastal village of Bolinas, where we had the reception, was also pretty memorable.

My very favorite part was the little gold animals we put on each guest’s plate. My awesome new sister-in-law spray painted about ten thousand plastic animals for me. My lovely husband used a laser cutter to carve escort cards out of wood for everyone. We love Lord of the Rings, so we used a hobbity font, and then he stained them all fuchsia. He also designed and made the table number cards, the programs, and the menus.

Some of our other DIY elements were: the ribbon curtain behind our table, which I made myself; all the brass animals and vases on the tables, which we collected from the flea market over the course of many months; and the table runners, which my awesome mom sewed for me. We go to estate sales and flea markets pretty much every weekend anyway, so I started picking up things I thought I could use for the wedding—vases, little objects for the centerpieces, fancy plates for the desserts.

One of my favorite memories of the whole weekend was actually setting up and decorating the hall the night before. All my wonderful Michigan family and some friends did a midwestern barn-raising. I just remember one of my aunts saying, “okay go!” and then within seconds 40 people were everywhere working, uncles were up on ladders hanging Christmas lights, little cousins were assembling foil stars, aunts were ironing tablecloths… it was like an instant beehive of totally focused activity.

Wedding Vendors (San Francisco Bay Area, CA):

Location: Mt. Tamalpais / Wedding Photographer: Delbarr Moradi Photography / Day-of Coordination: Emily Read Bentley of Enjoy Events Co. / Wedding Dress: Coan Couture / Bride’s Headband: Mignonne / Bride’s Earrings: Renna / Bride’s Velvet Bed Jacket: Lacis / Groom’s Suit: Maxwell’s Clothiers / Groom’s Shirt and Tie: Sean / Makeup: Paige Howie / Hair: Diane Beaver of Solid Gold Salon / Wedding Flowers: Ingrid Shoemaker of Blume Designs / Wedding Caterer: Sage Catering / Wedding Cake: Susie Cakes / Stationery: Printable Press

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Posted under: Rustic Weddings Bay Area, California, Delbarr Moradi, Enjoy Events Co., gold, mountain weddings, San Francisco

From the bride, Kimberly: I envisioned my wedding to be simple, romantic and one with nature. I love rustic/vintage inspired things so I went with that idea and expressed it through the color and tone of our wedding. Romantic, charming, simple, one with nature describe our wedding day. As far DIY, my in-laws made all the candle light favors. My husband and I made the signs/pendants that said thank you and just married, along with our initials.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Don’t stress or perfect every little thing. Remember what the day is all about.

Wedding Music:
Processional: “Where is My Love,” Cat Power
Recessional: “All You Need is Love,” The Beatles
First Dance: “First Day of My Life,” Bright Eyes

Wedding Vendors (Dover, FL):

Wedding Venue: Cross Creek Ranch / Wedding Photographer: Stacy Paul / Wedding Planners: Emilee Rumore of Cross Creek Ranch and Erica Rexroat of One Love Weddings / Wedding Flowers: Alta Fleura / Wedding Dress: Demetrios / Wedding Shoes: Blow Fish / Wedding Hair: Mary Phillips / Wedding Makeup: Sarah Phillips / Groom’s Suit: Zara / DJ: Bil Mitchell – Bil@TravelingSoundandLight.com / Wedding Caterer: Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que / Cupcakes: Alessi Bakeries / Wedding Invitations: The Papery / Transportation: The groom’s grandfather’s 1957 Chevy Truck

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 13 comments | Posted under: Vintage Weddings barn wedding, Dover, Florida, green, moss, One Love Weddings, ranch, Stacy Paul Photography

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.

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

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 6 comments | Posted under: Vintage Weddings Colorado, mountain weddings, outdoors, pink, Rachael Grace Photography, ranch, Tabernash, vintage

From the bride, Nora: EVERYTHING was a DIY project. We built our wedding on my brother’s land which is out in the northern forest and it is completely off-grid. We had no power, or running water. We worked on the land for a month beforehand. We built the beautiful elliptical stage, and cleared the large area where we put our big tent. The clearing and road to it, were a neighborhood group effort with the use of tractors and many hours of help by many beautiful people who helped just because they knew it was needed. My husband built the romantic bridge and pine arch that I crossed over to walk up our cedar-bow ‘aisle’. My brother, Mike, built another bridge near the tent that guests could take over to the ‘margarita bar’ which we constructed. My sister-in-law, Erica, and I did a lot of path work, clearing walkways from one magical place to the next. Jared (my husband) and I cleared the trees and scrub for the ceremony site, and all of this took place along a trickling creek.

We had very little waste, using bamboo plates that are currently decomposing on the land (and should be dirt within a few more months). All other utensils and glassware were gathered from second-hand shops by a few friends and family members. They have been donated back, minus a few that people wanted to keep. My nieces took the reigns on decorating each mason jar (for drinking out of) so that each would be different and identifiable to it’s owner. I bought inexpensive, white towels from IKEA and my maid-of-honor and I hand-dyed them all purple to stand out on the muslin table clothes. Everyone involved with the wedding, now has a few purple kitchen towels in their home.

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Ask for help, and dole out jobs to people ahead of time. When it comes down to a day or two before, it’s ok to let a few things go undone. It’s no biggie. Savor everything!

From the photographer, Kat: Nora and Jared’s story is very sweet. They grew up together near Marquette, Michigan and were good friends their whole lives. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that they realized they were in love (Jared lived in Los Angeles, Nora on the East Coast). They live in Bend, Oregon now, but when they decided to get married, it was a no-brainier that it will be held near their childhood homes in the U.P. With help from their family and friends they spent one month prior to their wedding clearing space in the woods on the bride’s brother’s land for the ceremony and reception. They actually lived in a little camper in the woods while they re-landscaped the land. Most of the decor and design of the wedding was done by the Bride and Groom, very creative artists/musicians. (This included paths through the woods, a space for the reception tent, a clearing in the forest for the ceremony, a covered wood bridge, a margarita bar). For me, the brass band processional through the forest from the ceremony clearing to the reception tent was one of the most amazing things I have seen at a wedding. Many of the guests camped on the land over the weekend too.

Wedding Vendors (Michigan):

Wedding Venue: Private Residence in the Upper Peninsula / Wedding Photographers: Kat and Dylan Schleicher of Ellagraph Studios / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero “Gatsby” / Wedding Shoes: MRKT / Bride’s Hair Accessory: WeeGardens / Bride’s Necklace: Tissage / Groom’s Suit: J. Crew / Groom’s Shirt: Prada / Groom’s Tie: Sptzbrgn / Groom’s Shoes: Cydwoq / Bride’s Hair: Studio 5 Nineteen (Marquette, MI) / Officiants: Mothers of the Bride and Groom / Wedding Musicians: Bohola / Wedding Flowers: Gille Mills and Marcia Gonstead of Garden Bouquet / Wedding Caterers: Rubaiyat, Randy Hicks (pig roast) and Michael and Terry Walker (tortilla makers) / Wedding Cake: Sister of the groom / Fruit Pies: Gopher’s / Stationery: Bride and Groom / Decor: DIY / Transportation: Checker Transport

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 14 comments | Posted under: Whimsical Weddings DIY, Ellagraph Studios, Marquette, Michigan, outdoor ceremonies, outdoor weddings, rustic, woods, woodsy

From the bride, Radha: I used the silk sari that my mother wore in my parents 1973 hippie wedding to make the Chuppah for the ceremony. To incorporate our much-loved cat I added her face to the Tapatio bottles on the dining tables. I started sewing at age 5 and I always knew I would make my own dress, and it wouldn’t be white. I found a limited edition print from Liberty of London. I used a white and green color scheme with pops of coral around the venue to tie back to the dress. From the watercolor invitations drawn by a designer friend to the reclaimed wood boxes for the tables my fiancé built in our hallway, to the little signs I made for the dessert table from vintage ceramic letters this truly was a DIY wedding.

My friends and family all helped out and my mom did all the flower arrangements using vintage glass bottles and milk glass classes I had collected at antique fairs around SF. Seating Map — each table was one of our favorite SF locations, from the Opera House to a Mission taqueria, Bi-Rite Ice cream shop, our favorite bookstore. Each escort card had an image of something you would find at that location so it was a game to figure out your table. Steel heart – I found a vintage steel heart that I used to display pictures of us, our friends and our cat Akira. Food: To go with the laid-back atmosphere we did a Mexican family style dinner with a taco bar, aguas frescas and summer blackberry margaritas.

Instead of cutting a cake we had a white heart piñata that we broke together filled with Mexican candy. The dessert buffet featured treats from some of our favorite SF bakeries and ice creameries. Music: My cousin who is an accomplished musician and composer played pieces from some of my favorite operas for the ceremony and then some favorite vintage rock/country songs (with an ironic spin on love) for after dinner. Also on the theme of ironic songs for a wedding my bridesmaid surprised me with a rendition of Diamonds are Forever.

Wedding Vendors (Sebastopol, California):

Reception Venue: Vine Hill House / Wedding Photographer and Cinematographer: Larissa Cleveland Photography / Wedding Dress: made by bride / Bridesmaids’ Dress: J. Crew / Bride’s Hair: Belle of the Ball / Wedding Caterer: A la Heart Catering / Bakery: Born and Bread / Wedding Cake: Miette Patisserie and Confiserie

© 2008-2012 Ruffled® , 2012. | Permalink | 24 comments | Posted under: Garden Weddings