Purple Handmade California Wedding

Being a wedding photographer herself, Jen Disney knew exactly how she envisioned her wedding day. With a color scheme both she and Tony liked, they used lots of purples and blues for a rustic, yet inviting and casual chic wedding. They hired Jen’s ex roomy Ally Michelle Photography to capture their day, which was filled with handmade touches and packed with steal-worthy ideas!

From the bride, Jen: The words that kept coming to mind as we started planning our wedding were “home” and “comfortable”. We wanted it to be relaxed and rustic, yet elegant. We wanted it to feel like we were inviting our guests into our home. We wanted it to be “us”. We live in an almost 100 year old home and there we got married in the garden of an old home. The location even reminded us a little bit of our backyard. One of our guests even commented on how they felt at home there, like they’d been there before, even though they hadn’t. It was important to us that everything be really personal. I chose all vendors that I knew personally and had worked with before.






We chose the color scheme of purples, plums, aubergine, etc since Tony said he liked purples and blues. Then I saw a bouquet online and that clinched it. I told the girls to wear whatever dress they wanted in that color family. We love the look of reclaimed wood so we made a lot of things from old pallets. A lot of our wedding was DIY. I made my own headband and a friend and past client’s mom made my dress from my mom’s dress. I designed all of our paper goods (invitations, pennant programs, fun facts list). I made a card for each place setting with “Did you know” fun facts about us. We designed and made our big “LOVE” sign, the light up heart for the candy table, as well as the backdrop for the ceremony (my hubby is very handy!). I made all of the escort cards and even refinished the door to hang them on (well, actually, I beat it up more!). My maid of honor made the pillows that sat around on the benches. I designed a poster and Tony made a frame for it, of us in a photo booth that said, “say cheese!” and we had that displayed by the photo booth.

I wanted to work with vendors I already know and love, so my photographer was my roommate, my bakery was local and the owners are clients of mine, my florist, Kim is the best around and someone I’ve known for several years, and my coordinator is also my friend. My makeup artist is also my neighbor, who walked to my house where we got ready. My maid (we think matron sounds old) of honor’s husband was our dj because we wanted it to be someone who knows us.

Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Make it yours. Don’t do anything just because that’s what you’re “supposed” to do. I didn’t want a bouquet or garter toss or a unity anything in the ceremony, so we didn’t do it. We wanted to be a bigger part of the ceremony so we told our own story about how we met. Decide what is important to you and really focus on those things. And hire great vendors that you trust and then just let them do what they do well! I takes a lot of stress off!

Wedding Music:
Processional: Hymn – “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Bride Processional: Hymn – “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”
Recessional: “Ho Hey,” The Lumineers
First Dance: “At Last,” Etta James
Father/Daughter Dance: “Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole
Mother/Son Dance: “What a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong

Wedding Location: Azusa, CA / Photographer: Ally Michelle Photography / Wedding Venue: Hurst Ranch / Planner: Nellie Mun of Pleasant Surprise Events / Florist: Kim Sanders of Art With Nature Designs / Wedding Dress: Friend’s mother made it from bride’s mother’s dress / Wedding Veil: LA Garment District / Wedding Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom / Earrings and bracelet: Macy’s / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: bracelets and earrings from H&M, and necklaces from etsy – tiny bows (thanks for helping me tie the knot) / Groom’s Suit: Men’s Wearhouse / Groomsmen’s Ties: Burlington Coat Factory / Wedding Caterer: The Bashful Butler / Wedding Cake and Desserts: Beverly’s Best Bakery / DJ: Zak Shultz / Singer: Keren Ryan / Guitar: Matt Rubic / Videographer: Pixel That Photography / Wedding Invitations: Bride