Real Wedding: Terra and Kevin

First off, this week we are counting down to our big launch on Friday! I can’t wait for you to see the new digs–I know you’re going to love the new look!

Today, I wanted to start off with Terra and Kevin’s wedding, shot by Jennifer of Ever Whim Photography. There are so many creative ideas, which you’ll get a feel for when you read Terra’s description below. My favorite idea that Terra shares: DIY Milk Glass! Check it out below!

I work full time as the Store Merchandise Manager at Urban Outfitters in Santa Cruz, CA and my husband Kevin is a self employed contractor. We have been together for 5 years, but our engagement was on the short side of seven months, and we had a tight budget of well under $10,000. We got married on Sunday April 25, 2010 at the same church my parents were married 40 years ago here in Santa Cruz, CA (Villa Maria del Mar-sits close to the beach cliffs). Our dogs are a huge focus in our lives and were with us the whole day, our French Bulldog Stanley was our Best Man, and our Pug Stella was our Maid of Honor. Since we had a tight budget we did a lot of DIY decorating elements. Our friends helped us put together the succulent arrangements for the tables at the reception and my bouquet. I believe we ended up spending a total of $60 for any flowers/succulents that were used–the rest friends and family donated.

I have always loved the idea of milk glass and found black milk glass that inspired me, however I didn’t love the cost. I ended up purchasing a variety of glass bowls and vases at local thrift stores and painted them black in order to get the similar effect I wanted. Our seating chart was compiled of all of our friends dogs and each table was named accordingly, the dogs pictures were in frames recycled from my aunts old fence. For our cigar smoking section, my husband hand carved ashtrays out of large river rocks from our front yard. I inherited a large collection of vintage brooches and other vintage jewelry with which I had a co-worker create for me my bridal necklace, other salvaged jewelry was added in as well.

Our friends mean everything to us and we were so thankful that they were so involved with us from the very beggining. The one thing that I learned from the whole experience is–never hesitate to ask for help. Everyone you love comes together to help you with any and all aspects to create everything you’ve imagined. We couldn’t be happier with how our day turned out, we are soo lucky to have such great friends and family who all came together to help us with the “inspiration” for our wedding day.

Vendors include:

Photography: Jennifer Hogan of Ever Whim Photography; Cake: Heathers Patisserie; Makeup: Anna Wu; Hair: Aurezu Kuhzarani; Ceremony: Villa Maria del Mar-Santa Cruz, CA; Reception held at Michaels On Main; Officiant: Gregory Ross (the Grooms best friends); Flowers: DIY; Ceremony Music: Steven Griswold (good friend of the bride & groom); Reception Music: Aaron Kushner (co-worker of the bride); Bride’s Necklace: inherited vintage jewelry & brooches-created by Theresa Vu (co-worker of the bride)

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Real Wedding: Melissa and Walter

Photographer Abigail Seymour is about to rock your world. Melissa and Walter’s mountain wedding at Lake Eden was so absolutely gorgeous, I feel a bit like I’ve won the lottery because I get to share it here first! Everything from the eclectic wildflowers, to the eucalyptus wreath around the dainty cake, to the insanely beautiful light infused portrait session is absolutely perfect. This wedding infuses wild rustic elements with soft feminine touches and I just can’t get enough. Special thanks to Abigail Seymour for sharing these with us. Her work is always so incredibly lovely. Like I said, today, I won the lottery.

Abigail tells us a few details about Melissa and Walter’s wedding:

The huppah under which they said their vows was made from a vintage lace tablecloth that belonged to Melissa’s grandmother, and was carried by their bridal party via tree branches found that morning in the woods. She and Walter chose to see each other beforehand, and then immediately after the ceremony they took a private, ten-minute walk through the woods. They wisely understood how easy it is to spend the whole wedding together without really getting a chance to stop and appreciate what has happened.

So many lovely, thoughtful details: the escort cards were clipped to a yellow Schwinn bicycle, the theme of which was echoed in the boxed chocolate wedding favors. There was old-fashioned cornhole to play, frisbees to be thrown, beachballs and bubbles for the kids, and a { kick-a** band } that has played the { LEAF festival }, on whose hallowed ground the whole shindig took place.

I hope you enjoy the images! Check below for additional vendor information!

Additional detail images shot by { Traci }.

Brides Gown: { Vera Wang }

Coordination: { Exquisite Events & Consulting }

Cake: { Filo }

Flowers: { The Bloom Room }

Band: { Sol Driven Train }

Caterer: { Colorful Palate }

Cinematographer: { K2 Productions }

Real Wedding: Inga and Scott

Photographer Tyler Branch sent over this lovely wedding and I’m delighted to share it with you. Two of my favorite things about Inga and Scott’s wedding: Wayfarer’s Chapel. It really is just so breathtaking. And Inga’s bouquet. I’m just a sucker for beautiful flowers. Special thanks to Tyler for sharing some of the stunning simplicity of their day!

Real Wedding: Melissa and Ryan

Photographer Kristen Leigh’s work is always always impeccable. Pretty much everything she shoots is an editor’s dream. Melissa and Ryan’s wedding is no exception. Their location, Strong Mansion, in Maryland, is unreal. I mean…it looks like a scene out of Pride and Prejudice. I really mean it! And all that bright color is just too good to be true!

Oh…and you may remember Melissa and Ryan’s engagement session, which I also featured here. I LOVE when I get to feature both the engagement and the wedding…it makes my selfish heart really happy. Special thanks to Kristen for sharing her insanely lovely images!

Atlas & Campbell Weds

Aubrey Atlas of the uber fabulous stationery team Atlas & Campbell recently wed her dapper beau, Nick, in a wedding that is just absolutely stunning. Of course, you can’t expect any less from a vendor in the industry…especially when it’s someone as crazy talented as Aubrey! Her wedding (along with a really great description and ALL the vendor details) was featured on Style Me Pretty, but I couldn’t resist sharing a few extra photos that weren’t featured. To see more, be sure to check out the SMP feature…it’s totally worth the click!!!

Abby Ross took these GORGEOUS images…so get ready to eat your heart out!

Real Wedding: Kelly and Michael

Kelly and Michael’s wedding shot by Desi Bayton is so unique and refreshing! Desi has some really beautiful imagery…I’m loving the old world feel, and I ADORE the Fitzgerald-esque tux that Michael is wearing. I also don’t normally post lots of images of ceremonies, but I couldn’t help sharing these…I just love all the gorgeous tradition involved in Michael and Kelly’s wedding. So lovely!

I know there are lots of you out there desperate to see ballroom weddings…and I think this one is exemplary! Thanks again to Desi for sending it over!

Real Wedding: Jenifer and Mat

I feel very honored to be able to feature this wedding, particularly because the bride is a bit of a blog celebrity! Rosa is behind the fabulous blog, Made By Girl (where you must go immediately if you aren’t already a reader).

Jenifer says on her blog that she and Mat wanted to prove that you could have a great time and a beautiful wedding without spending tons of money. She has tons of DIY ideas, resources and vendors, so if you’d like to find out more, be sure to check out the post on her wedding!

Special thanks to the lovely Yvonne Wong for sending over her gorgeous work!

Real Wedding: Sarah and Athan

I know I started this week off with a little yellow, but get ready because I’m bringing you some more yellow and I’m just gonna assume you can handle it. Sarah from OneLove Photography (along with assistant photographer Darcy Rogers) shot this beautiful yellow, grey and white wedding that features, among other things, a canine ring bearer and a Greek feast. There is a huge list of vendors below, so be sure to check it out after you’re done consuming the goods.

Florist: Mi Piaci (Phoenix Nguyen, Danville) | Wedding Dress: Marisa (Bridal Galleria in SF) | Shoes: Zappos – Me Too flats in yellow | Wedding Hair & Make-Up:  Alana Halvorsen | Bridal Jewelry:  Handmade by All-A-Glow Jewelry (Sedona, AZ) | Bridesmaid Dresses: JCrew | Menswear:  Men’s Wearhouse (Michael Kors) } Caterer: Savory Fare Catering (Castro Valley — George and Ilona, the caterers, are Athan’s cousins) | Cake/Cupcakes:  Sibby’s Cupcakery | Invitations: Homemade by the bride | DJ/Entertainment:  Our friend Nate Dogg (and his iPod) | Bridal Veil:  Certified Pre-Owned Veil from fellow bride on Project Wedding | Officiant:  Pat & Russell Clough (Russell was Athan’s professor, and we got engaged at Russell & Pat’s house) | Lighting:  Classic Party Rentals |  Videography: Allison Pickard Park (my college roommate and a filmmaker in NYC)

Mod-tastic Real Wedding: Lisette and John

Photographer Amanda Rae deserves major props for this wedding. I love that she shot so many great images of the venue, (The Park via RoomService…seriously…check it out) which seems to have been the inspiration for Lisette and John’s black, white and yellow wedding! Also, shout-out to the coordinators, Lindsay and Brittany of Sugar Branch Events, who totally killed it on this wedding. There are so many fun images…gear up. This is a long post!

Happy Monday! Let’s hope for a sunshiney yellow week!

Real Wedding: Jamie and Bradley

Here are some unbelievably perfect photos from Jamie and Bradley’s wedding shot by Trever Hoehne. His work is truly art and it reminds me that at the end of the day, couples are wise to choose a photographer whose work they’d really be happy to have hanging on their wall for decades. Will it stand the test of time? I’m pretty sure Trever Hoehne will.