Fresh + Modern Wedding Inspiration | Wedding Blog with Real Weddings, Wedding Inspiration Boards, Bridal Fashion, DIY Projects, Signature Cocktails, and More
Add a few strokes of painterly beauty to your wedding day with this week’s FREE printables: delightful watercolor tags that come in eight different color options, from whitewashed pink to vivid yellow. Created by our graphic designer, Susan Brand of Susan Brand Design, these pretty little things are intended to be hand-stamped or calligraphed and added to favors, welcome kits, or the like. Flex your creativity muscle, and find unique ways to display these mini works of art. By way of example, for a gardenesque touch, transform them into fragrant escort cards by tying them to the stems of fresh flowers in complementary hues.
Instructions:
1. Print tags out on medium-weight paper—preferably paper with a bit of texture for an authentic watercolor feel—and cut out. Each sheet of paper yields 10 tags.
2. Use alphabet stamps—we like this wooden stamp set from Anthropologie—to stamp the tags, or use a calligraphy marker, which lends a softer look, to hand-label the tags.
3. Use a hole punch to create a hole at the top of each tag, and tie on ribbon or twine.
Download FREE Printables:
Please note: Color swatches are for preview purposes only. Use the text links to download the printable PDFs.
Editor’s note: These photos and artworks are copyrighted material. They are intended solely for personal use and not for republication, distribution, sale, preparation of derivative works, or any other non-personal use. If you’d like to blog about this post, feel free to share the photos (with a proper credit line and a link back to this post), but please do not distribute these downloadable PDFs on your site or anywhere else. Thank you!
Boldly printed fabrics are all the rage on the wedding scene these days, whether they’re used to make custom linens, such as decorative pillows and dinner napkins, or fashioned into colorful confetti and treat bags like these playful, winsome creations crafted by Polly Conway, connoisseur of all things cute. Novice sewers and the craftily challenged, fear not—this project is as easy as pie, and there’s a sew-free option for those like me who break into a cold sweat whenever they come within sight of a sewing machine. Here’s Polly with the step-by-step tutorial.
There’s a wealth of fabric out there right now, from the beautiful to the whimsical. You can easily incorporate some of these fun fabrics into your wedding décor! Afraid of sewing machines? This is an incredibly simple beginners’ sewing project that will boost your confidence: simple confetti or favor bags tied with ribbon and finished off with a rustic-looking zigzag edge thanks to a staple pair of pinking shears. Hear me out: All you have to do is sew five—count ’em, five—straight lines. You can do it! And if you don’t have a machine, I’ve included a super-easy version that looks just as good.
Supplies needed:
1. Cotton fabric (Two of my favorite online shops, Fabricworm and Superbuzzy, should keep you browsing for hours!)
2. Sewing machine
3. Matching thread
4. Pinking shears
5. Pins
6. Scissors
7. Grosgrain ribbon
Step 1: Cut 2 4″x 5″ rectangles from your chosen fabric with regular scissors. With the right sides facing together, stitch along three sides. You now have a bag! Next, you’ll give it a flat bottom.
Step 2: Pinch one side of the bottom edge of the bag flat and pin it across at about 1″. Pin other side, then stitch across each side. You’ll now have two triangles that you can snip off along with any stray threads.
Step 3: Turn the bag right-side out. Using the pinking shears, cut carefully across the top for a charming finished edge.
Step 4: Fill with Jordan almonds, lavender buds, or rice, and tie with a matching ribbon.
Super-easy no-sew version: Cut a 10″ circle with pinking shears. Place the bag’s contents in the middle and bring all the sides up, wonton-style. Tightly tie your ribbon, and you’re done!
Held last June at upstate New York’s Frost Valley YMCA, Jenny and Michael’s intimate lakeside wedding represented rustic simplicity at its best. “They like simple things, and they wanted their wedding to be simple, too,” said their photographers, Darren and Mike of Esvy Photography. Reminiscent of the woodsy camp where Jenny spent many of her childhood summers, the location stirred up nostalgia and reflected the laid-back couple’s shared love of the outdoors. Many of the details were handmade by the bride, who designed and sewed her own dress. Guests spent a relaxing weekend canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, zip-lining, trying their hands at archery, and even participating in a cornhole tournament. On the day of the wedding, Jenny and Michael’s joyfulness, which is evident in nearly every photograph, outshone everything else. Their touching vow exchange was followed by a perfectly casual picnic-style reception, complete with colorful quilted blankets spread out on a romantically lit lawn. In true summer-camp fashion, the night ended with storytelling, reminiscing, and marshmallow roasting over a crackling bonfire.
You’ve probably seen rusty old skeleton keys turn up at quite a few vintage-themed weddings. Given their symbolism and their beautifully ornate look, with the tops, or bows, featuring Gothic trefoils, quatrefoils, and other intriguing shapes, they’re an unsurprisingly popular wedding décor item. Today, our crafty girl, Polly Conway, has given these antique icons a modern makeover using acrylic paint and washi tape for a fun, updated twist on the trend. Here’s Polly with all the colorful details.
Keys! They’re a classic, symbolic piece of wedding décor. I wanted to create a modern, versatile take on the skeleton key by combining two of my favorite trends: washi tape and neon. These bold keys can adorn favors, hang from floral arrangements, or be used as color-coded escort cards. Read on for this super-simple how-to!
Step 1: Decide which parts of the keys you’d like to paint. Paint a thin layer on each and let dry for 10-15 minutes. Repeat until the color you want is achieved. One or two layers will create a distressed look, while three or four will give a more uniform color. (Waiting for the paint to dry is by far the hardest part of this project.)
Step 2: Wrap a length of washi tape around the body of the key, sticking it together to create a little flag. Tear ends of tape, or use scissors to snip simple designs.
Step 3: Almost done! The painted and taped keys already look great as is, but depending on your needs, you can add more detail by attaching them to kraft paper tags with baker’s twine or stamping words directly onto the washi tape tags.
A décor element that’s enjoyed a place in wedding ceremonies for centuries, the humble wreath has meaning and longevity. Our craft expert, Polly, put a delightful spin on the traditional floral version with these colorful and crafty creations, which make wonderful use of yarn and felt. Here’s our girl to share today’s doable do-it-yourself project.
These charming wreaths are a crafty classic that will fit right into your DIY wedding! Styrofoam wreaths come in all sizes, so they’re versatile depending on your wedding needs. You can make a bunch of small wreaths to adorn chair backs or the ends of church pews, or you can make a few big ones to decorate doors and windows. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make memorable wreath favors!
Supplies needed:
1. Styrofoam wreath (available at your local craft store in all sizes)
2. Yarn in contrasting colors
3. Moss
4. Spun cotton mushrooms (I get mine here!), feathers, felt, or other décor
5. Hot glue gun
Step 1: Wind up a ball of yarn that will fit through the wreath’s center. Tie yarn in a knot around the wreath and begin wrapping tightly. Keep wrapping! This part is a little tedious and takes a while, but it’s kind of relaxing once you get into the groove.
Step 2: When you’re ready to change colors, tie the original yarn color off and begin with the new color in the same way. You can snip the tails of yarn or wrap around them. Keep going until the entire wreath is covered in yarn.
Step 3: If you like a simple, clean look, you can stop here! These wreaths look lovely on their own, but you can add easy felt flowers for added flair. Google “felt flower tutorial,” and you’ll find oodles of varieties, or check out the felt poppy tutorial right here on Limn & Lovely! Figure out what kind of décor fits in with your wedding theme, and lay out a little grouping of decorations. Using the glue gun, stick ‘em on there. You can also use pins to attach décor to the wreath; they’ll disappear into the yarn.
Step 4: Tie a ribbon around the wreath for hanging. You’re done!
When it comes to wedding details, there are few things we love more than an adorable handmade cake topper. Although this little bauble may seem like a trivial element, it’s kind of like the Magi’s star atop a Christmas tree—a little bit of magic happens the moment it’s shifted into place, and a tree just isn’t a Christmas tree without it. Created by Polly Conway, our crafty girl extraordinaire, with the cute-minded bride in mind, these retro-inspired pinecone toppers have a little seasonal sparkle and are the perfect finishing touch for a homespun—think spackled buttercream—winter wedding cake. Here’s Polly with all the details.
I fell in love with spun cotton a few years ago when I thrifted some incredibly detailed Christmas ornaments, painstakingly crafted from simple supplies like crepe paper, pipe cleaners, and yarn. They were so sweet, and their little faces had so much personality! I wanted to see if I could replicate that retro look on my own, and after some experimenting, I’m sharing my process with you in the form of bride ‘n’ groom cake toppers. Again, these little friends can double as favors or table décor; heck, you could make one for each member of the bridal party!
Supplies needed:
1. Spun cotton balls (Get any size here, and have fun browsing the other gorgeous millinery treats!)
2. Pinecones
3. Felt-tip pens
4. Hot glue gun
5. Craft glue
6. Various supplies like pipe cleaners, crepe paper, yarn, German glass glitter, millinery flowers, or dollhouse miniatures
7. Wood or cardboard base
Step 1: Hair! To create glitter hair, spread craft glue around a spun cotton ball (the head), then dip into a tray of glitter. Let dry. For yarn hair, add glue, then gently drape pieces of yarn onto the head. Let dry. You can trim later.
Step 2: With the hot glue gun, attach the spun cotton balls to each pinecone, creating a head and body.
Step 3: Use felt-tip pens to add features to the face. Keep it simple: two black dots for eyes, a small red line for the mouth, and a little pink blush if desired. You can also add freckles or lashes if you’re feeling ambitious.
Step 4: Wrap a length of pipe cleaner around the neck to create arms. Bend as needed. You can also add legs with the glue gun.
Step 5: With glue gun, attach figures to the base. Now you can give your bride and groom some character and create a little scene using your extras. Have fun!
We have a very special treat for you today: the coziest little Oregon wedding you’ll ever see, captured to perfection by the oh-so-gifted Michelle Cross, whose photos are pure magic. Despite not having any personal ties to the bride and groom, we teared up a bit just gazing at their images, which will bring on the oohs and aahs in droves. Abby and Scott were married on a sunswept fall day at a family friend’s ranch in Central Oregon, and they created a rustic yet romantic vibe that perfectly complemented the setting. The matriarchs of Abby’s family were her main sources of inspiration. “When I was young, I loved sifting through pictures, articles of clothing, and other valued items that belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother,” Abby said. “How precious and full of memories they were! For my wedding, I wanted to recreate the warm feel that these treasures evoked.”
Well, she did just that, and every last vintage-inspired detail will leave you swooning, from the beyond fabulous bridal shoes (a pair of navy blue and cream-colored wingtip brogues with brassy buckles) to the handmade favors (fall flower bulbs tucked inside tiny burlap bags with plantable paper tags). Most importantly, though, this wedding is filled to the brim with love—sweet, sweet love.
Q + A with Abby and Scott
Abby, how did you meet Scott and fall in love with him?
I was at a birthday party with a bunch of my girlfriends in Boise, Idaho, and I literally bumped into Scott while trying to get through the crowd to my friends. When I saw him, I remember thinking that he was one good-looking fellow. He was wearing a Blue Angels cap, and he was gazing at me with the most amazing eyes and smile. Man, oh man! When he asked me what my name was and I replied, he used this cheesy line about liking my name! What a smooth talker! What kind of pickup line is that? I still ended up giving him my number, and I decided a week later that I would go to the movies with him, just for fun. When I saw him again, I thought, “Whoa, who is this hottie?” I immediately clammed up! My hands started to sweat, I got kind of fidgety, and I made almost no eye contact with him! After the movie was over, we went to Bardenay, a restaurant where Scott was working at the time. We ended up sitting there for hours, just talking. I left our first date wishing that I were still with him and excited about when I would see him again. He has been a constant support since then, and he makes me truly happy.
Scott, how did you propose?
It happened the way I knew it would . . . with laughter, tears, and a little bit of stress. One of the first steps was asking Abby’s father for his blessing. I managed to get him alone one day on a car ride to the airport, and I just blurted out how much I loved his daughter and hoped he would be okay with me asking for her hand in marriage. He said yes and gave me the biggest hug. I will remember that moment forever.
Abby and I had arranged to spend Christmas and New Year’s with family in California, so I planned to propose to her on my favorite Californian beach, Salt Creek, and then take her out to a great restaurant overlooking Dana Wharf. I decided to propose on a Thursday night. I was incredibly nervous during the drive down to the beach, but I was also excited. The diamond ring was burning a hole in my pocket. As we drove closer to the beach, however, I saw this horrible fog enveloping everything. My plan was ruined, and I had to cancel the whole thing!
I decided to tell Abby that we had to visit Salt Creek at least once during our trip. Two days later, on Saturday, I woke up and got ready to go, only to realize that I had lost the keys to my mom’s car, which I was borrowing. She was busy and couldn’t get another set to me. I nearly unraveled! I desperately wanted to propose, but everything seemed to be going comically wrong! We were staying at my cousin’s place, and I randomly decided to go through her cabinet to look at her spare keys. There was a pair that looked a lot like my mom’s, so I decided to try them. Could we get a break? Was this the miracle? YES! They were, in fact, a pair that my mom had lost more than five years earlier! The second crisis was averted.
We drove to Salt Creek knowing that it was probably still foggy. When we got there and started walking down to the beach, we both realized how cold it was. Since I was cold myself, I knew that Abby must be freezing. I saw her starting to lose interest in going to the beach, so I suggested that we head to a nearby CVS and buy some cheap blankets. We bought two fleece blankets, and Abby opted for some hand warmer pads over a pair of $15 sweatpants. We walked back down to the beach with our blankets, my future fiancé with hand warmer pads stuck to her legs!
We sat down and talked for a while. I honestly didn’t know how to begin the proposal, so I was searching for a starting point. I began fidgeting nervously with a ring that she was wearing, her great-grandmother’s ring. I blurted out, “This sure is a nice ring.” In typical Abby fashion, she responded, “Well, are you going to propose to me with it?” It was the perfect setup! I replied, “No, I want to propose to you with this!” Her eyes got wide, and she was honestly speechless. I got her to stand up, and I dropped to one knee and “officially” proposed. She said yes! During the drive back into town, Abby kept putting her hand out the sunroof and yelling, “I’m engaged!”
Abby, can you tell us a little bit about the details of your wedding and your sources of inspiration?
I smile when I think about how perfect our wedding day truly was. The day felt so full of love. Even if a few things went wrong, as they always do, it was a wonderful day. We were so blessed to have such amazing family members and friends, each with their own talents, surrounding and encouraging us. Our day would not have been as special as it was without them and all of their help. Getting married is such a grand event in life, and you want to share it with everyone who means the most to you. For the most part, we were able to do that, and for this we are so thankful.
The wedding itself was one that dreams are made of. I had been collecting rustic yet romantic antiques for months. When I was young, I loved sifting through the pictures, articles of clothing, and other valued items that belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother. How precious and full of memories they were! For my wedding, I wanted to recreate the warm feel that these treasures evoked, and I believe that this was achieved.
I could go on and on about each little detail of our wedding. Most things were either handmade or purchased from thrift stores, and a few things were borrowed from other loved ones’ weddings. With help from family and friends, we made all of our favors: tiny burlap bags filled with fall flower bulbs. Each bag was tied with a tag made out of handmade paper embedded with wildflower seeds so that our guests could plant those as well. The tag read, “Let love grow.”
I wore my grandmother’s pearls and my mother’s garter. I also carried a handkerchief from Scott’s grandmother.
My favorite tangible item was definitely my shoes! They were exactly what I imagined when I thought of the perfect pair of bridal shoes. Not only did they have old-fashioned wingtips and a navy color that matched my bridesmaids’ dresses, they were also comfortable!
What was your favorite moment of the day?
My favorite moment actually came when I was able to watch the video of my now husband’s face when he saw me walking down the aisle. We decided to wait to see each other. During the ceremony, I was too nervous and overwhelmed with excitement to look at him clearly. In the video, his love for me shone truly through his smile and tears. I married this man, and I get to spend the rest of my life with him; that is the best and most important thing.
Do you have any advice about the wedding planning process to offer other brides?
If you are planning a wedding on a budget, as we were, the first thing you should do is sit down and think of talented friends who might be willing to contribute their talents in some way. Most of our vendors were close friends, and our ceremony and reception were held at a family friend’s beautiful ranch. We honestly wouldn’t have had such an amazing wedding without our friends and family members. They all worked so hard to make everything exactly the way we wanted it to be. As we looked around at every aspect of the wedding, it felt even more special because we knew that everything was a labor of love. Again, we feel so blessed and thankful to have such giving and talented friends.
The use of Mason jars is one wedding trend that we have yet to grow tired of. As far as we can tell, the budget friendliness and versatility of these humble canning containers will keep them in the wedding game for years to come. Since they make an appearance at so many weddings, however, the trick is dreaming up an original way to use them. It tickles us pink when someone comes up with an idea for breathing new life into a tried-and-true trend, and our crafty girl, Polly, has done just that with her enviable embroidery skills. Fear not; they’re easy to learn!
Hand embroidery is one of the traditional crafts that’s been transformed by the current crop of DIY enthusiasts! While it may seem intricate and intimidating, embroidery doesn’t have to be hard. It’s easy to learn a few basic stitches that look pretty darn impressive, and you can use your newfound skills to adorn anything from napkins to gift tags. I like this project because it’s super inexpensive; embroidery is a wonderfully low-cost craft (thread still costs 39¢!), and the result is a totally adorable and customizable accoutrement for your cozy outdoor wedding.
Supplies needed:
1. Canvas fabric
2. Embroidery thread
3. Embroidery needle
4. Mason jars or vases
5. Scissors
6. Pencil
Step 1: Cut a strip of canvas about an inch wide and as long as you need to tie around your jar or vase.
Step 2: With a light pencil, draw or trace the image you’d like to embroider. For this project, keep it simple! You can freehand a heart, initials, a flower, or anything else you want to represent the new couple. (There are also lots of simple patterns online; Sublime Stitching or Wild Olive are great resources for chic and modern images.) Don’t be scared of imperfection; embroidery is a homey, rustic-looking art anyway.
Step 3: Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Begin stitching. I like to use the backstitch, one of the easiest embroidery stitches, which is great for outlining. It’s basically a series of even up-and-down stitches; here’s a little extra instruction on the details.
Step 4: When you’re done stitching, cut your thread. Tie the strip of canvas onto a Mason jar or vase, and you’ve got a special table centerpiece that can double as a take-home for some lucky guests.
Everyone loves getting something pretty in the mail, something shiny and bright and sent with love tucked in among the piles of angry-looking bills and obnoxious junk mail. A wedding provides the perfect opportunity to fill your loved ones’ mailboxes with lots of mood-lifting prettiness, so why not try your hand at making your own envelopes instead of settling for the generic store-bought kind? It’s easy, we promise! Here’s the lovely Polly to show you how.
If you’re getting married, you’re going to need a lot of envelopes. You’ve got save the dates, bridal shower invites, bachelorette party invites, the actual wedding invitation itself, thank-yous—it’s quite a list! If you feel like going the extra mile, making your own envelopes is pretty darn easy and super satistfying, and it gives you the power to create the exact patterns and color combinations of your dreams!
Supplies needed:
1. Scrapbooking paper/card stock in colors of your choice
2. Envelope and liner templates (I got mine at Paper Source (they’re sturdy and reusable), but you can also download your own templates and print ‘em out.)
3. Bone folder or letter opener
4. Double-sided tape or glue stick
5. Scissors
6. Scalloped scissors (optional)
7. Pen or pencil
Step 1: Trace lightly around the envelope template with your pen or pencil. Keep the template in place.
Step 2: With the bone folder or other non-sharp device, score (press hard along) the paper where you’ll be folding it later. This will make the folding easier and ensure that your envelope will look extra tidy. Cut.
Step 3: Trace around the envelope liner template and cut out. You can use scalloped scissors to give the liner a softer and more detailed look. Place inside the unfolded envelope, then, when you see where you want it to be, add some double-sided tape or glue and stick it.
Step 4: Add tape to the appropriate areas of the envelope itself and fold it into its final shape. Everything should stick nicely, and you now have a lovely handmade envelope!
If you don’t have an endless wedding budget (and most brides don’t), chances are that your favors are going to be simple, and the packages in which they come are going to be even simpler. But, hey, sometimes simple is better. Leonardo da Vinci, Lao Tzu, and Henry David Thoreau all thought so. The most well-liked favors often have two things in common: 1) they’re homey, and 2) they’re edible. Popular choices for pretty packaging of goodies (for instance, coffee beans or homemade confections) include stamped muslin bags, which have the kind of rustically charming look that’s overtaken the wedding world, and stamped glassine bags, which have an old-timey-candy-shop feel. Etsy is awash with them, but why not add a level of personalization by making your own? Here’s the ever-fabulous Polly to show you how. Instead of black ink, as is typically used, she opted for jewel-toned colors, and we are digging the results.
A good set of alphabet stamps is a great investment for any wedding crafter; prices range from $1 (pro tip: I seem to always find them in the dollar bins at Michael’s) to around $30, and there are tons of fonts and styles to choose from. As far as regular stamps go, it’s wild out there! Gone are the days of grannny-style duckies with bows; today’s stamps are actually . . . cool! There’s a stamp for every occasion, from mustaches to matryoshkas to the chic gems I used here. You’re bound to find at least a few that will match your theme (there are a lot of stamps out there) or just add a little flair. This tutorial shows you how to quickly transform some plain old muslin bags into totally personalized gifts!
Supplies needed:
1. Muslin bags (you can find these in bulk on Etsy)
2. Stamp pads
3. Small pieces of cardboard or heavy paper
4. Practice paper
5. Alphabet stamps
6. Accent stamps
Step 1: With your practice sheet of paper, play around with the stamps! It takes a bit of practice to figure out things like placement and pressure, and this is a good place to make some mistakes. It’s also a good time to test your colors; you’ll want to be sure the shade of the stamp pad is true before you stamp the bags. Experiment with varying levels of pressure and amounts of ink for different results; lots of ink and a hard press will cause the stamp’s edges to show for a more rustic look.
Step 2: Place a small piece of cardboard or heavy paper inside your first muslin bag. This will keep the ink from seeping through to the other side.
Step 3: Start stamping! When you’re done, let dry for about 30 minutes and then flip to stamp the other side if you want.
Step 4: Fill with goodies! These would also work well for a shower or rehearsal dinner!
We hardly know where to begin in describing the sheer wonderfulness of this Down Under bushland wedding, which took place at the Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat in Kangaroo Valley, a valley that stretches along the Kangaroo River in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. Incorporating Moroccan touches and traditional Jewish wedding rituals, Leanne and Dave’s day was so full of loveliness that squeezing it into one post has proven to be an almost impossible feat. We could gush on and on about each and every detail—the breathtaking outdoor church nestled inside a rock cavity; the fantastic florals, which were arranged by the bride’s grandmother and included dusty pink proteas mixed with baby’s breath; the bride’s to-die-for custom gown, designed by the bride and handmade from French lace and silk georgette; the perfectly mismatched bridesmaid dresses in earthy shades of rust and brown; the criminally cute critters; the DIY goodness at every corner; and the awe-inspiring setting with its lush, native flora, including cabbage-tree palms, bird’s nest ferns, and sclerophyll forests.
Oh, did we tell you that a trampoline makes an appearance? We’d bet a pretty penny that this couple is going to be single-handedly responsible for starting a trampolining-in-wedding-attire trend! And we can’t leave out a mention of their unbeatable first dance, a lively jive choreographed by the bride herself. Suffice it to say that these two tore up the dance floor, and they have the most incredible series of dance shots—and an off-the-charts awesome Cinemotive video, which we’ve included for your viewing pleasure—to prove it!
Leanne and Dave’s phenomenal photographer, Lara Hotz, captured every poignant moment, telling their magnificent love story through her lens and offering a true sense of who they are as a couple. Both spontaneous and sophisticated, the dynamic imagery is pure magic.
All in all, we’d say that this wedding is one for the books!
FROM THE BRIDE
Dave and I met at Macquarie University, where we studied law. Although we were both in other relationships when we first met, we came together in our final year and have enjoyed a beautiful relationship filled with love, adventure, travel, growth, and friendship ever since. We got engaged in September 2011, when David surprised me with a trip to Fiji. His proposal was relaxed, fun, and beautiful—just like our wedding day!
After browsing for wedding dresses, I knew that I wasn’t going to find the right dress for the right price in any store. Instead, I sketched a design of the dress I had in my mind and bought beautiful pieces of French lace and silk georgette to serve as sample swatches for the skirt and details. I found a fabulous dressmaker to bring my vision to life. She did a wonderful job and was such a pleasure to work with. The dress was just as I had imagined it, and I felt comfortable and beautiful in it all day and night long. For the ceremony, I wore a plain, cathedral-length veil. My earrings were my something borrowed; belonging to my grandmother, they were gorgeous large pearl studs with ornate gold borders.
The girls who served as my bridesmaids are each unique and gorgeous. I wanted them to feel comfortable, and I wanted their dresses to represent their personalities. I also wanted them to be able to wear and enjoy their dresses after the wedding. They wore breezy maxi dresses and flats to suit the relaxed bush setting and Moroccan influences of the wedding. I chose a rust color palette, and the girls worked together to find their dresses. Gold headbands from Witchery completed their look.
For the ceremony, David wore a chocolate brown three-piece suit by Jack London, a custom shirt by Corazon Bespoke, and a taupe tie and pocket square. For the reception, he took the three-piece off, rolled up his sleeves, and changed into brown leather braces for a more relaxed look and feel that allowed him to party comfortably into the wee hours of the morning.
The groomsmen wore grey Marcs pants, and each had a shirt made by Corazon Bespoke. Each shirt was slightly different in design, giving the guys a touch of individuality and lending a more relaxed overall look.
Our wedding was a weekend celebration in Kangaroo Valley. It was held at the Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat, which accommodates 88 guests in cabins and features a gorgeous, peaceful outdoor church called the Bush Cathedral; a breathtaking observation deck with views overlooking the valley; and a cozy reception barn with a fireplace. It also has a unique spiral bonfire area, which we used to host a BBQ on the Friday night before the wedding.
We hosted as many of our friends on the property as possible. Family and parents’ friends stayed in nearby accommodations in Kangaroo Valley. This worked out extremely well, as we had exclusive use of the property for the weekend, and the wedding reception lasted for an epic 12 hours. Dave and I and headed to bed at 5 a.m., leaving our remaining friends to party.
The BBQ on Friday was a relaxed affair, with punch, salads, and a BBQ buffet available to guests as they arrived into town. As the sun set and the mist settled over the valley, the music and the bonfire created a festive, cozy atmosphere in which guests mingled, ate, drank, and celebrated into the night. It was a beautiful way to welcome the weekend and to introduce guests to one another.
Our ceremony was held in the Bush Cathedral, the Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat’s outdoor church. After a month of watching the weather station forecast a weekend of storms, we were lucky enough to have three glorious autumn days. The afternoon sun streamed through the trees, creating a magical atmosphere for our 3 p.m. ceremony. Our guests were welcomed into the Bush Cathedral with a choice of elderflower lemonade or ginger mint juleps. The drinks were served in recycled glass jars that our family and friends tirelessly collected during the months leading up to the wedding. Guests provided the flowers that made up my bouquet and a floral arrangement for the ceremony.
The bridesmaids entered to Neil Young’s “Dance, Dance, Dance.” I walked down the aisle with my parents, Debbie and Ken, to “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. “Love Love Love” by Avalanche City was our recessional song.
As the wedding was an interfaith wedding, we wanted to incorporate elements of Jewish traditions. We were married under a chuppah, or wedding canopy, which we made ourselves from large bamboo poles that were hand-painted with a band of “tribal” patterns in earthy colors. We kept our ceremony short and sweet—only 15 minutes long—but it captured all the love, traditions, and sentiments that we had hoped to incorporate. It was a relaxed and moving ceremony, enjoyed by the two of us and our guests alike.
Following the ceremony, Dave and I went off to take photographs while our guests enjoyed canapés and champagne on the observation deck and Mother Nature put on a glorious sunset. We provided an open mic, and many of our musically inclined friends took the opportunity to each play a few tunes to entertain the crowd. As the sun set, guests made their way to the reception area.
To kick off the reception, we had a traditional hora, a Jewish celebration dance. This was followed by a short dance set, which created an instant party atmosphere that lasted the rest of the night! Dinner was served family style and had a Moroccan theme. Entrées consisted of a gourmet antipasti platter and organic berry sourdough. The main course included beef tagine, spicy trout, and Moroccan-spiced vegetables along with a selection of salads, including couscous and fattoush. For dessert, my mother and her friend created a to-die-for homemade confectionery bar that included candied nuts, chocolate truffles, merengues, Rocky Road squares, coconut ice, Baci biscuits, and more.
Guests were seated at a combination of long banquet-style tables and smaller tables. The table names—“Love,” “Live,” “Dance,” “Relax,” “Play,” “Imagine,” and “Laugh”—were painted on thick pieces of raw bark. The table décor included Moroccan lanterns, tea lights, and centerpieces consisting of proteas and baby’s breath. The marquee featured two giant Moroccan lanterns.
I choreographed our wedding dance, a fun jive to “Rip It Up” by Little Richard. It included our entire bridal party and our siblings. It was a huge hit and suited the relaxed festivities of the night perfectly.
A highlight of the night was Dave’s speech and performance, which brought the crowd to tears, cheers, and laughter. His speech took the crowd on the journey of our relationship, incorporating sentimental songs from The Beautiful Girls and David Francey, as well as a beautiful song that he had written specifically for the night called “Treasure You.” He ended the speech with a rock rendition of “I’ll Do Anything” from the musical Oliver.
We were so fortunate to have family members who were both willing and able to devote hours of work to the preparation of the wedding. They helped to keep costs down and also added the unique touches that made the celebration so personal and comfortable for everyone. The tireless hours of work that they put into the preparation of the wedding (and into the cleanup of the wedding) is a wedding gift to beat all others!
The most important thing I think is to be present and to enjoy the day as much as possible. Keep things simple and truly reflective of you as a couple. The power and magic of your relationship will shine through and will be what you and your guests remember about your wedding celebration, provided that you are able to stay relaxed and enjoy the day. Be creative and think outside the box to save money while still creating a special and unique event.
We chose a venue that did not have a curfew, allowing us to celebrate with our guests for as long as we pleased. I recommend this for those who like to party! Also, wherever possible, make an effort to consider the comfort of your guests. We were very aware that our guests had traveled to celebrate the weekend with us, so providing a BBQ and a farewell brunch was an important way for us to thank them for their efforts. Other touches included beverages at the ceremony and blankets at the BBQ and reception, as it can get quite cool in the evenings in the Valley.
All decorations, including the wood table signs, wedding chuppah, invitations, menus, blankets, and photo booth, were homemade by the bride and members of the bride’s family.
We’re delighted to share the homespun goodness that Polly’s wonderfully crafty brain came up with this week. On a one-to-ten scale of adorableness, this needle-felted garland is a solid eleven. And even though we’re a solid negative eleven on a one-to-ten scale of craftiness, we’re still seriously tempted to give this a shot. Here’s Polly to show you how it’s done!
Wool imparts a homey feeling to everything it touches. If you want your wedding to have a little added warmth, needle-felted accessories are a simple way to accomplish this goal! You don’t have to know how to knit or crochet to work with wool; wool roving is like a pre-yarn. It’s just a big ball of wooly fluff! It’s also inexpensive and easy to work with once you get the hang of it. Felting needles are a little scary at first (they’re sharp!), but I’ve witnessed so many people get hooked on felting because it’s incredibly versatile; you can make some really nice gifts and accessories with this skill. In the wedding realm alone, there are endless possibilities: needle-felted flowers, ring pillows/bowls, place card holders, boutonnieres, and, in the how-to below, fun garlands in your wedding colors!
Supplies needed:
1. Wool roving in colors of your choice
2. Felting needles (Clover brand is my favorite.)
3. Felting mat (You can also use a chunk of foam.)
4. Standard needle
5. Thread
6. Optional: wool felt
Step 1: Pull about three inches worth of wool roving from the larger tuft. This should be enough to make a 1″ ball. Roll the fluffy roving in your hand to make an approximate round shape. This is the beginning of your ball.
Step 2: Place the ball you’ve created on top of the felting mat and start poking it with the felting needle. That’s right, poking! Needle felting works because the needles are barbed; the wool catches on the barbs, which tangle it up, creating structure (kinda like back-combing your own hair). As you continue poking evenly around the ball, you’ll notice it getting smaller and harder. This is good!
Step 3: Roll the ball around in your hand a few times to reinforce the shape. Keep poking until you have a perfectly round little ball.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have as many balls as you need. (Optional: Cut a strip of wool felt into flag shapes and, using the felting needle, add shapes or initials.) Then thread your regular needle with a length of coordinating thread and begin to string the balls onto it. Evenly place them along the thread, and voila! You have a lovely, funky garland to hang anywhere. I love these as cake toppers, but they also look great across doorways, chair backs, and anywhere that needs a little cozy color!
The Rolls Royce of glitter meets the rustic charm of October foliage in today’s DIY tutorial. Here’s Polly to show you how you can add some autumnal sparkle to your fall wedding using German glass glitter and fallen leaves.
California doesn’t get a lot of extreme seasonal changes, but here in Oakland, we’re lucky to get a bevy of falling autumn leaves from our namesake oak trees. This week, the colors took a turn for the amazing, and I was immediately inspired! I’ve seen lots of wedding projects using fake leaves, but I wanted to make use of the real deal, especially since they’re beautiful, plentiful, and right outside my front door.
German glass glitter is one of my favorite craft supplies; unlike your average preschool-style glitter, it’s made from real glass and adds real class to anything you sprinkle it on. It’s wildly versatile and comes in all colors of the rainbow, so it’s perfect for wedding celebrations! I created a simple way to turn your fallen leaves into sparkling decorations for favor boxes, garlands, or to enhance place settings and tables with a bit of autumn magic.
Step 1: Make sure your leaves are clean and dry. With a popsicle stick or straight from the tube, spread glue on your chosen part of the leaf. You can add glue to just the tips, follow the natural veins or outline of the leaf, or cover the whole thing. It’s up to you!
Step 2: Dip the glue-covered area into the glitter. It should adhere right away, but if you want more to stick, press the leaf down into the glitter and hold. Allow to dry for 30 minutes.
Bonus step: Before gluing and glittering, you can dip the leaves in hot wax for added shine and posterity. (Here’s a more detailed tutorial for the waxing process.)
Step 3: If you like, write a message or draw a picture on each leaf with a pen. Now you’re ready to turn these leaves into tags, flags, table number cards, or whatever your creative mind comes up with!
No wallflower, gold just wants to have a little fun sometimes, and hot pink is the perfect partner in crime. Dripping in gold and bold fuchsia, this board incorporates some of our latest trendy obsessions, including gold leaf (up until now something I only associated with medieval illuminated manuscripts—not that I read those very often!); gold-dipped objects (no roses, whew!); and raw geode jewelry. (Etsy is overflowing with geode baubles, and on the haute end we recommend Kimberly McDonald, Dara Ettinger, and Andara.) We love these DIY gold leaf notebooks crafted by Whitney of Eat Sleep Cuddle, and Hello! Lucky has a wonderful tutorial on how to make similar ones with a nautical twist. As for an altar backdrop that really pops, take a look at this shimmering gold-fringed wall by artists Julie Ho and Nicolas Andersen of Confetti System; they transform simple materials such as tissue paper, cardboard, and silk into interactive works of art. You can shop their line of modern festive objects (think sophisticated tassel garlands, luxe piñatas, and trapezoidal confetti) right here. Last but not least, there are the shoes. Designed by Freya Rose, these limited edition “Ennis” pumps were inspired by British track and field superstar Jessica Ennis, who rocked the London Olympics. They’re accented with handcrafted roses made by a Parisian couturier using 100-year-old gold leaf fabric.
We’re thrilled to introduce the lovely and crafty Polly Conway, Limn & Lovely’s new DIY maven. You can find her on her blog, The Firefly Express (chock-full of crafty musings, fun photos, and kitschy goodness), or at her shop for the cute-minded, Pollyanna Cowgirl, which is making the world a more creative and colorful place one accessory at a time. Without further ado, here’s Polly with this wonderful watercolor tutorial! (Be sure to stop by next week for more crafty creations!)
It only takes a little bit of time to add a lot of color to your wedding! With a few strokes of the brush, you’ll find yourself able to create gorgeous ombre place cards, party picks, tiny banners, and any other paper accessories you might want for your wedding tables. I’m excited to share this tutorial because it’s so simple and creates such a huge impact. If you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since preschool, don’t worry! This is the kind of craft that will renew your faith in your DIY skills! It’s also a great project for a pre-ceremony girls’ night; with some happy helpers, you can get a whole lot done in a few hours.
What you’ll need:
• baker’s twine or embroidery thread
• hot glue gun (The tiny cheapies work just fine!)
• iridescent watercolor paints (I used the Creative Expressions brand, but there are lots of options right now.)
• paintbrush
• toothpicks
• watercolor paper
• calligraphy markers
• scissors
Step 1: Choose the color palette you’d like to use. I picked a handful of warm, sunset-y shades: yellow, pink, and purple. With your brush, add a few droplets of water to each color and wait a few minutes. When you dip your brush into the paint again, you should have a highly pigmented shade to start out with.
Step 2: Paint a line across your sheet of watercolor paper. Then dip the brush in water and paint another next to the first. It should be considerably lighter. Blend a little with the first line. Repeat. Continue diluting until your first color is almost washed out, creating that awesome ombre effect. Now, blend your next color into the first, doing the same thing. It’s up to you regarding how bold or mellow a look you’d like to establish; experiment! There’s really no way to mess this one up. When you’re happy, set the paper aside and let it dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Once the paper is dry, you can begin cutting. Cut a handful of 1” strips. You’ll use these for both the toothpick flags as well as the banners. Make sure you cut each strip in a way that best shows off the watercolor variegations. From here, you can get creative! Snip a “V” into each side of a strip for a super-cute party pick flag shape. With another strip, cut a series of small triangles.
Step 4: Plug in your glue gun. It should take just a few minutes to warm up. (Hot glue warning: It’s great, but you’ve gotta work fast; it dries really fast!) For the party picks, squeeze a dot of glue onto your toothpick and stick it to the back of the paper. That’s it; your party pick is complete! For the banners, cut your desired length of twine and lay it flat on your work surface. Add a line of glue to each of your tiny triangles and squish it gently onto the twine. Let the glue dry for a minute or two and then lift it up off the work surface.
Step 5: You have the option to add words if you like! A high-quality, felt-tip calligraphy pen looks beautiful on top of the watercolors; just make sure that the paint is totally dry before you start writing.
Now that you’ve got the skills, the possibilities are endless. You can add a wash of watercolor to cakes, cupcakes, drinks, place cards, floral arrangements, favors, and more! Pictured are just a few examples.
