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Tons of DIY and Love Went Into This Washington Wedding at The Loft in Chehalis

February 21, 2019 | Junebug Weddings

Between the industrial-meets-rustic vibes, the DIY decor, and the pops of autumnal colors, we’re all in for this downtown wedding at The Loft in Chehalis! With the ultimate goal to create a wedding day that represented the quirks of their relationship, Sarah and Barnabas let sentimentality and creativity be the driving force behind every decision they made during the planning process. Playing off the industrial vibes of the historic downtown venue, the couple and their planner from Olive + Rust brought together tons of handmade and yarn decor and the prettiest autumn-inspired florals created by For the Love of Floral. The result was pure romance from beginning to end. And to say Olivia Strohm Photography captured the essence of this wedding would be an understatement!

The Couple:

Sarah and Barnabas

The Wedding:

The Loft in Chehalis, Washington

Our priority from day one was to plan a celebration of our love that reflected our quirks. Everything about our wedding – the classical guitarist playing Beyonce hits during cocktail hour, the excessive use of yarn as decor, the lavender flavored gelato, and the classic “Puyallup” fair scones – was chosen because it evoked some memory we wanted to share with our loved ones. Hardly any decisions were made simply for the sake of tradition; instead, every decision was made because we felt it represented our love for one another and our community.

Although it was the shortest part of the day, our ceremony was the most memorable part of our wedding day. We had a few priorities for our ceremony: that it represent our faith, that it emphasize the importance of community in marriage, and that it reflect the unity of our family and friends from all over the country. None of this would have been possible without Shannon, our officiant. Shannon effortlessly blended some traditional elements of a religious wedding ceremony with a few of our less-traditional wishes. We will never forget the feeling of our family and friends surrounding us on all sides, passing the peace to one another, and committing to love and support us from both near and far.

I have always loved crafts, so a DIY wedding was inevitable for me! My mom and I spent hours on the floor making yarn tassels and throwing balls of yarn back and forth to cut string for the ceremony backdrop. In fact, we watched all of Game of Thrones while we tied yarn, painted signs, and designed invitations. Ultimately though, the real DIY MVP was my dad. He made many of the essential structures for our day-of signage out of wood, acrylic, and copper and finished up painting (by hand!) many of the signs I couldn’t finish up myself. It was fun to see all of the personal touches and hours of labor come to life on our wedding day!

If there is any way you can, hire a wedding planner. Or, at the very least, a day-of coordinator. We are both organized people with lots of friends and family who were willing to do whatever we needed them to do leading up to the wedding and on the day of. But, with that being said, it was 110% worth it to have someone whose sole job it was to flawlessly execute our dreams. Because of our coordinator and planner, everyone who may have otherwise been stressed out with fulfilling their role on our wedding day could simply relax and enjoy the celebration.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Olivia Strohm Photography
Event Planning – Olive + Rust
Venue – The Loft in Chehalis
Floral Design – For the Love of Floral
Cake – Sugar Dots
Gelato – Sofie’s Scoops Gelateria
Officiant – Shannon Meacham
Live Music – Max Cobb
Makeup Artist – Lisa Marie Makeup Artistry
Hair Styling – Hair by Sydney Olmstead
Wedding Dress – Rue De Seine
Bridal Accessories – Ann Taylor
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Valdenize
Groom’s Apparel – Bonobos
Groomsmen’s Apparel – The Tie Bar
Rings – Market Square Jewelers
Favors – Fisher Scones

 

Our biggest congratulations to Sarah and Barnabas, and an extra special thanks to Olivia Strohm Photography for sharing this incredible DIY wedding at The Loft in Chehalis with Junebug! If you love downtown wedding vibes, then you have to see this perfectly chic downtown wedding at Brix and Mortar!

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Dreamy DIY Snohomish Wedding at Wildshoot Forest & Farm

February 5, 2019 | Junebug Weddings

We’re having a hard time thinking of anything cozier than Katie and Marc’s wedding day Wildshoot Forest & Farm! This sweet couple spent months collecting and creating nearly every element of their wedding decor with the goal of not only representing the best of their relationship but also the challenges that made them who they were when they said, “I do.” Their entire day was focused on family, friends, and the love that brought everyone together — and the result was just as magical as you can imagine! Despite the rain, their outdoor ceremony and open-air reception in the farmstead were casual and naturally charming, and photographer Anni Graham captured that vibe with all the grace and softness it deserved.

The Couple:

Katie and Marc

The Wedding:

Wildshoot Forest & Farm, Snohomish, Washington

The most important thing for us was keeping our wedding and the atmosphere around it to be true to ourselves and true to the story of our relationship. We intentionally included references to some harder times and some less-than-perfect moments, because that was the reality of story that we had come through to get to the moment of saying “I do.” We also really strove to make the friends and family that were able to come to feel loved and welcomed to celebrate along with us – we wanted to have a big party, and have a ton of fun, not just have everyone staring at us the whole time.

During the ceremony we had anyone who wanted, come up and surround us, lay hands on us, offer blessings, prayers, and encouragements. It was an amazing moment of feeling held and carried by our community – we knew that we weren’t entering this marriage by alone, but with the support of our friends and our families.

Large portions of our wedding and decorations were DIY. Wildshoot Forest & Farm provided a guided forage of the property the day prior for us to gather greenery and florals that we used for a majority of the centerpieces, chandelier, and other decorations. We used old books to create the table runners and collected brown glass bottles to use for centerpieces. We also handmade the table name cards. With the beauty and charm of the venue and an outdoor ceremony, we were able to keep the decorations pretty minimal and simple, which was a huge help in the planning and decorating process.

We spent months beforehand collecting an eclectic variety of coffee mugs from thrift stores, co-workers, friends, and neighbors for guests to use throughout the night and beyond. Upon arrival, we had a table set up with the mugs (and a sign saying “Let your mug choose you”) and guests could choose which mug called out to them.

Our best advice: You probably have more talented and creative people in your life who love you than you realize, don’t be afraid to ask them for help! There’s no way we could have done this by ourselves, nor would it have been as meaningful.

Processional – “Conversation Two” by The Brave Kind
Recessional – “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate
First Dance – “Bury Me Smiling” by The Ballroom Thieves

The Wedding Team:

Photography and Videography – Anni Graham
Venue – Wildshoot Forest & Farm
Floral Design – Honnah Weber
Catering – Amonos Mexican Kitchen
Cake – Flying Apron
Wedding Dress – Kite and Butterfly Bride

 

Congratulations to Katie and Marc, and a special thanks to Anni Graham for sharing this lovely wedding at Wildshoot Forest & Farm with Junebug! Planning a farm wedding of your own? This rustic rose gold Whidbey Island wedding at Crockett Farm has all the inspiration you need!

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We Love the Blue Watercolor Theme of This DIY Catskills Wedding at The Beaverkill Valley Inn

December 9, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

The intimate backyard feel and the modern summer color palette of Katey and James’ wedding at The Beaverkill Valley Inn have us feeling a whole different kind of blue today! Rather than choose just one shade of blue for their wedding, the couple channeled the watercolor effect of their invitations created by Rachel Marvin Creative onto their hand-dyed table runners, their hand-painted escort cards, and the bridesmaids’ mismatched gowns. Then The Green Cottage added a complementary pop of light pink in the florals to create the prettiest summer feel. We’re completely in love with the laid-back yet elegant vibe that Charmed Places helped bring to life and the way photographer Caroline Ro captured every angle of this charming New York wedding! Seriously, though, is it summer yet?

The Couple:

Katey and James

The Wedding:

The Beaverkill Valley Inn, Livingston Manor, New York

When planning our wedding our two biggest priorities were finding an outdoor space that felt unique and beautiful where family and wedding party could stay onsite with us to make an experience of the whole weekend, and having the end result really feel like us.

It is so difficult to pick just one most memorable part of the day, but being with each other at the altar is one that we recount so often. Also, immediately following the ceremony we had a private champagne toast with our wedding party as they acted as our witnesses for the signing of our marriage license. It was something we thought up last minute, but, wow! What a memorable moment surrounded by best friends and the happiest sip of bubbly we’ve ever had!

We hand-dyed all our table runners in my parents’ backyard a month before the big day! It was so fun to have the whole family involved and a memory we’ll have forever. We also made all our signage, including a huge sign that read, “Well my heart went boom when I crossed that room” from The Beatles song, “Saw Her Standing There” (a groom favorite). We installed it on the far side of the pond (slightly in the distance) with a spotlight and enjoyed it all weekend long! Another big DIY project was our escort card display. It was a large free-standing wood frame on legs, with hand watercolored cards made by the bride’s uncle and then calligraphed by a very talented best friend. Each card was hung on wire rows with a mini clothespin.

Our best advice: Be sure to stay true to you! There are so many opinions of what a wedding should be and should look like, but as long as you are over the moon about the plans everything else will fall into place. That, and CUT A RUG!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Caroline Ro
Event Planning – Charmed Places
Venue – The Beaverkill Valley Inn
Floral Design – The Green Cottage
Catering and Cake – The Beaverkill Valley Inn
DJ – 74 Events
Stationery – Rachel Marvin Creative
Hair and Makeup Artist – La Tua Bella Beauty Bar
Wedding Dress – BHLDN (top and skirt) and Honey Pie Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – J. Crew
Groomsmen’s Apparel – The Black Tux
Rentals – Clifton Park Rental
Transportation – Rolling V
Favors – ForYourParty

 

Congratulations to Katey and James, and a big thanks to photographer Caroline Ro for sharing this gorgeous wedding at The Beaverkill Valley Inn with Junebug! Looking for the perfect way to incorporate blue into your wedding palette? Here are the prettiest blue bridesmaids dresses in every shade!

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Tropical Bohemian DIY Wedding at Bodega Bay Secret Gardens

November 28, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Tropical bohemia was the name of the game for Melissa and Sean in their laid-back California wedding at Bodega Bay Secret Gardens! The couple, who plans to move to Hawaii, knew tropical vibes had to be a large part of their celebration and added their favorite boho twists to make it truly their own. This creative couple created so many DIY projects, including signage, logos, and hand-painted denim jackets, which only added to the artsy, personal, and handmade feeling. Brooke Shannon Photography was the perfect match to capture not only Melissa and Sean’s style but their truly joyful personalities, as well. From their fun-loving photos on the beach to their laugh-filled vow exchange that ended in a beer unity ceremony, this tropical boho wedding was its own brand of magical and unlike anything we’ve seen before!

The Couple:

Melissa and Sean

The Wedding:

Bodega Bay Secret Gardens, Bodega Bay, California

In planning our wedding our top two goals were to create a fun and free-spirited day and to make sure we put our twist on every detail possible.

Our wedding vibe was kind of a no-brainer. We plan to move to Hawaii in the future, so the tropical look was a must. As far as the bohemian aspects, our day-to-day style is pretty laid back and bohemian. Once we looked up “tropical bohemian” inspiration photos, we knew that was exactly what we were going for.

We DIY’ed a good amount of projects for the wedding. Sean created a pineapple logo that he stained onto our corn hole boards and etched onto our beer boot glass for the ceremony and I painted our pineapple canvas that served as our interactive guest book. We both hand wrote all of our signage and stained all of the easels. We also repurposed our entire lounge furniture set from pieces we found on craigslist and craft stores. Our favorite DIY of the whole wedding was creating and hand-painting our matching pineapple skull jean jackets, which we bought at a thrift store!

Take your time and enjoy every moment of the planning process! It definitely can get stressful, but the hard work pays off when you see everything come together. Also, always remember this is yours and your future spouses day, no one else’s. Do what you want and who cares about what anyone thinks!

The most memorable part of the day definitely was when we were sitting at our sweetheart table during the reception and we looked out and saw all of our family and friends all laughing and enjoying themselves. It was so cool to see so many people there just for us. It definitely made us feel loved by everyone!

We did not give out traditional wedding favors. Instead, on behalf of ourselves and our guests, we donated to the Peninsula Humane Society in memory of our dog Bane. Bane was going to be the “Best Man Dog” before he, unfortunately, passed away five months before the wedding due to a tumor. We also donated to a cancer research organization in honor of those in our families who have and are currently dealing with cancer.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Brooke Shannon Photography
Day-Of Coordination – Ever After Adventures
Venue – Bodega Bay Secret Gardens
Floral Design – By Alysa Monet
Catering – El Coronel Mexican Restaurant
Dessert – T’s Mini Donuts
DJ – DJ Wayne
Videography – Dream Together Films
Hair and Makeup Artist – My Beauty Innovations
Wedding Dress – Dreamers and Lovers
Transportation – Pure Luxury Transportation
Photo Booth – The Booth Bus

 

Congratulations to Melissa and Sean, and a special thanks to Junebug member Brooke Shannon Photography for sharing this wedding at Bodega Bay Secret Gardens! Love these tropical vibes? Then you have to see this minimalist tropical Perth wedding at The Flour Factory!

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Hip DIY Desert Ace Hotel Palm Springs Wedding

November 12, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

In our experience, Palm Springs brings out the creative side of couples, and Rachel and Michael’s wedding at Ace Hotel Palm Springs is yet another fun example! The crafty couple DIY-ed every element of their decor and then transported it in a U-Haul truck from Colorado to their venue in California. They created three separate lounge areas with Moroccan rugs, couches, and lanterns, set up a mini paper burning altar for their ceremony, and designed tablescapes that were full of texture and color. The goal was to create a look that was multidimensional and personal, and then use all of their decor in their own home after the big day! We can’t get enough of Rachel’s two wedding dresses — one new and one vintage — and we are in love with how photographer Jaicee Morgan captured every unique element and moment of this California wedding with such ease and attention to detail.

The Couple:

Rachel and Michael

The Wedding:

Ace Hotel Palm Springs, California

We really wanted our wedding to last more than a few hours. Michael has family from all over the US and many of our friends would be traveling to see us, so we knew we needed a venue that would keep everyone together and let us stay up late. We chose the Ace Hotel Palm Springs so that everyone could make a fun vacation out of our wedding weekend and they let us have our venue from the morning until 2 AM the next day.

The most memorable part of the day for us was our first look. I had secretly taken guitar and vocal lessons in the two months leading up to the wedding, despite hating my voice and never having played guitar before. We did our first look in the Moorten Botanical Gardens, tucked among the cacti. Michael walked up to see me sitting and playing “Right Down the Line” by Gerry Rafferty for him. He couldn’t hold it together and cried a ton! I had been so nervous until that point so, after I was done with the song, I was finally able to relax and have fun.

When you get engaged, you’ll likely have an idea of how you’d like your wedding to be. Along the way, you will get feedback from nearly everyone you talk to about what they think your wedding should be like. Gracefully thank them for their opinion, but don’t make decisions based on what is convenient or comfortable for them. You will end up balancing 100 conflicting ideas and making stress that you don’t need. Those who can come will come. Those who can’t will be missed. Stay true to you and your own dreams, budget, and vision.

We did a few things to personalize our ceremony! First, I am a photographer and I wanted a photo we took during our engagement session to match one from our wedding. So, I stopped the ceremony, had my friend hand me the camera, and took a photo of Michael during our ceremony. I also wrote a poem about meeting Michael as a part of my vows. We also burned little scraps of paper with the things we are leaving behind out of our relationship on an altar. And our officiant burned Juniper as people arrived to set the tone. We also had our dogs with flower collars walk down the aisle with our best man and maid of honor. Lastly, nobody but our officiant stood up with us.

We DIY’d nearly everything! From our altar to little flags that had our ceremony program to the denim jackets to the table runners (thanks mom!) to our three separate lounge areas. We had a day-of wedding planner but no decor help. We drove from Colorado to California with a U-Haul full of couches, pool floaties, sheepskins, a neon sign that I had designed, and nearly everything we needed for our wedding. We wanted to repurpose it in our home after our wedding! Now our living room has a gorgeous cowhide rug that was in our hookah lounge, and we have Moroccan lanterns in our yard.

I wore two dresses: one was a Rue De Seine dress and the other was my mother’s dress, which was altered to become a more modernized two-piece. I also wore layered necklaces from Child of Wild and a custom ring stack from Anna Sheffield. I wanted to just be myself, a woman of many layers: classy, quirky, bohemian, minimalistic. The flower crown was created by the florist and I didn’t see it until the morning of the wedding.

I also surprised Michael by having nail decals of his face made. I thought it would be creepy/funny to have him looking down at his own face as he slipped the ring on my finger during their ceremony. All of my girlfriends and family sported Michael face decals on their nails for the day. Needless to say, it created a ton of laughter and scared Michael a bit!

Processional – “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac
Recessional – “Love” by Kendrick Lamar
First Dance – “Better Together” by Jack Johnson

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Jaicee Morgan
Event Planning – Jessica of Crowned Events
Venue – Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Floral Design – My Sun and Stars Co
DJ – William Reed
Videography – White in Revery
Hair and Makeup Artist – Chelsea Nicole Hair and Makeup
Wedding Dress – Rue De Seine via Anna Bé
Vintage Reception Dress Redesign – Donna Beth Creations
Bridal Accessories – Child of Wild
Rings – Anna Sheffield
Tarot Reader – Audrey Alison Astrology + Tarot

 

Congratulations to Rachel and Michael, and a huge thanks to Jaicee Morgan for sharing this beautiful Ace Hotel Palm Springs wedding with Junebug! Interested in doing some DIY project for your own wedding? Get inspired by 9 couples who nailed their DIY weddings!

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Minimalist DIY Yorkshire Marquee Wedding

September 30, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Between the DIY flowers designed by the couple’s friends, the storytelling signage made by the groom, and the countryside views of the private property, this Yorkshire marquee wedding was a modern DIY wedding dream come true! Libby and Henry’s ceremony took place at St Mary’s Church Tickhill and their reception marquee was set up on the family’s property and was filled with long farmhouse tables, greenery installations, acrylic signs, and a circular bar. From top to bottom, this wedding was beautifully designed while also allowing the natural beauty of the property take center stage. The marquee they chose was light, bright, and large enough for not only dinner and dancing but one of the most fun bride and groom entrances we’ve ever seen! Remain in Light Photography and second shooter Chloe Lee Photography nailed it in capturing every gorgeous detail and light-hearted moment of this Yorkshire wedding.

The Couple:

Libby and Henry

The Wedding:

St Mary’s Church Tickhill and Private Residence, Yorkshire, England

The most important thing for us was to bring all of our nearest and dearest together and to have a big feast to celebrate the day. We wanted it to be quite informal and for there to be lots of energy and relaxation. Once we knew that we would have the wedding on the farm, we just wanted to enjoy the process and collaboration.

The venue was very special to us, we had a marquee in the field in front of our parents’ houses. We have amazing memories of growing up on the farm there. The tree on the driveway was very special. I always used to think of it as a Roald Dahl tree when growing up, and so we definitely wanted to have photos with the tree. We also liked the idea of having somewhere that we can come back to and remember the wedding. We had an oak tree planted on the site of the wedding in the hope of being able to bring our children and grandchildren there in the future.

There was a lot of DIY from both us and friends of ours. Our two very good friends Davina and India did all of the flowers for us. I had a vision of the flowers being very clean and green, being bold in the greenness of the leaves. I communicated this with Davina and India and they very much got our vision, what they produced was exactly what we wanted. They were such an integral part of bringing our vision of the day to life!

Henry also did a lot of DIY projects, creating the frames for the overhead flower hangings, making the acrylic table plan, which we felt brought a modern vibe to the day. He also made all of the signs that led the guests through the grounds and into the marquee, telling a story along the way.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Remain in Light Photography
Second Shooter – Chloe Lee Photography
Venue – St Mary’s Church Tickhill
Catering – Northen Fields
Cake – The Bawtry Cheese Cave
DJ – Disco Wed
Live Music – New York Brass Band
Makeup Artist – Sarah Turgoose
Wedding Dress – Rembo Styling via Lace & Co.
Bridal Accessories – Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Mirage Couture
Groom’s Apparel – Carl Stuart Ltd
Marquee – Mudford Marquees

 

Our biggest congratulations to Libby and Henry, and a special thanks to Remain in Light Photography for sharing this Yorkshire marquee wedding with Junebug! Looking for more inspiration at another non-traditional wedding venue? Check out this free-spirited California countryside wedding at a private ranch in Santa Ynez!

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There is So Much to Love in This DIY Pipe Shop Venue Wedding in North Vancouver

September 18, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Set within a restored heritage building in the shipyards of North Vancouver, Tijana and Mark’s wedding at Pipe Shop Venue was bursting with character and charm. The bride, who owns the successful lifestyle blog A Plentiful Life, planned the entire affair and took on the labor of love to create nearly every detail, from the plexiglass signage to the invitations to the copper ceremony arch. What the couple couldn’t find, they bought at thrift stores and second-hand shops or rented from The Little Wedding Shoppe, and the result was a captivating design that was as eclectic as it was elegant. The bright, open feel of the venue not only lent a hand in adding charm to the overall look, but it afforded Stacie Carr Photography the most beautiful light to capture every inch of this wedding, where industrial, rustic, modern, and vintage vibes worked together in brilliantly designed harmony!

The Couple:

Tijana and Mark

The Wedding:

Pipe Shop Venue, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Most important to us in planning our wedding was to make it about our guests, all the people we love. We had games, signature cocktails, non-stop food, and live music to create a memorable experience. We also wanted to get married close to home and have these special places as part of our future.

The wedding planning advice we would like to share is: ask for help! You’ll want to do everything but those friends and family who are stepping up to assist you with your big day, say yes! Also to really do your research on each venue you’re considering. Create a budget for each one, this really helped us visualize the costs associated with each venue.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Stacie Carr Photography
Event Planning – A Plentiful Life (bride)
Venue – Pipe Shop Venue
Floral Design – Bridal Beginnings
Catering – Sugar Mountain Catering
Cake – Harmony Donut Shop
DJ and Live Music – SoundStripe Music Co.
Makeup Artist – Denise Elliott Beaty Co.
Wedding Dress – Truvelle
Groom’s Apparel – Mr. Derk
Rings – Eden Philippa
Rentals – The Little Wedding Shoppe

 

Our biggest congratulations to Tijana and Mark, and our biggest thanks to Junebug member Stacie Carr Photography for sharing this beautiful Pipe Shop Venue wedding with us! Love the idea of a DIY wedding but aren’t sure where or how to start? Get inspired by these 9 couples who nailed their DIY weddings!

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Olivette was the Perfect Venue for This DIY Woodsy Asheville Wedding

August 16, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Linsey and Adam’s love for vintage goods, woodsy locations, and carefree vibes came together beautifully in their Asheville wedding at Olivette. The couple always wanted an outdoor wedding so, when they found a venue that offered a woodsy landscape for their reception and a small, secluded island with a creek for their ceremony, they immediately knew it was the one. To make the venue their own, they brought in antique furniture, books, brass candlesticks, and DIY signage for a one-of-a-kind vintage look. Flora created greenery-forward centerpieces, arbor accents, hoops, and bouquets to add a fresh, organic feel to every nook and cranny. We can’t get over all the DIY projects this creative couple and their loved ones made, especially the bride’s custom gown that her mother made using lace from her own wedding dress. This Asheville wedding was a woodsy dream come true, and Sheila Nolt Photography captured every moment in beautiful detail!

The Couple:

Linsey and Adam

The Wedding:

Olivette, Asheville, North Carolina

While we were planning our wedding, we were also in the process of shopping for a new house in the Asheville area. Nothing was set in stone when we booked our venue but we just knew we would find a house. Somehow we moved in just before for our wedding!

We both wanted an outdoor setting for our wedding. Adam wanted to be near a body of water, and I wanted the spot to be wooded. We looked around online for weeks at all of the venues in the Asheville area, but the ones that were close to the setting we had in mind were either booked, only allowed a small number of guests, or were out of our price range. 

Just when we were getting really frustrated and considered moving our date back another year, we came across a new venue called Olivette. We were already familiar with the name because we had looked at the Olivette community for our potential new home. While the houses they were building on that beautiful chunk of land did not fit our budget, their new venue spot did! As soon as we set foot on the winding trail along one of the widest sections of the French Broad, with lush grass pads out to the side and breezy trees standing above, we knew that it was the perfect spot. We actually went ahead and booked it with their event coordinator before we left our tour! 

Our ceremony took place on a little island toward the end of the event space where a trickling creek coming off of the river winds behind and around that piece of land, which had the perfect amount of shady trees to keep our guests cool and allow good lighting for photos. It was the perfect balance between water and woods we were looking for! We used their existing twig arbor with a beautiful flower arrangement from Flora as our altar and the flowing French Broad as our backdrop.

We’re both music nerds and both of our families are made up of Beatles fans, so we had a very talented friend play an acoustic Beatles medley as our guests arrived and as family and our wedding party entered. But my (Linsey) father is probably the biggest Beatles fan on the planet and “Here Comes the Sun” has always held a special place in our father-daughter relationship — we even have matching tattoos of it! So, naturally, that’s what he walked me down the aisle to. “I’ve Just Seen A Face” by Paul McCartney was our recessional song.

The most memorable moment — yet probably unnoticed by anyone else — was when Adam kept trying to wink at me during our ceremony. It’s been a running inside joke since we first started dating. I tried winking at him during a date but, like an idiot, I winked with the eye opposite to the side of me he was sitting on, which meant he never saw the wink. I tried a few more times that night, quietly getting upset that he still wasn’t noticing my hidden (literally) wink. Ever since we’ll randomly wink with the opposite eye to each other as a joke. After he did this 3 or 4 times during the opening prayer, I finally noticed and couldn’t stop laughing for the remainder of the ceremony!

Adam and I met at an antique show he was working. He used to restore furniture and had a few pieces on exhibit. That shared interest is what initially bonded us and antiques/heirlooms/furnishings, in general, are still a shared passion. We had both recently lost grandmothers. Since they weren’t able to physically be with us on our wedding day, we were able to bring some special things from their homes into our wedding decor — antique tables, chairs, candle holders, vases, mirrors. This quickly shaped the look and feel of our big day and felt so natural as these pieces spoke so strongly to our shared interest of “vintage.” 

I knew I wanted my mother to make my wedding dress. She had made a few in the past along with her entire wardrobe throughout high school and college. And the lace from her 1970s wedding dress came from my late grandparents’ fabric store. I found a 1930s evening gown pattern in my grandmother’s fabric store loot that I fell in love with. My mother and I worked together to customize that pattern, and then she embellished it with the lace she removed from her dress. 

There was only a 10% chance of rain that day, and our venue was entirely outdoors with the exception of a small sheltered area. I am not a fan of event tents so I refused to book one, going on faith that the 10% chance of rain would disappear. The weather held out for our ceremony and allowed all our guests to get at least a first round of dinner. But then the bottom fell out…and our band’s gear got soaked. Fortunately, being the good friends they were, they quickly grabbed all their non-electronic instruments and began an a cappella set! Tyler, their frontman, held a plastic cup to his mouth to project his voice just a little further. All our 160+ guests were crowded under that tiny shelter and just danced! Everyone was soaked — from both rain and sweat — and seemed very impressed that our band made the best of the situation. Looking back, we still wouldn’t have rented that tent because that was the most intimate, let-lose wedding reception I’ve ever experienced! (And we heard the same from our guests!) 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Sheila Nolt Photography
Venue – Olivette
Floral Design – Flora
Catering – Colorful Palate
Cake – French Broad Chocolates
Live Music – Mason Keck (ceremony), Window Cat (reception)
Videography – Modern Opus Productions
Stationery – LinseyGray Creative
Makeup Artist and Hair Styling – Teighla Norris
Bridal Accessories – Etsy
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Shoe Me Your Mumu
Groom and Groomsmen’s Apparel – ASOS
Rentals – East West Vintage and Classic Event Rentals
Transportation – Mingle Events

 

Congratulations to Linsey and Adam, and a big thanks to Sheila Nolt Photography for sharing this lovely North Carolina wedding at Olivette with Junebug! Love the vintage feel they incorporated into their decor? This vintage-inspired Scenic Beach State Park wedding is sweet as pie!

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This Project Manager Bride Went Above and Beyond with the DIY Details for Her Gorgeous Millwick Wedding

August 9, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

If you’re looking for a masterclass in DIY wedding décor, look no further than Janice and Kevin’s Millwick wedding in downtown Los Angeles! There was hardly a detail this crafty bride didn’t touch — from the invitations to the bar menu to the clay-polymer place card holders. The entire design had a distinctly modern, minimalistic, and elegant vibe about it, which was reflected in the tropical greenery and subtle pops of florals designed by Hello Gem Events, and complemented the industrial-tropical vibes of the venue perfectly. With all of the amazing details she created for the venue, we love that Janice kept her bridal look classic and effortless with a Leanne Marshall two-piece ensemble, romantic half-up hairstyle, and simple accessories. The photography team at The Times We Have certainly had their work cut out to capture every beautiful detail of this day, and we think they nailed it!

The Couple:

Janice and Kevin

The Wedding:

Millwick, Los Angeles, California

Rather than seeing our wedding as a celebration for the two of us, we really just wanted to celebrate our family and friends around us for being there for us throughout our lives — through the highs and lows. We both love to eat, so we wanted to make sure we could share a memorable meal with our loved ones!

For the both of us, the most memorable part of the day was our first look. I (slightly) regret not being more composed for the pictures. (I was a hot crying mess!) In the end, I’m glad our true emotions were really captured.

Everyone told me that you sometimes end up with a dress that you wouldn’t have imagined, but for me, it was almost the opposite. I took two screenshots of dresses that I liked to my first dress shopping day, and one of them ended up being the dress I chose! I knew I wanted something different, and I kept comparing all the other dresses to this one dress. That’s when I knew it was the one. 

I knew I wanted to get married at Millwick since my sophomore year of college — way before my husband and I even started dating. I saw the venue through pictures and loved everything about it — the quirkiness and the simplicity of it all were what sold me. When it came time for my own wedding, there was no hesitation in choosing the venue!

I designed almost everything: the invites, programs, seating chart, seat cards, seat card holders, his and hers drink menu and the bar menu! Let’s just say Michael’s and Home Depot were my second homes during my wedding planning season.

For the bar menu, we went to Home Depot and bought some plywood that I got cut to the dimensions I wanted. (It did take a few trips to measure out what plywood was available and how I’d want them cut.) We sanded them down and stained them to a dark brown that I liked, then used tracing paper to draw out the script and design. Then I used enamel paint for the tracings and added chalkboard paint onto a section of the board (for the drink selection). My bridesmaid Rosalie did the lettering for the drink selection the night before the wedding.

The most time-intensive DIY project was the seat card holders. I made each one out of polymer clay, cut them out into geometric shapes, and placed gold foil to add accents. I actually set off our apartment fire alarm while baking the clay the night before we had to head down to LA for our wedding! It wasn’t as funny at that moment, but in retrospect, it was pretty hilarious!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – The Times We Have
Event Planning – Jane Events
Venue – Millwick
Floral Design – Hello Gem Events
Catering – Hungry Bear Catering
Cake – Petit Sweets
Bartender – Goose on the Rocks
DJ – DJ Element
Videography – Lumin Weddings
Makeup Artist and Hair Styling – Jenny O Makeup and Hair
Wedding Dress – Leanne Marshall
Bridal Accessories – BHLDN
Groom’s Apparel – Ted Baker
Rings – Derco
Rentals – La Piñata Party Rentals
Photo Booth – Third Eye Photo Booth

 

Congratulations to Janice and Kevin, and a special thanks to The Times We Have for sharing this phenomenal Millwick wedding with Junebug! Looking for a way to incorporate some DIY into your wedding decor? Here are 7 tips for creating a seriously fun DIY photo booth!

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You’ll Love the DIY Island Vibes in This Chase Palm Park Wedding

August 6, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

With the perfect blend of bohemian and tropical vibes, Elle and Nate’s wedding at Chase Palm Park is the cool and casual wedding of our dreams. These two put their heart and soul into planning this lovely wedding with many DIY elements including everything from dip-dyed indigo napkins to home-brewed moonshine at the bar. The fun and lowkey feel to Elle and Nate’s wedding led to lots of happy tears throughout the day and dancing under the stars thanks to DJ Gavin Roy Presents keeping the party going through the night. You can see all of the joy, excitement, and emotion thanks to photographer Nicole Kirshner Photography and videographer David Gardner Media documenting the gorgeous day.

The Couple:

Elle and Nate

The Wedding:

Chase Palm Park, Santa Barbara, California

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

There’s no sharper memory I’ll carry than the first sight of my soon-to-be-husband and all of our family and friends when I began my walk down the aisle.

Our ceremony was so much fun to plan. Our officiant is a lifelong family friend of ours and an LAFD Chaplain – so there was already a bit of a twist! He is known for being playful and Nate and I are known for our love of competition, so when it came time to decide who was going to read their vows first, Roger had us each throw a cornhole bag and the loser had to go first! I, of course, lost, because Nate is amazing at EVERYTHING. It was so much fun and really lightened up the moment and showed our personalities.

Our #1 goal throughout the planning process was for our wedding to represent US! We never take ourselves too seriously so we wanted it to feel bright, fun, colorful and casual.

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

Don’t overthink it! We put off a lot of decisions because we thought we needed more time to really plan it out, but in the end we ended up going with our gut anyways – and we couldn’t have been happier with the result!

We DIY’d nearly everything! We bought indigo died fabric at Joann’s and Hobby Lobby to cut and tie our dinner napkins, we broke terra cotta pots and stuck names on them with vinyl for the place cards, and countless family members and friends came together to help get it all done – nearly 300 of each! My sister Ashley is a craft WIZARD, and she created our invitation suite and program. Another fun DIY project was a small, circular card with a picture of a whistle on it – anyone with one of those at their place setting got to get my dad’s home-brewed moonshine from the bar! It was a huge hit.

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

Amy at Wild Story Floral is crazy creative and does it all with TWO baby girls running around. As an aspiring floral designer myself, I was completely in awe of her work and super inspired for my own. She was one of my best wedding decisions, hands down!

Our photographer, Nicole Kirshner, was absolutely outstanding start to finish. She was personal, professional, and beyond talented. Her photos blew us away and she truly became our friend along the way. Such a joy to work with! 

The biggest surprise of the day came when the DJ announced the garter toss, and Nate walked on to the dance floor with a MICROPHONE!! He sang “Joy of My Life” by John Fogerty to me before removing and tossing my garter. This song is so special to us because the first time Nate came camping with my family, my dad made us all listen to it in the trailer and sang every word.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Nicole Kirshner Photography
Event Planning – Salt and Poppies
Ceremony Venue – Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Reception Venue – Chase Palm Park
Floral Design – Wild Story Floral
Cake – Crushcakes and Cafe
Officiant – Roger Fowble, LAFD Chaplain
DJ – Gavin Roy Presents
Live Music – Jon Johnson of Wild Coast
Videography – David Gardner Media
Stationery – AshliizMarie
Makeup Artist – Blush and Bangs
Wedding Dress – Grace Loves Lace
Rentals – Town & Country Event Rentals
Day-of Coordinating – Kate Russell of LB Event
Day-of Styling and Escort Card Display – Sophie Melsh of Jesi Haack Design

 

The biggest thank you to Nicole Kirshner Photography for sharing this cool and casual wedding with Junebug! If you’re obsessed with the tropical vibes in Elle and Nate’s wedding, then take a look at this sophisticated tropical 20-guest wedding at Sanara Tulum!

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