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WEDDING BLOG

Playful Bohemian Wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

November 21, 2020 | riley

Dana and Kyle’s playful boho wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch was the epitome of rustic meets whimsy, and we can’t get enough. The couple wanted nothing more than a day full of natural yet elegant decor with as many personal touches as possible–and they got just that. With the help of planner Banks & Leaf, their “I do’s” highlighted the sweeping mountain views and surrounding forest, as well as the venue’s cozy cabin vibe.

With vintage rugs, cowhide, and large floral arrangements put together by The Stalk Market, the newlyweds did an amazing job of bringing the great outdoors inside. And, of course, we can’t forget to mention the stunning forest photos that Brooke Taelor captured where Dana rocked a custom suede hat, gifted to her by one of her bridesmaids. It fit their ranch theme flawlessly.

Ready to see an emotional first look, a furry guest that stole the show, and a modern spin on a hand-tying ceremony? Keep scrolling, and be prepared to swoon.

The Couple:

Dana and Kyle

The Wedding:

Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, Colorado

Sentimental Wedding Fashion

The Ranch was a big inspiration for my beauty look. I wanted a “glamorous, laid back” feel. Then I found the Berta dress at a bridal shop in Denver, Anna Be Bridal, and the look flowed from there. I went with two bridesmaids to pick out their dresses. We picked the Jenny Yoo dresses because the material felt casual and flattering. My favorite accessory was a gift from one of my bridesmaids, a custom suede tan hat that she had made that perfectly fit the ranch theme. The groomsmen all wore bolo ties that had been my grandfather’s.

Why A Wedding At Devil’s Thumb Ranch

We wanted to find a venue in Colorado because it is where we met, and it was a central place to bring as much family together as possible–he is from Alaska, and I’m from Arizona. The minute we pulled up to The Ranch and saw the views behind a group of horses, we both knew it was the perfect location. The altitude was a concern, so we rented an oxygen bar and encouraged everyone to stay hydrated.

Making Time For Friends and Family

We wanted to spend time with each guest that made the trek up to the mountains. It was hard to know what that right target guest count would be. We ended up with around 130 guests and wished there had been twice as much time to make our rounds. Fortunately, we had an informal welcome reception the night before, which was an awesome way to spread the time we had with everyone over two nights instead of one.

Advice From The Bride

Get a videographer, get a videographer, get a videographer! The day goes by so fast–watching the video a few months later brings back so many memories that would have been a blur otherwise. I cry every time I watch our wedding videos.

Shop similar hats: Lack of Color Caramel Rancher ($129); The Mohave Wide Brim Hat ($198); UO Flat Brim Felt Feodra ($44); Stetson Bozeman Hat ($89.95)

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Brooke Taelor
Event Planning – Banks & Leaf
Venue & Catering – Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Floral Design – The Stalk Market
Cake – Devil’s Thumb Ranch
DJ – Tropical Waffle
Live Music – Great Family Reunion
Videography – Squinted Cinema
Invitation Design – Zola
Makeup Artist & Hair Styling – Beauty on Location
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Jenny Yoo
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Bonobos
Rings – John Atencio
Rentals – Colorado Party Rentals
Transportation – First Transit Inc
Favors – Enstrom Candies

Congratulations again to Dana and Kyle on their bohemian wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch! We can’t stop watching the wedding video that Junebug member Squinted Cinema captured. To see more of his work, check out his profile in our directory of wedding videographers from all over the world!

Dramatic Mexico Destination Wedding at Costa Careyes

November 16, 2020 | riley

dark blue dark pink orange white

When world travelers plan a destination wedding, it’s going to be a good one. Charlotte and Tom have been all over the world together and chose Mexico for their summer Costa Careyes destination wedding. The couple tied the knot at Tigre Del Mar–a literal tower with sweeping ocean views–before partying the night away during sunset under cafe lights.

With the help of planner House of Kirschner, the couple’s over-the-top nuptials were full of bright colors, simple florals from Diego Figueroa, and live music from Harlem Gospel Choir–who they flew in from New York. Not to mention Charlotte wore a one-of-a-kind Danielle Frankel long sleeve ceremony gown and high-low Alex Perry party dress that she changed into later in the evening.

These two proved that they know how to throw an extravagant event, and thankfully Junebug member Meraki Weddings was there to capture every well-thought-out detail. Keep scrolling to see the glamorous destination “I dos” and be prepared to feel some serious wanderlust.

The Couple:

Charlotte and Tom

The Wedding:

Tigre Del Mar, Costa Careyes, Jalisco

Shop similar robes: Satin Silk Bridal Robe With Ostrich Feathers ($206); Bridal Robe With Feather Sleeves ($94); Feathered Satin Robe ($36)

Unique Bridal Fashion

I wanted my wedding dress to be chic, modern, and a little different—I enjoy taking risks in fashion. Danielle Frankel is the definition of risky for weddings! Danielle and I worked alongside each other for an entire year so I saw this risk up close. I love what she’s about. I saw her gown was the runner up of CFDA Awards and fell in love. The dress was called Charlotte and I like to think it was after me! I was the first bride to wear this dress, and it made me feel special. I changed into an Alex Perry dress after I cut the cake. It was short enough to scream “party time”—one of the coolest dresses I’ve owned. Many people told me not to change, but to me, this dress still felt bridal and allowed me to feel more relaxed. I got to enjoy myself.

The Importance of Music

Much of the wedding was about providing good music. We flew in the Harlem Gospel Choir from NYC, who sang at our ceremony and cocktail hour before dinner. We wanted to recreate the experience of Kanye West’s Sunday Service.

A Memorable Musical Surprise

The most memorable moment, by far, was the song my husband wrote for me as a surprise during the ceremony. Much of the wedding was about providing good music, and the Harlem gospel choir absolutely killed the song my husband wrote. It was so emotional and touching–the most romantic thing he has ever done for me.

Why A Costa Careyes Destination Wedding

We knew we wanted to have a destination wedding. We’ve been out of Australia for eight years, lived in many different countries, and explored the world together. It just made sense. Mexico was perfect since it’s a summer destination and a very diverse country. Tom and I made many scouting trips and traversed the east and west coast until we landed on Costa Careyes. Not one of our guests had been there before & it had a cool vibe–very unique. It has 10km of beautiful coastline and is colorful and luxurious.

Over The Top Wedding Favors

When our guests arrived at their rooms in Costa Careyes, they were welcomed with custom beach bags, which were filled with branded hats for the men/visors for the ladies, personalized M&M’s with my and Tom’s face on them, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, Advil, and more. On the wedding night, our guests got personalized plates to eat, which were then packaged up at the end of the night and sent to their rooms. We had an artisan in Guadalajara design and make them.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Meraki Weddings
Event Planning – House of Kirschner
Venue – Tigre Del Mar
Floral Design – Diego Figueroa
Catering – i Latina
Live Music – Harlem Gospel Choir
Videography – Moon & Back Co.
Makeup Artist & Hair Styling – Sarah Laidlaw
Wedding Dress – Danielle Frankel, Alex Perry
Bridal Accessories – Rene Caovilla
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Johanna Ortiz
Groom’s Apparel – Tom Ford
Groomsmen’s Apparel – P. Johnson
Rings – Jessica Namdar Jewelry

Congratulations again to Charlotte and Tom on their Mexico destination wedding at Costa Careyes! We can’t get enough of the photos captured by Junebug member Meraki Weddings. To see more of their work, check out their profile in our directory of best wedding photographers in the world.

Camp Themed Wedding Inspiration from Big Fake Wedding Austin

November 12, 2020 | riley

dark red ivory light pink sage green

The outdoors are calling with this incredible Big Fake Wedding inspiration shoot. This event’s theme can be summed up in two words—happy camper. Using elements like lanterns, arrows, maps, and “wood-grain everything” the team set up a camp themed wedding to mirror the childhood memories of summer camps.

The inspiration starts with moody outdoor colors accented by the lighter colors you’d expect to see at sunset. Then, add a sprinkle of carefree adventure with a huge dose of “madly in love” and you’ve got the perfect on-trend camp themed wedding. We can’t wait to see more camp weddings in the future.

For now, keep scrolling to see the captured images from Ally Fraustro Photography and Gillian Menzie Photography. Don’t forget to check in with the expert vendors who pulled this tough theme off—they’re listed at the bottom.

The Wedding Team:
Photography – Ally Fraustro Photography
Photography – Gillian Menzie Photography
Balloon Arch – Balloons of Austin
Cake – Alba Cake Design
Catering – El Alma Cafe y Cantina
Coordination & Lounge – In Her Shoes Coordination
Date & Proposal Planner – Amore Austin
DJ & Photobooth – Pour Vous Entertainment Group
Floral & Event Design: Ceremony Backdrop & Tables 1 & 2 – Native Bloom
Floral & Event Design: Head Table & Tables 3 & 4 – Grae & Grace Collective
Floral & Event Design: Personal Fowers & Tables 5 & 6 – Floral Jane
Flower Crowns – Flower Crown Muse
Hair and Makeup Artist – Sunny Hair and Makeup Artist
Mobile Bar – Texas Hill Country Events Beer Burros
Signage – Lettered by Valerie
Venue – Ivory Oak
Wedding Dress – Grace + Ivory

Congratulations to the Big Fake Wedding Austin on a beautiful camp themed wedding inspiration shoot. Learn more about their upcoming events and get your tickets on their website. They offer in-person and digital tickets so don’t miss out!

Burgundy and Gold Ace Hotel and Swim Club Wedding in Palm Springs

November 7, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

dark red gold sage green

A guitar used as a guest book, bohemian decor, and the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs are just a few of the details that made this wedding truly special. Every unique touch of this burgundy and gold wedding paid homage to the couple’s favorite things and what brought them together.

This couple kept their guests in mind while planning every detail to ensure the day was perfect for them and their guests. Thanks to the help of Details, Darling, Ashley and Jake thought of it all. Some of our favorite details from their wedding include tacos, s’mores, dogs, and even a marijuana bar! See what we mean? They wanted their guests to have a good time. We’ll let Kaylee Chelsea Photography’s photos do the rest of the storytelling!

The Couple

Ashley and Jake

The Wedding

Palm Springs, California

Desert Fall at the Ace Hotel

We knew we wanted the wedding in Palm Springs because we love the city’s vibe and the backdrop of the desert and San Jacinto mountains. The desert in fall is so beautiful and the weather is perfect. We chose the Ace Hotel and Swim Club because it fit the vintage and laid back style we were going for perfectly! We decided on it the day we saw it. They are also dog friendly and of course our two dogs, who are basically our children, needed to be a part of our wedding. I also love the marquee they have which they let you personalize for your day. I’m a Harry Potter nerd so our marquee said “After all this time? Always” with our initials and wedding date.

Music Brings People Together

Music is a very important part of our lives. Jake plays guitar and piano and my favorite pastime is going to shows and concerts. I didn’t finalize our wedding music until the week before because there were so many songs to choose from that were special. The procession for the family and bridesmaids was “In My Life” by The Beatles, one of our favorite bands. The song that my dad and I walked down the aisle to was a song I have had picked out for this moment for my entire adult life — “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin. The recessional song we chose was from Bright Eyes, called “First Day of My Life”. I always thought our first dance would be Queen’s “My Best Friend”, but we saved that for the grand entrance. Instead, we went with a cover of a song called “I Love How You Love Me” played by Rusty Clanton for our first dance.

Food and Fun For Everyone

Honestly, we just wanted everyone to have fun. I’ve always loved being a wedding guest and Jake usually does not, so we really wanted this to be a celebration where every guest could enjoy themselves and not get bored. We had an open bar, dancing, a photo booth, s’mores, late night snacks and a “marry-juana bar” so we had a little something for everyone. Our one requirement for the wedding was tacos! We love tacos and could not imagine having anything else at our wedding. Rather than a traditional cake cutting we roasted marshmallows for s’mores and for dessert, we had mini pies and donuts. We had a signature cocktail called the Desert Facial which is a vodka cocktail with cucumber, pineapple and mint—one of the most refreshing drinks ever!

Unique Touches + DIY

My cousin Carly helped me DIY a couple things for our wedding. The first was a black denim jacket I could wear at the reception. We designed it to match the decor with burgundy and rose gold succulents surrounding our last name in white script. We also used a white acoustic guitar as our guestbook so we made a rose gold label with our initials and wedding date to personalize it a little more. Finally, we made personalized welcome bags for guests staying at the Ace which said “Palm Springs is Always a Good Idea”. We also gave out potted succulents, chocolate cookies from Milk Bar Los Angeles for guests to take home and even favor bags for our guests’ dogs!

Wedding Advice For Brides?

Get a wedding planner and go with the flow on your wedding day. Things might not go as you imagined, but it is your day and it will be beautiful and special and memorable no matter what happens. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without Mackenzie from Details, Darling! For me, I didn’t want to burden my friends and family with planning details. I wanted everyone to have fun and enjoy all of the parties leading up to the wedding and the wedding itself. There are so many vendors out there that it’s overwhelming trying to choose who will be right for you. Mackenzie really helped in narrowing the choices down—she did an amazing job at bringing our design to life. She helped make it unique to us and we were thrilled when we finally saw everything come to fruition. Our wedding was perfect.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Kaylee Chelsea Photography
Event Planning – Details, Darlin
Ceremony Venue – Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Reception Venue – Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Catering – Kings Highway
DJ – Ian – Dart DJ
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Cheek to Cheek Artistry
Hair Styling – Cheek to Cheek Artistry
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – BHLDN
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Men’s Wearhouse
Rings – Robbins Brothers
Day of Signage – Double Dipped Calligraphy
Photo Booth Bus – Traveling Photo Bus
Napkins/Linens – ModMix Studio
Furniture Rental – Arrangements Floral and Party Design

Congratulations again to Ashley and Jake on their fun-filled wedding! Special thanks to Mackenzie from Details, Darling for sharing this gorgeous Palm Springs Ace Hotel wedding with us. If you loved the music this couple chose for the whole ceremony, get started on building your own with this wedding reception playlist. Your wedding DJ will be glad they’ve got inspiration to work with.

Micro Wedding Timeline Examples and Tips

October 28, 2020 | riley

photo by Lilly Red Photography

Of the many benefits that micro weddings offer, easily one of the best is the relaxed and intimate atmosphere as you tie the knot. That relaxed atmosphere also has its drawbacks—starting with its ability to get off course. Creating a micro wedding timeline for the day will keep you on track and build in the flexibility to make time for all of your guests.

Ensure your day has a natural flow and that your vendors know what to expect and when with an expertly planned micro wedding timeline. Let’s get planning!

Micro Weddings Need Timelines

Ever attended a party that felt freeform and you weren’t sure when the food would be served, the champagne would start flowing, or when you could expect to leave? Yeah, us too.

Because of the smaller and intimate feel that micro weddings provide it’s important to have a timeline in place so that your guests don’t end up feeling like they’re attending a neverending backyard party. This is, after all, a special day.

Expert wedding planner Chelsy Ferguson of The Gathering Co said, You have to think through the potential lulls between planned points of the day. Make sure that time isn’t prolonged in certain areas of your timeline if you aren’t anticipating intentional breaks in the day. Adjust your timeline to keep your guests occupied and make sure there isn’t too much buffer for your guests to wait around in an unknown space. Plan for what you know you need and want from the day and all else will fall into place!

Start With What Matters Most

We love this advice from the Mil Besos team, As with any event timeline, couples should highlight what things are most essential and account for some wiggle room. Some of the best memories are those unplanned moments! Don’t be afraid to stray off the timeline a little bit—having a good reference of flow for order of events and any fixed times, such as the sunset, will ensure you don’t miss any shots with your photographer.

Micro Wedding Timeline Advice from Wedding Experts

You should start planning your micro wedding timeline 8 months to a year before the wedding date if possible, according to The Gathering Co. Adding on to this, Nikk Nguyen says that an extended planning timeline will give you plenty of time to plan for what you want and also let guests know when they can celebrate with you.

The Stars Inside also had excellent advice about including your vendors into your timeline planning. They said, Once you’ve got your timeline down, make sure you share it with all of your vendors once you’re close to finalizing what the day will look like. Certainly there are some suppliers who can help guide you, so it’s worth touching base with them sooner rather than later. Overall, try to be flexible and go with the flow, and encourage your vendors to do the same where they can.

Micro Wedding Timeline Examples

Now that you’ve got our advice under your belt, here are two examples created by two of our vendors. As you can see, they can be very basic and short or involve your wedding crew for the entire day—the choice is yours.

Micro Wedding Timeline from Nikk Nguyen

Nikk Nguyen suggests that in its most basic form, your micro wedding timeline look something like this

3pm – 4pm : Getting Ready
4:15pm : First Look
4:30pm – 5:30pm : Photos
5:30pm : Ceremony
6:00-9pm : Dinner & Reception

photo by May Iosotaluno Photography

Micro Wedding Timeline from The Gathering Co

The Gathering Co suggests making your getting ready portion of the day extra special for those involved in your wedding. Her suggested timeline looks like this

6:30-7:30 am | Sunrise hike and photos (optional)
9-11 am | Wake up call, breakfast, and yoga as a bridal team
10 am | Planner and Florist arrive for set up
11 am | Hair and Makeup (HMU) starts
3pm | Photo + video arrives for getting ready photos + details
3:15 pm | HMU final touches
3:45 pm | Bride puts dress on and Groom finishes getting ready
4 pm | Bridesmaids photos // insert number of maids
4:20 pm | Groomsmen photos // insert number of groomsmen
4:30 pm | Catering + bar arrives for set up // family style meal
4:30 pm | Live music artist arrives for set up and practice
4:40 pm | Bridal Portraits
5 pm | Back to bridal suite to relax // Photo + video – ceremony + reception detail photos
5:30 pm | Guests make their way to the ceremony area // music starts
6 pm | Ceremony // live musician to play
6:20 pm | Ceremony ends – wedding party photos
6:30 pm | Immediate + extended family photos
6:45-7:45 pm | Cocktail hour // live musician playing
6:50-7:30 pm | Bride + Groom photos // Sunset is at 7:40, end photos with sunset
7:50-8 pm | Entrance into dinner with first dance to follow by live music and everyone surrounds couple with sparklers
8-9pm(ish) | Welcome by the couple // family-style dinner! // playlist via phone + PA for dinner
8:30 pm | Cake cutting and champagne “cheers” // toasts to follow
8:45 pm | Parent dances // live guitarist to perform
9 pm | Photo and video team departs // switch over to music over the speaker
10:30 pm | Evening winds down for vendor clean up to start // hang out on-site

Don’t Forget—This Day is Special

We think The Stars Inside said it best when describing the ideal micro wedding timeline. No matter what you choose, you will have curated a day in which you can enjoy every minute. Intimate gatherings like this give couples a chance to express themselves and celebrate in the way that feels most true and authentic to them—no anxiety, no crowds, just love.

Big or small, elopement or micro wedding, your wedding day is special. Let the timeline you and your vendor team serve as a guide to keep the day on track. Don’t forget what matters most—the celebration of your love.

Looking for tips on the rest of your micro wedding planning? We’ve got you covered.

Micro Wedding Timelines and Tips Graphic

Photo by Los Ébano

Ethereal Welsh Marquee Wedding in Bae Ceredigion

September 20, 2020 | riley

light pink white

Angharad and David knew that they wanted to be married somewhere they could incorporate both their cultures. With Angharad being from rural Wales and David being from rural Ireland, the two decided to celebrate their love at a private estate where the Irish sea meets the Welsh coast. The ethereal wedding in Bae Ceredigion belongs in a fairytale storybook with its lush greenery, soft pink color palette, and teepee filled with twinkle lights and small floral arrangements from Flowers at the Dutch Barn.

Despite the torrential downpour, the couple faced early on their wedding day, the clouds eventually passed. They were able to get married in the thick of the rolling hills—making for some of the most beautiful photos we’ve ever seen. We absolutely love how Elena Popa Photography captured every moment of the romantic day.

The Couple:

Angharad & David

The Wedding:

Bae Ceredigion, Wales, UK

The Rural and Bohemian Wedding Vibes

Both Dave and I are from rural parts of the world. Dave’s from rural Ireland, and I’m from rural Wales. We decided we wanted our wedding to reflect this, and so when our neighbors in Wales allowed us to get married on their grounds facing the Mawddach Estuary, we were over the moon. Within their garden is an old chapel’s remains, which was the perfect spot for our ceremony. We hired a teepee for the wedding party and went for a laid-back bohemian style reception. We wanted to create a fun and vibrant wedding with tapas-style canapes, paella for mains, and a pizza van for the evening food.

A Memorable Rain Shower

The morning of the wedding, the rain was relentless. I was adamant that I wanted to get married in the old chapel grounds–consisting of four walls with no shelter overhead. It was looking less and less likely as the guests arrived and quickly hurried into the teepee’s shelter. Dave started making arrangements to move the ceremony inside. I was determined not to give in to the weather, so I said that we should wait for a bit to see if things cleared up. We didn’t have to wait long as a welcome break in the clouds came and the rain stopped. Everyone pitched in to move benches inside the chapel walls, set up the singer, and gather–ready for the ceremony. I will never forget that feeling of everything lining up perfectly–all our loved ones gathering together and helping out to allow us to get married in my favorite place in the world, overlooking the beautiful coastal waters of the Irish sea.

Wedding Day Advice From the Bride

Don’t stress. So many things went wrong on our wedding day–the teepee had puddles at one end of it, we initially had no power for the chef, taxis got stuck in the mud on the way down to the wedding, but all of this made it one unforgettable day. I wouldn’t change a thing.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Elena Popa Photography
Floral Design – Flowers at the Dutch Barn
Catering – Tafarn y Gader
Cake – F-anne-tastic Cakes
Live Music – Melody Avenue
Invitation Design – Made By Eleri
Makeup Artist – Caroline James
Hair Styling – KPS Hair Lounge
Wedding Dress – Pronovias

Congratulations again to Angharad and David on their ethereal wedding in Bae Ceredigion! Thank you to Elena Popa Photography for sharing it with us. To see more Welsh wedding inspo, check out Erin & Aidan’s Somerley House Wedding in New South Wales!

Intimate Blush and Gold Wedding at Annas Hotel

September 1, 2020 | riley

dark pink light pink white

Dita and Rudolph’s intimate blush and gold wedding at Annas Hotel has our jaws on the floor. We’ve seen our fair share of weddings but nothing can compare to this special day. It looks like it came straight from a fairytale. With white and blush floral arrangements throughout the venue, Dita’s intricately laced Amelii gown, a surprise private picnic on the lake, and a rope swing covered in flowers, this wedding is made for royalty.

With the help of Eucalyptus Decorations, Dita used her experience as a wedding decorator and completely transformed the space and we can’t get enough. Are you dying to see how it turned out? Keep scrolling to see the incredible photos captured by Annija Veldre Photography–and get those Pinterest boards ready because this is one you are not going to want to forget.

The Couple:

Dita and Rudolph

The Wedding:

Annas Hotel, Latvia

Why the Annas Hotel

I loved the privacy, the quiet area, the peace and comfort, and the elegant design. The first time I left, I immediately knew that this would be the right place to say, “I do.” From an organizational standpoint, everything is in one place –several options for an outdoor ceremony, a bright and spacious terrace for celebrations, apartments, a restaurant, caterers, and a spa.

Recommended Reading: Adorable Bridesmaids Robes for Your Bridal Party

Wedding Day Vibes

From the very beginning–when we started planning the wedding,–we knew that we would organize it ourselves. We wanted a private wedding with a small circle of family and friends– away from strangers. We knew the overall vibe would be light, sunny, and classic. Of course, with pink and gold details. I hoped that there would be good weather so that the ceremony could take place in Anna’s tree-lined avenue. And it came true. Since we’ve been together forever– we went to the same kindergarten and elementary school –we thought we would use my pink scooter for a photoshoot because it reminds us of our relationship’s beginning.

A Surprise Wedding Day Lake Picnic

There was a wonderful outing/surprise picnic on the lake’s footbridge, near the venue–put together by our friends. The weather was perfect, and the lake looked like a mirror; it was so still. The peace and quiet before the evening’s celebration was exactly what was needed.

Using the Bride’s Decorations For DIY

Since I recently started a wedding decorating business, the decorations and inventory came from my stock. I ordered and bought the flowers myself—all guest table arrangements, welcome signs, floral decor, etc. I made the day before with my friend and mother. We had packed all the decorations, candles, and equipment with my mom a week in advance.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Annija Veldre Photography
Event Planning – Eucalyptus
Venue & Floral Design – Annas Hotel
Floral Design – Inbloom
Cake – Cepu Tortes
Wedding Dress – Amelii
Favors – Evija Ceramics

Congratulations to Dita and Rudolph on their fairytale wedding at Annas Hotel! Thank you to Annija Veldre Photography for sharing their special day with Junebug. To get more Latvia destination wedding inspo, check out Ieva and Janis’ Rustic Ethereal Latvia Wedding at Mazmezotne Manor.

Nostalgic Vintage-Inspired Ottawa Wedding at The Chateau Laurier

August 7, 2020 | riley

black champagne gold silver white

Holly and Steve have us swooning over their vintage-inspired wedding at The Chateau Laurier. Holly loves the glitz and glamour of the ’20s and ’50s so the minute she laid eyes on Knox Presbyterian Church, she knew it was the venue of her dreams. Photographers Joel & Justyna perfectly captured the church’s natural light, stained glass, and The Chateau Laurier’s old-world feel. The bridal party added to the magic with the bride’s royally inspired Lee Grebenau gown and the custom bridesmaid dresses designed by the maid of honor, the bride’s sister! With sparkle and glamourous touches, this wedding is definitely one meant for royalty.

The Couple:

Holly and Steve

The Wedding:

Knox Presbyterian Church & The Chateau Laurier, Ottowa, Canada

Why The Chateau Laurier

I love history and knew I wanted our wedding to have that old nostalgic flair. I took inspiration from vintage style from the ’20s to the ’50s, moody Vanity Fair photography, and The Royal Weddings. I wanted the day to feel swanky, elegant, and romantic. My mom and I would joke about asking ourselves “Would Duchess Kate have this at her wedding?!?”

The Lee Grebenau Gown

I chose a slinky beaded gown from Lee Grebenau. I tried a lot of dresses but when I put this one on there was no comparison, it was perfect. I wanted my dress to be unique to me and it was important that I got my royal moment with the big princess skirt, so we created a custom removable overskirt with a 10-foot train. It was so dreamy. I couldn’t have felt more royal.

The Knox Presbyterian Church as Their Wedding Venue

I love the look of old English churches and wanted to find something that would be similar. The first time I saw Knox church I knew it was perfect. It has the most beautiful natural light, stained glass windows, stone pillars, and the longest center aisle. Its natural beauty needs very little decoration.

Plenty of DIY Went Into this Vintage Ottawa Wedding

I did a lot of DIY. I designed the invitation suite, programs, seating chart, menu’s, and our website. I also created a custom monogram, illustrations of our venues, and hand-lettered our welcome sign. I’m a graphic designer and illustrator so I was excited to be able to take on all the print work and web design myself.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Joel & Justyna
Event Planning & Floral Design – The Design Co.
Ceremony Venue – Knox Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue – The Chateau Laurier
Cake – The Girl with the Most Cake
Officiant – Reverend Peter Mcintosh
DJ – Oxygen Entertainment
Makeup Artist – Beauty by Haneen
Hair Styling – Cosmetalogy Beauty Bar
Wedding Dress – Lee Petra Grebeneau
Bridal Accessories – Brides and Hairpins
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Saks Fifth Avenue
Groom’s Apparel – Harry Rosen
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Morris Formalwear
Rings – Mark Lash
Rentals – Joe’s Prop House & Plate Occasions
Transportation – Vegas Limousine
Printer – Lunar Caustic Press

Congratulations to the beautiful couple, Holly and Steve! Thank you to Junebug member Joel and Justyna for capturing this beautiful day. To check out more of their work, visit their profile in our directory of best wedding photographers in the world!

Unbelievably Creative New Mexico Museum of Art Wedding

August 3, 2020 | riley

bright red dark pink orange yellow

After reserving a spot at the couple’s dream venue in Texas, Kari and Dylan were forced to change their plans when they couldn’t find accommodations for their guests. After stumbling upon the New Mexico Museum of Art, they knew it was fate. Their photographer Lilly Red was able to capture the couple’s disco-inspired attire (featuring a Gucci headpiece, gold chain mail cape, and Stenson hat—talk about rock n’ roll), the simple yet stunning adobe architecture of the ceremony, the parade around the plaza complete with a mariachi band, and the neon-lit festivities at Meow Wolf. Surrounded by friends and family, this couple’s wedding day was heartwarming and party all wrapped into one!

The Couple:

Kari and Dylan

The Wedding:

New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Shop similar hats: The Mojave Bolero Hat ($192.19); The Tower Off White Felt Hat ($192.19); TAU Amsterdam Ivory Felt Hat ($136.16)

The bride wore a disco-inspired Gucci headpiece with a simple slip dress from LOHO Bride in San Francisco, while the groom topped his Gucci suit off with a classic Stetson. “We wanted it to feel like a party, not a traditional wedding,” says Kari. Her friend, designer Daisy Hartmann created a gold chain mail cape to go over the top of her gown. Meanwhile, Dylan borrowed an 18-carat-gold squash blossom necklace from the same jeweler that made their wedding bands. “Santa Fe is all about trust,” says Kari. “They let him walk out of the store with it (they didn’t even take his credit card!), knowing he would return it afterward.”

When the guests checked into their suites at nearby El Rey Court, the couple welcomed everyone at the hotel’s mezcal bar, La Reina. “There was no sit-down dinner or rehearsal,” shares Kari—just good drinks, a taco truck, and speeches. The fashion was the main event: Attendees donned leather jackets, wide-brimmed hats, and snakeskin suits (anything with a little Southwestern flair was welcome).

Shop similar bridesmaid dresses: BHLDN Malynn Dress ($168); Anthropologie Bias Slip Dress ($120); Show Me Your Mumu Verona Cowl Dress ($168)

“The best advice I received was to find time together to feel the joy and love,” shares Kari. “When we were at Meow Wolf, that’s what we did: We climbed up to the top balcony where we could overlook everybody dancing, eating, and drinking. It was so special.”

She chopped off her hair for the reception. “It was a fresh beginning,” says Kari. “I was a whole new woman.” Instead of doing a first dance, she hopped up onstage with her harmonica for a duet with Dylan of “A Heart of Gold.”

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Lilly Red Creative
Event Planning – For the Love Events
Ceremony Venue – New Mexico Museum of Art
Reception Venue – Meow Wolf
Floral Design – Renegade Floral
Catering – Cowgirl BBQ
Cake – Maggie’s Wedding Cakes
Officiant – Billy Sorrentino
Live Music – Brothers NYC
Wedding Dress – Loho Bride
Bridal Accessories – Gucci & Daisy Hartmann
Groom’s Apparel – Gucci

Congrats to Kari and Dylan on their unbelievably creative New Mexico Museum of Art wedding! Big thank you to Lilly Red for sharing the beautiful photos! If you’re looking for more southwestern inspiration, check out Andrea and BC’s Enchanting Southwestern-Inspired Abiquiu, New Mexico Wedding on Rio Chama!

Romantic Bodega Ridge Wedding on Galiano Island

July 25, 2020 | riley

dark pink dark red light pink sage green

Panoramic ocean views and epic mountain backdrops––we’re obsessed with Jenn and Zack’s Bodega Ridge wedding in British Columbia! Every detail of this whimsical party was captured by Ronnie Lee Hill Photography, including the ceramic vases handmade by the bride along with the flowers, desserts, and stationery DIYed by the couple’s friends. While Jenn planned on originally wearing a simple slip dress, we’re loving the subtle patterned Truvelle a-line gown she chose. After all, when else do you get to dress up like a real-life princess?! As for the bridesmaids, the bride gave them a color palette and let them choose their own dresses so they could pick out something that was comfortable and in their budget. The results were stunning! We’re pining for a weekend spent in cabins enjoying a taco feast and karaoke after seeing these whimsical nuptials!

The Couple:

Jenn and Zack

The Wedding:

Bodega Ridge, Galliano Island, BC, Canada

Shop similar drop earrings: Bon Levy 14k Gold Linear Earrings ($198); Ettika Linear Drop Earrings ($40); Nina Crystal Drop Earrings ($75); Cristabelle Pearl & Chrystal Linear Earrings ($25); Pearl Tendril Bridal Earrings ($75)

At first, I was thinking I was going to keep it simple with a slip dress and no veil, but as I was trying on dresses and accessories I just fully embraced it and got a dress with a dramatic train and wore a long veil because when else am I ever going to!? I still kept it simple with pearl drop earrings and white shoes form a local boutique that I can wear again, so I tried to balance it out.

Shop similar wedding signs: Simple Floral Wedding Welcome Sign Template ($16.33); Modern and Simple Wedding Sign Template ($12.37); Modern Wedding Welcome Sign ($4.70)

We wanted family and friends to spend more than just one evening together, so we decided on spending a weekend at our venue, Bodega Ridge located on Galiano Island, which is just a two-hour ferry from Vancouver. The venue is made up of cozy, rustic cabins near the ocean so we were aiming to have some summer camp vibes with a taco feast and karaoke party the first night and then Sunday being the big event.

Incorporate your creative friends where you can! And give them and your other vendors some room for creativity. We gave some inspiration and then trusted them to do their thing. It took way more pressure off of us and still left some room for surprise on the day seeing how everything turned out.

Shop similar ceramic vases: Mini Ceramic Bud Vase ($18); Small Ceramic Vase ($28); Marble Stoneware Ceramic Bud Vase ($30); Small Japanese Style Vase ($49.49)

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Ronnie Lee Hill Photography
Event Planning – Angie Allen Wedding + Events
Venue – Bodega Ridge
Cake – Cakes in a Box
Signage and Stationery – New Look
Hair and Makeup Artist – Denise Elliott Beauty
Wedding Dress – Truvelle
Bridal Accessories – Jane Rhyan
Groom’s Apparel – The Tux Store

Big thanks to Ronnie Lee Hill Photography for sharing Jenn and Zack’s special day at Bodega Ridge! If you’re looking for more British Columbia wedding inspiration, check out Kristi and Cody’s Idyllic British Columbia Wedding at Painted Rock Estate Winery!

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