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From the Bride… When we started planning, we agreed wholeheartedly on one thing: we wanted a party. We wanted great food and all of our friends, and we wanted to dance. At some point during all of it we would actually get married, but we wanted to CELEBRATE our love. Like throw your hands up in the air, get down with your bad self and celebrate, because we are in love.

We live in Houston but decided a wedding in Austin would be part destination, part totally affordable weekend getaway. We also thought, from a planning aspect, it would be a blast to make periodic trips westward together, sort of punctuation points in our 18-month engagement. Sometimes things don’t go according to plans, but in this case, we couldn’t have gotten off to a better start… Austin is where it’s at.

So much of the mood was determined when we chose our wedding venue. Green Pastures is beautiful and romantic and Victorian. It has vintage wallpaper and charm oozing around every corner, a teeny little bar tucked secretly under the eaves upstairs, wraparound porches with blue painted ceilings, resident albino peacocks that patrol the grounds and giant live oak trees wrapped in lights, which we were married under. As if it could be any more magical, GP happens to also have an incredible menu, talented chefs and wonderful staff, so that didn’t hurt either.

When not a starry-eyed bride, I am an interior designer and have access to millions of fabrics, which is where I started after we settled on Green Pastures. I wanted the style and colors of the wedding to match the style of the home, yet still be current and not look like a trip back in time. I settled on a palette of neutral tones, so we would compliment the atmosphere: ivory, pearl, gold, tea rose, brownish-grays, soft, muted pink undertones and black. I did some online research for garments but didn’t fall in love with anything. Also, it seems like things are out of whack these days with regard to price and quality, so it was easier for me to just have everything made custom to be exactly what I had in mind. I designed my gown first, made of a gorgeous off-white silk and tremendously comfortable (for all-intensive dancing purposes) before moving on to the other parts. For the maids, it had to be chevron stripes! Which don’t even exist, for the most part, but I found a beautiful gray/brown fabric with ivory stripes and my seamstress turned it into some of the most adorable and flattering dresses I’ve seen yet. I loved how all of the dresses were formal, yet sort of casual because of the fabrics.

I made the boutonnières for the men from vintage ribbon I bought at Liberty of London, and modeled the pieces after old medals and awards. In the centers, I added a compass button, as a memorial to my grandpa, who couldn’t be there. I’m from Kansas, and he always gave me compasses when I returned home, so I could always find my way. I made floral rosettes for the mothers, Brad’s nanna and the house party from leftover silk from my gown, so they would be able to keep them after the big day, sort of a part of me. I added vintage buttons from a collection I inherited from both of my late grandmothers. We all had a bit that was old that day!

Not long after deciding upon GP, I launched a massive eBay search for vintage birdcages. Brad liked to joke that birdcages were the perfect wedding metaphor, but I wanted a collection to use in our exterior decor. Petal Pushers, our florist, filled the birdcages with moss and flowers, and then hung them from the branches of the oaks under which we were married.

I also collected the vases for each table-assorted sizes in groupings of 5-7 containers per table. This wasn’t expensive, as vases ranged from 25¢ to $2, but I underestimated how long it would take to source, sort, and then spray paint all these containers. 5-7 containers per table x 45+ tables x spray painting = not my best idea. They ultimately looked lovely and exactly how I planned, but it was a labor of love to complete.

The day before the wedding, I had to run over to Michaels to pick up ribbon for our cakes. Do you know what else they sell at Michaels, especially the week before Halloween? GLOWSTICKS, that’s what. Part of me thought I was crazy, but part of me knew that glowsticks would be absolutely perfect for our dance party. They were 15 for a dollar (!!!!) so I limited myself and walked out of Michaels with $30 worth of awesome…. Or 450 glowsticks.

The reception was always designed with a dance party in mind. I had been hearing (via blogs, mind you) about a guy in Los Angeles called The Flashdance, aka Michael Antonia, who is part wedding DJ, part musical mash-up genius. DJ Mike had never been to Austin before but was game to travel, and our lives were changed forever. After the formality of first dances, somebody hit the lights and the dancing began in a frenzy. I’ve never seen so many adults dancing for such extended periods of time. Glowsticks were everywhere, on every guest, and I’ve never been so happy.

I’m writing this from our honeymoon, and our six month anniversary is tomorrow. We have been so thrilled to re-live these details, and will always feel like our wedding was the hands-down best time we have ever had! It was a wonderful time, including all the planning that went into the event, and I hope every bride has an experience as happy and exciting as mine!

Wedding Photography: stella alesi/photography / Wedding Coordination & Design: The Bride / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Green Pastures / Catering & Wedding Cake: Green Pastures / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Ceremony Music: Will Taylor & Strings Attached / Wiring & Equipment: SoundCheck Austin / Linens: Austin Party Central / Wedding Invitations: Dauphine Press via Katie & Co. (Custom Design by the Bride) / Wedding & Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Kim Couture (Custom Design by the Bride) / Neck Ties, Bow Ties & Vests: Quiltworks (Custom Design by the Bride) / Flower Girl Dresses: Quiltworks (Custom Design by the Bride) / Groom’s Ring: Titanium Knights (Custom Design by the Bride) / Wedding Veil: A Busy Mother (Custom Design by the Bride) / Clothing Labels: Name Maker (Custom Design by the Bride) / Invitation Stamps: Zazzle (Custom Design by the Bride) / Wedding Cake Topper: Melabo / Bride’s Ring: Custom, The Groom / Save The Dates & Wedding Programs: DIY, The Bride / Ribbon Boutonnieres: DIY, The Bride / Silk Fabric Flowers: DIY, The Bride / Flower Girl & Bridesmaid Hair Accessories: DIY, The Bride / Flower Girl Baskets: DIY, The Bride / Ring Bearer Box: Vintage / Bridesmaid Bracelets: DIY, The Bride / Moustache on a Stick: DIY, The Bride / Shoe Basket: DIY, The Bride / Guest Book: DIY, The Bride

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Busy Mother, Austin, Austin Party Central, Birdcages, Black, Brown, Dauphine Press, DIY Details, DIY Wedding, Green Pastures, Ivory, Jenny Kim Couture, Katie & Co., melabo, Muted Colors, Namemaker, Outdoor Wedding, Petal Pushers, Quiltworks, Rose, SoundCheck Austin, Stella Alesi Photography, Texas Weddings, Titanium Knights, TX, Vintage Chic, Vintage Details, Will Taylor and Strings Attached, Zazzle
Post categories: Austin Weddings, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Texas Weddings

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From the Bride… Ken and I are both entrepreneurs and used to doing things our own way!  When we got engaged on New Years Eve, we knew we wanted get married in August at his mom’s home in Index, Washington, and plan and pay for it ourselves.  Hello DIY Budget Wedding!  Luckily, his mom’s home is a paradise of gorgeous, lush gardens and funky antique finds that would be perfect for the intimate ceremony and cocktail hour.  Though her home is located in the smallest town in northwest Washington, we knew the local rafting company would be a gorgeous spot for a fun-loving reception tucked along the river.

With the location secured, we turned to, well everything else!  We went in with the words “vibrant, loving, authentic” and I put together a vision board that prominently featured wildflowers, picnic tables, birds, sparkly lights, and the colors marigold, turquoise and rose.  And dancing!  Lots of dancing!  The only things we did for the first several months was hire our photographer and find my wedding dress! My sister (and amazing maid of honor) helped me find a dress for $200 (all of which was donated to charity) at a floor sample sale.  It was 4 sizes too large and needed some flair, but it was the perfect base to bring to a tailor.  I had such a fun time designing my dress and headpiece with her as well and really loved that they were totally unique.

As it turned out, almost everything at the wedding was unique and personal. That had as much to do with our DIY budget, as with my desire to design a day that was the lovely reflection of Ken and I. Great food and wine?  Yes please.  Stunning outdoor setting?  Of course.  Laid back fun and laughter? It’s on. But all of that meant a lot of work on our side!  My bridesmaids helped me stamp and hand color the invitations, Ken and I designed the menu and taste tested the recipes to give to the kitchen, and my mom came a week early to Seattle to help me finish up all the crafts. Since we weren’t working with a real caterer, I also took on the task of renting all the tables, linens, glassware, and flatware and designing the flow of service.

The day of the wedding was a fabulous lesson in teamwork.  My dad was rolling tables, my mom served as the wedding party caterer, and Ken’s family was doing all the setup for the ceremony.  I was working out the seating chart (literally hauling tables around!) with curlers in my hair, while Ken pieced together the sound system.  A neighbor volunteered as day of coordinator, an out of town guest picked up the 100 cupcakes on her way in, and a friend of the family took her van out to the flower farm to get the mason jars filled with fresh cut flowers! During the actual wedding, my childhood friend Jake played violin for the ceremony that was performed by our friend David.  Other talented pals performed songs and played the guitar during the reception, in between dancing sets.  I loved that we were all working together to create this special day!

The ceremony was set against the stunning background of the mountains and the garden.  I had sewn pendant flags to string from an outdoor fence spelling “Ken + Molly” to help everyone find our tucked away treasure!  We were crossing our fingers for sunshine, as we had no real back up plan (eek!), and luckily for everyone, it was a gorgeous, sun-drenched day.  I loved walking down the lawn with my dad to Sting’s Fields of Gold and was so excited that I promptly smooched Ken!  A touching part of the ceremony was watching our wedding bands being passed around so each guest could bless them with warm thoughts for a happy and fulfilled marriage. It was magical to know our union was started with so many joyful intentions.

The cocktail hour housed many of my favorite design elements.  We had signature peach collins cocktails in highball glasses with striped “M” straws being passed.  There was gorgeous red pepper soup in glass shot glasses that looked as amazing as it tasted. A wishing station was set up to leave us predictions or wishes on heart shaped paper cutouts for several different anniversaries. I can’t wait to open the love notes on our 1,3, 10 and 20 anniversaries!  And the homemade photo booth, complete with chalkboards for a “guest book” message was entertaining to all!

After strolling through the pathways of the garden, the guests walked along the river to the reception. The raft company had done an amazing job stringing the lights I had imagined and building us a small stage and dance floor!  Though we had a fab florist from Seattle do our bouquets, the flowers at dinner were done by a local flower farm 30 minutes away!  I dropped off 40 or so mason jars earlier in the week, showed them the flowers and colors I loved, and let them get to town. The rest of the crafts my mom and sister had helped with were all part of the place settings.  More bird stamps on the menus, gorgeous turquoise ribbons, and tiny flags with hand stamped names atop bubble dispensers served as the seating chart.

Ken and I love a good party, so between each course in the meal, we all got up and danced!  It was such a great chance to make sure we got to boogie with the older guests who might not make it until midnight like the rest of us!  It also helped assure that our kitchen crew could keep up, as they weren’t used to serving 100 people a 3 course meal!  It worked out perfectly.  By the time the sun had finally set over the mountains, it was cool outside and the cupcake/coffee/hot cocoa station was in high demand.  We continued dancing and singing along at the bonfire until the wee hours of the night, under a sky full of stars.

I am still so happy that our day was the perfect representation of our relationship: unpretentious, joyful, connected, fun-loving, and supportive.  It was a true celebration of love among our dearest friends and family in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Wedding Photography: Kevin Wrenn Photography / Bouquets: Romanza Florals / Wedding Dress: I Do Bridal / Wedding Dress Alterations & Custom Head Piece: Darcy Martin of Fragile Fit Alterations / Bridesmaid Dresses: Forever Yours via Moms, Maids and More / Wedding Cupcakes: New York Cupcakes / Wedding Ceremony Location: Private Residence / Wedding Reception Location: Outdoor Adventures Center / Ceremony Music: Friend of the Bride / Officiant: Friend of the Bride / Event Rentals: Grand Event Rentals

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Garden Wedding, Hot Cocoa, I Do Bridal, Index, Kevin Wrenn Photography, Marigold, Mason Jars, Moms Maids and More, New York Cupcakes, Outdoor Adventures Center, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Reception, Photo Booth, Romanza Florals, Rose, Turquoise, Washington
Post categories: Budget Beautiful, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

Sent to us by the oh-so-talented Berit of Images by Berit. We have the most beautiful images from Kerry and Dirk’s Belle Mer wedding coming up today, so please check back soon!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Belle Mer, Images by Berit, Rhode Island, Rose
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

From polka dots and drumsticks to pick-up trucks, sassy yellow shoes and sneakers …

Gotta’ love the Chevy!

Justin & Mary Marantz are two of our favorite Little Black Bookers … We’ve featured a couple of their really great weddings (Katie & Colin, Josh & Beth). But to be perfectly honest, Julia & Mike’s engagement shoot is probably the all-time BEST Little Black Book Blog feature ever. Mary guest-blogged for us about engagement shoots {Getting to Know You!} and Julia & Mike’s was a real hoot! Take a look … {click} A 1952 Better Homes & Garden spread. Super cute. And for more of their vintage-themed engagement shoot, here’s a link to the original Marantz post.

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Connecticut, Drumsticks, Justin Marantz Photography, New Haven, Paper Lanterns, Polka Dots, Rose, The Carousel at Lighthouse Point, Truck
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Whimsical