There’s nothing like a handmade affair to remind me of what weddings are really all about. The love, the commitment, and families coming together for one epic celebration. It’s exactly the heart behind this backyard soiree DIYed from start to finish. Brett & Tori Photographers snapped a gallery full of goodies, and you can find AREX Films’ fun capture waiting down below!
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From Brett & Tori Photographers… Brittanie + Ben’s DIY backyard wedding took place at their pastor’s home tucked up against the mountains of the quaint town of Yucaipa, Ca. The bride wanted to create her own details which worked out really well since she is a super creative person. You’re going to adore the wall of homemade white paper flowers they used as a backdrop for the head table.
The threat of rain never came to fruition, but the dark storm clouds paired with huge pine trees added a sense of drama to the images and made the colors of the wedding pop that much more.
From the Bride… This day was simply a huge testament of our (Ben + Brittanie) love and the love of all of our closest friends and family, embellished with a pop of stripes and whimsy. Everything in this wedding was touched and accomplished by someone close to Ben and I. From the venue, which was our family friend and pastor’s house, to even the smallest details. We took very intentional care in making every piece of this wedding our own, looking at every detail as another way to express who we are and what we love as a couple.
DIYers ourselves and being fortunate enough to be surrounded by multitudes of “self doers”, we embarked on this wedding journey doing everything possible with the help of countless friends and family. Things like the flower wall seen behind the sweetheart table was all done by the bridesmaids and myself. My grandmother’s banned together and sewed every single one of the 220 hand stamped napkins, as well as the navy striped runners seen on every table. A community wide collection of lemonade bottles and pickle jars made up the entirety of each of the center pieces, which were filled beautifully by a friend of the family who also did the rest of the flowers.
Each attendee received a jar full of homemade caramel corn adorned with tags punched from our left over save-the-dates. Surrounding each plate and napkin duo were a set of paint dipped silverware, a touch made possible by my friend and day-of coordinator. Our beautiful service was officiated by Ben’s long time friend and Pastor Josh Thompson from Harvest in Riverside, Ca. The ceremony archway and all of the railings were covered with eucalyptus from the property, which were hung by its owners the morning of the big day. Ben’s old roommate played acoustic guitar as guests found their seats, and also for the ceremony processional. Because three of the five members of the bridal party were cosmetologists, hairstyling was all done in house in a train-like fashion.
The cakes were made by my maid-of-honor and my baker sister, which sat on cake stands made from candle sticks and plates. The beautiful bouquets were wrapped in the same striped material as the table runners, with the exception of mine, which was wrapped in a piece of my mother’s navy blue polka-dotted wedding dress. Between Ben and I and all of our friends and family, this beautiful backyard wedding was a dreamy winter success and an awesome start to an amazing love story.
Photography: Brett & Tori Photographers | Videographer: AREX Films | Wedding Dress: Blush Bridal Couture | Bride's Shoes: ZIGI | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Anthropologie | Catering: Billottis Catering | Groom's Attire: Zara | Groomsmen's Attire: Zara | Officiant: Josh Thompson | Bride's Accessories: Anthropologie | Designer: Brittanie Ormonde (the Bride) | Groom's Shoes: Aldo | Private Residence: Fraley Home