Imagine a picturesque DIY wedding that embodies everything beautiful about the union of two people in love. Nicole and Shaun’s special day is a masterclass in timeless elegance, laid-back charm, and heartfelt romance. The entire affair was captured by Anita Martin Photography with stunning precision. The palette of navy blues and soft peaches sets the tone for an unforgettable celebration, punctuated by clever DIY details that showcase the couple’s creativity.
A stylish groom, adorable flower girls adorned with naval bows and carrying handmade fabric pomanders (a labor of love from the bride herself), and a rustic lemonade bar all contribute to an atmosphere of warmth and joy. At the heart of it all is Nicole, radiant in her fitted Mori Lee wedding gown, perfectly accessorized with a flowing fingertipped veil and a show-stopping Veronica Lake-inspired hairstyle that’s nothing short of breathtaking.
And don’t even get me started on the incredible crafting she brought to the table – you won’t want to miss this.
The Bridal Attire
I opted for a Mori Lee gown, featuring a fitted, corset-inspired design that hugged my curves in all the right places. The soft, luxurious material used was a lovely contrast to the more structured, retro-inspired dresses chosen by my bridesmaids, who picked from Alfred Sung’s tea-length collection. Each of them selected their own unique style, adding a touch of personality and flair to our overall aesthetic.
The Flowers
My wedding florals were a stunning combination of textures and colors. The bouquet I designed for myself featured a delicate arrangement of white hydrangea, peach Juliet roses, peach Hypericum berries, white ranunculus, and ivory Majolica spray rose. In contrast, the bridesmaids’ bouquets took on a softer appearance, adorned with copious amounts of baby’s breath.
Meanwhile, the groom, groomsmen, and centrepieces were brought together through a harmonious blend of peach Juliet roses, peach Hypericum berries, and baby’s breath. The pièce de résistance was the flower girls’ fabric ball bouquets, which I crafted with love and attention to detail.
The Photography
When planning my wedding from St Louis, I booked Anita without ever meeting her, drawn in by her exceptional ability to capture emotion. Her photographs convey a deep sense of love and connection between couples; I knew she would beautifully capture the playful and loving dynamic of Shaun and my relationship furthermore, I was excited about the attention to detail she brings to her work, which aligns with my own meticulous approach to wedding planning.
Our initial meeting for an engagement shoot only reinforced this impression – Anita is a warm and laid-back individual who effortlessly puts clients at ease, directing them only when necessary. This relaxed atmosphere allowed us to be our genuine selves, resulting in authentic, emotionally charged images.
Décor & Details
To create a warm ambiance for our reception, we adorned the trees with lanterns that added a touch of elegance to the surroundings. As centerpieces, we stacked vintage books topped with larger lanterns, complemented by a striped table runner that tied everything together. Each table featured a bud vase for the flowers and a milk glass vase with a beautifully designed table number tied around it.
In lieu of traditional favors, we opted for a unique approach: each guest was asked to make a donation to a foundation in El Salvador that holds a special place in our hearts. To tie this effort to our overall aesthentic, we designed the invitation card to match our paper goods and finished it off with twine and a handmade ‘s’ charm.
The seating chart was creatively displayed on a window pane using a white paint marker, while each guest’s name was elegantly written on kraft paper tags wrapped around their napkin.
DIY Projects
We took a unique approach to wedding decor by incorporating personalized and handmade elements throughout The photo booth, for instance, featured a mini Fujifilm Instax camera that allowed guests to take one picture and leave another on a string of twine next to the booth. This creative setup encouraged guests to get involved and contributed to the overall whimsical atmosphere.
In addition to the DIY photo booth, I put my own creative spin on various wedding stationery items, including designing our paper goods and creating a custom guestbook. We also displayed a hand-stamped canvas with lyrics from our special song, adding an extra layer of emotional significance to the proceedings.
Other handmade touches included fabric bouquets for the flower girls, ‘S’ charms made using homemade dough and stamps as favors, and chalkboard signs created by spraying frames with chalkboard paint. A rented stand supported a hung sheet that served as a backdrop for the DIY photo booth, while a wooden ‘S’ wrapped entirely in twine added an eye-catching decorative element.
I also got creative with table numbers by stamping tags, made hair bows for the flower girls and designed conversation-starter books featuring questions like ‘what should we do on our 10-year anniversary’ to spark lively discussions. To keep kids entertained, I created activity and coloring books specifically tailored to their interests.
The Refreshments
For our special day, we opted for a formal sit-down meal, catered by the restaurant, offering a choice of three exquisite options: tender steak, flavorful salmon, and juicy chicken. And let me tell you, it was absolutely divine. Our wedding cake was a true masterpiece, featuring not one, but three distinct flavors – triple chocolate, white chocolate strawberry, and rich red velvet – each carefully crafted for a unique layer.
But that wasn’t all – we also had a special groom’s cake, a funfetti delight that was his absolute favorite.
The Music
As the couple exchanges vows, their musical choices set the tone for a truly unforgettable day. For the processional, Chris Lennertz’s ‘Planetarium Suite’ provides an otherworldly ambiance that draws guests in and gets them excited for what’s to come. Meanwhile, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros bring the energy down with ‘Home’, the perfect recessional choice to get everyone moving as they celebrate the newlyweds’ new journey together.
As the bride and groom make their way around the dance floor during their first dance, Otis Day & the Knights’ upbeat ‘Shama Lama Ding Dong’ has them laughing and having a blast. Later, Heartland’s poignant ‘I Loved Her First’ sets the stage for an emotional father-daughter dance, while Garth Brooks & Lady Antebellum’s powerful duet (‘It’s Your Song’ and ‘Never Alone’) creates a memorable moment between mother and son.
Favourite Moments
As I look back on the ceremony, I’m filled with gratitude for those unforgettable moments. Having family members take part in leading the proceedings added a deeply personal touch, radiating love and warmth throughout the entire atmosphere. What truly stood out to me was witnessing every detail I had meticulously planned come together seamlessly.
The selflessness of my loved ones in shouldering responsibilities – from running errands to rising at dawn to ensure everything was just right (including the groom and his entourage) – meant the world to me. It allowed me to savor each moment, unencumbered by stress, on what was undoubtedly the most significant day of my life.