The whimsical charm of Sarah and Stanton’s DIY wedding is undeniable. Captured by the talented Thomas Shull Photography, this picturesque celebration blended retro and rustic elements. Set amidst the atmospheric hacienda garden setting of Boojum Tree in Arizona, the venue was transformed with handmade decorations that added to its unique character. Sarah shone in her strapless Etsy wedding dress, while Stanton cut a dashing figure in his Navy Dress Blues, looking every bit the heroic groom ready to sweep his bride off her feet. The sweet young couple’s special day is sure to captivate and inspire.
Our Day in Three Words
The Flowers
To create a visually stunning arrangement, I opted to work with three distinct yet harmonious flowers: sunflowers, which hold a special place in my heart; daisies, a close second; and babies breath, providing a delicate and airy texture that adds depth to the overall design.
The Theme
I opted for a palette featuring various shades of grey, dark navy blue, and cream, which perfectly encapsulated the desired atmosphere of joyfulness and earthiness – aptly fitting, given the ceremony took place in a picturesque garden setting. The venue’s natural beauty, with its diverse textures and colors, provided an ideal backdrop for our handmade decorations, which blended seamlessly into the rustic surroundings. The ornaments and embellishments scattered throughout added a charming vintage touch, further enhancing the overall ambiance.
The Refreshments
Our dinner was a buffet-style extravaganza, and as expected, the Italian delicacies disappeared quickly. Babbos never fails to impress me with its mouthwatering flavors, and this time was no exception. To save a few bucks, I decided to showcase my baking skills – a skill I honed during my culinary school days. The trendy ‘naked cake’ style, which eschews frosting for an exposed, rustic look, caught my eye. So, I crafted three of these masterpieces. As it turned out, the cakes were such a hit that we didn’t even take any leftovers home – they must have been devoured with gusto!
Advice for Other Couples
I leveraged The Knot to streamline my planning process and stay organized. Their comprehensive resources really do cover almost every detail – impressive! To get inspiration, I explored a variety of websites, including Pinterest, StumbleUpon, and Tumblr, which became my go-to platforms.
Etsy has become an obsession of mine lately; I love how it offers unique, handmade items, and the creators’ genuine enthusiasm is infectious. My fiancé and I even took on DIY projects for our wedding, from decorations to wedding cakes. While this approach required more effort upfront, we did end up saving some money.
Looking back, I wouldn’t stress about the day of my wedding. It’s almost as if it was a dream – I was overjoyed to be marrying my best friend and surrounded by loved ones.
I chose not to worry about minor details; instead, I focused on savoring every moment. Maybe I’m odd, but that’s just how I felt.
It wasn’t until I started walking down the aisle that it really hit me – my wedding was happening! A funny fact: I actually cried more at my best friend’s wedding than mine.
My advice? Take in every moment and enjoy the day, no matter what unfolds. When love is involved, everything will be beautiful.