Inspiration Archives • Indie Wed

Simple, Intimate, Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Alison and Austin were high school sweethearts, together for 10 years before finally tying the knot in an intimate outdoor wedding at La La Park in San Marco, Texas.

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The couple was less concerned with the aesthetics for the big day, instead, focusing on the feeling of the event. They wanted something simple, intimate, and outdoors (both graduated with Environmental Degrees). They just wanted to dance and celebrate with family and friends.

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Alison and Austin conceived most of their ideas around the idea of simplicity. They decided to skip the traditional cake, party favors, and wedding party. They chose to splurge on photographer Nikk Nguyen so they could have great photos to look back on years from now.

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A special moment for the couple was taking 10 minutes of personal time directly after the ceremony.

That time was incredible to be able to sit and reflect and talk about how crazy the whole day had been! Getting a little alone time prior to stepping back into the craze that is a wedding was huge.

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The majority of the DIY wedding details were a true family effort with the sister-in-law arranging all the flowers, one of the groom’s best friends acting as officiant, recycling decorations from Alison’s brother’s recent wedding, and family and friends helping with all the setup. Even the engagement ring was a family heirloom from Austin’s great grandmother.

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As for advice for couples planning their weddings now, the couple says:

Relax! It isn’t about the wedding. Be present. Feel everything that you are experiencing. Do your best to stay in the moment. Everyone says it because it’s true, but it’ll be over in a flash and you’ll be sorry if you don’t take the time to enjoy it!

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Vendors

Cake Designer: VooDoo Donuts
Caterer: Lupe Tortilla
Groomsman Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Makeup Artist: SC Beauty
Hair Stylist: SC Beauty
Dress Designer: David’s Bridal
Event Venue: Lala park
Photographer: Nikk Nguyen Photo

April 24, 2019 By Kelly

13 In Inspiration/ Styled Shoot

Icelandic Bohemian Barn Inspiration

I love Macrame. I’m also dying to go to Iceland. So when Dutch planner Nailia from Best Day Ever Events sent over shots from a styled shoot in Iceland, I was very excited. Oh, and there are baby lambs! Need I say more?

Styled by Nailia as part of a workshop through Portfolio Bootcamp in collaboration with Cest La Vie Weddings and photographed by Anouk Fotografeert there are tons of inspiration for couples who can’t get enough of that Boho vibe.

It would be an understatement to say that I would trade places with this model in a heartbeat for the chance to snuggle up with these guys.

So many beautiful details with the rustic florals, stunning calligraphy, and vivid pops of colors on the cake. Lastly, how gorgeous is this setting?

Vendors

Styling, Florals: Best Day Ever Events
Additional Styling: Cest La Vie Weddings
Beauty: Bruiden Beauty Almere
Photography: Anouk Fotografeert
Dress: Rembo Styling from La Donna
Hairpiece: Berkiva Designs
Macrame: Peacock and Peony
Stationery: Modern Kalligrafie
Cake: Kate’s Cakes
Model: Chayenne Pattinaya
Venue: Hekluhestar Guesthouse

April 22, 2019 By Kelly

21 In DIY Projects/ Flowers/ Inspiration

Pantone’s Living Coral-Inspired DIY Bouquet

By now you’ve probably heard that Pantone’s Color of the Year is Living Coral. It is everywhere, especially in florals. The vibrant hue draws inspiration from below the sea, hence the name, and captures glowing tones rarely seen above water. Thankfully, with the help of artificial flowers, you can have the best of both worlds – any color, any season, any flower!

LeAnne Samuelson, Creative Director at Afloral, loves using pops of coral in her DIY bouquet arrangements. According to LeAnne…

Sometimes I come across a color or combination and I love it. It’s not always planned but I see the colors together out in nature or online and I throw it all together. You just get a feeling!

By pairing complimenting colors (coral & white) you add dimension. Samuelson shared with us her steps for this DIY bouquet, choosing white dahlias, cherry blossoms, coral & peach roses, and salal greenery. You can also use artificial flowers (Afloral has all those shown), or you can opt for real flowers or even paper flowers. Same steps for all.

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Step 1: Find your focal flowers. Whatever catches your eye – color or texture – start there.

Step 2: Build around the focal point. Let it grow organically.

Step 3: Tape away! Samuelson uses floral tape every time she adds a new stem – it allows her to finetune later on.

Step 4. Keep the stems long and don’t trim till the end – you can change their heights later.

Step 5. Add your greenery. Fill in wherever could use a little love!

Step 6: Top it off with a ribbon or simply drop it in a vase for decoration.

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Hopefully, these steps will encourage you to take a chance and try to make your own bouquet. You may decide you still want to leave the actual wedding bouquets up to the professionals but at the very least, this could be a fun activity with your bridesmaids. And who knows… maybe you’ll surprise yourself with something great!

April 14, 2019 By Kelly

16 In Inspiration/ Real Weddings

Colorful California Wedding

When it was wedding planner Cassandra’s turn to walk down the aisle to marry her fiance, Jeremy, she knew she wanted to incorporate all of her favorite things. Balloons, confetti, and sparkles were essential for this California shindig.

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Cassandra’s dress featured a detachable sparkly cape to take the place of a veil while she rocked a crystal gemstone tiara, while Jeremy donned a three-piece, gray suit. The ceremony took place in a studio space filled with balloons and string lighting. As the couple were pronounced husband and wife, confetti cannons went off, filling the space with

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What really stole the show at the reception? It wasn’t the handsome groom or the lovely bride but rather the ring ‘bear’er and the flower girl.

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The reception took place at the historic Padre Hotel in Bakersfield, CA on their rooftop terrace. Guests were greeted with bottle opener party favors that also doubled as their seating assignment. After dinner and toasts, guests could visit an entire room dedicated to the sweets of Harry Potter and Willy Wonka, featuring chocolate golden snitches and lickable wallpaper. Towards the end, the bride changed into a shorter, second dress and sparkly converse, perfect for dancing the night away with her new husband.

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Vendors

Bridesmaid Dresses: Stop Staring! Clothing
Balloons: Ballooniverse
Invitation Designer: Matinae Design Studio
Apparel: Fino’s Menswear and Tuxedo
Dress Store: Enchanted Bridal Boutique
Hair Stylist: Daniella Ozuna
Beauty: The Beautiful Life LLC
Floral Designer: House of Flowers Ca
DJ: Donald Glenn
Bakery: GhilaDolci Bakery
Ceremony Venue: Beacon Studios
Reception Venue: The Padre Hotel
Cinema and Video: Patrick Ang Photography
Event Designer: Fairy Godmother a Wedding & Event Company
Photographer: Left Coast Design Studio//

April 3, 2019 By Kelly

22 In Inspiration/ Styled Shoot

Garden of Eden Inspired Styled Shoot

When photographer Kat Wooten recently sent over photos from a Kansas City, styled shoot, I was immediately struck by the bright, bold colors. A few years ago we held our own Indie Wed event in KC so I was excited to see some familiar names involved with this shoot.

The vendor team came up with a concept that was a little dark and moody incorporating the concept of ‘forbidden fruit’ into the lush florals. The models are stunning set among the Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins, which has its own history set in sadness and grief, starting with a fatal car accident and ending with a devastating fire.

Despite the haunting setting, these vendors delivered an inspirational shoot with elements that any couple could mimic. The cut cantaloupe was the most unexpected element and just proves that thinking out-of-the-box can produce beautiful results.

Vendors

Event Venue: Ha Ha Tonka
Hair Stylist: Beauty Evolved KC
Models: John Wilson III & Latrice McClinton
Jewelry: Ann Mann Designs
Equipment Rentals: Ultrapom Event Rental
Invitation Designer: Sugarbean Paper Company
Cake Designer: Petals and Pastries
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Tip Top Tux
Dress Store: J Lynn Bridal
Event Planner: Worth The Wait Studios
Floral Designer: Botanical Floral Design
Photographer: Kat Wooten Studios

March 30, 2019 By Kelly

0 In Inspiration/ Real Weddings

Cozy, Eclectic Austin Wedding

=With only two months to plan a wedding, Austin couple Lauren and Jeffrey knew they wanted something intimate and personal.

The food and drinks were the most important thing to them, so finding a venue that already had great decor was key. Not spending money on decorating, left them with money in the budget to serve the menu they really wanted. The obvious choice was their favorite restaurant Justine’s. With lush reds, pinks, and greenery, Justine’s offered the perfect atmosphere they were looking for.

For their attire, they kept it easy. Jeffrey ordered his suit online while Lauren found a shoulder romper off the rack. At the mall!

Lauren’s dad walked her down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis as a tribute to her late grandfather. He loved Elvis. According to Lauren…

“Even though there were 60 people there watching us, it felt like it was just him and I sharing the most perfect moment ever.”

For the flowers, the couple used the same florist that works exclusively with the venue. They even had a circle of flowers that they stood in during the ceremony. They opted to skip a big wedding cake and instead have a tower of perfectly sized mini bundt cakes. For favors, they gifted guests with the ever adorable succulents.

As for DIY elements, Lauren made their chalkboard welcome sign and also crafted welcome bags for out-of-town guests with Austin themed goodies and a personal letter.

Vendors

Jewelry: Collections Fine Jewlery
Shoes: Gucci
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Suit Supply
Jewelry: Baublebar
Apparel: Altar’d State
Cake Designer: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Event Venue: Justine’s Secret House psst. the password is: surrealist
Photographer: Nikk Nguyen Photo

March 29, 2019 By Kelly

11 In Ceremony/ Inspiration/ Real Weddings

A Love Lock Ceremony for Three

Ashley & Anthony’s country-chic wedding in Ontario, Canada was truly a family affair. With her mother as her maid of honor, Ashley married Anthony in a special ceremony that not only cemented their bond but also incorporated their daughter, Hailey.

Maria from Villa Bel Mara Photography was on had to capture all the details.

Many couples have used “Love Locks” as a part of their ceremony, taking two padlocks that represent the couple and locking them together. In this case, Ashley & Anthony included a third lock that represented their daughter. As Ashley explains, “We locked our love together with ‘love locks’ to represent our recognition of the dedication and courage necessary for securing a strong and healthy marriage. Love locks are usually only shared between the bride and groom but we did it a little different. We decided to incorporate our daughter as she’s 9 years old and it took us 12 years to finally tie the knot. It only felt right as she’s played a big role in our journey together, locking the three of us together as one.” How sweet is that.

Cake Designer: Kristy’s Custom Cakes//Beauty: Spaxs Nail Bar//Hair Stylist: Youseff Hair Boutique Inc//Makeup Artist: Brooke Elizabeth Makeup Artist//Dress Store: Bella Bridal//Jewelry: Nixon//Tuxedo and Mens Attire:Joseph Abboud//Transportation: WE Trolley Tour//Tuxedo and Mens Attire:Moores Clothing for Men//Ceremony Location:Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery//Photographer: Villa Bel Mara Wedding Imagery//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

February 28, 2019 By Kelly

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