Real Wedding: Alex & Ellen
A DIY & Etsy extravaganza
I am so excited to share with you this romantic backyard wedding. Thank you to the most talented Ryan Dearth Photography for these fantastic shots. He really captured the day, the emotions, and the decor. Feel free to swoon….I still am.
It was such an honor to plan and be part of Alex & Ellen’s wedding. This day was not only the beginning of their life as husband and wife, but it was also very emotional as they said goodbye to friends and family they had known their entire lives. Just a few weeks prior to the wedding, Alex graduated from the Air Force academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The day after the wedding, the brand new Mr. & Mrs. headed out on a secret honeymoon. But, instead of coming back to their home state of Colorado, Alex and Ellen went straight to his first military assignment. Their wedding was a celebration of their past, present, and future endeavors.
This couple was very outdoorsy and laid back. So they chose a friend’s backyard as the venue for their 175 person outdoor wedding & reception. To keep with the backyard feel, we made the potting shed into the bar & added over 100 mason jars with flowers and candles hanging from the trees and house. The centerpieces were simple red oil lanterns, mason jars overflowing with blooms in peach, orange, and red, and wine bottles filled with water and lemonade.
To honor his military side, we added garland of maps over the dance floor, as well as, little pin wheels made out of maps, and hanging airplane garlands. Neither of the couple preferred cake, so we had family members and friends bake 9 different desserts (including a Hungarian wedding cake) to be placed on DIY homemade cake stands.
One of the bigger challenges was coming up with a menu that combined the Mother of Bride’s desire for good food for the guests (something very important) with the unique palettes of the lovely couple. Gourmet Fine Catering worked with us to come up with some really fun options, including a mashed potato bar, a BBQ station, and a caribbean station (with to die for avocado quesadillas). It was a unique combination, but the couple were thrilled, the food was delicious, and the Mother was happy!
One of my favorite moments from the night, was watching Ellen and her dad dance under the lights. It was so beautiful and perfect that it brought tears to my eyes.
Cheers Alex & Ellen! Here’s to many many years of love and joy together! Thanks for letting me share in your moments.
Thanks to all the wonderful vendors who helped make this night a success : Lighting: Lighting & Design by Scott, Food: Gourmet Fine, Flowers: Bella Lu Floral, Music: Blackthorn Project & Jammin DJ’s, photography: Ryan Dearth Photography & Evie Devries Photography, Rentals : Butler Rents, Event Design/Coordination: Organically You Events
