return of the small & intimate home-spun wedding

When my daughter and her fiance came to me last month and said they were moving their wedding up and we now only had three weeks to plan a wedding, I knew it was not going to be a big wedding in a hall with a dj, dancing and a 4-course meal.  But I assured her she would still have a wedding to remember.

I immediately looked to this picture of my parents on their wedding day back in July of 1961 for inspiration.  They, like my daughter, planned their nuptials in about three weeks.  They married at the JP's house with only their best man and maid-of-honor present; then walked to my mother's home where they had a small and intimate gathering of family, friends and neighbors.  They had a cake baked by their Norwegian neighbor, plenty of bubbly and lots of fun!

So we had our own small and intimate home-spun wedding and it was absolutely beautiful.  My daughter was married on a beautiful October day at the gazebo down the street at the beach she grew up on.  We did pictures on the beach, then came back to my house for a fabulous home-cooked dinner, wedding cake and champagne.

My daughter's hair:  by Kiley, a close friend and fabulous professional hair stylist who came to the house that morning.  The dress:  from David's Bridal online, purchased 18 months earlier for her sister's wedding (she ended up choosing another dress)--$170.00!  The pearls: borrowed from mom.  The hair comb: borrowed from Kiley.  The classic white peep-toe pumps:  Payless Shoes,  $24.99. The DIY bridal bouquet of sunflowers, lilies, red roses & eucalyptus:  from the local supermarket for less than $20.

The Justice-of-the Peace: found in an online search, $125. The gazebo "chapel" by-the-sea: free with written permission by the town. The gorgeous ocean view: priceless.

Nothing planned--my daughter trusted the JP who ended up amazing us all with her words of wisdom and advice.

This was the menu--including appetizers and wedding cake, all was less than $400.  The groom's best man bought the beer, wine & champagne as a gift.  We also served hot apple cider with spices from the crock pot that filled the house with the most delicious aroma all afternoon.

 

These wonderful artsy pumpkins were created by my youngest daughter and her husband--a sweet surprise for her sister!

The cake:  made by Cakes by Jenn, $125.  The top and bottom layers were yellow cake, the middle layer chocolate, all with black raspberry filling, buttercream frosting, white chocolate leaves and hand-made sugar sunflowers.  Dee-licious!

The cake was cut and served with coffee after a champagne toast by the best man.

The bride and groom danced to a loved Italian song that had special meaning to them both.  We cleared out the living room furniture and gave them the floor. The groom quietly mouthed the words to his new bride as they whirled and dipped.  It was quite romantic. Background music for the rest of the evening was provided by an ipod and included romantic songs by Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder and others.

There was romance and of course, a little October silliness.  In the spirit of Halloween, we provided guests with a basket full of tricks (various masks) and a big bowl full of treats (autumn chocolates and chewy molasses & maple taffy's).

 

These are the favors we made to thank guests as they left: little bags filled with scrumptious chocolate-covered buttercrunch from a local candy store and a sprinkle of candy corns.  The children's bags included scary rubber spiders! Gift tags purchased on etsy from Seasonal Delights.

I made this "Just Married" sign using brown cardstock, stencils I found for free online, white paint, a sponge brush and twine.  It was a great back drop for the cake-cutting.

Instead of a Guest Book, I came up with the idea of the Guest Pumpkin that was full by the end of the evening with well-wishes from everyone for the bride and groom.

I put candles all over the house!  The idea was to create a mood, with candlelight, romantic music, the scents of apples and spices, the pretty mix and match china and the home-cooked food.  It didn't cost a fortune--just a quick creative mind!

Made by the bride herself: pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies, leaf-shaped gingersnaps paired with white-chocolate leaves that were extras from the cake.

The oldest guest at the wedding: my 86 year old father . . . and the youngest: my one-week old grandson, Andrew Nathan.

My parents had it right 48 years ago: the small intimate wedding has financial advantages and an intimate appeal that the big wedding can't deliver.  Hooray for its return!  And  in a time when we need to remember what matters most when saying our vows.  Weddings are ceremonies, religious or not, that need not be about money or glitz or status or size--they are a time for celebration, a time for new beginnings, and all you really  need for that celebration is your closest family and friends, plenty of good food, a few spirits and a lot of home-spun memories.

rainy day weddings

Rain on your wedding day!? Don't cry my dear--rainy day weddings can be fun, romantic and memorable for all! Just look at these favorite rainy day wedding shots! (all from flickr)

Ah, gotta love the boots! And these romantic rainy day weddings!

the great pumpkin wedding!

Pumpkins are just a wonderful eye-catching fall decoration so why shouldn't they find their way into your fall wedding? There are a plethora of sophisticated ways to use this orange gourd besides carving it up into a jack-o-lantern. One of my favorites is this clever flower vase above (from Martha Stewart)! I just love the look of the white pumpkin for a wedding.

Or how about turning a mini-pumpkin into a romantic autumn votive holder? These would really pop on the guest's tables or maybe the buffet table at an intimate autumn wedding at home(Country Living).


Another fun way to use the mini pumpkin is in the place setting--isn't this just lovely? (Country Living)


Or perhaps you'd like to put a little glitz into your harvest wedding--why not sparkle up your pumpkins with a little glitter-nothing more! (from Southern Whimsy)


And who would dare mistake these elegant luminaries for your average old jack-o-lantern? (from Martha Stewart of course).


And finally (from The Wedding Fanatic) pumpkins look great just as they are just about anywhere: here, lining the aisle--very cool!



Though I found many smart ways of using pumpkins in the wedding, I failed to find any whimsical pumpkins painted like the bride and groom! I thought this might be a fun surprise to have beside the guest book, but even a google image search turned up dry! Guess I might have to take this one to the workshop! Meanwhile, if anyone finds painted bride and groom pumpkin pictures, (woo, that was a mouthful!)let me know!

the wedding house wreath

Nothing says "Wedding House" more than a beautiful welcoming wedding wreath gracing the front door!

When my daughter was married this past summer, my sister-in-law made me two grapevine wreaths (below)decorated with white finger starfish, cherry blossoms and white organza ribbon to compliment the wedding's beach theme. I hung one over my daughter's chair at the bridal shower and the other on my front door for the entire summer! It was like a season-long wedding celebration!



Wreaths radiate goodness! They convey celebration and welcome others to celebrate with you, and just like the wedding ring, the circular wreath symbolizes both unity and the promise of regeneration and the cycle of life.


Whether you make your own or purchase one already made, a wedding wreath can be a unique way of announcing your wedding to the world! Hang one on your front door and don't forget the doors of mom's of the bride and the groom!


Wreaths from top to bottom: Two Inspire You, courtesy of my sister-in-law,CM Designs,April Hiler Designs,Two Inspire You

grooming gifts for the groom's men

It's fairly easy to come up with gift ideas for the ladies in your wedding, am I right? But what about the guys? Where do you think that engraved ball point pen is going to end up, and seriously, what guy wants to pull out a sterling silver flask with his initials on it to pass around at a football game?

What about a little guy pampering from Origins? Most guys (not all) are never really sure what to buy when it comes to hair and skin products--they just look for some basic guy packaging. That's what I love about Origins for men! Cool guy names in macho guy packaging: Firefighter After Shave, Skin Diver Charcoal Body Wash, Clear Head Shampoo & Conditioner, Jump Start Body Balm, and our personal favorite, Save the Males Multi-Benefit Moisturizer!

Think guys don't care for these kinds of pampering gifts? Think again! It's all in the packaging and all yours for the giving!

mirror mirror

I just love love love Target! And even though $32.99 seems a bit pricey for a compact mirror from Target, these pretty 2 3/4" vintage ladies are just priceless! There are four chic designs in all and they ship for free. Wouldn't they be the perfect bridesmaid gift, or a fun accessory for the bride to keep in her clutch and touch up her make up throughout the evening? Just love these!

create your own dream dress!

OMG! I've searched the internet far and wide for a gorgeous yet reasonable custom vintage dress and here I am, back at etsy! Is this gown not gorgeous? KT Jean Designs will work with you to create that perfect dream dress for your wedding with prices starting at $1,700. This girl has some beautiful dresses--you really must check out this shop if this is in your price range! Below: love this fall color combo with the vintage gown!