WEDDING RECAP from the bride
I knew from the beginning that I wanted an outdoor wedding. Living in Texas that limits your time frame to Spring or Fall, and even still it’s dicey. We chose March and lucked out with great weather. The other details of our day really came about organically. The florals and mix-matched bridesmaid dresses really created the look and color inspiration for the day.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but I could not have been happier.
I created a color palette of reds, pinks, green, and navy, gave my bridesmaids an inspiration board (long, flowy dresses with varied textures), and allowed them to pick their own dresses. I had final approval, but ultimately, I wanted each of my bridesmaids to feel comfortable and be able to wear their dresses again. I then showed Petal Pushers my floral inspiration board along with my bridesmaid dresses and asked them to have the florals tie everything together. And they nailed it.
In order to save money, I did a few DIY projects for the wedding. My mom helped me make six white chiffon table runners, which we used on tables in the reception along with candles and greenery. I created the bar menu sign, cards & gifts sign, honeymoon fund sign, and bought a bunch of cheap gold and black frames which I filled with photos of Alvin and I together and ones from our childhood. The frames were placed on the reception tables.
My personal favorite DIY project was our welcome sign, which I created from an old window pane I had held on to for a long time.
My favorite memories from the day were having our pup, Finnley, be a part of the ceremony, seeing my parents’ reactions throughout the day, actually eating dinner at the reception with my HUSBAND, and dancing the night away. One thing that was important to both of us was writing our own vows. It was definitely a highlight of the ceremony, and there were not many dry eyes from what I was told.
Now that the planning is over, my recommendations for future brides and grooms are to enjoy your engagement.
The time will fly by, and a longer engagement (ours was 16 months) means having time to leisurely plan your wedding. Also, make sure you stay true to yourself. While friends and family may express their wishes for the day, ultimately do what speaks to you and will make the two of you happy. Pick what things are most important and what isn’t as important and use that to help find areas to save money and what to put more of your budget towards. For us, that meant Paperless Post save the date emails, opting only for photography and not videography, and re-using the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets in the reception décor. In the end it is a celebration of love, so don’t lose sight of that.
Everything will fall into place.
-Laura
