Wedding Band vs. Wedding DJ vs. Friend With IPod

And so, the endless debate rages on...

Such an important decision, but which do we choose? A live wedding band, a wedding dj, or a lucky friend of ours we volunteer to run the iPod? While it may seem like a difficult decision, after weighing in the pros and cons it just may actually become an easy choice depending on your needs.

There's really nothing like a live band to rock out to, but what if I don't want to listen to a cheesy rendition of “I will survive.” Should you worry if the dj wants to bring a siren? Do you really want someone to yell....“AAAAALLRIGHT party people, everyone shake yo' grooooove thang on the dance floor, that means you too grandma!” Some things to consider:

DJ

Pros

• Cheaper than a band

• You can tailor what they play

• Songs are played in original format

• Can fulfill MC duties

• Large variety of music

• Professional experience

Cons

• Beware of cheesiness

• May only have tacky, generic music

• Personality can make or break reception

Live Band

Pros

• Great atmosphere

• Singer can fulfill MC duties

• Feels more like a party

• Professional experience

Cons

• Expensive

• Limited to what songs they know

• Can be a challenge to work with

• Needs most amount of space

IPod or Laptop with iTunes

Pros

• Cheapest option (considering you can source sound equipment)

• Total control of playlist

• Least amount of space needed

Cons

• Not having professional MC

• People may think you are el cheapo

• You (or said friend) are responsible for set-up and any technical issues that arise

Since we wanted to keep our wedding in a more home-grown vibe and we are ULTRA picky about what music we like, we opted to go a hybrid dj/iPod route. Our lovely friend Jade who has been a dj was kind enough to offer the task of djing for us. We purchased an inexpensive iPod mixer (around $90) from Radio Shack which allowed her to mix between her iPod and ours. Being that our wedding was in a barn with no sound system to speak of, some other friends donated the use of two amplified speakers which were plenty loud.

We then selected most of the music for the whole night and broke it down into different playlists for cocktail hour, dinner, first dance and reception. The MC duties fell on the best man.

If you have the means and are sold on either a dj or a live band, make sure you meet with them and discuss exactly what you want and what they can offer you. They should come across as professional. Make sure their musical style is in sync with yours. Even better, if you can, check them out in person before your wedding.

If you do go the iPod or laptop route sans dj, I definitely would bear in mind song order as you make your playlists, especially for the reception. You should have someone designated to “man” the iPod from time to time, especially when switching between playlists. Also be mindful of the gaps between songs — preferably none as you don't want any dead air to break up your groove!

Winter Weddings

via Bryan Photo

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing! But there is such a magical quality to winter weddings. So romantic with all the warmness and snow. I can imagine having tons of soft lighting and warm whisky cocktails. Lovely! Also, I love the look of the stole or caplet over the wedding dress. Instant glamour!

These are some of my favorite winter wedding ideas:

via Jennifer Behr

via East Side Bride

via Little Winter Bride

Bride Style: Hair

I didn't really think about how I wanted to have my hair until the day before the wedding. I know it sounds crazy but I just didn't really have time to consider it. After I realized it was hot and humid and I was stressed out enough, I just decided to pin it back. And it was the BEST idea I had for the whole wedding! I was so comfortable throughout the ceremony and reception, I was not too hot, and I didn't have to worry about the wind blowing it around too much.

A great resource for checking out some fun and different hair options is looking at celebrity hairstyles.

Unless you trust that your stylist knows you and you share the same vision, I suggest bringing a photo, or several so they have a clear vision. I brought my hair stylist several photos of the same style that I wanted to achieve, and boy was I glad I did! She was able to get a better idea of what I wanted, without any confusion!

Here are some looks I'm loving right now:

Blogging from 35,000 feet!

Hi Everyone. Sorry about the lapse in posts lately. Its not due to a lack of interest, rather, K and I have been soooooo busy lately trying to keep up with an ever-growing mountain of work! (which is a good thing) So many new projects going on at the moment. Aside from work, we just spent a week in LA visiting family and friends and having a blast. LA was so much fun and people keep tempting us to move there. We will tell you all about our weekend of fun in the next few posts!

On another note, I have to point out that this post is being written on our flight back to our dear NY. We flew Virgin Atlantic this time and have to say that it was a great experience. Our flights were super efficient and we hardly waited for anything. The planes are new and the cabins are lit with cool purple and magenta lights so it feels more clubby than airplane. And the BEST part...free internet on all flights till Jan 15th!

Thank you Richard Branson.

Groom Style: Guys, It's Your Day Too!

Before and After

It is a great understatement that a wedding is highly focused on the female involved (something borrowed something blue). There is absolutely nothing wrong with this but I do feel men should have some sentimental value invested in their wardrobe for that special day.

I have taken you through the wonders of having a custom piece made for your wedding as a guest writer on this blog once before but now I will take it one step beyond and let you in on how you can really step it up.

Recently my father gave me an old tuxedo he purchased back in the day and I had it restored and fitted to perfection and now what was once my father’s black tie gear is now mine. It feels really good to wear it because it’s been passed down to me from him and just as that first game of catch you have with your dad is a bonding experience, so is the moment he hands you one of his old suits. The process could also be enjoyed with an uncle, a grandfather, or even an older cousin. Just make sure the tux/suit is close to your size and can be altered.

If you already have your outfit made or picked out, ask your dad for a set of cufflinks, bow tie, even a shirt. This is something that can bring you closer to a strong male figure in your life as well as make the day just as special for you as it is for your bride to be.

Guest post by Dennis Cahlo of Made to Measure

Make Your Own Table Numbers

If you're looking trim some money off your wedding budget and get crafty at the same time, peep this tutorial and find out how to easily create your own table numbers like these for your wedding.

Step 1 Print out numbers from your computer onto card stock (or hand letter if you feel confident!) along with some kind of border which you will use to cut them out. We could fit 2-up on letter size paper and thought this was a good size. Remember you will need a front and back so print out two of each number.

When you are done printing, cut the numbers out with an x-acto knife (recommended) or paper scissors.

Step 2 Buy a pack of wooden skewers (the dollar store kind will do) and trim them down to about 6" in length. We painted them green but you can leave them raw if you prefer.

Step 3 Now place the skewer in the middle of two same-number panels so it comes up about an inch from the bottom with the number sides facing out and glue them all together. Use a hot glue gun (recommended) or Elmer's etc.

Step 4 Cut a cylinder shape from a brick of craft foam big enough to fit snugly inside your mini flower pot.

Step 5 Place the foam cylinder in the flower pot and stick the skewer with the table numbers attached in the center.

Repeat for all your tables and viola, you are done!

Illustrations by Scott Palmer

Kraft Paper Table Runners

Many of you have asked us how we produced our table runners for our reception. The truth is, it was borne out of necessity. We first had the idea of creating a dreamy summer night in the barn. I was searching high and low for specific lace fabric to cover the generic rental tables, but as it was SO expensive, we had to think of another option. The caretaker of the barn had just enough plain white table cloths that we could borrow for our event. Phew! The problem now was, how were we to cover them? We had found a way to cover the tables, now we had to figure out a creative, inexpensive way to evoke our dreamy table setting.

Since the cloths were white, it was a challenge in creating the warmness, as they were a stark, generic white. But alas, we could do it! We were thinking about creating another fabric runner but after numerous hours in fabric shops, we were stuck. Then we found a roll of Kraft paper in our apartment. Yes!! How could we forget about Kraft paper? After we agreed that this would be the perfect solution, both financially and creatively, the rest came together pretty quickly. I had met with the florist already so I knew the color scheme of my flowers.

In the coming weeks, we began searching for all the components needed to put together the sweet bird's nests. After that, we gathered as many mason jars as we could find, different colored tea lights, and our table number flower pots!

In the last days we decided on the moss and the final result was even better than we imagined!

We will be putting up a tutorial for how to put together easy (and inexpensive!!!) flower pot table numbers tomorrow! Stay tuned :)

Wedding Reception Dinner Napkins

A lot of people have asked us what kind of napkins we used at our wedding. At first, we were prepared to just rent cloth napkins from a vendor. But after we started refining our ideas for the look of our wedding, we realized that they would look out of place with our compostable tableware theme. We tried to think of another solution that might be more interesting.

And viola! What started out as an exhaustive (and fruitless) search for kraft style, natural, unbleached recycled dinner napkins ultimately led us to the simplest (and cheapest!) solution: plain old recycled paper towels. Now, I know what you are thinking...what kind of classless couple uses paper towels for their once-in-a-lifetime reception dinner at their wedding?? Well, I guess we did. But, not in the traditional sense. Our friend Kirsten came up with a lovely way of wrapping the utensils in the paper towels and then tying them with ribbon so that they looked beautiful in the end. Since our theme was BBQ/barn wedding, this idea actually lent itself. Obviously, a more formal, white cloth, china affair would probably not be as appropriate.

With vendors charging almost $1/napkin to rent, this creative solution saved us some money which we were able to use in better ways throughout our wedding.

Total cost: $4.82 (two rolls of paper towels)

Groom Style: Groomsmen Gifts

Ah, this is a topic that I once found daunting before our wedding. I wanted to get my groomsmen a unique gift. But what?? Well, perhaps its easier if you are dealing with a more typical caste of guys who would appreciate a fancy pen, or a monogrammed money clip. But, alas, my male friends are different. They don't like sports. None of them wear formal attire very often. None of them work in any kind of office...and none of them would appreciate an NFL engraved pint glass.

At first, I considered getting a monogrammed liquor flask for them, but then decided it was too typical and cliché, so I reconsidered. I even thought of getting them a boot-shaped pint glass just as an ironic joke but, regrettably, I know that no one would really use it. In the end I thought of the perfect gift: a pocket knife!

A nice, ivory-handled, double-blade folding pocket knife from Knife Depot.

Success!! They all loved the knives I got them and remarked at how original (and functional) their gifts were. So, if you are in the market to buy some unique gifts for your favorite guys, try to think of it as a more personal thank you rather than a cheesy token that will gather dust in a closet...or worse, be re-gifted to someone else.

Shops We Love: Scandinavian Grace

One of my favorite shops: Scandinavian Grace is now offering a registry option! Scandinavian Grace provides home and lifestyle products with a thoughtfully edited collection of classic and contemporary design from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway. The owners: Fredrik and James, say that they "search Scandinavia for the most fresh and enduring design. We love objects of artistic form and practical function that become a vital enrichment to daily living rather than just status symbols." And by the way, I want everything from their shop! Love, love, love.

And their Wishlist is so easy to make and access by guests! Fill a cart and save it as a Wishlist. Add and Remove items as your needs change. Title and add a message for your personal touch. When you create it, an address is generated to embed as a link on your blog, website, Facebook, MySpace or Evites etc. Friends, Fans and Family can click your link to view, share and purchase items from your individual page. And the best part is:

Free shipping on all orders within the US!! How great is that?? Great incentive for all your lovely guests! Check out the site and let me know what you think! Also, how rad is this clear tea kettle??

Marriott Winner!

The winner of our contest from last weekend is: Lala who posted the sweetest honeymoon idea of drinking late afternoon tea with her new hubby and having a relaxing month of newlywed bliss! Congratulations Lala! I hope you and your sweetie can use this amazing prize from Marriott to have a getaway soon! Please contact me with your information so I can get your $50 Marriott Bonus Bucks in the mail today!

Thanks for reading our little blog and have a lovely weekend!

Image via Le Love

Happy Autumn!

As today is the first official day of autumn, I started remembering that S and I were first planning our wedding to be an autumn wedding. Our original date was set to be October 3rd, but as plans and venues changed, so did our date! I can't imagine having another wedding now, although I do love the idea of pretty fallen leaves and warm table settings. Imagine serving a mulled wine and apple cider doughnuts! Yum! Today's post is dedicated to my love of autumn and inspiration for autumn weddings.

Giveaway: Marriott Bonus Bucks!

While my and Husband's honeymoon was so amazing and we had a blast, it cost us so much money! Of course we wanted to splurge on fancy meals and massages, as well as nice hotels, but it just wasn't possible to do everything we wanted to. After all, we had a normal life to get back to, filled with expenses and new homes! Well, fear no more! You now have the option to "do it all" with Marriott Registry!

At www.MarriottRegistry.com engaged couples can register for a number of honeymoon items – hotel accommodations, spa services, romantic dinners and more. Gift values are accrued to one gift card, which the couple can then redeem at approximately 3,000 Marriotts either during the honeymoon or for future vacations. Additionally, Marriott will throw in a complimentary $100 when registry contributions reach $1,000 as well as rewarding guests with $50 Marriott Bonus Bucks for every $100 they give towards the registry. How great is that?

With the economy being the way it is, and people wanting to, overall, cut back on accumulating too much "stuff" this is a great opportunity to have your dream honeymoon! Also great for the couple who already has everything they need.

With that said, S and I will pick ONE winner to receive $50 Marriott Bonus Bucks (This can be used on a 2 night stay at any Marriott location). The winner will be chosen next week.

{Instructions}

Simply leave us a comment below with your answer to the question, "How would you spend your dream honeymoon?"!

Bonne chance :)

image via Le Love

Organic Country Bread

Crispy fall weather makes me want to do nothing more than bake. And bake I did! Last night i finally cleaned off the counters and made room to prepare a hearty whole wheat country bread. It wasn't ready cooling till about midnight but that didn't stop S and I from tearing into it and having a few slices to sample before bed! What made baking it even more fun was that I baked it in my Le Creuset dutch oven! I enjoy baking my own bread because it gives me more control over my ingredients. This way I know I am only using organic flour and honey and no artificial fillers or preservatives. Yummy!

Here is the simple and delicious recipe I used for whole wheat country bread:

3 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1 t salt

1/2 oz yeast

1 t honey

1 - 2 cups tepid water

Combine bread and salt in bowl.

Create well in center.

Add yeast, honey, and 1/2 cup of water. Sprinkle with flour and leave covered, in a warm place, for 15 minutes.

After yeast has started, slowly mix in enough or the rest of the water until you have a sticky, but firm, dough.

Turn out and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth.

Put the dough in a clean bowl, cover, and leave in a warm place until it doubles in size, or about an hour.

Turn the dough one one more time and put into oiled bread tin or dutch oven.

Cover once more and leave for about half an hour.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Put the bread in the oven for about 40 minutes.

Let sit and cool for about half an hour before slicing into, so that the crumb holds together.

Top with butter/honey/jam/cheese/topping of choice and enjoy!

After you master this simple recipe you can alter it hundreds of different ways. You can add dried fruit and nuts, sweeten it with honey or molasses, as well as make it a savory bread with different cheeses, chilies, or cured meats such as pepperoni.

We're back!

Phew! What an exhausting week it's been! Moving, decorating, furniture buying, birthday cake baking, and enjoying the last days of summer. And through all of it we've been internet free, imagine that! With everything up and running S and I are back to share our wedding, home, cooking, and life with you!

During this time of year, I am always inspired to get back on track. With the lazy days of summer on their way out, it's time to fall back into my routine. That being said, we have some exciting things happening on PH&C in the next week!

We have an exciting honeymoon contest coming up for all our brides and grooms so stay tuned for that!

Also, now that we're settled in our happy new home, S and I will be sharing our new crafty home decorating ideas as well as all the yummy things I will be cooking up in our sweet new little kitchen!

And of course we will continue posting any and all amazing ideas for your amazing weddings as well as more ideas from our own :)

We're happy to be back...

K & S

Gift Idea: For yourself or someone else!

After S and I returned from the honeymoon we were overwhelmed with the amount of presents and boxes that were EVERYWHERE. Suddenly our little apartment was taken over by waffle makers, appliances and boxes of dishes. (Not that we're ungrateful!) Little by little, we started opening the boxes, (especially with our new move, post coming soon!) and I was so happy to discover these lovely mugs given to us by our amazing photographer, Chad, and his family.

The are by Jessica Rust Designs and made in Minnesota. These mugs represent the four seasons so each mug is a little different. It is personalized with your initials and year "carved" into the birch tree. How great are these? If we weren't lucky enough to own them , I would by them for S and myself!

You can also register for these mugs and other items on Jessica's website here.

Photo via Jessica Rust Designs

Summer lovin'

As summer is slowly passing us by, I realize I haven't had the time to cook even half the things I wanted to. With that said, these next few weeks will be filled with chopping, baking, eating, and full bellies for family and friends. Stay tuned for lovely summer recipes and stories of my tiny New York City kitchen. Hoping to plan a lovely rooftop end of summer soiree! What are some of your favorite summer recipes?

Hope you're having a happy weekend!

Image via Decorative Country Living

The Archipelago of Kisses

Came across this lovely poem and thought it would be perfect for a wedding reading! S and I had three readings at our own wedding and I loved them all so much. It was so special having our family and friends involved. All of our readings were very different but all tied in together perfectly with our ceremony seamlessly. We had lyrics from a song, a verse, and another lovely poem. Are you planning on having any readings at your wedding?

Enjoy!

We live in a modern society. Husbands and wives don't
grow on trees, like in the old days. So where
does one find love? When you're sixteen it's easy,
like being unleashed with a credit card
in a department store of kisses. There's the first kiss.
The sloppy kiss. The peck.
The sympathy kiss. The backseat smooch. The we
shouldn't be doing this kiss. The but your lips
taste so good kiss. The bury me in an avalanche of tingles kiss.
The I wish you'd quit smoking kiss.
The I accept your apology, but you make me really mad
sometimes kiss. The I know
your tongue like the back of my hand kiss. As you get
older, kisses become scarce. You'll be driving
home and see a damaged kiss on the side of the road,
with its purple thumb out. If you
were younger, you'd pull over, slide open the mouth's
red door just to see how it fits. Oh where
does one find love? If you rub two glances, you get a smile.
Rub two smiles, you get a warm feeling.
Rub two warm feelings and presto-you have a kiss.
Now what? Don't invite the kiss over
and answer the door in your underwear. It'll get suspicious
and stare at your toes. Don't water the kiss with whiskey.
It'll turn bright pink and explode into a thousand luscious splinters,
but in the morning it'll be ashamed and sneak out of
your body without saying good-bye,
and you'll remember that kiss forever by all the little cuts it left
on the inside of your mouth. You must
nurture the kiss. Turn out the lights. Notice how it
illuminates the room. Hold it to your chest
and wonder if the sand inside hourglasses comes from a
special beach. Place it on the tongue's pillow,
then look up the first recorded kiss in an encyclopedia: beneath
a Babylonian olive tree in 1200 B.C.
But one kiss levitates above all the others. The
intersection of function and desire. The I do kiss.
The I'll love you through a brick wall kiss.
Even when I'm dead, I'll swim through the Earth,
like a mermaid of the soil, just to be next to your bones.

The Archipelago of Kisses, by Jeffrey McDaniel. via Peonies and Polaroids

photographer unknown, via Le Love

Apartment Hunt!

Since returning from our honeymoon, S and I have been on the hunt for a new apartment. We didn't want to leave our beloved neighborhood, or even worse...move to Brooklyn (gasp!). After a few tiring weeks of exhausting searches, open houses, brokers, and craigslist disappointments, we have found the PERFECT place! Problem solved, right? Well, to our surprise, the apartment next to "our" apartment is also vacant.

We love them both.

So now what? We must decide in the next 24 hours as we would like to move in as soon as possible. They are both in an amazing building in our neighborhood. The apartments have original features from the 1890's as well as the original floorboards and the molding. Really lovely! One of them has really amazing old shutters which were also original when the building was a private townhouse.

So what should we do??? Husband likes the smaller of the two with a walk in closet. I like the larger of the two but has (virtually) no bathroom. Also, the larger one has the original plumbing of the house which includes a tub in the kitchen! Hmmm....

Thoughts?!!

Ex’s & Oh’s

Finding an Officiant for Your Wedding

The most important part of choosing and officiant for your wedding is finding someone you are comfortable with, as they will have a large impact on the vibe of your wedding ceremony. Ideally, you want to have someone who not only reflects your individual qualities, but also shares the same values.

Now, neither K nor I had any desire to be married in a church being that we are not belonging to any particular religion. Luckily, we had it easy...

Enter our beloved friend Josh.

He became an ordained minister a few years ago through the Universal Life Church to marry another good friend of ours, so he was an obvious choice for our upcoming wedding. And, how many other ministers teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes during the day? That's right, not many.

The good thing about having a friend officiate your wedding is that (hopefully) they know you well enough already and will personalize the experience. We began brainstorming with Josh a few months before the wedding. He came to our apartment and we went over the details and the order of the program. We decided early on that we wanted to write our own vows. We also asked some of our close friends if they would do us the honor of reading selected pieces. The only danger of having a friend perform your ceremony is if they don't take the task as seriously as they should. Nobody wants a clown at their wedding!

Those who would prefer a religious ceremony should bear in mind the same qualities when choosing someone. All the better if it's a person who is close with you and your family. If that's the case, i.e., a clergy person, etc.

In the end, Josh did a fabulous job officiating our wedding and we were very happy with our decision. He brought just the right balance of sincerity with quirkiness – a true reflection of us.

Groom Style: Guest Post for PH+C by Made to Measure

~

{Paper Hearts + Cranes is excited to present the very first installment of a series dedicated to Groom Style by Dennis Cahlo of Made to Measure}

~

The world of wedding style for men is rapidly evolving. Where as before we had only the option of the traditional formal Tuxedo, we are now living in a time where the rules and game have changed.

If it was my own wedding I would wear a tuxedo because {a} I own one and {b} I like them. But what about if you just want to go against the grain a bit and wear just a suit? Well, my dear chaps, you are in luck but I am about to school you very hard and fast on what to avoid and what to look for.

The first option that comes to mind is a full custom suit. I mean, this is a huge day for you, sir. Why have something ill fitting on your frame and embarrass your bride, family, and soon to be in laws? Not to mention all those pictures your photographer will be taking. Ah, the memories. I digress. A custom suit is something really special and sacred that you will get lots of use out of way after your wedding. I suggest going for colors all depending on where the occasion is held. For example, if you are on a beach go for a beautiful Khaki cotton or linen suit. PLEASE DO NOT WEAR SANDALS. Pick up some nice loafers and make sure you go sockless. For something more formal but not as traditional like an outdoor setting you can go for a beautiful Navy or Gray pinstripe. Put a nice flower in the button hole of your lapel, slim down your tie, and throw a pocket square in that breast pocket of yours. You are going to look classy as hell and at the same time you will not outshine your bride to be.

As a second option, you can take a cue from Scott and buy a higher end off the rack suit (Paul Smith) and have it tailored to perfection. Again, follow the color guide lines based on where you are having your big day but MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SUIT TAILORED BY A PRO.

For shirts I also suggest custom and you can go with white or pink. Make sure it’s nothing to flashy, ruffled, or heavily patterned. That is a huge mistake. You want to be subtle while still being bold.

The key to being creative with your wedding attire is to look really good and not break the bank. Stay away from clichés or even “ironic” looks. As I said before, this is your big day, buddy. Don’t mess it up.

For more information on where to get custom clothing please visit my blog here.

All the best,

Dennis Cahlo

Choosing your registry.

This is the fun part! However, when choosing to provide your guests with a registry list, you may feel overwhelmed. Do you feel like you are pushing your guests to buy you certain items or do you even feel rude assuming they would want to buy these for you? Don't! Friends and relatives will be looking to buy wedding gifts as soon as they hear about your engagement. Really! Take the guesswork out of gift buying by making sure they know what you really want.

Firstly, to decide what you need, take inventory of the things you already have and see where the gaps are. Talk about the style of home you'd both like, and what would fit in with your lifestyle (Do you need a stand mixer? You never bake!). One thing to consider is local shops vs online mega stores. If you are a Target shopper, you may feel comfortable choosing to register there. Target has thousands of options and is accessible to every guest, both in location and in price points. If you have a favorite local shop, go in and ask the owner if they have a gift registry option. You may be pleasantly surprised! Even smaller online shops have them now! It may be a bit more work but will be worth it in the long run, and you could be happily supporting a small business!

Another incentive to look for is discounts from vendors. When S and I were registering, I noticed companies like All-Clad and Le Creuset offer free merchandise when registering for a certain amount of their products.

And don't forget about Etsy! Contact vendors for special registry requests!

A final idea is either a honeymoon fund or having a list of fun things your guests could contribute to for your honeymoon, such as a snorkeling day trip or a couples massage. Contact your hotel or resort to find out about setting up such a registry!

You may also be wondering if you should include your information on your invite. We also pondered over this for quite some time but in the end, decided to add it since it was just easier than having everyone ask us or our parents. Some say it's a big no-no but we just thought it would make the process simpler for everyone!

Good luck!!

Brooklyn Bride

Thank you to the lovely Vane for posting us on her beautiful site this morning! We are so honored to be a part of this amazing community and to have our little wedding showcased to so many other crafty, imaginative, and creative people!

Check us out!!

Backyard Weddings: Budget Friendly & Fun!

Photo c/o Affordable Utah Weddings

I love the idea of getting married at your/your parents/neighbors/some else's home. The setting feels more personal and most likely has sentimental value for your family. Also, your guests may feel more conformable being that it's not a fancy venue and they may have already spent time there!

If I had a big backyard (or a backyard at all!) I would definitely had considered having our wedding there. After all, S and I went all the way upstate to find a "backyard feel."

Backyard weddings could also be very budget friendly! Obviously you don't need to pay for your venue, which usually carries a fee. Next, if you are having a small enough reception, you could get by on using your own china and asking friends to borrow wine glasses/extra silverware. It would make for a great eclectic mix! If you are fortunate to have lovely landscaping on your property or a garden you can scratch flowers off your list! You will have natural flower arrangements (which you could possibly clip for really pretty bouquets!). Also, depending on the size of your guest list, and your friends/family, you may be able to cut the catering bill by having the food prepared in the house!

I love how this lovely couple planned their wedding at their own house!

All photos by Young House Love