“Crystal and John, along with family and friends spent countless hours on the beautiful details for their big day. They chose a classic ‘shabby chic’ outdoor theme and they couldn’t have executed it more perfectly! The weather was gorgeous and the venue was perfect. As they prepared for the biggest day of their lives, Crystal and John thought back on how far they have already come in life – and the moments that had brought them perfectly together.” – Mary of Mary Me Photography

I always get excited hearing about items that brides choose as their ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue’. How darling is her little hand-sewn blue heart inside her dress!? I love it! Sewing a little piece of blue fabric onto your dress is a great (and very inexpensive) way to incorporate ‘something blue’ into your wedding day attire.

“Saturday morning was beautiful the weather was perfect. As my bridesmaids and I got all dressed and pampered, my fiancé, John was hard at work. The wedding was beautiful only because of his effort. The area that we dressed was located on the wedding venue. We were in a bonus room of a large house that had surrounding windows.  As we dressed we were able to look out at the progress the wedding planners and assistants were making. Not only could I look out and see them hard at work, but I could also see John driving the golf cart around setting out signs, driving tractors, and putting out hay bales. He didn’t get to relax and sip champagne like I did, instead he wanted everything to look perfect. He along with a few of his groomsman worked all morning until 1:00. Needless to say our first look was at 2:30. He didn’t have long to dress and enjoy himself. He wanted our day to be perfect, and that it was…

My wedding did involve many DIY projects. We had a timeline of our life. This consisted of pictures from our childhoods leading up to the middle which was our engagement pictures.  John and I have been together over seven years so there was plenty of pictures from high school and college of us together. This was a treasure and everyone enjoyed admiring. My mother-in-law has a monogramming and sewing machine so she had fun making custom signs with our new initials and crafting all the table runners with hemmed edges. My sister made all the wooden signs that were scattered at the venue. She had old barn wood that she and her husband cut and crafted with white paint for the ceremony and reception sites. My flowers and arrangements were custom made by my wedding planners. I last minute called them to be my coordinators and I was also looking for a reasonable florist as well. They miraculously did arrangements that were awesome. I consider those homemade because they are not technically florists’. All of my guests were able to leave with either an apple jam or strawberry jam. They were made by my mother and mother in law. To this day we still hear how delicious they are.  DIY projects save money sometimes, but sometimes it’s okay to splurge! I enjoyed all the handmade items that helped make my day unique and special…

I definitely advise all brides to get all the big things done first. For example; venue, planner, florists, entertainment, food, photographer, etc.  Once the big things are out of the way the best thing to do is to delegate. I am a bit of a control freak myself so having someone else do something took a lot patience and trust. I am thankful for all that did help because it made my life less stressful leading up to my big day.  I also suggest having one large bridal shower. My mom and cousin hosted a large shower for me “home and garden.” This allowed me to have all my guests at once (men and women). We played corn hole, ate finger foods, opened gifts, enjoyed each other’s time. It was a relaxed setting at my home so family and friends could see the house that John and I would be living in together. It was enjoyable and it was over all at once.  I also suggest a live band for entertainment. This was the most enjoyable part of my reception. They were outgoing and kept everyone on the dance floor. I honestly don’t think I talked to many people because I spent my entire night dancing with John and friends.  For a our ceremony, we had a close friend marry us. He was an ordained minister online. I am a traditional girl but this was unusual and so much more fun, he made me laugh instead of cry.

photography: Mary Me Photography // event planners/flowers: C & D Events // venue: Hillcrest Farms, Smithfield NC // dress: Casablanca // bridesmaids: Dessy // hair and makeup: Kate Barefoot, John Michaels Salon // cake: Cakes by Rene // mason jar invitations: Blue Envelope via Etsy // band: E3 // caterer: Red Hot and Blue // rentals : Chair and Equipment Rentals