What is your favorite wedding day memory?

Gosh, picking only one memory is tough! Obviously, marrying my best friend while being surrounded by family and friends was especially wonderful. However, my favorite wedding moment was when Brian and I exited the elevator into our reception space for the big reveal. We had put so much time and energy into every element and it was incredible to see all the details come together. This was also the first time during the day when we got to spend a few moments alone and enjoy that just married feeling.

What did you DIY for your wedding?

I planned and designed our wedding which involved DIY-ing many of the details. We also had some fantastic vendors who helped bring our vision to life. Our florist and cake baker made our floral and cake dreams come true and I can’t praise our wedding coordinator, Jaclyn Hamilton with Timeless Love Weddings, enough for the hours of work she and her team put into setting up and tearing down our reception space and all my DIY decor.

Below are the items I DIY’d:

I designed our invitation suite featured a drawing of our venue, the Cannon Room, combined with our watercolor theme. The RSVP card was a print of a vintage postcard of the Capital Club Building (The Cannon Room is on the 12th floor of this building). Customized wood hangers for myself and my bridesmaids and mothers. One of my bridesmaids graciously helped me make 30 extra large, white, paper peonies, roses and foliage that formed a half circle around myself, Brian, and our officiant during the ceremony. I wanted gold leaf as an accent and after not being able to find votive holders that matched what I pictured in my head I decided to make my own. I added gold leaf to 120 votive holders by hand. They were a labor of love that turned out beautiful. I created watercolor canvases with gold leaf lettering for our welcome sign, table numbers, escort card table and guest book table signage. I made my own stencils so that the fonts matched those on our wedding invites. For our seating chart I spray painted 60 plastic cats gold to hold our escort cards. I also added a watercolor wash to the escort cards. I made crepe paper peonies, roses, tulips, and ranunculus and added them to a crepe leaf garland, wreath, and gold leaf bud vases. These were used to decorate the welcome sign, escort card table and bar area. I made giant letters J & B out of foam core board and covered the with moss and gold leaf. They looked great standing behind the bar. Our cake topper consisted of 2 gold leaf cats, one wearing a veil and the other a bowtie. We gave out corn bread mix as favors. My Matron of Honor helped me measure and bag 50 mixes. The mix used stone ground cornmeal from a local, 250 year-old gristmill. I am a volunteer at the mill and lead tours on weekends.

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

First, take a deep breath, everything will work out. At the wedding all eyes will be on you and your husband. If your guests see the two you relaxed and enjoying yourselves then they will take that que to do the same. Second, hire a day of coordinator. Even if it’s just someone to help you set up and tear down all of your amazing DIY projects. That way you and your family and friends can all enjoy the day. And last, the day goes by FAST and is more exhausting than you can imagine. Get a good night’s rest the day before and make sure you take a moment to stop and look around on the day of the wedding. All these people came from near and far to for YOU. That is a wonderful feeling. -Jennifer, the Bride

Event Credits

Photography: Melissa Maureen Photography // Ceremony Venue: Fred Fletcher Park // Reception Venue: The Cannon Room // Wedding Coordinator: Timeless Love Weddings // Florist: Knots n’ Such // Catering: Cannon Catering // Cake: Cupcakes D'Amour // Invitations: Zazzle // DJ: Stylus Weddings // Videographer: AK Focus // Rentals: CE Rental // Engagement Ring: Diamonds Direct // Bride's Attire: Floravere // Hair and Make-up: Hilary Embry at Halycon Studio // Bride's Jewelry: Amy O Bridal // Groom + Groomsmen's Attire: Jos A. Bank // Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carrie // Reception Venue drawing for Invites: Design Voyage // Escort Cards: HandboundBySraudsepp