I have been dying to share today’s wedding with you. I fell head over heels for it the moment I laid eyes on it, but since we wanted to use it as our debut on Martha Stewart’s The Bride’s Guide, I’ve had to stay mum for a little while. But today is the day that I finally get to gush and gush and gush.
For me, this wedding is the perfect example of DIY that looks REALLY expensive, really luxe. Together with friends and family, Cara (bride) kept their budget in check by doing little tidbits that added charm and personality. From hand sewn table runners to do-it-yourself invitations, so many of the details were made by hand. And the result was total perfection.
all of the gorgeous photos were snapped by Carrie Patterson
From the bride…
My dad actually found our venue with a quick Google search. Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis was perfect because it offered straight-on views of the Tetons. We thought the view would be magical for our 80 out-of-town guests. Golf and Tennis also had a big white tent with brick pavers, which gave us a perfect canvas for creating our look.
From the start, my wedding was destined to look amazing because of my vendors. I hired Erin Roy to help me put it all together. I have a tendency to think of ideas that are too grand (I wanted to pickle 130 jars of beets this summer and give every guest a jar of “Heart Beets,” but that was vetoed). Erin kept all my ideas in check and cohesive and offered up plenty of others. I decided the wedding would be an Anthropologie meets comfortable Autumn outdoor dinner party.
all of the gorgeous photos were snapped by Carrie Patterson
My friend and I came up with the Western-inspired design and created the elk head logo (elk hunting season is in September), which we carried throughout the event. My mom stitched 130 invitations for me. And that was only her first sewing project. Some of the men even folded them in their suit pocket for the wedding. People loved the invitations so much that my friend and I are starting a company creating invitations and stationery with a mountain feel.
Through planning a wedding, I realized that I am very girly. I wanted the tent and tables to twinkle and sparkle – just like the necklace. I wanted succulents and hydrangeas because they remind me of my childhood – my mom had jade plants all over the house and a huge hydrangea bush. And I also wanted organic elements that reflected Jackson, mainly wood cuts. One day, I noticed my friend’s neighbor had cut down a big birch tree. Early the next morning, I drove back and put the stumps and branches in my car. Someone walking his dog asked if I lived there and if I should be doing that. Spencer used a table saw to make the cuttings.