I have a serious soft spot for whimsical weddings. Whether it’s the playful details, the fun fashion, or the unconventional charm, I get totally inspired by the creative couples behind the event. So when Davina + Daniel sent us this darling DIY wedding on Cape Cod, they had me hook, line and sinker. I’m honestly not even sure where to start… awesome invitations, cute shoes, colorful wooden signs, sweet-as-can be tabletops, and you don’t even want to get me started on the super cool rosette name tags. Trust me, this is just the beginning… you have to explore the gallery and read up on the bride’s delicious details below.
{Click here to see the SO much more of this Wellfleet wedding}
From the bride, Alicia…
When Shez and I got engaged we started talking about what kind of wedding we wanted to create. We wanted: a good measure of lovey-doveyness, delish food, booze, silliness and a blending of traditions (English and American/Jewish). We didn’t want: uncomfortable clothes, pomp and circumstance or feeling obliged to do “wedding things” that didn’t feel authentic.
Given how spread out everyone in our lives are (guests came from England, Australia, California, Texas, New York etc.), we knew anywhere we got married would be a long journey for most. So we decided to have the wedding someplace special to us, and that would make for a fun vacation for all and decided on Cape Cod, where I’ve spent part of the summer most of my life. Though we were worried that Icelandic volcano eruptions might keep us from our wedding site (we live in London), Shez joked that I was sewing enough bunting that we would be able to swing across the Atlantic if the need arose.
We incorporated some secular Jewish traditions (in particular writing our own ketubah, which was a deeply meaningful part of the process, especially as it was illustrated by our dear friend Hannah) and included several nods to English weddings in the ceremony. The more we talked about it, the more we started to describe our wedding festivities as a sort of “New English village fete.” We had bunting, freshly baked cakes made by guests, rosettes instead of escort cards, and fun lawn games of both English (croquet) and American (horseshoes) varieties. Many of my friends in London I met through crafting so we had a veritable army of incredible helpers sewing and gluing and baking and grilling and tying and hanging things all week. It was unbelievable to see everyone in action. My mom, sister and I share a love for vintage knick knacks and my mom hunted down vintage glass bottles and 50’s tablecloths, while I sewed table flags with adorable fabric from Sew Mama Sew.
One of the best bits of wedding planning was working with lovely artists and independent businesspeople. Our friend Paul, an illustrator, painter and graphic designer (www.drawings.me.uk) illustrated the invitations (printed by our friend Kate on her gocco), created the website, drew the menus and program covers and wrote out every name on for the rosettes. We worked with the talented artisans at Bario Neal for our rings, and at Blue in New York for my dress. In fact, nearly everything came from small businesses or artists that we respected (many of whom I found on etsy or wedding blogs), this wedding was not exactly “budget” but we both felt great that the money went to people who were passionate about creating beautiful things ethically.
Though the weather was less than perfect on the day of the wedding I felt so surrounded by overwhelming joy and love, from Shez, from our families (especially my sister who was incredible throughout), and from our ridiculously hard working and good-natured friends.
Vendor Credits: Photography: Davina+Daniel Photography / Venue: The Holden Inn Cape Cod – MA / Planning & Decor: Bride & Groom / DJ: Computer / Florist: Flowers by Mary / Table flowers arranged by my mom and friends / Cakes & Cupcakes: Guests / Bride’s Dress: Custom Made in NYC, Christina Kara at Blue / Bride’s shoes: Shoes of Prey / Bridesmaid Dress: Vintage dresses collected / Groom’s suit: Diverso / Groom’s vest/waistcoat: Buckleigh of London / Groom/groomsmen’s ties: Me & Matilda / Flower girls’ headbands: Bean & the Sprout / Wedding bands: Bario Neal / Engagement ring: vintage from Tail of the Yak in Berkeley, CA / Catering: Terra Luna in Truro, MA / Invites, most of the paper goods, and couple’s website drawn and designed Paul Andrews / Invites printed by: Kate Hibbs on a Gocco / Guest Book: Krank Press