This charming little ditty is sure to make your inner cowgirl holler an enthusiastic yeehaw! Full of darling DIY details with that unique, whimsical edge that makes us fall in love with Austin every single time. Each and every tea-dyed tag, mismatched vase and hay bale seating was created, crafted and styled by the adorable Southern bride and event planner. The down-home dreaminess captured by Tyler Metcalfe Photography and Greenleaf Images fits the style and tone and captures that sweet Texas light so perfectly. Gallop on over to the full gallery to spend some more time in this woodsy DIY wonderland.
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From the Bride…Our wedding was a DIY, very budgeted, full-of-love event. There were so many personal and intimate details, made even more personal and intimate by the fact that my husband Tim & I, along with our families, created everything ourselves. We were really so thankful for the support of our families and friends who contributed to our wedding day. It took a community to make it happen! I fell in love with weddings on our journey, decided I wanted to make every bride as happy as I was, and started my own event design/planning business. Haven’t regretted it yet.
I always wanted a fall or winter wedding. I barely managed a winter one, choosing March 20, the Spring Equinox and last day of winter. I knew I didn’t want a strict theme or color coordination, but I did want the wedding to seem cohesive. I had a lot of trouble getting people on board with my “vision” since I also had trouble putting it in to words. But Tim was always right there supporting me and he was so game for all the unusual things I wanted to do. Guests arrived to a woodsy wonderland and a little “outdoor chapel” that we created using antique furniture and windows. That need to draw people in and engage them probably comes from my theatre background and work as an actor, but Tim agreed wholeheartedly regardless of the reasoning and was very involved in all of the planning. We wanted every individual to feel like a key player and actively participate in our ceremony and our day. It helped that our “community” of guests was very small, with about 55 guests attending including bridal party and family. It was the perfect size for the atmosphere we were creating, which was – of course – intimate and personal. Our guest book was a mock marriage certificate which everyone signed as a “witness” and we also had the guests take a congregational vow to support and love us, at the end of our ceremony. Because our guest list was so small we had time to visit with each one of them, which was a high priority for us in our planning.
The wedding was held at my parent’s home in the Texas Hill Country, near Austin, TX. We planned the whole wedding start to finish in less than 3 months and for about $4,500. Much of that time was spent landscaping and readying the property. Tim put in many hours clearing & graveling paths, trimming trees, laying rock. However, while it was a lot of effort on everyone’s part, it was so much more meaningful to invest that time and money into a property we both had so many happy memories about. I grew up playing in those woods, and they have also become very special to Tim. We knew that it was worth the investment, and one that would keep on giving, rather than renting a venue with little or no sentimental value to us.
Event Design + Planning: Laurel White Design / Wedding Photography: Tyler Metcalfe Photography + Greenleaf Images / Videographer: Your Wedding Video Sucks / Florals: Sister of the Bride / Wood Cake Plates: Sunday Hatch / Location: Private Property / Wedding Dress: Family Heirloom / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Bride’s Belt + Groom’s Attire: J.Crew