We're smack dab in the middle of another lovely Wedding Wednesday and this time around it's an uber-charming DIY affair in Napa Valley that has captured our hearts. With a breathtaking backyard setting, mason jars overflowing with vibrant purple blooms and paper poms dotting each and every tree, it's hard not to love every. single. detail of this sweet, handcrafted affair. Elle Photography was on hand to capture all of the gorgeous moments, so there's an entire gallery of images just waiting to be adored. Join me there for even more!
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From Elle Photography... Tom and Milena have been sweethearts ever since they met in college over ten years ago. For them, it was never a question of whether they would get married, but when and where. Tom's a grad student, so their budget was limited, but they still wanted to do a beautiful event. Milena is a huge fan of Style Me Pretty, so she read this lovely site every day for inspiration. The couple ended up having an almost 100% "do it yourself" event -- they married in Tom's Aunt and Uncle's backyard and his Uncle performed the ceremony. Milena's Mom did the flowers (Milena collected little vases and jam jars for almost a year before the big day). Rounding out the details was also a family affair, her Grandparents and Uncle built the photo booth, one of her bridesmaids baked the wedding cake, and another did her invitations. Tom's cousin, Laura Monfredini, is "Elle" of "Elle Photography," and she couldn't pass up the opportunity to shoot a family wedding along with her regular photography partner, Bill Hipps.
From the Bride... From the very beginning of the planning process, Tom and I really wanted our wedding to be a fun and relaxed day for everyone involved. When his aunt and uncle offered their beautiful Napa home for the nuptials, we jumped at the chance. From there, the idea of a vintage rustic backyard barbecue just developed naturally. We really wanted to make this a personal event that reflected us a couple, and do as much as possible either ourselves or with our friends and family. Pretty much everything that could be handmade was handmade. The whole tone for the event was set by the invitations designed and created by my maid of honor, Jessica. My mother and I spent the year before the event collecting jars and vases for the centerpieces, which she created, along with all the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. One of my other bridesmaids, Allison, created the large Alice in Wonderland-like flowers, and yet another bridesmaid, Elana, made our cake. (With one wounded arm!) Not only did these wonderful ladies, which I have known for a combined 70 plus years, help me create a beautiful event, they all came up the week before for a slumber party-like week of wedding prep.
Looking back, we couldn't ask for a better wedding experience. It was remarkably stress free (for the most part!) and it gave us an opportunity to spend tons of time with all the people we love. And to top it all off, everyone had a fantastic time! We can't think of a better way to start our marriage.
Wedding Photography: Elle Photography / Hair: Violet Vargas of Jane Salon / Make-up: Veronica Jeffries of Cezanne Skin Group / Catering: Kilted Pig BBQ / Day of Coordination: Elizabeth Potter / Wedding Dress: Rue La La