Looking for some DIY inspiration? Look no further than all the details tucked into this Cape Cod celebration. It’s DIY done oh-so-right, all in the prettiest of Cape Cod settings, surrounding the most adorable of duos. Katie Gardner Photography captured all the crafty goodness, so be sure to soak up every last inspirational image right here.
From the Bride… Most of our friends and family were all in New England, so we knew right away that we had to have the wedding back east. When I discovered Overbrook House I just knew it was perfect for us. It was rustic, beautiful, secluded, required a DIY-er, was so quintessential New England and was conveniently located for many of our guests. This was the first party we had ever planned, it was a huge undertaking and we insisted on doing everything ourselves. We were definitely on a budget and we knew that doing as much as we could ourselves would not only save us money but give us the most control and satisfaction with the finished product.
We decided on some themes early on: Romantic (French shabby chic inspired), Woodsy (forest, moss), Rustic (garden party), and Vintage (like stepping back in time). With our DIY save the dates sent out, we started getting down to the details. I wanted it to feel like stepping back in time under the sailcloth tent with the soft lush romantic tablescape. We decided to spend the money renting pricier but the beautiful sailcloth tent with wooden poles and antique-look lamps and the wooden painted ballroom chairs. The chairs dressed up both the ceremony and the reception and banquet seating gave the reception a community feels which felt more like a small intimate party rather than a huge event.
We spent a few days folding paper cranes then stringing them on twine so when we got to the venue we just had to tie them up, which seemed like it was going to be easy! Well it turns out that strung up paper cranes get into a tangled mess so easily. So we almost gave up on the whole thing about 10 times, but in the end they look beautiful and added a nice element to our ceremony location. The other garland we created was hung from the limbs of the tree where we took our first look photos. I had spent so many hours cutting, folding and gluing the garland that I was so disappointed when I ran out of time the morning of the ceremony and had to head inside to get ready without hanging it. But when I came out to surprise Andrew for our first look, I was also surprised to find all the garland had been hung by my friends and family.
The bouquets and arrangements had to be rustic but also soft and romantic. I wanted them to look like they were just picked at random from the most beautiful garden in the world. All the vases used for centerpieces were items my mother had collected in the months prior to the wedding at yard sales and antique shops. I ordered the flowers online and had them delivered to the venue and our close family friend Brian Flynn and his sister. It was a ton of work! I had no idea so much worked went into the prep and arrangement of all these bouquets there is no way I would have been able to do them myself so Brian and his sister absolutely made our day.
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Wedding Photography: Katie Gardner Photography | Wedding Venue: Overbrook House in Borne, Massachusetts | Officiant: Kathleen Lockyer (Bride’s Aunt) | Wedding Coordination: Cape Cod Celebrations | Floral Design: Brian Flynn, flowers via Fifty Flowers | Caterer: Clambakes Etc. | Wedding Cake: Cakes By Lori | Bartender: Boston’s Best Bartending | Ceremony Guitar: Tom Pendergast from Murray Hill Talent | DJ: Flavorheard Music Providers | Rentals: American Tent & Table | Wedding Dress: WTOO “Natalia” | Bride’s Shoes: Chinese Laundry “Desert Queen Floral Wedges” | Bride’s Sash: the Bride | Groom’s Attire: Tommy Hilfiger + Hugo Boss | Groom’s Shoes: Calvin Klein | Hair + Makeup: Tamara Leeper (friend)