DIY THURSDAY: Yarn Air Plant Balls

It is no lie that sometimes I have moments of antsyness when I need to get off the computer, stop replying to e-mails and just sit back and craft. Mindless crafting for hours... and hours... and more hours. This kind of crafting keeps me sane. So when my best friend Rachel got engaged I told her that she better be giving me some craft projects for days when I just can't be bothered to reply to e-mails. {Disclaimer: these days are very few and don't happen often so if you are my wedding planning client reading this do not fret. I still will aim to reply to all e-mails within 48 hours.} That being said, there are still some days I have to just take a break. And so when I ran across these adorable yarn air plant balls seen on Octopus Garden's instagram I asked Rachel to please let me make these for her wedding and thank goodness she said yes. Level of difficulty is yet to be determined but here is a little guide for this DIY project I will be spending many hours to complete. Thank you Rachel for entrusting me with crafting madness for your big day!!!!!

{Shopping Guide} Hot Glue Gun via Blick // Styrofoam Blocks via Blick // Baby Alpaca Chunky Yarn via Craftsy //

SIMPLY INSPIRATION: Gingham

Is it just me or does that weird song, "Gangnam Style" make you think of gingham? Okay yeah it's probably just me. But anyway, here's some gingham wedding inspiration! I love how preppy the print is and it's just so perfect for a summer wedding!! Makes me kind of crave some fresh squeezed lemonade + some jam on toast... anyone else??

{Photo Credits} Groomsmen via Southern Weddings // Gingham Ribbon via Destination Wedding Favors // Boutonniere via Vatel Manila, photography by Really Awesome Weddings // Gingham Jam via Great British Chefs // Bowties via The Belle and the Beau // Invitations via Style Me Pretty, photography by Meg Perotti // Tablecloth and Flowers via B Comme Bon

SIMPLY INSPIRATION: Pool Party

I know I know... you are looking at this inspiration board thinking it's not summertime anymore. But whatever, because the Savannah weather lately is basically summer to us native Oregonians. There is nothing I love more than laying out by the pool on a warm day reading a good book or even better... napping in a hammock. I love the idea of having a wedding pool party... how fun would that be to have your guests bring their swimsuits and hop in the pool after your ceremony? I think with the right guest list (think mature adults and not a bunch of screaming kids lolol) it could be a really fun unique wedding setting. One of my favorite venues in Savannah, the Mackey House, has a really neat pool on their patio. At one of our weddings there we had a floating canvas with their initials on it in the pool along with floating candles. Although the candles struggled at staying lit, it created a really nice soft ambiance. I think having loose flowers in the pool would also be a pretty way to spruce up the area if you are not going to have guests in the pool. Who else is now craving a warm summer day by the pool with a pina colada???

Day 5: Pool Party

{Photo Credits} Chevron Pillows via Style Me Pretty, photography by Valeria Duque // Flowers in Pool via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Jerry Yoon // Pool Party via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Captured by Aimee // Flowers via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Sarah Layne // Bride & Groom via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Sarah Layne // Fabric Flowers via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Cameron Ingalls // Sunscreen via Jesi Haack Design // Groom via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Studio Castillero

SIMPLY WED: Natalie & Reid

I am so excited to share this wedding with you guys for a few reasons! First, this wedding was probably our most DIY, handmade and green wedding we have had! The bridal party arrived in Beaufort, SC a week before the wedding to start prepping for Natalie & Reid's big day. All of the decor was found at local thrift stores, and nothing was brought in since it was a destination wedding. They used fabric, doilies, and an old book to make the most adorable handmade decorations I have ever seen! I think my favorite had to be the cake topper made out of ripped out pages of a book. The bridal party even did all of the floral arrangements, bouquets, and floral crown while in town. The wedding was catered by Thrive and was entirely vegan. Two friends of the couple made the partially/mostly vegan cake the day of the wedding. I loved how it turned out! And it was absolutely delicious!!! The ceremony took place at Fort Fremont in the woods and was truly magical. The couple read heartfelt vows to each other that were enough to make Layla and I both tear up. I think one of my favorite parts of their wedding day was how after the couple walked out of the ceremony they just took off and went on a stroll down to the beach! Afterwards, the reception took place at Charles Street Gallery in Beaufort where their were handmade decorations everywhere! I absolutely loved it!! It was very sweet because the owners gifted the bride and groom with a painting from their gallery. I am sure the bride and groom will treasure that for a long time! Also, read more about their wedding on Pierogi Picnic, one of Natalie's bridesmaids' blogs! 

The second reason why this is a special wedding for me to share is because I actually took all of the photographs seen below. Natalie & Reid didn't want a professional photographer but there were plenty of people snapping images for the couple. I tried to capture every last detail of their big day because I was loving all the DIY and handmade details! I have to say that I never truly appreciated the work a photographer does as much as I do now... it was very fun but not easy in the least bit!!! Anyway, I hope you enjoy!!! And congratulations to Natalie & Reid!

{Vendor Guide} Photography: Simply Savannah Events // Ceremony Location: Fort Fremont // Reception Location: Charles Street Gallery // Caterer: Thrive A Carry Out Cafe // Cake: Friends of the Couple // Decor: DIY by Bridesmaids

{Bright Idea Thursday} SIMPLY DIY: Handmade Favors

We recently had a wedding where the bride and groom had handmade vanilla extract and honey for the favors for the guests! I love this idea for 3 reasons:

1. It's personal and I am the kind of person that thinks anything personal is more special than store bought.

2. If you are clever enough it can be something they can use & we are all about being green. 

3. This is something you and your fiance can bond over and enjoy time together doing.

So here is some inspiration for some DIY handmade favors! What is your favorite idea? Would you and your fiance consider doing this?? I know if it were my man he would absolutely love the idea of making some homemade beer for guests!!! But I personally wouldn't mind some homemade chocolate hazelnut spread, but then again maybe not a bright idea because knowing me I'd probably end up eating it all myself. :) Happy Thursday!

{Photo Credits} Hot Chocolate & Baileys via Sam Richardson // Candle via Ruffled // Honey via Style Me Pretty, photography by Serendipity Corner // Chocolate Hazelnut Spread via Ruffled // "I Do" Brew via Style Me Pretty, photography by Dan Stephenson // Wooden Coasters via Ruffled // Sugar via I Love Farm Weddings // Teacup Planter via Ruffled //Vanilla via Style Me Pretty, photography by Lemon Fresh