Photo By: Image courtesy of Morgan Trinker Photography See how nature lovers David and Mary Beth Shaddix tie the knot in a gorgeous outdoor venue, but keep the purse strings tight with a DIY design. My mother and a close friend made the bouquets and boutonnieres by hand, using carefully selected cuttings from our farm and and a wholesale shop. The vibrant colors of maple leaves found on our farm were not only perfect for this November day, but also represented our beloved nursery, Maple Valley. Venues can be a stressful—and expensive—part of wedding planning. While we wanted the homey feel of marrying in our own backyard, we didn’t want the pressure of readying a place where we live and work. Beloved neighbors opened their doors—and their hearts—for use of their gorgeous lake property and cabin. Old-fashioned zinnias are happy and bright additions to tabletops. Such robust and intricate blossoms are perfectly suited for solitary stems, which save both time and money.

It costs one pack of seeds and a little space in the garden. We opted for original artwork to personalize our invitation and gained the bonus of a one-of-a-kind watercolor. The commissioned illustration intertwines our love of the outdoors: blueberries and hydrangeas are favorite plants, a peony represents a birthday gift, zinnias from the garden, honey bees from our hives, and purple martins represent David’s hobbies on our farm. Erin’s original watercolor is now artwork in our home. As guests arrived at the property, they were asked to sign the guest book and pose for a portrait. Mason jars have become the ultimate multi-purpose magician in transforming for limitless DIY uses. We sought a more unique and personalized flower vase by upcycling Snapple jars. The “S” is our monogram and we made each vase into a standout piece by painting the interior with white enamel. Wooden risers elevated the outdoor decor, complementing the rustic cake tables and woodsy lakeside setting.

These cherry tree slices were later turned into bowls by the woodworking groom and slabs for growing staghorn ferns. An antique wooden frame, made by David’s grandfather, made for a fun photo prop and created a memorable moment that we could share afterwards as a keepsake. We potted unusual plants for conversation pieces: carnivorous plants, succulents and ferns in our wedding color palette. While we are fortunate to run a wholesale nursery, anyone can benefit from planting live plants for affordable centerpieces that live on well after the wedding. Chocolate terracotta pots are affordable, unique options. Pallet wood proves useful for many DIY projects and was a perfect choice for our outdoor signage. Lead guests from vows to cake if you have a larger venue with separate areas. Consider gifted friends and relatives sharing their talents as your very personal, one-of-a-kind wedding gift. Rob, a close friend, shared his guitar skills for our ceremony music. Playing “Georgia On My Mind,” Pachelbel's “Canon in D,” and “Here Comes the Sun” were tearjerkers and memorable moments.

As nature was our guide, it naturally provided our outdoor aisle to the altar. Sugar maples, known for their vibrant fall color, had been planted in an allée down the peninsula and made for a perfect entrance set to Pachelbel's “Canon in D.” Our sacred spot for vows was a natural choice. At the tip of a small finger of land pointing into the lake, a large, old solitary pine marked the spot. diy room decor summerWith such a scenic setting at sunset, we opted for no additional decor.decorating a christmas tree with flowers Create a comfortable outdoor lounge—and photo op—by stacking bales into a custom couch. diy country decor signs

We supplemented wooden chairs provided by a rental company with bales of wheat straw. It’s moveable, stackable, marries well with our outdoor decor—and could be used as mulch in our garden afterwards. Our garden is an important part of our daily dinners and our wedding reception was no exception. For a few packets of salad green seeds, we fed over 100 guests with fresh lettuces.white exterior paint colors Our hens contributed to the festivities with colorful eggs that the chef deviled three ways.cheap decorating ideas for apartment living room Homemade touches didn’t stop at decor. easy cheap ways to decorate your houseA handful of friends and family members pitched in to make cakes of all shapes and sizes including caramel, vanilla pound cake, almond pound cake with apricot filling, pumpkin-shaped spice cake and carrot cake.

Not a crumb was left except the top layer of one we saved for our one-year anniversary! Many guests still talk about the parade of cakes.Your Guide to Making Lapis Wedding Decorations imageBridal couples can create elaborate wedding decorations for much less money than some event decorators may charge. A popular color for wedding ceremonies and receptions is lapis, the brilliant blue color...Read More about Your Guide to Making Lapis Wedding DecorationsIt's no secret that we all love DIY around here, especially when it comes to home improvements and decor. But there are plenty of other categories to cover when it comes to how-to projects. So today I'll be focusing on a realm that we haven't delved much into before: weddings. This roundup of DIY outdoor wedding ideas covers everything from outdoor lighting projects and unusual centerpieces to thoughtfully handmade photo booth backdrops and DIY ceremony arches. There's even a driftwood candelabra. 1. Surprise guests with a statement accent wall or photo booth backdrop that is made with rolled up pieces of paper.

You could even use chicken wire to keep the paper in place if you don't want to glue everything. 2. Create a rustic DIY wood chandelier with this tutorial from Capitol Romance. 3. Create a colorful geometric table runner that is perfect for indoors or out. 4. Chain together a whole lot of oysters with this stunning oyster table runner. 5. And create ambience once the sun goes down with this pretty hurricane candle DIY. 6. Add some fun and whimsy to your big day with a DIY cake pinata customized to your wedding colors. With a few adjustments, this DIY could be transformed into a card box for the gift table, as well. 7. Learn how to make a whole lot of streamers to create a festive backdrop for your first dance. 8. Make a giant escort card display board that adds to the decor, while bing functional. 9. Create a fringed scallop backdrop to draw attention to the dessert tables. 10. Decorate low-lying tree limbs with strands of this decorative favor garland.

After the party is over, guests can pop a favor bag off the garland to take home. 11. Ask bridesmaids to help you forage for greenery and a little bit of fabric to make a romantic ceremony alter like this one. 12. Make crepe paper magnolias to add to greenery for a table runner / centerpiece that is a mix of real and faux. 13. Hang tiny glass candle holders to a fallen branch for a hanging decorative focal point perfect for the head table. 14. Create a cool string chandelier to use as a decoration over outdoor tables at the reception. 15. Reuse a piece of driftwood to create a hanging DIY candelabra. 16. Reuse antique birdcages to create unique centerpieces at your reception, that can be adorned with colorful, seasonal flowers and linens. 17. Make these cheerful hanging lanterns from a string of lights and paper bags. 18. Create a giant paper flower backdrop for guests to take photos. 19. Hang strands of outdoor bulb lights under a tree for a more intimate, room-like feel on your big day.