Category Archives: summer

{Real Wedding} Beki & Justin: Simple & Relaxed Outdoor Chicago Wedding

By Chandra Fredrick | Sep 12

I love the simplicity of this wedding. So lovely, so chic, and so simple. Also, super budget-friendly! It’s one of those weddings that show you all the “stuff” isn’t necessary. The “stuff” is just the decor on an already gorgeous cake called LOVE. And I’m swooning over the gorgeous photos by The Duchess and the Rabbit.

the bride's mother made her gown in this simple and lovely Chicago wedding | photo by the Dutchess and the Rabbit

The first thing my mom said when she found out we were engaged was “I’ll make your wedding dress, just send me a picture of what you want.” The final result was a beautiful buttery soft, one-of-a kind dress that was exactly what I had envisioned. My mom had even embroidered a hidden quote in light blue on the inside of the bodice: “a wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies.”

simple and lovely Chicago wedding | photo by the Dutchess and the Rabbit

I know it’s cliche but honestly, there were so many great moments during the wedding that I don’t think I could pick a favorite. I probably laughed the hardest when my husband (on a whim) decided to do the bouquet toss and one of our male friends did a dive from across the room to catch it. I got the most choked up when Justin’s best childhood friend read “The Tent” by Rumi. The moment that I most regret not documenting was when two of our friends played ukelele and sang a sweet rendition of the Magnetics Fields “The Book of Love.”

I made as many things as I reasonably could find time for, including the save the dates and invitations, reception decor (flag garland, large framed initials, centerpieces) and the flowers for the ceremony. I thought the flag garland for the reception would be a quick and easy project but it actually ended up taking forever! Cutting all those triangles and ironing 50 feet of ribbon is way less fun than it sounds. Anything that I didn’t make, like the tablecloths, beverage dispensers, etc., I ordered online and resold or donated afterwards.

How did you make your wedding YOU?

Our goal was to keep things simple, informal and budget friendly. It was important to us to emphasize the things that matter most to us: gathering around good food with good friends, and fun tunes. Early on in the planning my fiance said something that really stuck with me, he said that he wanted to avoid the “Us vs Them” feeling that he often experiences at weddings. So we really tried to incorporate our friends and family and make them feel that they were part of and included in the celebrations as much as possible. We were so grateful & honored to have so many friends step up and volunteer to demonstrate their various talents. One of my good friends made the oh-so-delicious cake, Justin’s best friend officiated and wrote the ceremony, two amazing friends played violin during the ceremony, and then during the reception our wedding party read poems, told stories and sang songs. In the end our wedding was a fun and relaxed affair which, in general, is how we roll.

I so love this wedding, both because of everything the bride said about it, and because it is just so perfectly simple and lovely. It feels like love – like everyone the couple loved participated in some way in the wedding. Congrats Beki & Justin!

{Vendors} Wedding Dresses: Bride’s Mother / Photographer: The Duchess and the Rabbit / Caterer: Smoque BBQ and Whole Foods / Flowers: Bulk from Sam’s Club and Whole Foods, arranged by the bride / Save the Dates & Invitations: DIY / Venue: L akeview Center, Gillson Park in Wilmette / Reception music: iPod / Ceremony Music, Officiant, Cake, Bouquets, Flowers & Decor, Emcee, Speakers, Advice, Good Times: Our amazing friends!

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{Real Wedding} Mallory & Zach: Charming Budget-Friendly DIY Wedding

By Chandra Fredrick | Aug 15

Today’s wedding from (once like a spark) photography shows you that you can have a very budget-friendly event, while keeping it very personal and very lovely. Plus, this bride’s BHLDN statement necklace is to die for! The bride, along with her mother and aunt, made all of the floral arrangements, bouquets, and bouts themselves, and the couple also had personal DIY touches like chalkboard signage, a wish jar, and lots more.

charming budget-friendly DIY wedding | www.oncelikeaspark.com

I love the mismatched colors in the same style on the bridesmaids, and the bride’s simple chic gown – all from J.Crew.

The flags was one of several DIY projects done by the bride and groom. Guests waved them during the recessional of the couple.

The couple wanted to make sure their ceremony was the most meaningful part of their wedding. “The foot washing was the most memorable part of the ceremony … and we promised to serve each other.”

“A special moment was when Zach and I walked together from the ceremony to the reception. It was a walk through the woods with just the two of us, and it gave us some time to reflect on the commitment we just made.”

Some ways this couple made their wedding budget-friendly for them: they ordered their florals in bulk and made their own arrangements, they had a cocktail reception, they DIY’d most of the handmade details, they had friends do the girls’ hair and makeup, and kept the attire and decor simple and classic.

What are your best tips for keeping a wedding budget-friendly? Share them in the comments and I’ll do a post featuring the best ones!

{Vendors} Venue: Graue Mill / Food: LaBelle Catering & Events / Bride’s gown: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s suit: J.Crew / Bride’s necklace: BHLDN / Makeup and hair: friends / Flowers: bought from fiftyflowers.com and arranged by bride and family / Photographer: (once like a spark) photography / Invitations: Invited Design on Etsy / Cake: Tipsycake

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{Real Wedding} Catherine & Foster: Modernly Classic Yellow + Grey Wedding at Home

By Chandra Fredrick | Aug 9

The planning of this wedding was a family affair. The bride lives in a remote town near Yosemite with very little internet access, so aside from a few requests (like the Talking Heads tribute band ‘Same as it Ever Was”) she let her mother plan the entire wedding at her parent’s home. And if you ask me, her mother should start a wedding business, because she did a fabulous job herself & in hiring the perfect vendors to bring her vision to a reality. This is one of my favorite weddings I’ve featured, so sit down with a coffee or iced tea and enjoy this swoon-worthy, pin-every-photo wedding, and be inspired!

must-see yellow and grey modernly classic wedding at home | photos by miles witt boyer

The bride’s other must-have for her wedding, a cheese wheel cake. Says the bride:

I don’t care much for cake, but I LOVE cheese!”

This might be the most perfect flower girl dress I’ve ever laid eyes on!

My dress was originally a mermaid gown that I purchased and had altered by Ballew Bridal in Collierville, TN. She cut it off right at the flare and pulled the lace from the bottom to created the lacy hemline. Mrs. Ballew was amazing, I never imagined that part of the wedding would so easy. I did not realize that no one makes short wedding dresses either!

The bride and groom love games, and wanted something unique for their guestbook that they wouldn’t mind hauling around when the move. I’d like to believe that I inspired the jenga guestbook with my jenga guestbook post from two years ago

We used a ton of stuff my mom already had: vases, candle holders, chandeliers, etc. We did not rent anything except tables, chairs and table cloths. We found the runners and napkin in our wedding colors.

I love these cork centerpieces – just a large vase filled with corks!

And how fun would it be to drink the wine to collect the corks?

Here’s more from the bride on the DIY elements: I handmade heart shaped birdseed favors because my husband and I love bird watching. My mom and a friend made pillow cases in yellow and gray to cover some of the outdoor furniture pillows and coordinate with the theme. I handmade the signs that went with the favors and guesbook using extra invitations I had left over.

SO amazing, right? Love the color palette (one of my favorites!), and mixed with patterned pillows and graphic elements on the stationery and signs it is absolute perfection. The florals are fab, the styling is ridiculously gorg, and all of the personal details are just icing, on a cheese wheel cake! I’d like to give every person and vendor involved with the execution of this lovely wedding a standing ovation. Join me by leaving a comment of your favorite part of this wedding!

{Vendors} Wedding Coordination: Details Weddings & Events / Photography: Miles Witt Boyer / Florals: Tanarah, Luxe Floral / Rentals: Eventures /Tents: Affordable Events / Catering: Ella’s / Lighting: Event Production Group / Entertainment: Same as it Ever Was / Invitations: The Happy Envelope / Bridal Gown: Allure Bridal, Memphis, TN, altered by Ballew Bridal in Collierville, TN

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{Real Wedding} Alison & Brian: Vintage Boardwalk Wedding on the Jersey Shore

By Chandra Fredrick | Jun 11

You know I love it when I get submissions from my bride readers. Even better? When their wedding is what Oh Lovely Day is all about! Alison wrote me saying she used this blog for ideas the entire time she was engaged, which makes my day in a BIG way, especially after seeing her wedding photos! See for yourself

Here’s a bit from the bride, Alison:

Brian and I grew up on the Jersey Shore. If you haven’t noticed the Jersey Shore has been getting a bad rap lately (umm…Snookie) and we thought maybe we could showcase the old vintage beauty of Asbury Park, NJ. When we first got engaged we thought about what we wanted and what we loved. We both love photo booths and skee ball…and flea markets. So the vintage boardwalk theme was created. The save the dates was a photo booth strip of us that said “See you down the Jersey Shore, Summer 2011. Our invites looked like vintage posters. I collected 65 old bottles that had towns of NJ printed on them and used them as vases for the center pieces. Each table name was a vintage Jersey Shore town postcard. Our escort cards looked like vintage tickets and we had them set up on a bed of tokens (which we won, in one day playing skee ball!). We had a photobooth and our pictures were taken on the Asbury Park boardwalk and at the Silver ball Pinball Museum. Guests left with favors of a glassine bag of Jersey Shore taffy (and hopefully a better idea of the Jersey Shore).

I love that the couple was able to take where they grew up and combine it with the things they love and create a cohesive wedding theme! The details, favors, invites, photobooth… and OMGEEE that adorable ringbearer! And I’m completely obsessed with the bride’s J.Crew gown! LOVE.

I’ve never watched the Jersey Shore (really, I haven’t!) so my idea of it comes from Boardwalk Empire (not really, although that one I do watch), and now this lovely wedding! Congrats on one year married to Alison & Brian!

{Vendors} Photographers: Megan Kyle and Christopher Frump Photography (no website) / Venue: Brielle River House / Hair and makeup by Hot Mess Studios Asbury Park / All clothing was from J.Crew / All paper goods by The Original Pear / Florals: Something Nice Florals

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{Inspiration Board} Warm & Modern Summer Wedding

By Chandra Fredrick | Jun 5

{palette} tangerine, peach, jade, mint, butter yellow, and white
{inspiration} pretty patterns paired with textured florals – think succulents and air plants- make this modern wedding a breath of fresh air. You can still pair DIY elements like the stir sticks or escort card signs with this and still keep the modern feel. Perfect for summer or fall weddings, don’t you think?

{credits} stir sticks via Martha Stewart Living, cupcake from Paige Winn Photo via Oh Lovely Day, cake by Sweet Sensations via Once Wed, bouquet by Mi Belle via Style Me Pretty, bout from Dia Rao Photography, chevron place setting by Kickstand Events and Theo Milo Photography via Wedding Chicks, bride via latest hairstyles, tables & lanterns by Union Photography via Brides, tangerine escort cards by Fresh In Love Photography via Brides, sign by Kelly Hornberger Photography via Southern Weddings, colorful girls by Tory Burch

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{Guest Post} Navy + Kelly Green Summer Wedding Inspiration from Landlocked Bride

By Chandra Fredrick | May 24

Today’s guest poster is such a sweetheart and I’m so glad she’s stopping by today to share some color inspiration for us. And in case you missed it, she was our featured blogger bride in our Behind the Veil feature this week, so check that out too! Please welcome Brit from Landlocked Bride!

I have a penchant for color. Every shade, hue and saturation. And, when Chandra asked me to create a lovely board for her readers while she’s off enjoying her vacation, I jumped at the chance. Why? Well, for obvious reasons, she’s an absolute sweetheart. But, any chance to share another color combo is one to take advantage of.

Navy, Kelly Green and White. I love (yes, love) this palette for so many reasons. It’s easy to add a classic spin on this. Or, take a modern approach by using copious amounts of white with subtle hints of greens and blues. Or, knock the saturation down some, and you have the perfect vintage palette. This particular combination is the perfect balance of modern and classic. Strong blues and greens, and crisp white to allow the colors to pop.