I’m kicking off this week with a gorgeous detail filled wedding that took place at Lillie Belle’s of Franklin in historical downtown Franklin, TN.  Kayla and Stefan were married last June in front of 130 friends and family.  Kayla and I first crossed paths about a month after her wedding and we’ve both been anxiously waiting to see her professional pics.  I think you’ll agree that it was well worth the wait. 

The Details

Antique Diamond White Venise Lace Double Scallop Garter with Satin Ribbon Bow and Swarovski Crystal Centering by JLWeddings

Custom Microfiber Ties for Groom & Groomsmen by Cyberoptix TieLab (Toybreaker)

3 Tier Custom Wedding Cardbox by Divine Wedding Decor 

Custom Bridesmaids Sets featuring Swarovski Innovation Crystals & Pearls by K.Y.M. Jewelry

Custom Monogram Unity Candle by Leigh-Ann Kline Weddings 

Custom Wedding Koozies by Barry Promos

Photography by Valeisha Kelly – Pedigo: Visions Photography 

What was your theme/colors and what inspired it? 

Our theme was ”Vintage Romance” with a summer twist. The color palette that we chose for our wedding were shades of Citron Green with Chocolate & Sliver accents. We also used a neutralization of creme & peach. I have always been obsessed with all things girly & feminine, and I knew for our wedding that I wanted to use delicate touches of sliver & peach, and candles to give the feel of romance. Since we were married in a garden courtyard at a historical Victorian home, I knew that a vintage style wedding & shades of greens were the way to go. Having a outdoor summer wedding helped us choose the rich & vibrant color combo. We knew that we wanted to incorporate summer colors but without going over the top & it turned out PERFECT!

What creative (DIY) or personal aspects did you include in your wedding? 

We wanted every little detail at our wedding to reflect us as a couple, so we choose several items that were custom made for us. We choose & designed our very own monogram that was used on our invitations, candy buffet boxes, Thank You cards & more. My mother was incredible at helping me or our coordinator with anything that needed to be done. She put every custom monogram sticker on our take out boxes used for the candy buffet & we purchased some of our favorites candies to be used on it. That way when guests made their boxes, they would taking a piece of us with them. I chose & designed the color palette,  size of pearl & crystals that were used on my bridesmaid custom jewelry pieces. 

My BIG (DIY) or personal aspect was PLANNING..I planned, searched websites (including Etsy), & did research f0r hundreds of hours to find items that fit into “our” theme & that represented us as a couple. From the monogrammed beverage napkins served at the bar to the Alabama “A’s” drawn on the strawberries (My husband Stefan is a HUGE Alabama football fan) were detailed. I wanted to show all the guests what I had always wanted for my “dream” wedding through all the meticulous details that were at the wedding. Almost every single guest told me it was one of the most detail orientated & beautiful weddings they had ever been to. Etsy helped me find personalized items that helped add those amazing touches to my dream day!!

What is the most memorable moment of your day? 

Wow! I have to pick just one?! The whole day was AMAZING but  I would  have to say that it would have to be my dad walking me down the aisle to my soon to be (now) husband. I didn’t get to emotional the whole day until I locked arms with my dad & he said “well my baby girl it’s time”. I completely lost it & it was at that very moment I realized I was getting married. It was a very surreal, sad yet exciting moment! Seeing all the smiling faces as we walked down the aisle, & then FINALLY seeing Stefan standing there waiting for me was the BEST feeling EVER!! It was definitely one of the BEST days of my entire life!!

What was your favorite Etsy find? 

This is a hard question for me to answer because I loved EVERY item I purchased from Etsy, & still catch myself browsing the wedding section to see what else I could have purchased! 

I loved my bridesmaids gifts, which was custom made earrings & necklaces that they wore at the wedding. They were so delicate, beautiful & perfect. I was OBSESSED with our custom made Unity candle & wedding card box. Both were something different that I had never seen before at weddings, & reflected my style. My husband & I loved the Unity Candle so much that we have decided that on our anniversary, we want to take a few minutes to light the candle & remember how much that day meant to us!!

What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side? 

I would say: Don’t sweat the small things & don’t let the little things get to you! I put my heart, tears & soul into planning our wedding. I was very detailed oriented when it came to planning our wedding & let small things, such as colors of ribbon that didn’t quite match like I wanted them to upset me to the point of tears. But at the end of the day you have to remember that it’s about the celebration of love between you & your husband, no one will even noticed the ribbon!  The whole planning process will fly by so fast & before you know it, it’s your BIG day! So, just remember to breathe & enjoy every minute of it!!!

It’s hard to believe but today’s Real Etsy Wedding was planned in just 3 short months.  The bride Sarah credits Etsy for making her purchasing decisions so easy.  She and David were married in May at the Courtyard on St. James Place in Houston, Texas in front of 50 guests.

What was your theme/colors and what inspired it?

Baby pink, taupe and ivory – I’ve always loved soft and feminine colors!

What creative (DIY) or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?

Made the candy jars for the candy bar (ball jars to represent Ball State University (our alma matter), assembled the favor boxes, spray painted and bought letters to hang on outside gates. 

What was your favorite Etsy find?

So hard to pick just one! Everything turned out BEAUTIFULLY!

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

Seeing no one else but my husband when walking down the aisle and saying our vows

What is the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you are on the other side?

It doesn’t take a year to plan.  I planned mine all in 3 months and focused on one thing at a time and was so thankful for Etsy to make a lot of my decisions SO easy.

Congratulations Sarah and David.  Thanks for sharing your day with us! 

Etsy Vendors:

Brides Crystal & Rhinestone Hair Barrette by ClassyWedding

Brides Satin Champagne Hair Flower by VirginiaGeigerJewels

Elizabeth Place Cards by PinkAvenueBride

Unity Candle Set by leighannkline

Pearl Bridesmaid Bracelet with Ribbon Ties by MercuryJane

Ring Pillow, Guest Book & Matching Pen by Spoccdesign

Other Vendors:

Photography by Edgar J. Rodriquez

Real Bride-to-be Ashley sent over these great engagement pics shot by Lee Mann Productions in London, Ontario, Canada.    She has been shopping on Etsy since early in her engagement and enthusiastically agreed to show off some of her purchases and give credit to the talented Etsy sellers.  Ashley and fiance Ryan plan to tie the knot in September.

When did you get engaged?
Oct 2nd, 2009, our 4 year anniversary.

When is your wedding date and where (venue) are you getting married?
Sept 25, 2010 in the Crystal Ball Room at the Lamplighter Inn in London, Ontario.  http://www.lamplighterinn.ca/weddings
 

What is your theme and what inspired it?
GLAM! (black and white, feathers, lots of bling) My bedroom actually inspired our wedding.  You will understand when you look at the engagement photos! I’ve also had a weird obsession with feathers since I was young, so it was only fitting that they be a big part of our day.

Share some of your favorite Etsy purchases so far?

 Edmonton Oilers garter by GartersByKristi 
 Thank You Parasol by iDoOriginals 
 Personalized Napkins by amsny 
 Personalized Dress hanger by lilacfrances 
 Feather Unity Candle by leighannkline 
 Satin hankys (for the moms) by GarterLady 

How does your fiance feel about your Etsy purchases?
He shakes his head everytime  a package arrives because it seems to be a weekly thing.  But once I open the package and he sees what I’ve found he always loves it.

Do you have any advice for other brides?
Start ordering/buying right away.  The wedding may seem far away but the best thing I did was not wait until the last few months before the wedding.     I started right when I got engaged… if I would have waited I wouldn’t be able to afford all of the awesome things I ended up finding on Etsy.  Another website I had great luck with was shopwildthings.com.  Also, I would suggest  joining or at least reading wedding blogs.  I’ve found so many great ideas on these sites, and the other brides are always so helpful.

 
Thanks Ashley!  Can’t wait to see the wedding pics.

Now you can’t talk about Leigh-Anne Kline without mentioning her absolutely fabulous line of designer handbags but today I want to focus on her unique collection of Unity Candles.  Adorned in crystal jeweled pieces, crystal appliques, satin ribbons and feathers, the candle sets can be totally customised to match your wedding theme.