Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. The colors are electric! My favorite hues are indigo and purple – but you could use any color for these mini-favor pots.

You can purchase a flat of pansies for around $12; that will give you 32 DIY wedding favors! Your only other expense is the flower pots.

Here’s what you will need for this project:

Salvaged and antique windows are perfect for vintage weddings. Keep the glass inside the panes or use just the frames as decorations, seating charts, signs or photo props.

You can find old windows at flea markets, yard sales, resale shops – and don’t forget to check Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. If you don’t have any luck finding old windows, consider renting pieces from a vintage rental company.

Before you rent or buy antique windows, think about how you’re going to use each piece.

One of the biggest wedding trends we’re seeing is the wedding weekend. However, this three-day bash can be tough to pull off without the right venue.

Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa, located in the rolling hills of Escondido, California, is the perfect location for couples who love the idea of an extended celebration.

The 11-acre historic estate can be rented out with full and exclusive use and sleeps up to 40. Welcome guests to your wedding weekend with a cocktail reception by the property’s pool and jacuzzi, capping off the evening with the rehearsal dinner and S’mores around the fire pit.

The morning of the big day, outdoorsy couples can schedule a hike along nature trails in the surrounding woods to kick off the excitement, or keep guests entertained with outdoor games such as life-sized Jenga or horseshoes. Guests who want to stay indoors can play board games, Foosball, or belt out ballads on the venue’s Karaoke system.

For the actual wedding ceremony and reception, the options are endless. This DIY-friendly venue allows couples to completely customize their nuptials and offers a variety of backdrops to set the scene. The gorgeous wedding terrace and amphitheater in a live oak grove make for idyllic ceremony sites, while an expansive event center, nestled in fig grove and landscaped with orchids and sculpture gardens, is truly enchanting for the reception.

After the whirlwind wedding, take some time to thank your  guests and bid farewell the next day with a post-wedding brunch, which you could even whip up yourself in one of their two on-site kitchens.

Want more info? Go to Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa.

Sponsored post.

 

She was your partner in crime during those high school hijinks and she’s been by your side through all of the college heartaches. Now, she’s graciously accepted your invitation to stand beside you on one of the biggest days of your life – your wedding.

Give her a token of your appreciation with a stunning piece of jewelry that she can wear on your wedding day and beyond. The Wedding Outlet features collections by leading designers, including Cathy’s Concepts, whose collection is curated with timeless pieces that set the bar for bridesmaid gifts. The 16-piece collection features both necklaces and bracelets, and each piece is fashioned with a delicate charm, freshwater pearl, and Swarovski crystal.

Many of the beautiful baubles can be personalized with a single block initial on the charm, at no additional cost, and come with a complimentary gift box with your choice of five card message options to cater to each member of the wedding party:

• Bridesmaid: “Thank you for being my bridesmaid…I couldn’t say “I DO” without you.”
• Maid of Honor: “Thank you for being my Maid of Honor…I couldn’t say “I DO” without you.”
• Matron of Honor: “Thank you for being my Matron of Honor…I couldn’t say “I DO” without you.”
• Wedding Day: “Thank you for being part of my Wedding Day…I couldn’t say “I DO” without you.”
•  A Special You: “A Special Gift for A Special You”

Check out The Wedding Outlet to view the entire collection.

 

Sponsored post.

Paige and Paul’s charming ceremony and reception, set on the bucolic backdrop of Bramble Hill Farms in Amherst, Mass., was infused with unique and handmade touches that included the bride’s rustic wildflower bouquet as well as the charming DIY tabletop decor. Even the beer was brewed by the bride and groom!

“It was so amazing and humbling how much all of our friends and family helped with all of the details,” says Paige.

The couple exchanged heartfelt vows in an outdoor lakeside ceremony on the pastoral property. With the help of a friend who just started up an antique business, a “living room” lounge was created outside for guests to mingle while playing games such as croquet and cornhole during cocktail hour. They then were escorted into the barn for the reception, which boasted Gothic-style architecture made soft with twinkling lights, mason jars, and banners, and dined family-style on delicious comfort foods.

The day was beautifully captured by Jen Ing Photography.

 

Paige, 26 & Paul, 26

Amherst, MA 

Wedding Date: August 25, 2012

Number of Guests: 75

Wedding Ceremony Location: Bramble Hill Farm

Wedding Reception Location: Bramble Hill Farm

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