Julia is a freelance graphic designer from Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not working for clients (you can see her portfolio here) or blogging about her wedding and adventures with Bobby, she works at the candy store, Smeeks, hunts down Etsy goodness, talks in goofy voices with Bobby, and hangs out with her cat Daggers in the AZ sunshine.
Bobby and I were married in one of our favorite places ever, the historic Hotel Congress in Tucson, Arizona. We said our vows on a rock stage and introduced our Hampton Inn-loving families to the novelty of vintage-furnished rooms with old-timey radios. We handmade what we could (including the cupcakes), outsourced what we couldn’t, and shopped at thrift stores for the rest to achieve the ideal event for a 30-year-old toy collector and candy fans: a fun lollipop and ’50s “kiddie” cowboy party!
Choosing to throw an eco-friendly event with our own tiny pool of money helped expand our budget — we spent a year scouring Goodwill for used treasures (three rolls of twine for $2.00 vs. a dozen new teal ribbon rolls at a craft store) and used family heirlooms (like my veil and our ring pillow) and stuff we already owned (my jewelry and most of the cowboy toys that littered the party).
I was very vigilant that our wedding would waste as few resources at the end of the day as possible, a path that led to having a lollipop bouquet and favors.
Extras were placed throughout the room arranged in empty soda bottles and after the reception, so instead of throwing away flowers, we were able to give random strangers in the hotel a tasty treat.
Whenever I found something to buy or make for the wedding, I asked myself, “Where will this end up after the reception?” Sticking to that thought process with every decision saved SO much money. It gave me a benchmark NOT to buy into extras like a dance floor decal or go overboard with decorations. We gave a second life to nearly all of the elements of our day, down to the retro tissue paper balls that decorated a second reception back in Indiana and entertained gobs of toddlers.
Etsy was another major breakthrough for our planning to shop for custom handmade goods, tools and materials. I took these vintage gun charms from artpassionsdesign ($3.25 for 12) and used them on our DIY polymer clay boutonnieres and thrifted bell jars filled with cowboys centerpieces. Those plastic cowboy dudes infested the space like a scene from Toy Story and ended up at a kid’s birthday party after the wedding.
With a “vintage cowboy” search on Etsy every few days I came up with some gems like this vintage room decoration for $12.50 from bittypiggies. The cowboy held a string of twine connected to the horse, where we hung response cards from clothespins as a way to include all of our guests as part of the room, even the ones who weren’t able to attend.
I wanted our wedding to not just “feel” vintage, but to actually BE vintage. I incorporated old greeting cards from InstantLiving and timepassages in different ways. I turned a cute kitty birthday card into a giant framed art piece, scanned a cowboy and cowgirl Father’s Day card for our menu, and created our welcome package with these vintage popcorn bags (16 cents each!) from HeyYoYo.
The best thing about ordering cupcake liners, also from HeyYoYo, was not only the price ($8 for 125 liners) but with a custom listing, I didn’t have to buy in quantities of 50 or 100. I could have asked for 63 with a brief Etsy Convo if I wanted!
The cupcakes were coded with lollipops according to flavor, topped with cupcake signs from vintagebella, and rested on cupcake platters we made from vases, candlesticks and novelty plates we gathered from Goodwill.
Our ceremony space had very limited seating, so we used vintage-inspired cowboy handkerchiefs ($1.37 each) from neemerone to reserve seats for our immediate family. I embroidered names on each kerchief, too.
For $3.50 I was able to buy over 100 pencils through a listing from bethjt to use on our custom guestbook pages. Those pencils got a second use, I saved tons of money, and they later went to my mom’s school for further coloring action.
I also bought plenty of things from Etsy for more straightforward uses. I asked girlmeetscraft to make a felt version of my lollipop bouquet to toss. I also tossed snakes, because we are just jokesters like that.
Brodyandma made tin buckets with vintage-inspired cowboy fabric that housed our extra cowboy hats and cards.
I combined some of the same patterns with thrifted and vintage fabrics to sew banners to drape in the hall.
Our rings were carried by nephew, a.k.a. “The Ring Bear,” the funniest part of the entire day.
I saw this bow ring and asked Judi of curlygirlglass if she could deviate from the standard silver she lists in her Etsy shop. Without hesitation, she hunted down a hunk of white gold and made the wedding ring of my dreams.
A last minute decision to get a vintage brooch from efinegifts for my sash was solved with the click of a keystroke instead of a Saturday afternoon hunting in antique stores.
For a surprise 6-month anniversary present to Bobby, I asked Stella from franceslovesyou to make a custom illustration to put the cherry on top of our wedding day sundae. She was amazing and listened to every detail I wanted to incorporate, down to Bobby’s G.I. Joe tattoo.
Our day turned out perfect, it was fun, under budget, with limited waste and smiles for years.
Photos are by the overwhelmingly talented Chris Hinkle and Anthony French of Mira Weddings.
136 comments
Sign in to add your ownFloreal says:
great article.. so colorful.. and different..love it! www.twitter.com/florealdesigns www.facebook.com/florealdesigns
2 years ago
Ayca says:
Great article!Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
NewDuds says:
Oh my gosh, what an amazing wedding! I loved every little bit about it. We joked about dressing someone up in a bear suit to come out of the woods as our "Ring Bear'er" but you actually did it, genius! Congrats and best wishes!!
2 years ago
MegnificentCo says:
I absolutely love this!
2 years ago
NeedSomeBling says:
Wow! How wonderful is that!? So many artists were involved in your special day...and how very special it was. Loved this article. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It actually really inspired me!
2 years ago
whitehaus says:
damns, that looks fun! fantastic article!
2 years ago
VintageEyeFashion says:
so sweet & fun & kitschy! i wish all weddings were like this one! best wishes for years of love & happiness!
2 years ago
thestapeliacompany says:
Wow... what an amazing wedding! It looks like so much fun! :)
2 years ago
Giveusakiss says:
Amazing story! Great vintage items!!
2 years ago
greatgrandmaagnes says:
What a wonderful and unique wedding! Such a fun theme. I love all the vintage cowboy goodies. It is so true...you can find basically anything on Etsy! Congrats on a wonderful wedding!
2 years ago
LilaJo says:
I love this story! I love Hotel Congress! How awesome and cute are they! The wedding looked so awesome and fun something you will never forget! Best of all she shopped on ETSY!
2 years ago
tamarindesigns says:
This is just a fantastic, unique and clever idea! Your wedding will definitely be something to remember for those guests (and us as well!). I just love all the details you incorporated throughout the entire wedding while also helping out other Etsians. :) Awesome.
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Great article! Very creative!
2 years ago
accentonvintage says:
How original and thrifty. It certainly wasn't boring and the reception wasn't the same old same old. My daughter did a similar approach to her wedding with an old beach/rides/ boardwalk resort theme.
2 years ago
EJPcreations says:
What a Lovely Lovely wedding!
2 years ago
paramountvintage says:
hahaha. i love the ring bear!
2 years ago
CosmicFirefly says:
So much love went into your wedding and it really shows - LOVE the lollipop bouquet so SWEET! - I lived in Tucson for 20 years and love the Hotel Congress yehaw!
2 years ago
dreamyvintage says:
I love the bouquet!!! :)
2 years ago
MegsCookieJar says:
Gorgeous, whimsical and fun wedding.
2 years ago
ClementinesJewelry says:
Such a cute story!
2 years ago
bedbuggs says:
I absolutely LOVE the lollipop bouquet, such a cute touch!
2 years ago
pinkytoeclothing says:
Oh my gosh! It looks like an incredible day! Congrats and what a wonderful way to celebrate your day!
2 years ago
craftscafe says:
How very very creative & special! Love every detail... Congratulations on a beautiful wedding & your marriage!
2 years ago
elemegibere says:
Beautiful! thank you sharing
2 years ago
WanderlustBling says:
Always thinking about where items would wind up at the end of the reception is such a great way to reduce - good call! Love all the items - especially that great drawing.
2 years ago
kissadesign says:
You made a special event uniquely yours! So sweet! And Congrats!
2 years ago
LoveTheBaby says:
So lovely. So creative. So clever. I wish them all the happiness in the world!
2 years ago
CutieDynamite says:
I love love the lolly bouquet! Amazing! And the ring is so cute as well!
2 years ago
gabeadz says:
Very Lovely...and Different!!!!! You are very creative! Great job!
2 years ago
poppyswickedgarden says:
Oh My! I want your wedding! I bet Everyone there thought you had the Best wedding EVER!!! Congrats and Cheers to many many wonderful fun filled years together:)
2 years ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Congrats, and it was so original. Loved it. Wish there were more weddings like this.
2 years ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
A very fun, unique wedding! Congrats & thanks for sharing!!
2 years ago
craftpile says:
I love that you asked yourself "Where will this end up after the reception?" before each purchase. You created such an adorable wedding that I wanted to jump in the pictures and take a look around. The ring bear would have been so fun to see sitting as a guest! I think it's really sweet of you to share beautiful pictures of the sellers items you purchased. I hope your wedding inspires many brides to be! Congrats and many, many happy years to you and your hubby :)
2 years ago
okaySK says:
I really like the lollipop bouquet. I like the blog post and how the story was told. thanks
2 years ago
deepindigo says:
How inspiring! Congratulations!
2 years ago
ExQuisiteInVitation says:
Love it all to the last drop!
2 years ago
YouAreYou says:
OH MY GOSH! This is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! adorable!
2 years ago
pasin says:
Thanks for sharing
2 years ago
lemaisonduvintage says:
Wow! I live in Tucson, love Club Congress and I have NEVER seen it look better! What an amazing wedding! Lollipop bouquets... So unique! Thanks you so much for sharing! CONGRATULATIONS! Jennifer~ xo
2 years ago
imfromthewoods says:
this is literally the coolest wedding ever
2 years ago
whimsicals says:
thanks so much for sharing this wonderfully creative and inspired wedding celebration. So amazingly thought out.
2 years ago
vistahsoap says:
Glad to see some of Tucson's flavors featured. :) Love the kitchy party favors and decorations! Everything looked well thought out and so put together! Many happy years of wedded bliss!
2 years ago
artofjane says:
I love love love the way so many Etsyians are so eco-friendly!!
2 years ago
maggiemaevintage says:
congratulations! and how very special that this was unique and so perfect for you both!
2 years ago
LafesHiddenTreasures says:
How clever and so unique. I absolutley love it all! Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
Criscochise says:
love this wedding! great ideas!!
2 years ago
ThePurlMinx says:
Awesome!
2 years ago
IrenaSophia says:
love it!!!
2 years ago
recycledwares says:
the wedding looks like so much fun. love the vintage western cowboy theme.
2 years ago
SofaraStarfyre says:
What a great story! I love how you saved money and found uses for almost everything after it was over.
2 years ago
KnockKnocking says:
Picture perfect, amazing wedding, what memories!!! Loved every detail, especially that bouquet!
2 years ago
worksofwhimsy says:
Great article. I love how you walked us through your planning process and showed us how you used Etsy to help design your dream wedding.
2 years ago
thenewblackmarket says:
i love cowboys! congratulations!
2 years ago
TheMysticCircleArt says:
What an amazing Green wedding.Looks so fun. Congrats!
2 years ago
JessicaHawthorne says:
That looks fantastic! I loved all of it, particularly your guest book idea. What was your inspiration for the DIY-pages? I'd love to use that for ours.
2 years ago
KisforCalligraphy says:
Yummy and Awesome and so Eco-COOL! Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
jonscreations says:
Love it!!! Sounds like it was sooooo much fun, not only to attend but also to plan!!
2 years ago
NoMoreTwistHandmade says:
i love the lollipop bouquet! and i would echo julia-- you can have a wonderfully unique wedding by choosing to ask yourself at each stage "do i really need this--how do i not waste my resources?" i loved my wedding--it was unique in every respect because i forced myself to look at all the traditionally must-have items that everyone thinks you need and think about more interesting and more cost-effective ways to get them or do something different (read: better!) altogether.
2 years ago
GoodGriefGlass says:
So fun and such great imaginations! Thanks for all the details. A great read.
2 years ago
HighRidgeRockNbeads says:
So very unique! Loved every bit of what I saw! Great job! Best wishes to you.
2 years ago
rule42 says:
I love it! So cute and original! Congrats!
2 years ago
monkeyandsquirrel says:
ADORABLE!!!
2 years ago
alovelylittleworld says:
I am so entirely impressed. I added this feature to my favourites because it's so inspiring. I hope to get to refer back to it in the not so far future. Congrats! And :D
2 years ago
TrueVintageDesigns says:
congrats! My favorites are the lollipop bouquet and those fantastic vintage popcorn bags. That popcorn bag design belongs on a future kids shirt!
2 years ago
LovelyLemondrops says:
love the lollipops
2 years ago
Talula says:
Fabulous! Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your special day!
2 years ago
themadmod says:
This story was so sweet it made me tear up a little. What a beautiful and perfect wedding! You 2 look so sweet in the photos! What an adorable couple. I love the focus on enviorment(not wasting) and your adorable and economical vintage choices. The vintage brooch on the sash was a great touch and it really made your dress look great. Yes it looks like the cutest wedding ever! Congrats and much love to you!
2 years ago
SophieToffeeCo says:
This is an great inspirational story and example for my up and coming wedding! Thanks so much for sharing :) and Congrats!
2 years ago
wilyfilipino says:
i love everything! and is that a dolly couture dress?!
2 years ago
hijirik says:
wow, what a wonderful, unique, special wedding!!! congratulations!!!!!
2 years ago
dandelionland says:
Such great ideas! I really love the lollipop bouquet.
2 years ago
MelroseFields says:
Very cute and colorful!
2 years ago
Artistico says:
Fabulous! Congratulations
2 years ago
HandmadeByKat says:
I LOVE the lollipop bouquet and centerpieces. I'm going to tell my sister, who's getting married in June :)
2 years ago
martice says:
How cool :) I love the lollipop bouquet as well!!
2 years ago
Feltik says:
Wow! What a great DIY wedding, such an inspiration for my wedding! Thanks for the feature!
2 years ago
HeyYoYo says:
LOVE. LOVE. Love. How fun to see my cowboy bags in action! xo
2 years ago
HelloShoes says:
How adorable.
2 years ago
louloudo says:
such a great wedding! I have 'my boy lollipop' in my head now
2 years ago
Iammie says:
Love them all.
2 years ago
janinebasil says:
Almost makes me want to get married! Well, not almost, not even nearly, but it looks very enjoyable!
2 years ago
zeropumpkin says:
every things so cute :D
2 years ago
blainedesign says:
LOVE the ring bear!!!
2 years ago
indiepixie says:
I absolutely LOVED this article! It's nice to see they custom made their wedding day...looks awesome, every idea was so unique! Good luck for your future together :)
2 years ago
ikabags says:
Great article! Very creative!
2 years ago
marbled says:
Beautiful!
2 years ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
So cute and colourful. I love the theme and that lollipop bouquet its awesome!
2 years ago
anemonecomms says:
wow, wow, wow! can i get divorced so i can get married again? love it, soooo much personality. :)
2 years ago
positiveflow says:
Love the ring Bearer!!! Great stuff!!!
2 years ago
aliloveyduvie says:
I am completely in awe of the wonderfully unique and creative wedding theme you chose. You made it your own and went all out. It definately inspired me to do a more eco-friendly and etsyish wedding. THANKS!!!
2 years ago
laralewis says:
loved this article! especially the beautiful custom wedding band and the lollipops in the water glasses--what a great idea! :)
2 years ago
PetitPlat says:
aaaw how adorable!!! and yay! I'm in the related items :D
2 years ago
ameliespaperie says:
What a cute wedding!
2 years ago
OnTheRound says:
O me o my- that lollipop bouquet is fantastic! What a beautiful wedding!
2 years ago
sophiascooter says:
What a quirky and cute wedding. Love it!
2 years ago
brownbelly says:
such a unique wedding! handmade weddings are awesome!
2 years ago
OhMafelt says:
Congratulations!! Fabulous wedding!
2 years ago
bungaloe says:
handmade weddings are awesome, they have more character and look less contrived sometimes. that ring is great!
2 years ago
VedaArts says:
so incredibly cute and darling. i love her creative take on her wedding. congratulations to the happy couple. beautiful.
2 years ago
MouseTrapVintage says:
Amazing article and congrats to you both! LOVE the hankies used to reserve seats. We're doing a hobo-themed wedding and I was trying to find a way to incorporate hankies. Thanks for some GREAT, budget friendly ideas! <3
2 years ago
percivalroad says:
looks like a fun wedding!!!
2 years ago
MagicMarkingsArt says:
absolutely love everything about this - your ingenuity, green-loving recycle this attitude, sense of fun, and ability to think outside the wedding box. you guys are adorable! all the best for ever and ever.
2 years ago
designlab443 says:
so delightful, looks like so much fun! I loved the "ring bear". I worked at willy wonka designing packing and my co-workers brought card board Oompa Lompa's to my wedding. I almost tripped down the aisle from laughing when I saw them!
2 years ago
CuriousSparrow says:
What a fun and amazing wedding! Like!
2 years ago
shopKCQ says:
I love the lollipop bouquet and the illustration! Both wonderful!
2 years ago
BerylBlue says:
It's amazing how, with a little thought and effort, you can have a memorable and not-insanely-expensive wedding. I did some similar things for our wedding, though our was a bit more traditional. We did have flowers, but I bought them at our local farmers market and sent them home with the guests so that they were enjoyed as long as possible.
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
L-O-V-E the lollipop bouquet! Your wedding looks like it was a fun time for all!
2 years ago
emmjeyessvintage says:
How very innovative, creative and original. Great article!
2 years ago
CherriesSwim says:
So cute! and unique!
2 years ago
TeenahTime says:
too sweet!
2 years ago
SurvivorArts says:
How fun!
2 years ago
bellasparty says:
Beautiful and fun!
2 years ago
CandacesCloset says:
What fun ideas! The lollipop bouquet is awesome. I'm starting to get some new ideas....
2 years ago
Mattie714 says:
That was such a cute and thrifty story! i loved reading it!
2 years ago
RedMarionette says:
This looks like such a fun wedding! It is made even more special that you did all of it yourself! I love the look! So charming!
2 years ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
Dear Ring Bear, I love you! :->
2 years ago
cutiepiecompany says:
OMG, cutest wedding ever! So creative and adorable, wow!
2 years ago
sweetirie says:
This is the best thing ever! Love the entire concept!
2 years ago
JeansVintageCloset says:
Western items are really historical/fascinating I remember my first record album With a cowboy Gene Autry that sang rudolph the red nosed reindeer. My mom loved Marty Robbins and his ballads such as El paso. I still have all my parents collections
2 years ago
grandmamarievintage says:
what an adorable wedding! looks like it was so much fun!
2 years ago
felicitycrew says:
Very inspiring! What a cute couple...
2 years ago
TheLittleRagamuffin says:
My favorite things about handmade weddings are the attention to detail and the creativity to make it so!
2 years ago
thelittlemarket says:
So creative!!! The candy bouquet...yum! Loved every bit of this article!
2 years ago
ilovehearts says:
I love candy... x
2 years ago
nowonder says:
WOW!! What a sweet and fun wedding! It really looks and sounds like you got to injoy your wedding day! So creative!
2 years ago
shineohla says:
you guys are my heros! Julia, i swear, i wish we were best friends! my little boy's bedroom is all 1950's cowboy vintage...maybe some day he'll steal your ideas and get hitched in the same fashion! here's to decades of wedded bliss for the 2 of you!
2 years ago
Vanessa says:
Vintage Western theme - so fun! Thanks for sharing all the details of your wedding. I'm sure it's inspiring many people to just go for it!
2 years ago
Stargazer02 says:
awesome!
2 years ago
noteworthycraft says:
wonderful wedding! never seen anything this clever.
2 years ago
handmadecharlotte says:
you guys make me happy!
2 years ago
allabouthenna says:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43960158/henna-crafted-jewelry-box-with-beautiful
2 years ago
pasin says:
I love candy
2 years ago
floricultcha says:
Fantastic!!!! I love this wedding! All the details are amazing.
2 years ago
mark13148 says:
great wedding!
2 years ago
weddingheaven says:
I love handmade wedding dress, it's so creative and adorable~~
1 year ago
mark13148 says:
So romantic
1 year ago