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Handmade Weddings Party Duel: Casual RULES!
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UPDATE: I think it's fair to say I win because TeenAngster is forfeiting due to the stir she caused, aka the "furtroversy."

Wedding duel!!!  Which dream wedding would you go for? Super swank and extravagant or laid back and affordable? Vote in the comments of whichever post you would prefer!


Welcome to my dream-wedding world: a worry-free realm of comfort and laissez faire. What me, worry about four dress fittings and matching tableclothes? The best part is that the ideas below don't have to be a fantasy: these styles are all within reach!

I'm dreaming of a hot, summertime wedding in my parents' backyard. Think New England clambake with tin troughs of lemonade, beer and whisky on ice, a few friends taking turns on guitars and drums, alternating with an iPod paired with incredibly loud speakers. At some point, someone will jump into the pond — perhaps, dare I say, there will be some good ole fashioned skinny-dipping. (BTW, this photo by luxedesign REALLY looks like me. I just spooked myself a little bit.)
After the party spins out of control (a drunken, nude reveler will steal the neighbor's horse), guests will simply crash in tents in the field. This will promp fiends to forever send me and my husband such anniversary gifts as this Lady Godiva planter by SurrenderDorothy:


So, what does Etsy have to offer, befitting such a marvelous daydream?

Well, I'm not really into diamonds or anything too flashy, but this Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil Ring by LinneaSilver resonates with my personal philosophy:


My husband-to-be would probably like a band like this one. It's a different choice, sure, but who says wedding bands have to match? ...Well, a lot of people I guess, but we're not the kind to follow conventions. Here's a cool wooden ring by naturalezanica:


I'm taking jeans and white t-shirt as my "theme."  My man and I could wear matching diamond tshirts by nodemo, to make up for the lack of bling.


Imagine a perfectly warn in — comfy and cool — white t-shirt with some vintage jeans. These are from gagavida:


Or you can use your casual wedding as a rationalization for buying those special handmade jeans you've been eyeing. These  are by Shovava:

Just think, if you were buying a wedding dress, you would be spending thousands of dollars!

If I were to get girly, I could double up this frilly mini skirt and shirt combo from imyourpresent:


My groom, by contrast, could wear the square white on white t by CubistLiterature. He'd bring a little art history twist to the table too. You know, class it up a little.

My little flower girl would be so chill she would be rocking nothing but a tutu. Here's a classic one by TuTuCuteBaby.


Let me tell you, I'm sooo down to earth. I don't wear heels.  I mean, I really don't. Ever. I'm all for flip-flops.  If you muster the energy to deal with the hassle of wearing a wedding dress, then why not wear something easy on the feet? No one is going to see them under a long dress...Actually, who cares. Wear flip-flops regardless. Poke a little fun at formality, try these by  ritakontny:


Or if your toesies are dying for something comfortable but you feel like you need to dress it up a bit, go with something interesting or ethnic, like these by FWesterhof from Istanbul:

Or something vintage and casual, like these polka dot numbers from beatvintage:


I think I'm going to sport these vintage hiking boots from Retrogirlgypsyarcade:

They would look cute and quirky with a vintage white dress too. And perfect for this next element, my dear readers...

The fanciest thing we're going to do at the reception is drive in on a tractor. By man and I are planning to tie tin cans to the back of my mom's tractor and make that our "grand entrance."  Watch out, Aunt Mary! Here comes the backhoe!


Oh, and the porta-johns will be nice, don't worry. At least you won't have to go in the woods.

 Check out TeenAnger's hoity-toity wedding and then vote for my fantasy! Comment below!

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19 comments     Login to add your own!

April 3, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. EcoKate

I'm totally going for laid back and affordable! No BS!

April 3, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. leavesofglass

Now that's totally my kind of party. Way to plan, Vanessa!

April 3, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. daisysanddots

Loving that tutu:)

April 3, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. avenuehandmade

You pretty much described my wedding and reception to a tee, right down to the tubs of beer (the only reason there was no skinny dipping was that there was no swimmin hole in proximity)! But it was a backyard BBQ all the way. I wore handmade mocassins and a 25-dollar cotton dress; my man wore jeans and a thrifted cowboy shirt. I can promise you, this is the way to a stress-free wedding--you got my vote! =)

April 3, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. harmonyvanlue

My BF and I are TOTALLY doing this when we get married! Campout/backyard BBQ all the way!

Oh, and there will be volleyball. And a bonfire!

This is all hypothetical of course...

April 3, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. weirdwolf

The Northern Lights and that crazy Clockwork Orange looking ice room are incredible! But I have to say the horses and the wooden wedding band sold me on going casual... bbq in a woodsy backyard or a square dance in a barn sounds like my kind of wedding...

April 3, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. eclipse

but what will your puppy wear?

April 3, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. beckyrose

I think I'd want something fairly similar to this, definitely closer to this one than the ice palace. Maybe some strands of lights and a cocktail style dress, so a little fancier for me, but pretty much yeah, this is where it's at.

April 3, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. Vanessa

Hmm yes, what will the puppy wear? Where my dogs at?

April 3, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. TuTuCuteBaby

Oh yay, you used my cheeky little tutu!
You definately have my vote :)

April 3, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. BonzoGal

This rules.

April 3, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. thebombayvirgin

Perfect, as long as there are lovely old trees to drape white icicle lights in! ...and a giant tent in case it rains.

April 3, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. ohtoseethesunset

My dream wedding is definately more casual than the ice fantasy, but also a little LESS casual than this. No white tee shirts for me. I'd prefer A simple yet flattering organic cotton dress to make me feel like a princess, a fancy potluck where everyone brings the fanciest dish they can cook up, and sure we'd have wine, but I'd rather not have rampant drunkeness.

April 4, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. emptypaper

This sounds like an awesome wedding! :D

April 4, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. FrogPrincessCouture

As long as the porta potty works, I'm there! Wonder if you will have glasses for the wine....hey, I draw the line somewhere!

Love the cheeky little tutu and the wedding flip flops. 8-)
C

April 4, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. LunabudKnits

I got married on the beach last year at sunset with just immediate family present. I wore a seafoam green satin dress and he wore a white shirt and shorts. For the whole 5 minutes it lasted, everyone had a blast, even those who did not like the idea. My now husband (he and I both despise long overly inflated weddings) looked at me afterwards and said, 'this is the best wedding I have ever been to!' (actual quote). To which I replied, 'Yes, and it was your own!'. At which point, you could actually see it sink into him what we had done....lol AFterwards, we had cake and hit a local seafood joint. Everyone laughed, smiled, ate, drank and partied:) A good time for all.

April 5, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. annabronwyn

consider yourself voted for.

xo,
anna

April 5, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ScribbleNation

I vote for the hillbilly digs! Not so far from the wedding I am actually planning. Ha ha.

April 13, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. diatomatic15

I whole-heartedly pick this casual wedding! I feel it is more important to be free and happy and not to spend money on a ton of supplies or clothes! The only thing I would do completely different is go barefoot! Ground the couple with the earth spirits, you know?

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