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Story by
oncewed
Published on August 12, 2009 in Spotlight |
Photo by |
Emily Newman, like many brides, learned a lot from the process of planning a wedding. She put that knowledge to use and launched Once Wed in 2008. At first, it was a free listing service for wedding dresses online. Emily has since grown the site to be far more today: Once Wed is a resource for connecting with incredible vendors, finding creative ideas — and what really sucked us in — sharing the most amazingly inspiring styles through real wedding photos. We know our Handmade Weddings readers are going to drool over this special post! Here's Emily...
I was so happy to receive Vanessa and Alison’s invitation to guest blog on Etsy because so much of Once Wed is about handcrafted art and design. So, to share my passion with you guys and feature some of my favorite real weddings is a special honor.
Ginny & Ed's Roaring Twenties
Images from board by Josh Goleman
Ed and Ginny were married in '20s style under a canopy of 100-year-old oak trees surrounded by close friends and family at a lovely farm called Serenbe. Ginny graduated from SCAD, so naturally many of the elements were handmade by herself and friends. From the adorable bunting banner to her incredible handmade capelet, this wedding definitely sticks out in my mind as one crafted with lots of love.
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Antique ivory silk taffeta bolero |
After seeing Ginny’s incredible capelet, I’ve been obsessed with wearing one! I just adore the idea of going with a simple wedding dress, and splurging on a beautiful bolero like this one from englishdept. $185. |
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Ginny and Ed incorporated a lot of hand-painted wooden signs at their wedding to direct guests to the ceremony and reception, but if you're having an indoor reception, what about a beautifully scripted wooden banner by baumbirdy to place on your cake or maybe even in a centerpiece instead? $15. |
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The Free Wedding
Images from board by Our Labor of Love
The “Free Wedding” ended up being a collaboration between a group of amazing vendors here in Atlanta, GA. Joy, the event stylist, wanted to make sure their day was a reflection of who Sam, Kaitlyn, and Jonah represented as a family. Every time I see these images from Our Labor of Love, I always seem to walk away with the biggest smile on my face.
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Fabric Flower Garland (3 yards) |
The whimsical flower garlands hanging from the ceiling were a huge hit with the couple and wedding guests. (People were even trying to take them home after the wedding.) Because Ashley got such a great response for her handmade garlands, she is now selling them from her Etsy shop dolciodille. $64. |
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So many of the elements form this wedding were handmade, so Etsy was one of the biggest resources Joy used to source materials and decorations. In her search for bridesmaid dresses, she stumbled upon sohomode’s tea dresses, and it was love at first sight. Her selection of colorful, vintage fabrics made everyone’s hearts go pitter patter, and really helped set the tone for the rest of the wedding. |
See other dresses by sohomode. |
Liz & Evan's California Coastal Wedding
Images from board by Tec Petaja
Tec Petaja was the amazing photographer behind Evan and Liz’s hillside wedding. I loved the simple paper goods, white roses, Asian parasols, vintage keys... Really there are so many rich details here. I look at a lot of weddings, and this one strikes me as so original. It’s as I’d imagine a California wedding in the '40s with a view of the coast.
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I really loved the look of their escort cards attached to vintage keys. I thought this rolling alphabet stamp from lemontree77 could be a great little budget option for brides who can’t afford to print out escort cards or hire a graphic designer but still want something personal at their wedding. $25.80. |
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Instead of a traditional wedding program, Liz and Evan decided to hand out programs printed out on paper fans like the ones here by paperjo. They are a bit more expensive than a traditional program, but if you're having your wedding outside in the heat of summer, the added cost of providing relief to your guests might be worth it. $4. |
Traci / Custom Wedding Programs |
Ethan & Nancy's Budget Beauty
Images by Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie
Ethan and Nancy’s wedding was probably one of the most popular weddings ever featured on Once Wed — not necessarily because it had the most amazing details or the biggest budget, but because it was done so beautifully for only $3,000. Yes, you heard me right: $3,000. They splurged on their photographer, and instead of having a catered event, asked each guest to bring a dish for a potluck style dinner afterward in a public park.
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100 Large Origami Paper Cranes |
Nancy and Ethan made hundreds of paper cranes to hang from the trees at their wedding in lieu of expensive decorations. If you love this idea, but don’t have the time to make them for your own wedding, Etsy sellers like MadeByJo will make them for you in a variety in colors. $30. |
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I’m seeing a lot of brides opting for the more affordable option of a variety of smaller cakes rather than a traditional three tier cake. Nancy and Ethan decided to scatter over their cakes a bit of dried lavender, and it is still to this day one of my favorite garnishes I’ve ever seen. Not only are smaller cakes easier on the budget, but after seeing fancy cakes for so long, it’s also a breath of fresh air. If you are not a big fan of lavender, I also found a wide variety of other dried flowers and herbs in layla's shop. $16. |
Fragrant Dried English Lavender |
Thank you so much, Emily! If you used handmade or vintage details in your wedding, share your photos in our Flickr pool!
Check out our Handmade Weddings series and Guest Curator archive too.
| Tags | Accessories, blogs, bridal, Clothing, Decor, Emily Newman, engagement, Favors, Handmade Weddings, Inspiration boards, Once Wed, oncewed.com, real weddings, shopping, websites, Weddings |
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113 comments Login to add your own!
beautifulbridget
MyJunkyTrunk
Really beautiful pics. Just makes you want to run out and get married, doesn't it? LOL! Great job!
PeetyDraws
If I could do my wedding all over again, this is the way I would go -- absolutely breathtaking and refreshing!
RachelleD
thebestvintage
evihan
CrochetCandi
vivikas
steinschmuckdesign
VixVintage
LittleWhiteDresser
1AEON
SilverPeaksJewelry
foamywader
gumbygirl
jezek
spacejam
MeghanT
I loved reading this article on handmade weddings Emily. I am still in shock though that Ethan and Nancy were able to hold a hugely popular celebration for only $3000. That blew me away. It just goes to show you though - you don't need to go into debt to get married. It's possible to have a fun, beautifully appointment wedding and stay within a sensible budget.
One of the things that bothered me sometimes at weddings was the huge cost the bride and groom accumulate just to celebrate their union. I watch wedding shows and it didn't seem right to me that they spent the equivalent of the down payment on a house. This article has totally changed how I think of weddings now.
I am working on a bridal jewelry line so I am in contact with various brides doing custom work and getting their opinions. I'm going to start referring these woman to etsy for ideas and inspiration. I personally love the idea of saving on a big wedding but splurging on some decadent accessories like that bolero. You'd get to wear it again and again and it will always remind you of a very special day.
MyMoms
mythunderstood
nightowlcraftworks
mtraub
JettVintage
edor
I loved this wedding set also: http://scout-holiday.com/blog/?p=1050 love the human artistic touch in all these weddings. Too many weddings are unmemorable and full of stress!
ChloesRuffleButt
yaelfran
sugarflowerdesign
Yay OnceWed! Great piece, and really nice selections from etsy. I love to see weddings that speak to the personalities of the bride and groom. The weddings you've included here are perfect examples - so warm, beautiful and real.
maidavale
HaroldandJane
Beautiful weddings! Makes me wish I could have a second one :)
mykonos
TheCottageCheese
The "Free Wedding" was so fun and so pretty! I love all of the colors. I was inspired by Ethan and Nancy's $3,000 budget, and was able to pull off a small island wedding of my own for even less. This included gorgeous flowers, a feast of food, a beautiful cake (cake topper from Etsy of course), and even renting the perfect house on the water, where we stayed for three nights and had our wedding and reception. With careful planning and hard work, you CAN have an amazing wedding on a small budget.
bonbiforest
I love Once Wed! My wedding is next year and I was so pleased to find Once Wed, so many gorgeous ideas that totally line up with what I am after, not to mention the fantastic photography!!
jewelrybyjackie
Just lovely! Once Wed has the best ideas! And along with browsing the wedding sections of Etsy, one can create the most amazing individualized special day. Thanks!
elasticwasteland
SimpleJoysPaperie
paramountvintage
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES! each wedding looks so special and romantic!
4TheSparrowsNest
It's too bad, really, that weddings are the pinnacle of many a woman's dreams and aspirations...only one day to be extravagantly beautiful and truly the center of attention. For most of us, anyway, lol.
baconsquarefarm
Oh my enjoyed scrolling down and oohing and aweing over all the pictures, so lovely, not good with words to express myself but~ one doesn't need to spend a fortune to have a unique and beautiful wedding day. Thanks for sharing this info/article with all of us.
veryKIKI
SimpleTraditions
riorita
EveldasNeverland
Archivia
I love this article and I am especially inspired by the $3000 wedding. I think weddings can be such a waste of money and I do believe there are ways of doing them tastefully, beautifully, memorably on a modest budget all at the same time. This $3000 wedding proves that! I am honored that you chose my antique parasol to include in your findings for this article, thank you so much.
MelroseFields
Nostalgia
wow! this wedding blew me away =D I love everything about it and it makes me want to have a wedding or plan it hhehe looks like lots of fun and a wonderful day to share with the ones you love.
katyandsuzys714
best wedding article i have seen in a very long time...looks like the economy is pushing everyone into having simple..low cost..weddings. I just love it!!!!!
FemmeFataleVintage
zebracakes
CutieDynamite
babook
I think ! i will prefer this way At my wedding of that ....a lot handmade a lot vintage .....It`s a great great great news from here ; )
capitolagirl
RockPaperSilver
IcingOnTheCupcake
betsy3
workingforpeanuts
Great photographs and inspiring ideas! Love the tea dresses! These weddings are so creative!
funkeyfinds
SkylarkVintage
I've been helping coordinate my best friend's wedding for the past year, and I have to say- Emily and her site have been MASSIVELY inspirational and helpful! My second favorite site next to Etsy!
polkadotHOME
Fairyfolk
Enchanting... I'd have a very different wedding now to the one I had 10 years ago. It would be completely handmade... Etsy is testament to the idea that the most beautiful things are made by hand!
Blessings and magic.
downanddirty
thank you for the inspiration...i'm in the beginning stages of wedding planning and you have given me some fantastic ideas!
SunshineandRavioli
So Beautiful! I truly wish I could do it all over again, but after almost twenty happy years, I'll just have to live vicariously through dreamy pictures like these....
limitz
ButtensBoutique
littletank
Zabba
ovgilliesdesigns
perpetual3
such wonderful details in each of those occasions. quite inspiring indeed.
lilworkerb
Hey! I'm a maid of honor, so I can't wait to pass these ideas along to the bride-to-be!
FlanneryCrane
This is a beautiful post and I love all the photos and ideas!
longwinterfarm
So beautiful! I can't imagine glass in a prettier form than the canning jar. Love!
PawPawsWorkshop
cottonbirddesigns
kidacollective
Aw, just gorgeous. Makes me want to get married again! I've been so excited to make dresses for several little bridal attendants this season and can't wait to see their photos!
shopgoodgrace
oh, sooo lovely! I never tire of wedding themes. These finds are beautiful... and such wonderful weddings. Very inspiring.
paperhill
designlab443
makes me want to have another wedding, hey our 10 year anniversary is coming up!
CottageGirlTea
All things beautiful.........That's what this article is to me.
TheInspiredElements
angelene
klacustomcreations
elishalong
GreighdayVintage
I adore the 1920's themed Wedding....what an amazing and memorable night it must have been!
EmmaBeeTextileArts
Aaaah! I this is about my favourite post ever! Everything is so beautiful.
breadandroses
SweetwaterGifts
Beautiful wedding items. The 20s wedding dress and bolero were gorgeous!
remusa65
SouthernGirlWeddings
Beautiful pictures! I love the "California Coast Wedding" - absolutely gorgeous!
MAUpromos
LaLah
incredible weddings and lovely photographs!!!! love creative weddings...
StudioCherie
WhatAboutMe
joythig
Iammie
OhFaro
prettypanda
jewelsNcrafts
How amazing, I wish I had more time before my wedding to make it myself. I love it!
brownbelly
TwistedCrystals
what a wondfully romantic collection of photos and pieces. thank you for sharing them :)
littlemoandfriends
lovelygifts
LilGriffin624
shizendesigns
Tina669
Camelotjewels
danielabesso
dandelionland
eeekdesigns
JenniferAitchison
revelry
The creativity is absolutely amazing! What gorgeous pictures. And great ideas.
oncewed
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I am so glad to see you enjoyed the feature!
katyandsuzys714
I keep coming back to this...back to this...back to this...i just can't stop looking at all the pictures and decorations. The wedding under the "big top" is just too...too...too precious. I love this stuff....this is sorta' the decorations and design ideas we make for our wedding customers here. The one thing that is very popular with our weddings is the photo booth is a very old quilt hanging over extra strength twine between two trees. Everyone likes that old quilt....and we found it in a old trunk we bought at a flea market for $25! Being in the South..hats are really BIG!!! We have started buying up old Kentucky Derby hats and letting the attendees wear them in the photo booth. It is getting to be popular. Our little business caters weddings..reunions..and events for groups under 100 people. We bought cute pink overalls and found darling pink Kentucky Derby hats on Ebay..and that's what we where to the event. So now we have decided to call our business "the Pink Overall Girls" Small Affairs. And we also cater to Wedding Consultants in our area who need fresh ideas or decorations. That is how we got started in the wedding business originally.....if the consultants had a hard time finding something...we would find it for them...or make it!!!! The "Bonnie and Clyde" look is becoming popular too!!!!
divababy
I'm really inspred - i love all the colors...i'm in the middle of planning too and I LOVE, LOVE this site! I love having all of these creative people inspring me daily!!
orangeandblossom
Great work, Emily! Really love the vintage keys on the escort/place cards. Sigh...
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