Handmade Scrabble Wedding: Mimi + Ben

giant scrabble letters

Mimi + Ben’s sweet handmade wedding took place at their church in Charlotte, North Carolina, followed by a reception in the church’s gym. I think this is the first reception I’ve seen in a gym, but Mimi did such an amazing job with the decorating! Lots of handmade details including etched bottles, paper bouquets, origami birds, walls of ribbons + Scrabble letters! The wedding was a modge podge of all things DIY, but to keep it from going too crazy, they settled on the color green – all shades of it – because Mimi’s favorite color is green (we are pretty big fans of green too! :) Her engagement ring is even a green stone (Peridot). I also love that they incorporated their love for the game of Scrabble into the day. When Mimi was studying abroad in Costa Rica for 4 months, Ben + Mimi passed the time together on Skype playing Scrabble. Big thanks to Jagger Photography for the photos today!

bride

green shade bridesmaid dresses


Mimi made all the bouquets for each of her gals!

brooch bouquet, pom bouquet

superhero boutonnieres


Mimi asked the boys who their favorite super hero was and ordered figurines to make them “boutonnieres” – how fun!

superhero boutonnieres

ceremony


Our processional was Boyce Avenue cover “Just the Way You Are.” During the first verse, the flower girl walked down the aisle. By the time she arrived at the front, the song hit the first line of the chorus which says “When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change,” the back doors opened to me walking in. I looked down the aisle, found Ben’s eyes & never looked away. The timing was beautiful. The first time we practiced this in rehearsal, as soon as the doors opened to the song, all the girls gasped, ahh-ed, then cried. Ben was even crying.

giant ribbon wall ceremony

giant ribbon wall ceremony

giant ribbon wall ceremony


A green rice exit!

rice wedding exit

giant scrabble letters

bride and groom

bride and groom

green toms

bride and groom

DIY bridal bouquet

bride and groom

bride and groom

bride and groom

bride and groom

bride and groom

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Mimi - I can't pick just one! I loved the walk down the aisle, the feel of the wedding ring slipping onto my finger during our vows, and the first kiss we shared as husband & wife. But I think what took the cake (not just for me but for a lot of the guests who've told me about it later) was the father daughter dance. We danced to the song "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. My father & I use to sing this song when I was little, & even at that age, I knew I wanted this to be the song I danced to with my dad. There was not a dry eye in the building, so I'm told. But I didn't pay attention. My eyes were closed the entire time while I breathed in the scent of my father & the feel of his arms around me & his head leaning against mine. I know it's so cliche to say this, but honestly I saw my life flash before my eyes & all the wonderful moments I have had with my dad. I could not have felt more loved in that moment.

Ben - For me, the most memorable moment was when the church doors opened & I saw Mimi – my bride – walk down the aisle towards me. It was surreal.

place card ribbon wall

place card ribbon wall

yarn ceiling with cranes

yarn ceiling with cranes


The whole ceiling was covered in layers of colored string – pretty amazing!

yarn ceiling with cranes

scrabble frame

scrabble wedding words

scrabble wedding cake

wooden cake toppers

first dance

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

We both agree that planning should not be everything. Of course it's a fun thing that ya'll do together, but don't make it everything. Still find time to relax with each other & not plan & plan & plan. Ben & I had to make a conscious effort to do this. Also, make the wedding about the two of you. Don't let anybody else take over that you do not want. Never be afraid to ask for help. I had some amazing girls around me who were so supportive, encouraging, & helped me complete a lot of my DIY wedding projects. I would have been a stressed-out mess without them!

photography: Jagger Photography // wedding dress: J. Crew Taryn gown // hairpiece: MissRubySue // bride's shoes: TOMS // hair stylist: Hair by Chloe Van Long of New Creations Salon // makeup artist: Hair by Chloe Van Long of New Creations Salon // groom attire: Express // cake: Sky's the Limit Custom Cakes // music: DJ Chris with AAA Entertainment // venue name: Fairbluff Bible Chapel, Charlotte Chinese Baptist Church // photobooth: Shutterbooth Charlotte // wedding invitations: Grace Chang & City Graphics

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