If you’re like us and you enjoy reading by the fireplace, and drinking a pumpkin spice latte (we’re basic that way), then Vilina and Taiowa’s autumn wedding in the Hudson Valley is for you. They got married at the Whistlewood Farm Bed and Breakfast on a beautiful October day, in a very DIY way that completely blew our minds!!
Both very crafty, this couple did everything themselves from scratch; their ceremony background, their flowers, and even their flowers’ vases 🤯. Yes, the bride has some serious ceramics skills! From the table decorations to the flower crown station and the cutest dance floor with a disco ball piñata; V & T thought about everything to make their wedding day personalized and unforgettable…. you aren’t going to want to miss it! Check out these photos snapped by Lucie B Photography of their incredible day!
Autumn Details for the Big Day
Loving this bride’s simple wedding gown! We asked her how she found her perfect wedding dress:
“I bought it on a quick whim! Taiowa left to see his grandmother for the afternoon, and I was browsing the web, and the next thing I knew, I was on the phone with my mom and putting down my credit card. Luckily, it fit quite well, and only minor alterations were needed. I saw it, and I knew it was the one.”
Nothing beats the pretty colors of a fall wedding in the Hudson Valley!! 🍂
These bridesmaids in black ensembles look so chic!
Processional: The Book of Love by the Magnetic Fields
Recessional: (Girl We Got A) Good Thing by Weezer
First Dance: Highlight of My Life by Dolly Parton
Saying ‘I Do’
You may kiss the bride! These two are married!!
The Unique Couples Portraits
The Hudson Valley had just started to turn yellow and orange, making it the perfect background. After their ceremony, the couple and their photographer went to a local apple orchard for some unique bride & groom portraits straight out of a Wes Anderson movie.
How cool and artistic are these shots?! These animal face masks are so fun!
This gold leaf headband of Vilina’s is the perfect fit!
Want to see some of the best bridal headbands to accessorize your wedding look? We’ve got you 😉
Arts, Crafts, and a Reception!
“With the help of some friends, we did all the flower arrangements and bouquets, and we even had a farmer apprentice friend help grow some of the flowers for my bouquet. And to minimize waste, I turned the leftover flowers into a DIY flower crown station for cocktail hour, which people loved.”
The bride shares how they DIY-ed nearly every element of their reception!
“I came up with the designs, and Taiowa and I worked together to build everything. He built our arbor and the abstract shapes we used as decoration throughout the venue. I made all the paper goods using my vinyl cutter, from invitations to thank you notes to the onsite signage. Taiowa made a piñata, and we held a contest–the person who hit the dance floor the hardest would get to bust the piñata open. It kept people moving and grooving.“
How sweet are these name-place settings!
“The piece that took the most time and energy from me was the bud vases I made which did double duty as centerpieces and party favors. It took several months and lots of trial and error, but the biggest compliment I received was that people took the favors, we didn’t have any leftovers. It was that initiative that actually gave me the courage to start selling my other pottery and creating my own small business, VP Pottery.”
Love the do-it-yourself vibes? Here’s another wedding with several DIY elements!
For both of us, it was seeing it all come together after months of planning with some major roadblocks (our original venue closed down four months before the wedding!) and revealing in the festivities with our family and friends after so much time apart.
Hire a wedding coordinator! Especially if you plan on going the DIY route. We hired a month of coordinator who help fit all the pieces together and most importantly was the point of contact during the wedding, so that we could be fully present with each other and our friends and family that day.
An outfit change and an epic evening on the dance floor are the ONLY ways to close out an amazingly exciting wedding day!
A huge thank you Taiowa and Vilina for sharing your special day with us, we wish you both endless love and laughter!
photography: Lucie B Photography // venue name: Whistlewood Farm Bed and Breakfast, Hudson Valley, New York, United States // month of coordinator: Dhalia Events
