Maria + Ben make this whole DIY wedding thing look easy, but they’ll freely admit it takes a lot of hard work + help from friends to pull off a gorgeous, handmade celebration. They tied the knot on a sprawling plot of land in SoCal, with a green, vintage treehouse, and a peaceful pond serving as their backdrop. These two spent months crafting, designing + piecing together the fun design elements that helped give their day a personal spin. And we’re crazy about how it all turned out! Here’s a little bit more form the darling new Mrs.:
Once we settled on the Fallbrook Treehouse, everything else kind of fell into place. I wanted it to be a little bit vintage, a little bit garden party, a little undone, and very personal. We had small personal touches in the wedding, including using books for decorations (we’re both avid readers), using mason jars for glasses and vases (I’m a huge canner), and dancing to Elvis (my husband is obsessed!) Of course, the handmade elements also helped make it feel more personal, and there’s just a nice sense of accomplishment that you get in knowing that you and your husband made a lot of the decorations for the wedding!
We couldn’t agree more! Thanks so much to Yuna Leonard for the pretty photography + big congrats to Maria + Ben on a super lovely day!
Such a sweet first look! And we’re head over heels for Maria’s gorge Wren dress from Stone Fox Bride. It’s perfect for all you ladies who are looking for a gown with a more modern feel.
This fun, loose bouquet by Bespoke is made up of poppy pods, garden roses, dahlias, white scabiosa, cobra lilies, dusty miller + brunia berry. So beautiful!
Processional: Bridal Party: The Only Moment – Explosions in the Sky; Bride: We Were Alone – Sigur Ros
Recessional: I Feel It All – Feist
First Dance: Can't Help Falling in Love – Elvis
My favorite memory from the day will be how everyone I knew came together to help with setting everything up. I had A LOT of DIY projects and NO PLANNER, so I was definitely in over my head when the day finally came. My family, bridesmaids, and friends all pitched in to help set things up, which was so moving. Without that extra help, the day would have been a total disaster.
My friend gave me really good advice about budgeting, which is to pick one of two things that are super important to you and then work everything else into your budget afterwards. Maybe that means you have to skip the engraved invitations and calligrapher or scale back on your centerpieces in order to get what you want. I used a spreadsheet in Google Docs to track everything, which made it really easy when I would get random inspiration throughout the planning process. Also, just know that something (and, often, many things!) will go wrong on the big day, so be mentally prepared to have your backdrop not hang perfectly or your best man to forget his boutonniere or something. At the end of the day, you will be married and people will have a fun time. That's all that matters!
photography: Yuna Leonard // venue name: Fallbrook Treehouse, Fallbrook, California // bride's shoes: Miu Miu // hair stylist: e2beauty // makeup artist: e2beauty // groom's shoes: Cole Haan // catering: Miho Gastrotruck // music: JP McLeod // photobooth: Magbooth // cupcakes: Elegance on Display // invitations: hello tenfold // bar: Pow Wow Rentals // place settings: Pow Wow Rentals // bridal party flowers: Bespoke // boutonnieres: Bespoke // bride's dress: Wren from Stone Fox Bride // veil: Stone Fox Bride // beaded sash: Stone Fox Bride // groom attire: My.Suit, J.Crew
Looks wonderful. I’m planning a similar outdoor wedding. And hate the idea of tents but have no backup. Any advice?
You may have already had your big event, but in case you haven’t and for everyone else reading– I would have a backup of tents!! I wanted to get married outside so bad my whole life. Planned it. Day of, raining. We had it indoors with light streaming in a second floor but still. I would probably just plan it WITH tents because if not, it may be a scramble.
Very creative outdoor wedding, I love the reception location between the trees. Thanks for sharing!
They really did have an amazing, beautiful wedding day and I’m so happy to have seen it!
So awesome with the Instagram hashtag!
These photos are such an addiction!
I love the vintage style taco truck– AWESOME.