Phew, what a week it’s been! September is a month of celebrating for us, filled with many birthdays and anniversaries. My son’s birthday, my birthday, and our anniversary are all within 6 days of each other. Today is Micah and my 5th anniversary. It is true what they say: it has gone so fast, yet it feels like we’ve been married forever. I am very blessed to have Micah in my life as a partner, spouse, father of our children, and friend. He is one of the few people who can get me to relax, bring me back to reality, and he isn’t phased or frightened by my crazy. 🙂
5 years ago I got wedding inspriation by picking up several magazines, spending way too much time on marthastewartweddings.com, and visiting shows like Bridal Spectacular. I’ve thought about what it would be like to plan a wedding with Pinterest at hand, and I certainly have mixed feelings about it. The chance to have so many ideas and resources at your fingertips would be wonderful, but there is something beautiful about an event forming organically too.
Many of the ideas I had for our wedding were just a thought that popped into my head…the color scheme from a favorite dress of mine, the paper flowers after seeing a paper flower in a store, mixing the bridesmaids’ dresses and colors because I myself never loved the idea of looking just like someone else. We had gold straws because I really liked to drink out of them, not because it seemed like that was what everyone else was doing. I didn’t have the pressure of putting together something “Pinterest-worthy,” and I also didn’t have to deal with everyone and their uncle saying “Oh I love this, did you see it on Pinterest?!?”
Micah and I were married and celebrated at The Loose Mansion in Kansas City on a beautiful Friday evening.
My mom and I spent HOURS making paper flowers for the event: about 500 I believe, in all different shapes and sizes. It was painstakingly fun, and I have really fond memories of the time we spent doing it.
I wanted a really small veil, a hint of a veil, but nothing I had to fuss with. It’s amazing how much things with “wedding” in their description can cost, and most of the headpieces I found that I liked were in the hundreds of dollars. I ended up buying an old pillbox hat at a thrift store and ripping the french netting off of it. My hairdresser helped me pin the netting into place.
Along with the paper flowers, my dad cut some plywood into squares and my mom and I covered them with batting and fabric. For very little money, this helped ground the centerpieces and give them a bigger presence.
I tried to go really classic with my overall look in the hopes that 30 years from now I won’t laugh at the way I looked on my wedding day. To jazz up our flower girl, Kennedy’s, store-bought white dress my grandma made an over-skirt of gold with a red sash.
Micah’s Aunt Lesa made the adorable ring box.
The ceremony was intimate, with about 30 family members, but the reception was a bigger affair with around 250. It’s been my experience that most people don’t care to see you get married, they just want to see what everyone is wearing and have a piece of wedding cake. 🙂 We had an hour in between the ceremony and the cocktail hour, and it was really nice to get a chance to relax with family and very close friends before things got crazy.
Having our wedding at the mansion was like having a party in someone’s home. I loved how crowded and full of energy certain areas felt, yet you could sneak away to more quiet spaces if you needed to. I think people lingered longer because of this and even with our DJ spinning on the top level, my older relatives could comfortably socialize in different rooms of the home.
One of the biggest and my favorite investments was our DJ, Mike Scott. Getting a club DJ took the reception to another level. No cheesy talking, no time in between songs for people to scamper off the dance floor – Mike was incredible and memorable.
Happy Anniversary, Micah! I look forward to celebrating many more with you!
I was honored to be featured on Love on Sunday today! You can check out some info on our second hand dining table here. If you’re visiting from Amy’s blog, welcome! Thank you for stopping by and feel free to check out my home here.
Julia Konya says
You two are a gorgeous couple. And you looked stunning on your special day. Happy Anniversary and like I saw on Instagram, Happy Birthday again too.
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
So glam, Gwen! You wear blonde and red lips well, girl 🙂 I got married pre-Pinterest too, the difference is kind of crazy, isn't it?
themakerista@gmail.com says
It is! Thanks for your kind words, Jennifer!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
WOW- you are stunning! love the red lips!
Amy D says
Gwen, Happy Anniversary!
You are such a gorgeous bride. And your wedding looks spectacular, I love the venue and the personal touches, especially those paper flowers! This is perfect inspiration for me since I JUST picked my reception venue last night 🙂
Thanks so much for taking part in my thrifted thursday today. Loving your dining set 🙂
Amy ~ LoveOnSunday
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks Amy! I look forward to seeing details from your wedding, I'm sure it will be just lovely! And congrats on picking the venue! That's a big step!
Thank you so much for featuring me on your blog yesterday! I really appreciate it!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
You. Are. Stunning! I'm not getting married soon but I do worry about what it's going to be like to plan a wedding in the Pinterest era! So much pressure haha
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Caitlin! I bet you will have the coolest wedding ever! As long as you make it as personal as your home, I know it will be amazing!
Elisa of Fancy Free Me says
Just hopped over from Amy's blog. Loved your dining set, the stripes totally make it. And you are a beautiful bride, love the bold red lipstick.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Elisa! And thanks for stopping over, I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Raphaela Bazalgette says
Im so happy to finally see your wedding pics! When I was planning my wedding this summer, I actually raided your FB profile for ideas 🙂 Ah, and your wedding was beyond gorgeous,, and the HAIR! Just fabulous. I totally hear you about the Pinterest planning thing. It put me in a tail spin with ideas which was a blessing and a curse. I ended up making all of my own decorations much like yourself! Paper flowers, pinwheels, and coffee-filter puff balls everywhere! It was only a 3 month engagement so I had to put the pedal to the metal! My husband (fiancee at the time) thought I was nuts but I'll never forget the times he would look at me fondly, in the midst of my craft induced disaster area which was once a living room, and tell me how happy he was. DIY was initially intended for money-saving but I had no idea how many unforgettable memories would develop in the making.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks awesome, lady! Yes, you didn't have much time, but I think that can be best. You don't have time to stew over decisions or add unnecessary things. That's a sweet moment with you and your husband…sounds like you're a good match. 🙂 I totally agree, DIYing is totally worth it! Thanks for reading and sharing!
Denise @ frazzled JOY says
Your dress is beautiful!! As was everything!! Thanks for sharing and congrats on 5 years!! Love your blog and your style 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks so much, Denise! Thanks for reading and happy weekend!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
I am in LOVE with the Loose Mansion! Good memories attending weddings there, dancing, socializing and crying (happy tears of course).
Happy Anniversary, September is definitely an amazing month to celebrate.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I'm glad someone gets my love for that place. 🙂
Libby Boyle says
A beautifully classic wedding dress. You look so stylish and sophisticated. My niece also had her attendants select dresses that suited them and the look was relaxed and lovely. You can see photos, if you have time, on my blog post:
http://llibbyslifestyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/wedding-allergy-and-year-of-weddings.html
Happy Anniversary.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thank you very much, Libby! I appreciate you reading and enjoyed looking through photos of all the weddings! So many great details! Happy weekend.
Rachel Blanchard says
What a beautiful wedding! What's funny is that when I got engaged, I stopped looking at Pinterest for wedding "inspiration." I definitely didn't want people walking in and immediately thinking everything was from Pinterest. It was so nice considering everyone else's weddings look the same 😉 It can also be insanely overwhelming if you're actually planning a wedding instead of just browsing for fun!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Rachel! I think you made a wise choice in avoiding Pinterest for a bit! It can be so overwhelming and add a lot of pressure!
Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend!
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says
Congratulations and happy anniversary! Your wedding day photos look straight out of a magazine…you both look gorgeous! Your make-up and those red lips…ah-mazing. Loved all the personal touches, too…I couldn't agree with you more about Pinterest. I totally have a love hate relationship with that guy…so much pressure now with parties and events 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Pressure is right! Thanks for your sweet words, Jesse and have a great weekend!
Autumn Beach says
Wow! Everything was just beautiful…including YOU. Gorgeous! LOVE your dress and your VEIL and the gold straws. Yep, pretty much everything. Definitely Pin-worthy in a pre-Pin era. Thanks so much for sharing and happy anniversary!
Erin and Laura House Envy says
wow! Looks straight out of a magazine. I love all the details and the dresses are stunning! congrats
Laura
House Envy
best buy painting says
nice wedding!!! impressive!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you very much!
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
You are gorgeous! I love that you went classic on your wedding day. Happy Anniversary!! xo Kristin
pam {simple details} says
Happy Anniversary! What a truly special wedding, your beautiful one of a kind details made it! You couldn't look more beautiful and happy! Love your blog, too!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Pam, and I appreciate you reading!
Mrs. DeVore says
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful day!
Melanie Knopke says
all the details are perfect, just gorgeous!