DIY

We had a lot of help getting the Victorian vibe down well - our friends helped make paper flowers, some loaned decor for the welcome table, our wedding party dressed in neo-Victorian outfits we'd picked out, and about a hundred other things that I can't possibly list now. Everything that we DIY'ed required some form of help - you know who you were, helpers, and we love you.

Here's the DIY Photo Dump I promised!

Even with a metal corner missing, the ring pillow box is still pretty awesome.

Yes, our programs were home made cootie catcher fortune tellers. I used a graphic template for the teller lines, then just added and rotated text boxes to match it up.  Printed on faux parchment paper.

We bought pendants from Joann Fabrics, popped 'em on chains.

I painted the soles of my payless oxfords.  Something blue!

Purchased book flowers for the 8 bridesmaid bouquets, but then added matching ribbon and charms.

All the men's boutonnieres were made by our friend Seth (the one who did the engagement photos - yes, he's that talented, too)

Steampunk Airships! We bought unfinished balsa wood ship "puzzles," assembled them, then my dad and I stained the lot.  Steve rigged them up with twine and a remote control lantern light.

We borrowed and brought a bunch of Victorian nick nacks to decorate the entry table.  Books about hot air balloon travel or Sherlock Holmes, an antique parasol, hourglasses, etc.

I painted a blank B&W tree, then the wedding party started us off with a few well-placed thumbprints.

Rainbow-colored ink was beautiful and lasted through all 120+ guests!

We filled the guestbook with black scrapbook paper and provided gel pens.  Instant chalkboard guestbook!

All of the centerpiece flowers (and most of the flowers in my bouquet) were made using discarded harlequin romance novels.  Yes, we used smut novels.  Dirty, dirty smut novels.