In order to avoid the expense and stress that can accompany a large guest list, Jennie and Chris opted for a small wedding with big personality. In order to spend quality time with each guest, Jennie and Chris kept things simple by limiting travel and planning their day to maximize their time with loved ones.

Did we mention that their day was overflowing with breathtaking details? Not only did they host a brunch reception (yum), they infused their day with gorgeous DIY touches, like antique doors that Jennie refinished and the table numbers holders made from branches from their backyard to make the whole event feel like cohesive and personal.

Kat Bevel Photography caught their dazzling day on film.

Jennie, 31 & Chris, 30

Austin, TX

Wedding Date: February 16, 2013

Number of Guests: 40

Wedding Cost: $9,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: The Old Pecan Street Café

Wedding Reception Location: Same as ceremony

If we had three words to describe West Coast Wilderness Lodge in Egmont, British Columbia, we would say “magical”, “adventurous” and “breathtaking”. Not only does the lodge offer majestic views of mountains, ocean, bays and rain forests, it features amenities like a cliff-side hot-tub, stunning decks, intimate accommodations, and the opportunity for adventure hiding around every corner.

When you get married at West Coast Wilderness Lodge, you and  your guests will have the run of the entire resort, with no one to interrupt your celebration. The lodge boasts 20 cozy rooms and suites, a dining hall, and multiple decks that are perfect for basking in the gorgeous view, all of which will be yours privately. The on-staff wedding coordinator will ensure that each detail of your day is perfect, leaving you with nothing to do but sip a glass of wine, or enjoy the new Eco Spa.

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Photo one: Sakura Photo; Photo two: Alana Couch

Couples are getting creative when it comes to styling what their guests are sippin’ on. Beverage bars offer a DIY-friendly way to display your drink options while adding to the decor and encouraging interaction amongst guests. Garnish your displays with beautiful signage, whimsical straws, and antique dispensers and pitchers and you have a recipe for success. Need inspiration? We’ve provided five flavors of beverage bars that are guaranteed to go down smooth.

Water Drink Station

Particularly popular for summer weddings, give guests a quick cool down before the ceremony with a water station. Fill stylish water dispensers with fanciful flavors such as lemon and cucumber, lime and mint, and strawberry.

We know how much IW fans love freebies – so we got the talented Riata from B is for Brown to whip us up a batch of awesome printable table numbers.

Simply on the links below the image to download the pdfs, then print out on card stock or matte photo paper. Each table number measures 5″ x 7″.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but rich ruby and stylish sapphires are starting to steal hearts. The latest trend popping up when lovebirds pop the question is replacing the traditional clear diamond with a colorful gem, adding that unique personalization of the ring that so many couples covet.

EraGem, a fine estate jewelry company, specializes in vintage and antique engagement rings, and has one of the largest selections of colored gems on the web. Their styles range from dainty and sweet princess cuts to luxe halo estate rings, at prices that are as low as $329.

What we love most about EraGem is that many of the rings have been recently treasured … each one perhaps even having its own love story behind it:

A soldier returns home from the war, drops to one knee, and presents his beloved with a blue sapphire cathedral engagement ring.  Or, in 1973, a pair of high school sweethearts from different sides of the tracks elope, much to their parents’ disapproval. After 30 happy years together, and with money finally in the bank, the husband offers his wife the engagement ring he could never afford, a glistening star ruby halo engagement ring.

Doesn’t that just seem to add an extra level of romance? Of course, there’s no way of knowing who the previous owners were, but we like to think that these rings, which are so symbolic of starting a new life together, have played a role in somebody else’s love story. Why not let them take a starring role in your own?

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