Real Wedding

creative: backyard | handfasting wedding

A creative backyard handfasting wedding

Hello lovelies, I’ve been sitting on this little gem for a whooooole week and I’m so happy I can finally share with you. Bailie and Curtis had a quirky, creative backyard wedding where they were bound together in a handfasting ceremony!

Their photographer Kelsey from One.Of.A.Kind Photography was on-hand to capture all the beautiful moments of their day. Words by Bailie.

Words by Bailie.

creative: backyard | handfasting wedding

We were married in our backyard…our home already held so many precious memories, including our first kiss! It was also a great excuse to spend money on fixing up the yard! The reception was held nearby at The Lincoln Center’s rooftop terrace.

We wanted something outdoors. We live in Fort Collins, Co. We rented some vintage pieces from Inspired Vintage Rentals. They also set up part of the ceremony and the reception for us which made the day of such a breeze! Other than their help, the rest was done by ourselves and family/friends.

creative: backyard | handfasting wedding

My dress was by Betsey Johnson and was blue! I’m not a huge fan of white. I loved how the dress had a tea party, vintage prom feel, but still eccentric with the bright sash.

creative: backyard | handfasting wedding

A creative backyard handfasting wedding

We did not exchange rings. Curtis would never wear one due to his job and I liked my engagement ring on its own. It’s a platinum filigree ring with a black diamond made by Hugo Kohl.

creative: backyard | handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

My love of all things vintage and the 1950s mixed with Curtis’ love of eccentric items is what inspired our wedding. We wanted to take my grandmother’s attic and marry it to Tim Burton’s Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory or Alice in Wonderland.

We both love mixing simple things with the unexpected.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

We did have a handfasting ceremony in which we used vintage ribbon from my grandmother to tie around our hands signifying our unity. We asked guests to tie knots into the ribbon before the ceremony to show their love and support for us.

The ribbons hang by our front door as a daily reminder of our commitment to one another.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

The maids dresses were all handmade tea dresses in vintage pink floral fabrics by Made by Lousie Hadley, Sohomode.

A creative backyard handfasting wedding

All the guys were simply asked to wear shirts in a cream shade. They were given the Vans as gifts and were able to come up with the rest themselves. It made for a mix-matched look which was exactly what we wanted.

A creative backyard handfasting wedding

We chose not to use real flowers but instead purchased paper bouquets from Alternative Blooms and oversized paper flowers from Great Rooms Decor.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

I collected vintage tablecloths that covered many of the tables. I the venue etc) hand tied vintage napkins that hung above the reception. We collected vintage pieces like scales, cameras, and doilies that went in the centre of each table along with the oversized paper flowers.

We rented some vintage pieces like suitcases, trunks, and wood ladders to fill the space with similar items. We also brought a ton of vintage toys for the kids to play with.

A creative backyard handfasting wedding

We had a vegan Mexican buffet by the Rainbow Restaurant. iPod, photo booth by Redeyebooths.com. We also covered the tables at the reception in brown paper and had mason jars with crayons so guests could draw while on them.

One of Curtis’ groomsmen let us borrow his tandem bike we rode to the reception.  :)

A creative backyard handfasting weddingcreative: backyard | handfasting wedding

We had a little 6 inch round banana cake with peanut butter frosting. We also had an assortment of cookies (peanut butter, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip), cupcakes (peanut butter, chocolate, vanilla), doughnuts (apple, vanilla, chocolate), and pies (strawberry and peach).

ALl desserts were vegan and by Beet Box Denver.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

We adopted a rescued barn owl through a local program on behalf of our guests and then gave each guest a heart shaped bird seed favour. We also had guests take desserts home and they were given copies of their photo booth pictures.

Favours were from Green Doxie Events,

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

Kelsey White of One O.a.k photo, was such an amazing photographer! We instantly felt like we had known her for years. Her style was exactly what we had envisioned.

It was refreshing to have someone involved that was as laid back as we were but still made sure that she got all the shots she wanted and knew we’d want.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

Accept that you will have moments in which you will think, “Why are we doing this?” Accept that others will have their own opinions and wishes for your big day.

Accept that the picture you have in your head may not completely come to life in front of you. At the end of your wedding day, the details will be obsolete.

A creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting weddingA creative backyard handfasting wedding

One of my favourite moments was as we walked up the aisle as newlyweds, all our friends and family made a huge roar with noise makers we provided them instead of flower petals or rice.

We then proceeded to take a quick stroll around our neighbourhood while guests moved on to the reception. It was such a perfect moment to be by ourselves and fully enjoy that we were not husband and wife.

creative: backyard | handfasting wedding

What an awesome, awesome wedding! I love the eclecticness of it all! Thank you so much, Bailie & Curtis, for sharing your very personal day and Kelsey from One.Of.A.Kind.Photgraphy for sharing these beautiful images.

What do you think lovelies? A few of my favourite things from this wedding… Bailie’s Betsey Johnson dress, the bridesmaid dresses… so flippin’ cute and those Irregular Choice shoes. Tell me a few of your favourite things :)

Supplier Credits not included in the main body of text

Brides shoes ~ Converse (day of)  Irregular Choice (photos),

Brides hair ~Kari Rainey

Brides makeup ~ Amanda Eichhorn

Grooms bow tie

Curtis wore pieces he already owned

4 comments
    1. Me and my hubs had a handfasting ceremony, they’re called cuffs ;) XxX Thanks for your comment Leah XxX

  1. Absolutely beautiful! From the very first photo in the story, I knew I would love this wedding! Love the dress, the shoes, the boot planters, the bride’s hair … And the photography was just beautiful. I adore when couples make a wedding their own (instead of feeling compelled to stick to traditions) and then share the experience that is truly a reflection of themselves with their closest friends and family. It’s much more personal in that way. Nicely done!

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