by DIY Bride on 24.11.2014 - 05:43 PM

Some couples incorporate vintage elements into their wedding because it's on-trend while others, like Danielle and Mike, incorporate them because they bring them closer together with cherished memories and honor the loved ones who are with them only in spirit. The result is a deeply personal and often deeply spiritual wedding day. And isn't that what makes a wedding truly special?

After looking at only one place for their reception, River Stone Manor, Danielle began planning by creating a mood board with images found on her favorite wedding blogs. If you're just getting started with wedding planning, creating mood boards is one of the absolute best ways to start defining your wedding style and generating ideas for what to make or include your in your own wedding.

Our bride, Danielle, tells us about how the day came together:

About her dress (editor's note: LOOK AT THAT DRESS, people!):

My dress absolutely HAD to be lace and involve a keyhole cut out in the back, nothing strapless. I sketched out a few ideas and thankfully, I found my vision at Lovely Bridal Shop in NYC.

On using childhood memories and personal style for inspiration:

I love vintage accents that nod to the victorian era, mixed with a vibrant, modern flare. I had a Great-Grandmother that tatted lace doilies and another that collected milk glass on every shelf, which is where I drew my inspiration for my table settings. My beloved Nana was represented by her initial brooch pinned to my mother's wedding dress fabric on my bouquet. I had both of my grandmother's baby rings on a dainty chain to keep them close to my heart and present in spirit.

Details, details:

My mother and I did a lot of DIY projects together for fun and to keep the budget in check. We painted milk bottles to look like vintage green glass for the centerpieces. We glued crochet lace around votive candles and recovered the inside of vintage luggage I found to use to hold our cards. I had a friend hand embroidered handkerchiefs that I folded and attached to programs I designed. My childhood ice cream truck made a late night appearance. In lieu of favors, we donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in my honor, to give back to the research that kept me here on this Earth and allowed me a chance to grow up to find my soul mate.

Advice:

One piece of advice I have for brides is to splurge and hire a day of coordinator. I hired a dear friend, Latoyia, of Breuckelen & Honey to do my day of coordinating, every detail was executed to perfection and helped me just enjoy all that hard work planning, by celebrating with my husband and our loved ones.

DETAILS

Riverstone Manor, New York
Event Date: Aug, 2012

Photographer: Casey Connell Photography//Floral Designer: Anthology Studio//Shoes: Christian Louboutin//Dress Store: Lovely Bridal Shop//Hair Stylist: Make Me Fabulous//Reception Venue: Riverstone Manor// Submitted via Two Bright Lights