Monday, February 23, 2009

Celebrating A Simple Wedding

Sharing a few frugal details from our weekend trip.

Audrey Hepburn dresses with pearls, off the rack from Banana Republic.

Rich red color lit up the church.

Groomsmen in navy suits blended with those in uniform.

My brother and his beautiful bride.

In the background, urns of clearance holiday greenery.

Soft piano music performed by friends.

Her elegant bouquet.

Made at home with roses in bulk from Sam's Club--as were all the bouquets and boutonnieres.

Homemade red velvet cake.

Layers frozen ahead, then decorated with sugared berries and rosebuds.

We were so impressed by the hospitality and teamwork of my brother's new family. I can't imagine a better way to begin a marriage!

33 comments:

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Meredith I am so impressed with everything. Beautiful. What a wonderful addition to your family.
Blessings sent to all this early evening.

Leila said...

How timely...we are in the midst of planning our daughter's wedding (the first of our seven children to get married!)...

And you know, simple is best! We're working on it :)

Your brother's looks lovely...

Shannon said...

Everything is beautiful! What a lovely wedding. I'm especially tickled at the red velvet wedding cake. That's what I wanted, too, but two bakeries told me it was "impossible." Now I would keep looking until I got what I wanted, but back then I settled for a red velvet groomscake.
I love the red rose bouquet, too.

celina from canada said...

very nice...

those cakes look awesome whoever did them did a splendid job...

and the bride was beautiful...great dress....

i did my sil's bouquet as well....a nice touch i saw at a blog called sundrenched moments she used heirloom cameos on the ribbon , loved that idea..

wish i knew in 1997 what i know now...would have saved my dad $$$, i like the idea of the couple getting a flat amount to use as they wish...they can bank the savings, or spent it...

may your brother's union be blessed and last forever...through thick and think, through frugal and spendthrift moments...

Roxie700 said...

What a beautiful bride and handsome groom. I am sure your family is very proud to have a new member. The cake is just so very pretty. Those red roses are the best. I hope the bride and groom have many many happy years together. Roxie

Elizabeth said...

I love it when people use their creativity to make their wedding day personal, special and financially do-able.

God bless the happy couple!
Elizabeth

Mimi said...

Simple, beautiful, elegant! Congratulations to your brother and his lovely wife. Your family continues to inspire us. Thank you for sharing.
--Trina from the Philippines

Country Girl said...

Very nice! We had a simple inexpensive wedding, did EVERYTHING ourselves. 14 years later still happily married. Many of our friends that spent 10-20k are now divorced.

Michele said...

Love the cake - it looks very professional. Everything looks beautiful. Mazel Tov to the bride and groom!

Erika said...

*sigh*
So lovely...
It is amazing how frugal can be so much classier than expensive "showiness."

Jackie said...

Beautiful, the simple way they celebrated bodes well for their life together.

God bless.

Lucy said...

What a beautiful wedding! So elegant and timeless, and all on a budget.

ancient one said...

Everything was beautiful... and I noticed the white bow in the little girl's hair... Loved the cake...

Susan said...

What a great blessing to have a new sister-in-law! It looks and sounds as if the two of you will be "kindred spirits", and will enjoy family events all the more because you see the world through the same set of glasses!! Wishing your brother much joy and happiness in his new life with his new bride. Tell your new sister-in-law we look forward to hearing some of her frugal ideas soon, too!
Congratulations!
Susan

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

There really is such beauty in simplicity! The bride looks so beautiful. She chose a gorgeous dress! Elise's hair looks so pretty! How did your little flower girl do at the wedding?

It was such a blessing to meet you in person! Thanks so much for taking the time to meet up with me while you were here!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to your brother and his bride!

Baleboosteh said...

Congratulations to the happy couple and all your family! It looks like it was an elegant, creative and very happy occasion.

DeeAnn said...

Beautiful wedding, beautiful bride & handsome groom. May their life be full of blessings & long lasting love. Congratulations to both!

Melanie said...

Simply Beautiful ~ I'm going to remember this when my daughter one day weds!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Christi said...

Lovely!

An Adventurer in the World said...

I see your children in your brother's face : )

It was beautiful! I have 2 frugal sisters-in-law with very different frugal styles, and we sure enjoy each other's finds and worldview. So glad you have a new sister to share on such a personal level.

Beautiful, Meredith...

deb meyers

Samantha said...

The pictures capture a feeling of love, simplicity and beauty. I hope they have a long and happy life together.

This wedding seemed less stressful for your family than the one last summer. I am glad you could share with us this time who was getting married, where, and share pictures of the bride and groom. Most of us love weddings!

Sam

Sandy said...

Stunning - all of it!

WhiteStone said...

Lovely! Lovely!
Congratulations to the new couple!
Wise to be frugal!

carandavis said...

precious!

DealFinder said...

Beautiful! I love how the cake looks!

Gena said...

That was a beautiful wedding you attended. I also love that the dresses were purchased at Banana Republic and could actually be worn again. Have you seen the movie "27 Dresses"? Enough said. I had a closet full of unwearable dresses by the time I was 30. I will advise my daughters to do it differently. Thank you for sharing these ideas.

Unknown said...

Perhaps your new SIL will be a kindred frugal spirit! Best wishes to your entire family especially the happy couple.

Amy said...

Wow! Your families are so resourceful. If I could do it all over again, that is exactly the kind of wedding I would have had. Beautiful!

Miss G said...

Meredith, it looks like it was absolutely wonderful! I was thinking about you guys! Kelly

LucieLu said...

What a GORGEOUS wedding! I love everything about it, from the homemade aspect to how personal everything is, and my god what a lovely bride!

Renee said...

I was wondering if anyone has wedding tips or has planned or been to a wedding and what the budget was?

I am trying to make a beautifulwedding for my brother in law and his fiancee and was asked to be maid of honor. They really don't have to much money and they will have to pay for everything from their own pockets. Any ideas would be great and I would love to hear from anyone.

Also when you have a larger family how do you go about weddings when you have a few children are on a budget yourselves? I know it's awhile yet as my oldest is 14 yrs. but planning ahead might be the ticket.

I loved seeing the simplicity of things for this wedding the flowers, and the beautiful cake that sounds delicious!

Thanks for sharing!
Renee B.
Mama of four
rbrown7997@yahoo.com

Heidi said...

Meredith: Gotta ask a HUGE favor. I swear I remember you posting a link to a blog about frugal weddings, but I can't find it now. My mom and sister DESPERATELY need help. Would you mind posting it again?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

MoneyDummy