Rachel and Brent knew that they wanted an outdoor wedding and a relaxed day surrounded by their family, friends and lots of love. They wanted their wedding day to reflect who they are, their style and personalities and as Brent proposed to Rachel in an antique store they wanted they wedding day to have an element of antique to it! This is what they did. 

They decided the main colors should be yellow, gray and hints of teal in a beaming, happy theme composed of quant little love birds, zingy lemons and elegant vintage all wrapped up in a rustic flavor with lots of color. The couple say they had lots of fun going to all the antique stores collecting the décor for the venue and tables. All tables got covered with old lace tablecloths, with different dessert plates and forks from the 70′s. The centerpieces were real wood pieces (cut down by one of their friends from northern California), with antique mason jars, small vases and medicine bottles filled with flowers. Each table also had a wood framed picture from their engagement shoot and a pair of the sweet “lovebirds”. Brent, Rachel and Rachel’s mom collected or made all the wedding décor themselves. For the ceremony they wanted to keep it really simple. They beautifully lined the aisle with lemons and said their vows under a gorgeous grapefruit tree. As the pictures below show, Rachel and Brent also had a little old desk full of random size vases filled with colorful ranunculus flowers. Take a look at this simple idea…it’s absolutely stunning!

Rachel has a little advice to everyone who is planning their own wedding:
“I have to say to those that are planning, enjoy the process of wedding planning, it goes by so quickly, and so does the wedding day. It is amazing when you put in a million hours of preparation and planning and then feel it unfold around you. It is SO fun!!! Your wedding day should be one of the best days of your life. So Enjoy & Relax."



I have always loved this style of set-up for escort cards. It's so easy to do, super festive and decorative. If you are a "hands-on-planning-bride" then it's always a great idea to go for solutions which won't have to be organised or set up at the very last minute. This idea can be prepared days in advance which is always an advantage when you are planning your wedding.


Here is another colorful and sweet detail which I love. Such a sweet idea and great for the photographers too..! 


Lovely the setup with the fabric and the yellow chairs! 


Another really charming idea which look brilliant on photos (as you can see)! This is also somehting which can be prepared well ahead of the wedding day. So simple but AMAZINGLY CHARMING! 


Lemons & matching flowers. Small lovebirds in a colorful setting on wood with vintage mason jars and vases.


On each table: Wood centerpieces with charming ranunculus flowers in small vases or antique medicine bottles, a pair of lovebirds and a wood framed picture from Rachel and Brent's engangement shoot. All the tables were also decorated with old lace table cloths, dessert plates and forks from the 70′s and table numbers. All decorated and collected by Rachel, Brent and Rachel's mom. A job well done!  


What a beautiful photo! SO SWEET!

A smorgasbord of fantastic DIY wedding ideas!

And sweet it is..what a wonderful wedding!

Bride: Rachel Van Auken
Groom: Brent Van Auken
The Date: 04-03-2011

Wedding Venue: The Clarke Estate, Santa Fe Springs, CA

Photographer: Heather and Grayson from Jagger Photography
Website: http://www.jaggerphotography.com/