New Year's Eve Wedded Bliss

I had so much fun helping one of our sweetest friends, Kelly, plan her DIY New Year's Eve wedding to the man of her dreams. Kelly used to be our nanny for years when my kids were very young. My kids adore Kelly, and my daughter got to be the Flower Girl and my son, one of the Ring Bearers, so it was especially fun to be such a big part of the wedding.

Christine Pinalto of Christine Kay Photography shot the wedding and just happens to be one of my favorite people ever. Christine's husband officiated the ceremony, and lots of friends and family surrounded this special couple with love as they used every resource they could to maximize their tight budget and create their dream wedding with a semi-homemade feel. Kelly even sewed her dress with the help of a friend, and Ricky cast his own wedding band. This couple could write the book on how to DIY on your wedding. All with only three months of planning!

The awesome Deanna Rene doing Kelly's beautiful hair and makeup... one area where it's 100% worth having someone else do it for you on your wedding!




Kelly's heart pounding before seeing her groom for the first time... (sigh... how in love are they?)





Kelly loved the rich jewel tones I did for another wedding... teal, sapphire blue, and deep red, so we incorporated peacock feathers into her palate, which were so fun.




My little sweetie with her favorite Kel... enjoying the benefits of a big, poofy dress together.





I'm pretty sure these are the cutest "mini's" I've ever seen. Particularly those blonde ones on the right... where'd they get their good looks? Hmmm. This happens to be one of two shots my son actually was there for... he apparently was a wild man during the photo session. I claim no responsibility for him whatsoever.


The ultra romantic ceremony took place at a private residence at 8 p.m., outside (lots of heaters and firepits on hand), and was flanked in every direction by nearly 500 candles and hundreds of string lights hung overhead.

The backdrop for the ceremony was a spectacular curtain of crystals nine feet high with hanging votives and floating candles, while the aisle was lined with wax vessels making a crescendo to the altar area.

It was followed by a dessert bar reception, which included a homemade wedding cake by one of Kelly's bridesmaids, homemade Kahlua and Baileys made by the mother of the groom to serve as coffee accoutrements, chocolate fountains, desserts of every kind and sangria with fresh fruit.


Everyone rang in the new year together and sent the couple off down an aisle of sparklers over head. Such a fun wedding...