Pretty Post: Amie & Trevor Tie the Knot in Darling DIY Ceremony

  We think this bride & groom did it right -with personal touches from start to finish! From an ultra-romantic first look, to photos on the porch and a uniquely intimate gathering complete with the sweetest table settings and freshly baked pies. Amie and Trevor were wed last year at West River Hall in West Haven, CT amongst fashionably dressed friends and family. Their DIY vintage travel theme was clear throughout - from the invitations, to the guest book to the table settings, each detail was beautifully considered and well designed. We can't get enough of the pinwheels made of maps, vintage stamps, linen napkins tied with bakers twine or the beautiful hang tags draped from the pie table! This bride made a statement with her adorable dove patterned jacket- a treasure that she found at H&M! Amie paired the jacket with her tea-length Vineyard Collection 'Drew' gown from The White Dress by the shore, cage veil and a pop of color with her fire engine red heels, lips and nails! look could be any more vintage chic! All of the special moments were captured so perfectly by photographer Carla Ten Eyck. Please read on for a sweet recount from Amie of this spetacular couples' amazing meeting, romantic trousseau, and utterly perfect wedding. "I was born in West Haven, CT, and moved to New York City when I was 18 years old.  A few years later, I was travelling with my best friend to Washington D.C. when I came across my future husband.  Trevor is from Dublin, Ireland, and he was on a six month solo adventure across the states when we met by chance in the kitchen of a hostel. We fell in love, and over the next four years our long distance relationship took us to Ireland, Scotland, Florida, New York, and eventually Toronto, where Trevor would live until a visa to the U.S. became available.  Long story short, Trevor was still living north of the border when I first walked in to The White Dress by the Shore.  I knew that the "fiance visa" we applied for would take about a year, and once he had it he would have 90 days to marry me.  Needless to say I got to planning! One thing that always comforted me during the long stretches of time Trevor and I were apart, was the romance of travel.  How lucky were we to share our time between two wonderful cities?  We were card carrying members of a romantic club; those who had loved from afar. That's what made the "travel theme" for our wedding such an obvious choice.  We had met travelling, we'd gone on adventures together, and there was surely more to come.  Once that was decided, everything fell into place.  The day was truly a labor of love from everyone involved. Our friends and family had cheered us on for so long, and it was a happy and emotional experience for everyone. After all, we were celebrating finally being able to live in the same country!  We wanted the wedding to have a relaxed feel, while keeping everything whimsical and fun. We held the party at the West River Hall, a venue in my hometown, and our out of town and country guests were chauffeured by a big yellow school bus. The late afternoon began as a cocktail party, and Trevor and I arrived in the middle of it together.  We were able to say our hellos and mingle before heading up onto the small stage to say our vows. About 40 people from Ireland, England, and Canada were able to make the journey to Connecticut to watch us get married.  My dear friend and talented musician, Camille Harris, serenaded us all with a few of her original love songs. There were lot's of tears and cheers, then time for dinner, and dancing and laughs until we were kicked out at about 1 am! I found the perfect dress at The White Dress by the Shore, as well as an experience I'll always cherish. The shop is filled with such pretty things everywhere you look and yet I instantly felt at ease.  The ladies who run the show are so lovely and talented, they make you want to be a bride forever!  Other than my dress, I was also very happy with the little blue blazer I found at H&M, and my birdcage veil and flower facinator from Etsy.  My bridesmaid's dresses were various picks from Modcloth.com, and I think each one suited the individual ladies.  Another stand out were the travel plates that we perched in the windows. My mother found them in a dollar store years ago, and I've always treasured them.  Also, my Uncle Gary baked delicious pies for dessert!    Some of my favorite "little things" at our wedding included the paper. Our invitations were designed, and created by Michelle Viesselman of Graphic Boutique.  I loved the simple, telegram look with the old airmail trim, and the 1930's airplane at the center.  I handmade all the programs, and the Mr. & Mrs. chair signs.  I found the little map pin wheels on Etsy, and they were a guest favorite!  The centerpieces consisted of an old world map in the center of every table (wrapping paper from Kate's Paperie) with 4 mason jars of roses in the middle.  I ordered the flowers wholesale from globalrose.com ($300 for 500 roses!), and my friends and family and I arranged them a couple days before the wedding.  The tables were named after places Trevor and I had gone together; marked by postcards in the center.  Also, my mom ('93 Office Olympics Gold Medalist for Paper Aviation)  made 100 paper airplanes that were placed at everyone's setting!  Let the record show she did this voluntarily. They all took flight after dinner and a few cocktails! Trevor and I had a mission statement for our wedding day: we wanted our friends and family to have fun, and we wanted to get married.  If anything came up that didn't fit into that thesis, we let it roll off our backs.  I will always cherish the memories of planning my wedding, and more importantly the day itself.  I never had a vision of what my "dream" wedding would be, but it was definitely the one I ended up having.  Happy planning, and happy dreaming! "    

xoxo, TWD