Real Weddings: Sarah + Paul

Sarah and Paul’s gorgeous fall wedding is chock full of amazing DIY elements, fabulous purple everywhere (what can I say, I’m a purple fan), and gorgeous photos by Nate and Amanda of Turtle Pond Photography.

Purple and Red Wildflower Bouquet

The ceremony was held at the quaint Beck Chapel on the campus of Indiana University.  The chapel was built by Sarah’s great-uncle and many members of her family have been married and Christened there.

Beck Chapel Indiana UniversityPurple and Red Fall Bouquet

Purple Bridesmaids Dresses with Wildflower Bouquets

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Paisley Bowtie and Purple Boutonniere

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Sarah enrolled in a calligraphy class and addressed all of their wedding invitations. The stamps are all vintage and their themes – birds, Indiana, the American Bar Association (Paul is an attorney) – tied into the day.

Wedding Invitations with Calligraphy and Vintage StampsBloomington Indiana Wedding Turtle Pond Photography-01

DIY Wedding Programs

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Sarah says:

Planning this wedding as a graphic designer was tough.  I put a lot of pressure on myself.  But at the end of the night, what mattered most was the marriage, and our commitment to each other.  And I know everyone says this.  But how true!  My favorite memory of the day was waiting to walk down the aisle.  It was the most intense minute of my life.  And when I saw Paul… I beamed down the aisle.  And this moment had nothing to do with the stamps on the invitations or the cake topper.

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Indiana University Beck Chapel Wedding Ceremony

Groomsmen Socks

Purple Bridesmaids

Bride in Purple Shoes

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Bloomington Indiana Wedding Turtle Pond Photography-17Pronovias Gown

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Paul and Sarah created the seating chart – Sarah handlettering the calligraphy, and Paul locating tiny clothespins to attach the place cards to twine.  The frame was purchased at Michael’s and recycled into a photo prop at the end of the evening!

Clothesline Escort Cards

Calligraphed Escort Cards

The couple chose a color scheme of “peacock colors” because they live in Miami and see peacocks on their way to work each morning.  JP Parker Flowers did a wonderful job pulling together the creative floral arrangements.  Sarah collected glasses and vases leading up to the wedding, and guests were invited to take home a centerpiece.

Colorful Wildflower CenterpiecesBlue and Purple Fall Centerpieces

Favors of organic soaps were created by a friend of the couple and wrapped in marbled paper from Hollander’s.

Soap Wedding Favors

Centerpieces in TeacupsPersonalized Table Numbers

Fall Leaf CenterpiecesFall Hydrangea Centerpieces

Personalized Soap Wedding FavorsPurple and Green Centerpiece Wedding Ideas

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Rolodex Guest BookIvory Wedding Cake with Cascading Flowers

Ann Wood Handmade created the bird cake topper out of vintage wedding gowns.  The bird theme echoed their wedding invitation design.

Bird Cake Topper

The reception was held at The Columns Ballroom in Greenwood, Indiana, where Sarah worked as a teenager.

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Sarah’s parents made the wine, which was wrapped in custom labels designed by Sarah.  It was served at the rehearsal dinner as well, and guests were encouraged to take home bottles.  Sarah used various wood fonts on all of the paper products to keep everything cohesive.

Custom Wine Bottle Labels

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Sarah, you did a fabulous job pulling together all of the details of your day!  Nate and Amanda, thank you so much for sharing the amazing images with us!

Vendors:

Photography – Turtle Pond Photography
Gown – Pronovias
Hairpiece – Nicholas Kniel
Shoes – Stuart Weitzman
Floral – JP Parker Flowers
Ceremony Venue – Beck Chapel, Indiana University
Reception Venue – The Columns Ballroom
Cake – Piece of Cake
Cake Topper – Ann Wood Handmade
Coordination – Keri Gulbrandsen
DJ – Patrick’s DJ Service
Calligraphy – Sarah’s own; you can see more of her invitation work at Sarah Rusin Design