Something about Jackie + Andy’s modern Southwest desert wedding reminds us of how lucky we are to be surrounded by creative couples, heartwarming love stories, and endless inspiration every day. The handcrafted details in their wedding are top notch. The touching notes they left for their guests on their homemade herbal soap favors, the customized painted table runner, the killer homemade dance floor, and basically everything in between. There was so much love (and awesome design) in this wedding guys. The neon paired with neutrals + the bold black patterns? Mmm. And the photography by Jennifer Emerling | YEAH! Weddings, well that was just a match made in wedding heaven. Click here to jump over to the entire gallery of images!
Jackie’s awesome bridesmaid, Tina made those glitter champagne bottles the morning of the wedding! They’re super easy to replicate too. She covered the bottle with mod podge, dumped a bunch of glitter on it, let it dry, then sprayed it with acrylic sealer. Once that was dry, she drew on the couple’s initials and drew the designs with colored Sharpies.
My parents use the tipi for meditation and yoga. We thought it was the perfect space to use as our make-shift Photo Booth, because everyone was going in there anyway, so we got some amazing photos while guests were being curious.
Gotta love a groom in a polka dot tie.
Jackie’s bridal bouquet recipe: Peonies, Lambs Ear, Eucalyptus, Dusty Miller, English Roses, and Sweet Pea.
I love the picnic style tables, so we put three 8 seat tables together to form 7 long rows for seating at the reception. Initially I thought it would be fun and easy for guests to just choose a seat anywhere they’d like and let them freestyle sit. Then I read that not having a seating chart can make it awkward for people who want to sit together but there’s no room left, and it often takes everyone much longer to sit and eat. So we met halfway and assigned everyone to a table rather than a seat. It worked beautifully. Things seemed to flow really quickly and everyone got to sit next to who they wanted within their table and still prompted lots of new interactions. It’s a pain to make the chart, but totally worth it.
My mom is a traditionalist when it comes to napkins – Irish linen is a big thing in my family. So when we weren’t finding anything that we liked to rent, she decided to make them. She made 200 white linen napkins, and surged them with neon yellow stitching! We gifted them afterwards to the bridal party and extra helpers, so they live on long after the wedding.
Our hand was in everything – it was such a collaborative construction. Andy’s dad graded the land to make room for the tent and ceremony, his brothers built the dance floor and altar, the bridesmaids helped create all the flower arrangements and bouquets, I designed the invitations and programs, Andy’s mom Kathleen hand made all the soap that we used as favors, friends came early to help string the papel picados; almost every element was done by someone close to us, making it really personal.
Andy’s mom Kathleen made the most their favors, oatmeal soap, using lavender, rosemary, lemon and oatmeal.
Great bit of advice from Andy: We were told by a friend to take a step back and enjoy the festivities from afar just the two of us, so during the reception Jackie and I walked outside of the tent into the pitch dark and watched all our guests having such a great time dancing and celebrating. It was a great clear moment with just the two of us.
Absolutely beautiful, right? Congratulations Jackie + Andy!
For more Bohemian wedding ideas check out our Wedding Ideas section.
Photography: Jennifer Emerling | YEAH! Weddings / Ceremony & Reception Venue: Santa Fe, New Mexico (bride’s parent’s home) / Event Coordinator/Designer: Jackie Jones (Bride) and her mom Ellen / Invitation Designer: Jackie Jones (Bride) / Makeup: Holly Jones / Hair: Patrek Gonzales / Flowers: Bride & girlfriends / Cake: Annamaria O’Brien of Cafe Fina / Catering: Walter Burke Catering / Beer: Santa Fe Brewing Company / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Music: Bill Hearne Trio / Tipi: Colorado Yurt Company / Wedding Dress: Shareen (was customized by adding lace from her mother’s wedding dress) / Shoes: BHLDN / Earrings & Necklace: vintage from each grandmother / Wedding & Engagement Ring: Dream Collective, Kathryn Bentley / Bridal Sequin Jacket: Shareen Vintage / Groom’s Tie Clip: vintage from Santa Fe shop, Double Take / Groom and Groomsmen Tie: Tie Bar / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew Ludlow / Shoes: vintage wingtip / Groomsmen Attire: Perry Ellis vest & slacks from Macy’s / Bridesmaid Dresses: Free People, Anthropologie, Amanda Uprichard, Ali Roe, Macy’s
