There are just too many impressive DIY details in Shyla + Brent’s wedding to count. So we’re just going to list them all next to Abi Q’s photos, k? Even though it meant the bride was ‘elbow deep in concrete and nails’ right up until the wedding, it was totally worth it to create the day they envisioned—all for 6K (!!!). Shyla has photographed weddings for years now, so yeah, we feel pretty confident taking her word for it.
Let’s begin with the flower girl dresses that Shyla made. How cute are they? Her wedding dress was—you guessed it—handmade too. 6 weeks before the wedding, when she couldn’t find a dress that fit her vision, she flew her friend Maggie out to whip up the perfect dress, which she created in four days. The headpiece was created from a deconstructed + spray-painted necklace.
And she + her mom created wild, earthy florals from a local florist’s collection…
They made the cross + seating from downed trees on site.
On the big day, they were greeted by moose, a bald eagle soaring above during their vows, and elk passing at dinner. As if they needed a sign that the day was perfect!
Shyla tells it, For the signs, we created red cedar planks and hook/eyes to dangle the boards from each other. They were then painted to reflect the dinner and drink menus. Those signs were then recycled by Brent to build a raised flowerbed in our backyard. We wanted to create as little waste as possible, so we aimed for these elements as well. This included sitting on stumps we collected from the forest, providing boxed water instead of plastic bottles, replanting all our centerpieces, re-purposing wooden menus and signs, and even using tin camping mugs with our logo that doubled as our favors and what people drank from.
On the photog, via the bride, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Abi for the past nine years, so I know the heart and soul she puts into each commission. Every shoot is a part of her, which is what makes her images so relatable, and ones you picture yourself in… And to not have that magic as a part of our day was out of the question!
In the end, they got the river, the mountains, and the beautiful simplicity that repped their love. Congratulations guys!
Photographer: Abi Q Photography / Venue: AA Barn in Grand Lake, Colorado / Florals: Bride & Mother / Hair & Makeup Artist: Kristin Holtzendorff in Loveland, CO / Invitations & Wedding Logo: Adam of Saturday’s Gravy / Cake & Pies: Bride & Bridesmaids / Catering: TifaMade / Dress: Maggie Stewart Best / Headpiece: Handmade by Bride / Engagement Ring: Designed by Groom / Earrings: Heirloom / Groom’s Suit: Mens Wearhouse / Groom & Groomsmen’s Ties & Dog’s Bandana: Handmade / Flower Girl Dresses: Handmade by Bride
