• Real Weddings

This quirky bride found inspiration for her wedding in an old rusty milk jug, which led to the farm-inspired wedding…set in Orange County. Noreen and Simon used the idea of contrasting concepts to create the decor for their wedding by combining elegant and rustic elements as well as natural and man-made objects.
Read on to learn more about how this couple planned for their special day, including their full budget breakdown! To see more unique details from this vintage DIY wedding view the full gallery here, all remarkably photographed by Made by Juvenia.

From the Bride:My inspiration for my wedding was an old rusty milk jug. I loved everything about it — the way it reminded me of how my fiance and I loved farms and wanted to own our own farm one day. The way it was old and weird. The way it was industrial and functional (like Simon), yet quirky and artsy (like me). I started buying milk cans from thrift stores having no idea of what I was going to do with them — I just knew I wanted them in my wedding! From that came the farm-inspired idea of us "growing old together" — because after over a year of planning, designing and stressing over how our wedding day would go we came to realize it wasn't about the day itself, it was about all the days that would follow.

Ideally we would have liked to find a farm/barn near L.A. for our wedding, but there was nothing close enough that we felt was authentically "farmy". So, we brought the farmy-ness to two amazing venues which we loved in Orange County. The Oak Canyon Nature Center was like no other venue I had seen in L.A or O.C. A simple, wooden stage surrounded by gigantic shady oak trees set in a public park. It was natural and picturesque, and best of all, we knew the rental fee would go back into supporting the park.

We mixed elegant and rustic elements by collecting random vases, jars, bottles, and even things like gravy boats and spray painting them gold to hold the flowers. We painted our 4 gigantic old milk jugs gold as well. Simon outfitted an an old window to hang above an old desk to be the focal point of the wedding stage. Everything was collected over the course of 1.5 years from thrift stores, Craigslist and the Goodwill — I was a frugal bride. The most expensive decor piece was the desk (which was only $40!).

We incorporated pomegranates and berries in the florals from Flower Allie as part of the "growing" concept. We went with bright colors for the florals that really popped against the muted greens and browns of the park, as well as against the dusty purple color of the bridesmaid dresses. I knew I didn't want anything too matchy-matchy — I wanted colors to subtly pull from object to object — like the purple hue of a succulent in the bouquet to play off the purple in the bridesmaid dresses.

We found a real moss aisle runner on ebay which I had never seen done before! I loved that colors/objects you normally wouldn't think would go together, went together. It made me happiest to hear people tell us, "your wedding was sort of random, but it was SO you guys!"

Our reception venue, the Villa del Sol was equally beautiful — formally an old hotel built in the 1920s called The California, it has since been renovated for commercial use but still maintains its vintage charm. We were drawn to its Spanish stylings, lush greenery, fountain, and twinkly string lights which made the courtyard venue oh-so-romantic when lit up at night! We knew we wanted to dance the night away under these twinkly lights and the stars above.

One of the most time-consuming but rewarding piece of our wedding were the DIY projects. I designed, printed and put together our invitations with the help with friends and family. I also designed all the paper goods from programs to table numbers to seating and menu cards. I had friends help me sand down and stain wooden crates and put together over 200 ribbon sticks!

We had a friend make us decal stencils to create wood crate signs. We turned a few wooden crates into our escort card holders using moss, floral foam and plastic floral card stands. Our guestbook was a gold painted old mailbox with vintage postcards for guest to write well wishes. Our gift/money box was an old picnic basket. My mom's friend sewed together our wedding archway fabric for us. My cousin and my now-husband built these amazing cake stands using wood tree trunks. Everything was meaningful to us because it came from our own hands or the hands of our friends and family.

Photographer: Made by Juvenia Venue: Oak Canyon Nature Center Hair & Makeup: Lisa Leming Cake: Kings Hawaiian Bakery Caterer: Cafe Hidalgo Coordinators: Melinda Chu and Queenie Lam from Weddings by Melinda DJ: Black Tie Events Dress Designer: Modern Trousseau Flowers: Flower Allie Officiant: Dr. Gary Barmore Shoe Designer: Something Bleu Reception Venue: Villa del Sol Ceremony Musician: Amy Hite Reception Musician: Kurt Hunter Stencil Maker: StickyIconsPhotobooth: Unique PhotoboothEvent Designers: Bride and Groom | Stationary: Bride Read on to see how much this vintage DIY wedding cost, plus hear valuable advice from the bride. Please note that costs change as the years go by, and prices are subject to change. This is just one couple’s breakdown to give you a rough estimate on how much a wedding like this may cost you.

For a 200 person wedding:
Venue space rentals — $4,000
Florals — $2,800
Photography — $3,500
Chair & table rentals — $2,200
Food and Drinks — $14,000
Bridal Party Attire (inc. party, bride & groom) — $2,300
Photobooth — $700
Misc Decor — $300
Invitations & Papergoods — $600
Musicians — $400
DJ — $800
Hair & Makeup (bride and bridesmaids) — $695
Cake — $450
Misc favors and gifts — $250
Coordinator — $900
Officiant — $300
TOTAL (appox) — $34,200
Advice from the Bride:1. Pre-plan as much as possible, and narrow DIY projects and ideas down to a small number of those that are the most important and meaningful to you. Stop looking at inspiration ideas at least 3 months before your wedding — you will always find something new you want to do and you really don't have time to do it!

2. If friends and family offer to help, TAKE IT! Always think about what is important to you AND your husband, and keep him involved in the details. The day is so much more meaningful if you know that it was a product of shared ideas.

3. Typically when the couple goes to do the table-to-table toast at their reception, they start with their closest friends and family. I wish I had taken my caterer's advice and done the opposite, because oftentimes, those less close to you will leave earlier than those who are closer. I missed saying hello to some friends, neighbors and co workers completely because I went to their tables last, and they were gone. Those closest to you will stick around and be more understanding if you don't make it to them first.

4. Finally, in times of stress, think beyond the wedding — to the life you will build together and all the great memories you will have "growing old together." It's the most calming and peaceful feeling!