The Homesteady

Neon stitched anniversary cards

One of my best friends in the world recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary, to another one of our dear friends from high school. Their story is a long and beautiful one. In fact, I remember one of Cara's birthdays (12 or 13 years ago!), when Jay (who is now a professional chef) made her a "Law & Order"-themed birthday cake as a surprise. We knew it was going to be special :)

For their anniversary card, I wanted to incorporate their gorgeous wedding photos by Jennifer Bach Photography (used here with permission -- and you have to see their engagement session too!). I really like the pops of neon thread with the black-and-white photos...

You will need:

• Blank cards
• Neon thread (I used pink and yellow) 
• Black-and-white photos
• Tape
• A sewing machine

I started by attaching the photo to the card with tape on the back, just to help it stay in place.

Then, after threading my machine with the color thread I wanted, I just stitched over the picture, attaching it to the card!

Gahh -- aren't these photos amazing? Cara and Jay look fantastic. And I like that the card has a little bit of a homemade touch :) Wouldn't this be a cute thing to do to holiday cards before you send them out?

*Amazon is an affiliate sponsor of the Homesteady. This is not a sponsored post. This post contains affiliate links.

New wedding video: Jess & Tim

I'm so excited to share this wedding video with you, friends -- I think it might be the best one I've ever made! Jess and I worked together at a (very) small movie theater when I was in college. We got to know each other well and always had a great time whenever we shared a shift. She's one of the sweetest, funniest women I know! Jess married her high school sweetheart Tim at Quonquont Farm (where we got married) in August, and I was really honored to capture highlights of their special day. When two great people get married, you know it's going to be a good time -- and their group of wedding attendants did not disappoint. The day was overflowing with love and happiness. (And did I mention Tim and Jess' grandmas were their flower girls?!) Take a look and see for yourself! 

New wedding video: Keri & Mary

I occasionally shoot wedding videos on the side, and I'm really excited to share this one with you! Keri and Mary are such an awesome, fun-loving couple who balance each other's personalities perfectly. And their little daughter Daniela was the life of the party! Such a happy family :) 

DIY chalkboard cloth backdrop (& guestbook)

I love this project for an industrial-meets-rustic wedding. The venue where I work part-time as a day-of event coordinator pulls that vibe off perfectly. It's an old paper mill (originally built in 1898) with plenty of exposed brick, huge ceilings, and original woodwork. I could totally see this DIY photo backdrop (that doubles as a guestbook) hanging there!

Using a chalkboard marker, guests can write their names and a piece of advice for the happy couple, snap a pic in front of the backdrop (you could even leave a Polaroid out), and then let other guests have a shot. The newlyweds can save the prints as their guestbook.

To make this backdrop, you will need:

• A clean dropcloth
• Large vinyl alphabet stickers (I found mine in the mailbox section of Home Depot)
• Chalkboard paint
• Paintbrush
• Paint rollers

1. Spread your dropcloth outside on a hard surface, like a driveway. Add heavy things at all the corners to hold it down if necessary. I chose a pretty windy day for this project!
2. Place your vinyl stickers firmly on the dropcloth, leaving a space for a name, and some words of wisdom.
3. Using the brush, paint chalkboard paint over the stickers carefully. Once they're covered, use the roller for the rest of the dropcloth.
4. Let dry completely.

I think it's a cool personal touch! Oh, and I would consider leaving a spray bottle and rag out to erase in between pictures. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you test it at home before the big day.

Depending on your space, you can attach the backdrop to a wall (make sure it's a hard surface!) with nails or very strong tape. I had to use duct tape here since this is (sadly) not my barn ;)

PS - Make the gold leaf vase and etched mason jars featured in this post.

A charming, woodsy wedding: Corinne & Charlie

Kristie and I met Charlie and Corinne a few years ago at a Valentine's Day party hosted by the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts. We hit it off pretty quickly and kept running into each other out on the town in Northampton, and even watched a Bruins game together during the Stanley Cup one year.

Corinne and Charlie were kind enough to let me tag along on their wedding day to practice my videography skills. Their celebration (held in late August at Morse Hill) was so full of love and thoughtfulness. From the dogs running around in the grass to children blowing bubbles (Charlie is a nanny and Corinne runs a daycare) to the community feeling of the ceremony and the woodsy location -- it was just plain fun. And so relaxed! 

Charlie and Corinne got ready separately, each in their own cabin, and then made their way to the meadow ceremony. 60 friends and family members stood in a big circle delineated by wildflowers while the brides exchanged heartfelt vows (let's just say I was pretty grateful I was wearing sunglasses and no one could tell how much I was crying!). One of Corinne's brothers and his girlfriend (who also did Corrine's hair and makeup and baked the wedding cake) performed a beautiful song following their vows before closing the ceremony. Then the entire wedding party made their way down to the high ropes course, where Corinne did a flying "leap of faith" from a 40-ft perch into Charlie's arms -- wedding dress and all! The rest of the day was spent with guests using the ropes courses and obstacles, dancing, swimming, eating, and playing games. 

I hope the vibe of the whole day comes across in the video. It was totally lovely, and I know Charlie and Corinne will have many years of happiness together!

Please check out the video if you have a moment...I would love to hear what you think!

The song is "Just You" by Amy Stroup. Buy it here!

PS - Danielle & Scott's wedding video.

A wedding video: Danielle & Scott

You've seen the amazing work that our great friends Brittney and Shana (Love & Perry Photography) did with our wedding photos way back when. They also made a video for us, and now have started officially offering video services for their clients. Awesome news, right?

Well, it gets better. They asked me to come along to Danielle and Scott's celebration in July as their video assistant. I got to use the nicest camera ever and gained so much experience behind the lens with them. It was an exhausting, thrilling day, and I ended it with the most professional satisfaction I've felt in a very long time...maybe ever. I can't wait to keep learning and gaining experience, and making more wedding videos!

Check out the results of my first video collaboration with Love & Perry if you'd like. I'd love to hear what you think! Oh yes, and congratulations to Danielle and Scott!

*The song is "Welcome Home" by Radical Face. Buy it here. 

Breweries, boutiques, & brunch: A girls' weekend in Portland, ME

Two weeks ago, I headed North for a girls' weekend in Portland, Maine. Six of us traveled from as far away as Washington, DC to celebrate Cara's engagement! It was such a treat to spend so much time with my three best friends from high school, and two college pals of Cara's who I'm so happy and honored to count as my new friends, too. Together, this group of women makes up her bridal party, and let me tell you -- this is one for the books. I'm a huge fan of pre-wedding get-togethers like this one; they allow you to bond with everyone else in the wedding party in a fun, stress-free environment. I truly can't wait to see them all again!

I'm glad the bride chose Portland as our destination. It was a new city for almost all of us, and offers the perfect combination of laidback daytime activities and exciting nightlife. If you'd like, read on for plenty of pictures of our adventures (and our favorite Portland spots)...

The Baggu gift bags were a big hit! (See what was in them.)

Minted provided the adorable invitations keeping with our seaside theme. (An extra note: Cara and her fiancée Jay purchased their wedding invitations through Minted, and when a typo was discovered in the eleventh hour, Minted responded and saved the day with such tact and grace, we were all impressed! Just wanted to share that positive experience with you.)

We rented an apartment through Airbnb that was big enough to fit all of us, and located in a quiet, safe neighborhood that was walking distance to everything we wanted to visit downtown (even when we opted for cabs, it was never more than $6). I can't say enough good things about our rental; there's nowhere I'd rather stay on a return visit! The fridge was stocked with beer, and we saved so much money over choosing a hotel. (New to Airbnb? Use this link to sign up and receive a $35 credit.)

We toured the Allagash Brewing Company, and even though I didn't try any of the beer, it was so interesting learning about the brewing process (and it made for some pretty great photos).

We spent plenty of time in downtown Portland, having an amazing late lunch at Nosh Kitchen Bar (I have four words for you: bacon dusted French fries) and marveling over all the pretty things at k collette. 

We strolled around the harbor with an afternoon drink, enjoying the sun and relaxing before heading out that night. 

Aren't these tank tops fabulous? That's our lovely bachelorette in the middle wearing the "Yes!" tank, along with bridesmaids Nicole and Claire in "That's What She Said" tanks. The tops were so fabulous, and made by Liz! (I love her blog, her nephews are the cutest.)

We got a great group photo thanks to a self-timer and careful balancing act on top of the microwave before heading out for live music and dancing at Ri Ra!

The girls used their Baggus the rest of the weekend both as purses and for new treasures.

One of the best things I came home with? A half dozen gluten-free donuts from The Holy Donut. Just...wow. These potato donuts tasted just like the real thing. I got three cinnamon sugar, and three chocolate sea salt. They lasted until the next day. My only regret: Why didn't I get a dozen?!

This trip was so special. Even just strolling around town or our neighborhood offered plenty of time for catching up, meaningful conversations, and new bonds in the making. I can't wait to come back to Portland soon with Kristie in tow!

*The invitations were provided by Minted, and the gift bags by Baggu. Thank you for supporting the companies that help make the Homesteady possible.

Wedding gift idea: Custom portraits!

Head to Etsy for this unique wedding gift idea that can (surprisingly) fit a lot of different budgets. Simply by sending in a photograph of the newlyweds -- and maybe that of a beloved pet or two -- you can get a one-of-a-kind piece of custom art they'll cherish always. Wouldn't one of these make a great anniversary gift too? Ahem, Kristie...

1 // Floral Prince, $50
2 // Elisabeth McNair, $425
3 // Brown Eye, $100
4 // My Little Buffalo, $55 (my fave)
5 // Paper Plants, $190
6 // The Shadow Studio, $40

PS - Wedding cards for same-sex couples, and why you should wrap your gift in a reusable bag.

*Etsy is an affiliate sponsor of the Homesteady and this post includes affiliate links. The images used in this round-up belong to the websites with which they are associated and are used here with permission.

Girls' weekend gift bags

This past weekend I drove up to Maine with a few close girlfriends to celebrate the engagement of one of my best friends from high school, Cara. It was less of a traditional bachelorette party, and more of a girls' weekend away for her bridal party (at least those of us over age 21). I can't wait to share more details about the apartment we rented, where we ate and shopped, and all the fun we had together, but in the meantime, I wanted to show you the gift bags I put together for Cara and the girls!

Baggu very kindly provided six reusable standard Baggus to house the goodies. I chose solid colors for the wedding party, and stripes for Cara. The girls used them all weekend! All the bags included yoga headbands, mini notebooks and crazy straws (both from Michaels), candy necklaces, and cute nail files. (Not pictured: bottles of water and gluten-free snacks.) In Cara's, I also added a few extra goodies: a heart-shaped cookie cutter, adorable bracelet, "Relax" bath tea, and "Don'ts For Wives," a 1913 manual for a good marriage, which surprisingly contained a lot of advice that still rings true today (along with some old-fashioned gems, of course).

PS - Reusable gift bags, and our bachelorette party!

*Special thanks to Baggu for sending the reusable bags. The Amazon links are affiliate links, which means I may get a very small commission if you use them to make a purchase.

Our wedding in The Knot!

 

Check it out! Our wedding is featured in the new issue of The Knot New England. Kristie and I are so excited and honored! Although it's no surprise considering the great work Love & Perry Photography did. See all our wedding photos here, and if you're local, snag a copy of the magazine!