DIY "Guest Book" Bench

Matrimony Monday: Guest Bench / L.O.V.E. update

When planning our wedding I thought of so many different ideas for guest books.  I'm not one to be too traditional and so when I found a pin (of course) of a bench that all of the guests signed I knew that would be my "guest book".

My daddy is pretty much my hero.  I have always been a daddy's girl.  (sorry mom :) ).  So when I asked him if he would make me a bench, of course, he agreed.  And let me tell you, It turned out so beautifully.  I could be biased... but in this instance I think you will agree that my dad's bench making skills are pretty impressive.


So this is the bench (drum roll please):

it's beautiful.  i love it.

My beautiful mama painted the tree and the birds in the middle along with our initials.  She is a beautiful painter (my sister inherited that). We had sharpies sitting out by the card suitcase and my two beautiful friends Julie and Liesel showed people where they could sign.  There are so many cool personal notes.  Some people were serious, some people were ridiculously silly, some signed under the bench others signed on top. There is just love every where you look on that bench.  It makes me happy.

And forever, we will have a bench that my father made for our wedding.  A bench that everyone who attended, Australian and American, signed.  It will sit at the foot of our bed as a reminder of the most beautiful day of our lives.  That, friends, is beautiful and probably more than I had ever thought this bench would be when I found the idea.

There are so many awesome guest book alternatives out there.  Puzzles, jenga pieces (a recent favorite find), mad libs, thumbprint trees... so many.  Find one that will remind you of the most beautiful and perfect day of your life.

and as always, I hope you have found inspiration to do what you L.O.V.E.

DIY Photobooth Style Invitation

Matrimony Monday: Invitation

So usually when introducing wedding ideas if you were going to do the invitation you would have already posted the "Save the Date"... but I'm just not your usual gal and I really love our wedding invitation :)

I must admit that the idea didn't just come to me in a dream... while I wish it had.  I found it as I have found most of my ideas... on pinterest :)

This pin was my inspiration:

I just loved how casual and unique it was.  They looked like they had so much fun making it.. and because I am a cat lady, I loved the cat at the very end.

So Russ and I went to work on our own version.  We had an awesome photographer (my mom), some poster board and markers that cost us all of 10.00 and my very very minimal skills on Microsoft Publisher.  It was so much fun to create!  Here is our result:

 While adding our own personality, some "planking" and keeping the design pretty simple I'd say we were pretty successful.  We got so many compliments and it was so easy! Despite what all those fancy magazines and wedding shows say... your wedding DOES NOT have to cost a fortune, friends. 

To add a little extra we included an "R.S.V.P." card and kept it with our "photo booth" theme...

(they printed two per page.. and I'm not quite sure how to just upload one.. so I apologize for the duplicate)

We laughed, we cried... we had an invitation unlike anyone else and that is what I love the most.  Take the time to be creative and make things personal.  You will remember those things so much more and they will be remembered by others.  Happy Matrimony Monday, friends.  I hope your day was beautiful and you are inspired and feel encouraged to be unique in all that you do. 

L.O.V.E. what you do.