Wedding Drinks

Creating an imaginative DIY wedding came naturally for video editor Ivy Calhoun and graphic designer Scott Gardenhire. After bumping into each other at several magazine parties, the two eventually became a pair. Four years later, they decided to get hitched and settled on a Spring wedding in early May.

After their initial venue choice fell through, they called on wedding planner Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing for help finding a last-minute venue. Unsure about whether or not they could afford to hire a planner, Kendra assured them that she could save them money in the long run. After she suggested Stone Barn Ranch in Sheridan, CA, Ivy and Scott's interest piqued. The new venue not only surpassed their checklist of requirements, but was also more than 30 percent lower than the price of their original venue and even included some equipment rentals. After scheduling an appointment that day to pay the ranch a visit, they fell in love with it immediately and hired Kendra right away.

Inspired by the scenic country setting and their favorite junk food snacks, Ivy and Scott decided to put their artistic skills to work by creating a colorful, insanely fun, DIY carnival wedding. Take a look through their wedding gallery for tips on styling an eclectic wedding party, keeping guests entertained, crafting your own decor projects, and more!

Photos courtesy of Tom Tomkinson

More and more, couples are choosing to create a signature cocktail at their wedding. When we asked you where you stood, most of you said you loved the idea! Whether you're currently on the lookout for ways to make a standout cocktail or love some wedding eye candy, here are some great cocktail ideas from real weddings.

When it comes to liquor and weddings, people (especially guests!) have their opinions. Are you for open bars and against the idea of a cash bar? Do you feel like every wedding should have a Champagne toast, or do you think it's unnecessary? Now's your chance to dish about where you stand on drinking at weddings with these poll questions.

When it came to planning Courtney and Philipp's California casual wedding, attitude and feeling set the tone, rather than a distinct theme. Seeking a celebration that was relaxed yet elegant, vintage touches and pastel colors filled every detail of their outdoor wedding. A creative couple of sorts, the San Francisco locals who met through work tied knot on July 14, 2012.

With help from wedding planner Genevieve Roja from Lily Spruce, they decided to begin the planning process by drawing touches from the deco details on Courtney's dress. They then found a grand, carnival-like tent for the reception and a unique variety of flowers to inspire the color palette. From the hand-calligraphed invitations to the pastel linens, every part of the wedding planning seemed to reflect the ease of the couple, until their dream venue canceled — two-and-a-half weeks before the wedding!

Upset and in a rush to find a country venue to accommodate all that had been previously planned, the couple found Krug Winery, a stunning property with breathtaking grounds in St. Helena, CA, to come to the rescue. Creative accents like bell jars, refurbished vintage pieces, and cultural traditions completed the couple's earthy yet elegant wedding.

Photo courtesy of Juliette Tinnus