On Friday we got to take a peek at Pamela’s sweet bridal shower tea party. It’s no surprise that her circus themed wedding to Kenny held in a city park near Las Vegas was no less charming. Again, photographer Elizabeth Le was on hand to capture the casual ceremony and the totally DIY reception that followed.
Pamela and Kenny kept the wedding ceremony and carnival style reception family friendly and on budget. The location was a park in Boulder City near Las Vegas called Wilbur Square/Bicentennial Park. Pamela says “I loved having it outdoors without the cost of a golf course lawn, it was spring so the weather was ideal with lots of shade trees but enough open space to be flexible.”
When talk to Pamela about this wedding, it would actually be easier to say what WASN’T handmade by the bride and groom. Every single crafty detail other than the face painting, photobooth and wedding photography was done at home in the weekends ahead of the wedding. That includes the fabric photo backdrop (made by Kenny, the industrious groom) and the peach and teal decor: colored pinwheels, tissue pompoms, paper chains, pennants/bunting and ribbon wands (the bride and groom assembly-lined these.)
Even the little circus-inspired props like carousel horses and the hula hoop and gumball machine centerpieces were repurposed for the wedding. These items were found via searching online on eBay and Craigslist or some serious thrifting, then spraypainted to match the colors.ÂÂ
How did Pamela keep this wedding on budget? Many things, like hair and makeup and made-to-order crepes, for example, were provided via friends, family or bride and groom power! The face painter and photobooth were booked via Groupon deals with additional packages tacked on. Wedding guests drank lemonade hand-squeezed by Kenny, the groom, and dined on handmade sweet crepes topped with fresh fruits, Nutella or pie filling. The food and beverage came from a whole lot of trips to Costco and Sam’s Club!
Here’s what Pamela had to say about the wedding’s feel:
As with the bridal shower, I wanted more of a party/get-together. I wanted something different & fun that would be interactive for guests and memorable. I had devised a plan to already be up (the aisle) as guests arrived. They just came up to hug me, congratulate us, etc. then the music started and people were asked to take a seat for the ceremony. I loved having it outdoors without the cost of a golf course lawn, it was spring so the weather was ideal with lots of shade trees but enough open space to be flexible.ÂÂ
Boulder City is considered an oasis in the desert, and living in the south-end of Vegas it was only a short drive from our home. Their grass is luscious green and well maintained for all their annual events. Their parks department was super helpful and cooperative, they even offered to shut down the street from regular traffic (allowing through wedding guests only) and provide electricity/generators for the day. The process was so simple and the fee was very reasonable, so I felt they deserved my business. After finalizing the reservation date, my husband & I rode out there with a tape measure and pen & paper and mapped the whole thing out for set-up, down to the distance between each tree.
Then, for their closing trick, Kenny whisked Pamela away in her cute little leather jacket on his motorcycle!
Vendor and Venue Goodness:
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue:  Wilbur Square/Bicentennial Park, Boulder City / Photographer: Elizabeth Le Photography / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Jewelry: / Bride’s Shoes: Michael Antonio / Bride’s Felt Bouquet: Etsy, Miss Jennifer Rae /  Makeup + Hair: A friend /  Catering: Costco, Sam’s Club / Rentals: Furniture - Rebel Party Rentals / Children’s Face Painter: Amazing Face Painting / Photobooth: Pink Shutter Photobooth / Craft Projects: Pennants, ribbon wands, pompoms, pinwheels, photo backdrop, hula hoop gumball centerpieces – handmade by the bride and groom
Wedding Gallery:
click on any photo to make it larger
beautiful work, Liz!