We are beyond excited to be kicking off Wedding Week with “Something New” that we DIY’d to make our wedding a little more special and über-sentimental. It is my favorite project we’ve done to date.
One of the only things we know for sure about our wedding is the where. We fell in love with Lost Hill Lake Events, and decided almost immediately that we had to say our vows in the Walnut Grove. It felt special and magical, and just so “us”. Although Sofi Seck’s photo below is amazing, it is even better in person. Swoon.
While thinking about our ceremony, we knew we were far from traditional. We both love the concept of a unity candle but I don’t need another candle that I can’t burn and I don’t understand how anyone keeps that unity sand looking pretty. Seriously, do you walk it home?
So Tim and I decided on a unity tree, with soil from both of our childhood homes. Wait, it gets better. The owner of LHLE is unbelievably sweet and almost as sentimental as I am and offered up one of their very own Walnut saplings. A baby tree from our wedding venue, with the soil from our families, to start our new life together…someone get me a tissue with a quickness.
1.2.3
We knew we wanted to include a unity tree, but we also knew we didn’t want just any planter. It had to be special. We had to make it. We looked at lots of inspiration from here and here and finally got to work. We even decided to use some of the wood flooring we yanked out during our bathroom remodel. In 80 years we will look at that planter and reminisce on our first house, and all the fun projects we tackled. I hope.
I am so excited to give these jars to our moms, I know they will get a kick out of this quirky tradition. Much more than lighting a candle…and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of my future Mother in Law’s magic soil! Make our Walnut tree grow, grow big and strong, then maybe one day we will have a Walnut grove of our own.
For now our pretty planter will sit waiting for new life and new beginnings.
Until then, I am having fun imagining what our planter can be used for once our new tree finds a more permanent home. A pretty fern perhaps?
Make sure you check back tomorrow for Casey’s Something Old.
Have you ever heard of a unity tree?
Any tips on growing a Walnut tree?
Did you buy the blue special edition tinted Ball jars too?
This is adorable! I LOVE it! You guys did such a great job and the symbolism…the floors, the dirt, the tree. Adorable! I’ve never heard of anyone doing this!
Awwwww YAY! So glad you like it 🙂
We are trying really hard to have everything “mean something” in our wedding…I think this couldn’t be more perfect for us!
Tim & Christina…this is freakin’ FABULOUS! You guys are so impressive with your tool skills. We love it.
Thanks for being a part of wedding week. You did such a fantastic job and we know this unity tree will be such a special part of your big day!
xoxo, B & C
Awwwww THANK YOU! And THANK YOU so much for including us 🙂 if it weren’t for you all we might not have tackled this project!!!
I keep telling Tim he is going to have to pick up the camera every once in a while because it LOOKS like he does all the work hahah 🙂 Maybe next time I will bust out the tripod haha
Such a cute idea. And now I want to go make a planter with scraps. I’d already been thinking about it, but now I might actually go do it.
Also, when you plant your walnut tree someday, if it’s a Black walnut, make sure you plant it far away from any gardens (flower or veggie) you might have or want someday. Walnut trees don’t play nice with a lot of things.
Signed,
the girl who just built and installed 5 heavy raised beds right under 2 huge walnut trees and wondered why her poor tomato plants were wilting and turning yellow…
You should definitely do it! Then send us lots of pictures 🙂 we love to see other peoples projects.
And thanks for the planting tip….we are rookies when it comes to all that so you just saved us a lot of research and heartache haha. At least your tomato plants aren’t taking over the back yard hahaha.
LOVE THIS IDEA. Now if I could just find a guy who doesn’t mind that my power tool collection is bigger than his, I’d copy this in a heartbeat 😉
Hahaha…he is out there…and hopefully owns a warehouse so you can turn that into your workshop!!!
I just love this idea! It came together so well. It looks amazing!
Awwww thanks Alysia!!! So excited to read more about your project….we have been considering doing something with wine bottles 🙂 Lord knows we have plenty of empties haha
Girl. THIS IS ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!! I just might sneak into your Walnut Grove and creepily instagram your whole wedding. You’ve been warned. PRECIOUS! 🙂 Can’t wait to see more wedding projects!
I would not be mad about that one bit! In fact, I will beg you….PLEASE COME INSTAGRAM OUR WEDDING 🙂
No I haven’t, but I love the idea. I’m going to enjoy your DIY projects for the wedding.
I was wondering if this was a “new thing” or if it commonly done. Thanks so much Whitney 🙂
How fun! I love the planter! We actually did a unity plant at our wedding 5 years ago. I think there were a few people who thought we were a little crazy, but it was an outdoor wedding and there was a lot more meaning to it, so it did make sense. I totally agree, we didn’t want to just do a candle or sand because that’s what the norm is.
Awwww YAY! Glad to hear we are in good company!!! What month was your wedding in? Were you nervous about the whole “weather could destroy my whole day” thing???
And most importantly…did your tree survive 🙂
How did I know there’d be gold involved?!? haha. I love this. I think it’s a good mix of the two of you plus your families and your lives before each other. Super cool idea and I love how your planter turned out, especially the different shades on the wood.
Beautiful 🙂
Ohhhhh girl…you just wait….there will be gold. Oh yes…there will be gold.
I am trying to convince my mom that I don’t HAVE to wear a white dress. She is not having it, but just in case I have a stunner picked out. And guess what…it’s gold.
holy ellipses
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THE TEASE WAS OVER!!! (<– yes that absolutely required all caps)
Hahahaha….I am so excited about it I will probably spill the beans long before the wedding. Maybe in a moodboard I am already working on!!!
I can’t wait to see your maybe dress! The one thing I wanted was a tea-length dress, and I found one I fell in love with but it’s technically gold I guess. It’s cream with a gold lacey overlay (?) with some white tulle peeking out the bottom. I think some people are kinda side-eyeing my choice, but that’s ok.
Ohhhhhh I want to see YOUR dress, that sounds right up my alley!!!! Seriously, I love tea length dresses. I totally understand the mixed reviews. Everyone I tell about my dress gets offended that I would want to wear a gold sparkly dress….but then they see it 🙂
I need to lace the back up and take pictures but I’ll see if I can send you one. I love it, but you’re right, it seems to have mixed reviews. I think I’m ok with that though.
I think the best things in life are the ones that test boundries 🙂 You strut your stuff girl!
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I love what you did with your unity tree! I plan on doing the same at my up coming wedding however I’m having a hard time coming up with what the officiate will say if you have any suggestions I’d LOVE to hear them!
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