Gretchen333 tells us about her DIY outdoor wedding!

Posted Friday, December 04, 2009 10:39 AM

Knot Name: Gretchen333

Wedding Date: October 10, 2010

Knot Annie: Tell me about the Knotties on your board that you post on. Have you ever joined them for a GTG?


Gretchen333: I am absolutely addicted to the DIY board and my club board, October 2010. The DIY board is always filled with such wonderful and creative ideas and it really gets my head going as to ideas that I can do for my own wedding. My club board is filled with some of the most wonderful ladies I’ve ever “known.” They are always so supportive and upbeat, and they truly care and want to hear about everything going on (wedding related or not). I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting any of them, but I hope to someday soon!  I am taking part in our Knottie holiday gift exchange and am so excited to send the special holiday ornament I picked out for my fellow October 2010 Knottie to her!


KA: Describe your wedding.

Gretchen333: Our wedding is going to be a semi-casual outdoor wedding in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We have rented a stunning cabin with a stone courtyard overlooking the view where we will hold our ceremony. Then we and our 75 guests will walk a few feet to the large deck where our reception will be setup. We plan to have thousands of twinkling white lights, beautiful apple green and raspberry paper lanterns (my colors!), and DIY candle and lantern centerpieces made from wine bottles lighting the intimate affair. I will also make my own table runners in raspberry to go over the rented apple green table cloths, and will top it all off with a cake made of Rice Krispie treats! (DIY, of course!)

KA: How have the Knotties on your board helped you plan?

Gretchen333: How haven’t they?!  I have been struggling with my cake ideas since my FI doesn’t really like cake and I am allergic to dairy. That’s why I decided to make my own.  I’ve been learning fondant techniques with Knottie help (my recipe came from a Knottie!). It was a fellow Oct. 2010 Knottie that pointed out the Rice Krispie cake on The Knot to me, and I love it! The DIY girls have helped me with everything from Save the Dates to Invitations to décor! A fellow DIY bio taught me how to light up my paper lanterns, while another started me on the path to coming up with my wine bottle center pieces. I put pics in my planning bio and they are always helpful with feedback. They even helped me choose my apple green table cloths (over the raspberry pink ones).

KA: Favorite bio on The Knot and why?

Gretchen333: Okay, I just spent the last 30 minutes looking at bios trying to pick just one! It’s really difficult! I would love to name 50 of them, but since I have to pick one I think it would be TheSaltyPeanut. Her bio is extensive and not only filled with great ideas, but directions, too!! And I absolutely love her style. That “modern meets nature” look is exactly what I am going for, as well.

KA: Best vendor that you’ve worked with and why?

Gretchen333: I haven’t worked with many so far, but on the top of my short list would have to be the staff at Moose Creek Crossing cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge, TN. They have been extremely accommodating to both myself, my fiancé, and my guests. One of their cabin owners met us personally at the cabin to show us around and he told us stories of how and when our cabin was built, and the personal stories behind some of its beautiful décor.  The staff also helped me to arrange a discount for my guests who want to rent cabins and stay in the area.

KA: What will make your wedding stand out to your guests and where did you find the inspiration?

Gretchen333: Well, if the Rice Krispie cake doesn’t do it (inspired by the Knot!), hopefully the gorgeous setting will. Our wedding will be in the late afternoon and our cocktail hour will fall during sunset. We hope to have stunning views of the orange and red setting over the mountains. Many of our guests plan to make a vacation out of the event and stay for a few days or even a week. We truly hope they have the time of their lives, because I know we will!  Oh, and without giving too much away, each guest will leave with a very special pub glass with a logo very near and dear to our hearts! (Pic in my bio!)

KA: What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?

Gretchen333: Probably like most women, I cannot WAIT to wear my Allure dress and be a princess for a day! But even more important is that I will finally get to say the words “my husband.”  I will be 31 years old when I get married… I have spent a long time looking for Mr. Right and I finally found him. Being able to introduce my best friend as “my husband” will be wonderful.