Sea of Shoes Blogger Jane Aldridge’s Vintage-Inspired Wedding

On December 12, 2016, Jeff Dashley and Jane Aldridge were en route to their anniversary dinner when Jeff gave Jane something even bigger to celebrate: an engagement! “Jeff proposed with a ring by Rosa Maria, a jewelry designer who created some of my favorite pieces in my mom’s jewelry box,” says Jane. And if you're already a fan of Jane’s fashion blog, Sea of Shoes, you know that she loves vintage shopping. So much, in fact, that finding her engagement ring on a consignment website was a no-brainer for the couple.

And when it came time for their wedding, Jeff and Jane approached it with a similar true-to-them mindset, ultimately hosting a cocktail party in a comfortable, homey setting. And what could be more comfortable than Jane’s mother’s backyard in Texas? “We wanted our wedding to be as intimate and relaxed as possible,” says Jane. “My mother is an interior designer, and I knew she’d be up for the challenge of transforming the space to host our wedding.” On October 21, 2017, the couple welcomed 50 friends to Texas for a backyard celebration that combined collected items, lush flowers, and a few surprises.

Keep reading to take a peek into this stylish bride’s big day, photographed by Redman Pictures!

True to herself, Jane skipped the bridal salon in favor of buying her wedding gown on Etsy. “I saved this 1950s dress early on and showed it to my mom and sister while we were having dinner to celebrate our engagement,” she says. “They insisted I order it right away!”

The silk-organza off-the-shoulder gown had a lace bodice and a dramatic bustle. “The bustle gave it the right amount of drama and isn’t something you see on modern wedding dresses,” says the bride. She added silver Oscar de la Renta pumps and vintage jewelry to complete her look.

Stylists from Matrix did Jane’s hair (plus her sister’s, her mom’s, and all the guys’!), but Jane did her own makeup for her big day, taking a few calm moments to herself as the morning whizzed past.

The ceremony took place in Jane’s mother’s backyard, beneath strands of string lights. Pieces of 1930s lace tatting were also hung from the trees, and lush peach and dusty-blue blooms surrounded the trunks.

A friend’s daughter served as flower girl and marched down the aisle before Jane and her father entered to the opening chords of “November Rain” by Guns ‘N Roses. Jane carried a colorful bouquet of ranunculus, dahlias, peonies, and roses.

The couple’s officiant was a close friend, John Zahl. “John and I met through deejaying, and he and his wife took me under their wing," explains Jane. "Not only is he my favorite DJ, but he’s also an Episcopal minister!” She and Jeff wed in a traditional ceremony, accented with a reading from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.

“As the sun started to set, the sky was filled with pinks, purples, and oranges—a perfect match for the flowers around the altar,” says Jane. “Our officiant paused to point it out, and it created a moment of calm and beauty that was so lovely.”

Jane’s mother decorated her back patio with Moroccan rugs, floor cushions, and accent tables. “She even draped all of her outdoor furniture with lace to create a lounge area,” the bride explains.

Guests sipped French 75s, old-fashioneds, Brooklyns, and Hemingway daiquiris as they dined on a mix of Indian and British pub food. “Chef Misti Norris is one of our favorites, and we were so fortunate to have her cater our wedding," says the bride. "She cured meats and sausages over a few months to serve at our wedding and had a biscuit station with homemade jams alongside samosas and saag paneer.”

As the evening continued, Jeff and Jane surprised their guests with a Halloween party at her father’s house—conveniently located right next door. She says, “We love Halloween, and the late-October date felt right. Jeff and I changed into zombie bride and groom costumes, handed out candy and masks, and had our guests join us for an ‘80s horror dance party. It was unconventional, but it made our wedding extremely memorable and so fun!”

For Jane and Jeff, it was all about making choices to make their day their own. Says Jane, “Decide how you want to remember your celebration. This day will become your memories and stories to share, so make it all 100 percent your own!”