Inspiration Board: Vintage Sailor Wedding

It's no secret I love all things vintage - I used to love going to my grandmother's house and playing with her glass vanity bottles (which I actually used at my wedding), atomizers and pouring over pictures of her and my grandfather, who was in the Navy! All of this inspired me to do this board... The Sailor and his Bride in gloves and a fur stole, soft blue and creme with pops of red, lace touches, vintage bottles, Chinese lantern decor (a nod to the groom's far east sailings), a vintage Sailor cake topper, and delicious cakes on a vintage striped fabric buffet. Simply lovely and from another time...

Photo credits: Clockwise from top left - Sailor groom and bride photo by Kate Headley via MSW, DIY lace napkin ring from Martha Stewart Weddings, glass bottle photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, gloves and beaded bag from Country Living, cake photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage sailor wedding topper from Country Living, chinese lantern photo by Kate Headley.

Real Wedding: Michaela and Richard

It is officially fall where I live, and despite the fact that this was technically a spring wedding, it still has a fallish feel to it that I like. The second I saw this wedding I fell in love with the bride's ivory tea length dress and her natural, wild bouquet. Michaela and Richard were married on a cloudy May day in Draper, Utah. The photos were taken by Bethany of Bethany Jackman Photography, and I love the variety of shots she got of the couple.

All photos by Bethany Jackman Photography

Inspiration Board: A Breakfast Wedding

I got inspiration to do this board after chatting with my wedding-phobic brother over breakfast the other day. He's uncomfortable around weddings so he can't see himself having one, but I told him a wedding doesn't have to be cookie cutter, that you could even have a casual breakfast wedding with just close family and friends (which he loved). For the palette, I loved the Marigold + Pewter color combo ever since I saw it in Martha Stewart Weddings in 2007. From Martha Stewart Weddings: "Sunny and steely, dialed up and dulled down, the combination of yellow and gray makes for a contrapuntal dance that's neither too sweet nor too subdued. Add hints of clean white to the mix for such things as china, tablecloths, and stationery, and you've got it made in the shade -- and in the sunlight."

For this breakfast wedding, I would make it as charming as possible.

• Sweet hand calligraphed invitations in a sunny marigold.
• A tea length dress (like the one shown by Dolly Couture) to match the sweet but informal setting.
• Arrangements of rannuculus, lambs ear and succulents for the flowers.
• Make handmade table runners from a unique pewter fabric.
• Add white china coffee cups and saucers, and fun touches like cow cream pourers and cake stands.
• A crossword puzzle about the two of you at every place setting is a fun conversation starter and a great keepsake - make your own crossword at Variety Games.
• Keep the table sunny with homemade marmalade jam (you could also give these out as favors), marigold linen napkins, orangey-yellow hand calligraphed place cards, and pewter plates.
• Have a Mimosa bar for your guests so they can customize their own drinks. Hang a hand painted sign above the bar. Keep all the offerings orange.
• As far as the food goes, breakfast items can be heavy and filling. To keep things delish and light, miniaturize the food! Mini french toast with berries, mini prosciutto nests with quail eggs (to mimic classic bacon and eggs) with mini toasts, and mini lemon poppyseed poundcakes are just a few yummy ideas.
• A getaway in a classic yellow cab with a "Just Married" sign makes for a memorable exit.

Photo credits: 1st row - 'Catalina' calligraphed envelope from Laura Hooper, tea length dress by Dolly Couture photo by Alice Hu, bouquet by Ink & Peat.
2nd row - Breakfast table spread from Martha Stewart Weddings, mini french toast from Martha Stewart Weddings, prosciutto nest with mini quail egg and toast from Martha Stewart Weddings.
3rd row - Grey suit and orange tie photo via Stock.xchang, orange shoe photo by Allison C via Oh Happy Day, crossword puzzle place setting from Martha Stewart Weddings, mini lemon pound cakes via Martha Stewart Weddings.
4th row - Mimosa bar from Martha Stewart Weddings, getaway cab sign from Martha Stewart Weddings

Day After Shoot: Aimee and Kumu

This day after shoot by photographer Jessica Kettle is pure loveliness! Aimee and Kumu were married in Hawaii, and had Jessica Kettle do a day after session in Seattle for them. I love the location where they shot - a lovely farm setting. Actually, I love everything about this shoot, but my favorite part would have to be the bride's dress, which the bride and her mother designed and made together!

How amazing were these? And that dress! Sigh...

All Photos by Jessica Kettle Photography

Wedding Design: Pretty Parisian

There is a fabulous wedding magazine you will be hard pressed to find in a bookstore or at a newsstand here in the US called Wedding Style Guide: The Ultimate Design and Decoration Magazine for Your Wedding . Hard to find, because it is an Australian magazine. I don't know of any wedding magazine here that bills itself as "the ultimate design and decoration magazine" and Wedding Style Guide has me wishing there was one. They feature tons of great wedding theme ideas and downloads for templates to go along on their website. I LOVE this shoot and am even debating shelling out $11 to download this issue.

From Style Guide: "This oh-so-pretty slice of Paris will transport guests on a whimsical journey to the Parisian tea salon era. Subtle pastel hues, an eclectic mix of blooms, fine vintage-inspired glass and the aroma of decadent chocolates will delight the senses. This is romanticism at its best."

"A Wedding with a Slice of Paris"

Photography by Chris Court

Free PDF Downloads (requires Adobe Acrobat):
Table Number Card Template
Place Cards Template
Label Template
Favor Box Band Template

Daily Favorite: Fall In Love

I love this picture... Fall weddings can just be so beautiful!

The brides amazing dress was by Pronovias, Photography by Chugach Peaks Photography

Real Wedding: Marie and Ryan

Another fabulous wedding shot by One Love Photo to share today, this one also chalk full of fun + lovely details just like yesterday's wedding. Marie and Ryan were married this summer at a private residence on a small lake in Burien, Washington. From Heather at One Love Photo: "There were tons of playful details but the sweetest by far was their "sweet shop" stocked full of candy and italian sodas for all!"

Love this!

All photos by One Love Photo

Real Wedding: Cara and James

When I came across this wedding, I couldn't stand how cute + playful it was or how much I loved the photography by One Love Photo. Once Wed already did a cute feature on Cara and James' wedding, but I was super excited when Heather at One Love posted even more pics on her blog so that I could share some from this sweet + fun wedding. The wedding was held at Juntunen Gardens in Mount Vernon, Washington, and focused on food, fun and games.

From Heather at One Love Photo: "When I met with Cara and James this past winter they had just started to plan, but at that point they already knew that tasty food and lots of games were the most important thing to them. They also agreed that they would pass on dancing and focus on bean bags and croquet instead. The reception had a lively feel since people could move around while they ate. The passed courses allowed people to really enjoy the lawn games that were set up outside the tent... It was so cool to see everything that they envisioned (and some extras) come together so perfectly on this beautiful summer evening."


From the bride Cara: "My bridesmaids and I wanted to do something unique and fun to help us get ready the morning of the wedding and through a connection we found The Hairstream Studio, an airstream trailer redesigned and outfitted as a mobile hair salon that actually came to our site on the day of the wedding."


I love Cara's swiss dot "Dora" dress by Melissa Sweet.
So pretty!




From the bride Cara: "My friends and family were huge in helping with decorations - my bridesmaids and I handmade each flag banner that was strung in the tent and between the trees, my mom sewed all of the beautiful table runners."



Cara's dad built this adorable lemonade stand.


From Heather at One Love Photo: "Cara and James decided to pass on a heavy buffet and plated meal, instead they served light courses which kept people moving and didn't interrupt any badminton games. Ciao Thyme catering did and amazing job with the food and presentation, for dinner they passed petite delicious courses."
Several of the dishes were handed out in white take out boxes. Such a cute idea.


Love this pic!





All photos by One Love Photo.