Thursday, December 15, 2011

Inspiration Board: Winter Light

I love this time of year when it is cold outside and that beautiful blue winter light reflects off the snow and comes through the window, then it gets dark early and its time for lovely candles. This board has  a Scandinavian feel to it, with the wreath braid hairdo, the rustic branches, plenty of candles and touches of gold. Lovely inspiration for a winter wedding!


Credits: Top row L to R - Manzanita candelabra from West Elm, wreath hairstyle photo via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, candles and frame photo from Walther & Co. Bottom row L to R - candles photo via Style Me Pretty, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, rustic love twig cake topper from Etsy

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

A Book and Woodland Themed Baby Shower

I've been waiting to share this beyond adorable baby shower that my friend Cambria Evans of J.Bartyn Design + Event Concepts put together for her sister-in-law, Koseli. While we're mostly about weddings here at Marry You Me, we also love sweet events of all types and you know what they say... First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby! Cambria did an amazing job with this shower, combining the mom-to-be's career and passion (working in the publishing industry and being a writer herself) with a nod to her Nordic heritage and who else but Peter Rabbit. As Cambria puts it, it was "a magical book-themed shower, inspired by Koseli's love of Norwegian forests and good grammar." I often get emails from readers looking for help throwing showers, and there are so many great ideas here - so enjoy!

From Cambria Evans of J.Bartyn Design + Event Concepts: "It was magical forest + book-theme, which was a perfect combination for Koseli's personality. We worked with a palette of soft grey, Pantone Red C, and cream mixed with 3 key patterns: polka-dots, stripes + book text -- Yes, I went a little overboard, but I like to treat every event I work on with the same attention as a big gala. Besides, palettes + inspiration boards really help keep things coordinated. In the end, everything came together wonderfully, and I am so glad I got to be a part of it! See below for more details in the captions + credits."

THE MOM-TO-BE; A MAGICAL BOOK-THEMED SHOWER, INSPIRED BY KOSELI'S LOVE OF NORWEGIAN FORESTS & GOOD GRAMMAR.

VINTAGE BOOK COVER SHOWER INVITATION WITH LIBRARY "DUE DATE" STICKER + PETER RABBIT INSPIRED ILLUSTRATION BY CAMBRIA 

SETTING UP

SEWN DICTIONARY HEART BANNER, IT'S A BOY PENDANT, PREPPING THE TABLE 


VINTAGE BOOK GARLANDS, ACCORDION ROSETTES

A CHEESE PLATTER THAT WOULD SATISFY ANY WOODLAND CREATURE

CRAFT PAPER WRAPPED BOOKS WITH RED RIBBONS, VEGGIE TRAY, CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE  • STYLING THE TABLE.

THE DELICIOUS FEAST! HOW CUTE ARE THOSE MUSHROOM + PINE CONE SHAPED CHOCOLATES ON THE CAKE?

KOSELI OPENING CUTE GIFTS • FESTIVE GARLAND MIX


PUMPKIN CINNAMON MUFFINS, BROWN BUTTER + RASPBERRY CUPCAKES, RED GUMMY BEARS + M&M'S, SNICKERDOOLES

PETER RABBIT + SNAIL ON MUSHROOM LARGE CUT-OUTS • MINI BONNE MAMAN RASPBERRY JAM FAVORS WITH LIBRARY DUE DATE TAG, ATTACHED WITH BAKERS TWINE

Credits:
Design & Styling: J.Bartyn Design
Coordination & Planning: Reghan Christensen, Ashley Filmore + Carrie Monson
Invitation, Favor Tags, Banner, Accordion Rosettes : J.Bartyn Design
Sewn Garlands: Jaelyn Evans
Baked Goods & Desserts: Reghan Christensen, Ashley Fillmore + friends of Koseli
At the home of: Reghan Christensen
Inspiration Board: pinterest
Illustrations: Cambria Evans

Sources: Lee's Art ShopPearl River Market, Deseret Industries, Trader Joes,
Accordion Rosette Instructions from Paper-Source , Dylan's Candy StoreCrate&Barrel

Monday, November 28, 2011

I'm Thankful For...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I know I have much to be thankful for, and one of them is my faithful readers who still look at my blog even though I've been on an extended hiatus. Life got in the way of my doing my blog in the way I've really wanted to, but honestly it felt like a very important part of me was missing these past few months. My blog is one of my great loves, and I want to rekindle my relationship with it, and with you dear readers and friends. Now that my school term is winding down, I can refocus after next week and really work on putting together great content for you all in the new year. New year, new fresh start right? Thanks again for all your support and words of encouragement, its meant a lot and has definitely reinspired me to get back to blogging. 
thanks and xoxo,
Annie
Martha Stewart Living November 2008

Monday, November 14, 2011

Sponsored Post: Ketubahs by Amy Fagin at 20th Century Illuminations

Have you ever had a friend talk about signing a prenuptial agreement before getting married? They aren't always too pretty because of the idea behind them - that somehow this forever commitment that you're entering into will be finite.

The Jewish tradition includes a prenuptial agreement a part of the wedding ceremony, and makes the ketubot (the term for the agreement) actually quite beautiful. The ketubah texts often look like pages from a medieval illuminated manuscript - which makes sense, as the tradition has been followed for a very, very long time, reflecting the rich history of the Jewish people. The text of the contract has been adapted by Jewish communities while remaining in accordance with the ancient customs and traditions of the earliest practices.

'Paeonia Arbor' ketubah by Amy Fagin

But what exactly does it say? Basically, it's an agreement of the husband to the wife that he will provide to his wife three major things: clothing, food and conjugal relations. There are a few derivatives that can be added depending on the branch of Judaism that the couple follows, but that's the gist of it.

Traditionally the ketubah is signed and read aloud at the ceremony, later to be displayed prominently in the home as a reminder to the bride and the groom of the promises they made to each other. The beauty of the text - and the work of many ketubah artists, like Amy Fagin at 20th Century Illuminations - creates such a document to always draw the eye to the promises that have been made and will always be kept.

(Annie's favorite - 'Sweet Shelter')

The Jewish perspective is a bit different than the Western one in terms of what a prenuptial agreement means - it's not a preparation for the worst, but rather a reminder of the best. It's a good outlook, I think.
Amy Fagin at 20th Century Illuminations, as well as creating beautiful marriage contracts, also has a series of illuminated manuscripts called Beyond Genocide that "examines regions of the world where large scale episodes of genocide and mass annihilation have been perpetrated."




About the author: Nikki Farnsworth is a freelance writer who loves beautiful things, whether its a wedding blog, ketubot, technology or love. And sometimes it's just sitting down with a romantic movie and some good chocolate.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Fall Leaf Inspiration

It's definitely fall here in the Northwest, and I'm surrounded by lovely fall leaves in shades of red, yellow gold and orange. You can't help but be inspired by the beauty of fall and the leaves themselves, and I started thinking of all the ways you could incorporate fall leaves into a wedding. Here's some of my favorites:

In the Sex and the City season 6 episode where Miranda and Steve get married in a park, she holds a lovely bouquet of only fall leaves. I just love that idea!


A lovely leaf and rose corsage for the moms (or even the bridesmaids!)

Fall leaves don't have to be rustic. They can be modern and elegant, too! Here's two great examples:


Edible leaves spice up a plain fondant cake for a minimalist chic look. 
P.S. - this can be a huge savings on your cake
Edible sugar leaves by Andie Specialty Sweets on Etsy, 12 for $30

On to decor! Fall leaves can adorn everything from your aisle to your centerpieces to the venue walls.



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Adorable Idea: Candy Corn Madelines

For an adorably sweet and grown-up take on Halloween treats, I love these homemade candy corn madelines!
Get the recipe and how-to here


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Our Love Session with This Modern Romance - Help Heal Isaac

Yesterday I read a post from photographer Stephanie Williams of This Modern Romance that really affected me personally. Her talented husband and photography partner, Isaac, has been battling with a sudden brain tumor and is recovering from a stroke caused by the tumor that has left much of his left side paralyzed.
Isaac and Stephanie Williams

I had long admired Stephanie and Isaac's work, and two years ago for our first anniversary Brandon and I were lucky enough to be able to have a day-after style anniversary session with them in Carmel, California where we were married. This charming, talented, funny and down-to-earth duo made us feel at ease and captured some of the loveliest pictures of us I've ever seen. We had such a great time hanging out with them during our session, and would have loved to have gone out for a drink and some dinner after our session with them, but alas they had to continue on down the coast to their home in Southern California. We've always talked of how much fun we had and how great they were to be with.

After seeing Stephanie's post yesterday, I wanted to help this amazing couple in any way I could. They have given Brandon and I (and all of their clients, or those who enjoy looking at beautiful work) an incredible gift of wonderful memories captured perfectly in some of the prettiest pictures ever. Isaac's  rehabilitation and medical bills will be expensive, and since they work as a team Stephanie will be soldiering on with work alone. If you can help out in any way (no amount is too small!) - I know Stephanie and Isaac would appreciate it more than words can say.



And now I felt it was only right to share the amazing pictures that Stephanie and Isaac took of us on our first anniversary...

Credits
Photography: Stephanie and Isaac of This Modern Romance
Dress: Watters
Birdcage veil & flower and feather headpiece: Brenda's Birdcage Veils
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Flowers: Floral Farm Design Studio, Carmel Valley, CA
Brandon's Suit and Shoes: Nordstrom
Tie: Robert Talbot

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