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 Shop, Pearl River Market, Deseret Industries, Trader Joes,
Accordion Rosette Instructions from Paper-Source , Dylan's Candy Store, Crate&Barrel

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:

via Thaoski

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!

from Martha Stewart Weddings

Emily Thompson Flowers via Brides

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

Emily Thompson Flowers via Brides

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

TGO Photo via Marry You Me

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.

from Better Homes and Gardens

from Better Homes and Gardens

from Dream Home

Pretty Pink Valentine's Day Shoot

Today's sweet Valentine's Day inspired shoot was another fabulous collaboration between Britney of RSVP Events, Alicia of Bows and Arrows and Nine Photography - these Dallas, Texas based vendors never fail to wow me with their creations! This shoot was all about Valentine's inspiration: pink + silver, girly and sparkly. And did I mention there is an adorable poodle in this shoot as well? The lush flowers and glitzy tablescape are nothing short of a dream... and as Britney says, "Hopefully this will inspire you to give luscious florals, sparkly cupcakes, custom painted and decoupaged lace chargers, and poodles for Valentines Day!"

Thanks so much to Alicia and Britney for sharing this today!

Vendors:

Photography - Nine Photography

Event Design - RSVP Events

Floral Design - Bows and Arrows

 Venue and poodle - Hickory Street Annex

A touch of Valentine's

Sweet Valentine's Day inspired touches for your home... or for a February wedding or shower.

Anyone else love incorporating a little Valentine's style into your home (or wedding) decor? 

I love that this look can hold its own long past February 14th. 

Photo from Lonny Mag

Organic + Stylish Tablescape

Today's organic + stylish tablescape shoot from Studio Fleurette and Kristina Lynn Photography just goes to prove that sometimes minimal can be seriously amazing. Billy balls in white vases, white orchids mixed with brown twigs, a light burlap table runner and napkin wraps all highlighted with quartz blue thread, clear glass plates and candlesticks with white candlelight - its understated organic elegance at its finest. 

Thank you so much to Danielle Erickson of Studio Fleurette for sharing this!

Credits: 

Styling and floral design - Studio Fleurette

Photography - Kristina Lynn Photography 

Pretty Vintage Cakes by Enlightened Patisserie

My friend Nickol Hayden-Cady of Enlightened Patisserie participated in the Bravo! Central Oregon Wedding Affair show this past weekend, and I was so excited to be able to help her with some decor and DIY projects for the show. Working with a vintage antique theme, we made DIY antique book page pinwheels with buttons and tissue paper poms which were hung on vintage doors, old window frames and curtains as curtain ties. Nickol showcased 14 different and seriously amazing cakes that she crafted for the occasion, all with a vintage theme, that were placed on her collection of vintage cake stands and stacked on old books. She also set up an antique dessert table with a meringue cake, macarons, madelines, tiny meringues and rock candy that was so perfect! 

Pretty amazing, right?? I am constantly amazed at Nickol's work - her cakes feature ruffles, cameos, flowers, feathers, and pearls and she's not afraid of color or thinking outside the (cake) box, which I love about her!

Cakes and photos by Enlightened Patisserie