Thursday, March 18, 2010

Inspiration to Reality: Silvery Black and White

Yesterday I woke up to find that another inspiration board of mine had been turned into an Inspirtation to Reality photo shoot on Style Me Pretty! Needless to say I was super flattered and excited to see the results of another team of vendor's interpretation of my Silvery Black and White inspiration board. They didn't disappoint.

From the team of San Francisco vendors, including Viola of chewing the cud and Lisa Neighbors of Blonde Tulip Photography: "This board caught our eye because of its unique and dramatic contrast. In one breath there is the whimsy created by soft layers of tulle in the wedding dress and the full, lush floral arrangements. In a second breath, there is a strong graphic element shown by the sleek silhouettes displayed on the plates and the cake. We thought it’d be fun to play with these stark contrasts and create an event on the interplay of these elements."












From the vendors: "Drawing inspiration from portrait silhouettes commonly seen in weddings, we took it one step further and used animal silhouettes to create a surreal black and white fantasy. By selecting a loft space, with black steel beams and rugged brick walls as the location, we set a sophisticated, sleek stage and worked from there to infuse the feminine, whimsical elements that created the perfect balance between masculine and feminine.

The three-dimensional black on black invitations emphasized the graphic language and the various butterfly, bird and plant icons that appear later in the decor and details. The sleek yet feminine typography added a touch of glamour to the overall look.

We carried the same visual language to the 2-tiered black and white cake, by Sugarcoat it Studio, reflected the same icons as the invitations. Dimensionality was created by creating inset white butterfly outlines on the fondant, balanced with similar cutouts in black and white. This play on cascading butterfly silhouettes was also translated onto the tablescape.

Guests were invited to write their well wishes for the couple on butterfly cutouts and hang them on the perfect canvas: a blank white wall. In the process of adding their butterflies, a beautiful art installation was being created and made for the perfect event backdrop. Displayed with the butterfly cutouts was a perfect little white teacup adorned with a graphic number, black pencils with white caps, and a vintage glass dome that housed a petite nosegay of ranunculus, black painted poppy seeds and tiny strands of black butterflies fluttering about. Alongside the bouquet sat two lovely black striped knobs calligraphed with “bride” & “groom”.

Check out Design*Sponge for even more pics and deets on the butterflies!"
Stop by later, there's more to come from the shoot!

Credits: Coordination and Planning: Stacy McCain Event Planning / Event Design and Florals: Atelier Joya Event Design and Floral / Invitations and Concepts: chewing the cud / Photography: Lisa Neighbors of Blonde Tulip / Cake: Sugarcoat it Studio / Gown and Fashion accessories: Amy Kuschel / Hair Accessories: KAutumn / Jewelry: Ashley Morgan Designs / Make-up: Darlene Carlson Hair and Makeup / Hair: Jim Avila and Associates / Lighting and Piping: Got Light / Linens: Classic Party Rentals / La Tavola Linens / Chairs: Design within Reach / Model: Look Model Agency

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Inspiration Board: Irish Castle Wedding

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today's board was inspired by St. Patrick's Day and the romantic castles of Ireland - many of which host weddings. I love the Irish coin cufflinks as a groom's gift or a groomsmen's gift, the decorated chapel door, the shamrock bouquet, the Bells of Ireland in simple glass vases as centerpieces, the Bailey's Mint Chocolate martini, and the sweet clover topped cupcakes. Dedicated to my "second mom" Janie who would have loved a wedding like this.

Irish Castle Wedding

Credits: 1st row: Chapel door flowers, Shamrock bouquet on Martha Stewart Weddings, Venue Castle Durrow. 2nd row: Irish coin cufflinks from Red Envelope, green bridesmaids dress on Martha Stewart Weddings, Shamrock boutonniere on Martha Stewart . 3rd row: Veil on chair photo by Gemma Comas via Sweet Paul, clover ring pillow on Martha Stewart Weddings, chandelier photo from Castle Durrow. 4th row: Bailey's mint chocolate martini on Marie Claire Australia, Bells of Ireland centerpieces on Good Housekeeping, shamrock cupcake on Martha Stewart.

Here are some charming Irish wedding traditions that would be great for anyone with Irish heritage looking to incorporate some Irish traditions into their wedding. Via The Knot.

The Claddagh RingNamed after Claddagh, a fishing village in Galway (in Western Ireland), the Claddagh ring is handed down from mother to daughter and is used both as the betrothal and wedding ring. It is worn with the crowns facing inward, toward the wrist, on betrothal, and outward, toward the nail, upon marriage. Today, it is still used as a wedding ring and it is considered improper for a person to buy one for him or herself; it must be given as a gift.
Superstitions
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Irish believed that if the sun shone on the bride, it would bring good luck to the couple. It was also lucky to hear a cuckoo on the wedding morning or to see three magpies. After the wedding ceremony, it was important that a man and not a woman be the first to wish joy to the new bride.
Locking the DoorSince Irish men were known for getting cold feet on their wedding days, once the bride and groom were in the church, the guests would lock the door to keep the groom inside to make sure he went through with the ceremony.
Irish Toast
The wedding party gathers around the bride and groom. All fill their glasses with mead and the newly wedded couple recites an Irish toast: "Friends and relatives, so fond and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest memories will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of need." The guests respond: "On this special day, our wish to you, the goodness of the old, the best of the new. God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always fill your every need."
Irish LaceWhile bridal fashions in Ireland resemble the rest of the Western world, one distinctly Irish touch is Irish lace. Try to incorporate this beautiful fabric into a gown or veil. If that's too expensive, consider carrying a lace handkerchief or hand them out as attendant gifts. Color scheme? Follow Irish heritage, of course, and go for green, white, and gold.
Bagpipes and KiltsLots of big Irish families have family members who are in pipe bands. So it's not unusual for them to perform at a wedding and pipe the couple into the mass or at dinner. Popular tunes are the "Highland Fling" and the "Stack of Barley," as well as jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Not only do they sound good, they look good too. Most pipers wear Celtic kilts -- plaid skirts that their ancestors wore in medieval times, but it has become a great way for the groom to honor his heritage as well. The Irish weren't allowed to wear kilts during British rule, so now it seems they slip them on for practically every special occasion, maybe in an effort to make up for lost time and to reclaim their stake in what is often regarded as a Scottish fashion statement.
Lord of the Dance
Show off on the dance floor with a ceilidh, a traditional Irish set dance. Consider signing up for pre-wedding lessons -- for just you and your sweetie or for the whole bridal party. Keep in mind that some ceilidh dances are named for locations in Ireland such as the Kerry Set, the Seige of Ennis, while some waltz tunes include names such as "Galway Shawl", or "Home to Mayo" -- choose a song or dance to reflect your family's heritage or ancestral home. Be sure to share the special significance of your dance with your guests.
An Irish FeastThe traditional Irish menu -- Irish soda bread, corned beef, and cabbage -- is perhaps not something you'd typically crave, but when cooked right and served up at a big wedding fete, it's positively delicious. And don't forget the traditional Irish wedding cake, a fruitcake filled with almonds, raisins, cherries, and spice and laced with brandy or bourbon.
The Month of Honey
The word for honey is "meala" in Irish. "Mi na meala," the month of honey, refers to the month after the wedding when the newlyweds celebrated by drinking mead, a brew made of fermented honey. Following the wedding, a sufficient amount of mead was given to the bride and groom, along with special goblets, so they could share the unique brew for one full moon after their wedding -- and thus the term honeymoon was coined. It was believed that this delicate yet potent drink was the best way to ensure a good beginning for a new marriage, and it was also believed to endow powers of virility and fertility. Source: The Knot

Check out this post on Style Me Pretty to find out all about the Irish tradition of hand fasting.
And here's the link to my fave recipe for Irish soda bread, which of course I'm making today.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Real Wedding: Old World Roman + French Couture Inspired in Colorado

When wedding planner Joyce Goeppinger of La Vie Le Gage Couture Events sent this wedding my way, I knew I had to share the fabulousness. The bride Elizabeth is a lover of all things French and couture, and both she and the groom Brett were also huge fans of the movie Gladiator, and with the help of Joyce they married both these ideas to create an "Old World Roman French Couture" theme wedding all while keeping to a budget. From their Colorado venue of Cherokee Ranch and Castle to the amazing French-inspired florals by Courtney Cochetas of Flowers Forever Design to the brides Avine Perucci dress to her amazing feathered headpiece, one of her many DIY projects, this wedding is chock full of special details that helped to carry the theme throughout. Kim Nodurft of Kim Nodurft Photography "shot the day with an eye leaning toward a fashion shoot, which captured the bride's vision of couture perfectly."

The boxed invitations were custom designed by the bride and Rachel Baker of Rock Paper Scissors Design in California.
The bride's floral/feather/French birdcage veil headpiece - one of her many DIY projects!
The umbrellas from Bella Umbrella added to the French flair.
The bridal bouquet and table arrangements all featured feathers, crystals and pearls as requested by the bride to give a "couture" feel.
The cake by The Teacup Shop featured a monogram which matched the custom monogrammed invitations designed by Rachel Baker of Rock Paper Scissors Design.
The couple was married on the bride's grandparents 56th wedding anniversary, and surprised them by presenting them with a mini anniversary cake with a "56" on top.

Credits: Photography: Kim Nodurft Photography/ Videography: Eric Bakken Photography/ Planner: Joyce Goeppinger of La Vie Le Gage Couture Events/ Venue: Cherokee Ranch and Castle/ Flowers: Flowers Forver Design/ Invitations: Rock Paper Scissors Design/ Cake: Teacup Shop/ Bride's gown: Avine Perucchi by St.Pucci/ Bride's jewelry: Subversive Jewelry/ Makeup artist: Heathyrre Kautz Couture/ Bridesmaid's dresses: Bari Jay/ Umbrellas: Bella Umbrella/ Linen rental: The Total Table/ Tableware rental: Event Rents/ Candleabras:Palmer Gardens/



Friday, March 12, 2010

Vintage Love Tablescape by Brancoprata

I received the best surprise this morning from my dear e-friend Sofia, half of the Portuguese design/photography duo Brancoprata. She and her partner Andre put together this tablescape and mini-photo shoot inspired by the free Garden Stripe Invitation Suite designed by Cambria Evans of J.Bartyn Design and Manufacturing exclusively for Marry You Me. They went with a vintage feel, and tried to convey style while maintaining a smaller budget. Such a sweet surprise!

From Sofia of Brancoprata: "Our idea was to show that with the invitation suite download, you can do lots of different kinds of things. That's why we printed the table numbers on pages from an old book (which happens to be about marriage)."










Credits: Photos and design by Brancoprata, free downloadable invitations by Cambria Evans of J.Bartyn Design and Manufacturing exclusively for Marry You Me.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Marry You Me Exclusive Free Download: Lemonade Labels

In keeping with today's Free Download Thursday theme of a backyard wedding, here are some deliciously sweet lemonade labels by Cambria Evans for J.Bartyn Manufacturing and Design made exclusively for Marry You Me. Simply download and print. Your guests young and old alike will love a refreshing lemonade bar with four different types of lemonade - regular, pink lemonade, limeade and strawberry lemonade. Simply download, print and enjoy!
Some different ideas on how to use the labels:
*Print them on sticker label or run them through a Xyron machine to affix to the front of your dispenser or glass jar.
*Print and glue to ribbons and wrap around a dispenser or glass jar.
*Pop them into a sweet frame to place next to each jars.

Free Download Thursday

This week for Free Download Thursday, the theme is backyard wedding. Here's some adorable + free downloads I rounded up that would be perfect for a backyard wedding, rehearsal dinner or co-ed shower.

Cute Sweet Tea Stir Sticks via Style Me Pretty. Get the template here.

Flag banner made out of scrapbook paper (you could also use fabric) via Martha Stewart Weddings. Get the how-to and template here.

A whole backyard pizza wedding themed download collection from Australia's awesome Wedding Style Guide Magazine, including a rubber stamp template, individual size pizza box menu band, and a pizza dough favor bag template. Get the how-to's and the templates here.
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