So where were the comments?

I'm just wondering, what did you guys think of my wedding posts?

It's not like I'm going to start writing only about weddings but did I bore you? Or did you find them interesting? I doubt I'll write about any more of them except for updates (and better pictures) on this one, but still?

Please delurk and tell me your thoughts.

Wedding 08: Quick Update

Just a quick update to anyone who's interested. There will be more thoughts after I've recovered and processed it all:

• First of all, everything worked out! No vendors failed me (they ALL excelled!), no rain (which was in the forecast earlier in the week), no one passed out from the heat (a miracle!), and the Bride loved all the surprises that the Groom and I had secretly planned (see one below)!
  
  
• I was running around so much I didn't get to see the ceremony BUT the timing was perfect in that my having to chase the best man, who forgot his corsage, I did get to the Bride just in time to arrange her train, tell her how gorgeous she looked, (I hadn't seen her dress before!) and see her start down the aisle with her dad.
  
  
• The reception site is separated from the ceremony site by a slight hill and a stone fence, so when I could get the chance, I would peek over the fence to see how the ceremony was going.
  
  
• We worked about an hour late on schedule the whole evening but there is only so much you can do to rush a bride and groom from a cellphone. I still think we got out of the park by deadline. (I don't know because (bad planner!) the only person who was wearing a watch was the caterer.)

• I didn't get to take many pictures so now I have to wait like everyone else. However, when they get the pictures in, I'll have some up here.
  
  
• The room ended up looking so lovely, despite it's sad beginnings as a conference room.

• During setup, the draping wasn't working so I made the executive decision to have them stop. Note to future brides, 50 yards of tulle goes nowhere, we would have needed 400 yards just to be safe. It was just the wrong weave material for the job. Thank god the bride trusted my judgment when she asked and I told her what I did. If need be though, the floral designer said she has my back.

The Getaway 1956 Rolls Royce

I've done back-to-back conferences with hundreds of people and assisted on events attended by royalty and a recent female candidate for president, but doing a wedding for a friend was a totally different story. Nerve wracking, in fact.

No matter how many times someone said it was perfect, or I was doing a great job, I couldn't just take the praise. This is what I still need to process.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

I'm still here at home, but not for long.

I just put together an emergency kit for today: safety pins, bobby-pins, mints, band-aids, little packs of Advil & Motrin (don't worry, I saw 16 Candles!) tape, scissors, sewing needles, ivory thread, floral tape, some corsage pins, etc.

But I just couldn't stop surfing for wedding stuff. I think I'm addicted!



I just found this site, thoughtfulday, and checked out the pictures of her wedding. I was drawn to her dress, surprise, it's another bridesmaid dress! This one is by Thread, was $400, and is just perfect for a beach wedding like this one. Also check out her silver sandals!



She had a gorgeous color scheme, yellow and white, and she incorporated it elegantly yet also in a real fun way (check out the groom's yellow socks!)

So, now I'm off to pick up some stuff, including a vegan meal for one of the DJs, then to get everything ready for the event!

Images: by Anna Wolf

Wedding 08: Today's the Day!

Well, here I am the morning of the wedding.

The rehearsal yesterday went well despite the incredible heat.* I actually went straight home, had a popsicle, and took a nap because I was so wiped out. Then later at 10PM there was the post-family rehearsal dinner hangout at a local restaurant where the couple knew the owner. We ended up having the back patio to ourselves and I got to catch up with people I hadn't seen since college.

One of the funniest things of the night was finding out that despite my thinking that I didn't remember the groom at all from those days that once someone mentioned his old girlfriend (as in BradandAngelina) I suddenly remembered him. You know how there are couples that unfortunately get defined as a unit, so that alone they loose context and look familiar but there's just something missing. Well, that was this, once the couple moniker was used an image formed in my brain. Funny.

I ended up leaving around 2:30AM. Wow.

I want to show you a few images of items that were created for the wedding. Hopefully, I will have time to get better pictures of them on-site with my camera since I don't have the patience to wait for the professional pictures.

Table Centerpiece

The glass hurricane vases have moss inside that anchors ivory-painted willow branches with attached crystals. Since this pic, it was decided that pink and cream roses will also go around the lip of the vase, forcing the ivory painted willow stems together and giving them more of a massed look. I don't have a picture of that yet, but it will look great.

The base of the hurricanes will be surrounded by various shapes of candles in shades of cream, white, and a pale pink that the bride calls Blush. However, when I hear that, all I see and hear is Julia Roberts saying "my colors are blush and bashful" from Steel Magnolias. What you can't see clearly in the picture (and I haven't seen in person) are little glass marbles that the bride made with their initials and the wedding date along with "Blush" napkins printed with the same information.

Bouquet

these will become this
 

Favors

There's chocolate in there!

However, that's not all, because two days before the wedding the bride has also created table signs and name cards with a system for designating if you want the beef or chicken entree. Yes, a very busy bride!

There are also silver electric lantern lamps, beautiful white mini-lanterns to light the paths and to be suspended by shepherds hooks in the garden, hundreds of candle tapers, and silver urns to hold the bouquets at the reception. Yes, that's a lot. We don't think everything will be used but why not have everything at your disposal? We can always edit.

Just in my car alone, I will be carrying the painted event sign, five packs of votive candles for the mini lanterns, the electric lanterns, a black and white embroidered table runner, the favors, a bolt of ivory tulle, and a new cake platter!

Well, I'm going to go now, there is still lots to do, including a secret mission! I'll let you know how it all goes, ok?


*I've totally changed my mind on what I'm wearing because of it. No full-length lined linen dress for me!

Wedding 08: Countdown!

The ceremony location, the Italian Gardens in Maymont Park

I don't know how many more posts you'll see from me this week. The wedding is only two days away, but I think I may have a few more wedding-related posts in me.

I have also been doing a little sewing so I'll get back to writing about that next week too. I made a teal blue petticoat!!

Wish us* luck!

Photo by diana.penn on Flickr

*The bridal couple and me, their friend and event coordinator

Wedding 08: The Look

C(oi)n Purse led me to a bride who bought a bridesmaid dress in ivory to wear as her dress.



Well, I've been suggesting this next thing to people for years. Have you seen some of these bridesmaid dresses from Watters and Watters, Alvina Valenta, and Jim Hjelm? Gorgeous! No excess ruffles, sequins, or colored iridescent lace, just beautiful dresses with elegant simple lines, and best of all, many times cheaper than dresses especially marketed as WEDDING dresses. Just imagine them in white or cream. Perfect, right?

Don't forget the budget savings of making your own dress too. Villain Extraordinaire has made an incredible red dress for her upcoming wedding that makes me think "steam-punk" for some reason and check out this slinky slip dress by Sweet Sassafras that has a prohibition-era speakeasy vibe to it. You should also check out her photographer, Jillian Kay.

Another wedding blogger whose archives were just combed over by me is Perfect Bound. I found so many beautiful inspiration photos there, like this beautiful birdcage veil and natural hairpiece.


Also look at the loveliness that is at the UK's Peonies and Polaroids; the images of dresses she has found on the web (like this vintage lovely), her DIY projects for her upcoming wedding (some already seen in the DIY contest from an earlier post), and her actual dress, which is a dream.

Images: Project Subrosa, Saraicat; Nicole Polk (via Perfect Bound), Perfect Bound; Peonies and Polaroids

Wedding 08: DIY

Designer extraordinaire Matthew Mead's great website, with seasonal DIY ideas for entertaining could definitely help a handy bride out.

At the end of last year, wedding website, Style Me Pretty held a DIY Wedding Projects contest. This one has some incredible ideas!

I already directed you to the C(oi)n Purse site a few days ago, but that was before I checked out her DIY projects! She gives the production and price breakdown for the centerpieces she is going to use for her tea ceremony-themed reception. Also check out the beautiful jewelry she made for herself.



Beau Coup is a company that makes favors, for weddings and parties of all sorts. Just look at this adorable bubble gum dispenser one for $2.95, great if you're having a small wedding.

Images: Matthew Mead, Style Me Pretty (also seen here!), Style Me Pretty, C(oi)n Purse, Beau Coup

Wedding 08: Words of wisdom and some whimsy

Here, I found a kindred spirit when it comes to using event-planning experience to produce a beautiful, meaningful, and yet still affordable wedding. I spent one night reading almost her entire archives. You must check out A Practical Wedding.

Here are other blogs that also preach substance, sensibility, and style:

A $10,000 Wedding
C(oi)n: Purse
Absolutely Gorgeous
Peonies and Polaroids
Offbeat Bride

Check out this great Etsy wedding gift guide!

For inspiration:

If you're carrying around an old creased and folded image from an old issue of Martha Stewart Weddings for inspiration there is a good chance that this woman, Rebecca Thuss, is responsible. She styled images for them, Blueprint, and the mother-ship, MS Living for years. The great news is that you can still view those images through her work portfolio here.

Wedding 08: Miscellaneous

Found these great signs from Delightful Details at the Brides Cafe. Also check out the other beautiful images of floral decor ideas on that site.

If you ever wonder what my idea of a cool wedding would be you should read Lina's take on Lina's Lookbook. If someone told me I was not allowed to plan my own wedding (I strongly suggest no one EVER do this, because it would be their lives on the line) I could be perfectly happy going along with this plan.



Here's a great source for wedding shower, house warming, party hostess gifts from Beehive Kitchenware, lots of great metalwork pewter items. I was reminded of this company after they were mentioned by Ariana on Becoming Mom.

Also check out the Wedding Week of posts on This Young House, devoted to documenting their very DIY backyard wedding from last year. I think everyone would be tempted to have a wedding at home if they had that back yard!

Wedding 08: Keeping up to date

Wow, I really thought I would have a blast blogging about wedding options and such but I just haven't had time to do the additional research needed to write. So in future posts (I have SO many unfinished posts on this!) , I am just going to list and link to all the great stuff I've found in the last few weeks. Not a lot of pesky text to read, just beautiful images and incredibly great ideas. How's that?

By the way, the planning for the July 19 wedding is going smoothly. The things that had me freaking out two weeks ago, have been handled.

I had totally forgot all about the event planner "need for control" thing. Which is amazing, since that was exactly what burned me out on the job. You have an incredibly strong need to control every aspect because you feel that is your job, however, just as in real life, you can not possibly have control over everything, therefore, you constantly have to re-evaluate what to freak out about more. The good thing is that I also remember how great it feels when it all comes together and people thank you for the job you've done.


Just ten more days!

Photo: Adorable directional signs by Delightful Details.

Wedding 08: Candles as reception decor

Goal: Use multitudes of candles in the reception area decor.

Task: Create a great look using multiple sizes of white, ivory, or blush candles.

First thoughts: The bride has already accumulated multiple sizes, shapes, and complementary colors of candles in order to create her desired atmosphere. Her method for displaying them is in the process of being created. These are other ways that I've seen candles being used to great effect. Using candles instead of floral centerpieces is one of the most affordable ways to decorate tables.


The mirrors allow more reflection and are extremely appealing at night weddings.


Candles in different containers elevated on several different levels.


Simple colored candles with coordinating satin ribbon trims.


The simplest of them all.

Picture Sources: danizerrenner, Mishka Designs (2), gfrog123, True_Queenie

Wedding 08: Draping the Interior

Task: Create a special almost ethereal space for the reception.

Goal: To use the room structure and fabric to evoke a draped tent effect in the reception room.

First Thoughts: The planned room luckily is equipped with visible metal room ceiling supports from which tulle can be draped. The caterer is willing to attempt this if supplied with the fabric for an extremely reasonable additional fee. Our job is to calculate the correct amount of fabric needed to achieve the best results. So, definitely looking for people who have done this before. Also hoping the caterer has prior experience and perhaps photos of how they achieved it. The photos would definitely help us in calculating the fabric yardage. Professional ceiling draping is usually done with semi-sheer voile, but more economically can be done with a fine net tulle. Luckily, tulle is cheap (under $3 a yard) and comes in 108" widths so that does help a bit. Update: Don't do tulle, voile is what you want. Try Fabric.com; Hancock Fabrics; Jo-Ann Fabrics; Wholesale Fabrics; and Harts Fabric.

Examples of two popular techniques: Flat drape and Swag

This portfolio from One Source Weddings in Tennessee is truly inspirational for any couple looking at less-than-wonderful venues. It shows the immense difference that draping can do for any venue, from staid conference rooms to high school gyms.






This one is actually a pre-assembled curtain that is erected on-site.

Photo Credits: The Bride's Cafe, The Foundry L.I.C. (2), Styled Weddings and Events

Wedding 08: Branch centerpieces

Task: Create centerpieces for ten 8-person round tables.

Goal: Assemble some of the images below which use painted willow or birch branches.

First thoughts: Buy a quantity of willow branches and paint white. The bride-to be has found that Michaels craft store wants a high price for a very small quantity of branches. I have found this resource, which sells 40 to 50 stems of Curly Willow for $15 per bundle which sounds like a good deal. They also sell Mitsumata, Birch, and Manzanita stems. Once you soak the bundle they expand a bit and you can reshape them, meaning that as few as five may look perfectly fine at each table.

Unique Wedding Celebrations in Australia

Other options: If for some reason, the willow does not work you can use any other kind of interesting shaped branch and attach decorative paper, felt cutouts, or already-created items.

Attach decorative paper flowers using Martha's cherry blossom tutorial.

For Krystal's wedding, she created tissue paper flowers and Amber took blooms from silk flowers and attached them to real branches.

Designer Angela Adams painted these red and attached purchased birds (as seen on the Rachael Ray website) or you can use feather butterflies from a craft store.

How about using a fairly heavy gauge wire and "hanging" kites from your branches or create groupings of brightly colored origami good luck cranes? So many possibilities...

A busy, busy month

I have been hired to help friends with their quickly approaching wedding in the third week of July (yes, next month!) So, for the next few weeks I will also be looking at wedding resources. I might post a few things here if I find them interesting.

So yes, this blog will be ALL over the place. My mini-wardrobe challenge and wedding planning.

Also, if you have any great pictures of candles and tulle drapery used as decor at a reception site, please send them along. Thanks!