Here in the midwest the chilly winter weather seems to just be getting started, but at the flower market the blooms of spring are starting to pop up. This includes one of my (and most peoples) all time favorite flower, the peony. I simply can’t get enough of them, and apparently neither can brides, it’s definitely our most requested wedding flower. Obviously I couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous pink and white spring bouquet made up of pink and white peonies, and beautiful pink roses. A perfect clutch for a spring bride! Lovely pics by The McCartneys Photography, and flowers by Horants.
January 23rd, 2013
Inspiration: Minnesota Farm Wedding
It’s been awhile since we shared an inspiration shoot, and with the weather as chilly as it is here in the midwest, this Minnesota farm wedding hits the mark perfectly. With lovely images by one of our favorites, Erin Johnson, and a whole bunch of other amazing midwest vendors. Here’s a little more about the inspiration from the shoot from Erin’s blog:
We are THRILLED to show you this post! We found inspiration for this shoot in Carly’s Camilla Spode china {inherited from her grandmother}, red dogwood branches in the snow and Amy, Hannah and Nina–these three BEAUTIFUL girls! {Oh…and Cian! Sorry, Cian!}. Carly and I called on some of our favorite vendors to join us and this fun, vintage, winter shoot was born.Ashley, from Simply Elegant Bridal Consulting connected us with Seven Oaks Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota and we instantly fell in love. Pulling onto Seven Oaks Farm is like pulling into Bing Crosby’s movie, Holiday Inn. It’s picturesque and quaint and the perfect place for a wedding…and Carolyn and Herb, the owners, couldn’t be kinder or more accommodating. The farm has beautiful, white-washed out-buildings—one of which is Wisconsin-style barn with a huge hay loft {and the site of our shoot}.
We set our scene with lots of lovely goods from On-Solid Ground Vintage Rentals, Lime Canary Vintage Rentals, and Festivities. The Simply Elegant Bridal Consulting team and Sarah, from On-Solid Ground, joined us to pull everything together on-site. It was such a blast to collaborate with these gals!
Local artists, Rachel and Allison Pegoraro created a one-of –a-kind thumbprint guest book. Allison Pegoraro lent a taxidermy faun, antlers and faun skins to bring in a bit of the quirk we’re known for. And, we can’t say enough about Rosann Konieczny Calligraphy! Her work totally elevated the invitations Carly made just for the shoot.
And, we were thrilled to have Chowgirls Killer Catering put out a beautiful and super tasty spread, along with the incredible custom sweets tables from Sweets Bakeshop.
To dress our models, we borrowed estate furs and vintage jewelry from Brides of France and dressed the bride in re-imagined couture gowns made especially for the occasion by JenMar Creations. Christina, owner of Something Borrowed, came out with her entire inventory of veils and headpieces. Dani and Angie from Salon Etica killed it with their beautiful hairstyles and I can’t get enough of the coral lips and cheeks {Make-up by Lydia at Salon Rox}.
January 22nd, 2013
Engagement Session: Jennifer and Taylor, Arkansas
Jennifer and Taylor met on the campus of the University of Arkansas – so it’s only fitting that they would choose this symbolic location for their engagement shoot. The images, captured by Ashley and David Photography, showcase the couple at a favorite spot during one of their favorite times of year – Arkansas in the Fall. We love the simple backdrop of falling leaves paired with a crisp autumn day. And we love the idea of capturing the very place where they first met! Thanks to Ashley and David Photography and to Jennifer and Taylor, for sharing this piece of their story with us!
January 17th, 2013
Real Wedding: Amy and Shaun, Chicago
What do you get when you combine old Hollywood glamour, a modern event space, beautiful florals and an absolutely stunning couple? Well, it’s today Real Wedding of course! For Amy and Shaun, they envisioned a day where they could bring together their families, as well as their heritage, to set the stage for an epic and elegant affair. They included many details that are special to them and found unique ways to tie in some of their favorite things. With images by Gerber + Scarpelli Photography, every scene from their big day plays out like a love story on the big screen. And for a couple who kept their romance alive, even with an ocean between them, it’s easy to see that today’s feature presentation will stand the test of time.
Congratulations to the couple and thanks to Gerber + Scarpelli Photography for sharing Amy and Shaun’s love story with us!
Who, What, Where ~ Ceremony + Reception + Flowers: A New Leaf. Catering: The Berghoff. Photographer: Gerber Scarpelli Photography. Dress: Matthew Christopher. Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse. Wedding Planner: Chrissy Magliano, Big City Brides. Ceremony Musicians: Paul and Kerena Moeller. Hair: Nicci Loiacono. Makeup: Jessica, Sonia Roselli Makeup Studio. Ceremony Musicians: Paul and Kerena Moeller.
From the bride, Amy….
When we first got engaged, Shaun and I spent a quiet moment to reflect on what a wedding means to us. Our initial thought was the opportunity to just be together. After meeting in Vancouver, Canada, most of our relationship had been spent across an ocean; Shaun’s soccer career taking him back to England and mine in the States. We knew that where we had come from and where we met would play into the planning. But more so, our wedding meant the joining of two worlds, and two families.
Our venue, with its bare loft vibe, varied levels and stunning flower shop, reminded us of places we had been in Vancouver. Our invitations and stationery were designed by a good friend, and assembled by family, designed to tie in an old Hollywood feel inspired by my wedding dress.
The ceremony music featured Welsh and English folk songs, a nod to the groom’s heritage, and the six-pence in my shoe came straight from England, courtesy of Shaun’s mum. My something borrowed was my great-grandmother’s wedding ring, which both my mother and grandmother had on their wedding days. All of the floral arrangements included myrtle, a traditional flower in English and Welsh bouquets, signifying love and marriage.
After the ceremony, the guests dined on food inspired by our hometowns, such as fish and chips served in newspaper cones and Chicago style hotdogs. The bar featured signature drinks, named after the Fred Astaire movies my parents had met and fell in love watching, and the cocktail hour included a scotch tasting station to represent my affection for the spirit. And of course, a chocolate and butter cream cake for the chocolate loving groom. We tied all of these little details and more into our seating cards; small booklets containing tidbits about the wedding, romantic quotes, and wedding trivia for our guests.
For us, the fun in planning our wedding was finding ways to represent our love for each other, and what makes us unique, as well as our love for our families in our event. The small personal details made the evening incredibly touching. And being together at the end of it all? Well, that’s just icing on the wedding cake.
January 15th, 2013
Engagement Session: Kelly and Ryan, Minnesota
It’s easy to see how excited Kelly and Ryan are about sharing their lives together. These super fun images by Karen Feder Photography are full of life, enthusiasm and energy! The couple, who brought along their adorable doggies for the session, can be seen all over their hometown of Minneapolis taking in the sights and having a blast together! We love when an engagement shoot highlights a couple so well, including all their favorite things. It definitely makes you feel like you know them personally and really shows you who they are together.
Toady’s session is the perfect example of that! Thanks to Karen Feder as well as Kelly and Ryan for letting us get up close and personal with the palpable joy they share! Congratulations you two, we hope you always have this much fun together!
