If you’re just at the beginning of your planning, browsing around the internet for ideas, I’d like to make a suggestion. Instead of starting with a look or “vision” in mind, and then trying to find a venue that fits that vision (because if you’re anything like me, you’ll drive yourself totally bananas when you realize that the perfect* place doesn’t exist), start with a budget, a guest list, and a date or two. Find a venue that fits those things, and then develop a vision from there. I know that some venues aren’t inherently inspiring – more like blank slates – but if your venue is (inspiring, that is), why not let it spark your vision? That’s what I had in mind when creating today’s inspiration board, which is based entirely around the idea of an ivy-covered, brick-walled venue.

Mood: vintage urban
Palette: brick and ivy green

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: topiary in terra cotta pot via Design*Sponge, ivy cascade bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, buttercream cake with olive leaf decorations photo by Jose Villa, ivy-covered brick wall photo by Anna Boudreau
Row 2: rose petal toss from Wedding Style Guide, bride and groom on balcony photo by Rebecca for Millie Holloman, rustic seating card display photo by Jose Villa, ivy plant wedding favor via {frolic!}
Row 3: galvanized tub of wine bottles from Brides, ivy covered basket photo by Belathee, banquet table in brick courtyard from Jo Gartin, vintage stamps

*A note on this word, perfect. Back when I was planning my wedding in what I like to call “Round 1,” the biggest source of stress (okay, insanity) for me was the idea that my wedding had to be perfect. That it could be perfect. Perfect in the sense of perfectly scripted, costumed, directed, produced. But here’s the thing. That’s not a wedding day; it’s a movie. An impossible goal, and you will make yourself crazy trying to achieve it – and miserable when it doesn’t happen. For myself, I’d rather focus on having a day where I get to marry my best friend, hopefully surrounded by the people who love us, and hopefully followed by cake. I’m not sure it gets more perfect than that. (If you need more convincing that going for perfect isn’t where it’s at, Meg’s got a great post on it over here.)

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Although I am a little afraid to say it out loud for fear of jinxing it…I think that Spring has finally sprung! And to celebrate, I have the most happy, cheerful, completely adorable wedding shoot that is sure to put a big, fat spring in your step. Designed by Elizabeth Meehan and photographed by Sara Gray, this shoot is all charm. Too see the whole shebang, click here.

{click here to see the full shoot}

Location: Private residence / Photography: Sara Gray Photography / Coordination/styling: Elizabeth Meehan, Elizabeth Ann Events (Orange County and Portland, OR) / Flowers: Annie Chen, Floral Sunshine / Dessert (wedding cake and lemon cookies): Amber Darrington, Le Cookie Monkey / Invitations/menus: Shona Lepis, Eye Design Studio / Rentals: The Party Place, Portland, OR / Bridal gown: Coren Moore (provided by Elizabeth Dye at The English Dept) Groom’s boutonniere/brooch pin: Bumble Alley Boutique / Bride’s jewelry: Katy Kippen for Grayling / Jewelry / Wedding bands (featured in detail shots): John Rink / Hair and makeup: Jennifer Walker, Face Body Beauty / “Love” print: Made by Girl designs

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Post tags: Elizabeth Ann Events, Floral Sunshine, Oregon, Portland, Sara Gray Photography
Post categories: Wedding Decor, Wedding Details

This article was originally posted onStyle Me Pretty.

The other day I emailed Mr. Doxie and casually mentioned that it might look nice to use balloons as ceremony decoration. He couldn’t picture what I was talking about, so I responded with this photo so that he could get a feel for what I was imagining:

Source

“Wut?” was his only response.

I laughed, and then sent him genuine inspiration photos.

The balloon arch and pillars aren’t really our style. Those large, perfectly round balloons, however? I think they’re incredibly modern and beautiful if done correctly. Do you remember this spread from MS Weddings a few months back?

I love them; they’re like a fresh take on paper lanterns.

I’ve been fretting a bit over our ceremony decoration. Our ceremony is going to be outdoors, in a large, open grassy area. Our venue offers a traditional white metal archy thing, but I dunno. I didn’t want an arch decorated with flowers; I wasn’t sure it would feel cohesive with the rest of our details.

Then, I saw this wedding featured at Green Wedding Shoes. It pretty much solidified my desire for balloons-as-ceremony-decor.

*sigh*

And think of the pictures we’ll be able to take after the ceremony!

I found these pictures late one afternoon while I was still at work, and I sketched out how I think I’d like the balloons set up.

I thought the balloons would make a pretty backdrop for the wedding party. In my head, I imagined them to be red and a pretty, pale aqua.

I found these, and quickly ordered them to see if I liked the colors in person.

source

Weellll, I liked the red. The blue wasn’t aqua, but teal. Like Cupcake’s teal. Sooo, I didn’t know what to do. Should I go with red and white?

I drew up a few “mock-ups.”

I’m not sure what we’re going to do. The balloons are affordable at ~$2.75 a piece, and the shipping was very fast.

Which do you think would look better? Would you ever use balloons as part of your wedding decor?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Shannon Leahy put together THE coolest Irish inspired photoshoot ever and we loved it so much, that we’ve asked her to stick around a little bit longer today and share the secrets behind the gorgeous handfasting ceremony. It’s such a lovely tradition and one that I know so many of you will find pretty freaking awesome.

to see more images, click right here! photographs by Larissa Cleveland

A handfasting ceremony is an ancient marriage ritual made popular in Ireland and Scotland during the Early Christian period. This symbolic lashing together of the couple’s hands is the origin of the familiar expression, “tying the knot.” Today, a handfasting ceremony is a beautiful and unique way to represent your union and honor your heritage.  The ritual takes place during the ceremony, before the rings are exchanged.

1. Pick ribbons and ropes of varying textures and materials that match the colors of your wedding. If you can, add in pieces that have special significance, like the trim from your grandmother’s wedding gown, or shoelaces from the groom’s ancient pair of chucks. Jewels or gold chains can also be included to add a little bling.
2. Once you’ve collected your materials cut them all to about the same length. 36” – 48” should do the trick.
3. During the ceremony, have the officiant introduce the concept of handfasting so your guests can appreciate its history and significance.
4. Gather the ribbons together neatly and keep them that way while binding, so you end up with a clean, tidy look.
5. Stand facing each other and cross your arms in front of your bodies. Now, hold your partner’s hands so that together your arms create a figure-eight, or the symbol for infinity.
6. While the officiant speaks have someone important to you, maybe your best man or maid of honor, take the ribbon and tie it around your wrists and through your hands to bind the two of you together. Have them finish with a visible knot. Protip: practice this at the rehearsal as it’s kind of tricky!
7. At this point the officiant can say a prayer or you can recite your vows while your hands are tied together.
8. After the ceremony, be sure to keep the ribbons! Find a creative use for them such as a tie for around your guestbook or photo album…

Event Design & Planning: Shannon Leahy / Photography: Larissa Cleveland / Flowers: Shannon Leahy & Anne Millett / Ceremony & Reception Location: Manka’s Boathouse / Invitations & Paper: Mira Aster / Shoes: Steve Madden / Dress: BCBG / Cake: Flours SF / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Tabletop Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Chairs: Blueprint Studios / Models: Erika Schneider and Travis Binen / Hair & Make-up: Ashley Wright

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Post tags: BCBG, Blueprint Studios, Classic Party Rentals, Flours SF, Irish Wedding, La Tavola Linen, Lariss Cleveland, Manka’s Boathouse, Mira Aster, Shannon Leahy, Steve Madden
Post categories: Wedding Details

This article was originally posted onStyle Me Pretty.

We knew early on that we wanted to have a kids’ table with all sorts of goodies for the kids. I also knew that I wanted to make a special activity book for the kiddos to keep them occupied. Luckily, making an activity book was a lot easier than I thought it might be. I just Googled “coloring book wedding” and all sorts of wonderful free images popped up. I used Microsoft Publisher to put everything in a book template and I was set to start printing. I used white cardstock, twine and a hole punch to pull it all together. Here was my end product:

I wanted to use some of the larger ribbon I had leftover from my ribbon wands to tie through the hole punch, but I found that when the kids would open the books to start coloring, the ribbon would get in the way. It was cute, but not practical.

Here’s the inside:

And what will they use to color these books? Some wonderful branch shaped colored pencils:

Each child will get their own set of colored pencils and an activity book. I also have a few more activities and items for them, but you’ll have to wait for the recaps to see them all!

Are you putting together an activity book for the kids? What other types of activities will you have at the kids’ table?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.