Project Wedding Blog

By: Chelsea Fuss

Here’s a blast of color to brighten your fall day! Consider making your own bridesmaid bouquets with the help of friends and family! Here’s our floral recipe and DIY instructions, including those to make a clever waterproof travel pack so the bouquets can stay fresh.

Materials:                                                                   Flower Recipe:
scissors                                                                      10 Stems of Variegated Greens like Boxwood or Myrtle
clippers                                                                       5 Stems of lilac or other filler (butterfly bush or privet)
ribbon                                                                         5 Stems of sweet pea
twine                                                                           5 Stems of anemone (roses, daisies or mums work too)
vase                                                                            5 Stems of ranunculus
water
buckets
freezer paper or heavy duty celophane

How to Make a Travel Pack:
1. Cut a square of freezer paper or heavy duty cellophone, about twice as big as your bouquet.
2. We scalloped the edges with a scalloped edge ruler and an X-acto knife but this is optional.
3. Place your bouquet pointed toward a corner of the wrapping.
4. Gather the edges around the center of the bouquet and tie with string. (It may be helpful to have another person here).
5. Hold the wrapped bouquet upright underneath a faucet and let the water run into the bottom of the package.
6. It is helpful to have a bag or box to transport the wrapped bouquet in.

If you’ve found your inner florist, and you’re itching for more, check out these other bouquet tutorials!

Farmer’s Market Bouquet

Fall Wildflower & Herb

Garden Rose

Pretty Lilacs

Tulips

Photos and Project Styling by Chelsea Fuss

Tags: bridesmaid bouquet, bright, chelsea fuss, DIY, lilac, ranunculus, waterproof bouquet travel pack.

According to photographer, Katie Reed, Kristen and Mitchell share a quiet, romantic kind of love.  Katie captured the pair’s affectionate engagement photos in creative spaces with beautiful natural light.

These two met seven years ago, at a church youth group meeting.  They share a love for vintage style and they collected vintage teacups, plates and birdcages for their wedding day.  It was only fitting that they were photographed at the Orange Circle in Orange, CA, where there are several fun vintage and antique shops.

As we looked at these photos, we couldn’t help but think that- love is so grand…

♥

Photos by Katherine Elizabeth Photography

Tags: engagement photos.

Carly and Hugh dreamed up a relaxed, vintage-inspired party near the Australian coast.. and we’re brimming with excitement because the gorgeous photos by ngg studios are featured as our real wedding of the week!
They married at the scenic Koonyum Range Retreat in Byron Bay… and every last detail was entirely lovely, from Carly’s Karen Willis Holmes 1930’s style gown to the periwinkle and purple blooms designed by Flowers on the Run. Guests were invited to the poolside nuptials via these unique storybook invitations by Hello Tenfold.  The bride and groom loved sharing the lesser known parts of their romance in this way.

But this is just a peek, there’s lots more to see from Carly and Hugh’s day {over here}!

Photos by ngg studios

Venue: Koonyum Range Retreat

Bridal Gown by Karen Willis Holmes

Bride’s Makeup by April Harvie

Florals by Flowers on the Run

Storybook Invitations by Hello Tenfold

Bridesmaid Dresses by Fleur Wood

Catering by Seaweed Cuisine

Reception Music by Capitol Groove

Rentals by A Vintage Party

.

Dear Friends,

I’m hoping your day is filled with love, good food, and your dear ones near to you.

Most of all, I want to say thank you for stopping in and reading, and being a part of the Project Wedding community.

It’s truly an honor to plan, design, and create with you!

Love,

Katelin - Sr. Editor, Project Wedding

P.S. I’m a proud ‘mom’ to two sweet, sweet turkey pets, Epic and Ladyhawk.  (What a perfect opportunity to show my girls off)!

We’ll return on Monday with more eye candy, inspiration, and wedding pretties!

♥

Tags: Thanksgiving.

By: Victoria Hudgins

Custom favors can be pricey, but just a few pieces of candy are suddenly a little treasure in these handmade favor bags. Made from hardened fabric, they keep their pretty form no matter what the shape of the gift inside. Materials needed: fabric in an 8 inch square for each bag, 2 inch balloons, liquid fabric stiffener, coordinating thread and something special to fill the bags with.Step One: Cut the fabric to size, blow up the balloons (one per bag) and tie a string around the end of each balloon.Step Two: Dredge the fabric length completely in the fabric stiffener, be sure the entire piece is covered.Step Three: Cover the balloon and hang to dry overnight.Step Four: Once the fabric is completely dry, between 24-48 hours, gently pop the balloon underneath and remove it from the hardened mold. Trim any fabric edges that go beyond the top of the bag shape.Step Five: Stuff each bag with candy or small favors and include a note of thanks. Tie the bags with a coordinating thread!

Photos and Styling by Victoria Hudgins

xoxo

Tags: DIY, Striped favor bags.

The winner of this giveaway is Leslie A. Thanks to all who entered!

There is something just so special about the crystal and pearl jewelry from llama bird… These rings would make such lovely bridesmaid gifts.  And the newly launched earring collection…? Gorgeous- great for brides and maids alike.  We’re so happy to be giving away a cocktail ring and earring set this week (a $260 value)!

Photos by Luke Pidgeon

Want to win a set of statement jewelry (winner’s choice of color and style)?  Just head over to llama bird and check out the twelve beautiful shades of their signature Améliorer Rings and the new styles of earrings!  Then return to this post and tell us what colors and styles are your favorites!  We’ll choose a winner at random from the comments below just after 1pm EST on Tuesday, November 29th, 2011.  See the Official Rules.

Llama bird ♥ CASA

Améliorer [French] verb : improve; change for the better.
This collection does more than meets the eye. The founder, Laura, is a volunteer for CASA in Los Angeles, an organization that advocates for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to severe neglect.  With every purchase of an Améliorer ring, a $15 Target gift card goes towards providing anything from toothpaste to toys to children in foster care.

Tags: bridal earrings, bridesmaid gift.

We’re sort of in awe that it is already Thanksgiving this Thursday (and a new engagement season is upon us)!  What better way to start off the week than with Allison and Peter’s fall harvest party at one of our favorite venues: Bear Flag Farm?!  A special thanks to Shelly Kroeger for capturing these delicious photographs! Allison and Peter met in Miami, while Allison was finishing up her third year of medical school.  The pair shares a love for the outdoors and fabulous food. Their vision was to create a food-centric celebration using as much from the farm’s fields and orchards as possible.Shades of lavender, peach, apricot, tangerine, amethyst, grey, and lilac came together to create the central color palette of the day.
The reception décor was made from greenery, fruits, and flowers straight from the field!  A vibrant, abundant harvest filled the tabletops. 

Oh, but there is lots more… see the full feature by {clicking here}!

Photographs by Shelly Kroeger

Venue: Bear Flag Farm

Event Design by Tina Reikes of Bear Flag Farm

Florals by the  Bear Flag Farm Team

Bride’s Hair & Makeup by Sarah Hyde

Catering by Living Room Events

Cake by Freeport Bakery

Tags: apricot, bear flag farm, fall, lavender, orange, Thanksgiving.

During this season’s bridal week, we were continually awe-inspired by gowns with beautiful backs.  As the models traipsed back up the runway, our photographer captured the sophisticated details and unique styling.  As you’ll see, there is no formula to speak of… Although, we might give Kate Middleton a smidge of credit for inspiring the daring notion of a bit more coverage. And still, the low, low, back is always timeless and elegant. 

1. Reem Acra

2. Pnina Tornai

3. Claire Pettibone

4. Douglas Hannant

5. Lela Rose

6. Reem Acra

7. Alvina Valenta

8. Claire Pettibone

9. Pnina Tornai

10. Hayley Paige

Photos by Dan Lecca.

Happy Weekend!

xo

Tags: Alvina Valenta, beautiful backs, Claire Pettibone, douglas hannant, Hayley Paige, lela rose, pnina tornai, Reem Acra, sophisticated.

With Thanksgiving just a week away, we thought Audra and Cory’s fall, country-chic wedding at the Cedarwood Mansion would be just the thing for you… We’re sort of swirling in the all the Southern charm and romance, glued to the gorgeous imagery by David & Tammy, and hanging on Audra’s every word in the story she tells below!  But first, this photo of Audra on the swing…? Come on… a total dream…

Congratulations Audra & Cory!

♥

Photos by David & Tammy

Venue, Flowers, Cake, & Event Design by The Historic Cedarwood Mansion

Bride’s Makeup by Lisa Proctor

Bride’s Hair by Mary Malone

From the Bride: If someone were to ask, “Were you raised in a barn?” I’ve always been able to answer with a proud “Yes Sir!” My dad was a quarter horse trainer on a 200 acre East Texas Ranch. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better childhood.  My dad was also a romantic cowboy, who became an avid rose grower to express his ever-growing love for my mother, and eventually me, his only daughter. Thus, I define my heritage as “country elegance” and I knew I wanted my wedding to reflect that.

After moving to Nashville and falling in love with Cory…my charming South Carolina gentleman…we knew Music City would be the best place for the wedding, as families could meet halfway. When I discovered the Historic Cedarwood Mansion, I knew that it was the perfect place for our ceremony. It effortlessly embodied our crock-pot of Southern roots. A stately antebellum plantation house on the historic registry, Mason jar candles and vintage chandeliers dripping from oak trees, sprawling rose gardens, and a big red barn. I was home. What better place for Texas to marry South Carolina, with Tennessee as a witness?

Luckily, this dream venue, also happened to be an oasis of wedding planning. Cedarwood was all-inclusive and has recently become the belle of the Southern wedding ball and I found that their reviews were as spectacular as the property. Flowers, Cake, Catering, Ceremony Musicians, Reception, Invitations, Programs. It was all a one stop shop…and the ladies in charge served up timeless elegance laced with burlap. Cedarwood made my country chic imaginations come to life in just two short planning sessions.

When I arrived on the property the day of the wedding, I ran my fingers lightly across stunning vintage decorations and breathtaking floral arrangements while whispering “This is so beautiful.” I felt as if I were sneaking upon someone else’s wedding (thus the need to whisper).  It was as if they plucked a scene straight from one of my farm-raised dreams….and improved upon it.

My husband and I chose to see each other before the ceremony. I’d do it that way a million times over. I remember him standing at the end of a cobblestone walkway that lead from the side door that I snuck out of.  He had his back to me. He was framed on his right by a charming little swing,  that was all dressed in ribbons for our day–and on his left was a kiss from the perfect amount of sunshine. I was nervous as I approached him, as though I hadn’t sought out that face a million times in our two years of courting. When I finally arrived close enough to brush my hand around his right arm, he turned and tears welled up in his gentle blue eyes, just as quickly as his hands popped out from the pockets to embrace me. “You look amazing,” he managed to squeak out. After letting him soak me in like a vision that could disappear at any moment, I lifted up the dainty lace pattern that danced around the bottom edge of my dress, to reveal: cowboy boots. We both laughed at how oddly fitting they seemed to be, under such a feminine dress.

It wasn’t long before my dad was walking me down the aisle in those boots, with 22 bridal party members and countless trees smiling on me on as I walked towards the love of my life. We read our handwritten vows under a canopy of nature. It was the most fitting cathedral for us.

Tags: country-chic, david & tammy photography, fall, rustic, Southern, tennessee, the historic cedarwood mansion.

By: Victoria Hudgins

Looking for a way to finish off your favors? Make these easy paper favor ties, which give a custom touch to the package. They can be designed in any color and any length you need. Add them to a clear cookie bag or a sturdy paper bag to carry your wedding style right on through to your favors. Since you are working with paper you have the added benefit of being able to stamp or write a ‘thank you’ directly on to the ties.

Materials: Scrapbook paper in the colors of your choice (each piece will make about 6 completed ties), skinny floral wire, and hot glue.

Step One: Using a paper cutter (or a very steady hand), cut the paper into strips. You will need two matching strips for every tie.
Step Two: Cut the floral wire to appx. 1 inch shorter then the size of your paper strips.
Step Three: Run a thin line of hot glue down the inside of a strip and quickly place the floral wire straight onto it. Cover with the matching piece.
Step Four: Trim the ends of the paper as needed and tie around each bag to close off.

Project styling and photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: DIY, favor packaging.