Project Wedding Blog

Here’s a little something we put together for a late night snack table, cute shower, or just a fun party.   It’s a simple, colorful concept that’s easy to DIY!  The inspiration started with the vibrant color of IZZE sodas.  We matched fabrics, paper sacks for popcorn, and simple florals to complete the clementine and ruby color palette.  

The finishing touch? An old-fashioned buttercream cake- yum!

Get the how-to over {here}!

Tags: clementine, izze sodas, late night snack, popcorn, ruby.

We’ve been following this gorgeous couple since their engagement (you can check out their memorable e-pics here)!  Tiffany and Meredith were among the very first couples to wed in New York City at Manhattan’s City Hall on July 24, 2011- the first day it was legal for same-sex couples to marry. This October, they celebrated with a formal ceremony and reception in Washington D.C.  Here’s a glimpse at the day:The event took place at Hotel Monaco, which is housed inside the Tariff Building, a national historic landmark. Both brides wore White by Vera Wang.  The women were inspired by pretty traditional tastes mixed with a boho-chic style. They absolutely loved dressing up, wearing beautiful gowns, and inviting friends and family to share in an elegant evening. 

Photographs by Michelle Frankfurter

Venue: Hotel Monaco

Bridal Gowns: White by Vera Wang

Hair Styling by Bang Salon

Ceremony Music by Sage String Quartet

Catering by Poste Modern Brasserie

DJ: Trevor Blake

Flowers by Greenworks Florist

From the couple:

We found each other twice. First, in the crowded annals of social media, and second, in the teeming streets of Union Square in Manhattan. Both meetings, several months apart, were equally as fortuitous as they were auspicious…

We spent our first year together commuting between each other’s apartments on the Upper East Side and Gramercy Park, enjoying the city, conjuring up interesting recipes, watching about a ton of films, and turning our gaze toward a new frontier: Brooklyn.

We couldn’t have imagined that we’d ever fall face first in love with an outer borough! But we knew we could definitely fall in love with each other.  And then we got engaged. On May 28, 2010, over a lunch break at our favorite taco shop, we promised each other that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together!

The day of our wedding was the perfect fall day that made us choose mid-October. It was crisp, dry and filled with sunshine. We could not have been happier. It would have been lovely to have a rainy, romantic wedding, but after a long week of rain in DC, it felt like the sun was shining just for us. Joining us for the celebration were friends and family, some who we hadn’t seen in a long time, and some who had not met either Tiffany or Meredith, so it was a beautiful time of reunion and also first meetings. One highlight of the wedding was the completely energetic and inspired hora (Jewish folk dance) that happened in the second half of the evening. We didn’t realize it at the time, but the crowd was having so much fun that some family members had the DJ loop Hava Nagila over and over so we did the entire song about four times!

In lieu of favors, we made a donation to the Ali Forney Center, the largest organization housing and providing services for homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer youth in New York City.

Congratulations, ladies!

♥

Tags: classic, hotel monaco, same-sex marriage, traditional, white by vera wang.

This week’s real wedding is the epitome of modern design… and the bride and groom are such sweet lovebirds.  According to their event stylist, Me Events & Design, Tania and Steven are super hip when it comes to everything, so they wanted to design a personalized day that was just as contemporary as they are- with a wow factor for the guests, of course!  The Ritz Carlton locale, bold color, and Brazilian dessert spread are just a few of the inspiration highlights.The Brazilian-born bride shows off a wedding gift from the groom: a custom-designed ring! The reception décor was all about line, shape, texture, and lighting. Tania’s family brought a taste of Brazil to the Southern California reception with an elaborate homemade dessert spread!

See more of the day and read the full story in the real wedding gallery…

Photos by Stephen Cheng Photography

Event Styling by Me Events & Design

Venue: The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

Bridal Beauty by Kelly Zhang

Florals by Jenny

Invitations by Minted.com

Lighting & DJ Services by TMMPRO

Cake by Filigree Cakes

Photobooth by Cheesy Photobooths

Tags: Brazilian dessert table, modern, ritz calrton laguna niguel, royal blue, stephen cheng photography.

Ahem, dresses that is.

While we ventured from runway show to runway show this past October, we couldn’t help but notice that quite a few bridal designers decided to work with nude fabrics.  So we contemplated… ‘Was it a fashion statement for the real bride or just novelty?’  The conclusion? Probably both.  Some worked, and many didn’t. Here are the ones that did!

‘Desdemonia’-  a silk chiffon column gown with floral embroidery floating on the shoulders, bodice, & skirt

by Badgley Mischka

Silk radzimire two-piece mermaid gown with trapunto-stitched architectural bodice and organza skirt

by Vera Wang

‘Cascadia’-  plunging copper Chantilly lace gown with feather accent at shoulders and grosgrain belt

by Badgley Mischka
Organza and tulle mermaid gown with hand-pieced Chantilly lace appliqué and eyelash flange skirt

by Vera Wang

All Photos by Dan Lecca.

So, what do you think?  Could you see yourself ‘in the nude?’

Happy Weekend!

♥

Tags: Badgley Mischka, Fall 2012, Nude wedding dresses, vera wang.

If you haven’t seen the movie Amélie yet.. well, we highly recommend that you queue up your Netflix account.  It is so utterly sweet, colorfully cinematic, and all-around inspiring.  So inspiring, in fact, that one of our fave bloggers, City of Dionne, designed a girls get together based loosely on the movie!  Perhaps this might make a cute shower, or the décor elements suitable for a travel-themed wedding.  Either way- we had to share it!

The film is about a quirky young French woman who goes about her days doing good for others, while engrossed in a quest to solve a personal mystery.  All of the décor was specific to the movie… Like the gnomes!  (Amélie’s father had a gnome that traveled the world).  The menu was inspired by French cuisine, and the color palette reflected bold hues seen throughout the film.

For escort cards, Dionne used antique keys tied to name tags, and pinned them to a hand-drawn globe that documented the gnome’s travels. Cute, cute, cute!
How creative and beautiful- kale centerpieces!  Below, Dionne curated vintage tins and little childhood trinkets for added cinematic flair.As a child, Amélie liked to play with raspberries on her fingers….  We just love how Dionne picked up on all the sweetest particulars of the story.  Sigh… how fun.  You can see more of her brilliant décor and style ideas here!

Party Venue: Recollection Vintage Rentals

xoxo

Tags: Amélie, blue, City of Dionne, green, red, themed bridal shower.

By: Chelsea Fuss

Wildflowers aren’t just for spring!  Consider making this gorgeous wildflower and herbal bouquet for your wedding day! Or, bring the photo to your florist for inspiration. This charming bouquet is fragrant, effortless and romantic. Here’s how to get the look. Flower Recipe:

Tips: When arranging, make sure all the stems reach the bottom of the bouquet so they’ll be able to drink the water in the vase.

Tags: chelsea fuss, fall wildflower bouquet DIY, herbal bouquet.

We’ve been musing and perusing…

there is so much goodness near and far.

1. Holiday gifts from BHLDN!  

2. Freshly Wrapped Favors3. One of the most gorgeous [oyster leather] guest books we’ve ever seen. (By Please Blossom Studio)

4. A Save the Date love note by Paper + Cup

5. And last but not least, did someone say Tessa Kim headpiece giveaway? (woohoo)! {Click here} to enter.

Hope your Tuesday is merry and bright.

xoxo

Tags: BHLDN Holiday Gifts, guest book, paper + cup, save-the-date, tessa kim giveaway.

Allison and Mark’s day was very intimate…only fifteen guests in attendance.

We were taken with the gorgeous film photographs by Love Me Sailor and the pretty jewel-toned palette.  And we thought it inspiring, the way they celebrated their love with a cozy little ceremony in the arboretum and private restaurant reception. The couple met in the West Village in NYC, but they live in Los Angeles, where Allison opened a makeup and beauty lounge called  Blushington- on Sunset Boulevard.  All the ladies at the wedding were treated to hair styles by drybar and makeup by Blushington!  Above, Allison poses with her sister/best friend.  The guest list included only ‘immediate’ family- parents, siblings, and their children.

The private reception was held at a romantic little restaurant called Julienne.  Allison decorated a long family-style table with florals in the colorful, seasonal palette. 

Throughout the planning process, Allison and Mark focused on one thing: their lifelong commitment to one another.  This steadfast devotion made the day utterly unforgettable.  See the full gallery {here}.

Photographs by  Love Me Sailor

Hair Styling by drybar

Makup by Blushington

Ceremony Site: The Los Angeles Arboretum

Reception Site & Catering: Julienne

Bouquet by My Secret Garden

Bride’s Dress by Stella McCartney (from Elyse Walker)

Bride’s Sister’s Dress by Ted Baker

Groom’s Attire by Theory

Tags: arboretum, intimate, jewel-toned, Love me Sailor.

This past New York bridal market was really such a treat.  While strapless gowns have stolen the show year after year, this season was different.  We saw sleeves in all shapes and size… beautiful, feminine, sheer sleeves… short and long, beaded and simple, one shoulder sleeves, and off the shoulder sleeves! Whew!  It was a sleeve extravaganza that we enjoyed very much.  Here’s a peek at the sleeve trend with looks from our fave designers:

1. Elbow Length Sleeves

1. Marchesa 2. Rivini 3. Monique Lhuillier

2. Asymmetrical Sleeves

1. Douglas Hannant 2. Jenny Packham 3. Angel Sanchez

3. Flowing Sleeves

1. Angel Sanchez 2. Carolina Herrera 3. Nicole Miller

4. Puff Sleeves

Jenny Packham

5. Lace Sleeves

1. Monique Lhuillier 2. Carolina Herrera 3. Claire Pettibone

6. Tulle Sleeves

1. Monique Lhuillier 2. Reem Acra

7. Off the Shoulder Sleeves

1. Badgley Mischka 2. Marchesa 3. Romona Keveza

8. Beaded Sleeves

1. Reem Acra 2. Jenny Packham

We’re hoping sleeves are here to stay…

Happy Weekend!

Photos by Dan Lecca

Jenny Packham Photos Courtesy of Jenny Packham

Tags: Angel Sanchez, asymmetrical, Badgley Mischka, beaded, carolina herrera, Claire Pettibone, douglas hannant, elbow length sleeves, jenny packham, lace, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, puff sleeves, Reem Acra, rivini, Romona Keveza, sheer sleeves, tulle.

There is such a lightness to this day…  The bride, Kimmee, looked perfectly angelic…and Kevin, her beloved,  seems like one of those dashingly romantic types.   We love how they paired vintage style and Southern charm in a garden setting… sheer loveliness. Belle of the Ball Designs created a romantic pink and warm peach palette of overflowing florals… Kimberlee Miller captured the abundance of beauty in the California sunlight.

That kiss… swoon!

The entire day was hosted at the Maravilla Gardens, a gorgeous venue just north of Los Angeles. For the reception, guest’s names were tucked neatly into horizontal stacks of vintage books, while colorful, Southern-style florals could be found on every table.

If you want to talk vintage, this truly vintage cake-topper adorned the top of the cake, with a heart shaped archway and all!

Sweet Wishes to Kimmee & Kevin

♥

Photos by Kimberlee Miller

Venue: Maravilla Gardens

Florals by Belle of the Ball Designs

Tags: Maravilla Gardens, peach, pink, vintage.