Project Wedding Blog

By: Chelsea Fuss

Orangeries were small greenhouses filled with fruit trees and plants in the 17th century. Can you imagine having a lush table filled with fruit and greens for a winter wedding? Think beyond red and green for Christmas and display these festive centerpieces at your December wedding. The idea would look beautiful for a January wedding too. You could even add some paperwhites and tiny votive candles!

You’ll Need:

Bunches of greens (each table will take about 1/4 of a bunch). The best greens for this are: boxwood, oregonia, myrtle, pittosporum and bay.

A few pounds of oranges or tangerines (preferably with the leaves still on them)

White pitchers, bowls and vases

1 Myrtle topiary in a terra cotta pot

To Re-create this centerpiece:

1. Collect 4-5 white bowls, pitchers and vases per table.

2. Fill with water and casually arrange stems of greens in them.

3. Display in the center of your table with a small myrtle topiary planted in a terra cotta pot.

4. Place a few of the oranges or tangerines directly on the table.

5. Add candles or white flowers for a more formal wedding!

Afterwards, send your guests home with the fruit, greens and plants.

Photos and Project Styling by Chelsea Fuss.

Tags: centerpiece, chelsea fuss, citrus, DIY, orange, orangerie, tabletop.

A few signature drinks at your weddng or event can both save you money and give your day even more personality. Name them after your best friend, your hubby or favorite movie star! Get creative with it! In the meantime, here are some amazing drinks to check out…

White wine sangria with nectarines - yum.

Mojito Popsicles!

Strawberry Basil Margarita

Frozen Hot Cocoa for the Chocoholics!

Watermelon Margarita - or Non-Alcoholic Frosty

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I wish, wish, wish I had seen this when I tied the knot, but at least I can pass it along to you ♥. This is one of the most brilliant ideas I have seen for a guest book in a long time, and it doesn’t involve an elaborate DIY project!

It’s called Thrilled for You: The Video Guest Book. Guests can simply record their very own personal messages of happiness and love at your event - and you have them forever! All you’ll need is a Mac, the  iPad2 or the iPhone with the front facing camera - along with their app. For the Mac, you choose from 24 themes and they will customize everything just for you - just simply install their software on your computer and set it up like a kiosk at your event. For the iPad and iPhone, you can choose from 12 themes and just pass around at your wedding, or shower, or soiree!

Here’s a sample of a few of their templates:

See a recorded demo on their site - and let me know if you decide to use this. I might try it for an upcoming event!

Bonus!!! The folks over at Thrilled for You have a few special offers for you: Two coupon codes for the first two people to respond for the free iPad2 app (regularly $19.99 each!)

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They are also offering the Mac version of the app for $49 ( regularly $99) until March 31! Just email weare@thrilledforyou.com with the code PROJECTWEDDING.  Amazing, right!?

Tags: guest book.

Happy Happy Valentine’s Day dear friends!  I hope you have a most wonderful day with your love…

And, without further ado, a Vintage Valentine just for you!

This gorgeous shoot was put together by the very talented Kevin Milz Photography, Erin McLean Events, Tre Bella Flowers, and was held at The Stock Room event venue in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rentals by CE Rental. Enjoy! ♥

Tags: classic, pink, romantic, Styled Shoot, Valentine's Day, vintage.

And here is Megan and Tom’s super-DIY reception!  They used a vintage dresser for a candy buffet, twigs and lanterns for romantic reception ambiance, and lots of other creative items for added decor and fun. A super thanks to the bride, Megan, for sharing the photos, details and vendor information (below). See Part One, if you haven’t already!

Vendors:

Ceremony and Reception Location: Camrose Hill Farm, Photographer: Cat Norman, Table Centerpieces: bride (locally-sourced apples in mason jars), Florist: Camrose Hill Flowers, Wedding Dress, Bridesmaid Dresses and Boleros (made in Prague): Eva Brzáková, Bride’s Shoes: TOMS and Poetic License, Bridal Party Shoes: TOMS, Cake Toppers: FancieFanniesBridal on etsy, (recycled) Vintage Superhero Comic Book Table Markers: WhatsEatingYin on etsy, Joanna Stewart Bride’s Jewelry: pearl bracelet olgabest28 on etsy, “Cards” Banner on gift table: tutucrafts on etsy, Bride and Groom Postcard Signs: thebackporchshoppe on etsy, Paper Lanterns Luna Bazaar

Tags: mod, red, superhero wedding, teal, vintage.

This centerpiece is simple, pretty and under $20! Candlesticks were collected from thrift stores, and surprisingly, simple and elegant shapes were pretty easy to find! A color scheme was chosen for the table, and candles were matched to the napkins.

A few tips from the amazing Chelsea Fuss, who photographed and put the table together:

* Try to stick with a color or scheme with your candle sticks. We went with a glass/crystal theme for ours.

* Stick to 2 or 3 colors for a cohesive look.

* Use candle wax to secure candles into the holders.

* Check with your venue to make sure they allow open flames!

* Have your caterer or planner light the candles right before the festivities begin - and keep an eye on them!

Candles courtesy of Creative Candles, Chair and linen rentals courtesy of The Party Place.

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I am excited about getting married, I really am … let me just say that first! I feel lucky and happy and all of that wonderful stuff. What I am struggling with (still) is the many opinions about the day, the night and how the event should be. I want the reception to be fun, like a big celebration without  mr. dj sort of orchestrating the night. I am not doing the bouquet toss … or the multiple mandatory dances. Well, maybe.

It seems some family members are not too thrilled about my free spiritedness about the event, and they are happy to let me know about it. My comeback these days? Simple: ”It’s MY wedding.” That is the point of this post. I have already conceded many different points ( and originally wanted a really small affair). So stick to your guns ladies and remember, it is YOUR day. Celebrate it the way YOU want to. Wear whatever you want to. Have the event wherever you please. Cheers!

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Can you turn a junkyard into a cool inspiration for a wedding? If you are creative event consultant Jesi Haack you can! Check out her stylings at this recent event!

You could really have fun with this theme — I am thinking slurpees, In-N-Out burgers, cotton candy, a potato chip bar and moon pies!

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One Lovely Day welcomes Mary, lifestyle blogger and creative bride-to-be, as she plans her fabulously fun and breezy ‘destination hometown’ wedding.  You can catch a daily dose of Mary’s style on Olivet.

I’ve been engaged for nearly 2 years and since the day I said yes, I had the hardest time finding the right location, dress, and vendors for our wedding… until two weeks ago.  My fiance, Tim, and I live in Orlando, Florida.  In early February we decided to have a ‘Destination Hometown’ wedding in Melbourne Beach, Florida (about an hour and a half away). It was really important that we find a place where guests could have a relaxing weekend and walk everywhere they need to go, including our ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner.

Ceremony: Melbourne Beach Community Chapel

Reception: Ryckman Park

Having the reception at a public park is a great, affordable alternative to a private estate or residence. I was inspired to have an outdoor wedding after spotting this wedding in the first Martha Stewart Weddings magazine I ever bought, in Summer 2008, when I got engaged. I was instantly drawn to the details, soft colors, and overflowing flowers used in the bouquet, table settings, lanterns - everything. I recently designed an invitation suite at invitationconsultants.com (and pictured above), similar to the one used in their wedding. I loved seeing the peach favors last summer on Sunday Suppers and will be doing the same thing but with locally grown oranges (leaves still attached)!

Rehearsal: Dinner on the Beach

I love, love having dinner on the beach, it’s one of my favorite things to do. Since the beach is right across the street from the B&B and only 0.4 miles from the chapel, it was a no brainer. I quickly saved these images by Rolland Bello when I saw them on Frolic! a while back.

Stay: Port D’Hiver

Our immediate family and bridal party will be staying at the Port D’Hiver Bed and Breakfast. Port D’Hiver is a very special place. It used to be an old abandoned house when I was a little girl. My family and I used to drive past it every time we would go to the beach or visit my grandparents. I could have sworn that one day it would be torn down and turned into a CVS, but it wasn’t. About 5 years ago a couple rescued and restored it to the Bed & Breakfast that it is today. Tim’s stepdad actually did the electrical work for the project, (small world huh)?!  I think it will be the perfect place to share a great weekend and get ready for such a special day!

Other Walkable towns good for Destination Weddings:

• Santa Barbara, California
• Seaside, Florida
• Kennebunkport, Maine
• Savannah, Georgia
• Charleston, South Carolina

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Wedding planner Jesi Haack assembled this sunny, beautiful wedding at The Ocean Institute in Dana Point, CA. What do we love about this big day? Everything … especially the use of patterns, vintage frames and lanterns. 

Images courtesy: Stephanie Williams Photography

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