Project Wedding Blog

This wedding is super special to me.  The bride, Katie, and I were college roommates for three years.  Not only is she the sweetest person alive, but she has amazing taste and is just totally graceful and beautiful.   I also went to high school with the groom (who is hilarious)!  Katie and Jason have a playful, enduring kind of love… they celebrated their ten year anniversary of dating just before taking their vows!  When I first caught their gorgeous photos by Clary Photo up on Facebook, I fell in love with every part of their day.  I’m so happy to share their album as this week’s Real Wedding of the Week! Katie and Jason wanted to have their wedding in a place where everyone could hang out for a weekend, relax, and have fun!  Lake Geneva is just ninety minutes away from their previous residence in Chicago, and it offered the feel of a destination wedding, without the long distance planning or travel for their guests.  The Grand Geneva Resort ended up being the perfect property for the event.  (Above, the bridal party gathers in lovely Plum Pretty Sugar robes)! Katie was the picture of bridal elegance.  Both she and her maids dressed in sophisticated gowns by Enzoani. The couple envisioned a day that was both rustic and elegant, deciding on an earthy palette of olive, silver, champagne, and ivory with navy accents.  The reception was held in an out-of-the-way space on the resort property that gave life to their vision.  They adorned the ski chalet (the space) with twinkle-lit draping, mercury vases, rustic centerpieces, and tons of candlelight to get the look.  

So, so beautiful!  There’s tons more to see, enjoy the full photo spread {here}.

Many congratulations to my old friends Katie & Jason!

(thanks so much for sharing with us)…

P.S. If you’re a Chicago/Wisconsin-area bride, be sure to check out all of their fabulous vendors, below:

Photographs by Clary Photo

Venue: Grand Geneva Resort

Invitations by Smitten Boutique

Bridesmaid’s Robes by Plum Pretty Sugar

Bridal and Bridesmaid’s Dresses by Enzoani

Bridal Shoes by Kate Spade

Bride’s Hair by Kelly Hough

Florals by Pesche’s Flowers

Ceremony Music by Elegant Music Services

DJ: Okyne Medialab

Cake by Grand Geneva Resort

Rentals by BBj Linens and Lakes Area Rental

Day-Of Coordination by Sweet Pea Wedding Studio

Tags: Elegant, film photographs, Navy, rustic, sophisticated.

This wedding is, bar none, one of the most sophisticated modern weddings we’ve seen in a long while.   Sky Events stayed true to Denise and Joseph’s style when planning the day; the décor was absolutely exquisite!  A special thanks to Skye Blu Photography for sharing Denise and Joseph’s wedding… what a visually sumptuous treat for a Tuesday morning….
Every detail of the ceremony was carefully designed, from the abundant floral archway to the hard cover wedding programs.  Floating glass ornaments, each holding a single orchid, provided a very fairytale-like backdrop for the vows.  The reception was completely breathtaking… from the dramatic lighting to the décor by Sky Flowers . We’re especially loving the submerged florals.  Enjoy all this lilac, lavender and fuchsia gorgeous-ness… 

So, so beautiful.

♥

Congratulations Denise & Joseph!

(read just below to hear more about their story)…

Photos by Skye Blu Photography

Event Design by Sky Events & Production

Flowers by Sky Flowers

Venue: Malibou Lake Mountain Club

Catering by Truly Yours Catering

Reception Music: Elegant Event Entertainment

Cake by A Sweet Design

The Engagement & Wedding Story, told by the bride, Denise:

‘It was our first Christmas together in our apartment in Valencia. We both love Christmas so our house was fully decorated – stockings filled with goodies, holiday candies and cookies all over the place, and a beautiful Christmas tree! I am a notorious early riser so when I woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, I didn’t think much of it. Then Joe woke up a little after 7 a.m., which is highly unlike him but I thought maybe he was just excited for the gifts I got him. Lucky for me, that meant we got to open our gifts early! YAY! We made breakfast and sat next to our tree and gave each other our gifts. It then came time for us to open our “big” gifts. He wanted me to go first. I unwrapped a sweater sized box and in it was a note that contained a riddle sending me into the master bedroom. I went into the master bedroom and found another note that lead me to the kitchen. From the kitchen, I got a note telling me to go into our office. When I got to the office, I couldn’t find another note. I looked and looked and finally I said I didn’t know where it was. He blamed the dogs for playing with it, knelt down under his desk and turned around. When I looked over at him, he was on his knee with the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen and he asked me to marry him! I immediately burst into tears and hugged him. I was so overwhelmed, I didn’t know if I was supposed to put the ring on or say yes or keep crying and then he asked me if that meant yes and I said “of course… yes, yes, yes.”

On the day of the wedding, when we saw the  ceremony site and reception ballroom, it felt just like ‘us,’ our style… it exuded everything I hoped for and more.  Everything was transformed and there were personal, romantic touches everywhere… monogrammed cloth napkins, lavender throughout and a dance floor with custom appliques identical to the invitations.’

Tags: contemporary, purple, romantic, sophisticated, submerged florals, white.

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.

Abby and Jeff’s Philadelphia wedding was a day of total sophistication…  When we saw the photos, we just couldn’t get enough of the juxtaposition of pewter and deep pinks, the pristine planning that went into their day, and the mocha wedding cakes!  The bride is a veteran in the wedding industry, so once engaged, she couldn’t wait to dive into the planning process and put her personal touch on every last detail.
The ceremony and reception were both held at the Please Touch Museum, a beautiful and very grand Beaux Arts style building built in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition.  Two hundred guests were in attendance, including the couple’s very handsome dachshund : )

The couple made use of antique family heirlooms like silver platters, vessels, candlestick holders, and handsewn linens to make the chupah.  Max and Me Catering passed tapas style eats all night long. The guests also enjoyed two sushi bars and finished off the evening with mocha wedding cake (mmmmm)! and several flavors of cupcakes served with shots of Milk.  Along with their loved ones, the newlyweds danced the night away to a twelve piece band. Many congratulations to Abby and Jeff…♥

Photographs by Tatiana Breslow

Bridal Gown by Pronovias

Cakes by Whipped Bakeshop

Entertainment by A Sharp Productions

Flowers by Emily Haff

Venue: The Please Touch Museum

Catering by Max & Me

Tags: mocha wedding cake, museum, pewter, pink peony, sophisticated.

We’ve been so spoiled with gorgeous film photographs over the last few weeks…and I’m so happy to have another set for you!  I was thrilled to receive this chic city stunner from Frame 36 Photography, out of Los Angeles.  Katie and Paul celebrated their day with a posh Oviatt Penthouse ceremony and reception.  They had a perfect view of the city… and everything about the day was a reflection of the couple’s impeccable style.

Things we ♥: Receptions with a view, The bride’s Claire Pettibone gown, and Romantic outdoor lighting

Photos by Frame 36 Photography

Venue: Oviatt Penthouse

Bride’s Gown by Claire Pettibone

Groom’s Tuxedo by Dolce & Gabbana

Cake by Cake Divas

Tags: Black Tie, city, Claire Pettibone, Frame 36 Photography, modern, Oviatt Penthouse, sophisticated.

This wedding is sooo stylish.  Let’s just say, this wedding party makes ‘black tie’ look very, very good.  And the exquisite film photography by Kristopher Orr?  Well it’s sharp, beautiful and utterly timeless.  Cassie and Justin’s woodland storybook wedding is our Real Wedding of the Week!

We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we did! xo

Photos by Kristopher Orr

Second Shooter: Ryan Wilcox of You Look Nice Today Photography

Reception Venue: Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church

Florals by Flowers Washougal

Bride’s Hair: Chelsea Brooks

Bride’s Makeup: Volero Salon

Rentals by Barclay Event Rentals

See More from Cassie and Justin’s wedding…

Tags: Black Tie, Elegant, film wedding photography, Formal, kristopher orr, LDS, Oregon, Portland, sophisticated.

The team over at Bear Flag Farm sent over yet another stunning wedding, and we were overjoyed, as usual! Brook and Paul wed in a late summer celebration.  The day was imbued with subtle sophistication and rich and abundant florals.  Here’s a peek at some of our favorite pics, but you can catch the full feature by {clicking here}!  Photos by Meg Smith.

Photos by Meg Smith Photography

Event held at the Bear Flag Farm

Flowers by Sillapere

See More…

Tags: bear flag farm, brook and paul, meg smith photography, plum, purple, sillapere, sophisticated.

I’m completely and utterly in love with our Real Wedding this week.  The gorgeous couple, Jennifer and Kirt, wed and celebrated at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. None other than the wildly talented Jose Villa captured their day!

Photography by Jose Villa

Florals and Styling by Mindy Rice

Venue: San Ysidro Ranch

Cake by Christine Dahl

Headpiece by Siman Tu

Invitations by Urbanic Paper Boutique

Calligraphy by Laura Hooper

{Click here} to see the full feature!

Tags: black and white, Elegant, jennifer and kirt, jose villa, mindy rice, ranch, san ysidro ranch, sophisticated.