Becca's Rustic Wedding Mood Board

It's been a while since I've created a wedding mood board, but with a big event coming up I thought it would be the perfect occasion to make a rustic themed image board:) This board is inspired by my friend Becca of Sterling Reflections Photography.  These images fit what I see her wedding style as- simple & rustic with handmade detailed and fresh colors.  Her Pinterest is full of more images that show her style and creativity.  And be sure to check out some of her amazing engagement photos on Katelyn James Photography Blog. Happy Wedding Planning Becca!

[Style Me Pretty, Ruffled. Style Me Pretty Texas, Alex Burrow on Pinterest, Amanda Sheehan on Pinterest, Justine Impola on Pinterest, Ruffled]

The Perfect Backdrop

The setting, the dress, and the bouquet totally set the tone for the entire wedding.  I love how these images sum that up so simply while being so full of flavor. I'm obsessed with the log pile in the middle photo!

[Images Courtesy of Southern Aisle, Snippet & Ink, Style Me Pretty]

DIY Reception Decor: LOVE Sign

Another project that we used at the reception was a 4-part sign that spelled out "LOVE".  I had seen an inspiration image on Style Me Pretty, and just knew that I had to create my own version.  My dad had collected some great old barn boards that he cut into 8" long segments.  We found unfinished wooden letters at Michael's Craft Store that we painted our signature pewter color.  We attached one letter on each board, then created stands for each sign to stand on.  Below is the step-by-step process and pictures to guide you along the way.

Step 1.  Sand the corners of edges of the unfinished wooden letters.

Step 2.  Paint each letter with interior latex paint.

Step 3.  Hot glue letters onto barn board cut into 8" long pieces.

Step 4.  Drill hole into bottom of the piece of wood attached to back of barn board pieces.  This reinforces each board segment and provides a hidden place to insert the dowel rod.  Insert the dowel rod into bottom of each reinforcing board and into the top of 3"x6" wooden base.  We painted the dowel and base board to match the letters before we assembled each sign. 

I hope this inspires you to create some of your own wedding decor.  If you see something you love online, build it!  It will not only be less expensive than finding it in a store, but will also be so much more personal to you since you spent time to create it.

DIY Reception Decor: Table Number Frames

One of the things that I was most excited about with our wedding was the reception decorations.  Most of the decor we used was handmade by not only me, but Chris too!  This week I'll share with you step-by-step directions on how we made some of our reception projects.  

We designed table number frames to put on each dining table.  This way, people could find their escort cards and easily locate which table was theirs.  We found inexpensive unfinished wooden frames at Michaels' craft store.  Each one was only $1, and I loved their square shape.  

Step 1: Sand down the edges and corners of each frame.

Step 2: Paint each frame with interior matte latex.  We used Home Depot's Behr.

Step 3: Barely dipping a flat wide brush into white, dab off most of the paint.  Using soft, vertical strokes, dry brush white onto the surface of each frame.

Step 4: Ink a large rubber stamp using a fabric/wood friendly ink pad.  We used Stampin' Up!'s Craft Ink in white.

Step 5: Stamp design onto corner of each frame.

Step 6: Print off numbers and trim to fit frame opening.

Surprisingly, it was Chris' decision to paint the frames persimmon.  I was leaning towards our pewter gray color seen on our invitations, but I am so glad he convinced me to paint the frames the bright persimmon color.  The corally hue popped amazingly well against the navy blue table cloths, which you will see soon!

Wedding Hunt: Reception Decor

Today's post isn't that much of a hunt...more like a collection of images that I'd love to re-create for the reception. The flavor I'm envisioning has a chic country vibe, created by details of mason jars, wooden signs, and other inviting touches.  I'd love to hear which of these images you like the best, as well as some of your ideas!

Wedding Hunt: Hair-Do

When I started looking at wedding hairstyles, I knew I wanted to wear my hair half-up/half-down, but I never realized there were so many options and styles.  They all vary slightly whether its just by the accessory, curly or straight, or how the hair is pinned back.  Which of these looks is your favorite?

Wedding Hunt: Earrings

Today's wedding hunt is all about earrings.  This accessory is crucial to me because I'm not planning on wearing a necklace and I'm planning on wearing my hair half up/half down.  I would love to hear y'alls opinions on this subject and what you think would look best!

1.  Milky Way Vintage Glass Pearl Earrings, $29 Etsy
2.  Marvelous Moonshine Silver Earrings, $9 Ruche
3.  AV Max Crystal Drop Earrings, Rent: $10, Purchase: $48, Rent the Runway
4.  Crystal Fob Drop Earrings, $200 BHLDN
5.  Tiny Luck Necklace, $34 Etsy
6.  Alexis Bittar Small Teardrop Earrings, $150 Nordstrom

Okay, so I know #5 is not a pair of earrings, but the great thing about Etsy is that you can talk to the store designer and customize your own jewelry.  And that is exactly what I did.  I thought the horseshoe shape would be perfect since our reception is at a horse farm.  I love the dainty quality of the necklace so I asked the store's designer if she would be able to customize a pair for me.  She agreed, so now I can't wait til they come in so I can see how they turn out!  So the wedding hunt for earrings is over!

Wedding Hunt: Reception Table Runners

This week I'll be featuring posts on wedding day details that I'm still in search of.  For me, Spring Break was filled with wedding appointments and to-do lists.  Meeting with potential florists and the event coordinator made me begin to be able to envision even the little details of the big day.  One of the details I envision for the reception are navy table cloths with pewter and white table runners across them.  I envision the pattern to be a bold, over-scaled modern statement that grounds the whole table.  I'm on the hunt for the perfect gray and white fabric that I could sew into table runners.  I would love to hear your comments about which one you like the best, or if you've seen another fabric somewhere else that you would suggest.  Please leave me some comments on this topic, trust me I need all the help I can get with this!

1.  Joy Pearl Contemporary Drapery Fabric

2.  Ty Pennington Angel Wing Fabric in Charcoal

3.  Ty Pennington Lace Fabric in Gray

4.  Ty Pennington Honeycomb Fabric in Gray

5.  Waverly Cross Section Fabric in Charcoal

6.  Source Unknown {As soon as I find it I will share it with you!}

So which one do you like the best?

Wedding Planning: Pop of Color

This past week has been filled with wedding appointments, band shopping, and guestlist fine-tuning.  After meeting with the florist and event coordinator, I'm beginning to be able to envision the big day including some of the little details.  I think those little details are what make weddings memorable and personalized.  And its those little details that help to set a mood and bring in a color palette. One of my wedding colors is persimmon- a vibrant blend of orange, coral, and red.  I'm so excited to bring in a splash of color with persimmon ribbon, chair ties, flowers, and more.  Here are a few images that incorporate their own pop of color, in the same color family as persimmon.

{Images courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine, Snippet & Ink, Southern Aisle, Paul Johnson Photography}

Beautiful Black & Whites

No words are needed for these stunning black & white wedding photographs.

{1 & 3: Jose Villa, 2: Snippet & Ink}

Wedding Inspiration: Ralph Lauren

I fell in love with this wedding inspiration shoot on Style Me Pretty inspired by Ralph Lauren.  Everything about this set is fresh and different.  The white hydrangeas paired with pheasant feathers, the beautiful gown contrasting with riding boots, and the simple burlap underneath the china plates make for beautiful contrasts.  

{Images courtesy of Style Me Pretty}

Image Board Layout

My good friend Rebecca of Sterling Reflections Photography introduced me to Untamed Heart Photography.  I love their photographs, and I was drawn to this image board of photos of the cute couple Stacy & Kurt.

I love not only the rounded corners of the images, but also how the layout mixes black and white photographs with full color.  The simple green leaf-like shapes with text offset the images.  I hope this serves as much as an inspiration to you as it does to me!  This definitely inspires my studio mood boards!

Real Wedding Inspiration: Angie and Andy's Reception

I'm so excited to bring you Part II of Angie & Andy's special day{s}.  Angie and her photographer, Lindsey, of Miscellaneous Media Photography were generous enough to share their photos with us.  They had an intimate family wedding in September and had a reception the following Saturday with all their friends and family. Today's post highlights the couple's reception, complete with a Photobooth for their guests, handmade favors {made by the groom and his grandmother!}, and tons of fun dancing.   I love how the composition of the photographs highlights the gorgeous couple and evokes the mood of their reception.

Angie gives her thoughts on her favorite moments...

"We had a surprise first dance... we started our slow dance then broke into a mix (ice, ice baby, can't touch this, baby got back). It was choreographed and a COMPLETE surprise, even to our parents. It was a huge hit!"

 

"Cupcakes: ButterCream Dreams --- delicious. Funfetti and Chocolate Fudge. They were extremely tasty! We had a candy bar as well, a throwbacks to old candy: cow tails, nerds, Airheads, Pop Rocks, etc." 

"Photo Booth: best thing ever. Love the photos - the pictures are too cute."

 

   

"Our favors were Andy's favorite cookie/cracker. His mom and grandma made over 600 of these crackers with peanut butter in the center and covered in white chocolate."

Doesn't she look just gorgeous?!?

 

Seeing the photographs from this wedding inspire me so much for mine!  Thanks again Angie, Andy, & Lindsey!

Real Wedding Inspiration: Angie and Andy

In September, my friend Angie got married to her husband Andy.  They had a private ceremony with about 20 people by the river where Andy proposed.  She was generous enough to let me share some images of her beautiful day.  Her photographer was Lindsey Walters of Miscellaneous Media Photography.  I asked Angie to share some details of the wedding, and her quotes make the pictures come alive.  

"Andy and I we so blessed with the most beautiful day: perfect weather (beyond perfect), the beautiful butterflies were flying about and their were fish jumping out of the river. It was absolutely perfect. A few people who attended said it was like something out of a disney movie --- too sweet!"

 

 

"The 9 stone ring attached to my bouquet with a safety pin is my something old - my grandmother's ring. She died on her birthday, Christmas day, this past year. That was the ring she wore everyday, it is a stone for each of her children. We had a memorial candle for Andy's sister, Angela who passed away October of last year."

  

"My favorite moment was watching Andy when he first saw me. He is smiling and then can't help it, his emotions overcome him and he starts crying. He hates them but it's absolutely adorable."

"Andy's favorite moment was when we were pronounced husband and wife and we turned around to walk back down the aisle to "My Girl"."

A HUGE thanks to Angie & Andy, as well as Miscellaneous Media Photography for sharing these images!  Check back tomorrow for details and pictures of their reception!

Photographer: Jana Morgan

In need of a little Wednesday Wedding Inspiration?  Jamie introduced me to wedding photographer Jana Morgan.  She is based out of Hawaii, and her images capture not only the beauty of the couple she's shooting, but the exuberance of the surrounding landscape.  And guess who the photographer for Jamie's January wedding will be?  Jana!  I'm so excited for her and can't wait to share images of her special day with you!

 

 

 

 

Have your Cake & Eat it, too!

According to Real Simple Wedding's Planning Calendar, I'm not supposed to start thinking about the cake until 4-5 months before the wedding.  But with all the beautiful wedding blogs I browse through, I can't help but collect images of cakes and anything else I find.  I love the idea of a 3 to 4 layered cake, round, covered with smooth fondant and decorated with thin ribbons and a bold flower.  It's so elegant but so simple.  

Wedding Flowers

Hydrangeas? Peonies? Poppies? Vases? Jars? Old flour boxes?  Choosing wedding flowers is such a hard task because there are so many options.  There are so many things to know about flowers that I don't even realize that I don't know them!  Wedding blogs have been a great start for me to pick out styles and types that I like.  Here are a few that I've found...

{Images courtesy of Paul Johnson Photography & Stye Me Pretty}

Real Wedding Inspiration {Robyn & John}

Last weekend was a busy one: 3 weddings on Saturday and moving on Sunday.  But I just had to take a moment and share some photographs from one of my good friend's weddings.  Robyn chose rich purple, lime, and teal blue for her colors.  John and his mother made the cake (props to the groom!), and everyone had such a good time dancing and celebrating.  So congratulations Robyn and John!

Image Board: Timeless Vineyard

Black, white, and timeless elements such as white flowers, calligraphy, vintage cars, and baroque emblems give this vineyard-inspired mood board a classic feel.

{Images courtesy of Southern Weddings Magazine, Snippet and Ink, Style Me Pretty, and Sparkle}

Image Board: Coral/Aqua Vintage

This is an eclectic mix: rustic Spain, an antique truck, poolside, seaside, chinese lanterns, etc. all tied together with a refreshing aqua, khaki, and coral color palette.

{Images courtesy of Snippet & Ink, Southern Weddings Magazine, Style Me Pretty, & Sacramento Street}