Monday, January 27, 2014

A Wedding Planning Update: Decoration

We are in the throes of wedding decor planning - my favorite part!

However, that means I am not here visiting with you.

I miss you.

After getting all the initial foundational stuff out of the way (finding a venue, finding a marriage commissioner, finding a photographer, finding a dress!), we are moving on to the more decorative aspects for our June wedding.  Everything hinges on everything else, so let's begin with the venue!

~ Our Venue ~

Our venue is a historic city garden with a charming small cafe.  We will be married in the garden and then have our reception inside the cafe after some photos.  The venue isn't as posh as I first wanted (I envisioned chandeliers...), but it's so pretty, relaxed, and removed-from-the-world that it captured our hearts.  The interior space has great light, with windows on three sides, making for good interior photos in case of rain.  And the food at the cafe is insanely good and so well-received - all local and carefully curated...very hand-made gourmet.  And of course, the gardens are gorgeous.

  It was also perfect for a small wedding - ours is the only wedding that day, unlike ALL the other venues we considered.  Yes, small weddings are very hard to find a venue for, as you end up competing with the wedding for 250 in the room next door.  And with this venue, everything is contained at one site - ceremony, photos, reception.

~ Tablescapes ~ 

We are still sorting out the floor plan and tables, which has a big effect on tablescapes.  But we needed to start sourcing china and silverware.  I didn't want to rent china and dreamed of using vintage white or white and gold bone china.  But no one rents that here.  And buying enough for 24 was tougher than I thought, without the benefit of great estate sales and antique stores here in town.  

So we ended up renting china, but I found a pattern I really like and I think you will too.

To mix with the rental bits, we've chosen some lovely vintage and vintage-inspired items to create a "warm garden elegance" feel, as my event stylist, A. J. from Pink & Honey, calls it.  Although our tablescape plan is just beginning, it's getting prettier by the minute.
Neither Snow Calligraphy


~ Flowers ~ 

Weddings mean flowers and I cannot wait for this part!  We are meeting a floral designer soon to start talking about flowers for our tablescapes.  I am envisioning large, slightly wild, and flowing arrangements of English roses and peonies, dahlias and ranunculus, mixed with trailing foliage and textural elements like blackberries, hypericum, and feathery species like astilbe.  

Magnolia Rouge Magazine Photo: Rylee Hitchner

I'm even more excited about our bouquets and boutonnieres.  I think this is one of the prettiest bouquets I've seen in a while.  Our flowers will be mainly whites, pinks and peaches, but I love a note of darker pink, navy, or golden yellow mixed in for contrast.
Belathee Photography, via Style Me Pretty

~ Invitations ~

Invitations are also underway.  We've found an amazing artist/calligrapher to hand design our invitations and hand-letter all our envelopes.  We are just about to start the design process and I couldn't be more excited.  Her style (free and fun) is different from mine (more formal and serious), so I'm excited to jump outside my comfort zone and do something fresh and pretty for our invitations.  
Neither Snow

In the meantime, I am still looking for wedding shoes and accessories and David needs to find his suit and tie fairly soon!  We also need to source a wedding cake and plan our ceremony!  And in April, we'll get started on menu planning with our venue once they open for the season.  Then we will do final paper goods, like our printed menus and wedding programs.  And begin alterations on my dress.  So much to do, so little time!


I will try to share more soon.  And later I will share the names of all our vendors and suppliers.  But if I am absent, you will know why!

29 comments:

  1. Its lovely blog really awesome pictures really looking attractive.

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  2. All your choices sound beautiful, Terri. I'm so glad you're enjoying the planning process. I can't wait to see all the details, especially your dress!
    Claudia

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  3. So happy for you! xoxo

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  4. It all sounds so lovely! And LOVE the calligraphy -what an art form that is huh? I think a garden wedding will just be CHARMING

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  5. It all sounds like it's coming together beautifully!

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  6. Thanks, Terri, for taking time to share the details with us. I know you are swamped. Sounds really lovely! Enjoy these moments together!
    Warmly,
    Loi

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  7. Hi Terri, Your wedding plans sound absolutely exquisite and with your impeccable taste it will be a beautiful day. Thank you for sharing with us, I've missed your postings but I know you are very busy. Can't wait to hear the rest. Hope you are well dear girl.

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  8. I absolutely love your flowers and your taste. How exciting! So happy for you.
    Lisa
    leeshideaway

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  9. I'm loving everything you're doing. I especially love the invitations. So, so classy! I'm getting very excited for you.

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  10. Terri how wonderful, I am so very happy for you! That bouquet is gorgeous!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2014 Artists Series

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  11. Terri,
    It sounds lovely and so you! Keep us updated as the planning moves along. Don't over work yourself, stay healthy.

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  12. Anonymous6:12 pm

    Its so lovely to see and read about the beautiful details of your wedding Terri, it's looking gorgeous! I adore the calligraphy. Above all, look after yourself and enjoy this very special time, Elizabeth xoxo

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  14. It's all sounding lovely, Terri. I love the colours of the flowers and the table decor. So elegant and pretty. Enjoy the planning!

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  15. I just sent my soon to be daughter in law these photos from this post of your flowers and invitations. It is just like what she wants. So beautiful.
    xoxo
    Lisa

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  16. dear terri

    your sense of beauty naturally follow through for your wedding, absolutely exquisite! cannot wait to see more
    happy planning
    debra

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  17. Thanks for sharing. I like your wedding arrangements and these pictures as well. It appears that you have a simple and cute wedding ambiance.

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  18. Terri- everything sounds like it will be incredibly beautiful and so you. Am so happy for you and David!!
    Xoxo
    Uncle cousin

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  19. Lovely photography. I am impressed.

    Complimentary Venue Finding

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  20. Nice post. Today Wedding planning is very important for good ceremony.

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  21. These pictures are heartthrob. I love collecting the latest wedding decoration ideas and implement those ideas through my wedding planner profession. Thanks for suggesting me some more ideas.

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. When you hire a wedding planner; you don’t need to sort out anything. As per my personal experience the wedding planners are perfect for handling decoration and catering. I hired the professional service on my wedding and they take care of my taste and preferences. If you are looking for ideal and perfect solution of your wedding, then i do recommend to consider the wedding planning services. Thanks!!!

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