Katie & max in Southern Weddings V4
We had so much fun working on Katie and Max’s wedding, and we’re just loving seeing it in print in Southern Weddings. We’ll save the details behind this backyard affair until later in the year when we do a full post with some of our favorite images captured by Jodi Miller Photography. In the meantime, see more over here in their gallery. 
Photography by Jodi Miller Photography; Planning & Floral Design by Merriment; Wedding Design a collaboration between Merriment and the Bride & Groom!
Southern Weddings V4 – Williamsburg Wedding Inspiration
We’re so honored to not only have a featured wedding in the latest issue of Southern Weddings Magazine, but to have also contributed to an editorial shoot that appears in the magazine.
On a hot and steamy day last June, my lovely assistant, Danielle, and I packed up and headed east for Williamsburg, where we met Sierra and Emily from Southern Weddings Magazine and Katie Stoops for a shoot at Colonial Williamsburg.
There are so many beautiful spots for weddings at Colonial Williamsburg. We shot at one of the Colonial houses on the property, and, although that particular house is not available for events, a few houses on the property are available for rental for wedding weekend lodging. Just imagine spending your wedding weekend with friends and family in an historical house on the Colonial Williamsburg property…so cool! You might also consider The Williamsburg Inn on the property for your wedding as well — gorgeous, classic location.
I love this favor, and it’s something that is super, super easy to recreate. We made poppers and filled them with peanuts as a nod to Virginia, which is known for its yummy Virginia Peanuts. Moya Minns with MMInk calligraphed the names, so the favors could do double duty and also function as place cards.
We imagined a couple named Susannah and Gardner Lowell, and developed a story around the two, imaging that both grew up in Virginia and met while attending William and Mary. Our fictitious couple returned to the town where they met to celebrate their wedding with friends and family. Although you can just barely see it in the image above, we incorporated a drawing of the campus’ Crim Dell bridge on the wine label. Crim Dell is also known as lover’s bridge. It’s said that if two lovers cross the bridge together and kiss at the crest of it, they will be together forever. Love that story…
This shot was a happy accident. We intended to shoot the table in a garden, but just as we finished setting the table and placing the flowers, black clouds moved in. We literally had seconds to move the table before the heavens opened. In the end, the alternate location really worked, don’t you think?
Classic never goes out of style, which is one reason why we really adored helping bring this story to life. Thanks to the Southern Weddings team for having us! We had a ball! And without further ado, the fabulous people who made this story happen…
Photography by Katie Stoops; Styling & Floral Design by Courtney Spencer of Merriment, assisted by Danielle Hines; Hair & Makeup by Avenue 42 Designs; Flowers provided by Fifty Flowers; Bridal Gown “Arabella” by Christos; Location, chairs, flatware; cake, petits fours, tarts and ham biscuits – Colonial Williamsburg; Invitation & Program designed by The Lettered Olive with calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones; Linens - La Tavola Linen; Glassware, plates and some silver trays- Festive Fare; Monograms, menus, place cards, popper wraps, drink sign – Moya Minns of MMInk; Coaster and wine label – Magpie Paper Works; Beau Bar sign – Chocolate Butterbean; Bride’s shoes (“Forbes” by Nina) & colored bridesmaid dresses from Bella Bridesmaid; Ivory bridesmaid gowns by Saja
pretty pink & orange flowers…
…designed by Janie Medley and photographed by Adam Barnes for a June client. So lovely! Congrats Megan & Daniel!
looking back at 2010 part two
More highlights from 2010….earlier this year, Janie and I worked with Leo Patrone on this story that appeared on Style Me Pretty.
I attended Saipua’s little flower school last January!
Caught up with my favorites at the b list conference in DC. Photograph by Kate Headley.
Attended the opening of the J. Crew bridal boutique on Madison Avenue and stood in the same room as Ina Garten. The same room as Ina Garten.
Teresa and Paul were married at Tuckahoe Plantation. Photography by Meghan McSweeney.
While Sarah and John were married earlier in the year at Lewis Ginter’s Blomeendaal House. Photography by David Abel.
Katie and Ralph were married at The Mill at Fine Creek. Photography by Jennifer Colina.
And, later in the year, Kristen and Davis also celebrated at The Mill. Photography by Jennifer Colina.
We hosted a baby shower for my bestie, who’s due any day now. Photography by Ana Valentine.
Missy and Steven celebrated at The Science Museum of Virginia. Photography by Casey Templeton.
And, sweet Audrea and Aaron held their reception at Westwood Country Club. Photography by Tom Daly.
Thank you especially to Emily, Danielle, Caitlin and Brittany who helped to bring all of 2010′s events to life! Love you girls! Can’t wait to see what 2011 holds!
looking back at 2010 part one
2010 has been such a blessing. I feel so lucky to work in this industry with such creative people and fun clients. Let’s look at a few of them…
Above: Natalie in Forest Hill Park for her bridal portraits photographed by Katie Stoops. That was such a gorgeous day, and Natalie was obviously a stunning bride.
Above: Leslie + Jarrod at Lewis Ginter’s Bloemendaal House. Leslie designed the silhouettes used throughout her wedding. And those little pies? Baked by none other than the fabulously talented Jenny West at Sweetest Thing Bakery. Photography by Katie Stoops.
These little flowers at Natalie’s wedding were so popular I’m tempted to take orders. They hung on the wall behind the band at Crittenden Studio. Natalie’s husband is a musician, so they held special meaning and were a big surprise to the bride and groom who had no idea that we’d been cooking up this scheme with Natalie’s mom all along. Photographed by Jennifer Colina.
Ashley and Paul’s classic Richmond wedding captured by Don Mears Photography. Ashley was so thoughtful — she wrote a note to each guest who attended her wedding that we displayed on place settings in the Empire Room at The Jefferson Hotel.
Leslie again. This time with bridesmaids, her mother and me. All of us with laser-like precision and determination buttoning her gown before the ceremony. Crochet hooks are your friend. Photography by Katie Stoops.
Logan’s sweet wedding at her parent’s home in Ware Neck, Virginia. It was a magical night, made even more magical by the golf cart we piloted throughout the evening (necessary when you’re setting up an event of this size on a sprawling plantation). Photography by Worthington Photography.
Our story for Nonpareil Magazine published early in the year. What the story in the magazine doesn’t tell you is that my spaniel ate a stack of these cookies while we broke for lunch. Fail. Baking by Jenny West of Sweetest Thing Bakery. Photography by Katie Stoops.
Megan and James’ wedding reception took place in a beautiful Sperry tent at a private farm, owned by friends of the family, while cocktails and dancing took place here following dinner. That’s the team installing more than 1500 feet of crepe paper. We installed pretty bistro lights here as well.
Part two coming tomorrow…
jodi + kurt’s wedding film
Jodi + Kurt // Wedding Highlights from Josh Gooden on Vimeo.
Jodi and Kurt are two very talented photographers who were recently married at Jodi’s family farm in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Josh Gooden filmed their celebration, using Super 8 film for several of the shots — a perfect match for all of the vintage elements Jodi and Kurt wove throughout their wedding day. The double rainbow takes my breath away…congratulations guys! xoxo
{flowers by the forever fabulous Janie Medley}
*this is simply a wedding feature..merriment had no involvement : )
janelle & tim’s wedding film
Head over heels, totally in love with this 8 mm film by Kate Headley. It feels like a modern-day heirloom…what a lucky couple!
richmond wedding wednesdays: katie + ralph
Katie and Ralph were married just a few weeks ago at The Mill at Fine Creek. Despite the sweltering July heat, Katie couldn’t have been more beautiful, carrying a bouquet designed by my good friend Janie Medley (the brides cafe & jm flora).
Favors made by petites bouchees, dressed up with “merci” flags we made with this stamp from paper source. We also bagged favors in simple, white bags I found at a craft store and stamped them with the larger merci stamp, also from paper source.
Congratulations Katie and Ralph! I loved working with you! xo And thank you so much to Jennifer Colina Photography for sharing these images!
{the full list of vendors: photography by jennifer colina photography; venue & catering – the mill at fine creek; flowers by janie medley flora design; planning by merriment; macarons by petites bouchees; dj – alan boyle; paper design by the girl tyler; videographer - humanstory; makeup by stephanie parker; hair by susan at salon 23; baker – the desserterie; ceremony music by chris lucas}
Tyler + Stephanie at The Poe Museum
When I started it three years ago, I seriously thought maybe three people would read, if I was lucky. When I hear stories like the one I heard last night from Stephanie, it reminds me why I started blogging.
Stephanie wrote, “When I got engaged last July, I didn’t know where to start. I had never looked at wedding blogs and none of my close friends are married. When we decided to have our wedding in Richmond (we live in Brooklyn but met in Northern Virginia 14 years before we got married), I was thrilled to find your blog. It was so fresh and colorful and fun, and, most importantly, I got a lot of great ideas for hosting a wedding in Virginia.
We had our ceremony at The Edgar Allan Poe Museum (learned about it from your blog) and our reception at Crittenden Studio. Catering was by Savor Cafe (in the Corrugated Box Building right next to Crittenden), our flowers were from Clara Stokes of Belona Botanical Farm (we put them together ourselves), and our wreath and bouquets contained flowers from Clara that were designed by Nicole of Nicola Flora. Our photographer was a friend of ours, Hannah Colclazier.“
Here the bride, groom and friends play the song Omni from the I Heart Huckabees soundtrack that the groom transcribed for strings and trumpet.
Thank you so much for sharing your sweet story, Stephanie. I wish you and Tyler all the best! xoxo
{photography courtesy Hannah Elizabeth Art}
bridal portrait inspiration
Signing off for the week with some beautiful bridal portrait inspiration courtesy Katie Stoops…happy weekend everyone!
{photography by Katie Stoops}
