earthquakes, hurricanes, and showers! oh my!
Hey ladybugs! Sorry for the radio silence last week. We were without power for most of it thanks to Irene, who nearly caused us to re-imagine and relocate my baby shower due to power outages and general havoc. But the shower prevailed and went on as planned. Power came back to hostess Emily’s house just in the nick of time and we were able to celebrate baby girl Connally, who we’re expecting in early October. Here are a few snaps from the weekend.
It was a late afternoon party, so my friends served small bites — tea sandwiches, cake, to-die-for macarons from Petites Bouchées, yummy cream cheese olive spread, fruit and crudités.
We ordered napkins from For Your Party and chose a font for “baby spencer” that matched one of the fonts we used on the invitation. (We sent the pink tulip blossom invitation by Linda & Harriet Paperless Post).
We served sparkling ginger-orange punch and regular (mama-friendly) ginger orange punch sans the sparkle.
Given the weather we’ve endured, last weekend’s weather was a welcomed relief. With a respite from the rain, we set up tables in the backyard, covered with custom chevron overlays made from fabric found at u-fab (love that place!). We ordered coral and white linens from La Tavola, while the other rentals (chairs, tables, glassware) were delivered by Classic Party Rentals of Virginia.
Ginny Rogan penned the buffet cards and drink tags in a pretty shade of orange on scalloped, white coasters re-purposed for the project. Meanwhile, I arranged celosia, zinnia, dahlia, billy buttons, marigolds and snapdragons, much of which I found at the South of the James Market that morning.
Deanna Miller of LOL Richmond was on hand to capture the fun (and my massive bump). She made an amazing photo booth backdrop with hand dyed dollies. There’s my sweet mom posing below with my friend Anna’s cuter-than-I-don’t-know-what baby. My mom is clearly loving getting practice!
Major thanks to all of my friends who celebrated with us this weekend but most of all to Elizabeth, Sarah and Emily for hostessing. You girls are the best! xo
With this post, it’s probably time to tell you that I’m going on a modified posting schedule. Maternity leave will begin soon and will extend through the new year. I will pop back here from time to time with news. I have a few fun stories that I am just dying to share with you, but I must wait until October when some of our work will be published that we haven’t been able to show off just yet.
making a design outline
I think the most challenging thing about designing a wedding is feeling overwhelmed by ideas and projects you want to accomplish. A good way to tackle design is to think about your event in three parts (or four if you’re moving from the dining tent/dining room to a separate area for dancing & dessert following dinner). The three parts are, ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
Because I live by lists, I put one together outlining of all of the places your design can come to life – of course every event is different and you may need to modify the list to suit your event.
You’ll want some repetitive elements throughout the three parts of your event to create some cohesiveness, but each does not have to look exactly like the others. This event featured on Snippet and Ink is a good example. Part one (the ceremony & cocktail hour) and part two (the reception).
corey & gray on the bride’s cafe
Thank you so much to Janie from The Bride’s Cafe for featuring Corey & Gray’s wedding today! I hope you’ll pop over and check it out!
harvest thyme herbs
When I’m not planning and designing weddings, I work as a stylist, doing floral and prop styling. Here are a few images captured by Jeff Greenough for the current issue of Virginia Living at Harvest Thyme Herbs in the Shenandoah Valley (breathtaking country over there in the western part of Virginia). Philip and Diedre, two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, own Harvest Thyme Herbs, where they grow all of the produce you see here. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to work on this story!
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…
a holiday soiree
{photography by katie stoops; flowers by janie medley; styling by merriment events; calligraphy by pretty pen jen; croquembouche by sweetest thing bakery}
christmas at colin cowie’s
Janie and I hopped on a plane last week headed to New York to spend the evening with the B List at a party hosted by Colin Cowie. It was so much fun to see Colin in his element. He made a comment at one point during the evening that he can see an entire room at once, no matter where he’s standing: it’s true. There are no lulls in conversation or dry glasses in his presence. He’s an attentive and gracious host.
If you haven’t already checked out Colin’s website or signed up for his newsletter, you must. I love this video, in particular, housed on his site from the TODAY show where Colin discusses key tips to creating holiday parties:
*It’s about no fuss, being resourceful and spending time on presentation
*Focus on creating interesting pairings and stations devoted to the match, such as a south of the border station with tequila cocktails and southwestern appetizers
*Put a card in front of each dish so guests know what they’re eating and drinking
*Go vertical rather than horizontal with decor, as it can take up quite a bit of space
*And, not included in that clip, but passed along at the party: invite colorful guests. The more interesting your guests, the more interesting the party.
Colin talked a great deal about the industry, blogging and what is in store for his company, including the expected launch of a new app. Meanwhile, cocktail architect,Yusef Austin, engineered two signature cocktails, while we listened to music styled by Donna D’Cruz. White Mischief was clearly the darling of the night. A recipe is below.
pictured left to right: Jackie Weppner of Merci New York, Janie Medley of The Bride’s Café, Vané Broussard of Brooklyn Bride, me, Colin Cowie, Christy Weber of Junebug Weddings, Ami Price of Elizabeth Anne Designs, Anne Chertoff of From “I Will” to “I Do”, Mixologist Yusef Austin and Amy Atlas of Amy Atlas Events
thank goodness for babies baby shower
A few weeks ago my friend Jordan and I gave our friends Sarah and Andrew a baby shower with a menu in the theme of…drumroll…thanksgiving dinner. And it was all to celebrate little Alice who will be here in a matter of weeks. A matter of weeks! Get ready. She’s going to be an awesome little girl. There’s no way she couldn’t be with such cool parents. Here are a few details captured by Sarah’s talented sister-in-law, Ana Valentine.*
I covered the table in a basic white linen and made an overlay from a burlap remnant I found at Williams & Sherrill. The napkins are from For Your Party. We served warm apple cider, mommy’s time out wine (for those of us not expecting), turkey sandwiches with cranberry dressing, parmesan-rosemary shortbread rounds, veggies, cheese, a to-die-for apple cake, and a pecan tart, both made by Jenny at Sweetest Thing Bakery.
*I wouldn’t make Ana take credit for the awesomeness that is the last picture…that’s all me.
