As the end of this year draws near, I have little ones on my mind.  Maybe its the tradition stemming from the Greeks of using a baby to signify the new year or more likely its my own new little baby that we were recently blessed with, but either way, I have been drawn to the cute and adorable images of the smallest members of the wedding party from weddings past.  I couldn’t resist sharing a parade of photos of some of the babies that we have had the joy to see in ceremonies and hang out with at the receptions.  They sure keep us on our toes as to what they will do next!

How often I have seen a little flower girl’s gaze of awe upon the bride moments before the ceremony as she is surrounded by her bridal attendants putting on the finishing touches…  This ‘awe’ has had many faces from curiousity to  admiration to a dreamer of when one day they will be a bride themselves.  Such is part of the circle of life, little flower girls who grow up to be beautiful brides.

xxxx

xxx

The unpredictability of little ones adds that spontaneity and character to your wedding ceremony that will always make it uniquely yours.  How we watch with holded breath, but simulatneously love, when the ring bearer decides to chuck the ring pillow or if the little ones impulsively decide to add their own dance rendition to their walk down the aisle or if they decide to stand, sit, squirm anywhere but where they rehearsed the day before…

xxx

xxx

Head wreaths for little flower girls have always been a favorite and a great compliment to the floral basket.  Magical floral wands are super popular now too for them to wave their blessing of love down the aisle…  Little boys or little girls can ring a bell to capture your guests’ attention – like they haven’t already – announcing the bride cometh.

xxx

xxx

Besides ringing a bell and verbally announcing “Here Comes the Bride” – have bell ringers put a new spin on this by carrying a sign instead along with the ringing bells or go it alone with just the sign.  Don’t forget the backside – room here for another message from Just Married and Thank You to be used later on in some well planned photo ops.  Clever Etsy artists have lots to choose from here. 

xxx

ccc

Alternative new ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a skateboard with the rings tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer.  If you have a musically-favored little guy or gal (and no stage fright), they could even play a little ditty on their instrument as they walk down the aisle creating a whole new role for this little one.

ccc

xxx

Either way – Baby New Year or my new little baby – I am glad to relive and share these wedding moments with you starring the little ones that can not only steal hearts, but also make the forgettable unforgettable. 

Have an extra special and Happy New Year!

ew ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer…  If you have a musically favored little guy or gal ey xxx

xxx

xxx

We all know that color is a lot of fun and can invoke a range of moods but what if you are drawn to fresh, pure, perfect white?  White instills a feeling of innocence, purity and perfection.  A calming feel that is simplistic in nature.

If you tend to favor the “uncolor” over splashes of vibrancy, how do you keep your wedding fresh, memorable and maybe with a little wow factor?  Let’s be honest, using all white can be slightly yawn-inspiring.  By adding a little (or a lot) of texture, you can make a visual impact and a lingering impression.  Lace and floral rosettes are a couple of options that are making a strong statement today in the world of white. 

Lace is delicate, imparting an unique elegancy since the softness of lace is always romantic.  From vintage lace to modern, think beyond the wedding dress to create a unique wedding style with this fabric from intricate and delicate to bold and solid.

xxx

From invitation accents to hidden antique garters to wrapped votives and mason jars, lace can show up in unexpected places and add a little spice.

xxx

xxx

Then there is The Cake!  Oh, how do we love lace touches on the wedding cake and especially when it emulates the wedding dress!

xxx

xxx

Floral rosettes literally bring added layers of texture to a white wedding style.  Rosettes can be used everywhere from back-drops to the table decor to your hair.  Rosettes also can be made out of a multitude of materials (fabric, fondant, paper) which is great since they can be used in a range of budgets.

xxx

ccc

And we can’t forget The Cake!

xxx

xxx

These are just two ideas to provide a little White Inspiration for you!

xxxx
xxxx
xxxx

xxx
xxxx
xxxx

Looking for a little refreshing eye-candy in the world of weddings?  You found it here!  Destination I Do Mag.com swooned over Courtney & Ian’s colorfully scintillating Lake Tahoe wedding and treats you to it today on their always inspiring fab blog.  Steadfast to Courtney’s vision throughout conceptualization and realization, our work resulted in pure magic…

xxx

Courtney wanted a lot of color for her wedding – color, color, color…  Indian weddings proved to be a major source of  inspiration for the vibrant dining tables and reception décor.  No white here -  this fair color was minimized as much as possible, besides the wedding dress! 

xxx

Courtney wanted an overall bright, fun style with a sophisticated whimsy for her wedding day.  Her vibrant blue heels adorned with jewels and a peacock feather added personality and partnered perfectly to her gorgeous Pronovias gown.

xxx

xxx

Jewel tones of raspberry, plum, burnt orange and lime green were dominant while touches of succulents, moss balls and moss table numbers brought the slight organic feel to her day that she desired.

xxx

xxx

We created an escort display that dazzled with breezy strings of mirrors and moss balls complimenting the reception color and  feel perfectly.  Orchids adorned the escort cards and the colors and light were caught in the reflection of the mirrors.

xxx

xxx
The color didn’t stop at the edible either – raspberries garnished the signature bellinis, eye-catching pods, succulents and orchids cascaded down the wedding cake and the lovingly made (twice thanks to bears!) vibrant cupcakes by Courtney’s mom completed the look.
xxx

xxx

Photography by Courtney Aaron.

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

Back to the basics.

In this challenging economic time when friends can lose their jobs with no warning, homes taken for granted are anything but, and filling your car with gas can result in reshuffling your whole paycheck…  the wedding world seems a little behind.  Jonas Peterson, an Australian photographer, eloquently summarizes why two people choose to make a public commitment and reminds us about the real reason for the day.  Hint – it is not for the details (even though we love them)… 

I think his post, also copied right below, is a worthwhile read for everyone.

xxx

The Mason Jar Manifesto

Least we forget and here is a gentle reminder that LOVE is the meaning and reason behind it all.

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

We have been busy, busy this summer designing, planning and executing some wedding gems and here is a brilliant teaser of one for you to sink your eyes into…  More weddings and priceless details to come but for now, enjoy this quick sneak peek of what we have been up to lately!

Abby and Nic were married in July and here is a snippet of the oh-so-charming details that were abundantly everywhere at their colorful Lake Tahoe wedding.

xxx

xxx

Photography and Photo Collage by Courtney Aaron Photography.  Floral Design by Bellissima Floral.

 xxx

xxx

xxxxxx

xxx

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons was captivated by the sophisticated and romantic wedding of Sarah & Ryan and couldn’t resist posting it on their blog.  Not many can say they were married in one state and then had a stunning reception-with-a-view in another state!  Following a church ceremony in Nevada, they headed to a private lakeview estate in California to celebrate the night away…  Now that is a destination wedding!

xxx

xxx

To view our earlier post – complete with a full collection of photos – for Sarah & Ryan’s stylish wedding, please check out Delightful Summer Dinner Party.  We had a ball bringing together all the details for this wedding from the moss ball escort card table to the personal photo collage to the subtly chic touches on the dining tables.  Classic with a twist…

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

With feather hair extensions being the hottest thing on the market these days, incorporating feathers into your wedding can add a whimsical and romantic essence.  But let’s think beyond the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces…what about your hair and your bridesmaids’ hair?

“They can be brushed, blow-dried, straightened and curled (up to 450°F) – basically, they can be treated like natural hair,” says Fine Featherheads founder Dakota Hills.  This versatility is crucial in the styling process of bridal hairdo’s. The feathers look gorgeous in elegant updo’s, flirty ponytails, spun into a bun and especially in a glam braid.

xxx

x

Fine Featherheads are easy to find, effortless to install and could be a fabulous, fresh addition for you and your bridesmaids to celebrate in style!  You can purchase the highest quality, original “featherheads” at FineFeatherheads.com or check on their website to find a salon near you.  What a special way to create unity in your bridal party, by spreading the feather love…

xxx

x

Are you more of a DIY type?  Installation is a piece of cake.  With a few simple tools (you can purchase a small tool kit online) you begin by threading the micro-link onto the hair hook.  Then you simply draw a small section of hair from the scalp and slide the micro-link onto the hair.  It is key to find the proper place on the head so the feathers lay flat.  Viola!

xxx

x

These beautiful, weightless hair accessories could be the perfect gift for a bridal party that screams personality!  Since the feathers can last for one to six months (depending on care), the feathered bridesmaids have a constant reminder of the special times they shared on your wedding day.

 xxxx

Sweet dreams started with Alison & Jeremy’s wedding full of a little romance, fabulousness and the sophisticated rustic touch (which we love to do…) and ended with the showering love given today by Style Me Pretty.  Please check out the Style Me Pretty main feature on their always stylish blog right here!

xxx

xxx
Mutual friends tried to set Alison and Jeremy up but Alison wouldn’t have anything to do with it for two years.  Then they actually started talking and a bi-coastal relationship began.  Fast forward to living as a couple in San Francisco when Jeremy proposed to Alison on a San Francisco rooftop surrounded by 10,000 lights – literally, and the lighted Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop.  They didn’t have a dream of how to finish their fairytale love story… Little did they know it would end up on a magnificent sprawling lawn on the shores of Lake Tahoe with the help of us at Merrily Wed.

The ceremony was held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (seen in the Godfather II) and the reception site was kept a well hidden secret from their 165 guests.  Upon arriving at the palatial, luminous lakefront estate, guests were treated to a champagne cocktail and twinkling music by a string quartet.  Wine barrels doubled as cocktail tables and this look was carried over to the majestic main bar overflowing with soft, white flowers.

xxx

Alison wanted a vintage, romantic look but with a twist of sophistication. The color palette was neutral with ivories, creams and natural tones but with a fresh punch of color from the flowers. To add a bit of glamour to her wedding day, we wove touches of gold throughout: from Alison’s couture French Chantilly lace dress with gold metallic accents, to her intricately detailed place setting to the gold rimmed glassware to the gold lace on the hanging mason jar lanterns.

xxx

xxx

Her place card table was an old farm table with layers of antique lace wrapped around it. The place cards were woven into the lace. Two giant floral arrangements on wine barrels framed the entrance into her dreamy summer night tent – a clear top canopy with sheer ivory swagging which allowed the just right amount of light, towering trees and twinkling stars to peek through. The antique rustic chandeliers created a dramatic focal point at each end of the tent and a natural spot to gather the draped swagging.

xxx

xxx

Napa French-slotted wooden chairs complimented the natural style of the eggshell Tuscany linen on the dining tables.  Alison used colorful gold rimmed china reminiscent of her Grandma’s on top of a rustic embossed charger. The details were in the rich patterns of each. Gold rimmed glassware picked up the gold in the ornate floral band of the Diana china. Tables were named after locations that had sentimental meaning to Alison & Jeremy as well as the guests matched at each. These were attached to twigs and incorporated in the loosely arranged centerpieces.

xxx

xxx

The wedding cake cannot go unmentioned – it was a very special family recipe by Aunt Allie. Served in her memory, Aunt Allie is Alison’s namesake and July 31st is not only their wedding date but Aunt Allie’s birthday.  Pride & Joy, a 10 piece band, kicked off the dancing under the summer night’s dream of a reception tent.  Their energy and costume changes kept the guests dancing.

xxx

xxx

The dancing didn’t stop 3 hours later either. Three large buses transported the guests to the after party and the celebration stayed alive with music and drinks en route. Their story doesn’t end here but starts their new chapter on a picture perfect day on the shores of Lake Tahoe – every bit the quintessential summer night Alison always dreamed of and will never forget….

xxx

xxx

Photography by Kate Webber Photography. 
xxx

xxx
xxx
xxx

xxx
xxx
xxx