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Real Weddings: Prairie & Andris’ San Francisco Garden Wedding

Prairie and Andris chose Shakespeare Garden in San Francisco as the stunning site for their intimate wedding. (I love how the couple used tissue paper pom poms to add whimsical pops of color to the already gorgeous setting!)

“The whole ceremony felt like a family experience, which is what we wanted,” says Andris, who adds that the couple wrote their own vows and had Prairie’s uncle officiate.

Instead of opting for a photo booth for the reception, the couple hired a poet.

“We had talked about having a photo booth, which is very fun, but at an art walk in the city we met The Poetry Store‘s Silvi, a freelance poet. She sets up her antique typewriter on a small table and will write you a custom poem about anything you want. She’s a gifted writer and what fun, unique keepsakes for our friends and family,” says Andris.

Another highlight of the reception was the 300 mini-cupcakes in assorted flavors (raspberry, chocolate, vanilla with cream cheese, chocolate and vanilla frostings) made by Prairie’s dad.

“They were a huge hit … he’s an amazing chef,” says Prairie.

Prairie, 32 & Andris, 33

San Francisco, CA

Wedding Date: April 23, 2011

Number of Guests: 72

Wedding Cost: $18,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Shakespeare Garden, Golden Gate Park

Wedding Reception Location: Gallery 16, SOMA

[Read more...]

10 Ways to Slash the Guest List

wedding guest list

The guest list. The mere thought of it is enough to send many couples running for the migraine meds. Should we invite naughty Uncle Harry? What if he acts badly and hits on the bridesmaids? What about Ted from work? Sure, we don’t like the guy, but we were invited to his wedding. And then there are the two Tasmanian Devil children that just happen to be the boss’s spawn. Do we have to invite children?

If you have opted for a small wedding (yippeee!), there’s a good chance that creating your guest list will be more of a challenge. Here are 10 ways to slice and dice:

1.Pay for your own wedding – or at least the majority of it. That way you will have more say in who doesn’t make the final cut.

2. Only invite your nearest and dearest. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandmas, grandpas and close friends make the list; acquaintances and distant relatives don’t. Let them down gently.

2. Don’t invite co-workers – even if they invited you to their weddings. See #3.

3. Don’t invite people out of guilt (i.e. they invited you to their weddings or bought you lunch three days in a row.)

4. Don’t invite children.

5. Don’t allow dates. Serious boyfriends and girlfriends only.

6. Have a destination wedding. This is usually a surefire way to keep your guest list small – unless  you hang with a well-heeled bunch.

7. Elope. (Paris anyone?) Make it just the two of you and maybe a couple of close friends or your parents.

8. Plan a post-wedding party so you can still celebrate with people who weren’t invited. This is a popular option for couples who go small.

9.  Pick a small wedding venue. Size constraints can work wonders for a mounting guest list.

10. Read Ten Reasons to Have a Small Wedding. Then read Ten More Reasons to Have a Small Wedding.

Please note that these are only suggestions.  If you love kids, by all means have them at your wedding! If the thought of having your co-workers at your wedding makes you warm and fuzzy – go for it. Just remind yourself that it really is okay to have a small wedding, even if there are some hurt feelings along the way.

Whatever you decide, it always goes a long way to be considerate to others. If people are upset that they aren’t invited, apologize and explain to them that you are having a small wedding and that you just can’t invite everyone. Some will get it; others won’t. Courage, my love! You won’t regret a thing by staying true to yourselves. But don’t just take it from me – let these couples convince ya.

Photo:  Chris & Adrienne Scott

DIY Stamped Spoon Plant Markers

herb favors stamped spoons

 DIY stamped spoon plant markers are easy to make – and they make for great favors and gifts. They’re especially charming when they are paired with herbs in a teacup!

Sourcing vintage silver spoons locally is not always easy. I stumbled on a virtual gold mine er silver mine of ‘em at an area antique sale. It was held in the dirtiest, smelliest (moth balls galore!) storage garage I’d ever set foot in – but it was filled with treasures. I got these spoons for about $1 each. You can also check etsy and Ebay for vintage silverware.

To clean silver, you can run to the store and buy silver polish – or do what I did and use toothpaste. It works like a charm! Leaving a bit of the tarnish adds character.

herb favors

DIY Stamped Spoon Plant Markers Tutorial

You will need:

Wedding Details: Bows

A bow represents a finishing touch, a final detail to something made by hand, and I love that it is now becoming popular in the most carefully curated of designs: the wedding.

I have to admit that while I was gathering images for this post I appeared to have come down with a rather strong obsession with the bow in the hair (or hair as a bow) look. Here are a variety of my favorites and I’m sure you can find a style that would fit from rehearsal dinner to reception!

[Read more...]

Real Wedding: Tara and Matt’s Southern Wedding on the River

Massive moss draped oaks, marshes, and a river with a getaway dock served as the backdrop of Tara and Matt’s big day in South Carolina.

The couple, who chose RiverOaks in Awendaw, South Carolina as their wedding venue, treated their guests to a fun-filled reception that included lawn games.

“It felt like a really fun spring party, rather than a stuffy scheduled event,” says Tara.

Thanks to Nathan and Mell from Love Toast and Richard Bell Photography for the beautiful photos.

myrtle beach small wedding

Tara, 26 & Matt, 28

Awendaw, SC

Wedding Date: April 30, 2011

Number of Guests: 70

Wedding Ceremony Location: RiverOaks, Awendaw, SC

Wedding Reception Location: RiverOaks, Awendaw, SC

[Read more...]

Wedding Flowers: Baby’s Breath

Baby’s breath used to be synonymous with sad looking plastic wrapped red rose grocery store bouquets. No more! Today baby’s breath has been reborn as a chic and sophisticated bloom that can make a big impact in bunches by itself or mixed in with other stylish flowers.

In its most traditional form as a bouquet, baby’s breath can be done simply in bunches (great for matching bridesmaids bouquets too) or they can be mixed in with other flowers as well. This succulent and feather bouquet is gorgeous and the accents of the baby’s breath around the edges add a gentle and delicate touch to the more structured shape of the succulents.

[Read more...]

DIY Herbs in a Teacup: Eco-Friendly Favors

teacup

I have an obsession with vintage teacups. Whenever I see one that catches my eye at a yard sale or second hand store, I’ll snatch it up if it’s a good price.

Occasionally, my girls and I will have a tea party with them, but mostly they just sit in my cupboard looking pretty. Why not put them to good use?

Last year I made teacup bird feeders to give to my kids’ teachers. They were a big hit! I made a few for myself and the birds loved ‘em. With earth day just around the corner, I figured I’d use a few of my teacups to create some eco-friendly DIY favors.

The herbs in my garden are exploding with life – why not create share the wealth with DIY herbs in a teacup.

They’re super-easy to make and inexpensive! A unique wedding favor – also perfect for Mother’s Day, don’t you think?

You will need:

  • Vintage teacups
  • potting soil
  • herbs

Place herb of you choice inside teacup. Fill with potting soil.

herbs

chives

Clean off any excess soil from the cup. Place on saucer.

herb favors

diy herbs

If you are having a vintage wedding, these would be perfect!

Next week we’ll show you how to make stamped spoon plant markers to add to your herbs in a teacup.

 

Outdoor Wedding Venues: The Clear Tent

clear tent 2

I had no idea that clear tents even existed until I saw one on Pinterest the other day.  What a brilliant concept as an outdoor wedding venue! You can fill your space with gorgeous light (whether it’s from the sun – or moon) and still be covered in case of inclement weather.

To be honest, I have no idea how difficult it is to snag a clear tent rental. I think they are fairly new on the scene – but I’m sure if the demand is there, they will become more readily available.

Paper lanterns suspended from the ceiling are a great accent in a clear tent. [Read more...]

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