Meet Me At The Altar - Wall Of Lights

It's another Meet Me At The Altar Saturday! If you don't know, let me tell you that I am a super fan of lighting during a wedding ceremony.  I especially love lighting down the aisle and as a part of the alter.  Check out this wall of lights that provides the right balance of romance for this couple's wedding.

If you're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and want the wall of lights for yourself, check out the wonderful people over at Rent My Dust vintage rentals.  I can almost promise you'll find some others things to love as well.

Aretha



The Politics of A Wedding - Theme Alert

By now you've been inundated with all the political recaps of last night's political debate. I must admit, I love politics and all the ups and downs that come with it.  However, I realize that not many others share my level of enthusiasm.  But, as a reader of this blog, I do know what ignites your enthusiam - beautiful events. 

I pulled together some original and cool political themed elements for any event.

My favorite is the Rehearsal Dinner invititation below - brilliant!

~ Ciao

Aretha

Adams Style Thanksgiving

I decided last month that this year Thanksgiving in the Adams house would consist of golds, blues, and greens.  Now I'm considering adding pops of deep violet.  Here are some beautiful elements that have inspired me.  I'm so inspired by the table linen swatch, that I'm on a mad dash to find some version of this....oh, and those pumpkin place card holders - Yes!  Those will definitely be assigning seats in our house at dinner time this year.

Have you started pulling together your Thanksgiving Palette?

Aretha

Inspiration From The Home

Event planning is my passion, but so is a lovely home.  I love the endless possiblities that come with designing living spaces.  I'm not a interior designer by any stretch, but I do find inspiration in sleek, fun, and well designed spaces.

Often times we tend to look at weddings and other events to find inspiration for our own, but the true beauty of a wedding or event is not just in the color scheme you choose, but in the design elements that show throughout the event.  Where better to be inspired than through home design?  It's in the home that you get to incorporate all sorts of textures, patterns, and palattes.

I had an initial consultation with a client a couple of weeks ago to plan and design her upcoming baby shower.  During the conversation, she told me that she had no idea what she wanted, nor does she identify with any particular style. All she knows is that she wants her event to be fun, comfortable and different than the typical baby shower.  After asking her a few questions to garner her "style preferences" (we all have them, they just have to be pulled out of some of us), I went off on a hunt to find some inspiration at pier one, world market, a few thrift stores and my favorite home design site - houzz.com.  Here are some of the things that are helping me and my client determine her linens, centerpieces, and other decor. 

1. During the conversation, my client was very quick to tell me that she wasn't a big fan of flowers.  She loves minimal floral elements that can make a big statement. While this is a big piece, the actual floral elements aren't the main attraction, it's the color.

2. She noted that she loves colors in their metallic form, and that she has a very feminine side. I found this metallic pink to be a combination of both those preferences.

3.  Throughout our conversation she kept using the words sophisticated and comfortable.  And, she told me that she loves the color and to eat chocolate.

4. When I asked her if she embraced vibrant colors she hesitated and then told me that she wants so badly to love vibrant colors, but she doesn't know how to work with them to make it look "sophisticated."  That's when we talked about color pops, and her excitement set in.

Don't be afraid to find inspiration everywhere.  Always look for that element that will set your event apart from the next.

Aretha

Happy Autumn - Aisle Style

Happy Autumn! Over the weekend, we officially left summer behind.  I surely wish someone had given the great state of Texas that information because we were still experiencing summer like temperatures here.

Despite that, the weather is breaking and I know that soon we'll have the chilled air that makes Autumn such a spectacular time of year.

Today I want to share some Autumn Aisle inpiration with you.  These beautiful aisles are true to the season while still hitting the mark on decor.

1. This is a brilliant use of tree stumps, mason jars, and sunflowers all in the same arrangement.  Nothing says Autumn like wild flowers and rustic elements.

2. While much of the country enjoys outdoor weddings in the spring and summer, here in Dallas we have to enjoy them in the Spring and Autumn.  How gorg is this.  The deep red reminds us of the transitional nature of Autumn, but the held on to a bit of the summer with the bright green elements.  Oh, and that aisle path of roses...love it!

3. This is my absolute favorite Autumn Aisle.  From the wood elements in the roof, to the changing trees, to the minimally lined aisle runner...everything about this makes me swoon.  I really hope the bride's dress added to the decor in a dramatic way. Even more, I love that they brought the outside indoors.

4. Muted tones of orange and green make me happy for more reasons than being my College Colors.  This palette screams fun in the fall.

5.  You know I had to throw in something super crafty.  The use of real pumpkins filled with small scale bouquets is sophisticated and fun.  It's so DIY without the DIY look. 

Well, I hope this Autumn Aisle Style inspired you on this Monday morning!  Enjoy the season!

Aretha



Lighted Beauty

I’ve always loved using unique lighting in décor, whether it be at home or for events.  With all the costs associated with weddings, the use of certain lighting, especially candles can offer a fabulous alternative to more expensive décor elements.

Here are some different areas in which candles and other types of lighting can be incorporated to add the perfect, yet affordable, ambience to your special day!

1.       Pathways – During weddings, many people typically focus their décor budget on the ceremony and reception spaces, but it’s a mistake to forget about the pathways that connect those spaces.  This photo shows a unique way to keep your guests wowed as they move about during your event. For all my DIY-ers this concept is easily replicated by having the base of old wine bottles removed. Then place them over a candle of  your choice and mix and match sizes and styles…presto…you have a fabulous wine inspired décor theme.

2.       The great outdoors – please, please, please don’t forget about the use of candle lighting outside. This picture reminds me of beautiful teardrops, joyful ones of course, perfect for hanging from a tree over the dance floor for the couple’s first dance.  This use of lighting simply exudes romance.  Oddly enough this can be easily and affordably replicated with water balloons and lighting sticks.

3.       Outdoors In – Just as hanging lights from the trees outdoors, it is just as beautiful to bring a tree inside and hang votive lights from it.  Here is a phenomenal example.  A simple manzanita tree with some hanging votives will get you on your way to this look.

4.       Candles Only – Most brides immediately begin to consider the flowers they’ll incorporate into their centerpieces.  Well, I’m here to tell you not to box yourself in just yet.  The image below shows how sophisticated and sleek bouquets of candles can look.  To top it off, try using the same color in slightly varying shades; it will give a wow factor that will leave you and your guests impressed.

5.       Aisle Style – A lighted aisle in my mind is an absolute must. I don’t care what time of the day or night it is...a bride’s path should be lit for her journey to her groom.  Typically, that lighted path moves down the floor, but what’s stopping you from lighting from above. Here is an example of doing it in rustic style.  Here in Texas, rustic  weddings are all the rage.  These mason jars connected by a string of lights look as if they are being lit by a school of fireflies.  It’s rustic, whimsy, and romantic…a great combination.

So, brides to be, whatever you do, don't discount the impact of beautiful lighting. Step outside of the box and add some Originality to your day!

Aretha

Escort Your Guests With Originality

There are a plethora of beautiful escort card ideas circulating in craft stores and wedding magazines, but what about some originality.  This is an area where you can show your guests that you really paid attention to the details and wanted to make your wedding stand out.  I’ve compiled five ways to make your guests say wow as they seek their table number.

 

1.       Food – Guests typically find their escort cards at the end of cocktail hour prior to entering the reception.  By giving them a palette cleansing sorbet to enjoy prior to your reception, you’ll ensure they get the most enjoyment out of dinner.  You or your planner will have no trouble finding miniature spoons to place in the sorbet upon which to adorn the name and table assignment for each guest.

 

2.     The gift that gives (double duty) – A great  cost saving idea is to allow your escort card   to double as a wedding favor. What better favor than one that you can actually use time after time – a plant.  Your guests will be able to take a real memory from your wedding  and watch it grow over the years as your marriage does.  And, if you get something   like a spice or herb, they can enjoy it even more.

 

 

3.     Scent – The gift of smell goods will make any guest happy.  And, this is a triple duty item.  One, it is your escort card; Two, guests can take it home as a favor; Three, they will take  it into the reception space and create a bountiful fragrance sure to make everyone’s nose happy.  Make sure to get a complimentary scent that doesn’t compete with your flower arrangements.

 

 

4.       Sound – The first time you see your guests after being pronounced husband and wife will be at your grand entrance into the reception.  That is a moment deserving of much applause and fanfare.  So, give your guests some noisemakers to make your entrance spectacular.  Yep, another double duty item!

 

 

  

 

5.     Drink – Since I started with food, I’ll end in that similar category.  Provide your guests with escort card drinks as    the final round of your cocktail hour.  They’ll be able to take these into the reception, so they’ll have something to drink before dinner drinks are served.  This one of my favorite examples of an Original escort card idea.

 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your special day unique.  Make sure your planner knows your personality and finds something that makes you and your husband stand out. And, leaves your guests happy.

~ Ciao