A Wedding Built for Two
I love the board that reader Alissa has put together…somehow making Gray, White and Black seem so chic and elegant. I love that she has taken a rather understated palette and given it a sparkle that I might not usually be able to envision…
From Alissa…
Over the past two and a half years, I have lost both of my parents. As a 25 year old, and the oldest of three kids with a giant extended family, it’s just been an unbelievable time, it still doesn’t always seem real. But each day you get yourself up and face the music. Through that time I had a best friend, and then a boyfriend and then a fiance that held my hand and was there for me, and now I get to marry him:-) I am especially excited for a celebration. To get all of my family together in a room for a happy occasion. I can’t wait. So some aspects of my board are things we are doing in memory of my parents, and I am just so excited for the meaning we are putting behind things.
Our color scheme is black, ivory and gray gray gray! We love classic – our space is from the 1920s, with chandeliers, warm woodwork and stained glass. We’ve got black bowties and silver candelabras. I don’t know if it’s necessarily vintage, rather classic in it’s own way.
I think one of the most meaningful things will be our altar (drawing in my board). Our venue is not a church and we wanted to create an ‘altar’ to be married in front of. Our florist suggested using trees in memory of my parents (they owned a tree farm and loved the outdoors). We are doing two 6′-7′ flowering trees on either side of our altar with votive candles hanging in the branches. We’re also going to use branches throughout-in the centerpieces and possibly in the invitations.
I found a website that does ‘trees in a box’ for favors. My fiance and I have designed a simple table that we are going to build with help from my fiance’s father, using wood from my father’s tree farm. I like that we’ve designed it, but both of our fathers will be a part of it. And after the wedding, we can use the table in our house.
Also, our bridal party isnt going to carry bouquets- but the bms and gms are both going to carry candles in glass cylinders and set them on the altar when the get to the front, like they’re each bringing a little of themselves to the altar:-)
Thank you so much, Alissa, for sharing such a touching (and beautiful) story with us. I was really moved to tears at just how personal this wedding is for you. This is exactly what a wedding should be…personal, incredibly special and meaningful in a way that YOU appreciate. I love this…and can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.
Alissa's story was enchanting and a great example of how to honor a parent or parents at a wedding celebration. Classy! Thank you for sharing!
i love the bouquet... what are the flowers?
Oh mylanta! I just opened up stylemepretty for my routine afternoon checkup-and thats my board! haha how fun!
Christine, the flowers are from Martha Stewarts Special Color Edition wedding magazine. They're sweetpeas, ornathogulum and privet berries.
Ohhh, gray is my favorite color. I would never have imagined it would be so beautiful in a wedding color palette.
The ceremony and wedding elements honoring Alissa's parents are lovely. Simply lovely.
What a beautiful board, and it is so wonderful that you will be able to honor your parents' memory throughout your wedding day. I absolutely love the bridesmaid's dress that you selected for your board -- where did you find it?!
The dresses are from Melissa Sweet's collection. I found them the day after we got engaged, I just fell in love with the color!
Alissa's Mom was my best friend and the plans she has for her wedding would be something that her Mom would be proud of. I am honored to be the photographer at this wedding and I know that it will be touching, emotional and absolutely beautiful. A wonderful tribute to her parents and a wonderful memory of a wedding that had special meaning to a very special couple.
I love you Alissa. Lynn