A Real Wedding
I have the prettiest wedding to show you guys today! It was sent to me by the incredibly talented Amanda of Amanda Kraft Photography, with flowers designed by Donna at Beautiful Blooms. The details of this wedding are absolutely perfect and to me, it’s one of those weddings that people are still talking about… From Amanda…
Scott Eby and Kate Bilo met on Kate’s first day of work at AccuWeather in 2003. Kate had taken an administrative assistant job right out of college, and Scott’s first words to her were “you should look into being on TV – they’re always looking for pretty people to do that.” Kate was flattered, but thought nothing of it. The pair slowly developed an easy friendship that within time (and a few nights at the karaoke bar) turned into a relationship.
Kate had decided to take Scott’s early advice about trying out for an on-air position at AccuWeather, and within six months was hired as one of the main female weather anchors for the company. She was stuck working on Christmas Eve of 2004, and Scott came in to pick her up for dinner as she was finishing up recording some weather videos for the AccuWeather.com website. Scott, a computer programmer for AccuWeather, surreptitiously inserted a graphic in Kate’s weather show saying “Katie, Will You Marry Me?” and proposed on-air! They still have the video to show the grandchildren someday.
Kate and Scott decided on a long engagement, and set the wedding date for August 31, 2007. Kate and her mom took control of planning the event, incorporating an “elegant picnic” theme. Here is how it all turned out…
And the lovely couple behind this beautiful day…
A bit more from Amanda…
The simple outdoor ceremony featured individual touches like hand-picked readings from Kate’s favorite poets, processional music from the score of the movie that played when the bride and groom had their first kiss, and miniature bottles of San Pellegrino Limonata butlered with straws.
Owing to Kate’s Spanish major in college and fascination with Latin culture, the garden cocktail hour was infused with Latin flavor, featuring a 5-piece salsa band, made-to-order mojito bar, assorted Latin chips and funky salsas, and the bride and grooms favorite Mexican beer, Modelo Especial, butlered with fresh lime.
The sit-down dinner focused on a summer picnic theme, complete with black-and-white checkered tablecloths, flickering lanterns, and a custom menu designed by the bride including slow-braised beef short ribs, bacon-wrapped scallops, mashed potato spring rolls and fresh cornbread. Kate and Scott, trying to veer away from the traditional wedding cake, chose to serve assorted freshly-baked pies served with ice cream from the famed Penn State Creamery. The guests then danced the night away to a ten-piece dance orchestra before leaving with a special treat – the bride and groom’s favorite brownies, from the Fat Witch Bakery in New York.
What a beautiful wedding. I love that the couple infused parts of themselves into every detail…from the Latin inspired cocktail hour to the freshly baked pies, it seems that this couple wanted their wedding to tell a story about their lives and their loves. Thank you so much to Amanda Kraft and to Donna at Beautiful Blooms for sharing this with us!
**Update! I got so many emails asking for more photos, I just had to ask Amanda to share a bit more from this gorgeous wedding! Here you go!
Once again, thank you so much to Amanda Kraft for sharing these gorgeous photos with us! And, to Donna at Beautiful Blooms for inspiring us to no end. I also want to mention that the incredible food was designed and prepared by another one of our Little Black Book members, Feastivities Catering, who does absolutely incredible work.
Wow. I absolutely LOVE the couples take on elegant picnic. The colors look even more vibrant against the black and white.
I also love the fact that they incorporated so much of themselves into the details of their wedding, its great too because I'm trying to do that myself, so it just gives me more inspiration.
I love the lantern centerpiece; i am hunting for the perfect lanterns for my centerpieces... any suggestions??
What a beautiful wedding. I just love her dress!
LOVE!
I love this! Does anyone have a good source for some black glass vases? Garden Ridge has some "iron"-look metal lanterns, but I haven't seen any with a "chrome" look.
I love all the colors mixed with the black plaid! And all the different types of flowers are amazing!
Wow, this is really breathtaking. Those huge black vases are exquisite.
Kate O- I dont know if you have a Home Goods where you live, but they have TONS of different style lanterns right now for summer. From Morrocan inspired to shabby chic to arts & crafts style. Their prices are usually pretty great also.
Try this site for lots of different black vases
http://www.jamaligarden.com/cID_68.asp " rel="nofollow">http://www.jamaligarden.com/cID_68.asp
I love the groomsmen's ties! Does anyone know where I could find them?
Yes the ties!! I know a few men that *need* these!
Wow! What a beautiful wedding! I love the use of color and pattern. I am lucky enough to have Donna doing the flowers and decor for my upcoming wedding and I can't wait!
this wedding is gorgeous! my wedding is Aug 31 2008! i'd love to know the type of flowers used for the bridesmaids.
I love her menu. That looks like delicious, comfortable gourmet food. And the color palette is nicely put together. Never thought I would like black - but paired with the salmon/apricot theme it's beautiful. Especially love the flower arrangements on the dinner/picnic tables. It's formal and casual all in one.
I think we need to see more pictures from this wedding. So pretty!
I am checking to see if I can find a few more photos...I've got some great food pics but I want to wait to see if I can get more detail shots to post with them!
WOW!! SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL in all details... I love it!!
I posted a few more pics for you guys to devour...I hope you love them as much as I do!
i need to know where those bridesmaid dresses are from! love the color!
What is in the bottom of the lanterns surrounding the candle?... petals?... small fruit/berries?
Thanks for the website, Dina. It's perfect!
where did you find the grooms shirt and ties? love them!
Can anyone tell me where the candle lanterns are from? I've been scouring the net for weeks trying to find simple chrome lanterns like that!
Wow, I'm so excited to see my wedding featured on this site!! This is Kate, the bride above, and a friend of mine sent me to this site after seeing our pics.
Thanks so much for the great comments! It's amazing to relive our day all over again - and I highly recommend Amanda Kraft, Donna and Beautiful Blooms, and Feastivities Catering - they all worked so hard to bring my vision to life!!
To answer a few questions: The groomsmen's shirts and ties were purchased at Nordstrom - I wanted something different than the traditional black tuxes so we went with the windowpane checkered shirts and all the ties were different black and white patterns. The bridesmaid dresses were from J. Crew - cotton cady in the Fresh Tangerine color, which unfortunately I don't think they have this year.
And all the lanterns, vases and flowers were provided by Beautiful Blooms - I don't know where she found them but they were ABSOLUTELY perfect! We loved every second of the day.
I think Im the fourth to ask, but the TIES...where are they from??
kate - could i rent those bmaid dresses from your friends? ha! i have 4 bmaids and it's been a challenge to find the right color! email me mcusas at yahoo dot com.
your flowers are exactly what i'm going for too! :-)
I really love the black & white necktie! I'm really hoping you can tell me the name of the designer and if you got it at one of Nordstroms' retail locations or online through their website. Do you also know the approximate price of the tie? Thank you so much for your help!
I love the tall black vases! what kind of flowers are in them??they are so perfectly chic yet simple. just what i need. if anyone knows or has a good guess let me know!
Elizabeth, I love this wedding too! I believe the pink flowers on the tall black vases are carnations. And carnations happen to be super affordable!
Kate,
I love your seating chart board. Where was that done?