On a beautiful August morning in the Old Church of Portland, Oregon, Lindsay Reichardt married her high school sweetheart, James Buckles. With a long-stemmed, gardenia studded, bouquet of pink roses in one hand, Lindsay’s other hand clung tightly to her new hubby for balance all day, as her Vera Wang ball gown of swirled tulle could barely squeeze down the isle.

A vintage Bentley drove Mr. & Mrs. Buckles away to a private photo shoot while guests made their way to the Heritage ballroom in the Governor Hotel for the reception. Guests were greeted by the passing of savory hors d’ouveres: Jake’s famous crab cakes, cucumber tea sandwiches, salmon lox bruschetta, quiche, brie en croute bites, and caviar deviled eggs as well as a Parisian-inspired Patisserie spread, which displayed sweet treats: a croquembouche of cream puffs, topiary trees of fresh strawberries, triple berry and lemon tarts, panna cotta parfaits, meringues, biscotti, madeline cakes, palmiers, macaroons, brioche, mini-muffins, cheesecake bites, éclairs and napoleons!

Perfectly pruned boxwoods, floating gardenias and lush arrangements of hydrangea, sugared apricots, raspberry vines and cascading jasmine transformed the reception into a French garden. Placecards and menus were lined to mimic the border of Laudree macaroon boxes, sugar cubes rested inside rose petals on china teacups and vintage botanical print reproductions by Pierre-Joseph Redoute (the official court painter of Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution) differentiated each tulle-layered table. The head table was overflowing with salal garlands, rustic candles, mercury glass votives, fresh fruit, cinched tulle and mossy, terrarium-encased arrangements.

When guests made their way to the bar, they had a number of specialty drink choices. There were five champagne cocktails options, all with fun names, for example, the “Blissful Bellini” featured peach puree, vanilla vodka, champagne and fresh mint, while the “Honeymooner” featured ginger syrup, lime juice, champagne and cucumber. Those still waking up also had 5 drink options at an Espresso station, for example, the “Crème Brulee Cappuccino” with cinnamon-infused espresso and raw cinnamon and sugar dusting, or an “Opposites Attract” caramel macchiato given sweet caramel drizzle and a dash of sea salt.

Crepes au citron, dulche de leche French toast and strawberry shortcake waffles were plated during brunch and Jake’s servers then circulated the ballroom offering hot sausage and bacon as well. Finally, as if guests weren’t already stuffed to the brim, Lindsay and James cut their cake: a five-tiered fresh strawberry and cream cheese masterpiece with diamond quilting, silver dragee detail, pink macaroons and a “B” cameo. After such an indulgent day, “favors” were simply notes letting the guests know that a donation had been made to the Portland Rescue Mission in their honor. 

Bridal Gown: Vera Wang / Bridal belt: Monique Lhullier / Bridal shoes: Valentino / Bridal headpiece & bracelet: Jenny Packham / Bridal earrings: J.Crew / Bridesmaids dresses: Monique Lhullier / Bridesmaids earrings: Anthropologie / Makeup & hair: Madeline Roosevelt / Stationery: French Lil Designs / Ceremony site: The Old Church / Reception site: The Governor Hotel, Heritage Ballroom / Reception catering: Jake’s Catering / Cake & Patisserie: Papa Haydn’s / Espresso Bar: Espresso Elegance / Specialty China: West Coast Events / Flowers: Geranium Lake / Transportation: Imperial Limousines / Photography: Altura Studio

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Altura Studio, Anthropologie, Black and White, Bouquets, Breakfast, Brunch, Brunch Weddings, Centerpieces, Champagne, Champagne Bar, Chanel, Chiavari Chairs, Color Palette Black White Pink, Color Palette Pink, Croissants, Croquembouche, Dessert Bar, Espresso, Espresso Bar, French Lil Designs, Geranium Lake Imperial Limousines, Governor Hotel, J. Crew, Jake's Catering, Jenny Packham, Macrons, Madeline Roosevelt, Marie Antoinette, Monique Lhullier, Morning Weddings, Neutral Color Palette, Oregon, Papa Haydns' Espresso Elegance, Patisserie, Pink Champagne, Portland, Roses, Strawberries, Stripes, The Old Church, Traditional Elegance, Valentino, Vera Wang, Vintage Chic, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography, West Coast Events
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

From Joyce of La Vie le Gage … This fantastic shoot was the brainchild of Paula Thomas of the Teacup, fine baked goods & confections, and her friend Sarah Hays of Hays Photography.  Paula wanted La Vie le Gage Couture Wedding Planning to conceive and design the shoot right from the start.

While planning a wedding South of Denver and bit North of Colorado Springs, a love revealed itself I did not know I had for the large sweeping views of this area in Colorado.  I found out I absolutely love the vast open feeling.  Just the perspective gave thought to the past inhabitants whom must of felt similar emotions.  I knew I wanted to capture and explicate what I felt.

One of the first questions I asked Paula was, “What styles do you love?”  A quick answer was, “Fashion, hat boxes, glitz, and glamor!”
Our discussion sent me without hesitation towards a French expression of wedding fashion having the ‘Mad Hatter’ as the whimsy outlet for bringing in the love for hats.

I knew that I wanted to have a strict color palette comprising of white, black, and soft pink.  Soft pink evokes romance to me and the plains of Colorado translate romance in my mind.  Romance made me also think French.  French and passion go together like bread and butter!  .

I brought out classic French style with stripes done in black and used the strict palette to translate the boldness of the vistas while meshing styles of vintage, edgy, and romantic whimsy in this shoot.  Black as a color is strong and I wanted that to represent the strength, courage, and vigor of the people who settled the West.

Staging a French inspired extravagant ornate table setting, displaying passion for hats, fashion, and combining the great vista’s of Colorado as a backdrop; Mad Hatter’s Wedding Gone West was conceived in a heartbeat!!

The quest for items to fill the tables was an adventure in research and a 101 course concerning the details on china!

I contacted notably experienced, exceptionally talented and very creative professionals to be a part of this inspiration shoot.  All vendors, including the models were thrilled to exercise their artistic skills.

Event Designer: La Vie le Gage Couture Events Wedding Planning / Venue: Mountain Guest Ranch / Linens: Cloth Connection / Rentals: Event Rents / Photographer: Hays Photography / Cake & Confections: Teacup / Flowers: Flowers Forever Design / Paper Suite & Signs: Wiley Valentine / Gowns: Anna Be Bridal Boutique / Jewelry: Subversive Jewelry / Hats: Kitty Mae Millinery / Sash:  Emici Bridal / Make-Up: Heathyrre Kautz Couture Professional Makeup Artistry, LLC. / Hair: Susie Schurr & Dirk Armijo, Sisto’s Salon / Umbrella: Bella Umbrella / Hat Box Favors: Wrapsodyandink

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 39 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Wonderland, Anna Be Bridal Boutique, Bella Umbrella, Cloth Connection, Color Palette Black White Pink, Colorado, Emici Bridal, Etsy, Event Rents, Flowers Forever Desgin, Hays Photography, Heathyrre Kautz Couture Professional Makeup Artistry LLC, Inspiration Shoot, Kitty May Millinery, La Vie le Gage Couture Events Wedding Planning, Mad Hatter, Mountain Guest Ranch, Photo Shoot, Sisto's Salon, Subversive Jewelry, Teacup, Wedding Cakes, Wiley Valentine, Wrapsodyandink
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Photo Shoot

From Susan Stripling Photography … Rachel and Brian were married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 9, 2011.  Rachel and her bridesmaids got ready for the day at the gorgeous AKA Rittenhouse Hotel and then walked to meet Brian for the first time in Philadelphia’s historic center city Rittenhouse Square.

The ceremony was at another Philadelphia landmark, the gorgeous Christ Church.  Built in 1695 Christ Church features the tomb of Benjamin Franklin.  After the ceremony the guests walked to the reception at TRUST, a beautiful old city Philadelphia venue right next to the historic Betsy Ross House.  Built in 1902, TRUST was first an exchange bank before becoming a home to seafarers from around the world.  In 1977 it was named as one of Philadephia’s Historic Places and since then has been home to the cast of the Real World in 2004 and is now one of Philadelphia’s most unique and beautiful wedding venues.

All florals were done by Philadelphia’s Offshoots Decor and the catering was by another Philadelphia wedding favorite, Feastivities.

Photography: Susan Stripling Photography / Flowers: Offshoots Decor / Ceremony Location: Christ Church / Reception Location: TRUST / Catering : Feastivities / Preparation Location: AKA Rittenhouse

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: AKA Rittenhouse, Bows, Chandeliers, Christ Church, Color Palette Black White Pink, Feastivities, Flower girls, Offshoots Decor, Ombre Cake, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Rosary, Susan Stripling Photography, Traditional Elegance, TRUST, Tutus, Wedding Photographers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

This wedding is all style. From the GORGEOUS Melissa Sweet gown to those bridesmaids and the perfect reception decor. It’s is a jump-for-joy wedding if I ever saw one! Thank you so much to Ashley and Phil for sharing their big day with us!

And, don’t forget to head over to the Little Black Book Blog for even more eye candy…today’s feature by the unbelievably talented Karen Wise.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Color Palette Black White Pink, Love Life Images, Washington DC
Post categories: The Blog