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From the Bride…Planning a wedding from across the country was no easy task, but thanks to the internet and an initial scouting trip I was able to find a great location and put together a wonderful team.  As a stylist, I am always creating crafty moments for my clients, so it was hard for me not to want to do the same for my own wedding.  With so little time, I had to curb my desire to create everything myself and enlist the help of family and some crafty vendors.  I looked to Etsy for some of the handcrafted details, hired a florist, determined what could be delegated to (my amazing) family and friends, and then chose a few projects to create myself.

I started off designing our save the date and invitations – a great way to begin the creative process of choosing a color palette and overall look and feel.   I wanted our wedding to feel elegant and to be an authentic expression of us as a couple.  As I perused countless magazines and blogs for ideas, I kept seeing seaside weddings that felt very “preppy-nautical,” but this just didn’t feel like the right fit for us.  I wanted to give the seaside theme a different twist, so I chose a soft romantic color palette based on my shell collection and a few old sea glass bottles I found at the flea market – shades of aqua and shell pink – and then punctuated it with navy accents.

The seahorse theme was inspired by a trip we’d taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I fell in love with their graceful elegance and the way they seem to dance effortlessly together – a sweet metaphor that we wove throughout our ceremony and reception.  A pair of white chocolate sea horses graced the top of our cake, we had custom seahorse wine stoppers made out of pewter for our favors, and for the sand ritual in our ceremony we poured sand from a large nautilus shell into a glass vessel etched with the sea horse artwork I created for our invitations. My vision for a romantic seaside wedding really started to come together when I decided to look to the beautiful intricacy of 19th century Sailors’ Valentines  for inspiration. These mosaic-like masterpieces composed entirely of small sea shells were originally brought home from a sailor’s voyage as a souvenir for a loved one.  Many contain examples of tiny shell flowers and intricate symmetrical patterns which inspired many elements of our wedding, including the design for our cake – a delicious mango cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, covered in tiny pastel sugar shells.

For my bouquet, I created some shell flowers by adhering small pink petal-shaped shells to pearl bead centers and then mounted each one to a separate wire to make it easy for our florist, Katie McConnell, to incorporate them into the feather- fringed fresh floral bouquet.  For my tiara, I glued small shells in symmetrical patterns to a metal head band wrapped with satin ribbon, and for my bridesmaids I created small pink shell flowers attached to hair pins.  My flower girl looked like a little sea shell princess, wearing a crinkled shell pink and gold satin dress, and a mini tiara and fashioned out of shells and small fabric flowers.  My ring bearer carried our rings tied onto a little satin pillow that I glued inside the opening of a large nautilus shell.

It was truly a memorable day!  Although we had to hold our ceremony inside because of wind and rain, Katie’s flower arrangements were so gorgeous that we almost didn’t notice.  Our chuppah was constructed of white branches draped with orchids, carnations, and crystals, and encrusted with shells, and sweet white carnation kissing balls lined the aisles. White manzanita branches dripping with orchids, crystals and hanging glass votives, set in mercury glass vases graced the center of our reception tables. Some of our family and friends weren’t able to be with us that day, so we chose to honor their “presence in spirit” by placing  pink and white feather butterflies throughout all the bouquets, flower arrangements, and boutonnieres.  They perched on the branches and the kissing balls, and floated from the orchid-draped chandelier above us on the dance floor as we did the fox-trot to Dancing Cheek to Cheek played by the amazing White Heat Swing Orchestra!

As I look back on it all I can’t say enough great things about our photographer, Ned Jackson.  He captured every moment, and all of the details with tireless enthusiasm and patience.  We couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out!

Wedding Photography: Ned Jackson Photography / Floral Design: Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio / Event Design + Planning: Kelli Ronci / Ceremony + Reception Location: Wychmere Beach Club / Invitations: Kelli Ronci / Menus + Programs: Lilia Kay / Calligraphy: Barbara Callow Calligraphy / Shell Flowers + Tiaras: Kelli Ronci / Feather Butterflies: Floraltrims / Silver + Gold Shell Holders/Escort Cards: Gallery 360 / Starfish Place Cards: Timeless Paper / Sailors Valentine Cake: Michael’s Creative Baking / Etched Sand Ceremony Vessel: The Cutting Etch / Sea Horse Wine-Stopper Favors: Faro Products / Linens: BBJ Linens / Bride’s Gown: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaid + Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew + Crewcuts / Swing Band: White Heat Swing Orchestra / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Barbara Callow, BBJ Linens, Cape Cod, Creative Baking, crewcuts, Faro Products, Floraltrims, Gallery 360, J. Crew, Kelli Ronci, Lilia Kay, Massachusetts Weddings, Ned Jackson Photography, Romona Keveza, The Cutting Etch, Timeless Paper, White Heat Swing Orchestra, Wild Bunch Studio, Wychmere Harbor Club
Post categories: Cape Cod Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings

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From the Bride…My family moved to a small town outside of Chattanooga, TN shortly after Brandon and I started dating.  And, as fate would have it, Brandon was starting nursing school in TN at the very same time! Throughout the past 6 years, Brandon and I shared many special memories on my family’s farm. Whether it was sitting on “our little roof” watching the sunset, skipping rocks in the pond behind what would someday be our ceremony site, or learning how to dirtbike in the very field in which we got married, memories of special times were everywhere to be found. So, in our minds and hearts, we knew that picking a location for the wedding would be simple. Not only did it fit our desire of having a rustic yet elegant wedding, but it was home. And, as the very true saying goes…”there is no place like home!”  Our desire was that our guests would enjoy the serene surroundings while feeling relaxed, comfortable, and most importantly “at home.”

When it comes to decor, I have always been attracted to the “shabby chic” style, incorporating the elegance of crystal chandeliers, vintage china, and crisp white linens with burlap, hay, and rustic galvanized decor. What better location to put our vision into action than in our very own barn. With the added expertise of our family friend and professional designer, Jodi Brewer, our farm was transformed into a southern wedding dream. Jodi has been an interior designer for many years. Her vast talent combined with creative ideas made for unique and beautiful decor.

Like many weddings, ours wasn’t without a tiny bit of drama. Just two months before our wedding, the Southeast was devastated with major tornadoes…many of which came within just a couple miles from our home. Homes were destroyed and some people even lost their lives. While our farm suffered from the loss of several trees and broken fences, we were truly spared from the brunt of storm. I have friends who lost everything. Going through this experience while planning a wedding allowed me to place everything in perspective.  I learned that more than anything, my God, my family, and my friends are something I could never do without. With such tremendous help from all of these people, we were able to get our farm back in shape in just a few short months. July 3rd is a day that will forever hold a special place in our hearts. It is a day of cherished details, of family and friends, of the comforts of home, and most importantly of the love Brandon and I will forever share.

Venue: Private Residence / Event Design: JL Brewer Designs / Catering: Events With Taste / Floral Design: Humphreys Flowers / Wedding Photography: Garrett Nudd Photography / Wedding Videography: Tim Cofield / Music: Forte Strings / Wedding Cake: Kimmee’s Cakes / Cake Topper: Baumbirdy / Program Fan: Bama Jammer Incorporated / Dress: 2 Be Couture via Ever After Bridal & Formal Wear / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Headpiece: Untamed Petals / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor / Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Express / Groom’s Bowtie: Lumina Clothing / Groomsmen Tie: J.Crew / Ring Bearer Bowtie: Crewcuts / Ring Bearer Suspenders + Shorts: Jacadi Paris / Flower Girl Dress: Joan Calabrese / Flower Girl Headpieces: The Jenny Lynn Collection / Hair: Hair Benders International / Make-up: Dani Carpenter / Favors: eBee Honey / Calligraphy for Invitations: Kate Smith Letters

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Post tags: 2 Be Couture, Ann Taylor, Bama Jammer Incorporated, Baumbirdy, crewcuts, Dani Carpenter, eBee Honey, Events With Taste, Ever After Bridal & Formal Wear, Express, Forte Strings, Garrett Nudd Photography, Hair Benders International, Humphreys Flowers, J. Crew, Jacadi Paris, JL Brewer Designs, Joan Calabrese, Kate Smith Letters, Kate Spade, Kimmee's Cakes, Lumina Clothing, McDonald, Tennessee, The Jenny Lynn Collection, Tim Cofield, Untamed Petals
Post categories: The Blog, Vintage Chic

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From the Bride… As soon as Juan and I were engaged I knew we had to get married on the beach. Our first date had been a beach picnic with friends, our first kiss had been on the beach, we’re both from Puerto Rico and Juan had grown up going to the beach every weekend with his friends.  I sensed a theme…

It’s funny to say we had a “destination wedding” when we are from the destination and 90% of your guests actually live there. I have to say it was a huge help to have friends and family already in Puerto Rico, they helped us scout out venues, sample menus and prepare favors. In the end it was mostly a destination wedding for us, our out-of-town family and friends which included our photographers which we had met at a friend’s wedding in NJ.

We decided on Dorado Beach Resort’s West Beach Bohio for our wedding venue because it incorporated all the things we hoped for; a beautiful secluded beach and an open dining area that was just the right combination of casual, romantic and elegant.The Bohio is a large driftwood color structure with exposed posts and beams, it is covered with a corrugated zinc roof reminiscent of rustic country houses in Puerto Rico and has palm trees that come through the floorboards.  Perfect!

The color scheme was taken directly from the wedding site using sand, light gray and shell colors to continue the beach theme and adding white as a crisp accent to set it all off. My bouquet was a large bunch of light blush colored peonies tied with an ivory ribbon, the tables had white hydrangeas, the groom and bridesmaids had white minicalla lilies and the dads and groomsmen had white mini orchid boutonnieres. My dress was a multi layered ivory silk organza gown with raw cut edges, I felt it was unstructured and beachy in a very elegant way and I love the way the delicate layers echo the patterns waves leave on the sand. The bridesmaids wore strapless silk dresses in a soft pearly gray color and blush colored fabric flowers in their hair; the flower girls and ring bearer wore sleeveless silk crepe dresses in a soft ivory/blush color, I made ribbon sashes in light gray to match the bridesmaid’s dresses. The groom wore a sand colored suit, a crisp white shirt and (for a short while) a chocolate, blue and white striped tie.

The groomsmen were super relaxed in khaki pants and white cotton shirts. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and casual so we had large white wicker baskets filled with flip flops for everyone to change into, silver for the ladies and brown for the men, I think this definitely help set the mood.

We wanted to keep the decoration clean and simple to let the scenery take precedence. We used tall clear glass vases, floating candles, votives and mirrored bases in simple geometric configurations and added an organic touch with some manzanita branches and air plants. We added some modern touches with acrylic elements throughout; a clear cake pedestal filled with flowers and foliage, clear flower girl baskets with white petals, and frosted table numbers in a super modern font. Our ring bearer box was actually a super simple DIY project, it’s a clear acrylic soap dish filled with brown sugar instead of sand since the groom thought this would be “sweeter”. The rings are nestled in a shell, actually one of the escort card holders. Our escort cards were white gloss cardstock in shells set atop a mirrored base. Our cake was lemon and coconut flavored cupcakes with buttercream frosting and fondant disks with our initials stamped into them, it was topped with a stainless steel monogram and heart I had purchased in NYC.

Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am” was our wedding march song which my very talented sister Lyssandra sang for us as the bridal party danced and clapped down the sandy aisle. For the first dance our dear friend June brought her brother’s band to play “Esto es vida” by Robi Draco Rosa (yes, the ex-Menudo turned rocker!).   I danced to “Over the rainbow”, the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version, with my dad. This song has always made me feel nostalgic but that night it was just magical, while we were planning the wedding we learned that my dad had cancer and his last chemo treatment had been the week before our wedding, fortunately he was well enough to walk me down the aisle.

As a surprise Juan arranged for my sister to sing Bruno Mars’ “Just the way you are” just for me, so sweet! Juan has a thing for Brazilian music and culture and during the last year had learned Portuguese in order to better communicate with his clients at work, so as a surprise for him I had a Brazilian batucada come in during the middle of the reception. The music was so intoxicating I don’t think we sat down again after this, we had so much fun dancing salsa, merengue, bomba, ska; a tiki torch was even turned into a limbo stick!

I don’t think we could have imagined a more magical day than what we had, with the ocean as a backdrop and an evening filled with dancing under the stars. We felt very fortunate to be surrounded by the people we love and we hope to be able to celebrate our anniversary on the beach every year!

Wedding Photography: STAK Photographer Duo / Wedding Venue & Catering: West Beach Bohio (Dorado Beach Resort) / Event Styling & Planning: J&Co Design / Flowers & Rentals: CM Events / Additional Rentals: Napoles / Wedding Dress: Marisa via RK Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Grazia via Bridal Reflections / Wedding Veil: Basia / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl Dresses: Crewcuts / Groom’s Suit: Frank Stella / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / DJ: DJ JC / Batucada: Batucada Sambaoe / Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Beyond Salon / Wedding Rings: Miligree Jewelers / Wedding Cake: Cakeland Designs

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Post tags: Basia, Batucada Sambaoe, Beach Wedding, Beyond Salon, Blue, Bridal Reflections, Brown, Cakeland Designs, CM Events, Cole Haan, crewcuts, Cupcake Tower, Destination Wedding, DJ JC, Frank Stella, Grazia, J&Co Design, J. Crew, Marisa, Miligree Jewelers, Napoles, Outdoor Wedding, Puerto Rico, RK Bridal, STAK Photography Duo, Tan, West Beach Bohio, White, White Color Palette
Post categories: Destination, Destination Weddings, Puerto Rico Weddings

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: crewcuts
Post categories: Featured