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Andrew and I were working with a tight budget, with him beginning his second year in dental school and me starting my first year of teaching. By doing many projects on my own, choosing local vendors and accepting help from friends, we were able to keep the costs down.  We fell in love with the giant trees and big barn at Postlewait’s Farm, and we knew it would be the perfect location to celebrate our wedding. We wanted to create a day that was natural, romantic, whimsical and incorporated our friends and family. Our colors were green, teal, and yellow and our décor included birds, trees, branches, rocks and lanterns. The wish tree centerpieces (Manzanita branches) were one of my favorite projects. I made paper tags for our guests to write wishes on and hang from the branches. My father in law cut the tree rings from their property that held the wish tree instructions. I ordered our “guest book” wedding tree and cake topper birds off of Etsy. We found green burlap for the tables for a steal at the local fabric store, and affordably handmade our programs. I received a great deal on my gown and found the bridesmaids dresses at Fossil for $50. My mom and I made each bridesmaid a coordinating belt to tie in the other wedding colors. Carolyn Postlewait, one of the owners of the venue, was also our florist. She provided affordably beautiful arrangements with a variety of green, yellow and white flowers including billy balls, spider mums, dahlias and hydrangeas.  The guests raved over the dinner catered by Michele Blaine and Always Perfect Catering, who were a joy to work with. We chose a simple cake design from Cutsforth’s Thriftway. We were thrilled to work with Allison Van Zanten Photography who captured our day to perfection and were up for a little trip to the nearby Dahlia Farm for a pre-wedding photo shoot. Our favorite part of the day was definitely the ceremony under the oak trees surrounded by our family and closest friends.  The setting was a perfect place to recite the vows we had written together. Friends played acoustic guitar music of our favorite hymns and read scripture. To end, everyone rose to sing The Doxology before our exit to the Beatles’ “She Loves Me.” By planning every detail ourselves, we were able to infuse our personal touch and make sure our wedding day was a true reflection of what was important to us. Thanks to the help of friends and family, our vision was possible with a tight budget!

Dress: Allure / Bridesmaids Dresses: Fossil / Suits: Men’s Wearhouse / Photography: Allison Van Zanten Photography / Cake: Canby Thriftway / Venue: Postlewait’s Farm / Florist: Carolyn Postlewait / Caterer: Michele Blaine at Always Perfect Catering

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allison Van Zanten Photography, Allure, Always Perfect Catering, DIY Inspired, DIY Programs, Etsy, Fossil, Men's Wearhouse, Oregon, Oregon Wedding, Postlewait's Farm, Wedding Cake Toppers, Wishing Cards, wishing tree
Post categories: Budget Beautiful

These are the final words of James Joyce’s character, Molly Bloom, in the novel Ulysses. These simple words served as fascinating and romantic inspiration for Barbara and Steven’s sweetly-sophisticated wedding celebration in Philadelphia last March.

Kendall Brown of Eclatante Event Design and Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms once again teamed up and helped the bride put the finishing touches on this elegant wedding filled with intimate and heartfelt details. We’re positive you’ll agree that this is a truly special wedding.

For a little bit of Steven and Barbara’s story, from Eclatante’s blog, A Designer’s Diary …

Steven was a visiting English professor at the University of Buffalo at the time that Barbara was finishing her Ph.D in Poetry/Poetics. Her dissertation was based on the “yes” and “no” in the works of James Joyce and Gertrude Stein. When Steven placed a first edition of Joyce’s Ulysses in her hands, their future together was sealed. Steven’s late father had given him the first edition novel before his death, and upon receiving it, Barbara felt his blessing on the two of them deep in her heart.

Barbara and Steven’s wedding was exquisitely planned. They designed letterpressed invitations that were hand-sewn ‘books’, sent in small boxes to their guests. Other paper pieces used throughout the wedding were also letterpressed and carried through the theme of the inspired “yes”.

More from Kendall …

The classically modern F.U.E.L. House was exactly the right setting for this elegant, vintage modern wedding.  The place settings were absolutely elegant with silver beaded chargers on stunning black matte satin linens, carefully folded napkins with Barbara & Steven’s lovingly crafted menu cards. The cake by Cake Art Studio was absolutely perfect — the lace detailing was a perfect match for the delicate lace in Barbara’s gown. Barbara and Steven also arranged to have a wishing tree — where guests could compose and hang their well-wishes to the couple on the beautiful cherry blossom branches.

From Beautiful Bloom’s blog …

Barbara’s mini calla lily bouquet was accented by a brooch given to her by her mother. Loose arrangements of white and ivory French tulips were placed on beautifully draped pedestal tables and amber lighting filled the space. White cherry blossom branches, white quince and white manzanita branches were all used … with lots and lots of candles! Donna described it as a “wintery March look”!

Every element of Barbara and Steven’s wedding was centrally focused on the oh-so-simple but very poignant words … yes I said yes I will Yes. Sooooo romantic.

Barbara wore a classic Jenny Packham gown …

Our thanks to their wonderful photographer, Maggie Wallace-Cullen for sending us all of these lovely photos from Barbara & Steven’s beautiful wedding! She was kind enough to also send us the link to their slideshow. Tons more images from their stunning affair.

Congratulations Barbara and Steven on a perfectly beautiful wedding celebration from all of us here at Style Me Pretty.

And ~ as always, a huge round of applause to Beautiful Blooms & Eclatante Event Design! For more of their gorgeous events, be sure to visit both of their websites and blogs!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Cake Art Studio, Calla Lilies, Chandelier, Cherry Blossoms, Eclatante, F.U.E.L., Maggie Wallace-Cullen, Philadelphia, Wedding Cake, wishing tree
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers