I had no idea that a theme wedding could be done so freaking gorgeously (is that a word?) until I met the girls at Amorology. They have taken themed weddings to an entirely new style level, consistently knocking my socks off with one stunning affair after another. You might remember this Jane Austen inspired wedding? Or this Science themed wedding? I know, right? Crazy gorgeous. Well, they have done it yet again and this time with a gorgeous chess and poetry themed fete. Add to that a heavy dose of stunning florals by LaVonne Crawford of Adorations Botanical Artistry and photography by Tec Petaja and it’s one of those affairs that will make your heart go pitter-patter. Click here to see even more!
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There really is nothing sweeter than a couple who’s roots go all the way back to high-school. Michael + Tasha met their sophomore year of high school and started the foundation for the love they would continue to share years later, leading all the way up to their June 2010 wedding.
After meeting Tasha & Michael, we were immediately inspired by the couples’ passions; reading, chess, poetry, trees, and gardens. Tasha’s favorite book as a child was “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein. Coupling that with Michael’s intellectual interests, such as chess and reading, we came up with a few underlying themes “The Tree of Knowledge” and “Poetry in Motion,” which inspired us and the big day. The couple did not want a “set theme” so we layered different elements from each of the themes for a truly unique and eclectic wedding.
The florals played a big part in creating the mood for the whole event. Since the wedding was centered around a “garden-like” atmosphere it was important to have an abundance of whimsical flowers and arrangements. We teamed up with Lavonne from Adorations Botanical Artistry to bring this vision to life. Lavonne and her team blew us away with the beautiful arrangements they created. Referring to Tasha’s favorite book, Adorations created a magnificent Manzanita tree that adorned the center of the escort card table. The “tree of knowledge” was covered with blossoms, moss, and tiny fairy-like mushrooms that perfectly evoked the whimsical garden feel that the couple was wanting. Topiaries were created for the centerpieces of the tables, which created the perfect garden-like setting for guests as they dined.
What really helped tie in all of the couples’ passions were the paper elements. We worked closely with Courtney of Brightly Designed to come up with the romantic and whimsical paper details. Tables were named after chess pieces and game phrases, such as ” Grand Knight” and “First Move.” We displayed baby and high school pictures of the couple among their favorite poems and quotes. We made sure to select quotes that also hinted at the themes of the wedding. A favorite was ” love is like a butterfly, it settles upon you when you least expect it.” Purple favor boxes opened up to reveal graphics of a chess board with the phrase “You Move Me” and two chocolate chess pieces for the guests to enjoy. The favors also served as place cards, with guests name’s printed on top.
Also attached to the favors was a rip off ticket to one of the night’s most unique additions. While at bookstore, Tasha and Michael met Silvi Alcivar, a poet-for-hire. The tickets on the favor boxes gave guests the opportunity to receive “poetry in motion” from Silvi during the reception. Silvi brought her own typewriter and wrote completely original poems for guests as they requested them.
The couple’s distinctive interests inspired the wedding details and made for a completely unique evening. The day could not have been any more beautiful or any more reflective of the couple and their love.
Wedding Photography: Tec Petaja / Wedding Cinematography: Elysium Productions / Flowers: LaVonne Crawford of Adorations Botanical Artistry / Event Design & Planning: Amorology / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: The Grand Del Mar / Wedding Invitations & Paper Elements: Brightly Designed / Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo / Band: Baytown Band / DJ: Injoy Entertainment / Event Rentals: Classic Party Rentals