Another week has come and gone, and at least at the SMP offices, we’re all feeling a little prettier because of the gorgeous affairs we’ve been spending time with all week. Before we let you go to recharge your batteries this lovely fall weekend, we’ve got a little preview that is always welcome in this southern blogger’s (who-just-so-happens-to-love-and-miss-snow) heart. A snowy, romantic Minnesota engagement session from the lovely Amy Majors Photography! I’m loving the hockey puck save-the-dates. Too cute. Enjoy your weekend lovelies, and I’ll see you nice and early Monday morning! xoxo
A week of pretty posts, just in case you want to revisit them for the 101th time:
a beautiful, foggy Ojai wedding filled with laughter and love
a soft and romantic affair in lovely California
a rustically chic Oregon vineyard soiree
a Maryland wedding with the most adorable ring bearer and accompanied by a perfect film
a totally pretty in pink fête from Laguna Beach
a fabulous Connecticut farm wedding with peacock feathers and a big, red barn
a contemporary San Francisco beach wedding
a Santa Barbara affair that is so stunning, it almost instantly jumped to the top of my faves list
a classic, chic, and timeless Philadelphia soiree
A few of our favorite links from the web:
a lot of information on how to have floating lanterns at your affair from SimplyStated
a gorgeous fall wedding in beautiful Maine over at Grey Likes Weddings
a new line from a few of our favorites, B H L D N via the Main Page
This Minnesota wedding has the exact equation for summer wedding perfection down. The started with a wedding over the Fourth of July Weekend, at a gorgeous, green lodge on a great big lake. The girls donned gowns by Jenny Yoo & Monique Lhuillier, and the couple added equal or less than a million fabulous DIY projects with help from every family member they could gather. Multiplying the fabulously were a bunch of mouth-watering cupcakes from Cocoa & Fig, and to finish it all with a bang, they hired to oh-so-talented Amy Majors Photography to capture every summer lovin’ minute. Perfection. Click here for the full image gallery!
For adventurous people, our families were happily surprised when we decided to get married in Nisswa, Minnesota. When we originally started thinking about where to host a wedding for family and friends that would be flying in from across the world, the only thing I knew was that I just really wanted it to be somewhere green. After telling Trent this, he instantly knew the perfect place. Grandview Lodge, in Nisswa Minnesota, is a place Trent and his family spent summers during his childhood. Seeing it, it’s hard to argue that there is any place greener.
The site, along with the weekend we planned to have our wedding, 4th of July weekend, were our true inspiration. We wanted the whole weekend to feel like our memories of 4th of July: sun, bright blue skies, green grass and trees, lakes, beaches, fireworks, s’mores, family and friends. We wanted to make this weekend a fun and relaxing vacation for all of our guests, where they could really enjoy the site to the fullest.
As for our wedding day itself, we chose subtle colors that reflected the nature and beauty of the sight: burlap and blue. We decided to have a ceremony and dinner in a green open field, and then dancing and dessert (with a bonfire for s’mores) by the beach. While we came up with a loose vision, our family and friends’ talents made the wedding details come to life. Trent’s sister, Kelly, designed all of our stationary: the invitations, menu cards, programs, and thank you cards. Trent’s mom and twin sister assembled the stationary, and did so much for us in finding the perfect details and putting them together in a beautiful way. Trent’s dad helped with the assembly line of invites as well, and is the man responsible for making Grandview Lodge as green as it is, because his company works with Grandview on their landscaping. My mom and her best friend designed and assembled all of our flower arrangements and bouquets along with the help of many aunts and cousins. My mom and I made the name cards together. My dad made our chocolate boxed gifts for the guests–he shipped the chocolate from Egypt and assembled more than 150 boxes. He also made our wedding arch, decorating it with flowers and vines. My cousins were in charge of site decorating on the day of the wedding. Trent’s uncle used logs from near his cabin to create our table numbers, Trent’s aunt donated her collection of vintage canning jars. My friend Paul and his dad, artists that specialize in book binding, made our guestbook. My brother created a piece of art that sat on our guestbook table, and also was the officiant of our ceremony. All of the moving pieces were brought together by Trent’s incredibly talented and organized cousin, Niki, who we could not have survived without.
Our wedding surpassed our every expectation. It was one of those perfect midwest summer days, sunny, but not humid, with a clear blue sky. We were surrounded by sunkissed family and friends who’s genuine happiness and energy radiated throughout the night of dancing and celebration. Our family and friends were embedded in every little detail of the wedding, and the day was a true reflection of who we are and the people we love.
We are going to end today’s pretty parade with a modern Minneapolis wedding captured by La De Da Photography. If we have to end all the prettiness, might as end with a bang, right? Well this Midwest destination wedding is just that – a big bang of beyond fab images to send you off into the evening. There is so much to love, and lucky for all of us – it’s all in the full gallery of images for safekeeping! Enjoy!
From the Bride, owner of Nearly Newlywed… Patrick and I grew up in the same small town in Iowa, attending the same small school but never really noticed one another until years later. Both home for the summer (I was going to college in NY and he in Illinois) we met at a bonfire, and years later, he asked me to marry him with cupcakes at my favorite NY Bakery, Billy’s.
Both living in Brooklyn, we decided to have a “destination” wedding in Minneapolis because of its close proximity to family and our Midwest roots. It is also such a fun city, we knew that our NY friends would enjoy it as well. We selected the Mill City Museum, an old flour mill converted into a historic museum, for our ceremony and reception because of its industrial and unique feel.
The wedding planning and design was something that I did with the help of my mom, mother-in-law, and groom, Patrick. We wanted the wedding to be a fun affair, with classic and warm DIY touches and enjoyed planning it together. My mom made the veil to match my dress and Patrick constructed a homemade photo booth, complete with a backdrop and a screen that showcased the photos throughout the evening as they were being taken of the guests. We also made the wishing tree where guests could sign their names and hang their wishes for us, the rock seat cards, and the hand-tied floral plate garnishes. Patrick and I picked the ceremony music together, opting for sentimental songs that held personal meaning for us both including “Such Great Heights” by Iron & Wine and “The Book of Love” by the Magnetic Fields.
The wedding was everything that we could have hoped for. When I walked down the aisle with my father and saw Patrick standing there waiting for me, it was the happiest moment of my life. Reciting the vows that we had chosen and listening to our friends recite readings and tell stories about us, the ceremony was intimate and warm, exactly what we had wanted it to be. We followed the ceremony with an informal cocktail reception in the courtyard, where guests sipped cocktails and immediately got to mingle, while Patrick and I ran off to get a few photos taken outside in the grass. When we walked back in and they announced us as Mr. & Mrs. Courtney, everyone cheered and the party began! We went inside and listened to our parents and friends say a few words about us and enjoyed dinner & dancing until late into the evening.Celebrating with all of our friends and family that had traveled from all over to our “destination Minneapolis wedding” we both felt that all of the waiting, planning, and anticipation had been well worth it.
Wedding Photography: Melissa Mlejneck of La De Da Photography / Floral Design: Sadie’s Couture Floral & Design / Caterer: D’Amico / Event Design + Planning: The Bride / Ceremony + Reception Location: Mill City Museum / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Veil: Bride’s Mother / Place Settings + Favors: Bride’s Mother + Mother-in-Law / Make-up + Hair: Brett Dorian Artistry / Bridesmaid Dresses, Groom’s Suit + Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Officiant: Jim Albani / DJ: Mark King, Instant Request / Photo Booth: The Groom
Up next is this super sweet, love bird themed Minneapolis wedding and we are loving the orchids and hydrangeas that are peeking out around each and every adorable corner. Liz Banfield was on hand to capture all the pretty details from the fab blue Manolos to the yummy blue and white ribbon adorned cake. We’re loving each and every inch of this gorgeous fete and know you will too, especially when you see what’s waiting for you in the full gallery!
From Liz Banfield…Ann & Jonathan were married in a one-of-a-kind space, dubbed “The Amber Box” on the top floor of the Guthrie Theatre with dramatic views of the Mississippi River and historic Stone Arch Bridge.
The lovebird motif was used throughout the wedding, including stylish cakes and beautiful 2-sided letterpress invitations. A blue and warm copper color theme was carried throughout the wedding, including the bride’s blue satin Manolo Blahniks.
After the intimate ceremony among close friends and family, the bride and groom stopped at a local lake on their way to the reception to take pictures in the warm fall afternoon light. A larger reception followed at her parents’ country club just a few blocks from her childhood home.
Alright, ladies, get ready to embrace your inner nerd. As a self-proclaimed dork, I am absolutely enamored with this library-inspired wedding shoot by Jeff Loves Jessica. Of course, this adorkable photo session is crammed with chic, modern details and glamorous-meets-geek genius ideas. The color combination is totally perfect and every last element is effortlessly pulled together. So get out your library card and head on over to the full gallery to see all the geek-chic inspiration!
From Jeff Loves Jessica…With the help of Laurie at Cocoa & Fig, Antoinette at Paperista, Amanda at Lime Canary, and Amy at Spruce, we styled a library-themed inspiration shoot with a colorful, modern twist. One of the things I loved most about this shoot was the way it blended a variety of styles (vintage, eclectic, preppy, and classic/traditional) and produced a theme that was not-too-girly yet still completely gorgeous, all with a very rich and cohesive color palette. We hope you’ll go nuts over the DIY paper airplanes made of book pages, reading glasses, cardigans, and books galore, and how our bridesmaid donned a preppy green & white striped skirt by Minneapolis-based designer Anne Cramer and tied it all together.
It’s the time of the week where we have to bid adieu to all you lovely LBBers. Is it just me, or do these weeks seem to be zooming right by? I guess that’s what happens when you spend your days surrounded by such gorgeous soirees. But before we leave you for the weekend, we have an adorable cooking engagement sesh from Amy Majors Photography featuring a happy-in-love foodie couple and the cutest dog ever. It makes my smile last for days when y’all include the furry members of your family in your big day happenings, which I suppose is fitting for the final post before the weekend! See you Monday lovelies! xoxo
All the weddings of the week, in case you missed any:
a show-stopping bride in this cinematic trailer from Atlanta
a Colorado backyard wedding with a bit of international flair
a classic & chic Philadelphia soiree with a great highlight film
an Anthropologie-Inspired faciful fête in Oregon
a New York City wedding, filled to the brim with classic beauty
a chic Connecticut affair in the sweetest little school
a stunning highlight film from San Francisco
a bride with the most amazing smile in Napa Valley
a backyard wedding that raised the bar in California
a nature-filled and lovely Vermont affair
It was definitely love at first site with this next little number. Although we couldn’t figure out what we loved the very most. The drop dead gorgeous bride in her darling specs? The crazy cool cake? The billy ball extravaganza? The total unabashed party that seemed to jump out of each and every image? Or the perfectly adorable groom and his giddy, love struck smile? I guess we kind of loved it all. Every last silly, pretty, totally fun bit of it. All designed to wedding perfection by Mi Mi Design with photographs by Olive Juice Studios. Oh and when we kicked up our heels to watch the video that IQvideography crafted? Well, another level of obsession. Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From IQvideography…Nicole and Jim chose the Walker Art Center because they both like modern art and architecture, and they loved that the location captured the energy of Minneapolis (plus, it was a mile from where they lived during most of their dating relationship). The ceremony and cocktail hour were outside on the terraces, and then they moved inside for the dinner and dance overlooking the Minneapolis skyline.
As far as rustic weddings go this Shepherd’s Hill Farm beauty is one of my absolute favorites. My heart sang a little diddy when I feasted my eyes on all the elegant and dreamy images by Amy Majors Photography. It’s such a breath of fresh air to see a rustic wedding that skips the eclectic look and goes straight to the charming and gorgeous. See each and every luxurious, homespun detail in the full gallery!
From the Bride...It had always been a long dream of mine to get married at my family’s farm. I spent much of my childhood there and knew that I wanted one of the most important events of my life to be at a place so dear to me, and a place that I could continue to visit and recall the precious memories created during our wedding. I was lucky enough that my fiance quickly grew to share my dream of a homey, rustic, and charming wedding at our farm.
Shortly after our engagement and as soon as the wedding planning began, my then fiancé Jordan and I decided that we wanted to do as much as we could ourselves, and to be as resourceful as possible. Aesthetically, we wanted a rustic, vintage, homey, yet slightly elegant feel. The first thing we decided on was our invitations. We choose a set from Rifle Paper Co., with a soft mint green background, bright beautiful hand-painted flowers, and uniquely elegant calligraphy, they set the perfect tone for the rest of our color choices. We paired that with paper bag brown for the rest of our paper goods, a way to keep things rustic and not too formal.
A favorite thing for me was using items that belong my mother, and those that belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother. I made the ring-bearer pillows with handkerchiefs that were once my great-grandmother Elsa’s, and the broach I wore had also belonged to her. Many of the vintage tablecloths we used during our hors d’oeuvre hour had belonged to my grandmother and all of the antique vases used on the tables were from my mother’s home. The first DIY project Jordan and I did together was taking aged wood from one of our barns, purchased home address numbers, and making our table numbers. We wanted to create wagon-wheel chandeliers for our dinner barn with collected mason jars. That was one of the major installations during the wedding week, along with doing our own draping with cheesecloth.
Two weeks before the wedding, my mother, Jordan and I went strawberry picking, and spent the next two days jamming nearing 200 jars of strawberry preserves as our favor. The day before the wedding was filled with last minute preparations and major flower arranging. A friend from our church worked as our florist and turned our basement into a virtual flower shop. All of the effort we put in to our projects made the day that much more meaningful and precious. We certainly couldn’t have done it without the help of our dear family and friends.
I’m totally in love with this next wedding and its fresh, modern aesthetic, thanks to the genius that is Silvercocoon/Tia Keobounpheng who designed this gorgeous wedding and coordinated the dream team that brought it to life. The centerpieces by Flora Bella of white peonies and green dianthus make for such a dramatic yet understated focal point that I literally can’t stop staring at them. They are total perfection. I’m also loving the super cool Minneapolis skyline stand up invites and the amazing light steaming in through the windows of the Walker Art Center, my new favorite venue. Ingman Photography was there to capture all the details that were coordinated perfectly by Premier Planning Services. Click here for the full party.
From Ingman Photography…We approached each element of the design with a modern aesthetic that utilized the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis skyline. We made simple, modern, and intentional choices that resulted in a consistent visual thread, allowing one main element to shine and secondary elements to support and enhance its features.
The invitation, response card and envelopes were clean, formal and understated to allow the silver laser-cut city wrap to be the bold element. The bride’s bouquet was viewed as her primary accessory and its design encompassed the theme of the wedding – simple, classic, and modern. There were no formal decorations for the ceremony with the intention that the skyline would be the main backdrop. The seating chart for dinner was simplified into a single map with an alphabetized guest-table list. At the table, each menu touted the handwritten name of each guest, doubling as the place card for their meticulously-planned assigned seat.
The majority of the wedding guests were coming to Minnesota from the coasts, so the invitations were designed to be the first glimpse of Minneapolis and the wedding. As a stand-alone element, the city-wrap could remain at each guest’s home and would be a reminder of their weekend in Minneapolis with Katharine and Garnet. The other print materials pulled the silhouette of the Walker Art Center from the invitation and became a ‘logo’ of sorts, which was carried throughout the printed materials from the welcoming package for their hotel guests (schedule of wedding events, food and beverage recommendations and welcome note), to the program, and the menu.
The flower arrangements, from bridal party bouquets to reception centerpieces, were conceived as a pairing of two types of flowers, peonies and green dianthus. They were pulled together in mono-culture-clumps so that their distinct features, textures, and colors would contrast and compliment each other. For the ceremony, the bridesmaids carried pure peonies bouquets, the groomsmen and woman displayed pure green dianthus, and the bride and groom had a blend of both flowers. The centerpieces for the reception featured three peonies blossoms in a round field of green dianthus – with the round table-name cards coming out of the center of the arrangement. Bridesmaids’ bouquets doubled as centerpieces for cocktail tables immediately following ceremony and during the dance.
Perfect pink drinks with gray striped straws, the most CRAZY beautiful venue I’ve ever seen and guests that literally add to the gorgeous decor? Oh wait. Add to that a glowly gorgeous bride, flowers that are off the charts and a sense of style that is as modern as it is timeless and you basically have SMP perfection in this next little soiree. Photographed by Emma Freeman with florals and styling by Mi Mi Design, this Minneapolis wedding is the definition of gorg. Click here to see so much more!
From the Bride…Cherry blossoms have always held a special place in my heart. It probably stemmed from years of studying Japanese and living and working in Japan. It could also have something to do with the fact that I fell in love with my husband through Skype dates, emails, and letters while I was studying abroad in Sapporo, Japan in 2006. When we got engaged I knew that I wanted to incorporate a cherry blossom theme into the design of the wedding.
We only looked at two venues and when we saw the Mill City Museum’s amazing exterior, we knew it was the place. Because of numerous fires, the brick structure is destroyed in many areas, leaving an incredible open courtyard. We chose to have the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour in the “ruins” and the reception inside. I decided pretty quickly that it would be interesting to match the building’s rough facade with soft, almost girly decor and flowers. From there I decided on blush pink and ivory but wanted a third color for the color scheme. I noticed a lot of brides were doing cherry blossoms with pink and brown but wanted something different. I stumbled upon a photo of a reception done in blush pink, ivory, and gray and I was in love. Enter the fabulous Mi Mi Design. I brought in some pictures, described the color scheme, and told them that I wanted to do a cherry blossom pattern on the invitation suite and they ran with it.
For the ceremony, we chose to do the programs as a fan in case it was hot that day. Every paper item from the save-the-dates to the table names coordinated and were patterns that Amy Blonde at Mi Mi Design created – including the programs. We were married under a cedar structure that was draped with yards and yards of beautiful white fabric. From the back of the structure there were crystals and orchids hanging all the way down.
The reception was filled with all kinds of unique details. As guests walked into the reception, they gathered their escort cards from beneath a massive silver manzanita tree dripping with crystals. At the tables, we did two types of centerpieces, both with mounds of blush pink roses, white roses, peonies and hydrangea. One version of the centerpiece had large white branches springing from the flowers. The tables had blush pink satin tablecloths and we brought in silver chiavari chairs. For the head table Mi Mi Design came up with a raised “bridge” of various flowers with silver stems and leaves and crystals hanging from below. I had never seen anything like it! My husband is a car guy, so I thought it would be fun to have tables named after his favorites cars rather than the normal table numbers. We had everything from super cars to the car he drove around in high school. It was nice to have some special things just for him.
What do you get when a gorgeous bride dons a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown and gets married in a sweet, little Minnesota chapel? The absolute perfect juxtaposition of glamour and charm. Seriously, the couple is so sophisticated and so smartly dressed, and the little church is so old and rustically beautiful that you almost have to make sure this is just one wedding. Adrienne Page Photography sent this one our way, and could I just take a second to say THANK YOU? It is definitely one to remember. From that stunning gown to the adorable church, this whole wedding is unbelievable. Check out the gallery for more!
From Adrienne Page Photography … The bride and groom reside in North Carolina but decided to get married in Minnesota where they are both from. The bride has a horse and loved the idea of incorporating this passion into her wedding. It all came together when her mother reminded her that a family friend had this perfect oasis about an hour away from Minneapolis.
The bride wore an Oscar De La Renta gown with fusia Valentino shoes. Flowers included herbs, the invites were handwritten by the brides mother, lavender was thrown as they exited the church, food was served family style, the mother of the groom made the cake and carmel apples were the favor in celebration of the fall. Perfect.
Right off the bat I’m gonna go ahead and tell you that you have to check out the full gallery of images from this next wedding! It’s styled to perfection in gorgeous hues of amethyst, creamy whites, and silver for a touch of glam and don’t even get me started on the insanely beautiful florals designed by the bride’s stepmom and the bouquets from Just Bloomed! Lucky for us, Photogen Inc. was there to capture all the modern details and we just can not get enough of this one! Join us in the gallery, won’t you?
From Photogen Inc.…Allison is a fashion designer for Target, so when it came to planning her wedding – the design and details were at the top of her list! She had inspiration boards galore to help this vision come to life and it was simply stunning! Her color pallet was centered around Platinum and Amethyst tones. Allison and Jason’s wedding took place at two of Minneapolis’s best venues. Their ceremony was held at the Basillica of St. Mary, which is one of the biggest cathedrals in the city, and their reception was at the uber posh Calhoun Beach Club. One of my favorite details of the day was the bride’s dress! The color was ‘pearl’ and it had an a-symmetrical, beaded strap on just one shoulder. It was modern and fresh, yet gorgeous and fashion forward. The bride’s step father also brought out his Vintage Chevrolet for the big event, which was the perfect getaway car for the couple! Overall, Allison and Jason are a beautiful couple who are undoubtedly perfect together! Their wedding was simply gorgeous!
I cross my heart, hope to die, pinky promise that you are going to flip when you hear what’s coming. A Minneapolis Wedding. Photographed by Erica Loeks. Planned by Table 6 Productions. And turned into – wait for it – a stop motion wedding film. It’s awesome. Maybe the coolest thing I’ve seen. We love it. Every time we watch it (and that has been an innumerous amount of times) we just can’t help but dance. It’s fun, it’s adorable, and it’s all here for your viewing pleasure. But first, a little introduction to this sweet and unique fête.
From Table 6 … The Stop Motion Video project was the brainchild of the ever-talented photographer, Erica Loeks. With Heather & Derek being such a fun, in love, and up-for-anything kind of couple, they were the perfect subjects!
We met online, and later found out that we worked for the same company at the same time, graduated from the same program on the same day from the same college, and buried our grandfathers about 30 yards apart. There were so many times we should have met, but I guess fate was waiting for the right time!
The summer before we were engaged we kept ending up at outdoor festivals/events where there was always a rickety carnival type Ferris Wheel. I always wanted to ride the Ferris wheel for two reasons. First, it’s the only ride I don’t get sick on and second, there’s just something cute and vintagely romantic about them. Derek kept saying we should wait on go on a better one that was more stable and not assembled overnight, and that had a better view.
When Derek was in Chicago for a couple weeks on business, I flew out for the weekend. He did a good job of keeping quiet for two and a half days and then on Sunday when we went to Navy Pier, we rode the Ferris Wheel. He asked me to marry him at the top of it. He said “I’d get down on one knee, but it’s not safe in a Ferris Wheel cart!”
We picked the Profile Event Center because it had an old Hollywood style, but with modern amenities, and seemed to fit our vision so well. The inspiration for our wedding was Vintage Glam using the colors navy blue (for Navy Pier), ivory and gray. Handmade details were important to us and we had help from so many people to make it come true!
Music was a huge part of our wedding too. We did not use any traditional music. I walked down the aisle to Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” as it was a song that Derek had said made him think of me. As you can see, we tried to incorporate the most personal of touches into our day. My sister did all the design work for our invitations, save the dates, programs and other paper goods. It was so fun to have her be such a big part of it.
My grandmother made her famous marzipans that she only makes for graduations and weddings. I’ve always been obsessed with them and told her that I was going to stage a fake wedding just to have some, but luckily I didn’t have to. We all helped make them, so Derek and I learned how to make them to keep the tradition alive someday. My grandfather passed away the month before the wedding, and so my Grandma lended me a special brooch he had bought her to tie onto my bouquet. That way, he was holding my hand while I walked down the aisle.
After the Royal Nuptials, we all seem to be in a tizzy on this side of the pond about all things headdress. And when the inspiration of a photo shoot is F. Scott Fitzgerald, romance, whimsy, and all things vintage, you better believe we were expecting something magical adorning the brides crown. We were absolutely not disappointed. This shoot, dreamed up by Smart & Chic Bride, Bethany Lorelle (the brains behind the hairpiece), and Jenny Bedard Photography, was held at The Gale Mansion – one of our favorite Twin City locales. So take a peek, then grab your fascinator and meet me in the gallery!
The inspiration for our shoot was evolved from the partnership of Smart & Chic Bride, Bethany Lorelle, and Jenny Bedard Photography. We wanted to highlight the whimsical romance and warmth of a late winter wedding in Minnesota. We set out to showcase the exquisite talents of our favorite Twin Cities wedding professionals.
Each designer’s creations drew from a color palate of cozy apricot hues, rich chocolate browns, blush pinks, warm ivories and vintage gold tones. Jenny Bedard Photography captured our inspiration shoot in the library and sunroom of the historic Gale Mansion, a popular wedding venue in South Minneapolis.
For table décor, Tamara Anderson owner of Tam Dandy, outfitted the tables with a whimsical assortment of vintage bottles, keys, velvet ribbons and feathers. Enchanting birds and birdcages, which housed each table number, added playfulness to the table decor. Her charming designs carried through in the invitations and guest cards.
The flowers were designed by Molly Yee of Studio Emme. Her incorporation of luminous apricot tea roses complemented the vintage glass bottles and keys adding a warm glow. Bethany Lorelle adorned our bride with a 1920’s-style hairpiece in a nod to Minnesota’s own favorite writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald. The hairpiece is comprised of hundreds of chocolate and metallic hued beads. The signature Midnight Cherub Clutch by Laura Nelli of NELLE, who now designs for BHLDN, added just the right touch of luxury to the bride’s ensemble.
The bride’s soft finger curls and rich make-up are the artistry of Kira McCarty of Smart & Chic Bride. Retrospect Designs, complimented our bride’s classic style with stunning jewelry designed with one-of-a-kind vintage accents. A decadent intricately designed Italian Amaretto mousse cake was created by renowned Twin Cities bakery Buttercream. It was the perfect elegant addition to the inspiration of the day.
This next wedding is especially for all you out-doorsy kinda ladies out there. It’s the idyllic setting in the woods, by a lake, in a lodge and Matt Lien did such an amazing job capturing the essence of this wedding that I can smell the pine needles from here! I’m loving all the rustic goodness from the wood tables topped with lace to the antique rocking chairs. See the rest here in the gallery!
My husband and I both share a love for the outdoors, especially in the fall. The bark of trees, shapes of leaves, and the feel of sunshine on our faces are inspiring to us, we wanted this same breathtaking experience at our wedding. I can only remember wanting to get married in front of a giant tree that droops around you with a covering that would protect you from every element, remaining beautiful and strong all the while. This search for the “tree” would be our venue, and we only had five months to find it and plan accordingly. My plan was completely altered when my husband and I were visiting his family in northern Minnesota. I realized I was trying to find northern Minnesota near the Twin Cities, where we met and resided. In that moment, the search was over. We had our destination wedding “Up North” at Eagle’s Nest Lodge, where James had worked when he was young. It had everything we both were looking for, not just one tree, but thousands of trees, cabins for everyone to be close, and it even came with its own 12 piece jazz band, “Swing Delivery.” Just the day before, the weather was freezing and rain poured from the sky. It all changed when it came time for our wedding, the still lake calmed people’s souls and served as the perfect place to exchange our vows. The ceremony and reception reflected my appreciation for vintage, hand-made touches, and small details. The bridesmaids all had antique jewelry, selected from Long Lake Antiques, where I worked when I was young. Every table had flowers that were grown by my mother-in-law, displayed in her canning jars, and at the base held rocks from the north shore of Lake Superior. The plates and wines glasses were each individual as they came from various thrift stores, garage sales, and antique stores. The wine glasses displayed a hand stamped tag reminding our guests how much we appreciated them for being at our wedding. Great detail was put into various guestbooks, we wanted to make the wedding special to our guests as well. We had a photo guestbook, where kids and adults alike could have fun capturing memories. It was not in the budget for a typical photo booth, so James’ cousin built a photo booth and ran the station through software on his computer. We used a vintage typewriter to collect advice and messages from our guests. We also wanted a way for guests to sign their name, not just type, so we had a hand-drawn “Leaf Thumbprint Tree,” where they could stamp their thumbprint into the shape of a leaf and sign their name, leaving their own hand-made touch for us to look back on. Our wedding was quite literally put together by our friends and family, who doubled as our vendors. My Great Uncle Kenny and Aunt Faye Waloch own Waloch Cafe, and created homemade pies for our entire reception, a favorite tradition on my mother’s side. My Aunt Mary Gibbon owns Mainstreet Coffee, and served our guests a needed hot beverage of mochas and hot chocolate at the coffee bar. Our caterer was James’ neighbor, Tom Tolrud, who amazed people with his distinctive twist on traditional dishes. Most of the decorations included antiques, plants, and inimitable pieces that came right out of my mom and aunts own shabby chic and vintage collections at home. Lastly, I knew I needed to find a photographer who could capture every detail that I poured into the wedding, to make it last for a lifetime, not just a day. I trusted only one artist to really capture each thought and detail of the wedding, Matt Lien, who did so with every bit of integrity and creativity to match.
From Photogen Inc… Kristi and Ande are amazing. I mean these two are SO great as individuals, but then you bring them together as a couple and it’s like WHOA! They truly compliment each other in such a great way, you can not help but fall in love with them. Love is a funny thing. Kristi and Ande knew of each other in high school, hung out around some of the same people and were in some of the same activities, but never dated. Years later, they re-connected and the sparks flew! I think that is the great thing about love. The way that people find each other is so unpredictable, yet precisely planned at the same time! Love is truly a very cool thing.
I feel the need to preface this wedding with a warning that you may be searching for the nearest jazz lounge as soon as you finish taking everything in. This is definitely one of the coolest and most eclectic celebrations we’ve seen in a while. The bride wanted something fun and unique, and I’m positive she got it. A downtown Minneapolis ambiance, a sweet ceremony in a pasta bar, and a dark, jazzy reception in a sexy club are the ingredients to this striking wedding. They were even lucky enough to have the talented La Petite Fleur on hand to help create the mood through their amazing floral designs. In fact, you may want to pop over to their blog to see more of the amazing florals!
Jennifer and Courtney’s story … Our day started off with our makeup artists, Tina and Ellen. They were there to work their magic with our hair and make-up. The butterflies were starting to kick in at this point. My mom, aunts, grandmother, and bridesmaids were all there, and it was so wonderful to have them share this special day with me. Once we were all looking spectacular, it was time to get into our dresses. That’s when the butterflies really started to flutter!
Our ceremony was at the Loring Pasta Bar. I loved it! It is a very eclectic restaurant with all of the uniqueness that I had been searching for. The restaurant looked absolutely amazing. The usual chairs and tables had been moved out and replaced with leather chairs and stools. When the music started up, the processional began. We chose “My Love” by Petula Clark because it was played at my parents wedding and I thought it would be sweet to have the same song at our wedding. It all went so fast! I made my way to the grand staircase, where we exchanged vows in a short and sweet ceremony.
Next, it was time to head next door to the Varsity Theater for our reception. We had spent months looking for a place to have our wedding reception; we knew we wanted something different and unlike the average wedding. There were rugs, tables, and chairs spilling out onto the sidewalk from the inside of the Varsity. I knew it was going to be a wonderful night! We were amazed at how awesome the place looked. Fabric and lights were draped from the ceiling and the guest tables were set aglow with candles. As we greeted our guests, the drinks and food started. It was amazing!
We had awesome photographers, Tasha and Melissa of Red Bird Hills.We loved that Tasha has such a unique eye for photography. We took pictures all around Dinkytown before the ceremony, then after dinner she wanted to steal the two of us for a few more pictures. She had discovered the area where the bands get ready for shows. It was kind of dark and cold, but so cool. The walls were lined with posters of bands that had played at the Varsity, so I knew these pictures would be really cool.
For our first dance, we had The Michael Handler Project, our band, do their version of Dave Matthews Band’s “You and Me.” We both love that song and the band was awesome. As everyone watched, my husband and I enjoyed each other’s company completely. It was so nice to just have a few moments with just the two of us. We could not have asked for a better night!
We know you all love the explosion of real weddings each and every Wednesday and if our first wedding is any indication, this hump day is going to be extra pretty. If your new to the block, this is all you need to know… we are going to be posting snippets of amazing weddings all day long and if you are dying to see more, simply click on the gallery of each wedding to see the whole shebang.
Up first is a Minneapolis wedding oozing buckets of charm. From the Pasta Bar ceremony venue to the Varsity Theatre reception, we are talking venues that are as unique as they are fun. Brandon Werth was the the man behind the camera and he captured so many great moments for you to ohh and ahh over in the gallery, so you know what to do…Click away!
We were married on the 11th of September 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Loring Pasta Bar and Varsity Theater. These venues are located right next door to each other on the University of Minnesota campus, which is where Jon and I met in 2005. We both went to school at the University of Minnesota – Jon for Aerospace Engineering and I for Broadcast Journalist. After graduation, we lived apart for a year while I was a TV reporter in South Dakota and Jon moved to Seattle to work for Boeing. I moved to Seattle in 2008 for a job in public relations and we have loved exploring the West Coast together.
While we were home for Thanksgiving in 2009, Jon proposed at the same place we had met – Mariucci Hockey Arena on campus. A friend had introduced us during a hockey game (still a favorite pastime of ours). We quickly decided that we wanted to come home to Minnesota for our wedding to celebrate with family and friends. The search for a unique and fun venue landed us with the Loring Pasta Bar and Varsity Theater. It was perfect! The two places are located right next door to each other and they’re eclectic feel was just what we were going for. My tea length coffee-colored dress and Jon’s “Mad Men” pinstripe suit also fit the bill.
Our wedding was so much fun – the part of a lifetime. The live band was amazing, the atmosphere was electric and best of all, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. Planning from a far was a bit difficult, but with the help of friends, family and the amazing venue staff, the whole wedding went off without a hitch. Plus, we hit up the campus bars after the wedding – still in full wedding attire – just for old times sake.
We love a great modern soiree and went crazy the second we spotted this Minnesota wedding sent to us by Fab.you.lous Events and captured by Ling Photography. It is super stylish and perfectly edited with the prettiest punches of yellow and orange tucked into every corner. Fulfill more of your modern fantasies in the lovely gallery where the rest of this fab wedding is waiting to be devoured.
From Fab.you.lous Events… Amma and Drew are both very creative people with great style and eyes for design which was evident in their choice of ceremony and reception venues. They chose the Bigelow Chapel for it’s obvious beauty and incredible architectural design as well as the famed Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota for their reception. They wanted the feel to reflect them: casual, artistic, all the while incorporating their Ghanaian ancestry. They both loved the color palette of a bright yellow and leafy greens against varying shades of gray and crisp, clean whites. The structure of the satin folds at the bust and the soft ruching at the waist of Amma’s dress created a beautiful silhouette that complimented every aspect of the detail she had chosen in the architecture of the venues. Her yellow shoes were the perfect pop to accessories Already a beautiful person, she was obviously a stunning bride. The guys wore light grey suits with yellow ties and coordinating grey Chuck Taylors. Drew wore a boutonniere of freesia and bear grass. The ladies wore pewter bridesmaid dresses in the style of their choosing and carried bouquets of freesia, pincushion protea, billy balls, and tea leaves. Amma’s mother wore a traditional Ghanaian gown and both Amma and Drew’s fathers wore traditional handmade outfits from colorful kente cloth. Later, Amma and Drew would both change into their own custom made outfits to enjoy the rest of their reception in style.
There are really no words to describe the feeling that filled the air in the chapel as Amma’s brother played traditional Ghanaian music for the processional. When Amma and her father turned the corner to walk down the aisle there was a palpable excitement fueled by the acoustics of the drumming as everyone stood to honor the bride and her father. During the ceremony a family friend performed a traditional African libation ceremony of saying prayers then pouring water into a bowl and calling the names of relatives that had preceded them in death. This tradition is a way to summon the spirits of those that could not be with the couple at their wedding. They also performed a sand mixing ceremony. At the end, after a highly anticipated newlywed kiss, everyone applauded as they jumped a very modern version of a broom. One thing Amma really wished for was a vintage car to make their getaway. Drew told her throughout the planning process that it was too expensive and unnecessary. Drew emailed me letting me know of his plans to surprise Amma with the Rolls Royce and as you can see by the pictures, she was shocked and so happy. I’m not sure who was happier: Drew for pulling off a surprise that moved Amma to tears, or Amma for having such a thoughtful husband and a great way to escape as newlyweds.
The decor for the reception was simple, fresh, and let the color do all the talking in an already unique space. For half the centerpieces we put lemons in tall vases to help make the color pop against the crisp white linens and had sprays of yellow oncidium orchids to draw the attention upward. For the other half of the centerpieces, we wrapped banana leaves in the bottom of vases and placed the bridesmaid bouquets at the center of the tables. At each guests seat, they were greeted by handmade soaps wrapped in handmade papers with different colors and designs. We sprinkled freesia on some of the food tables to add pops of color as well as used pincushion protea on the guestbook table, escort card table, and head table. The guests dined on an Asian inspired buffet of spring rolls, noodle dishes, pot stickers, meats, and salads and enjoyed the scenery of the art museum. Some of the most memorable moments of the evening were the toasts given by the bride’s parents. At one point Amma’s mother, who had forgotten her reading glasses, began struggling to read her toast. Amma’s dad kindly lent her his own glasses and the room burst into laughter. There were many tears as family and friends recalled memories of their time with each of them individually and Amma and Drew glowed when spoken of as a couple. The first dances were followed by the major surprise of the evening: an african dance troupe. The group performed the highest energy dancing and drumming that kicked the rest of the reception off with excitement and left their guests with something to remember as everyone was invited on the floor to dance with the drums and rattles.
We positively get giddy over pretty paper around here and A Milestone Paper Co. brings us to the brink of delirium with their gleeful designs! You can’t go wrong with a sweet palette, die-cut swirls and perfect branding throughout your wedding. I love when a designer can create a vibe right from the moment the invitations are sent out all the way to the end of the party! And this wedding by Laura Ivanova Photography has a modern and merry vibe written all over it! Check out the full gallery for even more inspiration!
The wedding is full of tastefully done, vibrant contrast! It was a lively mix of traditional, formal and modern fun. Kristi’s gorgeous, elegant formal hair and makeup choices are perfect with and her modern, fun dress. The reception venue is full of old elegance, but has been updated with gorgeous touches like the large barrel shade chandeliers. Crystal details and largely white floral arrangements with touches of lime green captured the traditional elegance, and looked lovely with teal linens and green chair sashes.
Although the ceremony, a full catholic mass, was traditional right down to the bag piper, Kristi and Kevin were sure to pack plenty of fun into the day as well. They burned CDs with their favorite songs for their guests and mailed them shortly before the wedding in a CD mailer with a custom designed label to coordinate with the invitations, with a note saying “We’ll see you on the dance floor”. They incorporated huge white balloons into their photos, and they even had teal martinis for their guests.
For their paper goods we created a custom monogram and had it laser cut out of white metallic cardstock to create a pocket into which the invitation, RSVP card and a map and directions card were slipped. The invitation was mailed in a green metallic envelope and sealed with a large circular seal repeating the motif from the laser cut. The program covers were also adorned with the laser cut image on teal stock and tied with a white satin bow. The graphic, circular motif was repeated on the menus and place cards.
So much thought, style and love went into this day!
