Micky + Keith :: Real Wedding

On a peaceful, sightly rainy day in May, Micky and Keith tied the knot in front of a beautiful rock waterfall at 2491 Restaurant. The day started a little crazy, but everything came together and the ceremony and reception were perfect. Leis were combined into the ceremony and both Micky and Keith gave there parents leis to celebrate Micky's Hawaiian heritage. Micky made some amazing flower cones filled with fresh rose petals for guests to throw as the bride and groom walked down the aisle as husband and wife for the first time. The cocktail hour was moved inside due to the rain and combined with the reception, yet guests still enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks into the night. Instead of a traditional cake, cupcakes were on a tiered display with a bride and groom cake topper. The day was amazing and beautiful despite the rain. Congratulations to Micky and Keith! 

Venue:  2941 Restaurant (2941.com)
Photographer: Photo Bisou (photobisou.com)
Cupcakes: For All Cupcakes (freeforallcupcakes.com)
All paper products (menus, signs, programs, invitations, photo cards, flower cones): DIY by the bride

Testimonial From the Bride:
"We planned a small scale wedding at a high-end restaurant in Falls Church, VA called 2941.  With all of our DIY elements, we knew we would need help setting up on the day.  Kristina was such a delight to work with, very professional, and well organized as our wedding "day of coordinator".  From the minute we first met with her, Kristina was helpful in the months leading up to our wedding and I was very confident that she understood my "vision" for the day.  She had done her own research of our venue so that she would be comfortable with the layout and know the flow for our event.  Despite a few weather glitches, Kristina coordinated with the venue staff and set up every detail for our ceremony outside on the terrace.  She also managed all our ceremony music using iTunes on our laptop.  Furthermore, Kristina helped set up our centerpieces and cupcakes for the reception and transitioned elements from the ceremony outside to the reception space inside.  Overall, Kristina's wedding day services are a great value for the price and matched perfectly with our intimate modern wedding.  We would recommend Kristina to anyone who needs wedding day or other private events services."

Burlap :: Fabric Inspiration

As I sat in the office today wishing I was outside, I started to look at some of the great linen books that we have lying around. There are so many great colors and types of fabrics, but one that I have always loved for its great texture and color is burlap. Although not the most sophisticated of fabrics, burlap has great dimension and can be used for some many different things throughout a wedding or event. It works great if you are going for a natural, rustic feel. Burlap is also not that expensive and you can find it in most fabric stores or through most linen companies. It is a great linen for spring, summer and fall since it is such a simple, natural color!

I love burlap as a table runner, it truly adds something special and creates a great flow down a long rectangular table. You can have anything from your initials, wedding date, designs, ect. printed on burlap for a fun keepsake for your guests. You can also you the burlap in your wedding favors, escort cards, tables numbers and many other items. Make sure you check with your linen provider to see what kind of burlap the linens will be in, since some are more rough than others. I would not suggest you get a napkin out of burlap for your guests, they might not want to use the semi rough fabric... but otherwise the possibilities are endless. Here are some of my favorite's!

Pictures From:
Caterers Anantonio
BV Weddings
Wedshare
getmarried
bridalbar
Dulcet and Dapper

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Flowers are such an integral part of weddings and events. Although you may love some kinds of flowers, they may not be in season and could cost you an am and a leg to get. Here is a small guide to some spring flowers that are in bloom and will be the easiest to get. These are by no means all the flowers that you will be able to get in the springtime, but these are some of the most popular grown spring time flowers!

Spring Flowers

From:
http://www.types-of-flowers.org/spring-flowers.html

Mason Jars :: Southern Rustic Charm

Now that summer is right around the corner and it is inevitable I will be spending more time outside, I keep thinking about mason jars. Drinking out of them, playing games with them, putting candles in them; there are so many uses for the mason jar at either a rustic spring or summer wedding. Enjoy some of the great picks and even if you are not using them at a wedding or event make a mojito, put it in a mason jar and sit outside and relax!

Pictures From:
http://www.lovelifeimages.com/
http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog
http://simplyperfectweddings.blogspot.com
www.theknot.com
http://www.athousandmasonjars.com
http://fromlorinskitchen.blogspot.com
http://summerliving11.blogspot.com
http://www.re-nest.com
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com
http://www.weddingbee.com

Rain Rain Don't Go Away

Everyone dreads rain on their wedding day or day of pictures, but you can get some great, cute pictures and have a great time in the rain. Don't worry about a cloudy rainy day, take advantage of it! Below are some great pictures for rainy day inspiration!

Pictures From:
http://www.weddingstylebykalynjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/d9ff3e19666d179537f25e10280faf54.jpg
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/lorilee8.jpg
http://onefineday.typepad.com/.a/6a00d835173e8b69e201157149ba58970b-500wi
http://daily.wedshare.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/engagement-session-in-rain-marisa-and-trey-15.jpg
http://www.christanp.com/images/engagement-photos/naomi-andrew-san-luis-obipo-engagement-photos_2.jpg
http://daily.wedshare.com/2010/01/26/rainy-day-wedding-fashion-rain-boots-part-1-2934.html
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4268257022_2e49278488_o.jpg

Lemons and Limes and Everything Nice

With spring so close I cannot stop thinking about all the bright and amazing colors that spring brings. I love  the great fruits and vegetables that come with spring as well. fruit is a great way to bring in great color to a wedding or event. Use fruit as a accent to your centerpieces and flowers or as the main attraction. You are not just stuck with yellow and greens, you can add in reds, pinks, oranges and blues! Below is an inspiration board for all you waiting for spring to come and fruit to be in season!

Pictures are From:
www.theknot.com
http://bios.weddingbee.com
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/thanksgiving-table-1107
http://libbyjames.wordpress.com
http://www.weddingwindow.com
http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/wedding-reception-centerpieces.html
http://www.sageberrydesigns.com

Color of the Week: Yellow

I am starting to feel that dragging feeling you get when winter seems like it will never end! I found some cute yellow shirts in my closet and started to automatically think of spring again. What a beautiful color for spring and summer weddings. I feel like yellow makes everyone happier and smile. Yellow pairs perfectly with so many colors that you can really make it your own: grey and yellow for a more subtle glow, blue and yellow for a little excitment, yellow and pink for the girliest of brides. Yellow can fit any attitude and any brides style since it is so versatile. It is also a great color to use at any other corporate or social event since it is a bright and happy color that pairs or accents almost any other colors.
Don't want yellow as one of your main colors, use it as an accent color in flowers, prints or little pieces throughout your event. Yellow is a common color for flowers and you can find some cheap yellow flowers to add the perfect accent. I also love adding yellow ribbon to some items just to bring in the brightness. Here are some great pictures of yellow pairings and accents! I hope yellow can bring some happiness and sunshine into everyone's lives during this dreary winter season! Enjoy!

Pictures from:
http://www.theknot.com/
http://www.projectwedding.com/

Bring the Indoors Out

I had a wedding tasting with a bride today that had the most, cute, rustic idea... to bring the indoors outside. I love the rustic theme and adore the idea of using older indoor items for an outdoor wedding. Using window panes and doors as your decor for the outdoors is such as  great idea and pretty easy to do. Looking at antique shops and old buildings that are being torn down is a great way to get some older rustic windows and doors that you wont have to do anything with. Use the windows and window paint to put up guests tables or have guests sign a large window you like as the guest book and display it in your house afterwards.
Also use other items that belong indoors such as drawers and coffee tables or anything you think of to decorate and display food or other items. The bride  found a great idea to use a drawer to serve drinks. You can also find rustic and old vases and glasses to display flowers or use to serve drinks. I also love using a dresser to serve dessert on.

pictures from:
http://jackandjillwedding.com
http://mysimpledetails.blogspot.com/
http://postcardsandpretties.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-faves-old-doors.html
http://gordongossip.blogspot.com/
http://ruffledblog.com

Spring's Coming Early {Cherry Blossoms}

With all this cold weather I started thinking about spring! Cherry Blossoms are an amazing flower that are prevalent in Japan, but are also found every spring in Washington DC. I love going to the cherry blossom festival around the city and seeing all the amazing pink flowers everywhere. Weather you are in Japan, DC or anywhere, cherry blossoms are a great flower to use as a theme throughout your wedding. If you want a light pink color are part of your wedding colors, then this flower is a perfect choice. It is subtle and delicate, going great with whites and browns or blues and silvers. You can make the flower as much a part of your wedding as wanted, just incorporate them into the floral arrangements or make it an all out theme. The flowers may be hard to find during some seasons, but I love seeing the use of cherry blossoms during a delicate winter wedding and throughout the spring. If you live in the Washington, DC area or an area where cherry blossoms bloom, take engagement pictures with the trees or take a break on your wedding day to take pictures around the trees. If anything take inspiration from the amazing colors of pink and white for your wedding or event.

Photos From:

Top Photo:

http://lumiere.sopheava.com/

Collage:

http://www.sdweddinginsider.com/

http://weddingdazed.blogspot.com/

blog.weddingpaperdivas.com

http://www.australiaentertains.com.au/

blog.kateaspen.com

http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/ http://www.japannewbie.com/

weddings.justinhankins.com

http://www.cirenwebdesign.com/

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31692583