As spring begins to bloom, we can’t help but be inspired by one of nature’s prettiest gifts: lavender. Soft and delicate, lavender is both aromatically enticing and aesthetically pleasing. We love seeing this color incorporated into spring tabletops and flowy gowns.
Lavender, Gown, Cupcakes, Cocktails, Staircase, Hanging dress, Bridesmaid, Cake, Wedding party
There is nothing more fun than ending your wedding with a late night snack for all of your guests! Whether you choose sweet or salty snacks your friends will love the bite to eat before they head home.
Image 1 courtesy of Dominique Attaway , Image 2 courtesy of Holland Photo Arts, Image 3 courtesy of Jen Fariello, Image 4 courtesy of Lynne Brubaker.
The Easton girls loved celebrating with the Hornberger/Fryer family the night before their wedding day! Graced with a beautiful sunset and idyllic Charlottesville mountain view, Monticello’s Montalto was the perfect venue for this group of UVA graduates! The colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains were reflected inside the building with tones of blues incorporated with the chivari chairs and table linens. Pat’s Floral Design created simple floral arrangements that complimented the beautiful surrounding landscape. Chef Dean Maupin crafted a masterpiece of summer specialties using local flavors for a seated dinner of 50 people, including one of our seasonal favorites…gazpacho!
Venue: Monticello’s Montalto// Photographer: Eric Kelley// Catering: Keswick Hall// Florals: Pat’s Floral Design.
Fringe: what was hippie-chic in the ’70′s has a bold new look. We love how fringe is so versatile. From the high fashion of the Oscar de la Renta runway to the DIY-inspired Martha Stewart escort cards, fringe provides flirtatious movement and fresh texture. What do you think – would you dare try this modernized retro trend?
Black fringed gown, Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012, Balloons, Escort Cards, White fringe gown, Street fashion, Fringe pillow, Fringe themed wedding, Invitation suite, Garland
Wedding traditions are constantly in flux in the modern world, but few brides can dispute the enduring charm and significance of the father-daughter dance. This dance is frequently one of the most emotional parts of a wedding. It is a tender moment when the relationship between father and daughter is honored as Dad acknowledges the transition in his little girl’s life.
The song choice for the dance is certainly a very personal decision, but there are some wonderful standards: “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole; “Isn’t She Lovely,” written by Stevie Wonder for his daughter; My Wish by Rascall Flatts or (perhaps the most loved), “The Way You Look Tonight”. The chosen song generally reflects the unique tone of the bride’s relationship with her father but the song can be one that the father and daughter have just loved and shared over the years. (Some other songs you might want to consider are: “Yesterday” by The Beatles, “Daughters” by John Mayer, or “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong —something joyful, but sentimental at the same time!
Of course in today’s world a bride’s often has a father and a stepfather. The general practice is to switch between the two during the father-daughter song, starting, typically with the father. Some brides choose to have two different (shortened) songs, one for each Dad. Modern etiquette in this part of the wedding may not be quite established, but thoughtfulness is always in style.
Image 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 courtesy of Patricia Lyons, Image 2 courtesy of Dominique Attaway, Image 5 courtesy of Scott Evans.
This French-bistro inspired shoot at Pippin Hill was the definition of warm and simple bistro style. In it’s most basic definition, the name bistro means an eating-place where wine is served. More broadly, the “French Bistro” is known as a relatively cheap neighborhood eatery and a bustling bastion of French Street life. Likewise, the Pippin table is dressed in stripped down comfort: a bare wooden table, wine bottle tapers, and a modest assortment of flowers—as though just cut from a backyard jardin in the Loire Valley.
Staying true to the bistro culture, the real centerpiece was the food: unadorned local peaches, fried green tomatoes, grilled breads, a grilled peach arugula salad, and local greens garnished with chevre (a indisputable staple in French cheeses). Here, simple and fresh flavors are the thing, and every place is set with the requisite pain quotidien. The place cards were simple off-white tags, tied with twine to each personal-sized French baguette. Subtle French emblems are visible throughout, with a red rooster, or Gallic coq, a national symbol of France, printed on the table number cards. The place card is stamped with a tiny fleur de lis and a lit blackboard shouts energetically: “Bon Appétit!”
Venue: Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard// Photography: Jen Fariello// Printed Materials: Rock Paper Scissors// Florals: Pat’s Floral Design// Rentals: Festive Fare.
Linear prints, geometric shapes, and clean design are all emphasized in the art deco style that we so love for 2012. Originating around the time of the flapper, art deco has come to symbolize modern sculptural design as seen in the Chrysler Building from the late 1920′s to the Etro runway in 2012. Art deco continues to influence the event and wedding worlds in embellished gowns, t-strap heels, and styled tablescapes. What’s not to love?
Jenny Packham wedding gown, Christian Louboutin heels, Letterpress invite, Wallpaper, Alexander Wang gown, Etro runway, Carolina Herrera runway, Tablescape & Gown, Cake
The wedding send-off is a look forward in the next step in your life together: it can be exciting, reverent, grand, simple, or ecstatic! While the traditional rice-throwing has proved environmentally unsound, other ideas—new and old—are rushing in to fill the void. If you want a strict alternative to rice, use birdseed or confetti. Manufacturers provide biodegradable confetti made with natural pigments.
Sparklers are the new standard: they’re inexpensive, simple, and they ensure a whole lot of ambiance (see the glowing photos below!).
Wish lanterns and balloons are peaceful and hopeful additions. In both cases, it will be important to consider environmental and venue-specific impacts and regulations. Latex is biodegradable, but the ribbon generally isn’t. Wish lanterns can be a serious fire hazard, so make sure to consider wind, the dryness of the day, and proximity to trees and buildings. These decisions could be day-of specific, so make sure to weigh the pros and cons before you invest.
When you’re thinking about the final step, transportation, the vintage car is a popular option: from a Rolls Royce to a classic Ford or farm truck. Bikes—tandem or vintage—are the perfect transport for summer or beach weddings. Whatever it is, make sure to decorate with streamers and signs so they know where you’re coming from. Have fun selecting your form of departure!
Image 1 and 5 courtesy of Holland Photo Arts, Image 2 and 3 courtesy of Patricia Lyons, Image 4 courtesy of Jen Fariello, Image 6 courtesy of Adam Barnes, Image 7 and 8 courtesy of Lynne Brubaker.
We’re so excited to share this fabulous shoot captured by the lovely Jen Fariello! With the view from Pippin Hill Farm and Winery as our backdrop, we couldn’t quite go wrong with this envisioned evening. Our color palette was rife with the toned down blues, silvers, pinks, golds, and icy whites that reflect the soft coolness of dusk or twilight.
Our wedding couple walks towards an open, white doorway, hung with two cascading bouquets of hydrangeas, dahlias, and garden greenery. Off-white chiavari chairs set a perfect contrast to the dark blues and greens of the Virginia hillside. Warm, red-brown ceremony benches fill to the end of the aisle, adding some visual variation.
The wedding table is seated with golden-brown cross back chairs. Slate placemats and light blue earthenware beckon guests to get comfortable at this warm and inviting spread. Woven down the center of the table is an array of sliver and silver-patina vases reflected by a single, beveled-edge mirror table runner. A trio of etched glasses is set at each place, looking almost frosted from afar. The final touch is a few votives set in sea-green tinted glasses. The scene is romantic, elegant, and inviting all at the same time.
Venue: Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard// Florist: Pat’s Floral Design// Photographer: Jen Fariello// Rentals: Festive Fare
Just in time for a fresh spring color palette, the Elie Saab 2012 Couture collection revealed a wide array of rainbow-hued pastels. We are seeing baby pinks, soft yellows, and light blues making appearances in gowns, heels, and florals for spring. To keep your pastels looking modern, we suggest pairing a softer color with a brighter (dare we say, neon!) shade, like mint green and bold coral.
Elie Saab 2012 Couture, BHLDN bridesmaids, Elie Saab 2012 Couture, Bouquet via Martha Stewart Weddings by Pat’s Floral Designs, Louboutin heels, Matchbooks, Peppermint patties, Mint trench
