Wedding Recap: Reception Part I

Let the party continue!

I know my wedding feels neglected, I apologize. I’ve been so excited about new things & planning for them that the wedding feels like old news. It was the best day ever, but now I get to be married instead of planning for it! This is a far better stage for me. Plus, now I can focus attention to friends that are getting married (3 in 2010 so far!)

Bellissima! Today’s Italian garden party wedding shoot, designed by Brittany Lott of Elle Affairs, has us transported to Tuscany! The inspiration behind the shoot was the classic Tuscan alfresco dining experience, which was brought to life with the setting of Birmingham, Alabama’s La Tavalo. The beautiful outdoor table setting featured loose greenery, rosemary accents and olive oil favors, and we just adore the idea of an olive oil tasting bar—what could be more authentically Italian? The mix of modern and traditional elements was brought to life in the invitation suite from Jessica Stalkner at Empress Stationery and chic wrap bridesmaids dresses from Molly Green. And we are in love with the classic elegance of the gowns from Heidi Elnora. There’s so many details—and stunning images from Spindle Photography—to swoon over right here in the gallery!

This Art Deco wedding inspiration shoot from Spindle Photography is just absolutely stunning! Inspired by the 1920s, designers from Mariee Ami in Birmingham, Alabama, joined forces to create a sophisticated, sparkly backyard party. Cloth of Gold Flowers used a palette of mostly white with hints of green and gold and even white feathers for arrangements, while Uprising Custom Cakes created a blue confection with gold detailing to complement the theme. Elegant and intricate gold and silver table settings from Table Matters rounds out the look. But the crown jewel of the affair is the Jenny Packham gown—with gold accents, beading, and rhinestones—that’s breathtaking. Everything about this soiree is perfection, like a page out of The Great Gatsby!

If there’s one thing that can cast a spell over our wedding-crazy hearts, it’s the thoughtful details sprinkled across a couple’s big day, which is probably why we have a big, sugar-sweet crush on Celadon & Celery. Celadon & Celery is a wedding planning and design team that combines shapes, materials, textures and innovative ideas to create beautiful events, and then throws in a little sparkle and magic to make sure the whole day is simply unforgettable.

We are absolutely blown away by the gorgeous Southern charm of Callie and Andrew’s Birmingham, Alabama wedding. Held at the historic Donnelly House, the outdoor ceremony gave way to an indoor and outdoor reception, both featuring tons of lush hydrangea blooms in centerpieces and bouquets created by Continental Florist. The bride’s Rivini gown starts as a traditional strapless style, but the bottom will nearly leave you breathless—pleated orchid-like ruffles make this a dress to remember. The chocolate-colored dresses from Bella Bridesmaid are a stark and sophisticated contrast to the white flowers. Spindle Photography captured every last perfect part of the day, including that amazing wedding cake from Olexa’s. We can’t pick just one favorite detail of this delicious affair!

Most of the energy in wedding planning goes into the reception, don’t you think? Between the table settings, flowers, and food, sometimes ceremony decor is overlooked or an afterthought. We’ve all seen beautiful aisles decorated with rose petals, hanging mason jars filled with wildflowers on shepherd’s hooks, and fluffy poms and hydrangeas hanging from pews, but today we’re going to take a look at some more unique ceremony decor options.

Theatre in-the-round was common in Ancient Greece and Rome but with its intimate feel and unique design, it’s no wonder couples have been choosing this setup for their wedding ceremonies! Each guest has an excellent vantage point, getting rid of that who-sits-where hierarchy and allowing everyone to feel more involved in the wedding. It seems to me that getting married in a set-up like this would feel cozy, warm, and filled to-the-brim with love and support!

So excited today to show off the last two Inspired Creations Contest submissions from this year’s Indie Wed!  First up, a beautiful “salvage chic” ceremony with whimsical ribbon details and gorgeous florals from Kio Kreations and Hazelton Photography!  The ladies used repurposed architectural posts, ribbons and lush floral to create an unforgettable arch focal point. To accompany this lush salvaged arch the bride’s bouquet was made of fresh flowers, berries, and ribbon flowers and guest chairs were tied with ribbon streamers.

Cassi and Matt were married at Log Cabin Church in Atlanta and had their reception in the southern style Primrose Cottage. Since the couple’s last name is King, Cassi incorporated crowns throughout the wedding, including an antique crown cake topper which is one of the most beautiful details of the day!  The slate blue and pink color palette is the perfect complement to Primrose Cottage and can you believe that the gorgeous bouquet is DIY?  Cassi used flowers from Fifty Flowers to create the bouquets and boutonnieres.  I’m completely in love with the romantic and elegant images from Spindle Photography!

Sweet personal details, gorgeous photography, amazing flowers, and true, wholehearted love are the ingredients guaranteed to cook up a beautiful wedding and Skye and Alex’s Birmingham soiree has them all!  From the chuppah (handmade from a blanket crocheted by Skye’s great grandmother), to the something blue (blue buttons from one of her baby dresses lovingly sewn into Skye’s gown by her mother), to serving a keg of their favorite Michigan brew, Alex and Skye celebrated their love with their nearest and dearest by including many of the details that make their love story special and unique – and that’s the best part of any wedding!  Historic Rucker Place is full of Southern charm, and the images from Spindle Photography beautifully capture Skye and Alex’s love – and all of the amazing details!

View all of Stephanie’s previous wedding recaps here

After we exchanged our vows…it was time to ‘put a ring on it’.

View the start of Stephanie’s recaps here

Catch up on Juel’s previous recaps here

{View all of Stephanie’s previous recaps here}

The tent at night? Absolutely gorgeous. Perfect backdrop for our toasts to start off the party.

Kelly from Spindle Photography is an up and coming photographer who is no stranger to EAD (you can read her about her 2009 nuptials here). She sent over a sweet engagement session in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Cassi and Matt are planning a 2011 wedding ceremony.

As we were finishing up our portraits some of our guests were already starting to arrive!  Before they found their seats they were greeted by our thumbprint-tree guest book.

Because we had our wedding in a church, and a church with lots of rules at that, much of our ceremony – order of service, traditional vows, prayers – was already set. I didn’t really mind this; I’ve always loved and found comfort in traditions. Where we could put ourselves in the mix was in the readings and especially in the music we chose for the service. As it happens, Jon and I are both writers and musicians, so these were the perfect ways for us to personalize the ceremony.