Wedding Wednesday!

I was so inspired by this wedding I saw photos of over on Green Wedding Shoes yesterday that I thought I would share it here on the blog today. This casual and intimate wedding took place in Denver and had  colorful and geometric design elements. You know how much I adore a laid back wedding (like my own last October) as well as my love for color, so this wedding just speaks volumes to me! Take a look at a few highlights.

Did you know in Colorado it is legal to marry yourselves? (As in no officiant.) I had no idea! To see more photos and read more about this fantastically colorful wedding, go here.

Wedding Wednesday!

Lately I have been so inspired by ribbon streamers used to decorate weddings or parties. By streamers, I mean lengths of ribbon, fabric, crepe paper and the like. It really is such a clever and fun way to infuse some color and whimsy into the decor of any special event. Ribbon streamers can be used on the backs of chairs, strung together around the room or on the ceiling, or to create a dessert table or photo backdrop. Yes, even crepe paper can be used as wedding decor (and believe me, it's anything BUT tacky!) Take a look and see what I mean;

via Stacey Windsor Photography

via Elizabeth Anne Designs

via Intimate Weddings

via Once Wedd

via Wedding Community

via Once Wedd

via Project Wedding

JPM Design Event Styling Services!

The weather is warming up and Spring is definitely in the air here in California! The trees are in blossom, the sun is staying out longer and flowers are beginning to sprout. I'm finding myself so inspired  by beautiful bright colors and pretty pastels, what about you?

 All images via here

As Spring is fast approaching and wedding season is just around the corner…. think of JPM Design to help you style your event! We have the expertise to bring any decor style to life and to help you create a wedding that is truly a reflection of you! If you live in or around the Central Valley, Bay Area or Northern California and would like the assistance of an Event Designer, please contact me! For more information go here.

Quicky!

I know, I know. . . I have been a little absent around the blog lately. I have been up to my eye balls in work (which is a great thing!) Here's a couple quick shots of a wedding that I was hired to help decorate on 11/11/11. . . We spent three days getting the tent ready for a guest list consisting of 325 people.

I'll share more details from this fabulous, rustic-inspired wedding with you later, I promise!

Wedding Wednesday: Family Photo Table

Out of all the projects I'm working on for my upcoming wedding, I think I might be the most excited about the family photo table I am creating! I asked my mom as well as my fiance's mom to gather up photos from their weddings and their parents weddings as well. I even have a few sets of great grandparent's wedding photos too! I'm going to be displaying them around the guest book (thumbprint tree) for every to look at and even made little plaquards to let everyone know the couple's name and the year they were married. I didn't think this small project would be something I turned out loving so much, but I think it's going to look great! You'll have to wait till after the wedding to see how my picture table turned out!

via Style Me Pretty

Have you seen this done before at weddings? What's your favorite personal touch you've seen lately that a couple has incorporated into their wedding?

Wedding Wednesday: DIY Bouquet

FINALLY. After searching and searching for months it seemed like, I finally found it!!! What's that you're askinig? Well, it's a step-by-step how-to on creating your own DIY wedding bouquet. That actually makes sense. AND this tutorial reassures me that making a bouquet is really pretty easy! I knew it would be, but everyone keeps looking at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I am going to be doing the flowers for my upcoming wedding. The reception flowers will be a breeze, but I've been a little leary about the bouquets for the ceremony. . . Anyway, back to the bouquet business. . . go HERE if you want to read the best ever, complete tutorial on how to whip up your own bouquet!

I'm going to do a 'test run' in the upcoming weeks, so I will let you know how it turns out :)
 

Wedding Wednesday! Mad Libs

Who didn't love Mad Libs as a kid? I sure did!

I'm thinking about incorporating this fun idea into my wedding reception. Guests fill in the blanks with sweet sentiments, their recipe for a happy marriage, or some hilarious advise for the new couple! You can create your own, or there's an easy-peasy downloadable template available here, thanks to Martha.

Placed on the tables or at their own station during the reception along with some pens or pencils, guests are bound to have fun filling out these wedding mad libs!

Wedding Wednesday! Maui Elopement

This beach wedding ceremony was featured on Style Me Pretty a week ago and I just can not stop thinking about how gorgeous the pictures are! This couple decided that a traditional wedding wasn't for them and opted to elope in Maui. They were married at sunset on a secluded beach with just the two of them in presence (as well as the photographer and Hawaiian pastor of course.) Take a peak;

To see more of the breathtaking photography from this Maui beach wedding, go here.

Add Culture, Stir in Flavor with Truly Engaging

You all are in for a treat this 'Wedding Wednesday'! My friend Heidi is here to share some ideas on how to spice up your wedding invitations!

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Hello everyone! Heidi here from Truly Engaging—the wedding blog of MagnetStreet Weddings. Thanks for inviting me Mary, I am thrilled to be here! Since it’s Wedding Wednesday, I thought it would be fun to explore one of the hottest wedding trends- incorporating culture into the wedding. Showcasing your ethnicity is honoring and really has the potential to create an awesome experience for your guests. And, since your look will be more focused, there is the potential for savings because you’re avoiding extras.

First, decide on the most important cultural aspects you want to share- whether you’re blending cultures or celebrating one. Then, start creating a mood board to narrow the look and feel you’re going for- from colors and design, to music, food and decor. Don’t worry, it will come together—eventually. The internet provides an endless source of inspiration and sites like Pinterest allow you to easily “pin” images and create style books. You can always go old-school to create your board with your fave magazines and a pair of scissors. I use both. Creating an inspiration board is a great visual help in defining your look.

Case in point. This board Celtic Wedding Inspiration illustrates a few ideas for a couple that want to bring a modern twist to their rich Irish culture—a more organic feel yet still carrying a traditional Celtic Knot pattern. I also imagine this couple having folk music played at cocktail hour, personalizing their RSVP Cards asking guests to respond with their favorite pub songs and designating each reception table with an Irish blessing or humorous rhyme.

Flavoring with language. In honor of Cinco de Mayo tomorrow, here is Mexican Tiles, the Half-fold wedding invitation that I personalized to reflect the old-world and rustic colors of Mexico. I also used ‘Google Translate’ to get the Spanish translation. Using a roomier invite type like the Half-fold, is a great option for including lots of info—like both translations. The backside has the reception information printed in Spanish and English too. Use your wedding stationery i.e. Programs, RSVPS and Enclosure Cards to share the language, explain traditions and highlight your culture.

Muy bien! I love the idea of infusing culture and heritage into the wedding. It’s special, significant and an absolute treat for your guests. You can start with your save the dates, but it’s the wedding invitation that guests will look to for style and mood. Celebrate your ethnicity by sprinkling in those beloved elements from your culture. Your guests will never forget it.

Adios. Happy Cinco de Mayo and thanks again for having me! Is it too early for chips and salsa?

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Thank you so much Heidi! I love the idea of incorporatingculture into your wedding and these are some great invitation ideas. I know I'll definately be celebrating Cinco de Mayo tomorrow with some chips and salsa and maybe even a cerveza or magarita, or two ;) Make sure you check back again on Friday when Carol from The Design Pages stops by to share some great ideas on achieving a high-end look on a low budget. I just love having all my friends come over to play! :)

Wedding Wednesday! Love Stamps

How adorable are these Garden of Love stamps?! They would be perfect for the invites to a late summer wedding! They are available May 19th, go here for more info.

Wedding Wednesday!

This wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty a while back and when I first saw it, the images went straight to my inspiration files without thinking twice! I love everything about this Rhode Island beach wedding from the flip flops to the Caribbean steel drummer! Take a peak and see why;