Posts from July, 2009
J + J Forever
July 12th, 2009Julie and Jon: they’ll always be my first. First client of Lily Spruce that is. And what a couple to kick off my business! These two are just super fantastic, loving people who created not a day, but a whole WEEKEND full of fun, laughter and big-time love. You know when you go to weddings and you can just *feel* it? Helping things was the amazing venue: the Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga, Calif. a truly epic wedding locale. Bride Julie shared so many of my own ideals, with friends helping decorate left and right, providing music and emcee duties… they were all a coordinator’s dream. And I loved her theme: Indian-inspired with a dose of California country meets vintage.
Julie wore her grandmother’s dress, which she altered a bit, and looked so glam, chic and nuevo retro in the best possible way. We even hung the dress’ cathedral jacket from the ceiling above the guest book/gifts/card/favor/famiy photos table so that guests could admire the dress too. At each table for table numbers she borrowed her friend’s precious tarot card collection and then I strung the escort cards with heavy twine and clothespins. What was fun is that the couple bought extra bindis so many of the guests were wearing them. They were so popular we ran out when others wanted to wear one too! For the kids’ tables Julie bought butcher paper, crayons and stickers so I wrapped two of the tables with the paper and doodled on the paper to demonstrate to the kids that they could go bananas at these fun activity stations! It was a hit! So many personal touches that added up to a most unique wedding.
Shoutout to the Mayacamas managers Aaron and Chelsea, who were the epitome of grace and hospitality. Brides and grooms, if you can make this venue work for you, book this venue N-O-W! Sigh… I’m still thinking about this gorgeous weekend. Thank you J + J aka JP2 for trusting me with your vision and letting me insert some of my touches too!
My vintage red wagon in use. I know, I know, plastic water bottles but they were the bride's purchase, not mine!
The huppah/altar lovingly decorated by the couple's friends. There was a lot of "No over to the left... now over to the right..." to get the best possible view. What can I say, we were all OCD about it!
Coaching the cutest flower girls in the world down the aisle.
Grabbing the bride and her dad for their turn!
I managed the table settings save for the silverware and plates, making sure there were matching candle holders and folding the napkins the way you see them here.
One last kiss before starting the ceremony!