Posts from October, 2009
Chips and three different kinds of salsa with guac. Deeelish!
This Bud’s for You
October 30th, 2009
OK, seriously now. How ridiculously cute are these fabric boutonnieres? For $22.50 these can be the groom’s gifts to his homies. Big plus: they can wear them again and again! From the J.Crew-lookin’ cutie emersonmade.
Whispers of White
October 23rd, 2009
I’m totally feeling inspired by last night’s showing of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, hosted by the Style Cinema gals and pals ‘o mine. (P.S. Annie and Catie, excellent job!) Although I love the opulent dresses, silks and feathers of the imperial court, I love the dauphine’s wardrobe as she traipsed about her gifted cottage–”my heaven” as she called it. Just as heavenly: this dress by MINT Jodi Arnold, currently on sale at gilt.com today for $88 (originally $591!). It’s just perfect as a rehearsal dinner dress or for something to change into post-ceremony, so you can really kick up your heels Marie-style and eat your cake too, natch.
Yes You Can: Green Your Wedding
October 21st, 2009
Ready to Wear: Jean in her wedding gown, a family heirloom.
Saving a Tree: Framed programs instead of passed programs.
Green my wedding? Really? Y-E-S! How? Let’s take a lesson from Jean & Trent:
1. Restyle. Jean’s wedding dress belonged to her great-grandmother. Sentimental, chic and easy on the wallet, too.
2. Consider the venue. Jean & Trent’s venue, the Farm at Putah Creek had on-site composting. They also had recycling. Ask your venue if they are able to do the same. Bonus points: ask your caterer what they do with the leftover food and excess wine, champagne and beer bottles.
3. Purchase green. Jean bought compostable utensils and cups for the dessert pie reception, with yours truly playing Compost Cop. The caterer, provided simple china plates, silverware and napkins in tangerine. No waste there!
4. Go paper-less. Instead of programs, the couple printed out two large, easy-to-read signs on tabletop easels. Great for guests who want to know what’s on schedule, so as not to miss all those wedding moments before calling it a night.
5. Hit the Web. Eschew all that paper in your invites in favor of creating a Web sites to communicate to guests all the wedding festivities and important details like accommodations, gift registry and ceremony location. I love how Jean chronicled all her wedding planning and filled guests in on how she and Trent met on their wedding site.
6. Go local. Just like buying and shopping for local produce, you can do the same when it comes to your wedding. You support the community where our wedding takes place, and boost the local economy too. The mariachi band hailed from nearby Sacramento; the caterer came from Berkeley; most of the wine came from local winery Bogle and a family friend brewed the couple their own beer, complete with their own labels featuring a picture of Jean & Trent from their engagement shoot.
Take a page from Jean’s playbook and try out one of these tips for your nuptials!
Jean & Trent’s Farm Fiesta: The Reception
October 20th, 2009There were so many surprises for the guests–one fun reveal after the other. As the celebrant Amanda said “it begins with this kiss” the mariachi band that I had greeted and tucked away in the house, came out on the porch and started playing! Bride and groom skipped down and the wedding party followed with big grins on their faces. It was so fun to witness!
As soon as the cocktail hour got started, the piñata was strung up and cracked open, yielding Skittles and mints. As the hour wound down, guests walked down the gravel path to the long rectangular tables and helped themselves to a buffet provided by Picante. And then Jean & Trent arrived on Emily Trent’s tandem bike looking so adorable and carefree! It really set the mood! The ambience was decidedly European as guests dined al fresco, with the stream of LED lights and lanterns strung above us with candlelight on the tables. The toasts were short and very sweet, and Jean capped the toasts by thanking everyone and instructing everyone to grab a votive-filled jar, a wine bottle and to head into the barn for pie, merriment and dancing.
Trent even composed a song and serenaded Jean! Such sweet and tender gestures from a sweet and tender couple.
¡Fantástico!
Outstanding in the field.
Piñata bits.
And they're off!
Jean & Trent’s Farm Fiesta: The Ceremony
October 19th, 2009What a marvelous wedding! Jean & Trent’s “Farm Fiesta” theme scored on all kinds of levels, with the papel picados strung between trees; the Mexican wedding cookies that greeted guests as they arrived at the Farm on Putah Creek; the paper flower decorations; the mariachi band playing as the Mr. & Mrs. kissed for the first time; the guacamole, chips and salsa; the buffet dinner served up by Picante (complete with a woman handmaking tortillas!); the Jarritos for the non-drinkers at the barn reception; an assortment of pies from Village Bakery in lieu of wedding cake. There were even S’mores pre-packed kits: a square of Ghiradelli chocolate and two puffy marshmallows to be roasted in an outdoor amphitheatre just a short walk down the candlelit path from the barn. The vibe was comfortable, casual, meaningful and so very personal. Congratulations Jean & Trent! You, your familes and friends were a joy to work with. Have fun on the honeymoon!
Guests wrote congratulatory wishes and notes and clipped them by clothespin onto the trees behind the table. Pictures of Jean & Trent from birth to courtship to present were also hung.
Jean walking down with her parents.
Coming up: More eye candy from the ceremony and the reception!
Later: How Jean and Trent went green for their wedding.
Welcome Emilystyle readers!
October 18th, 2009
I just got back coordinating the wedding of Jean & Trent (Jean is the sister of Emily of the supercute Emilystyle), so I’ll be posting pictures and other fun details soon! It was such a fun and relaxed wedding with personal touches through and through. It was nothing short of magical!
If you’re new to the blog, welcome! Please read all about my wedding and events planning business, Lily Spruce by hitting the “Back” arrow at the upper left corner. I hope you’ll visit my blog often for ideas about creating sustainable events done naturally, and always with style.
xo-
genevieve
p.s. Enjoy the sneak peek pic of the festivities!
Tiers Upon Tiers
October 13th, 2009I have a thing for tiers. And therefore have a thing for this dress by Charles Anastase. It’s romantic and punk all at once. It’d make a great post-ceremony dress too. Le sigh… oh to get married again. Same guy of course, but different dress! Grab this while you can: it’s on sale at Opening Ceremony for $773 (from $1,445). You may even wear it again or perhaps tea dye it! Talk about a bargain wedding dress that makes a statement all on its own.
Gathering Moss
October 3rd, 2009
How cute would this be hanging on the doors of a church or hung from a photo booth with fabric backdrop with the bride & groom’s new initials? From etsy seller SimpleSweetDesign.