Real Wedding: Vannessa & Cayman

Today's wedding is such perfect summer inspiration - a ranch wedding with a fun and relaxed vibe. Vannessa and Cayman found the Holman Ranch in Carmel on the first day they went to look at venues: "We knew right away it was the perfect place. We loved the all-American, California ranch feel, and the views were incredible! We knew it would be a unique place for us and our guests."




Vannessa's favorite part of the day: "I loved saying our vows to one another. I was so focused on Cayman that I completely forgot we had an audience! And the kiss... the kiss was like slow motion. I had been looking forward to that moment since we got engaged, and it was absolutely perfect!"




Cayman loves games and trivia and wanted to incorporate this into the wedding, so planner Shannon Leahy came up with the idea of writing clues that would lead guests to find their tables and Hello Lucky created the adorable escort cards (guests slid their cards out of the envelopes to reveal the clues to their table). Guests got into the spirit of the game, and spent the first 15 minutes of dinner visiting every table to see all of the clues.






Dinner reflected the laid back atmosphere of the wedding, complete with cornbread and biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken.




In keeping with the sense of fun and games, guests took home personalized decks of playing cards.



Photographer: Emily Merrill, EmmyJeanne Photography

Venue: Holman Ranch in Carmel, California

Planner: Shannon Leahy

Stationery / printed items: Hello!Lucky

Bride's dress / shoes: Amy Kuschel / Manolo Blahnik

Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew

Groom's suit: Ermenegildo Zegna

Flowers: Erica Rose Design

Catering: Paradise Catering

Funk band: The Joint Chiefs

Furniture / linen rentals: Classic Party Rentals / La Tavola

Don't you just love this wedding, from the beautiful venue in Carmel down to the lucky horseshoe motif? So fun! A big thanks to Vannessa and Cayman, as well as to planner Shannon Leahy and photographer Emily Merrill for sharing this beautiful wedding with us.

Hello!Lucky is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

Real Wedding: Alice & Nick

There's something really special about summer weddings - relaxed, out of doors, sunshiny. Though they live in New York, Alice and Nick were married in June, at the groom's family's farm in Virginia, and it's full of all those wonderful summer things - even a barbecue dinner! Working with a tight budget, they created a day that was laid back and beautiful by getting creative, doing a lot of things themselves, and employing the help of talented friends and family. Alice shares some of the DIY projects they took on:

My mother sewed table runners, arranged flowers, baked pies, made jam for favors and even had her college typewriter tuned up for a guest book! I did my own hair, one of my bridesmaids is a makeup artist, the whole family helped set up everything, and guests brought pies for the dessert buffet. A friend illustrated the invitations. Nick's father made the arch out of a cattle feeder and grapevines found on the farm.


The couple's friend, Nancy Cuervo, designed the invitations, including the mason jar bouquet illustration, and then Alice and Nick letterpressed them at a friend's studio.














Women from Alice's and Nick's families did all of the centerpieces with flowers from their own gardens, supplemented with blooms from a local farmer. Alice's mother scoured every antique store in New England until she found enough blue ball jars!




Guests went home with jars of homemade jam.


Says Alice, "Having the wedding in a place with so much family meaning made us feel like a part of something old and beautiful."

Photography: Sarah Cramer

Venue: Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Virginia

Invitation design: Nancy Cuervo

Bride's dress: J.Crew

Groom's suit: Brooks Brothers

Tent rental: Skyline Tents

Cake: Albemarle Baking Co.

Bunny-head cake topper: Melabo

Alice has another budget tip for you: I'm a photographer, so we splurged on photography, which was worth every penny. We hired Sarah Cramer to shoot getting ready, ceremony and portraits and then saved by asking friends to send us their reception photos.

Thanks so much, Alice and Nick, for sharing your wedding with us!

Board #494: Blackberries & Lemonade

Though blogging definitely has its perks, I miss the summers I had as a school teacher (or as a student for that matter). Right now I'm imagining a lazy summer afternoon, drinking lemonade, picking blackberries, reading a book outside - and all of those things have made their way into today's inspiration board. Serve a signature cocktail made with fresh-squeezed lemonade, and pull the color yellow into other details like the bridesmaid dresses, groom's attire, and bouquets. Use blackberry postage stamps to give your guests an idea of what's to come, include blackberries in your centerpieces (and even in bouquets and boutonnieres), serve blackberry pie instead of wedding cake, and send guests home with jars of blackberry jam. Finish it all off with some vintage touches, like a guest book fashioned from an old book cover, delicate lace parasols, and a fabulous vintage getaway car. I think it sounds like the perfect summer wedding - I mean really, can you imagine anything more summery or pleasant than sipping lemonade and lolling around in the grass?

Mood: lazy summer afternoons
Palette: lemonade yellow, blackberry purple, summer field green

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Top row from left: reading books in the grass from Marie Antoinette, lemonade with personalized swizzle sticks from Rebecca Thuss, photo of centerpiece with blackberries by Eric Cable, photo of yellow bow tie and straw hat by Justin & Mary Marantz via Style Me Pretty
Row 2: blackberry jam favors from Brides, mini blackberry pies and typewriter menu both from Martha Stewart, vintage roadster via Real Weddings
Row 3: front porch, Sally Holmes rose bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, letterpress invitation by Golden Rectangle Press
Row 4: vintage lace parasol from Pink Frosting, blackberry bush via Life in the Family Patch, yellow vintage-book journal by Marigold Journal via Creature Comforts, blackberry postage stamp

Board #489: A Summer Picnic

Another relaxed summer wedding inspiration board for you, with a touch of red, white and blue to continue this week's color motif. And what's more summery and Fourth-of-July than a picnic? Print save-the-dates or invites on brown paper lunch bags to give guests the idea of what's to come. Set up a swing and some lawn games, and maybe decorate with some paper lanterns hung in the trees. And again, if this idea seems too informal for a wedding, it would be perfect for a welcome party or rehearsal picnic luncheon.

Mood: breezy summer picnic
Palette: brown, green, red, pale blue

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Top row from left: picnic baskets and pies (via Dress Design Decor) both from Martha Stewart, "games" wooden sign photo by Jose Villa
Row 2: swing photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of sandwiches wrapped in paper by France Ruffenach via Santa Barbara Chic
Row 3: brown paper bag picnic save-the-date by Sesame Letterpress, tea towel wrapped bottles from Martha Stewart, photo of basket of cherries by Kathryn Kleinman, tulip and daisy bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 4: photo of blue convertible VW Bug by Duston Todd, red punch jar from Custom Event Group, vintage handkerchief ring pillow photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, bride with blue shawl photo by Meg Smith

Board #488: Lobster Red and Blueberry Pie

Yesterday was a perfect day here, and we enjoyed it by cooking out with some friends - I hope we'll have lots more days like that this summer! This week, I thought I'd post some red, white and blue inspiration boards, and I'm starting with this laid back lobster boil wedding. Get your guests in the spirit with lobster bib save-the-dates. How to make things both relaxed and lovely? For table numbers, tie tags around galvanized buckets filled with flowers, and for place cards, write guests' names on smooth stones. Serve up ice cream in paper cups with wooden spoons, and drinks with striped straws. Send guests home with lobster-shaped lollipops. And if this seems too casual for a wedding, how about a rehearsal dinner?

Mood: relaxed, preppy
Palette: driftwood, pale blue, lobster red

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Top row from left: bride and groom with balloons via Nibs, ice cream with paper+cup wooden spoons via Martha Stewart Weddings, Cape Cod photo from Maverick Charters
Row 2: linen ring pillow from Eunice's wedding via Martha Stewart Weddings, dahlias in mason jar vase from Wedding Style Guide, lobster lollipops and rubber stamp save the date both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: lobster save-the-date by Linda & Harriett, photo by Karlisch, blue striped straws via Kelly Oshiro Events, lobster bib by Bird & Banner
Row 4: photo of DIY programs with bakers twine by Leigh Miller, red checked napkin, dahlias in galvanized bucket from Real Simple, blueberry pie

Hello!Lucky is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

Real Wedding: Laura & Colin

Today's charming Midwestern wedding feels like summer, with a rustic, woodsy camp vibe that I love. Laura (an event planner out of Minnesota) and Colin chose this private lodge in northern Wisconsin for their Friday wedding not just because of it's beautiful location, but also because the bride's family has rented it out every summer for 50 years. Photos by Jennifer Cress.






Laura tied vintage floral fabric on the wedding programs.








Colin is a professional brewer (beer maker, not baseball player), so he made his own beer to serve on-tap and in bottles for guests to take home.


Both the bride's bouquet and the groom's boutonniere incorporated barley hops, a nod to the groom's profession. Laura's dress was a cocktail dress purchased off the rack and lined with an ivory slip.


A hand-drawn map directed guests to lawn games (like horseshoes), canoe rides, a cigar cabin, and firepit.







Venue: private lodge in Brule River, Wisconsin

Bride's dress / shoes: Off 5th / My Glass Slipper

Groom's suit: Nordstrom

Flowers: A Day in Provence

Stationery: Lunalux

Thank you to Laura and Colin, and thank you to Jennifer Cress for sending over the photos of their lovely wedding!

Board #487: Summer Honey

The beginning of a season is one of my favorite things - it always feels as though that season is the one I love most of all. Right now (of course) it's summer. I love the sunshine and how nice it is to be outside all day long. I love that cherries and berries are actually affordable and delicious. That dinner is always as simple as it gets, and rarely requires cooking that doesn't happen on a grill. And that it's light out until bedtime. So it's really no surprise that today's inspiration board is easy going and totally simple. Iced tea and honey jars, sun dresses and a picnic basket. Sounds like a delightful way to spend the day, whether or not you're getting married in the summer months.

Mood: sweetness and light
Palette: sunshine, honey, wheat

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Top row from left: yellow gingham honey jar favor via Creature Comforts, iced tea and sweet tea cocktails from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo in a field from Real Weddings, vintage yellow dish via Green Wedding Shoes
Row 2: beehive cake via Design Mom, invitation with kraft paper and yellow gingham via Elizabeth Anne Designs, yellow rose necktie by Chinny Chin Chin via The Constant Gatherer
Row 3: picnic basket from Longaberger, short wedding dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, bumblebee invitation by Ceci New York, bouquet with garden roses and bunny tails from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #486: Strawberry and Seersucker

What could possibly be more summery than strawberries? Maybe seersucker? Though there aren't actually any seersucker photos in this inspiration board, the idea is there; I can just imagine the groom and his attendants wearing seersucker suits with white bucks. Strawberry red, pale pink, and cream make for a wedding color palette that's at once preppy and romantic, and totally appropriate for sunny summer afternoon. And for dessert? Wedding cake inspired by strawberry shortcake, of course!

Mood: romantic, preppy, sweet summer
Palette: strawberry red, pink lemonade

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Top row from left: three-tiered strawberry wedding cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, birdcage veil photo by Our Labor of Love (thank you Emily!), dahlias in mason jar from Wedding Style Guide
Row 2: DIY lemonade favors by Jordan Ferney, ribbon necklaces styled by Shana Faust
Row 3: red and white flag ties, tent from Big Sky Tents, photo of red lipstick and curly hair from Locher's, custom napkins and drink stirrers by For Your Party
Row 4: photo by Jennifer Sosa, red and white tie from Billy Reid, strawberry shortcakes from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #484: Beach House Blue

I'm not sure why, but this lovely photo by Alicia Bock immediately sent my mind to a beach house-inspired wedding. Something with washed out blues and sun-bleached whites, beachy textures like linen and seashells, and a feel that is both lovely and relaxed. I'm really excited about our wedding plans, but I do love the idea of renting out a beach house for the weekend, and hosting all of our favorite people for a low-key wedding weekend. If you were to host a beach house wedding, where would it be?

Mood: beach house simplicity
Palette: seaglass, sand, white

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Top row from left: blue ceiling photo by Alicia Bock, seashell ring box from Charleston Weddings, parasol photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Row 2: blue ribbon programs (in a box of sand) from Oh How Charming
Row 3: bouquet by Flower Wild from Bride & Bloom, coconut cupcake via Oh Hello Friend, white seashells
Row 4: photo of Twigs & Honey veil by Elizabeth Messina, soda water from Sunday Suppers, aqua invitation suite by Hammerpress and pleated linen ring pillow both from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #483: Lilac and Lemonade

Since this weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, it seemed time to post some summer wedding ideas. For today's inspiration board, I imagined a sweetly feminine garden party - something that would work just as well for a bridal shower as for a wedding. The palette is mostly pastels, with lilac and lavender, as well as barely-there sunlight yellow. A touch of deep plum purple adds sophistication. Mismatched glass bottles as bud vases aren't the most original idea, but purple glass is unexpected (and lovely). And how about the perfect recipe for this wedding - lavender lemonade.

Mood: sweet summer garden
Palette: lilac and lavender, lemonade, sunlight

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Top row from left: purple lanterns from Martha Stewart Weddings, lemonade with straw flags from Rebecca Thuss, stamped glassine favor bag by Passing Notes, white peony in purple bottle via A Creative Mint
Row 2: photo of peony bouquet by Jose Villa, garden table from Utterly Engaged styled by Summer Watkins, clematis styling by Randi Brookman Harris, cupcakes with flowers styled by Selina Lake
Row 3: notecard by Ice Cream Social, shoes with rosettes and purple flowers both via This is Glamorous

Board #480: Poppy and Field

After a month-long hiatus, inspiration boards are back! Thanks to all of you for being so patient and for stopping by to check in with Snippet & Ink, even when posting has been a bit inconsistent. I hope this summery orange poppy wedding board brightens your Monday...

Mood: soft and bright, summer light
Palette: summer field green, orange poppy, whipped cream

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Top row from left: poppy fields via Little Brown Pen, orange silkscreen stationery by Igloo Letterpress via Oh So Beautiful Paper, pale green dress via Dress Design Decor
Row 2: miniature cakes from Blah Blah Blahg, sweet tea with monogram napkin and butterfly paper lanterns both from Martha Stewart Weddings, vine-motif save-the-date by Austin Press
Row 3: cake topper by Dolci Odille, photo of wreaths with orange ribbon by Duston Todd, photo of hummingbird seating cards by Lisa Lefkowitz, white garden chairs from Wedding Style Guide
Row 4: photo of kraft paper favor bags with orange ribbon by Jagger Photography, vintage getaway car via Charleston Weddings, photo of romantic wedding dress by Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Board #477: Lemon Meringue Pie

This week's inspiration boards use simple palettes of a single color and white - orange and creme, blue and porcelain, lemon yellow and meringue. The elements here are pretty simple, too: bunting and tissue poms, ribbon wands, ruffles and roses. You don't have to reinvent the wheel to have a lovely wedding!

Mood: sweet and sunny
Palette: lemon pie, white meringue

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Top row from left: photo of tent with yellow bunting by One Love Photo, bridesmaid with slice of lemon meringue pie from Wedding Style Guide, yellow and white tissue pom poms from The Paper Whale
Row 2: ruffled tablecloth and yellow bistro chair via Daisy Chain, yellow ribbon wands by {frolic!}
Row 3: photo of ruffled dress by Duston Todd, flower girl with ranunculus nosegay by Ariella Chezar from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of California oak tree by Jose Villa
Row 4: vintage Porsche and Monique Lhuillier "Arianna" dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, RSVP calligraphy by Laura Hooper*, bouquet of yellow garden roses by Nicolette Camille

Board #457: Tomatoes and Twine

Today I'm skipping right over spring and into summer, with an inspiration board that I think could work just as well for an intimate dinner party as for a larger wedding celebration...

As much as I'm a sucker for gorgeous floral arrangements, I also know that they're not always friendly on a budget. Splurge on a gorgeous bouquet for the bride, smaller nosegays for bridesmaids, and then save by choosing non-floral centerpieces. Tomatoes (accented with breadsticks and olives) are not only eye-catching, they're also totally budget friendly when used in-season.* Send them home with local guests at the end of the party. Display a small layer cake on a beautiful stand that you'll be able to use over and over after the wedding is over; use this cake for cutting, and save by serving several less-expensive sheet versions of the same cake. Twine in all its forms is an incredibly cheap element that can be used throughout the wedding, from the invitations to the bouquets to the utensils.

*Buy little baskets like these from the Texas Basket Company for around 50-cents apiece (good for any kind of farmers market centerpiece or favors, from tomatoes to berries to nuts).

Mood: summer simplicity
Palette: tomato, gold, buttercream

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Top row from left: tomato and breadstick centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings, buttercream cake on wooden cake stand by Herriott Grace, Twigs & Honey tulle veil photo by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: twine-tied vintage silverware from Napa Style via Bonbon Oiseau via Elizabeth Anne Designs, bouquet with roses, dates and kumquats by Matthew Robbins for Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: twine-tied menu from Sunday Suppers, long-sleeved lace dress via Kiss the Groom, signature cocktail photo by Marla Aufmuth (coaster by Hello Lucky*), monogrammed linens from Idee Online via Design Shimmer

*Snippet & Ink sponsor

Board #412: Day Trip

As summer starts winding down, I keep thinking about road trips. They are one of my very favorite things, and I think the whole feel of a summer road trip - or even just a quick day trip - would make for a lovely wedding or party. Set up a table outside, put some flowers in whatever container you have on hand, feed your guests and laugh. Sometimes less really is more.

Mood: summer road trip
Palette: meadow, oak, sepia, cream

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Top row from left: black and white photo via EmilyStyle, table via This is Glamorous and Clover & Bee, oak tree and hammock via Decorology
Row 2: road trip photo, calligraphy by Bluebird Studios
Row 3: cherry photo by Kathryn Kleinman, hydrangeas on fence photo by Carey MacArthur via Once Wed, shoe photo by Myrtle & Marjoram

Board #407: Hydrangeas & Linen

Lazy days, dinners al fresco, time with family and friends - these are my favorite things about summer. I thought I'd put together an inspiration board that could certainly be a wedding, but could easily be a simple dinner party in the backyard. The faded blue and white of vintage linen tea towels is an unexpected motif, and an easy way to create a cohesive look.

Mood: dinner al fresco
Palette: faded hydrangea, white linen


Top row from left: blue hydrangea photo by Meg Smith, menu via Sunday Suppers, bottle wrap from Martha Stewart, savory pies from Wedding Style Guide
Row 2: dress by Kate Towers, cherries from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet by The Green Vase
Row 3: Paper + Cup wooden utensils from Anthropologie, photo by Molly Fitzsimmons, photo by Stacey Kane, getaway car photo by Millie Holloman

Board #399: Marry-Go-Round

What is it that has me posting two carnival inspiration boards in a row? All I can say is that it's summer, it's hot, and I think everyone can use a dose of fun no matter what. Stripes seem to be a recurrent theme this week, as well - maybe they're the new damask, which would be alright by me! Oh, and how about these cute dresses for your flower girls?

Mood: vintage carnival whimsy
Palette: old fashioned candy

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Top row from left: balloon photo by Josh Goleman, Hatch Show Print for Anthropologie, lemonade photo by Alexandra Grablewski, May Day flowers via EmilyStyle
Row 2: vintage dress via Please Sir Blog, carousel photo via Little Brown Pen, candy buffet with bunting by Amy Atlas, calligraphy by Jenna Hein
Row 3: pennant flags by Something's Hiding in Here via Oh Happy Day, bouquet via Grey Likes Weddings, yellow cake
Row 4: carnival treats from Rebecca Thuss, madras bowtie by J.Press, dress photo by Mel Barlow

Board #398: A Fun Fair Affair

How could I possibly resist that lollipop photo by Jamie Hammond? A carnival inspiration board for you now that summer is officially here...

Mood: sassy summer fun
Palette: candy apple red, cotton candy blue

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Top row from left: dress photo by Shannon Renee, garland photo by Jennifer Kloss, lollipop photo by Jamie Hammond, bouquet photo by Johnny Miller
Row 2: red and blue balloons, marquee letter from Urban Outfitters, caramel corn from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: candy apple photo by Whitebox Weddings, carnation boutonnieres photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, ticket save-the-dates from Martha Stewart Weddings, cherry soda from Wedding Style Guide
Row 4: dahlia photo by Cheri Pearl, ferris wheel photo by Mel Barlow, ribbon candy from Amy Atlas, burger stand photo by Amanda Bevington

Board #395: Butterflies on the Coast

Something sweet and romantic for a summer wedding - maybe something on the coast, with touches of Victorian romance. And the word whimsy is unavoidable here!

Mood: warm summer romance
Palette: apricot, peach, butter, cream, twine

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Top row from left: butterfly lanterns from Martha Stewart Weddings, flowers by Ariella Chezar, photo by Elizabeth Messina, Lyford House photo by Cooper Carras
Row 2: dress via Moodboard, mail boxes photo by Elizabeth Messina, punch photo by Jose Villa, corsage via Amorology
Row 3: flowers by Coty Farquhar, Bienvenue truck from Dee Merz, miniature cakes from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet by Nicolette Camille
Row 4: jacket and shirt from Wedding Style Guide, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, Love stamps via Things Are Better With A Parrott

Board #394: Kitschy Kamper

Today's wedding board was totally inspired by this darling retro camper - the red and white, the urge to hit the road, and something fun that doesn't take itself too seriously. Red and white checks play a big role in this inspiration board, turning it into something like a traveling picnic wedding. Whether this is the kind of wedding you're going for or not, I hope it gets you ready for summer!

Mood: casual summer simplicity
Palette: picnic red and white

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Top row from left: retro camper via Daisy Pink Cupcake, flowers by Artfool, sodas and horseshoes both from Wedding Style Guide
Row 2: children from Martha Stewart Weddings, wooden utensils via {frolic!}, box lunch from Martha Stewart Weddings, cherry invitation photo by Emilie Inc.
Row 3: cupcakes from Martha Stewart, bouquet from Amorology, photo by Whitebox Weddings, bride from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #393: Watermelon Wedding

Can you tell that I'm ready for summer? And that I'm really loving this lawn green right now? I also like this as an option for a pink-and-green palette...

Mood: kitschy backyard fun
Palette: watermelon, lawn

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Top row from left: shoes and shoe bags via Creature Comforts, melon balls from Martha Stewart, grooms via {frolic!}, photo by Gemma Comas for Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, watermelon photo from Well Wed, flower girls via {frolic!}
Row 3: flowers by Ariella Chezar, veil by Leah C, lawn flamingos from Michelle Rago, ring pillow photo by Lisa Lefkowitz