Real Wedding: Wendy & Sean

Thirteen people were present at Wendy and Sean's June wedding, and that's including the bride and groom! Their intimate and charming ceremony is a great example of how to include children from previous marriages in a second wedding. Says Wendy:

We have three boys between us, from our first marriages, and we both felt very strongly that this wedding wasn't just about Sean and myself, but about our new family. It was a chance for our children to heal from the divorces and to feel safe and secure in our new family. Everything we did was geared towards making it a happy, special day for them.








The day before the ceremony, Wendy and her sons decorated the church inside and out with magnolia leaves taken from trees she had planted when they were born.









A few details from Wendy: For our first "family date," we visited a little church in Amelia where a small battle had been fought during the Civil War. We took Frisbees and had a really fun picnic, plus we got to share a little of Virginia's Civil War history with my sons. It was a magical day and the real start of our family. When we were trying to figure out where we wanted to get married, that little church, Namozine (maintained by the Amelia Historical Society), seemed like the perfect place.

For the wedding, we did a sand ceremony with our boys. Each of us had our own jars of sand, which we poured into a larger jar to symbolize that we are individuals, but joining together into one family. The children took the sand ceremony very seriously and I think that it meant a lot to them. I hope that every time they look at that jar of sand, they will know how much we love them and want to make a happy, secure family for them.

Wishing all the best to this new family! And thank you to Susan Bolling for sharing these charming photos with us.

Board #496: Secret Garden, Revisited

One of the very first inspiration boards I ever posted was inspired by The Secret Garden, and when I saw this post over on Dress Design Decor a couple of weeks ago, I immediately wanted to revisit the theme (and hopefully improve upon it). Faded blue, vintage keys, overgrown vines, and romantic stationery pull the look together, while a chandelier hung in a tree, a unique candelabra, and paisley printed linens add something unexpected.

Mood: romantic, storybook
Palette: faded powder blue, pale garden green, white

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Top row from left: secret garden door via Dress Design Decor, chandelier from Brides, faded blue door via Dress Design Decor, ring bearer ensemble by Marie-Chantal via Brides UK
Row 2: photo of weather vane candelabra by Elizabeth Messina, springerle cookie cake from Martha Stewart, botanical RSVP card by Austin Press
Row 3: white wine and vintage wine glasses via Style Me Pretty, vintage key via Dress Design Decor, vine save-the-date by Austin Press, The Secret Garden and vintage key via Dress Design Decor
Row 4: blue display box-frame from Cox & Cox, garden bridal hat from Martha Stewart Weddings, white garden chair with roses from Wedding Style Guide, blue paisley linen by Peter Dunham Textiles via Style Court

PS - I am so excited about being able to hang out at the Film Is Not Dead workshop while I'm here in San Diego. Thank you to Jonathan Canlas for inviting me to speak!

Real Wedding: Heidi & Michael

The very talented floral designer, Amy Osaba, sent over this colorful wedding. 60 guests joined Heidi and Michael at their May wedding, where they were married under a beautiful old tree.








Be-ribboned drink stirrers and monogrammed cocktail napkins.




During the cocktail hour, guests lounged in vintage lawn chairs and gliders, played croquet, sipped plantation punch and enjoyed Big Band music.


Favors were eco-friendly Meyer's Spruce saplings planted in mason jars and tied with twine.




In addition to wedding cake, a dessert table included blackberry and peach cobbler, mini pecan pies, pound cake, and a German chocolate cake made by the bride's grandmother.




Says Heidi: As a surprise to Michael, I bought each of us a beach cruiser bicycle to ride off on from the reception. So as we left on our new bikes, guests blew birthday horns to send us off.

Photography: Woodland Fields Photography

Planning: John Gandy Events

Venue: Pebble Hill Plantation in Thomasville, Georgia

Bride's dress: Casablanca

Bridesmaid dresses: Lela Rose

Flowers: Amy Osaba

Cake: Sandy's Sweets (850-893-7779)

Board #492: Love and Surf

I was having so much fun thinking about where my honey and I might go on our honeymoon, and then we found out we might not be able to take one right away. So disappointing! But, one thing inspiration boards are good for (aside from helping to pull together a look for a wedding) is imagining, so I imagined up a trip to Hawaii...

Mood: Hawaiian casual
Palette: sand and surf, red and yellow

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Top row from left: surfboard photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, vintage surf postcard, tropical fruit wedding cake from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: tropical orchid bouquet by Matthew Robbins, photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, beach wedding from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: beach and palm tree photo from Real Weddings, popsicles via Ruby Press, red and yellow hibiscus in bud vases by Nancy Liu Chin via Green Wedding Shoes
Row 4: pink Hawaiian quilt from The Quilt Complex, ukelele photo by Dave Robbins, signature cocktails with dried pineapple garnish from Martha Stewart Weddings, surfboard and food truck photo by Ericka McConnell

Real Wedding: Tiff & Leo

Tiff and Leo had the sweetest spring wedding, full of cheery colors and mismatched flea market style. Erin Hearts Court was there to capture the day.






Jaclyne from Heavenly Blooms used a variety of flowers, including baby's breath and craspedia.






From Tiff: "My bridesmaids gave me a full set of random teacups and teapots for my bridal shower. I really wanted to use them so my florist put arrangements in them and hung them on shepherd’s hooks along the aisle. She also had the brilliant idea of lining the aisle with a baby’s breath garland. We used both the teapot arrangements and the baby’s breath garland to decorate our head family tables."










My maid of honor is a graphic designer, and she designed our save the dates, invites, program fans, escort cards, and our wedding tree guestbook. She created our cartoon faces and then I used that on everything. For the escort cards, she illustrated tiny maps of the venue so that our guests would be able to find their tables and the different food stations easily. We made the boards where they were posted by covering regular foam boards with fabric and stringing twine across them. We used mini clothespins to hang each escort card.






(I love this detail!) We started dating in college and we both got our degrees in nutrition, so I thought miniature fruit trees would be perfect for our centerpieces. Many of the orange trees and kumquat trees had fruit on them! I also made little tags for each of the fruit trees to show what fruit it would grow. We covered the pots of the trees in all kinds of different fabric to make everything look fun and lively. I figured it would be nice if our guests took the trees home and planted them. That way, every time they ate fruit from it, they would remember our special day.


Each tier of the cake was a different flavor: coconut, red velvet, and carrot cake. There was also a dessert buffet, with mini cupcakes, peanut butter chocolate whoopie pies, fruit cobbler, fresh fruit, and assorted brownie bites and lemon bar bites. Tiff made the cake topper herself with clothespins and other materials from Michael's. The groom's tie was made with the same fabric as Leo's tie.



Venue: The Clarke Estate in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Bride's dress / shoes: San Patrick / Old Navy

Veil / flower headpiece: Goff Couture / Twigs & Honey

Groom's suit / tie: Jimmy Au's / Tux & Tulle

Bridesmaid dresses: Amanda Archer

Flowers: Heavenly Blooms

Cake: Auntie Em's Kitchen

Congratulations Tiff and Leo! Thank you for sharing your wedding with us, and thank you to Erin Hearts Court for sending over these great pics from the day.

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 #485: A Summer Afternoon

Backyards, lemonade, dancing under the stars - these are a few of my favorite summer things, and they're the inspiration for this summer wedding board. But the overall look isn't casual or slapdash - it's actually quite preppy and timeless. Parasols, fans, and hats are available for guests to keep cool at an outdoor ceremony. Flower girls wear dresses in an unexpected black and white gingham. Hand painted table numbers are a simple DIY touch. Buttercream cake and lemon meringue tartlets are sweetly simple desserts for a summer wedding at home. And if there happens to be a wraparound porch at your venue, wouldn't it be just perfect for the cocktail hour?

Mood: equal parts preppy, vintage, backyard elegance
Palette: black and white, lemon meringue, garden green

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Top row from left: dance floor with string lights and lanterns via Style Me Pretty, guest book table from Martha Stewart Weddings, relaxed black tie photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, panama hats from Brides
Row 2: lemon meringue tartlets from Wedding Style Guide, peonies and olive branches, photo of yellow fans by Stephanie Williams, photo of black and white gingham flower girl dress by Jonas Peterson
Row 3: photo by La Vie Photography, table number via Poppytalk, vintage pickup truck via The Invitation Lady, lemonade photo via Creature Comforts
Row 4: porch cocktail hour from Blue Moon Events, whimsical calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap, photo of yellow bridesmaid dresses by Mark Staff, buttercream lemon cake from Charleston Weddings

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 #473: Antique Peach and Blue

Headboards have been a surprising source of inspiration for me lately - further evidence, I guess, that inspiration can be found just about anywhere. This palette of antique peach and faded blue makes for a sweet spring combination, or a soft choice for summer. And I love the floral print! Have any of you found your wedding colors or aesthetic or other inspiration in an unexpected place?

Mood: feminine vintage
Palette: antique peach, faded blue, pale green

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Top row from left: floral print headboard via Little Green Notebook, photo of saturn peaches from Cannelle et Vanille, photo of outdoor wedding table by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: amaryllis and tree peony bouquet by Matthew Robbins for Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of velvet lined jewelry boxes by Johnny Miller for Martha Stewart
Row 3: peach floral print dress by Reem Acra, photo of fabric corsage by Vis Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, vintage-inspired save-the-date by Lucky Luxe
Row 4: peach rose and porcelain berry bouquet by Ariella Chezar, "Chirp" patterned china by Lenox, photo of ruffled dress from Gabriella New York by Shelly Kroger

Board #470: Ivy & Brick

If you're just at the beginning of your planning, browsing around the internet for ideas, I'd like to make a suggestion. Instead of starting with a look or "vision" in mind, and then trying to find a venue that fits that vision (because if you're anything like me, you'll drive yourself totally bananas when you realize that the perfect* place doesn't exist), start with a budget, a guest list, and a date or two. Find a venue that fits those things, and then develop a vision from there. I know that some venues aren't inherently inspiring - more like blank slates - but if your venue is (inspiring, that is), why not let it spark your vision? That's what I had in mind when creating today's inspiration board, which is based entirely around the idea of an ivy-covered, brick-walled venue.

Mood: vintage urban
Palette: brick and ivy green

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Top row from left: topiary in terra cotta pot via Design*Sponge, ivy cascade bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, buttercream cake with olive leaf decorations photo by Jose Villa, ivy-covered brick wall photo by Anna Boudreau
Row 2: rose petal toss from Wedding Style Guide, bride and groom on balcony photo by Rebecca for Millie Holloman, rustic seating card display photo by Jose Villa, ivy plant wedding favor via {frolic!}
Row 3: galvanized tub of wine bottles from Brides, ivy covered basket photo by Belathee, banquet table in brick courtyard from Jo Gartin, vintage stamps

*A note on this word, perfect. Back when I was planning my wedding in what I like to call "Round 1," the biggest source of stress (okay, insanity) for me was the idea that my wedding had to be perfect. That it could be perfect. Perfect in the sense of perfectly scripted, costumed, directed, produced. But here's the thing. That's not a wedding day; it's a movie. An impossible goal, and you will make yourself crazy trying to achieve it - and miserable when it doesn't happen. For myself, I'd rather focus on having a day where I get to marry my best friend, hopefully surrounded by the people who love us, and hopefully followed by cake. I'm not sure it gets more perfect than that. (If you need more convincing that going for perfect isn't where it's at, Meg's got a great post on it over here.)

Board #465: Lily-of-the-Valley Revisited

Though one of the first inspiration boards I ever did had a lily-of-the-valley theme, I figure that was long enough ago that I could revisit it (and hopefully improve it) without boring too many folks. It's a classic choice for weddings - it looks like teeny wedding bells, and is such a charming harbinger of Spring. It's not the cheapest flower out there (um, at all), and it takes a ton of them to get any sort of volume, but just a few pips in your bouquet, sugar versions on your cake, or vintage millinery flowers on your ring pillow adds a touch of the classic and timeless.

Mood: traditional spring wedding
Palette: classic green and white

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Top row from left: bud vases with lily-of-the-valley from Rebecca Thuss, individual lily-of-the-valley favors from Martha Stewart, lily-of-the-valley boutonniere by Flowerwild
Row 2: ivy garland photo by Elizabeth Messina, cake decorated with sugar flowers via The Bride's Guide
Row 3: flower girl and seating cards both from Martha Stewart Weddings, Jacqueline Bouvier
Row 4: ring pillow with vintage millinery lily-of-the-valley from Rebecca Thuss, lily-of-the-valley bouquet photo by Aaron Delesie, calligraphy on green envelope by Tara Jones

Board #464: Black Slate and Spring

Doesn't this green remind you of the tiny leaf buds that start popping out in early spring? Inspired by this stunning photo of Vera Wang's green dress, I thought black slate (a sort of chalkboard gray) and leaf bud green would be a lovely and unexpected Spring palette, and a nice choice for the first inspiration board of March. It has a slightly modern feel that balances sweetly romantic details like bows and springerle cookies and vines, and I think it could work in a wide range of venues from an historic estate to an industrial loft.

Mood: romance with a modern twist
Palette: black slate, pastel spring green, cream white

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Top row from left: pale green Vera Wang dress from Charleston Weddings, centerpiece in zinc container by Dandelion Ranch, chalkboard in ornate frame from Blue Bell Bazaar
Row 2: gray bow corsage by A Alicia, veil from Charleston Weddings, springerle cake from Martha Stewart
Row 3: Amy Butler Design via The City Sage, customized gift bags by Laura Hooper, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, photo with green grapes by Meg Matyia

Laura Hooper is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

#463: Robin's Egg Blue

Well, it took me long enough, but here's today's inspiration board! Robin's egg blue for a sophisticate Spring wedding. Creamy white and outdoor garden green keep it fresh and sophisticated, as does using mostly white flowers for bouquets, with ribbons in blue. And for anyone who has the original issue of Martha Stewart Weddings that has the blue cake in it, you'll be able to see that the pale blue frosting is flecked with vanilla beans, making it look just like a robin's egg!

Mood: sophisticated spring garden
Palette: robin's egg blue, spring green, cream

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Top row from left: hydrangea bouquet with blue moire ribbon and pussy willow nest both from Martha Stewart, blue flower girl dress from Flora and Henri
Row 2: bouquet with lace by The Green Vase, robin's egg blue cake from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: plantation house photo by Caleb Chancey, nests under cloches from Williams-Sonoma, bay leaf chair garlands photo by Meg Smith
Row 4: Modern Day Design muscari boutonnieres photo by Jose Villa, rice packets from Martha Stewart Weddings, Marie-Chantal ring bearer outfit from Brides UK, blue and white favors from Martha Stewart Weddings

Spring Green

If you weren't already itching for spring to arrive, then this gorgeous green shoot from Ariella and Meg will probably do the trick. This understated palette of mostly green - with some accents of pale blue and cream - allows for a variety of mixed patterns, which work well together rather than overwhelm. I'm hoping that when it stops raining here, maybe it will look something like this outside my door...


The model wears a silk chiffon dress from J.Crew. Parasol from Cultural Intrigue.


The bouquet includes annabelle hydrangea, cup-and-saucer vine, ferns and hydrangea foliage.


Cocktail umbrellas and manila tags make for sweet - and very easy - seating cards.




Green bittersweet berries adorn the bistro chairs.


The centerpiece includes annabelle hydrangea, cup-and-saucer vine, clematis tangutica, green bittersweet, nicotiana, ferns, jasmine and quince. Ariella wrapped mint colored ribbon around the glass vase.



So there you are, a touch of spring for your dreary winter day (and if you're not experiencing a dreary winter day right now, well, I'm jealous). We have one more beautiful shoot from Ariella Chezar and Meg Smith lined up for next week, and in case you've missed their previous visits here on Snippet & Ink, you can catch up on all of those lovely shoots here.