Anyway, so I saw this video a while back and wasn’t sure if I should share it, but I finally figured what the heck – it’s pretty and you guys like pretty! This isn’t a real wedding video, it’s almost an inspiration video created alongside a beautiful photoshoot coordinated by Anne Sage for wedding style inspired by Pride and Prejudice. And it is just lovely! Watch with the sound on, if you can, because the music is quite beautiful as well.

Inspiration from Pride and Prejudice | The City Sage at Villa Montalvo from andrew msv on Vimeo.

This was originally featured on Style Me Pretty (and you can see the photoshoot results as well!)

A big round of applause for the people behind the video as well, namely Anne Sage/The City Sage for concept, production and styling, photography: Lisa Lefkowitz Photography, cinematography: Andrew Hsu/Studio MSV. See the vimeo page for additional credits!

I am extremely honored today to share with you the wedding of an old coworker and friend, Rebecca, to her sweetheart, Chris last summer. There are a lot of pictures, but you don’t want to miss any of the beautiful, creative, and meaningful details at this wedding. The ceremony and reception were held at the Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast in Parkdale, Oregon and both are absolutely breathtaking. All photos by the extremely talented Washington photographer Christy Pelland of C.Pelland Photography (who doesn’t realize yet that she will be shooting my wedding in a few years if I have anything to say about it!).

The groom, a ceramic artist, made ceramic watercan centerpieces for the 13 tables. They were filled with blooms and given to honored guests at the end of the night.

Rebecca’s father, Jay Stewart, is also a potter. He made this Native American wedding vase for the ceremony. Rebecca’s family has Native American heritage and the couple chose to honor that in the ceremony.

Rebecca’s aunt designed and created the bouquets and boutonnieres. Teddy Bear Sunflowers were used because Chris has always surprised Rebecca with them through their relationship.

Rebecca designed and made fans as the programs. A love poem was on one side, and the other had a list of the attendants.

They opted to do a “first look”. Chris’s reaction to his lovely bride was priceless.

Custom jewelry was designed by local artist Ada Rosman for Rebecca. Ada worked with Rebecca to design pieces that would reflect Rebecca’s family history and heritage. Her Irish roots were showcased in the claddough that Ada designed.

The couple wanted to honor their parents and grandparents in a special way. They framed and displayed the engagement or wedding photos of their parents and both sets of grandparents.

See more photos from this beautiful wedding after the jump. Trust me, you don’t want to miss these!

Rebecca’s mother made the ringbearer’s pillow using her grandmother’s handkerchief.

The bride designed and made a folding guestbook using photos from their engagement session (also by Christy Pelland)

Rebecca made these bracelets and matching earrings for each of her bridesmaids that coordinated with their dresses. She and her mother also made them matching clutch purses.

Rebecca’s sister-in-law made the beautiful white cake with lemon curd and buttercream frosting using all organic and local materials. The quilt behind the cake table was a gift from a close family friend and featured squares from close friends and family. The quilt was presented to the couple at the rehearsal dinner and then displayed at the wedding.

The father of the bride also made these ceramic love birds to sit on top of the cake.

Rebecca’s father also made the couple a dinnerware set and they used the plates and cups as their place-setting at the wedding.

The couple wanted to honor two family members and had chocolates made from Bruce’s Candy Kitchen in the bride’s hometown of Cannon Beach, Oregon. The favors had the inscription “For our Fallen Stars and the sweet memories we have”.

Each guest was sent home with a handmade cup by Chris. The lettering on the cards was done by Day-Of coordinator, Jaclyn Aldrich.

Rebecca changed her ribbons throughout the night to match the colors of her bridesmaids.

Rebecca, thank you so much for sharing your touching and beautiful day with us!

All photos by C.Pelland Photography.

Here’s a peek at the simple and affordable centerpieces that bridesmaid Shannah and I pulled together.

In a glass bowl, we mixed decorative beads (very lightweight, like styrofoam, sold at craft stores) with little sequined balls (also at the craft store) with some mini fake fruit. Then we picked up super-cheap mini pumpkins and spray-painted them gold and tossed a little gold glitter on top while the paint was drying. Finally, adding a few sprigs of “berries” gave the mixture a little extra texture and dimension. The whole thing sat on a mirror in the center of the table, surrounded by candles. The candlelight and mirror really brought out the sparkles in the beads and pumpkins.

For 12 tables, it was under $200 (the bowls and mirrors belonged the the venue). A nice alternative to what could have been pricey floral centerpieces. Plus, these were all assembled ahead of time, so all we had to do was put in the pumpkins and light the candles once we got to the venue.

Martha Stewart tissue paper poofs over a handmade tablecloth. Pink and white carnations in IKEA vases. The cake was vanilla with dyed pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. This was the wine station; food was served on the counter (not pictured).

The gift-table (my tv stand minus tv) was indicated by multi-colored cutouts spelling out "GIFTS" (the favors had one too, as did the front door that said "BRIDAL SHOWER". Above the table was a clothesline adorned with pink and green painted clothespins...

Melissa's clothesline fills up. I got her that lingerie set from VS. Note the bunting in the background that I made with scraps from the tablecloth and some pink fabric.

Another shot of the bunting, and Melissa's friends from college.

Melissa poses with her goodies. Only a few people got her housewares. Guess us ladies just like to shop for lacy things (I'm sure the groom won't mind)!

My right hand for the day, Shannah (also a bridesmaid) without whom the shower would have been utter chaos!

Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse! Is there anything you’d like to know?

Saturday night was Melissa’s bachelorette party (yes, the day before I moved!) and we went out in high style. Her sisters and one friend are still under 21, so we couldn’t exactly go bar hopping. So we went cosmic bowling. Fully decked out in glowstick necklaces, bracelets, and giant “engagement rings”. Classy.

That’s Melissa front and center, and I’m over there on the right. Melissa’s mom came along too, and we thought the mother of the bride deserved a tiara too (there she is in the back!).

Fun bachelorette party ideas:

1. Have a meeting place where everyone can eat, grab a drink, chat and get ready together. We all helped Melissa get ready for her big night and it was fun to get to know some of the other girls better.

2. Bowling was awesome and I highly recommend it. There was a bar where those of age could order drinks, we could be noisy and no one complained, and we were definitely the most supportive group there. “Gutter ball? Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!”

3. Have everyone wear something similar. Melissa had her special bride outfit we put together for her, but the rest of us all wore purple shirts. It was fun to feel like a cohesive group.

4. Take a cab or chauffered van. I was designated driver (us older girls took Mel out for a drink after the little girls went home), and it is not fun to be the only sober one at a bachelorette party!  I would have prefered to have a few drinks with everyone else and paid someone else to drive (of course, if you’re going very far, that might not be very economical! But we were just going a mile or two).

5. This is totally up to what the bride enjoys, but I think skipping the whole bar thing is totally ok. There’s always at least one other bachelorette out, guys are CHEAP (hello, buying the bride a drink is the whole point of a bachelorette!) and for everyone else, drinks are expensive! So if you’re planning a bachelorette or *are* the bachelorette, feel free to think outside the box!

(NOTE: I unpacked my camera cord, so pictures of the bridal shower coming soon!!!)

The concept: chocolates in a custom bag, arranged like a candy shop.

How-to:

Make simple labels. I found this print-out on iDIY (freebie courtesy of creature comforts), printed them, cut them out, and wrote the occasion and date.

Glue your labels onto white paper bags (mine were $2.50 for 12 at the craft store). Use a glue-stick or tiny dots to avoid that wrinkled-glue look. To spend a little more, you could print your labels out on stickers (address labels or name badges).

After filling the bag with your treat of choice, fold over and punch holes. String ribbon through from the back and tie a knot or bow in the front.

Arrange on a bookshelf that is magically clear thanks to that fact that you’re moving in a week and a half. Voila, instant candy-shop feel with 24 bags, 12 pieces of paper, lots of chocolate, and two spools of ribbon.

Exhibit A: The invitation. Purchased at Paper Delights in Wallingford (they’ll print your text for you, but I just ran mine through the printer). Most darling store ever. I could have spent my entire paycheck there, and even Ryan liked browsing through the letterpressed cards. Sorry for the tiny picture. It was either this or HUGE. Personal info has been blurred out. This is where I got my color scheme, which has now exploded all over my apartment. Pink and green everywhere!

Only 11 days till the shower and lots of projects to complete. Stay tuned!

Saw this lacy necklace on etsy and thought it would be beautiful on a bride wearing a soft vintage gown. And $29? Steal deal.

My inspiration:

My plan:

1. Pick a theme. I love the idea of a “Plates and Panties” theme and since I know they’re starting a new home and want to get to making babies, she’ll be needing both!

2. Invite guests. Found the cutest invitations at Seattle store Paper Delights. I’ll show pictures soon!

3. Pick food, decorations, and favors/game prizes. I’m thinking simple is best, but also items that can be reused. And favors that aren’t too expensive but still fun to get.

4. Execute the plan and party down! Well I guess that will be at the bachelorette party, only a week later!

Have you thrown a successful bridal shower? What did you do for favors? For games?

And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to share the final results!

From Bliss

Source unknown.

From Craft Lovely

P.S. Two of these are from two of my new fave blogs, Craft Lovely and Bliss. Beautiful photos and great taste. Go check them out!