One of my favorite wedding traditions is the rehearsal dinner–something that has blossomed into a meal with more significance and meaning than ever before. In my experience, the rehearsal dinner has always been an opportunity for family members to reconnect, bridal parties to hang out, and guests to become acquainted. It’s also a very relaxed atmosphere that I truly believe is the first chance for the families of the bride and groom to form new bonds. Without a formal agenda and tight timeline, rehearsal dinners are also the perfect stage for meaningful speeches from family members, bridal party attendants, and close guests.
For all those reasons, we love the idea of making your rehearsal dinner special–in whichever way you decide to do that. Be it a square dance and barbecue, martinis and outdoor movie screening, afternoon picnic and croquet, or whatever else you can dream up, the idea is to squeeze in as much time with your loved ones as possible, because every married couple we know says the same thing: “The wedding went by so fast!!!”
Today, we’re sharing with you a particularly gorgeous rehearsal dinner designed by the lovely Gianna of Chic Celebrations. All the flowers are by one of our fave fave fave floral stylists, Lauryl Lane with images by Brittany Rene. Strands of Edison light bulbs and a solo guitar player provided ambiance while guests mingled over cocktails. Dinner was served at a u-shaped over-sized family style table, creating the perfect opportunity for toasts and warm interaction. We love it all!
Resources included: Planning and Design: Chic Celebrations // Floral Styling and Design: Lauryl Lane // Rentals: Town and Country // Linens: La Tavola // Catering: Contemporary Catering and Sunseri’s Beverage Catering // Venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch // Photography: Brittany Rene
If you haven’t already figured it out, Lady Grey loves color. Especially bright happy color, like the navy and tangerine hues from this Solvang wedding designed by one of our fave fave fave California wedding designers, Kelly Oshiro. One of my fave elements is her reinvention of the ceremony area, by designing a striped canopy. The effect is striking and whimsical. With images by Halberg Photographers (who are just as fab) you really can’t lose!
Kelly shares with us some insight into the design: Our theme was Spanish with a touch of vintage style. I created an arbor with blue and orange fabric for the ceremony, which really popped. For the reception, I painted cement containers two toned (navy and turquoise and red and orange) which carried out the theme. Flowers were dahlias, astibe, blue thistle, muscari, tulips, safflower, roses and geranium. I also painted plain white tiles half orange by taping it off into two triangle sections. These then went around the centerpieces on guest tables. Table numbers were Spanish tile house numbers. For lighting we stung old Edison bulbs at different heights for a touch of vintage.
That lovely stationery above was designed by Jennifer Ebert of Prim and Prixie.
Additional vendors that helped make this wedding gorgeous– Floral, Design and Event Production: Kelly Oshiro Design // Photography: Halberg Photographers // Stationery: Jennifer Ebert of Prim and Prixie // Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes // Location: Lincourt Winery // Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals // Lighting: Bella Vista // Hair & Makeup: Chateau Belle // Music: Scratch DJs // Officiant: Sarah Farmer // The Little Guest
Oh dear. Now we’re in trouble. Kate Spade–if you haven’t already seen or heard–launched a wedding line last spring, with bits of goodies for the aisle bound bride with just the right joie de vivre. Now that we’re on the hunt for shower season, it’s all we can think about…
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this scene in the movies: a row boat, central park, and a sparkling afternoon.Our darling photographer friend, Shannen Norman sent us these with just enough time for pre-planning a spring Central Park engagement.
The new Utterly Engaged issue is on digital newsstands! If you haven’t seen it, be sure to go check out the loveliness! Here are a few sneaks from one of their features shot by EE Photography with florals and styling by Sweet Sunday Events.
