Today, I am finally having the chance to share my very own wedding with you! If you haven’t caught up, you can see our first two posts shot by Jen Huang, here and here. We left off with the conclusion of our ceremony! Afterward, we offered guests “Swan Mimosas” which was frozen juice in the shape of swans, served alongside OneHope sparkling wine.
We also set up a “guest book” station where guests were asked to fill in a “mad libs” style postcard with questions like, “Mr. and Mrs. Ball be ______________ in 10 years.”
While guests sipped on mimosas and filled out our guestbook, they waited in line for our receiving station. On the other side was a bevy of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Our parents (pictured below) along with our siblings stood with us to welcome family and friends. This was such a personal way to greet each of our guests and we preferred this over the alternative of greeting tables during dinner. Plus, it meant we actually had a chance to enjoy dinner!
While guests waited for their chance to greet us, they found their escort cards, calligraphed by Victoria Hoke Lane.
One of our dear friends helped us create a custom cocktail menu, and even helped us make all the ingredients in advance! The drinks were so delish and our guests RAVED about them. A few have even become signatures in our home when friends visit.
We had a gorgeous seating area thanks to Found Vintage Rentals.
Our designer, Cortnie, had the idea to create an oversized chandelier from vintage paper bells. We intermingled lights in the bells for a glowing effect as the sun set.
One of the fun details we included in our stationery was the menu option. Guests chose from a vegetarian or chicken option using the discs included in their invitation suite.
Our wedding feast was beautifully presented by who we think is the world’s most exquisite and creative catering company, Roomforty. We think of them as a restaurant that comes to you, and I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful our food was. Guests dined on Bibb lettuce salad, Jidori chicken confit with vegetables, ravioli, and ratatouille. To this day, we still receive compliments! Take me back!
Our menus were letter pressed by Gus & Ruby Letterpress and designed by MaeMae & Co. The napkins were a mix of fabrics (some of which were custom designed by MaeMae & Co.) which we had sewn by Borrowed Blu.
Our tables were beyond beautiful! Vintage glassware and plates were provided by Borrowed Blu. The lovely swan planters were filled to the brim with flowers by Lauryl Lane.
Our custom wedding crest was printed by Wedding Chicks onto fabric and transformed into napkins for the bridal party.
After our introduction as husband and wife, Bryan got to saber the first bottle of sparkling wine!
It was a special moment dancing with my dad, who had just finished chemo in time for our wedding.
Seriously. I love our swans. You need to see another.
For our favors, we had a “Ladies and Gents” favor station. For the ladies, we provided tea and allowed them to create their own custom tea blend. For the gents, we provided tobacco pipes and tobacco from Kentucky. It was fun seeing everyone enjoying their gifts from us as we progressed into the evening festivities!
Our crests were printed onto fabric thanks to Wedding Chicks, and then turned into pillows for guests to lounge on.
A few days before the wedding, our cake vendor pulled out last minute. I was so disappointed, but once we let the idea go, donuts became the next best better thing. We had our FAVORITE donuts brought up from our local spot, and we ran out as soon as we offered them to guests! No surprise!
Of course, one of our favorite parts of the entire celebration was the party! Our DJ, Bobbito The Chef, brought the house down! The only time guests left the dance floor was to snap a photo with Mobile Photobooth.
The memories of our wedding day are so incredible, especially thanks to our dear friends, family, and wedding team! The sheer coordination it took LVL Weddings & Events to make the wedding day happen so smoothly is the reason I will forever insist that all brides hire a coordinator! We are seriously so thankful to our crew and hope you loved reliving the day with us as much as we did! Be sure to check out all of our vendors and resources below!
Vendors:
Photography: Jen Huang // Location: Sunstone Vineyards & Winery // Event Design: Cortnie Purdy Fausner // Event Coordination: LVL Weddings & Events // Flowers: Lauryl Lane // Stationery: MaeMae & Co. [design]; Gus & Ruby Letterpress [letterpress printing] // Calligraphy: Victoria Hoke Lane // Videography: Elysium Productions // Catering: Roomforty [food]; Straight Up Cocktail Service [cocktail service] // Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed Blu // Furniture Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals // Linens: Napa Valley Linens // Photobooth: Mobile Photobooth // Event Rentals: Signature Party Rentals // Music: Bobbito The Chef // Hair: Beauty-Full by Molly; Lady Dianna // Makeup: Amy Clarke; Beauty by Melina // Donuts: The Donuttery (714-847-7000) // Honeymoon: Ever After Honeymoons
Fashion and Resources:
Gown and veil: Kirstie Kelly // Groom’s Accessories: Hugo Boss [suit]; David Donahue [tie]; AllSaints [shoes] // Groomsmen bow ties: The Tie Bar // Flower girls’ Dresses: Le Petit Tom; Stella McCartney; Nordstrom // Custom Monogram Napkins: Wedding Chicks // Paper parasols: Luna Bazaar // Crest Boutonnieres: Little Pink Studio // Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar // Swan Planters: Terry’s Village // Paper Bells: Party Pro // Striped Donut Favor Bags: Amazon // Striped cocktail trays: RSF Designs // Striped Bow Bags (bridesmaid gifts): Rectory Crafts
