2020 recap

As repeated everywhere, 2020 was filled with lots of unprecedented times.

COVID-19 brought the phrase social distancing and the word quarantine into regular use, made masks and hand sanitizers the new normal, and - for engaged couples planning a 2020 wedding - brought pivots or rescheduled weddings as we all tried to navigate these new waters together.

One of the silver linings? More intimate weddings make for even more personal details.

Hannah + Tom’s Microwedding Details by hello, bird. // photo by Love Me Do Photography

Hannah and Tom were married in the fall of 2020 at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center in Philadelphia. After rescheduling their May wedding, Hannah and Tom pivoted to trim their guest list of 160 down to 14 guests to both stay within local regulations and have a safe wedding. Some of their day-of details (pictured above) were a beautiful result of their pivot- and deserve their own blog post.

COMMON THREADS

All of the weddings I worked with in 2020 (including pre-COVID weddings) had a few common threads: incredibly thoughtful couples, bold colors, and some really cool details and paper shapes.

Here’s a few more of the highlights- with more to follow later.

black and gold floral and geometric acrylic table numbers by hello, bird. // florals by petal + paper // photo by MLE Pictures

I created black and gold acrylic table numbers for April and Bryan’s Congress Hall wedding in Cape May, New Jersey.

green and gold watercolor table numbers by hello, bird.

Lindsey and Bill were just ahead of the curve as they married in March with an intimate wedding at Barbuzzo Upstairs in Philadelphia. Some of their details included black tag place cards with their guests’ names in white ink, and some green and gold signage.

black and gold foil wedding menus and vellum and gold wax seal layered place cards by hello, bird. // florals by Sarah’s Garden // photo by Daniel Kim Photography

Victoria and Shaan’s Arizona wedding at El Chorro was filled with colorful florals, and black, gold, and vellum paper details.

It was a pleasure and honor to work with such thoughtful couples in a year filled with so many unprecedented twists and turns. Here’s looking ahead to a future of more thoughtful couples and celebrations!

day-of details: Elizabeth + Fabien

Happy 2nd anniversary to Elizabeth + Fabien!

photo courtesy of Siousca Photography

I've started writing about Elizabeth + Fabien's wedding several times, but I really don't know where to begin.  I could start with the thoughtfulness, care, and love they put into everything that they do... but even those words don't seem sufficient.

Elizabeth + Fabien reached out to me months before their July wedding, and we met via Skype.  They shared bits of their love story and their wedding plans - and I was blown away.   

She's a communications and branding specialist, and he's a landscape designer.  They compliment each other perfectly - and I love that she's literally an American in Paris.  

With plans to celebrate both stateside and later in Paris, one of my favorite things about working with Elizabeth + Fabien was their main approach to their wedding.  It's a beautiful celebration of love and their relationship.  Everything should be thoughtful + reflect them, otherwise it was off the table and out of the picture.  Their day was all about keeping it very simple,  with plenty of special meanings-- SO full of heart.  Their love was at the core of every single decision, and I completely admire that. 

hand-dyed welcome banner by hello, bird. // photo courtesy of Siousca Photography

Elizabeth + Fabien chose to keep everything very natural - with lots of greens + peaches.  Westtown School, where Elizabeth went to high school, served as the venue for their Quaker ceremony.  To complement the gorgeous natural setting, I created a hand-dyed and painted welcome banner. I love that we chose a fabric sign to keep things a little softer and organic feeling, and the eucalyptus by Kate from Devon + Pinkett was the perfect complement.

table numbers by hello, bird. // florals by devon + pinkett // photo courtesy of Siousca Photography

The reception was close by, at Terrain at Styer's -- where the couple had their first meal when Fabien came to visit Elizabeth stateside.. (a perfect choice- since Fabien is a landscape designer!)   Some of the details I created were made to work with details created by Elizabeth and Fabien while they were engaged -- another thoughtful approach!  Fabien fabricated the stands and loops for the table numbers (so cool!) 

banner by hello, bird. // florals by Devon + Pinkett // cake by Carley's Cakes// photo courtesy of Siousca Photography

Elizabeth + Fabien's wedding vendor dream team: ceremony venue:  Westtown School // reception venue: Terrain at Styer's // cake: Carley's Cakes // calligraphy + signage: hello, bird. // florals: Devon + Pinkett // hair + makeup:  True Beauty Marks // music/DJ: Marc Foster // photographer:  Siousca Photography // rentals: Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals // wedding dress: Lihi Hod via Gabriela Bridal NYC // 

All photos in this post courtesy of Siousca Photography.

Elizabeth and Fabien's wedding was featured on Snippet & Ink.