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.

styled shoot: dreamy + smoky inspiration

A few months ago, Emily Wren had a gorgeous concept for a photo shoot, and I was thrilled to be included as part of the vendor line-up!  She was inspired by Filippo Minelli's series "Silence & Shapes" that uses colored smoke bombs in landscape photos.  We wanted to use the colored smoke in a softer way -- letting it bring color into some bridal looks we put together. 

I loved dreaming up a way to bring an ethereal, smoky quality to paper while keeping the colors light and soft.  I created a background with a layered wash of silver and gray tones.  To keep the writing style soft and dreamy, I skipped my usual nibs and did brush calligraphy instead.  The separation of watercolor-like tones was so fun! 

It was so fun to collaborate with so many talented teams!  Thanks for including me.

vendor dream team:   photography: Emily Wren Photography //  florals: Ilonka Florals // paper, signage + calligraphy: hello, bird.  //  food: Sweet Elizabeth's // styling: confetti & co. // models: Reinhard Agency // hair + makeup: Aleksandra Ambrozy // furniture: Maggpie Vintage // venue: Terrain // dresses: BHLDN

All photos in this post are courtesy of Emily Wren Photography.

This smoke bomb photo shoot was featured on 100 Layer Cake.

Day-of Details: Casey + Justin

Congratulations to Casey + Justin!  The happy couple said their vows in Virginia in the fall, and I had such a great time working on their day-of details.  Casey and Justin's day-of details included menus for each place setting, and a signature cocktail bar menu.   

Casey mentioned that they were incorporating a teal scalloped pattern and gold into their details (including Justin's pocket square- so dapper!) and wanted to work that into the menus.  I created a scalloped background, and wrote their menu by hand.  My handwriting was scanned in and placed over the teal scalloped pattern.  After the menus were printed, I added their names and wedding date at the top of each menu in gold ink.

Casey and Justin had two great signature cocktails created for their wedding - the Daywalker and the Unladen Swallow.  For their signature cocktail menu, they wanted to include watercolor illustrations of each drink.  

To help me with the visuals, Casey + Justin sent over photos of each drink- including the glasses and serving details that would be used on their wedding day!  The prep for those incredible reference photos and the cocktail testing sounds like a fun afternoon, doesn't it?

Casey + Justin's wedding was beautifully photographed by Ashley Peterson Photography.  Thanks again, Ashley, for allowing me to use your gorgeous photos from Casey + Justin's wedding. 

Casey + Justin's wedding has been featured on The Washingtonian Bride & Groom.
photos in this post courtesy of Ashley Peterson Photography (except first photo by hello, bird.)