The Wedding Reception!!!

 

This reception was the result of my first (and maybe last) endeavor as a wedding planner. It was three months of hard work, but I'm grateful for the opportunity and everything I learned from it. I loved working with the mother of the bride, Michelle, since the beautiful bride to be, Kendra, was out of state beginning her new teaching career.

I also loved being able to use my creativity, and personalize so many of the decorations. It really was a labor of love.

The reception was held in a gorgeous backyard, and despite being a bit chilly, it was a perfect night.
The theme was rustic/shabby chic. Lots of natural elements, burlap, lace, and Tiffany blue. 

 

I did not provide the actual food, but I did design and prep all three food tables. They looked even cuter with the pretty food on the cake stands and trays.

 

My favorite part were the three hand drawn chalkboard signs I created.

 

I'm not perfect at it, but I'm trying to improve on my lettering skills.

There was a third table, a cookie bar, that I totally missed taking a picture of. Darn!

But just imagine glass jars with lace trim, and mini chalkboard signs. I also hand stamped 100 cookie bags for people to fill.

We only planned for, and rented, three food tables, but really could have used a fourth for drinks. Out of desperation I created this beverage station using tree stumps I rescued from a neighborhood bulk trash pile, a crate, and a vintage suitcase. It was totally last minute, and even though it wasn't planned, it ended up being one of my favorite things. And who else has such a unique beverage station at their reception?

 

The flowers really were the star of the tables. I stained 14 crates a pretty dark walnut, and with the help of two friends, who had much more floral experience than me, we created these stunning arrangements. Two dozen ivory roses, baby's breath, and amazing greenery in each.

On the two rows of long tables the crates were intermixed with Tiffany blue lanterns (painted by me), wood stand frames (made by me), and vintage blue jars with more beautiful flowers.

We tied burlap bows on the back of each chair. A detail that I completely loved.

We also set up 6 round tables with more crates, pictures in birch wood slices, and mini lanterns.

 

I loved how the stand frames looked, and it was a perfect way to show off pics of the cute couple, Kendra and Josh. 

More lanterns, vintage jars of flowers, and mini Instagram reminders.

I borrowed the hinged doors from a friend- they were perfect behind the cake table.

 

I created another hand drawn sign for the cake area.

 

Of course I did not make the cake......thank goodness. That's a skill I don't possess.

But it was super cute! 

My husband helped me make these corn hole games. The bride and her mom saw a version on Pinterest and fell in love with them. I hand painted the silhouettes and my mom sewed the cute beanbags.

They requested an advice card table, so this what I came up with.

 

The blue card box holder was an old cassette tape storage box that I painted. I added the vintage pull for a pretty little detail.

The old typewriter holds instructions for the guests.

 

The line backdrop was a time consuming project for sure, that I could not have done without the help of my friend Cyndi.

I made 150 paper flowers, and she helped me construct the burlap drapery on a PVC frame.

We staged it with vintage suitcases, crates, and flowers.

What made this area special was the bride and groom standing in front of it!

 

The gift table was simple, but pretty. Another suitcase with a pennant, and my USA map with hearts on the hometowns of the bride and groom.

 

Along with three other pieces of white furniture, I hauled my precious antique buffet to the venue. It was the perfect sign in table, and worth the trouble of moving the beast.

A framed photo, hydrangeas, and some vintage details, complete the vignette.

The "LOVE" display was another Pinterest copy, that looked great in front of the garage.

 

I also created a hot chocolate station, that was really popular after the sun went down, and the chill set in. I used another stump as a stand for the dispenser.

 

 

There were more things that I missed taking pictures of, lots of little details I wish I'd captured before the sun set and the guests arrived. Overall I'm super pleased with how it turned out. And more importantly, so was the bride, and her family.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Crowley!