12 Mar

Our dear friend Summer (and one of the coolest girls we know), of Grey Likes Weddings, crafted and sent us the cutest idea called the “Us” Box to share with all of you today! She wanted to give her boyfriend tangible items that represent intangible commitments that she makes to him in their relationship. She typed out explanations on tags, attached them to each item, then presented everything to him inside a vintage suitcase. (how cuuuuute!)

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Summer says, “I think the idea works beautifully for anyone looking for a beautiful gift to give someone…be it their fiance on their wedding day, their mother on mother’s day, etc. What I love about giving it to my boyfriend is that we can both continue to add to it as our relationship grows and requires new promises. I also love that our children will be able to paw through the box and understand in very tactile ways what we do to put our love in action.”

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What an amazing and thoughtful idea, Summer. Lucky boyfriend.

photography by Caroline Tran

Summer is available to do custom styling for photographers, venues, designers, engagement and lifestyle shoots.

17 comments

11 Mar

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Hello lovelies! As promised, here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create a kimono-style napkin fold for your table setting. You can, of course, place just about anything in it. Perhaps a menu card, or place card, or even a second favor!

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1. Place fabric wrap face-down. Fold the top side towards you and fold again to create a pleat.
2. Take one corner and fold towards the middle.

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3. Repeat on other side to form the kimono collar.
4. Take the side closest to you and fold towards the kimono collar and make a pleat.

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5. Turn the whole thing over.
6. Take one end and fold in.

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7. Repeat on other side. You should have a neat rectangular shape now. Turn it over….
8. … voila!

It’s been such a blast being here this week. Thank you so much, ladies, for having me on your lovely blog! Till next time…

xoxo
viola

{all images c/0 chewing the cud}

9 comments

10 Mar

Let’s just start by saying that Eunice is Hello!Lucky’s Creative Director. Mmmkay… obviously her wedding is stunning. And featured in the spring 2010 Martha Stewart Weddings. And somehow we are lucky enough to be able to post it here too. It really is just delicious. Eunice of course went crazy with the wedding crafting - including the invites, dress, stage (STAGE!) and loads of handmade details. She had tons of help from her sister/maid of honor/Hello!Lucky co-founder Sabrina and a bunch of super talented friends, especially Because We Can, who built the stage and all sorts of fun props.

Now we start:

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Her dress was made by Iain Harris Barlett, a friend who also runs their London office. Amazing, no? There are a few more shots further down. It’s pretty much epic. Oh and the venue is Wilbur Hot Springs in Northern California. Very magical!

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Her headpiece is Jennifer Behr, and available online here.

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Colors are so lovely. As is the Tim Walker inspired parade leading to the ceremony. Because We Can made the shadow puppets, and Eunice and crew hand painted and edged each in gold.

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Um stage? Amazing. Again made by Because We Can.

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DRESS.

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Mustaches and gold crowns from Archie McPhee for favors…

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And a vintage photo booth from Magnolia Photobooth Company with all sorts of amazing hats and crowns and props.

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Beautiful photography from Gia Canali with Sara Remington.

You can see tons more photos and all sorts of behind the scenes stuff on The Bride’s Guide and a full list of all vendors at Hello Lucky.

32 comments

10 Mar

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While I work with many engaged couples to design the details for their big day, I also have a line of paper and textile products that are often incorporated into weddings.

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Recently I created a line of reusable fabric wraps which became rather popular for events. The idea behind this is that each wrap in itself is a gesture of giving. The design of each wrap speaks to the corresponding message of “Give Luck. Give Love. Give Cheer…” etc. I often have brides who ask me for suggestions on how to incorporate these for their weddings. Well, I think it’s such a lovely gesture to send your guests wishes of luck and love… so here are a few ideas…

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Use them to wrap gifts for your bridal party. Or, fashion headscarves for your bridesmaids.

Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a DIY tutorial on how to fold my tea towels into kimono-style napkins for your table setting.

xoxo
viola

{all images c/0 Elizabeth Messina}

2 comments

9 Mar

Hello everyone, I’m so excited to be here this week on one of my favorite wedding blogs. A little introduction: I own a design studio in San Francisco called chewing the cud, where my work involves designing for boutique brands, wedding clients and my product line. For me, regardless of whom I’m designing for, each idea needs to tell a story. When designing for engaged clients, I always aspire to make the little details count. This is what sets each couple apart and make the design unique. By this I mean, there may be many red and black weddings adorned with chandeliers but what can I do to make it truly distinctive and personalized for my couple? I thought it would be fun to delve into how the initial design idea can be enriched with secondary elements and extended into the different details, from invitations to menus to place cards etc…

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About the couple: Doug and Tracy are one of the most dynamic and passionate couples I’ve ever worked with. Both share a love of collecting iron-wrought furniture and planned to furnish their first home together with these pieces. They also knew that they wanted their wedding to be opulent, sexy, and adorned with a dramatic, bold palette of black and red. Black chandeliers and red blossoms were to play a big role in the décor.

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The most sentimental gift they ever exchanged were their initials tattooed on each others wrists. I took inspiration from their tattoos and created an identity for them.

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This quote from Bob Dylan has a special place in Tracy’s heart, so we thought it apt to include it in the invitation suite.

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Tracy revealed that they were going to have a Finnish crown ceremony on the big day. That little detail became the inspiration for the place cards.

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Instead of a traditional program, the couple wanted something fun that would illustrate the bridal party like a family tree. The chandelier icon acted like a lineage diagram while Gabby the bulldog stood beneath it for her 15 minutes of fame.

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The same chandelier appeared as an ice sculpture at the bar.

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To tie everything back to the invitation suite, the menus and table numbers held similar design elements, from the chandeliers, the sparkles to the calligraphy.

How are you guys using details to personalize your wedding? I’d love to hear some ideas out there…

xoxo
viola

{all images c/o chewing the cud}

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