While I had a faint vision of what my hair would look like, I never did a formal trial with my hairstylist... so you could say this was a wonderful surprise! Daniel Rechelbacher of Salon 2b in NYC has been doing my hair for more than 8 years and I was so happy when he offered to do my 'do for the big day. In line with my typical routine, I trusted him completely to create something that I would love. So pretty.
Happy Sunday!
Photo credit: Eleise Theuer Photography.
Pinterest. It's been blogged and tweeted ad nauseum but that's because it's so freaking useful. Especially for those who are bringing a vision to life -- whether you are planning a party, redecorating your home, or strategizing about your new fall wardrobe.
For more snippets of inspiration check out what I'm pinning here. I find it a nice complement to this blog as it allows me to capture ideas in almost a "pre-" phase before they become true ideas, fully gelled.
It's been hard to know what the right next post should be after something as amazing and surreal as ones wedding.
I am so thankful for so many things, especially the sheer bliss in the days that followed the big day. We reveled in the feeling that we had really pulled it off. Something that fun, that filled with people we care about, that "perfect" wedding that was everything we imagined -- and all the things we never could have imagined we'd feel during that special time.
I think it's because our definition of perfect emphasized everyone just having a really relaxing, fun time. We didn't want anything to feel overly scheduled. We didn't want it to appear as though we had focused on frivolities. So we made it that way. We focused on the fun.
We had a key requirement -- a solid level of quality from all of our vendors. I can HIGHLY recommend the following folks if you are planning an event of any kind in the Hampton Roads area:
Planning & Coordination: Weddings by Michelle. In a word -- amazing. They worked with me for more than a year (we had a very long engagement) to help bring the ideas I had on paper to life in a seamless, natural way. I can't say enough about Michelle & Kim and wish I had another reason to work with them again! They are simply the best.
Ceremony, Reception & Catering: The Cavalier Hotel. The space was classically Southern (we used the Raleigh Lounge & Porches in the old Cavalier on the hill); the food was outstanding. The entire staff was lovely to work with.
Photography: Eleise Theuer. She was everywhere while also being totally under the radar -- I can't wait to see the pictures!
Cake: The Magic Cupboard. Simple, beautifully crafted, delicious.
Flowers: Bloom the Art of Flowers. Gorgeous variety, lush arrangements.
Make-up: Kim Porter. She did a fabulous job enhancing everyone's beauty!
Lighting: Blue Steel Pro Lighting. I can't say enough about how the lighting enhanced the mood. Loved it.
DJ: Arch Entertainment, DJ Seamus. Kept us dancing -- so easy and professional to work with.
We also imported a couple of folks --
Hair: My friend Daniel from Salon 2b in NYC created my stunning updo.
Band: The Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans performed during the second half of the reception. We've known these guys for a long time and they were kind enough to come up to play the wedding. Amazing performance, so much fun. See them if you are ever in the Big Easy!
This special group of people helped us make the day all that we wanted it to be.
It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway -- the greatest ingredient was the collective of friends and family who came from all over the country (and even a few from Mexico) to share this weekend with us. We could really feel the joy and positivity from everyone and that made it so very special. We loved it.
I absolutely love this headpiece. Just wish I could pull it off! I think it would overpower my dress anyway. Plus I am lucky enough to have a gorgeous, perfect veil in hand and some fun hair accessories. Sometimes enough really is enough.
By Soca Style via Wedding Chicks.
Some things gelled for me this weekend while down in VA Beach for our engagement party.
I decided on a ceremony location with Jedd (yay!), we asked a family friend to be our minister (and he accepted!), I gave a make-up artist I am considering a trial run (and she passed with flying colors!), and I was able to take a closer look at our reception space to start really planning out the decorative items.
One item I discussed with our wedding planners was not wanting to have tons of paper products (menus, etc.) when not absolutely necessary. We liked the idea of a vintage chalkboard to display our menu items in a central location (upon entry into the cocktail party?) and I found the perfect one (above) on etsy earlier today. I also went ahead and purchased the hair clip I'd been admiring and a handmade vintage clutch.
Love this hair piece from Untamed Petals via Ruffled. Especially considering the owner/founder's backstory -- she's an MTV Networks staffer in NYC by day, but needs her creative outlet (like so many of us!) and started up this sweet company in 2009.
Over time a vision evolves. Even over a week. I made the board on the left last week or so, and within a couple of days already evolved the color scheme to look more like the right. You can see where elements of consistency lie -- things that are fixed versus things that are in flux. Ideas that we love versus ideas that we are just playing around with. Southern, but with touches and sensibilities that transcend our location and come down to our personal tastes. Note the sweet little gobs -- a Northern treat that is actually from Jedd's childhood with family in Western PA. They originated in central PA -- Amish country, and also sometimes called "whoopie pies" -- and are little chocolate cake discs with a white creamy frosting filling. His grandmother makes the BEST gobs!
I'm still playing with all of this...of course. It's scary exciting to think how much this might change between now and a year from now when the rubber hits the road and we really have to make some final decisions.
