The bride wore a silk a-line dress adorned with a silk sash, both from local designer, Lena Medoyeff. The little details made this ensemble sing. A floral hair accessory from another talented NW vendor, Twigs and Honey by Myra Callan, nestled in the bride’s hair. The pearl earrings and brooch pinned on the sash were family heirlooms and added another line to this love story.

Trees were the unofficial theme for the wedding and it made appearances in the ceremony with a references two trees going into one. Groomsmen wore ties with oak tree details. During the celebration, the bride and groom planted a tree as a symbol of their unity.

The groom designed labels for the wine bottles filled with lemonade and ice tea.

A typewriter guestbook allows guests to type their thoughts for the couple to savor later. Scattered candles flickered around the ceremony site. This wedding was a labor of love, from the handmade table runners to the friend who designed invitations.

Strawberries Fields Forever: Handpicked local strawberries soaked between stacks of shortcake was made by the groom’s mother and friends. It was an all hands-on-deck approach made this wedding memorable and personable.

During the last dance of the night, as a surprise to the newlyweds, the father of the groom set off fireworks to commemorate the celebration.

A tip from the bride on a budget: “We were definitely on a budget, which made us prioritize. We couldn’t get distracted by all the pretty wedding industry ’stuff’ that is everywhere when you’re planning a wedding. We put money towards the things that were important to us: supporting our friends and local artists, and our wedding being comfortable and laid-back. We made a budget and stuck to it.”

Thank you Bryan and Leah for capturing all the moments and thanks to Janna for sharing your bona fide Pacific Northwest wedding. All Photos by Bryan Rupp Photography

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The couple became engaged in December 2008 after Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell), introduced them. In September, Christina said to E! News, “We really wanted it to be filled with our absolute best friends and our family. We didn’t want to spread ourselves too thin and we really wanted it to have a warm environment, so we kept it with the tightest people.”

Christina Hendricks exchanged vows with Geoffrey Arend in front of 70 guests on Sunday, October 11, 2009. The ceremony and reception took place at II Buco restaurant in New York, according to People.

Her dress strapless star burst design concoction was designed Carolina Herrera. According to Hendricks, her dress has “a bit of Sophia Loren to it, but really, it’s a Christina Hendricks dress” (Instyle Wedding). I completely agree! (Carolina Herrera; $6000). Her bustle is the prettiest bustle I’ve seen.

Sweet Deets
Her flowers were a mix of leaves in muted fall colors and camellias
Vintage chandelier earrings in gold with burnt orange accents
Henna designs adorned her feet and hands
She walked down the aisle on the arms of her father and wore a blusher veil over her face
Her bridesmaids wore a mix of vintage dresses and accessories.

(Picture Credit by Just Jared and Info and pictures by Celebrity Bride Guide)

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After refusing date requests for a month, Miss Robinson finally said yes to their first date. They went to the art institute, ate lunch at an outdoor cafe, attended a showing of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” and enjoyed a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock building. What a great first date!

Two years later, Barack asked Michelle to be his wife at Gordon’s Restaurant (now Naha) on Clark Street in Chicago. When dessert was served, the ring box was sitting on her dessert plate.

The couple were married one year later on October 3, 1992 at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago by Reverend Wright Jr. in a traditional Christian ceremony. Following the ceremony, the reception was held at the South Shore Cultural Center. It was a former all-white Country Club. The bride wore a long sleeve off-the-shoulder duchess satin dress. The sweetheart dress with floral appliques and chiffon overlay was paired with a princess-length veil and full-length gloves. Her bouquet was made of greenery and white roses.

The couple honeymooned along the coast of California.

(Pictures and info: Brides and Bridal Wave)

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Jane Zoe & John Doe

request the honour of your presence
at their marriage
on Sunday, the fourth of October
two thousand ten
at six o’clock in the evening

1890 SE Street
Portland, Oregon

Wedding Music Video and Reception to follow

Check out the wedding music video of Brian and Eileen. I bow down to their video coordinator and guests. Kudos to you.

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1) Design wise, my main focus was on the reception. Since the group was small (14 guests), we were able to do one intimate rectangular table. The table runners (turquoise) and cotton napkins (lime green) were ordered from Table Cloths Factory.They were the most affordable in the colors I wanted. Tealights were placed down the center of the runner along the length of the table. Since the ceremony was just before sunset, most of the reception would be in the dark. By providing mood lighting with the tealights and the warmness of the candle light worked well with the cool Caribbean night.

2) I choose the napkins to be a different color than the runners, so you had the pop of color. Since we did not ordering additional flowers for the reception, the green napkins were part of the design. The name cards were created in PowerPoint, then cut individually and glued to a blue cardstock. For cake table banner, this process was the same, but an additional green circle was added behind the blue cardstock. Although, it was not pictured here, a little sweet with a personalized “O” for the couples’ last name was added to the top of each napkin.

3) Again being budget friendly, we did not rent chairs or rent/buy chair covers. By using what is available and ordering chair sashes (which are cheaper than chair covers), it really dressed up a simple plastic chair. The chair sash was also from Table Cloths Factory (in turquoise).

4)The Tissue Poms strike back! I’ve said in one of my earlier posts that I love these poms. To save time, I used the poms from the bridal shower, “depuffed” 40 of them and packed them in my carry on. The night before (after the rehearsal dinner), I enlisted the group to “puff” them out. I was quite pleased with the results. In addition, the restaurant wanted us to leave them (Yay!! No tear down) for another party. The roof of the recption area was pretty high. By using the poms, they brought the roof closer to the party. Thus, creating a more personal space.

Reviews: Being on an island that is 9 miles by 3 miles, we were limited in some of our options. Everything has to be shipped to the island, making costs on everyday items expensive. We did what we could with our budget and try to expand the dollar by bring most of our décor with us on the plane.

Overall, the wedding was a complete success. The ceremony was personal, funny and moving in all the right moments. At the end of the ceremony, a lovely song dedicated to the couple was sung by the group, in perfect harmony with the breeze. The food all week was beyond amazing. Fresh seafood is my favorite!! Most importantly, all the persons involved were unbelievably kind and helpful in assisting me in my endeavors.

And the Mother of the Groom has a surprise song for the Bride and Groom. The musical talent sang “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and an impromptu jam session started. *Notice the name cards on the ukulele players. Cute!

Beach: Trunk Bay was the gorgeous beach where the ceremony was held. I did not obtain the evening/event permit, but the Mother of the groom did. There is a small fee to use the beach after the beach closes. This worked out well, as the day users had to leave at 4:30 pm, thus, making the beach empty and open for all of our festivities. The beach was very clean and had covered pavilions which were used for pictures while the rain came down.

Cake: St John Cakes was our cake vendor. They weren’t responsive at the beginning, due to an email problem. However, it was confirmed we would use their services, but then their fax machine didn’t work. They said they would not bring the cake (although it was already paid for) until the contract was given to them. We finally coordinated a PHYSICAL time/place to meet up with them to give them a contract. I am not sure if that is the way the island does it, but it was stressful when we were having trouble contacting them while on the island. In the end, the Chocolate Ganache with Madagascar vanilla filling and frosting was delicious. Cake decorations were from another vendor.

Cake Decorations: I found a cute little vendor, Through the Woods, on Etsy. If you do not know about Etsy, shame on you! It is a fabulous way to find homemade arts, crafts and goods for reasonable prices. It is a good way to support up and coming artists, local artists (search local Etsy) and incorporate a bit of style into any event. I ordered the cupcake medallions (sweet favor on top of each napkin), cake topper and the fondant circles. I was very pleased with all items. My only concern for future orders is the packing/shipping of the medallions (all other items were perfect). These fragile will sweets were jumbled a bit, but packing them in foil or something that cushions the bumping postal ride will help loosing some of the lovely little dots.

bridesmaids and reception table centerpieces: mini green hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids and hypericum berries

Flowers: Ali from East End Flower Shop in St Thomas, was an absolute doll. She was able to ease my worries about the flowers. As much as I love destination weddings, I prefer to see things in person, especially flowers. Through our many email conversations, I was able to convey the look I wanted. Her local flower expertise was very useful when choosing flowers in season that flowers that fit our color and budget. I highly recommend this little shop on St Thomas.

Reception: The reception was held at the Fish Trap Restaurant in St John. Lisa and her husband are the owners of the Fish Trap and Lisa was my main contact. She is so fabulous! She was able to provide everything I needed at a moment’s notice. I am so grateful for her help and assistance. She knew what to expect for a party and made sure our group had their every request fulfilled. Not to mention, but most importantly, the food. O.M.G. The food was amaaaazing. It was an open menu, so the guests were able to order anything off of their extensive and very fresh and local menu. Just like Pavlov’s dogs, my mouth still waters at the thought of my dinner.

Music: We use a speaker system for iPods and use an iPod preloaded with all our favorite songs. It was loud enough to have background music for dinner and music for a bit of dancing.

Villa: Everyone stayed at Chateau Margot, a private villa in the mountains of St John. It was a fabulous place to stay, however I would have preferred a option that was closer to town, as taxis and driving got to be bothersome.

That is it, mon! Hope you enjoyed the whirlwind review.

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Attire Details

1) The bride’s “something borrowed” was one of the bridesmaid’s earrings and the “something old” was the pearl necklace.

2) The bride wore an empire waist dress from Tread, a dress line in NYC. The silk chiffon was a perfect match for the light and airy location. It was ordered from The English Department, a cute boutique in downtown Portland, Oregon.

3) The groom wore a crisp white collared shirt made by Calvin Klein and knee length khaki shorts.

4) The bridesmaids wore a simple strapless cotton dress from J Crew. I love that it had pockets!

Ceremony :: Trunk Bay, St John, USVI

1) A couple of the bridesmaids’ gold braided sandals from Old Navy were left on the nearby rocks.

2) The kiss! After the each of the 14 guests spoke a few words, recited a poem or lyrics from a song, the couple exchanged their personalized vows.

3) The scene for the ceremony was gorgeous enough. I didn’t want to obstruct from the grand view, so fresh cut palms were used in creating the ceremony aisle and circle.

4) Ukuleles and a bass made up the components of the ceremony music. The father and mother of the groom (middle and right) played and sang the couple’s favorite song, “Three Little Birds” as the processional song and recessional song. They were also the ordained ministers and conducted the intimate ceremony.

5) The newlyweds taking their first walk as husband and wife. As you can see the clouds brewing in the background, the warm rains of St John sprinkled down a few moments later.

That is all for now. More to come!!!

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DIY + Green + Edible = my favorite centerpiece.  It includes all my must haves.  It is simple and very fresh.  Potted herbs flank the basket of goodies. Using several types of bread will create drama and dimension.  As for me, I would choose the focaccia and smear it with the herby pesto AND hummus. Visit the site, but come back soon!

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Please email me (alysiacleys@gmail.com) the following information:

For Weddings:

Your name & your spouse’s name
When was it?
Where was the ceremony & reception?
What are your favorite details? What made your wedding unique or special?

In addition, please attach 3-5 pictures of your day. I will request more if you are picked. Thank you!

For all other events:

Your name
Reason for the event
Theme
Where & When was it held?
In addition, please attach 3-5 pictures of your day. I will request more if you are picked. Thanks!

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On the fourth of July, Nicole and Jay honored the groom’s family by doing a Hindu ceremony. During this ceremony, the strong traditions were upheld and the colors were as bold as the commitments. The bride and groom’s family share this sacred time to reflect on the vows Nicole and Jay were about to take. Please enjoy the details, as they left a permanent stamp in my mind.

1. The necklace, earrings and bangle are all 22kt gold. They were a gift from her in-laws. What a great gift! The tikka is the ornamental piece of jewelry that lays in her part. The bindi symbolizes wisdom, concentration, and protection.

2. The bride and groom place Jillakara Bellam (paste of brown sugar and cumin spice) on each other’s heads.  This symbolizes the future sharing of joy and sorrow.  The priest prays for stability and continuity in their marriage.

3. The groom holds the right hand of his bride and together they walk around the fire promising each other a lifetime of harmony, friendship, equality, and fidelity. This is equivalent to marriage vows. Each step represents something different.

With the first step, we have started on the course of our lives as householders.  Let us walk together.
Walk with me the second step for strength.
Walk with me the third step for gaining wealth and prosperity.
Walk with me the fourth step for enjoyment and happiness.
Walk with me the fifth step for progeny and longevity.
Walk with me the sixth step for the joys of all seasons.
Walk with me the seventh step for everlasting love.

4. The night before the Hindu wedding ceremony, the Mehndi ceremony was done.  The Mehndi ceremony is a traditional custom done prior to the wedding.  Elaborate designs are painted on the hands and feet of the bride (and her close female friends and family). Traditional bridal patterns include peacocks and paisleys, as they symbolize passion. It is also believed that the deeper and darker the henna stains, the mother-in-law will love the daughter-in-law more and the marriage will be a happy one. This ritual signifies the strength and power of love in the marriage. It is considered a good sign if the bride keeps it as long as possible.

5. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are say a prayer and give an offering of flowers and rice in a sprit of sacrifice and equal partnership. The bride and groom must not separate as long as the fire of life burns within them.  The fumes from the fire offerings are said to have healing and cleansing effects on the couple.

6. Her wedding sari was a gift from her fiancé’s parents. It is made from one of the finest silks and came from the town of Kanchipuram, India. The embroidery is detailed and done with a silver thread.

7.  The bangles were worn throughout the different ceremonies.

8.  The tray of fruit and flowers is a pooja tray. A pooja tray is a blessed tray that holds the offerings used in the ceremony. In general, pooja trays are used in every ceremony that has a request for a blessing. One the tray, there is a Ganesha statue, flowers, rice and a coconut. Ganesha is the most popular prayer deity and he removes any future obstacles. The rice, flowers and coconut are offered to Ganesha. However, coconut is one of the most favorite foods.

9. As the guests enter the ceremony, they can participate by using the various auspicious items. (From left to right) The yellow/orange is sandalwood paste. Both male and female are invited to use this perfumed paste on their wrists and necks. The red powder is kumkum, which is made from dried turmeric and slaked lime. It is used to make the red dot on a woman’s forehead as they enter the ceremony. The grey powder is vibhuti, which is used to make a grey horizontal line across the men’s foreheads is considered sacred and holy.  The dish at the bottom contains rock candy.  It’s offered as a sweet to people entering the ceremony.

On the 5^th of July, the families joined together one more time for a traditional Catholic Nuptial Mass.

1. She puts on the last of the details of her Catholic ceremony ensemble. Her dark hair makes the perfect backdrop for the sparkly drop earrings.

2. To make the wedding weekend even grander, the Catholic ceremony was held at Saint Peter’s Church of Canton. This church is impressive in size and the grandiose detailing makes it a spectacular place to pronounce their love.

3. Bold and beautiful flowers were used for the bride’s bouquet and centerpieces. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows added a punch of color against the ivory dress. Bear grass was looped between the calla lilies, roses and ruscus for an elegant and modern look. The groom had an calla lily boutonnière to compliment the bouquet.

4. To continue the celebrations, the reception was held at the McKinley Grand Hotel in downtown Canton. Her hairclip is shown when the veil has been removed for the reception. The happy couple dance for the first time as husband and wife. Her husband, Jay dips her elegantly in her Amsale dress. 5. The bride wore a fingertip length veil with stain trim to complete her silk A-line Amsale dress.

6. The couple peeks out of their 1942 Cadillac limo getaway car.

7. This three tiered cake with a henna design steals the spotlight as candle light flickers and dances on the gerbera daisies and lilies.

There were many more details that I wasn’t able to capture. You can check her knot bio for all the extra details, including a video that made me tear up.

I hope you were taken away for a few moments while looking at Nicole and Jay’s pictures. You can definitely see there was magic in the air.

(All photos were used by Nicole’s permission. Thanks to Callie for capturing the true spirit of the wedding and making their love for each other and the support of their families the focus in your work.)

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