"All that we love deeply becomes
a part of us." -Helen Keller
Showing posts with label wedding inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding inspiration. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9
Wednesday, July 6
wedding wednesday: inspiration for a cheerful summer camp wedding
Longtime readers of this blog know that summer camp is the heart of my life - in fact, this year I'm celebrating my 20th year of participating in camping programs at my local 4-H center, from my first week as a camper in 1996, becoming a counselor-in-training, growing in self-confidence as a teen leader, and building teaching and teamwork skills by working on staff for three summers, to serving as an adult volunteer. Last week, I furthered my commitment to the organization that has helped shape me as an individual by becoming a 4-H All-Star, which is the highest honor one can receive in the organization in the state of Virginia - there's a secret handshake and everything.
When I look back on the last 20 years, some of my favorite memories of camp are bright, cheerful, and warm - painting ceramics during free recreation period, holding hands with sweet campers away from home for the first time, singing songs with my best friends at the top of our lungs, and gathering around the campfire by the lake to share in magic that gets passed down to new campers each summer. I think that summer camps make an amazing wedding venue, and today I'm sharing inspiration for a dream wedding with a retro vibe - inspired by dahlias, red camp lanterns, and the optimistic atmosphere of summer camp.
Dahlia Invitations by Althea and Ruth for Minted
Isn't this invitation perfect for a summer wedding? I love the hand-drawn illustration. This past summer, when two friends who were both on staff together at my camp tied the knot, they borrowed our camp's tradition of assigning campers to animal themed "packs" for their escort cards and table numbers. At our camp, the pack animals are bobcats, coyotes, deer, ducks, foxes rabbits, squirrels, and wolves. When I was still very young, campers were divided into tribes named after Native American groups who had historically lived in our area. I recently found out that current staff members there are assigned to "families" named after native trees. I love camp-inspired teams as an escort card/table number idea and think it adds a perfect retro camping touch to a wedding without being over-the-top.
My dahlia obsession comes back to me in full force every summer - I love the endless color palette they offer, and how versatile they can be for formal and casual arrangements. They may give my all-time favorites, hydrangeas and peonies, a run for their money.
This wedding took place on a former gold mine now operated as a private, not-for-profit camp - how cool is that? Follow the link for lots of great rustic wedding inspiration.
Another must-see is the vintage-themed camp wedding planned and styled by Amorology - at first I thought it was a styled shoot and couldn't believe it was the real deal!
Antique malls, Etsy, and even thrift shops would be great sources for summer camp inspired weddings - I love the idea of a reception dinner on mismatched plates and simple wildflower arrangements in a variety of containers.
Mixed vintage-inspired prints can add to the retro feel of a camp-inspired wedding in the form of bow ties, pocket squares, ring pillows, quilts thrown over hay bales, and anywhere else that needs a dose of colorful cheer.
My favorite time to walk around my camp is actually at night, just after campfire, when campers have gone to their lodges, the grounds are quiet, and the moon is shining on the lake. That's when I can remember all the walks up the hill from campfire with my friends, the mentors who taught me how to handle homesick campers, the late-night trips to the infirmary that always seemed to end with laughter, and, when I was on staff, Mr. Q dropping me off after our first dates the summer we met. Camp will always be home to me.
Sunday, January 10
sunday simplicity.
"We have always held to the hope, the belief,
the conviction that there is a better life,
a better world, beyond the horizon."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Wednesday, July 8
wedding wednesday: inspiration for a midcentury summer camp wedding
As I simply stated last week, camp is home to me. Not just my own childhood summer camp, which truly is my second home because it's so full of memories, but the whole idea of camp in general. Even though I'm not outdoorsy, there was a place for me among cabins and campfires, and I learned more about myself in those weeks than I did the other 360 days of the year! Last year, I rounded up inspiration for a rustic, craftsman-style summer camp wedding. This summer, I'm turning my muse toward a more traditional view of camp: think Moonrise Kingdom. I love checking out wedding photos from camp weddings because the camp is so often a special place for the bride and groom - their second home.
"Merit Badge" wedding invitation from Minted
For this classic take on summer camp vibes, a saturated color palette is a must - sky blue, gingham red, sunflower yellow, and pine green are all welcome! Antique stores can be a great place to score vintage finds like merit badges, thermos canteens, lanterns, picnic blankets, and even camp furniture.
Hand painted wooden guest book by Amanda G Designs on Etsy
Have you ever attended a camp wedding? What was your favorite detail?
Sunday, January 11
Wednesday, April 9
wedding wednesday: creative table number ideas
One of the DIY projects I was most proud of on my wedding day was our table numbers - they were inspired by a project I'd seen online, and I feel like I made them our own by using pages from our favorite books. Table numbers are a great way to tie in the overall theme of your wedding while still serving an important function - most guests are much more comfortable when they have a specific place to sit! Today, I wanted to share some awesome table numbers from around the web.
Company Forty Two on Etsy | Motif Motion and Stills via Kara's Party Ideas
I love the vintage inspired style of both of these table numbers. I think collecting dessert plates from Goodwill would be an easy way to add eclectic style to a garden wedding, and most of the materials to make the wooden easel could be found at your local arts and crafts and office supply stores.
This table number uses reclaimed woods and house numbers from a hardware store.
Two modern takes on the table number: modern fonts and chevron stripes are attached to a galvanized easel with magnets; Palm Beach style house numbers accompany a contemporary greenery arrangement.
North Majesty Trail on Etsy
These moss ball table numbers from Etsy seller North Majesty Trail would be perfect for a woodland or fairy tale inspired wedding.
Matt Edge Wedding Photography via Style Me Pretty | Montana Snow on Etsy
Go simple with metal numbers or stamped burlap.
A painted mirror is a very creative, ornate touch for an elegant wedding, while gold-painted numbers add a touch of class to a casual tablescape.
Which of these table number ideas is your favorite?
Sunday, April 6
sunday simplicity.
Accept the things
to which fate binds you
and love the people with whom fate
brings you together,
but do so with all your heart."
- Marcus Aurelius
Wednesday, January 29
A Classic Winter Blended Family Wedding
I wanted to share a few photos I took at my friend Kendall's wedding last weekend. She had a very classic winter wedding at a local venue, The Woodland Place, that has a rustic style. The wedding colors were navy and white.
This wedding was unique because it blended two families, so Lee wasn't just making vows to Kendall but to Bre as well. Our middle/high school Biology and Government teacher, who is also a minister, performed the ceremony and included a section where Bre sang "You Are My Sunshine" and Lee promised to take care of her. I teared up and Mr. Q even got goosebumps, it was such an emotional moment.
I loved the pictures I caught of Kendall and Lee's first dance - their facial expressions said it all. I loved the twinkling branches on the altar and the swags of fabric added a lot of light to a space that can unfortunately be really dark. I found myself wishing we'd brought our big DSLR camera because of the low light, but I was able to clean up the pictures I took with my point and shoot until I was pretty happy with them.
Lee's best man was his Air Force roommate and Kendall's was her younger sister. I loved the classically elegant wing tip collar on the groomsmen's shirts and the long navy dresses the bridesmaids wore. Each bridesmaid's hair was styled in a different way that reflected their personalities.
One of my favorite details at the wedding was the sand ceremony, which Kendall and Lee did after the garter and bouquet tosses and cake cutting. Their parents had already added their jars of sand before the ceremony, and Kendall, Lee, and Kendall's daughter Bre each added their own touches to the artwork. I thought it was a very sweet way to represent the blending of two families and loved that it gave Bre a chance to participate and have some fun. Side note: isn't Bre's hairstyle adorable? It's a bow made of hair!
Overall, Kendall and Lee's big day was beautiful, sentimental, and fun. As far as I knew, it went off without a hitch. I am so happy for these two as they begin their life as a family.
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