I’m such a fan of Karen Tran Thursday!  Check out Part I and Part II of Karen’s gorgeous wedding, and don’t miss her previous post on romance!

For my second inspirational post on the Southern Weddings Blog, I decided I wanted to share what I love most when it comes to weddings: ‘floral detailing.’  ‘Floral detailing’ or ‘bouquet embellishment’ has become a very hot trend recently in which brides introduce their own inspirations and personal touches into their bridal bouquets. Whether it’s your favorite grandmother’s brooch or perhaps it’s the special bracelet you wore on the first date with your fiancé, any sentimental element can be weaved into your bouquet to make a personal statement. Your uniqueness stretches as far as your imagination! Pearls, crystals, rhinestones, and feathers can all convey your own sense of style. How about a flower purse instead of a basket for the flower girl? Or add a little ‘bling’ brooch to match your ‘oh so fabulous’ shoes. Have an open mind and you’ll be surprised what can inspire you!

credits: First Row: {Darin Fong Photography} Second Row: {Darin Fong Photography} Third Row: {Darin Fong Photography}, {Rippee Photography} Fourth Row: {Rippee Photography} Fifth Row: {Darin Fong Photography}

Can’t get enough purple accents and magical touches?  Then check out the fabulous bouquet that accompanied Becca down the aisle and the wands used to mark the bride and groom’s exit.  Becca + Jim also had their day captured on Super 8 film. Videography by {Neilson Cinema}. Photography by {Dana Grant Photography}. To see more images from this wedding, check out Dana’s {Blog}.

Favorite design element of your big day? It is truly hard to choose. Everything was bigger, better, and more beautiful than I imagined, but the most amazing piece was the arbor we were married under. Larrissa really blew me away with the beautiful watercolor she did of her vision, and from that alone I was hooked. We had huge glossy black trees that had clear and silver balls with purple orchids and candles hanging from all of the branches! Then flowing out of the bottom of everything were huge mounds of the amethyst hydrangeas with silver gazing balls nestled in them. After the ceremony, the team from Posh Productions, put our sweetheart table underneath the arbor. It was sunset and the area was lit by candles and café lights. It just had the most romantic feeling and really made Jim and I feel like we were all alone in a sea of people.
Place cards and favors: I love candy! I was trying to think of a creative way to do the table cards for our guests, and one day it just hit me. Rock Candy. It is very structured but fun, just like the museum. We tied the table cards to the ends and Larrissa set them in black trays filled with crushed black glass. It was fun, unusual and a big hit with everyone!
Food: Jim and I knew from the beginning that we wanted a party. We did not want people to sit down for too long and then not bust it out on the dance floor later. Not to mention, how often do you go to weddings where you enjoy the meal? We decided instead to have a buffet of our favorite foods all scaled down to the perfect bite size appetizers. Posh Productions really came through and made even the french fries look elegant!
Something Special: The clips I wore in my hair, were actually a pair of vintage earrings that were my grandmothers that I am named after. We always were close and it was my way of having here there on my wedding day. I also wore a ring that my mom had made that had diamonds from both of my grandmothers’ wedding rings and the diamond earrings she wore on her wedding day on my right hand. Everyone one in my family has been married for decades and it was a wonderful feeling and a little bit of luck, to wear something that special to all of the women in my family on my wedding day.
Three adjectives that describe the day: Blissful, fun, and absolutely perfect!
What advice would you give someone planning a wedding? Get a good support team around you and trust your instincts. You will know who those people are when you interview them. With my wedding event planners, Posh Productions, and my photographers, Dana Grant Photography, they were the first people we interviewed and the last. You should be able to trust them and if you can do that the wedding planning will be the wonderful experience it is meant to be. I never had a worry during the planning or at our wedding.
What are you looking forward to in the future? Experiencing the next 100+ years together.

Congratulations to Becca + Jim. We wish you the best as you begin those 100 years together!

For those that love a little purple at a wedding, you are going to love this cermony and reception.  Becca + Jim hired event designer and florist, Larissa Rehder of {Inviting Occasion} and a team of wedding planners from {Post Productions} to create this event.  The designer and planners worked to transform this modern building into the site of a fantastic wedding day celebration.   Becca celebrated in style with a dress from {Priscilla of Boston} and her bridesmaids wore {J.Crew}.  The beautiful printed items were created by {The Write Invite}.  Photography by {Dana Grant Photography}. 

Side note: Kirstin and Lara are back in the office today after a fabulous time at WPPI in Las Vegas.  After they get a chance to breathe and catch up on emails, there will be lot’s of pics and details here on the blog.  Happy Thursday!

How did the two of you meet? We actually initially met several years ago through a mutual friend, but we both had significant others at the time. We crossed paths again years later, both single, and it was just meant to be.
What was the design inspiration for the wedding? I am not sure that there was a design inspiration. If anything I knew I did not want to get married in your typical location. I wanted something special. I also knew that I wanted these gorgeous deep amethyst purple hydrangeas. From there, my wedding event designer, {Larrissa Rehder of Inviting Occasion} and planners from {Posh Productions}, were really able to piece the puzzle together. The deep amethyst against the crisp black and white, and the clean lines of the museum all made for the most amazing backdrop!
Tell us about finding our wedding dress: I had searched for my wedding dress for a few months when I had about given up. I did not want something to busy, but I wanted it to look like a wedding dress. I wanted it clean and architectural, but soft and feminine all at the same time. This was proving to be an impossible task! By the time I decided to go to the Saks Fifth Avenue bridal salon in South Coast Plaza It was a mere four and a half months before my wedding. I was sick of all the other showrooms telling me I had to order my dress that day or else I would never have it in time. When I met with Michelle at Saks, I had no doubt that she shared my vision. She never once blinked at my time frame, and that alone made me feel so much less stressed! Then she pulled out the perfect dress, a Priscilla of Boston dress from their Platinum Collection. It was the first time I wanted to keep any dress on for more than two minutes. It was the perfect color of Ivory, had a detailed belt of beading around the waist, and pleating in the back that fell into a crisp clean train. I was in love! My mom and I cried and we both knew we had finally found it. Then on top of it all, Michelle promised me it would be in a month before the wedding, and it was.
Describe your wedding flowers: Since we were getting married at the Orange County Museum of Art, I knew I wanted simple and clean, but still very soft looking flowers. My bridesmaids all carried classic tight bundles of white roses, and I had a tight cluster of deep amethyst hydrangeas. The hydrangeas were so clean, but had so much texture it was to die for! Then Larrissa wrapped the bottom of my bouquet in black ribbon and tulle and added crystals at the base of my flowers. It was a wonderful, unexpected surprise that blew me away!

More to come from Becca + Jim…

Welcome back to our twenty fourth spectacular Wanwisa Wednesday! Be sure to check out her previous posts I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII and XXIII for more fabulous wedding inspiration!

Lighting can really amp up the ambiance and if you have room in your budget for fabulous lighting design, it would be a truly wise investment. If, however, there just isn’t room in the budget, set your reception and ceremony space aglow in dramatic candlelight! Not only will your celebration be oozing with romance but everyone will look fabulous as well {a tried and true advice from one of my all time design idols – Mr. Colin Cowie!}. Check out some inspirations!

Fill up your space with pretty glowing spherical paper lanterns {via InStlye Weddings} or fill up a ceiling with countless strains of mini lights and add a second layer of glow with lots of candles across the tables {via Instyle Weddings}. Round paper lanterns look great out in the open as well {via Instlye Weddings} and chic in colors to match your wedding hues {lower right photo via Martha Stewart Weddings}. Fill a long table with various heights of candle light for a dramatic and opulent look {via Instyle Weddings}. Small votives create a casting glow when combined with gorgeous floating arrangements – here, simple roses atop water-filled vases look ten times more gorgeous surrounded by votives setting in scattered petals {via Instyle Weddings}. For a rustic look, instead of girlish chandeliers or preppy paper lanterns, try hanging vintage trays filled with large pillars {via Instyle Weddings}. DIY brides should head on over to Martha Stewart’s “Let It Glow” gallery for inspirations like paper bag lanterns, blue-glass jar votives, doily inspired lighting details, homemade photo lanterns printed on sheer vellum paper and tips on how to multiply candle light by using mirror trays. 

Hope these inspirations will help you create a glowing celebration!

Until next Wednesday! Xoxo, Wanwisa

For all those that say “a simple courthouse wedding is all I need” we have an oh-so fabulous New York wedding for you today. Think Carrie and Big.  Amy + David wanted to get married in a simple and easy style that reflected them as a couple. This included NYC City Hall and then lunch at {Chanterelle} with late night drinks at {The Mercer Kitchen} with their friends.  Amy’s bouquet and David’s boutonniere were made by {Very Special Flowers}. The florist even gave Amy a kiss on the check for good luck as she picked up the flowers on the morning of her nuptials. As for the fabulous accessories that Amy + David chose to wear, Amy explains, “Four strands of rectangular fresh water pearls that my friend picked up on her last trip to Shanghai, Wolford tights, everyday gold bangles, and new bra. David wore a great floral tie and was told by Roman, the sales associate, that he absolutely needed a ‘puff’ for his pocket. He was right — it looked great.”  No, you both looked great!  Photography by {Punam Bean Photography} (editor’s note: Kirstin and I were so fortunate to meet Punam last night here in Vegas.  Such a fabulous photographer!).  Check out Punam’s post on her {Blog}. 

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story: At David’s New Years Party seven years ago. My friend was the sister of his friend.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Easy, simple and reflective of us.
Favorite design element of your big day: My thistle bouquet and the buttons on my jacket
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: The perfect retro-inspired cream boiled wool skirt-suit, custom made, four weeks before the big day.
Describe your wedding flowers: Thistles and burgundy calla lilies.
Describe your wedding cake: Lemon tart at Chanterelle.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Letterpress invitations designed by {Red Box} and illustrated by David. Editor’s Note: Amy is the Principle of Red Box and does graphic and web design.  How cool! Check out their site.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Perfect. Relaxed. Happy.
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Do what you know suits and represents you as a couple.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? Cooking a real meal on our new stove after almost 12 months without a kitchen during our renovations!
Any DIY items? Invitations, make up, hair, thank-you cards.
Favorite inspirational blogs or sites (if any): {Punam Bean Weddings}

Congratulations to Amy + David. We wish you the best and enjoy that new kitchen!