Red, Aqua, and Cute All Over (Vintage Picnic Wedding Reception)

I have to say: decorating for a wedding reception trumps any other type of party I have done, for sheer amount of craziness! It was great though-it definitely stretched my talents and the limits of my creativity. The wedding theme, like all party themes, presented both challenges and inspiration. In the end, I was truly thrilled with how it all came together-I just wish I had gotten more photos!

 Some of my favorite details weren't even truly decorative. The bride wanted pie instead of the traditional wedding cake (although we served both) and toyed with the idea of individual pies. However, all the food items (for the most part) were "Northwest" favorites, and I suggested that we serve Cyrus O' Leary's (a pie company native to Spokane, WA, where the wedding took place) and my sister Robyn found these great kraft pie boxes-and they came with wooden forks! It made it easy to serve pie to so many guests, and I indulged in a piece of Marionberry and was very happy.

 Each piece was labeled with the flavor (we served Marionberry-a blackberry specifically grown in Oregon, Cherry and Apple). They were tied with baker's twine, and they formed a circle tower before they were attacked!

 The table settings were a combination of some of the bride and groom's favorite things. The bride had a wonderful friend who put together all the flowers, but I was responsible for everything else. We hunted high and low for metal vases to put the flowers in-we found most of them at Walmart. I handmade all the pinwheels. (When it was all said and done I made over 40-glueing sheets of scrapbook paper together to make them double-sided!)

 Each table had a different quote about love-selections came from the Bible, Shakespeare, Tolkien, Jane Austen, and even Star Wars. I bought the frames at the Dollar Store and spray painted the corners white. We printed the quotes on red card stock. Another little touch was the "vintage" keys-the groom has a fondness for old keys. We purchased them at Michael's, stamped kraft tags with "You hold the key to my heart" (tags and stamps from Hobby Lobby) and tied them with red ribbon and baker's twine. The bride plans to use the one she saved as a Christmas ornament. I was just thrilled that we found a stamp with such a perfect saying!

 Everything was grouped on blue tulle to help give it some definition from the white tablecloths. We had the reception in the church yard, and it was a great place for a wedding that felt like an old-fashioned box social picnic!

 The finishing touch of the table decor was goldfish. That is the bride's pet name for the groom, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to use them. Just in case you were wondering-no goldfish were harmed! Several people were concerned that they might not make it in the heat, but we didn't lose any. We waited until the last possible moment to put them in the jars, and then they found homes with the guests after the reception. We used Mason jars in several places as decoration, and the fish were a perfect fit in two quart jars tied with ribbon (from Hobby Lobby).

 The gnome had a special place in my heart. He was the inspiration for the color blue that the bride wanted and I felt like he deserved a place of honor. He found a spot at the head table with the hand painted initials of the bride and groom. Grouped together, they formed the main decoration for the bridal party.

Photo courtesy of Photography by John Rich

Another touch that was truly inspired-instead of place cards for the attendants, I used photos-each of the bridesmaids with the bride, and each of the groomsmen with the groom. It added color, and made for a nice keepsake for each attendant. I also used white sheets hung on rope (tied around two trees) to make a "backdrop" for the head table. It really helped to define the space and looked so much better in the photos!

I added these wooden crates to each end of the head table and used floral foam covered by tulle to prop more pinwheels in. It helped to ground the table and give it a little extra "something".

The bride and groom hammed it up in the photo booth. Photo courtesy of Photography by John Rich

I also adored the photo booth (it was my favorite area after the candy bar/buffet). I pick up the fun mustache and hat props, made a little tulle bow and stuck it all in some foam on a basket. The surprise hit was these laser cut frames. They were from Michael's and were a *steal* at $1.99 each! My sister spray painted them aqua, red and white, and I think you can see in the above photo that they were well worth it.

Photo courtesy of John Rich

We used a white sheet as a backdrop for the photo booth and added a bunting garland that matched the one used in the sanctuary for the ceremony. I could NOT resist adding this photo of my adorable little brother. Isn't he hilarious?! The photographer (John Rich, a sweet friend of my family, and his wife-who also did the flowers AND took photos, as well as a million other things) did an absolutely fantastic job. He edited this photo to its best potential. And I love it!

I can't believe how many talented people used their gifts and talents to bless my sister and her husband. It was such a sweet outpouring of love, and I know that there were a lot who didn't get near the credit they deserved. I was honored to serve her in this small way, and I hope that the day was full of memories that they will both be able to treasure. I know it was for me!


Don't miss the rest of the wedding series!
Wedding Preparations
"Mustache Bash" Bachelorette Party
The (Wedding) Post You've All Been Waiting For...
Wedding Day "Candy Shop" Sweets Buffet 


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The (Wedding) Post You've All Been Waiting For...

 I received official permission to post wedding photos, but after seeing this posts you will probably all be asking what you were waiting for. I have never claimed to be any kind of decent photographer, and being *in* the wedding party made photos so difficult! It will really take a while before I get over that I missed so many great shots, but I really wanted to be present-not trying to do anything but help my sister have a wonderful day. I think if I had been trying to take all the photos I wanted I would have missed out on so many other special memories! Unfortunately, you can't see those, so I will share what I took with you-no complaints, though, okay?

I took several photos of the bride getting ready, my sister Robyn did Katy's hair and makeup. It was a sweet memory from my own wedding-she did my hair and makeup, too. I wonder if she will be game to do it two more times?;)

 We went to a beautiful park to take photos of the bridal party. It was my first experience with a "first look"- where the bride and groom see each other and take most of their photos before the wedding instead of after. There was lots of down time for the bridal party, since most of the photos were of the bride and groom, naturally. Lisa Dawn, Kelly and I took advantage of that time to goof around and take some of our own photos!

 The props were ones that I had purchased at Walmart for $0.50 and they turned out to be worth their weight in gold! The "real" wedding photographer brought them along for the shoot and we played with them on our own.

 The bridesmaids' dresses were 2 each of three different dresses-all in red. We arranged it so that the sisters each had a different dress.

 It was a lovely place to take photos, I was trying to work quickly with my phone, so the lighting isn't the best!

I had the privilege of driving the bride-in my dad's expensive car! It was doubly nerve-wracking. You can bet there was plenty of praying going on!

 The flower girls didn't get to come to the park shoot, so we snapped a few quick pictures right before the ceremony. They are clutching their "thank-you" gifts from Aunt Katy!

 I really wanted a photo of Katy with Gwendalyn. I have one of me with Gillyan-who was only a little younger at my wedding, and it is one of my favorites. Aren't they just too photogenic?

 Really, the only decent photo I got of myself all day. The adorable pinwheel earrings were a sweet gift from one of the bridesmaids. She handmade matching earrings and bracelets for all six of us!

 Joel took the photos during the ceremony, because of course, I couldn't! Josie walked in with my youngest brother, Mark. She wasn't her usual chipper self-we found out later that she was running a fever!

 Gillyan walked with her brother, Gideyon. Aren't the boys' suspenders and bow ties the cutest?

 The entire bridal party! I cried far more watching my little sister walk down the aisle then I did at my own wedding!

 My aunt whipped up the adorable pennant bunting the night before and it was a perfect touch for the space. The ceremony was sweet-it had a lot of special touches. One of my favorites was that all the attendants walked down to  a beautiful instrumental version of "Pure Imagination" from the original "Willy Wonka". It is one of our family's favorite movies and it was a sweet personal touch.

 My sister and I! We were the Dynamic Duo-and I think we pulled it off pretty well! I did the decorations for the most part, and she did pretty much everything else.;)

 My Carson and his Dad! Joel was amazing as always, and did a ton of little things for me, including making sure both our kids were dressed an at the church on time!

 The bride stopped by the candy table! I was bummed because her favorite, the gummy sharks, were all gone! But she did enjoy a piece of Laffy Taffy!

 My sister, Robyn, pretty much prayed Katy into existence. That is a really special bond, if you ask me. It was great that we all got to celebrate together.

 

The bride, just chillin'. It was so wonderful that she enjoyed her special day so much. It was nice that all that work made for a memorable day!

 The two "besties"-Lisa Dawn and Katy have been friends forever! They were showing off their amazing fashion sense in their over sized sunglasses, or"facial windshields" as we call them!

 I don't think I have ever seen two happier people! This is a great shot of the cute blue flats Katy wore, too. They were just the cutest couple and it was a great celebration of their love.

Off to the honeymoon-car decor courtesy of Joel, my brother Clark and some of the groomsmen! I have one more post, of the few photos of the reception decor, and then the wedding post extravaganza will end at last!

Wedding Day Candy Bar!

So, I know everyone is anxiously awaiting wedding photos, but I need to clear it with the bride, as she hasn't posted any herself. Some things I just think you need permission for, and putting up pictures of someone's special day is one of them! However, I think I can safely share my favorite part of the wedding reception without spoiling anything.

I have done a "candy bar" on a smaller scale at the "Superhero Shower". I love, love the concept-all that candy is playful, it's cheerful, it looks great and it is just generally fun! I had pinned several different versions for ideas onto my Pinterest board for the wedding and I was delighted with the final product!

 I have to say, the first time I saw this display at Party City, it made my heart skip a beat. I really wasn't thinking, or I would have transported candy with me on our trip. However, my sweet, sweet husband, who deals so well with my "eccentricities" sent me several photos, including the one above, and bought candy and carefully transported it via airplane so that I would have perfectly matching aqua candy for my display! The candy came from all kinds of places:

I have to preface with this-the majority of the glass jars and the amazing wooden crates all belong to my mom (a few of the pieces belonged to the church) as well as the red lazy susan in the bottom left corner. She just has the best stuff! Other than those the items came from, by grouping:

1. Left Wooden Crate: ceramic dry erase easel, Hobby Lobby (HL)

Pixy Sticks (we sorted out the colors we needed) Dollar Tree (DT)

Blue candies in square jar-coconut candies from World Market (WM)

Bottom shelf: cherry chocolates-Costco

blue Jelly Bellies, local candy store

all the plastic tongs were purchased at HL

2. Red Lazy Susan: paper bags (hand stamped) HL

assorted red candies (gummy fish, Cherry Sours, etc.) Walmart

blue Sixlets-Party City

metal scoops are from World Market

3. Two-tiered Cake Stand from top down: red and blue gummy bears, PC

raspberry gummies, WM

gummy sharks-the bride's favorite-local candy store

Red Hots-Walmart

4. Sign-Hobby Lobby (stand is my mom's)

cake plate:suckers from PC

5. Wooden Crate right, from top down:

Bob's Peppermint sticks, DT

Laffy Taffy (box of each color) local restaurant supply store

sour cherries, local candy store

 aqua, white and red gumballs, Marshall's

on table:

licorice pinwheels-Walmart

aqua striped cookie sticks, DT

I had SO MUCH FUN putting this together. It was easy to find red candy, the challenge was finding blue. I didn't restrict myself to perfectly matching things, but I did try to stay more towards the aqua/turquoise side of things. Some of my fave finds: the cookie sticks, the gumballs (my sister bought those!) and the gummy sharks. I also loved the tiny paper bags-we stamped them with a simple heart but it added a perfect finishing touch.

The easel read:

"Help yourself, but please be nice,

of other guests, please think twice! Thank you."

 

I got precious few photos of any of the decor, I had to really work with the photos above to lighten them enough that you could see the details! I was so insanely busy putting things together the photos I did get were terrible. I staged everything inside the church, since I was part of the wedding photo, I relied on gracious volunteers to set everything up the morning of. I was glad I got to play around with it and get it just right, though. I snapped this quick photo in case I needed to adjust anything. My sister, Lisa Dawn, made the banners with papers from Hobby Lobby and the little red chalkboard tags were a delightful find at Micheal's.  

 

My sweet flower girl had a hard time deciding how to fill her bag! There were just too many choices. 

I think all the guests had fun. I am glad I got a few photos of it, I am just realizing that there are quite a few things that I missed.:( However, that wasn't the point, it was a celebration of the uniting of two lives, and it was wonderful-with or without photos!

 

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Young and Crafty "Shine on Fridays"