Jenna & David 6.26.10 (Turner Hill)

My brother and sister-in-law got married at Turner Hill in Ipswich on June 26, 2010. The design theme for their wedding began with their Save the Dates (which I will post later along with their entire wedding ensemble) and was carried out through each detail of their wedding. The pictures that you see here are from their reception. A personalized monogram was created along with a custom pattern that was integrated carefully into specific pieces at both the church and reception. They had a beautiful summer day and the light and airy design of all their pieces accented the magnificent venue they selected. As you can see in the photos, their color scheme consisted of an atlantis blue, white and an accent of slate grey. Place cards were tied to honey stir sticks and each guest was greeted with a personalized jar of honey at their place setting when they entered the tent. In addition, custom table numbers were created to echo the style of the cake and also created a soft light on each table when the sun went down. The monogram was integrated on both the custom menu cards as well as the cake and the pattern was present in a custom fabric topper on the honey jars as well as the menu cards. This pattern, which was also used on their church programs, was picked up from an accent on their invitations. The photos below are just a glimpse of what was done to create their special day, more photos to follow in upcoming posts! 

Placecards

Table Setting with Custom Menu & Honey Jars

Custom Table Numbers (Flowers by Evergreen)

Cake with Custom Monogram (Cakes for Occasions)

(Photos by David Barnes Photography)

Jody is Nine, It's Sleepover Time!

Sleepover Invitation: Sleeping Bag & Pillow

When my cousin turned 9, she wanted to have a her first sleepover with all of her friends and my aunt asked me if I would make invitations for her sleepover theme birthday party. Because these invitations would be hand delivered, it gave me the creative freedom to make extra large invitations that were very unique and of course made Jody seem "super cool!" Each girl received a sleeping bag and tucked inside was the invitation shaped like a pillow. The front of the pillow, which had a coordinating zig zag stripe pattern, read: Jody is 9, it's Sleepover Time! The sleeping bag was stuffed with tissue paper so that the pillow shaped invitation remained at the top. Best of all, the sleeping bags were made out of felt, so each girl had a sleeping bag that was the perfect size for their favorite Barbie Doll. (coincidentally they could bring these to the party with them) These invitations were a hit with girls and parents alike, as each girl felt really special when they received the invitation. It was like they were receiving a party favor before the party even started!

50th Birthday Party Favors

Custom Candy Bar Wrappers for 50th Birthday Party

Color, don't be afraid to use it!

Costa Maya, Mexico Artisan Market

When I was in Mexico some of the most beautiful creations that I saw were painted with amazingly bright colors that all of the artisans used; they were not afraid of color, and you should not be either. How many times have you been to an event where the colors were so bland, they blended into the background. Colors like taupe or champagne were the color used to highlight the most important feature on a table scape? Have you ever received an invitation that was black serif font on a white card stock with no embellishment? Boring, right? Many people are afraid to use color so they completely shy away from it all together, but color can be used to add interest and liven up almost any piece of design. It can set the tone for an event, or can be the main element on an invitation. So why not experiment? You can be simple with color or as bold as you want! For example a simple glass vase with a lime green hydrangea can add color to a table dressed with all white linens, or a fuschia backer layer can be used on an invitation with a white invitation layer and light pink satin ribbon. When sitting down and planning an event or starting out on a new project I always determine what my feature color will be. This sets the tone for the color palette. From there, I chose an accent color or two, (usually one that complements and one that contrasts) and decide how I will be incorporating each of them. This color palette is always mixed and matched through each piece of a design ensemble in different ways, creating a very cohesive look. Color palettes can be bright, soft, jeweltone, earthtone, dark, light and so on...the combinations are endless! Look at how each of these artists uses color in a different way, some use many colors in their combinations others use one or two, but in the end each combination creates a design that stands out on it's own and creates a beautiful interesting piece that is daring and unique. They certainly caught my eye!

Finding Inspiration

So I am leaving for warmer weather in the morning, and will be visiting some new places. When I visit new places one of my favorite things to do is to look around for inspiration for a new project or something I can bring home with me that will spark a creative idea. I tend to do a LOT of photography, and plan on picking up handmade items that each are a creation and a representation of that artist.

When you are looking for ideas to make your event a creative and unique, you have to be inspired. Whether that inspiration be the pattern of a fabric that you turn into a color scheme, a theme you carry throughout an event, the smallest detail in a table arrangement that becomes your centerpiece or a monogram on an invitation. Let your inspiration be what guides your ideas and sparks your creativity or vision moving forward.

I like to keep an "Inspiration" folder. I put a collection of pictures or items in the folder to refer back to when I am looking for an idea. I think this is something great for anyone to do, but especially great if you are planning a big event.

I would encourage you to start an inspiration folder if you are planning a special event, it will help you get a sense of your style and will certainly come in handy down the road. If you are planning an event that has many aspects to it, like a wedding, make multiple folders for each piece of the puzzle. That way, you can stay organized and keep your ideas for each piece of your special day flowing.

Lastly, remember to pay attention to the tiniest details around you...they may spark the biggest ideas!

Jenna's Bridal Shower!

Place Cards

Custom Designed Cake (baked by D'Amici's Bakery)

Chocolate Cup Cake Mix

Centerpieces with Table Numbers

Tina & Anthony Bruno 10.10.09

Custom Table Numbers

Custom Wine Bottle Labels

Custom Menu Cards

(Photos by Photographer Adriano Batti)