monumental moments

Yesterday afternoon I met with the mother of the bride from this past weekend's wedding. Her daughter and now son-in-law, who reside in Boston but are currently basking in the Aruban sun, got married in The College of William & Mary's Wren Chapel with their reception at the William & Mary Alumni House.

Now, I love my job. Everyday I get to help excited families plan such a monumental day. I especially love brides, grooms, mothers and fathers who are planning the first wedding of their family. There's so much more of a fresh, excited feeling than I can relay. Every detail get's them more delighted, nervous and anxious than the next. And this is just what I experienced with this family.

For the last two months of the planning process, I received a weekly phone call from Ann, the mother of the bride, anxious as to what the reception room would look like, if we chose the right linens, if I was sure the tables didn't need bigger centerpieces, and if people were ultimately going to walk in and gasp. The last two weeks, this phone called turned into a daily routine. For me, I loved that. I would talk with enthusiasm about our choices, ensure her the day would run so smoothly and that sense of promise calmed her.

Needless to say, after giving her a sneak peek of the reception room before any of their guests, tears were in her eyes. And here's my point to this story--Ann sat me down in the coffee shop yesterday, put her hand over mine, looked in my eyes and said this:

"Aside from the personal moments I had with my daughter, there is one moment that I will never forget. I was walking up the path and stairs to the Alumni House, holding my father's arm. The doors opened and the sights, sounds, and smells froze me. I instantly heard the beautiful music of the string quartet, our guests talking and laughing, the ice clinking in the glasses. I looked up and saw the old dark green carpet and gold adornments, pictures of historic figures on the walls. I could smell a wood burning fire off in the distance. It was like I was stepping back into the most fascinating party 100 years ago. Like I was a part of history. And I hadn't even taken a step into the building yet."

This is the reason I do what I do. Throughout the planning process, I encourage my brides, grooms and families to revel in the moments of the adventure. Take a step back or stop in your tracks and remember things like this.

I encourage you, brides to be, to stop and breathe. Take in why you're doing this and when the day finally comes, don't forget to stop and look around. While pictures are great memories, the most memorable come from sights, sounds, and smells you'll never forget.

letters and words

Letters and words in home decor and wedding design were all the rage the last two years. Anthropologie was certainly a top contender in the most influential of this design. But here's the million dollar question: Is it still a hot trend?

Don't get me wrong, the monogram as a cake topper or flanking the chapel doors is classic. But are the one worded labels of rooms, names or items a dying trend?

{pottery barn via apartment therapy, remodelacholic, he & she photography via unveiled vows, the letter lady, country living}

What do you think? Still in style or a dead trend?

under a single tree

I'm surrounded by gorgeous details and designs on a regular basis. I'm often asked my must-have's or details of my own dream wedding and usually the answer is preceded by a blank stare. But the one thing I do know is that somehow, someway I will get married under a huge tree.

{Jose Villa, InStyle Weddings, Jose Villa, Feather Love Photography via OnceWed, Prokopets Studio, Ron Warren Photography via WeddingBee, Meghan McSweeney Photography}

apology

{Ali Degraff Photography via 100 Layer Cake}

I'm sorry.

My only excuse for the lack of posts and inspiration is that this busy wedding season seriously got the best of me. In a service-based business, your clients always come first. So things like Dulcet and Dapper, sleep and life become the back burner. Being a newbie business owner with about two years under my belt and my first crazy busy season, I am whipped.

So.

I'm going to blow the dust of blogspot, roll up my sleeves and dig into more yummy inspiration, design and posts to knock your socks off.

I hope you're ready.

a spanish-style rehearsal dinner

I not only had the pleasure of working with Meghan and Philip on their wedding, but also their Spanish-style rehearsal dinner. Nestled within Blandfield Plantation's massive 3,500 acres of land, The Lodge hosts the perfect backdrop for close family and friends--the Rappahannock River, a stone terrace, and the setting sun.



Mason jars tied with raffia and filled with vibrant red, blue and yellow flowers adorned the red linens. A simple Spanish-styled decor.


Emilio, a good friend of the groom's father, catered the dinner with tapas ranging from cured meats and cheeses, olives and sausages, to a constant flow of homemade sangria. While guests mingled, Emilio fired up the paellera so that guests could enjoy the smells of the main course and watch him create authentic paella.

After the Spanish feast was over, family and friends gathered under the pavilion to give toasts, presentations, songs, and skits to the happy couple. Now I know I've said this before, and I'll say it again, Meghan and Philip are the most loving, happy, gracious couple. Their love for each other is incredible and these pictures prove it.





The incredible photos were shot by the talented Jennifer Hughes. She oh-so-perfectly captured the relaxed, warm, loving environment amongst all of Meghan and Philip's friends and family.

Venue: The Lodge at Blandfield Plantation
Planning and Design: LK Events & Design
Photography: Jennifer Hughes
Catering: Emilio's Restaurant
Linens: Classic Party Rentals
AV Equipment: Choice Entertainment

cheers to july

The 4th of July is one of my favorites. It oozes of vibrant summer cocktails, gorgeous finger foods, and amazing fun. Here are some festive and inspiring images:

{pretzel sticks, mini cheescakes, chip cones, table setting, ice cream cones, berry shakes via Martha Stewart; blue shoes via Towner Jones Photography; dress via flickr; pinwheels via Martha Stewart}

farm style wedding

I teamed up with the fabulous Meghan McSweeney again to create a rustic, farm-inspired wedding complete with a distressed horse barn, a serene lake and a tire swing. Tarnished pitchers were filled with wildflowers and vintage napkin linens and china lined the burlap runner.

We are so excited that the gorgeous Grey Likes Weddings featured our farm style shoot too! Pop over to her fabulous blog and take a look at more eye candy.





The incredible vendors that participated:

Photos: Meghan McSweeney
Style: LK Events & Design
Dress/Accessories: Pleiades Bridal Design Studio
Flowers: Carolyn Young
Cake: The Buttercream Bee
Hair/Makeup: Josh Henderson, Mango Salon
Models: Shera, James

wildflowers

There is something so natural and organic about wildflower bouquets and arrangements. Something so relaxed and carefree, unpretentious and whimsical--like you walked into a field, gathered some flowers and tied ribbon around them. Here are some hand-picked bouquets that are inspiring me:

{photos 1 & 2, Bob Schnell; Studio Castillero via Ruffled Blog; photos 4 & 5 Hugh Forte Photography via Wedding Chicks; Jennifer Hughes}

a rustic and romantic bridal portrait

Quite often I hear brides asking for unique and not so cookie cutter approaches to bridal portraits. The standard studio portraits are becoming obsolete and these trendy brides are turning to different ways to show off the goods. Herein lies the inspiration for this rustic and romantic bridal shoot photographed by the insanely talented, Meghan McSweeney and styled by LK Events & Design.

It was shot on a picturesque farm, complete with tall wheat stalks, Snickers the horse, a worn stable, and lots of manure. [Our shoes were thanking us later]. The dress, a dropped waist gown with fitted satin bodice and multi-layered tulle skirt, was designed and created by Charla Bjostad at Pleiades Vintage Bridal and Design Studio. Silk flowers with satin ribbons were weaved throughout the layers of tulle. Complimenting the dress, the bride wore a resin-dipped orchid necklace with strands of freshwater pearls and crystal. Charla also created the headpiece using an oversized silk peony and satin ribbon. Swoon.



We are so excited that the amazing Anne Marie over at Perfect Bound loved this shoot just as much as we did. To see much more of this bridal inspiration, step over to her gorgeous blog and check us out. Thanks Anne Marie!



Photographer- Meghan McSweeney Photography
Stylist- Lindsay Averette of LK Events and Design
Flowers- Carolyn Young
Hair and Make-up: Josh Henderson at Mango
Dress and Accessories: Charla Bjostad at Pleiades Bridal Design

friday details

{photograph by Meghan McSweeney, style by LK Events & Design}

Details we fell in love with this week...

The most intimate and romantic backyard wedding

Summer berry inspiration

A whimsical, tropical affair

Loving these vintage, linen napkins

The most darling country California wedding, part i and part ii

we all scream for ice cream

It could be my constant sweet tooth or the amazing InStyle ice cream shoot designed by the talented Amy Atlas that has me running for the nearest freezer, but either way I'm all about a sweet ending to a sweet day.

Instead of or along with your traditional wedding cake, surprise your guests with an ice cream bar.Or pull out all the stops and cater your ice cream from a local dairy shop--complete with the authentic outfit!

Want to impress your guests more? Try this mobile ice cream buffet! Or hire your local, darling ice cream truck to pull right on up to your reception. That way you're guests will get a blast from the past with all the kiddie flavors!

{Bridal Bar designed by Eat, Drink, Chic; Wedding Paper Divas; Christine Olson via Wedding Chicks; Culinary Crafts; The Weibners via Intimate Weddings}