The Fete Blog

We all oogle over the grand, over-the-top, highly planned out weddings– you know, the ones with every single bit branded, surprise fireworks during cocktail hour, fire dancers for dinner entertainment, puppies as the wedding favors. But the celebrations that truly touch us and stay with us emotionally, long after they’re over are often the most straightforward ones. Patrick and Marie’s wedding was lovingly planned, flawlessly executed, and delightfully simple– and that’s exactly where its beauty comes from.

Groom’s favorite moment: Watching Marie walk down the aisle. And the food.

A standout detail: A sunny 70 degree day in December. Beautiful!

First dance song: ”You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” Randy Newman (yes, from Toy Story)

What’s next? We’ll be living in Charlottesville as Marie finishes up grad school and Patrick continues to transition into his new job with CustomInk.

images by Lucy O Photo

This wedding is just… breathtaking. The second I opened up the submission, I was swept away by the absolute beauty of the bride, the romance of the monastery venue, and the sweetness shared between the newly married couple. There’s really no words to accurately describe how lovely this celebration is– everything from the color scheme and the florals to the attire and the floating lantern sendoff is magical. A big thanks to Meg Baisden Photography for sharing this Miami celebration with us!

images by Meg Baisden Photography | this wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Some couples can take a trend– rustic, DIY chic, in this instance– and truly transform it to perfectly fit with their personalities. It doesn’t feel cookie-cutter or even “trendy” if it’s infused with your energy and excitement! Erin & Jeremy’s Chatfield, Colorado wedding incorporated some of our favorite details– cupcakes, homemade jam favors, DIY fashion and accessories– and took them to a meaningful level. If you’re craving a lovely, simple, joy-filled celebration, Erin & Jeremy did it just right.

Our love story: When Jeremy and I met in January 2008, we knew right away that we would end up together. When we were together, we were so into each other everything around us would stop–we called this “being in our bubble.” We learned early on that moving out west was a common goal so we saved up together and moved from Wilmington, NC to Denver in October 2009.

The proposal: For my birthday, November 27, 2010, he took me out to dinner and presented me with a book to Costa Rica with plane tickets inside for February. I was so excited and had an inkling that he may propose there but wasn’t sure. When we got to Costa Rica we stayed one night in San Jose and then drove to Manuel Antonio and stayed at a cute bed and breakfast. Once we were settled the owner told us about this private cove down the road so we decided to go check it out. Jeremy was very adamant about it but I didn’t think anything of it– I just thought he was excited to explore.

The proposal, cont: We when we got to the cove, it was mainly deserted so we laid out our beach towels and cracked open our beers. As we are sitting there I started to think about whether he was going to propose but ended up telling myself to stop thinking about it because if it didn’t happen, I didn’t want it to ruin our time. My thoughts were interrupted by Jeremy telling me how much he loved me and by the time I completely tuned in, I see that he’s shifted to one knee and he was reaching into his pocket. That was my cue to pay attention but it took me awhile to switch gears from telling myself to stop thinking about whether he was going to propose to him actually proposing right then and there. I was so shocked by the time I realized this that I didn’t say yes right away. I finally managed to say yes and we embraced and cried and didn’t stop talking about it the rest of the trip.

The proposal, cont: In Manuel, Jeremy presented a ring that his mother gave him as he didn’t want to bring the official engagement ring on the trip. When we got home to Denver our friends and family were waiting at our house and threw us a surprise celebration. Jeremy presented the official ring to me then. The diamond belonged to his great-grandmother who he refers to as “Big YiaYia” (Greek) and he had it placed in a setting with two sapphires on either side. He told me he chose the sapphires because he thought I would like them, and he was so right!

Jeremy and I were engaged for a year and a half before our wedding. We had plenty of time to research vendors, work on projects and save money for the wedding. We made all our decisions together and did most of the work ourselves. I’m glad we had so much time to plan and save but it did dominate our (or at least my) thoughts on a daily basis so it was nice to actually have the wedding and be done with all the planning! We called on our friends and family to help out instead of getting so many vendors involved. I had close friends make the flower arrangements, my mom and aunt made the cupcakes and we had friends be in charge of the music. Overall things came together the day of the wedding and it turned out better than we ever imagined!

images by Elevate Photography | this sweet wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Vendors:
Venue: Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield
Caterer: The Food Guy
Dress: The Altar

I know– I’m not supposed to have favorites. And I truly, truly love so many of the weddings featured on these (virtual) pages. But this one is super special. Not only was I a part of this incredible day (as an assistant to Meghan of Shindig and Jennifer Carroll throughout Annie & Walt’s planning process and on the day), but I’ve become such soulmates with this couple– pouring over these images, even on my birthday, is all I want to do!

Just trust me– if any wedding sparks inspiration and excitement in you, this is it. Every single detail, every single image– there is so much love here!! Annie and Walt, your day is my favorite. And you two are pretty cool, too.

Our love story: Walt and I met at first year orientation at the University of Virginia. Immediately, we bonded over jokes about dorm room décor and Thomas Jefferson. We were friends our first year and started dating our second year, after braving Hurricane Isabel together in Brown College. After graduation, Walt moved to Chicago for work and I moved to Boston for grad school, and we did long-distance for three years. (The airline industry must have loved us.) When Walt got into grad school at BU, we were finally in the same time zone again and got engaged a little over a year later.

The proposal: Walt suggested we go out to dinner one evening mid-week. I woke up that morning and asked if we could cancel– I just wasn’t feeling a night out– but after spending a beautiful June day trapped in a cubicle, I didn’t feel like sitting at home and suggested we still go out. (I had no idea I’d almost foiled his plan!) Of course, I insisted on nothing fancy; it was only a Wednesday night, after all.

The proposal cont: We went to an Israeli restaurant nearby and then to a favorite café for coffee and dessert. It was a beautiful evening, so we walked around our neighborhood, including a lovely square near our apartment with lots of beautiful old trees. Walt mentioned that he loved how even small things like going on a walk felt special because we were together, and how he hoped we would always take walks together. He pulled the ring out of his pocket and got down on one knee, totally surprising me.

“Wow” moment:  A couple of different “wow” moments stand out for me. We did a ‘first look,’ which gave me major butterflies. Suddenly it was all real– we were together and we were getting married. Then later, at the reception, Meghan showed us the ballroom before anyone of our guests entered. It was amazing seeing everything we’d imagined and talked about for a year suddenly come to life– and be even better than we could have imagined!

Favorite project: Our wedding was library-themed, so it was fun to plan all the bookish décor details—table numbers based on the Dewey Decimal system, library card seating cards, “book” invitations, etc. Thankfully, the Shindig team was just as enthusiastic about the theme as we were, which made the whole wedding planning process so fun.

First dance song: This Will Be Our Year by the Zombies.

Groom’s favorite moment: Cookie tables are a big thing in my hometown of Pittsburgh, and to honor that tradition, Meghan arranged for a table of amazing cookies (complete with glasses of regular and Kahlua-spiked “Grown-Up” milk) to appear near the reception hall while the guests were all distracted by the bouquet toss.

The cover for the cookie table was a “cloth” made up (by Meghan) of stitched-together pages from children’s’ books, and it had one particular touch that absolutely stole the show. Annie had recently found out that her first book, a young-adult novel, had been picked up for publication, and without her knowledge, Meghan contacted me to get a copy of the digital document. When the cookie table and its cloth were revealed, the first page of Annie’s to-be-published book was right there in the center, and the look of surprise and elation when she recognized it still rates as my second-favorite moment of the entire day (beaten narrowly by the whole getting-married part).

Our day was: Joyous, literary, loved

images by Cramer Photo

Vendors:
Planning and Wedding Design: Shindig Weddings and Events
The dress: Blue by Enzoani, from The House of Brides
Veil, shawl, shoes, necklace/bracelet: The House of Brides
Bridesmaid dresses: LulaKate, from Bella Bridesmaid
Walt’s/groomsmen suits: Jos. A Bank
Walt/groomsmen ties: Brooks Brothers
Invitations and save-the-dates: Jennifer Lane
Hair/makeup: Face Value Salon
Organist: Brian Dean Sousa
Ceremony soloist: Heather Hightower
Ceremony choir: The University Singers, directed by Michael Slon
Flowers: Pat’s Floral Designs
Rental Furniture: Pat’s Floral Designs and American Furniture Rental
Lighting/Drapery: Blue Ridge LIght Forms
Catering: Farmington Country Club
Cookies: Farmington and One Creative Cookie
Ceremony: St. Thomas Aquinas
Transportation: Camryn Limo and UTS
Photography: Cramer Photo
Videography: Blue Sky Films
Cake: Maliha Creations
Rentals: Festive Fare
DJ: Derek Tobler
Calligraphy and design: If So Inklined

Carling & Kit are one of my favorite couples of all time; I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again– one of the best parts about being a wedding blogger is meeting all kinds of kindred spirit couples. Carling, Kit (and their ridiculously cozy, rollicking, fabulous wedding!) and I are cut from the same cloth. Their wedding day was woven with sweet, meaningful, personal details; their styling was a bohemian-hip-kid dream; their personality as a couple resonated throughout the day. And, of course, Sarah Cramer’s stunning photography captures the entire celebration stunningly. This post isn’t just about one wedding day you dream of– Carling & Kit are one couple you want to be!

Him: Musician | Her: Aspiring Health Coach / Student

Our love story: My sassy sense of humor and Kits ‘gimpy’ broken leg sparked our relationship in high school math class circa October 2001. The years following, a strong friendship developed. Whether it meant going to the prom together, spending time on Kit’s family vacations, coming home from college for fun weekends, or stealing kisses after late nights out, we always knew what we shared was special and unique. After Kit graduated from college and moved home in late spring, the spark only grew. Neither of us were looking for anything serious, but by the fall, the desire to spend time together was undeniable. Kit always told me that he had a plan all along; it was working.

Our love story, cont: Three and a half years later, Kit proposed on a random night in April (with a beautiful ring he designed himself), and we were married the following October (exactly 11 years after meeting that faithful day in math class). We love to spend every bit of time we can laughing and enjoying life together.

“Wow” moment: Just a few moments before the ceremony Carling and I decided to have a little physical (but not visual!) pow-wow. She stayed out of sight, around the corner of an old house on Ashlawn and we sat together holding hands while jointly laughing and screaming. That moment put it all into perspective for us; the gratitude for the past and the excitement for the future.

Standout detail: At the end of an intimate ceremony, we had our respective oldest friends conduct our ring exchange vows

Design inspiration: Travel (which we do way too much) and simplicity (which we love)

Groom’s favorite moment: Nothing can truly compare to the first glimpse a man gets of his bride on his wedding day– the rush of pure joy practically knocked me over– so I’d have to start off with that. For creativity’s sake I’d also give praise to the unearthing of a bottle of bourbon that kept our wedding weather flawless, and nailing our first dance, which was a daunting task for me!

What’s next? I am currently enrolled in school at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and hope to run a small business one day soon, while Kit continues to pursue his goals in the music industry. In the months to come we will be busy working, studying, traveling, and meeting up for adventures both and home and on the road!

images by Cramer Photo!

For someone so in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Boone, North Carolina wedding completely captured my heart. With a romantic, rustic backdrop and the prettiest couple ever, this celebration should resonate with any couple looking for woodsy wonderland inspiration.

images by BlueSky Studios

Vendors: The Inn at Crestwood | Hallmark Cakes | Split Second Sound | Brian Bunn Films

One of the most beloved wedding venues in Charlottesville is, without question, King Family Vineyards. Looking for a wedding that boasts breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains? King Family is your best bet. Hoping to strike a balance between preppy UVA and hip Charlottesville attitude? King Family is the perfect middle ground.

But the best part about a King Family wedding is seeing how a bride and groom transform the beautiful space into their own love story– and Sara & Erik did just that with their fall fête; with colors that transcend the season, a loving group of friends and family, and Jack Looney to capture it all, this sweet couple created a day that was authentically theirs.

Our love story: Our story is all in the timing. We met our first week of college and knew each other as friends for years. Erik was visiting Charlottesville from Vail and Sara just happened to have been given two VIP tickets to see The Police at JPJ. We had dinner at Duner’s, went to the concert and never really looked back.

Groom’s favorite moment: It would have to be seeing my wife for the first time that day. It was at that moment I knew everything was going to be perfect! Second place would have to be seeing all of our friends and family from across the nation together for one great PARTY! Third, a friend shoving groomsman cake in my face.

“Wow” moment: We are lucky to have the most wonderful family and friends. Instead of having guests streaming toward the bar immediately after our ceremony (lucky for them it was open before the service), we asked them to remain in their seats. After processing, we walked back up the isle and thanked each and every guest for joining us. Between the sunset, the bluegrass music and visiting with loved ones from near and far, it was a really special moment for us.

Something old: The bride’s grandmother’s ring was transformed into earrings and a necklace.
Something new: The wedding dress.
Something borrowed: The bride’s mother’s pearl clutch and handkerchief.
Something blue: Some fabulous, sparkly shoes.

DIY: The largest project was creating our favors. We pickled all of the vegetables (beets, green beans and okra) in the months leading up to the wedding.

What’s next? We are wrangling a new puppy, hunting for our first home and still planning the perfect honeymoon.

images by Jack Looney Photography

Vendors:
Grooms suite and groomsman attire: Nordstrom
Brides attire: Jingles
Bridesmaids attire: JCrew
Hair and makeup: Moxie
Photography: Jack Looney
Caterer: The Rock Barn
Beer: Blue Mountain Brewery
Bluegrass Band: Monroeville
DJ: Derek Tobler
Invitations: Rock Paper Scissors
Cake and groomsmen cake: Albemarle Baking Company
Flowers and decor: Beehive
Buses: Quicks
Limos: A&A Limousine

I am beyond thrilled for today’s Real Wedding feature– not only is this wedding sweet and charming, with a rustic pole barn reception and a winter wonderland theme, but it’s also the wedding of fitness blogger Meghann Anderson-Russell– a fabulous and inspirational Florida gal who is a runner and covers all sorts of exercise and wellness topics on her blog Meals and Miles. Bonus: this wedding was shot by none other than local darling Andrea Hubbell (I swoon over her Beyond the Flavor work on a daily basis), who is Meghann’s cousin! (I love small world moments like this.)

Meghann and I connected through our blogs– she used our race bib Save the Dates as inspiration for the table numbers for her Titusville, FL wedding; I was so impressed by her diligent wedding blogging and the wealth of planning information she shared that I practically begged her to let me feature her celebration! (See all her wedding posts here.)

A romantic first look!

Their barn reception was chock-full of DIYs and projects contributed by friends and family– a true community celebration!

images by Andrea Hubbell

Is there anything more romantic than an Italian elopement? Throw in a dashing and sophisticated couple, a pink (!!) dress, a photographer to capture the passion and you’ve got the makings of a Hollywood hit… or the start of a charming little marriage.

Efi and Gianni are Greeks living in Germany who picked Venice to elope– I love the mix of cultures colliding! According to their stellar photographer Luca Fazzolari, they plan on having a large, lovely celebration at home in 2014.

images by Luca Faz, Photographer in Venice | this darling elopement was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Have you ever dreamed of a destination wedding? It’s celebrations like this one by Jackie Ray Photography that really get my wanderlust pumping: a gorgeously tropical day and a collection of one’s closest family and friends– what more do you need? And no– this wedding wasn’t just held at the same hotel everyone stayed in; the smart bride and groom visited the area months before and scouted a restaurant and gazebo near the harbor for their ceremony and reception locations. Catherine and Ryan made a weekend of it, celebrating and relaxing with their 25 guests (many of whom turned it into a week-long vacation!). I can’t think of a better way to spend your wedding weekend…

images by Jackie Ray Photography | this tropical destination wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Vendors:
Ceremony: Pelican Bay Hotel
Reception: Flying Fish Restaurant
Houston Wedding Coordinator:  Simply Jubilee Events
Bahamas Wedding Coordinator: Chic Bahamas Wedding
Hair & Makeup: Senses Spa
Wedding Cake: Take the Cake!
Florals: Petal Party
Travel Arrangements: Planet Honeymoon, Inc