The Fete Blog

One of the best (and easiest) ways to “wow” at your wedding is with papers. I truly believe that creative, beautiful, fun paper details (from escort cards to menus to actual signs directing your guests) are the best way to transform a good wedding into a great wedding– and the quickest way to sprinkle your personality throughout your day.

image via Junebug Weddings / photo by Ulmer Studios

This sign, on a guestbook table, is a modern and graphic detail that transforms a simple table, embellishes a travel theme, and gives us a hint about the interests of this couple. If you’re going the postcard route (where you have guests sign postcards, and place either in a mailbox or a pretty trunk/suitcase– have your maid of honor mail you one every day or browse through them on your honeymoon!), having a sweet sign with a travel mantra is an interesting way to add some pop to your guestbook display.

There are definitely Etsy shops that sell signs like this; your calligrapher or stationer could absolutely whip something like this up; or you could DIY it. Dig around and find a pretty paper map. Adhere it to a piece of wood, or place it in a pretty frame. Then, cut out letters (with a stencil or by hand) or find large letter stickers and spell out the fun quote or mantra you want to display. If you’re going the paper letter route, adhere it to the map with a spray adhesive. Finish off with a few coats of a clear sealer, to make it all smooth and polished– and voila!

image by Cynthia Kain Photography

For one reason or another, we’re all completely fascinated with the idea of a grand proposal– the stuff you see in movies, where the day is perfectly orchestrated around a scavenger hunt that ends at the Eiffel Tower or a sweeping hot air balloon ride. All conclude, of course, with a sweet little ring, a bended knee, and a passionate kiss. What girl doesn’t dream of that?

In real life, not all men are so savvy, most plans aren’t so well-laid, and the average budget is not conducive to private jets and Tiffany diamonds. But that doesn’t mean that the average proposal needs to be humdrum– and Elizabeth Carter, founder of Washington D.C.-based Bespoke Proposals, is here to help! With an all-star background in event planning and an eye for dramatic, meaningful, and unforgettable details, Elizabeth has made it her goal to help your groom completely wow you.

First things first– how did you get into the wedding industry? What originally sparked your interest in weddings and love stories?

Elizabeth: Funnily enough, the thing that first sparked my interest in special events was shopping for an invitation to my high school graduation party. I remember being in the paper store, flipping through endless albums of invitations with my mother, and feeling like I could just stay there forever. When it came time for me to find a college internship I knew I wanted to learn more about events and couldn’t think of more joyous thing than a wedding. I still love weddings more than anything, whether I am the planner or a guest. How many occasions does one get where all of their loved ones are gathered in one room to celebrate something as happy as two people in love starting a new life together?

You gained so much creative experience working for beloved event planner Tara Guerard– what was the number one most valuable lesson you learned from your time with her?

Elizabeth: It is so hard to choose only one! I cannot tell you how many times in the process of starting Bespoke Proposals that I have thought, “What would Tara do?” I have to say her confidence is what makes her the best at what she does. She built Soiree based on the confidence that she could create beautiful things for betrothed couples and that trait exudes throughout the entire planning process with her. Brides are so often full of indecision and nerves, but Tara has a way of getting to know people and their desires very quickly. That makes for simple decision making and that easy assurance she passes along to her couples is welcomed. I want to pass that same confidence along to every person I help propose. The day you ask someone to marry you is one of those high points in life, and you deserve to enter it with the faith that everything is going to go your way.

image by Cynthia Kain Photography

With weddings becoming more and more creative, detailed, and personalized, why is having an equally romantic proposal important?

Elizabeth: One of the main pillars by which I live my life is that you should live every day to the fullest. Great moments don’t just fall into our laps, we have to make them. Some days that can be kind of hard– those mundane Tuesdays when you’re sitting in your windowless office– but big moments, like proposals, provide us with fabulous opportunities to make a milestone special for the ones we love. I believe that those opportunities should be taken advantage of!

image by Cynthia Kain Photography

Tell us a little bit about Bespoke Proposals– how is your vision of a proposal different from (or similar to!) the other-the-top, dramatic, made-for-TV version of a proposal?

Elizabeth: The proposals that I strive to produce are seen but also felt. Proposals seen on TV are full of grandiosities like helicopters, ball gowns, and beaches in Bali. This is beautiful, but it isn’t real life for most of us. The most important thing is that a proposal be built exclusively for your One, not the masses. True romance is knowing someone so intimately that you’re able to create the perfect, personalized experience for them. It’s about knowing the details that would be important to them and implementing those so their specific dream comes true, no matter how simple or how grand. It is for this exact reason that I don’t think Goggling proposal advice is very productive. All of those tips were built for someone else, not for you. Get creative and stay personalized.

What was the first proposal you helped plan? What was the most memorable proposal you’ve helped plan?

Elizabeth: My first proposal was probably also the most memorable because it was my first go at this. The couple was from New York City and they embodied that Manhattan sophistication, so I wanted to give them a very New York experience. Gramercy Park is a small fenced-in park in lower Manhattan. It is one of only two remaining private parks in New York City, and the only people with keys are the owners of homes adjacent to the park. It is kind of a curious mystery to locals, but I learned about a loophole. If you are a guest of the Gramercy Park Hotel, the hotel can give you access to the park.

This location combined all of the things he was looking for: a beautiful setting, an exclusive experience she couldn’t stumble into on an ordinary day, and that style so embodied by New York, so it was the ideal place to pop the question. He booked a room and got that Yes! he was looking for! The entire day was planned out– from the ruse to get her to the hotel to the after party where they celebrated with 25 close friends and family.

Beyond proposals (and/or weddings), what’s your dream creative project?

Elizabeth: Oh I love this one! My dream for forever has been to own my own boutique hotel. We have family in a beautiful historic town along the coast of North Carolina and I would love nothing more than to open a small, 40 to 50 room hotel there. In my dreams it is complete with an oyster bar, a rooftop pool, and each room has it’s own huge clawfoot bathtub.

There is so much wedding inspiration out there– what’s your advice for brides and grooms as they go about starting their wedding planning journey? Where do you turn, personally, for inspiration?

Elizabeth: My best advice to brides is to be decisive. There are so many choices out there these days that it can be difficult to wade through them all. It is important to have confidence in your plan, and make decisions based on it. Choose one direction and find resources that fit within that feel or theme. My wedding was in horse country outside of Washington, DC so I stuck to local Virginia wedding resources, mostly blogs. That made it easier for me to choose things that were “of” my location and were also easy to implement.

What’s next for you? What’s next for Bespoke Proposals?

Elizabeth: My dream for the company is to eventually see it expanded into other consulting areas for men. I would love to fill that niche between the wealthy who have personal assistants and busy people who struggle to do it all on their own. Now, men may have help in certain areas of their lives– physical trainers for example– but to my knowledge there is not one go-to place for the everyman to make his life a little easier. These opportunities can go beyond romantic events like proposals and anniversaries and into niche, almost concierge-like areas. I think the sky is the limit!

Follow along with Elizabeth and her fabulous proposals on Facebook | on Twitter! all images, unless credited, courtesy of Elizabeth! 

One of the things that fascinates me the most about weddings, personally and professionally, is the way brides and grooms choose to style themselves. This is one of the most fun, unique, and personal days in your life– you must be styled accordingly! Putting together your wedding day look can be thrilling, challenging, or a combination of the two, but one thing is for sure– no two couples ever look alike! I’m so excited to jump into this new monthly column– Bride & Groom will showcase a couple’s personal wedding day styling, any challenges they faced, the sartorial decisions they made, and, of course, where you can get certain pieces for yourself!

images by Jessika Feltz Photography

Ashley & Wil: Modern, Classy & Clean | Colors: black and chartreuse green

Our sartorial story: Since my two sisters both lived out of town at the time, we had to look for my wedding dress over Christmas break– which was about 10 months before my wedding. We had heard about this little town in Ohio that is notorious for all things bridal. I found my dress after an extremely long and somewhat exhausting day of dress hunting. And, as some brides say, it looked NOTHING like I had imagined myself wearing, but I loved it.

The accessories: I had been looking for the perfect hairpiece for months without any luck. I searched antique shops, chain bridal stores, specialty stores and looked online. I ended up buying some small flowers, hair clips, jewels and feathers at Hobby Lobby and one of my sisters ended up making it for me a few days before the wedding. It cost about $20 and looked beautiful.

I was set on buying myself and Wil new perfume for the wedding day. I wanted something special and different that we could remember. I ended up buying Lady Million and One Million by Pacco Rabanne. It smells wonderful and it’s what we both wore throughout the honeymoon too. Every time we wear those scents they remind us of our wedding day and the honeymoon- yum!

I suppose I was a pretty low-key bride when it comes to wedding jewelry because I only wanted some small, sparkly earrings and a bracelet. My drop earrings were very simple and from Macy’s. I was in search of the perfect bracelet for the wedding day and again, could not find one that I loved. Everything was either too fancy or too plain. Wil, knowing that I had been stressing about finding the perfect style, took it upon himself to find one and surprised me with the perfect bracelet a few days before the wedding. I love it and am so happy that I now have something to pass on to my children one day.

The groomsmen wore: all black with a little green accent from their pocket square that also doubled as a hankie (and was the groomsmen gift).

The bridesmaids wore: black dresses and shoes with a pop of green from their florals and the earrings given to them as bridesmaids gifts.

Our priorities: We wanted to be comfortable, while still looking our best. I had to have my hair up and off my back because well, let’s be honest, I have a lot of hair and I didn’t want to be messing with it all night. I wore two pairs of shoes as most brides do– one for the ceremony so that I could be a bit taller and then another pair for the reception so that I could be more comfortable.

Wil was really adamant about having a nicely fitted shirt under his tux (he says all the rentals are too boxy) along with a pair of  shoes that would be comfortable for him to wear all day and night. We splurged on a very nice white button down (which ended up getting ruined by the tea leaves on his lei at the reception!) and a pair of black Pliner men’s dress shoes.

Favorite fashion detail: This may be the easy answer, but I absolutely loved my dress. I loved the style, the cut, the back and the fact that it was comfortable the entire night. It made me feel glamourous and accentuated my features.

Get this look:
Dress: Allure Bridals
Hairpiece: Homemade by bride’s sister
Shoes: Caparros
Earrings: Eliot Danori
Bracelet: Goldcaster’s Jewelry
Tux/bowtie/embroidered pocket square/hankie: Andrew Davis Menswear
Shoes: Donald Pliner

When my sister got married and had a wedding with 125 guests wining, dining, and dancing the night away, I told my parents to take it all in and enjoy it because, one day, I was going to elope.

image via Style Me Pretty

I’m still adamant about that plan. My favorite everyday social gatherings are small and intimate. I’m an instant wallflower at a big party, often quietly slipping out the door early. I’ve been to some beautiful weddings and had little moments where I wondered “Maybe I’d regret not having this…” But it passes quickly. Very quickly. I know myself. In my heart of hearts, I know I simply wouldn’t be able to relax and enjoy it– the process of planning or the event itself. I’d be edging my way toward the back door, eager to escape.

image via Intimate Weddings

Obviously, I’m not the only one who feels this way (of course, there are lots of other reasons to elope as well).

image via She Finds

Side note: I have to say I am truly thrilled with the growing trend of eloping couples hiring professional photographers to document their day.

image via Green Wedding Shoes

I’m guessing I’m also not the only gal out there who still wants to put on a pretty dress even if there aren’t any wedding guests watching. Some ladies are still opting for a traditional gown. But you can definitely go less formal. Little white dresses seem to be a hot item this spring so you are in luck if you’re planning a matrimonial getaway for two this year. There are a lot of options out there. I browsed around a bit and found a few I think would be sweet for a small, personal ceremony.

1. Nordstrom, Alice + Olivia, $595
2. Asos, $64
3. DVF, Zarita dress, $325
4. Anthropologie, $288
5. Top Shop, $200

While we’re on the topic, it seems to be a popular concern on various blogs that some couples fear eloping will hurt the feelings of their friends and family. What are your thoughts? Would you be offended if a good friend called to announce their newlywed news?

–kim speer

image via Skyline Tent Company

Do you dream about a tented reception? I certainly did. Tenting your reception (or ceremony!) is one of the most popular and beautiful ways to create a sheltered celebration space that still feels connected to the landscape and weather. But beyond knowing what you want your tent to look like, the rest of it can be completely overwhelming– what size tent do you need? What about bathrooms? Do you need to put down a floor or will the ground work with stiletto heels and dress shoes? I personally had no idea where to start or how much went in to the whole tent rental process.

the Skyline Tent Crew! image by Tom Daly

Thankfully, Charlottesville is home to the East’s premiere tent rental company– Skyline Tents! And to say they know their tents is an understatement. Skyline encompasses all kinds of tent and rental needs, including the coveted Sperry tents (made of sailcloth, they’re beloved for bringing an ultra elegant feel to outdoor events). We chatted with Liz Powers of Skyline, who gave us a few tips for how to get started when thinking about your tent–>

image by Katie Stoops

Be your own wedding builder. As you gaze out over the field and dream of getting married next to the weeping willow, ask yourself: where is my future mother-in-law going to use the bathroom? Where will Mo’ Soul plug in for Proud Mary? Where will the caterer draw water? How will guests see to get to their cars after dark? If you think about building your wedding from the ground up by anticipating the needs of your guests and vendors, you’ll be better prepared to begin conversations with vendors– and determining if this is the right venue choice for you and your budget.

A good rule of thumb: The more you need to bring in to a venue, the more you may need to budget on infrastructure to host your wedding at that location. Additionally, if you’re getting married at home, you should take into consideration the wear and tear hosting a large event will have on the house and property. If this is a concern, moving the reception to an actual wedding venue that has space for tent might be a good solution and compromise.

Prioritize your choices around want, need and your budget– and let us help. Once you’ve settled on a location, it’s time to get the ball rolling. We can help you (and your planner) identify the “need” items: power, bathrooms, water, heat, cooling, while making sure you’re not overspending or cutting corners. Next is the fun part: rolling out the beautiful tent, lighting, flooring and draping options and figuring out what is the best fit for you. We customize all of our proposals (versus publishing a price list) so we can help you prioritize the look for the reception around your budget.

The weather wildcard. The second most frequently asked question we receive is: will it rain on my wedding day? We can’t control the weather, but we can control the rest. If you’re getting married outside, hire vendors you trust, who provide onsite assistance and emergency numbers. We can survive a derecho, and if you hire us, you can too.

Are you having a tented wedding? Would you consider renting a tent for your next grand soiree? 

–> this piece appeared in The Hook’s Spring Weddings! But the advice was so good, I had to re-share it here, for all our lovely non-local readers.

One of the coolest things about today’s wedding scene is the possibility for personality. On every aspect of the day– from paper details to fashion styling to decor– a couple can stamp their brand. I think it’s incredible. Every wedding has so much potential to be unique! While staying, of course, as traditional or innovative as a bride and groom want to go. Projects like this chalkboard backdrop make me smile– details like these create “wow” moments at a wedding (or party!).

image via Style Me Pretty

This is a project that could be commissioned (if you have a stellar wedding planner or stylist) or DIY-ed without much grit and grime.

First step– figure out how you’d like to use a backdrop like this. Will it be behind you during your ceremony? Used as a photobooth backdrop? Just a fun portrait piece? (Our friends surprised us with one that we used for our photobooth!) That will influence the size of the backdrop you make. Start with a basic material–  ours was made of wood. Plywood or drywall is often used for a backdrop like this, with wooden beams mounted on the backside of the backdrop to allow it to stand.

Using chalkboard paint and a roller brush (nearly all the DIY chalkboard projects I checked out used roller brushes to apply the paint evenly), cover the front side of the backdrop. Some of the best paints are Benjamin Moore or Rust Oleum.

Once the paint dries (you might need two coats), it’s time to personalize your backdrop! Ours was similar to this– our calligrapher, If So Inklined, wrote out sweet words, our names, and wedding date, on ours with chalk. Check with your invitation designer or calligrapher– they would likely be thrilled to create something for your backdrop. If you’re using yours as a photobooth backdrop, consider letting your guests scribble notes on it before snapping their pictures!

The best part about a piece like this? It makes an incredible keepsake afterwards…

There are so many ways to style your wedding bouquet!

Some women love something small and humble with understated colors and blooms. Others gravitate towards the lush, sensual garden bouquet style– a full bouquet with lavish colors, ribbons, keepsakes tied to the stem. And then there’s me– the kind of bride who craves a bouquet so large, it must be cradled like a baby; a bouquet so full, you must go to the gym for months prior to your wedding; a bouquet that is completely over-the-top, ridiculous, and a mix between avant garde floral design and basic, boho, from-the-earth styling.

A note to brides loving this oversized bouquet look as well– make sure the front of your dress isn’t overly intricate or screaming for some spotlight time: a bouquet this size will definitely overwhelm the front of your gown! This bouquet works well with a short dress, a tulle skirt, long, flowy waves, a vintage family heirloom gown– or, if you’re really daring, a colored dress!

from top left: Family & Farm | Home | Pretty Dresses in the Laundry | Grey Likes Weddings | Fashion Freax

image via Martha Stewart Weddings

Spring wedding season is here and I am so excited to see an influx of bright colors, lush florals, and vibrant decor as we finally head into sunnier days! This tablescape from Martha is exactly how I picture a spring wedding: sun shining, outdoor tented reception, bluegrass band playing during cocktail hour, delicious fresh fruit awaiting your guests.

Breaking this scene down is fairly easy: the first place to start is your table. In Charlottesville, there are now a plethora of farm tables– Beehive Events, Stonegate Event Rentals, Southern Blooms, and Skyline Tent Company all offer farm tables to rent. Mix up your seating with some benches, some vintage wooden chairs, and some fun chairs from Festive Fare for an eclectic reception look!

The rented plates and utensils are basic enough– Festive Fare has you covered with textured white plates and silver flatware that won’t break the bank.

Fun linen napkins can be sourced (again, Festive), or purchased individually (Etsy has a few potential options), but that could get pricy; this could be an area where you DIY. Find a few brightly patterned linens that correspond with your wedding colors and use a basic tutorial (sewing or non-sewing) to bring some personalized pieces to your tables!

My favorite part about this table is the fresh fruit; if it’s not quite peach season for your wedding, consider a bunch of grapes (especially if your wedding is at a vineyard), a small bowl of fresh berries, strawberries, or oranges. This is also the perfect way to include place settings– attach to said piece of fruit and voila!

The bloom with the fruit is also changeable according to the season; cherry blossom season is nearly upon us, which would be lovely with a bowl of strawberries; this is bougainvillea, which makes the place setting look a bit spicier and more exotic.

images, from top left: Stonegate Event Rentals | Call Me Cupcake | Festive Fare | Kirtsy

I’m in the mood for some DIY projects (cough, procrastinating on my wedding thank yous…), but this inspiration board doesn’t have a super specific theme beyond that. Some days, it’s good to step outside the box of your specific wedding theme or design inspiration and just look at pretty things. These projects are all super do-able, not overly time consuming, and completely customizable– adding any of these sweet details to your wedding day will make it oh-so-you!

1. Who doesn’t love confetti? (Answer: your venue manager who has to clean it all up.) These fabulous confetti throwers are perfect for right after you kiss “I do” or as you exit your reception! via Oh Happy Day  |  2. This project is for ombre pinwheels, but if gradient color isn’t your thing, make it all one color! This would be the prettiest display for your dessert table, photobooth backdrop, headtable, or ceremony space (if you’re super ambitious). via Wedding Chicks  |  3. You don’t have to gift tea to your guests to create pretty tea-stained gift boxes! via Style Me Pretty  |  4. I personally LOVE bunting– and while some brides want to send out a simple Save the Date, what a fun way to introduce your guests to your personality and get them fired up for what’s to come! via Project Wedding  |  5. See– I love bunting. This fabric cake topper is absolutely divine– if you’re having one cake or a spread of sweet treats, creating a few of these is a fun way to sass up your desserts! via A Subtle Revelry

jose villa via Style Me Pretty

You’ve made it through your wedding as the most beautiful, gracious bride! It’s all smooth sailing from here, right? Well, fortunately or not, your role as a bride doesn’t end as soon as the guests leave the reception; you still have a few loose ends to tie up and it’s important to carry your Good Bride skills through your first few actions as a Mrs.

Just a note– these tips have definitely been learned through experience. I did not carry my Decent Bride skills through on all of these tips…

rebekah westover photography via Style Me Pretty

1. Wrap up any outstanding payments ASAP.

Hey, we all have them– a few bills or payment plans we set up with some of our wedding vendors that need to be taken care of post-celebration. Obviously weddings can be extraordinarily expensive and having payments to think about once the day is over can be super stressful. But make sure you stick to your payment plan and keep all lines of communication open and clear. If you need extra time, make sure you’re honest with the vendors involved. And remember, as much as you’ve become friends with your vendors, it is a business– so be respectful, do everything you can to make your payments on time, and don’t get upset if people need to get paid (and act accordingly).

2. Don’t hassle your photographer for photos.

I know– you’re so excited about your wedding pictures and you paid a professional to capture you and your day in the most perfect way possible. Gimme my photos!! BUT. Photographers are, unfortunately, not exclusive. Your wedding is not the only one they shot during your wedding month; most likely, your wedding photographer has done a wedding every single weekend for months straight (especially in the busy season, May/June-November). That means thousands and thousands of wedding images that need to be edited or processed before they can get to yours. There are photographers who make a point in their contracts to inform you that you might have to wait up to a year before getting your photos.

Unfortunately, your hassling won’t make the editing process go faster. There’s no quicker way to turn a relationship sour than sending your photographer an email every day for months after your wedding day asking for photos. Most likely, your photographer is sweet and will send you sneak peeks as much as they possibly can before giving you the entire finished product; accept that you will have to wait at least a month (film usually takes a few weeks to process anyway)– and use the time gap as a way to keep your wedding excitement fresh!

sweet little photographs via Style Me Pretty

3. Write up vendor testimonials.

During the wedding planning process, you likely become close to your vendors; these are the talented, wonderful people who are going to make your dreams come true! But once the big day is over and cleaned up, don’t forget about them! The number one best thing you can do for your vendors (remember, they did so much for you) is to write them testimonials and give them referrals. Head over to WeddingWire, The Knot or anywhere else your vendor is registered and write them a quick review! It’s the best way to thank them for all they did for you.

4. Gather guests photos.

It’s inevitable– your guests will be snapping photos throughout your wedding day (even if you ask them not to). Thankfully, those photos don’t have to be lost or relegated to random Facebook albums– now there are so many apps and services out there to collect your guests images properly! We didn’t use anything like this, but I wish we had; not only is this a wonderful way for you to see your wedding as your guests did, but it’s also a way for your guests to get their fill of your wedding without you having to hassle your photographer for your professional photos (win, win, win). The three apps that stood out to me– Wedding Snap, Capsule, and Wedding Party.

5. Get those thank you cards done.

I admit it– we haven’t sent out our thank you cards yet, which makes us the worst bride & groom of all time. There are different timelines out there for how long you have to get these out; some suggest a month after your wedding while others say you have up to a year. The thank yous are so easy to brush aside– first you wait until you receive all your gifts, then you wait until you’re back from the honeymoon and have your new home all set up, then the holidays come, then… before you know it, it’s been almost a year and you still haven’t sent them out. Your guests will notice that you haven’t sent them a personalized note post-wedding. Get yours done as soon as you can– make it a fun project for you and your husband, the last wedding hurrah!– and your guests will have nothing but fond memories of your wedding.