I know we’ve been a wee bit MIA. It’s just, well – we HAVE been working on something pretty awesome for today’s Utterly Engaged Leap Year Remix party. I won’t spoil the surprise, but stay tuned for photos of maybe the most challenging design challenge to date.

In the meantime….we owe you guys big time. We owe you a piece of our heart, and here it is. Warning! It’s a little bit long. A little bit raw. And a little bit, ALL of us.

YOUR FAVORITE PART LEADING UP TO THE WEDDING:

AMANDA | I LOVE the table trial. It’s honestly my favorite- simply because it takes all these visions and ideas we’ve been chatting through and shows them to the client. But more than that- it becomes obvious what works, what doesn’t and why. When you’re piecing together an event in your head, sometimes you can easily “see it”- but sometimes you can’t and you’re just relying on your intuition. Plus, there’s nothing better than seeing a client truly EXCITED about their wedding- the design, the love, the day. It’s an exceptional feeling.

RACHEL | The table trial HAS to be my favorite, because up until then, people think I’m crazy in the head - I know it’ll be amazing but they don’t really know, until they see it come together at the trial. (PS Rachel gave me – Carizza – her responses over the phone, so this is related via phone to the best of my abilities – if you know Rachel AT ALL – you know that the inflection in her answers are WAY more exciting than portrayed!)

KRISTEN | My fav is that moment when it hits that everything is coming together, which is typically in the wee hours of the morn when your hair’s pulled back, makeup’s half off, missing a shoe, and elbow deep in paint. The moment varies every time and sometimes happens every few seconds, but the reaction’s still the same –  ”Dang.. that was a good one.” “Ahh that’s sooo. Freakin. Cute.” “Stop it, I can’t even handle it anymore I’m so good.” “I need some food.”

SHARON | My favorite part is the rehearsal… no one has seen it first hand, but they can all imagine it, and best part yet, their family is there and they are in the mix… it’s controlled chaos… Love it!!!

ALICIA | I love the times when the bride and groom have a moment to come in to preview their reception room before the guests come in. The looks of joy on their faces, when they see everything they’ve been imagining for months finally come to reality is utterly priceless.

YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE CEREMONY:

DAWN | My favorite moment at a wedding is right before the bride prepares to go walk down the aisle. All her love and excitement pulled together into one. Never has there been a bride who wasn’t smiling full of love.

AMANDA | It’s a toss up between fluffing the bride’s train [typically, this is a moment that the world fades away and although she's distracted, she's kind of only with you and her father. Giving those last moments of wisdom is the best feeling- just knowing they're in good hands with you directing], and the kiss! The kiss is always so telling for me. I love watching couples- especially ones who have waited all day to see one another- finally reach for each other after [what seems like] the longest 20 minutes of their life! Nothing like a warm embrace from two people so genuinely filled with joy and love!

SHARON | When emotions are running from all ends and you send your bride down the aisle and the world stops for the 43 seconds it takes her to walk down the aisle… I’ve witnessed it… the whole world literately stops!!! I’ve googled it!!! I know! :D

ALICIA | The exchange of vows is always my favorite part. A well written exchange of love and affection gets me crying harder then most of the guests are, every time.

LISA | When the officiant pronounces the bride and groom as husband and wife for the first time. From that moment forward life is changed (!) and everyone who is there to witness has a smile on their face!!

YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE RECEPTION:

BRITTANY | The father daughter dance. I tear up every time STILL! And of course the end of the night hug from my couple. It’s like graduation day, and I’m the proud parent lol!

RACHEL | It’s a tie between the grand entrance and the grand exit. For the entrance, it’s like, HOORAY we’re married! For the grand exit, it’s like, HOORAY life together!

MIRIAM | When the bride & groom cut the cake. Their personalities really seem to come out during this process. It’s fun to watch.

NENA | All the love..love..love.. Love seeing the new husband and wife enjoying their new time together.

CARIZZA | There’s always an inevitable moment in the reception when the bride gets separated from the groom (whether its Aunt Mildred pulling him to the dance floor, or his buddies congratulating him). And while searching through the crowds of her friends and family, the bride asks, “Do you know where…my husband…is?” And she smiles softly, cuz she just called him her *husband* for possibly the first time ever.  She’s not used to saying it yet, of course, and it means the world! A small moment I know, but such a precious one.

AMANDA | Grand entrance is up there for me. Again, another moment when the world goes quiet and, as they wait for the DJ, our team gets a moment to banter, congratulate and prep the couple for the coming moments. They’re giddy and distracted and listening to the music and hearing their names announced together- it’s a flutter of excitement! Plus, I love walking couples through their cake cutting ceremony. :) You know honestly, I just kinda LOVE everything about weddings.

AND there you have it. We love everything about weddings. What’s your favorite part? We’d LOVE to hear. Cuz likely, it’s our favorite part too! ;) xoxo!

To kick off your week, we’re starting a reader response driven blog convo about wedding trends. The heart behind this is to encourage discussion with brides, vendors, fans and friends, about anything from design to fashion to etiquette, bring it on! I know you’re dying to ask… :)

We’re starting off this fun topic with….table numbers. We’re often asked about those boring pieces of plastic that you see at Carl’s Jr (or at table number two with your new in-laws). Or, they can be wire numbers hand bent to match the same font that’s on your invitation/programs/design suite…as evidenced below:

At ITN, we believe that every item on your tables (and in your wedding!) should be purposeful and aesthetically pleasing. Brides, you’ve put all this effort into the linens and china, why ruin it all with a piece of plastic on a metal stand? Let’s just make those numbers part of your table!

These stained wood blocks with a sophisticated vinyl application were conceptualized and handmade by our very own Rachel! What I love most about these table numbers (besides the adorable key that is just the cherry on top), is the contrast on the table. Your guests aren’t straining to see their table numbers – it’s not hidden amongst a centerpiece or blending into the linen – it’s functional and fabulous!

Photogs, how often do you remove that cut out piece of paper stuck onto cardboard in order to get that table shot? At Courtney and Geno’s wedding, that didn’t have to happen – because the table number was seamlessly worked into the set up. Less clutter – more efficiency.

And who says a table number has to be of actual numerical value? At Irene’s wedding, we used cities as table numbers, which were places that the bride and groom had visited together. Adorable and personal.

I hope that this added a smile onto your face this Monday – and that it gets you thinking about how to make things fun and functional =)

So don’t forget to email me some current wedding trends that you’re interested in discussing (or you can write on our facebook wall!). Then on Monday, we’ll respond. This is meant to be a conversation instead of a soap box, so friends, let’s trend talk!

Hmmm…maybe that isn’t the best mental picture. Well, I’m new at this blogging thing so you can excuse it, right?…..(Please come back, because if you don’t Amanda might revoke my blogging privileges and then the world wouldn’t be the better place it is now because I talked about drool bowls). Anyhoo, I L.O.V.E. this table. I really do. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile. Maybe it’s because it’s the first design I really worked on (all the way down to the knitting of the silverware cozies)….

Maybe it’s this tasty pop of teal….

Maybe it’s the slammin’ brick placemats….

or maybe the square marshmallows (which we ALMOST ordered from Oregon. Because we are THAT committed to our design….or maybe just because we’re crazy…)

Any which way you slice it, this design was a zany caper from start to finish. Once we were given the rules for the Utterly Engaged Design Challenge (the centerpiece had to be mainly constructed of industrial materials) Amanda told me her idea of having a plexiglass fireplace. I thought, “It’s okay. Once her crazy pills wear off we’ll talk real design.” I just couldn’t envision the flames she was talking about. But once I saw the graphic from Cathy Olson at Love At First Invite, I knew we were on the right track. I don’t know how we got paired up with such perfect vendors, but we did! They just “got” the design without needing to be told exactly what to do. Plexiglass menu’s and placecards?? Yes please!!

And Lauryl Lane’s florals from Lauryl Lane Floral Artistry were spot on. The variety of berries and leafy goodness added just the right amount of warmth while still keeping it modern. And last but not least, all the additional details that completed our whole look.

Mmmmm. A whole bowl-full of delicious num nums, with our hot-teal-tastic accent color pumpin’ it up. ::sidenote:: Isn’t that chunk of brick missing on the right under the menu just fantastic? Love the semi-grunge feeling it gives.

I’m not much of a milk fan, but I want to guzzle it down JUST because it’s in those killer-cute mini carafes. I have a major weakness for anything mini or oversized.
And for the guests to take the modern warmth home, Amanda made up little boxes wrapped in faux bois wrapping paper that held tea bags (Yup. Sewed by the Mands herself with teal thread) and rock candy swizzle sticks to plunge them deeper into the depths of the sugar induced coma they’re already in due to the all dessert menu. Sounds like my kind-o party!

And finally, my crafty contribution, the silverware cozies.

Just a reminder for those of you who have already forgotten what the whole thing looked like together because of glorious image overload…

And there you have it! Until we meet again sweet readers.

List of Fantasticity
Photos: Two Auer Photo
Florals: Lauryl Lane Floral Artistry
“Paper” Products: Love at First Invite
Linen: La Tavola
**and a special thanks to my amazing husband who didn’t murder me while I took over his shop to put the plexiglass stuff together**

Well, here’s a big old hint for ya:

We’ve entered the Utterly Engaged Designer’s Challenge and have been creating AWAY to make something truly gorgeous and unique. That being said- I’d love it if anyone of my readers, clients, friends or fans came out to support the element of my job that I hold most dear: designing!!

It’s set to be a night full of fun and definitely some inspiring designs! Hope to see some of you there! Until then, I’m just trying to keep my head screwed on straight and get some sleep [ever]!

All of you newly-engaged gals: you sleep at some point, too, okay! It’s a pact!

xoxo,

A.

These were our favors. Delicious sugar cookies from Corner Bakery in CD sleeves with a custom little label. Easy and totally cuteness.

A detail of my little cutlery napkins. Of course, they were monogrammmed… :)

And of course my lovely and amazing invitations for the event. I did however forget to get another shot of the kids entertainment boxes [I really wanted one of them open to shoot the contents of it- plastic handcuffs, gold nugget bubble gum, cowboy boot keychain...]

But, while we were there, we DID get to shoot a little bit of yours truly. What’s your fave? I’m still undecided…

[Husband's fave]

[Photog's fave]

Also, enjoy some of Jered’s amazing other photos [like music and catalogue photography... and don't doubt that he's available for weddings, too!] at his site and blog:
www.jeredscott.com
www.jeredscott.blogspot.com

Centerpieces:

Straw bails for extra seating [And in the background the early guests, including my hub and the dad-to-be, are enjoying the horse shoe pit]:

The tables:

I made these signs for the food, and color coordinated all of the serving dishes, etc:

The watering hole…

This was the guest book table which I also put the “kids boxes” on. These were their little entertainment boxes for the shower!

Didn’t get a picture of the inside of them, but the box contents were a cowboy notepad, a sherrif star, a horse puzzle, gold nugget candy, a cowboy boot keychain, plastic handcuffs….. where do I find the time?

These cupcakes were “dessert”. I put them out on the gift table after we’d moved the gifts over to be opened. This was my huge vision from the begining and I actually IRONED these napkins so that they’d lay like this. I know, I know. But, seriously, how cute and worth it??

My BIGGET problem with this whole thing is the “melted” rootbeer barrel on top of these. Once they loose their shape, even a little bit, out of the wrapper…. they’re questionable at best. BUT- still delicious!

Also after the shower was underway, I removed the leftover kids boxes and put out our favors! The suckers were my only “it’s a boy” item of the day! Other than that, my favor idea I got from a Martha Stewart magazine from YEARS ago and have been dying to see through in real life. It came out so perfect and cute:

Sugar cookies in a CD sleeve with CUTE sticker monogram detail…

And here’s the maw and paw to be [with their custom made hats, of course!]:

Yes, I know. Ridiculously cute!!

Boots!!

To go with the cupcakes and cookies, I decorated mini sparkling cider bottles [and there's my sister in the background] and passed them out to the guests:

And, that’s all she wrote! No more pictures. None of me. I was a busy, busy bee. It was a heck of a day! It was raining around 12pm and then it got so windy that we had to lay over the tablecloths so they didn’t blow off for about 15 minutes straight, all while it was 80 degrees outside. Tropical storm! But, the park was gorgeous and the weather was perfect by the time the shower started! Thank goodness! I love that we got to be a part of such a big event for Jesse and Renae. They are some of our very good friends and although adulthood and life and careers make us so busy and grow us apart, I know they always have such a close place in our hearts! After all, Jesse was the one that encouraged Josh and I to date [again- well, the second time around!!]. We love both of you! Good luck with little Braeden!