Hollywood in Seattle, from Houston with Love

In the spirit of the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, this post looks back at one of 2013’s sparkliest, NW-blingiest weddings. What is “NW-bling” you might ask? Well, seeing as I just came up with the term, it’s a concept in flux — but you can safely assume that NW-bling includes beaded lamps AND ornamental fungus. Shimmery vases AND understated blue hydrangea. And in this case, the whole scheme was inspired by a super fun bride from Texas.

The Hollywood inspiration tablescape — we can do better than this!

Planning a long-distance wedding requires a lot of trust on the part of the client. Candace and I began the process of fleshing out ideas for her wedding at Urban Light Studios over the phone; she and her fiancé had been to Seattle but both lived in Houston. Her decor vision was inspired by the 83rd annual Academy Awards Governor’s Ball. It was a to-the-hilt look, and one I don’t see a lot of in Seattle. Frankly, I thought we could do better! 

Candace rounded up all of her vendors for a site visit a couple of months before her wedding. The ever-insightful and awesome Kirstie Warren of Simply Wed was on the team at that point. Seeing the linens plus table lamps plus florals plus chargers plus flatware plus Chiavari chairs…. (whew!)… helped us edit the look. The room was going to be PACKED with elbow-to-elbow guests. We nixed the blue glass goblets and the sequined linens, and came up with a gorgeous, Houston-meets-Hollywood-meets-Seattle decor scheme that turned out to be one of my favorite weddings of 2013!

What do you think?

A full but festive room at Urban Light Studios!

There’s nothing like the smell of fresh mint!

Craspedia, aka “billy balls,” boutonnieres

Stately yet playful for the groom

A gorgeous mix of color and texture

Detail of the bridesmaid bouquets

Full, textural centerpieces

Lush linens completed and complemented the look

VENDORS:

PHOTOGRAPHY:  Julie Harmsen Photography

VENUE: Urban Light Studios

DESIGN/COORDINATION: Simply Wed

DRAPING: Rented Elegance

CATERING: City Catering 

DJ: Bamboo Beats

Fun and Games at Ray’s Boathouse

Christmas is coming, and toys are on the loose. (How else would I have come home with a pair of used bongos the other day, when I only meant to buy a $5 bottle of valve oil for our household trumpet?) Thinking about the parade of toys through the ages, a hoola hoop rolls through my mind and reminds me of this sweet little wedding from the summer…

Eva, the bride, had great vintage style — and was also an avid hoola hooper. What better way to bring some of her unique personality to the decor than to place a hoola hoop front and center? She and her guy Ian were to be married on the deck at Ray’s Boathouse. You don’t want to block the stunning view there, but the railing can use a little love.  We took a regular old hoola hoop and wrapped it with pink and cream vintage-esque ribbons, and hung it on the railing right where the bride and groom would stand. Soft garlands of smilax and romantic floral clusters featuring Cafe au Lait dahlias completed the look. Inside the dining room, sweetly simple centerpieces in milk glass and depression-era rose glass carried out the vintage vibe.

Wish I could have seen the first dance! Something tells me that a special hoola hoop might have been just within arm’s reach….

How sweetly retro is she??

The hoop marks the spot

Sweet somethings for the table

Thank you to  Joshua Mahar Photography for the lovely images!