Dec 9, 2010
Lindsay and Kirk tied the knot this past July at a private lakefront estate. With a wonderful mix of unique details, eye candy color and an easy-going style, this wedding celebration captured the look and feel that Lindsay envisioned and even more…
We loved the vibrant red touches of color that popped everywhere from the flowers to the flower girl sashes to the bubble water goblets to the glowing paper lanterns. It was a gorgeous vision turned reality!
The spectrum of reds mixed with gold, wine, yellow and amber were chosen by Lindsay to support her Buddhist themed wedding. We hung similarly colored prayer flags around the estate on which guests had written their prayers, poems or advice weeks ahead of time for the newlyweds to read on their wedding day. The result was astounding and an extremely personal wedding keepsake.
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Both ladies and men comprised the wedding party. What’s so different about that you ask? Well, a modern mix included Lindsay’s brother on her side and Kirk’s sister stood among the groomsmen. Not to mention adorable Ruby – their cherished pup – was also included as her parents exchanged their vows.
Another theme close to the couple’s hearts were birds and this was subtly visual throughout the wedding with branchy nest-like flower girls’ baskets, a custom giant nest from which the guests found their place cards, dining tables named rightly after Tahoe birds to the homespun cake toppers.
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Photography by the talented Lisa Leigh Photography and the stunning florals by Bellissima Floral Creations. We hope this wedding inspires you to make your wedding uniquely you too!
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Oct 20, 2010
Have you ever wondered where certain wedding traditions came from? We picked seven common wedding traditions and found their origins. It is interesting to see how these have evolved over the years into today’s widely popular and accepted versions.
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1. The Wedding Party:
During Ancient Roman times it was believed that demons were out to get the couple about to be married. The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen was created to help protect the couple. The wedding party dressed similar to the bride – bridesmaids used to wear white – and the groom so the demons could not tell who was getting married.
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2. The Veil:
The veil worn by the bride was not always sheer or made of lace; it used to be made from a much heavier cloth. This opaque material was a precaution in case there was another man in love with the bride. The veil would hide whomever was under the veil, and her other admirer couldn’t kidnap her before she was wed.
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3. Bride on Left & Groom on Right:
During the wedding ceremony the bride traditionally stands on the left and the groom stands on the right. The origin of this tradition goes back to when the groom used to kidnap his bride. The groom would stand on the right in case he had to fight another suitor, this would allow the groom to hold the brides left hand and still have his right free to be able to use his sword.
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4. You May Now Kiss the Bride:
Sealed with a kiss? There was a time, under Roman law that a kiss was legally binding. In fact, if the couple did not kiss at the end of the ceremony, the marriage would be null and void. The kiss is now for more romantic purposes and, hey it is just plain fun, than it was in those days!
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5. The Grooms Cake:
The tradition of having a groom’s cake in addition to the traditional wedding cake started in the South. The groom’s cake is not only so the groom can reflect his own interests and hobbies into his special day, it also is popular with the single female guests. Legend has it that if a female guest takes a slice of the groom’s cake and places it under her pillow while she sleeps that night, she will dream of her future husband.
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6. Cake Cutting:
Sharing the first piece was a traditions created by the Romans. It was believed that eating the first piece together creates a special bond between the bride and groom. The sweet cake was thought to bring sweetness to all aspects of the couple’s new life together. The wheat used in the cake was symbolic of a fruitful union and fertility.
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7. The Honeymoon:
The honeymoon is a very old Scandinavian tradition. After the ceremony the bride used to be captured by her groom and held hostage until her family called off the search for her. The term honeymoon refers to the time that follows the capture of the bride. This also relates to the origins of a ‘best man’, the best man was supposed to stall the bride’s family until the couple had escaped.
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These wedding traditions have been around for a long time and have evolved into their more modern versions. You now know the originations of these popular traditions so at the next wedding you attend, you can dazzle your friends with your handy knowledge!
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Photos (in order) courtesy of Annie X Photography, Catherine Hall Studios, Jennifer Baciocco Photography, Ben Chrisman Photography (three photos) and Organic Photographs. All from Merrily Wed Weddings.
Sep 29, 2010
Fall is a gorgeous time of the year, the weather is crisp (well, not yet in Tahoe at least), the leaves are changing, and the food of the season is warm and delicious. With Autumn right around the corner we thought we would share some of our favorite seasonal wedding details – edible and otherwise!
Accent your place setting with a miniature bouquet of fresh herbs with your guest’s name attached and create a runner (or centerpiece if using a round table) of gourds, pillars of varying heights and wicker woven baskets filled with nuts, berries and pumpkins or more gourds. Use the colors naturally found in the food and drink you serve your wedding guests to emphasize your autumn color palette… Some inspiration is below!
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On Left - M.W. Wedding. Courtesy of: Catherine Hall Studios and Thomas J. Story
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Colorful Food
Autumn fruits like pomegranate and apples (rich golds, reds and greens) are at their peak of flavor and perfect for picking! Savory appetizers such as Onion and Apple Tarts with Goat Cheese or Green Apple & Cheddar Quesadillas are the perfect precursor to any Fall celebration. Your guests will love a salad entree of Baby Greens with Reduced Orange Vinaigrette, Roasted Beets, Laura Chenel Goat Cheese & Toasted Walnuts. Serving a spicy pumpkin or squash soup in hollowed out gourds at each place setting, not only look chic and current but they add amazing taste too. A side dish of cranberry and walnut risotto goes perfectly with hearty fall proteins. Dishes with beets and other root vegetables are always traditional Fall favorites as well as add color to your plate!
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Courtesy of: My Recipes, Rachelle Bowden, and Lou Seibert Pappas
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Dazzling Drinks
Here are a few of our favorite autumn inspired cocktails which can work as your Signature Drink after your ceremony or a passed round at the beginning of your dinner:
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Courtesy of: All You
Pomegranate Fizz
A few pomegranate seeds
1 shot pomegranate liquor
1 ounce pomegranate juice
A few splashes Champagne
Place a few pomegranate seeds in the bottom of a Champagne glass. Pour pomegranate liquor and pomegranate juice in glass then top with a few splashes of Champagne.
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Courtesy of: Grey Goose Vodka
Pumpkin Divine
1 part Grey Goose La Poire vodka
1 part pumpkin butter
1/2 part triple sec
1/2 part simple syrup
Pinch each of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger grated nutmeg and apple chip for garnish
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Courtesy of: The Nibble
A Taste of Fall
1 1/2 parts Vodka
1 large slice of pomegranate, chopped
1 part apple juice
Dash of simple syrup
Pomegranate seeds to garnish
Muddle together the pomegranate and syrup in a mixing glass or shaker tin.
Add Vodka and juice, and fill with ice.
Shake well, and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
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Tempting Desserts
Mini versions of your classic Fall desserts, can add a non-traditional aspect and still be a hit with your guests. We love these scrumptious mini cherry pies from Bakerella, who wouldn’t want one of these? Or these cheesecake filled pumpkins cupcakes are a unique fall-inspired flavor that will keep your guests talking.
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Courtesy of: Bakerella and Stephen Scott Gross
Seasonal Favor
A fave Fall wedding favor is the caramel apple. The options of embellishing this with ribbon, wrap and personalized tags are endless. Not only will the caramel apples be a sweet touch for your guests, they will also look gorgeous individually at each place setting or in groupings on display.
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Courtesy of: Bridal Blog, The Knot and Wedding by Color
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Happy Autumn Dining!
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Sep 23, 2010
In honor of last night’s Harvest Moon along with the fact that today is the first day of Fall, we are inspired by the change of season and are sharing some of our favorite seasonal wedding details for anyone contemplating an autumn wedding!
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Courtesy of: Catherine Hall Studios (left) & Dave Getzschman Photography (right) Photos from Merrily Wed Weddings
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Décor: Fall is a gorgeous time of the year, so embrace the beauty of the season. By selecting rich autumn colors for your wedding color palette, you instantly create a cozy and warm aura. Some of the colors we love for this time of year are burgundy, plum, chocolate brown, deep red, burnt orange, moss green and a golden yellow. Metallic accents of gold, bronze, or copper add a touch of richness and finish many looks perfectly.
The colors below in this stunning 2010 Merrily Wed wedding captures Fall’s essence.
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Courtesy of: Lisa Leigh Photography - Photos from a Merrily Wed Wedding
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Centerpiece: You have many colorful options for your centerpiece from traditional florals to objects from nature’s autumn harvest. Selecting one or even combining the looks will work and don’t forget to add texture! Several gorgeous natural choices for centerpieces include gourds, pumpkins, squash, pears, apples, cranberries, wheat, acorns, etc.
If you want a more traditional centerpiece you can use fall-toned flowers. Flowers that are great for Fall weddings include: hydrangeas, calla lilies, dahlias, mums, roses and sunflowers. For non-floral accents – hypericum berries, fiddlehead ferns and wooly lamb’s ear leaves (one of our estates grows these all summer long – they are sooooo soft!!).
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Courtesy of: T&J Studios, Bibiana Heymann and Lisa Leigh Photography
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Don’t forget about WHAT your arrangement may go in – choose copper tins, antique urns or wooden vessels of almost any shape. Potted plants in terra cotta containers – plain or embellished are another idea. Birch wrapped containers and moss accents work well too or if you opt for a clear vase, wrap the interior with leaves or twine; or place nuts or berries around the base of the stems to give more texture to your centerpiece. Include these details around your pillars and you have a fluid Fall look.
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- Design Trend: Monochromatic color palettes are very hot this Fall. Select 2-3 different types of flowers to add a little texture and visual interest.
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Wedding Cake: Carry over elements from your centerpiece to your wedding cake. Succulent plants and twigs are very stylish choice and add a natural touch. They also mix will with floral blooms – not only for your wedding cake but for your tablescape too! Other non-floral accents including miniature pine-cones can be matched with baby roses in seasonal colors.
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Right Cake from a Merrily Wed Wedding - Photo Courtesy of: Catherine Hall Studios (Right)
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We are setting a bountiful table with scrumptious details for not only your eyes but for your taste buds too! Our Fall Inspiration Part II will be posting soon…
Jul 23, 2010 |
Wedding Toasts are nerve racking and can give butterflies to even the most confident public speaker. If you are giving a toast at an upcoming wedding here are six rules to follow that will ensure that your toast is a success:
1. Keep It Short. Especially if there are a few other toasts. If it is much longer you probably won’t lose the bride and groom’s attention but you might start losing some of the guest’s attention.
2. Practice. Practice. Practice. Make sure you know what you are going to say before you stand up especially if not comfortable speaking in front of groups. You don’t want to wing it and then end up saying something you didn’t intend to say.
3. Speak From the Heart. Enough said here.
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Merrily Wed Wedding - Jennifer Baciocco Photography
Merrily Wed Wedding - Ben Chrisman Photography
Merrily Wed Wedding - Dave G. of Ben Chrisman Photography
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4. Be Tactful. Don’t embarrass the bride and groom on their special day; the point is to say something nice about them. You can be funny just don’t be inappropriate, there is going to be a mixed crowd so make sure to watch your language, keep it PG.
5. Etiquette. Make sure that you are standing so everyone can see you while giving your toast. Look at the couple as you are speaking, you are speaking about them so keep eye contact. Raise your glass at the end so everyone knows to raise their glass as well.
6. Don’t Get Toasted. It is common that people want to calm their nerves by drinking before but make sure to not get too carried away before the toast. You might only embarrass yourself or the bride and groom and that’s not what you want to do!
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With the help of these six simple rules your toast should be a success. Remember to be yourself – the bride and groom chose you to speak because you are special to them and they believe in you, so just believe in yourself and your toast will turn out fantastic.
Both ladies and men comprised the wedding party. What’s so different about that you ask? Well, a modern mix included Lindsay’s brother on her side and Kirk’s sister stood among the groomsmen. Not to mention adorable Ruby – their cherished pup – was also included as her parents exchanged their vows.
