Ashley and Jeff’s August wedding was definitely not par for the course! What a celebration they had on their wedding day from their late afternoon nuptuals to dancing their hearts out wee into the night. Nor wind, nor rain (at least the threat of) could keep this party down!
Due to the 35-40 mph gusty wind conditions, their 200+ closest friends adjourned to the indoor ceremony inside the 16,000 square foot mansion. With their wedding party assembled on the marble staircase above, Ashley and Jeff exchanged their vows while their guests looked on in the standing-room only living room. This turned out to be the most intimate and closely knit ceremony setting they could have ever asked for.
The gorgeous aquas/lime greens found in her bridesmaids’ dresses echoed Ashley’s elegant beach party wedding style. Her dining tables clothed in similarly hued linen perched above the white sandy beach. White, aqua and lime green with dashes of chocolate brown colored her wedding day.
Ashley adores birdies (of all types) and these feathered creatures alighted everywhere from the tablescapes to dangling alongside prism crystals in the trees and branch arrangements. Classic white flowers from orchids to tulips to gardenias to soft roses were complimented by organic elements of birch twigs, reindeer moss and clear marbles.
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Photography by Jay Reilly
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Good food and family run strong on both sides. A labor of love, Jeff’s mother baked hundreds and hundreds of cookies that filled the glass pedestals on the dessert bar (and later everyone’s tummies!). Custom coasters unveiled one of the treasured cookie recipes while coasters of another type revealed Ashley’s family’s secret baked bean recipe served during the cocktail style reception.
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Photography by Jay Reilly
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Mother Nature tried to rattle this day with her gusty wind but nothing could tarnish Ashley and Jeff’s beautiful wedding day!
After finding your dream wedding gown (and possibly falling in love again…), don’t forget about your main squeeze and his entourage. The formality of your gown will easily dictate what your groom and his groomsmen should wear. At MW’s lakefront weddings we have seen different types of attire ranging from formal to semi-formal to casual. There are so many choices for the men to choose from so take care with these details and they will be sure to look amazingly dapper!
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Formal:
The most classic attire is the tuxedo or Black Tie. The tuxedo usually includes a black coat, trousers with stripe on leg seam, white tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, black bow tie, cuff links and black leather dress shoes. For a quirky spin – ‘Creative Black Tie’ – on the traditional tuxedo, replace the black bow tie with a fun color that compliments the color palette of your special day or sport a black shirt for a modern look.
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Photo Courtesy of Ben Chrisman Photography, Dave Getzschman of Ben Chrisman Photography & Jennifer Baciocco Photography - All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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For the utmost formal event, it must be White Tie complete with a white bow tie, vest, possibly jacket with tails and a white tuxedo shirt.
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The most common style that we see at lakefront weddings is semi-formal. Semi-formal usually includes a well-planned suit and tie. This style can be personalized by using a different color suit besides black. Some of the popular suit colors we have seen besides black are: navy blue, charcoal gray, chocolate brown and tan.
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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Kate Webber Photography, Lisa Leigh Photography, Mulberry Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Another fabulous look we love is a “By the Lake” style by combining a navy sportcoat and khaki slacks. This nautical trend is a favorite for many reasons including the adaptability to fit your personal taste.
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Photos Courtesy of (clockwise) Christa Hoffarth Photography, Jennifer Baciocco Photography and Jay Reilly Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Don’t forget the details!! All of these semi-formal styles can look great paired with a tie that pulls from your wedding color scheme.
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Kilt:
Another dapper look for those willing enough (and with the legs!) to pull this ensemble off is the kilt. A kilt is a classic Scottish and Celtic garment. It is a knee-length garment that is pleated in the rear and made from wool in a tartan pattern. Many grooms choose to wear a pattern in their family clan’s tartan to represent their Scottish or Celtic culture on their special day. Tradition has it that nothing else is worn underneath the kilt…
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Photos Courtesy of Photography by Monique, Organic Photographs and Ben Chrisman Photography. All Merrily Wed Weddings.
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Semi-Casual:
A semi-casual wedding calls for a more relaxed style. A khaki linen suit or pairing a nice collared silk shirt and slacks are perfect looks for a laid back feel. If it gets chilly during the evening, a sportcoat is a great addition to the shirt/slack combination.
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Photos courtesy by Ben Chrisman Photography. Merrily Wed Wedding.
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Your groom and groomsmen are sure to look as unforgettably stunning as you (well, almost as smashing!) with just a little care in choosing their stylish look.
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Claire and Cole met each other, of all places, in the Reno International Airport. Walking past him, Claire gave him a double look, and not for the obvious reasons, but because of Cole’s certain man accessory. What was the accessory you ask? A fanny pack. A few jokes and banter led to seats together on the plane…
This past August they said their “I Do’s” above the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe. Claire’s color palette was ivories, creams, champagnes and touches of black. Her inspiration for the day was her beautiful Enzoani wedding dress which has a glamourous vintage feel to it with the rouched bodice accented with gorgeous beaded floral rosettes.
She complimented her gown’s style by adding a bronze sash with beaded floral rosettes to her bridesmaids’ black dresses. Cole and his groomsmen sported black suits with the retro addition of black Converse’s on their feet. xxxx
Elements of black lace, black and champagne feathers, antique pearls and sparkling beading were woven throughout the ceremony and the reception. Ivory and champagne feathers graced the black vintage ceremony urns and within Claire’s bridal bouquet. The black feathers also added a striking contrast within the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Black petals carved a “W” in the ivory petal carpeted aisle and the adorable flower girl carried a black basket.
Champagne linen with black lace toppers dressed the cocktail tables, centerpiece vases wore cream lace and black ribbon while black sequined pillows sparkled on the white couches in the lounge area. The center of their super cute dessert buffet was a simple and stunning double tiered wedding cake accessorized with lace and pearl-beaded floral rosettes.
Claire wanted all her guests to sigh and say, “That was so Claire!” at the end of the day and I think we succeeded! In tribute to their fateful first meeting, everyone departed their reception each with their own ‘man bag’ fanny pack! xxxx
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Every engaged couple’s planning regime usually includes an engagement photo session. Over time this has morphed to include wardrobe changes, multiple locations and creative props from dogs to cruiser bikes – all to capture the pair’s true essence. This trend, now an obligation for most, shouldn’t stop here. Why not extend it to visually document the bride’s bonds of friendship with her BFF’s??
This gal photo shoot can be a glorified glam session and the themes, locations and props can vary to match each girlfriend entourage’s personality. How fun would this be??
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Natasha, one of our 2010 summer brides, gathered her bridesmaids for a glam photo session before heading out on the town for her bachelorette party. Result? An ultra modern, stylish and hip way to celebrate the end of ‘bachelorette-hood’. Her sophisticated, high-fashion photos are ridiculously cool and we’re sure they were even more fun to make.
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What a beautiful testament to the gal bonds of friendship a photo shoot is and a sure fire way to jazz up a bachelorette party or bridal shower. What about a snow bunny photo session, après ski, for those who are snow-lovers? A good-ole slumber party shoot with pj’s, pillows and cocktails? Big city, bright lights, high fashion? Beach, sun, and surfboards? Golf clubs, golf carts on the golf course?
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What would you do for your Bridesmaids/BFF’s photo shoot??
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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