The couple wanted a very funky, retro inspired party, rather than a traditional wedding reception. Seating, would be small cocktail tables and dinner would be four food stations served on small plates. They knew off the bat that they wanted their photos taken on their vespas and that large light bulb strands would be strung overhead. They also knew they wanted paisley featured throughout the design. Finding the right paisley proved to the toughest part of the design. I found one option that would work, but the fabric company had stopped making that design. I even looked in New York when I was there for the B-List and had no luck finding the right paisley. Finally, in May I went once again to Michael Levine’s in downtown Los Angeles and found the perfect paisley.

The paisley incorporated their colors, cobalt blue and goldenrod yellow, and had little funky 60’s style flowers throughout the pattern. I put in my order for 30 yards of fabric and had the fabric shipped to my linen vendor to make runners for the cocktail tables, cake table, and food stations. I took a swatch of the  paisley to the cake vendor, Rosebuds, and they were able to pipe the pattern onto their cake. I also sent the fabric to the florist, Collage, so she could use it as a reference for the paisley pattern of rose petals I wanted down the aisle. Once the fabric was found the rest of the details came almost immediately.

Here’s a sneak peek of a retro, paisley wedding I planned and designed. Up next are some of the behind the scenes of the details created for their wedding day. Enjoy!

Photo: Harper Smith Photography

I’m love these hauntingly beautiful detail shots of Paris by La Vie Photography.

I studied a lot of Gothic architecture when I was in school and I visited Paris as part of my studies. These photos definitely make me want to go back.

I love the coppery patina on this angel. Go check out the full set here.

I love these wallpaper designs by Aimee Wilder. They’re so modern and playful!

Speaking of playful, I love the robot wallpaper.

And of course the “analog nights” pattern is so awesomely 80’s.

I’m currently swamped with vendor meetings, location scouting for clients, and oh yes, a wedding. For now, let me leave you with this sweet purple and baby blue table. I love the all white table, chairs, and place settings with the subtle dash of color from the baby blue runner and the punch of purple flowers.

Photo by Ellie Miller.

Orange and aqua vignette? Too fabulous! I love the contrasting shapes and different textures of the vases.

I love these nestled bowls of orange and aqua. I kind of want to redo my whole office in this color scheme.

And this has to be the most fabulous tea making set ever.

Images from top: 1. Debi Treloar 2. Dasha Wright 3. Lynsey Fryers

I’m so excited to share with you the fashion from Wendy’s wedding! Take it away Wendy:

The ceremony was inspired by a short film in Akira Kurasawa’s “Dreams”; the fox wedding.  –Have you seen this?  The music played was Michael Nyman’s “String Quartet No.2: 3.III”, which is more unusual but beautiful; when it started, the bridesmaids and I started the long walk from behind the hill top to the top of the aisle.

The girls were instructed to keep their parasols down over their faces, and to walk tightly in pairs of 2 (except for my sister in the lead).  Guests had no idea I was in the back of this long, colorful train.

One by one, they peeled off down the aisle (folding up their parasol and trading it with my dad for their appropriate bouquet), and then stood along the side of the chairs instead of in the front front. The flower girls tossed pink carnation petals, which I liked because they kind of remind me of peach blossoms (again, an inspiration from Kurasawa’s “Dreams”).

When it was finally my turn, I kept my triangular-shaped white parasol over my face until the right moment in the music and, like the others, closed it and took my bouquet from my dad and walked down the aisle with him.

Thank you for sharing Wendy!

Vendors:

Makeup: Makeup by Tilly

Hair: Ashleigh Wests at 19 Blue Salon

Bride’s dress & shoes: Giusepe Papini

Bridesmaids dresses: Alvina Valenta

Parasols: Luna Bazaar

Personal Training: Casey Pfeifer for Innate Wellness Center (highly, highly recommended by Wendy)

About a year ago, one of my readers, Wendy, contributed a series of posts about going to Italy to get her wedding dress made by Giusepe Papini.

Now a year later, Wendy was kind enough to send photos from her day. Stay tuned for more details on Monday! You can check out the original “Made in Italy” posts: here, here, here, here and here.

Images: 1. Don Wenderski 2. by Wendy

I’m in love with this tufted chair. I’ll take six, please.

Oh, light gray couch tufted couch– get in my living room right now!

Images: 1. Joe Schmelzer 2. Joanna Henderson

I’m loving these water can photos. The photo above is just so sweet.

I’m loving these beat up water cans.

And I’m pretty sure I need this red watering can in my collection of containers, right– about– now.

Images: 1. Axel & Moa 2. Colin Cooke 3. Chris Everard

I love fall, and I love the idea of using the elements of the season, the changing leaves, gourds, and pumpkins, as the inspiration for decor for a wedding. I picture this wedding taking place in a lodge with a large fire place. Warm cider would be served as a pre-ceremony drink and the menu would feature butternut squash soup as a starter course.

Description: Shades of orange, yellow, fall colors, gourds, seasonal menu

Images from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. Anna Williams 2. Meg Perotti 3. LovinSullivanCake 3. Marcus Hay {Row 2} 1. Nicollete Camille 2. Michele Waite 3. Anna Williams 4. Laura Novak {Row 3} 1. Helen Norman 2. Minna Mercke Schmidt 3. Heidi Johannsen

I need a fabulous armoire like this for all my bedding.

Crystal handles, pearls, hand painted details– clearly this is meant for me.

Images: 1. Jo Tyler 2. Chris Everard

I’m so happy to present the lovely Chelsea from Frolic! with her tips for photo styling. Enjoy!!!

I am Chelsea from Frolic! and am excited to be on Kelly’s lovely blog today! She asked me to share a little about my thought process when I style weddings or party tables. I love everything to look pretty and just right but it also has to be simple, quick and inexpensive. Here are a few tips for those styling their own wedding or party tables.

1. Think about Location. I like my tablescapes to grow from their environments. I spend a lot of time at the locations and if I have a style in mind to begin with, I search out the perfect spot. This green and white table was inspired by the blooming pear trees it was sitting under. I didn’t want to outdo all the gorgeous natural beauty but simply play off of it.

2. Stick to one or two colors. It makes the shopping and planning process so much easier ( and cheaper!). I based this entire table around a swatch of Liberty fabric and a bucket of apples.

3. Pretty chairs are important. Chairs can make or break the entire atmosphere. Go with cheaper centerpieces and spend your dollars on chairs. It will be worth it! They don’t have to match either. One of my favorite tricks is to mix and match Chivari chairs with chairs I already own. Just make sure they are the same colors and around the same heights.

4. Anything can be a centerpiece. It doesn’t alway have to be flowers. Don’t rule out anything. I am a big fan of using seasonal fruit for centerpieces and doubling them up for favors. Helps with the budget too!

5. Make your table look homemade. Rental cloths are usually the most practical and realistic for the budget, but it doesn’t mean your tables have to be sterile. The first thing I usually start with is a plain white rental cloth and from there I add homemade runners and napkins.

6. Use pretty packaging. Not the crafty type? Don’t fiddle with cellophane and ribbons. Find favors and drinks with pretty labels that match your color scheme. Often you can buy in bulk online or through a local store. I based this entire table around Bon Maman strawberry jam and it made my life so much easier!

7. Hang flags! Bunting is so simple and inexpensive to make. Anyone can do it and it really creates a fun atmosphere. I made this one out of tape!

8. Use handwriting. It adds a personal, warm flair to your day. If you don’t like your handwriting or don’t have time, source it out to a friend with pretty writing or calligraphy skills.

9. Have fun! Only decorate with things you like and don’t feel pressure from other people to include colors or elements that don’t reflect your style. It should be an enjoyable process!

Photos: 1,4,5,7,8,9 Chelsea Fuss for Project Wedding. 2 + 3, Chelsea Fuss for Once Wed. 6, Chelsea Fuss.

Thanks for the post Chelsea!!!

The inspiration for this board came from the J Mendel dress in the top row. I picture this wedding with a touch of vintage, a dash of Moroccan flair and splashes of orange and purple for a bright and fun wedding.

Description: Orange, purple, retro, Moroccan

Images from top, left to right: {Row 1} 1. Leigh Miller 2. J. Mendel via Style.com 3. Ann Stratton 4. Meg Smith {Row 2} 1. Hector Sanchez 2. Beatriz da Costa 3. Meg Smith 4. Meg Perotti {Row 3} 1. Richard Powers 2. Mark Lund 3. Portland Mitchell

The inspiration for this board was this lady in the awesome yellow and hot pink tulle skirt (photo by Will Whipple). I picture this wedding being the party of the century and all the decor being over the top. Throw in some feather boas for the dance floor, food from childhood (creamsicle anyone?), 80’s dance music, and this is one fun wedding.

Description: Yellow, Pink, Red, 80’s punk, dance party

Images from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. Lisa Lefkowitz 2. Selina Lake 3. Vallentyne Photography 4. Polly Wreford {Row 2} 1. Jim Franco 2. Alexandra Grablewski 3. Kate French 4. Alexandra Rowley {Row 3} 1. Hugh Stewart 2. Will Whipple 3. Polly Wreford