We’ve been floating around on cloud nine all today…tickled pink that we got to share such an unbelievably gorgeous wedding with all of you. Thank you so much to Jose Villa for sharing his ridiculously lovely photographs with us, photographs that tell the story of the day to perfection. And thank you so very much to Jessica Claire for choosing Style Me Pretty to unveil your big day. It was an honor, to say the least.
Here are a few last bits of eye candy for all of you. If you are anything like me, this will not be nearly enough…so head on over to Jose Villa’s blog in just a bit to check out even more images, Jessica Claire’s blog to get even more behind the scenes details from Jessica herself and Angel Swanson’s blog for the designer’s perspective. The full list of vendors is below.
From Angel Swanson…
Guests collected their seating arrangements on the most fabulous escort card display, created using a salvaged door, some metal hooks, vintage keys and tea-stained tags. Each guest’s name was written on the door in metallic gold ink, and stationer Kari Dyas installed hooks next to each name. On the hook, a guest would find an aged skeleton key attached to a tea-stained tag simply noting their table assignment. The door was propped up against an old piano for the perfect makeshift stand.
The dining space itself was an area mowed out (in the shape of a keyhole, no less!!) in a meadow of tall grass. The site owners at 3 Stones graciously went along with our request to let the rest of the meadow run wild with the growth of the tall grass so it was like an outdoor “room” surrounded by walls of wispy stalks of grass. Incredible. Guests entered the area by crossing the threshold of an old door (still attached to its frame!), completely bedecked with magnolia leaves and florals by Gilly and his team. An old coat rack proffered various shawls and scarves, as well as vintage hats, to “rent” for the evening. A vintage suitcase sat at the rack’s base to collect the accessories at night’s end.
Guest seating was at a mix of long and square rough-hewn wooden tables, topped with custom-made burlap runners edged in lengths of wide velvet ribbon. We brought in a playful selection of mismatched china for the placesettings, where guests discovered personalized menus that had been aged with tea, letterpressed and designed with burned edges and a wine glass stain. It was yet another genius element brought to life by stationer and artist Kari Dyas.
Lush tablescapes brimming with whimsical details graced each table. An astounding collection of vintage tins, copper vessels and apothecary glass were was pieced together for months and Gilly Flowers filled each one with wild, organic-feeling arrangements using uncommon blooms, branches and foliage. Jeweled bug brooches were gingerly poised amongst the florals as another layer of delightful design. There was a fabulous detail everywhere you turned!
The decadent dinner menu featured butternut squash soup, roasted halibut, and lamb chops with a pomegranate orange reduction. A masterful cake created by Napa’s own renowned bakery, Perfect Endings, was an ideal dessert paired with fresh milk shooters and an assortment of freshly baked cookies. The cake’s fondant design was inspired by the wedding china, Jeff’s shoes, and the ubiquitous skeleton keys. Jessica’s favorite singer, Kyler England, entertained guests with two live music sets and DJ Mark of Denon & Doyle kept the dance floor packed until the couple’s formal grand exit at the end of the night.
It was a perfect day from start to finish and guests were truly immersed in an extraordinarily styled environment that oozed inspiration. Not a single thing was left undesigned. Watching Jess and Jeff sway back and forth during their first dance (performed by Jeff’s brother, photographer Michael Norwood!), lovingly gazing at one another, is a poignant memory. It was a joy to be a part of and I will never forget the way I felt as the sun set and we dined under the stars.
Vendors
Venue: 3 Stones / Photography: Jose Villa / Wedding Planner & Event Designer: Angel Swanson of Events of Love and Splendor / Event Stylist: Kabrel Polak / Florist Gilly Flowers / Catering: Alex’s Catering / Cake by Perfect Endings / Videography by Elysium Productions / Rentals by Classic Party Rentals, Town and Country Rentals / Stationery by Kari Dyas / Lighting: Got Light / Custom Linens: Cindy Guillermo / Signage: Family Attics Shop / Candy Girl: Peachy’s Puffs / DJ: Denon and Doyl