Do all of you know that I’m Abby’s mom? And that all this wedding love started many (many) years ago when Abby’s oldest sister announced her engagement? Although there are twelve years difference in their ages, Abby & her two sisters’ weddings each … were the best times of my life. Even after raising my daughters, planning their weddings with them brought a new sense of intimacy and an even deeper friendship with each of them.
The reason I mention this is because I got the sweetest note from another fellow Mother of the Bride.
Jen’s mom thanked SMP for being such an invaluable resource of ideas and inspiration while she and Jen went about planning this day. Her heartfelt thanks brought back sooooooo many memories for me of helping Abby realize her wedding dreams. Were their things we would have done differently? Of course. But, were there so many moments we will cherish forever (that only she and I share)? Absolutely.
And so for those mothers who are fortunate enough to be helping their darlings bring their dreams to fruition … today’s feature is for you! Savor this time with your lady/child. Let her lean on you, bounce ideas off of you … even rant a little bit when the planning details get a bit too much for her! It’s an incredibly awesome time … for both of you!!
all images courtesy of Luke Snyder Studio
The reason that I’m fortunate enough to get to show off Jen & Josh’s wedding on The Little Black Book Blog is because their incredible cake and florals were designed by LBB members!
I’m not really sure if I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful!!
This intricately designed cake was created by Fleur de Lisa Wedding Cakes … {Fleur de Lisa wedding cake gallery}
And the flowers from Fleurs de France … Are they not seriously incredible? {featured wedding on Fleurs de France}
Jennifer and Josh were married on October 3, 2009 at the V Sattui Winery in St. Helena California. Here’s what Jen had to say about her wedding …
As true travel buffs, Josh and I wanted to infuse our wedding with a travel theme. We couldn’t afford to fly all our family and friends to Tuscany or Provence, so we chose Napa Valley as our destination. V Sattui Winery offered an unbelievably beautiful and cost-efficient location– giving us the glam, Old Country look that we desired, without breaking our bank. To the location, we added little “travel” touches– photos of us highlighting some of our numerous international, backpacker-style trips, Moroccan lanterns (hand-painted by my mother), a photo booth with the words “Passport Photos” emblazoned on the side, “Air Mail” envelopes for guests to ferry off their “passport” photos, a henna-inspired copper-colored cake… etc. Overall, the theme was warm, golden Europe. Twinkle lights and innumerable votive candles glittered– just check out the barrel room for the reception! It was a truly romantic wedding.
Jen sent us soooooooo many gorgeous images (courtesy of Luke Snyder Studio) from their wedding, I’m not really sure how to stop!
And from Joan Elizabeth (Jen’s mother) …
I wanted to let Abby and everyone at Style Me Pretty know how important they were to the planning of Jen and Josh’s Napa wedding. I was privileged and blessed to have been able to play a major part in helping her plan her beautiful wedding and without Style Me Pretty, it surely would not have been as gorgeous as it was. Style Me Pretty was my daily inspiration and so many ideas from the blog were put into effect. Gorgeous lanterns, pashminas, menus, programs, floral ideas, gift bags, etc. many inspirations from featured weddings and Little Black Book vendors! I read the blog every day, 3 or 4 times a day, amazed by all the beautiful weddings and hoping that maybe someday, Jen’s wedding would be featured.
I dreamed of her wedding day from the time she was 2 seconds old. In the delivery room, they told me I had a girl, and my immediate words were, “I am going to be a Mother of the Bride”. Her wedding was a dream 29 years in the making! It was 14 months in planning every little detail, down to monogrammed towels in the bathrooms, and soap and lotion dispensers that I took the labels off of and put on the monogrammed labels I had made for Jen and Josh. Again, all inspired by daily reading of Style Me Pretty. Reading the blog was my daily joy! Style Me Pretty is a Godsend for every bride and Mother of the Bride!
We can’t tell you how good that makes us feel. To know that we have made this whole crazy wedding planning thing a wee bit more enjoyable for even just a few people … well … it’s an honor and a pleasure! And WE thank our Little Black Book members who have joined us in the journey!
photographs courtesy of Luke Snyder Photography
Gowns: Romona Keveza (bride), Jovani (mother of the bride), Coco Myles (bridesmaids; individually designed)
Congratulations Jen & Josh (and Joan!) … and thank you SO much for sharing!!