Thelma C.

Behind the Scenes – Bright, Organic, Southwest Shoot on Project Wedding

If you’ve read my blog for more than a month, you likely know my affinity for the Southwest.   Affinity maybe doesn’t describe it best since I did recently entice friends and family to a southwest locale for our renewal celebration.  Read more on that here.  Anyway, when Project Wedding reached out to have me create stationery pieces for their latest inspiration shoot, the words organic and southwest were all I had to hear.  I was hooked.

Laid back, authentic, richly textured are all words to describe this wedding inspiration.  The painted paper pieces began with pencil sketches to impart a distinctive graphite texture.  Inspired by desert blooms and hand-woven textiles, a collection of original illustrations evolved.  Individually painted with matte inks in shades of rust, ochre, turquoise and mustard, the pattern and flora took full shape.

Protea used in a setting other than tropical…very smart as it is unexpected and powerful by surprise.

Mahogany charms painted with digit and pattern made for a table number full of reserved whimsy.

Watercolor washes imparted a sense of calm with each casual brushstroke.

and more…

Richly frosted cakes for simple texture.  I especially love the mocha tinted version on the rust patterned plate!

The wedding invitation embellishment was fitting with it’s barren skull and ombre blue backdrop.

I’m particularly charmed by this subtly oversized boutonniere…

…and of course the woven, salmon hued shrug.

Joy.

A huge thank you to Katelin at Project Wedding for bringing me on board this talented crew of artists!

Photos – Paper Antler  ::  Styling & Design – Misha West, Katelin Gallagher  ::  Florals -  Camelback Flowershop  ::  Bridal Gown – Katie Jean  ::  Bride’s Jewelry – Ayofemi  ::  Groom’s Wardrobe by Tres Boutique  ::  Makeup – Mariana Marie  ::  Hair by Paige Larae Designs   ::  Cakes by Sweet Creations  ::  Woven Blanket and Mini Moravian Star Lanterns – Borderlands Trading Co.

A Very Mo(nu)mental Vow Renewal in Zion National Park Part II

Yesterday I shared the story of our 10 year wedding renewal ceremony recently featured in Destination I DO magazine…Read on for more on the very colorful dinner celebration!

Our original wedding as I like to call it now was lightyears away from this renewal celebration.  We did the big-party-invite-everyone-you-ever-knew thing.  It was a wonderful day and I don’t regret a bit of it.  When it came time to celebrate 10 years together, I knew it would be different.  Bold color, regional textures and flavors were the beginning.  The end was a joyous and very small celebration that made us all feel like the only people on earth for one glorious evening.

When we first met with Angie from By Bloomers I use words like southwest sophisticated, saturated color and texture.  The rest I left to her as I strongly believe you need to choose vendors you feel a connection with and then trust them to make magic for you.  Angie worked with a vibrant palette of artichokes, raspberry peonies, chocolate dahlias and cosmos, dried pods, various grasses, scabiosa pods and orange ranunculus.  The finished looks were alive with texture and possessed a certain alluring asymmetry.

A rich table was set beginning with luxe LaTavola velvet linens and runners in shades of burnt orange and taupe.  We collected vintage pieces from a local shop aptly named, Frontier Plunder. An oversized carved silver urn, Mexican pottery in various shapes and a traditional Mexican Tree of Life sculpture all made their way to our table.  Fresh chili peppers were scattered amongst regional rock and glass chunks found the day before to craft an organic table runner of natural elements.

The menus were possibly my favorite paper detail.  Each was watercolored subtly in an ombre style ranging from soft gold to pale copper.  After drying each was painted with expressive stripes in red, gold and copper. Paint was allowed to drip and puddle differently and when dry,  the shimmer and texture of each artfully mimicked red rock.

Each guest received a custom Paloma’s Nest bowl made from Terracotta.  We were honored to have Caroline work in this material just for our celebration and revere her creations as a treasured keepsake from the day.    My Zion sketch first seen on the save the dates was stamped into each with the text “Under Starry Sky”.  An excerpt from a favorite Indigo Girls tune described perfectly the enchanting Zion sky at night that captivates all who see it.

Fresh Margaritas and Sangria were flowing and each guests penned their wishes for us around a dramatic photo of Zion at Night captured by Greg Gibson.

Our favorite moment of the day is a shared one between Adam and I.  During dinner, we read portions from Edward Abbey’s writings and laughed until our sides hurt.  Our guitarist Rustin began taking requests and playing his best acoustic versions of 80’s pop hits, heavy metal and anything else we could throw at him.  As we continued to eat, drink and tell stories the music filled the space and before we knew it, we were all singing along.  In that moment, all we wanted for our renewal celebration had come true. 

Ceremony Location- – Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah  ::  Event Date: May 15, 2010  ::  Photographer – Lindsey Stewart, Green Apple Photography  ::  Celebration Dinner Site: Bit and Spur Saloon, Springdale, Utah  ::  Floral Design – Angie Jessup, By Bloomers St. George, Utah  ::  Calligraphy – Betsy Dunlap  ::  Bride’s Cameo Necklace – Custom from Frontier Plunder, Springdale, Utah  ::  Re-Designed Wedding Bands – Custom from MarcCo Jewelers, Luzerne, PA  ::  Teracotta Favor Bowls and Charms – Custom by Paloma’s Nest  ::  Linens – LaTavola Linen  ::  Officiant – Sharon Vollett, Salt Lake City, Utah  ::  Guitarist – Rustin Reber, Enterprise, Utah

My Story is Art – Trellis Pattern for Envelopments, The Stationery

Wrapping up my Behind the Scenes look at Trellis Shoot today.  To get caught up with all the lovely Tangerine Tango Wedding Inspiration, check here, here and here!! To celebrate the launch of Envelopments’ newest pattern designed exclusively from my hand painted watercolors, I created three distinct stationery suites.  Each is meant to show off a unique face of Trellis.

First up we have the modern take on Trellis with a hand drawn font, graphite scribbled envelope liner and watercolor washed backdrop.  The Trellis layer even features extra detail added individually with pencil.

Next was the feature stationery suite seen throughout Trellis Shoot.   The orange version of the pattern made a strong appearance in the Pocketfold holding all of Meant to Be’s Calligraphy‘s gorgeous hand.

A silhouette of my favorite Trellis bloom was painted in juicy watercolor shades of raspberry and tangerine.

Lastly, I wanted to show off Trellis’ more sophisticated side.  A palette of gray and blush combined with grayscale version of Trellis bloom painted with sheer shimmer inks.  Oh and the silver dupioni silk ribbon…oh love.

For place cards I revised the Trellis silhouette but painted this time in creamy white ink.  Against the lunch bag-esque paper the artwork popped.

Paper didn’t stop at invitations…Trellis blooms were meticulously cut to craft this all paper bouquet.  All elements of the Trellis pattern were featured; paint spatter, watercolor stripes and detailed brushstrokes.

Another look at the place card on our custom paint spattered dinnerware!

Lastly and most importantly I need to thank the incredible team who made sure the vision came to life!  From the stunning images to the impactful film and all the moments in between, I am forever grateful.  I’ve said it before, but it is true.  Making art with a group of creatives links you forever in a series of splendid moments where ideas are realized and artful passions indulged.

Styling, Stationery and Design – Momental Designs ::  Photography – Swoon Over It Photography ::  Pattern and Papers – Envelopments ::  Production – Be Inspired PR :: Design & Production Assistant -  Jessica DalSanto :: Cinema – Birdhouse Productions :: Floral Design – Sullivan Owen :: Vintage Rentals and Custom Upholstery – Maggpie Vintage ::  Gowns- After Six by The Dessy Group :: Calligraphy – Meant To Be Calligraphy :: Cakes – Truly Scrumptious :: Rring Bearer Bowl – Paloma’s Nest :: Custom Belt-  DESLA  ::  Make-up Artist: Beke Beau :: Hair – Tatum Neiderhiser, Aura Salon, Kingston PA ::  Models – Danielle Pasternak, Amanda Savory, Steph Strazdus

Nichole L.

My Story is Art – Trellis Pattern for Envelopments, An Intro

You may have seen our feature on Green Wedding Shoes last week?  Well let me tell you a story…

Dresses by The Dessy Group

There is nothing I enjoy painting more than florals.  For years I tried to hide that fact and make nice with every design trend that passed my nose.  Being versatile keeps things interesting, so I do love a good landscape painting session or sitting down with the pencil to craft a new pattern, BUT my first love will always be floral.

When Envelopments approached me about collaborating on a watercolor pattern featuring the floral designs I had become known for, I was ecstatic.  In late December, Envelopments launched Trellis, a collection of new patterns created from my watercolors painted exclusively for the project.

Trellis is available here and through countless designers and stationery boutiques nationwide.  Pretty pockets, papers, envelopes;  all waiting to make their mark on your wedding stationery.

To express my love for this pattern, its versatility and the heart that I and the talented designer Ramon poured into its development, I created a world where Trellis reigned.  A world where delicate petals in repeat became fabric upholstery and cut-out shapes for a paper wedding bouquet.  A world where flowers and passion create an imaginary place, here if only to put a smile on our faces.  A world that makes me happy every time I look.

Trellis is made of delicate elements like paint drops, textured petals, queen anne’s lace inspired greens and a bit of watercolor stripe.  Seen in full it is romantic, girly and formal.  Just a thin peek at Trellis and it becomes an earthy and organic statement.

Calligraphy by Meant to Be

At another glance Trellis is young, modern and graphic…

Next it can be artful and unfussy, something even the groom could approve of…

Photography by Swoon Over It Studio

So thank you for reading and stay tuned this week as I dive deeper into the project that we lovingly call Trellis Shoot.  Loads of stationery, decor and wedding inspiration to follow this week!  XO

Rachel C.