Behind the Scenes – Winter Welcome Party for Matchbook Magazine

Behind the Scenes – Vintage Shop Engagement Shoot on The Bride’s Cafe

So I must apologize.  I posted this gorgeous film from our Utah Engagement shoot about 2 weeks ago and promised more but then Bridal Market happened and I lost track of time!  Here is a refresher by Castlebridge Films:

So many of you ask for fun DIY tips and it was time to deliver!  This Engagement Session Inspiration Shoot is all about being you, finding a place that makes you feel at home and being in the moment.  With the plethora of inspiration from blog to blog couples can get overwhelmed and feel they need to live up to all they see online and in print.  Styled or not, some of the most gorgeous moments in wedding photography happen unexpectedly and emerge from a carefree attitude.

This shoot although purely inspirational,  promises to deliver a smidge of relief for the over-inspired.  This was a real couple (hugs to Mason and Stephanie), they wore they favorite digs , walked into a fun space and just started having fun.  Pure and simple.  The shots by the stellar Jimmy of Gideon Photography show the true magic of just being yourself and letting go.

Seriously, who doesn’t love a good pillow fight?  Oh and check out Stephanie’s painted flats.  Simple project: A #4 paintbrush, coral shimmer ink and a few swooshes later,  topped off by two clip on earrings in a fun flower shape, voila!

Any chance I have to show off Caroline’s work from Paloma’s Nest and I take it!  These wooden bangles are so charming.  Caroline will customize text, so how lovely, right?  Here we chose the wedding date and a sweet quote for Stephanie’s 2 bangles.  “Only the best is yet to be…”

For save the dates I created a DIY friendly concept with Poloroids as the focal point.  I picked up wooden boxes from a local craft store and painted a Sego Lily (Utah State Flower) on each lid. Inside were two mini Poloroids with fun shots of a watercolor palette and the couple holding hands. Each shot had a note written; “October 20, 2012″ and the other read “Write it down”.  Of course I had to include a mini Sharpie pen for guests to literally write it down!  The idea was to create an interactive save the date, one that guests opened and sensed playfulness immediately!   Instead of the standard Save the Date message, this look invites guests to “Savor a Moment…”

Jimmy took Stephanie outside Urban Renewal for a few quiet moments.  I love this sweet couple!!

A big shout to my Utah Shoot crew for going above and beyond!!  I cannot wait until next time!  Want to see more of what we shot with this gorgeous couple that sunny day in Utah?  Pick up the next issue of Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.  You won’t be disappointed!!  We are all so grateful to Janie from The Bride’s Cafe for originally featuring our little project.  XOXO

Concept, Styling and Stationery – Momental Designs  ::  Photography – Gideon Photography  ::  Film – Castle Bridge Films  ::  Location – Urban Renewal, St. George, Utah  ::  Production/Styling - Tessa Woolf   ::  Models – Stephanie and Mason Woolf  :: Cynthia Dean – grooming for Mason Woolf , Stephanie Bybee- makeup design  for Stephanie Woolf, Morgan Clark- hair design for Stephanie Woolf -  Enzio  ::  Wooden Bracelets –Paloma’s Nest

Behind the Scenes – Vintage Shop Engagement Shoot on The Bride’s Cafe

Sharing this project has been a long time coming.  I’ve been sitting on images for nearly a year.  Yes, I’m a very patient lady.  You might remember my trip to Utah last fall?  I posted about a life changing project with a group of people I call friends but that was about all I said.  Well, a portion of the creative plunder from that day has gone live and we are honored that Janie from The Bride’s Cafe shared our vision.  Today I am giving a little behind the scenes peek at a film shot day-of.

The concept was built around an amazing location, Urban Renewal in St. George Utah.  I’ve been dying to orchestrate an inspiration shoot with modern/urban details and DIY friendly projects.  My Polaroid save the dates fit in just perfectly (more on that later this week).    The film is meant to be sent to guests in addition to our painted box/Poloroid save the dates.  Imagine this landing in your inbox?

I’ve Just Got to Tell You – Dr. Dog

Concept, Styling and Stationery – Momental Designs  ::  Photography – Gideon Photography  ::  Film – Castle Bridge Films  ::  Location – Urban Renewal, St. George, Utah  ::  Production/Styling - Tessa Woolf   ::  Models – Stephanie and Mason Woolf  :: Cynthia Dean – grooming for Mason Woolf , Stephanie Bybee- makeup design  for Stephanie Woolf, Morgan Clark- hair design for Stephanie Woolf -  Enzio  ::  Wooden Bracelets –Paloma’s Nest

Palomas Nest Grand Opening in Ausin, Texas!

Good friend Caroline of Paloma’s Nest has reason to celebrate!  Last week she opened doors to a brand new retail space and studio in the heart of an artful community within Austin, Texas!  Caroline asked me to create a piece to adorn the sweets table and I was thrilled.  As you  know my aesthetic is quite a bit more fussy than Caroline’s but I had such fun creating something I knew she would love but with my style subtly infused.  Unexpected Elements, event and floral design took the lead in crafting this perfectly Paloma’s Nest celebration! A few shots of the new shop from Q Weddings:

The sweets table Polkadots Cupcake Factory!  How gorgeous are the chocloate nests and gold leaf treats?!

Jess and I spent the better part of two days painting this 9 foot beauty. Simple stripes, glazed with gold ink then outlines with black pen create an understated look with loads of texture!

Lovely gold leaves mixed with white peonies!!

Congrats Caroline, can’t wait for my next trip to Austin!

Guest Post – Pretty Pairings from Paloma’s Nest

Today is our 5th and final guest post from none other than the genius behind Paloma’s Nest, Caroline Vasquez.  Caroline and I “met” a few years back on twitter and soon met for real to vision this Johnny Cash shoot for Southern Weddings Magazine.  Caroline is a great source of inspiration as she is the epitome of artist in all she says and does.  Her passion for crafting true heirlooms for weddings and beyond is the foundation for her iconic brand.  I am overjoyed to welcome Caroline today and have her share a touch of her awesomeness with you!!

First, a huge thank you to Kristy for welcoming me to Rice Ink! What an honor to blog here for her today. Kristy is a colleague and a friend whom I admire so much- her talent and drive in creating fresh, innovative stationery is a treat for the eyes and a joy to know!

There is often one element of your wedding planning that inspires every other detail. Just like a favorite chair may inspire the interior design of a whole room,  a color or special image can lead to the perfect choices for your celebration.   For those of us who love Momental Designs and their show-stopping hand painted invitations, that source of inspiration is sure to be one of Kristy Rice’s bold flowers or carefully sketched blooms.  So how can you carry that grand inspiration beyond just decor? Consider dressing the part!

I browsed many easy-to-find stores and put together some examples of how you may bring the invitation artwork you love so much to your closet and fashion for your big day.

Milano Heel

Look for a fun floral party skirt to wear to your rehearsal dinner (these would also be a fun look for your bridesmaids)!

A pair of wonderful flowered shoes may be the perfect surprise detail to go with your gown. Flats or heels, bold or subtle, there are so many options available to make your toes happy.

J. Crew Flats

A soft printed cardigan would be so sweet draped over your shoulders on the night of your reception- one last beautiful splash of flowers and color for the night.

Anthropologie Sweater

Rosette Slingbacks

If you are in the decorating phase of your event planning, or have moved on to the tiny details, your hand painted wedding stationery may be just the place to look for a wealth of design inspiration!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!!  Today I have a fun collection to share with you!  Coming in March we will be launching our newest Curated Collection but today I’m giving a sneak peek at our Vintage Valentine series.

curated Verb:  Select, organize, and look after the items in (a collection or exhibition)

From vintage valentines to hankies and bottles, we Curate a collection of found objects with your style and personality as our muse.  Custom invitation designs are crafted within, around or atop each carefully collected piece.  We transform each found item into wedding invitation keepsakes that mesh effortlessly with traditional elements of invitation design.

Sweet, old valentines with cheeky cheer act as invitation closure tags.  Guests names handwritten on each conjure grade school memories of receiving paper valentines from cherished a friend or beau.  Paired with our signature Lacy artwork and watercolor technique, these valentine details make a statement of young love and spirited design.

A big thank you to Caroline from Paloma’s Nest for the lovely paper mache gold hearts!

Behind the Scenes – A Johnny Cash Wedding, a Song and a Dance

Today I am back with the last behind the scenes look at our Walk the Line, Johnny Cash shoot with friends from Austin and beyond.  If you missed the first two posts, check  here and here to get caught up!  Before I go any further I must mention the incredible team that brought this experience to life.  From very early in the morning to late into the evening that day Caroline and I had the good fortune of collaborating with a team of  so many willing to share their time with us.  We are so grateful!

Photography Jesse Ryan, Location and Catering The Salt Lick, Floral Design Pollen Floral Art, Dresses Jessica Audey, Design Assistants and Planners Barbara Hearne and April Orr
Hair and Makeup Noemi Esquival of J. Buccio Salon, Ceremony Location Mercury Hall, Vintage Vehicles Transportation Consultants, Linens Marquee Event Group, Pies The Saucy Tart

We began our day at The Salt Lick, to set and shoot the tabletop, vintage cars and stationery. Just the day before, I spent hours in Caroline’s studio painting this 15 foot long paper runner.  Loose roses in blush and gold were accented along either length of the runner by potato stamp dots.  The team at The Salt Lick were incredibly generous with their property and famous fare.  A full spread of ribs, potatoes, coleslaw and pickles were set on platters and plates of mint green plastic; perfectly retro for the scene.  At midday they treated the team to lunch with all the fixin’s…I can still taste the barbecue…unlike anything I’d had before!

Props were incredibly important so Caroline and I set out to find the perfect details.  A trip to Uncommon Objects in Austin yielded some perfect finds from the bride’s shoes to a wooden stand for the table’s centerpiece.

What do a baby piano and a set of old TV trays have in common?  Place cards were set atop the old TV trays with hints of black velvet ribbon here and there.  Each place setting boasted a sweet rose and lamb’s ear teacup arrangement by Brooke.  How sweet is the baby piano? I could not think of a more perfect place to put those Man in Black paper goods!

and a dance…I want to dance like this, don’t you?

Our day concluded first with a stop at Mercury Hall…

…and then finally a visit to an iconic recording studio in a quiet Austin neighborhood.  Such stars as Willie Nelson and Dollie Parton recorded there but since Caroline was friends with the owners we had the thrill of stepping inside this music world, even if just for a moment.

It was an epic time meeting new friends and making connections of the kind meant to last a long while.  There is already talk of a reunion project…I can hardly wait.