An Artful Life – Sneak Peek of our Renewal in Zion photos!

One of the best things in my inbox this week…this sneak peek from Lindsey at Green Apple Photography.  She was kind enough to send along an unedited selection of shots for us to share with guests at tomorrow’s party.  Thank you Lindsey for your time, talent and artistry.  Adam and I were honored to have you participate in our Renewal experience.

There is more to come…details, day after cuddle shoot and more….I can’t wait to share.

A Peek into the Studio – The Renewal Party Details!

As you know the hubby and I renewed our vows in Utah just about two weeks ago (photos coming soon, I promise).  It was truly magical to say the least.  All the planning and travel was so worth the opportunity to carve out a piece of history for ourselves, friends and family.  We only wished in some ways that all our loved one’s could have been a part.  However, our small guest list in Utah meant a bigger reason to celebrate in PA!  I love a reason to party!  So here I am, three days before the big celebration…While the hubby finishes our super cool photobooth and Mom and Dad help clean and pack and well just about everything, I have been sneaking time after hours at the studio to design the stationery.

If you remember the original inspiration that I posted what seems like forever ago, you will notice things have changed a bit.  The look is more sophisticated but still with a huge nod to all things my Nana would have loved.  Pretty hankies,  cross stitch details, shimmery papers, abundant flowers and color all around.

The original inspiration board as I envisioned things last July.

Remember our book invitations? I couldn’t resist using the cosmo image on the menus!

After collecting vintage sour cream glasses for the last few months we finally have enough for our guests’ favors.  I cannot wait for my yellow baker’s twine to arrrive from Bake it Pretty.

I’ve been a bit obsessed with wallpaper and this bold ivory and black pattern from Graham and Brown caught my eye instantly.  Open seating is our choice for the event but each table will feature a card explaining more about the venue and the festivities planned for the evening, adorned with hankies of course!

Yay, can’t wait for Saturday!  Thanks for reading!

Artful Admirations – Bake It Pretty

While searching for fun details for the renewal party in PA I stumbled upon this adorable site,  Bake it Pretty.  From striped paper straws to shimmery pinwheel picks, Amanda, the gal behind the biz, and has chosen the perfect combination of items to pretty up any party.   A gallery of client projects is part of their blog, where you can browse and get inspired as how to best use their sweet products – love it!

Some of my favorites: Striped straws, popcorn bags, vintage newspaper bags, flower chocolates, strawberry baskets and flowery baking cups.

A huge thank you to Amanda for her artfully edited selection of items.  Bake it Pretty is the perfect destination to add that subtle little detail that can make a huge difference in your celebration.

Renewal Inspirations – The Sylvia Weinstock sketch is in!

I’ve been awaiting the final sketch of my cake from Ms. Weinstock and her talented staff and yay it is here!  They even included my Clara French cakestand in the rendering.  The party is next Saturday and the final headcount is in.  The hubby and I are so excited to celebrate with all 95 of those (eek!) who couldn’t celebrate with us in Utah!

Renewal Inspirations – One day to go!

The hubby, myself and my parents have been enjoying Zion Canyon this past week in preparation for the Renewal Ceremony tomorrow.  I simply cannot believe it is here.  Seeing our ideas unfold as we created a metaphorical and meaningful ceremony and celebration has been the perfect way to honor our last 10 years together.

Mom and I on an unmarked trail headed towards The Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park.

During our stay I have been able to make some time for impromptu stops at local markets to find last minute details to pull my renewal tablescape together.  Rough cut indigenous rock and glass were one find that I am using to create a table runner…this should be interesting!  Next I found these vintage Spanish pottery pieces to hold a bloom or two then placed along the 12 foot dinner table.  I just cannot wait to see how all this comes together.  My last minute tendencies with the table decor were purposeful to hopefully capture the relaxed vibe that is so Zion.

I loved this shot featuring aqua colored glass sold throughout southern Utah.  The crisp blue against the rugged landscape in the background epitomizes the color and textures I am so in love with out here.

Our week has been spent hiking, running last minute errands, chatting with our Utah Photographer and Officiant, preparing gifts and Welcome Bags for our guests and a lot of other stuff (no better way to say it!) as you can imagine.  By the way if you haven’t already, check out the fun DIY post I put together with Anne-Marie from Perfect Bound.  The painted sweater project posted earlier this week is so fun and could make a really personal bridesmaid gift or better yet use the painting technique shared to create your own guest Welcome Bags like mine!

The bags are from Zazzle with a simple painting technique applied.
Majorly custom look for a not so custom price!

So thank you for following along and certainly stay tuned as I share photos and tweet a bit here and there along the way!  Everyone has been so kind over the last few weeks with their words of encouragement and well wishes and I cannot thank you enough!  The renewal planning has been a blast but it means so much to know I may have inspired you along the way!  Happy Friday!

Renewal Inspirations – Our Custom Re-designed Wedding Bands

So there are some parts of the planning process that just make me stop and say wow!  Having our wedding bands redesigned by Marc of Marcco Jewelers did just that.  Marc custom designed my first wedding band to fit perfectly with the engagement ring Adam chose for me.  That band is now being melted down to fashion one of these!

Adam and I wanted to exchange new rings, made from the metal of our original bands during the ceremony in Utah.  I sketched a classic redrock vista to include a sun and star silhouette.  The design does not repeat and every surface of each band boasts a unique part of the artwork.

Marc presented us with four options and I cannot wait to  reveal our choice soon!
Thank you Marc for your talent and enthusiasm for our project.  It will be an honor to wear your creations!

An Artful Life – My love, our life, the story…

Today is THE day.  Even though we are preparing for a flurry of celebrations over the next few weeks, today is the real day to celebrate.  10 years ago today two kids embarked on the adventure of their lives.  Adam and I said I DO, to what has been a crazy ride…one that I never want to get off of.

Yes, it is true, we were high school sweethearts…enter the ahh’s…:)

Me in red, some not-so-good lookin’ fake nails and him, with those glasses, agh!  But we were in love and somehow knew, even then, we would be seeing a lot more of eachother for a long time to come.  Check out that boutonniere…purple irises, pretty adventurous for a 1995 prom, right?

We dated all through college…I followed him to Penn State Main Campus…me – followed?  Yes, it is true.  What we will do for love….

Adam popped the question in 1998.  On one knee with The Engagement Mary’s Moo Moo figurine in hand he said he had found the one…

I launched into a full blown wedding planning frenzy and unknowingly planted the business seeds that grew into what Momental is today.  Just some of our handcrafted pre-Momental wedding stationery is pictured above.  Don’t look too close though, admittedly this was before our craftsmanship was impeccable.  My how far we have come!  I remember falling in love with the Martha Stewart Weddinga Magazine, never dreaming I would one day meet the fabulous Darcy Miller!  I was a subscriber then and still am now.  How about those adorable “for your tears of joy” tissue packs? Adam thought I was nuts to make those the week before our wedding but nonetheless, stayed up one night to help me stuff them!

Yellowstone National Park

From the beginning travel was a huge part of our relationship and will always be.  From a week long drive to Florida in our teens to our hikes in Utah as thirty-somethings, we wander together and make life about discovering what the world has in store for us...together.

With just about a week until we renew our vows, amidst the flurry of to-do lists and stress of preparing The Momental Girls for my absence in the studio, I need to take a moment.  Adam and I both chatted with our lovely Pastor yesterday as she is putting the final touches on our ceremony in Zion.  “What do you want to tell him, after 10 years?” The words that came to mind were thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you for being my true and real partner in life, my rock.  I love you.