{La Preview – Jessica & Michael}

We recently had the honor of working with Jessica & Michael on their gorgeous, fun-filled wedding in Philadelphia. 

We’ll be posting their gallery to our website and a full recap on the blog soon.  In the meantime, here is a sneak peek. 

{Photos courtesy of Kate Triano, photographer extraordinaire.}

The Beautiful Bride

Ceremony

Wedded Bliss

Tablescape

Sweet cake

 The happy Mr. & Mrs.

Congratulations, Jess & Mike!  We wish you many years of health, happiness, and love!  

Cheers!

LaVERE

PS- A few more photos from this stunning wedding will be up on our Facebook page shortly.  Check it out and become a Fan! 

{La Inspiration - To Wed or Not to Wed}

To wed or not to wed...that is the question. And of course, our answer is yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! Is English renaissance your favorite era? Incorporate some of the long gone golden age in English history into your wedding day by carefully selecting subtle details that will show your fondness for this time period, and why not, even some Shakespearean poetry. 

Calligraphy is a Greek word meaning "beautiful writing." If your budget allows it, use it on your invitations.  Otherwise, using a printed font that looks 'old English' will also have a similar effect, especially if you use a wax seal.

Invitations by Etsy seller Shine Wedding Invitations

Monogram Wax Seal Stamp from LetterSeals.com

When selecting a venue, a place resembling neo-classical architecture can transport you to a different century and an Italian garden would not only add to the ambience, but make for great pictures.

In NYC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has several amazing venues that would lend themselves nicely to a Shakespearean inspired event.

Vélez Blanco Patio

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens

Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court

Whether you select a DJ or a band to party the night away, a string quartet during your cocktail hour can provide a great selection of classical music to add to the romantic atmosphere.

 

 

Although 16th century fashion might not be your bridal party’s cup of tea, tap into their inner Juliet by including a small bag of fragrant potpourri, when you give them a pretty hand-made necklace as a token memento of your day.

Potpourri from Rose Petal Weddings 

 Romeo & Juliet necklace -bronze pendant, silver chain and pearls  
by Etsy seller Dawana from Peaces of Indigo

Give your wedding programs an old fashioned look and incorporate one of your favorite Shakespeare sonnets.  

 Letterpress Notecards from Etsy seller Lettuce Press.

And finally, to tie it all in, the bride should look the part. For inspiration, take a cue from a custom made gown designed in a timeless style by Sandi Spika Borchetta for Taylor Swift for the video for her song Love Story.  The closely fitted bodice and an up do with gentle curls add to the romantic, young and fresh look.

 

There are so many fabulous ways to incorporate The Bard and his works into your wedding.  Other ideas include naming tables after your favorite characters or plays, having a feather quill to use for signing the guestbook, and you could even hire an actor and a minstrel to roam around the event reciting poetry. 

Cheers!

LaVERE

{La Inspiration - Cherry Blossoms}

Spring is beginning to peek out from behind the gray of winter here.  I noticed that the Cherry Blossom tree has in my yard has started budding.  Delicate, fragile, beautiful and resilient, cherry blossoms are often noted as a metaphor for life and love.  What could be more perfect for an early spring wedding?  Let's go shopping!

Set the tone with a gorgeous invitation, like this die cut one from Etsy seller EMTsweeetieWeddings.

Oh my, how stunning!  This wedding gown with an obi sash by Culture Bridal.

A fabulous dress deserves killer shoes... I think these Louboutins do the trick!

With your bridesmaids in varying shades of pink by Anna Elyse, they'll echo the delicate petals of the trees.

Lovely clay florals by DK Designs Hawaii.

Say your vows under a dramatic Huppah like this one seen at The Knot, photo by Brett Matthews. 

 

Your guests will know that they're at the right venue with a window cling like this one from Bliss Wedding Market.  

Your guests can pick up their place cards at a table like this pretty one designed by Opalia Flowers. 

Then your guests can put their good wishes for you on your guest book tree, courtesy Martha Stewart. 

While sipping on Haru's Cherry Blossom Cocktail (recipe below). 

And after you've danced your last dance, send your guests home with sweet memories of your day.  Cookies by Meli and Angi.

Cheers!
LaVERE

*Cherry Blossom Cocktail (from Haru Japanese restaurants)

2 oz Svedka Cherry Vodka

1.5 oz Nigori Sake

0.5 oz Cranberry Juice

0.5 oz Peach Puree

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry and edible flower. Enjoy!

{La Inspiration - Liz Taylor}

We were very saddened by the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, an amazing talent and a true beauty.  She loved weddings almost as much as we do - she was married 8 times in her life! 

Any number of her films or real-life weddings could serve as an inspiration...  

One of our favorite Elizabeth Taylor films is 1958's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Here's a quick inspiration board based upon a few images from that film.  

(We don't, however, hope that anyone's marriage is as tumultuous as Brick & Maggie's). 

Details: 

We started off with this dress by Pink Purr Studio, which is a replica of the white dress worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the film.  The peach tones in this floral arrangement by Pixie Floral echo the colors of the bedroom and the centerpiece mimics the scrolls on the brass bed which many key scenes in the film take place around.  (Seen in the next image).  In keeping with the golden scrolls image, we've found a gorgeous cake by Sweet Memories Canada and invitations  by Etsy seller InvitedInk. Lighting such as that done by Full Circle Lighting echoes the lanterns used to decorate for Big Daddy's birthday party.  And finally, since Cat on a Hot Tin Roof did start out as a play, this  playbill program found at Urban Grey would surely make a great program.  

Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Inspiration - Irish Countryside}

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going on a virtual shopping spree.  We’ll skip the shamrocks and shenanigans and stick with a subtle nod to the Irish countryside… Some recent finds that have us swooning:

Birch Bark Ring “pillow” and Flower Girl Basket by Etsy Seller NHWoodscreations.

A hand cut birch tree with your initials would look amazing on your place card or guest book table, and this print would make darling invitations…  Both by Etsy Seller OurHumbleABoweD.  

Moss covered letters for your site doors?  Check.  By Etsy Seller SpottedLeopard.

The name says it all – “Queen of the Woods” headpiece by Etsy Seller WHICHGOOSE 

JCrew’s dune gown – so ethereal. 

A romantic bouquet.  From Posy Flowers via Brides.com

Moss in Milkglass centerpieces by Etsy Seller floresdelsol.  I’d stack these up to varying heights on vintage books of Irish poetry… 

And maybe you can get your groom to take a page out of John Wayne’s style file –

A classic “pops” hat a la The Quiet Man (rent it if you haven’t seen it) would be fab. 

Slainte! (That's Irish for Cheers!)
LaVERE

{La Advice - RSVPs}

You’ve mailed your invitations and are patiently waiting for the RSVP cards to start arriving…  They slowly start to trickle in, and then, suddenly, one arrives with no return address.  You open the card and inside is totally illegible or blank, but you don’t panic.  You simply flip the card over and there on the back ever so inconspicuously is a little number.  With one quick check of your numbered guest list, you instantly know who the mystery guest is. 

We cannot tell you how useful it is to number the back of your RSVP cards.  You can buy an invisible ink (blacklight) pen, you can faintly write a teensy weensy number in pencil in the corner, or you can put a small sticker on the back of each card.  Whichever route you choose, the few moments you spend numbering the RSVP cards can save a lot of headache down the road.  

Cheers!

LaVERE

{La Advice - Kids}

Whether they are scattering rose petals down the aisle or carry the rings, little ones will surely add a touch of tenderness to your ceremony. If your wedding party includes young flower girls and ring bearers, it's helpful to express to them the importance of their role, and rehearse with them in advance (to minimize the pressure on the day). 

If the child's parents are members of your bridal party, we suggest that you ask their parents to arrange for someone that the child knows to remain at the back of the ceremony site, keeping the child calm before it is his/her turn to walk down the aisle.  That person may also need to be responsible for entertaining the child during the ceremony.   

At the reception, to make them feel an integral part of the event, maybe you could share a dance with them.

In those instances when other children are also part of your attending guests, it’d be best that an area is created for them at the venue. It will keep them occupied and allow their parents and other adult guests to enjoy the party without a worry.

If it’s possible, hire a caregiver/nanny to keep an eye on and assist them. Never ask one of the wedding guests to do this, unless they volunteer first.

A good way to entertain them is to make goody bags containing age appropriate materials i.e. coloring books, crayons or travel size board games.

Make sure that your caterer will provide a kids’ menu that is more accessible than the adult menu.  There aren't many 4-year-olds that will eat prime rib... and hungry kids are cranky kids.  

Lastly, remember that having children be part of your day means there's only so much you can control. Their personality and cuteness will surely be what everyone will remember. 

Cheers!
LaVERE