Before I start showing you pictures, I have to tell you. This particular wedding, because of my health situation at the time, and limited abilities that day. I had to rely on my amazing crew a little more than normal.
To be honest, and I hope they don't read this:) But normally I let them do their things, and then about 90% of the time after I send them all home. I go back and fix a lot of things or re-do things or do a touch up. I know that is terrible, it's the perfectionist in me. They don't even know I do it, well most don't, haha.
But anyhow, that didn't happen this particular wedding. I didn't have the energy to go back and fix everything, so things aren't the normal perfect.
I started taking the pictures before everyone was finished, so these are nearly done. I look at them now, and still wish I went back and fixed a few things. But the couple was happy and loved it. Likely I am the only one who notices some of the imperfections:) hopefully.
The above picture shows about half of the reception room. The lights above were actually chandeliers that were made by hand in 1902 and are like a stain glass light with different colors reflective in them. Obviously my camera didn't do those beauties justice!
I know this is a close up of the one above, but I actually wanted to show the detail in this church building. The blue curtain stage that we hid with the pillars, has this gorgeous ornate wood carving around it. This was actually all hand carved by the pioneers that build this building by hand. Then in the carving they fit in this gold to make the detail stand out. Ya, this is the interior designer in me, but I love building details like this:)
Additionally, it was not planned but very helpful that the huge stage curtain behind the backdrop happened to be the exact same shade of Navy that we picked as one of the colors.
Obviously the brides colors were Navy Blue to Baby Blue. We alternated the chair cover colors on the sashes. Kept the tables the same overlay and runner colors, but we actually did 2 different table centerpieces.
White gazebo's with greenery that lit up in the center with flicker candles. Black lantern centerpieces that also had greenery and a center flicker light inside.
The centerpieces were 13 inches to 20 inches higher. Nothing to distracting so that the guests could speak to one another as they chatted over the meal.
Obviously pre-cake, and I wish I had gotten one with the cake. It was a White and Navy tier cake. But like I said, these were all taken before we even finished decorating so things aren't finished. The reason the ruffle area in the center isn't lit, because that is where the cake goes and no need for lighting under the stand.
This one is a little closer up image of the lantern centerpieces. I should also mention, I (usually) tie every single sash at a wedding. Because ya, I pride myself on my perfect bow:) But for the first time ever, I didn't tie a single one. My sweet sister finally learned how to tie them, close to what I like. She alone tied all 130 chair sashes in the room. And my sweet 10 year old niece came and put all those chair covers on, she was not liking me much by the end, she didn't think it would be that much work and take so long:)
This fun little gazebo centerpieces. You can't really see the flicker candle light inside them from this view, but they are there. By evening when the light wasn't coming in from the side windows, the lighting we brought in turned the atmosphere into a bit more romantic. I had taken these pictures around noon so it was still the bright time of the day.
Okay, so I will admit I did go back and fix this part. The flowers at the top, did not remain like that for more than 5 minutes after I snapped this picture:)
I think they must of been tired or in a hurry and didn't stand back and look at it after they finished, or like a lot of times probably just got annoyed with messing with it, and knew I would go back and fix it, LOL
This water fountain area, is unfinished. Eventually we added all the engagement pictures and bridal pictures into this area, there were about a dozen. This way as guests walked past this area, they could check out the cute couples pictures.
Clearly, this picture probably doesn't look like it goes with the others. It doesn't, we wanted to keep the reception hall elegant and the fun part outside, which is why we actually set this up out in the front entrance and grabbed the guests as they soon entered the building. They could stop for a quick fun picture before heading down the hall and into the reception area.
Since none of the guests know me personally or that I blog, then I guess they can't be upset that I shared their pictures:) Here are just a few of what were taken with the frames props and photo booth area, so you can see what fun it is!
If you have a wedding coming up in the future I have to say this is a super fun thing to include, guests have a lot of fun with it!
So, ya like I said above, I didn't go back and fix all the imperfections. (Okay, that is a lie, I did fix a few things, but literally only a very few, no where near the normal:)
Overall the crew did an amazing job!
I didn't realize this until the other day as we were all chatting while we decorated. But almost all of those who help and work for me are runners and there are well over over 100+ full marathons between us all, countless half's, many Ragnar's and even a few Tri's. Kinda fitting that myself the Runaway Bridal Planner, would hire a bunch of Running Decorators on the team!
But if you saw how much running around, and felt the workout your body gets after a full day like this, it kinda makes sense:)