Real Wedding Inspiration: Southern Summer

With Labor Day weekend now officially over, there’s perhaps no better way to bid summer farewell than by reflecting back upon how this year’s season first began. While for you that might have meant taking an inaugural trip to the beach or firing up the grill, for me, the early days of June brought the opportunity to coordinate a unique Southern summer wedding for my former classmate Lia and her fiance Matt.

Even though it was a cold day in January when I first met up with her, Lia’s clear vision for an intimate vineyard celebration – complete with a cocktail-style reception and plenty of creative touches honoring the couple's mutual love of books, wine and the rolling Virginia countryside – immediately intrigued me and made it seem as if summer was already just around the corner.

Here, I hope you’ll enjoy a selection of photos from Lia and Matt’s wedding day as shot by the talented Helen and Heather of Honey Hill Photography, who captured everything from the adorable bird-themed cake topper to the innovative wine-cork guestbook and outdoor picnic games. 

Lia, carrying a basket filled with baby's breath and a beloved book, made her way down the aisle to "Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride while close to 80 relatives and friends looked on. Keeping things simple and laid-back, both Lia and her bridesmaids went barefoot throughout the day. 

Post-ceremony, the couple and wedding party posed for photos all around the grounds of Paradise Springs Winery, including alongside an historic cabin where Lia and her bridesmaids had spent time getting ready earlier in the day. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed taking part in either a group wine-tasting or improvisational comedy show.  

During the reception, guests were free to mingle inside a rustic red barn, where a wine-cork guestbook and basket of homemade cookie favors welcomed them, or outdoors on the lawn, where picnic tables offered everything from books and magazines to playing cards, cootie catchers and Connect Four games. The couple's first dance to "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Don Henley was the perfect way to kick things off. 

Showcasing a vine-themed design and handmade "love bird" topper, Lia and Matt's cake was a huge hit. A delicious array of food and drinks featuring buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork sliders, lemonade and sweet tea was also displayed nearby, while various other tasty bites were hand-passed throughout the afternoon.

Congratulations, Lia and Matt, and thank you for letting me be a part of your day! May you make many more wonderful summer memories together.

Venue:

Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, Virginia  

Catering: 

Janelle Bowles 

Officiant: 

Dave Johnson 

Photography: 

Honey Hill Photography

Musicians: 

Carol Gaylor & Bruce Katsu

Bakery: 

Wanda's Cakes

Coordination: 

Heather & Stephen Walrath

Real Wedding Inspiration: Blending Eastern & Western Tradition

A few months ago, I shared a behind-the-scenes sneak peek from high school sweethearts Kim and Francis’ beautiful summer wedding, which elegantly combined Eastern and Western tradition for a day that was fun, meaningful and memorable for all who shared it. From the bride's stunningly intricate ao dai gown to the Vietnamese Catholic ceremony to custom cake toppers symbolizing the Chinese Year of the Pig, Kim and Francis consistently found ways to honor their heritage while also embracing the Western traditions they valued. 

Coordinating a wedding for such a truly gracious couple was in every way an honor, and that’s why I’m especially excited to share a selection of their professional photos, which were artfully captured by James Le Photography and showcase an all-around amazing celebration. I’ve also included just a few extra shots from my own personal library, highlighting even more favorite moments and lovely details. 

James Le

James Le

James Le

Stephen Walrath

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

Stephen Walrath 

Stephen Walrath

Stephen Walrath

James Le

James Le

James Le

James Le

Stephen Walrath 

Thank you, Kim and Francis, for letting me share your day, and many happy wishes for a wonderful future together!

Ceremony Venue: 

Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Parish in Arlington, Virginia

Reception Venue: 

Grand Atrium in Vienna, Virginia

Photography:

James Le Photography

Floral Design:
Thao Tong

Cake:
Napoleon Bakery

Makeup:
Amy Ma

Coordination: 

Heather & Stephen Walrath

Sharing Holiday Cheer

Last year, for our first Christmas as a married couple, Stephen and I loved sharing a few of our favorite wedding photos in the card we sent to relatives and friends, including those who couldn’t be with us on our big day. 

Though we don’t have any major milestone moments to share this year, we thought it would still be fun to keep the tradition alive with another Shutterfly card, this one showcasing offbeat pictures of our newest additions, Molly and Twix, along with a couple shots from our summer trip to St. Maarten, where we had a great time riding horses in the surf.

Now that the cards have all gone out, I wanted to share a copy here, as well, to wish each of you a wonderful holiday and also send out a huge thanks for sticking with me throughout the year. From all of the awesome readers over at my new blog High Heels & Flip-Flops to the friends who have been amazingly sharing advice and support since way back when I first launched Bicoastal Bride in 2009, your kind comments and inspiring posts never fail to make my day.

I hope you’re all enjoying a great week and are having fun gearing up for the holidays! I don’t know about you, but this month has just flown by for me, and I can hardly believe that Christmas will be here in just a little over a week. I think it's definitely time to start packing up for my trip to California! 

Do you usually send out holiday cards, and if so, do you include any special photos?  

P.S. If you haven't already, head on over to Such Life in the Tropics to enter Sunshine's "Bone Appetit" Caribbean cookbook giveaway! Her blog is always so inspiring and uplifting to me, and I especially love that she's using this giveaway to help raise awareness about animals in need. 

Real Wedding Inspiration: Vintage Mardi Gras Flair

Without a doubt, one of my favorite things about coordinating a wedding is the chance to help bring to life each couples’s unique vision for their day. Since no two couples or weddings are ever quite the same, I never cease to learn from and be inspired by all of the creative and truly personalized details that make each occasion one-of-a-kind.

When it comes to original ideas, our friends Julie and Nash certainly outdid themselves with their vision for a 1920s Mardi Gras-themed celebration – a well-thought plan that evolved and came beautifully together throughout the past year, culminating this fall with one of the most unique and exciting weddings I’ve seen, let alone had the honor of coordinating.

Here, a few highlights of their day as shot by Jon Fisch of The Seattle Times, along with family members and friends. 

Julie & Nash's Library

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

In keeping with the Carnival-inspired theme, the wedding party and groom wore handmade masks and rang bells as they made their way down the aisle. Vintage hats and feathered headpieces also enhanced the party's attire, while colorful beads and peacock feathers made fitting accents for the flowers and decor. 

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

Julie's bridal look was beyond breathtaking, as she accented her already stunning gown with a variety of vintage and Mardi Gras-inspired touches, including a colorful sash and necklaces, mask-themed brooch, and headpieces featuring eye-catching feathers and beads. 

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

John Fisch

Ahead of the ceremony, Julie and Nash enjoyed a private first look on their backyard deck, followed by photos with the wedding party, which showcased the group's vintage-inspired attire. I absolutely loved the bridesmaids' peacock headpieces and the groomsmen's unique boutonnieres, the latter of which were skillfully crafted by bridesmaid Jessica.

John Fisch

Julie & Nash's Library

John Fisch

Stephen Walrath

Julie & Nash's Library

John Fisch

At the venue, an eclectic Seattle photo studio, the unconventional ceremony kicked off with officiants Chris and Olivia waltzing down the aisle to take their places before a gathering of 100 guests. Once in place, they exchanged the wedding party's "wild" masks for more "civilized" bouquets and top hats to symbolize the groom's impending transition from bachelor to husband.

After walking his daughter down the aisle to Bob Dylan's "Wigwam," Julie's father, a Central California vintner, gave a stirring and symbolic speech relating the growth and changes of grape vines throughout the years to those experienced within marriage. Readings, personal vows and an exchange of rings followed. 

Stephen Walrath

Stephen Walrath

Stephen Walrath

Stephen Walrath

Post-ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring appetizers and drinks, including signature concoctions like the Mint Julep and Southern Soprano. The two-level venue featured a variety of themed rooms for guests to explore, along with a studio-run photo booth that was a huge hit throughout the night.

Stephen Walrath 

Stephen Walrath 

Stephen Walrath

Stephen Walrath 

Closing out the night with a special touch, Julie and Nash held a midnight marriage certificate signing ceremony to symbolize the start of their new life together and set their official wedding anniversary date as 11.20.2011.

Thank you, Julie and Nash, for letting me share your day, and many happy wishes for an incredible life together! 

Venue: 

Urban Light Studios in Seattle, Washington

Catering: 

Duos Catering 

Wines: 

Fratelli Perata

Photography: 

Jon Fisch & Urban Light Studios 

Officiants: 

Chris & Olivia Bloomquist 

Floral Design: 

Jessica Wilbur 

DJ: 

Ted Garbeff 

Coordination: 

Heather & Stephen Walrath