8.27.2012

Empire State South / Sarah & Kevin / Part 2


So, we pick up where we left off.  
The ceremony.  Sarah and Kevin were looking for a type of  "unity ceremony" and the options out there  seemed kind of  'eh' to them.  They both love craft cocktails and especially Old Fashioneds - so they decided on a 'unity drink' ceremony!   Each component of the cocktail represents something about one or the other (details here are private)...and by 'muddling' and enjoying them together their unity was confirmed.



The officiant was Sarah's best friend who had also worked with Kevin and knew them both very well.





As Sarah relaxed post-ceremony, guests entered the restaurant and found their seats via an 'escort ladder'.


The mandolin guitar case on the sign-in table belongs to Kevin and the guest book itself is made from a Hall & Oates record and album cover.  (They are big fans of Hall & Oates!).  Kevin plays guitar and has DJ'd all over the city.



Vintage oil lamps were used as vases and held coral charm peonies, peach godetia, pink astilbe and mint leaves.


Tables were identified using vintage (and real!) prescriptions found on etsy.   Both of Sarah's parents are in the medical field and she is heading in that same direction, so it was another subtle, yet representative, detail. 


Antique and flea market vases of all shapes and sizes added further interest to the tables.  Peonies, peach stock, spray roses, dusty miller, silvery echeveria and mint leaves filled them beautifully.



A tiny keepsake banner (another etsy find) identified each guest's place at the long rectangular tables.


Since both Sarah and Kevin love music, table runners of vintage player piano music scrolls lined each table.    Courtesy of wedding rental company Four Inch Fold.




If you look closely below, you'll  see some of the lyrics from "The Sound of Music"...



Cocktail offering...now the guests could enjoy that Old Fashioned!


Wine and beer choices...


And most importantly, the menu from Empire State South.  Chef Ryan Smith and Chef/Partner Hugh Acheson offer  "a modern approach to authentic southern dishes...".  Yum.




So, good stuff - huh? But we'll stop for now and leave the details about the sweets and dancing for another post.  Incredible images from Julia of Our Labor of Love (and a few of my own...)

8.21.2012

Empire State South wedding / Sara & Kevin


Empire State South.  Awesome restaurant.  And the perfect spot for an intimate wedding for a couple who appreciates fine food and drink.


This is Sarah and Kevin.



Sarah's goal was "unique, whimsical, industrial, vintage, light, pop"...



Her color scheme of coral, peaches, pinks, ivory and silver was beautifully comprised of peonies, spray roses, stock, astilbe, celosia, godetia, ranunculus, dusty miller, billy balls, mint, and shimmery succulents. 


 The echeveria look so cool lightly sprayed with metallic silver!


Dusty miller, spray rose, an ivory hyacinth bloom and silvered mini echeveria wrapped with silver cord comprised Kevin's boutonniere.  And Sarah rocked the blue shoes.


Guests arrived in the courtyard of the restaurant to homemade bottled lemonade and grey stripey straws!  A little refreshment is nice to have prior to the ceremony.




Sarah partnered with Four Inch Fold, a vintage rental company, to provide special seating for those in the front row.



The bocce court served as the aisle leading up to the ceremony site.  Four Inch Fold hung a spectacular sparkly chandelier and a billowy peach ribbon backdrop.  It was a breezy evening and the ribbons danced all night.



I'll leave you here.  There are so many fantastic photos (thanks Julia, from Our Labor of Love) from this wedding that it requires multiple blog entries...












8.02.2012

Lauren & Josh // Cator-Woolford Gardens


Lace from her mother's dress.  A locket with family photos.  These are the details that make weddings sweet.  Lauren was a sheer pleasure to work with, a true D-I-Y 'er who put thought into every aspect of her day.


The gardens were full and lush at the end of April and perfect for an outside ceremony followed by lawn games during the cocktail hour and a seated dinner under twinkling lights (strung maypole style by friends).


Wooden boxes filled with vintage vases held a bright collection of purple and blue flowers.


Iris, hydrangea, stock, delphinium,  larkspur, bachelor buttons, veronica, 'cool water' roses, queen anne's lace, lisianthus, lambs ear, freesia, and dusty miller created a gorgeous collection of earthy, organic naturalness!



The pop of blue napkins against the grey linens added an extra layer of beauty to the table.  I love when brides use colored linens!





Cake by Southern Sweets (and they had donuts by Sublime, too)!.




All in all, a delightful garden affair.  Best to you both - Lauren and Josh!!