Laura + Steve: The Details

April 18, 20101 Comment

This week I’ve highlighted Laura and Steve’s ceremony and reception. Today, let’s look at some of the special details.

Laura purchased her earrings and necklace from Precious Meshes on Etsy.

The jewelry is made from vintage chandelier crystals and hand-crocheted fine silver mesh.

Did you notice how, when held up to the light, you can see a heart in the crystal?

I love her fabulous birdcage veil!

Each bridesmaid received a vintage handkerchief, perfect to tuck into their pockets on the day of the wedding. I adore dresses with pockets! The hankies were from Kindred Thymes on Etsy and the dresses were from White House Black Market.

Laura made these clutches for her girls. I like the contrast of the fun lining. Tucked inside is the Maid of Honor’s toast.

Laura’s bouquet was wrapped in lace from her mother’s dress and vintage typewriter keys.

Here are the programs. I am a sucker for coordinating paper items.

The unity candle was also wrapped in coordinating damask fabric.

These pomanders were another DIY project. They were a perfectly simple way to line the aisle.

Steve changed into Converse sneakers after the ceremony.

I tucked the escort cards into the blades of grass.

The cake was a real show stopper. We delayed cutting it until later in the evening so as to leave the cake on display. The custom cake toppers are from Goose Grease on Etsy.

Laura and Steve got creative when it came to table tents as well. Each card featured the bride and groom from their cake topper with different items that are reflective of the couple. Photos included Scrabble pieces, Wii controlers, cooking and baking utensils, and books. Their dog, Charlie, was kind enough to model for this one.

The couple purchased bags of granola as favors and packaged them in these muslin bags.

A donation was made to Blue Sky Bakery.

The accordion menus sat at each place setting. They included a thank you note to the guests.

I really enjoyed working with you both. Laura, I am excited to work with you as fellow coordinators as well!

Laura + Steve: Let’s Get This Party Started!

April 17, 2010Leave a comment

Yesterday’s post featured photos around Oak Park. Today, let’s take a look at their reception!

All photos by: Laurie Peacock.

Making their grand entrance as husband and wife.

Laura and Steve searched high and low for their baker. Judging by their reaction here, they really loved the finished product. Tiers were made of chocolate cake with white chocolate ganache or vanilla cake with mango curd and strawberries. (I don’t always get to taste the cake at weddings, but I did have a slice of chocolate and it was delicious.)

They shared their first dance to “Red Right Ankle” by the Decemberists.

I am often pleasantly suprised at how involved guys can get at a wedding. Laura and Steve purchased two Polaroid cameras for their guest book photos and tasked the ushers with taking pictures and directing guests to sign the book. They took their job quite seriously (and took some great pictures too)!

Signing the book and checking out the DIY card box at the end of the table.

Steve gave a heartfelt toast to his new bride and all their guests.

After much deliberating, they opted not to have a head table and chose to sit with immediate family instead. This is why I love photojournalism – what a sweet photo.

I always recommend completing all formal dances, cake cutting and other such moments by the end of dinner. That way, the couple can just relax for the rest of the evening and have fun. Here’s Steve kicking off the dancing portion of the evening.

Laura looking on as some Wedding Bees dance to Thriller.

The party is officially in full swing when the bride hits the dance floor!

The last post will highlight some of the fabulous details.

Laura + Steve: Adventures in Oak Park

April 14, 2010Leave a comment

Yesterday, I introduced Laura and Steve. Here is the next round of photos from Oak Park.

All photos by: Laurie Peacock.

The couple took photos around Oak Park with their bridal party. Here are some pretty shots in the park…

…and some pretty fun shots in some unconventional spots!

Can’t you just hear the boys saying, “Ewww, gross!”

How adorable are these shoes? In just the perfect shade of green!

So pretty, as the sun is setting…

Tomorrow, I’ll post about their reception.

Introducing Laura! (and Steve too)

April 13, 2010Leave a comment

Turns out the wedding world is quite small, after all! Laura, our newest Honey Bee coordinator, was one of my brides last September.

I met with Laura and Steve about eight months before their wedding. At the time, Laura was working in events for a not-for-profit organization. She later became a blogger for the Wedding Bee (aka Mrs. Stilleto), a popular resource that I myself used as a bride. Steve is an up and coming wedding photographer in Chicago who is already gaining quite the following. You can see some of his work here.

On the day of their final walk through, Laura told me that she was interested in possibly joining Honey Bee as a coordinator. She mentioned that she may watch me on the wedding day to get a sense for the role, and I told her that she must absolutely be nothing but a bride on her big day! (Sometimes we coordinators have to be firm…I hope my brides thank me for this 🙂

Laura was very interested in DIY projects and really thought through all the details. These types of personal, meaningful touches are really what makes weddings special and memorable.

Cake: The Sugar Syndicate
Caterer: TwoMayToz Catering
Ceremony: Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, Oak Park
DJ: First Class Weddings
Florist: fleurLily Chic
Hair + Makeup: Morgan Blaul
Photographer: Laurie Peacock
Reception: 19th Century Club
Room Block: Carleton Hotel
Transportation: Deja Vu Limos

The girls gush over Laura’s look.

Laura loved her hair. I did, too!

Making their way down to the limo.

Going to the chapel! She looks so excited.

The guys took some rather interesting shots before heading to church.

Fortunately, no one was hurt (or tore their suit) right before the ceremony!

Laura and Steve met in a garden outside the church for a private moment. Though they had deliberated for a while whether to meet before the ceremony, they were happy to see each other before the whirlwind day officially began.