Tag: heat embossing

Abby + Scott: School of the Art Institute Reception

Leave a comment

Yesterday, I blogged about Abby and Scott getting ready photos and their Catholic ceremony.  Today’s post is going to feature their gorgeous reception.


All Photos By: Life on Prints

The gorgeous invitation suite by Courtney Callahan.

The ballroom is located right on Michigan Avenue.  It’s a beautiful building!

The couple, who are fairly traditional, opted for tall red rose centerpieces with touches of greenery in mercury glass vessels.


The cake, designed by Amy Beck, created an amazing sphere cake with touches of red and black.


Abby DIYed the escort cards by heat embossing the stamp on the left.


Another view of the room with the black linens and chivari chairs.

The cake knife was used by two other couples – it has been passed down within the family. Isn’t that sweet?

Abby and Scott during the first dance.


I love the dance floor at the School of the Art Institute ballroom!


Mazel Tov!  The bride, who is part Jewish, couldn’t imagine skipping Hava Nagila!



Thank you for having me apart of your wedding day!

Sam and Kyle: Reception

Leave a comment
Part 3:  Ceremony and Cocktails

Kyle and I had the best night of our lives.  We were so thrilled to see our guests enjoying themselves. It was surreal seeing all my hard work fall in to place. I definitely had my dream wedding!





All photos by Steve Koo Photography.



As the guests entered the reception, they picked up their escort card. I embossed 3 white snow flakes and then my mom wrote the names of each guests in black.


Our gift table was also where we put the wine guest book. We decided to display the Merci sign during the reception. I thought it was perfect for the table.




I previously blogged about these lovely cake pops that were our favors. I can’t thank my mom enough for making all 150 in one day. They were a hit!





Using the same silver paper, I made menu cards for each place setting. We also decided to bring in silver linen. At first, I didn’t think it was necessary but I am SO thankful I spent the money. It made such a difference in the decor.




I previously blogged about the table numbers which were cities we’ve visited together. I decided on the silver stands which I think went great with the linen.


We were so happy the way our cake turned out!





Now it was finally time to enjoy the party. This is one of my favorite wedding photos! We were so excited!





The guests were clinging glasses all night.








My sister’s toast was the best that I have ever heard. A small part of it was about gifts Kyle has given me in our relationship. Unfortunately, when we were in high school, I thought this blanket was a good idea. I was shocked when my sister brought it out.  Our guests thought it was hilarious!





She was an amazing MOH.


I had to post this picture because of our expressions. Right before we were about to cut it Kyle told me he was going to smoosh it all over my face. Clearly, I didn’t like that idea and was telling him be better not. I’m glad he listed to me!









The first dance was one of the only moments where I felt like Kyle and I were the only ones in the room.



My dad and I dancing to Forever Young by Rod Stewart.



Then, it was Kyle and his mom’s turn.



Finally, after a great meal it was time to dance. We had such a great time dancing the night away!



Kyle hugging it out with his best friend/groomsmen. This picture makes me laugh every time!



The end of the night quickly came but this picture sums everything up for me. Kyle and I together surrounded by our friends and family.




We had the perfect day!

Sam and Kyle: Ceremony and Cocktails

Leave a comment
Part 1: Getting Ready!
Part 2: First Look and City Photos


After the bridal party finished taking photos throughout the city, we went to Spiaggia and started our family formals. It was so much fun walking into Spiaggia and seeing everyone hard at work making my vision come to life!

All photos taken by Steve Koo Photography.

 Kyle and me with his family.


Kyle and me with my family.


I made these tissue pouches for every other chair at the ceremony. I picked up the paper and labels at Papersource and saw the design in a Martha Stewart wedding magazine.

My programs ended up being one of my favorites wedding item, which is ironic because prior to my engagement, I was not a paper person. That embossed whimsical silver wreath is gorgeous!

This is right before we walked down the aisle. I was so excited and ready!

Here are the moms lighting the first candles of the unity candle right after they walked down the aisle.

One last poof of the veil before I walk down. I have to say walking down the aisle was overwhelming.  Right before we were about to begin, I made my dad stop because the song that I obsessed over wasn’t at the exact moment. This was one of the few times the planner in me came out.

This picture perfectly captures the moment of my dad giving me away.

Steve did a great job of not only taking photos of our emotions but also the guests. This is Kyle’s grandmother who usually is not a crier…


…and my parents taking it all in.



A great room shot. I was obsessed with my baby’s breath centerpieces which lined the aisle during the ceremony.


Kyle and I lighting the unity candle to Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath.



The most romantic kiss!

This was right after the kiss. I had to post it because I love the lighting and the expression on our faces.

We are finally Mr. and Mrs. Roemer!

Right after the ceremony Kyle and I snuck into a room just the two of us. This is us walking there and me looking at him saying, “We did it!”


Our bridal party after the ceremony. They were happy to make it through, too!


Our guests enjoying the live Irish Music during the cocktail hour.
Steve got some great family pictures and this is one of them with my two aunts and great aunt!


Kyle and I joined our guests for the cocktail hour. I am so glad we did participated instead of taking photos. We were both able to visit with so many guests during this time.

Then right before the cocktail hour ended, Kyle and I took a quick look at the reception room.  It was another one of my favorite moments!

Next, I will finish with one last post about my reception!

Original Invitations, Part I

3 Comments
I have two brides that are planning some amazingly unique weddings. Don’t get me wrong; I adore every wedding. However, after seeing many many white weddings, it is nice when someone decides to buck tradition and go their own way.

Take One…

Martha + Julio are getting married this August. Their invitations follow the golden rule that invitations are the first taste of a wedding. Using cardstock from Joann Fabrics and envelopes from M Staples and My Gatsby, the invitations were made by matting paper and a heat embossed stamp.
Inner Envelope
Invitation

Skeletons? Absolutely! Their wedding is inspired by their mutual love of the Day of the Dead. As someone with a major inanthropology, I literally jumped up and down when they told me about their plans. If you have never heard of the holiday, click here for the 411. Are you excited for this Real Wedding post?

DIY: Heat Embossing

2 Comments
I heard about heat embossing through various forms of wedding media.  This is the type of DIY task that I could handle! I made a trip to Stamp On In in Lincoln Park and bought my supplies:

  • heat gun


  • embossing powder


  • ink pad


  • stamps


The manager was kind enough to show me how to heat emboss. My husband and I practiced later that week. It really is pretty simple.


  1. Wet your stamp with the ink pad.
  2. Stamp the item.
  3. Pour embossing powder over the item.
  4. Shake off excess powder.
  5. Apply heat from heat gun to powder.
  6. Admire your crafty self!

My first adventure in embossing was our candy buffet. A bride gave me her 40 leftover white chinese boxes. I also had about some glassine envelopes that were sold along with the candy buffet. Since that wasn’t enough containers, I bought 40 petite red chinese boxes.

Heat Embossed chinese cartons
Since I did red on red, it doesn’t photograph as well but looks cool in person. 


The finished product!

M+D: Mille Grazie y Mangia!

3 Comments

After the second set of dancing, Denton and I went up to say thank you to all of our guests.  It meant a lot for everyone to be there, especially since our guest list was 80% out of town.  I also reminded guests to pace themselves as there was an after party!

The entree, a duet of a filet mignon and crab cake, was served.   I asked the hotel to serve me two crab cakes.  Of course, I was so overwhelmed that I barely finished my first one!

My “oldest” (read longest) friend, Kim on her way back to her seat.

Everytime we sat down for another course, there was much to be discussed!

As I mentioned in my previous post, we had the candy buffet set out since the beginning of the evening.  By the time dinner came along, everyone had already raided it at least once.  


We had three different types of candy containers: glassine bags, small red chinese  to go containers, and large white chinese to go containers.  To make them look cohesive, we did a very easy DIY heat embossing project.