Fall in Love with Fall
A New York City couple wanted to hold their wedding in the place where they fell in love: North Carolina. “Since their favorite season is fall, they wanted their big day to capture the essence of everything they love about this place — in a sophisticated way,” says Becca Rose, creative director and co-owner of Rebecca Rose Events. That meant steering clear of the usual décor. “Avoiding pumpkin overload was our design challenge,” Rose says. She and the bride began by choosing a color palette in lush tones of deep wine, golden amber, mossy green and several shades of orange. From there, says Rose, “we moved to a signature icon: a simple leaf that guests first saw on the letterpress save-the-dates. The leaf later appeared in fondant leaves on the wedding cake, and again when it was projected onto the tent ceiling above the dance floor. The bouquets and centerpieces were anchored with traditional fall foliage punctuated with garden roses, ranunculus, snapdragons and hypericum berries. Fruit and, yes, pumpkins and gourds were woven into the decor in any areas where food was served. The table settings sparkled with colored glass goblets and stemware and antique-gold chargers. The menu was chosen to reflect both seasonal color and local favorites: venison quesadillas, lollipop lamb chops, pumpkin soup with cinnamon crème fraiche, spiced apple cider were among the highlights. “Most of the guests had never been to North Carolina,” Rose says. “I think they went home having experienced the best of the season.” Rose’s top tip for an autumn wedding: “Find a location that has a true fall feel. If all you see is green grass the harvest effect will be lost.” Venue: Venue: WinMock at Kinderton.
Dinner was served on decorative gold plates with a foliage pattern:
Tables came alive with colored glassware and textured linens:
The floral design throughout by Rebecca Rose Events:
Fall fruits became chic escort cards:
The laser-cut place settings are by 43 Layers:
Autumnal hors d’oeuvres; pumpkins and gourds were used selectively at food stations:
Letterpress paper goods featured a textured leaf pattern:
Photo Credit: Perry Vaile
Next: Winter Wedding Ideas ►
Winter Wonder
Pulling off a successful winter wedding isn’t easy, but with the right location everything just falls into place. That’s certainly the case for the wise couple who found this private lodge in Montana. “It was perfection,” says Ashley Smith of Buzzworthy Events in San Francisco. “Guests only needed to park their car once for the weekend events, but they were anything but stuck in place. Skiing, a heated outdoor bar, snowmobiling, and taking a horseback ride to the rehearsal dinner were all on offer.” With the activities being handled by the resort, Smith and her team could focus on the smaller details. A white color scheme with just a hint of turquoise kept the focus on the landscape (and the bride!). “Everywhere you turned in the lodge you’d see warm wood and copper,” says Smith. “Bringing in the blue was a nice hint of something cheery, without detracting from the landscape.” She chose anemones and scabiosa to anchor arrangements, then scoured the property for loose branches and natural grasses to weave into the mix — even the bride’s bouquet. Gauzy-linen table coverings and crisp white place settings were an elegant counterpoint to all the rustic touches. Dinner featured a roasted beet salad with feta and grilled-to-order steak. But perhaps the culinary highpoint was the season-perfect hot chocolate bar, where guests could stir their own cup and top it with homemade marshmallows and chocolate shavings. “Guests felt pampered and taken care of throughout the evening,” says Smith. “It was a perfect winter wonder- land experience.” Smith’s top tip for a winter wedding: “Don’t feel confined to so-called winter hues: this celebration made good use of a summery turquoise.”
The awe-inspiring entrance to the Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky:
The lodge’s soaring ceiling and bold lines:
A winter-perfect view:
A mostly white color scheme lent an elegant contrast to the golden wood tones:
Vintage snow shoes and hand-calligraphed escort cards tucked into the powder:
Chocolate shavings and vanilla marshmallow squares by Kathleen DeManti at A Spoonful of Sugar Cakes:
A sleigh-ride sendoff:
Photo Credit: Britt Rene Photo
Next: Spring Wedding Ideas ►
Spring Fling
When the snow melts in Utah ski country, a new crowd takes over the mountainside — lovebirds seeking an ethereal wedding setting. “The mountains and meadows here are just breathtaking—and not just in fall and winter,” says Michelle Leo, of Michelle Leo Events in Salt Lake City. For this bride, a lower meadow with a dramatic weeping willow on the bank of a creek perfectly suited her vision of a French country wedding. Leo took full advantage of the setting. The couple exchanged vows near the giant willow under a birch arbor. After the first kiss, guests left the garden benches, which were dotted with small bunches of lavender, and strolled along the nature path to the reception area. That’s where the French cottage theme came into full play. Guests sipped on fruit-infused water and punch and nibbled on an assortment of bread, cheese and fruit (très French) and other assorted passed appetizers. Leo and her team built several cottage-style tables of different shapes and sizes, then stained them a light grey-blue. “We kept the tabletop details in neutral tones to best show off the pops of color in the flowers.” Because the surrounding meadow was already in bloom, Leo opted for simple centerpieces or garland runners at each table. Dessert was a crowd-pleasing show of several French-inspired cake styles and favors (courtesy of the bride’s sister, a cake maker): honey pear, lemon raspberry, almond, apple spice — who can stop at just one slice? Leo’s top tip for a spring wedding: “Add a touch of seasonal whimsy to your décor — a butterfly tucked into a centerpiece, baskets instead of flower vases, a crystal chandelier hung from a ceremony arch, suspended umbrellas in lieu of paper lanterns.” Reception venue: Johnson Mill.
The bouquet by Branches Event Floral (floral design throughout) befits a spring bride:
A garland table runner:
Antique boxes held a spring-like mix of blooms:
A pretty table setting:
A lattice-patterned cake by Cake-a-licious:
A dessert table features even more cakes:
The invitation suite by Polka Dots & Daisies sets the French-country theme:
Photo Credit: Alixann Loosle Photography
Next: Summer Wedding Ideas ►
Summer Fête
Bring on the heat. Bring on the fun. Guests to this Wisconsin wedding arrived at a small, rural dairy farm that had been transformed into a romantic zen playground. “We loved our bride’s relaxed, boho vibe and used it to inspire the decor and other planning details,” says Alliey Weichelt, lead event planner/CEO of Sash&Bow in Green Bay, WI. The ceremony and reception were both held in the couple’s backyard, and the 250-person guest list included some 70 children. High on the planning priority list was romantic decor with a modern edge and offering plenty of entertaining activities for all ages. Whimsical dream catchers hung from crystal chandeliers. Tables were adorned with patterned linens and an abundance of loosely arranged colorful blooms. When guests needed a respite from the 20-piece swing band, the caricature artist or the bounce houses, they could meander over to the meditation tent. More intimate mingling took place in the lounge space with comfy settees and Moroccan-inspired ottomans. On the menu, local, seasonal favors were the stars — plump berries, heirloom tomatoes, grilled asparagus and fresh mint. A favored water and lemonade station kept party-goers well hydrated. And for dessert, a scrumptious naked cake looked almost too good to eat. “I think guests were amazed at the space,” says Weichelt. “They were expecting a backyard wedding, not a party they didn’t want to leave!” Weichelt’s top tip for a summer wedding: “Don’t feel you have to stick to casual and carefree details and décor to reflect the season. Adding one or two glamorous elements (like crystal chandeliers or chic textiles) lends a layer of sophistication and can make the day feel more special.
Fresh petals and just-picked-blooms filled the ceremony space:
Wildflowers greeted guests to this rural party:
A modern lounge area:
Hanging lanterns set a romantic mood in the dining tent:
The floral design by Buds ‘n Bloom Design studio featured a mix of bright hues and blush tones:
Fresh mint and berries made their way to the table in unique ways:
A summery naked cake by the Runaway spoon:
Photo Credit: Laurie Marie Photography