"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future."

-Gail Lumet Buckley

Weddings are all about family.




Whether you define family as the people blood related to you, the people you were raised with or the people you choose to surround yourself with on a daily basis, a wedding brings families together and celebrate the beginning of a new one.

The holidays have the idea of family swirling around my head. With travel plans, holidays meals and shopping making me nuts, I have to remind myself that this season is all about family and bringing everyone together....just like a big family wedding does.

So when I sat down to think about some great personal touches that were in the weddings of this past year, I couldn't get the idea family out of my head. And I immediately thought of these two: Deanna and Jon.

They were so much fun to work with!

What bride do you know wears a yellow lace wedding dress??? This one! Deanna found hers on eBay for $3 and had a family friend rework the design to fit her better. It was unique and beautiful.

The day was all about love. It was a big group for Valley Green and a true testament to the love everyone had for Deanna and Jon--only 10 people RSVP'd NO! Their families played a big part in getting them to and through the day. So, they paid special attention to acknowledging that. Here are some of their great ideas for recognizing the importance of family on a wedding day:

The guest book was set up with wedding photos from their parents and grandparents.

It was great to see the photos of these couples and then be able to pick them out as I walked around the reception! On the left, is a lace covered heirloom bible that matched the lace in the dress and in some of the decor.

They made sure to give thanks to everyone who attended with the handmade thank you sign. Something as simple as a paper doilies, some twine and a few clothes pins can go a long way...

When guests entered the front door, there was a cork board with photos of Deanna and Jon and a note: to please leaf a stamp on their family tree. Guests added their stamp and initials to the tree that Jon painted. It was a cool way to make the guest book a functional piece of art for their home!

I love the twisty branches and the big heart in the middle. It looks like the big oak tree by the creek!

 

The favors were something really special, too. Instead of edibles or trinkets (which I love--don't get me wrong), they decided to honor their guests with donations. Deanna and Jon chose causes that hold a special place in their hearts: ASPCA, NPR and Fresh Artists and created little cards for the table settings to let everyone know how they chose to recognize their guests.

Some other great details included the two little birds that decorated the top of the cake, the custom library cards with guests' names to help them find their seats and heart shaped pretzels that were put out for a late night snack. Each of the tables was numbered to make it easy for guests to find their places but they were also named...after things that belong together. Deanna and Jon were obviously seated at Table #1: Me & You! Each of the table cards was held up by cross sections of wood--easy, home made card stands that coordinated with the park setting beautifully. The bright fun flowers mirrored the colors in the paper lanterns and mason jars matched their rustic, homey decor perfectly.

Each of the table cards was held up by cross sections of wood--easy, home made card stands that coordinated with the park setting beautifully. The bright fun flowers mirrored the colors in the paper lanterns and mason jars matched their rustic, homey decor perfectly.

And don't let me forget the photo booth! Everyone had a chance to take funny photos...complete with fun hats, glasses and signs. The resulting atmosphere was fun, personal and relaxed. It was a great space for the two families to come together and have a fantastic time. All it takes is a little thought and attention to detail to turn a good party into a great one! Great job and congratulations, Deanna and Jon!

Would love to say I took 'em, but I didn't!! All photo credits belong to Nadine Rovner at Love Me Do Photography. Fantastic job!

rain drop on roses and whiskers on kittens...

My favorite thing about the weddings at Valley Green Inn is very simple: personality!

Yes, I am one of those people who gets really excited about mailer coupons at Michaels, travels religiously to IKEA to scour the marketplace for items I can use for something other than their intended purpose, and has a number of crafts in different stages of completion littering my apartment. When I was in highschool and other kids were getting awards for the Most Promising Young Teacher/Doctor/Chemist/Superstar, I was awarded the very prestigious Most Outstanding Arts and Crafts Student (it was a class, I swear!) I even got a plaque.

I should say that you can literally show up with little more than place cards and have a gorgeous day but I'm a huge advocate for personalizing a wedding day. It is supposed a celebration of a couple so giving things a little personality, flair and fun goes a long way. Sites like Etsy and WedZu are in place to help if the time or savvy to DIY are not in the cards.

And in the spirit of the holidays: These are a few of my favorite things! 

I pulled some photos of some of the coolest, original, fun, funky ideas I've had the pleasure of working with in a while and will share them over the next few weeks! Hopefully these ideas will inspire some more greatness!

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

Kristine and Jason got married on Sept 17th--finally a Saturday without rain! It was a beautiful afternoon ceremony and brunch reception. The afternoon was perfectly relaxed!


Kristine used typewriter keys throughout the decor. Each guest's place card had their first initial on a 'key' for them to take home to remember the day...to be made into a necklace, bracelet, keychain--whatever!

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

She carried the Typewriter Theme though by including his and her initials on his cufflinks and her bouquet. And of course, there was the typewriter guest book set up--sheets were set for guests to type notes to them on specialty stationary.

But my favorite: the gorgeous roses that just the right color...

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

They're FABRIC!! And she made them. Each one was made into a pin and she gave one to every lady in the party. It was so special! I wrapped a rubber band around the one she gave to me and popped it into my hair--I wear it at least once a week and think of her!! SO COOL!

Kristine Jones, springhouse.215design.com

Thanks so much to Kristine and Jason Jones for letting me share their ideas and photos!! And thanks to DebK @ PhotosbyDebK.com for her fantastic work!

A few years ago, I set up an absolutely beautiful wedding that was set to start when there were three stars in the sky....

The tiki torches were lit, the chairs were set by the creek in a semi circle and the groom waited under a home-made red chuppah as drum beats welcomed the bride and her parents. It was almost seductive.

The attention of the crowd turned to face the altar by the water's edge and the ceremony began. I started towards kitchen to alert the chef of the ceremony start and was stopped dead in my tracks--why were there flashing lights coming towards me? Why was the first ceremony that I set in the dark suddenly illuminated?

Valley Green is a small restaurant, tucked in the Wissahickon Valley section of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. We're basically in the middle of the woods on a path that was formerly used as part of the turnpike. It seemed that a fire truck was using our road as emergency access to the other side of the park. Ironically, the bride's father was a former fireman and the crowd believed that he was playing a joke on them...they had a great sense of humor and laughed about the red lights that lit the night. (I didn't know about this until much later, unfortunately!)

I'll never forget the rabbi's response to this as he began the ceremony. He turned to the bride and groom and with a smirk on his face said, "The most important thing to remember as you start your lives together is this: it's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it."

That has stuck with me in all of my planning here at Valley Green. Sometimes I use this sentiment to calm anxious brides and sometimes I have to say it to myself. How we deal with things shows a lot about who we are. Weddings are beautiful, but sometimes we have to make the most of what we're dealt. Sometimes it snows in October. Sometimes it's cold in August. Sometimes it rains. Things like these can not be expected, but should be planned for. They effect an event whether it is inside or outside (believe it or not)...though outdoor events are usually more directly effected. Being happy with the idea of rain is not typical, but being ok with it is necessary if planning an outdoor affair is desired. There really is something to be said for "planning for the worst and hoping for the best."

Most of the couples that I get the chance to work with are the sort that will put on rain boots and stomp in puddles for wedding photos if it's raining...and for that, I'm lucky.

The most important thing that I can say when choosing an outdoor venue like Valley Green: be sure that you're happy with all that can happen. Know that the focus of a wedding day is gathering with  friends and family to celebrate love, friendship and happiness--rarely are any of these things perfect. Know that my job is to lose the sleep and figure out how to make things work if unforseen things were to happen...something I've done many, many times. Being happy with all the possibilities is part of the adventure.

(photo credit: Sybil Holland Photography 2009, www.sybilholland.com)