Real Weddings 2012 :: Kate & Bernie 5.26.12

Kate & Bernie's wedding day was filled with loads of bright colors...perfect for an early summer wedding! Kate and I started planning nearly 2 years before their big day, which gave us plenty of time to perfect all of the details. With the help of the fabulous Mocha Rose team, the flower arrangements were stunning and definitely one-of-a-kind!

Kate & Bernie's day started off with a spa treatment for Kate and her bridesmaids right onsite at Chestnut Ridge...not a bad way to start your wedding day, huh? The girls got ready in the spa, and the guys got ready next door at the Hampton Inn. Since everything was within walking distance to Chestnut Ridge, Kate & Bernie got lucky and didn't have to rent any transportation for the day...definitely a big bonus! 

May 26th was a HOT one, but that didn't stop the bridal party from setting out onto the golf course property to snag a few photos before the ceremony began. Kate & Bernie wanted to keep things traditional, so with the help of the couple's photographer, Leeann Marie, we kept the two of them separated until it was time to say "I Do". 

Kate & Bernie tied the knot inside the Crystal Terrace room at Chestnut Ridge. It was a short and sweet ceremony officiated by Rev. Mark DeNuzzio.

Following the ceremony, guests headed over to the London Ballroom (just steps away from where the ceremony had taken place) where they enjoyed a three-course sit down meal, some photo booth fun, an amazing dessert spread, and an evening full of dancing. No detail was overlooked. Kate even treated her guests to a few extra surprises - flip flops for the ladies and a cigar bar for the guys. Oh, and I can't forget the cake - Kate & Bernie's wedding cake was probably the most talked about cake ever. Kudos to Tammy from Cakes by Tammy for designing this gorgeous cake! :)

It was an awesome night, and we couldn't be more happy for this great couple! Congratulations again, Kate & Bernie!!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings

Ceremony + Reception Venue Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort

Photographer Leeann Marie Photography

Videographer Nate Sherer Video

Floral Designer Mocha Rose Floral Designs

DJ 5th Ace Entertainment

Bakery Cakes by Tammy 

Photo Booth Photobooth Pittsburgh

Ceremony Musicians Steven Vance Strolling Violins

Officiant A Simple Vow (Rev. Mark DeNuzzio)

Rentals (Chiavari Chairs) All Occasions Party Rental

All photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

Real Weddings 2011 :: Kate & Adam 06.18.11 {Part 2}

Last week we posted Part 1 of Kate & Adam's "Kate Spade Garden Party" themed wedding. Today, we are bringing you Part 2 with more of their preppy details! Enjoy!

The dress/custom hanger. Kate's dress was handmade by her Mother. Absolutely incredible!

The invitation. Don't forget to send your photographer an invitation! 
 

Apple escort cards. Too cute!
 

The Cake.

Custom card basket.

Guestbook signage.

Guestbook/gift table. 

Centerpiece. Gorgeous!!

Place setting - custom napkin rings and menu cards. Love the preppy look!

Menu cards.

Stripey Straws. Need I say more?

Table # & centerpiece.

Tables. Love those Chiavari Chairs! 

Flip flops! Helpful tips here.

Favor Table Signage. 

Favors - Eat'n Park Smiley Cookies.

Late night bite. Mini sliders! 

Photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

Suspended Wedding Decor

One of my favorite trends in the wedding industry right now is suspended decor. I absolutely cannot get enough of it! You can hang virtually anything to match the look and feel of your wedding style. My favorite look right now is hanging decor from trees (more on that later), which works great for outdoor events. Whatever route you decide to go, proper planning is key. Be sure to discuss your wishes for hanging decor well in advance with your venue(s), and decide when these items will be hung. I recommend a test run prior to the wedding day, in order to iron out any kinks that may occur. Remember, hanging decor is not the easiest task in the world, but if you plan ahead of time, you can save yourself a great deal of time and stress in the long run.

Below are a few ideas that I hope inspire you...happy planning! 

Flower bottles.

Hanging frames. 

Chandeliers from trees. Swoon!

Vintage bird cages.

Mason jars. Oh, how I love thee!

Ribbon streamers.

Paper lanterns. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Eat Drink Chic

Photo credit # 2 :: Ruffled Blog   

Photo credit # 3 :: Everything is Better in Heels  
Photo credit # 4 :: Ruffled Blog 
Photo credit # 5 :: Green Wedding Shoes 
Photo credit # 6 :: Chiq Weddings
Photo credit # 7 ::  Wedding Bee

Budget Friendly Flower Inspiration :: Carnations

I know what you must be thinking...carnations...bleh! Carnations are unfortunately one of the flowers that get a bad wrap, and to be perfectly honest, I'm really not sure why. I'm a flower lover. There's really not an 'ugly' flower in my book. Sure, I have my favorites just like any other girl, but I actually like the ruffled look of carnations. Flowers stem from nature, and to me, nature is beautiful. Just my two cents.

Maybe the real reason why I like carnations is because carnations were my late grandmother's favorite flower. Every Friday night my grandfather would bring her home a bouquet of carnations accompanied with Chinese take-out...their usual Friday night routine. They were married 71 years. Pretty awesome, if you ask me! So today I am bringing you some carnation inspiration in her honor. Enjoy!

Photo credit # 1 :: Chelsea Fuss via Sweetest Occasion Blog

Photo credit # 2 ::  w-weddingflowers.com
Photo credit # 3 :: Martha Stewart Weddings
Photo credit # 4 :: Unknown 

Skeleton Key Wedding Inspiration

Sometimes, the most simplest of things can make for such interesting displays. Enter...the skeleton key. Little known fact: I am obsessed with skeleton keys. I've had my eye on a Tiffany skeleton key necklace for quite some time now. Hint, hint dear husband of mine ;) Anyways, the skeleton key made a quick appearance on the blog with this creative save-the-date last February, but today I wanted to share some other unique ways you can incorporate the skeleton key into your wedding. I'm sure many of you have seen the skeleton key escort card display (pictured above), but did you know you can also use them in your bouquet, guestbook, and even have skeleton key inspired stationery created? Are you incorporating the skeleton key into your wedding? If so, we want to hear all about it!  

Photo credit #1 :: Kate Headley via Ritzy Bee
Photo credit # 2 :: Diana Marie Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs  
Photo credit # 3 :: A Gray Blog 
Photo credit # 4 :: Larissa Cleveland via Style Me Pretty  
Photo credit # 5 :: Gabriel Harber Photography via Inspired Bride