INSPIRATION FILE // CHURCH BASEMENT WEDDING REDUX

This post started out as a year in review type post. I did a lot of interesting jobs and projects last year and wasn't the best about blogging them. The first work I chose to look at was this photo shoot revisiting the church basement reception popularized in the 1950's and 1960's. This shoot was originally produced for Hearten, the online magazine of the Independent Wedding Association.

I couldn't boil down my work on Hearten or this shoot to a couple images so I'm turning it into an Inspiration File post. There are just too many good ideas that would make for a quaint and personal wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. I adore this invitation suite and though it was created for this shoot, I am just dying for a couple to love it and have it for their wedding. I have highlighted my stationery work for this post, but go and see Hearten for the full spread with more great ideas from this and other shoots.

Credits:

Stationery: Armato Design & Press

Food: Chow Girls Killer Catering

Pie on a stick: Cocoa & Fig

Flowers: Ashley Fox Designs

Apron: Roycraft

Photography: Becca Dilley Photography, Sarah McGee Photography

Alternative Guest Book Ideas

{guests fill out what their recipe for love is and leave a note for the bride and groom}

Recipe Card Favors

Invitation Suite

Guest Book Cards, Recipe Card Favors and Food Tags

Alternative Layout for the Cover of the Hearten Spread

Church Basement Buffet

Minnesota Shaped Pie-on-a-Stick

Floral Centerpiece

SHOP // GARNISH

OH MY GOD! How did I just learn about Garnish? I was just paging through the newest issue of Sweet Paul {another "OMG! how did I just learn about..." moment. It seems I've been having a lot of those lately} and saw an ad for Garnish. Oh, it's so nice to have a place to go to for simple but unique {not to mention customizable: Letterpress labels and/or tags anyone?} packaging options. A cupcake in a mini-coffee-to-go-cup? Sold! Lovely wooden spoons for a lovely paper cup full of gelato? Sign me up! Wedding favors that look so cute your guests won't want to open them? Done, done and DONE!

Ok, now I have to get to planning my next gathering so I can order from Garnish. I can't believe I've gone this long without them.

SHOP // MERINGUE RINGS {REAL & NOT-SO-REAL}

When I saw this post on Poppytalk I got so excited because I thought is was just a sweetly distinctive idea for a favor at a wedding. Meringue rings! Why had no one thought of this before? They would look stunning either on a place setting or on a long table, glorious in their white repetition. And then I actually read the post and found out that these are silicone and really are rings to be worn on a finger, not gluttonously devoured at first site. I will admit my mild disappointment, but then I realized that there are lots of great bakeries out there that could make the real thing for you and your lovely wedding {or maybe you're just that talented and could pull it off yourself}. What great inspiration for wedding favors. Now get on the phone, find out what local bakery will do them for you and report back. :)

The rings themselves are from German designer Tanja Hartmann and are available here.

INSPIRATION FILE // FALL LEAF ROSES

Love this for a fall wedding. Great for your bouquet, boutineers, centerpieces, favors, your hair. There are really so many uses for something like this. Find the directions at iDIY.

SHOP // FRENCH MACARONS

Just try to find a good Parisian macaron state-side. Try it, I dare you. Of course I'm writing as a mid-westerner. You would have no problem in San Francisco or New York, I'm sure. But here in Minnesota they don't seem to carry the same mystique as in Paris. Maybe that's ok. Maybe there are certain things you should only have while you're in Paris. I'm not ready to say that about the macaron just yet. Thank goodness for on-line ordering. The above photo is from Paulette of Beverly Hills. Gorgeous, no? They will ship next day air so you get them nice and fresh. And wonderful for a colorful favor spread. Or how about these from L'Epicerie, if you want to create your own packaging.

These two beautiful photos {here and here} are from a blog I just discovered, La Tartine Gourmande. This is a blog from food stylist, Béatrice Peltre. Her work is gorgeous. Great for inspiration of all kinds. The top photo are macarons from Pierre Hermé, the bottom are from Lauderée. Both only available in Paris, *sniff*.

Ok, time to drown my no Paris, no macaron sorrows in another cup of coffee. Who knows, maybe my husband will read this and think what a great substite for a birthday cake macarons would be. Here's to hoping!