Inspired: Americana Wedding

This wedding inspiration was featured on Green Wedding Shoes in May 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning: Desiree Dawn Events | Photography: Shea Christine | Stationary: Make Merry! | Makeup: InStyle Makeovers | Catering: My Life As a Mrs. | Florals: Gerilyn Gianna | plus lots of antiques, etsy items, & salvaged goods

Red, White, and Blue were the colors of the day for Leta and Jordan. We gathered vintaged airmail envelopes and grandmothers doilies for this Memorial Day styled shoot. Modern and refurbished tables were accented by shiney silver platters and antique blue china. Chambray denim casually wrapped the groom and the brides bouquet while dupioni silk was complimented with ranunculus, anemonies, thistle, and daisies. Our menu included corn fritters with honey mustard glaze, blue cheese sliders, watermelon and feta skewers, and mini blackberry pecan pies. Thirsts were quenched with raspberry spritzers and strawberry shortcake martinis. The location was dockside on Palm Beach at a private residence.

Inspiration Boards 101

Most of you have heard of inspiration boards and perhaps even the awesome site called Pinterest {and invitation only mega site for "pinning" pictures you find on websites onto one easy to find site}. Inspiration boards are a great resource for couples who are trying to rally in all of their ideas for their wedding (or new home kitchen, meal plans, vacation itinerary, etc.). Sites like Brides & The Knot deliver trends to the masses and gorgeous blogs like Snippet and Ink & Southern Weddings share unique ideas with tips on how to make those images come to life.

In short: Inspiration Boards can place the whole feel & vibe of your dream wedding onto one convenient page that you can share with all your vendors. This is the reason that DDE couples receive a lovely inspiration board from yours truly.

Well then, what's so special about Desiree Dawn Events Inspiration Boards?

1. Customized for you.
2. Subjective & Objective matter that's within your budget.
3. Seasonal & Local.

These are not generic boards that 100's of brides will be re-pinning and re-posting ~ they were made with a specific couple in mind, to project a specific emotion that is described by that couple. They are made for you.

In order to keep details hush-hush from my couples' guests, I've decided to only post boards from wedding dates gone past. And because I am so anxious to post some - I am doing so...right now! :)

Larissa + Eric

12.18.11

Rockledge & Indian Harbour Beach, FL

an excerpt from my follow-up email after our design meeting: So all that said, I feel like your likes and interests in daily life really associate well with your wedding ideas. You have an admiration for the tropics but also appreciate the sophistication of city life & enjoy the occasional preppy ski trip!!! perfectly combined in a Chic Florida Winter wedding: lots of whites, details of sparkle, and some very soft and understated pinks (very soft, Larissa!). I think it will really turn out lovely.

Black & White Gala Wedding

The Black & White Gala is something that I was inspired to do because of NYC - Sinatra, modern but classic, formal but not stuffy and definitely festive. The black and white flowers are called Anemones, aren't they just gorgeous? They bloom in the winter along with tulips. I would do lots of up lighting - see the soft amber/rosy colors on the walls? And the white tuxedo jacket - saw Eric wearing one on FB at some point and I thought, maybe he could wear black at the ceremony and have a 'party jacket' to change into? hey, if brides can have a reception dress, why can't grooms!?

Pink Champagne Fete



The Pink Champagne Fete was completely inspired by Larissa'a gown & the bridesmaid's gown - Eric, I wish I could show you! Light fabrics, soft pinks and pale golds - a little french, oui? Perhaps a little shabby chic, even! This would be a great selection, especially if the event is earlier in the day, with lots of sparkling wine, savory eats and sweet endings. I'd offer benches on the lawn for seating and create separate rooms with drapery to go along with the gala-feel. Floral decor could be simple; multiple varieties of single blooms in clear vases, staggered in height and countered by overly luscious bouquets.

 Burlap & Bling Soiree

The Burlap & Bling Soiree was a combination of your time in the islands and your lust for all that glitters is gold...understated, tropical, calming. I can definitely hear the calypso beats in the background. All of the white candles have bling accessories, even the simple chandelier was given some jewels! The light burlap adds some natural elements and the mercury glass ties in the gorgeous bridesmaid's gown. This is a great combo of how white, gold & silver can work together. Baby's breath is normally used as a filler flower, however, when it's bunched all together it creates a snow-like cloud - homage to your ski trips, engagement and nod to the winter season. Most of the lighting would be candlelight but we could add some string lights if need be, too. And I love the idea of using the poolside or lawn for outdoor seating.

I cannot wait to show you images from this wedding so you can see how we take these boards and make them come to life!

{several images humbly borrowed from Elizabeth Anne Designs, theknot.com, & renttherunway.com}

Cabo Fiesta Inspiration

Are you ready for some color?

The ladies over at Southern Weddings were definitely ready for loads of color when they featured this South Florida Wedding Inspiration photo shoot in August - love them!

Here is more from this photo shoot with Chelsey Boatwright & Millie V's, Inc.

La Vida de Amor!

This couple was so fun to work with as were the ladies that put this photo shoot together, with me! I love doing styled shoots - if you have an idea or would like to model for one - let me know!

Have an amazing week! xoxo

A Lemony Inspiration Shoot

It was the week before summer officially started, but in South Florida, we're lucky enough to have summer weather 10 months out of the year. That said, Florida is the perfect destination wedding spot and you have the luxury of choosing just about any month of the year to recite those meaningful vows to your sweetheart.

Summertime not only means warmer (okay, hotter) weather and beach days, but it also means that fruits are juicier and drinks are colder. There is nothing I love more on a blistering hot day that a freezing cold glass of fresh and tangy lemonade.

I love how with just one sip you can instantly remember the nostalgia of childhood summers - tire swinging into the creek, building forts in the woods, bouncing on the trampoline for hours, and, of course, selling lemonade! There is nothing like it. Why not bring some of that same nostalgia to your guests at your wedding? You can include photos of your summertime adventures together or of yourselves as children selling lemonade in your front yard. What a treat!

Living in Florida gives us many fruitful blessings, literally. We grow some of the country’s best strawberries and blueberries in Plant City and we have countless groves and orchards all across the state. All of this local fresh assortment of fruit gives us the luxury of having some of the most delicious jams and jellies around. Georgia might have peach preserves and North Carolina may provide blackberry jam - but this I can assure you, no other state can come close to matching up with our strawberry jams and orange marmalades! We dare y'all to try! And nothing beats a warm biscuit to taste all that goodness on, mmm! I suggest making Paula's recipe and trying 3 jams at a time - or more! Serve these as a late night treat as your guests depart or as a post-wedding day breakfast item to bid farewell to your loved ones.

It was a great pleasure to work with Chelsey on this Lemony Inspiration Shoot - there's not many of us original Floridians around anymore.  Her creative eye captured all the colors, even the smells, of this shoot! The combination of lemon yellow and berry reds n’ blues truly cry out “Summer”! Don’t ya think?

So if you're planning on a South Florida wedding - whether you're a native or not - why not have 2 Florida Girls show you the ropes of this easy, breezy state and watch as your wedding day becomes an endless summer memory!