Glowing Ambiance: Outdoor Entertaining

What's better than warm summer nights spent out in the garden or on the patio with friends laughing and enjoying each other's company? Not much! We wanted to bring some inspiration to your summer entertaining with these gorgeous collections of glowing light that will  let you sit outside and visit for hours.

For an outdoor summer wedding, string sparkling chandeliers from trees to add a whimsical and elegant touch. These chandeliers are gorgeous, but think outside the box just a bit: string single, smaller chandeliers across the perimeter of a wooded area to give a constant glow.

Mason jars are perhaps the simplest way to give a magical glow to an outdoor space. They're inexpensive and can be filled with sand, beach glass, or nothing, and lend such a charming glow.

What's your favorite way to bring ambiance to your outdoor space?


Photo #1 via Apartment Therapy, #2 from Sarah Kaye, #3 via The Knot, #4 via A Paper Trail, #5 from Real Simple, #6 via Paper Taste Buds

Real Wedding: A Sweet Seersucker-Infused Wedding

Last week we were totally thrilled to show off that fabulous coastal-themed wedding from Whitebox Weddings. Well, we're so happy to kick off our brand-spanking new real wedding features with another sweet + creative wedding from the lovely ladies at Whitebox Weddings. Enter Brenda and Jeff's 2009 Southern wedding, complete with dapper seersucker suits, a beautiful ceremony setting, and a sparkling farewell. How lovely!

How great are their poster-sized invitations? So awesome!

Brenda's happiness is so evident in this image. Beautiful!

These portraits make for such an intricate and breathtaking backdrop.

Speaking of suckers, we will never grow tired of seeing farewells as fun as this one. If you don't know by now, we're suckers for any and all fun wedding details and this au revoir  gathering fits the bill!

Valley & Co. Planning Tips: Being a Gracious Host

Today we bring your the last of our Top 5 Tips {as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog} for showing your guests a smashing summer wedding experience {think comfort, fun activities, and great food!}. This next tip might seem like a no-brainer but we're surprised that many of our clients don't think of these items!

5. Be thoughtful. Place paper parasols and bamboo fans around your ceremony site for guests to use during the ceremony. If your venue is on the ocean or lakefront or an area where it gets cool at night, provide charming crates filled with shawls or blankets for guests. In addition, don't forget the heat lamps!

*Parasols from Bliss Wedding Market

Ah...Paris!

As you might have noticed, Valley & Co. has a beautiful, brand-spanking new look! Inspired in part by our love of Paris {and anything French, for that matter - hence our South of France-inspired stripes!}, plus a dash of classic coastal imagination and, most importantly, our fun demeanor, we hope you enjoy the new blog! 

Please drop us a line and let us know what you think! We value your thoughts and want to hear from you! Stay tuned this week for some totally outstanding real weddings and inspiration!

*Gorgeous Parisian couple from Brides.com

Valley & Co. Planning Tips: Being a Gracious Host

We are rounding the corner on our Top 5 Tips for being a gracious summer wedding host! When writing this article, we were thoughtful to give you our top tips on how to easily provide guests with a comfortable and fun wedding experience! We're so happy with the feedback we've gotten on our Top 3 Tips {as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog}- let us know what you're doing for your wedding or special event menu!

4. Think outside the box. Plan a menu that takes guests somewhere unexpected. Nix a more traditional and heavy plated dinner or buffet and create a mouthwatering menu featuring local fresh seafood, summer salads, and lighter fare. Be sure to provide an abundance of stations and food so as to not skimp on food. 

*Last night we were at clients John + Cat's San Diego wedding where there they did just this: they hosted four different stations featuring delicious salads, salmon, prime rib, gourmet pasta, and delicious cheeses and fruits. It was a huge hit!

*Photo from Dessert Comes First

Real Wedding: Something Blue from Whitebox Weddings

Happy Friday! We are so excited to bring you Sara + John's over-the-top-filled-with-goodness Wilmington, North Carolina wedding from Whitebox Weddings. What we love is that each and every detail is just so thoughtful. This is what weddings are all about --- a happy, happy bride and groom and reflections of the couple incorporated throughout.

Aren't these images absolutely timeless? So beautiful!

Details, details! We love all of these details!

How cute are these kids? Everything is so lovely. From the Scrabble table numbers to the custom Crossword games, the lovely color palette, and the overall Southern charm of this wedding, it's perfect! A big thank you to Whitebox Weddings for sharing! We love it!

Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Valley & Co. Planning Tips: Being a Gracious Host {cont'd}

Today we bring you our Tip #3 of 5 {as seen on our guest post on Brenda's Wedding Blog} to ensure you create a comfortable and memorable wedding experience for you and your guests.

3. Keep cool. We so often hear clients say that as the weather is expected to be hot for their wedding they don't need to worry about providing tents as a back-up plan to rain. On the contrary, we strongly recommend having a tented or shaded area with guest seating {this can either be lounge seating or dining tables, or a combination of both}. Offer guests an area to retreat from the sun and direct heat. Cheers! Aleah + Nick

*Photo from Zephyr Tents

Pure + Simple: A Charming Brunch from Sunday Suppers and Karen Mordechai

There is something to be said for effortless entertaining. Simple vases filled with monochromatic flowers, a scrumptious, yet easy menu, and a setting that's warm and pure makes for a welcoming celebration. We spotted this brunch setting over at Sunday Suppers and wanted to share {how delicious does the egg and prosciutto crisp look?}. What great inspiration for pre- or post-wedding events or even your wedding reception itself. Which of these elements could you see using in your own celebration?

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

*Photos from Karen Mordechai and Sunday Suppers

Valley & Co. Planning Tips: Being a Gracious Host {cont'd}

Today we bring you our Tip #2 of 5 {as seen on our guest post on Brenda's Wedding Blog} to ensure you create a comfortable and....drumroll, please...fun summer wedding celebration for you and your guests! Enjoy!

2. Have fun! Arrange for lawn games that guests can play during the day. Croquet, bocci ball, and other easy-to-play games make for an enjoyable environment. Bring out apres-dinner ice cream or gelato stations as a tasty treat and a cool-off for your guests.

Stay tuned for more tips! Aleah + Nick

*Photo from Whitebox Weddings

Valley & Co. Planning Tips: Being a Gracious Host

Summer has arrived and the 4th of July is right around the corner! It's officially time for warm summer celebrations, wedding events, and spending time with loved ones. We are excited to lend you our Top 5 Tips {as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog} to help you treat your guests to a memorable and comfortable summer wedding celebration. Here is Tip #1 of 5 {and this goes for all events}:


1. Offer guests numerous drink stations during the festivities. Don't let them go thirsty pre-ceremony. Let them self-serve tasty cucumber or citrus-infused ice water. Provide pitchers of lemonade and set out fun accoutrements like rosemary and raspberries guests can add to their drinks. Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

*Photo from Epicurious

Enchanting Wedding Details from Stacy Able, Part Three

We're so thrilled that you all loved the first two peeks into Desiree and Brian's totally enchanting wedding in Brown County, Indiana. We were really drawn to this wedding as it's refreshing, not overstyled in any sense, and is all about this couple and their love. It's effortlessly beautiful + chic and just lovely! Thank you again to Stacy Able, the talented photographer, for sharing this intimate wedding with us!

View our two prior posts for more beautiful photos and vendor information.

Cheers! Aleah + Nick