Inspiration: Woodland Goodness

We loved putting together our woodland goodness photo shoot and are excited to share a sneak peek! It was featured on Wedding Chicks earlier this year, so we'll be posted full images and details soon!

Photos from Llanes Weddings

Valley & Co. Tips: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

We often say this to our couples when we get the planning ball rolling: don't sweat the small stuff. Wedding planning should be fun and a process you both contribute to, but don't let it over-consume you. Remember why you are getting married, what you stand for, and what your marriage is going to represent. Don't get swept up too much in the details. Have fun. Enjoy the process together. Following these tips will make for the start of a wonderful marriage!

Image from our styled photo shoot on Crystal Pier with Llanes Weddings

Inspiration: Cranberries

Last week we brought you a charming simple inspiration post using some unexpected fall colors: blackberry, eggplant, violet. Today's inspiration is tried and true warm fall inspiration: cranberries. Cranberries are such a cozy element that can be used in décor itself or as a springboard for your color palette.

For a clients fall wedding we did just this: utilizing cranberries floating in crystal clear water ensconced in green curly willow, the ambiance on each table was a bit whimsical and perfect for fall, while not kitschy or themey. The bride's bouquet mimicked the cranberry colors while standing out on its own.

Photo from Kate McElwee

Would you consider using cranberries or the color cranberry in your celebration?

Monday Coffee: Three Simple Guest List Tips

Our Monday Coffee series is back! Today we offer up three simple tips to consider when creating and maintaining your guest list.

1. Nick's #1 tip he tells our clients in regards to who to invite and who to not invite: if you would not take this person {or their extra guests} to a minimum $150 dinner or invite them to your home for a visit, do not invite them to your wedding. It's that simple, especially if you're on a limited budget or have limited space for your event. Each guest in attendance {when you consider beverages, entrées, vendors, place settings, etc.} can easily run up to thousands of dollars each. Furthermore, you want your wedding or event to be a celebration with your nearest and dearest, not strangers.

2. Do not assume or insist that guests you are inviting will not show up and invite them anyway. We recently had this happen to clients with a guest living overseas. They were certain she wouldn't make it but it turns out she'll be in town with a guest in tow. If you make this assumption too many times, you could be unpleasantly surprised and run out of space! Instead, send out an announcement after your wedding.

3. Follow up, follow up, follow up. Give your guests a due date several weeks before your big day to respond by. More often than not there will be many guests who, despite providing a self-addressed and stamped response card and envelope, will simply not respond. You need time to follow up with them, make any adjustments, seating charts, and time to relay this to your caterer and other vendors.

While creating a guest list is a calculating process and we could chat about tips for hours, these tips are key tips to consider when getting started and maintaining.

*For clients Jennifer and Steve's invitation suite, we requested responses four weeks prior to the big day to allow for ample follow-up time.

Photo from Llanes Weddings

 

Sunday Simplicity: Cherry & Plum Crumbles

Today's Sunday Simplicity post is inspired by the best of fresh fruit and marks the turn of summer into crisp fall: cherry and plum crumbles with goat cheese ice cream. Delicious!

Image from Tartelette: click here for the recipe and enjoy!

Simple Fall Inspiration: Blackberry, Violet & Eggplant

Today's simple inspiration consists of dark, dreamy colors like blackberry, violet, and eggplant. The perfect palette for a dramatic fall event, these colors can be punched up by accenting your place settings with rich menus calligraphed in white ink, stacking plums or eggplants in tall, cylindrical vases, or anchoring your tables with deep walnut chairs.

Calligraphy; Eggplants; Wine

...And who wouldn't want to sit and read all afternoon under a cozy blanket on a chilly fall day in this lovely room? The violet wall and mustard accents make for a charming space.

Room Image via Gaita Interiors

What do you think of these colors?

Inspiration: Pure & Simple

When we spied this ultra-charming Savannah ceremony we just had to share. It was featured on Style Me Pretty and was shot by fellow Little Black Book Member Allison Reisz. We absolutely love the simplicity of the details, though if you look closely the ceremony is brimming with them. The difference is the ethereal palette; by utilizing an abundance of shades of white, the setting is clean and utterly breathtaking.

Photo from Allison Reisz via Style Me Pretty 

Do you like monochromatic details?



Real Wedding: Timeless Elegance in Sundance

Rex and Brittany's end-of-summer wedding at the Sundance Resort is timeless and oh-so beautiful. The natural setting is quite stunning and the lovely details are sweet and subtle; they come together to create a perfect wedding. How beautiful is their color palette?

There's really nothing more perfect than live music played during a ceremony, don't you think? We had a harpist and a violinist play during ours and it couldn't have sounded more lovely!

Okay, this ring bearer takes his duties very seriously!

We love this entrance; it's so moving!

The abundance of glowing lanterns lends such a romantic ambiance in this rustic setting.

Even the cake is picture-perfect. It's as if an artist painted the soft rose cluster cascading down the side.

What is your favorite element of this Sundance celebration?

Photographer: Brody Dezember Photography
Venue: Sundance Resort

What Fun: Crepes & Doughnuts!

It's always so much fun when late-night snacks come out at our clients' events. From taco trucks to gourmet hot dog stands, guests always get a kick out of the midnight snack that rolls up on a truck or is brought out on silver trays when dancing is in full swing. Even at black tie affairs, there's something so nostalgic about powdered doughtnuts or other fun treats!

Why not bring in a doughnut truck that will serve up delicious treats on the spot?

Image 1; Image 2

 We spotted these charmingly fun bags on Style Me Pretty, complete with a printable from Twig & Thistle. Provide your doughnut baker with these bags to give the delectable treats a personalized effect.

Image via Style Me Pretty from Twig & Thistle

Crêpes are one of our favorite foods and make for the perfect fun addition to an event. What's great about having them made piping hot on-site is that they can be created in a variety of ways. Whether your guests opt for sweet dessert crêpes or you envision a late-night savory crêpes menu, this is sure to be a huge hit! Guests can order as they like and request a variety of toppings.

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 Crêpes also make for a delicious addition to a post-event brunch.

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What's great about both of these choices is that they're quick to cook up and easy to eat while standing. At a large event the last thing you want is for your guests to stand in a long line or serve them something that you have to sit down to eat, especially when you want them kicking up their heels! Guests can nosh on doughnuts right out of the bag and to-go crêpes can be wrapped in paper for easy eating.

  Would you consider having late-night snacks at your event?

Sunday Simplicity: Brie & Chocolate Panini

This is really one of the best ways to eat a panini! Brie + chocolate chips + a great bread = perfection! We made this a while back and it's so sweet and savory; a must bake fall treat! If you're entertaining a football crowd today, bake up a handful of these and cut each panini into 1" squares. Serve up on a platter so everyone can enjoy the bites like dessert!

Photo from Food Network: click here for the recipe from Giada De Laurentiis

Real Wedding: Chic Chicago Nuptials

We are in love with Arica and Jamal's wedding at the Elysian in Chicago! The stunning design, the vibrant color palette, and the overall ambiance is just too chic! 

How classic is this venue? It's elegant, sharp, and just so charming!

While Arica and Jamal tied the knot in June, their vibrant palette of plum, lavender, and eggplant with hints of vibrant green would be so lovely for a fall wedding, no?

How sharp do these guys look? Their heather gray suits are so stylish! Donning a sharp suit is such a great way for a groom to set the tone for a fashionable fête while keeping it comfortable.

   

What was your favorite element of this chic Chicago bash?

Photography: Misha Nikole www.mishanikole.com
Design: Kehoe Designs
Venue: Elysian Chicago