Pink and Purple Wedding Photos

Whew! The first half of 'wedding season' is done. I now have a small break before I pump out the next weddings in the fall!

This wedding was a fun, modern wedding that was full of fuschia, purple, and touches of orange that I posted about here. 

 

Pink satin and purple pintuck tableclothes really transformed the room and added texture. Giant, round balloons on the head table served as the focal point and added a whimsical touch, and a combination of short and tall centerpieces added height interest to the large space. The room glowed with over 250 candles!

Stay tuned for the ice cream parlour that was at this wedding!



A Purple and Fuschia Wedding

I find Pinterest to be the easiest, most efficient tool when I am gathering inspiration photos for weddings that I decorate for. I have been designing a modern, bright, and fun wedding for months, and this weekend it is finally here! Below are a few pins from the board, 'Kelly's Wedding'.

Planning event decor is much like interior design- many of the same principles exist. For example, groups of odds are more pleasing to the eye. Different textures and layering add dimension to a space. Or that one dominate color, a secondary color, and a tad of an accent color works well.

This wedding is mostly a deep purple with strong fuschia accents and just a touch of orange. Fresh orchids, roses, carnations, and hydrangeas in the vivid colors will adorn the tables.  Touches of bling will make the space sparkle and tons of candles in various heights with add a romantic touch. My personal opinion is that you can never have too many candles or flowers!

At each event, I like to have something unique that people will leave and say 'That was so cute, I have never seen that before'. At this wedding, it will be a one of a kind old-fashioned ice cream sundae bar :)  Guests get ice cream and can top it with whatever toppings they like. A kid's dream!

Check out my Pinterest Board for other inspiration boards and sources of the above!

**Summer Drinks**

My family is coming this weekend and I'm so excited!  To be a good host, you have to have lots of drink options. In addition to the usual water, juice, beer, and lemonade, here are some fun things I am going to whip up during the week.

In my opinion, things taste better when they are served creatively! You could cut up a fast food cheeseburger and put them on a skewer for an appetizer party and I would think they are the best things in the world. So here are some fun ways to make your drinks stand out (even if it's nothing special :)  Click on 'source' for the recipe.

• Place drinks in mason jars, seal the lid, and keep in a rustic tub of ice
• Garnish with fresh mint, lemons, limes, or pieces of fresh fruit
• Freeze fruit, herbs, or edible flowers into ice cubes
• Serve drinks in huge canisters or buckets with a ladle
• Dip the rims of the glasses into colored sugar or salt
• Thread fruit of veggies on skewers and place in drink
• Serve with old-fashioned striped straws or cute umbrella straws

Super EASY Sangria

Source

 Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Source

Blackberry Margarita

Source



Fresh Melon Quenchers

Source

Lemon Water (an everyday favorite of mine)

Source

Festive 4th of July Cocktail

Source



What are your favorite summer drinks?

A Lovely Grey and Pink Wedding- Part 1

The last wedding I decorated for was such a fun one! The bride had (has) wonderful taste and included so many personal touches into her special day.  Her modern color scheme (charcoal grey with touches of light pink) was complemented by vintage decor. A picture is worth 1000 words, so instead of me blabbering on I will show it off in photos...

A welcome sign written on an old door greeted guests.

 

Menu cards wrapped the silverware.

Each centerpiece was unique and sat on top of custom dyed burlap. There was a mix of glowing candles in twine wrapped vases, personalized thank-you signs in vintage frames, mercury glass, mason jars and other bottles with hydrangeas, and  hand poured (homemade) candles.

The cake was a gorgeous mix of simplicity and texture.

Check back for Part 2 which includes the trail mix bar, old fashioned lemonade stand, the cutest favors ever, and other adorable details.

Have a great week!

Why Hello!

I feel guilty that I have been so terrible about posting. Now that I have my side decorating business and this is prime time for events, blogging has been put on the back burner.

A welcome sign for a rustic wedding I recently decorated for.

 In addition to events, I have been working on home projects (painting trim/baseboards/doors), finishing small projects in the kitchen, installing new appliances, staining our new porch, and starting my landscaping. Busy on the home-front and can't wait to show photos to prove it!  Thank you for being patient while there may be a longer than usual time lapse in between posting.

On an exciting note, What You Make It was named a Top 100 DIY Sites for Home Improvement Fanatics from Construction Management Degree. Pretty awesome, considering all of my favorite blogs are on the list!

Have a great rest of your week!

Western Retirement Party

Event season has started, folks. Most likely, graduations, weddings, and bbq's will fill up every weekend.

This past event I decorated for was a retirement open house. The retiree is a horse-riding cowboy, so what better theme than 'western cowboy' is there?!

The western backdrop served as a focal point behind the dessert bar where 4 types of desserts were served vintage cake stands.

The rustic centerpieces featured tall sticks in mason jars and twine wrapped bottles. Both were surrounded by old medicine bottles, candles wrapped in paisely, antlers, and fresh flowers.

Photos of the retiree and funny retirement quotes were placed around the space in frames or anchored by red horse shoes.

I have a wedding this upcoming weekend, a graduation after that, and more wedding following!

Stay tuned for more photos :)

Spring Centerpiece

March may be the 'official' the start of spring,but in my neck of the woods April is more like it. It's the season to put away those heavy sweaters and bring out your bright colored dishes!

To create a simple centerpiece, spray paint random size bird cages in the same color(s) as your dishes and linens and spread along the center of the table.

After the company leaves and the extra table comes down, these cuties are going to be hung from the ceiling in a cluster of the dining room :)