Larsen + Jacob reached out to me just a few short months before the date of their spring microwedding, and from the first conversation, I think I was even more excited about it than they were! Everything about their vision, from the morning brunch setting to the thoughtful and personalized details, was so lovely that I was hooked from the start, and so excited to help them bring it all to life.
Larsen + Jacob are very low-key and didn’t want anything over-the-top, so we kept everything simple: a traditional blue-and-white color palette, lots of ginger jars, and crisp white tulips as far as the eye could see. The mid-March date also made for perfect weather, so we got to host the entire event in the Hotel Crescent Court’s beautiful courtyard.
When a couple’s vision is clear and they’re decisive in what they want, magic happens. Their entire vendor team was a dream, and Larsen + Jacob added their own creative touches too to make the day uniquely them: they actually hand-mixed and poured each candle favor, and Larsen’s mother designed and produced the stunning invitation suites.
From the courtyard ceremony to the peaceful brunch reception to the grand exit through the lobby of the iconic Hotel Crescent Court, every moment of this celebration was a dream come true!
Like what you see? Check out our amazing vendor team below:
Venue + Catering: Hotel Crescent Court
Photo: Bethany Erin Weddings
Florals: Branching Out Events
Cake: Fancy Cakes by Lauren
Entertainment: Hale Baskin
MUAH: BAM Beauty Bar
Coordination: Julep Events
The first time I spoke with Hannah about her wedding plans, my face was sore from smiling so much. She was the sweetest, happiest bride-to-be – just so excited to marry her fiance and not too worried about the rest – and, to top it all off, when I asked what her design aesthetic was, she said, “Well, it’s pretty Taylor Swift-inspired.” Immediately, I knew that this was going to be a fun one!
Hannah is a die-hard Taylor Swift fan, and it was so much fun to find little ways to incorporate lyrics and references throughout the wedding design. From the olden days of Speak Now (that amazing marquee sign) to the more recent hits (the lyrics printed on the beautiful, minimalist invitations), music was a huge part of the day – and we love to see it!
There were a lot of other personalized details, too, like the custom made Coke bottles and the cozy coffee bar. And did you see that dress? We’re still dreaming about it!
But I think, overall, the best part of the day was that these two didn’t stop smiling for even one minute. Their joy was so contagious!
Another memorable part of Hannah + Jonathan’s day? It was right in the middle of the craziest winter weather North Texas has ever seen. With nearly every single one of the 120 guests driving in from Odessa, it was down to the wire rearranging floorplans, changing up the timeline, and figuring out how to get everyone here and back safely. Our amazing vendor team pulled it all together, though, and as warm and cozy and full of love as that room was, you would never have known that it was freezing outside.
Like what you see? Check out our amazing vendor team:
Venue: The Emerson
Photography: Kimberly Correa Photography
Florals: Memories Bound Floral
Catering: Taco Heads
Coffee Bar: Nightowl Coffee Cart
Baker: Juju’s Cakes & Sweets
DJ: DJ Connection
MUAH: Megan Fields + Jennifer Peterson
Coordination: Julep Events
Jessica reached out to me exactly one month from her wedding date, and from there it was a whirlwind of planning meeting, touch-bases, and phone calls with her incredible vendor team to bring her vision to life. Because she chose the Hotel Crescent Court’s elopement package as a base, we had many of her vendors assigned to us, and we couldn’t have been happier with the group we started with: the HCC’s in-house catering and bar, LoveNotes for the ceremony, and Haute Floral (one of our very favorites!) for flowers. With a few additions – Mat Wulff for hair and makeup, Sarah Kate Photography, and the Royal Dukes Band to bring the party – the entire day came together like a dream.
From the very first day, Jessica was so much fun to work with. She had a clear vision of what she wanted and there was so much thought put into each and every detail, from her specially-ordered (and truly show-stopping) gown to her gorgeous, classic florals to the small moments that she made sure to share with her son, Hunter, as they added Matt to their sweet little family.
And family was such a big focus on the wedding day – including Jessica’s precious dog, Bentley, who helped her get ready on the morning of the wedding!
And did we mention this completely precious first look? The joy that Jessica + Matt felt on their wedding day was so palpable, and even though the January day was dark and cold, the entire party – from the small, intimate courtyard ceremony to the high-energy band set that went on long into the night – felt warm and so very full of love.
Love what you see? Check out our amazing vendor team below:
Venue, Catering, Cake: Hotel Crescent Court
Photography: Sarah Kate Photography
Florals: Haute Floral
MUAH: Mat Wulff
Dress: Galia Lahav via Stanley Korshak
Band: the Royal Dukes Band
Officiant: LoveNotes
Coordinator: Julep Events
Every couple has a unique, special love story, and Anna + Billy’s is one of my very favorites. They met as camp counselors and slowly but surely fell for each other – and then, at the end of the camp session, Billy finally decided to make his move. He wrote Anna the sweetest letter to share his feelings, and from there, the rest was history.
Anna + Billy’s wedding day was filled with so many of these same thoughtful, intentional details (including that framed love letter!), as well as a gorgeous, minimalist color palette and the most striking design elements – like the invitation suite, which Anna designed herself, and that AMAZING greenery arch that framed their “I dos” during the sweetest, loveliest ceremony based on their shared dedication and service to each other.
But it wasn’t all just lovely – it was a whole lot of fun, too! This wedding may have taken place during the time of coronavirus, but you would’ve never known from how big the party was. From the laugh-filled toasts to the packed dance floor to the radiant sparkler exit, the entire night was a dream – and I don’t think a single person stopped smiling the entire time.
Every guest (and every vendor, too!) felt so honored to get to play a part in this incredibly special marriage. It all felt like a fairytale, like the happy ending in a book – but for these two, it was just the beginning of what we all know will be a beautiful life together!
Like what you see? Check out our amazing vendor team below:
Photography: Sami Kathryn Photography
Venue: The Nest at Ruth Farms
MUAH: Brite Beauty
Florist: Pick a Daisy
Gown & Alterations: Wtoo by Watters, Gowns of Grace
Bridesmaids: Lulus
Groom & Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse
DJ: DJ Connection
Jewelry: Olive + Piper
Videographer: Peak Video
Transportation: Big Hat Limousine
Catering: TCP Catering
Bar: HD Liquid Catering
Baker: Sugar Bee Sweets
I resisted it for all of two weeks – as a guilty-pleasure Gossip Girl fan (and a total Blair), I knew I’d get sucked in immediately – but when we had our snow day this past weekend, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pop a bottle of Prosecco and finally turn on Bridgerton.
Needless to say, I was hooked immediately – and not just because of the steamy Regency-era romance and the violin covers of Billie Eilish songs. I was totally drawn to the stunning floral arrangements, champagne towers, and warm candlelit ballrooms that made up the gorgeous party scenes of Daphne + the Duke of Hastings’s social world. It’s no wonder that Bridgerton has already become a huge trend in weddings!
Want to get a few ideas for incorporating this beautiful show into your big day? Check out some of our inspiration images below!
Unless you want to channel your inner Lady Featherington and go for bold canary yellows and lime greens, take a page from the Queen’s book and go for a more subdued palette. Simple pastels like blush pinks, sage greens, and that classic Bridgerton Blue pair beautifully with warm creams, ivories, and golds for a stunning and versatile look – and you’ll have plenty of options for flowers that fit into your color palette, too!
It goes without saying that empire-waist dresses and simple, lovely accessories are the order of the day. Try a gown with layers of delicate lace and a straighter, high-waisted fit (flattering AND easy to dance in – bonus!) for a look that Daphne would swoon over.
If you’re wanting an invitation suite worthy of being hand-delivered to the Duke of Hastings himself, opt for lightly deckled edges, beautiful ribbon accents, and, of course, custom calligraphy. The vintage look is timeless, luxe, and perfect for setting the tone of the wedding. And don’t forget about your day-of paperie, too, including place cards to keep your cute single friends seated far away from your, ahem, Lord Berbrookes. Wax seals are encouraged – dance cards, on the other hand, are optional.
From the arrangements stunning bouquets delivered by suitors to the lavender creeping up the walls at Daphne’s family estate, flowers play a leading role in Bridgerton – and they should at your Bridgerton-inspired wedding, too! An al fresco fete would be ideal, but if you’re saying “I do” indoors, bring the outside in with statement arrangements and installations that make your guests feel like they’re dining and dancing in a garden.
Just like at the balls and parties featured in the show, every decorative detail plays an important part in the overall design and feel of the event. From flatlays to cake design to mood lighting, you need to focus on creating a cohesive whole that really channels your inspiration into every aspect of the day. Look for delicate vintage pieces, warm tones, and luxe touches to complete the look. No detail is too small to be addressed – and don’t forget the champagne tower!
Feeling inspired to start solidifying your wedding vision? Drop us a note through our contact form! We’d love to help you create a wedding experience that even Lady Whistledown would approve of.
If you’re anything like us, you have a love/hate relationship with Pantone’s Color of the Year… at least in terms of actual real-life application. When 2021’s colors were announced – Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Grey, in case you haven’t yet heard – we were a little stumped. We love grey – in fact, grey was one of Ginny’s wedding colors back in 2019 – and yellow is always a beautiful, vibrant favorite, but the two of them together seemed a little… 2013? Baby’s first nursery? Cheery guest bathroom? It definitely didn’t strike us as the next big trend in wedding colors, unlike 2020’s Classic Blue and even 2019’s Living Coral – both of which we saw LOTS of in our wedding designs.
But then we wandered over to Pinterest and started putting ideas together – and we fell in love. If you make a few tweaks, like warming up the yellow and mixing a bit more black into your grey, what you end up with is a gorgeous mix of light and dark that works in any season. Check out some of our favorite examples from Pinterest:
So, all things considered, maybe we judged too soo. When done correctly, this rich and unexpected color palette will make for a truly striking wedding design in any season and in any type of venue. Plus, after this crazy year we’ve all experienced, the meanings behind the two colors – yellow for hope, grey for strength – are enough to make anyone want to celebrate.
Image Credits: (1) Pantone, (2 and cover image) 100 Layer Cake, (3) Design by Nature Flowers, (4) Magnolia Rouge
It’s no surprise that weddings are looking different these days. All the rules, regulations, and safety precautions of the Covid era have changed the wedding industry in a lot of ways. There’s no denying that it’s been an incredibly tough year for couples and industry professionals alike, but not all of the changes have been bad; in fact, we foresee many of them becoming the norm! Here are some of the trends that we’re expecting to see last well into the new year – and beyond.
With many venues reducing or eliminating dance floors altogether, couples are getting more creative with their entertainment. Whether it’s hiring a band to provide a show instead of just some dance hits or introducing a more interactive performer like a magician, celebrity impersonator, or tarot reader, our clients are looking outside of the box for vendors who will keep their guests engaged – even without the Cha Cha Slide.
Hosting a Zoom call for faraway guests has become a major element of Covid weddings this year, but we foresee it continuing into future celebrations, too. So many couples have far-flung guest lists these days, and why should we forget about guests who can’t travel for the occasion when we could so easily Zoom them into the party too – and send a bottle of champagne and a party popper to them so they can enjoy the festivities with us?
One of our top new trends in favors: welcome baskets! Instead of having koozies at the bar, programs at the sign-in table, and sparklers outside the back door for send-off, couples are looking more toward curated gift boxes that encapsulate the entire wedding experience – from hand sanitizer to custom masks to fun wedding-centric items – in a more personalized way. Why spread interactive elements out across the venue when you can package them together in a beautiful box for each guests that also includes favors and heartfelt Thank You cards?
Looking for more trends to get inspired by? Check out the rest of our blog series:
Photo credits: (1) Brides, (2) Wedfully, (3) Martha Stewart
It’s no surprise that weddings are looking different these days. All the rules, regulations, and safety precautions of the Covid era have changed the wedding industry in a lot of ways. There’s no denying that it’s been an incredibly tough year for couples and industry professionals alike, but not all of the changes have been bad; in fact, we foresee many of them becoming the norm! Here are some of the trends that we’re expecting to see last well into the new year – and beyond.
It goes without saying that weddings have become smaller and more intimate out of the necessity of social distancing and keeping our loved ones safe. With that shift, though, has come a new and, quite frankly lovely, change in focus – namely, from the Instagrammable to the truly special and meaningful. We’re seeing such a change in priority, and the result is that more and more couples are forgoing the elaborate and Pinterest-inspired for the details that make their days personal, comfortable, and guest-oriented. There’s been a definite turn toward nostalgic details (think custom paperie, comfort food on the menu, and playlists full of the classics) and elements meant to make guests feel at home – like comfy lounges, which are just as much a design element as they are a way to ensure the comfort of your guests.
While guest counts are dropping, budgets largely aren’t, so we’re seeing much more flexibility in spending than hat we often had before. After all, a budget of $50k looks very different for a 150-person wedding than it does for a 20-person wedding! With all the extra money left in our clients’ budgets, we’ve been seeing lots more custom pieces and major design statements, like high-dollar floral installations and gourmet dinners that may have been unattainable before.
Some of the old stand-bys are still holding for 2021 – jewel tones in winter, pastels in spring, soft dusty blues in summer, and earth tones in fall – but we’re also seeing a major rise in bright, cheery colors. Vibrant pinks, oranges, and yellows are striking, eye-catching, and celebratory, and couples who have been through 2020 are wanting to celebrate in the biggest ways.
One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing in the planning process is in the way couples are choosing their vendors. It’s no longer enough to see good reviews and a gorgeous Instagram feed; couples want to know that their vendors share their values. Whether it’s support of marriage equality, inclusive and accepting content on websites, or a Black Lives Matter sign in the office window, couples are more in-tune with vendor values than ever before.
(And, just so we’re as clear as can be, Julep Events loves, supports, and celebrates ALL couples.)
We’ve also seen a major shift toward nostalgia in our clients’ designs. More than ever, our brides are having their dresses heirloomed and their bouquets pressed, and grooms are picking out cuff links and ties with timeless designs that they can pass down to their sons for their wedding days. We love to remind our couples that a wedding is a celebration for the whole family, and it’s so special to be able to pass pieces of it down to future generations as heirlooms.
Overall, 2021 is showing us that traditions are being upended. Couples are wanting to create designs and experiences that are unique to them and that reflect their love stories instead of recreating what they love on Pinterest, and they’re focusing more than ever on celebrating their guests and loved ones, too. Everything has a more personal touch to it – and, quite frankly, we’re here for it.
Looking for more trends to get inspired by? Check out the rest of our blog series:
Photo credits: (1) Kelsey LeNae Photography, (2) Lightly Photography, (3) Lightly Photography, (4) kikki.K
It’s no surprise that weddings are looking different these days. All the rules, regulations, and safety precautions of the Covid era have changed the wedding industry in a lot of ways. There’s no denying that it’s been an incredibly tough year for couples and industry professionals alike, but not all of the changes have been bad; in fact, we foresee many of them becoming the norm! Here are some of the trends that we’re expecting to see last well into the new year – and beyond.
With elopements and courthouse weddings on the rise and so many couples looking to buck the old traditions, it’s no wonder that brides are thinking outside the white, lacey box for their wedding dresses. Modern looks like jumpsuits and colorful dresses have been gaining popularity over the past few years, and we expect to see a lot more of them in 2021. I mean, who wouldn’t want to look as chic as Lily Allen in her vintage Dior?
For the brides who do still want to hold onto tradition, though, we’re expecting them to go all-in. We’re seeing so many brides who are embracing the nostalgia and classic looks of vintage wedding styles – specifically, the styles of their mothers and grandmothers! Whether they’re wearing their loved ones’ dresses as-is, updating them for the modern era, or just incorporating details like veils and shoes, we love the sentimentality of it all. For some inspiration, check out the dress Princess Beatrice chose for her summer micro-wedding: a vintage one that her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, wore in the 60s.
We’ve seen a lot of soft, dewy, understated makeup and boho braids lately, but we’re also seeing a return to Hollywood glam – and after nearly a year of not having much to get dressed up for, we’re not surprised! Brides and their bridesmaids are getting excited about bold, dramatic makeup looks and classic, striking updos that will have all eyes on them. On your biggest day, there’s no better time to go big with your style, too – and if you need inspiration, look no further than Lizzo’s gorgeous look from this year’s Grammys.
Let’s not forget our guys! One trend that we’ve started to see recently that we expect to just keep getting bigger is the idea of grooms and their groomsmen wearing statement suits. Whether it’s a jewel-tone look for a fall wedding (like our client Kyle, pictured below in purple for his vineyard nuptials) or a rust-colored option for an elopement in the wilderness, we simply love to see grooms getting creative and letting their own personal styles show through.
Can’t decide if you want to go classic or modern? Do both! It’s your wedding, and if you want a big, beautiful princess gown for the ceremony and then a fun little dress you can dance the night away in, go for it. Looking for inspiration? Check out Debby Ryan’s style switch below. Grooms can get in on this too: swap out your ceremony tux for a colorful suit, or loosen up by ditching your tie and loafers for a comfortable pair of Chucks. Whatever your style is, embrace it!
Looking for more trends to get inspired by? Check out the rest of our blog series:
Design + Decor
Photo credits: (1) Brides, (2) People, (3) New York Times, (3) On the Times Photography, (4) Popsugar
It’s no surprise that weddings are looking different these days. All the rules, regulations, and safety precautions of the Covid era have changed the wedding industry in a lot of ways. There’s no denying that it’s been an incredibly tough year for couples and industry professionals alike, but not all of the changes have been bad; in fact, we foresee many of them becoming the norm! Here are some of the trends that we’re expecting to see last well into the new year – and beyond.
One of our favorite new trends overall is the rise in smaller portions, pre-prepared drinks, and grab-and-go offerings. Displays of individual menu options – whether it’s a display of single-serving soup shooters, a small dessert at each place setting in lieu of a big cake, or rows of pretty pre-mixed cocktails – aren’t just great for reducing crowding around high-traffic areas like the buffet and the bar; they can become a decor element, too! I mean, who wouldn’t want their own mini-charcuterie (which, by the way, doubles as a favor!).
Another way of reducing crowding is by opting for plated dinners rather than the ever-popular buffet. While it is a little more expensive overall, smaller guest counts mean more room in the budget for these “upgrades,” and keeping guests in their seats and presenting them with a beautifully designed meal feels both very luxe and very safe – a total win/win! Who doesn’t want their guests to feel special and taken care of? It also reduces the time that guests spend waiting around for their food so that they can focus on socializing, making memories, and enjoying the evening.
For couples who want a less traditional approach, interactive catering – like mobile bars and food trucks – are perfect for those outdoor weddings! Moving cocktail hour and/or dinner outside means that guests can mix and mingle comfortably, and then put their masks on to go back inside. Plus, mobile vendors become as much a part of the decor as your flowers – and they’re way more fun for your guests!
Looking for more trends to get inspired by? Check out the rest of our blog series:
Style + Beauty
Photo credits: (1) Enchanting by Mon Cheri, (2) Kate Panza Photography, (3) The Bubble Bus Co
