Our Wedding: The Embellishments

Previously in this series- Our Wedding: The Ribbon

So I was finally done with ribbon, but I still needed bling to carry out my whole crystal motif idea.

First I ordered dozens of clear Swarovsky crystals from an online bead shop. Then I twisted them one by one onto the end of pieces of gold wire, and I now had my bouquet bling. I gave them to the florist to incorporate into the flowers.

(photo by Casey Benson.)

I also purchased some cheap plastic clear beads and wired them, and used them in the centerpieces (those are the ones shown in the first picture, and here they are in the pew arrangements/centerpieces).

(photo by Casey)

Next, armed with my trusty 40% off coupon, I ordered and purchased and entire bolt of crystal trim. I used this to wrap my bouquet, Brent's boutonniere, and the cake layers. What's great is that I've been able to use all these embellishments post-wedding in my gift wrapping.

Whew, after writing all this out I can imagine it looks like I spent way too much energy on my wedding details. And maybe for the average bride, that would be true. But not for me! I would do it all over in a heartbeat because it's what excites me and gives me energy.

Our Wedding: The Ribbon

Previously in this series- Our Wedding: Buzzwords and Motif

This post about my wedding is going to be really specific (and possibly mundane for any of you male readers), but incidentally, finding the embellishments for the big day proved to be one of my favorite parts of the entire planning process. I think it's because I was really able to let my creative side loose, and I had complete control (no relying on other vendors), and I got to SHOP! Plus I think I'm a detail person (aka perfectionist), so it was fun honing in on all these little particulars.

I wanted some really special ribbon, so I did an online search and found a ribbon and button store near Dallas. When I was in the area one weekend I took an afternoon to visit the shop and pour over notions. Seriously folks, I think this was quite possibly the apex of my planning experience! I spent several hours there and came away with the floral ribbon to wrap around the layers of my cake, and a beautifully textured gold ribbon to wrap the bridesmaids bouquets. Now this may sound like way too much time and trouble for a few yards of ribbon, but you have to understand that the process was just as important for me as the result, so to me it was time well spent.

(This is a picture from my wedding scrapbook; the blue background is a swatch of my bridesmaid dress fabric.)

I still needed more ribbon, so I went online to Masterstroke Canada (a resource I found in the back of a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine) and ordered some coral-colored swatches. When those came in I picked my favorites and ordered a yard or two of each. Most of these ribbons were to be used on my flower girl's little posy, trailing down. I can't find a picture of that, but here's a picture of some of the wider ribbon beautifying my parents' dog Rose, who was a surprise "honorary guest" at the ceremony.

(photo by Casey Benson)

And I still wasn't done with ribbon! Next I headed to a Tyler fabric, furniture, and trim shop, Bufe and Babin. I spent hours here too and found the gold and blue narrow trim you see pictured above. That's what I used to wrap the groomsmen's boutonnieres. I also found my "signature" fabric here, which I think I'll have to blog about in another post.

Check back tomorrow to read about where I found our "Bling"!

Davi & Jonathan on The Bride's Cafe

I'm thrilled that Davi and Jonathan's wedding trailer was featured on The Bride's Cafe yesterday, along with Alex's great pictures of the day. This is our third time to have our videos featured at The Cafe, and it's always an honor because Janie posts some of the most beautiful weddings in the blogosphere. If you haven't checked out this blog yet, you gotta, because it's a wonderful source of inspiration in planning your big day.

Amy & Bobby's Trailer

This couple had a beautiful and fun wedding with an adorable polka dot theme. Amy got ready in a hotel room (which I love because of all the natural light streaming through) and she was such a pretty bride. We had so much great footage of her and her girls that we decided to make their preview all about the bride, something a little different.

Enjoy!

Amy & Bobby Sneak Peek from Vanessa McKellar Productions.com on Vimeo.

Amy said: "Ohmygoodness!! We are so excited! The clip was so great and we cannot wait to see more; you are so incredibly talented! Bobby and I cannot say enough how glad we are to have chosen you to create our wedding video :). Thank you so much."

Erika & Phil's Trailer

Erika and Phil were married one week ago yesterday, on 9.9.09, and today I've got their preview to show you. Since only immediate family attended the intimate wedding, we knew people would be eager to see some video of the big day. And Erika called me yesterday and said she's dying to see the preview because the day was such a dream for both of them, and they want to relive it already.

As you can see, it was a beautiful day. Everything took place on Erika's parent's land in the prettiest region of Oklahoma. The purple color scheme perfectly complemented all the lush trees, and the refined touches in the decor, especially the dining table, were straight out of Martha Stewart Magazine. Phil was a dashing groom, and best of all, Erika was a ravishing bride, full of tears, giggles, and excitement. The couple was surrounded by love all day, and I was deeply thankful to be able to be there and pour out a little of my own love too.

Erika & Phil Sneak Peek from Vanessa McKellar Productions.com on Vimeo.

Jana & Nathan

Jana and Nathan are a lovely couple, and they have a rather unique story. You see, the day after they returned home from their honeymoon, Jana was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. As you can imagine, some trying days ensued and their vows were truly put into action. Nathan supported his bride with optimism and love, and as of a few days ago, I'm thrilled to say that the cancer is now in remission! I was especially honored to be able to make their video, because it was something Jana looked forward to to cheer her up and brighten her time in chemo.

Jana chose the song "Feels Like Home" for their highlights montage, and when you listen to the words in light of their situation, it's just so touching.

A window breaks, down a long, dark street

And a siren wails in the night

But I'm alright, cause I have you here with me

And I can almost see, through the dark there is light

Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me

And how long I've waited for your touch

And if you knew how happy you are making me

I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

It feels like home to me

Jana & Nathan from Vanessa McKellar Productions.com on Vimeo.

Jana said, "Everyone loved the video. I was crying in the first 5 minutes of it. You really captured everything, I loved how you could hear the birds chirping in the background!! I didn't really remember much of the wedding until I got my video and it made me remember everything from that night. Thank you so much for all of your work. I loved my video!!!"

Location: Villa di Felicita

Photographer: Casey Jay Benson

Florist: La Tee Da

Erika & Phil: Married!!

Previously in this series- Erika & Phil: The Inspiration Board

Brent and I just returned home from Gore, Oklahoma where we videotaped my dear friend Erika's lovely little wedding. It was a meaningful and fun two-and-a-half days and I met some great folks. There were thirteen people in attendance, including Erika and Phil, plus Brent and me and Alex M.

There's a lot to say about the wedding, but let me start with this: Phil is a catch. I've always known what a catch Erika is (that's why she's been my friend since seventh grade), and this week I got to witness what a quality guy Phil is. He's perfect for Erika, and perfectly in love with her. He's a deep well of emotion and intellect, and he's got a sense of humor to boot. It sure makes me happy to see Erika married to a good man.

Until then, I'll leave you with one of Alex's photos of the ceremony, which was incredibly tender and poetic and had everyone in tears. (I can't wait to tell you more about it!) We'll have a trailer up here soon, so stay tuned.

Nic & Cam: The Shawls

Previously in this series- Nic & Cam: The Flowers


When it came to the bridesmaid ensembles, Nicole wanted us to wear something that was easy and cute, but also unique. She ruled out matching "bridesmaid dresses" pretty quickly when we couldn't find any that fit that criteria. So she had what I think is a pretty genius idea. She asked each of us to pick out our own long black dress, and then she gave us beautiful handmade shawls to wear over them. So we all felt pretty and comfortable in our own dresses, but Nicole achieved a really custom look with her bridesmaids ensembles.

The shawls were designed and created by Nicole's dear friend and bridesmaid Debbie of DebbieBarretJones (be sure to check out her Etsy shop.) Nicole wanted them to be in the blue-green family, and Debbie had the idea to make each one slightly different, so that they gradate from greenish to bluish when all the girls stand in line for the ceremony. You can see the effect here:

(photo by Casey Benson)


Pretty isn't it?

What I find truly amazing about these shawls is that Debbie DYES the thread herself, using the training she received in textile school. She is a true artist. Just look at the sublte gradations on this piece:


And here's an adorable picture of her weaving on a loom with her daughter looking on.


Nicole gave us the shawls as a bridemaid gift, and I continue to wear mine all the time. It's so soft and easy, but I know that I am wearing a work of art! (Indeed, Debbie has many of her pieces as permanent installations in buildings, and she also has been exhibited numerous times.)

I know this is one aspect of her wedding that Nicole loves to death, and I totally feel the same way. I love it when a bride can think of a way to make her wedding unique and beautiful, and at the same time honor her friend and patronize the arts!