A Rustic Reception at the Byron Colby Barn May 30, 2009

I just did flowers and decor for Brooke and Brett’s wedding reception at The Byron Colby Barn in Grayslake. This is the 4th time I’ve done an event at this venue and every single one has been completely unique. 

For the flowers we used roses, cymbidium orchids, lisianthus, stock, hydrangea, larkspur, tulips and callas in shades of purple, lavender, green, champagne and ivory. To add to the rustic charm of the barn, we used mason jars as vases and candle holders throughout the space. We did two styles of centerpieces; for the long rectangular tables we did cluster-type arrangements in assorted cylinders and mason jars, and for the round tables at the top of the loft we did round mixed arrangements that held 3 cylinder vases with submerged tulips and floating candles. In addition to the centerpieces, we created a wreath and pomanders suspended from lavender tulle to decorate the large curved wall of the barn, we added floral and candle accents to the highboy tables, gift/memorial table and we put hydrangea on the top of the cake. And of course I cannot forget to mention the bouquets which were just stunning!!!

The couple could not have been happier with how everything turned out–which is always my favorite part of the day! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

  

18 Chicago-themed Table Numbers May 20, 2009

 

 

I just completed an order for 18 Chicago-themed table numbers. They were sepia-toned to go with the dark woods in the client’s venue and mounted on eggplant card stock with pop up easels. She picked a lot of great sites from the list I gave her, and I love how they turned out!

Table Numbers that Tantalize May 11, 2009

 

I am a big fan of making your wedding day totally unforgettable and UNIQUE. So it should be no surprise that I absolutely love when couples have themed table numbers!

Many of my clients have asked me to design table numbers for them that are unique and befitting their joyous event. I have had many requests for Chicago-themed table numbers, but I also get requests to reformat actual client photos which typically requires some editing/cropping, and/or change images to B&W or Sepia-tone, and addition of number/name over photo. Examples of these “client-provided photo” ones include the color photos of signs mounted on black cardstock were photos taken by the bride and then I cropped, color-corrected and overlayed text that mimicked the text in the signs themselves, then printed and mounted them to cardstock and attached a self-adhesive easel to the back of them. Also client-provided were the sepia-toned couple photos mounted on purple cardstock. These were photos taken of the couple on various trips and vacations and I just had to adjust the contrast, crop, overlay text and then print, mount and attach easel. For one of my ETSY clients I did 30 Broadway show poster-themed ones and another ETSY client requested cities they’ve visited to be featured. One of my favorite sets of custom table numbers were the wine bottle labels I made for a client that was having a Wine-Themed wedding (we even included the menu on the other side of the bottle). I also made really unique ones for my own wedding: they were round table numbers (8) with art terms and (8) with music terms and their definitions in our fonts and colors displayed on stands I made myself using wire and beads. They were a huge hit and not only did they teach our friends and family the definitions of some of the words that in fact, define us, but they also added to the ambiance rather than taking away from it. That is key when making these…the table numbers have to fit in with the rest of your decor. This includes not only you overall theme/color scheme, but also your lighting, linens, centerpieces, place-settings, escort cards, favors, etc. Well-coordinated decor makes for a beautiful and unforgettable ambiance.