Styled Shoot: Romantic, Gold and Green Brunch

I loved getting to be apart of this wedding brunch styled shoot with so many beautiful additions dreamt up by the Elisabeth Dari and her team! The gold, cream, and green accents are the perfect engagement or bridal brunch accents to warm up the colder, dreary months of winter. Check out the magic below.

For the invitations, I went with a modern shop square accented with arch typographic details. The colors in the watercolor strokes and the touch of spot calligraphy added that bohemian feel.

Adding to the theme of mixed metals and greenery, I choose a gold envelope liner with gold calligraphy on the mailing envelope to off set the bronze and dark gun-metal gray on the invite.

Adding these watercolor sayings to individual place settings, each with a different poem, lyric or phrase added that touch of intimacy to the table that a smaller gathering allows. Topping them off with eucalyptus and a gold wax seal added texture to this already beautiful tablescape.

Photos by Bozenavoytko Photography | Planner: Elisabeth Dari | Flowers: Stemming From Love

Trending Wedding Colors : Winter 2019

Winter months don’t mean you have to resort to traditional black, maroon or blues. With dusty colors and organic elements being hot through out the last few years, use a palette of jewel tones starting with emerald green to create a beautiful, full color palette that will create a elegant and minimalist vibe against a grey and white backdrop.

With less outdoor elements available, go with a chic industrial vibe using warm tones through out your decor by bringing organic elements such as brick, wood, and mixed metals through out your decor. Allow your guests to know your minimal but elegant affair design from the start with our Olive branch suite, showcasing our modern calligraphy and simple greenery design. With minimal neutrals and lush green being your focus, add small accents colors such as a lush Bordeaux red, a dusty rose pink or even a amethyst yellow among your tables and flowers to create that warm, inviting feel to draw your guests out of the cold and onto the dance floor!

Styled Shoot: Company 251

When I was invited to a styled shoot by the talented Elisabeth Dari at Company 251 I couldn’t say “yes!” quick enough! This venue has been on my list since it opened. The natural elements of the building combined with gorgeous mixed metals, tiles and modern, minimalistic design aesthetic is the perfect canvas for all styles of weddings. Elisabeth drew inspiration from the history of the location, combined with an organic and romantic vibe—and wow—it is just too dreamy beyond words!

I created a custom invitation suite featuring lush, watercolor greenery flowing through out all the pieces and soft hints of the cobalt blue color that would be present in the cake, flowers and table decor. I love how my Rose calligraphy through out the suite create the romantic feel even before stepping into the gorgeous venue! I reflected the mixed metals elements of the space in the invites through an antique gold RSVP envelope and by using metallic ink on the mailing address.

My favorite piece of the entire look had to be the custom watercolor Save the Date of the building itself! I loved creating this gorgeous and unique vintage postcard that could be used as a keepsake for the couple.

Vendors, Artists, Producers

Venue | @company251

Design and Styling| @elisabethdari

Photography |@ev_photography

Cinematography | @kevinwagan

Floral |@stemmingfromlove @stevesflowermarket

Paper goods | @linalulupaperie

Catering | @flourishjuiceco

Bakery | @eyecandybakeshop

Bridal Boutique | @brizancouture

Artistry | @bsansostiartistry

All in the Details

Table Runner | @fabricwholesaledirect

Table Napkins, Flatware, Ring Box | #vintage Crystal Goblets, Mocktail Coupe | #vintage

Water Goblets | @lenoxusa #vintage Dinnerware | @westelm @westelmchicago

Trending Wedding Colors: Spring Blues

Clockwise from left corner: Bridal party | florals | groomsman | Lina Lulu Paperie watercolor wedding suite | Outdoor arbor | Cake

When you think of blue, you often will think of the winter months full of frost, snow and cool tones. With dusty and subdue pallets becoming a trend in the past year, soft blue is having a gorgeous moment not only in the winter months, but shining in the lineup this Spring alongside wedding veterans such as navy blue, dark green, and blushing pinks.

From a casual beach wedding to a an elegant southern formal— this cool tone is an easy color to pair and blend to any decor. With our watercolor wedding suite acting as the backdrop for this breezy affair, I imagine this romantic early spring wedding full of this soft, blue hue emphasized in the flowers, table linens and even the cake. Accompanied by lush greens, moody golds and dark blues this soft blue will help move your event out of the cool of the winter and breath a breath of fresh air into your spring affair.

The Big Fake Wedding: Chicago 2018

When I heard about the Big Fake Wedding, I immediately thought about when I was a bride planning for my own big day. Being younger in age as a newly engaged bride-to-be, I hadn't attended many weddings with the mindset of what I liked about them and if I would repeat anything for my own day.

The concept of the Big Fake Wedding is so simple and smart. They come to a city, gathering talented local vendors and “create an experiential opportunity for wedding vendors to showcase their products and services to shopping brides and grooms just as they would at a real wedding.” You get to see the wedding in the form of a vow renewal ceremony and the reception complete with drinks, DJ and dancing. The best part s if you like something you see, taste or hear you can talk to the vendors who created it right then and there! How cool is that?

Each city is a different theme and experience for the couples attending, and Chicago did not disappoint. With the theme of “World Royalty” and pulling from beautiful, rich tones—there was so much inspiration to play with! Check out how the day pulled together over all:

The venue was the beautiful Zhou B Art Center owned and founded by two Chinese brothers, both incredible artist who rent out the space for art exhibits and events. This industrial and chic venue was full of charm and some seriously beautiful art.

Elizabeth Greve Photography

Elizabeth Greve Photography

My role in this big day was one of two invitation designers. With such a rich color scheme and moodboard full of pattern and texture to work from, I knew that I wanted to do something more elevated than a standard invite to incorporate these elements. After deciding on this beautiful paper cut folder in a rich gold to house the invitation suite, I wanted to incorporate each color in a unique way on the rest of the accenting pieces.

Blending the free strokes of the watercolor with the formality of the calligraphy created the perfect mixture of classic and modern that would be represented in both the venue and the elements of the wedding day overall. I loved how this suite represented the theme in a chic way!

Elizabeth Greve Photography

Thais Photography

The day flowed like a real wedding, complete with photos of the “bridal” party, ceremony and reception. The bride and groom who modeled for the day performed a vow renewal during the ceremony portion including their pastor, real friends and family in their “bridal” party.

It was a beautiful ceremony complete with string quartet playing a custom arrangement as the bridal party walked down the aisle and an incredible copper arch with lush florals serving as the backdrop for the bride and groom’s ceremony. The reception was full and fun with fantastic appetizers, desserts and specialty mixed drinks. The bride even performed a special choreographed dance mid reception!

Thank you again to the team at The Big Fake Wedding for having me, it was such a fun party to be apart of and incredible to meet so many wonderful couples!

Thais Photography

Elizabeth Greve Photography

Elizabeth Greve Photography | Mila Craila

Elizabeth Greve Photography

Cakes & Catering SOCIAL sparkling wine @socialsparklingwine

Favors & DetailsThe Standard Canvas @TheStandardCanvas

Groom & His MenBlank Label @blanklabelclothing

Bridesmaid Dresses Brideside Jewelry European Jewelry @europeanjewelryinc

Photo Booth Smilebooth@smilebooth

Cake ParfaitsVanille Pattisserie@vanillechicago

Day Of CoordinatorWedicity. DJ & EmceeCharizma Entertainment Group

Floral & Event Design: Bouquets, Boutonnieres & Tables 5,6,7 Eden

Floral & Event Design: Ceremony Backdrop & Tables 1,2 Nightshade Floral

Floral & Event Design: Flower Wall & Tables 3,4 Crafts By Stacey @craftsbystacey

Hair Styling Carrie Kacen Hair and Make-up Artistry @carriekacen

Hotel Accommodations W Hotel @wcitycenter

Invitations The Paperie Co @thepaperieco | Lina Lulu Paperie @linalulupaperie

Craft Cocktails CraftYours @craftyours

Makeup Artist Fearless & Bella @fearlessandbella

Marshmallow Favors Malvi: Marshmallow Confections @malvimallow

Catering LM Catering @lmcateringchi

Seating Chart, Custom Drawing, & Paper Goods XO Art & Design @xo_artanddesign

Dance Lessons Windy City Wedding Dance @windycityweddingdance

Photo Magnets Flash Magnets @flashmagnets

Ceremony Musician Bridge and Bow Music

Wedding Registry Mishkalo@mishkaloregistry Wedding Cake ECBG Cake Studio

Signage & Custom Jackets KRorerDecor @krorerdecor

Sparkling Water Spindrift Cookies Warm Belly Bakery @warmbellybakery

Table Accents The Blonde Scribe @theblondescribe

Travel Agent LovinAway @lovinaway

Photographers Thais Photography @bythaisphotography | Mila Craila Photography @milacrailaphotography | Elizabeth Greve Photography @egpwed

Venues Zhou B Art Center @zhoubevents

Wedding Dresses Winnie Couture @winniecouture

Wedding Films Eyework Studios

Portfolio: Baby Virgil Adventure Shower

Have you seen a sweeter looking baby shower? I had the privilege of working with Lauren and her mom for her wedding a few years back and just loved getting to celebrate this next step with them as they welcome a little boy this Spring. The theme was bears and adventure with a classic twist! How cute are all the details!

I had so much fun working with Deb from the concept of the invites to all the day-of pieces. My favorite piece is the Peter Pan quote that will hang in the nursery. Congratulations to Taylor and Lauren as they celebrate their little boys arrival!

Styled Shoot: Being Joy Photography at Venue 5126

I met Joy this summer at a local wedding gathering and instantly loved her spirit and vibe. I then proceeded to fall in love with her style and gorgeous photos! She invited me to be a part of an amazing team assembled to create a gorgeous boho inspired shoot  at Venue 5126 in Oswego, Illinois. 

Finding the right mix of modern, boho, and romantic was my aim as I created a simple but sophisticated wedding suite for this shoot. A combination of hand drawn botanicals, calligraphy and gold embossing become the perfect mix to produce a wild and tame feeling all in one.

The Incredible Vendor team included: Photography, Being Joy Photography  | Venue and Props, Venue 5126. | Flowers, Ashland and Addison, RJPdesigns | Gowns, Victoria Sdoukos Couture. | Hair, Hair By Dorthi. | Make-Up, Alana G | Models, Gabija Guzauskaite and Whitman Johnson

Portfolio: Voss Baby Shower

Over the holiday's I had the opportunity to celebrate my sweet friends Corrie and Matt and their baby girl! I met my sweet friend Corrie through mutual friends back in high school when they both knew Corrie and I were going to the same college. Fast forward a handful of years later, all of us being married, and now she's having a baby! To celebrate, a handful of our friends threw the most adorable outdoor themed baby shower. I loved getting to design the invitation and are so excited to meet their new baby girl this spring! Congrats Corrie and Matt!