Hey Wedding Lady

A request from an anonymous reader:

My best friend asked me to be her MOH & I have run into a problem when planning her bridal shower, I want most of the details to be a surprise, but she mentioned in passing that her grandma has always wanted to have her bridal shower at her home. I had another location in mind, but am more than willing to switch, the problem is that her yard (she wants an outdoor shower) has no trees or flowers or fences or anything & i have no idea how to decorate an empty space like this, please help!!

First off, good for you for listening and being willing to adjust your plans! That’s a good MOH right there. Now, to your decorating dilemma - I’ve done many events in big open spaces and there are plenty of ways to pretty them up. These are my cost-effective ideas to dress an empty space.

Bistro lights! They look great for daytime events too and having something overhead can make a backyard feel more intimate. If there’s absolutely nothing to hang them from - eaves, sheds, anything - I’ve gone to Home Depot and bought 8ft tall, sturdy green stakes and driven them into the ground to use as posts. Wrap cords around the stakes and split the top to stabilize the light strands. Criss cross or drape over the event space for a lovely effect.

Tall decor! Tall centerpieces create a sense of height and drama, and make a big impact interspersed with lower ones on long tables or every other table on round tables. Big bunches of baby’s breath are inexpensive and make for a lovely and fun centerpiece! Use tiered platters for desserts and finger foods, pillar candlesticks, or cylinders of floating candles to draw the eye upwards.

Jazzy tables! Bright colors, mixed prints, and abundant flowers make your tables feel full, but I recommend you use them sparingly so nothing feels too busy. Rent a printed linen, scatter clusters of flowers, and have fun place settings to let your tables be the focus of the event.

Shepherd’s hooks! Not just for aisle decor - get permission from the grandmother of the bride before stabbing anything into her backyard, of course, but shepherd’s hooks or other stand alone decor items can help dress up a bare corner or empty patch of lawn. Hang kissing balls, tissue poms, or jars of flowers to extend the decor off the tables.

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

Sorry for the site hiccups during the transition! The launch of the new Hey Wedding Lady has been slower than expected, but to make up for it, here’s a little natural wedding board I did for Napa Valley Linens!

(Source: heyweddinglady)

I could’t resist the incredible quilting and lovely colors on this cake!  Jenna Rae just may be my new cake crush!

Cake by Jenna Rae, Photography by Lani Elias, via 100 Layer Cake

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

Hooray, it’s Friday!

Photo by Jen Fariello via 100 Layer Cake

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

I do love 1920’s styling done right!

- by Amore Wedding Photography, via Style Unveiled

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

A request from the fabulous hungergamesexaminer!:

I LOVE the inspiration board you made for my fairy tale-themed winter wedding. My best friend is also getting married, and I’d love a board for her. The theme is sparkly elegance with a hint of Paris/France. The main color is a rich plum (almost magenta pink) purple.

I loooooove her concept! I would go subtle with the theme: French flowers, desserts, food, and wine can carry your theme without the need to use a lot of Eiffel Tower decor. Use the central color in pops of rich purple and accent it with complimentary, muted hues for a chic palette.  A little sparkle goes a long way, so bring it in with accessories (a fabulous clutch, shoes, or sash), a sequined linen for the head and cake tables, table numbers or napkin rings…you name it!

Photo Credits: Sequined Wedding Dress by Ersa Atelier 2013; Bridal Party by Eric Kelley Photography; Place Setting via Colin Cowie; Cake by Maggie Austin; Centerpiece origin unknown, via Pinterest; Macarons via Martha Stewart Weddings; Bouquet by Kelly Kaufman, photographed by Jen Rodriguez via Style Me Pretty; Shoes origin unknown, via Pinterest 

A variation on the Nautical wedding concept from my earlier post - I got the request from gatesalexandria at the same time that Napa Valley Linens requested a nautical board, so I tried to differentiate the two in terms of concept and styling! This one a is a little softer and sweeter, while the first is more bold and modern. That’s the fun thing about a classic them - there are so many possibilities!

Another fun request from gatesalexandria!:

I know I write you a lot … but the way you put these wedding boards together is amazing. I was wondering if you had ever thought about a nautical sailor themed wedding … I’m in love with the navy blue stripes :) and the use of the anchor and rope knots… if its not too much to ask do you think you could put another board together for the sailor in me??

First off - I love getting requests! It’s a great challenge to think of design from another perspective, and it’s a crucial part of creating an event concept. The more specific details - like the anchor motif and rope knots - the better, because they help me see what draws you to the design. Color scheme, season, visual keywords: these are the elements I use to create a design with you in mind!

Nautical themed weddings certainly aren’t going anywhere, so the key to creating a unique and memorable event with a popular theme is to find what exactly draws you in. Make that the focal point of the event and make sure you use your point of view.

Photo Credits:
Bouquet by via Style Me Pretty; Table Decor via Green Wedding Shoes; Cake by City View Bakehouse; Guest Book via Etsy; Escort Cards unknown via Pinterest; Invitation via Zazzle; Table Number via Jet Fete

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

Here’s a little sneak peek of the Coastal Fog styled shoot I put together yesterday! I had so much fun developing and styling the shoot and I am SO excited to share the rest with you when the new Hey Wedding Lady site goes live!

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

My boyfriend insisted that I share this (which I would have anyway because it is AWESOME) but that he be credited for showing it to me, so here you go, Travis!

Photo by Quinn Miller

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)

Sweep me away

- by Jose Villa

(Source: heyweddinglady.com)