Hey ya’ll! Since it’s Wedding Week on Newlyweds:North, it is only appropriate that my 5 on Friday be my 5 Favorite Wedding Details!
Believe it or not, all of these style elements were in my original plan for my Wedding Style Book – I have my wedding planner, Lindsay Averette Kennedy of LK Events and Design, to thank for making my vision (and crazy Bride demands a reality).
Special thanks (as always!) to Laura Gordon Photography for the gorgeous photos!
1. Black and White Dance Floor
What can I say? I wanted sophisticated, elegant and sleek. A black and white dance floor was a central design element that was an absolute must for me. We built the rest of the reception around it!
What can I say? I wanted sophisticated, elegant and sleek. A black and white dance floor was a central design element that was an absolute must for me. We built the rest of the reception around it!
2. All White Flowers
Our wedding colors were simple, clean and classic -black and white with a pop of gold and pattern for visual interest. The gardens that hosted our cocktail and reception were already blooming and lush – so instead of competing with that, we embraced it and went streamlined with the flowers. The only large floral arrangement was on the place card table and it was stunning. The cocktail tables had simple glass bowls with gardenias floating in them. The reception tables all had low, clustered white arrangements in clear glass containers. I was in love with the final look.
3. Clear Tent and Striped Bar
I knew I wanted a clear tent no matter what – I just don’t love the way a regular tent looks on the inside…plus our reception was in this picturesque garden – why would I want to block that out?? We went with a large clear tent and a pop out tent attached to house the band and stage. That gave us more room for tables to eat and a floor to dance on! We went through about a million configurations with the bars…My parents were determined that no one would have to wait for a drink. Ever. I found a photo of a similar bar online and Lindsay and her team hand made ours on site. It was perfect – housed 4 bartenders and served an average of 8 drinks per person for the night (lushes!)
I knew I wanted a clear tent no matter what – I just don’t love the way a regular tent looks on the inside…plus our reception was in this picturesque garden – why would I want to block that out?? We went with a large clear tent and a pop out tent attached to house the band and stage. That gave us more room for tables to eat and a floor to dance on! We went through about a million configurations with the bars…My parents were determined that no one would have to wait for a drink. Ever. I found a photo of a similar bar online and Lindsay and her team hand made ours on site. It was perfect – housed 4 bartenders and served an average of 8 drinks per person for the night (lushes!)
4. Trademark
Our band, Trademark, was an element that I insisted on from the day we got engaged. Trademark played my MOH’s wedding 2 years ago and they were.a.blast! I actually called their agent (thanks Kris!) and got their available dates before I went venue shopping…I wouldn’t book a venue that wasn’t available on a date that Trademark could play…I meant business. If you are ever in need of a band – I highly, highly recommend Trademark- they are SO fun. They come out on the dance floor, in to the crowd, get the bridal party on stage and, at our wedding, invited my dear friend Keenan to sing Living on a Prayer, completely unplanned, with the entire band as backup, just because he was going nuts signing it in the crowd.
Our band, Trademark, was an element that I insisted on from the day we got engaged. Trademark played my MOH’s wedding 2 years ago and they were.a.blast! I actually called their agent (thanks Kris!) and got their available dates before I went venue shopping…I wouldn’t book a venue that wasn’t available on a date that Trademark could play…I meant business. If you are ever in need of a band – I highly, highly recommend Trademark- they are SO fun. They come out on the dance floor, in to the crowd, get the bridal party on stage and, at our wedding, invited my dear friend Keenan to sing Living on a Prayer, completely unplanned, with the entire band as backup, just because he was going nuts signing it in the crowd.
The next day, they (not us!) were the talk of the Farewell Brunch.
OH! And of course, they learned and performed our First Dance Song, Ho Hey, by the Lumineers, flawlessly.
5. Tambourines
Soooo, I may or may not have a tiny little habit (after a few drinks) of asking the band to give me a tambourine to play while I’m on the dance floor. Weddings are, of course, my favorite event to snag a tambourine and keep it all night long. In my old age, I’m less likely to do this at bars or concerts, but don’t put it past me. At our dear friends Molly and Kyle’s wedding, I woke up the next morning and told Justin my left palm was bruised, blistered and sore….
Soooo, I may or may not have a tiny little habit (after a few drinks) of asking the band to give me a tambourine to play while I’m on the dance floor. Weddings are, of course, my favorite event to snag a tambourine and keep it all night long. In my old age, I’m less likely to do this at bars or concerts, but don’t put it past me. At our dear friends Molly and Kyle’s wedding, I woke up the next morning and told Justin my left palm was bruised, blistered and sore….
Me: “Did I fall!?”
Justin looked me dead in the face and said, “Stephanie, you did not fall. You gave yourself a tambourine injury.”
Classy!
I thought it only appropriate that I ensure myself access to tambourines at my own reception – and I was thoughtful enough to share the tambourine joy with our friends and family – so during the reception, 7 dozen tambourines with hand tied ribbons in our wedding colors and fun prints arrived on the dance floor.
Best. Decision. Ever.
It was a perfect night – and I loved every second of it.
My main concern was that every single person had fun – the band, tambourines, dance floor -all of that was to ensure that all the tail feathers were shaking. Aaaaaaaand, I will admit, I have gotten way too much pleasure out of both my mom and Justin telling me about one design element or another that they just weren’t too sure about during planning but that turned out to just plain work on the Day Of…
I just adore being right (wink!)
I found your blog through the 5 on Friday linkup and I am in awe of your jaw-dropping wedding! It looks like an absolute DREAM!
I found your blog off of the Friday 5 link up and I could not resist taking a peak at your wedding posts. Oh My Goodness, it was gorgeous! Truly a dreamy night!
Samantha
A Modern Navy Wife
Obsessed with your wedding! Our styles were VERY similar and I am loving your bar! So upset that our photographer didn't get a picture of ours, because it was a specialty rental!
OMG!! I feel like I've found the white rabbit! I'm looking to get married at the Inn and there are NO good online resources. Your wedding is literally the 2nd AAR garden event that I've found and it's so wonderfully done. I would love to pick your brain on your experience with the staff, etc. if you are willing!
Thanks Sarah!!
That tent is GORGEOUS. What a stunning wedding!!!
Hi there!! I'm a friend of Darci's and just popped over from the 5 on Friday link up. OH MY WORD your wedding was incredibly stunning. Obsessed with the black and white dance floor, striped bar, table setting… I mean, it's all so GORGEOUS! Your dress = perfection! And it looks like everyone was having a ball! Love it. Happy 4th of July weekend!
Popping over from the Five on Friday link party! Beautiful wedding, and it looks like it was an amazing night ๐
#5 is clearly a McMillin favorite. Beautiful photos to reminiscence a gorgeous wedding and evening!
I love the theme for your Five on Friday!
Your wedding was stunning and you made a beautiful bride!
I LOVE the clear tent idea! Genius!
Everything was … PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, the tambourines were just fabulous!!! ๐
Beautiful wedding! I love the tambourine idea!
What an AMAZING wedding!
What a GORGEOUS wedding and gorgeous bride! I die over that TENT! And I am such a sucker for baby's breath and white flowers! Beautiful.
Happy Weekend! Thanks for linking up! ๐