7.21.2012 ~ Medicine Bottles & Mercury Glass

*Wedding by Ashley*

I'm really, really excited to finally have some time to sit down and write this blog post!  I've had a hard time thinking about how to start it...as there are SO many things I want to talk about...and I'm afraid my description of the wedding just won't do it justice.  However, thankfully Brittany of 5th and 59th Photography was there all day, and her pictures describe what my words can't. 

Melissa and Michael were beyond amazing to work with.  They had so many ideas, but were still receptive to suggestions.  Melissa recently graduated (focus on design), and Michael had quite good taste himself (I mean, he DID propose to Melissa, hahaha) - so this wedding was full of style - personal style.  When she told me about their venue, The Chatoe Rogue in Independence, I was SO excited to get a chance to work out there (I always love getting to see new venues).  I was even more excited after I met Natascha, who runs the place.  Her and her husband make an amazing team, and I hope I get to work with them again, and again, and again.  They have a great open field with wood fencing facing the river with large trees for a great ceremony spot, and a rustic old barn for the reception.  Plus, they have Rogue beer of course!  I loved this venue so much, that it was actually the spot were Stargazer Weddings did their inspiration shoot this year with the Click Chicks (I'll blog about this soon). 

Okay, back to the wedding details.  Before the wedding, M&M worked with Ashley of AEL Designs to create the perfect stationary set for their wedding.  Save the dates, invitations, menu cards, you name it.  They were gorgeous!  Melissa bought her dress at David's Bridal and (I know I say this often), but it couldn't have been more perfect.  Classy, sophisticated, with a little bit of sexy.  Plus, she had her hair and makeup done by the talented team at Face Body Beauty - she looked breathtaking.  Oh, and those shoes?  Yes - Vera Wang.  Michael actually bought his own suit for the day, and it was so stylish!  The colors, the fabric, everything about it complimented Melissa's dress and his personality so perfectly.  Before it was time for the "first look," Michael made sure to have a surprise present and letter delivered to Melissa by one of her bridesmaids.  I wasn't there for that moment...but Brittany was and captured it all!  Seeing the emotion on Melissa's face was proof that Michael had really surprised her (good job Michael)! 

Sandy Shipley of Sage Creative conducted a beautiful ceremony, which was decorated with stunning floral arrangements from Gina of Bohemian Bouquets.  You know the flowers are just what the bride was wanting when they get as excited the first time they seem them as Melissa was!  I was SO happy she loved her flowers - and I really loved the burlap and lace accents for the bouquets!

Now, to achieve the full look that M&M were wanting, we went to a few places to get some items.  SHE Designs, Special Occasions, and Something Borrowed.  Yes, that's Salem, Corvallis, and Portland!  We've worked with SHE Designs and Special Occasions numerous times before - and love their stuff (plus, Sue of SHE Designs has some amazing linens and fabrics).  This was our first time working with Something Borrowed and they have some ah-mazing things!!  Purple medicine bottles?!?  Yes, please!  I'm seriously in love with these!  Plus, adding them to the gray hues of the underlays, burlap runners, lace accents, blue mason jars, those stunning flowers...oh, and the mercury glass!  I love mercury glass!  I think the pictures speak for themselves! 

Now, it's tradition for M&M to take pictures in a photobooth.  I know photobooths are becoming more popular at weddings, but this has a special place in the hearts of M&M.  Every year, for TEN years, M&M would take pictures in a photobooth.  We decided to incorporate this into the wedding by putting years 1-5 and then 6-10 on each side of the head table, so all of the guests could see them.  We also put pictures around the whole room (they had 10 years worth of pictures, and I loved ALL the different kinds of frames).  It was so much fun to see all of their memories, and their guests to talk about "oh, I remember that day!"  Kevin from Mobile Moments Photo Booth had a great setup, lots of props, and really kept a good vibe going to get people to take lots of pictures.  They also turned the filmstrips into a wedding favor for the guests, and part of a photo album as a guest book for M&M!  Kirsten and I went through the photobooth as well, and had so much fun putting together a scrapbook page for their guest book. 

That gorgeous cake was made by Myriad Cake Design (LOVE working with her) and Mick from NW Mobile DJ Service kept the party going and flowing - and did a great job asking the questions for the "Shoe Game."  If you haven't heard of this...you should look it up!  M&M sat back to back (so they couldn't see each other), and then Mick would ask questions that they both had to answer at the same time.  They each held two shoes, one in each hand (one of Melissa's and one of Michael's).  They had to raise the shoe of the person they think would be the answer to the question.  It was hilarious!!  And the grand exit?  Sparklers of course! 

I could go on and on about how much I loved the details, how much I enjoyed working with M&M, and how many great memories and friendships were made this day - but I think you get the idea.  M&M, I'm so thankful that I was a part of your wedding and a part of your lives!