By Heidi
Wedding planning ideas come from a myriad of sources. If a couple is overwhelmed by the endless possibilities before them, we are well-versed in finding ways to arrive at a concept that accurately represents a couple’s love for one another and their vision of the event.
Sometimes the jumping off point comes from the client themselves, as was the case with the wedding of James and Andrea. Andrea and James arrived at our 2nd meeting at Pepper’s Fine Catering with a sample of centerpieces they created themselves.
Punched Tin Luminaries made from extra large tomato sauce cans, slices of oak logs to place them on, old mason jars filled with votive candles displayed in a grouping. Next they opened a box containing hundreds of vintage keys that Andrea’s mom had been collecting for years. As a wedding planner, these vintage/antique items set off a creative spark. I had an immediate sense of what they were looking for and how I could help them build on their vision.
We used old iron gate to display tea stained escort cards, each hand written and attached to antique keys from Andrea’s collection. As a special surprise for the bride and groom, I made small tin can flower arrangements and tied them, with twine, to the aisle chairs for the ceremony.
I designed a huge cheese display with the local artisan cheeses. We served the cheese on rustic slates set on old bricks and antique barn board risers. Crackers were placed in rustic country crocks. We finished the display with potted herbs grown in Pepper’s organic gardens and a huge display of wild flowers in a 3-gallon reproduction mason jar tied with a gorgeous eggplant satin and burlap bow with a 6-inch antique key hanging from it. Even the description cards, mounted on scrap booking card stock that I found online, were printed with antique keys.
Having gotten to know James and Andrea over the months of planning their wedding, I knew they would appreciate an added whimsical touch to the table displays. I placed a “parade” of 10, 3-inch hand crafted iron ants that marched over, under and around the table. The bride was so thrilled with the added detail that I had to politely whisk her back to her guests, as she was spending a little too much time examining every inch of the table in delight.
After the cocktail hour guests were invited to the barn for dinner. It was absolutely magical. Twinkling tiny white lights were everywhere. Guest tables were covered in beautiful eggplant moiré table linens. The punched tin luminaries that James and Andrea had lovingly made were lit and looked beautiful. Each guest was seated in a different antique chair that we sourced from a quirky, long-time collector in Connecticut. They ran the gamut from rustic shabby chic look to refined mid 19th century tiger maple ones and ornately carved gothic-looking throne chairs. Our staff had so much fun watching guests seek out their favorite chair and quickly scoot in to claim it.
After a delicious plated dinner, guests were invited to a coffee and dessert station that featured hundreds of cupcakes served on large tree trunk slices and a big copper caldron of fresh berry crisp complete with a homemade vanilla mascarpone whipped cream. I designed this table to compliment the look in the barn. Eggplant and sage linens were mixed with burlap overlays. Large glass columns held candles and tiny keys attached to satin ribbon formed a garland that draped along the edge of the table.
As a final, whimsical gesture, I asked two of the wait staff to retrieve just one iron ant from our prop box. Just before our bride and groom cut their cake, I perched the ant peeking over the edge of the cake stand so only Andrea and James could see it. As a Wedding Event Planner there are so many moments that make all of the work worth it, but none more so than when a client, upon noticing a special touch, searches you out in the crowd to make eye contact and share a knowing, appreciative smile.