Two Be Wed: April 2013

Monday, April 15, 2013

April Fool's Styled Shoot

With our Texan winter finally coming to an end, we brought out our playful spirit in this styled shoot. It was a dream woven with thoughts of spring and southern loveliness- fitting, since its inspiration came from an actual dream of our own Natalie Dawley! She had imagined pulling a string of pranks on vendors at an event; we
twisted it into an April Fool’s shoot that showcases a couple of “fools for love.”

A big thank you to Christa Elyce for capturing and lending her fun personality to the day! BHLDN provided our bride’s adorable spring frock, while Swift + Co. dressed our table. We crafted fool’s gold for table décor and carried that theme throughout our stationery suite, beautifully calligraphed by Everly Calligraphy.

Wow to Tamara Menges Design's floral! Don’t the watercolor floral napkins + table runner complement beautifully the springtime flair of our venue, The Gardens of BammelLane? This inspired a fantastically fun guestbook option: have your guests watercolor a message for the bride and groom!

We wanted a southern dessert with a twist and MACARON by Patisse did a wonderful job of brainstorming with us and providing lemon meringue macarons, pistachio macarons and mini key lime pies that we will keep dreaming of!

See more of this shoot at 7 Centerpieces!

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Photographer: Christa Elyce Photography / Event Designer and Planner: Lauren Simkins of Two Be Wed / Floral: Tamara Menges Designs / China, Flatware, Furniture and Linens: Swift and Company / Invitation Suite and Calligraphy: Everly Calligraphy / Event Venue: Gardens of Bammel Lane / Makeup: Thalio Beckman / Dress: BHLDN / Desserts: MACARON by Patisse

Friday, April 12, 2013

Tablescapes + The Newlywed Cookbook at BHLDN

One of our favorite parts of the style and design process is designing the tablescape. Each is unique to the bride, her personality and style. And with so many key players - china, glassware, flatware, napkins, linens and stationary - the possibilities are endless! So we were thrilled when BHLDN asked us to share our tablescape secrets alongside the amazing food expert and author Sarah Copeland, as she launched her newest book, The Newlywed Cookbook, for a book signing and tablescape soiree! Let us just say that Sarah Copeland is so kind and gracious - there is no doubt she is making NYC a sweeter place! We really enjoyed getting to know her and want to wish her a huge congratulations for selling out her book at this event. (Go Sarah!) If you haven't already, get out and purchase The Newlywed Cookbook, a darling book full of yummy recipes every married couple needs to try.

Our role in this fabulous event was 'Tablescaping with Two Be Wed' likened to Build A Bear but better! Attending guests were given the choice amongst an array of china, glasses, flatware, napkins and calligraphy place cards by Rachel Nieman, to mix and create their very own custom tablescapes with our help. It was a first for us and so much fun! We loved seeing how one piece could inspire each person so differently. A few tips and tricks to remember when putting together your own tablescape:

1) Find an inspiration. Determine the kind of meal you are designing for, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner and the formality of the event. Next, choose your inspiration - it could be a fun pattern, a colorful napkin, a favorite platter or glass, or the place card.

2) Don't be afraid to mix and match. Patterns, napkins, the newly registered china and the old china passed down from your grandmother. Even the random pieces that came with your husband from college.

3) Be creative with your place card. If you are going with an organic theme - use a sprig of an herb from your fridge, a piece of bark or fruit. Try and use items you already have in a new way or something unique hidden in your kitchen drawers. Another option is to simply wrap a belly band around a napkin.

3) Most of all, have FUN with it. Let loose and try something different. Experiment and explore. If you don't like what you've designed, then you have 365 days until next year to perfect your custom tablescape.

We put together some fantastic tablescapes that day and each different from the last! And it wouldn't be possible without our amazing team of vendors - Acute Catering and Events recreated some delish treats from The Newlywed Cookbook and Sociologie Wine dazzled us with some stylish concoctions. Tamara Menges Designs outdid herself on the organic floral centerpieces and the lovely Christa Elyce Photography is always a doll to work with! Thank you BHLDN for having us and for letting us use your accessories, and Rachel Nieman for the phenomenal job on the calligraphy place cards. Enjoy this photo recap by the lovely Christa Elyce!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Emerald Regency Styled Shoot

When Pantone releases the color of the year, us planners go into a frenzy. We immediately begin to dream up events and tablescapes centered around a particular color. This year the chosen color was Emerald and it was a gem to work with.

The inspiration for our Emerald Regency shoot was an emerald vintage glass set that our friend and photographer Christa Elyce purchased. Our concept was driven by a mash up of styles: modern art deco meets Hollywood glam - we loved mixing the vintage pieces with lots of eclectic flair. Our favorite highlights of the shoot - the sequin tablecloth that screams glam, Art Deco invitation suite by pH design shop that roars 20's, the DIY platter installation that served as our ceremony backdrop and became a piece of art on it's own, and last but not least the stunning sequin gown by BHLDN that our very own Lauren wore beautifully.

Be sure to see more of this shoot featured on RuffledBlog today!