It’s hard to know where to begin in introducing Lauren and Jon’s sweet vineyard wedding – from the vintage decor and soft pink, blue and gold wedding color palette to the crisp, fresh photos from Dan Stewart Photography every bit of this day is eye candy! To tell you all about it, we have both the bride, Lauren, and wedding planner Alicia Caldecott of A Day in May Event Planning & Design…
What three adjectives best describe your wedding day?
The Bride, Lauren: Romantic, elegant, timeless
Was there a decor theme that ran through your wedding? What was the inspiration for that particular idea and how did it reflect you as a couple?
Wedding Planner, Alicia Caldecott: Lauren came to A Day in May Event Planning & Design wanting to incorporate tri-metallics (gold, white gold, and rose gold) and a very refreshing blue/green tone – which we aptly dubbed Leland Blue Stone – into her wedding day decor. The stationery was wildly important in creating the romantic, vintage, layered look Lauren wanted, and the lace on her gown added a timeless quality to her vision. The location selection of Ciccone Vineyard also played a part in the design. Lauren and Jon were not looking to have a vineyard theme wedding but rather wanted to play homage to the beautiful location through subtle details.
What were some of the different ways you used decor elements to create the beautiful, cohesive event you were envisioning?
Alicia: The design for Lauren and Jons wedding was inspired by their romance, a timeless sophistication, and a love of all things beautiful. We used every ounce of Ciccones hilltop scenery to create a cohesive event: the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception were all held on location, and each was designed with a dominant metallic to highlight Laurens love of the layered hues.
Ceremony: During the ceremony, we wanted all eyes on the bride and groom – but we knew it was important to frame their love story using the altar and aisle. While Lauren and Jon were the focal point, we suspended a crystal chandelier over the altar, lined the aisle with petals, and embellished wrought iron gates with floral and vines.
Cocktails: After the ceremony, the guests flooded the lawn to mingle and navigate through cocktail tables draped in soft ivory fabrics. Guests enjoyed a variety of beverages, including two signature drinks in mint julep cups which included two types of wine bottled on site. Blues, pinks, and coral florals were present in the whimsical table and bar decoration, along with vines and wild garlic.
Dinner: The dining tent was the introduction and backdrop for the after-wedding festivites. At the entrance, guests were greeted by a stacked wine bottle display and wood veneer escort cards – which were foiled in Lauren’s signature tri-metallics and set with Leland Blue calligraphy. The tent itself was draped in rich gold hues, and custom copper wine charms acted as place cards and party favors. On one side of the tent, a mirrored bar and wall displayed the couple’s new monogram, and the west wall opened up to reveal a stunning panoramic view of the vineyard and rolling hills – with a viewing deck to take it all in. The tables, covered in trimetallic and blue linens, were topped with an ornate place-setting and accented with a stunning foil letterpressed menu. Florals and candlelight were abundant: bright pink, fuschia, tangerine, and coral flowers coupled by towering gilded branches with delicately hung candles were the crowning glory to the beauty of the space.
Dancing: Guests passed by the centennial barn on the property en route to the ceremony – little did they know, it would house the dance party as the final touch of the beautiful vineyard wedding. After dinner, the bride and groom escorted their guests to their lounge where the band played and played and played! Eggplant sofas and rose gold seating arrangements were flanked by festooned columns and dramatic overhead lighting.
Where did you choose to hold your wedding, and how did the location influence your decor decisions?
Alicia:Lauren and Jon fell in love with the beautiful vistas and privacy of Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, its proximity to Traverse City, as well as Black Star Farms (where the family and wedding party were staying for the weekend). Ciccone was also very flexible in allowing us to create a look specifically for Lauren and Jon; it was a blank canvas for their individual and unique style.
Looking back, do you have a favorite project or successful decor idea from your wedding? Tell us what you loved about it!
The Bride, Lauren: Our custom monogram was something that was really unique and helped to tie everything together. We used various forms of it on the save the date, invitations, custom bar, cocktail napkins, etc. And we now use it in our home!
Image by Kristen Marie Parker. Keep scrolling to see our favorite mother-son dance songs
We’ll be the first to admit that emotional groom moments make us cry like nobody is watching, and the mother-son dance is no exception. The mother-son dance is more than just a tradition. It’s a way for the groom to thank his mother—the first love of his life—for raising him. With this in mind, we’ve curated a mother-son dance songs playlist fit for unique weddings—full of everything from sentimental classics and old school dance songs to tear-jerker new hits and music fit for any country wedding songs.
With the right music and a trusted photographer, these touching mother-son dance moments will be captured memories that will last long beyond the wedding day. As a bonus, we’ve included our favorite lyrics for every song. If listening to the options in search of the one is more your speed, then tune in to the Spotify playlist at the bottom of this post and get your planning notepad ready.
Image by The Times We Have.
Country Mother Son Dance Songs
Mother Like Mine – The Band Perry
Oh the wars would all be over / ‘Cause she’d raise us all as friends / Tonight would be easier / And our dreams would all be deeper / If the world had a mother like mine
My Wish – The Rascal Flatts
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to / Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small / You never need to carry more than you can hold / And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to / I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too
Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw
Go to church ’cause your mamma says to / Visit grandpa every chance that you can / It won’t be wasted time / Always stay humble and kind
You Are My Sunshine – Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine / You make me happy when skies are grey / You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you / Please don’t take my sunshine away
Don’t Blink — Kenny Chesney
Don’t blink / Just like that you’re six years old and you take a nap and you / Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife / Don’t blink / You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
He Gets That From Me — Reba McEntire
His curly hair and his knobby knees / The way the sun brings those freckles out / Talkin’ talk never miss a beat / Yeah he gets that from me / He gets that from me
What I Never Knew I Always Wanted — Carrie Underwood
Never pictured myself singing lullabies / Sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of the night / In the quiet, in the dark / You’re stealing every bit of my heart with your daddy’s eyes / What a sweet surprise
Mother Like Mine — The Band Perry
‘Cause she’d raise us all as friends / And no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them / Tonight would be easier / And our dreams would all be deeper / If the world had a mother like mine
There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
In my dreams, I’ll always see you soar above the sky / In my heart, there will always be a place for you, for all my life / I’ll keep a part of you with me / And everywhere I am, there you’ll be
I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder / You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger / May you never take one single breath for granted / God forbid love ever leave you empty handed / I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean / Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Mom — Garth Brooks
‘Cause there’s someone down there waiting whose only goal in life / Is making sure you’re always gonna be alright / A loving angel tender, tough and strong / It’s almost time to go and meet your mom.
Then They Do – Trace Atkins
Then they do / And that’s how it is / It’s just quiet in the morning / Can’t believe how much you miss / All they do / And all they did / You want all the dreams they’ve dreamed of to come true / Then they do.
Godspeed – The Chicks
Godspeed little man / Sweet Dreams little man / Oh, my love will fly to you each night on angel’s wings / Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)
Never Alone – Lady A
May your tears come from laughing, you find friends worth having / As every year passes, they mean more than gold / May you win and stay humble, smile more than grumble / And know when you stumble, you’re never alone
Like Jesus Does – Eric Church
All the crazy in my dreams / Both my broken wings / Every single piece of everything I am / Yeah, she knows the man I ain’t / She forgives me when I can’t / The devil, man, no, he don’t stand a chance / ‘Cause she loves me like Jesus does
Mother – Sugarland
She’s your mother, you love her / There won’t be another / place like her again that you call home / She stands here to help you / there’s nothing she won’t do / As long as she’s alive / you’re not alone / you’ve got each other / That’s your mother
Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The one they picks, the one you’ll know by. / Don’t you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry / So just look at them and sigh / And know they love you.
Mama, Mama you know I love you (You know I love you) / Mama, Mama you’re the queen of my heart / Your love is like tears from the stars, yes it is
Hero – Mariah Carey
And then a hero comes along / With the strength to carry on / And you cast your fears aside / And you know you can survive / So when you feel like hope is gone / Look inside you and be strong
Unforgettable / In every way / And forever more (And forever more) / That’s how you’ll stay (That’s how you’ll stay)
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
I may notalways love you / But long asthere arestars above you / Younever need todoubt it / I’ll make you so sureabout it / God onlyknows what I’d bewithout you
You Are The Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
You are the sunshine of my life / That’s why I’ll always be around / You are the apple of my eye / Forever you’ll stay in my heart
Moon River – Frank Sinatra
Moon river, wider than a mile / I’m crossing you in style some day / Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker / Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ your way
I Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin
I run for the bus, dear / While riding I think of us, dear / I say a little prayer for you / At work I just take time / And all through my coffee break-time / I say a little prayer for you
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
It’s a wonderful world / I’m just walking on air / Talk of heaven on earth / I’ve got more than my share / Haven’t got a care / Happy all day through / It’s a wonderful world / Loving wonderful you
My Mother’s Eyes – Frankie Valli
Just like a wandering sparrow / One lonely soul / I’ll walk the straight and narrow / To reach my goal / God’s gift sent from above / A real unselfish love / I found in my mother’s eyes
And be a simple kind of man / Oh, be something you love and understand / Baby, be a simple kind of man / Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
For one so small / You seem so strong / My arms will hold you / Keep you safe and warm / This bond between us / Can’t be broken / I will be here / Don’t you cry
The Wish – Bruce Springsteen
I remember in the morning, ma, hearing your alarm clock ring / I’d lie in bed and listen to you gettin’ ready for work / The sound of your makeup case on the sink / And the ladies at the office, all lipstick, perfume and rustlin’ skirts / And how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work
Beautiful Boy – John Lennon
Out on the ocean sailing away / I can hardly wait / To see you to come of age / But I guess we’ll both / Just have to be patient / ‘Cause it’s a long way to go
Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
I wouldn’t leave you in times of trouble / We never could have come this far / I took the good times; I’ll take the bad times / I’ll take you just the way you are
Blessed – Elton John
And you, you’ll be blessed / You’ll have the best / I promise you that / I’ll pick a star from the sky
Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
This is what we dream about / But the only question with me now / Is do I make you proud / Stronger than I’ve ever been now / Never been afraid of standing out / Do I make you proud
I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song – Jim Croce
Well, I know it’s kind of late / I hope I didn’t wake you / But what I’ve got to say can’t wait / I know you’d understand / ‘Cause every time I tried to tell you / The words just came out wrong / So I’ll have to say “I love you” in a song
Letter to My Mother – Edwin McCain
Mama, how do I write the words to you / You were the only one who loved me true
Wildflowers – Tom Petty
You belong among the wildflowers / You belong in a boat out at sea / You belong with your love on your arm / You belong somewhere you feel free
I Will – Matchbox Twenty
And if you go / Take a little piece of me / Hang it by the place you sleep / And dream of me / Don’t leave
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’ / ‘Cause I’ve built my life around you / But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m gettin’ older, too
Your Song – Elton John
I hope you don’t mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
How long will I love you? / As long as stars are above you / And longer if I can / How long will I need you? / As long as the seasons need to / Follow their plan
I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
I’ll stand by you / I’ll stand by you, won’t let nobody hurt you / I’ll stand by you / Baby, even to your darkest hour, and I’ll never desert you / I’ll stand by you.
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
You were my strength when I was weak / You were my voice when I couldn’t speak / You were my eyes when I couldn’t see / You saw the best there was in me / Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach / You gave me faith ’cause you believed / I’m everything I am / Because you loved me
In My Life – The Beatles
There are places I’ll remember / All my life, though some have changed / Some forever, not for better / Some have gone, and some remain / All these places had their moments / With lovers and friends, I still can recall / Some are dead, and some are living / In my life, I’ve loved them all
You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains / You raise me up to walk on stormy seas / I am strong when I am on your shoulders / You raise me up to more than I can be
The Only Fan – Backstreet Boys
You showed me / When I was young just how to grow / You showed me / Everything that I should know / You showed me / Just how to walk without your hands / ‘Cause mom you always were / The perfect fan
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong / Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond / And may you never love in vain / And in my heart you will remain
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Listen baby, ain’t no mountain high / Ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough baby / If you need me call me no matter where you are / No matter how far, don’t worry baby / Just call my name I’ll be there in a hurry / You don’t have to worry
Close to You – The Carpenters
On the day that you were born the angels got together / And decided to create a dream come true / So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue
Take Your Mama – The Scissor Sisters
When you grow up, livin’ like a good boy oughta / And your mama, takes a shine to her best son / Something different, all the girls they seem to like you / Cause you’re handsome, like to talk and a whole lot of fun
No Matter What – Calum Scott
She said, “I love you no matter what / I just want you to be happy and always be who you are” / She wrapped her arms around me / Said, “Don’t try to be what you’re not / ‘Cause I love you no matter what” / She loves me no matter what
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
All you need is love / All you need is love / All you need is love, love / Love is all you need
When it’s not always raining there’ll be days like this / When there’s no one complaining there’ll be days like this / When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch / Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this
I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
I’ll reach out my hand to you / I’ll have faith in all you do / Just call my name and I’ll be there (I’ll be there)
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
Lean on me, when you’re not strong / And I’ll be your friend / I’ll help you carry on / For it won’t be long / ‘Til I’m gonna need / Somebody to lean on
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
When the night has come / And the land is dark / And the moon is the only light we’ll see / No I won’t be afraid / Oh, I won’t be afraid / Just as long as you stand, stand by me
I’ll Always Love My Mama – The Intruder
I’ll always love my mama / She’s my favorite girl / You only get one, you only get one, yeah / I’ll always love my mama / She brought me in this world
Mama Hold My Hand – Aloe Blacc
When I was just a little boy / I would go to play / And I would wander so far from home / That I would lose my way / Then I call my Mama to help me / And she came right away / To help me get back home, where I wanna be
So I, try, to understand, what I can’t hold in my hand, and where ever we are / Home is there too / And if you, could try to find it too / Cause this place is overgrown into with works in bloom / Home is wherever we are, if there’s love there too
Kind & Generous – Natalie Merchant
You’ve been so kind and generous / I don’t know how you keep on giving / For your kindness I’m in debt to you / And I never could have come this far without you
Child of Mine – Carole King
You don’t need directions / You know which way to go / And I don’t want to hold you back / I just want to watch you grow / You’re the one who taught me / You don’t have to look behind
Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me / She get down on her knees and hug me / Oh, she loves me like a rock / She rock me like the rock of ages / And loves me
Over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high / There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby / Oh, somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue / Clouds high over the rainbow, makes all your dreams come true, ooh
93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
Son in life you’re gonna go far / If you do it right / You’ll love where you are / Just know that wherever you go / You can always come home
A Mother’s Song – Daniel Kirkley
Be faithful and be true / Show love in all you do / Then you’ll know, just how / You make your mother proud
Home – Phillip Phillips
Hold on, to me as we go / As we roll down this unfamiliar road / And although this wave is stringing us along / Just know you’re not alone / ‘Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Old Pine – Ben Howard
We stood / Steady as the stars in the woods / So happy-hearted / And the warmth rang true inside these bones
If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me / Time after time / If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting / Time after time
Here Comes The Sun Again – M. Ward
Kingdoms and queens they all bow down to you / Ranches and ranch hands are bowing too / And I’m takin’ off my straw hat for you, singin’ / Here comes the sun again
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
I needed the shelter of someone’s arms and there you were / I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were / With sweet love and devotion
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
When you’re weary, feeling small / When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all / I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
Mother – Overcoats
Mama, don’t you love him so? / Just wanna light the way wherever he goes / And kiss his forehead when he needs to know / He’ll have a home with you / You won’t be alone
Sweet Love of Mine (Acoustic) – Joy Williams
Oh, my darling, sweet love of mine / I’ll hold you all through the night / I gave you your name; you gave me back my life / You’re the heart of me, oh, sweet love of mine
Oh! My Mama – Alela Diane
Oh my Mama / She took my little hand and held on tight / Oh the Mamas / Give the waters of their wells / Oh the Mamas / Give the babies this very dirt we’re walking on
Lastly, don’t neglect a wedding photographer to document your mother-son dance, either. At Junebug Weddings, we’re here to help you find your dream vendor team and make sure every moment is picture-perfect.
With an ocean wedding in mind, Jenessa and Tyson fell head over heels for Stewart’s Cove in Carmel the first time they visited. The oceanside locale made the perfect setting for the couple’s beach ceremony, not to mention their sunset portraits after saying “I do!” Heather Elizabeth Photography impeccably captured the rustic and romantic details that personalized Jenessa and Tyson’s dream wedding by the sea.
We both decided early on into the planning that getting married by the ocean was the way for us. We both find spirituality being near the ocean, and thought it would be such a magical place to say our vows. Plus, we were engaged by the ocean so it just fit!
One of my really good friends introduced me to “Stewart’s Cove” in Carmel and I just melted! It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to in California. The water is turquoise, the sand is white, and there is a rustic beauty to it. I love romance and pretty, soft colors, so we went with a “rustic beach meets bling” theme. Soft pinks and mints for the wedding party, a pop of bright flowers, crystals and sheer fabric hung from the canopy, and beach wood candle holders to line the aisle.
The Moments:
When I surprised Tyson and sang to him with the amazing band. Looking into his eyes and singing to him was almost better than saying our vows! I chose to sing “Right Down the Line.” It was such a magical moment.
The Couple Recommends:
The flowers were absolutely stunning, Rick is honestly so talented and easy to work with! Heather our photographer was able to capture the most amazing pictures and did so without an assistant! We have SO many wonderful frozen memories to choose from, and she is also very easy to work with! The food at Kula Ranch was so yummy, we received a lot of good feedback from our guests. The cheesecake bites that we had for desert from Cheesecake Dreamations were also a hit. Steve Ezzo is so talented and his band is amazingly professional. Our guests had an amazing time dancing the night away! We were also very impressed and happy with our wedding video! I am SO happy with all of our wedding professionals all around!
Congrats to Jenessa an Tyson on their romantic beach wedding at Stewart’s Cove in Carmel! If you loved this wedding, be sure to check out more of Heather Elizabeth Photography‘s dreamy style in Whitney and Jonathan’s vintage DIY backyard wedding.
If the fall rain has been getting you down lately, cheer up with this sunshine filled rustic barn wedding photographed by Dan Stewart Photography! With a happy color scheme of pale yellow and light grey, this wedding was full of fun details. Claire even arrived in style in an old vintage Chevy truck and Todd got the perfect groom’s cake featuring his proud alma mater, the University of Michigan.
The Goals: For us, our wedding was about bringing our family and friends together in a place we both love, Traverse City, Michigan. We knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony by the water, so all we had to do was find the right place with enough rustic charm to make everyone feel relaxed and right at home. We also added a lot of small personal DIY touches that made the day feel even more special.
The Design: We both love the outdoors and enjoy being by the water. Once we stumbled upon Crooked Creek Ranch, we knew that an outdoor ceremony on Lake Leelanau and a reception in the beautifully renovated barn fit us perfectly. Since we were having a summer wedding, we decided to make everything fresh, light and airy by choosing a yellow and grey color scheme with small details of hearts and love birds on the cake and stationery. Our ceremony was set up in an open field facing the lake and acoustic guitar played as an old white Chevy helped make a memorable bridal entrance. Our reception followed in the old red barn, decorated with paper lanterns and pomanders, market lights, and an old door with mail slot for cards. We kept our flowers simple with mostly whites and yellows and some greenery and texture, which created just the right balance of sophisticated elegance with easy rustic charm. It turned out to be even better than we expected.
The Look: For the dress, I wanted something simple, elegant and lacy that would fit in with our outdoor rustic barn wedding. I settled on a fit and flare style that was light enough to move around in and have a good time. I loved the horizontal striped pattern of lace running down my dress and the way the pattern swooped onto the train. The little bits of sequins and beading made the dress sparkle in the sunlight without being too overpowering, and mid-length veil was the perfect finishing touch. My husband and I are about the same height, so it was important that I not wear heels for our wedding. My sparkly flats were absolutely amazing and made me feel like a bride. The bridal party wore strapless pale yellow dresses from David’s Bridal. The mix of styles in coordinating color was perfect along with their own shoes and accessories.
The Moments: We both agree that our favorite part of the wedding was our ceremony. We did not see each other before the ceremony, which made that moment walking down the aisle extra special. We also chose to write our own vows. It was a heartfelt and real expression of our love for one another and we’re so happy that we could share it with our friends and family. Lastly, we chose to use beach sand from where we each grew up in our sand ceremony. Our ceremony was so romantic and personal for us, and at the end it was such a huge relief to finally look at each other as husband and wife.
The Advice: With so many opinions to juggle, it’s extremely challenging to keep your sanity while wedding planning and keep the wedding focused on the two of you. My first piece of advice is to pick the top three things in your wedding that you really care about and make sure they are exactly they way you want them. Take the time and energy to be sure they are perfect. My second piece of advice is to trust your wedding professionals. Most have a very good ideas of what will work and what will not work, and might even have new things in mind to make your day even more special (my florist actually added handmade and vintage pieces of lace to my bouquet that were absolutely breathtaking). My third and most important piece of advice is to set aside time for personal pampering during the wedding planning process. Whether it is getting your nails done, or getting massages, take the time you need for yourself away from it all to relax and decompress. You will feel better and everyone else will too.
At a private family estate in California, Emily and Chris were married in a day that exuded elegance and ease. D. Park Photography was there to capture the dazzling decor in gold and blush and all the joyful moments of dancing and toasting beneath crystal chandeliers. I love it!
The Couple: Emily and Chris
The Wedding: 7.20.13 – Private Family Estate, Dana Point, California
The Goals: Our main goal for our wedding was making sure it was a great party. We wanted to celebrate our marriage, but more important make it a celebration of the people we love in our lives. We wanted to make sure that the event was special but not uptight and where people could relax and enjoy themselves. The DJ was important to us because he set the mood.
The Look: For my dress, I wanted something I hadn’t seen before. My dress was the second one I tried on and no other dresses compared. I wanted to do something classic but with a unique touch which is why I loved the stitching on the dress. It looked like watercolor flowers. I wanted my hair to be really romantic so I did loose curls for the ceremony and a side pony for the reception. My bridesmaids wore soft blush, floor length gowns with sweetheart necklines. I liked that all of us had sweetheart necklines. I bought each of the girls a gold necklace with their first initial in crystal that they wore that day. The groomsmen wore classic black suits and skinny ties with patent leather shoes. The men’s look was classic but fashionable with the skinny ties.
The Design: We wanted to create a fun, relaxed, summery feeling. I wanted it to be ethereal with candlelight, soft creams, blushes, and gold. I added a little bit of sparkle here and there. I loved our cake – our designer used edible gold dust on the middle tier. It was so fun and I loved that it was different.
The Moments: The day went by so fast it’s hard to decide which part was my favorite…I loved our first dance together as husband and wife. We love the song we chose…Jack Johnson’s “Better Together”. Another special moment was my dance with my dad. We danced to Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young” and we had so much fun!
The Advice: There’s a lot of advice a couple will hear as they prepare for the big day, but I think the one that helped Chris and I the most was keeping in perspective why we were marrying each other. So many people become involved, trying to keep to our budget, stressing over color schemes, family drama, but when all is said and done, the two of you will be married and will spend the rest of your lives together. Basically don’t sweat over little things because when the big day comes it is about you and your love committing yourselves to each other, nothing else will matter. Our biggest wedding planning success was starting early and taking baby steps. There’s so much information out there, tackle items one at a time if you can. It makes the process much more manageable and fun! Also, Pinterest is your friend…I love that site!
We must admit that we love that most couples these days are opting for a full wedding dessert table rather than just a traditional wedding cake because it adds such a personal (and sweet) touch to the reception! It also allows couples to make the dessert/cake table a focal point of the reception decor and get creative with styling. Here are 9 of our favorite sweet and simple ways to make a big impact on your wedding dessert table.
Need just a bit more sweetness after seeing all these wedding dessert table ideas? Indulge in some of our other wedding dessert tips for even more mouth-watering inspiration:
When planning your reception, including an interactive element is a great way to get guests mingling and get the party started! When you hear the word “bar” you might envision a mixologist pouring adult beverages behind a counter, but there are so many creative bar options beyond cocktails and glasses of wine! From burgers to Bloody Marys and beyond, get inspired by these reception bar ideas from real weddings.
We love a wedding that really lets the couple’s personality shine. From hand-written vows to hand-me-down wedding details, there are so many ways to personalize your day! One aspect of the wedding where you can really turn the volume up is your reception. By 2017, we’ve all been to at least one wedding with a photo booth setup. While there are always new, inventive ways to have a photo booth (in a VW bus! with face-in-hole cutouts of the bride and groom! making use of an stylish lounge area!), we started thinking of reception activities beyond the booth. If you’re looking for ideas to entertain your guests between dinner and dancing, these creative reception activities are for you!
Typewriter Poetry
Much like you would book a DJ or emcee to entertain your reception, there are talented typewriter poets for hire! Give your guests the gift of words with a poem written on the spot, just for them. We guarantee your guests will be raving about this wedding take-away for years to come!
P.S. We highly recommend checking out The Haiku Guys + Gals for amazing on-the-spot typewriter haikus at your wedding!
You’ve obviously got an incredible photographer to capture each little moment throughout your day, but there is another kind of artist that can capture your wedding in a unique way! Hiring a live artist to paint or draw a scene from your reception is impossibly classy. Not only will your guests be wowed as they sneak peeks at the masterpiece throughout your affair, but you receive a one-of-a-kind canvas to display in your home that was created in full during your wedding.
Does your reception venue come with a pool? String lights and colorful floaties are eye-catching, but you’ll really turn heads with a team of synchronized swimmers! Words can’t really express the delight of seeing a group of brightly-suited dancers take on the water in sync, so we’ll let these Palm Springs wedding photos below do the talking!
Confession time: we are huge fans of karaoke here at Junebug Weddings. That said, we’re dying for an invite to a wedding reception with karaoke! What better way to get guests involved in the fun than belting out “Don’t Stop Believing” as one massive group?
Whether your guests are a heavily tattooed crowd or don’t mind a little temporary body art, a tattoo station is an activity guests won’t soon forget! Give your guests something they can take home with them to remember your day by. The quickly fading temporary tattoos may not last as long as a permanent one, but your guests are sure to remember either experience as creative and totally YOU!
When it comes to DIY dessert, there’s no option more delicious than s’mores! From roasting marshmallows together over an open fire pit to crafting their perfect treat, guests will have way more fun with dessert when they get to play with their food. Step up the s’mores game with Reese’s, cinnamon sugar graham crackers, and flavored marshmallows.
Having a signature cocktail is always a lovely personal touch to add to your reception. Now, imagine that all of your wedding guests left the party knowing how to recreate it at home? Rather than simply hiring a bartender for your event, consider booking a mixologist to provide craft cocktail lessons on the spot. Who doesn’t love a little learning with their liquor?
Weddings are all about celebrating the next chapter in your life. Having a tarot card reader at your reception fits in perfectly, getting your guests in the mindset of thinking ahead to what their own future holds. Especially if your wedding reception has a bohemian or eclectic aesthetic, a tarot reading could be your perfect reception activity!
A cigar lounge during your reception provides a perfectly relaxing getaway for guests from the strobe lights of the dance floor. Many guests may have never experienced a cigar before, making this both a unique wedding activity and a crossed-off bucket list item.
With spring just around the corner, we’re dreaming of the ultimate botanical-inspired wedding: voluminous blooms, lush greenery, horticultural illustrations, floral bridesmaid dresses, and an abundance of beautifully natural details. It’s no wonder botanical décor is trending with so many gorgeous florals and plants to include throughout your day. Lucky for you, we’ve got all the décor ideas you need to let your inspiration blossom.
From a venue that’s been involved with the bride’s family for decades to the watercolored stationary suite crafted by the groom’s mother, every inch of Alicia and Paul’s wedding was timeless and personal! Dan Stewart Photography captured the couple’s sentimental first look and portraits among Michigan’s natural scenery, after which they had a gorgeous church ceremony that paid homage to their Scottish and Jewish heritages. The couple chose to have their totally elegant reception at the historic City Opera House, complete with a big band jazz orchestra and a live watercolor artist!
Deciding to get married in the bride’s Northern Michigan hometown meant that most of the couple’s loved ones had to travel several hours by plane and car to celebrate with them. Reflecting their guests’ efforts and central role in their lives, it was important to Paul and Alicia that their family and friends knew how much their presence on that special day meant to them. As a result, the couple’s goal was to plan a wedding that was both timeless and elegant, but also welcoming and intimate.
Paul’s mother helped make the couple’s dream invitation suite a reality. The Save the Date, the RSVP card, and the invitation’s envelope liner all featured watercolors that the mother of the groom painted. The paintings featured the reception venue, as well as iconic Northern Michigan sights. Combined with dark wine envelopes, cream cards, and gold accents, the invitation suite was unique, personal, and a wonderful expression of family coming together to craft the wedding celebration.
During their “first look” the bride and groom exchanged pins; the groom wore his on the vest of his wedding suit, and the bride attached hers to her bouquet. The pins related to the couple’s first dance, which was to a waltz titled “Married Life,” off of the soundtrack to Disney’s animated film “Up.” For the bride and groom, the pins represented the start of a lifetime of adventures together.
During the marriage ceremony, which took place in the historic Methodist Church attended by the bride’s family, time seemed to stand still. For Alicia, after walking down the aisle with her father, no one but she and Paul seemed to exist! The couple exchanged vows using traditional religious wordings, but they also incorporated aspects of both their Scottish and Jewish heritages in a combined Hand Fasting and Seven Blessings rite. Each member of their wedding party— made up of their best friends and siblings— read one blessing while the couple’s hands were wrapped in ribbons. The ribbons now hang over the couple’s mantel at home.
Alicia and Paul held their reception in Traverse City’s historic City Opera House, built in 1892. Besides its beauty and ability to evoke the early-twentieth century elegance that the couple were aiming for, the building also has special meaning for the bride’s family. As a child, Alicia took ballet lessons in a studio which was located above the opera house and had recitals in the ballroom, while the rest of the family members have spent many summers watching movies together in the same space during Traverse City’s annual film festival.
As stressful as planning can be, try to enjoy it as much as possible! The wedding celebration itself is over so quickly, it is nice to also remember the moments spent working on projects during the months and weeks leading up to the big day. Paul and Alicia spent many weeknights and weekends together pouring over big band jazz playlists, setting-up a website with recommended sights-to-see, and picking out the perfect ceremony readings— in retrospect, all of that shared work and anticipation was a special part of the marriage process. The two long weekends that Aliciaand her mother had together as they shopped for both the bride’s and mother-of-the-bride’s dresses is also something that each will always cherish.
We had a live watercolor artist capturing our wedding reception at the City Opera House. The paintings she produced have been such a special way to remember the day!
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