Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

• {real rehearsal} Erin + Chris

  Date: 2011.09.23 | Category: Inspiration, Simply & Forever News | Response: 12

  I absolutely loved working with my September 3rd couple Erin & Chris who got married at Graham Chapel and the St. Louis Club.  I was honored to help them plan a fabulous rehearsal dinner at Via Vino in Frontenac for their families and friends.  We created a wine pairing menu with Michael Del Pietro and Gus leading up to the event, and Michael and his staff definitely did not disappoint!
  

  The menus and escort cards were created by M.Haley Design and the escort cards were backed in red and the menus in silver to continue their color palette for their wedding weekend.  Simply & Forever created three all rose centerpieces in low black rectangle vases, with glass candlesticks adorning the length of the table.  The long rectangle table was perfect for their family and friends and just watching the table, you just felt happy, because everyone was laughing, smiling, and enjoying the company around them.

  

  Thank you so much Erin & Chris for having me be a part of this special weekend for you both!  Your love for each other is so apparent to everyone around you, and your love for your family and friends is truly amazing.  I know they all enjoyed spending the weekend with you two and you made every single event important for each of the guests as well as yourselves!

• Hot Chocolate Bar

  Date: 2011.09.09 | Category: Decor, Inspiration, Simply & Forever News | Response: 14

  Fall is one of my favorite seasons as I love the turning of the leaves and the crisp cool air.  I can totally feel that the seasons have changed here in St. Louis and I want Fall to stick around as long as it can.  Since I haven’t yet had my first hot chocolate of the season (or pumpkin spice latte!), I definitely was feeling fall inspired this morning.  A hot chocolate dessert bar would be a fabulous addition to your fall or winter affair.  The heart marshmallows are such a tiny but amazing detail and the hot chocolate is just a comfort that warms you up from the inside out.  Try making your own spin by including other comfort desserts like brownies shaped with hearts and add a s’mores station for that gather around the campfire with friends feeling.

  
  Image Credits from left to right

  1. Martha Stewart  2. Camilla Photography via Green Wedding Shoes  3.  Wedding Wire  4. jolynne photography  5. Smitten Kitchen

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Out of Town Guest Bags

  Date: 2011.08.24 | Category: Inspiration, Simply & Forever News | Response: 15

  

  Can I tell you a secret?

  I absolutely love creating out of town bags for wedding guests.  Why you ask?  Because I LOVE sharing the great talents that come out of St. Louis, even in the shape of food!  Your guests are traveling from all over to be a part of your special day, and it is an extremely nice touch to welcome each of them to our beautiful city with a bag that represents the best snack foods we have around!

  I loved the above bag because they created a canvas tote bag that was imprinted with I heart STL, very much so like the famous NYC slogan.  It shared information about St. Louis including maps and things to do, which we have PLENTY OF around here!  I could spend an entire day at Forest Park if you let me.

  Looking to create your own Out of Town Bags?  If you have under 50 guests, look to find reusable grocery totes to hold your treats for your guests.  They are reasonably priced for packages under 50, and your guests can carry them home with them as well.  Then think about all of the fun city bakeries and shops you have.  For example, most bakeries can do individual tins of a dessert (if you are here in St. Louis, think gooey butter cakes!) or can do smaller bags of their product (for example: mini popcorn bags, chocolates shaped like your skyline).

  One last tip, don’t just stop at thinking about the food!  Ask yourself: do I live in a town known for a certain drink or does a company bottle their products here?  I promise that your out of town bags will be something that your guests will talk about as a reminder of your fabulous wedding weekend!

  Happy Wedding Wednesday!

  Katie

   

   

• Tablescape Inspiration

  Date: 2011.03.04 | Category: Decor, Inspiration | Response: 4

  Coming up with the table design at your reception is one of my favorite parts of wedding planning.  To inspire you, I’ll be posting pictures of tablescapes to give you ideas on how things can pull together on a table and look absolutely fabulous!  This one is a snippet of a great post by my friend Ami at Elizabeth Anne Designs.  Check out her post for more pictures of this amazing photoshoot for more inspiration!

  

  Found on Elizabeth Anne Designs

  Information on Vendors: Floral and styling – Studio Fleurette \ Photography – Kristina Lynn Photography \ Location – Mystical Rose Gardens \ Candle holders – CB2 \ Containers – Ikea

• Candy Inspiration

  Date: 2011.02.21 | Category: Inspiration | Response: 2

  

  Image from House Beautiful as found on Swanky Tables

  If this doesn’t make you want to go pick up House Beautiful , I’m not sure what will!  I found this on Swanky Tables and this tablescape by Dylan Lauren of Dylan’s Candy Bar is FABULOUS.  This is a perfect table setting for a birthday party for a kid who adores sweets!

  And if you’re having a candy bar at your reception, doesn’t this inspire you to think outside the box?  Try finding containers that are solid colors like these fabulous goblets, to put some of your candy in.  Or find square containers for your guests to put their candy in and put a rock candy stick in each of them to add some color to the boxes!