Elizabeth and Colby

Sunday, January 23, 2011





































Since January and February can be some of winter's darkest months, I thought that I'd share a summer wedding as a way to ward off winter blues. What could chase away the doldrums better than this stunning celebration, photographed by the talented Tanja Lippert?

Elizabeth and Colby were married at her grandparent's lake house where she grew up. While the bride, groom and their attendants got ready, guests played bocce ball, croquet, horseshoes and badminton on the lawn. The bride wore a stunning Melissa Sweet gown, while her bridesmaids got gussied up in dresses from David's Bridal, and the boys counted on Jos. A. Bank for their suits.

The couple was married under a driftwood arbor the bride and her father built together; Dad was also instrumental in the restoration of the property, which had fallen into disrepair. The bride had a favorite wedding book as a child, "A Frog Went A-Courting", and had begged her grandfather to plant a willow tree so she could be married beneath it. While he told her it would block their pristine view of the lake, 6 years before his passing he planted not just one but four willow trees around the property. The bride and her family also planted lavender on the property and around the arbor, providing the perfect natural ceremony décor.

The bride also found inspiration for their stationery suite in "A Frog Went A-Courting"; illustrations from the book were used as backing for their program fans. The bride spent over 50 hours at the helm of a platen press crafting their four-color save the dates, invitations and signage, as well, and said she made a lifelong friend in her letterpress mentor, Robert Johnson. Not only did the bride make her own stationery suite, she and her maid of honor arranged bouquets, centerpieces and aisle flowers. This crafty bride also collected vintage jars, beverage dispensers, cafe lights and apothecary jars for table settings and décor, handmade eyelet lace candle holders and birch wood centerpieces, calligraphied drink name tags and crafted eyelet candy favor boxes! She so enjoyed the work that she has since started an event planning and design business, Clementine & Clover, based in Southern California!

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed summer cocktails and a selection of Spanish tapas chosen by the groom, who is a Spanish professor. Chic le Chef catered the party while McKee Somerville baked a buttercream-frosted chocolate-raspberry and carrot cake. A string quartet, friends from the bride's grandmother's days in the local symphony, played a mix of classic, swing and motown hits, and a backwater blues band, Quinn DeVeaux and the Blue Beat Review, kept guests dancing until well after midnight. And of course, the incredible Tanja Lippert captured each beautifully crafted moment in stunning detail.

So did that chase away your winter blues? I know this magical wedding cured me of mine!

25 comments:

  1. those pictures are really heartwarming. the second one from the top is my favorite .
    each of them has a story of their own. good job !

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  2. what a beautiful venue! love love the mason jars :) xoxo jcd

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  3. Absolutely beautiful!!! The simplicity, the story and when everything has a meaning is a perfect example of how weddings should be designed!!! Those garden roses just make me weak at the knees!!

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  4. So utterly stunning! All of the amazing stories and thoughtful touches that went into the day make it even more special. Everything had meaning to the couple which I love!

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  5. I love this post. The photos are stunning, the couple is so obviously crazy about each other which makes the photos natural, not like they are posing. I really like the one where she is like leaning against him in the porch. It is simple and beautiful...the whole thing.

    Angie
    Linen + Verbena

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  6. oh. my. goodness.

    totally swooning over all these lovely details...especially the pops of blue {you know I love those!}. loved the story about the grandfather too :) thanks for brightening up our FREEZING cold Sunday! xoxo {av}

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  7. Oh man, this is a la petit coquin wedding if I've ever seen one and they're stunning!

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  8. Wow, I adore this wedding! I love the flowers and the mason jars!

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  9. thanks for the pick me up! i adore the fresh vibrant colors:) what a nice change from the sludgy snow:)
    gina
    www.hiyaluv.com

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  10. That home is stunning!

    A beautiful wedding too.

    ~ Clare x

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  11. Oh so pretty!
    And a lovely Monday to you :)

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  12. Tanja's work is simply amazing, and this wedding is no exception!! I SO want to live in that house too!

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  13. oh my...can it get any prettier? this wedding is stunning!

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  14. Very fashionable in every way. I got lots of inspiration just by looking at it. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. i love that cake.. lol clearly I am on a diet if thats the thing that sticks out to me lol

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  16. I love the pic of him holding her bouquet! So presh!!

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  17. That's a beautiful wedding! The decorations with jars are so easy but very stylish!!
    I live in a town that has a wonderful lake so I love this kind of scenary!!

    Thank you Lena for your today's comment! You are so sweet with me! I really appreciate every comments you leave on my blog! I think you know me very well!!!

    Lots of love!
    Silvia

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  18. This wedding is like a perfect dream! Love your posts!! xx

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  19. Seersucker suits from Jos.A Bank-hmmm.Believe we both know someone who would wear one in his wedding!

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  20. That is breathtaking -- and clearly so personal! They look like a cool couple, with amazing style, too!

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  21. the whole event just feels so relaxing!

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  22. AHHHH! Their venue...astounding. Those photos of them on the swing and on the dock are amazing. They brought a smile to my face!

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