the colors for the wedding were black, ivory, and champagne, the theme was simple but elegant which i think we achieved. the theme was centered around books, which was significant because alisha loves to read and brent proposed to her using a special hollowed out book. the wedding took place at salem baptist church in salem, va and the reception was held at the roanoke college wartman ballroom, also in salem, va. both spaces were beautiful and didn't need a ton of decorations, although we added some special touches here and there to dress things up.
here are some photos of her beautiful champagne and ivory dress--notice the "something blue"--her shoes! comfy, calvin klein flats!
i love the detailing on the back, and it almost looked like ribbons making up the bodice...so pretty and unique--just like the bride!
instead of flowers, all of the bridesmaids carried these handmade bookpurses, the first "special touch"--her mom, mother-in-law and i also had ones made, mine with my favorite book "the bell jar" sylvia plath.
from top to bottom- the bride looking calm and serene after her make-up is done, handmade cookies brent's mom had made for all of the guests in their goodie bags.
this was such a great moment, the bride finally ready with her dress being zipped up. that's her mom she's holding hands with, and her two matrons of honor in the back.
at the church...
alisha with one of her precious nieces, samantha, or sammy j as every calls her. what an adorable flower girl! close-up of the flower girl bookpurse.
alisha with one of her precious nieces, samantha, or sammy j as every calls her. what an adorable flower girl! close-up of the flower girl bookpurse.
always a clown...we would expect nothing less from j.r., the brides brother...
and like father, like daughter, the other adorable flower girl, michaela joined in on the fun!
i think we were all surprised when brent, the groom, had his turn!
the bride with her nieces and bouquet (that i made!!) ten white calla lilies symbolizing the family members that have passed away in recent years...
these three little ones did an amazing job walking down the aisle, and had so much fun while doing it!
seeing her groom for the first time, i think everyone shed a few happy tears...also a great shot of the gorgeous stained glass window in the church...
happiness...in the limo on the way to the reception...
the reception site, the ballroom of the colket center at roanoke college in salem, va, just a few blocks away from the church, it was a very convenient location for everyone. the second shot is of the bride and groom entering the ballroom, we didn't have to do much decorating b/c of the beautiful layout of the room.
the centerpieces were made out of hundreds of old books that were purchased for the big day, each book had a handmade bookplate with the bride and groom's name and were given as favors for the guests to take home. i made the table numbers from martha stewart stamps bought at michael's, simple ecru and black cardstock and tied off with a coordinating ribbon. i then propped open a book on top and simply taped the numbers on the book.
the cakes are below, a simple hexagon shape tiered cake with different flavors and the groom's cake was a surprise from alisha...it was a hit!
here's a great shot of the bride and groom during the reception, this captures them perfectly as a couple...all of the photos featured here were taken by the ridiculously talented eric kelley, based out of charlottesville, va.
a quick shot of me and jeni, one of the matrons of honor, during the reception, this was towards the end of the night and we were both getting tired, she was a big help though, along with my two wonderful parents. i couldn't have done anything on this day without them!
all in all, the wedding day was a huge success and i can't wait for my next wedding client!
the bride and groom off to the honeymoon....
xoxo,
