Vintage Airmail Americana

If Emily Henderson was naming the design style of this wedding, I am betting she would go with "Vintage Airmail Americana." Talented and creative duo Lina and Sante embarked on their engagement with a long list of vintage shops to hit and DIY projects to knock out of the park. I had the honor of serving as their day of wedding coordinator, helping it all come together.

Rather than pay to rent pricey tableware from their caterer, Lina and Sante combined their own family china with pieces they collected from antique stores and ebay.

 The guest's place cards doubled as their drinking glass for the evening. With the catchy phrase "Sip, Smile, and Repeat" gracing the bar.

Taking the DC theme by storm, Lina collected vintage DC post cards which were included in each reception place setting so guests could write the couple a love note in lieu of signing a traditional guest book.

The dessert bar features a small cake the the couple to cut, and impressive ice cream station, and a traditional Lithuanian cake to embrace the bride's heritage.

As with most of the elements included in this wedding, the flowers were pulled together by the friends and family that offered incredible support to this couple throughout their wedding weekend. If there is one theme that became aparant to me during the planning, set up, and coordination. If you are going the DIY route, enlist the help of talented and creative friends! Lina and Sante sure were lucky to have a full cast of support.

You can read more about Lina's planning in her Make It, Fake It, or Buy It series that ran on my now retired Calligraphy by Shannon wedding planning blog. Here are some specific posts that might be of interest to you.

Reply Cards | Mason Jar Tags | Airmail Invitation | Post Card Save The Dates | Save The Dates Reveal

All pictures features here are either my own, or by their fabulous wedding photographer, Anne Robert Photography. psst, she takes her pictures with film!

Vendors: Wedding Location: St. Peter's Catholic Church // Reception Location: Rockwood Manor // Photographer: Anne Robert Photography // Caterer: Blacksauce Kitchen // Decor & Floral: diy

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a little note from me to you:

I am excited to finally be launching "parties" on my blog. The page has been chilling in my top nav bar for months. While I have a few back parties to share with you, idea boards I have completed for friends and clients, and even more exciting ideas planned, I haven't had the bandwidth to get this up and running. So with the new year, I figured I would make the push and give it a go. And this wedding is especially near and dear because while decorating this venue, my brain starting spinning about Behr's first birthday party, which is this Saturday! I cannot wait to share that with you next week.

p.s. can you believe that my itty bitty baby will be ONE on thursday?

p.p.s. you can also find me over at naptime diaries today

What a Wedding

Every time I get to see one of these lovely ladies, my face hurts from talking and my stomach hurts from laughing. Having all three of us together for an entire weekend was like a dream come true. We haven't spent that much time together since 2009. The best part was the honor to stand together and praise God for the beautiful love he has given our dear friend and her groom.  

Highlights include:

The bride rapping to Ice Ice Baby.

A surprise flash mob dance.

Orchids, everywhere.

More dancing than you could ever imagine.

Catching up with old friends.

Great food.

Really, really great people.  

it looks like they are standing still, but they are dancing

Saturday Shoes: Help!

I get to break my shoe fast for one very important occasion, my best friend's wedding!  We are wearing navy cocktail length sweetheart neck dresses and gold shoes.

Bill Levkoff

I need a pair of gold heals.  I have been out of the shoe shopping world!  The pressure is on.  I need your help.  Send suggestions please!

Weddings and Babies

This summer was full of weddings! Three in just two weekends!

(NOTE: These weddings will all soon be links! Or you can keep and eye out for them on my calligraphy blog: www.calligraphybyshannon.blogspot.com)

Teen and Brendan

Dave and Katie

Ashley and Mike

And then the weddings continued into fall:

Whitney and JD

Mike and Kelsey

We had a blast at all of them! We love weddings and all of the emotions they bring for the couple, their families and each marriage in attendance. Beautiful ceremonies, gorgeous brides, and lots of loving details sprinkled into the mix.

I thought that was a lot of excitement for a short period of time. And then the third week in November happened! Four friends had baby boys this week - FOUR! Congratulations to all the new families, happy moms, and healthy baby boys! I look forward to meeting you all! I am overwhelmed with excitement. Here are the big boys:

Top: Isaiah & Levi

Bottom: Carlton & Caleb

Don and Amy Humpton

Two weekends ago [I have not been a diligent blogger] we drove to NH for Don and Amy's wedding. Plans were up in the air until the very last minute, but it all worked out. We actually stayed in CT with Adam and Christen. It was the perfect way to break up the drive and a great opportunity to hang out with them. We usually only see them in MA when they visit the Backiels.

Amy was a gorgeous bride. It was a perfect day, bright sunny skies and a slight breeze. They couldn't have asked for more. The wedding was amazing. Amy's Dad assisted with the vows and Mr. Humpton prayed for the couple. Here is a picture as Don is saying his vows to Amy.

Being a lacrosse wedding, a lot of the guys Mark coached were there and for many of them, this was there first wedding. It was great to see all of the guys again and hear what they have been up to. We miss having them all over for dinner now that we live so far away. Here is a picture of all the guys with Don.

As you can see, they had a lot of fun! I have never seen these guys dance so hard. Michael and Ben did the worm, Matt and Dan were going crazy. And Josiah and Don never seemed to leave the dance floor. Every cheese 80s dance move was incorporated from the sprinkler to the shopping cart... As you can imagine, it was hillarious. As Mark and I drove back to CT after the wedding, we couldn't stop laughing about all the fun we had. This is an incredible group of guys. We are so blessed to have been able to attend this wedding, and also to have all of these guys in our life.

Matt and Anna Buchanan

Last weekend Mark and I had the privelage of attending Matt and Anna's wedding. The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding, the setting was beautiful, and the food was delicious. Each moment was wonderful. We were able to spend time with Matt and Abi Chapman and John and Anna Carpenter, two couples who we do not get to see often enough!