Mary + Chase's Private Estate Wedding

Saturday August 20, 2016 | Private Estate | Eagle, ID

“It’s made me better loving you... It has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter.”

— Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

Boise Idaho Temple

Mary and Chase married in the beautiful Boise Idaho Temple on one of this summer's most breathtaking days. Abbey Kyhl Photography captured the joy and love surrounding them. We fell in love with Abbey and her genuine love for what Wedding photography is truly about. She writes, 

“But weddings include so much more than just the gorgeous images of the couple and I strive to capture every moment as it unfolds throughout the day. Your wedding day is about all the warm smiles and happy faces of the people who came to support you, tears of joy that are shed as you pledge your love to each other, all the details of the day you have worked so hard to make perfect, and everything in between. It’s about the moment you slip your dress on, to the moment you hug your parents goodbye. The tiny moments that make up your perfect day are special, fleeting and perfect. Life is scattered with tiny moments of beauty and emotion, and my goal is to capture each one of those memories that tell your entire love story.”

— Abbey Kyhl Photography

Intimate Formal Dinner

Mary and Chase had their hearts set on an intimate and more formal dinner with their closest family and friends before getting the party started with the more traditional open house style for their reception. We created a separate private space for this part of the evening by setting the dinner tent with the soft glow of candle light, clean modern and romantic neutrals and lush greenery garlands draped in stunning orchids! Flowers At Will nailed the floral design!

Floral Design

“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”

— J.R.R Tolkien

The Reception

The reception was full of good friends, music, and dancing, the perfect mixture for a great time. Oh and maybe having a private fireworks show helped too! The Bride and Groom really loved the idea of having soda bars. They were a complete hit with the guests, as well as having fun lawn games, waterside seating, disposable cameras and polaroids and ended the night with a sparkler exit in a vintage family car.

“So let’s climb every tree
And drink imaginary tea
And speak a language only we can understand
And I will fight back the tears
As we fly through the years
And I’ll keep you as close as I can...”

— Jon McLaughlin, "Imaginary Tea"

Ira + Lucy
Abbey Kyhl
Jared Wortley Films
Flowers at Will
Lindsey Behrens
Gukenheimer Catering | Scentsy 
Dj Blake
Event Rent
Sarah Pearl Calligraphy
Valiant Productions Lighting and Sound
Wildflower Linen
Treasure Valley Photo Booth
Amaru Confections Cake

Sammie + Beau's Boho Wedding

Sammie + Beau

Still Water Hollow | April 29th, 2016

Yet everything that touches us, me and you,
takes us together like a violin's bow, 
which draws one voice out of two separate strings

- Rainer Maria Rilke, "Love Song"

The Design

Custom wedding design by Ira + lucy
 

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Sammie shared with me a love for moody jewel tones and wanted to be sure it didn't feel too "girly" or too "country rustic". We focused on giving some boho vibes and playing up the jewel tones with a softer blush hue in the mix to add some depth to the palette. Pheasant feathers were a must for Sammie and Just So. Event Floral did a beautiful job incorporating them into the Bridal bouquet and Groom's boutonnière. I pulled away from a country vibe by adding a dramatic textured black and white print linen, from La Tavola Fine Linen, for the large head table. Adding vintage brown bottles, brass candlesticks with black tapers, gold geo shapes, air plants and ferns helped create a WOW focal point. Last minute, I decided to surprise Sammie with stunning calligraphy place cards from Sarah Pearl Studio. I requested them on black paper with torn edges and white text to add to that edgier vibe I wanted. 

Authentic Mexican Equipale chairs made for the perfect Bride + Groom special seating and after dinner we pulled one out for the garter toss! I'm so excited about these new chairs now a part of our rental collection! The Honey Harvest Rattan Chargers pulled in the warm wood hues  seen in the chairs, the brick backdrop and flooring.

Custom Projects

Sammie is going to school full time for nursing and truly, just didn't have the time or capacity to plan a wedding. Not to mention, just a few months before the wedding, her original venue canceled all their booked weddings, so we had to scramble to move the wedding to a new venue. At that point Sammie gave me full rein and told me to just take total creative and logistic control and pull her wedding together. It was pretty incredible to be able to have so much creative freedom and then get to surprise Sammie and Beau with all the little details we planned for them. The week of the wedding Sammie and her Mom wrote me in a panic that they forgot about a ring bearer pillow! So, I chatted with Kara, the florist and we put our minds together and I created the ring pillow and she made the flower girl baskets to match!

Farm House Tables

Our NEW Farm House Tables making their debut!!! They were incredible and made for the perfect special seating for the reserved family tables! Aren't they gorgeous pushed together for a dramatic tables cape and they pair beautifully with Tates new cross back chairs.

Team Member Pic by Peyton! Cake by Stevi Raff, Design Ira + Lucy

Ira + Lucy Team Member Pic, by Peyton. Sarah Pearl Calligraphy. Just So. Event Floral

“I’ve just been crying since last night and still can’t stop. I am in absolute awe. Thank you just does not do it. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude... I don’t have the words to thank you. That wedding was something out of my wildest dreams. You guys are miracle workers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!””

— Bride, Sammie

This was one of those "get you in the feels" weddings and couple. When Sammie and I first met in person there was an immediate connection, one of those God moments where you know you were brought into one another's lives for a bigger purpose. I won't got into the specifics, as it's personal for both Sammie and I, and we don't need to get too weepy eyed in our blog, but I'll forever feel connected to Sammie and giving her her dream wedding was a joy. I know all the vendors went above and beyond to love on this couple and I couldn't be more proud of our team and showing why we do what we do! To bless others! Love you so much Sammie! xoxo

VENDOR TEAM

Ira + Lucy Full Coordination + Design
Just So. Event Floral
Still Water Hollow
Open Table Catering
Stevi Raff Cakes
Hair by Shawna Hines, Bride + Bridesmaids HMU
Bridal Makeup, Blush by Jamie Rose, Bride's Sister-In-Law
Radion Photography and Blue Chip Media
VCI Audio
Tates Tents and Events, Chair Rentals, Dishwater
La Tavola Fine Linen Rentals
Plum Pretty Sugar Robe, Gifted to our Bride
Vera Wang Gown, David's Bridal
 

Abby & Dylan Fall Wedding

Click on above Digital Magazine to view Featured Wedding.

Speaking of the "Send Off"...sparklers or wands!?

We're chatting trends lately! I find that many of my couples are so busy planning alllll the other details that often when it comes to the couple "send off" or grand exit - it doesn't really happen... What really breaks my heart is when guests have already left...and the bride is sitting in a chair, exhausted watching her family clean up the party OR even worse.... SHE is cleaning up the party.... PLEASE take time to plan either hiring a professional to handle the set up and take down details OR find reliable friends that can handle it for your family...We will talk about this in length another time. Thee Send Off! I love this detail, why? Because so much work and care goes into your wedding that I believe it shouldn't end of a downer note... Instead the Happy Couple should joyfully leave, surrounded by cheers and love and be swept away to their private overnight stay somewhere special. Don't you think that sounds way better than all your guests leaving and your pouring the buckets of ice out in the parking lot?

Below are my tips for a successful Sparkler Send Off!

1. Sparklers are not created equal! Most important factors are the length of the sparkler and how much it's going to smoke. I recommend these 36" sparklers, with a burn time of 4 minutes. You can purchase them [button url="http://www.sparklersonline.com/wedding-sparklers-36-inch/"]here[/button] AND they have FREE SHIPPING!
2. Create or purchase a custom sign telling your guests what time the send off is planned! If you put sparklers in a mason jar and set it on a table your guests won't know what the plan is...AND many of your guests care about being part of the send off, but often have no clue when that time will be...especially if they have kids in tote. *Talk with your DJ and your photographer about this timing!
3. Speaking of DJ and Photographer! As professionals it rocks when we are all on the same page! Often a wedding planner will do this for you, but just in case you don't have one make sure you have chatted with your photographer and DJ about when you hope to have the send off. They will plan accordingly - cuing the right music, making any necessary announcements and the photographer has time to get prepared!
4. Put someone in charge! I highly recommend it isn't you or the groom! Again, if you don't have a planner or coordinator maybe ask your Maid of Honor or Best Man to be in charge of gathering up everyone and forming the isle/exit, handing out the sparklers and getting them lit at the right time.
5. Have the exit vehicle ready! It feels silly to do your grand exit and then not have the car ready :) hee hee!
6. No, you don't need as many sparklers as you have guests, especially if your send off is late in the night. Many of your guests have headed home. So, I usually suggest at least half the amount of your guest number. (if budget isn't an issue, go ahead and order extra to have on hand!)
7. Sparkler Station! YES, this is my area of expertise! Don't hide the signage and sparklers. Create a fun vignette showcasing the sparkler send off, creating anticipation and excitement for your guests. If you need ideas...I have tons!

Custom Chalkboard Signs (above) "Let Love Sparkle" & Pretzel Bar created by Ira & Lucy

Another option for creating a special send off is creating Ribbon Wands! I recommend using longer strands of ribbon and recommend wrinkling/washing the ribbon so that it will lay softer. This bride and groom placed the ribbon wands on the guests' seats at the ceremony, which could be used twice! For the walk down the isle and for later in the evening for their exit.

Be sure to visit a fabulous Wedding Blog: Every Last Detail for more beautiful photos from this wedding! I think I'm kinda in love with this photographer as well! Be sure to check her out!

Photographer: Elisa B Photography / Event Planner: Events with Panache / Catering: Harvest Moon Catering / Floral Designer: Sugar Magnolias / Bride’s Dress: Reem Acra / Cake Baker: Maliha Creations / Event Venue: Mountain Vineyards

Chalkboard Signs - a popular trend!

I will fully admit I am obsessed with signage! It makes a massive, yes MASSIVE difference in pulling your event design and styling together. I certainly can't and don't handle doing all signage myself. Sometimes our client's needs require the serious paper pros, of which I have some awesome local businesses I turn to for help. Stay tuned for more details on one of my favs - The Paper Crave! I just adore Jennifer and am so excited to share her work with you! Here is one of our chalkboards with a quote from The Secret Garden from one of our June Bride's, Krista's wedding. Her wedding had a subtle Secret Garden theme and I wanted to add this little touch, knowing how much she loved the book growing up. It was one of her favorite details! Photo by Raft Media, Flowers by FlowersAtWill, Still Water Hollow Venue.

 Tonight, while I watched the Seahawks play their final preseason game (GO HAWKS!) I worked on these custom chalkboard style signs for Bride Kristin. While I do work a lot with brides, I also work quite often with mothers of the bride. I just adore Kristin's mom, Charlene who has gone above and beyond wanting to make her daughter's day as special as possible. She even ordered custom macarons from New Orleans for the dessert bar! Her mom is handling all the decorations and picked a few select items from our inventory to help pull it all together. This is the perfect example of the flexibility we offer! We can do full event design OR you can rent just a few select items! Let us know what you need, let's chat and figure out how we can be of help.

Head on over to our Pinterest Boards to view some of my personal favorite chalkboard typography inspiration! P.S. Be sure you don't take the chalkboard craze overboard... chalkboard shouldn't take over your design! Like with all styling, don't let a "theme" or specific item engulf everything...