Pink & Purple Wedding Inspiration

With the big wedding around the corner we're sharing the lovely couple's color palette for their big day.  It's a beautiful combination of blush, pink, & purple.  The ceremony will feature a bolder pink and purple combination, while the reception will play with softer hues like blush and feature plenty of romantic candle light.  Can't wait for the festive weekend ahead and to celebrate the beautiful couple.

{Photo Credits: Top Row: Pink Mandap, Bride, Hanging Crystals: Second Row: Moroccan Tea Glasses, Pink Roses, Cake, Invitation; Last Row:  Pink Reception, Purple Reception}

Vintage & Rustic Rehearsal Dinner

So the BIL (brother-in-law) and soon to be sister-in-law are hosting a welcome dinner this Friday before their wedding ceremonies.  Their welcome dinner is being hosted by extended family, and they have a beautiful outdoor space, which is perfect for the couple's rustic and vintage theme.  Imagine hay bales as seating around a bonfire, old whiskey barrels as high boys or the base for a smores bar, and drinks stations with mason jars for friends and family to toast the happy couple.  With any vintage and rustic theme natural elements play a big role.  Raw wood (barrels, and directional signage); jute, burlap, and twine (as table runners, or wrapped around tins or mason jars); cotton balls (as decor); vintage glass bottles (as decor or centerpieces).  Classic treats like spiked lemonade, iced tea, smore, and pies add the vintage element, and we love the idea of relabeling beer bottles your own brand of moonshine.  Create an interactive drink station using the beer bottles as a ring toss, where guests get a chance to wine a prize (or a drink) if they get a ring around a bottle.  This is a great alternative to corn holes, and adds the element of old school traveling carnivals.  Finally, add modern conveniences like an outdoor station with cool towels, shawls, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent for guests to stay comfortable.  

{Photo Credits: Top Row: Wood Signs, Drink Station; Second Row: Favor Jars, Bonfire, Barrel Table; Last Row: Baby's Breathe Centerpiece, Pie Bar, Glass Bottles, Cotton}

R&K Wedding Extravaganza Week

It's the week before my brother-in-laws wedding, and I am so excited for the both of them.   I honestly couldn't have picked a better aunt for our little man.  So this week we will be sharing fun wedding ideas from inspiration boards to agendas, leading up to their big weekend.  Starting with the glamorous couples own magazine cover.  And if you're on the lookout this weekend their festivities will be hash tagged: #2Patels1Wedding.  Happy Monday!

Friday Favs: Our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary

Happy 4 year anniversary to this guy.  I can't believe all the amazing times we've had in the past 4 years: 2 weddings (Chicago & Penang), a cat, a dog, and a baby.  Thanks for being the most fun I've ever had, love you more than I can say!  And I'm so, so incredibly excited about our anniversary trip to South East Asia this year!  We went to Paris and Hawaii (Big Island & Maui) for our first and second anniversaries, but last year as my eggo was preggo we opted out of going on a big trip, so this trip is 2 years in the making.   Happy Friday!

4 Year Wedding Anniversary from Praveen Patel on Vimeo.

Wedding Inspiration: Thin Mints

This weekend,I made this version of my favorite girl scout cookie: the thin mint.  Which served as the inspiration behind today's wedding inspiration board.  With bright mint grounded by warm chocolate hues, it's perfect for any springtime wedding.  Happy Monday!

{Photo Credits: Top Row: Smores Oak Tree Favors, Southern Belle, Place Setting; Second Row: Table, Cake, Mint Juleps: Third Row: Bridesmaids, Invitation}

Wedding Anniversary no.3

Happy 3rd wedding anniversary to the Mister.  We were married for the first time today 3 years ago, and it's been an incredible ride, love you lots.  

To think.  Two people are born on separate days, separate years, and half way across the world from each other.   Two completely different people, with two separate families, cultures, experiences, and personalities.  One grew up as a tomboy, who loved to sing and travel.  The other was completely entertained with a ball and his friends.  They were completely and blissfully unaware of each other's existence.  Till he saw her face in the new freshman book at U of I, and till she met him at a bus stop outside their dorm.  Still fate had other plans for them and they spent the next 3 years as friends.  It wasn't until their senior year that all the pieces seem to fall together.  What started off as studying together, whispered secrets, and smiles across a room, turned into a life long love affair.  Is it fate to believe that these two strangers happen to become friends, and years later something more? Or, is it merely, pure coincidence; the right place, at the right time, with the right chemistry?  Destiny or not, these two people met, and their hearts and souls spontaneously collided, completely unaware that their dreams had just caught up to them.  And somewhere along their separate journeys, these two people became exactly who they needed to be for a lifetime.   To think.   

Gifting :: Something Old, Something New..

We recapped the beautiful wedding of our bestie today on rivernorthLove.  So I thought I'd share our take on the traditional, "something old, something new, something borrowed, & something blue" that we gifted her.

For her something "old and borrowed"  we gifted her bangles from our wedding chuda sets.  It's such a cute idea, is something she could wear on her wedding day, and it's a little of our wedding day bliss that we're passing on to her.

Her something "new and blue" were these I Do shoe decals from Etsy, and this pair of VS bridal undies.   The Jimmy Choo's were from her fiancee.

And our last little something for the bride were our love letters to her.  I love the idea of the bride and groom exchanging letters on the morning of.  So all seventeen of her bridesmaids, wrote her a little note, just to say how much we love her and how excited we were for her.  And we gifted her those love letters on the morning of.  The box (pictured above) is from the Container Store that we embellished with bling, because our bride loves bling.

Saturday Edition: A Letter to the bestie on the eve of her wedding

Tomorrow the bestie becomes a Mrs!  It's a wedding 10 years in the making, and everything will be beautiful as the bride has envisioned.  Congratulations P, you're going to make a beautiful bride.

P ~
  Tomorrow you will wake up and become a bride, that day you've been dreaming of, it's finally here.  Enjoy your day as a bride, it only comes once.  Feel the love of all your friends and family as it radiates to surround you, as we wish you a lifetime of happiness.  And no matter what else happens today, today is your wedding day, the day you walk down the aisle and marry your best friend.  Soak in these moments because you're wedding day will go by too quickly.

I am so thankful we met that day in the music bldg, thankful that we were roommates, besties, and so much more.  You have been such a fixture in my life these past 11 years, and I'm a better person because of our friendship.  I love you so much and I'm so excited for you, I'm literally bursting at the seems.  Tomorrow is just the beginning and the best is yet to come. 

My wish for you:  a marriage more beautiful than your wedding, joy and laughter for years to come, understanding and compromise for those challenging days (may they be few and far between), and a love greater than any fairytale. 

Congratulations my love, tomorrow you go from miss to Mrs.

xoxo,

~Praveen

Gift Guide: His and Hers

Looking for something different to get your newly married friends?  We're loving these his and hers or Mr. and Mrs. inspired housewares.  From pillowcases, to glasses, towels, and aprons, they'll know to keep their hands off each others stuff.  How cute would those Mr. & Mrs. highballs make as make up brush and razor holders!  Happy Tuesday!



Shop the Post:
{Pillow Cases, Kate Spade Glasses, Mr. & Mrs. Hand Towels, Mr. & Mrs. Highball Glasses, His & Hers Bath Hooks, His & Hers Aprons, Mr. & Mrs. Card Frame}

 

Wedding Trends....Send Off

After the cake's been cut and you've danced the night away with your loved ones, comes the send off.  Where everyone gathers to wish you the best and say goodnight.  Here are some of our favorite send off options.  Things to wave: ribbons and signs.  Things to blow: bubbles.  Things to throw: confetti, flower petals, and balloons.  Things to depart in: a car or a boat (a la Juliette & Peter's wedding in Love Actually).  And things to light: sparklers and fireworks (like the ending in My Best Friend's Wedding). 

{Best Wishes signs}

{Bubbles}

{Ribbons}

{Sparklers}

{Balloons}

{Flower Petals}

{Confetti}

{Fire Works}

Golden Blue Fall

Summer is officially over, which means wedding season is over.  As far as weddings are concerned, I happen to think fall is the next best thing.  I love autumn weddings, with the beautiful change in scenery, mild temperatures, warm colors and rustic elements.  Some not so typical fall wedding inspiration, enjoy!

{First Row: Cinnamon Rolls, Boutonniere, Field; Second Row: Golden Pear, Chandeliers; Third Row: Bride, Pumpkins and Squash Basket, Macaroons in Teacups; Fourth Row: Bhldn Cuff, Gentlemen Celebrating}

Wedding Trends... Flowing Flowers

We all know one way to trim any wedding budget is to limit the florals (both the type and the amount).  But looking at these stunning beauties, I think splurging on flowers is the way to go.  From the full blooms to the lush flowing displays, these floral arrangements bring instant glamour to any event.

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Wedding Trend.... Menus

I am loving these unique menu display trends.  There are so many ways to get creative with the options below, and I'm a sucker for great paper designs and beautiful handwriting!  From chalkboards and glass panes to chopstick wrappers and fortune tellers, there are more options for displaying your food selections than the traditional menus, Enjoy!  

{Napkin Holder, Chalkboard Plate, Clipboard, Wine Bottle}

{Brown Paper Bag, Cheeseboard, Chalkboard}

 

{Chocolate Bar, Hanging Menu, Fortune Teller, Chopstick Wrapper, Circle Plate Menu}



Chicago Wedding Venues

One of our dear friends who is getting married next year asked us for a list of our favorite and unique Chicago venues.  Some of these venues have stunning architecture, others have amazing views, and all of them would make for a breathtaking space for your special day.  For more Chicago wedding fun check out our favorite engagement session locations.


Venues with capacity of 100-250
A New Leaf
Chicago Illuminating Company
The Rookery Building
Salvage One
West Loop Studio
Newberry Library
Loft on Lake
Museum of Contemporary Art
Shedd Aquarium
Modern Wing of the Art Institute
The Metropolitan Club in the Willis Tower
Chicago Yatch Club
Prairie Productions


Venues with capacity greater than 250
The Standard Club
Germania Place
Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier
Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park Zoo
The Atrium at Architectural Artifacts
Stan Mansion
River East Art Center
Chicago Cultural Center
Field Museum
Adler Planatarium 

Stunning Mexican Affair

I'm obsessed with Spanish Veils, I think they are the most stunning thing you can put on your head for your wedding day.  This lovely destination wedding in Zucatecas, Mexico is a tribute to my love affair with Spanish Veils.  Of course the fact that the bride is gorgeous doesn't hurt either.  I'm in love the beautiful scenery, the lovely architecture- the ceremony took place in the remains of a 16th-century convent, and the subtle hints of pink.  Their wedding was simply beautiful and incredibly romantic, enjoy! 

{photos via Snippet & Ink}

Anniversary Fun with Pixlr O-Matic

It's our second wedding anniversary next week!! To celebrate our first wedding anniversary we were in Paris, this year Greece, Hawaii, and the Caribbean are all on the table.  The mister gave me an album for our first wedding anniversary non-gift: (non-gift because the trips are our anniversary present to each other).  Every year we get to add to our album with a picture of us celebrating our anniversary.   Here's us in Versailles last year, I wanted to jazz up the picture, enter Pixlr o-matic. 

A few clicks later and here's the new version, antiqued, sparkled and bordered! Happy clicking!

Beautiful Dress

2 things I love about this dress.  One, yes it's pale pink.  Perhaps white is on the up and out for choice of wedding dress color, think Reese Witherspoon's wedding to Jim Tooth.  And two, I love that embellished belt.  Sorry Kate for your second wedding dress that you wore to the reception, you should have gone with a more elegant and sophisticated diamante belt like the one below.

PS. I love her hair!

{photo via Me Oh My}

Lavender & Yellow

{First row: Lavender Roses, Yellow Birds, Purple Table No.; Second Row: Yellow Orchid Boutonniere, Program, HE Wedding Sign; Third Row:  Brushed Cookies, Lavender Macaroons; Fourth Row: Reception, Yellow Calla Lilies, Lavender, Lavender Crème Brulee}

I love the softness of lavender of set by bright and cheery yellow.  This board started with those beautiful DIY birds used to display wedding rings, and came together with delicious lavender infused creme brulee and lavender macaroons, yum!  Some of my favorites include that adorable program, the lavish reception decor, and the wonderful HE wedding sign (the bride and groom put together all the attributes they loved most about one another and the result were these fun large posters).   Would you do a lavender and yellow wedding?