Rock Festival Themed Wedding ~ Marci + Eric ~ The Orpheum Theater

Wedding Team:

Caterer: Thornagers
Desserts:  Sugar Mamas
Floral: Glamorous Occasions
Photographer:Melissa Dunstan Photography 
Photobooth:  Shutterbox
Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals
 Venue: Orpheum Theater - Flagstaff

Marci & Eric's love of music inspired this non traditional event at the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Flagstaff. 

I had a poster made and Greg from the Orpheum put thier names on the marquee.

Marci's two girls were her bridesmaids & Eric's son's his groomsmen.    What a fun family they
are!

Eric is a muscian and wrote a song for Marci which he sung to her during the reception.  All of the guests received a cd of Eric's music as a gift.

Melissa Dunstan had to take a photo in a record store - Rock-It-Man CD's.

Thornagers Catering did a fantastic job with the food.  Marci & Eric wanted different stations for their guests to enjoy.  They had a salad station, meat lovers station, stir fry station, a gourmet grilled cheese truck & a gelato station.   I made these fun signs with the menu choices on them and had them at each station.  Tents were constructed in the parking lot of the Orpheum where the food was served.  A yellow umbrella and table inside served as the gelato station.

Marci  & Eric had beer glasses made as favors.  We had a kids area separate from the adults.  The younger ones got these cute boxes filled with chips, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches & candy.  Kraft paper lined the bar area and crayons, markers and stickers were in metal pails so the kids could draw and create.   I also re-covered the existing stools with fun plaid fabrics in pinks, blues & oranges.  The Teenagers sat at the opposite bar area, I wrapped pink and blue ribbon around their napkins for a little extra punch of color.

The photobooth from Shutterbox was a fun addition and all of the photos were put into an album as a keep sake for the bride and groom.

 Because the wedding was held at a music venue,  I made concert tickets that served as the guest's escort cards.  They had to go to the will call booth at the theater to find out what table they were sitting at!


The ceremony took place on stage and all of the guests sat in the audience and watched as the happy couple exchanged their vows.  The ceremony concluded with a group hug representing the joining of their two families!   As I mentioned above, Eric serenaded his bride with a song he wrote for her, so touching!


This was an interesting space as it is a music venue with theater seating and a stage.  I really wanted to soften the space so we constructed a beautiful fabric draped chuppa for the couple to stand under during the ceremony.  I also created an area for the bridal party and family to sit under during the reception.  We strung globe lights across the top and I made these really fun chandeliers out of flowers and chicken wire (the shades were given to me from a friend who was replacing their lighting in their house and needed a visual so he created these life size models)

Marci & I found this fun fabric and Anne Thomas from Anne's Alterations made table runners for me.


All of the flowers and centerpieces were designed by Glamorous Occasions.

In keeping with the music theme, I made the table markers rows and put them in CD cases.  Sugar Mamas made all of the beautiful desserts!

It was an amazing evening and I wish Eric & Marcy a lifetime full of happiness! Thanks for letting me be a part of your day!
xxoo!
Kim

Retro Fifties Wedding ~ Featured on Bride & Joy!

Very excited that Katie & Jim's retro wedding is featured on Bride & Joy along side Melissa Dunstan Photography!

Woodsy Whimsical Wedding Reception ~ Bryce + Alex Reception, Private Residence

Vendors:

Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals

Photographer:  Josh Biggs Photography

Bryce & Alex had their reception in the front yard of their home. I helped transform their driveway into a whimsical wonderland! We tented the driveway and put down a wooden dance floor. Long tables with chocolate pintuck linens added a touch of elegance. We used fresh herbs and lavender in square vases for the centerpieces. Alex had these cute monogramed napkin rings made and seeds in pots with burlap were given as favors. We lined the tent walls and ceilings with branches and twinkle lights to complete the mood.

Katie + Jim ~ Retro Wedding Featured on Bridal Musings

Bridal Musings is such a great blog! They loved Katie & Jim's wedding so much that they published 2 blog posts! Thanks Elizabeth!

Part 1

Part 2

Katie & Jim's Retro Wedding Featured On Savvy Scoop!

How fun to be featured on Savvy Scoop!

Farm Wedding ~ Featured on Fab You Bliss & K.I.S.S. Real Weddings

I am very honored that Erica & Matt's wedding I did with Melissa Dunstan a few years ago in Wisconsin was featured on Fab You Bliss & K.I.S.S. Real Weddings!

1950's Inspired Wedding ~ Katie + Jim Sycamore Springs Guest Ranch

Vendors:

Venue: Sycamore Springs Guest House

Photographer:Melissa Dunstan Photography
Dress: Anne's Alterations
Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals
Caterer: Epic Events
Hair & Make-up: Victor

Katie & Jim knew they wanted a 1950's themed wedding but weren't sure how to pull it off. Katie had her dress, wanted sunflowers & daisy's Incorporated into the decor and had a box full of coke glasses for vases. The rest was up to me. Well let me tell you how much fun I had going to different antique shops and thrift stores to find props to try and bring the era to life for her day!

Melissa Dunstan & Kristen Carnes did not disappoint with the photographs!

Katie & Jim wanted their ceremony in a circle. I hung daisy's from the tree over the ceremony site. After they said their "I Dos" the skipped down the aisle.

Katie's dress and shoe clips were designed by Anne Thomas of Anne's Alterations. I absolutely loved the yellow petty coats & the suspenders!

I pulled in as many authentic details to the era as I could find. I used lavender, butter cream and turquoise cotton linens. An old Kodak brownie camera, sunflowers & daisies in coke glasses as well as black and white photographs of Katie & Jim's families lined the tables.

I strung individual daisy's in bud vases over the head table for a touch of whimsy!

Cocktail hour was by the pond. I printed out interesting facts from each year of the era and hung them from the trees for guests to read. An old popcorn machine and pepsi crate were great accents to the appetizer table. I found an old Frigidare produce drawer to chill the white wine in.



The tables were named after 50's television shows. The magazine rack is also from the 50' (Fun fact... Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses and I have seen Breakfast at Tiffany's over a dozen times. So I threw my personal copy of the record in as a prop!)

I borrowed an old platter pak of records from my Dad's collection.

More fun props I found to decorate all of the tables with.

Couldn't resist buying this Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book!

Apple pie was served for dessert. It was a beautiful day!

Alex~The Best Dog in the Whole World!

Two weeks ago today I said goodbye to my best friend! She was 13. I was lucky enough that Alex chose me to be her mom back in May of 1998. It had only been two months since I tragically lost my mom and in no way did I want to bring a puppy into my life. I felt like I had no love to give. How wrong I was! This little thing came into my life looked up at me with her big brown eyes and I was hooked!

She has been with me for all of the important things in my life over the past 13 years. Relationships, breakups, holidays, births, deaths, new careers and adventures! She has been my support, my family and has loved me unconditionally! I miss her desperately!

I thought I would share a few photos with you all! I also need to thank from the bottom of my heart all of my friends and family who were there with me and helped me through those horrible few days. A special thanks to Liz and her fiancee Alex, (Liz lost her little baby Tara just the week before to kidney failure-her and Alex grew up together), thank for coming over and helping me get her up and outside. Angie & Liz thank you for going with me to the vet, being there at the end with me and holding my hand and letting me cry. Kristen & Melissa for rushing over after a long day of work to sit on the porch, drink a beer with me and toasting the best dog in the whole world!

I was so blessed to have had her in my life and know that she is running around up there with her her friends Tara, Sophie & Ginger, chasing deer and keeping my Mom company! I miss you and will always love you Alex, my very sweet girl!

I had only had her a few days when my dad took this great photo of her. It was really hot and she found this crevice with running water to cool off in! She loved to hike!

We took her up to Lake Powell where she tumbled off the boat and landed on her nose in the sand, she was such a cute puppy.

Alex and Beefy just couldn't understand why they could not come in the house after being skunked the night before. Kristen & I gave them a bath of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and detergent and left them outside in the sun where they both proceeded to get lovely red highlights!

Melissa Dunstan took the two photos of Alex below. She was even featured in an ad in Mountain Living & ended up touring the country for a trade show advertising canvases! Very pretty girl!

Vintage Safari Style Shoot- Blog Around the World!

I am so excited to have been part of Blog Around the World where twenty wedding bloggers each showcase a photo from the Vintage Desert Safari styled shoot I helped with. There are so many amazing blogs with wonderful resources out there!

Below are all of the fantastic blogs where the shoot was featured!! Thanks Alicia from the Charity Wedding for all of your hard work on this!

Bubble Rock Studios | Cap Classique | The Unreal Bride | Brancoprata | Bijoux Bride | Bridal Musings | The Oceanside Bride | Hey Gorgeous | Sparkle and Hay | Wedding Pickle | The Perfect Palette | Oh Lovely Day | La Petite Coquin | Brenda's Wedding Blog | Fab You Bliss | Landlocked Bride | A Paper Proposal | Bow Ties and Bliss | Engaged and Inspired |The Charity Wedding

Vintage Safari Styled Shoot at Out of Africa Wild Life Park

Vendors:

Venue: Out of Africa Wildlife Park

(although not available for weddings, they always welcome donations to support rescue animals)

Photographer:Fancy Finn Photography
Vendor Coordination: The Charity Wedding
Design, Styling & Staging: KD Event Designs
Bouquet: Glamorous Occasions
Cake & Desserts: Kick Ass Kakes

Cup Cakes: The Charity Wedding
Makeup: Sabrina Sweet

Hair: Erin McDonald of Aveda Salon

Dress: La Belle Reve

Jewlery: Genevieve

Model: Dahlee

A couple of months ago Alicia from the Charity Wedding approached me regarding styling a staged shoot she was doing with Fancy Finn Photography, a Seattle based studio. The theme was safari and Alicia and I both agreed on adding a vintage flare. The first thing that came to mind was early English travelers visiting Africa for the first time and bringing all of their comforts of home with them. Their books, china, furniture & accessories.

I borrowed the table (which is actually an antique game table that was used to butcher meat on) and the chairs from my parents house. The cabriolla chair with the lion head was a perfect fit. The wooden animals, whales tooth & mask are from Africa and also from my parents collection. The vintage books with the draping flowers, the mismatched china & wine glasses as well as the candlesticks added a hint of romance.

The amazing paper products are from the Wedding Girl!


This was such a fun shoot to do because I was able to really get creative and create a table scape that was beautiful and over the top!

The Charity Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty~Alicia & Kyle

What an honor to be once again featured on Style Me Pretty for this amazing event!

The Charity Wedding Featured on Weekly Wedding~Alicia & Kyle

How exciting to be featured on this fun blog!

Intimate Hawaiin Wedding Featured on A Pocketful of Dreams

How exciting to be featured on this sweet little blog out of the United Kingdom!

Kauai Wedding Featured on A Paper Proposal!

What an honor to be featured alongside Melissa Dunstan Photography on this really great blog!

Romantic Kauai Wedding ~ Kristen & J

Event Day Vendors:

Venue: Private Residence

Photographer:Melissa Dunstan Photography
Rentals: Kauai Tent and Rentals
Caterer: Chef Grant Carnes-Keoki's Paradise
Hair: Relish Salon & Spa
Music: Kenny Ray Rapozo
Officiant: Julie Wirtz

I am always excited and feel privileged to help a couple plan and execute their wedding day, but it is extra special when it is someone I know and love! Kristen & J began dating in the Summer of 2006. I got to have a front row seat to see their love blossom and grow. I remember vividly sitting in my back yard and Kristen telling me how excited she was to go out on a date with this guy named J. One date was all it took and the rest is as they say, is history.

They compliment each other beautifully and to have been able to be a part of their day was absolutely amazing! Their venue didn't hurt either! Set on the beautiful Napoli coast of Kauai, Hawaii, Kristen & J. were married in a small ceremony with the ocean as their back drop. We then moved to the front of the house under a tree for the reception were there were breathtaking views of the mountains and lush vegetation. It was truly a postcard moment.

Kristen is extremely creative and an amazing photographer as well as Melissa Dunstan's assistant. She knew what she wanted for her day. She wanted simple & sweet with a touch of vintage charm. I think we accomplished that.

It was a gorgeous day!

Kristen looked stunning!

It was so amazing that the front of the property was so tropical & lush!

While the back was beach front!


I made Kristen's bouquet from a King Protea, it was simple and elegant and complimented her dress. I love the gorgeous photo of them in the trees, by Melissa Dunstan!



Vintage Hawaiian postcards were the guest book.




Kristen & I made handmade place cards & menus out of luggage tags & buttons. They purchased mismatched plates and glasses from a local thrift store and had napkins made from brightly colored fabric. The meal, which was executed superbly by the grooms brother Grant Carnes, chief at Keoki's Paradise was served at the family style table which seated all 30 guests.





I made chair markers for the bride and groom out of old lace & luggage tags. I singed the edges of the paper to add a vintage feel.



The day was absolutely picture perfect! Congratulations J. & Kristen!