Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wedding at the Schoolhouse: Photos

A selection of photos from the day (I still can't believe we pulled this off!)--


The bride's cake table--a friend baked the cake, alternating layers of carrot and pumpkin with cream cheese frosting. To decorate, we stuck mums in strategically at the last minute.


The savory table decorated at last and waiting for food. The two big bouquets are sumac and carnations, and roses and old hydrangeas. The bride's mother prepared all the savory spreads ahead of time. They were all toppings for our *mountains* of homemade French bread. Ricotta spread, pesto, white bean spread with celery-infused olive oil, hummus, spinach dip, artichoke-parmesan dip, baked Brie with dried cranberries, and more. And nuts. And olives. A good way to feed a crowd.


Identifying tags were helpful to everyone.


Outdoors we had the groom's "Pie Shack". Giles pulled this last-minute wooden sign out of his creative hat. My mother brought her taxidermy (why not!) to decorate, we spread all twenty-three apple pies, and the bride's father set out his specially-brewed homemade beer for the adults. All under a structure strung with lights that became beautiful at dark.


Beautiful ladies. I made those skirts. And those bouquets.


As the sun went down, the fairy lights came on, and the votives all through the garden were lit, and the paper lantern shone . . . .



Helen and Franklin, married.

27 comments:

Margo said...

oh! so lovely. a feast for the eyes! thanks for letting us peep in.

SisterlyLove said...

What a beautiful wedding! Love your bouquets! the brides bouquet is exquisite.
And the food... I'm hungry!

Genevieve

Beth said...

I am super impressed how a little ingenuity, helping hands, and using beautiful things you already have made for such a beautiful, exquisite wedding. Wonderful job, ladies! Love the creative flower arrangements. I'm very inspired :)

Unknown said...

I love the pie shack! Looks like a wonderful day for the bride and groom. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings
Paula

Flepandco said...

O my - all those special touches by loving hands - I'm sure that would've made it even more memorable. In the years to come they will reflect on all the love that went into planning that wedding - well wishes are so much more heartfelt when there was effort put into it.

Lisa said...

Oh, I like her bouquet! What a lovely affair. I see that your quilts got a workout, and those spreads all sound so delicious - with French bread - mmm. The bridesmaids are so pretty - I have to say that I'm not sure I know many who would go for a do-it-yourself wedding, but I think it's just lovely!! Seems people out your way are more down to earth. Thank you for sharing.

Lisateresa

Eileen said...

What a beautiful wedding! The creativity shines and made it such a personal day.

Rose said...

Beautiful, simple and co-operative. Lovely.

Sheila said...

Just lovely!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful! Just goes to show you don't have to spend 20 grand on a wedding for it to be elegant and memorable.

Great job!

rbjaneite said...

Anna, that's beautiful! Thank you for sharing the photos. I especially like the lovely bridesmaids, looking so happy and relaxed and pretty.

Sarah said...

How lucky they are to have so many creative and hard-working friends willing to cook, decorate, and prepare with them! It looks like a beautiful and memorable day for all concerned. All blessings to them in their new life together.

maven said...

That is my kind of wedding! I hope that one of my daughters will want something similar when the time comes.

My favorite touch? (Other than all of the beautiful things that you did.) The bride's father's homebrew! I don't think that you can get more special than that - something that money definitely can't buy!

Congratulations to all <3

Amy Wagner said...

Simply Gorgeous. You all did an amazing job.

Anonymous said...

PERFECT! You, my dear, have a 'servants heart' and a VERY capable hand at organizing, cooking and sewing! Congratulations to the married couple!
Maria Ricci

Anonymous said...

For a moment, I was speechless! I thought the young man in the last photo was Giles!!!

Instagram.com/melissasnotes said...

What a wonderful day for all involved. Thank the bride and family for their willingness to share a special part of their lives with all of us "bloggers". A special time and you capture it so beautifully.

Anna said...

Thanks to you all for your kind comments. I have to say I could not have done this without the help of my mother--both in my formative years, learning to cook, decorate, and host, and then on the day itself. In spite of her multiple physical issues, she worked like a dog and swore it was fun!!

Leah H said...

Wow! Such a beautiful, unique wedding! I love it! I also love the bride's bouquet and how the couple sort of makes a heart shape in that last picture!

Tracy said...

And here I am concerned about hosting an afternoon tea. Well done, it looks like a wonderful wedding.

Hana - Marmota said...

As the photos prove, you did pull it off! I love that you used quilts as table covers. And the idea of using old flowers is fantastic - I should remember it for whenever I need it. :-)
I'm sure it was a special day for everyone involved.

Mrs. W said...

I love a good Autumn-themed wedding! And people using their creativity so as to not spend thousands! Fabulous results! Thank you for sharing pics!

~Angela

Erin said...

Amazing - it shows that weddings don't have to cost 1000's to be beautiful. And what a nice idea to have the bridesmaids in skirts and tops.

Anonymous said...

Those quilts at the wedding tables a re gorgeous !

Anonymous said...

Are you thinking of renting out your property for weddings, or was this a one time only for friends thing? From the pictures of your property and the beautiful wedding here, it seems like an ideal place!

Anna said...

This was definitely something I would do only for love, not money! Way too much work to do for strangers~

Anonymous said...

I love the look of this wedding! Beautiful! I'm breathless over the floral arrangements! The grass...what kind is it? It's lovely with the flowers! Beautiful job on everything!!

~Shannalee

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