Empire State South / Sarah & Kevin / Part 2

So, we pick up where we left off.  

The ceremony.  Sarah and Kevin were looking for a type of  "unity ceremony" and the options out there  seemed kind of  'eh' to them.  They both love craft cocktails and especially Old Fashioneds - so they decided on a 'unity drink' ceremony!   Each component of the cocktail represents something about one or the other (details here are private)...and by 'muddling' and enjoying them together their unity was confirmed.

The officiant was Sarah's best friend who had also worked with Kevin and knew them both very well.

As Sarah relaxed post-ceremony, guests entered the restaurant and found their seats via an 'escort ladder'.

The mandolin guitar case on the sign-in table belongs to Kevin and the guest book itself is made from a Hall & Oates record and album cover.  (They are big fans of Hall & Oates!).  Kevin plays guitar and has DJ'd all over the city.

Vintage oil lamps were used as vases and held coral charm peonies, peach godetia, pink astilbe and mint leaves.

Tables were identified using vintage (and real!) prescriptions found on etsy.   Both of Sarah's parents are in the medical field and she is heading in that same direction, so it was another subtle, yet representative, detail. 

Antique and flea market vases of all shapes and sizes added further interest to the tables.  Peonies, peach stock, spray roses, dusty miller, silvery echeveria and mint leaves filled them beautifully.

A tiny keepsake banner (another etsy find) identified each guest's place at the long rectangular tables.

Since both Sarah and Kevin love music, table runners of vintage player piano music scrolls lined each table.    Courtesy of wedding rental company Four Inch Fold.

If you look closely below, you'll  see some of the lyrics from "The Sound of Music"...

Cocktail offering...now the guests could enjoy that Old Fashioned!

Wine and beer choices...

And most importantly, the menu from Empire State South.  Chef Ryan Smith and Chef/Partner Hugh Acheson offer  "a modern approach to authentic southern dishes...".  Yum.

So, good stuff - huh? But we'll stop for now and leave the details about the sweets and dancing for another post.  Incredible images from Julia of Our Labor of Love (and a few of my own...)

Theresa & Brian // St. Judes Catholic Church and Greystone at Piedmont Park

Whew!  It has been crazy busy here at bloom lately!  But... I finally have a chance to catch up!  And what better time than the heat of summer to harken back to a cool, grey, misty day in February.  Theresa and Brian were married at Saint Judes Catholic Church with a reception at Greystone at Piedmont Park.

Theresa's floral style was "soft, with a pop of deep color and lots of texture".  This was achieved using ivory hydrangea, ivory wax flower, black baccara roses, pale pink roses, pale pink tulips, smokebush and mini echeveria.

Her bridesmaids were the same, just a bit smaller for a cohesive look.

Here's a unique shot of the boutonnieres.  It always makes me nervous when I pin the groomsmen and then they take their jackets off!  Flowers are fragile, people!  :)

Up close of Brian's boutonniere, mini echeveria, wax flower, smokebush, blackberries and rex begonia leaves.

Sweet handkerchief handstitched with the wedding date.

Love these Piedmont Park shots... 

Reception centerpieces were collections of cylinder vases with ivory and pale pink hydrangea, pale pink roses and tulips, wax flower, black baccara roses, blackberries, smokebush, rex begonia leaves and dusy miller on top of gorgeous aubergine linens.

Great angle looking down on the top of the cake.  Pink roses, echeveria, rex begonia and blackberries.

Beautiful evening skyline shot.  Best wishes to Theresa and Brian - two naval engineers living happily ever after!  All photography courtesy of T2 Photography.