Images: Jake Prater
I‘m currently writing to you with my eyes barely open. It’s been a long week over here in working parent/side hustle land. A week of 5:30 (and sometimes even 4:30) wake-ups, this horrible heat, the day job kicking my butt, and the struggle to keep blogging and get the online shop really ready. The struggle. It’s real.
Oh let’s throw in another emotional political debate and yeah, you could say I am so happy it’s Friday. We’re headed to Philly this weekend to visit my sister and attend this amazing Harry Potter Festival (!!!!) and then hopefully get some rest in on Sunday before another week begins. For today I have an awesome backyard wedding that included SO MANY family members to make the big day happen. They planned it in a month and used the bride’s last name (Orange!) as inspiration. Check it out and have the HAPPIEST of Fridays!
When Erek and I decided to get married, we talked as if we were planning to tie the knot next year, or the following year. Little did everyone know that the very next week I would call my sister in law, the owner of IDA ROSE EVENTS, and say “Hey, I’m getting married next month!”
I gave IDA ROSE EVENTS two words; “simple” and “fun,” and they took those words and created an unforgettable day… better than my now husband and I could have ever imagined.
As the bride, I wanted the color orange to be incorporated as much as possible. Being an Orange (my maiden name) my whole life, it was a big part of who I was. Not only was my last name Orange, but my favorite color is orange, I was raised in Orange County, Virginia and graduated from Orange County High School. So orange on my wedding day was inevitable.
When the guests arrived on that very hot July day, they were greeted with fresh orange slices and citrus water and the room was scented with orange candles. The flowers had touches of orange and peach, the drinks were citrus heaven, even the pillows on the lounge stayed true to the theme. For favors, our guests were treated to hand piped orange slice cookies from Two Sugars Studio. Our gorgeous invitation suite was from Minted, and the signage was designed by The Blue Haystack. All of those details created the perfect ambiance for all the guests as they all eagerly arrived and waited for us to become Mr. and Mrs.
The venue is probably what meant the most to me. Since moving back from Florida, I’ve spent majority of time with my brother and his family. He knew how important it was to me to have the wedding at his home surrounded by the people who matter most. For the ceremony, we decided to forgo chairs, and encouraged people to gather around, while the intimate ceremony took place on the wood platform that IDA ROSE EVENTS made for Erek and I. We transformed a backyard patio into a beautiful space using cocktail tables with simple ivory linens, ribbon and gorgeous arrangements that featured some of the most beautiful flowers in my absolute favorite colors. We hung bistro lights in the trees and strategically placed candles to encourage a perfect glow as the sun fell.
My favorite part about my wedding day was how my family pitched in. My cousin did hair and make-up, my in-laws cooked all the food, my brother and sister-in-law’s home was the venue, my niece was my flower girl, my sister was my maid of honor, my uncle was the DJ, and my great aunt was the minister. It was truly a day filled with love, beauty and family!
Vendors -> Wedding Planning and Design: IDA ROSE EVENTS | Photography: Jake Prater | Flowers: Darling and Daughters | Venue: Held Minor Residence (Brother’s House) | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Catering: Kim Cowins | Invitation Suite: Minted | Cake: Kanakals Bakery | Cookies: Two Sugars Dessert Studio | Signage: The Blue Haystack | Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal | Men’s Concierge: Knot the Guy | Hair + Makeup: Andrea Wilkins | Officiant: Shirley Franklin (Great-Aunt) | DJ: Kirk Orange |
