Inspiration #45: Project Runway Bridesmaid Dresses

Boo. Carol Hannah didn't win Project Runway, but at least we can still count on her bright, colorful designs (unlike Irina's somber all-black fashion)! Although they aren't on a $10,000 wedding budget, I thought you might want to check out these fun bridesmaid dresses by the Southern belle turned New Yorker for a bit of inspiration in your search. My favorite is the pink one because it's flirty like the dresses I got for my bridesmaids.

{The Gadsden Street Dress $235}

{Calhoun Street Jersey Dress $160}

{Queen Street Draped Jersey Dress $190}

Two for Two Cakes: Part 2 - Real Cake!

Last week, I introduced you to Alison O. of Two for Two Cakes. Here's a real wedding she was happy to share with us:

The cake was for a couple who were having a very traditional but fun ceremony.  They are young and wanted their cake to represent that, but also to be a little bit elegant.  This is why they went with a muted color palette of ivory, pearl, gold and a light terracotta. Surrounding the cake on the table were favors that Alison made for the guests.  Each box contained a miniature sized cupcake in one of the four flavors that the cake consisted of: Aunt Chickie's Red Velvet, Bea's Banana, Aunt Jean's Chocolate Chip, and Traditional Wedding Cake with Organic Strawberries.

Sneak peek: Campbell Hall & Garden, Sausalito CA

Guitar Fred and I met on an outing to Love Farms in Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma wine country) and I dreamt of getting married on a farm or ranch until I started shopping around (one place cost $85,000 -eeks!).

Three weeks into our engagement, we found the Christchurch's Campbell Hall and Garden atop a hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the sleepy seaside town of Sausalito, CA.  The Hall is not a very popular venue, compared to the oft-booked Sausalito Presbyterian Church, but we got it for a great price ($1,800 all day including  BYO caterer, chairs and tables).

So here's the plan:
1) Take photos in downtown Sausalito by the San Francisco Bay and elephant statues
2) Get married in the garden (the trees overhead will be a natural arch)
3) Hold the cocktail "carnival/fair" hour in the patio
4) Boogie and feast in the reception hall (adorn the exposed wooden beams with paper lanterns or garlands)

What do you love most about the venue you've picked (or are looking at)? For me, it's the stunning red doors at the Hall's chapel across the street. (The photos below were taken with my cell phone, so I apologize for the quality.)

Breaking news! iDIY contest

Paper's been on my mind today. I just got our kraft paper envelopes for our Save-the-dates from envelopemall.com, and I'm meeting up with Judith of Paper Sweet later tonight. And just 30 minutes ago, I got an email from an old colleague, Bethany, congratulating me on winning the iDIY Letterpress Combo Giveaway. Whoa. What? There were 1,560 entries and I won? Crazy.

My friend, Evan, teased me that I'm the girl who's going to win her whole life. I guess I better buy some lotto tickets. Apparently, My $10,000 Wedding could potentially turn into my $10,000,000 wedding with my strange luck.

Thanks iDIY.com! 
{{Doing the happy dance}}

Two for Two Cakes: Part 1

{Cake from Two for  Two Cakes - San Francisco}

We've started our search for our wedding cake and our ideal price point is $8 and under. Alison O. of Two for Two Cakes is a wedding vendor we found via Yelp and I'm totally excited to meet her at our tasting on December 6. The three cakes we're sampling from her menu of 9 signature flavors are the Aunt Chickie's Red Velvet (Red Velvet with Cinnamon & Cocoa, Toasted Pecans and Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting), Bea's Banana (Banana Cake, Heath Bar Toffee Bits, Vanilla or Chocolate Buttercream) and German Chocolate (Fudgy Chocolate Cake, Coconut-Pecan Custard, Dark Chocolate Ganache).

I asked her to share a little bit about herself and she was happy to oblige. (P.S. You can follow her on Twitter @242cakes.) I'll also share a recent Two for Two Cake creation later this week! Stay tuned.

1) How did you get started?  

I started Two for Two Cakes while I was in culinary school because I realized that what I truly loved about baking was that when I did it, I always felt like I was making something for someone else and it was going to make them happy. It was a very different feeling than when I cooked. And a wedding is the ultimate expression of happiness so I was really drawn to creating them for others. The creative outlet was something that I have always needed in my life and this business allows me to express that energy.  

2) What do you love most about making wedding cakes?  

Two Things: I love meeting couples, learning about them and coming up with a cake design to reflect their personalities and their reception. Having spent years working in education and with families, I really do value making personal connections.  Weddings, by nature, are very personal so getting to know the couple and allowing them to get to know me is a highlight. My favorite part of the actual cake creation is when the cake is "naked" or unadorned and I get to sit down and put the final touches on it and see it become what I had envisioned it would be.  

3) What's your fave part (or moment) about weddings? 

 I love to see how all the elements come together: the flowers, the room, lighting, fabrics.  Setting that cake up on the table and stepping back to look at it is incredible.  

4) Sky's the limit, what would be your dream creation?  

My dream is to have creative control over an entire cake table. There would be a couple of tiered cakes, different from one another, but complimentary. There would be mini cupcakes and French macarons, candies and pastries, flowers and petit fours, all displayed on beautiful vintage glassware. Very fanciful, very whimsical.  

5) What sets you apart from others? 

I believe strongly that what I am creating is food. Both taste and design are equally important in making a wedding cake, or any other type of special occasion cake.  For this reason, I make sure that our cakes are made using only high quality ingredients and organic fruits, never frozen, and made with only pure butter (no shortening). But what really sets us apart is customer service. Since we are small and I am hands on in every aspect, I really believe in ensuring that clients are heard and that their vision is realized, and that they can call, email, or text me directly with any questions or concerns they have.  I meet with customers for additional consultations and tastings to ensure they get exactly what they want. And I offer resources when they are having trouble finding vendors for other aspects of their event.  

 

{Above: Wedding cakes from Two for Two Cakes - San Francisco}

 {Special occasion cake from Two for Two Cakes - San Francisco} 

  

{Special occasion cake (remember Steel Magnolias) from Two for Two Cakes - San Francisco}

Bought the Bridesmaid Dresses!

{from Promgirl.com}

I just bought dresses for my bridesmaids and I'm very happy with them, especially because the color is just right, the style is flirty and can be worn again, and they were very affordable ($170 for all four). I don't have a good photo of the actual dresses (they are Double Zero label) but the one above is a good representation in terms of color and the ruffle on one shoulder. The dresses I bought have 3 tiers of ruffles, which make them super fun. Can't wait to show you the real thing! I will adorn them with either a vintage brooch or sash to make it more formal.

Real Wedding: San Diego

I've worked with San Francisco Bay Area photographer, Dorothy Hatchel, a number of times and she's one of the sweetest people I know. She's got a great eye and she shared this real wedding she just shot in San Diego with me -- and now you! Love the groom's shoes and use of green mums in this wedding!

From personalized sneakers for the groom and groomsmen to the traditional Filipino money dance, this was a unique wedding set in the sunny wine country of San Diego. With the ceremony set perfectly with sunset light, we're chasing the sun for the couple's shots afterwords. - Dorothy Hatchel www.dorothyhatchel.com