Fresh Finds: Austie Veils
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Visit the Austie Etsy shop to see more of her gorgeous designs.
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Real Weddings: Suzanne & Justin
Every couple preparing to marry would certainly say that their relationship was a journey of sorts. But for Suzanne Farrell and Justin Smith, their travels were also of the literal sort. From hiking near the summit of Mount Etna in Sicily to sipping snake whiskey in Laos, the couple had shared a passion for adventure over their 14-year relationship, so it was only fitting that those adventures became the theme of their May 2009 celebration at Branford House in Groton, Connecticut. In their ceremony program, they described their journey as a couple and the many miles they had traveled together. Themed reception tables were named after their various modes of transportation they’d employed around the world: buses, seaplanes, hot air balloons, taxis, rickshaws, and most famously, the elephant they rode while in Thailand, which became their wedding mascot. “If you pass an elephant on your way to a wedding, it is supposed to be good luck,” the bride explains.
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See the rest of Suzanne & Justin’s gorgeous wedding in Elegala.com’s Real Wedding section.
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DIY: Shabby Chic Wedding Chalkboards
Finished all the major planning and looking for fun do-it-yourself décor ideas? In the end, it’s the little details that will really wow your guests. These custom chalkboards can be made in a variety of sizes and used in a variety of ways. Consider them for table numbers or as props in your photos. The best part? They’re easy to make ...
1. Frame: Purchase a plain wood frame in your desired size from a local craft store, or better yet, upcycle something you already have.
2. Chalkboards: Remove the glass from the frame and spray with a chalkboard paint. We’ve had good luck with the Krylon brand. Be sure to follow the directions so you get a nice even surface.
3. Let stand: For best results, let the paint dry for 24 hours.
4. Paint frames: While the chalkboards are drying, paint your frames. To achieve the shabby chic, distressed look, choose two colors. One will be your base color, which will show through once you’ve distressed the frame, and the other will be your all-over color. In this case, we chose to paint the frames green first and then cover the green with a rich, creamy white. For best results, we suggest letting this paint dry thoroughly before the next step.
5. Distress frames: Once your top coat of paint is thoroughly dry you will want to move into the sanding stage. You can use a fine grain sand paper for this step or you can speed things up with an electric sander or a sanding wheel attachment for your drill. Stick to the corners and raised areas to achieve an authentic, distressed look.
6. Stain: Once you’ve distressed the frame to your liking, choose a stain color. We prefer a dark walnut but it depends upon the antiqued look that your trying to achieve. Using a rag, rub the stain all over the frame, filling all cracks, spaces, and irregularities in the wood. Don’t be afraid to do this more than once, rubbing it into the distressed areas, as it will enhance the aged look.
7. Reassemble: Once the stain has dried, you can gently place the chalkboard coated glass back into the frame, being careful not to scratch the surface.
8. Finishing touch: Choose a nice paper and cut it to the size of the frame. Using Elmers Craft Bond (a magical product), adhere the paper to the back of the frame. This will give your shabby-chic custom chalkboards a truly finished and professional look!
And don’t stop there. Consider all the different ways that chalkboards can play a roll in your décor…
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Want this look but don’t want to DIY? Try Etsy!
Posh Pilfer & Shabby Chalks have tons of fun, handcrafted chalkboards.
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Inspiration Closet: Soft Blue, Cream & Gold
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All photos by Elizabeth Messina. Visit her gorgeous blog, Kiss the Groom .
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Real Weddings: Alexis & Matt
Job opportunities and a love of the salty Chesapeake brought Alexis Prior and Matt Dattoli separately to Annapolis, Maryland, in December 2007. Matt, a teacher at the U.S. Naval Academy, moved in to the vacant apartment just one floor below Alexis, an interior designer, and by New Year’s Eve, the two had bonded over their love of the ocean. So on September 19, 2009, the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, located 20 minutes outside the city where they fell in love, served as the fitting setting for the couple’s bayside nuptials. With understated nautical décor, the club put on display the sprawling views of boats cutting white, frothy paths through the bay. Matt, a Lieutenant in the Navy, provided the finishing touch on a true Annapolis wedding, wearing his crisp full dress whites uniform for the ceremony – staged in the club’s waterfront gardens, of course.
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eleGALA.com has all the details from Alexis & Matt’s bayside nuptials.
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