library wedding

Real Wedding
Real Wedding: Literary Wedding in Philadelphia
- August 6, 2015
- by Allison
Today I’m sharing with you a continuation of yesterday’s post introducing Shannon and Bryan’s gorgeous literature wedding. One of the reasons I know weddings are the right place for me as a painter and designer is because I truly feel a connection with the couple and what they are going through with wedding planning and also a connection with how the wedding is crafted together. I care about the thoughtful design elements that are incorporated into the wedding as well as the intangible moments that happen during this monumental day in the couple’s lives.

While I know as an artist, I could certainly just put my attention on the art only, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t give thoughtful, caring attention to the couple. I think that this care resonates when couple’s work with me.

I believe the lasting details of a wedding consist of the feelings or surprising interactions and the visuals that linger in your mind as you look back on that day. With that in mind, I have asked the bride, Shannon, the following questions about her wedding day:

Question: What was your favorite detail at your wedding?

Shannon: I loved so many of the little details, but I have to say it was the handmade signs our friend made for us were my favorite. Aaron of The Point to Point created such gorgeous and memorable signs that really added a special touch to the day. Everyone was commenting on them because they looked so cool, but they also served a function and completed our literary theme. Plus, of course, the fact that they were made by a friend made them even better.

I also loved our band. The ballroom where we had the reception is known for its acoustics, so going with a live band was the natural choice. The band we chose, though, was amazing. They had everyone up and dancing the whole night, and they played all the songs we wanted perfectly (which is saying a lot we are very fussy about music!) They really set the atmosphere and made it a truly fun night big props to the Uptown Getdowns!

Question: Favorite moment at your wedding?

Shannon: Immediately after the ceremony, Bryan and I had to hide while the guests left the room and headed to cocktail hour. We waited in a small, quiet space and just chatted, taking in the enormity of the situation. That was definitely my favorite moment of the day. We have been together since high school (1999), so to finally be married and to have a few moments alone after the whirlwind of planning and prepping for the day, was really nice. Honestly, I think it’s my most vivid memory of the day and the rest of it seemed to fly by so fast!

A close second favorite moment would be my dance with my dad. The band did a really nice cover of a song that always meant a lot to us, “Learning to Fly” by Pink Floyd.

It’s tough to pick a favorite moment, though, since the entire day was so fantastic. Everyone says that it’s the happiest day of their lives, which sounds so cliche, but it’s really true. It was hands-down the best day of my life.

Stop by tomorrow for the final post about this gorgeous wedding, which will feature a really unique ceremony cocktail…yes, I said cocktail!

Wedding Invitations: Hand-Painted Weddings Photos: Adam Atkinson Planner: Natalie Diener Florist: Beautiful Blooms Venue: German Society
Real Wedding
Real Wedding: Literature Themed Wedding in Philadelphia
- August 5, 2015
- by Allison
I’ve got a treat for you this week! This week I will be sharing Shannon and Bryan’s beautiful book-themed wedding.

Shannon and Bryan are a couple I met at the Lovesick Expo this past January, and I’m so glad I did! They both got married in April, and hadn’t found their invitations designer yet, so we worked very closely and quickly throughout January to design their unique, custom invitations. They had a literature themed wedding that took place in a library at the German Society building in Philadelphia. This was definitely a unique spot for a wedding and I loved the theme, so I was so happy to work on this project!

Shannon and Bryan’s invitation set was a classic book cover design invitation with hand-painted vines and flowers on the cover in a soft Spring color palette. The RSVP card was a soft antique gold library card, to coordinate with the book invitation and literature wedding theme. We also worked together on table cards that were named after the couple’s favorite authors.

This couple put together a truly gorgeous event which was unique to who they are. I love seeing how everything comes together at a wedding! I asked the bride, Shannon, a few questions about her wedding to give you a glimpse into this beautiful wedding.

Question: Why did you pick a literature theme for your wedding, and get married in a library?

Shannon: It was important that we chose a place that was special and had some sort of meaning for us. I had been to the German Society before when I saw Edgar Allan Poe’s great, great nephew give speech there about Poe’s life and works. I’ve always been an avid reader, and seeing Poe’s descendant in person, right next door to Poe’s house, in the setting of the German Society’s beautiful library was such a special, happy moment. When I found out that the Germany Society was available to rent for weddings, my mind was instantly made up; it had to be there! Since the ceremony was going to be in the library, I thought it would be fun and personal to do a literary theme. Bryan and I picked our favourite authors to name the tables after (we sat at the Poe table, naturally!), and we played up the book/writing theme in all of the decor and the invitations! Our friends and family absolutely loved it, since it was really a reflection of who we are, and it added a very personal touch to the day.

Question: How did your wedding invitations tie into your wedding?

Shannon: They were absolutely perfect, and they set the tone ahead of time so guests sort of knew what to expect at the wedding. It tied the whole theme together perfectly. Plus, everyone loved the library card RSVP! It was like they were participating in it, and not just simply replying Yes or No. I can’t tell you how many people wrote personal responses on the cards about how excited they were to see our “story” begin, etc. They all seemed really excited about the theme thanks to your lovely invitations!

Stay tuned tomorrow and Friday for more Q&A with Shannon and glimpses into their beautiful wedding!

Wedding Invitations: Hand-Painted Weddings Photos: Adam Atkinson Planner: Natalie Diener Florist: Beautiful Blooms Venue: German Society
Inspired by
Literature Themed Wedding
- July 2, 2015
- by Allison
A literature themed wedding has touches of antique and looks lovely amongst a rustic or historic wedding venue. In general a rustic wedding exudes a casual vibe to it and an antique, historic wedding exudes a more refined vibe, but don’t feel limited to pick just one look. Use your wedding venue as a guide and feel free to mix and match different elements from a rustic and antique literature theme. The books can be the glue that holds the look together.

Be sure to shop at flea markets, antique stores and yard sales to collect your classic hard-bound novels to possibly read and use in your decor. I personally love the look of really old books…you know, the type that is so worn that the pages have yellowed and the spine has signs of wear. There has also been a trend in the redesigns of classic novel covers which would be a really fun way to make the antique literature theme more modern and unique. Loose bouquets with lots of texture look lovely with this look. Also antique gold pieces like picture frames, antique keys, and gold rimmed glasses and chargers work really well with this theme.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Literature Invitation is now available in the Hand-Painted Weddings Invitation shop.

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