wedding inspiration

  • Alice in Wonderland Wedding featured on ModWedding

    Alice in Wonderland Wedding featured on ModWedding
















    So happy that the wedding blog, ModWedding is featuring the Alice in Wonderland wedding styled shoot Hand-Painted Weddings collaborated with a lot of talented, creative vendors in Chicago on earlier this spring. As the article says, this wedding features “enchanting florals, from oversized peony blossoms to layers of moss, were complimented by other natural pieces, such as handcrafted wooden furniture and a naked cake.” These design elements worked really well with the whimsical watercolor designs I did for the wedding day paper and invitation (available in the invitation shop).

    I’m super excited to be currently working with a client who is doing a high tea for her wedding and is using this styled shoot as inspiration. This warms my heart because this is the goal of styled shoots….to inspire future engaged couples with ideas they’ve never seen before.

    I also love that I was able to collaborate with this styled shoot from afar…this style shoot took place in Chicago. I love these collaborations so much that I’m creating unique artwork for one in California in December and one locally in Philadelphia on Black Friday, so stay tuned on Instagram for behind the scenes glimpses of this unique, creative work.

    Photographer: Ed & Aileen Photography | Event Coordination: Dotted Events | Venue: Lacuna Artist Loft Studios | Wedding Gown & Jewelry: Mignonette Bridal | Bridesmaids Gowns: Brideside | Tuxedos: Menguin | Rings: Gage Rings | MUA: Marguerite Preston | Hair: Marisol Saucedo | Stylist: Patrick Niles | Floral Design: Blümgarten | Furniture: Makers Chicago | Chairs & Linens: Classic Party Rentals | Lighting & Draping: Art of Imagination | Place Settings: Rent Vintage Chicago | Backdrop: Chyrel Banias, Lil Epic Event Design | Stationery: Hand-Painted Weddings | Bakery: Swedish Bakery

  • Real Wedding: Literary Wedding in Philadelphia

    Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson. Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson. Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson.


























    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:

    Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson.

    Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson. Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson.Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson. Literature Wedding. Real Wedding. Posted on Hand-Painted Weddings. Photos by Adam Atkinson.












































    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

  • Inspired for Fall: Perfect Addition to Your Autumn Ceremony

    Pumpkin Program by Hand-Painted Weddings

    It has been a fairly mild summer in Philly this season, and even though it is still August, I already feel the first signs that autumn is right around the corner. I love autumn, but I’m making these last few weeks of summer count with trips to the water park, beach, and the many outdoor beer gardens that have popped up in Philly this summer.

    In preparation for all the exciting autumn weddings that are right around the corner, I wanted to share these two lovely photos that were taken of the Hand-Painted Weddings Pumpkin ceremony program in action as well as a peek of the customized Pumpkin invitation framed in the basket at one of our fall 2013 clients’ wedding. It doesn’t get much more autumn-inspired than the pumpkin! This would be a perfect addition to any fall wedding.

    Remember, if you are interested in customizing any of the hand-painted signature invitation suite designs into ceremony programs, please contact me. I’d be happy to provide more information!

    Photos courtesy of McConville Studio.

    Pumpkin Program and Invitation by Hand-Painted Weddings