Monday, August 11, 2014

Carissa and Lee Artavia

Hi!
It was Carissa and Lee's day and the photographs from Gina and Ryan Photography are amazing!
Carissa chose sparkling crystals, the subtle tones of grey and silver with the rich variations of white  flowers as her main theme colors. 
Thank you for the beautiful Flowers! Amazing work by Flower Allie in Fullerton! 
She added a pop of color in the bridesmaid's dresses!


Here's Carissa with her Bridesmaids. Great Shot!


 The flowers are spectacular against the mix colored Bridesmaid's dresses! Carissa decided on a variety of blooms and tones of white for her flowers for her day.  The result... perfect. The grey shoes tied in her theme!

Beautiful Carissa with her silver satin tie.

Don't forget about the Groom! Here's Lee and he looks so handsome in his grey suit.

                                           Simply gorgeous!

The ceremony with crystals, grey satin and lots of white flowers!

The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen actually sat during their ceremony! I'm sure they appreciated it!  

The kiss... I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. 

They look great! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Artavia!
It was a spectacular day.
A special thank you to Gina and Ryan of Ginaandryan.com for the fabulous photos and for getting them to me so quickly! 
Love,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Saturday, August 9, 2014

The Guest Book/Gift Table

Hi!
The Guest Book/Gift table is typically where the guests "sign in" at a book and retrieve their dinner seating. It's a place for the gift and a general starting point for the event. 
Why not make this table a beautiful focal point while being a practical vignette?
To give an example of what I mean, below are a couple of my favorites. 


Here, Carissa and Lee had a completely separate table for the sign in book. Rather than a table, it was a mirrored cabinet she found on Craig's list. She added a pretty lamp, a special box for the card gifts and  she made two simply gorgeous scrapbooks.   The guests had their choice of page and book in which to leave a their special note. 

I added the window and personalized it to them to complete the design. The finished product was fun, beautiful  and completely functional.

Ashley and Jim went with vintage fun! The table was draped with lace and heart burlap bunting. She made a cute card box and a instagram sign for the guests. I used vintage silverware boxes, tins, crystal, vintage places, stacked tea cups, old pitchers, an old metal arch and of course, a chandelier! 
It was perfect because during the ceremony, we transformed it into a snack table! (I'm waiting for pictures from the photographer!)

Kelly and Joey went with a family theme for their table. Family photos, their engagement photo, old family books, vintage postcards with an old toast holder to display them, her pretty fabric that brought in her colors....

Then I added the flowers, the vintage typewriter with a special typed note from the Bride and Groom, an old purse basket for the safety of the card gifts.  This table was warm, inviting and fun while being completely practical.

Hillary loved the vintage look. Her table was draped in vintage lace and she used an old suitcase with her special finds! Her guest book was created when...


the guests took their picture with the old fashioned backdrop. (Her Father made it!) The camera in the photograph was made to look like the old style! Hillary's mom and dad had a special hand in helping her vision come together. 

Denise and Jeff went with the rustic feel for their guest book table with burlap, a branch framed board for the seating cards (the pins had pebble on top), an old egg basket for the programs, a beautiful apothecary jar for the card gifts, photos in rustic frames and 

a kumquat tree arrangement as the centerpiece. 

It's another detail that you might not have put that much thought into. It's really worth the extra effort! Remember, it's usually the first detail the guests see so have fun with it.
Don't forget the card box for the card gifts! It can be an old hat box, an old sewing box, a decorated cigar box, a trunk or small suitcase, a wrapped box with a slit on the top... whatever you decide, have a safe place for those gifts!
Enjoy the process!!!
Love,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones  Victorian Estate

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

And Now It's Our Pleasure To Present To You... Mr. and Mrs. Greg Wright!

Hi!
Is this the best photo ever?
I totally think so!!!

I love it... the fun, the enthusiasm, their joy and the whole family!
Here, Erin and Greg are introduced to their guests via the front door of the Victorian House. 
The landing created a picturesque backdrop perfect for their presentation.
And what fun! The two of them and their dogs pose for a great shot!




Thank you Marcella Treybig of MarcellaTreybigPhotography.com for the wonderful photo. 
I have selected my favorites from her work and will  post them here soon!

It was a great day with an absolutely fun and gorgeous couple!
Congratulations!!!!
Love.
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

The Artist Erin Sanderlin-Wright!

Hi!

I'm often asked about inspiration and where it comes from. Simply, everywhere and everything. For Erin and Greg, it was easy... nature!

The best part of my job is when the Brides and Grooms are open and really take an idea and run with it. Erin Sanderlin-Wright was just that Bride. She did an absolutely fabulous job with all the painted accents and enjoyed personalizing it to her!!

 Table numbers! Adorable! The old wood found a new life and they were perfect on the tables.
All the numbers together! Job Well Done!!

The Mr. and Mrs., these blanks were suspended above the Bridal table for a special wooden detail that I think was so perfect for the day. We hung them with  thick twine and added flowers and greenery for a romantic touch. 

AND THE FINALE!!!
THE
L
O
V
E
SIGN... MY FAVORITE!!
I added succulents and logs to complete the vignette.

I have to say it... I love it!
Thank you Erin and Greg for all the fun and your amazing creativity.

Smiles,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Monday, August 4, 2014

Erin and Greg, A Warm Earthy Design

Hi!
I had the pleasure of working with Erin and Greg to help them create and bring together all of their special ideas. 
Erin found some wonderful accent pieces at her work. Her wooden crates, terra cota vases, and wooden cheese board were just a few items that got us started. 


For her head table, I used small logs and branch clusters with the succulents and flowers. I drilled holes in 2" tall branches for the candles that were so much fun! I love how the burlap helped soften the table. 

Small floral clusters from the florist were the perfect accents that were tucked in between logs and branches. 

Even a lonely succulent looked great on top of a branch grouping.  

Erin was quite the artist with her handy work on the "Mr and Mrs" as well as the table numbers. 
We suspended them from wire and added greenery for a wonderful wooden type chandelier!

The hydrangea, coffee beans, lisianthus, stock and other flowers were a fresh look to the head table. 

I just love how these mini signs turned out. Up high and out of the way, these old boards came alive with love. 
Well done Erin and Greg. I think Greg cut the boards!!
Come back and see us soon!
Love,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Old Beautiful Quilts... They are not just for warmth anymore!

Hi!
Are you planning a wedding with a homegrown or vintage design theme? 
Have you given it any thought? 
If you are or have, I have a suggestion for you. 
Quilts!
In my mind, it conjures up rich texture, color with dimension, love that's real  and warmth of history all  mixed together into a beautiful package.
So, how would you use these precious love gifts?
Here are a few....

A table overlay!


A special linen for the sweets or cake table!


They may be used for those rumbustious flower girls and ring bearers!


                 I added a few snacks and toys to the quilt and these children were in heaven!

A welcome quilt that proudly displays the love for the day!


                                    Here, I mixed textures with the table linens and it was a big hit!


Quilts are a lovely way to add color and texture to the overall theme without a huge expense. 
They can be a special wall hanging behind the cake table or how about an overlay for the gift table or bridal table! 




Here, the guests signed quilt squares instead of a guest book! So, whether the quilts are for decoration or practical usage, they are a wonderful element to add to any wedding.

Let's have fun!
Smiles,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Beautiful Flowers in the Garden!

Hi!
As the rain subsides, beautiful flowers are emerging everywhere on the Estate. 
It's magical and charming to witness such a hardy transformation so quickly.


 The succulents emerge and boast with rich color!

The potted Pigmy Palms come alive with color that were sleeping only days ago!


Come see the Wedding magic of the Jones Victorian Estate.
Love,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate