Congratulations Dora and Zeki!!

Hi!

Congratulations to Dora Kim and Zeki Oguz! They booked their date of May 5, 2013!!
I can hardly wait to work with you!!
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Spread The Love!!!

Hi!

I thought I'd post another great idea  that we (Allison, her Mother Mary and I) were so excited about!

Jam gift favors!!

Yes, that is right, Jam gift favors. Little jars of homemade goodness that just spells L O V E!

Since I always suggest something yummy as a gift favor, we were unanimous on this idea.

The challenge was to make it our own! Who wants to duplicate a photograph anyway?! Right?

This was our original inspiration...

Allison and Mary decided on not just one flavor of jam, but five flavors!!! Strawberry, Raspberry, Pear,  Peach and Apricot Jam. Allison ordered the pretty labels for the front of the jar and put  tiny labels on the bottom of the jars that indicated the flavor.

 Instead of suitcases for the display like in the photograph, we used vintage picnic baskets!! Each basket was slightly different but all of them exuded the fun and playfulness of times gone by. They were the perfect element we needed for this arrangement!

We added old lace table cloths and lace runners that Mary had from her mother  and I had to make this display extra special and meaningful.   The old wooden door, (the handle still in place) was the base. I didn't realize how heavy a real solid wooden door is! I know now!!!

Mini Chalk boards with lace and jeweled corners were added for fun! 

We used two wine barrels as the base and waa laa! A fun assortment of jams, a very approachable gift table and a homey display that all worked perfectly for Allison and Kyle's guests. 

What is your idea? 

What would you like to do?

What ever it is, I'll give you the confidence to do it!!

Love and Smiles,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

From Idea, To Mock Up, To Fruition!!

Hi!

I thought I'd share with you another beautiful example of the stylizing process I take with my Brides.

In this case, it was the lovely Allison for her wedding in September. 

On a previous post, I demonstrated how to turn a beautiful photograph into a spectacular photograph with hand tinting. My idea was to make the photograph pop with a hint of color!

I had wonderful responses to that particular post so I thought you'd like to see the entire creation.

Stage 1: This was the mock up of the centerpiece to give Allison and her Mother a better visual of what I was suggesting and was talking about. (The centerpieces consisted of two types; 1.Vintage double-decker wooden silverware boxes for the base, lace, silver candy dishes and silver smalls and silver candelabras, 2. vintage wooden Silverware boxes for the base, lace, crystal cake stands, crystal smalls and crystal candelabras) I used some silk flowers I had to give it a bit of color but for reference only.  Notice in this mock up photograph, I hadn't thought of the putting a photograph in the open drawer until a bit later. Even the table number was a mock up!

Stage 2:  Food tasting gave me an opportunity to make a  centerpiece sample with real flowers and a better table number! Just before dinner, I added  a photograph in the drawer (not Allison and Kyle) for fun.

Everyone loved it!

Stage 3: I was thinking that a regular photograph just wouldn't do with all the vintage accents. So, I came up with the idea of hand tinting the photograph (picture posted from a previous blog) to add pop.  

I included silver frames to go with the silver accents on those specific tables. (I roughed them up a bit too!)

Stage 4:  The real McCoy! The day of the wedding!! Complete and beautiful!

Stage 5:  Don't forget your napkin treatment. It's a really fun accent that can really embellish your table.

I love the way it turned out!!

Allison's Mother did a wonderful job with the table numbers!!

Here's a photograph of the crystal tables. These tables used the single wooden silverware boxes for the base and lots of crystal accent pieces.

I hope you love the presentation as much as we did!

I have a question for you...

Is it time to get designing and planning?

It is at the Jones Victorian Estate!!

Smiles and Love,

Michelle Gregory

p.s. A huge thank you to Flower Allie for the stunning flowers and another one to BrandiBarrPhotography.com for the photos.

HAPPPPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Hi!

Happy Halloween!

In honor of Kristen and David, here's their Hallowedding at the Jones Victorian Estate.

It was filled with lots of fun decorations and everyone had a spooky good time!

Enjoy!!!

 Here's the entrance gate sign we designed... A perfect precursor for the event!!!

Here's beautiful Kristen and her mother getting ready!

 The Bridesmaid's all had different dresses but all carried floral, black lanterns.

The Groom, David! I added the skeleton with a bottle of "Love Potion #9!"

And the ring bearer carrying a mini-coffin... "Till Death Do Us Part!"

The guest book table was a blast to put together. I included different colored pumpkins in various sizes to go with her seating "fence." Added a few more of Kristen's Halloween touches and waaa laaa!

A heart made by the skeleton's hands, perfect! It went with your tights!!!

We added black crystals to the curlie willow for the ceremony. I added twinkle lights to the display after the wedding!

Here's the toasts! Dad in fine form as everyone dressed up for the occasion!

 What centerpiece at Halloween would be complete without a black candelabra?

There were three different types centerpieces but each had a spooky charm.

 What would you do for gift favors at a Hallowedding? Candy! You are right! Trick or Treat for sure!!

It was an amazing day with fun for all. Kristen and David allowed me the special pleasure of adding my creative touch to their wedding and it was a blast!

The best part of planning a wedding of this type is that they did it their way. I call it "My Way Wedding."

They loved how it turned out and I'm sure the guests are still talking about their special day!

I am!!!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

Bridesmaid's Dresses: Soft and Flowing and Different!

Hi!

Selecting Bridesmaid's dresses can be difficult at times... but not for the reason you may think.

Most of the time, the Bride really has an idea or the color of what she wants.

What often is missing is the belief that she can find it!

Here, Brianna had the confidence to go for it! She actually selected two colors; pink and grey, and 

let the ladies select the gown of their choice in those two colors.

What happened? 

Magic!

The ladies looked amazing with gowns that fit each of their personalities.

Each gown was soft and flowing and was a wonderful accent to the Bride's gown!

Now these Bridesmaids and Bride are ready for the party!

I loved the two colors! 

I loved the softness of the dresses.

I loved that each dress was different.

I love these pictures!!!!

Congratulations Brianna and Christopher Romero!!!

A special thank you to photographer; Mr. Kevin Lee Voo for the pictures!!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

p.s.

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