Sponsored with love, by Black Label Decor
These gorgeous laser cut cake toppers are to die for, don't you think? Whether you're having a traditional black tie wedding or an outdoor casual wedding, they're perfect for any wedding cake. So if you're looking for a simple, elegant laser cut cake topper, head on over to Black Label Decor at the link below and take a peek at their designs. And don't forget to scroll down to see some shots of one of our favorites!
Written with love, by Karley Kiker
My family followed several holiday traditions when I was growing up. For Thanksgiving, no matter which city or state we were gathering in, mom always ordered our turkey from a company based in her hometown of Tyler, Texas. We also had a tradition of opening one Christmas present a day early, and we spent almost every Christmas Eve at an annual holiday party hosted by my parents' close friends. My mom started a collection of Barbie ornaments for me when I was very young, and continued the tradition of gifting me with the new “holiday edition” Barbie ornament all the way through college. Each of these traditions are tied to memories I hold near and dear to my heart, which is why this year, I want to be intentional about starting a new tradition (or two) with Taylor. A few ideas I'm tossing around:
Taylor and I had our first go at this two years ago, and I have to admit…we weren't thrilled with how the print job turned out. And yet, it made me so happy to see the little Christmas postcard we created together ("Beachy and Bright" was our theme) on the refrigerator at my in-laws' home. Our card wasn't perfect, but it also wasn't a carbon copy of anyone else's. This year we found a new printer, and I'm hoping to send out another card that's uniquely "us." Over the years I know it will be fun to see how our style has evolved!
Unboxing ornaments each year is such a wonderful way to revisit the memories they're linked to. Give yourself the chance to do just that by purchasing an ornament as a souvenir during every trip or vacation the two of you take together. Whether it's a hand-carved wooden shoe from Holland or a merry-and-bright palm tree from Barbados, each ornament you place on the tree is sure to transport you back to some of your favorite times together!
Mom's macaroni. Grandma's chicken and dressing. Uncle Joe's green bean casserole. What will the two of you bring to the table this year (and for many years to come)? Select a holiday staple, such as potatoes, then discuss ways to put a unique spin on the dish to make it all your own. Standard mashed potatoes, meet bleu cheese infused potatoes au gratin.
Maybe it's a fancy sit-down dinner with friends. Maybe it's an Ugly Christmas Sweater party for your church home group. Either way, if you're happiest when you're hosting, get started on those invites and make your fête an annual festivity!
If nesting is your thing, set aside a special day—perhaps the day after Thanksgiving—to turn on the Christmas music, pull out those holiday items from the attic, and start decorating. In our house we have a relatively strict "no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving" policy (although I may or may not break said policy when Taylor's not around), which makes it so special when it's time to turn on my favorite holiday playlists and start trimming the tree.
Kelley and Chris’s story is the epitome of a long distance romance. She’s from Northern Virginia and he’s from Newcastle, England and they met as counselors at a 9 week summer camp in New York. Their relationship took them from New York to Australia to California to Great Britain and everywhere in between.
The couple’s long distance relationship was evident in their wedding day details as well. Guests enjoyed their signature drinks - The Englishman and The American Girl - and picked up British and American flags to wave on the dance floor.
Kelley created a seating chart from a world map, naming each table after places that she and Chris had either lived in or visited together. And at each place setting, a luggage tag served as both a place card and a favor. On the bag of the luggage tags were the coordinates for the wedding venue. Guests signed vintage postcards the couple had purchased online in lieu of a guestbook, placing them in a vintage suitcase for the couple to read later.
Appropriately, Kelley and Chris danced to I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). For much of their relationship, much more than 500 miles had separated them.
Kelley and Chris shared a sweet first look together before taking portraits. Kelley had to show off the pockets of her wedding gown and they both took a few moments to catch each other up on what they had been up to since they last saw each other the night before. Later, they shared vows in front of their family and friends in an outdoor garden space. Kelley wore her mother’s pearl necklace and Chris completed his wedding day look with an engraved pocket watch and tie clip, also a gift to each of his groomsmen.
Kelley’s sister put together all of the floral elements. Kelley made her own wedding cake, a two layer lemon rosemary confection and she and her parents baked all of the sweets on the dessert buffet. The best man and most of Chris’s groomsmen were pals from England, so the best man speech naturally contained several lighthearted jabs about Americans and the fact that Britain ‘used to own the place’ as well as a light roasting of the groom, complete with photographic illustrations of people Chris resembles: Prince Harry, Ed Sheeran, and Beaker from the Muppets.
Caitlin Gerres Photography | Photography
Norfolk Botanical Gardens | Venue
Ava Laurenne Bridal | Bridal Salon
Best Face Artists | Makeup
Blue Steel Lighting Design | Lighting
Chef By Design | Catering
Cherry Blossom Planning Factory | Wedding Planning
Curry's Leather Products, Inc | Weddings Favors + Gifts
DJ Taylor Haycox | DJ
Men's Warehouse | Menswear
Minted | Wedding Invitations
Monique Lhuillier | Wedding Dress Designer
Orange Peel Transportation | Transportation
