The Perfect Pair WEDDING

This September, I was privileged to help style a wedding for a dear friend's daughter.  I knew that it would be extra fun and exciting to do my favorite things: create beauty and style parties, but I didn't realize how much this event would bless my heart.  The wedding was prepared by many loving hands and willing hearts, in a united act of love for a deserving family.  So many people helped plan, decorate, and execute.  I was fortunate to be a small part of it! Each person brought their own talent and together a gentle, beautiful symphony was created. 

My friend Cathy has a truly GOOD heart.  She guides her family in a quiet and real truth.  Cathy makes me smile.  Her daughter Amy was a stunning bride!  Amy is naturally beautiful and kindness surrounds her. 

 

This Mama and daughter have such an adorable sense of style!  Their eyes are drawn to charming flea market finds and re-purposed furniture.  The wedding was a bit of shabby, a tiny hint of country, rustic throughout, and a lot of flea market goodness. 

   

Aspen trees are a Colorado signature and they were used in much of the wedding decor.  These  aspen vases were made out of a big aspen tree that had fallen.  They were skillfully carved to hold wildflowers. 

Mason jar glasses with delicate lavender straws

 

Pears were laced throughout the wedding decor and also used as party favors , celebrating "The Perfect Pair".

For the guest book, Amy created a photo book of her and her groom.  It was such an awesome idea and the perfect keepsake! 

 

 

More pears balanced on candlesticks...

 

 Random shaped glass jars filled with flowers and hanging by twine, dangled above the gift table.

 

A wire birdcage held the cards of well wishes...

  

Cathy had this incredible concept to create a "long line of love" photo display of generations of their family on their wedding days.  A row of wedding photos of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents lined the stone wall.  (I would SO do this if I was able to have a wedding again) ;)

 (photo credit: captivated studio)

The photos were arranged around dancing aspen leaves and white stubby candles in various sized mason jars.

The ceremony was set at the edge of a hill, overlooking the snow-capped peaks that pierced the blue sky.  It was gorgeous!  God pulled the rain back, creating a serene evening of sunshine for the wedding.

Tall copper torches marked the natural path to the white carpet of the ceremony.

And the celebration begins...

The couple demonstrated their love, with the symbolized act of service by washing one another's feet. 

 

Earlier I mentioned how this wedding blessed my heart.  I was overcome with peace as I was surrounded by genuine people.  The atmosphere was incredible.  Every laugh, comment, tear, and prayer was rooted in true love and deep faith.  I was inspired by the simplicity of life that this wedding evoked as it drew focus to the real things that mattered and erased the extra fluff.   The character of those around me was comforting and admirable.  It encouraged me to live a life of purpose, to stand strong in my beliefs, and to use my emotion and love for the good and betterment of us all.

The event venue was at a pretty cabin in the forest...

This extra creative idea, compliments of the mother of the bride: Cathy's wedding dress and Amy's girlhood dresses were cut up and made into adorable pendant banners to line the walls of the cabin!

And the party begins!

Dinner is done...

 ~ B  L  I  S  S  ~

When the sun escaped, an extra cozy and romantic atmosphere evolved.  Candles were lit, the big cabin fire stayed strong, and small fire pits were randomly placed around the outside grounds. 

I was in love with these warm fire pits!

Baskets of vintage quilts were rolled and tied, ready to be used and cuddled up with around the fires!

I remember being a young girl attending weddings. I would imagine a fairlyland of wishes as I dreamed of my special day.  And I suppose those dreams simply carry on for generations. I spy young girls looking up in wide eyed wonder at brides and am reminded of my own childhood wonder. Those girlhood desires are forever passed on to the next...and the next.

 Amy had her day and it was perfection.  Her and Cheyne make the PERFECT PAIR!  This day was a celebration of them: of their raw, pure, new, love...wrapped in innocence and full of all hope and expectation.  This type of love is a treasure, a treasure to be gently held and valued.  It is solid but fresh, strong but tender, full of life and blessed by God. 

 

"May the Lord bless you and keep you,

May the Lord make His face shine upon you, 

and be gracious unto you: 

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you 

and give you peace." 

- Numbers 6:24

 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up 

dulce de leche desserts

My all time favorite dessert (recipe link below)

Dulce de leche is a rich, creamy, sweet caramelized milk that tastes like caramel! It is often used in Latin culture.  It's very simple to make and has a lot of tempting uses in recipes.

To make YOUR OWN DULCE GOODNESS:

1) Take the paper wrapper off a can of sweetened condensed milk.  Pierce the top near the edges if you want to ensure the can doesn't explode from too much pressure (I don't pierce mine however).

2) Place in a saucepan and cover with water.  Bring water to boil and reduce heat.  Simmer for 3-5 hours.  The longer you heat it, the thicker it will become.  Heat to your desired consistency.

3) Carefully remove with tongs and let cool.  When you open the can, you'll see your magic has transpired!  You will have delicious milk sugar!

4)  Store in airtight jar and it's ready to use for lots n lots of sugary recipes!




You can use your dulce de leche to pour over nighttime scoops of ice cream...

 I made THREE different dulce de leche desserts lately:

First 

(and very favorite!!)

Chocolate cake cups with

Dulce de leche buttercream frosting:

These are my new favorite dessert!  They are everything chocolate is supposed to be, plus, plus!
 Use this amazing cake recipe, and this recipe for the frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Dulce de leche 

Beat butter until fluffy.  Add whipping cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix in Dulce De Leche until creamed fluffy.  

I baked these cake cups in little Dixie cups and tied on wooden bite size spoons for the perfect tiny treat.  

Second

Salted Dulce de Leche 

Shortbread Cookies:

A mix of sweet and salty with rich caramel smashed in the middle. 

A stack for everyone...

In a tall glass of sweetness...

 

Third

Classic Tres Leches Cake:

The appropriate compliment to a Mexican feast,  moist milk cake topped with dulce de leche.  

There are many recipes for this classic.  You can use whatever one you prefer and top with your homemade dulce de leche. 

There are so many other ways to use your 

homemade milk candy (dulce de leche). 

A popular use is in banana desserts. 

You can also make milk shakes with it.

Let me know how you serve yours! Have a sweet day. ;)

 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up