Venue Scout: Kirkwood Gardens

While in New Hampshire, I also had the chance to visit the Kirkwood Gardens, a beautifully landscaped property in Holderness. Because I perpetually have weddings on the brain, much like Church Landing, when I clamped eyes on this space the words "ceremony" and "reception" immediately jumped to mind. Back in front of a laptop, I did a little research and found that they do, indeed, hold weddings in the gardens.



First, how about this or this or this for some garden party inspiration?





The upper lawn, shaded by majestic old trees and ringed by a blue stone patio, is the perfect location for dinner and dancing (it can accommodate a tent and up to 125 guests).



A set of wide granite steps leads to the lower, sunny, flower-filled lawn. I'm picturing a ceremony with the guests seated in chairs (or even quilts, for a casual celebration!) on the lawn below, with the bride, groom, and officiant at the top of the steps.





Guests could mingle throughout the lower lawn during cocktail hour (a strolling musician would be perfect here!). See that photo above? Those are peonies. So. Many. Peonies. Just waiting to burst into bloom for your celebration.

See more information about holding your event at the Kirkwood Gardens here!



Bonus! Ridiculously cute animals just a few steps away, at the adjacent Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

Board No. 37: One Morning in Maine

{Click image to enlarge!}

There are so many reasons why I love this board.

First, it's partially inspired by one of my favorite books from childhood.

Second, it's utterly affordable. Have friends bake blueberry cheesecake, break out heirloom linens from the hutches of relatives for reception tables, pluck and dry hydrangea from a neighbor's garden (or your own!) for a bouquet, and comb the beach for shells in the weeks prior to the wedding to scatter down the center of long tables.

Third, this wedding gets its unique "feel" from the fog rolling in off the ocean - the bride that chooses this board won't have to do the weather dance in the weeks leading up to the ceremony!

Keep the palette muted and soft (cream + lichen green + dusty blue + navy + weathered gray) and you can't go wrong.

The Details
First row, left to right: fog portrait by Jenny Ebert; blueberry cheesecake via Jupiter Images; lichen napkin photo by April Joy Events

Second row: dried hydrangea in blue Ball jars via Weddingbee; mussel escort card table photo by Stacey Kane; Whaler portrait from Brides; bridesmaid photo by Leigh Miller Photography

Third row: lantern photo via Style Me Pretty; beach portrait by Brown Mouse Photo via Once Wed; vintage silver and linens photo by Karl Juengel

Monday, Monday + Hats

{Photo by Woodward + Rick via the LBBB}

Happy Monday, all!

What do we think about this hat? Would you ever consider wearing one for your wedding day? Maybe at the end of the night with a going-away outfit? It's very Jackie O, but maybe a little but too much.

My Mom wore a hat when she married my Dad, and growing up my sisters and I were convinced that this was a poor choice on her part. Now I'm not so sure...

Happy Weekend!

{Photo by Leigh Miller Photography via the Little Black Book Blog}

I've really, really, really wanted to go to the Elephant's Trunk flea market, ever since Eddie mentioned it a few weeks ago {seriously, watch that video, he's hilariously awesome}. It's kind of a long drive, though, which is stopping me. Anyone want to be my road trip buddy? Veils optional.

Paperwink

I'm moving soon and am seriously considering treating myself to a rubber return address stamp from Paperwink. Above are the four designs I like. Which one do you think I should order? Let me know in the comments! {Seriously, let me know or I'll probably never be able to choose. And that would be sad.}

If you'd like to order one yourself for the bargain price of $18, you can see the rest of the address designs here. Their labels are super cute as well - I particularly covet the "Bee" design.

Kristin & Carter

When this seaside wedding from Melissa Schollaert landed in my inbox, I knew immediately that I had to post it. The details are lovely, and the location itself is stunning.



Kristin and Carter were married on Gasparilla Island, on Florida's Gulf Coast.



Kristin's fancy flats were Delman and her gorgeous dress was by Amsale.







To my eye, it looks like her bouquet contained lilies, daisies, and Queen Anne's Lace. The crosshatched raffia wrap around the stems fits perfectly with the beachy vibe. The flowers were done by The Red Monkey Florist in Port Charlotte.





Kristin and Carter were married in a tiny white church just yards from the shore.



Guests were given fans that doubled as programs to keep cool during the ceremony.





Dried eucalyptus wreaths tied with raffia hung on either side of the church front door.



After ceremony portraits were taken on the lush and appropriately named Banyan Drive.



The cocktail hour and reception was held at the Boca Bay Pass Club. I couldn't resist the Deviled Eggs shot.



Tables were topped with fish netting, island greenery, and blue glass bottles. The reception tables were named after different species of fish.





The bride's and groom's seats at the reception were decked out in more eucalyptus and raffia. A sparkler exit lit up the end of the night.



Thanks so much, Melissa, for the beautiful photographs, and to Kristin & Carter for sharing your day with all of us! I do have a few more details, so I'll do my best to help out with sources if you post in the comments. You can also see more here and here.

Venue Scout: Church Landing at Mill Falls

While in New Hampshire last week, I had the chance to visit Church Landing at Mill Falls, a resort on Lake Winnipesaukee. Though built just a few years ago, it has the charm of a turn-of-the-century lodge with all the comforts of a modern inn & spa. Though we arrived on a dismal, drizzly day, I couldn't help but imagine a wedding on the premises.







Throughout the wedding weekend, guests could cozy up around a fireplace, a boardgame, or a conversation. In my imagination, the "windowseat room" could even double as an intimate ceremony location, I think. {Just remove the center table and pull up some chairs!}





There would be no need to leave the location for portraits, as the entire property is lovely.



The ceremony could take place on the lawn or in the gazebo (that boasts a built in aisle!). After, guests could gather in the sunken garden {below} or even around the pool, lit up for the occasion, for the cocktail hour. Dinner and dancing could be under the stars or in Church Landing's ballroom, then the party could head back out to the pool and its fire pit for post-dinner marshmallow roasting.







And what better getaway at the end of the night for a wedding on the Lake than this?


{Last photo by Browers Photography via The Bride's Guide, all other photos by moi}

This is all just my dreaming, of course. You'd have to check with the resort to see what's actually possible, and you can do that here!