Southern Weddings

We are thrilled to welcome Wanwisa Posner to SW for her new weekly feature, Wanwisa Wednesdays.  More to come on the fabulous Mrs. Posner, but for now…  this image speaks a thousand words about her incredible taste and style.  Wanwisa on her wedding day in the kitchen with the Thomas Keller.

Always the planner and go-to girl, it took planning my own wedding, a feature on Style Me Pretty, some encouragement from doting wedding guests and a helpful hand from some amazing planning mavens at Bliss Event Group for me to finally realize my dream – by becoming the girl behind the soon-to-be-launched Bliss Event Group New York.

As if that weren’t enough, like sweet icing on a seven tier cake, I am thrilled to guest blog for SW and share some of my inspirations, fabulous finds, DIY ideas and just about anything to help blushing brides and fabulous hostesses plan their perfect celebrations. (Wanwisa also has her own amazing blog, Modern Vintage)

I love juxtaposing styles like modern and vintage (my personal favorite), traditional and casual, elegant and shabby chic, just to name a few. I think the best celebrations really highlight the passions and styles of the people being celebrated.  There’s nothing more thrilling than bringing in touches to an event that honor that. And no, nothing is too quirky – take it from the girl who served a nine-course reception luncheon, nixed the dance floor and honeymooned in Bhutan!

I hope my postings will inspire and bring a little Bliss NY to your dazzling Southern affairs!

My dear friend Michelle has just gotten engaged to her long time boyfriend Justin. The two were both raised in Mississippi but have long called New York City their home. They plan on throwing a wedding in Texas, where Michelle’s parents now reside and where all their friends and family can gather to celebrate their union.

One of Michelle’s favorite accessories is a Cameo necklace so I thought it would be appropriate to combine her beloved piece of jewelry with both her and Justin’s traditional style, by using the “cameo” as the wedding’s main motif.
Michelle, being the savvy bride, did some research on flowers that are in-season for her August 09 wedding and fell in love with pretty blue hydrangeas and lovely bells of Ireland. Powdery and deep blues with bright greens look beautiful together and exude a calming effect perfect for a balmy late summer celebration.

My first inspiration board for Michelle and Justin’s big day is a combination of traditional Southern flair and big city polish. As a play on cameo jewelry, silhouette necklaces in matte silver make an excellent gift for the bridal party (cameo pendants by Rosie Buck) For fun entertainment, hire a silhouette cut artist like Karl Johnson who will cut fabulous silhouettes in your guests likeness.   Have a look at his recent feature in Martha Stewart Weddings. The idea of merging traditional style with fresh modern flair is again mimicked by a Wedgwood inspired cake (via Martha Stewart). The bridal fashion is big city with clean lines and refined details.

The lucky couple: Michelle and Justin.

Photos: “Something Blue” wrapping paper via Pop Ink Designs, Green bouquet via Marthastewart.com, Cameo Pendant via The Cameo Collection, Bells of Ireland and Hydrangea bouquet and short centerpiece arrangements via Brides.com, gown by Jim Hjelm, Bridesmaid dress by Alvina Valenta both via Brides.com; flower girl dress by Jim Hjelm.

More to come next Wednesday.  Have a beautiful week!  ~ Wanwisa