Southern Weddings

Anyone who knows me, knows I adore French macaroons. My mother is a Cordon Bleu Paris trained chef, so I grew up speaking French in the kitchen while I watched her cook. She is what I like to call a “pastry connoisseur” (ok, she loves good ole’ southern Krispy Kreme too) and introduced me to these fabulous mini pastries. Yes, they taste like a little piece of Heaven, but I love them more for their sheer designer beauty. The colors are just divine!  No matter your wedding color scheme, there is a macaroon for you.  And the flavor combinations they come up with (try Rose Petal, Cassis Violet, Caramel & Salted Butter, Orange Flower, Grenadine, Ginger Apricot, Muscovado, Champagne and Orange Saffron) are a gourmand’s dream. {Ladurée macaroons} were recently featured in the movie Marie Antoinette, but I discovered them on my now favorite foodie blog, {La Tartine Gourmande}. Béa–food stylist, writer, photographer, and designer extraordinaire of this food blog–is such a talent. Her images are as delicious as the food itself! Brides, you will discover a whole host of dessert options here that trump the traditional wedding cake a hundred times over. How about these instead of gooey butter cream? Enjoy! ~Lara

The perfect Southern treat: Chocolate, Pistacio and Pecan Muffins with mini milk jars.  This would be a lovely surprise breakfast for your out of town guests the morning after your southern soiree.

These rustic Rhubarb Ginger and Vanilla Tartlets would be a delightful addition to an outdoor garden wedding menu. 

All images copyright {Béatrice Peltre & La Tartine Gourmande}.

Our editors discovered the inspiring world of {Kenzie Kate Invitations} today.  Take a peek at these sweet southern designs…

“Charlotte”  The unpretentious, easy charm of this invitation makes it ideal for an outdoor affair. The couple’s names are displayed under the shade of a huge oak tree, and all the coordinating pieces feature the same refreshing theme. Our color choice here is a cool shimmering blue paired with a rustic kraft paper envelope, then tied with natural jute twine. A coordinating kraft paper envelope completes the set. Other obvious color schemes would be deep ochre or green, but this style would be just as striking in gold and yellow for fall. Perfect for an elegant backyard affair or a wedding by the lake.

“Savannah” Perfectly charming. For the Savannah collection, we’ve chosen a color palette of sage green, navy blue and creamy white. The tri-panel invitation comes wrapped in a delicate satin picot edged ribbon, and unfolds to reveal an undulating background of ornate paisleys. A lush linen card printed in rich blues is overlayed to create depth and contrast. The postcard reply and matching enclosure cards are done in a creamy white linen to match. A coordinating silky linen envelope completes this enchanting set.  An easy, sophisticated design for casual or formal occasions, the Savannah emits class and charm.

“Aberdeen” (OK, not technically Southern, but who cares!?  These are GORGEOUS!) This suite is brimming with romance and old world charm.  Evocative of “The Flower of Scotland”, this whimsical invitation brings to mind the dramatic cliff tops and brambles of the Highland. Each invitation is mounted on our lavish textured card stock, and paired with a matching folder blanketed in flowering vines. We’ve chosen a palette of bronze and raspberry to compliment the theme, but any combination of pinks/reds and browns/greens would be perfect for this collection. Corresponding enclosures are protected inside the folder, while a stunning satin ribbon keeps everything secure. An elegant envelope completes the ensemble.

“New Orleans”  Covered with lush flowers and gorgeous prints, this suite reminds us of the beautiful front porches of New Orleans festooned with baskets of hanging flowering plants. Each set comes lithographed on heavy ivory linen and mounted on our double-ply card stock creating a rich, substantial invitation. We pair each invite with our coordinating reply set and reception card, all kept tidy in our colorful patterned enclosure folder and tied off with a matching satin ribbon. Ten percent of proceeds from the New Orleans go to the {Green Project}, a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote and encourage environment sustainability in New Orleans.

For more, visit  {Kenzie Kate Invitations} and while you’re at it, check out her very chic blog… {Something Old Something New}.  We really got a kick out of the link to “Something Fun” on the blog!

As all stylish southern brides know, you have to set the tone of your fabulous fete from the very beginning with your save the dates and invitations. {Lehr and Black} of Los Angeles is the master of doing just that. If you can think it, they can create it. They have designed invitations for Gwen Stefani, Brooke Shields, Eva Longoria and Toni Parker, Shaq, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and many more. The sibling duo has been designing custom invitations and event decor for more than 25 years, attracting high profile clients and celebs throughout the country. (prices range from $25-$300 per invite)

For our southern brides that are having a beach or destination wedding, these invitations beautifully set the tone for what’s to come. What amazing textures and papers!  Your guests will feel that they have received a little treasure in the mail…

 
The “Grandeur” collection from Eva Longoria and Tony Parker were created using deep, romantic reds throughout and gold accents to give guests the feel of a rich, bold Parisian summer.  Eva and Tony were married in Paris on famed wedding date, 7-7-07.

Lehr & Black has a new online gift and bridal accessories boutique, “Love, Me,” {www.shoploveme.com}.

~Leah Harrison, Features Editor SWS [email protected]