Monday, September 20, 2010

A Romantic Transformation

Selecting the right place for a reception can be a challenge.  It can be hard for a bride to find a venue that has every attribute they are seeking for their big day.  The couple rented a beautiful venue for their wedding and reception, the outside offered the perfect setting for their ceremony. 

A huge oak tree with a lovely arched branch was the perfect place for them to exchange vows.  And in the backdrop, a beautiful barn that also serves as a reception hall. 

The interior of the reception barn was quite lovely, but it was more rustic and a lot darker than the bride had envisioned for her own wedding.


So we transformed it to make it just what she wanted.  It began with two church window frames and a vintage barn door, complete with wonderful chippy white paint, that I scooped up from displays at the shoppe.
Using staples, we covered the backs of the church window frames with burlap and then hubster hung them over the small paned windows, thus giving the illusion of church windows.  Baby's Breath was stapled to the bottom of the windows to create a garland.

As for the old chippy white barn door, we simply leaned it in front of the original door.  All of these architectural pieces fit as if we had a master plan....we didn't.  How sweet is that?  So simple and such a big difference!

The installation of these white architectural components also helped to distract from the black railing.  We picked up a few ferns at a local nursery and wrapped them in burlap ribbon to soften it further.

The lower wall was covered with drop cloth and burlap, then we added a mantle and window that hubby and I snagged from 5th Place Cottage to use as a backdrop for the head table. 

A white prism chandie and vintage chippy toolbox filled with Baby's Breath and branches finished it off. The bride made the "Mr and Mrs" banner out of brown paper with chalk letters.  And, she asked to incorporate the two wood initials somewhere, so I attached them to the toolbox.  Huge paper flowers were used to conceal the dark wood band under the railing.  They are made from tissue that we sell at the shoppe.

It's the same tissue that I used to create our paper wall in the Flax room at the shoppe....it's pretty wondeful stuff! 
The bride loved the flowers in the shoppe displays so much that she had her bridesmaids make them for her wedding, we used them everywhere!


We transformed this section of the space in just a few hours!  Didn't it make for a great "before/after photo", as well as a lovely backdrop for their bridal table?



30 comments:

A Southern Rose said...

This is so beautiful! You did an amazing job. It should be put in a bridal magazine. I am the Bridal Consultant where I work and I see many wedding pictures and reception pictures and this is the most original and so beautiful.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Elder Esplin said...

SO, not surprised!:) It all turned out Absolutely beautiful. LOVE IT ALL!

Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

Cindy said...

What a beautiful transformation! And such a happy place to celebrate the wedding!
Lee Laurie, above, is right, it should be put in a bridal magazine!

The Green Pea said...

Great transformation Laurie! Thanks for the before and after. Love the after, the church windows and chippy barn door is perfect. Have a nice week. sandi

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a wonderful transformation and using simple items too! Those paper flowers are such a great idea and draping the wall made such a difference!

I wish I could do my wedding all over again! I love this look!

be blessed
mary

Lori said...

Wow, what a gorgeous backdrop, Friends can make the most important moments the greatest of all memories. You did it!

stefanie said...

wow, you did a fantastic job, its breathtaking!!!

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Stunning! So many of these ideas could be used in a home too! I love the church windows, the flower tied curtains and those huge tissue flowers. Just gorgeous!

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Wow! That is an amazing transformation. Beautiful job!!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Laurie, This is amazing! What a beautiful and unique place you created for the reception. I am in love with the old church windows and the tissue flowers. Gorgeous!
xo, Sherry

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

This is amazing! I agree with one of the other comments... it should be included in a Bridal magazine. So beautiful and unique!! Love & blessings from NC!

Unknown said...

So beautiful decor, an amazing wedding!

Amy R. said...

That is an amazing transformation! You have some talent girl! Wow!

Carol Bennett said...

Wow, wow, wow!!! Just beautiful, so simple yet elegant!
Carol in GA

Taylor in Tyler said...

Just incredible, what you did with that space, AMAZING!

raggygirlvintage said...

Absolutely gorgeous, what a romantic wedding!
Tracey

Ellie's Bungalow said...

I'm with the others above, this is magazine worthy! So unique and inspiring, just beautiful!

Sueann said...

Fabulous transformation!!! Everything looks so well put together...wonderful!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Laurie, just when I thought there is no way to get one more bit of creativity out of you and you just blow us away! Now, you're a wedding designer, girl, you just rock!!

trash talk said...

I love it when a plan comes together and this one did beautifully.
Debbie

Victoria at Party Puff said...

Wow, great transformation!

Anonymous said...

LaurieAnna~ This is a beautiful transformation.
It has that "WOW" factor. It is all so beautiful, I was in awe of the whole transformation. GOOD JOB GIRLS!!!":o)

ELSIE

Kristine Mullen said...

LOVE the mantle!

Glimpse of My World said...

WOW!! JUST NOT DOES SUM UP THE WORK YOU GALS DO.. I am in total awe when I come to your and Tina's Blog.... Much love and hugs to you all... Valarie

Rebekah said...

LOVE IT!!!!!!!! The before and after pictures tell it all!!!!!

FILIGREE MOON said...

Absolutely stunning! A beautiful wedding and a beautifully transformed venue. Thank you for documenting and sharing! ~ Angela

Unknown said...

Incredible transformation!!!

Herman Grans ♥ said...

WoW! Looks great :)

Barbara Jean said...

amazing transformation!

blessings

barbara jean

Doda said...

what a fabulous transformation. Beautiful!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! :-)