DESIGN BLOG
IRA + LUCY FEATURES
Ira + Lucy Featured In Oregon Bride Magazine
IRA + LUCY FEATURED IN OREGON BRIDE MAGAZINE!
Featured
Oregon Bride Magazine
We can finally let the cat out of the bag! We are so happy to be featured in Oregon Bride Magazine's Best of 2017 Issue! This feature means a lot as it's been so important to me and our brand that we are recognized as a PNW Wedding and Event Planner.
Hope you enjoy the images from our shoot and be sure to check out the magazine, out now on shelves! Thank you to the awesome team of Creatives (listed below).
PORTLAND INSPIRED
We were drawn to Portland’s beautiful architecture as it truly speaks for itself. This styled shoot at Adored Vintage focused on bringing out the truly imaginative, creative and natural talent that we love about the Portland scene. Keeping to neutral tones to accent Portland’s unique structure. The Oatmeal tone velvet with natural Tuscany linen napkins accented the ceramic pottery details and romantic gold elements.
Textures were the focus for this tablescape with simple two tone vases, soft romantic hues and lush local floral elements. A tablescape is an experience for your guests. Run your fingertips over the soft velvet linen, the rough and smooth ceramics, the glassware, brass candlesticks and acrylic chairs. A tactile dream!
Acrylic chairs are a beautiful modern take on special event seating. Modern or classic and even with old world design style, they work! Showcase that beautiful linen and table design with a chair that only enhances the experience.
The brides dress, a stunning design from Alexandra Grecco, reflects simple elegance with contemporary lines and movement. The silhouette while simple in design; mimics the dramatic architecture surrounding St. John’s bridge with a mirrored deep V neckline and stunning mid-thigh slit. Complementing the modern design is a delicate golden maple leaf crown from Melinda Rose Designs.
The cake was kept simple to compliment the signature cocktail and focus on texture mimicking the ceramic details and adorned with natural floral elements
We adore simple elegant design. Timeless. Classic. Unforgettable.
"SLOW AND STEADY"
SIGNATURE DRINK FROM ARCHIVE BAR
“As a nod to Portland’s unique history and innovation we created a customized botanical cocktail. “Slow and Steady” is a fortified wine based cocktail that is infused with Rosemary, Dry Vermouth, Apple Brandy, Lavender, Lemon and Sea Salt. The result hits you in waves – rosemary in the nose, herbaceous up front, followed by sweet apple, with a lightly salted effervescent finish.”
VENDORS
Ira + Lucy Creative Director, Designer, Stylist + Decor Items
Film SLF
Film Photography | Kendra Elise Photography
Digital Photography | Peyton Lind Photography
Models | Jessica and Jonnathan
Hair & Makeup | Kirstie Wight
Floral Design | Dear House Collective
Dream Cakes
Archive Coffee and Bar
Rachel Jacobson Calligraphy
Adored Vintage Studio
La Tavola Linens
Gown | Alexandra Grecco
Veil and Crown | Melinda Rose Design
Ring By Angeline
Acrylic Chairs | The Party Place
Featured in Oregon Bride Magazine, Best of 2017
Sydney + Bryce's Silent Film Inspired Wedding
SATURDAY JUNE 27, 2015 | SUTHERLAND'S RANCH | EAGLE, ID
“We would be together
and have our books
and at night
be warm in bed together
with the windows open
and the stars bright.”
Featured on Swooned
Bryce Hoogland and Sydney Thomas, high school sweethearts and film students with a shared passion for the silent cinema of yesteryear, wanted to imbue their big day with a “vintage film feel.” Surrounded by fragrant lavender fields, enshrouded in decades-old greenery, and dotted with an eclectic array of found art, Sutherland’s Ranch offered the Idahoan couple a setting worthy of the old screen. A lunar motif gave the event a touch of stardust, with a handcrafted crescent moon evoking the popular portrait props of the early twentieth century.
The wedding was captured beautifully by Ethan and Emily Hensley of E + E Photography, whose photographic treatment was inflected with a sense of the past. “Bryce and Sydney put so much thought into every bygone detail,” Emily says. “Their nuptials encompassed everything that is beautiful about a summer wedding in Idaho.” - Swooned
““For us, the ceremony was the best part of the day. We wrote our own vows, and saying them out loud before all of our loved ones really hit home. We started off the ceremony by presenting both of our mothers with bouquets and thanking them for making the day possible. We ended the ceremony by having our officiant explain to our guests why Bryce and I opted to take each other’s surnames, hyphenating them together to create a new name. We wanted to have the same last name, but we didn’t want to follow the patriarchal tradition of a bride abandoning her last name.”
"Made by pastry chef Greg Marsh, the couple’s four-tiered naked cake was in keeping with the Arcadian theme. It sat on an amber glass pedestal, enwreathed in sugar-dusted berries and accented with tiny sprigs of baby’s breath." - Swooned
“We hired Heidi with Ira + Lucy to coordinate the wedding. This was by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!! Heidi was not only extremely professional and helpful, she was a lot of fun and had so many creative ideas. I truly can’t imagine going through the stress of planning a wedding without the help from this amazing woman. Money well spent. I would recommend Ira + Lucy for coordinating and decorations to anyone planning a special event!!!”
VENDORS
E+ E Photography
Ira and Lucy Wedding Planner and Design
Sutherland's Ranch
Florist at Edward's
A Lively Chef
Greg Marsh Designer Cakes
Jolly Edition - Invitations
Let's Talk Dapper Groom and Groomsmen
Let's talk "Dapper" groom and his groomsmen!SMART . SEXY . STYLISH
With so much focus on the girls, what about our handsome gents? All too often we hear it's "all about the bride", which I do just hate. It completely takes away from what a wedding is all about, the couple and their commitment to marriage. So, today we are focusing on men's attire and how you handsome guys can look your very best on your wedding day! We'll talk about grooming, hair, shaving tips and more later, but right now let's talk about some basic concepts!
- Think about TEXTURE - layer your textures. This works particularly well for Fall Season Grooms and Groomsmen. Think wool blend blazers and vests, patterned shirts and accent bow ties. Keep the Groom's attire standing out enough from the groomsmen.
- Don't overlook the shoes! This is often a last minute detail and not worth throwing on a pair of old dress shoes... Complete the look. Think tonal oxfords or monkstrap for the more adventurous fashion forward guys out there.
- Tailor that suit! Spend a little time looking up men's fashion, and we're not talking the ridiculously "couture" fashion. Peruse Pinterest, browse through GQ, hit up JCrew or Banana Republic and you'll see something in common - NO BAGGY SUITS or tuxes. Please, take the time to have your suit properly tailored to your body. I know some of you bigger gents are thinking I'm suggesting a tiny "skinny" suit that is so not your style, and no - simply, that you need to have your suit tailored to your body. You will look like a million bucks!
- Build your attire around the design of your wedding. You need to be cohesive with the rest of the decor elements. Don't think matchy-matchy, but do be sure you are dressed for the occasion. Below is a great example of a more elegant occasion with a more formal black jacket and crisp tux shirt, but the bow tie steps up the game! The adorable couple on the right is for you summer couples! The light blue shirt (again not baggy) with the coordinating suspenders and the gray slacks looks relaxed, gentlemanly and quite dashing!
Be sure to check out The Tie Bar and Collared Greens, which by the way is offering 25% discount right now! Both companies have some awesome options! In fact, I just had next weekend's bride order her guys some bow ties and a tie for her fiance from The Tie Bar! Hope this helps you guys out!
DIY Wood Pallet Wedding Projects
DIY Wood Pallet Wedding Projects
A former thrifty DIY Bride myself and now a Vintage Rental business owner and wedding designer, DIY is something we do often! And ohhh the lessons we have learned! Today we're sharing some tips for working with wood pallets. Hopefully we'll help you from a "Pinterest Fail".
TONS OF GREAT IDEAS of how to utilize recycled wood pallets are all over Pinterest and leading wedding blogs. You can check out some of our favorites! In the meantime, let's talk the reality of working with these puppies!
- Wood Pallets are hella heavy! Enlist the help of your friends or fiance when working with wood pallets. They are super heavy and large! Think about what your use for them is going to be. A large pallet backdrop looks awesome, but you are really going to have to think through how you will prevent it from toppling over, especially if you are adding floral or other weighted decor to it.
- Decide new vs old pallets. Is the end product going to look best with rustic upcycled wood pallets or would new be a better option. For us, we wanted not quite as rustic of a vibe old would offer, so we purchased new pallets and sanded the top of the boards down some for a smoother surface.
- Disassembling wood pallets takes some sweat! Get your crow bar out! But, BEWARE! Removing the boards can also cause them to split where the nail was in place. Take your time, but realize you may split them during the process. I personally liked working with brand new pallets from a local wood pallet supply company. Also if you want your project symmetrical, like our wood backdrop, make sure you pick the most similar pallets, otherwise, like us... you'll be forced to disassemble them and rebuild them to match.
- Staining wood pallets is a *^%#@ after the first attempt of staining wood pallets, I was ready to throw the project out! I was irritated, covered in stains and I was so sore from the crazy positions I had to put my body into to get to all those hard to reach places. So, here you go!
Insider Tip!
Do not stain with a brush! GET A SPRAY GUN! You'll blow (literally) through more stain this way, than doing it by hand, BUT, it'll take you less than 5 minutes vs 2 hours per pallet! Also, you need to cover the ground with more coverage than you see I did below... I killed some of my grass...
We LOVED this model we purchased from Lowes! The Wagner Opti Stain Plus for only $49.99! Keep in mind, it is for STAIN only! They have a different model if you are wanting to use paint. We used the Minwax Special Walnut from Home Depot for this project, which matches our custom bar.
Ira + Lucy Custom Wood Pallet Backdrop
Ira + Lucy Matching Bar
Hope this helps you with your wood pallet DIY projects! If this all seems like more work than you want to handle, you can rent for a fraction of the price! Contact us to rent our wood pallet backdrop!
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Ira & Lucy Receives the Couples' Choice Award!
I woke up this morning to a wonderful announcement! We received the Couples' Choice Award! The Couples' Choice Awards recognizes Ira & Lucy as being among the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide. So awesome! We owe a huge thank you to our wonderful couples!!! It's been an incredible ride so far and we are so pumped for 2015! If you want to hear reviews directly from our couples and see more of our portfolio, be sure to click on the badge below to take you over to our weddingwire profile!
Winter Solstice Wedding Inspiration
I was inspired for a blush wedding when my family visited a local nursery for our Christmas Tree and was pleasantly surprised by the stunning rows upon rows of lush poinsettias, especially the blush toned ones. What a stunning color and how perfect for a romantic winter wedding! Blush doesn't just have to be a summer and spring season wedding color. We adore it for an incredibly dreamy sunset wedding! With Winter Solstice this weekend we thought it was the perfect time to share this lovely idea board we designed!
(LEFT: MontanaRosePainter.tumblr.com, CatherinesTable.tumblr.com, theglitterguide.com, Valuz Reyes Wedding Dress via colincowieweddings.com, shireenlouw.com, Ciara Richardson Photography, HappyWedd.com, zilalila.com, weddingchicks.com)
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