A few weeks ago, I collaborated with Bridget from the Ink Parade Paperie. Using our little creative minds, and a lot of help from Pinterest, we put together this do it yourself styled shoot. We threw around a few ideas for a theme, but quickly settled on, non other than, a University of Virginia theme. Orange and Blue. Books. Pearls. Monograms. Grounds. The Lawn. Our vision came together in the cutest way. I’ll talk about the details as they come up…

INVITATION SUITE
This was Bridget’s huge contribution. She just recently started a wonderful little custom invitation shop. She is a wonderful illustrator as well as designer, so if you are looking for some crazy cool unique invitations, this is your girl. I mean, just look at the monogram! From the argyle envelope liner, to the badminton birdies on the reception card… this girl understands personalized details!

DRESS
This is the Dune dress from J.Crew. This is one way to get use out of your wedding dress a 3rd time! [First is, of course, bridal portraits, Second is your wedding, and third, lend it to a photographer for a styled shoot!]

BOUQUET
Believe it or not, grocery stores have a fun selection of flowers! Used here are Harris Teeter spray roses, baby’s breath, and eryngium. I put this little bouquet together by watching a few “how to’s” on youtube!

CAKE & TOPPER
Being slightly uneducated in the cake department, I googled, “how to make fondant.” I lucked out because one of the first recipes that came up was how to do a Marshmallow Fondant. And it was SO easy. It tasted awesome and had a marshmallow-y texture. Thankfully the real fondant recipe didn’t pop up because I’ve since heard that it is a little complicated and tricky to do! So if you’re looking for an easy fondant, go for the marshmallow one! And for the curious, the cake was orange supreme out of a box! The topper, again, by the awesome Ink Parade Paperie. I am so in love with the monogram.

BOUTONNIERE
Bridget is again responsible for this cute thing. She picked up two ties from a thrift store and, after watching a few “how to make a fabric boutonniere” tutorials, sat down and threw this baby together in a matter of 30 minutes. How cute?!

GUESTBOOK
Here is the idea: Write a note to the couple and hide it in a book. Pencils provided. A great way to elaborate on an academic theme!

If you read this and have any questions, or just want to talk about your favorite part, please feel free to leave a comment! I loved working with another vendor to put this little shoot together, and am looking forward to many more collaborative efforts in the future!