Summertime Wedding

It’s hard to believe summer is already over and the kids are back in school.  Summertime is always full of traveling, swimming, bbq’s, campfires, and sleepovers, but here in the NW it’s also wedding season.  If you’re able to hold off until August, you can have a GORGEOUS outdoor wedding. 

That’s just what one of my lovely clients did and it paid off big time.  A combination of the perfect setting, sunny weather and tastefully rustic décor items gave her special day the country charm she was looking for.  She pulled together all the elements she envisioned and left the design layout up to me.  I had the best time creating a one-of-a-kind look for the happy couple using all materials she had gathered.  Here's what the blushing bride had to say about Lolligags:

 

  "A huge thank you to Jessica Hernandez for making my vision come to life! Everything was absolutely amazing! The dessert table and wedding party table was over the top! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her wedding was beautiful and the pictures showcase all its beauty.  Craig Mitchelldyer of Mitchelldyer Photography did an outstanding job, as usual, of capturing all the special details and moments.

Thanks for reading! :)

Class of 2012 Grad Party

Where does the time go??

One of the sweet little girls I used to babysit, who happens to be not so little anymore,

recently graduated high school.

I had the pleasure of being a part of her graduation party this last weekend.  The graduate is big on the equestrian scene and received a scholarship to Texas A&M, thus our party theme was obvious. 

We had this large 2’ x 3’ pic printed then mounted it and hung it above the dessert/candy bar table.

The custom invite I designed was formatted to fit inside the graduation announcements, and the colors coordinated with all the décor items.

Her favorite color is pink, so we paired that with the Texas A&M logo.  All the logo’d graphics, paper goods, décor items and slips covers were custom made by Lolligags. 

Using canvas, I made these ‘slipcovers’ for the hay bales.  I added some burlap ribbon trim and hand stenciled on the A&M logo.  The hay was on loan from a local feed store.  Can’t beat free seating!!

 

Using some twine and wooden clothespins, we displayed photos, artwork, awards and mementos of the graduates.

 

The morning of the party I picked up several bunches of pink wild flowers from a local farmers market, and put them in glass jars.  It’s a super easy, inexpensive and really pretty way to make centerpieces.

The tiered ruffled tablecloths were also made by Lolligags {more specifically my slave laborer aka my mama.  Have I mentioned how much she rocks??  Love ya mom!}  These tablecloths took over 39 yards of fabric and an equal amount of time, but the end result was totally worth it. 

We used lots of galvanized tubs for ‘coolers’.

These canvas table runners were hand stenciled and I added a little white ruffle to tie them in with the ruffled tablecloths.

 

We had to-go boxes available for guests to fill with candy and cupcakes as party favors.

 

 You can never go wrong with an assortment of delicious gourmet cupcakes.

The cupcake picks coordinated with the A&M bunting that we strung outside.

  Did I mention there was a mechanical bull!?!?

Congratulations Avery!!

We are so proud of you and wish you all the best as you prepare to take life by the horns!

{sorry. couldn't help myself.}

:)

A Chocolate Tree For Miss B

If in the past 6 months you’ve visited our house, saw us at school, ran into us at the grocery store or bumped into us in the public bathroom, then you’ve heard this:

 “I’mGonnaHaveAChocolateTreeAtMyBirthdayISoEsscited!!!”

 Translation? Yes, please.

 “I’m going to have a chocolate tree at my birthday!  I’m so excited!”

Believe it or not, my now 3 year old has been saying that for over 6 months!  After being inspired by her L.O.V.E of chocolate and a specific episode of Dora that involves a singing and dancing chocolate tree, the ‘Chocolate Tree Birthday’ was born.

{Don’t worry; I worked some bacon in there too.  For those of you that know the birthday girl, you know what I’m talking about}. ;)

M came to my rescue again.  I told him about my ideas for this chocolate tree that I’d been dreaming up.  The plan was my take on those vinyl tree decals for walls that have shelves you can hang where the branches would be.  We took that concept and tweaked it a little.  We made the whole thing out of wood and made it free-standing.  First I made a tree shaped pattern and traced it on the plywood.  He did the cutting, then I got to painting.  The end result was perfect.  How could we tell?  When the birthday girls saw it she squealed “is that my chocolate tree”?  Yep.  Perfection.

 Add 26,573 lbs. of chocolate candy, cake pops, cupcakes, milk and birthday cake, and you’ve about summed up the party.  I hope you enjoy all the pics…….we only took OVER 500.  Ridiculous, seriously ridiculous.

Here she is in all her glory.  I used the tree to display cake pops {I glued paper flowers onto the sticks to
look like blossoms on the tree}, Hershey Kiss acorns and chocolate dipped strawberries.

This was the drink station.  We served up ice cold milk {both plain and chocolate}, some
chocolate wine for the mommies and daddies and good ol' water.

I added "milk mustaches" to the straws that coordinated with whatever flavor milk you were drinking.

The chocolate/vanilla swirl marshmallows looking lovely under a glass dome.

I got these for M.  I think they are beyond nasty, but he loves them so here they are.

I used the paint stick crates {made for this party} to add some different heights to the table.

Cute lil' minis.

The GORGEOUS cake my mom made.  Her talent disgusts me.

A giant, we're talking 24X36, photo I had printed of the birthday girl.  I mounted it to a sheet of styrofoam insulation and finished off the edges with some brown satin ribbon.  Keep scrolling down for better pics of it.

Yes, you read that right.  Bacon, toffee and chocolate.  It was actually REALLY good.
The white apothecary jar on the right was made with an old pickle jar, a Dollar Tree
candlestick and a wooden finial!

I just love the cake.  Found the 'B' at Michael's.  Glued some wooden skewers
to the back and BAM! instant cake topper.

I designed these subway style prints and mounted them to foam board.
They looked great over the drink station.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl.  Love you.

She had a great time and, are you ready for this, is already talking about her next birthday!  She's telling anyone and everyone that she's having a red birthday cake.  Hmmmm......better get to planning, only have 360 days till she turns 4! :)

Have a great rest of the week and thanks for reading!