Welcome!

This is the new wedding blog for Andrew Hinkle and Emily Hall.

Please check back soon for more information on the location, the decorations, and their gift registry!

And don't forget to have a wonderful day!

"The Handmade Touch" blogged by the Wedding Planner

This blog entry was originally published on my handmade blog: The Lunatic & The Swan.

Emily requested that I repost it here, since it is all about some of the brainstorming that's going on!

Though Andrew and Emily's wedding is by no means into the decoration planning stage, I can’t help but jump the gun. I am trying to blog about some of the inklings fluttering around my brain, so they don’t dissolve before the official brainstorm begins!

Handmade weddings are preferable not only because they are cheaper but because they are always more unique. Every lovely detail is created with one wedding, one couple in mind.

Lately I’ve been dabbling in a reverie of beautiful handmade event decorations. Any excuse to feast on design blogs and browse Etsy merchandise is a good excuse. I’d like to share some of the things that inspire me.

I adore these handmade paper garlands from lobsterandswan. I discovered her Etsy store after becomming a follower of her blog. Though she’s currently sold out, she may make more, so check back in her shop.

These birdnest place cards by LittleRetreats are a lovely way to add to an outdoor theme.  I also envision them as table numbers, or as ambience on the cake table.

I am also excited by unique uses of flowers at weddings. Blooms can be strewn on tables or used to adorn cakes. And these sachets of lavender blossoms by layla would make great gifts for the bridesmaids.

Browsing Etsy always provides overflowing buckets of inspiration.  I love the idea of paper cranes as a decoration. You can use virtually any paper, for whatever color or texture you want. And they can be used in dozens of ways; hanging from the ceiling, resting on a table, or even adorning a cake. 

I am also thinking about a handmade guest book and a handmade ring pillow… There is a nearly endless number of places to put the handmade touch.

"Walrus Wedding" blogged by the Wedding Planner

This blog entry was originally published on my handmade blog: The Lunatic & The Swan.

Emily requested that I repost it here, since it is all about the groom's love of walruses.

A couple of weeks ago I was hired by my wonderful friends Andrew and Emily to be their wedding planner!
Because they have a tight budget, we agreed on a method of bartering goods and services instead of traditional monetary compensation.  Emily is making me a gorgeous gray and pastel cowl made from silk, alpaca, and merino wool right now!

Since the wedding blog hasn't been set up yet, and I want to start posting some of my ideas and discoveries, I thought I'd share a bit on here.

The groom is decidedly obsessed with walruses.  He came to my Mad Tea Party last Spring as a Walrus, and whenever he has a moment of free time, he looks up pictures of walruses on his smart phone.  Whenever we have a wedding planning meeting, he tries to find any way possible to get walruses into the decorating.  Since I unmercifully vetoed the idea for a walrus shaped cake, I want to find something else that's really special that will fit seamlessly into the rest of the wedding plans while also satiating his want for walruses!  Here's a few lovely Etsy finds that fit the walrus theme...

This cute pin (or magnet! or keychain!) is sold by theangryrobot.  These would make great favors.

This gorgeous pin is sold by tarataratara.  I envision it on the groom's lapel.

This tote bag by wonkyrocket would be a great alternative to a gift basket for the members of the wedding party.

Here's another tote, this time by rainbowswirlz.  It comes in several colors, and could be matched to an overall color scheme.

I adore this card by erinaellis.  It combines the theme of love and romance with walruses!  What could be more perfect for a wedding.

This walrus journal by kilfish might be a nice gift for someone in the wedding party.

These labels definitely show off the potential for a walrus to be cute.  I can think of a dozen uses for them.  They are sold by nutandbee.

The bride and groom were considering walrus cake toppers.  These plastic resin figurines by thebili were the closest I could find.  A little veil and top hat might do the trick...

Another adorable love themed walrus card, this time by smackofjellyfish.  The inside of the card reads: "I would growl, grunt and bark for your affection."

Though we are still in the drudgery of the early planning stages, we'll soon be into the fun part of choosing and making all the details that will make this wedding truly special.