D+D Wedding I

February 7, 2015June 20, 2015 Twelfth Light1 Comment

After posting images of our wedding altar last week, I’ve received some requests to see more, more, more! Since Valentine’s Day is approaching, I thought this would be the perfect month to share all of our wedding details. So, Every Saturday throughout February I’ll post a little slideshow focusing on different elements of our big day! I also promise to share all of the seriously talented vendors who helped make our day simply perfect. Here is the line-up:

Week 1: Pre-Ceremony Details
Week 2: Ceremony Details
Week 3: Reception Details
Week 4: D&D’s favs!

I think the most incredible thing about our wedding is that we planned the whole thing ourselves (with many DIY projects) and all without Pinterest!! Seriously…it wasn’t even a thing yet!! What!?! I envy you Pinterest brides! 🙂 Instead, I relied on Style Me Pretty and Weddingbee for ideas. Luckily, there was Etsy! You’ll notice that my list of sources include many Etsy shop owners. This is undoubtedly my favorite way to shop. I love supporting small-businesses and I have never had a shop owner deny any of my (sometimes crazy) customization requests. My veil designer worked so hard to get the exact look I wanted and she even named the beaut after me!! C’mon!! So, please consider Etsy sellers when planning events or weddings–you won’t be disappointed.

Looking back at all the images I decided to share with you, it’s hard for me to believe that hubby and I are approaching our 4 year anniversary! #timeflieswhenyou’rehavingfun, right?? Sheesh! Well, I truly hope you enjoy week 1 and stop back next weekend!

Valentine’s Day Countdown: 7 days! ❤

{Pre-Ceremony Details}

{Sources}

Photography: Alyssa Andrew Photography
Floral: Allium Floral Design
Bouquet wrap: Toile and a borrowed piece from my Gram ❤
Hotel: Hotel Bethlehem
Trolley: Bucks County Trolley Company
“The Dress”: Mikaella Bridal from Renaissance Bridals
Bride’s pumps: Liz Rene Couture
Bride’s bling: Cuff here and similar earrings here
Skeleton key garter: Shabee Stiches
Mother-of-the-bride fashion: Similar here
Bridesmaids: JCrew Bow Monde dress in Caspian Blue and Aluminum
Bridesmaid’s hair clip: HeadsUpFashion
Shoe clips: Vintage (Musi Shoe Clips) from Etsy
Veil: The Destiny veil from Amie Noel Designs
Groom’s Boutonniere: Copper pick from The Copper Poppy
and then I sent to Fritts Rosenow for arrangement
Groom’s bling: Guess
Groom’s attire: Calvin Klein
Groom’s tie: Ties-Neckties
(Finding the perfect shade for your groom’s tie is virtually impossible, but this website nailed it!!!)

I’ll leave you with some of my favorite quotes from 1913’s Don’t For Husbands:

“Don’t always refuse to go shopping with your wife. Of course it’s a nuisance, but sometimes she honestly wants your advice, and you ought to be pleased to give it.”

“Don’t forget to be your wife’s best friend as well as her husband. True friendship in marriage does away with all sorts of trouble.”

“Don’t settle down into an “old married man” while you are still in the prime of life. Take your wife out and about; give parties; visit your friends; and you will keep much younger than if you settle into the smoking-jacket and slippers habit.”

Xoxo,
Destiny

Minnie Lane Makeover

February 2, 2015May 28, 2015 Twelfth LightLeave a comment

It’s a snow day, so why not take some pictures of my favorite place in the house?

{ Sources }

Dresser – thrifted!

Candelabras + yellow pattern pillows – Ross

White pillows + coffee table decor – Burlington

Doxie figurine – was a gift, but here is one and your purchase will help a doxie rescue!!

Accent chair + side table – TJ Maxx

Heart topiary – Michael’s

Ottoman – Target

Black shelves – Christmas Tree Shops

Chicken wire project – DIY that I use as decor versus a Christmas card holder

Wreath – DIY using these instructions

Snowed in,
Destiny

Post Script:
A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder. ~Susdan Orlean

Twelfth Night

January 6, 2015January 10, 2015 Twelfth Light2 Comments

Huzzah! Happy Twelfth Night!

I love celebrating Twelfth Night for so many reasons. To start, I’m an English nerd and anything Shakespearean tickles my fancy. It also gives me something to look forward to after Christmas and bringing in the New Year. Lastly, if you haven’t checked out my About page (Behind the Quill), I explain how my blog’s namesake connects to Shakespeare’s play of the same name. So, it goes without saying that this is an obligatory holiday for Twelfth Light to celebrate, right?!?!

There is so much history involved with this holiday, but I’ll focus my post on the Twelfth Night Cake, also known as the King’s Cake.

Here’s a little background knowledge for my history-seekers out there:

Twelfth Night Cake

“The Twelfth Night Cake is an often-ornate confection into which a bean, a coin or a tiny carved or cast metal version of the Baby Jesus was placed. During early evening ceremonies, the cake was cut and its pieces distributed to guests who were advised to chew carefully. The person who found the icon then became the king or queen of Twelfth Night. By the late 18th century in England and America, the selection of Twelfth Night’s “royalty” was also alternately accomplished by the distribution of paper slips with each piece of cake. The slips were opened and the person holding the one with a special mark inside was declared king.

Some believe this paper ballot tradition was instituted as a matter of safety to prevent often-inebriated and distracted guests from inadvertently choking to death on hard beans, coins or a cast metal Jesus hidden in wads of cake” (Levins).

Twelfth Night CUPcakes!

I wanted to bring Twelfth Night into this century, so I created a Twelfth Night CUPcake contest at my school for my colleagues. I just didn’t have time to make my own cupcakes like I wanted to originally, but the bakery ones were oh-so-yummy and my friends didn’t seem to mind. 🙂

I added quotes to the cupcakes from Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night like this:

01844ecce732aa83a961bc50169c30cc2972629eca — To make the little quote banners you’ll need:
1. Cardstock quotes
2. Toothpicks
3. Scotch tape

013aef763099ea7ec1141c3bb2c6889e2199b886a2 — Leave about an inch on the left of the quote and two inches on the right. Cut a V into the right side. Don’t fear it being uneven. The more random, the better. Next, fold a crease on the left-hand side.

01b7b19168f9030e0ca21d54162e8818d2cda814a0 — Flip it over toward you and tape a toothpick at the crease. Make sure that when you’d flip it over the quote would be face-up.

011f50606accb6c8efcbeb2446c6c128fa6bc6971a — Fold the flap over at the crease and add another piece of tape to secure. This process as worked for me several times without fail and prevents the paper from sliding down the toothpick into the pretty icing.

01d19137dc4f2c6351efb2f951bc49820aee3513ba — When you’re done, you’ll have a collection of adorable little cupcake flags.

0136b53c51cb426c02c7c8fe3ddd68d51062d17bfd — Tada!!! ❤

Presentation

The reason for the odd, double-cupcake liner was to find the winner of Twelfth Night! I didn’t want my friends to choke on something in the cupcakes, so I did this, instead:

I hope everyone at school had fun playing along today! Congratulations to one of our secretaries, Deb, for being crowned the Queen of Twelfth Night. Along with bragging rights, she won a $15.00 Starbucks gift card. Hopefully Deb can find something at Starbucks that’s as sweet as she is.

To wash down all that cake, I’d suggest a traditional Wassail beverage (the name comes from the old English term “Waes hael” meaning “be well”). Here’s a lovely recipe from Cookie + Kate!

wassail-4-550x821 — Image credit: Cookie + Kate

Happy Twelfth Night!

Waes hael,
Destiny

Post Script:
The winning cupcake quote?? 😉
“Fate, show thy force. Ourselves we do not owe /
What is decreed must be; and be this so.”
~W. Shakespeare

A Gatsby Affair

December 29, 2014October 2, 2015 Twelfth Light1 Comment

I’m finally getting around to posting my 30th Birthday Bash from this past summer. I wanted a real Gatsby affair, but on a budget. My friends Jen & John deserve the most credit for letting me borrow their gorgeous home to host the event. Jen also spent countless hours helping me plan and set up. She is the most selfless and generous person I’ve ever met and I am so lucky to know her. My other friend Deana spent hours helping us set up and introduced me to Jody who served at the event. Thank you, ladies!!!

Visit my birthday bash Pinterest board to see where I got most of of my inspiration.

It was a dreamy evening and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to enter my thirties!

30Bday2 — Frames – Dollar store
Cocktail tables – Rented from local party story (only $11 per table!)
Lace cocktail table covers – Christmas Tree Shops
Gatsby quotes – Printables from Pinterest
Cocktail recipes – Pinterest
Glassware and feathers – AC Moore
Typewriter – HomeGoods

30Bday3 — Crouton cups – My Pinterest board
Cake – My incredibly talented friend Jen made it herself. She got many ideas from Pinterest.
Cookies – Idea from my Pinterest board and my sister-in-law made and decorated them. She made adorable wedding dress cookies for my bridal shower and she never fails to add some beautiful cookies to any party.

Playlist — Set the mood with these 1920-esque covers! So fun!

30Bday4 — One of my favorite elements at the party was a blow up movie screen projecting the Baz Luhrmann remake of Gatsby in the background.

Thank you to all my amazing friends for getting all dolled up to celebrate with me! ❤ I’m the luckiest gal. And how!

Dreamily,
Destiny

Post Script:
“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” ~F. Scott Fitzgeradl, The Great Gatsby

Dress: Adrianna Papell from Bloomingdale’s
Hair and Makeup: Lords & Ladies Salon (Perkiomenville, PA)
Stationary: VistaPrint Twenties Flat Invitations
Jewelry: Gatsby Replica Bracelet/Ring Set
Headband: Francesca’s and Amie Noelle Designs for the flower and tulle blusher

Merry Quiche-mas!

December 26, 2014May 30, 2015 Twelfth Light2 Comments

There was one day of the school year I looked forward to almost as much as the first and last days–and that was our school’s annual Quiche Breakfast!! Kitty, our cafeteria manager at the time, would make a large spread of various types of quiche as a celebration before the holiday break. The staff would come in early to enjoy her amazing creations. Sadly, when Kitty passed away several years ago, the tradition ended. Going off to break without this tradition for the past few years just didn’t sit well with me.

So, amidst planning my own annual Ugly Sweater Party, wrapping up my school work, and shopping for Christmas–I decided to pitch an idea to my colleagues that we conjure the Spirit of Christmas Past and host our own “Merry Quiche-mas” in Kitty’s honor.

I was overwhelmed with how positive the response was to my idea and I am so grateful to work with such kind people.

If you’re thinking to yourself that quiche is way too challenging and that’s why you’ve never attempted to make one before, well, stop that crazy internal-talk and TRY IT! It’s SOOO easy and they are so yummy!! If you want to try to your own, some recipes are posted at the bottom of the various types my friends contributed to our quiche feast.

If you want to host your own, feel free to steal my printable here!

We pulled it off, Kitty!! 🙂 Here’s to you!

A few recipes to get you started…

Reminiscently,
Destiny

Post Script:
“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.” ~Giada De Laurentiis

Wish Upon a Wedding

November 21, 2014June 21, 2015 Twelfth LightLeave a comment

Today’s post is dedicated to the lovely and brilliant Sarah, a colleague and friend of mine. Her wedding day to (husband!!) Chris was October 11, 2014. Sarah was radiant and rivaled the Duchess of Cambridge in beauty (sorry, K-Mid).

Sarah and I are both teachers and anytime one of our colleagues gets married or has a child, our staff typically throws a little shower for the new bride/groom or parent-to-be. Well, since I was head of the planning committee for this one, I decided to get creative and make her a Wedding Wishing Well. And, if Sarah is anything like me, I thought this idea would be perfect if she’s experiencing post-wedding depression (umm..it’s a thing).

This project is perfect as a group gift, a workplace gift, a bridesmaids group gift to the bride, or even a family gift.

Here’s a quick history on the concept, if you like that sort of thing:

“The concept of a wishing well has been around for centuries. It is a tradition that a wish would be granted, especially if a coin was thrown into the water at the same time. The belief appears to have been born out of the many different folklore stories about how gods or saints gave water to the people in order for them to flourish and this was simply a way of paying them back. Other stories state that your wish would only come true if you would drop a coin into the well after you placed a wish, and the coin landed face up at the bottom of the well.
The Wedding Wishing Well has established itself as a traditional way to collect envelopes, checks, and other monetary gifts at weddings, and bridal showers. Similar to a traditional wishing well, the gift giver is wishing for good luck, prosperity, and a successful marriage for the new couple. The Wedding Wishing Well works well in today’s day and age where more and more brides and grooms may already have enough home furnishing and would be better able to utilizes a gift card or other monetary gifts in place of a traditional appliance.
Simply place our Wedding Wishing Well on a table at the reception hall or family home to provide a convenient place for guests and family to place their well wishes.”
Source: Amie’s Wishing Wells

Sarah’s basket and directions are below. I love how it turned out! 🙂

Step 1: Use this Heart Template and print onto colored card stock (I used ivory).

Step 2: Give each person that is contributing to the wishing well a heart (or several) and give clear directions of what to write on the heart, when it is due back to you (I gave my co-workers a little over a week), and that they may include a monetary gift to help the couple begin their lives together. (If you’d like to to this gift on your own, you could just fill out all the hearts yourself).

Step 3: Once you receive the completed hearts (and if monetary contributions were part of your project) count up the funds and decide (approx.) how many dates you can create.

Step 4: Download the Best Dates Ever Template and just delete Sarah and Chris’s dates out of the document. I left them in there if you needed some ideas! The dates should have a clear itinerary, outfit ideas and a bonus photo challenge/date hash tag (perfect for those Instagramers!).

Step 5: Glue or tape all of the advice hearts onto the date envelopes. The next step is optional, but, I used the hearts on each envelope to create questions that the couple can answer throughout the dates.

Step 6: Display all of the envelopes in a basket or wishing well. I added two adorably named bottles of wine (Once Upon a Vine and Fancy Pants) and tape the extra hearts on the lid. I finish off the project with leopard print flowers because Sarah loooooves animal print. Here’s the final product!

So, that’s all there is to it! 🙂
I’ll leave you with proof of how glowing and happy Sarah was on her big day.

Small-world tangent: Sarah’s wedding photographer was an old acquaintance who I met fourteen years ago at one of my first jobs! John is so genuine and kind, so if you happen to be in need of any photography services, check out his amazing work here or here.

But no, seriously, how adorable is Sarah's nephew Emery?!?! I cannot handle this. (c) John Wirick Photography — But no, seriously, how adorable is Sarah’s nephew Emery?!?! I cannot handle this.
(c) John Wirick Photography

Sarah's friend Amy captured this sweet candid. — Sarah’s friend Amy captured this sweet candid.

Congratulations, Tags!!!! ❤

Lovingly,
~Destiny

Post Script:
Sarah–before I got married, a friend of mine (and also fellow blogger!) wrote this beautiful toast on a piece of slate for my garden. I love these words and so now I’m going to pass them onto you:

“Love, be true to her; Life, be dear to her;
Health, stay close to her; Joy, draw near to her;
Fortune, find what you can do for her,
Search your treasure house through and through for her,
Follow her footsteps the wide world over —
And keep her husband always her lover.”
-Old English Toast to a Bride

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Twelfth Night CUPcakes!

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