In print

We know lots of people in the print/art biz: Trisha, Sam, Travis Gray, Yee-Haw folks... I wonder if one of them could design our invites?

Yee-Haw, obviously.



This looks like us, but maybe only for an urban wedding.

A little more straightforward.

I could even hand-make something like this myself... would be neat if I could get my old typewriter up and running.

Sweetnesses

I don't think I remember a cake from a single wedding I've ever been to. It might be fun to decontruct the wedding cake idea a bit...

With Magpie's cupcakes?

I like the way these are displayed.

Betsy had her cake displayed on a stump like this and it looked really neat.

See knitted ring-pillow (a task for Claire or Jade.)

This is kind of an epic, fun set-up.

Drinkables

Lavendar lemonade...

Favors

I love the idea (literally and symbolically) of giving saplings or herbs...

...or seeds as wedding favors.

Hair-peace

Colleen at White Orchid Bridal also makes unique, beautiful hair accessories, so hopefully she can make me something that will tie in with the dress...

White Orchid Bridal

I love birdcages! Another White Orchid Bridal piece.

Dress-up

I've talked to Colleen Moore of White Orchid Bridal about updating my mom's wedding dress to something that is a little more "Leslie." Here are a few examples of her work:

Not a Colleen dress--I just like the back on it.

Ring-bearing

I bet we could talk Claire or Jade into knitting us one of these pillows (see "Sweetnesses" for matching cake toppers)...

...Or we could talk Millie into being a ring-pillow.

Sit here

A few creative approaches to seating assignments:

Aesthetic / decor

I love the simplicity of this ceremony setting.



Outdoor living room vignettes -- very cool idea.



Another example....

The following are a few barn-decorating ideas if we go the farm route...

If you get married on a farm, you have to be taken away on a tractor...

I love this white light canopy.

A pretty garden wedding... I like the variety of chairs, gives it a little extra character.

Vintage-y details.

Another white-light canopy.

Another decorated barn entrance.

The venue

A couple of options we've talked about are River Glen Equestrian Park and the Knoxville Botanical Gardens:

Knoxville Botanical Gardens (http://www.knoxgarden.org/)

Pros: Beautiful garden wedding, central to downtown, changing rooms and other amenities, own caterers may be brought in, experienced wedding venue.

Cons: Pricey ($400/hour, min. 6 hours), 50% required to reserve a date + $300 cleaning deposit, all rentals must be made through All Occasions Party Rentals.  

More Botanical Garden...

River Glen Equestrian Park (http://www.river-glen.com/)
Pros: Wedding in the country, possible scenic cermemony on a bluff, inexpensive (or free?), freedom to set up early, private, option to camp, horses!!!
Cons: 25 min. drive from downtown, nearest hotels 15-20 min., no wedding experience, would take more work/creativity to set up.