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SWEET PEA INSPIRED WEDDING IDEAS
Even if your not a fan of Amos Lee You’ve likely heard the song ‘Sweet Pea’. If you live in the US, you’ll recognize it as the song featured in that AT&T ad campaign and just so happens to feature on almost every list of father/ daughter songs to dance to. Still played regularly on radio stations all over the world, it’s fair to say this song brings joy to all that hear it.
And today, Sweet Pea has been visually brought to life by a talented team of local wedding vendors, who wanted to create something bright, colorful, playful, and “Asheville!” Featuring real life newly weds, sweet pea inspired stationery and a custom Sweet Pea Cocktail with locally made Gin and fresh sweet pea blooms from one of Asheville’s most talented florists.
“This shoot was completely based around the feeling I have when I hear the lyrics “Sweet pea, apple of my eye. Don’t know when and I don’t know why. You’re the only reason I keep on coming home,” by Amos Lee,” began photographer, Victoria.
“Everything about the shoot had an element that made “me” happy. Blue is my favorite color – so blue skirt?! Why not?! I love watercolor paintings and handwritten quotes – so I incorporated those elements into the stationery. Custom stationery is the quickest way to take your wedding from “template” to “personalized.” I didn’t even really know what I wanted outside of “watercolors” and “handwritten lyrics” and my stationariest (is that even a word?) helped me turn ideas into a tangible item after several phone calls,” she explained.
“If I had to give it a theme I think, “Happy, Romantic, and Colorful” would be it. The amazing thing about this particular shoot is how versatile it could be. Had we chosen to do this in an industrial warehouse with an urban couple it would have had the same overall feel as it did with our outdoors loving couple at Taylor Ranch. Because we wanted things bright and happy – we opted for sunshine and chose to be outdoors (even in 32 degree weather) but this “look” would be suitable indoors, on the beach, or even for a small backyard elopement because the key parts of the theme were bright and fun colors and details. If I had ONE piece of advice for a couple planning their wedding it would be; “Let the things that make you happy on a random Tuesday with each other inspire you and make your day as personal to the two of you as possible,” Victoria added.
“If you want to toss confetti at your wedding? Do it.”
“If you want a colorful tablescape but “blue” isn’t “in” this year ? So what! Use blue anyhow it’s your day.”
“This year’s Pantone Color was Coral and we were so excited to tie that shade in with the blues and sweet pea pinks we had already planned to use. The “in” color of the year doesn’t mean you have to use it – it’s just inspiration. If it doesn’t make you happy or inspire you? Skip it. Ten minutes on the internet will remind you there are 325098 ways you can do your day; plan it so that every element, even the smallest details like his floral tie, make you happy.”
“Since the dress and stationary were so fun and colorful I really felt the rest of the day should be, too, but I wanted things to be as “unique” and fun as possible so I asked the cake artist to play with color, told the florist that I wanted something fun, and asked a local cocktail company if she could create some sort of apple pie drink. The cake artist blew me away with those watercolor brush strokes she was inspired by the description of the stationary to make, the florist outdid herself with bright florals and an apple as an accent, and the cocktail company did me one better than creating an apple pie drink – they invented a pretty pink sweet pea cocktail, just for this shoot. Once the dress was official (still not over that blue skirt) I sent a photo of it to a local jewelry maker and told her about the song, the goal for the shoot being fun/colorful, and then told her she could create whatever she wanted – because I trusted her 100%. I was not disappointed. The tie was one of the last things I picked and I knew if she was going to be colorful and fun – he should be, too.”
“When planning this shoot, and if I were going to plan my own wedding, I tried really hard to find local vendors for as many elements as possible. First, because as a “local vendor” myself I understand how important support from other vendors is. As the person hosting the event, I wanted to be able to set up a phone call or “swing by” if needed during the planning. I didn’t want to worry that inclement weather would have someone trapped three hours from the shoot the day of. I also wanted a team of vendors who had either worked with each other before, heard of each other before, or who would be encouraged to do their best because they wanted the other vendors to want to work with them again. Our videography team, for instance, was able to network with other local vendors, get a feel for a new-to-them venue, and now when my brides and grooms ask for my recommendations for a videographer I’ll be sure to send them their way because 1. They did an amazing job and 2. They live in town so I know they won’t have to travel in just for a wedding,” Victoria told us.
“My hair and makeup artists were an actual team and worked together flawlessly. The cake person and the florist are friends in the industry and worked together to add florals to the cake that enhanced it and tied it in with the bouquet and decor. The event coordinator/planner knew the venue owner and they worked together seamlessly to move furniture and set up the tablescape. If I had tried to pull this off with people who had nothing in common except the event I truly don’t believe there would have been as much teamwork. Professionalism? Sure. But local vendors networking with each other have the added incentive of doing their absolute best and giving 120% so that the other vendors will encourage their clients to hire them down the road.”
Real Couple: AJ & Nick Harkins I Earrings: Vidalia Vogue I Planning: Ashley Auldredge, Mingle Events I Venue: Taylor Ranch I Videographer Team: Asheville Wedding Films I Florals: Stargazers I Cake: Sweet Promises Wedding Cakes I Invitation Suite: Painted Pines Studios I Sweet Pea Custom Cocktail: H&H Distillery and Cultivated Cocktails I Hair & Makeup Artist: AnaRie, Erika & Andrea I Bride’s Rings: Diamonds Direct I Nick’s Suit: Mitchells Tuxedos I Nick’s Tie: DAZI (color: Hot Mess) I AJ’s Gown: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal I Photographer: Victoria Grace Photography I
