What do you get when you mix a casual summer wedding with a gorgeous view of downtown? An urban rooftop picnic of course!
The first of the Inspired Creations Contest submissions, created by the team of Catie Ronquillo Photography, After Yes Weddings, The Left-Handed Calligrapher and Emily Hudspeth, takes the concept of a simple DIY picnic and places it in the urban setting of Off The Grid, showcasing the beautiful Dallas skyline. Galvanized metal and mason jars give the perfect mix of modern and rustic.
The color palette of yellow and kraft is light and airy, and I adore the hand-drawn map invitation that Nicole Black, The Left-Handed Calligrapher, created!
What’s fabulous about this concept is that everything can be recreated with items you can find at home or borrow from a friend, and the team pulled all of the picnic together on a budget of only $430, over half of which was dedicated to purchasing food and groceries.
How were they able to be so frugal? By using common items but transforming them into unique creations, like these ordinary paper bags that became combination favor bags and escort cards.
Everything down to the last little detail was personalized, including the invitation envelope liners. Tip: if your calligrapher is willing, have them scan in the calligraphy of your names, use photo editing software to turn into a pattern, and print yourself!
My favorite detail? The adorable kraft paper sandwich wrappers, complete with vibrant yellow calligraphy and scalloped edges!
The bride look that the team created showcases a necklace from Macy’s and jewelry from World Market, giving a very eclectic feel.
Earth Blooms Florist gathered loose stems in milk jars, and in addition to the sandwiches, the menu features fresh fruit, lemonade in mason jars, and lemon meringue tarts in lieu of wedding cake.
Tissue paper pom poms made whimsical and fun napkin rings! Instructions below:
Here is the full list of amazing Dallas-based wedding vendors participated in this Inspired Creations Contest concept:
Photography – Catie Ronquillo Photography
Planning – After Yes Weddings
Stationery and Calligraphy – Nicole Black, The Left-Handed Calligrapher
Hair and Makeup – Emily Hudspeth
Location – Off The Grid
Floral – Earth Blooms Florist
Linens – Event Linen Solution
Accessories – Ink and Button
Gown – ‘Dahlia’ by Stephanie James Couture, from The White Gown Showroom
Bridesmaids dress – Alyn Paige
Models – Ashley Vasicek, Jessica Baker, and Jacob Reding
Great weddings are remembered because they have character and are fun. I love the playfulness this urban picnic wedding concept and the fact that anyone can pull this look together without breaking the bank!
Follow @aprilfoster on Twitter
Adorable details!
Follow @stevisavage on Twitter
This is so cool!
.-= Stevi Savage’s most recent blog post: Cheryl & Chris | Chicago, IL =-.
Follow @magmaeA on Twitter
I love this!!
.-= Maggie’s most recent blog post: Up and down and back soon =-.
So cool and unique
Follow @gwynethpaige on Twitter
So in love with every detail oh this rendition. The kite has captured my heart as the best “just married” sign I’ve ever seen. Oh and of course the tissue poms and the ink & button accessories are picture perfect.
This contest is going to have me drooling for weeks.
.-= Andrea {Gwyneth Paige Couture Letterpress}’s most recent blog post: Happy memorial day! =-.
Awesome! We’re having a roof top wedding too so this is getting me even more excited!
.-= Ben the Groom’s most recent blog post: Customized Bicycle to add to the Color Palette =-.
Follow @dognbird on Twitter
Love the tissue poms!
.-= Dognbird’s most recent blog post: Flowers: Modern Retro Wedding Decor =-.
Follow @mysimpledetails on Twitter
The paper bags look so sweet with the yellow calligraphy.
Follow @tpodesignstudio on Twitter
I just love everything about this! The simplicity, the color and the decor. Goes to show that a fun wedding can be on the “cheap”!
An inspiration for those who want an elegant, simple wedding. The beauty is in the details. Love the yellow, love the calligraphy (esp. the map!).
Follow @karynkelbaugh on Twitter
This is amazing and the yellow just pops so wonderfully. I love the calligraphy on the brown paper. love it. love it. love it.
.-= Karyn’s most recent blog post: Time Capsule June 2010 =-.
Love the casual elegance of it, and the photographer is awesome!
I love it! The food is laid out so sweetly. Love all the dressing up of the very usual items!
Love it, everything looks awesome! Love the tissue poms, and the bags.
THIS IS AWESOME!!! so creative! absolutely love what y’alls did together. :)
Very cool…nice details
This is gorgeous! I love that they put personal touches into everything. Truly amazing.
Wow, what a beautiful wedding and wonderful photos! So glad I snagged this photographer for my wedding :)
Follow @snippetandink on Twitter
I absolutely love this! The yellow calligraphy on kraft paper is wonderful.
.-= Kathryn’s most recent blog post: Board #483: Lilac and Lemonade =-.
Great photos!
Follow @rosauraphoto on Twitter
This is so gorgeous and creative! So many amazing details. LOVE the concept! :)
.-= Rosaura’s most recent blog post: Marlene + Glenn = Engaged =-.
Follow @honeysucklelife on Twitter
Unbelievable! Am saving for party inspiration pics!
.-= Rebekah’s most recent blog post: Him =-.
Follow @http://www.twitter.com/mercybell on Twitter
Gorgeous. I would totally go to this picnic.
.-= mercy’s most recent blog post: thank you melanin =-.
The first word that came to mind was simply, “awesome”. I fell instantly in love with this entire concept!
Follow @segray on Twitter
Stiff competition! I can’t get enough of this sweet shoot. I love the yellow/kraft. Way to go, you guys!
.-= Sara Gray’s most recent blog post: Love, June =-.
Love this idea! The calligraphy makes everything elegant and flow together. Putting everything on the roof is so fun!
so gorgeous but the calligraphy stole the show… absolutely love the favor/escort bags
love it love it love it! perfect for a low key, yet beautiful summer wedding.
Everyone and everything looks so crisp and fresh! Beautiful!
Follow @AfterYes on Twitter
I love reading these comments! Thanks everyone for the kind words. It’s so great to see our vision come to life and be published.
I absolutley LOVE the caligraphy throughout this entire wedding!!! It is so beautiful- What GREAT work!
The gown and the flowers are beautiful too!!
Awesome concept; photography is top shelf; execution – flawless. Inexpensive yet very elegant. What pulls it all together is the artistry of the calligrapher – great work!
Follow @peoplestclair on Twitter
This is gorgeous. I love every little detail but the calligraphy is my favorite. I can’t wait to see the other submissions.
What a beautiful wedding idea! The colors are fresh and gorgeous. I love the photograph of the bride and groom from the waist down–lovely and unique. My favorite is the calligraphy! So stylized but still very easy to read. It brings together the modern city setting with the country picnic feel better than I thought words on paper could do! The whole thing is perfection. :)
Gorgeous pictures! I’ve been to many, many weddings, but I would love to attend a fun and unique event like this.
I love the elegant picnic idea and the beautiful colors! Could the map be any cuter? The calligraphy is awesome and such great detail. It ties it all together and makes it snap!
lovely details! simple, romantic, elegant, and whimsical all at the same time. photography is gorgeous. color pallet is crisp. and calligraphy is perfect!
.-= Dianne’s most recent blog post: I Miss LOST… =-.
This is so adorable! Gave me some great ideas for when I finally have that planning to do. Great for a small budget with a urban/funky twist. Im so proud of my sister and her beautiful calligraphy skills! So glad I’ll get to use her when my wedding festivities come.
What a clever and unique idea! It’s whimsical with tons of personality. I love how the theme was carried out to each detail, including that precious yellow kite.
Follow @riceink on Twitter
LOVE those sandwich wrappers!
These Urban Rooftop pictures are beautiful!
Splendid idea + creativity = beautiful wedding photos. Love the personal touches. I would rather have turkey sandwiches and fresh fruit over lukewarm salmon/overcooked prime rib any day!
Just lovely. The collaboration was such a success among the vendors. Everything looks exquisite and is captured beautifully. I love the punches of bright yellow mixed with the kraft paper — stunning! Oh, and the hand-drawn map…what a fun, whimsical touch.
The Cretans eat monounsaturated fat, lots of seafood, leafy vegetables and nuts which keeps their mortality rate low.
.-= christening invitations’s most recent blog post: Mother’s Ceremony Attire -Tell Or Not to tell that is the question?? =-.
Fantastic photos! The color scheme and shots of the details are absolutely gorgeous!
Such a fun and playful theme! I love the colors and spirit this captures!
Love the eclectic feel to this theme… the cutsie yellow shoes with the bouquet are perfect! This is definitely a fun wedding!
Katie, you really have a way with the camera. I love your photos, the lighting, angles, focus and expressions are all perfect. I can tell you love what you do… it’s definitely your calling.
Keep up the great work!
Wow. If I could get married again, this is exactly what I would want! Love the yellow accent colors and the makeup looks superb!
Follow @LHCalligrapher on Twitter
Thank you all for your kind words of support! The team of vendors is amazing to work with and really made the inspiration come alive with the details.
Follow @CatieRonquillo on Twitter
Thanks everyone for the sweet comments! Our collaboration was so fun — and seeing it come alive from and idea to execution was amazing!
.-= Catie Ronquillo’s most recent blog post: Inspired Creation: Urban Rooftop Picnic =-.
What an incredably creative and comfortable why to celebrate a wedding. I love it all, but the calligraphy is so beautiful and such a tastful yet personal touch. I feel having it ties evertyhing together and makes everyone who attended this affair feel they were a special part of it. GREAT WORK LEFT HANDED CALLIGRAPHER!
Easy on the eyes and the pocketbook. Creative way to have a beautiful unique wedding and anyone can afford it.
This wedding looks amazing, and especially for the budget you had to work with! Very impressive!! The invitations, in particular, are very creative.
beautifuL! Love it =)
I have always believed “presentation is everything”, and you have truly mastered the art of presentation. So much attention to detail. I love the urban rooftop picnic theme. My favorite is the darling sandwich wrappers. How original!!!
What a truly amazing concept! This is so fresh & creative. I adore all the personal touches. Color scheme is amazing! I want that hairstyle for my wedding- GORGEOUS!!
What a beautiful wedding idea! Everything is so refreshingly creative – especially the unique calligraphy. Very, very well done!!
Follow @FancyPantsWed on Twitter
I truly love the flowers in this entry. The colors are to die for too! Lemon meringue? Yes, please!
the brilliance of the designs, colors and ensembles are strengthened by the beautiful photography! what beautiful pix.
love the mix of rural/casual against the city skyline…. and i love the pop of yellow that sweetly ties everything together– from her shoes to the little lemon slices! nice job! love the bride’s dress!
This shoot is amazing. The setting is absolutely beautiful and it has a great sense of style without seeming too outlandish. I feel like this could have been taken at a real wedding.
Follow @dognbird on Twitter
Everything about this makes my heart sing!
.-= Dognbird’s most recent blog post: DIY Farmers Market Wedding Favors =-.
Beautiful wedding! Can anyone tell me where I can get a kite like this!? I’ve been looking all over. Thanks!!
Follow @topweddingsites on Twitter
The kite is novel…kudos. I’d say that can easily be made from a store bought kid’s kits and some indelible ink or washable fabric paints.
Elegant with a wonderful bonus – it’s affordable! It would make any guest feel special and a great story for a bride to share all the details she’d never forget.
Weddings are especially memorable for any couple and especially brides – but GREAT weddings leave lasting details in everyone’s mind forever. This concept does just that.
Nice job!
Follow @AfterYes on Twitter
Courtney – the kite was ordered from spectrum-scientifics.com Thanks :)
Follow @PaparazziDallas on Twitter
So artistic with every detail well planned and executed. I love it. It looks like a storybook setting that I want to be invited to! And the view of Downtown Dallas is unbeatable!
LOVE IT!!! I VOTE FOR THIS ONE!
What a simple and unique idea!
This is the best …I vote for this!
This is adorable! The hair, the makeup, the details on her shoes with all the decor! I love this! This one has my vote!
I love this! It is so simple but so appealing.
I love everything about this! The unique simplicity and beauty of it all.
This is so sweet and romantic! Love this one!
I think the appeal of this theme is the ability to make low budget items look classy and eclectic. I love the look, and feel this would appeal to lots of young brides and grooms because it is so budget conscious! Just looking over the settings and atmosphere, this is a party I would love to attend. Really beautiful presentation! My favorite!
Everything about this wedding idea is fab! It’s ultra classy while staying modern. The attention to detail really sets this one apart. Love it!
Gorgeous. What a creative way to have a casual yet elegant wedding in such an unlikely venue.
The glamorous alternative to a backyard wedding! I love it :)
What a fabulous idea? I love the mix of the urban picnic and all of the yellow details. Very cute and very well thought out!
I love this concept. Everything ties together so well. I love the simple menu …. PB & J’s ha! Fantastic.
So different and creative plus rooftops are so romantic
I love this one! The yellow is gorgeous, and the city line is awesome too!
.-= Lora Ayers’s most recent blog post: Stefanie -amp Schnyeder- Wedding =-.
Gorgeous, of course!
My neice is getting married soon and the beauty and simplicity, yet classiness of the the ideas the team presented in the rooftop wedding will be most helpful to her. Great job!
Follow @tnech on Twitter
I totally love the urban rooftop pictures. It”s nice to have a breathtaking view with rustic urban details.
Follow @tnech on Twitter
I totally want the urban rooftop picnic on the rooftop to win. I love the fresh fruit and lemons in ice too. I want that team to win!
Great Job! I so love those shoes!
Follow @rosauraphoto on Twitter
yeah! glad it made it to the top 10. this entry so deserves it. love the idea and implementation. modern and fresh and lovely! :)
.-= Rosaura’s most recent blog post: Out of Studio =-.
Follow @yoursmoment on Twitter
Congratulations to the designing group! It is definitely a nicely done urban rooftop picnic I have seen so far!
Follow @eileen218 on Twitter
ahhh i love this!! what a breath of fresh air. casual, simple, home-made goodness :)
First-class stuff, thanks for posting. I was really searching for something else and this site came up lol. Oh well, 2 minutes of my life gone! Totally worth it though!