Created by Kristen of Kio Kreations and Kara Schultz, our next Inspired Creations Contest concept is all about timeless, classic, vintage beauty.
Kara and Kristen designed their concept around the theme of “looking to the past and the present”. They created an escort card and guest book display as well as a gorgeous tablescape, each featuring vintage and thrifted cake stands, picture frames, and vases. And bonus for all of us, we have DIY tutorials for all of their wonderful handmade items!
All of the decor flows together wonderfully, and the mix of depression glass, lace, milk glass, and vintage frames create an easy beauty that appeals to me on so many levels. It floods me with memories of my grandmother’s bureau with her vintage silver comb and brush and the lace runner that decorated it, and I must say I’m completely and utterly smitten with it all.
Each escort card was cut across the bottom with decorative scissors to create the illusion of lace. The cards were placed on fabric-lined picture frames, some of which are vintage and others, sanded and spray-painted to fit in with the decor. The escort cards were written with the table number and what the number meant to the couple, instead of “Table 2, cards read “2 adorable pets we have”, to tie back into the couple’s own life and experiences together. This small and personal detail is one of my favorites from the concept.
Photos from parents and grandparents weddings decorate the card vase, a wonderful alternative to the traditional card box. And the innovative guest book idea features handmade paper flowers, which guests write special messages on and pin to a fabric covered corkboard. Flowers and mementos from the day can be added to the board, and voila – a treasured keepsake for the couple’s home.
In addition to milk glass vases, clear glass vases were wrapped with lace and filled with fluffy, romantic flower arrangements.
So how do you create all of this gorgeousness on a final expenditure of $350? By repurposing items, of course! Each of the lovely cake stands, flower arrangements, and picture frames were incorporated into the gorgeous tablescapes. Centerpieces featured peonies, astilbe, ranunculus, spray roses, snapdragons, hydrangea, lisianthus, and garden roses, with foliage of lamb’s ear, variegated pittosporum, and dusty miller.
The cake stands and footed vases added height, while the lace-wrapped votives and fabric-lined frames added dimension and texture.
The Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, IL was the perfect backdrop for the champagne, gold, and pink color palette.
Carrying the theme of lace through, Kara and Kristen handmade lace flowers to tuck into the bouquet and created a matching fascinator as well!
More gratuitous centerpiece shots – I can’t resist!
Table numbers were made from quilled paper. And how much do you love the pink goblets?
And last but not least, favors of homemade cookies set atop each place setting, wrapped in decorative paper and tied with organza ribbon.
The Chicago-area wedding vendors that contributed to this Inspired Creations Contest concept are:
Floral – Kio Kreations
Photography – Kara Schultz
Venue – Arrowhead Golf Club
I hope you are loving the Inspired Creations Contest submissions as much as I am. Kristen and Kara were kind enough to share DIY templates and tutorials for the lace flowers, cookie wrappers, pearl floral accents, and guest book flowers – check back later today for all of the instructions!
Elegant yet simple. How much better can it get!?! My favorite is the card holder with the old wedding photos.
where did you find the pink goblets?
Looking for the DIY tutorials on the guest book flowers and lace flowers!
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hi tammy! all of the tutorials are here: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/06/02/past-to-present-diy-projects-and-instructions/
I am so excited this was posted today!
.-= Kristen’s most recent blog post: Elegant Damask at Danada House =-.
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Thanks for such the wonderful comments! I fell in love with it as we were working on it! And I got to take a lot of the flowers home which was amazing!
.-= Kara’s most recent blog post: Falling: Kelli and Brandon =-.
Amazing! I love the use of frames for the centerpieces. Absolutely stunning. I wish I could do my wedding all over again!
This is absolutely beautiful!!! Awesome job! Arrowhead is also such a classic venue – I bet it all came together just perfectly!
Love that idea for the guest book/frame. Beautiful displays.
.-= Becky’s most recent blog post: Mine on Memorial Day {CT family photographer} =-.
These are just stunning! I can’t even pick a favorite – I love them all! You definitely nailed the vintage look!
sweet little details…would be lovely for a bridal shower as well.
This is beautiful! Unique and classic at the same time. I love the lace and paper flowers. Great ideas and I love it… and coming from a person who hates pink, that’s saying a lot!
Wow, these are BEAUTIFUL!
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Romantic and elegant – lovely through and through!
.-= Kim @BrideGoggles’s most recent blog post: All Signs Point to YES =-.
Wonderful attention to detail…I love the use of the vintage cake stands. Beautiful!
Absolutley stunning! This is exactly what I’m doing for my wedding and it nice to see what it’s going to look like. Classy, unique and eclectic. I love the ethereal feeling this gives off.
Every detail is lovely.
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Awesome job! Love the details!!
These are exquisite! I love seeing the little faint pops of pink everywhere! Just beautiful!
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So elegant, really impressive. Well done
.-= Naoise’s most recent blog post: Flower Power – Fabulous Floral Dresses =-.
I love the different pinkish tones and the frames are gorgeous!
Love the classic look! Great attention to detail in every arrangement!
WOW!… Kristen you never cease to amaze me with your creative genious and attention to tiny details. Absolutely gorgeous (as always!) I truly look forward to each and every wedding we do as I know its going to be stunning… you picked the right Photographer to capture it all as well :-) Well done!
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I CANNOT tell you HOW much I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS. It is charming and beautiful and I wish I could do it all over again just to replicate it!! Thank you so much for sharing.
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Wow! Beautiful!
Love it! Great venue!!!
Love the wonderful vintage touches, from the old frames to the gorgeous handmade flowers and vintage vases!
I love all the details. Everything is beautiful! It is elegant and different!
The photography is amazing. It captured all the little details. Great job Kara!
This is absolutely gorgeous!
Love it! It’s beautiful…great job!
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I wish I could have another wedding!! I love the vintage touches, everything is so pretty!
.-= april’s most recent blog post: Carrie Underwood Play On Tour Recap Pt. 1 =-.
Beautiful! I love the paper flower guest book and pink glass…such attention to detail!
Everything is so beautiful! I love the variety of items that are used…all very unique!
How beautiful. Great ideas come at a good time.
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Beautiful! It’s very Victorian looking!
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Amazing job! I love the use of frames in the centerpieces! The color palate is so soft and subtle. You guys are so talented! Glad your helping me with my wedding….
Love the attention to detail. Very classy!
Beautiful Work Everyone! STUNNING vintage motif.
I love love the little lace flowers with pearl centers.
So romantic! Everything about this makes me want to get married all over again. Classy, clever, and oh so pretty this must have been a dream come true for the lucky couple.
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Wow, you guys! Really beautiful idea, and well executed. It reminds me of my grandmother too!
.-= Sara Gray’s most recent blog post: Dandelion Wine — Behind the Scenes =-.
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The minute i saw this i was completely overwhelmed by it!! Everything is so gorgeous, so perfect, so sweet… Great… no…. amazing job!!!
.-= Brancoprata’s most recent blog post: Casamento: pormenores = Wedding Details =-.
Gorgeous! I especially like the use of the milk glass.
Unique, lovely, incredible, down to the smallest detail!!!
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It looks amazing! I love the lace flowers and all the pink glass! Its perfect! Beautiful job ladies!
Fabulous tablescaping! A charming mix of seasonal pink flowers, textures, levels and affordable “found” favorites–especially the vintage frames! Wonderful choices for a June wedding–and adaptable for any month!
The small details and use of lace and fabric doilies really captures the elegance of the vintage theme. The delicate vases and black and white photos pull everything together so nicely. Classically beautiful and affordable!! Love it!
These turned out so cute! I really like the handmade flowers. Wonderful job ladies!
Simply FABULOUS! I love everything about it! The intricate details are what make this look a one-of-a-kind must have!
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I’m so in love with this and I’m not a very traditional person. The mix of color, the use of texture – it all just comes together so wonderfully and it’s classy, for sure.
I love the idea of the notes on the placecards. How special for everyone else on the bride and groom’s special day!
Wow! Everything looks amazing! I love the guest book idea. You guys are so creative.
I love everything about these photographs!! The textures and colors flow so beautifully. Kristen – another amazing wedding concept:) Kara – awesome photos!! Any girl would be lucky to have this for her wedding reception!
Kristen and Kara:
What a amazing job on your part of creativity and innovation. This wedding concept is truly a DIY that brides would absolutely LOVE!
KUDOS to You ALL for such Great Innovation!
Kim Carothers
Everything looks absolutely GORGEOUS and fits together perfectly. There are so many unique ideas that I LOVE :)
Great job on this project Kristen and Kara… love the photos and all the floral arrangements.
Stunning! This is very classic and so beautiful! Kristen & Kara, you guys are very talented!
Everything is so lovely! I love the Victorian look and you have captured it perfectly.
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Wow! I absolutely LOVE this entry! Without a doubt a top contender!
Romance, lace, lovelie-ness all around! Any girl would dream for a event this equisite! Amazing job!
Kio Kreations floral work is often very contemporary. I love the change from contemporary to a vintage theme. It shows how versatile Kristen is as a floral and wedding designer. Lovely!
After looking at many of the other entries, I still love this theme so much! I just love the romance, lace, and elegance of it all! If I could re-do my wedding all over again…sigh:)
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This is FABULOUS!!! WOW…I had no idea you could do all of these DIY projects. If only I knew about KIO Kreations before; I’m 9 days out and wish I would have hired them!
Follow @ellybevents on Twitter
Love this!
Kristen,
Your work is fabulous and absolutely amazing as always and the photos are so beautiful and professional!!!
Stunning and so classy. It’s truly timeless!
Hey Kristen,
Once again your creativity is breathtaking and just amazing!! Your vintage designed tables with the paper flowers are so elegant and unique. I love your ideas of incorporating the picture frames on the table. Just beautiful. You never cease to amaze me! I just love looking at everything you do.
If anyone is looking for a creative design floral studio then Kristen and her staff are who you should hire!
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The handmade lace flowers put this one over the top. I appreciate the thoughtful elements using repurposed items – not only beautiful, but each brings such a special personal note to the decor. Wonderful. Inspired. My favorite by far.
This work is absolutely Fabulous! KIO has put together an elegant and very creative throwback to the past while incorporating many of the little goodies you’d find at many high end modern receptions (Menu Cards, Custom Table Numbers, etc.). The colors and accents are soothing and elegant, and the various textures and designs in the place settings are a feast for the eyes. Very well done. My favorite of all of the contest entrys!
Perfectly elegant yet to the point (thankfully not gaudy). Truly converges the two concepts of Old and New in a unique manner. Absolutely fabulous!
Timeless Vintage Details truly describes this lovely look. The use of the vintage glass, depression glass, milk glass is superb! Great do-it- yourself ideas too. Well done!
So Elegant!
absolutely gorgeous! i love using family wedding pictures, its so wonderful to see all the love through the generations on such a special day. all the details were just beautiful, i love the classic looks of pale pink and lace, so romantic!
Love the vintage look. Awesome!
Beautiful…
Love the detail of the lace throughout from the bouquet to the escort card table accents! Just beautiful!!
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I love the color palette! It is understated and simple. Just enough elements to make it memorable, but not overwhelming. Great job Kristen and Kara!
The golden dipped chairs, the vintage milk vases, the old frames, the pink glass….they all are such old fashioned traditional details that still look amazing today. Well done.
Just beautiful and elegant. I love all the details!!!
Absolutely beautiful! Such a creative use of materials. Love it!
So unique. Can’t wait to meet the creator of this beautiful presentation.
So pretty and perfect!!
love all the details. I love the pictures hanging off the vases.
I love all the attention to detail here, and the colors mesh perfectly with the venue. It’s breath-taking!
hanks for posting these gorgeous photos and suggestions for using milk glass!! I blogged today about it and linked to your photos! Hugs and Blessings! ~Cheryl
Follow @alexanevents on Twitter
This is, by far, one my favorite real wedding posts I have ever seen . I cannot get over the vintage details and all of the DIY aspects of it. Well done!!
Are these table linens white or ivory?
I love this look. My centerpieces also consist of photo frames (13×16). Do you think that is too big? What size were your frames and where did you buy them? They must have cost a lot.
I love love love the unique glass card holder but I am a little confused as to how the cards are placed inside with the flowers at the top. Also, where can I get a glass cylinder vase that large? I LOVE ALL the ideas from this wedding, it is beautifully romantic with vintage flair!!
I love the dishes. In fact, I have TON of that stuff already. I came upon a bunch of the skinny milk glass vases one day at a local thrift store and bought them all. I was hooked after that. One of these days I’m going to play dress up and get out my mom’s vintage linens just to see what I can do!
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This is fabulous. I fell in love with this so much that I stole some of the ideas for my wedding show booth. Thanks, I loved the talent!
I love this color scheme and I am thinking about using it for my wedding. Do you have any idea concerning the color of the men’s suits that were used with this color scheme?
Follow @amiatead on Twitter
hi alison! i’d go with either a dapper, classic black bow tie tux, or a gray morning suit. :)
I am still in shock you managed all of this for $350. I am currently planning my wedding and never thought I could do something as extravagant (and not to mention gorgeous) as this for under $1,000. I absolutely love the card vase with the pictures. By incorporating some of these great ideas, I could use the extra money to purchase one of the Victorian wedding dresses I have my eye on. I also had the same question as Alison regarding the guys suit. I love your suggestion of the gray morning suit Ami.
Simply stunning! Where did you get the lovely pale pink raw silk napkins from? Did you use the same material for the chair bows?
Amazing, truly talented!
OMG. I. AM. IN. LOVE. WITH. THIS. i am going to do this for my wedding
Love the frames and beautiful attention to detail :)
I LOVE THIS!! Do you happen to know the average size of the larger frames on the tables for centerpieces, as well as the color of the tablecloths? I am debating on having white or ivory on my tables, and I also have a lot of milkglass.
Thanks!!!