Wedding Details: Reception

So far in my wedding series posts, I've shown you the colors we're using, some info about the dresses and tuxes, and about the location of the outdoor space...

This post is all about the reception.  :)

Because we're getting married in downtown Walnut Creek, CA, there's really an abundant amount of good food choices for the reception.  However, since our list grew from 50 to around 70 people, we needed to find a fun banquet space that could accommodate.  I've had my heart set on a buffet style (so much easier when you're the guest, I feel...) so we found Pyramid Alehouse to be a great fit!

We've rented one of the large dining rooms for the night, and will set it up buffet style with not only food (which the menu can be found here) but also a drink buffet!  We're talking all you can drink- beers, wines, sodas even.  They replenish the pitchers all through the night.  Ironic though, to have our wedding reception somewhere where I can't FULLY enjoy the surroundings!  I'm totally ok with it- I love being pregnant, and our wedding day is going to be filled with so many great people, it'll just be a blast.

Here are some ideas of the place:

One of the next things I had to work on was our decor in the room.  I had this crazy idea to use manzanita branches in tall glass vases, probably filled with clear stones, and the branches potentially adorned with small floral.  I'm about 30% there... I have the branches, which I ordered from a local farmer off of eBay (here's a sample posting of theirs) and they look great.  I've purchased one sample vase so far, $10 from IKEA, but need to go back for more.  That was the best price I could find for a 15" glass vase!  I think I'll need around 10 of them, so 9 more to go...

Here are some manzanita centerpieces I just love.  Ours are going to be simple- after all, it's a summer wedding, with a reception in a brewery...  How formal does it need to be?!

Next, ah, the piece de resistance- our cake!  While I don't have an ACTUAL shot of OUR cake yet, here are some ideas, that may help you visualize.  First off, we're using master pastry chef, Katrina Rozelle (website here) out of Alamo, CA (also in Oakland) for our cake.  As much as I'm having a diversion to sweets right now, cake tasting at Katrina Rozelle was fun, and yummy!  I settled on the "Erica Torte" which is a chocolate cake with a caramel ribbon through the middle of the layers.  We're doing a three tier cake.  Katrina even came out herself and helped me design it with the images I had brought.

We're talking:
3 tiers
Rounded (always thought I'd have a square...)
Fondant
Quilted
Green color bands on each tier
Pearls and star accents in the quilting

Very simple, clean lines, the way I like it!  This cake is going to be decadent.  I can not wait to try it!  Our only issue is size... since our list grew, I may need to order a larger size!  Yikes!  Or maybe cupcakes to supplement?  I always thought I'd do that option anyway from the start...

So basically, that's our reception in a nutshell.  Of course, I'm looking forward to finally using the services of a recently graduated, sister of a friend to be my coordinator.  I just kind of started freaking out wondering who was going to actually get everything where, and on time, and so on.  I'm giving up control, and going to ask for help.  :)  Thanks in advance, Lynn!

So, is this too cliche and trendy?  I'm hoping the colors work, and that the small details don't really matter.  We've got so many things to look forward to this year that I'm just not taking the whole thing completely seriously in terms of getting worked up.  For godsakes, one of my friends got married 4 days after September 11th, 2001 and they pulled it together.  I think we can make it happen too.

:)

Beautiful Buffet

Wellllp, after much anticipation (mine?) here's the REVEAL to my first project!

Before:

AFTER (gorgeous, might I add):


Here's the story:

I purchased this sideboard/buffet (what's the proper term?) at a local thrift store after gaining some serious inspiration from my favorite new blog. I didn't anticipate actually finding anything the first trip I made, however, low and behold this $19.99 buffet was staring me in the face. And, being that I'm visually inclined I could see the beauty in this one.

I started by stripping and sanding the wood. I knew this piece was heavy, but didn't know what type of wood was underneath, so, stripping the paint was the only option, in the off chance I could use the raw wood.





After dealing with the harsh chemicals, and learning a lot about paint strippers (you have to stay by your project, put it on thick, and scrape after it starts to bubble... all things I didn't do of course) I decided that I would paint the buffet. I primed the wood, which we think ended up being cherry, then chose a modern color called "guacamole" by Pittsburgh Paints. I found a great paint for cabinets & trim which is self leveling and doesn't show paint strokes. I used a smooth foam roller anyway since I wanted a smooth look.






All of the old hardware had been painted at some point, with a faux gold finish. I wanted a modern look, so after the first coats of paint went on the wood, I spray painted the hardware (including hinges) semi-gloss black. I needed to sand after the first coat of green paint went on, as I noticed a few bumps and splatters, but all in all it took about 3 coats. My sister and I found a great paper we used to line the drawers by using double stick tape (easy-shmeasy). I love the pattern on the paper- it matches the inner cabinets that are gloss white, and the black hardware.





After the third coat (ok, 2.5 due to sanding...) I let that dry, then added some Wipe on Poly by Minwax, and achieved a durability and shiny coat to protect from what will hopefully be much use. I'm excited to start loading this puppy up with my great glass, dish, and textile collections.

I.just.love.it. :-)



Total Project Cost:
$20 Buffet
$10 Paint Stripper
$3 set of 3 plastic scrapers
$2 sanding blocks
$8 spray primer
$14 paint
$14 new can of Wipe on Poly (plenty left though to do another 10 of this size project)
$4 roll of drawer liner (wrapping paper)
TOTAL: $75 (and, something like this would sell for well over $1100 at Pottery Barn!)

So, did I do a good job?!
Be nice :-)

Day 1, done!

Stripping, sanding, cleaning, priming...

Day 1 of the re-finish is complete, and I learned a lot today. I also believe I may have inhaled more fumes and dust than one should... not feeling that great! I decided (I think?) that I'm choosing a green color called "guacamole" by Pittsburgh Paint, with new hardware. Black cup pulls, and hammered knobs? See final inspiration below:

Ready to Re-Finish

I'm gearing up to start my first inspired D-I-Y Project tomorrow, thanks to some inspiration gathered at my new favorite site.

I purchased a piece of furniture last Sunday at the local Goodwill store for what can only be described as "peanuts". Literally- I've had more expensive dinners! This old (at least 40 years, but I'm still trying to place it- could be as old as 80?) buffet is made by Baumritter/Ethan Allen in Vermont. It's heavy wood, solid, barely moveable! It's chipped paint and "artists" touch have seen better days. The plan is to strip it and assess the wood condition, then go from there. Not sure if I want raw wood, and while a painted white would be the most classy, I'm feeling a burst for red, or blue, or green.

Here are some inspiration photos:






Pictures coming soon! It's been disassembled, hardware removed, and a wipe down. I'm so excited to try my hand at a revamp of a great piece of furniture.