"All American" Backyard Picnic-Style Shoot

I have more summer party inspiration to share with you!  This backyard picnic shoot from Tiny Water Photography is loaded with amazing ideas that you can incorporate this weekend or all summer long.  Vintage suitcases, cute paper details, and a fabulous cookies & cream dessert table make this design special.

Some of my favorite ideas employed on the cookies & cream table are:

• Keep the sweets simple by offering a few cookie flavors, ice cream, milk, and berries.
• Unique "bottle" flags around the neck of the bottle.
• The milk bottle "necklaces."
• Tiny paper fan picks placed in the berry dishes.
• Suitcases used as risers, and to display drinks.

All these thoughtful details make this an interesting display.

More great ideas from this shoot:

• Set up colorful displays to hold snacks and photo props.
• Serve snack bags or cones from a small wagon.
• Fill tiny baskets with berries or candies and use it to display place cards.
• Create a photo backdrop by hanging fabric in different, but coordinating patterns.

I'm sure there is something wonderful you can take away from this gorgeous display!  Say hello to Summer!



Vendors:

Photography - Tiny Water Photography

Designer - Amber Novey

Florals - Botanica Floral Design

Graphic designs & paper goods - Herdah Warner

Cookies & Milk bar - The Cookie Drop

Hugs & Kisses Modern Engagement Party {Styled Shoot}

"XOXO" - the sweet salutation that's used so prevalently in social media outlets has found it's way into this themed shoot from Emily Steffen Photography.  And why not?  It's the perfect sign off for any newly engaged couple!   

This modern design has just enough details to present the theme, but isn't overly done or cutesy.  One of my favorite elements is the hanging frame behind the dessert table, with "xo" letters and black and white photos, which is also found in the "ladder chandelier" above the dining table.  The sophisticated colors act as a blank canvas for the fun details to stand out against - notice the pops of red in the sweets display, hanging letters, and menu cards.

This original design was created by these amazing vendors:

Photography - Emily Steffen

Paper goods & Styling - Bethany Hway

Flowers - Sadies Floral

Dessert Table - Shauna Young

Beach Wedding Ideas {Styled Shoot}

Today's inspiration design has so many beautiful touches, you may need to take notes!  This is a styled shoot {see vendor list at bottom of post} for a beach wedding but you know my philosophy - take the ideas and incorporate them into your own celebration.  This would be beautiful for an engagement party for a couple having a destination wedding, a sophisticated backyard beach party, or any other occasion for those who love the seaside.  Inspiration begins now!

Great Tabletop Ideas:

• Use burlap to cover a low table {bring a coffee table outside}.
• Use old shutters as a table "runner".
• Use driftwood and colored glass bottles filled with tropical flowers as the centerpiece.
• Muted colors and surfboard motif adds a retro-kitschy feel.
• Fill small bottles with sand and use to hold food/drink markers.
• Use rafia and seashells to wrap napkins.

For dessert, a cookies and cream bar is set up.  This gives guests a variety of options: they can make an ice cream sundae, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream & soda floats, or simply enjoy them all separately.  I love the simplicity of this.

Dessert Table Ideas:

• Incorporate sea glass into your display - scatter along the table, fill bowls or bottles with it, or use it as a base layer to set other goodies on top of.
• Make a tiered stand by wrapping different sized boxes with wrapping paper and stacking them.
• Serve quarts of ice cream in buckets; provide dry toppings in small galvanized containers.

Another great idea is to set up an outdoor movie theater.  Use large pillows and blankets to sit on, and choose an old classic movie like Beach Blanket Bingo, an adventure drama like The Beach, or even the iconic Jaws.  Choose something your particular crowd will love. 

Vendor Credits:

Photography - Tinywater Photography

Design - Platinum Planning

Stationery - Alice Koswara

Florals - Botanica Floral Design

Cookies - The Cookie Drop