Happy Halloween | Black + Pink Skeleton Chic

10.31.2012
I never got around to posting pictures of my Halloween projects this year, but I've been excited about sharing this party for weeks.  Michele of Cakewalk Baking hosted this adorably chic skeleton party for her son Graham's 7th birthday.  It was originally a traditional orange & black color palette, but it was Graham who suggested a pop of pink instead... what an awesome kid.  I helped out by designing the invite & CD favors, but Michele herself did all the rest.  She even made seven kinds of cupcakes to celebrate... yes, that's right seven! And each one better than the last.

 Enjoy the party pics and be sure to visit Cakewalk Baking for all the details.  Happy Halloween!









photos © cake. 2012

DiY Rustic Fall Wedding | One Year Later

10.01.2012
Hello Friends! I'm stopping in with a very special share. Today is the one year anniversary of my friend and feature photographer Sherry Heck's wedding to her husband Kevin.  Sherry and Kevin share a love of biking and french wines, and their wedding reflected this love with a subtle nod to French provincial style. They married at the Sausalito Woman's club in Marin, an Arts & Crafts era building designed by the renowned Julia Morgan.

This wedding was a DiY affair in every way, and I was happy to be able to assist with the planning and styling along with designing the invitations.  My favorite project was the ceremony canopy pictured below. I created it by mixing tonal shades of paper lanterns and wicker balls, strung together along wood beams and hung between the oaks.  Read on below for the rest of the wedding details, including an incredible array of desserts by Cakewalk Baking.





















photos © chyna darner

Details Cont. Michele of Cakewalk Baking created an assortment of rustic deserts, including a gorgeous white 2 tier wedding cake with a simple ribbon band and fresh wildflowers.  In addition were apple cider donuts, pecan tarts, salted caramel tarts and the greatest little hazelnut macarons you've ever tasted. When styling the dessert table we incorporated vintage silver trays and a signature monogram that complimented the invitations, wood-burned onto a tree stump as a nod to the oak trees of the ceremony.

On the tables, mason jar centerpieces held wildflowers in a beautiful assortment of blues and orange, along with a bloom at each setting in a BILT metal container.  These modern boxes are designed by a friend of Sherry's and became the favors for each guest to take home.  Table numbers were enlarged prints of French stamps and corresponded with the place cards which were embedded into wine corks.

Chalkboards were used for the menu + programs, accented with navy + white striped ribbon that coordinated with the bride's bouquet and wedding cake.  We had a number of extra paper lanterns from the ceremony canopy, and grouped them together on the stage to liven up the dance floor.  The 'getaway car' was a vintage bicycle built for two, adorned with tin cans and a basket of flowers and well wishes for the bride & groom.  

Vendors
- Invitations + Graphic Design: Merry Happy by CAKE.
- Cake + Desserts: Cakewalk Baking
- Photography: Chyna Darner
- Caterering: Back to Earth
- Venue: Sausalito Woman’s Club
- Favors: BILT