Vintage Inspired Nuptials in San Francisco

We're so pleased that Adria & Clinton's wedding has been featured on Borrowed & Blue! 

Live Wedding Painting

Have you seen or heard of live event painting before? For one of our 2016 weddings, artist Andrea Jackson was hired to paint the event. The couple commissioned Andrea to paint anything that inspired her and she made sure to draw on the couple's passions to complete her final piece of art (above). What a treat and such a unique element of a wedding! 

More about Andrea: Andrea Jackson spent her childhood in the great woods of Northern Minnesota. Some of her earliest memories were of trees and natural landscapes. These experiences formed the foundations of her deep spiritual love for all natural forms, rhythms, and cycles. After wandering the earth in her 20's and obtaining her BFA in painting, drawing, and design from the University of Iowa, she found herself in Oakland, California. She currently paints from a studio at the Firehouse Art Collective in Berkeley.

Her work focuses on landscapes and experiences from memory to create an intriguing visual space to reconnect the viewer with natural forms. The colorful scenes strive to be meditative with each natural aspect relating to abstract religious and spiritual notions. The mountains are gods, water is life, and the night sky is the realm of the unknown. Van Gogh, Klimt, and many of the Dutch Old Masters inspire her work and techniques.

More about the wedding, from the artist: Jeremy and Talia posted an ad for someone to paint their wedding, and I responded. I've never really heard of live painting before, and was very intrigued by the idea. Since their wedding was an outdoor wedding, and I'm very comfortable with landscapes, I thought I would give it a shot! 

They were very open ended and lose in what they wanted which is important for a painter to be able to create a great painting comfortably. We emailed back and forth on what paintings of mine they liked, colors, and their story. I tried to synthesize all this information when I arrived at the venue. While painting many guests came to visit, brought me wine, and was intrigued by the whole process. Many people haven't seen a painting created before. One guest commented it added a creative warmth to the reception.

It worked out fantastic, and is by far one of my favorite paintings! The scene is not a direct representation of what I saw, but a compilation of elements from the venue. I knew Jeremy and Talia cherished mountains and outdoors - he proposed to her on a mountain hike - so I focused on the natural elements around. Because of the time sensitive nature, I had to work quick and lose. This energy is captured in the work and brings it a life and vibrancy that is missed sometimes when I'm working for days in a studio.

I really enjoyed painting their wedding and immortalizing in it paint. I would love to paint other weddings, especially outdoor! Painting an indoor or church wedding would be exciting also to see what would happen. 

The Worst Wedding Planning Advice Ever, According to Actual Wedding Planners

From the second you get engaged, it seems like everyone has advice to share about planning a wedding. Whether they're currently engaged, happily married, have walked down the aisle more than once, or are totally single, everyone has something to say! And — fair warning — not all of that advice is very good. The best sources for planning advice are the experts themselves, but even wedding planners get an earful of tips you should really forget. We've shared some of the worst wedding planning advice we've ever heard on Brides — and even shared tips on what you should do instead.

7 Things That Should NEVER Be Said in a Wedding Toast

Wedding toast givers, we get it: There's a lot of pressure to spin the perfect speech. What should be left out? Read our answer over on Brides regarding seven things that should never make it into a wedding toast. 

4 Rules You Should Definitely Break Right Before Your Wedding

It seems that weddings come a lot of rules. But our experts say there are some you can break, even when you're down to the wire. Head on over to Brides to check out our top tip! 

Intimate Celebration in San Francisco

Daisy + Greg's intimate wedding was featured on Borrowed & Blue! It was a pleasure seeing the love these two share. 

Gilded Soirée at Legion Of Honor

Marisa & Rob's gorgeous wedding at the Legion of Honor has been featured on Borrowed & Blue! 

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Planner

Are you looking for a wedding planner? Have you struggled with figuring out the best ways to identify the wedding planner that's right for you? Vogue has an article that might help - 6 Things You Need to Do Before Picking a Wedding Planner. What are their top recommendations?

1. Rely on recommendations.
2. Scope them out online.
3. Flag any red flags.
4. Forget their age.
5. Find cultural common ground.
6. Detect the chemistry.

Best of luck on your planner search! 

San Francisco Glamour in Navy & Gold

Eugene & Lovell's gorgeous wedding was featured on Borrowed & Blue this week! Such a beautiful couple! 

7 Tips to Help You Stay Present on Your Wedding Day

Our favorite tip for your wedding day? No matter what, you must eat. A wedding day is a very long day indeed. And you don't want your growling stomach to steal the show. "Start the day with a good breakfast, and take a short break before you put on your dress to nosh on some protein and light carbs or fruit." Read more about tips for your wedding day over on Brides.

How to Handle Those Pesky Wedding Questions

You know those questions you get asked a million times throughout the wedding process, like "oh you're getting married? When?! I'll put it on my calendar?" We know how frustrating those questions can be and we have a few tips on how to handle them with grace. Head on over to Brides to read our contribution to 7 Annoying Questions People Will Ask You About Your Wedding. 

How to Collaborate Better with Your Partner while Wedding Planning

We totally get it, wedding planning can be a stressful time in your life! However, there are a few ways you can alleviate some of the stress, and one of those ways is thinking about what you say before you say it. We're over on Brides talking about 8 Things You Should NEVER Say to Your Partner While Wedding Planning! We think these tips will help keep your wedding planning a much less stressful and more loving time in you and your partner's newfound life together! 

Wedding Planning Tips on Brides

Planning a wedding is no small feat! Did you know that many couples spend no less than 200 hours organizing their big day? To help strategize and alleviate some of that stress, Amy and other wedding industry experts gave their advice in 6 Easy Ways to Tell If Wedding Planning Has Totally Taken Over Your Life on Brides. 

When To Celebrate Your Engagement Party And Another Event

After you get engaged, it may be tempting to combine your engagement party with another holiday celebration. Poppy Group co-founder Amy Nichols explains exactly which holidays you should and shouldn't celebrate in conjunction with your engagement party. Get your favorite party dress ready because it is time to celebrate your engagement.

Kate Spade Inspired Bridal Shower Ideas

We cannot get enough of these Kate Spade inspired Bridal Shower ideas from Brit + Co. From sequined tablecloths to bright pink head bands these ideas are preppy and glamorous. We agree with Brit + Co that you cannot go wrong with a pink and gold color palette.

Lemon Centerpiece on Snippet & Ink

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones. Poppy Group co-founder Amy Nichols shared her idea for a simple Lemon Centerpiece on Snippet & Ink. Bright lemons made a big statement when paired with black and white stripped gingham ribbon. What do you think of the preppy modern look? 

These 7 Hidden Wedding Venue Costs Can Destroy Your Budget

Weddings have a big price tag, but that doesn't mean it has to be unexpected. In this recent interview in Glamour with Amy Nichols, Co-founder of The Poppy Group, discusses hidden wedding venue costs that can destroy your wedding budget. From extra fees for early access to chair rentals, be prepared for hidden costs so you can factor these in when choosing a venue. 

Winter Wedding Ideas from A Practical Wedding

While the holidays bring lots of engagements, Winter is also the perfect season for an elegant wedding. Having a winter wedding means planning ahead to get on your guest's calendars before other invites come along, but the planning is worth it. A Practical Wedding shares 21 Winter Decor Ideas That Don't Scream Christmas.  Take basic winter elements from nature and fashion and combine them into unique and cozy wedding decor!

Wedding Planners Say You Should Splurge on These Items

While it is okay to be savvy and try to save on your wedding, some splurges are totally worth it. If a family member unexpected offers to help pay or you find some extra room in your budget, you may decide to splurge. Before you write a check check out this recent interview with Amy Nichols, Co-founder of The Poppy Group, about items that are worth the splurge in Brides.