Vanessa and Calvin
Photo: Chris and Sarah Rhoads
There wasn't a dull moment when Vanessa Vellozzi married Calvin Michael West. And that was just how the couple planned it. "We wanted people to interact and have a great time and not feel like they were just there for the 'Calvin and Vanessa Show,'" says Vanessa, a graphic designer. For their three-day celebration, they turned the grounds of Dawn Ranch Lodge in Guerneville, California, into an action-packed amusement park with Ping-Pong tables, a cart loaded with Frisbees and other sports paraphernalia, and areas for playing badminton, bocce, cornhole, and ladder golf.
Vanessa designed all of the playful elements in their punchy palette, including a note (top left) alerting guests to the couple's wedding website and a save-the-date postcard with one of their engagement photos (second row). The multilayered invitation (third row) started out as another shot of the bride and groom with a map on the back. Recipients unfolded it to see the event details (pictured), then undid it again to reveal a poster of paper hearts inside a Mason jar. The enclosed R.S.V.P. card (bottom) featured a word search including "kiss" and "smile."
Since they met eight years ago, Vanessa, in a beribboned Priscilla of Boston gown, and Calvin, in a custom suit by Seymour's Fashions ;and a Hugo Boss tie, have been "stuck like glue," she says.
How to make inexpensive baby's breath look fabulous? Amass it in "big clouds," says Vanessa. Accents of dusty miller and, in the bride's bouquet, bright spray roses complemented the aqua-and-persimmon color scheme.
To recreate them, you need just one affordable bunch of baby's breath per bouquet (fiftyflowers.com). Wrap the stems with a ribbon, and finish with a bow. To get Vanessa's look, add in a few roses.
Booklets modeled after a kid’s activity pad with built-in pencil holders kept guests occupied before the ceremony got under way.
Copycat the puzzles that appeared in their programs: Create one with Wordsearch Maker, and then ask your stationer to print it for you.
Vintage-y signposts, made by Vanessa's dad and painted by the bride and groom, directed guests on to the reception and around the resort for the weekend.
On the couple's private table, custom "Mr." and "Mrs." vases, by Maid of Clay Ceramics, were filled with Lisianthus, baby's breath, and Bupleurum.
Location and Catering: Dawn Ranch Lodge
Flowers: Flowerworks
Stationery: Jack and Ginger Studios
Music: DJ Funklor
Rentals: Wine Country Party & Events
Wedding Photography: Chris and Sarah Rhoads
Bride's Attire: Priscilla of Boston (dress); Vera Wang (shoes)
Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew
Groom's Attire: Seymour's Fashions (custom suit and shirt); Hugo Boss (tie); The Frye Company (shoes)
Groomsmen's Attire: Ben Sherman (shirts); Pierrepont Hicks (ties)
Makeup: Joshua Conover
Chocolates: Carter's Chocolates
Hair: Gillian BenAry
Cake: Sibby's Cupcakery
Socks: AdoraBella Alpacas
Programs: Karen West and Anna Tou
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