Nelle

Cameron and I were married this past June. It was a brilliant and beautiful day, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the relationship that we had nurtured and grown for nearly a decade.

Taking inspiration from the movie musical My Fair Lady and using Cameron’s design expertise as our decor foundation we went about the challenge of making black & white typography the main design element, while mixing in my girlish romantic side. You should have heard me prattle on and on about Feel Script. Combine some hand-wrapped wire balls with pastel multi-colored floral arrangements set in glowing abstract typographical vases and you end up with a whimsical vintage industrial graphic wedding. We, along with some help from our friends, made the majority of the things that you see, which was an excellent reason to have friends over leading up to the day - thanks guys! Below are my favorite moments & photograph’s taken by Erica Loeks Photography

I met Tara, the designer behind Tara la Tour, when I was 18. We lived on the same floor freshmen year of college. Having Ms. Tara design my gown for my wedding day meant the world to me. And it was just the most gorgeous gown ever, she even hand-painted blue peonies in my gown for luck & love - love you Tara!!

The wedding party walked down the aisle to “Get Me to the Church on Time” & I was escorted down the aisle to “On the Street Where you Live”, both from My Fair Lady. My Grandparents have a wonderful story of singing this song together while walking through the snow after seeing it on Broadway in their youth. sigh…

My grandfather officiated our ceremony which was sweet, fun, sentimental and casual. We had our contract signing in the middle of our ceremony and it hangs on our wall as a reminder of our commitment to each other. It is also great to reference during a negotiation “wink”.

Seriously! Just Bloomed’s centerpieces made the space and provided just the right amount of femininity to the event! I also created magnetic bow ties for the favor cards that all the guests were encourage to wear. We also celebrated my love of reading by vowing to volunteer 1 hr to the MN Literacy Council for each guest that attended. That is 112 hours!!

The first thing I ever made cameron was a pillow made from a t-shirt that read Mr. Wonderful, Mrs. Fantastic came later. Our cake was from 3 Tiers and I still dream about it 6+ months later. It was a delicious lemon white chocolate torte.

The Dessert Lounge by Cocoa & Fig was the star of the evening! Our guests loved the extra sweets near the end of the night, so much so that there was not a nibble left to take back with us to the hotel room! My favorite treat was the carrot cake whoopie pie, mmmm. I created ripped silk chandeliers to help transform what was once the ceremony space.

What I Learned….working with brides-to-be has always been exciting & I enjoy hearing the vision that each of you have for the wedding day, but I discovered that while planning and dreaming of the big day it was so important to take a moment & create a vision for my marriage. After all, when you are old and grey the marriage will be your great love story, not the wedding day, it is just another fabulous chapter in a very long and exciting book!

A big hug & thank you to all of our vendors for making this chapter of our love story beautiful, fun, and bright. The day would not have been the same without you!

Photography: Erica Loeks Photography, Day of Coordinator & Decorator: Laura Mullen Events, Venue: Spill the Wine - Minneapolis, MN, Brides Gown: Tara La Tour, Floral & Bridal Bouquet: Just Bloomed, Dessert Lounge: Cocoa & Fig, Wedding Cake: 3 Tiers, Inviations: Designed by Groom/Paperista, Silk Screening: Faux Poco, Brides Hair & Makeup: Julie Swenson, Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew, Bridesmaid Necklace: Bloomingdales, Groomsmen Attire: Heimie’s Haberdashery, Groomsmen Shirts: J.Hilburn, Rental: Midway Party Rental, Bridal Accessories & Handbags: NELLE

Our wedding prep, bridal shower, & wedding day are featured in most recent issue of Minnesota Bride, if you want to read the interview and see the insanely amazing bridal shower that was thrown for me I encourage you to pick up a copy or reach out to them to have one sent.

I have to say it, 2011 was a big year, BUT 2012 already feels amazing! I love the start of something new and for this year I will be adding new styles to the shop over the course of the next few months. To kick of the year right I am introducing the Delphine minaudiére, a hard case petite clutch that is my favorite design yet! The exaggerated exuberant bow represents the Joy of Marriage! You will find over the next few months many of the pieces will convey the joy that comes with finding your forever someone.

Congratulations to those of you that are newly engaged & to those of you who are in the home stretch… You’ll say “I Do” before you know it.

This is my favorite time of the year for two reasons; I love spending the holidays with friends & family +  with the new year approaching it means that the launch of the NELLE 2012 Collection is on the horizon. Can’t wait to share my new styles & colors for 2012 with you in the new year. Thank you for all of your support in 2011! xoxo, Laura

The month long NELLE & HAROLD Holiday Event kicks off December 1 with a cash and carry shopping installation located in the recently opened NELLE Showroom at l’atelier couture. The holiday collection features an assortment of limited edition NELLE & HAROLD accessories ranging from daytime velveteen shoppers & wallets to clutches from the just released NELLE & Ogge collaboration. Appointments are necessary; please call (651) 602-9492

When:  Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 – Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2011

Where:  l’atelier couture, 219 North Second St., Suite 404, Minneapolis

( Carmen Straight & Narrow Skirt $176  - Magdelena Mini $190)

They often say that two heads are better then one; such is the case with the recent collaboration between NELLE & independent textile label Ogge. Just in time for the holiday’s, Ogge Designer Luci Kandler & moí have partnered to create a line of limited edition holiday clutches and skirts. This floral print collection was inspired by our shared appreciation for Frida Kahlo’s irreverent manner of dress, which was then modernized into sleek and playful holiday party attire. Priced from $150 to $190 the collectible silk clutches & skirts are a perfect addition to any style maker’s wardrobe. Quantities are limited so shop early!

(Kahlo Clutch $145)