The Wedding Story of... Colin & Jamey Harding

Signature Style

Mix posh red with mellowed orange, add splashes of adventurous greens laced with bronzy copper and what do you have? The perfect palette for an inspired wedding.

For Wedding Specialist, Jamey Welling, wedding design comes from the heart, especially when planning her own. Having coordinated designs for countless brides, it was with seasoned experience and purpose that each decor element, no matter how stately or minute, was thoughtfully chosen for its significance and complement to the overall vision. "We looked to each other, our families, and our surroundings for inspiration. As hoped, the result was uniquely 'us.' "

All Dressed Up

Dupioni silk tea-length dresses in saturated red accented with obi-tied orange sashes and golden copper accents accessorized the bride's soft ivory Amsale gown. Bridesmaids' side-swept hair was adorned with orchid and copper crystal accents.

For just a little more money than a rental tux, the groomsmen purchased khaki suits and wore posh red silk ties to match the bridesmaids. The groom, Colin Harding, wore his favorite color with his orange tie and a phaelenopsis boutonniere to match his bride.

The groom's grandmother sewed the flower girl's orange silk shantung dress, and the ringbearer wore a coordinated khaki and ivory pin-stripe suit.

Floral Fashion

"Working with beautiful wedding floral on a daily basis made it hard to select just one bouquet for myself. So instead of choosing one or two flowers, I incorporated all my favorite blooms. With the help of MichaelAngelos "The Event Company," the outcome was nothing short of magical."

Bouquets featured unusual combinations of floral sparked with copper. Succulents, kale, spider plant, flax, and berzillia berries were just some of the fresh selections used to soften the bright floral. Unpredictably, the flower girl carried a "princess" wand featuring copper wire, fresh orchids and a burst of yellow craspedia balls.

Something Old

Dangling from the bridal bouquet was a lead crystal strand with significant family history. In 1925 a crystal chandelier was donated to the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church by Jamey's great grandmother in memory of her great grandfather. The strand was saved after a devastating fire destroyed the church and its contents. The crystal pendant was passed along to Jamey's grandparents and Jamey's mother as a family remembrance. "I wanted to honor my grandparents in a special way because just as I carried the bouquet and crystal, my grandparents' love carried me."

Going Green

To infuse life into the reception atmosphere, Jamey looked to nature. "I've always been drawn to verdant, vibrant leaves." Towering above the tablescapes were canopies of creative arrangements, including masses of Monstera and Palmetto leaves.

Woven and looped through the arrangements were horsetail and stripped willow branches gathered from Jamey's parents' country farm. "Incorporating touches of home is a meaningful way to create one-of-a-kind designs."

Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

"Atmosphere begins with lighting." A glow of candlelight will transform any sit-down dinner, as was the case for Jamey and Colin's reception. From entrance to departure floating candles and votives encircled table arrangements creating romance. Red LED lights supplied ambiance, illuminating large foliage settings placed throughout the reception area. "Although intangible, lighting transforms a room and dictates guests' perception of it."

Style Matters

"If the goal is to make a statement, one must truly commit." From a bright orange cake adorned with orchids to a placecard table of succulents, the color story was evident. Mahogany chiavari chairs were finished with posh red sashes, and tables were dressed in orange linens with gold undertones. Lemon wheels on water glasses provided a yellow kick. Green polka-dot favor boxes with Wakarusa Dime Store cherry red and orange giant jelly beans were placed atop each setting with a poem written by Jamey's sister. Using Photoshop and signature leaf print, Colin and Jamey enhanced photographs from the past and used them to designate table numbers. The table numbers correlated with their ages in each picture.

A "sweet treats" table featured apothecary jars brimming with assorted candy. A special groom's cake was created in honor of Colin's school pride, shaped as a Notre Dame football. An elevated sweetheart table was distinguished with a sweeping orange curtain overhead, tied back with beautiful, lush floral arrangements.

"Our wedding day sparkled with beauty: beauty in atmosphere, friendship, family, and, above all, love. For so long, we dreamed of our day to come. Even though our wedding is over, I'm happy to report we're still dreaming."