Twighlight: Movie Inspiration for a back yard wedding

I originally wrote this post for another website, but they ultimately decided they couldn't use it, so here we go!

Whether or not you’re a fan of the Twilight Saga books by Stephanie Meyer or the movies starring Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart there is no doubt that the movie wedding scene in the most recent installment, Breaking Dawn Pt. 1, was romantic and beautiful. Set in a lush forest, the look was created by noted event planner Tammy Polatsek . There was even a giveaway of a Twilight Themed wedding to be created by Ms. Polatsek, sponsored by Summit Entertainment. I don't know who won it, but they were lucky. The Centives website calculated the cost of the wedding in a fun post here. Seems low to me, but who knows.

While the movie set was indeed over-the-top and dramatic, it’s still a look that can be re-created in your own back yard. If you’re planning a DIY wedding at home and wish to take inspiration from the Twilight Movie – here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling [click on images for links to vendor sites]:

Metal Garden Arbor: A beautiful arbor covered with greens and flowers is a mainstay of many outdoor weddings. 

DIY Garden Arbor: Hire a contractor or make it yourself! The enchantment of your big day will be with you always with a custom built garden arbor.

Five-foot Metal Flower Stand from Save On Crafts: Fill these tall flower holders with natural or faux flowers and greens. This is a perfect accent piece for the beginning of the long walk down the aisle.

Wisteria Garland Strings: If your garden cannot grow fast enough to cover your arbor in time for the big day, it’s time to go faux! These strings of wired faux wisteria in light purple will fill in the spaces.

Moss covered pots, bowls and fillers from Save On Crafts: This collection of natural moss covered pieces truly captures the rustic natural elements of the Twilight wedding. Can be used to create centerpieces for the tables or chair decorations.

Chair Covers by Wildflower Linens: These rental chair covers will turn even the most mundane rental chair into a beautiful seat fit for a bride. Mix and match for a more natural, woodland feel.

Ivy Topiary from Balsam Hill: Reusable year after year, these faux Ivy Topiary trees come pre-lit with fairy lights to cast a glow over the wedding proceedings.

Twilight Dishes Set by Carmona New York & Co.: Carmona is designer Tammy Polatsek’s own branded line of dishes. The Twilight set was created for the movie and is now being sold to the public. While not a budget item, these porcelain dishes would make lovely china for any newly married couple. The sets are packaged in sets of two which include salad, dinner, soup bowls and cups and saucers. 

And finally, just for fun, here is an outdoor wedding design I created using Olioboard and many of the items above. 

What are your favorite movie weddings? Would you or have you used a movie wedding as inspiration for your own wedding ?

If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Home Alone (1990) House for sale

For a cool $2.4M you can own a piece of cinematic history! The beautiful 1920's Georgian style house in Winnetka, IL featured in the movie "Home Alone" is on the market. The current owners were in residence when the movie was shot. Rumor has it that it was originally wanted for the movie "Uncle Buck", but the owners had only just moved in and didn't want the disturbance. The 4,200 square ft. house sits on a half-acre lot, which is pretty tight

The famous foyer and stairs.

This is the living room, with the French doors facing the street and the foyer to the back right of the camera position.

Here is the living room in the movie, looking into the "office". 

And a the view from the foyer.

And here is the office off of the living room:

 

This is the view from the living room, across the foyer into the dining room. The family room is through the double doors.

 

This is the family room which is off of the dining room (through the French doors)

The kitchen has certainly seen an update since the movie days:

The original exposed staircase has been hidden in the renovation. It's behind the stove wall, according to the floor plan.

The breakfast room.

The screen porch sits off of the breakfast room.

Downton Abbey (2011)

Series Production Designer: Donal Woods

Series Set Decorator: Gina Cromwell

Did you watch Downton Abbey on PBS? If not, you missed a fantastic series filled with lush sets and costumes, romance, drama, the sinking of the Titanic and the beginning of WW1. All in 4 x 1.5hr episodes.  You can download it from iTunes or buy the video set.

Downton Abbey is played by Highclere Castle (see end of post)

The Grand Interior Hall

The image above and below are from Highclere Castle's website.

The grand staircase. You can see the main floor set up for a concert. From Highclere Castle website.


The ladies: Mrs. Crawley (Penelope Wilton), Cora, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and Violet, the Dowage Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith). A meeting of some very strong minds in the "observatory" which is set in the main hall.

The Library

The Library is set with many items from the actual castle, including the carpet and some furnishings.

From Highclere Castle's website. The library is often used for wedding dinners.

The Drawing Room

The drawing room is a sumptuous collection of pastel fabrics and textiles, gilded French Louis bergere chairs, English and Italian casegoods.

A view of the gorgeous Aubusson carpet.

The images below are as the room appears today. Note that much of the furniture is the same, but the carpets are different.

The Dining Room

The dining room (from Highclere Castle's website) as it is today. It features an enormous Van Dyke painting.

 

Matthew and Mrs. Crawley's London house

In the series, distant cousin Mathew Crawley (shown here with his widowed mother) becomes the heir apparent of all of Downton Abbey when the closer cousins go down on the Titanic. The Crawley's are a middle class family living in a Townhouse in Manchester. (middle class by Edwardian standards included household help).

The wallpaper in this dining room is a beautiful William Morris paper, perfect for an early 20th century home.

Highclere Castle

The Highclere Castle, located in Newbury England, has been home to the Carnarvon family since the 17th century. The current castle which was used for Downton Abbey, was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1842. Barry also designed the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The Castle is classic Gothic Revival which had its zenith in popularity in the mid-19th century.


Beautiful shots of a wedding that took place at the Castle: copyright Studio Rouge

 

I'll be doing additional detailed posts over at ::Surroundings::, so check it out!

Here are links to some amazing posts around the web on the fashions, decor and servants quarters of Downton Abbey:
 - The Servant's Quarters via Jane Austen's World
 - The Costume's of Downton Abbey via Project Rungay

 - Highclere Castle official website
 - A wedding takes place at the Castle - via Studio Rouge


Images courtesy of: Masterpiece/WGBH/PBS; Jane Austen's World; Project Rungay; Shining as Stars; Highclere Castle;