Beqi Clothing, Apparel

Beqi Clothing makes fantastic one of a kind feathered headbands and hairclips, as well as revamped vintage jewelry and ready to wear clothing. In addition to Off White, you can find her online at http://beqi.etsy.com, and http://www.beqiclothing.com.

Eileen Gannon, Harpist

Eileen Gannon is an award winning harpist. Whether you want classical music, traditional Irish music or pop songs, a harp can provide the perfect ambiance and elegance to your wedding ceremony. Check our her website at: http://eileengannon.com/.

Boutique Invite, Paper Goods

Boutique Invite is an on-line stationery design studio that specializes in wedding invitations and stationery. They design “from scratch”. In other words, everything having to do with the design process, from paper selection, to ink color, to font treatments, to pattern and texture, to layout and design is created specifically for the client. Find more at http://boutiqueinvite.com/.

For a complete listing of vendors, go to the Vendor Directory!

Please click on the Vendor Directory above to see a complete (and still growing in a few areas) list. Check out each vendor by clicking on their website or logo. Remember to shop local and support these amazing and talented folks!

Featured here is a handmade recycled paper “Bride” tag by Katie Rhea Stokes.

What has been your favorite dessert at a wedding? Wait, you mean there are other options than cake? Yes, indeedy! Gone are the days of a dry bland cake with a cold somewhat crumbly icing. Today, we see ice cream designs, candy bars, delightful brownies, pies, cupcakes and of course the traditional, but far more tasty then ever cake!

That’s why we’re excited to feature FROSTBITE GOURMET ICE CREAM! Founded by John Clopton, an ice cream lover, admirer, and meticulous maker of delicious ice cream in St. Louis.  During an age where time is money and food is made quickly, John is intentional about slowing down! Using old-fashioned, wooden ice cream churns, ice and rock salt, each batch of ice cream takes about two days to make.  On his website he shares: “Whenever possible, I use the local ingredients and rather than sugar, I use all-natural honey from farms in Missouri and the surrounding states.  All of the ice cream is made with lactose-free milk and contains no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.”

We love John and Frostbite Gourmet because ice cream is a fun and unique alternative to a traditional wedding cake, or it’s an excellent addition to a wedding cake! I know my family thinks so at every birthday! Why not make it a part of your wedding day? We also love John because he’s environmentally friendly with 100% of his ice cream being packaged in biodegradable paper containers. Even the ink on his labels are soy/vegetable based! Now that’s environmentally conscience!

Now that we’ve wet your pallet, even on this chilly February day, how’d ya like to win some of this delicious ice cream?

“Like” Off White Wedding Show on Facebook, “Like” Frostbite Gourmet on Facebook. Then post on the Off White Wedding Show wall the best dessert you’ve ever had at a wedding! We’ll even take the best you’ve had at a rehearsal dinner. If you know the baker, maker or candle stick maker, please provide so we can give them props!

The winner will receive an ice cream tasting and free pints of cinnamon, champagne, strawberry sangria and vanilla flavors.

The winner will be announced the week of February 13th along with their favorite dessert!

Have you ever looked at a wedding picture and just wished you would have been there? That’s how we feel when we look through the Julie Kunkel and Luke Hinkle down-home, derby-themed wedding album!

Julie was so proud to support small business in St Louis for every facet of her wedding. Below are some of her vendors and personal commentary; some vendors you may see at Off White this year!

JJ Lane: “Photographer and all-around super cool chick. She photographs weddings, families, children … she is marvelous”. Find her website at  BeLovely.

Bruk Longbottom: ” Bruk made my dress , which was PERFECT,  from two pictures I handed her; completely custom. She’s in a band, singing and playing the upright bass. She also has backyard chickens. How cool is that? How cool is she?”  To contact Bruk, email her at bruk66@sbcglobal.net.

Julie Colton and Sugaree Bakery: “The food was delicious, not wedding-food good, seriously delish. The menu was customized for us (no ‘choose from a list’ business). The food included pulled pork sliders, brie sandwiches, Southwest fried chicken salad, watermelon-feta salad and a variety of pies and cookies. So good. Also the service personnel were fantastic and made everything run smoothly and easily, even in a venue not really set up for food service.”  To contact Julie email jdcolton@hotmail.com or Sugaree at sugareebaking.com.

Allyson Wilmowski of Screaming Mimi: “Allyson made veils and a headpiece for me that I was unable to wear due to a game-time hair change-up. However, they were lovely, she is lovely and an uber talented craft maven who is ready to make your millinery/finery dreams come true”. Contact Allyson at thttp://www.etsy.com/shop/buffalump. Screaming Mimi is a combination of Red Anvil Art by Kate Valleroy and Buffalo Blue Designs by Allyson Bailey Wilmowski.

Kelly Kankolenski of High Skeptical Photography: “Put my hair in this fantastic side-braid, loose chignon with texture and movement. It was perfect, and complemented the dress marvelously. She is such a talented person (make-up artist, hair stylist, art director for photo shoots, etc) who will make you look beautiful”. Contact Kelly on her Facebook or at Tami Scott Studio.

Laura Steube: “Florist and cool lady from St Charles. She did not make me choose any arrangements from a book. She somehow translated my ideas of “gardeny” and “Americana” into fabulous arrangements that beautified the room, beautifully”. The mason jars were from Julie’s grandmother’s home – way to recycle Julie!  To contact Laura email bfleur@sbcglobal.net.

The Gramophone: “Great little concert venue in the Grove that looked all spiffy for our nuptials. Roo Yawitz (owner) and Scott Swanston (manager) accommodated our wishes graciously- the drinks were cold and plentiful, the place sparkling and the free parking abundant. Great place for a show, a party, a weddin’”! For more information go to thegramophonelive.com.

Thank you Julie & Luke  for sharing your special day with Off White! We LOVE it!

From the rustic DIY burlap flower to the vintage and colorful brooch bouquets, brides are rethinking the traditional bouquet. Some for sentiment, some for style, some to stay on budget. Here are a few ideas we’ve collected at Off White.

The Burlap Bouquet

For a non-traditional bouquet and budget friendly arrangement we love the idea of burlap. Fitting for an outdoorsy or rustic wedding, the burlap bouquet can be made for $10 or less. Check out this DIY video from La Belle Bride. Add your own choice of ribbon to add flare or compliment a theme. Individual “flowers” can be made for vases or corsage.

Brooch Bouquet

A brooch bouquet can be as sentimental as it is original. A bride can keep it to one color scheme or allow unique colorful brooches to tell a story. Some brides find using silk flowers as a base and spreading the brooches throughout fanciful, while others like only the brooch arrangement. You can see in our pictures we’ve highlighted two unique designs.

One bride we found decided to create a bouquet out of brooches and other mementos and asked her loved ones to contribute. As she says on her blog: “The brooches don’t have to be old, and they don’t even have to all be brooches. But they do have to be funky or sparkly flowers that are picked with love.” She was given her mother’s, grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s heirloom rings and wove them into the bouquet.

How do you do it?

So how does one go about making a brooch bouquet. The first step is finding vintage brooches, pins, and earrings. We’ve found the best deals can be at estate and garage sales, as well as etsy. Or you may want to raid your grandma, aunt or mom’s closet or attic! You’ll also need floral tape, craft wire, and silk flowers of your choosing (The diamond brooch used hydrangeas). On average we’ve found you will need between 30-45 brooches for a nice sized bouquet.

Don’t forget the Corsage!

Naturally if the bride is carrying a brooch bouquet the groom can compliment accordingly with a burlap, brooch or fabric corsage.

A bonus when using brooches, burlap or cloth over flowers is it’s eco-friendly and an especially good way to add color to your decor during the winter months without flying in flowers and increasing the carbon footprint of your wedding.

A huge thanks to The Nesting Project, La Belle Bride and Bridal Guide for helping with this post.

Elizabeth will receive a free textile from Sublime Stitching!

Elizabeth Smith & Timothy Linck will be married on October 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Sorrows in South St. Louis followed by a small celebration at Hendri’s Banquets. We thought their story was unique, special and memorable. Below is their story, written by Elizabeth.

On a magical Sunday morning, I woke up to enjoy the sun at Ottertail Lake, MN.   It’s a very special place to me for several reasons.  I have many fun memories of spending my summers on the lake, learning to water ski, fishing, shopping, and cooking.  We also planted a special tree over looking the lake in memory of my mother with her ashes at the root of the tree.  As a family, we look forward to coming to the lake and remembering my mother’s favorite place as well as creating new memories.

Sunday was Tim’s 29th birthday.  It was a lovely sunny afternoon and we all were low-key and relaxing.  I could tell that Tim was acting a bit different but I did not know why.  After I gave Tim his birthday present (some new gym gear for the upcoming Rock and Roll Marathon we were ‘running’ in October), he asked if we could take a walk across the street because he had something for me.

As we crossed the street, just the two of us, Timmy held my hand tightly and then we shared a quiet but intense moment.  Tim retrieved the ring from it’s hiding place and told me that the best birthday present that I could give him was to agree to marry him.  He told me that I made him the happiest he’s ever been and wanted to make a promise of forever.  I was overcome with emotion and shed tears of joy.

I was lucky enough to be sharing vacation with Tim, my sister, brother, dad, as well as some cousins , an Aunt, and grandmother, June.  When we went over to the main cabin, I knocked on June’s door since she was napping.  I woke her up to tell her the good news at which point she gave me a big hug and said that she had a feeling we were serious.   Afterwards, I headed down to the dock and was greeted by the crowd that had gone out in the boat tubing.  It was a fun and exciting moment to share with everyone.  In addition, it was at Ottertail Lake where I feel a deep connection to my mother.  I know she was there in spirit overlooking everything.

My engagement ring is from Tim’s maternal grandmother whom I never met.  It is gold and inlaid with diamonds and rubies (my birthstone).  It is a ‘brilliant’ cut or round cut center diamond.  It’s recycled and very special to me since it has a history before me.

What are the perks of being a vendor?

*Meet qualified brides and grooms to-be who have a value for small businesses and creative services

*Network with other like-minded wedding vendors who love what they do and cater to the out-of-the-box wedding.

*Booth at the show + online listing in our vendor directory, info on our Off White “passport” which encourages couples to visit every booth

*Receive a lead list after the show

*Small booth fee, easy loading, lunch run for the day of

We are looking for creative wedding vendors who offer catering, videography, invitation design, hair + makeup, jewelry design, music, bridal gowns, favors and more!

The deadline to apply is JANUARY 17TH! Don’t think a booth is right for you? Apply to consign. It is a no-risk option to be involved in the show.

Email info@offwhiteweddingshow.com with any questions you may have.