LOVE IS THE ULTIMATE TRIP
February 10, 2016
The Chalk Gypsy Created these amazing invitations, which set the tone for this “Love is the Ultimate Trip” shindig. I love this shot with a bunch of extra flower heads we had left over from Turkey Tail Farms, which provided local blooms for this event, and is actually owned and run by the fabulous couple renewing their vows.
That’s right, this is a real-life couple, sharing their real-life vow renewal with you all. As a love and sustainability driven group, we decided that rather than bringing in models this time around, to focus on real love and real people, and there was no more perfect couple than Samantha and Cheetah.Samantha and Cheetah’s love story began five years ago where they met at GRUB cooperative right here in Chico. Sammey was living there while Cheetah was the food distributor for CSA. After many weekly meat and veggie pick ups, Cheetah finally had the nerve to ask out the beautiful farmer who wore the blue and yellow ribbon braided in her hair.
After, a 360-degree view of twinkly lights, local bites, and hours of conversation, the first kiss happened. A moment a long time coming. They fell in love. Soon after, they were married by both of their mothers up on Cheetah’s farm in the foothills.
After exchanging their vows, they rode their bikes from the foothills to Chico where it all began at the GRUB house. A potluck celebration awaited them filled with fun and laughter, pit roasted Turkey Tail meats, and close friends singing them songs.
We worked to recreate that same psychedelic vibe for their vow renewal, rooted in the local community, sustainability, and some 70s flair. We crowned Samantha with a 70s halo made of local ferns and white clovers, which complimented her bouquet composed of tropical leaves that remind us of tie-dye cut from houseplants, antherium, local lisianthus, dahlias from Just This Ranch, and local tuberose to add a heavenly and memorable scent. The flower stems were tied with a naturally died silk ribbon from Silk and Willlow.
The Westside Collective brought their adorable trailer to serve as Samantha’s mobile bridal suite. Bamboo floors filled the room with natural light and vegetation. We adorned a peacock chair from Tin Roof Farmhouse with passion vine and jasmine from Just This Ranch, sunflowers from Turkey Tail, and dinner plate dahlias and marigolds from my own garden.
This was probably my favorite piece we contributed: an out-of-the ordinary buffet arrangement of ferns, dahlias, mermaid veronica, banksia and others. I pulled out that old Ikebana training for this one– remembering those proper geometric angles (Thank you, ancient Japan).
We continued the Ikebana inspiration on the tables with antherium as the perfect structural element.
The ceremony took place inside Chico’s Idea Fab Labs. We created a floral mandala backdrop made of local tropical leaves, broom corn and zinnias from Turkey Tail, and ferns and marigold from my own garden. Did I mention how much I love the officiant’s dress (and smile) and the color it added?
As always, Jen Rodriguez from Luna Peach Design locally sourced all sorts of fun props and details, my favorite being the mushroom theme that she carried out throughout the reception.
We love the idea of finding a creative way to display the invitation at the actual event, especially when it’s as fun as this one, and adds a whole new twist to what the guests have already seen.
Setting the tone for the party that is about to unfold.
The Idea Fab Labs reception was dressed to the nines, as Jen brought in all sorts of local vintage rentals as well as plant rentals from the Plant Barn, which made the space feel alive and green.
Earth Momma Originals created 70s-inspired statement jewelry including those long, white fringe earrings Sammey is rocking; Cortney Riegel gave her a Farrah Fawcett inspired hairdo, and Cassandra Pierro gave her disco-inspired makeup.
Lovely Layers came through another styled out fondant cake that fit the theme perfectly.
After declarations of love, yummy local food and cake, these two love birds danced the night away, again.
CREATIVE CREDITS:
Design: Chico Wedding CollectiveCreative Director, Styling, and Coordination: Jenifer Rodriguez of Luna Peach
Photography: Shannon Rosan Photography
Filmmaker: Alex Bridgman Productions
Couple: Samantha Zangrilli + Cheeta Tchudi
Officiant: Sheila Zangrilli
Gown Designer: Amorroma
Groom Attire: Formal Education
Floral Designer: Molly Ryan Floral
Jewelry Designer: Earth Momma Originals
Makeup Artist: Cassandra Pierro
Hair Stylist: Cortney Riegel
Wedding Guests Models: Rose Lynch, Kassandra Horn, and Bri Mulvey
Wedding Guest Attire: Bootleg
Floral Ribbon: Silk + Willow
Cake + Cookies: Lovely Layers
Custom Invitation Suite and Signage: The Chalk Gypsy
Plant Rentals: The Plant Barn
Tabletop Rentals: Luna Peach
Furnishings + Props: MCM Vintage
Peacock Chair: Tinroof Farmhouse Rentals
Catering: 5th Street Steakhouse
Bridal Suite Mobile: The Westside Collective
Location: The Idea Fab Labs
Set Styling: Jenifer Rodriguez and Molly Harman
Fashion Styling: Jenifer Rodriguez, Heather Roma Pollock, and Devon Dorenzo
Sponsors: Turkey Tail Farm and M Creations at Just This Ranch
Website: Jessie Severin