Petite Wedding Collective
LAST SPRING THE WEDDING industry came to a grinding halt. Events of all sizes were postponed, many even canceled due to the pandemic. And while restrictions did eventually loosen, large events were still not feasible. However, small gatherings, which were once again permitted, could be held safely. Those in the event industry like Cassy Anderson, of Cassy Rose Events, were trying to anticipate and meet these emerging needs. “I had all these clients that had planned really large events for 2020, and obviously those were not happening,” she says.
That’s when Anderson partnered with photographer Sean Cook, of Sean Cook Weddings, to launch The Petite Wedding Collective — a group of industry-leading creatives helping couples create bespoke design-forward, intimate celebrations.
“For us at The Petite Wedding Collective, the idea was to meet that market need without compromising any of the design ideas or the creative process that goes into producing some of these events. We wanted to create what felt like a pretty all-inclusive experience that didn’t also put you into a box,” Anderson says. “What we were finding initially was that even if people were postponing the big event until 2021, they still wanted to get married, so we decided we would focus on producing really elegant ceremonies … and we would be customizing it every single time, for every single client.” These all-inclusive ceremonies, which account for up to 30 guests, come complete with beautiful photography, a string quartet, lush florals, high-end rentals, a hair and makeup artist, custom invitations, and even a designer cake.
What was most important for Anderson was that her clients did not compromise in having a smaller celebration. Each event would be unique, personal, and custom to the couple, and they would still have that experience of planning their wedding from start to finish. “My clients tend to book me because they want something different, want something a little more custom, something a little more unique, something a little more refined, and that was not going to change,” she says. While the guest counts were scaled back, the design and the process of the event would not be.
“We wanted to take a lot of the guess work out of [wedding planning]. Bringing you the crème de la crème creative team but also allowing you to really indulge in the fun stuff that is still a part of wedding planning — just on a smaller scale,” she says.
Together, Anderson and Cook set out to create a team that would deliver. The collective now includes Natalia Januszewski of Violet Rose Floral, Heather Leavitt of Sweet Heather Anne Cakes, Michelle Kulwicki of White Pines Entertainment, Aimee Paquin of Modernly Events & Specialty Rentals, Andreea Bona of Glam by Andreea, and Angela Kaufman of Plume & Proper Designs.
“What I love about all these folks is they really do come to every event with fresh eyes and fresh ideas,” she says. Each couple receives full-design consultations with each of these outstanding vendors, with Anderson overseeing the planning and the creative direction of the event.
For Anderson, these intimate celebrations are “an untapped creative opportunity.” Having a smaller count allows the couple to do things that just aren’t possible with a few hundred guests — from utilizing meaningful spaces for the ceremony (like a childhood home or the park where the couple first met) to really personalizing the experience so that it’s not only unique for the couple but for each guest. “It just really becomes about the people that are there,” she says.
Having a scaled-back guest list “really gives you an opportunity to be present, and really gives you the opportunity to take in the day as a whole.” Anderson adds, “It really becomes more about the shared experience with that group of people.”
For more information, visit thepetiteweddingcollective.com.
Mask Up
Move over clutches, masks have become the de rigueur wedding essential. With designers everywhere now creating their own chic interpretations, finding one that suits your style has never been easier. Recently, sustainable skincare brand Tata Harper Skincare collaborated with fashion designer Jonathan Simkhai to create a luxurious face mask. The limited edition 2-pack comes in an elegant olive and champagne hue and is crafted of 100 percent silk, which is naturally hypoallergenic and also helps to retain your skin’s moisture barrier. Brides can also stock up on PPE for their celebration with a 10-pack of masks from Birdy Grey, which encourages your guests to Spread Love, Not Germs. We also enjoy the options they carry from Violet and Brooks — which come in a floral-print poly-chiffon or a solid color linen and cotton — and are sure to be worn long after the wedding, too.
For more information, visit tataharperskincare.com, jonathansimkhai.com, and birdygrey.com.
Ring Boxes by Esselle
San Francisco-based Esselle is a lifestyle brand and online shop owned and operated by women. At Esselle, you’ll discover hand-crafted and purposeful wares like these beautiful ring boxes designed by founder Sherry Lee. Handcrafted with velvet and metal, it is no surprise these modern yet timeless ring boxes have taken over Instagram. Ideal for your wedding or engagement ring, these beautiful keepsake boxes were recently updated to include three new color palettes: dusty blue and silver; champagne and rosé; and a sleek gray and matte gold.
For more information, visit essellesf.com.
The Skylight Collection by Elaine B. Jewelry
Fans of Elaine B. Jewelry rejoice: The Ferndale-based showroom and studio recently launched The Skylight Collection — a new, guided customizable experience offered both online and in store. This new collection allows you to easily customize and collaborate on a one-of-kind design. All you need to do is choose your ring design, your stones, material, size, band style and finish — it’s that simple, and the results are incredibly chic and personal to you.
For more information, visit elainebjewelry.com.
The Phoenix at Becker’s Bridal
As one of the nation’s oldest bridal salons, Becker’s Bridal of Fowler, beloved for their “magic room,” is at it again with yet another reason to love (and visit) them. Now open, The Phoenix is an enchanting and whimsical lounge and bar space for brides and their loved ones to gather and celebrate following their shopping appointments. This revolutionary new experience comes complete with champagne, charcuterie, dessert, tea, and more — it’s also the perfect setting for bridesmaid proposals with several gift options available. After losing the Mother’s Gown studio to a fire, the team “wanted to rebuild with an entirely unique space for brides to experience the magic of finding their wedding dress with the Becker’s Bridal family.” While reservations are not required if seating is available, Becker’s will be offering different packages that include a dressing room suite, reservation to secure a table, plus pre-selected menu and gift items. With plans to one day open The Phoenix for private events and even princess tea parties, the space will hold up to 65 people so that multiple families can enjoy the magical experience.
For more information, visit beckersbridal.com.
