Real Weddings: Erin & Brad

September 16, 2012: The Palmer Building

A rainy wedding day did not faze Erin Barker, a bubbly bride with a gigantic smile and fiery-red lipstick, which she had to continually wipe off her groom. Her favorite photos of the day were of her sneaking up behind Brad Salin for their first look. “He looks so pensive, and I’m stalking up behind him, laughing my head off.”

She and Brad picked The Palmer Building, a historic school for firefighters, for its natural, relaxed courtyard and castle-like stone façade. The Graceful Host handled styling details for the outdoor ceremony, going for organic and fresh, with white pumpkins, daisies, and chrysanthemums, moss kissing balls, burlap, and a green “S” over the outdoor mantel. Indoors, the theme was lush autumn, with coppers, burnt reds, and oranges; crushed velvet and damask linens; and crinkled taffeta and satin. For an organic feel, New Creations Flower Co. decked the tables with candles and driftwood, adorned with orchids, dahlias, and artichokes.

With a room full of kids, family, and close friends, the atmosphere at this Sunday wedding was all party. Best Impressions served prime rib, crab cakes, pastas, stuffed potatoes, and chicken. Forgoing a cake cutting and a bouquet-garter toss, the couple served Gigi’s Cupcakes in salted caramel, chocolate, lemon dream, and wedding cake and asked Split Second Sound to play lots of Motown and 1990s hip-hop before departing for their Maui honeymoon.