Animal figurine escort cards are a subtle nod to the Chinese zodiac and an unexpected
decor idea. Your guests probably haven’t seen anything like these before and they’re an easy DIY (with a bit of baker’s twine, kraft cardstock, and a calligraphy pen anything is possible), double win! If you’re as obsessed with this idea as I am you can get started on making this happen ASAP. You can find bird and elephant place card holders in The Knot Shop, but if you’re not the crafty type (I can totally relate!) you can buy some pre-assembled animal escort cards in the Sugar and Chic Shop on Etsy!

Photo: Erik Ekroth Photography

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How do you take a ceremony on the top of a rooftop in New York City (at the TriBeCa Rooftop to be exact) with sweeping views of the city and make it more romantic? Cover the space in candles. Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch Creative Studio used dozens of pillar candles set in glass vases around the altar and then illuminated a modern ceremony arch with several hanging votive candles. Such an easy, simple way to add instant ambience!

Photo: Joshua Zuckerman Photography

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We love the shabby chic style of mixing home decor elements with wedding details. So for a bride that wanted each escort card to double as a personal note to each guest (how personal and sweet is that?), Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch Creative Studio, concocted the idea of presenting each letter inside a mailbox. She perched moss and dahlias on the open lids of each mailbox and turned the collection into a stunning focal point. How to pull of the look? Source your rentals and decor items. Visit thrift shops and garage sales for interesting pieces of furniture — then turn it over to your florist to deck out!

Photo: Robert Sukrachand Photography

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Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch Creative Studio, created an escort card that was both stylish and functional with these rubber stamps. For this intimate, rustic wedding at Blue Hill in Manhattan the bride was stumped when it came to how to address the invitations. Barb’s idea? Create custom stamps for each guest to address the invitations, and then use the rubber stamp as a combined unique and personalized escort card and favor. Not only were the escort cards practical, but they also saved the couple from having to spend on calligraphy and an additional favor. The creativity and ingenuity in this wedding didn’t end with the escort cards either! In lieu of a traditional guest book, guests signed stones for the couple to keep in their home.

Photo: Studiofoto

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Paper chains get a serious sophisticated upgrade without losing their playful charm in this ceremony backdrop created by Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch Creative Studio. The paper chain garlands framed the the couple’s vows in this chic loft-inspired space without blocking the natural light from the oversized windows as a wedding arch or fabric draping would have.

The best part about paper chains? They’re an easy DIY and completely customizable. You can buy pre-made paper chains at LoxSavvy.com in a variety of colors in prints, or if you’re the crafty WikiHow.com has a step-by-step tutorial. The key to pulling off the look is quantity and variety. By mixing and matching length, color, and size of paper chains, Barb created a luxe modern look from this time-tested party decoration.

Photos: Dave Robbins

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Feathers add a whimsical touch to a floral arrangement, and for this bride feathers had even greater significance because after her wedding she would adopt the last name, Bird. For this winter wedding, Barb Salzman of Hatch Creative Studio walked the line between creating a bouquet that looked too springy, while also avoiding the drab look of winter. By incorporating flowers like ranunculus, succulents, hydrangea, veronica, seeded eucalyptus, anemone, nigella, yellow button mum, and silver brunia Barb complemented wintry ingredients with a nod of spring to come.

Photo: Studio Foto Photography

Photo: Studio Foto Photography

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For a self-proclaimed “hippie” bride who wanted to walk barefoot down the aisle, Barb Salzman rolled out the green carpet with an aisle runner made of faux grass. Barb added bright sunflowers and wildflowers along the sides of the aisle to create a whimsical, organic look — and constructed the ceremony arch and entrance out of simple tree branches.

Photo: Lina Jang

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For a family-oriented wedding Barb Salzman, founder of Hatch Creative Studio, created this 3D family tree representing several generations of the couples’ families.  “The whole wedding was about family and the stories,” says Barb, so the tree was the perfect way to incorporate the family members into the day. Barb carried the tree theme throughout the decor, even incorporating oversized trees into the centerpieces for an earthy look.

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To create a custom retro touch, Barb Salzman transformed simple votive candle holders into stunning vintage photo displays using old slide projector photos. The groom from this wedding was actually an art historian with a focus on lighting, which made it all the more meaningful.

Don’t have any cool retro items laying around? Every weekend Barb travels to flea markets and vintage sales hunting for pieces to repurpose into unique decor. If you’re not so adventurous, you can even rent found objects and items from Hatch Creative Studio’s Prop Shop, or search Etsy.com, for interesting vintage table decor.

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To kick off our 100 days of inspiration, we’re starting with these cute creations: animal-shaped topiaries created by Barb Salzman at Hatch Creative Studio. The green monkey (yep, you read that right!), rabbit and elephant were made entirely out of moss — and added a playful vibe to an otherwise elegant escort card table.

“While the overall design of the wedding created with flowers, candles, and textures creates the general feel of the event, it’s the details that make it personal and unique to each couple,” Barb explains. The animal topiary “shows a deeper glimpse into our couples and the sense of humor that most of our clients have.”

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> 9 Unique Save-the-Dates