Planning

Details: Camilla + Tanner, Part I

September 23, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/9/22/details-camilla-tanner-part-i.html

Whenever our lovely editor-in-chief chimes in about a wedding, we know it’s something special. So when Lara gushed that she “loved the cuteness” of Cami + Tanner’s colorful Las Vegas wedding from Oakstream Photography, I just had to take a look myself. We love that the bride choose four wedding colors rather than just one, picked cute, frilly pink and yellow BCBG frocks and carried one of the sunniest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen. How can one help but smile? Luckily we have a second image board to enjoy together!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. Tanner and I lived across the street from each other last year. He became good friends with my roommates while I was dating another guy. I thought Tanner was adorable from the first day I met him. After sharing many meals and enjoying our favorite T.V. shows together (not to mention all the accounting homework Tanner helped me with!), we became good friends. We started hanging out more and more until Tanner asked me to go home with him to California for Thanksgiving. I was shocked but thrilled at the same time. Our trip to visit his family in California is what first made our relationship official!
Describe the proposal: He had me fooled. He gave me the typical run-around men give when trying to fool girls (“the ring wouldn’t be finished in time” and he had to “figure out all the finances”). For Valentine’s day, Tanner made plans for us to double date with his roommate where we ate a nice home-cooked meal together. After dinner, we headed up to his friend’s house in Alpine, Utah where we were going to watch a movie and hang out. Tanner and I arrived first and he said had a Valentine’s gift he wanted to give me before our friends arrived. He made me a video slideshow of all our pictures of us dating set to the songs that we liked. At the end of the video, the screen read: “Tanner and Camilla together forever June 20, 2009.” (I should have known right then that he was planning on proposing!) He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was shocked and SO excited! Right then, his roommates came out of the closets where they had been hiding the whole time video-taping the entire proposal!
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Anyone who knows me knows I’m a very happy and bubbly person. I love bright colors and am not afraid to wear them or decorate with them. Not surprisingly, I couldn’t choose just one color for my wedding, so I chose four. I always wanted a laid-back outdoor summer wedding, and that’s what I got!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: Oh boy, this is a story of its own! The short version is that I went to Danielle’s Bridal Boutique in Utah with my mother and two aunts. I literally loved every dress in the store and tried on about thirty before narrowing it down to eight favorites. It was so hard to pick just one dress! I almost called Tanner to have him help me decide! In the end, I kept going back to the same dress and just couldn’t resit.

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: Las Vegas, real weddings

Exotic Cocktails for your Beach Wedding Receptions

September 23, 2009 By Jen 2 Comments

Exotic Cocktails

One great thing about beach wedding receptions is its fun and laid back nature. You can let your hair down, walk barefooted on the sand, dance whimsically under the moonlight, and have fun with the wonderful ocean scenery as your backdrop. Another thing that many people love about this is of course, the flavorful cocktails that can truly make you have the time of your life.

For those getting married in a beach setting soon and those who want extra-special and out-of-the-ordinary cocktail drinks for the reception, here are some ideas to keep in mind:

Strawberry Basil Martini – Sweet Tangy Herbal Infusion

This cocktail drink, inspired by Jamie Walker, Global Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin, is the perfect drink for those looking for something that is sweet and tangy with a hint of flavorful herb. To make this, mix 1 oz. gin, 1/4 oz. strawberry liqueur, 1 oz. white cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Add 3 halved strawberries, 3 squeeze of limejuice and 3 basil leaves. Mix it up. Add lots of ice, shake and then double strain and put into a chilled martini glass.

Jamaica Margarita – Reggae-ing to the Max

For this unique drink, you need to have 1 cup of dried hibiscus blossoms placed into a strainer and rinsed. Combine these blossoms with 3 cups of water, and 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain and discard the flowers. Chill the hibiscus mixture and then add to 1 ¼ cups of tequila, ½ cup fresh lime juice and 1/3 cup of any orange flavored liqueur. Garnish the drink with lime slices.

Cranberry Margarita – Tequila with a Twist

Tequila drinks are always great to have in parties. But if you are looking for something different, you would probably love this exciting Cranberry Margarita. To make this, combine 1 and ½ shots Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila, 1 shot cranberry juice cocktail, ¼ cup whole cranberry sauce, ½ shot Cointreau, and ice in a blender. Blend until you get a smooth and frothy mixture. Pour the drink into a margarita glass and garnish with cranberry and lime slices.

Sangria – Drink with a Touch of Delight

For Sangria, you will need to have one bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz) and then pour this into a pitcher. Squeeze in one lemon and one orange, both cut into wedges. Add the wedges but remove the seeds first. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 shot brandy. Chill overnight. Add 2 cups of ginger ale or club soda before serving. You can serve this pre-chilled or with ice. For a touch of delight, you can add in fruits like strawberries, peaches, blueberries or kiwi.

Here are some more tips on how to have fun with the cocktail drinks for your beach wedding reception:

Have a tasting bar that would showcase you and your partner’s favorite cocktail flavors. Offer the drinks in shooters so guests can have a try of the different types.
Ask the guests to try their own flavor and experiment with the drinks with the help of an expert bartender.
Match the signature drinks to the theme of the wedding. For example, the Jamaican cocktail would be perfect for a reggae-inspired theme wedding.

The beach wedding can surely be the perfect way to celebrate your love and union. Make this event complete with servings of exciting exotic cocktails for you and the guests to enjoy.

Also don’t forget to check out our fabulous cocktail favors!

Filed Under: Themes & Collections Tagged With: cocktail favors, cocktails, Cranberry Margarita, Jamaica Margarita, Reception, Sangria, Strawberry Basil Martini, wedding

Wedding Cake Toppers can Make your Guests Laugh Out Loud

September 21, 2009 By Jen 1 Comment

One of the things that you like most about you and your spouse-to-be is that when you are together you just cannot stop laughing. It may be because of the funny incident that happened to you the other day, the joke your partner heard on the radio, or your hilarious quip about the man’s weird shirt.

This wonderful sense of humor that you two have is something that you can share with other people in your wedding through a comical cake topper. This one-of-a-kind cake topper can really add zing and zest to your reception.

If you have no idea about funny cake toppers, here are some of the most hilarious ones that you may want to consider for your wedding cake.

And you may now kiss the frog groom…

The cake topper, “Princess Bride Kissing Frog Prince” is a funny take on the frog prince fairy tale. It is the perfect cake topper to tease your handsome groom about him being your own frog prince.

Now, who is in charge here?!

The “Bride ‘In-Charge’ Wearing Pants and Groom ‘Not In Charge’ Without” is a hit with many couples, who want to give a humorous touch to husbands who are scared of their wives.

Hello? Hello, are you there?

The “Cell Phone Fanatic Bride and Groom” cake topper is a slightly quirky way of showing people how busy the world has become. In fact, even during the wedding event, the bride and groom cannot get their hands off their cell phones! This topper is perfect for the couple who is always busy and hectic.

A hole in one!

With the “Golf Fanatic Groom Mix and Match Cake Topper,” you can see the groom holding a club while looking at its watch and wearing a tuxedo. This is perfect to go with the Exasperated Bride with a forlorn look on her face.

Shopaholic

In the “Still Shopping Message Mix and Match Cake Topper,” in place of a bride is a little message posted on a pedestal that says that the bride has gone shopping. Another unique and funny cake topper that is suitable for brides who are addicted to shopping.

Wild, wild west!

The “Western Lasso Interchangeable Cake Toppers” is a whimsical topper featuring a western bride roping her groom.

Pinch like nobody’s watching

The “Love Pinch Bridal Couple” is all about little funny moments that make your love interesting and alive. This cake topper sees the back view of the bride and groom, where the bride is giving a hidden pinch on the groom’s behind.

Tips for Choosing Humorous Cake Toppers

Think about your careers, hobbies, interests, and unique or strange things about your relationship. Reflect any of these through a funny cake topper.
Match the cake topper with the theme. Are you going to hold a golf-wedding event? A groom holding a golf club and an exasperated bride can be the ideal option.
Do not go overboard. Do not choose something that your partner will not like. Sometimes being funny can be offensive.
Choose a cake topper with the same skin tone. There are various kinds of cake toppers with different kinds of skin tones. Make sure you choose something suitable to you and your groom.
Let your imagination fly. There are endless options so make sure you let your creativity shine when choosing a funny cake topper to decorate your wedding cake.

Whether it is a bride choking the groom, a bride out for shopping, or a pinch on your groom’s behind, a funny cake topper can do more than make the guests laugh out loud. Comical cake toppers can make the cake more interesting and the whole reception event unique and more memorable.

Filed Under: Themes & Collections, Wedding Cake Toppers Tagged With: Cake Tops, topper, Wedding Cake Toppers

Real Florida Wedding: Lara + Ross

September 19, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/9/17/real-florida-wedding-lara-ross.html

I think what I love best about Lara + Ross’ Florida wedding at Alys Beach Green and Central Park is the ultra-fab blend of seaside cool and Southern sophistication, courtesy of Buckner Productions. The fresh whites of the bride’s classic Mikaella gown and the clean, neutral tones of the groomsmen’s lightweight suits are beachy, fun and effortlessly stylish while the rich burnt orange of the bridesmaids’ silk sheaths from Watters Bridesmaids and lush Nouveau Flowers bouquets add just the right touch of autumn elegance. Like Lara, we like the uniqueness of the couple’s wedding cake from The Broken Egg and think it’s especially sweet it was made as an exact replica of the Alys Beach tower. A black-and-white-tiled dance floor and a breezy open-air tent are perfectly chic accents for this upscale beach wedding.

P.S. Football legend Eli Manning was in Lara + Ross’ wedding party! Can you spot the Southern superstar?

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met back in the fall of 2004 as architecture students. Ross noticed me immediately because he was irritated that I was always late for class! I finally broke the ice in 2005 when I asked Ross to a DG formal. In 2006, I moved to Nashville and Ross moved to Jackson, but we ran into each other again the week Ross graduated from architecture school in 2007. We began dating soon afterwards. Over the next year, I would drive to Santa Rosa Beach or Ross would drive to Jackson so we could see each other as often as possible. After the distance took its toll, Ross moved back to Jackson and we dated for another ten months before he proposed.
Describe the proposal. Ross wrote me a letter every day for a week, surprising me in a different location each day with the next letter. On Saturday morning, he told me to pack my clothes for the day and to bring something I could wear outside. Ross took me to Pinelake, our church, and planted some trees with me while he read each letter he had written me. We then wrote a letter to ourselves to help us get through any difficult times together. Ross proposed under the cross on the hill behind the church!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I found the dress at Lowe’s, a great place with a ton of great designers and styles to choose from! I had the best help ever!
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We used the same vows both of Ross’ sisters used in their weddings.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Surreal, holy and amazing.
What was your favorite design element of your big day? We got married at Alys Beach but if I had to choose a specific thing, I’d have to say I loved our cake best of all!
Describe your wedding cake: We chose a cake made in the shape of the Alys Beach tower.
Describe your wedding flowers: The arrangements were very modern, textured and non-traditional.
Were there any wedding traditions or new ideas you included in the wedding? We incorporated both traditional and non-traditional ideas into our wedding. My bridesmaids chose their own dresses in “neutral tones,” but my sister and Ross’ two sisters all wore matching dresses. Ross had his brother-in-law perform the ceremony while his other brother-in-law served as a groomsman. We also had our family and friends sing in the wedding. For our music, we chose guitars and harps. Each member of the wedding party poured sand from a small beaker into one large beaker that Ross and I still have.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We anticipate starting a business in residential architecture.

Congratulations, Lara + Ross! Good luck on your new business!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: florida, real weddings

Southern Weddings Top 10

September 19, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/9/21/southern-weddings-top-10.html

The SW girls are beyond thrilled for our upcoming print edition, due out on newsstands nationwide on November 3! To share some of our excitement, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 reasons why Southern Weddings is the most dynamic and valuable magazine for today’s Southern bride.

image above :: Jose Villa

10. National and international following, complete with a passion for all things Southern! Though our roots are here in the South, Southern Weddings Magazine boasts a devoted readership that spans not only across the United States but around the world. There’s just something about the charm of the South that readers, regardless of their location, just can’t get enough of!

image above :: Paul Johnson

9. Printed and published by the very best in the industry. To help make this next issue bigger and better than ever, we’ve hired a fabulous new printer based right here in the South (Atlanta, to be specific) that prints some truly fabulous national magazines, including Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, Architectural Digest and Wired. Also, we’re still proudly distributed by Curtis Circulation, the leader in magazine circulation nationwide and responsible for knockout publications like Elle, Newsweek, Forbes and Maxim.

image above :: A Bryan Photo

8. Our claim to fame: the daily Southern Weddings Blog. For readers who just can’t get enough Southern Weddings, we offer the ever-popular extension of our print edition with the Southern Weddings Blog. Updated at least three times daily, this blog features stunning real weddings and inspiration from the top wedding pros around the world. We love to feature our advertising partners on this blog, especially in the weeks leading up to our launch. Keep your eyes peeled for a massive makeover that is sure to have you clicking back even more than you already do!

image above :: Jessica Claire

7. Personal attention. That goes for both our vendors and our readers. We send many copies of the magazine to our readers directly from the office, and not a single copy leaves without a personal note from one of the editors. This kind of personal attention inspires loyalty, and the loyalty our brides feel for us is a feeling they extend to our vendors, as well.

image above :: courtesy of Preston Bailey

6. Authority. Through our blog and our first issue, we’ve built a reputation for ourselves as the Southern wedding experts. Our readers trust our taste, and they trust the vendors we select to advertise with us.

image above :: Fred Egan

5. One-of-a-kind grooms’ section: We’re proud to be one of the only magazines with a designated “Grooms’ Section.” Even better than our brand new, never-before-seen feature? Our super-secret, super-fabulous groom fashion experts: you’ll never guess who we’ve got up our sleeve…

image above :: left to right – Marcy Blum, Sylvia Weinstock, Amy Atlas, Jung Lee, Preston Bailey, Mindy Weiss, Tara Guerard, Michelle Rago, Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Engaging Concepts

4. Exclusive interviews with celebrity planners. Southern Weddings is happy to be in the company and have the support of many of the best in the business, several of whom will be featured in our November issue. Look for Jung Lee, Sylvia Weinstock, Lisa Vorce, Mindy Rice, Michelle Rago, Tara Guerard and Marcy Blum weighing in on what they love best about Southern weddings, as well as new columns by Randy Fenoli of Kleinfeld Bridal Salon and Simon T. Bailey.

image above :: Meg Baisden

3. New, never-before-seen content: Unlike our premier Spring/Summer 2009 issue, our newest edition will feature ten real weddings never before seen in the blogosphere. What does this mean for you? Tons and tons of surprises you will be dying to see!

image above :: courtesy of Mindy Weiss

2. Sold in (the best) stores nationwide: Southern Weddings will be sold in Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Borders stores across the country, as well as regional grocery stores and bridal boutiques. We’re honored to have been picked up by these amazing retailers. Imagine how much more fun the checkout lines will be once we hit stores!

images above :: left to right – Michael Norwood, Jasmine Star, Melissa Jill, Cameron Ingalls, Agnes Lopez, Becker, Michael Norwood

1. Two Words: SOLD OUT! Our last issue completely sold out and we still receive regular requests to purchase this hot editorial commodity. With so many new and exciting features, we can only imagine how fast our next edition will fly off the shelves!

Cover image above :: Jose Villa

Vendors, you can’t afford not to be a part of this next issue! Email me at katharine {at} iloveswmag {dot} com for a media kit. And to our beautiful brides from all across the country: thank you from all of us here at SW for being such loyal readers and avid fans! This blog is for you, about you and all thanks to YOU!

Get. Excited. We sure are! (Surely there’s no one’s more excited than Emily, though!)

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: southern weddings

Real Wedding: Cecilia & Andy

September 17, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/09/real-wedding-cecilia-andy.html

Jonas Peterson is by far one of the most talented photographers out there, so if you don’t know about his work yet, then I think this is the perfect time to introduce you. Though he’s based in Australia, he is happy to travel – today’s couple, Cecilia and Andy, flew him to Sweden for their wedding!

A friend of Cecilia’s who was also engaged, found her dress at Lisa Ho. She suggested that Cecilia try dresses on there, too, and of course Cecilia fell in love with the exact same dress that her friend bought. Realizing that they were the same size, and that they would not have any mutual friends at their weddings, they decided to share the dress! What a great story! Cecilia also wore a long pearl necklace from her mother.

Though Cecilia and Andy currently reside in Australia, they decided to hold their wedding in the bride’s native country of Sweden. Guests traveled from Sydney, Toronto, New York, London, Oslo, and all over Sweden to join them on their wedding day, with 60 guests in all, making for a perfectly intimate celebration.

The ceremony took place at a beautiful 13th-century church in the village where Cecilia is from and where her family lives. They found an officiant to perform the ceremony in English, so that everyone could appreciate it.

Cecilia’s friend made her bouquet of calla lilies. Andy wore a gray suit from Herringbone.

The reception took place at Cecilia’s parents’ summer house not far from the church. Located on a lake, it is a very private location, and a special place to the bride and groom – perfect for their wedding! With Cecilia and Andy planning mostly from Australia, it was a huge help to have her parents in Sweden working on details there.

All of the centerpieces and the wedding survival kits (for those guests who had never attended a Swedish wedding before) were made by the bride, groom and their families, among many other DIY projects.

At Swedish weddings, and at Cecilia and Andy’s, the dinner lasts for hours, with lots of toasts, speeches, and traditions. The couple’s friends made slideshows of photos and movie clips from the Hen and Buck parties (bachelorette and bachelor parties in the U.S.). One of my favorite traditions that Cecilia shared with me is that whenever the bride leaves the room, to powder her nose for example, all of the ladies run to line up and kiss the groom, and vice versa when the groom steps out. Hilarious!

One of the couple’s favorite moments from the day was a big surprise organized by Cecilia’s parents. Between the main meal and dessert, everyone was asked to go outside to the lake for the surprise “kulning.” Kulning is a traditional Scandinavian way of singing that is quite unusual and hauntingly beautiful. Jonas Peterson talks about it a bit, and has an example of it that you can listen to over on his blog.

A DJ kept everyone, including the bride and groom, dancing late into the night – Cecilia is so glad they stayed and partied until the wee hours with all of their guests who traveled so far to celebrate with them.

A big thank you to Cecilia and Andy for sharing all of these details of your Swedish wedding with us – congratulations! And thank you of course to Jonas Peterson for sharing these gorgeous photos. See more of Jonas’ work on his website and blog – you won’t want to miss any of it.

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

Real Wedding – Mexico City

September 17, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://with–this–ring.blogspot.com/2009/09/real-wedding-mexico-city.html

Dana Cordova is a talented graphic designer from Boston, who married her husband Raul in a traditional wedding in Mexico City to honor his culture and heritage. She was kind enough to send along a few pictures of the wedding and her amazing stationery designs, as well give some advice to all of you planning a destination wedding. You’ll find her advice below (and definitely go check out her work, her use of color is inspiring) – thanks, Dana! {Photos by Rodrigo Cassou}

My advice to those planning a destination wedding on a budget (i.e. no planner) is to choose a really gorgeous place that won’t need a lot of decoration so that you have less to do from a far. I couldn’t keep calling the restaurant to discuss linens and cocktail napkins, and I couldn’t bring much with me and shipping was expensive. So the small gift bags and favors we did have we got there at local markets the week prior.

I think more than anything one should pour their energy into helping your guests to really enjoy the trip and it make just as much about the journey as it is about your wedding. I spent nearly a year and half compiling my virtual guide (the free blog platform is great for this) that included descriptions of neighborhoods, attractions, restaurants, clubs, bars and practical info about getting around and safety. The greatest joy for me was hearing that people used my guide (also in printed form in everyone’s gift bag) and that they did a lot of site seeing all around the city—every afternoon we’d sit in the hotel bar or around the pool and people would say how they did this and saw that, and thanks for the tip on the restaurant and you were right that little neighborhood was great. And they all said they would have had no idea where to start without it in such a big and crazy city! I think people really appreciated our efforts and enjoyed themselves so much more—and hopefully felt like the journey was worth it!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: Mexico Wedding

sankofa sampler: an african wedding

September 17, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://etsywedding.blogspot.com/2009/09/sankofa-sampler-african-wedding.html

{ strength and humility cup — west african series #5 by dovecotedesign }

the african symbol dwennimmen above is based on the curve of rams horns, and like so many symbols represents a graceful balance of two opposing ideas. strength and humility — those and a sense of humor, and you’ve got your wedding planning mantra. this artist’s “love never loses its way home” cup is my favorite of the series, was sold in 2008 — perhaps she will make it again for you?

one of the many reasons blogging has been so sporadic is that in addition to travel and my normal jobs (magazine, jewelry, blog) i have been working on a big freelance project this summer, incredibly challenging and rewarding (and stretching into september!), with the new york african burial ground project reports.

the earliest colonial african american burial ground was discovered in 1991 during excavations for a building in lower manhattan; from the late 1600s to 1790, upwards of 15,000 people were buried there, and then the area was filled in and covered over during the next two centuries as NYC grew up around it. i simply can’t do the project justice here, but encourage anyone interested in an amazing and moving piece of our american story to visit the project site, a lovely quick online overview, or the beautiful memorial at 290 broadway.

one symbol from the history report resonates particularly — at first glance it resembles a heart with spirals, and can also be a bird looking toward its tail: the lovely sankofa, in both its forms. “go back and get it”: go back to the past to retrieve what is good, so you can learn and take it to build a future.

{each photo links to its shop}

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: African Weddings

How to Pick the Coolest Beach Wedding Invitations

September 15, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

beachweddinginvites With the scenic blue sky and enticing ocean as your backdrop, the fun little charms and treasures on the beach as the souvenirs, and nature’s beauty as decoration, a beach wedding can truly be one awe-inspiring event. Just one more thing you need to get this event started, and that is the invitation.

The wedding invitation is an essential part of this occasion because it gives the guests preview about your wedding as well as provides relevant details such as date, venue, and theme. But just because it is “important,” it does not mean it has to be serious! If you are going to have a beach wedding, you would want something that would be fun, bright, and cool. These tips will help you pick the nicest beach wedding invitation for your special day.

Pick a theme

The vast wealth of options you have when it comes to beach weddings can surely be overwhelming. Having a specific theme would help you narrow down your choices. Some of the themes you can choose include treasure hunt, tropical, Hawaiian, and nautical.

Choose the colors

The wedding motif color should be your guide when picking colors for the invitation. Popular choices for colors include blue, white, off-white, beige, green, brown, yellow, orange, and pink. Choose one color for the base of the invitation (preferably light shade like white, off-white or beige) and another one or two colors for the accent (blue and green, pink and brown, or yellow and orange).

Island Adventure

This fun, bright white invitation ensemble is all about the beach!

TAF5583-672

$500.00 for 100

Make Way for Waves

Make this simple seaside scene on a bright white card your destination wedding invitation.

TA6199-68

$195.00 for 100

Show and Tell

A bright white pop-up adirondack chair displays your invitation wording.

TA9168-208

$208.00 for 100

Swaying Palms

Pearlized palm trees flatter this tea-length invitation.

MR6575-223

$156.90 for 100

Amazing Aqua

The bright hues of aqua on this textured white card are perfect for an elegant affair, or a casual beach wedding.

VR3214H-43

$169.90 for 100

Picture Paradise

Set sail for the tropics with this bright white, layered invitation featuring your photo.

WAN8976-87

$184.90 for 100

Colored Curls

It’s all wrapped up when you order this shimmering self-mailing pocket invitation.

TAN8094

$500.00 for 100

Tropical Flowers

Bright white card featuring two debossed floral designs.

WR8749-68

$162.90 for 100

Island Paradise

An embossed, tropical scene with pearlized accents.

WR5211-87

$162.90 for 100

Decide on the wording

It would be fun to break away from the traditional invitation wording and make use of beach phrases to inform the guests about your big day. Something like, “Come and bask under the warmth of the sun while we tie the knot…” or “Enjoy the sun, sand and the sea as Mike and Wendi unite as one…” would be a good way to start the invitation wording.

Select something out of the ordinary

Before, invitation meant paper and envelop but today, it can be anything from handcrafted items to accessories. If you want your beach wedding to stand out, it would be a great idea to choose a non-traditional invitation. Look at the list of options below and see if something fits your and your partner’s taste and style.

A Pair of Flip-flops

It can be a real flip-flop, a mini version of the real thing or a paper shaped like one—whatever your choice is, this pair of nice and colorful slippers can be a cool way to invite people to your wedding.

Rollin’ Waves – Magnet

Let this peaceful ocean view get guests to save the date.

NBN98KV-15

$135.90 for 100

Down by the Seashore

A celebration down by the sea!

EW65UK-227

$101.50 for 100

StarFish

Set the tone for that destination wedding with this ecru, starfish save the date card.

NB3712-70

$117.90 for 100

Parties!

Your choice of ink color and design makes this bright white card a party invitation favorite!!

NA6NV-93

$82.90 for 100

Parties!

Your choice of ink color and design makes this bright white card a party invitation favorite!!

NA6NV-93

$82.90 for 100

Message in a Bottle

Send a message that has just drifted ashore.

NA6139-C4

$121.90 for 100

Party with Sage

Choose a complimentary design for this sage party invitation.

NA1762H-93

$87.90 for 100

Pink and Mocha Mixer

Contemporary colors unite to border your special wording.

NA7066V-93

$110.90 for 100

Black and Gold Gala

This rich-looking invitation shines when your invitation wording is presented on it.

NA7068V-93

$110.90 for 100

Beach Pop-Out Card

Open the card and voila, a striking beach scene pops out of the card. You can even sprinkle some real sand and glue them on the card for a more dramatic effect.

Message in a Bottle

A scroll of luminous paper inside a bottle can add a nice touch to your tropical island beach wedding.

Treasure Chest

Many toy and craft stores sell mini treasure chest that you can use to put in your invitation that resembles a treasure map.

Now you know all these tips and suggestions, let the search for the best beach wedding invitation begin!

Party with Black

Choose the perfect border for this black party invitation.

NA1764V-93

$94.80 for 100

Under the Sunset

Your sunset awaits!

EKH42QQW-227

$270.90 for 100

With Sand Beneath Our Feet

By the sea, you’ll say “I Do”.

WA98JP

$108.10 for 100

Destination: Mexico

The perfect invitation for a destination wedding!

EKH42NNC-227

$124.90 for 100

Nautical Dream

Anchor your guests with this nautical invitation!

EKH42PPM-227

$124.90 for 100

Pink Summer Love

A summer scene will spread the warmth of the tropics to your loved ones!

EKH42PPR-37

$250.90 for 100

A Shore Thing

This invitation is the perfect way to announce your tropical wedding .

EW65DDV-227

$101.50 for 100

Tiki Time

Set the theme for your celebration with this tropical invitation!

EA8808-227

$105.00 for 100

Two Birds of a Feather – Magnet

Flock together… for our big event!

WAN99FW-15M

$105.40 for 100

Filed Under: Invitations, Themes & Collections Tagged With: Beach Wedding Invitations

How to Decorate Your Outdoor Beach Wedding

September 14, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

Decoration is one of the common reasons why many couples choose to have an outdoor beach wedding. For one, decorating a beach wedding is very simple and easy. Walk around the shoreline and you will be able to collect various items that you can use for the decoration. Moreover, beach weddings are always gorgeous. The backdrop of a beautiful seaside coupled with a picturesque sky is stunning enough. Lastly, you do not have to spend a fortune with this kind of wedding because most of the decoration you will use can be found right at the beach.

If you are getting married soon and you have decided to have an outdoor beach wedding, here are some splendid ideas and suggestions that you would find very helpful.

Hues of blue, green, yellow, orange

When planning a wedding decoration, one of the first things you have to do is to determine what colors to use. It is always a good idea to complement the motif color of the wedding. Most beach weddings make use of cool shades of the beach and the sky like blue and green, or the color of the sun such as yellow and orange.

Hawaiian, tropical, or nautical

It is always a smart move to have specific theme for the beach wedding to make it easier for you to plan the decoration. Hawaiian, tropical, and nautical are just some of the beach theme options that you can consider.

If you are going for a Hawaiian theme, you can fill the place with leis and hibiscus flowers. For a tropical theme, you can have coconut husks divided into two and filled with colorful flowers. Oars, compass, and miniature ships are some of the things you can use for your nautical beach wedding.

Seashells, starfish, sand

Along the beach, there is an abundance of things that you can use as little decorative elements for your beach wedding. You just have to keep your eyes peeled! You can make use of seashells, starfish, sand, corals, pebbles, and stones to decorate the place.

Candles, torches, lanterns, lamps

To illuminate the place, you can use candles or lanterns as table centerpieces. You can also hang lamps all around or have tiki torches light up the whole place. This is especially nice if you are going to hold the wedding at night. You will surely have a wedding that has a romantic and inviting atmosphere.

Sand sculpture, floating candles, buckets of flowers and shells

These just few of the many options you have when it comes to table centerpieces. Choose something fun and whimsical if you are a young couple who wants to deviate from the traditional wedding norms. However, if you want the classic look for your beach wedding, pick something that is formal and elegant to place in the center of the tables.

More Tips

Avoid using flowers that can easily wilt.
Put weight on centerpieces to avoid having them topple over.
Place flaming torches away from anything that is flammable.
Cover the reception area with a huge tent or tarp.
Play acoustic, reggae or blues music that are perfect complement for a beach wedding.

Getting married at the beach is one of the most romantic ways to say “I do” and exchange vows with your one true love. Make it more romantic by making sure that the beach venue is decorated in the best way possible.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections Tagged With: decorate outdoor beach wedding

California Details: Marie + Kevin

September 14, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

RSS Source: http://www.swsmag.net/blog

There’s something about a bold purple color palette and peacock feather motif that’s at once lavishly elegant and sophisticatedly contemporary, and Marie + Kevin’s dramatic wedding (captured by Travis Hoehne and planned by Angel Swanson of Events of Love Splendor) really was all that and more. Judging by these fab photos, chic California hotspot, Seven Degrees, was an idea venue for the couple’s outdoor ceremony and modish reception. While I was initially struck by the bride’s richly-colored and be-feathered bouquet from I rvine Village Flowers (I’ve never seen a bridal bouquet quite like that before!), it was the classic lines and couture detailing of Marie’s Vera Wang gown that really had me wowed. And wow, what a dress it was! For those brides looking for a unique alternative to the usual single-flower boutonnière, check out the groomsmen’s dramatic feather + flower combo. (Unfortunately, it may be a little harder snatching up the bridesmaids’ romantic lavender frocks, as the bride chose custom dresses made by her own mother!) Cupcakes from Sabor y Cultura Café rather than a traditional wedding cake gave this ultra-cool, luxe affair just the right amount of personal flavor and flair. I love Southern Weddings! Do you? Check out our latest contest and show us your love!

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story. We met in summer school while studying in the same astronomy class and lab group. I would always try to race the other people in my lab group to see who could finish first, but Kevin was really the smartest in the class. He sat back and let everyone else do the work and then copied their answers later!

Describe the proposal: Kevin swept me away to a romantic destination on our sixth anniversary where he surprised me with a proposal!

What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Modern, clean and elegant, very much inspired by Philippe Starck’s interior designs.

Favorite design element of your big day: There are so many favorites! We loved the gigantic paper flower pomanders that my mother made, the peacock feather motif on the escort cards and the actual peacock feather in the pewter vases. The turquoise napkins which were a surprise gift from our coordinator!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: One day at work, I read about the Saks’ sample sale on Daily Candy. I decided to stop by to see what was there, not planning on purchasing anything. I expected a mob but found the store to be somewhat empty with just a few brides leisurely browsing. I picked up a few samples to try on for fun and ended up finding the perfect dress! The girl sharing my dressing room even told me how perfect the dress was! That day, I walked out of the store with my wedding dress.

The most unexpected event on our wedding day was: An earthquake! 4.7!

Did you write your own vows? Yes, but we had the officiant read them to us so we didn’t have to memorize them.

What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? On the day of your wedding, make sure you remember to relax! Let other people deal with whatever issues arise. If possible, hire a day-of coordinator. And enjoy every single moment of being engaged and planning your wedding! It is such a special time.

Congratulations on your marriage, Marie + Kevin!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

Let Them Eat Cake

September 14, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://thoughtfulday.blogspot.com/2009/09/let-them-eat-cake.html

I can’t get enough of these cakestands from Let Them Eat Cake. They are just pure gorgeousness! I will definitely add these as inspiration tear sheets for my baby girl’s first birthday party!

{photos from let them eat cake}

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: wedding cakes

Tips on Decorating Your Church Wedding

September 14, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

You have dreamed of this moment ever since you were a child. Now that the time has finally come, of course you would want everything to be as perfect as possible. However, it is important to know that having an extraordinary wedding is not that easy, as there is a multitude of things to consider and keep in mind.

One of the foremost things that you have to take care of is the decoration of the venue of ceremony. If you and your spouse have decided to hold the wedding ceremony in a church, then you have to decorate it in such a way that it would have a unique and special touch that is distinct to your wedding. Here are some tips on how to decorate the church for your wedding day.

First Things First

Inquire about your options – Before you do any decoration planning, you must first visit the church where you intend to get married and talk to the administrator so you will have an idea on what kinds of decoration are allowed.
Take note of important details about the venue – Take photos of the parts of the church and jot down essential information such as dimensions of the venue, number of church pews, size of the altar, and so on. This way, decoration planning would be much easier.

The Drawing Board

Set a budget – The budget is always a good place to start with the decoration planning, as some brides have the tendency to be carried way with the expenses. Allocate funds for different aspects of the wedding decoration such as the altar, pews, flowers, and aisle.
Decide on a unifying theme – The motif color of your wedding should be the color guide for the decoration. You may use other colors as well but be sure that they complement the motif color. As for the style of the decoration, it is best to follow the architectural style of the church.
Find a church decorator – For best results, you may want to consider hiring a church decorator for ideas, suggestions, and advice.

The Actual Process

Start with the altar – The altar will be the focal point of the whole ceremony so it is best that you reserve for this part the most elaborate and most gorgeous pieces of decoration. One of the best ways to decorate the altar is to adorn it with fresh flowers and beautiful candles. Of course, be careful not to over-do it because you would not want to get married in a forest of flowers or risk a fire hazard with too many candles.
Choose an aisle runner – The aisle runner is another important factor since this is where you would walk down. Aisle runners come in various colors but it is ideal to coordinate the color of the aisle runner to the bridal bouquet or the motif color of the wedding. You and your partner may also choose to have a custom-made aisle runner that bears your initials, your names, or your favorite love phrase. To complete the look, you can sprinkle some flower petals along the runner.
Decorate the pews – Make the church pews look gorgeous and elegant with floral bouquets, bows, or tulle.
Dress the other areas – For the entryway, some of your options include fresh floral arrangement, a floral wreath decoration (on the door), nice potted plants, pomander balls, tulle, and balloons. Balloons can also be used to fill up the ceiling with colors. This kind of decoration is ideal for churches with high ceilings.
Light up the church – As for the lighting, you can use candles to create a romantic glow and dreamy atmosphere. You can also utilize LED lights, which are fantastic to use for illuminating a floral centerpiece.

Creating a memorable church wedding decoration may be challenging and demanding, but once you walk down the aisle and you see the wonderful fruits of your labor, you would know that all your efforts are worth it.

Filed Under: Beach Decoration, Themes & Collections Tagged With: decorating church weddings

Unique and Eco-Friendly Centerpiece Ideas

September 14, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EarthFriendlyWeddings/~3/2_fdHNaavNI/unique-and-eco-friendly-centerpiece.html

Pears on a pedestal and musings in milk glass, here are a few eco-friendly centerpiece ideas to inspire the brain. Vintage milk glass and edible centerpieces make for a great way to reduce waste and incorporate family heirlooms in your decor. My favorite is the first picture – the grain of the wood, the patterned fabric, and the rich color of red create such a lovely effect.

by Jane Flanagan

by Kimberly Shaw Graphics

by Lepiaf.Geo

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: eco-friendly centerpiece ideas

DIY – English Trifle Table

September 14, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=500&diy-english-trifle-table

As someone with English heritage I thought it would be fun to have a table at a wedding, shower or party that was a nod to that heritage. I personally grew up with trifle made by my wonderful Mom, my Aunts, Grandma and Nana, but I’ve have never seen them outside my family functions in America. Trifles are so visually pleasing that they can be the main focus of a dessert table or served as the main dessert in lieu of cake. They also taste really, really good!

The glass containers with the glass pedestal on the bottom are called Trifle Bowls, Bed Bath and Beyond, K-Mart, Crate and Barrel carry these unique bowls. I also recommend scouring flea markets, and garage sales for Trifle Bowls as well.

You can ask your caterer if they can make trifle for your wedding (if you’re in the Bay Area, I’d be happy to make them for you!), if you are adventurous, here are a few recipe options:

Each trifle serves 12-15.

Chocolate Kahlúa Trifle

Prepare Chocolate Cake from a mix or from scratch, Bake in a 13×9 pan
1 cup Kahlúa (you may want to leave this out if serving to kids) it’ll still taste great – sans Kahlúa which is how my Mom made it growing up.
Prepare 2 boxes of Instant Chocolate pudding mix or 2 servings of this recipe
1 larger container of Cool Whip/Whipped Cream (similar quantity)
5-6 Heath Chocolate Bars/Skor Bars

Assembly:

Once cake is cooled, poke holes in the cake with a fork Drizzle cake while still in pan with Kahlúa as much as you would like, approx 1 cup.

Cut chocolate cake into 2 inch squares. Line the bottom of the Trifle Bowl with chocolate cake snugly leaving minimal gaps, fill with small pieces as needed to fill big gaps.

Scoop 1/3- 1/2 of the pudding onto the top the cake smoothing to the edges. (you make have leftover pudding when you are done with this recipe)

Whether using Cool Whip or Whipped Cream smooth across, on top the layer of the pudding

Chop up 3 Heath or Skor Bars and sprinkle generously over Whipped Cream/Cool Whip.

Place another layer of cake squares on top of the Heath Bars/Skor Bars

Repeat the same steps with Chocolate Pudding and another layer of Whipped Cream/Cool Whip.

Finish with generously sprinkling the remaining 2-3 Heath/Skor Bars

Lemon Trifle

Prepare a Pound Cake(in two 8×4 pound cake pans) from a mix or recipe
Prepare two boxes Instant Lemon Pudding mixes or recipe made twice
Lemon Curd (only if using Lemon Pudding Mix) (Trader Joes, Whole Foods and likely many grocery stores carry lemon curd)
Large container Cool Whip/ Whip Cream

When preparing the pudding mix, add 3/4 jar of Lemon Curd. This gives it a really authentic lemon taste. Use an electric mixer to blend the pudding mix, milk and lemon curd together.

Assembly:

Cut the pound cake into roughly 2×2 squares and line the bottom of the trifle bowl, It doesn’t have to be exact. Pack cake in snugly so no gaps between pieces of cake.
Scoop 1/3 of the pudding on top of the cake layer, smoothing to the edges.
Scoop 1/3 of Cool Whip or Whipped Cream on top of the pudding layer and smooth across.

Repeat two more times so three layers of each (cake, pudding, whipped cream)

Garnish with lemon rinds in any way you wish!

Strawberry Vanilla Trifle

Prepare one yellow cake from a mix or any yellow cake recipe , bake in 13×9 pan
Prepare two batches of either Instant Vanilla Pudding mix or recipe
Large container of Cool Whip or Whipped cream
1 pint of Strawberries
Large jar of Strawberry Jam

Assembly:

Cut yellow cake into 2 inch squares Line the bottom of the Trifle Bowl with cake leaving minimal gaps, fill with small pieces as needed to fill big gaps.

Scoop 1/3- 1/2 of the pudding onto the top the cake smoothing to the edges. (you make have leftover pudding when you are done with this recipe)

Slice Strawberries lenghtwise and place on top of the pudding all around the edge of the bowl so you have a circle of strawberries.

Fill the center of the circle of strawberries with a approx 1/4 inch of strawberry jam, spreading carefully.

Top the jam and strawberries layer with Cool Whip/Whipped Cream.

Repeat the layering again with cake, pudding, strawberries and jam, Cool Whip/Whipped Cream.

Garnish with Strawberries.

Note: You will save yourself alot of time using cake mixes, pudding mixes and Cool Whip.. I am sure Martha Stewart is frowning on me for saying this! So please do whatever you prefer.

Signage – Each sign showing each flavor of trifle was attached to a wooden spear and then placed in a corresponding ingredient of the trifle. 1/2 a lemon face down, strawberry and vanilla beans and Cadbury Chocolate squares broken up and stacked….Enjoy!!

Make sure you stop by Hillary’s new site, Off White Wedding….more gorgeous inspiration for you to see!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: diy projects

Real Wedding: Nikki & Ron

September 14, 2009 By Ingrid 1 Comment

Source: http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=498&real-wedding-nikki-ron

Hello beautiful cafe readers….I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend…..as always, we have lots of gorgeous inspiration for you at the cafe this week….let’s kick things off with a visit from The Bride’s Cafe Crème de la Crème member, Erica of Studio 188 Photography. Erica sent over the images from Nikki & Ron’s beautiful wedding….let’s check out all the magic from their day captured by Erica….Enjoy!!

Erica shares a little info with us……”Nikki & Ron celebrated their marriage with a ceremony at Irvine Park and a reception to follow within walking distance at the Science Museum in St. Paul. I love how intimate Irvine Park is, such a beautiful setting for a wedding. The bride wore a mix of lace and satin and an adorable pair of blue, ballet flats. The bridemaids wore a variety of silhouettes from dress designer Siri, purchased at Flutter Boutique. Bridesmaids were treated to personalized Lisa Lill Studio Bags. I loved the delicate touch the bride added with her late Grandmother’s ring added to her necklace. The gents went modern-daper with tuxes by Calvin Klein and footwear by Converse.

Keeping with the “Green” theme, the bride purchased flowers from a local co-op and assembled the bouquets herself. She also created all the boutineers, which included miniature bird nests with eggs, feathers and ribbon. Everything paper related was created by Marlo, sister-in-law to the bride. I loved the personal touches she added to the invites and table placement cards, actually sewing on little birds paper cut-outs! Tables were adorned with a centerpiece of green apples, a small assembled tree with a photograph of the couple at a location which matched guests’ table placement cards. All the paper is environmentally friendly and provided by French Paper in Michigan.”

The Science Museum was a great setting for the couple who live in St. Paul. Food was provided by local caterer Lancer Catering. Amazing cupcakes were provided by Buttercream. Guests danced to music provided by the amazing DJ Jake Rudh, voted Best DJ by City Pages seven years running!

How cute are the shoes!!!

These bouts are too adroable!

Thanks SO much Erica for stopping by today….you truly captured Nikki & Ron’s beautiful wedding story and it was totally a pleasure to have you stop by today….guys, make sure you check out Erica’s site to see more images from Nikki & Ron’s special day…..and to Nikki & Ron, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy!

Check back later guys for more gorgeous inspiration…..xoxo!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

Jewelry giveaway

September 5, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

Source: http://classicbride.blogspot.com/2009/09/jewelry-giveaway.html

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is giving away a $2500 fine jewelry rental from Adorn Brides. The winner will be able to rent from an amazing array of fine jewelry for her wedding day by choosing a fancy diamond necklace with almost 8 carats of diamonds with matching diamond earrings and diamond necklaces and earrings for her bridesmaids to wear … and that’s just one of the options! The contest closes on October 31 – and the winner will be selected on November 2nd. Check out all the details here.

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz

Love Shoot: Jessica & Matt

September 5, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

Source: http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/09/love-shoot-jessica-matt.html

Jessica was sweet enough to send over these beautiful engagement photos of her and Matt, and I just couldn’t resist. They wanted their engagement shoot to reflect where they are in their lives and relationship – getting ready to begin their life and build a home together. So they borrowed furniture and accessories from family and friends, and set up this great shoot at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Orange County.

Congratulations Matt and Jessica! And a big thank you to Van Tran and Brad Webber from Single Frame Cinema for sharing these beautiful photos!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz

Real Wedding: Tiffany & Brad

September 5, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/09/real-wedding-tiffany-brad.html

Tiffany and Brad got the best of both worlds with their wedding – an intimate and private ceremony in Prato, Italy, with just two witnesses, a translator, and the officiant, and then a big reception a month later with friends and family in Portland. Once you see these great DIY details, it will probably come as no surprise that the bride is a stylist, and I think photographer Lauren Brooks did such an amazing job of capturing not only the details, but also how totally happy the couple is…

The couple’s friend helped them design the logo that was printed on all of the invitations, save-the-dates, door signs, and throw pillows. The invitations were printed by Minuteman Press. Friends who screen print as a hobby printed over 100 save-the-date towels which read “Please help us celebrate throwing in the towel on the single life.”

Tiffany’s friend, Wendi Martin of WeMa Designs, made her gorgeous wedding dress as a gift. Brad wore a bespoke suit by Chris Kerr.

The reception took place at the Olympic Mills Commerce Center, creating their own event space in the refurbished loading dock area of the building.

Rentals from Peter Corvallis Productions. Instead of a sit down dinner, Tiffany and Brad wanted to create a party vibe, so there was mostly finger food and no seating chart – just places for people to sit and eat and relax.

Friends and family were collecting green bottles for months before the wedding! Two of Tiffany’s friends arranged all of the flowers that morning, and another friend who is an event planner did tons of work behind-the-scenes to pull everything together (check out her blog, Asleep to Dream).

Brad made three types of mustaches that people had a blast with in the photobooth.

Tim Acott and Reggie Houston played live music for part of the reception. A DJ took over later in the evening.

Tiffany and Brad’s friends stepped up to the plate again with dessert, baking 150 chocolate and carrot cupcakes, which were embellished with little toothpick toppers embossed with the couple’s wedding logo. A small cake from the Bakery Bar included a custom cake topper made by a sculptor friend. The menu was Italian-inspired, as a nod to the couples Italian wedding ceremony. Guests also enjoyed a signature drink, the “Schiffany” (a play on the bride’s first name and the couple’s last name): a cocktail made with cucumber, mint, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, which could be served virgin, or with Skyy vodka.

There are so many more great shots from this wedding, so be sure to stop by Lauren Brooks’ blog to check those out. Thank you so much to Lauren for sharing these great photos, and congratulations and best wishes to Tiffany and Brad! Oh, and on another note, if you’re missing inspiration boards, check out my color board over on The Bride’s Cafe today…

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

Real Wedding: Sandy & Brian

September 5, 2009 By Lisa Leave a Comment

Source: http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=479&real-wedding-sandy-brian

Hello my beautiful readers……meet Sandy & Brian….they are the cutest couple and they had such a fun and laid back kind of wedding…I love it….Brian and all the guys wore shorts…now that’s prettly laid back…too cool! Their wedding story is told by the awesome husband and wife team of Robert and Jaclyn of Rad Photographer…not only are they AMAZING at capturing your special day….they are just super nice people.

I love the images they sent over to share with us today….the styling and the bright sunny colors make me smile…you can clearly tell Sandy & Brian and their friends had a blast….Enjoy!

Thanks SO much Robert and Jaclyn for stopping by the cafe today….and I’m happy to share with you that Rad Photographer is a member of The Bride’s Cafe Crème de la Crème Vendor Directory. Please make sure you check out Rad Photographer’s site to see more images from Sandy & Brian’s wedding story and lots more beautiful “eye candy”.

The one thing that I loved most about Sandy & Brian’s wedding is the “laid back” feel of it….let me know what’s your favorite detail about their special day……thanks guys….AND….check back later …we have more beautiful inspiration to share with you today…xoxo

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

A Catered Affair by Sterling Affair

September 5, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

Source: http://theblistmeetup.blogspot.com/2009/04/catered-affair-by-sterling-affair.html

Just like any wedding reception you need to feed your guests, right? Whether you are having a brunch, luncheon or dinner reception, or cocktails and cake you will need to hire a caterer to provide the food and wait staff for your event.

For the B-List event this past weekend Sterling Affair provided a delicious luncheon for the bloggers and vendors. In addition to wraps, salads and sandwiches we also enjoyed some delicious fruit and chocolate tarts for dessert.

If you are getting married in the tri-state area, or looking for a caterer for a private or corporate event, visit sterlingaffair.com to learn more about their services and menu options.

[photos by Jenny Ebert Photography]

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: Catering

Real Wedding – Jenny & Yoongu

September 5, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://with–this–ring.blogspot.com/2009/08/real-wedding-jenny-yoongu.html

I think Jenny and Yoongu might take the title for most DIY Projects in one wedding! She created ALL the flowers, escort cards, some details on her dress, the invitations, even the cake topper. Impressive! Jenny & Yoongu had a traditional ceremony in Korea, then also celebrated with a wedding in the states.

Because the couple travels so much, their invitations were made to look like passports and the escort cards resembled plane tickets. Instead of a traditional guest book, guests were encouraged to leave messages on vintage postcards. Lucky bamboo was given as a favor, complete with miniature compasses to include the travel theme. And their adorable airplane cake topper was up for grabs to the guest who could guess how many miles the couple has traveled together (answer: 75,000)! Big thanks to Caroline Tran for sharing her beautiful photography – head over to her blog to see more pictures from Jenny & Yoongu and stay tuned for an amazing bridal session from Caroline tomorrow!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: real weddings

two trick pony: behind-the-scenes tour + screenprinted wedding invites

September 5, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Source: http://etsywedding.blogspot.com/2009/08/two-trick-pony-behind-scenes-tour.html

{ photo by two trick pony }
.
while you’re waiting for me to get it together, my friend rachael forwarded this lovely post on how her custom-screenprinted invites were made. in person these invites were unbelievably beautiful — done by two trick pony, whose blog combines mouth-watering recipes with gorgeous printed things. yes please!

here are a few etsy items of theirs…

more at twotrickpony.etsy.com

thanks for the introduction, rachael!

Filed Under: Wedding Buzz Tagged With: wedding invites

Link Love: Sundae Bar, Ring Holders, Escort Cards

September 5, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

Our favorite DIY tutorials from the last week:
1:Fabric swatch escort card display, stylemepretty.com
2:Dandelion ring holders, brideslittlewhitebook.blogspot.com
3:Apple escort card, ritzybee.typepad.com
4:Make your own sundae bar, eatdrinkchic.com

Want to see your own projects featured here? Send links to editors@mydiyweddingday.com

Seating cards, Jenny Smith/Alders Photography; Dandelion ring holders, Katie Stoops/Open Air Photography; escort card, Meg Smith; Sundae bar, Eat Drink Chic

Source: Mydiyweddingday.com

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: DIY

For a Select Few V.I.P.s

September 4, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

Ever since Mr. Mary Jane and I decided to get married at the courthouse, I’ve waffled repeatedly on whether to create some type of invitation for our very small amount of guests.

There were a few reasons I didn’t want to create these invitations:

Lack of time. I have tons of other things going on.
Possible tag-alongs. If FMIL were to put it on her fridge (for example), a few extra relatives might pencil us in to their calendars. Our event is very small and intimate, so we’d rather not have this.
There are only 7 guests! We can just tell them when and where!

Last week, I changed my mind after having been asked by each of the guests when, where, and what time the wedding was being held. A few of the guests have asked me multiple times. I decided perhaps they needed a specifics-card of some sort.

I also thought the moms might want to have something as a keepsake, perhaps to scrapbook. And I won’t lie: I wanted something to scrapbook, too. All of our paper products have our picnic information on them, and I really wanted to have something that recognizes our actual wedding date!

Our wedding is fast-approaching, but that’s not a bad thing!

In fact, it allows me to easily overcome problem number 2, above. All of the guests already know they’re coming to our wedding, so we don’t need them to reserve the date at this point (they’ve already done so). I can give the cards out within days of the wedding, and just ask the recipients to keep them hush-hush.

On Friday afternoon I sat down at my computer and started playing in Photoshop. I decided I’d do something nice and simple so that I could print them and be done with it. (Like I said, I have plenty to do without this added DIY project.)

Here’s what I came up with.

As you can see, I decided to veer away from the style of our picnic paper products [Save the Dates; Invitation suites]. This is because the ceremony is an entirely separate thing. The picnic celebrates our marriage; the ceremony is our marriage. The dates and guest lists are different, so I took the opportunity to change it up a little. I haven’t begun designing our announcements yet, but I have a feeling that their design will somehow tie in to these ceremony cards.

After I’d finished the mock-up, I was a little worried that they were perhaps a little “out there” with all of the splatters. Mr. Mary Jane loved it though, and told me not to change a thing! Sweet.

The fonts I chose are Inked God and SouciSans, both from dafont.com. I played around with Inked God’s capital and lowercase letters to get the desired embellishments (some of the caps have cool swishes)! I also used two different brushes to create the heart splatter: Damned Hearts and Vector Style Hearts (both downloaded from Brusheezy.com).

I went to Michaels and brought two sheets of double-printed cardstock and two rolls of ribbon.

Then on Saturday morning (after I finished the sash), I got down to business.

My paper was 12″x12″, but I wanted to print the cards on my home printer so I chopped them down to 8.5″x11″.

I think that the best decision I made was to change the print’s color from black (shown in the original design above) to brown (shown on the print-outs below). The brown looks completely awesome with the textured tan paper (if I do say so myself). Mr. Mary Jane said it almost looks like the ink was always part of the paper. I think it looks stamped, stained, or painted on (instead than the reality: fed through a computer peripheral). I printed two cards on each sheet, cut them out and rounded two opposite corners of each one.

Then it was time for ribbon and labels! I made some little labels from the cardstock scraps. I hand-wrote the invitees’ names on the colored-side of each label, rounded two opposing corners, and punched a heart-shaped hole in one corner of each.

I then tied a big, happy bow around each card using 2.5″-wide wired brown ribbon. Finally, I used skinny brown ribbon I’d bought to tie a label to each bow.

The tags kind of hang upside-down due to where I punched the heart-hole. In retrospect, I should have either written them differently or punched a different corner. I decided that it wasn’t worth the hassle to change them, though.

Here they are, all done! I’m not going to put these in envelopes: I’ll hand-deliver them. I feel that the fat ribbon is enough to give it a package-like quality.

I made a total of 4 cards: three for invitees and one to keep myself.

It breaks down to…

2 pieces of 12″x12″ cardstock @ $.079 each, on sale for $30% off: $1.10
Spool of the fattest brown ribbon I could find: $5.99
Spool of the skinniest brown ribbon I could find: $0.50

I already owned…

The paper cutter
The corner-rounder
The heart punch
The scissors
The Crayola marker
The printer and its ink

Total Cost: $7.59
Cost per Invite: $1.90 (I made 4.)

The wired ribbon is what made it so spendy. If I were making a large volume of these, I’d have done a couple of things differently:

Bought cheaper ribbon (or bought this ribbon on sale/with a coupon).
Used a printer capable of printing 12×12 paper (allowing me to fit four of the 4×6 cards on one sheet instead of just two).

Since I only needed a few, I’m quite satisfied with the money spent as well as the overall result. I hope our guests like them as much as we do!

Throughout the planning process, have you had any decision-180s that caused you to spend more time and energy working on some aspect of your wedding? Was it worth it?

Source: WeddingBee.com

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: wedding invitations

Oh, Lighting

September 4, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

So lately I’ve been seeing some very beautiful things as I try to gather inspiration for the wedding. In the past I would see pretty things and think, ‘oh that’s nice,’ and now I think, ‘oh that’s nice, how can I incorporate that into our wedding?’ My latest obsession is these lanterns. They are gorgeous and totally impractical. I have no where to put these, and they don’t match any of the colors we’re going with, really. The venue provides tiki torches already, but for some reason I’m lusting after these from Home Infatuation:

color-lanterns

Can you think of any ways I might be able to incorporate these into the wedding? Or can you all use them in your wedding so I can live vicariously through you all ?

Source: http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/04/oh-lighting/

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings

Reception Decorations – Decorate with Homemade Fabric Flags

September 4, 2009 By Ingrid Leave a Comment

A combination of super budget-friendly, unique, and gorgeous — instead of paper lanterns, hang fabric patterened flags from the ceiling of your tent or reception site.

Photo: One Love Photography (OneLovePhoto.typepad.com)

> See more DIY wedding photos — or just browse through all our wedding reception photos

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: reception decorations

What to Expect When Shopping for Your Wedding Dress

September 3, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding dress will be the most important and probably the most expensive piece of clothing you will ever purchase. It is for this reason that you should not enter into a decision lightly and neither should you be rushed into making one!

Whilst your final choice of dress is important, your choice of retailer is equally as in important, if not more so. A good bridal retailer will offer good sound advice on the shape, style, color and fabric of your wedding dress as well as being able to give you good advice on accessories to coordinate.

When you begin shopping for your wedding dress start by asking around friends and family for recommendations on good retailers in your area. If someone has had a good experience they will be only too glad to tell you, likewise, if they have had a bad experience then they will probably guide you away from that particular bridal store!

Many bridal stores will operate on an appointment only basis, however larger stores will usually be open 6 days a week and many smaller independent shops will have at least one day and maybe an evening where you can go in and browse the stock without being under any obligation to try one on.

Try to visit as many stores as you can and if possible try to speak with the shop owner or assistants to gauge how knowledgeable they are and if you feel comfortable with them. Remember you will probably be spending a large amount time parading around in your underwear whilst various dresses and accessories are thrown at you! So you need to feel comfortable with them seeing you like that!

Once you have found a store that suits you and which you feel can provide you with good service then arrange an appointment to try dresses on. On the day of the appointment there are several things that you should consider before you turn up at the shop:

Take a maximum of two people with you. Bridal stores tend to be small and any more than two will begin to feel rather crowded.
Take with you people whom you trust to give you sound advice and who will reign you in should you get carried away and try to blow the entire wedding budget on a dream gown!
Bridal stores are no place for children so arrange a babysitter if needed.
Wear a pair of shoes with a similar heel height to that which you will want on your wedding day. You don’t need to buy wedding shoes, but wear a pair of shoes which are comfortable.
Wear white or light colored lingerie and try to wear a strapless bra which fits well. Many wedding dresses are strapless these days and a strapless can be worn with any style of dress without spoiling the look.
Have some idea of the style and shape of dress you would like to help the bridal store guide you to the right dresses. They may tell you that your vision will not be suitable for you, but ask to try something on anyway so you can decide if they are right. Take some pictures, magazine clippings etc as well.
Be prepared for a long day as it can take time to find the perfect wedding dress!

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: Wedding Dresses

Model Eva Marcille Finally Reveals Some Wedding Details: Dog Tuxedos a Must!

September 3, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

Model and actress Eva Marcille has finally started talking about her upcoming wedding plans with fiancé Lance Gross. Essence.com sat down with the The Young and the Restless star to talk details. And, it looks like we’ll have to wait until next summer to watch these two beautiful people say “I do” — the bride-to-be says a July 17th, 2010 wedding date has been selected, though not much else.

“I’m still looking for my planner, which is an experience in itself. I want someone who gets my style and can make it happen,” says Marcille.

The couple plan to wed in a catholic ceremony, then host an outdoor reception with a fall theme, and the bride’s pooches will be VIPs on the big day.

“I love my dogs and want them to come to the reception dressed in tuxes. I’m also changing to a second dress as we get ready to party.”

Want to make your canine companion the best dressed best dog ever? We found two sharp doggie tuxedos you’ll love that won’t break the bank: The Dog Tuxedo ($18.95-$26.95) and the Best Man Dog Shirt ($18-$24) from the-petboutique.com are A-list formalwear picks for your big or small dog.

Check out the happy couple’s sexy engagement shoot here.

photo: Arnold Turner/WireImage/Getty Images

source: http://www.celebrityweddingbuzz.com/celebrity_weddings/2009/09/model-eva-marcille-finally-reveals-some-wedding-details-dog-tuxedos-a-must.html

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: celebrity weddings

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt Engaged (Fans Happy and Sad!)

September 3, 2009 By Jen Leave a Comment

If you were still getting used to watching The Office cutie Jim Halpert prepare to say “I do”, you’re really going to be hurting now. The New York Daily News reports that the show’s star John Krasinski is engaged in real life to British actress Emily Blunt, after dating for just 10 months.

The couple has been very low-key since they began dating in November 2008, so as you can expect the man who was voted one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive in 2009 had some pretty stunned fans. According to a recent People.com story, his fans were expressing both happiness and disappointment on Twitter when news of the engagement broke. Well, here at CWB we’re happy to see these two attempt to make it work in Hollywood, but sad that we won’t be hearing much about their wedding plans before the big day. Both parties have been very adamant about not wanting to speak about their romantic lives to the press. So, we’ll just have to guess what’s in store for their wedding day, won’t we? We look into our crystal balls and we see a romantic outdoor ceremony and a very glam indoor reception for the pair, with Blunt being a fall or winter bride, and if she learned anything from her time spent as a resident fashionista on the set of The Devil Wears Prada, she’ll probably be donning a gown from one of the top celebrity designers in the business. VeraWang, or Monique Lhuillier maybe? What type of wedding do you think they’ll have? Post your guesses below!

photo: courtesy of NBC.com/The_Office

source: http://www.celebrityweddingbuzz.com/celebrity_weddings/2009/08/john-krasinski-and-emily-blunt-engaged-fans-happy-and-sad.html

Filed Under: Best Blog Posts In Weddings Tagged With: celebrity weddings