Brooch Bouquets

July 30th, 2010

The flowers from your wedding will no doubt be beautiful, and many brides will preserve their bouquets afterward as a memento from the day. But what if your bouquet came pre-preserved?

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These unique bouquets, crafted from brooches, are breathtaking and won’t ever wilt. Brides have the option of including vintage pins and brooches they’ve collected in antique shops, or for something even more special, using pieces from their family members.

How special is it that no other bride will ever have a bouquet like yours?

Unique Guest Book Ideas

July 29th, 2010

A Creative Way for Guests to Wish you Well

There’s a new spin on what is thought to be the most boring and traditional part of the ceremony: The Guestbook. You’ll love the adoring comments, and guests will enjoy the freedom to express all the joy they wish for your new marriage with these new and inventive ideas!

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Have a framed canvas that guests can sign. You can hang this in your home and remember everyday about your special wedding and how loved you both are!

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Have the person overseeing the guestbook take a quick snapshot of each guest, and write a little something on the back. They can place the photos in a decorated folder or anything of your choice. You will have a photo of everyone in attendance which will be great to look back on in later years.

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Include a blank construction paper page in with your wedding invitation, along with instructions for the guests to decorate and personalize the page as they please. Some ideas are poems, old photos of you and your husband-to-be, quotes, or song lyrics. The guests can bring the finished page along to the wedding and paste it in a traditional guestbook. Guests can be as creative as they like, and this will also avoid the hurried, cliché writings the day of.

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Provide a cup of clothespins next to some cardstock. Guests can jot down a blessing and hang it up on a clothes line in the reception room. The cards can be easily viewed by everyone and also make a cute decoration for the venue.

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How about having the guests sign a possession that is really special to the both of you?

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Here are a few more ideas that might catch your fancy!

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What is the most creative guestbook idea you’ve seen?

Wedding Style Trend :: Shoes

July 28th, 2010

Walk Down the Aisle in Style

It’s all about the dress, but you girls know that every little detail counts! Here are some of the latest shoe trends that have been making an appearance this Summer:

Black Wedding Shoes

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Black. Always classy and always in style. For the daring bride that wants a stark contrast to her dress.

Gold Wedding Shoes

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Gold. Anything in the nude color family creates a simplistic and refined vibe for your overall look.

Silver Wedding Shoes

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Textured Silver. Slip on a pair of these for a chic, shiny look. Try pairing with a dress that has silver beading or grayish detail.

Pink Wedding Shoes

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Blush pink. The go-to color if you want to look and feel girly and flirty.

White Wedding Shoes

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And of course, white. Perfect for the bride with traditional taste. Choose flats for a more casual look.

Bride Shoe Trends

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Fuzzy heels add a touch of playfulness.

I’m loving the subtle earth tones this season, they’re all very elegant and sophisticated. You’d be surprised how many people notice your color choice of shoe, and think of how many compliments you’ll get with these beauties!

Non-Floral Centerpieces

July 28th, 2010

You do not have to incorporate flowers in all your wedding décor. In fact, you can add quite a bit of dimension to your wedding décor by utilizing other elements like: candles, fruit, glass, photos and other objects that hold meaning to you as a couple to create the ambiance and look you want.

There are lots of unique ideas out there, the hardest part will be deciding which one you like most!

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Non-Floral Centerpiece Idea #1 :: Candles

Candles come in every color and shape and can add a romantic touch to any evening wedding.

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What’s better….candle centerpieces are also reusable!

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Floating a candle in water is both elegant and practical. The water will not allow the wax to stick to the vase and allows you to reuse them.

Non-Floral Centerpiece Idea #2 :: Fruit

Fruit can also make beautiful wedding décor. You can choose fruit that corresponds to the season of your wedding.

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Depending on the complexity of the arrangement, using non-floral centerpieces can be a great way to save money. Just hope your guests don’t get strawberry cravings in the middle of your wedding!

Non-Floral Centerpiece Idea #3 :: Potted Plants

Potted plant centerpieces can double as favors for your guests. If you have a group of potted plants on each table, guests can each take a plant at the end of the night. This helps ease your break down, serves as a usable keepsake for guests and is easy on your budget!

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Non-Floral Centerpiece Idea #4 :: Photos

Photo centerpieces are a great way for your guests to start a conversation trying to figure out where each special memory is from. Guests will love the story you tell of your relationship with pictures!

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Non-Floral Centerpiece Idea #5 :: Lanterns

Groups of differently sized or shaped lanterns can be placed on each table. Or, lanterns can be the focal point of your centerpiece, surrounded by tealights or bud vases.
After your wedding, you can decorate your house and yard with your wedding lanterns as a great reminder of your special day!

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Your centerpieces, just like your wedding, should be uniquely you, so have fun! Let your season and location inspire you!

Hung Up on Lila Frances

July 26th, 2010

A new wedding keepsake for brides is brought to us by brilliant Etsy seller lilafrances :: Bridal gown hangers.

Featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings as well as by Victoria’s Secret, these hangers are customizable up to 14 characters. Brides get creative, but standard ideas include the bride’s name, a heart, or my favorite: “Mrs. ______”. On her Etsy site, Anna (the shop owner) describes her standard hanger for gowns or lingerie. What better way to display your wedding night attire than on a new “Mrs. _________” hanger?

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In addition to hanging up your gorgeous gown, what about gifting your bridesmaids with hangers for their dresses that they can use again later? And doesn’t your flowergirl deserve a pretty hanger too? LilaFrances also makes these in children’s sizes.

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Hangers currently take 8-10 weeks from order time for production (these are in high demand!) and her shop will be closed briefly in August so if you want one of these lovelies order soon! She also donates 10% of profit to Ovarian Cancer Research in honor of her mom.

Oh if only I knew about these beauties before I got married!