Honeymoon Dresses

Happy Friday!  I spent this lovely day today at the Atlanta Apparel Mart and man, was it a great day.  I picked up lots of jewelry and saw so many cute purses and dresses.  Seeing so many summer dresses that would be perfect for honeymoon wear inspired me to search for some dress ideas for you lovely brides out there.  

Check these out:

From seller: Stephanie Teague

From seller: Thimble and Acorn

From J Crew

My favorite one: from Anthropologie 

Aren't those just the cutest dresses to spend your first few days as a married woman in?

Happy Planning!

Lovely Etsy Invitations

One of the sites I love using as a resource when looking for products for a budget-savvy bride is Etsy.  If you're new to the blogging world, I strongly suggest you sit down with a snack and a drink and dedicate a few hours of your day to browsing all of the wonderful items that site has to offer.  

Now, I love Etsy for it's unique products, great prices, and a selection that fits absolutely anyone's taste.  I also love it because it gives me the chance to support folks who are trying to make a living doing what they love.  I'd buy a purse from "Jane" in Ohio who is spending her days making pieces with love and passion before I would go looking for a purse at Target (not that I don't love Target, I do-I just love supporting the little guy more)

With that being said, there are some fantastic invitations to chose from on Etsy-and you'd be surprised at the incredible deal you can get when you shop here versus going to a stationer. 

These are all from seller OneReverie and I just love them:

All of these can be used for a formal or informal wedding-so much of it is in the wording and the fonts you choose.

I love that these are so modern but still classic enough to use and not regret the choice 30 years from now!

Aren't these just so whimsical and fun!?

It's important to do your research when deciding what to do for wedding items on your list.  Don't just go to the first stationer you see in your area.  Check out Etsy and I guarantee you'll find something that is truly original, and you'll be working with someone who is so passionate about their product that they will not rest until you are 100% satisfied.  

Now that's a good deal no matter how you look at it!

Happy Planning!

Personalized Cake Toppers

One thing I think is very important when planning a wedding is to find fun, different things to do that makes your wedding your own.  I like the idea of having lots of personalized features for your guests to look at as they make their way around the reception area.  Some people do a cool grooms cake, some have old family photos framed for guests to look at.  

What about a personalized cake topper?

There are a lot of websites to choose from that specialize in custom cake toppers...

Found on etsy from seller Nicole W Clark:

I saw this on a blog recently and just fell in love with the simple sweetness of it:

This one was shot by Laura Kay.

Isn't it great?!  Bobble heads!

Here is one that is classy, romantic and unique.  It's from etsy seller Red Light Studio:

What a fun way to show your personalities.  There are websites where you can send pictures of you and your fiance-and if you have specific hobbies or a sports team, they can incorporate that into your topper as well.  If you're Irish, why not have the groom in a kilt?  If you love your dogs, consider having them in the topper as well.  Try to do things that reflect who you are as a couple.  It will make the topper more your own.

Happy Planning!

Creative Wedding Videos...

There is a new trend going around the wedding world that I think is SO cool.  Couples are creating wedding videos that are fun, funny, creative and reflective of their personalities.  

Check this one out-I love how the couple used the entire wedding party to make it more fun:

Brandon and Jessica - "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" from Toad Productions on Vimeo.

This one is one of my favorites, those British sure know how to have a good time.  Getting the ENTIRE wedding involved must have been a challenge, but they certainly pulled it off!

Brian & Eileen's Wedding Music Video. from LOCKDOWN projects on Vimeo.

Last but not least is this awesome video that's made it's rounds lately in blog-land.  The bride writes a blog called The Broke-Ass Bride, and she's awesome!  I love how their fun, quirky, hilarious personalities shine through in this video:

If this is something you'd be interested in, you should DEFINITELY talk about it with your videographer.  How fun would it be to come up with your own creative video!?  I love the idea of showing the video at your reception-your guests would love it!

Happy Planning!

Engagement Photo Shoot in Paris

Engagement Shoots:

 

I've had many girls ask me about engagement shoots.  

I think they are a fantastic idea, and here's why.

They help you become comfortable in front of the camera, and with your photographer.

They can be VERY creatively done using props and locations that are near and dear to your hearts.

They provide memories for you to have forever.  

My mom was mentioning the other day how much she wishes she had more pictures of she and my dad when they were young.  They had an awesome vintage car-and she regrets not having more pictures of it-and of them in front of it.

I was engaged in Paris, so when I came across this photo shoot on this blog that was found on this blog taken by this photographer

--I fell in love--

Oh these are just so romantic.  Paris is known as the city of love-and let me tell you, it was amazing to be in love and in that city.  Our engagement was magical...and I now want to go back and have a professional photo shoot there!

I mean, does it get any better?  Ah, you can just feel the love when you look at these images!

AND I'm obsessed with my iPhone, so this picture really made me fall in love even more...

What a great shoot.  I can just imagine their future children sitting on the living room floor pouring over these images.  It will be so neat for them to get a glimpse into the lives of their parents so many years ago!

Here are some great photographers in the Atlanta area to check out if you're interested in an engagement session:

• Leslie Walker Photography
  
• Our Labor of Love
  
• Altmix Photography
  
• W. Scott Chester
  

Happy Planning!

Escort Card Ideas

I have recently had a few brides who were wondering what the difference is between escort cards and place cards.  Allow me to explain...

Escort cards are placed in a central location at the reception.  They are used to guide guests to the table you have determined they will be sitting at for the evening.  They can be simple-or they can double as a favor like these pomegranates...

Or like these bars of soap with names and table numbers on them...

This set up would be very DIY friendly...

I LOVE these for a fall wedding...

Place cards on the other hand are used to let your guests know which seat is theirs once they arrive at the table.  I don't think place cards are necessary, but again they can be a nice way to incorporate a favor...

It would be so sweet to use a little plant if you're having an outdoor wedding...

{all images from Martha}

So there you have it!  Escort and place cards are a fun way to continue with your color scheme or theme of your wedding.  

Happy Planning!

A Gorgeous Backyard Affair

We were recently involved in the planning of a backyard reception after the couple were married in Vegas.  The reception had a very simple budget and one goal: to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family.  I believe this goal was definitely achieved!

Months leading up to the reception, clear wine bottles were collected, washed and labels removed in order to serve sweet tea...

Hundreds of hours were spent creating these lovely paper roses for the centerpieces...

White tablecloths with a burlap runner covered each long table...

For months, mismatched plates in shades of green and yellow were collected from thrift stores and garage sales along with mismatched silverware...

After the catered BBQ dinner, guests were invited to sit on bales of hay by a fire pit and roast s'mores ...

When it began to get dark, candles scattered over the tables provided the ambiance for dancing and socializing late into the evening.  

Isn't that lovely?!?! 

It is important to remember that you don't need an enormous budget in order to have a wonderful, thoughtful, romantic and beautiful wedding.  

Happy Planning!

Thirsty Thursday Thoughts

One of the important elements of a wedding reception are the drinks!!  Whether you're having a wedding with or without alcohol, there are still ways to have fun, creative drinks that look good with the decor.  

If your wedding is more formal-but you're trying to cut on cost, consider having a signature drink as opposed to a full open bar...

If you're having a more causal out door wedding, consider a passed signature cocktail.  I love the little swizzle sticks with yours and your new husbands name on them!  

Especially if you are getting married in the spring or summer, we want to make sure your guests are hydrated at all times-they have a lot of dancing ahead of them, and they need their fluids!!  

I love these glass dispensers.  These are great for a more budget wedding where the need for a bartender is eliminated.  You could even have some of these pitchers with alcohol and some without (just be sure to label them clearly!  You don't want grandma getting drunk when she's never been a drinker!!)

Of course there are a lot of ways to personalize and dress up the drinks...consider these sticks from Miss Pickles Press...

How cute is this mojito set up?!  You could use this as your signature drink AND your favor-by allowing guests to take them home.  

Another idea I really love is having a "grooms drink" and a "brides drink".  This one is a great grooms cocktail, and not too feminine-so the men at the wedding won't feel silly holding a girly martini with an umbrella in it :)

How about you lovely brides out there?  Any of you have creative, different cocktail/beverage ideas for your wedding?  I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Planning!!

{Planning} Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

I'm sure most of you brides out there have struggled with what to give your best girls as thank you gifts for being involved in your wedding.  There are so many "cliche" gifts to choose from, but if you think outside the box, I think you will find that there are many creative and thoughtful choices out there!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Personalized koozies from etsy seller, Pink Gasoline:

Sweet necklaces from etsy seller, Silverhand:
Matching rings to wear at your wedding from etsy seller, Vintage Inspired Jewelry:

If you're crafty, try these adorable clutch patterns from Keyka Lou:

Or these gorgeous and delicious homemade soaps from the 100 Layer Cake ladies:

(click link for the tutorial)

See, if you are creative, you can find some really wonderful things out there to show your girls how much you appreciate them! 

What are some bridesmaid gift ideas you've had for your lovely ladies?