Inspiration Board #8: Carnival

This board was inspired by Victor Sizemore's photos of a Carnival Themed Wedding in Anaheim, CA. You really must check them out - the wedding was so incredibly unique and looked like everyone in attendance had a super fun time. I will admit this isn't for everyone...it would require a pretty adventurous couple to pull off. But if you're looking to create an event people will talk about for years and years, this may just be the wedding idea for you.

1. Photo by Vallentyne Photography
2. Carnival Poster via Chica and Jo
3. Cornish Cream Tent from the Arabian Tent Co.
4. Ice Cream Cone Basket via Wedding Trikes
5. Cupcake by bookgrl (Flickr)
6. Ring Toss game from Stitch of Gold
7. Carriage from One of a Kind Pony Party

Inspiration Board #7: Spring Prairie - Honey, Butter, Spearmint

My board today was inspired by the bridal photo in the left corner by D Andrew Photography. The shot evokes an image of old-time romance - a bride with her hunting dog? Simply fabulous! I love the idea of an all-white table setting with monogrammed napkins. And how adorable are the homemade honey jar favors?

Sources:

1. Photo by D Andrew Photography
2. Bouquet by Livia Cetti via In Style Weddings
3. Honey Jar Favors via Vintage Mint (Photos via Country Living; Photo Credit: Laura Moss}
4. Table Setting from Country Living
5. Men's Suit shown on the Knot via Stylish Events Blog
6. Bridesmaid Dresses via Mr Penguin Bridal Boutique
7. Cake via Real Simple
8. Bridesmaid Jewelry from 2-Be-Unique
   

Engagement Photos: Meghan and Justin

I know I've been promising to show some of these for a while now and I've finally gotten around to posting them! Lotz Studios published some shots from Meghan and Justin's 30+ photog engagement shoot to their blog. Here are a few of my favorites. I can't wait to see the photos from the amateur photographers as well.

Doesn't my sister look like a movie star in this photo?

This picture totally captures both of their personalities!

A romantic smooch by Justin's "old" truck...

And a few collages for your viewing enjoyment...

All photos by Lotz Studios

Engagement Photos: The Clique

I haven't blogged about my sister and her wedding lately, but that doesn't mean planning has halted. In fact, she and Justin just had their engagement shots taken last week. It wasn't a typical engagement shoot, however. Her photographer (Lotz Studios) arranges occassional gatherings of people who want to learn more about photography and participate in actual photo shoots (they call the group "The Clique"). Meghan and Justin happened to have the unique opportunity to have both Lotz and The Clique on their engagement shoot. So, in other words, they had 30+ photographers following them around. I think I would have been a little nervous with that many cameras pointed at me! Previews of the engagement shots to follow very soon!

Photo credit: Adam Queen? (Posted on The Clique's Facebook Event site)

Inspiration Board #6: Spring Violets and Plums

Lately I've been battling violets in my front yard. But even though I don't like them taking over my lawn, I think they're very pretty on their own...pretty enough even to inspire a royal, purple-hued wedding theme. Some of my favorite ideas in this board are ties for the groomsmen in different purple patterns (who says they all have to match!) and surrounding a beautifully simple crepe cake with violet and white cupcakes.

1. Photo by Vallentyne Photography
2. Two Lips Disco Purple Stilettos – via the Fashionable Housewife
3. Purple Table Setting by Maddy K Weddings – Montreal
4. Glorious Garden Invitation by Felicitations
5. Necklace by Magical Becomings -
6. Purple Tie Rack by TheBazile on Flickr
7. Purple feather adornment with purple flower from Emerald’s Hats & Frills
8. Crepe Cake by Lady M Confections via Martha Stewart Weddings
9. Violet Cupcakes via Crumbs and Doilies Blog
10. Wedding Bouquets by Livia Cetti via In Style Weddings
11. Bridesmaid Dresses via In Style Weddings (Kate Powers = Photo Credit)
    

Pretty Accessories: Feathery Headbands, Flowery Clips

I apologize I've taken a couple weeks off from updating the blog - I have a major deadline at work and haven't had time to do any wedding-related research.
----------------------------------------------------------

A week or so ago I was on the Urban Outfitters website and found these gorgeous hair accessories...and thought they'd be perfect for as bridesmaid wedding hair accessories. Etsy also has a huge offering of beautiful feather and flower embellished headbands - some of which would be great for the bride to wear instead of a veil or in place of the veil at the reception.

Headbands and Hair Clips - From L-R (all from Urban Outfitters):

• Large Flower Hairclip
• Double Skinny Flower Headband
• Ribbon Wrapped Feather Headband - Version 1
• Ribbon Wrapped Feather Headband - Version 2
  

A Sampling of Hair Accessories found on Etsy (L-R):

• Ivory and Peacock Feather Headpiece from Wild Spirits
• Lovely Ivory Feather Comb for the Bride from Wild Spirits
• Feather and Rose "Fanticy" Comb from BeSomethingNew
• Gloria – Golden Peacock feather headband from Bethany Lorelle
• Lillian Gish from BoringSidney
• Vintage Peach Headband from BeSomethingNew
  

Inspiration Board #6: Southern Romance - Buttercream, Pale Yellow, White, Lace

Every morning when I arrive at work, I walk by a beautiful, black and white photo of Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana. For months I've been thinking about how it would make a lovely backdrop for a wedding and finally pulled together an inspiration board centered around the historic property.

I think some brides get carried away and think a romantic a wedding needs to have lots and lots of expensive details. But romance doesn't need to be complicated. In this board I paired buttercreams and pale yellows with simple but finely-detailed accessories. Notice how the table setting is uncomplicated with plates, linens, chair covers in the same hue and a large flower arrangement of complimenting tones. Also, due to the cake having a lot of lacey detailing, it is best presented in a simple, single-tier. This setting would make for an elegant yet relaxed afternoon wedding. You could make the reception brunch-style, serving fresh orange juice mimosas, chicken-salad cream puff sandwiches, fresh caprese salad and chocolate-covered strawberries. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Also, can I tell you how much I love the Maggie Sottero wedding gown in the two photos from Swensen Photography? It's simply gorgeous!

Sources:

1. Photo of Oak Alley Plantation via The Oak Alley Plantation Website
2. Nina & Shawn's Wedding by Swensen Photography
3. Nina & Shawn's Wedding by Swensen Photography
4. Fragrant White Bouquet by Teenas Creations
5. Cake – Fabulous Gourmet Patisserie
6. Vintage-inspired Necklace by Magical Becomings
7. Chicken Salad Crème Puffs via My Recipes
8. Bridesmaid Dress in Style 2053 by Dessy
9. Cream Table Setting shown on Marquee-Hire
10. Rose and freesia bridal bouquet by Wild Poppies
11. Wedding Ring Photo by Sakura Photography
12. Cream Wedding Favor Bag from Pac-HS (UK)
13. Cream Wedding Invitation (Style #AC4713B) from Indian Wedding

Get Your Best Bridal Gown Body

Most brides are busy. Between work (or school), wedding planning -and- trying to maintain a personal life, when is there time to exercise?!? But since everyone wants to look good on their wedding day (and in that bikini on the honeymoon) getting into shape is not something you should brush aside. Besides it's good for you! There's no better time than now to start getting your arms toned and abs tightened. Not only will you look great, but even doing 20 minutes of exercise a day will give you more energy and help relieve some of the stress caused by bridal planning.

I currently work as a management consultant which means frequent travel, long hours sitting in front of a computer and little-to-no personal time. Basically what I'm trying to tell you is if I can find time to exercise, so can you :) Below are a few videos I like to alternate between. All three can be found on Amazon.com for ~$9-13 each - much cheaper than a gym membership! Two feature Jennifer Galardi, one of my personal favorites since her videos incorporate a lot of dance moves into them. Also, for those of you who think you don't have time to do a video every day, two of these are just for you. Both 10 Minute Solution and Trim and Tone Fast let you personalize your workouts by combining as many or as few short workouts into one. This is a great feature since sometimes we get busy and may only have 10-20 minutes to spare...in other words, these videos don't let you make excuses to skip a day of working out. Also, since these two videos use resistance bands instead of bulky weights, you can easily pack everything in your suitcase if you're traveling somewhere. Simply run the video off your laptop and get into shape in your hotel room (can you tell I've done this before?).

From Left to Right:

• Dance off the Inches - Hip Hop Party on Amazon
• 10 Minute Solution - Dance it Off & Tone it Up! on Amazon
• Self - Trim and Tone Fast! on Amazon

Gifts for the Bride: Take 1 - Non-Traditional Bachelorette Party Gift

If you're my age (yes, I'll admit I'm 30), you've probably been to your share of bachelorette parties. And everyone knows the bride recieves plenty of lovely lingerie at these events. But if the bride is having a pretty large party (so you know she'll be getting plenty of lacey numbers), and you know she's visiting the beach on her honeymoon, it might be fun for a couple of friends to put together a beach-styled gift. You could throw together some items like a white bikini, flirty cover up, floppy hat, flip flops, trendy beach bag, and an elegant beach towel. In other words, you're helping her be a sexy, stylish bride outside of the bedroom too :)

From Top (L-R):

1. White Bikini from J Crew
2. Ruffle Cover Up Dress from Victoria's Secret
3. Velor Block Print Beach Towel from Lands End
4. Beach Hat from Luxury Divas
5. Retro in White Flip Flops from Havaianas USA
6. Lacoste Summer Terry Cloth Bag from Zappos

Inspiration Board #5: Spring Fling - Melon, Peach, Yellow, Orange

I was driving back from the Detroit airport today and noticed massive clumpings of daffodils in full bloom off of I-94. I decided to use these lovely signs of spring as inspiration to create a lively, bright theme perfect for this time of year. Warm and inviting colors with a few narcissus thrown in = a sassy mix of class and comfort.

1. Dahlia Gown by Simple Silhouettes
2. 320 Park Avenue in New York via EMRG Media
3. Striped Neck Tie from Ties-Necktie.com
4. Boutonniere from Wedding Flowers Guide
5. Cool Passport Invitations found on Ars Lounge
6. LulaKate Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses via Lucky in Love Wedding Blog
7. Bouquet shown on Australia Entertains
8. Serrano Ham and Melon photos from The Flirty Guide
9. Raspberry Lemon Pie from Thimbelanna
10. Ticket from Amemptos Music (UK)
11. Flower Hair Combs shown on Martha Stewart Weddings via Bridal Wave