12/20/2012
The British Are Coming!
Nowadays, it seems like British influence is everywhere. British aesthetic and traditions are seeping into wedding culture and are making quite a splash! So let’s take a trip across the pond and look at some of our favorite English influences.
Royal Touches
Whether you did a study abroad program in Oxford, come from an English descent or just have an affinity for all things British and want to make your wedding the new royal wedding, we have some great ideas for you. To transport your guests to and from the event, rather than choosing the standard limosine, opt for a double decker bus! To further the English theme, choose subtle Union Jack decor, so as to not mistake your wedding for a Heathrow gift shop. Other decor options include old English tea sets and newspaper influences.
Tea Time Treats
If you are going to have a British-themed affair, food must be carefully selected. For fare reminiscent of foggy Londontown, select individual portions of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper cones to please your attendees. Other bites that are perfect picks include crustless finger sandwiches and fresh scones with jam and Devonshire cream. These selections will have you feeling like you are across the Atlantic faster than the speeding Concord.
12/04/2012
Prints and Patterns Galore
One very hot trend we are seeing more of in 2012 and predict to stay very hot in Spring 2013 is printed bridesmaids dresses. Brides are veering away from the traditional, matchy-matchy bridesmaids looks and opting for a look that is much more unique and fun! Here are some of our top patterned looks that we forsee much more of in the new year!
Striped Supporting Ladies
If you are going for a sleek and preppy look for your bridesmaid bunch, stripes are an excellent choice. They allow for brides to play with the idea of separates and are very slimming if the correct pattern is selected. We love the look of these navy and white striped dresses this bride has chosen below or the black and white polka dot and stripe combination. Another one of our favorite looks is a simple top and a peppy striped skirt. This look will keep your ladies feeling comfortable and they might actually even have a chance of sporting the ensemble again!
Floral and Fabulous
Perfect for a spring or summer garden wedding, a floral dress presents a nice graphic quality to your bridesmaids dresses while still being fresh. A full-length floral gown is a bit more formal but is a far cry from black tie. Or, for a more casual daytime wedding, a shorter floral-patterned frock is casual and cute.
Mixed and Matched Maids
This prints trend we are seeing is definitely open for interpretation and use of your artistic eye. For a more relaxed look, incorporate prints and solid-colored dresses together for an effortlessly chic look. This will also allow your bridesmaids the option of being more fashion-forward or traditional with their wedding ensemble!
11/30/2012
Something Blue
Everyone knows the saying. And most also know that wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue ensures a bride's good luck as she walks down the aisle. Of the four - old, new, borrowed, and blue - perhaps the one you can have the most fun with stylistically is blue. And with designers nowadays thinking of creative ways to keep that saying alive, brides have a bevy of options of how to insert a little blue pop into their wedding look!
Blue Bouquets
One beautiful way to incorporate blue into your look is to carry a blue-hued bouquet down the aisle. A bundle of blue hydrangeas is a perfect pick for a spring or summer wedding celebration. Or perhaps a bouquet studded with blue bonnets for a nod to Texas hill country is more your speed. Whichever way you choose, you will surely be a blushing, anything but blue bride!
Sapphire Accessories
As we mentioned before, designers are taking into account brides' questions to find gorgeous, blue-hued items to incorporate into their bridal looks and there is certainly no shortage of creative ideas! For a sophisticated country wedding, incorporate blue flowers into your wedding 'do. Or opt for a beautifully beaded blue clutch to carry your wedding day necessities in. Another option is to find a deep blue heel to hide underneath your bridal petticoat - to keep you staying gorgeous and with good fortune with every step you take on your big day!
Glorious Gems
One subtle and elegant way to incorporate blue into your ensemble is to pick jewels to wear in your lucky color. Choose dangling sapphire earrings to keep you twinkling bright at your ceremony and reception. Or choose an eye-catching bib necklace accented with blue ribbon to keep luck close to your heart. Or perhaps you can incorporate both old and blue if you choose a vintage, blue-jeweled hair comb to accent a low chignon.
11/20/2012
Tea For Two
Whether you are the bookish, tea-drinking type or just enjoy the aesthetic, a tea party can serve as excellent inspiration for your bridal shower, engagement party, rehearsal dinner or wedding! This look can go English countryside vintage chic or whimsical Mad Hatter tea party...let your imagination brew and see what comes of it. But in the meantime, we'll get your creative juices flowing with some of our favorite ideas!
Impressive Invitations
As any good planner knows, invitations are the first glimpse at the celebration so let your theme shine! For the precursor events, use the tea party imagery to make a cute party invite. Or let the tea literally do the talking and personalize a tea bag with the party details. If you'd like to keep your wedding invitation a bit more formal and steer clear of the word "cute", choose a lace envelope that's inspired by an proper lace tablecloth of the same material.
Darjeeling-Inspired Decor
For your tea party-themed event, long banquet tables studded with teapots and tea cups are perfect for your guests to pour over. And for an eye-catching centerpiece, stack vintage teacups and pots to make table setting towers. If flowers are more your style, antique tea canisters filled with tea roses and other blush-toned florals make for a unique and lovely display. To accent the tea party decor, lacey picture frames and vintage luggage are lovely to look at. And for additional guest seating, coffee tables strewn with platters of tea sandwiches and cakes are perfect for guests to sit around and sip!
Tea Time
It's a nice idea to give your guests a little extra perk before they leave your soiree. Create a tea bar with different types of flavors of the beverage to be scooped into personalized tea pouches. Or, to simplify the process, individual tea portions with you and your sweetheart's name and wedding date on it are perfect take home gifts. However, if your guests are filled to the brim with tea, be a DIY bride and make candles out of vintage, flea market tea cups!
11/16/2012
Pearl Girl
Pearls are undeniably classic and a big trend we anticipate seeing in 2013. We're not sure if we can officially call it a "trend" as it has stood the test of time ten times over, but we do know that people will be wearing this look more because of styles we've seen on the bridal runways. Whether you are rocking a pair of vintage pearls passed down by a relative or taking a slightly less conventional approach to the look, pearls are pristine perfection. Here are our favorite ways to don these lovely little gems.
Pearl Touches
Whether you are incorporating your "something old" into your ensemble or are sporting a brand new look, pearls will not be something you will look back on in twenty years and ask "what was I thinking?" because the fact of the matter is... pearls are always a smart choice. Whether you choose a traditional hair comb to hold your chignon in place or a stunning statement necklace of pearls, these choices are brilliant. But another very brilliant choice is to flaunt your wedding pedi with pearl peep toes... we just love this!
Pearl Bouquets
Pearls are a traditional symbol of purity so what better way to walk down the aisle than holding a bouquet adorned with pearls? For a slightly less traditional look, carry a bouquet of fabric flowers studded with pearls and crystals for an arrangement you can cherish for a lifetime. Or to embrace the brooch bouquet trend that is oh-so-hot right now, carry a crystal and pearl bouquet that is sure to make a statement. Or for a slightly more classic look, wrap your bouquet in lace and fabric and adorn the handle with a vintage brooch or a strand of pearls.
Perfectly Pearlized Cakes
For a preppy and clean cake, choose pearl decor to drive home the theme of your big day. Whether your cake is decorated with draping pearls, studded with little pearl circles or trimmed in solid strands, all looks look very polished. For a more modern look, ask your wedding cake designer to cluster different sizes of pearls for a unique and lovely statement.
11/14/2012
Southern Comfort
For any southern couple who grew up eating grits, what better way to celebrate your Old South heritage than an homage on your wedding day in the form of food? Even if you are not a *true* southerner, we think that nothing sounds better than a little southern-fried love.
Americana Appetizers
It is important as hosts to serve guests one-bite options to pop in their mouths and continue mingling. With that in mind, we have a few southern-inspired appetizer options that fit the bill. As we know, deviled eggs are the way to any southern belle's heart so why not serve them at your wedding? For other easy-to-eat options, choose angel biscuits with pimento cheese or honey butter, fried green tomatoes and okra with creamy remoulade sauce. And for a unique buffet idea that is sure to please picky palettes, pickled vegetables are perfection plain or to top off a bloody mary bar!
Countryside Entrees
No matter what part of the south you hail from, we have comforting entree ideas for every region. For a seated entree option, shrimp and grits is sure to please, and can be turned into an easy buffet option if served in a martini glass complete with spoon. For other meaty options, fried chicken and bbq are perfect picks as well. And for a side dish that is a southern-approved classic, ooey gooey macaroni and cheese couldn't be a better choice!
Deep South Desserts & Drinks
As any good host knows, libations are key! To continue the theme, choose texas tea vodka cocktails or derby-friendly mint juleps are perfect signature cocktails for passing. And for dessert, a buffet of different pies - rhubarb, peach, blueberry, banana creme - are the answer!
11/06/2012
The Braided and The Beautiful
One very hot (and practical!) trend that we are seeing right now and predict it to remain popular in 2013 is the incorporation of braids into your wedding 'do. Not only is it in fashion and has proven the test of time over a number of years, it is highly practical because it doesn't require a lot of muss and fuss. Behold, all the different ways you can look beautiful in braids!
Au Natural 'Do
For the natural and perhaps slightly more boho bride, let your hair down wild and free and accent this look with a lovely braid. A side braid is a nice and simple style that will jazz up your mane. Or for a slightly more modern look, choose a waterfall braid, which happens to look spectacular with highlights!
Classic Plaits
Though classic, the braid in its simplest form is often the most beautiful. One long, side swept fishtail braid is so simple and lovely. Or a bride can go a step further and create a braided headband that moves into a long braid.
Braided Buns
An elegant way to incorporate braids into your wedding look is with a plaited updo. Choose a side braid into a neat bun or twisted braids that come together in a slightly messy hairstyle. To liven up the look, fresh flowers of your choosing accent this look well. Or create a fresh and clean look that frames your face beautifully, create a braided "hairband" that is sleek and sophisticated.
11/02/2012
Fall In Love
Fall foliage is the first indication that the holiday season is rapidly approaching and is an excellent addition to a fall wedding fete. It is important as a saavy bride and groom to pick flower arrangements that are season-appropriate, embracing your choice of a September-November wedding and staying cost-effective. While spring and summer blooms are no longer in season, there are plenty of gorgeous fall flowers that have us giving thanks!
Divine Dahlias
Dahlias are a fall floral that can stand alone or mesh well in a crowd. Choose a deep aubergine or pumpkin-colored bouquet for a lovely wedding statement or let dahlias share the spotlight, like in this bridal bouquet of deep red dahlias and roses.
Romantic Roses
Luckily for brides, the most commonly used and ever-gorgeous rose is always in season as they are in high-demand year round. For a festive fall look, choose colors like reds, oranges and yellows to carry down the aisle accented with oak leaves and berries. Or for a look that says fall but hints at spring to come, choose flowers of this aforementioned color scheme dabbled with fresh green roses and leaves.
Ravishing Ranunculus
Ranunculus are a slightly lesser-known flower but pack a similar punch as a peony. Choose an all-ranunculus bouquet of orange-colored blooms or accent these flowers with fall hydrangeas. For a spunky and unique arrangement, sunset-colored ranunculus and sunshine yellow billy bottoms are sure to convey your happiness on your very happy day.
10/26/2012
Crown Jewel
If you feel like a princess on your wedding day, why not BE a princess? One trend we are loving right now is the lovely and ethereal choice of a floral crown. A floral crown is such an elegant choice to highlight your natural beauty and help you feel like the gorgeous girl you are. Here are some of our favorite picks to make you feel like a blissful, botanical bride and help make your little ladies feel beautiful too.
Pretty As A Princess
Flower crowns can be vary greatly, as seen in the pictures below. For a more traditional flower crown, choose baby's breath to highlight your beauty without overwhelming you. For a more bold and beautiful look, choose large, brightly colored roses and peonies in a variety of colors to look very boho lovely - perfect for an outdoor ceremony! For a look that transitions from both outdoors and indoors, wreaths made of silk flowers say "vintage chic" without the worry of wilting blooms.
Flower Girls
It's important as a caring bride to make sure your little lovely ladies feel lovely too! Since they are pint-sized versions of yourself, adorn your flower girls in smaller, more understated crowns for a sweet look. Little angels walking down the aisle... now let's just hope they behave as sweet as they look!
10/22/2012
Wood You Be Mine?
With the less-is-more trend we see going on nowadays, we see all-natural weddings being big for the new year! Rustic bark is being used everywhere in weddings...decor, floral arrangements and even cakes! This trend is not only budget-friendly and low-key but surprisingly beautiful, perfect for the nature-loving couple. Let's check out some of the creative ways in which bark is being transformed into something much, much more.
Rustic and Ravishing
Who knew bark could give us such wedding inspiration? Decor that features this natural material is both understated and elegant. Bark-wrapped candles adorning the guests' tables or table numbers painted onto log rings is ideal for an outdoor fete, as are escort cards tucked into wooden stands. Another great idea is a rustic canopy made of birch. What a perfect place to solidify your bond as a couple!
Forest Florals
Bark is an excellent vehicle to display your lush florals. Due to it's flexibility, bark can bend and create a container for the florals of your choosing. It is such a departure from the expected glass and porcelain vases being chosen by brides and grooms for years and elevates your table decor to rustic "work of art" status. To further the motif, wrap your bridal bouquet in bark for a woodsy feel.
Cakes Worth Pining For
When it comes to cakes, the sky is the limit and the options are endless as to how you can design them. They can be frosted to look like a tree itself, complete with initial carvings. If that is not your style, a wooden stand is a nice way to emphasize the rustic theme as well.
