Mason Jar Save the Dates

Lina has inspired me with her jar place cards/drinking vessels.  When I came across this lovely save the date, I almost jumped out of my seat with excitement.  View the full invitation suite over at Oh So Beautiful Paper.

source

Chalkboards

Have you considered the ways in which you will communicate with your wedding guests?  Directions, menus, where to sign the guest book even?

Chalkboards are an incredible medium for this.  Two great options (pictured below) can be found in The Inspired Room Shop.  

Passport Invitations

Are you having a destination wedding?  Why not consider a passport?  I recently stumbled upon Sproullie Designs and have been captivated ever since.  They are beautiful, unique, and a terrific way to personalize all of the information your guest require for a destination celebration.

Here are a few pictures from their passport gallery.  Check out all of the photos here.

And...don't forget to check out their boarding passes while you are over there!

Antique Picture Frames = Awesome Photo Booth

Can you imaging your wedding guests creating a lifetime of memories with a masterpiece like this?

Found via: A Cup of Jo

Pictures by: Kiss the Groom

Wanna Get Away?

...and no I am not talking about a South West Airlines commercial.  I am talking about your wedding photos!  Have you thought about how you will be leaving your ceremony or reception?  Here are some stunners:

Kate and Scott's Fantastic Smooch!

Probably the cutest punch buggy ever! 

Photo by: Tony Hoffer

Transporting your guest by school bus or trolly?  Don't foget the photo op!

Photo by: Joy Moody

Whit and JD's Big Kiss!

Photo by: The Smiths

Don't these pictures make you want to hop in a car and practice kissing?

Just don't forget to ask your photographer to capture the moment!

Old World: Wedding Suitcases

I love how inspiration transforms over time. This post of pictures I found on a whim, lead my mind to the bountiful uses for suitcases in weddings. From garden showers, to black tie receptions, a thoughtfully used suitcase can add a touch of charm and character.

a spot for cards at Laurel and Jedd's wedding

{found here}

or programs

{found here}

and place cards on popsicle sticks and clothes pins

from Jennifer and James' wedding

{found here}

or even a spot for fans to "stay cool"

{from Kelly Oshiro Designs}

Hangers can be Beautiful

Lila Frances has a way with hangers. Her beautiful works of art will lend a touch of elegance and personalization to your big day. So as you prep for your wedding, don't forget about the hanger that will hold your dress and veil!

Visit Lila Frances on Etsy

Freebies!

Wedding Chicks have done it again! They are offering free customized "printables" that get sent directly to your inbox! The steps are simple, and the designs adorable! Check it out:

How to Make a Floral Monogram

Without the flowers? Yes! Tissue paper or crepe paper can work magic affordable solutions to costly buds. All you need is the desired styrofoam shape, beautiful tissue or crepe paper, craft glue and a few golf tees! The look is fantastic, and more important, integrating a monogram into your wedding is a simple and cost-effective way to personalize your wedding!

Preparations:

1. Prep your styrofoam. Trim it to your desired shape and size. We chose circles since it was easy! Outline your desired letter.
2. Cut your paper into 2 inch squares. This is where crepe paper is fantastic - it is quick and easy to cut!
3. Pour your glue. Paper plate or bowls make accessing the glue a breeze!

Now you are ready to get started!

1. Use a golf tee to punch a hole in the styrofoam
2. Remove and wrap the tee with paper
3. Dip the wrapped tee in glue (so the glue only gets on the paper)
4. Insert into previously punched hole
5. Remove tee (paper stays in place)
6. Repeat - 1,000s of times!

Here is an example of Christine and Brendan's monogram half-way through:

Tips:

• Be sure to punch holes close together to create a full look - you don't want to see any styrofoam.
• Don't forget the edge! Either wrap with ribbon to keep on punching holes.
• Work the boarder of the letter to ensure straight lines and a clean look.
• Have fun!

To see the finished product and our inspirations, see our previous post: DIY Floral Monograms

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Baby Shower Favors

As promised, here are adorable baby shower favors that are as easy as pie, edible baby pacifiers!

First, the supplies:

Ring shaped mints (I used life savors)

Jelly beans or other similarly shaped candies (I used Mike'n Ikes)
White frosting
Candy Bags (available at arts and craft stores)
Ribbon
Sissors
Wax Paper (for easy clean up!)

Use the frosting to bind the colored candies to the first ring. Complete the top of all "mini pacies" and let sit for at least an hour then use frosting to attach the bottom rings like so:

Again, let sit for at least an hour. Then insert in candy bags and finish with a bow!



Here is the final display, along with a note to guests in sweet calligraphy:

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Baby Shower Invitations

Nursery Rhyme Theme

So this is not really wedding oriented...but you know what they say:

First comes love,
Then comes marriage,
Then comes a baby in a baby carriage!

I recently was asked to help plan a baby shower, fron the invite design to the calligraphy and finally the favors. Here is what I came up with:

(Please excuse the grey boxes, they were requested to protect privacy.)

The couple did not know if they were having a girl or a boy, and the party was being thrown by the soon to be paternal grandparents. We wanted to stick to neutral colors, so we picked turquoise and yellow. The invites turned out better than I could have imagined, and I was able to match the calligraphy ink color almost perfectly.

(The paper we used was iridescent, so it was hard to capture the image!)

Added bonus: Party Favors! (Coming soon...)

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Nautical Wedding Invitations

I am working with a bride on creating a nautical invitation suite. I will do the design calligraphy and then we hope to have it letterpressed. We are very excited, but the wedding is a long way out so we are only in the brainstorming phase. I love the ocean. I love the color blue (can't you tell) so this has been a blast.

Here are some of the designs I found that have been inspiring me so far:

Photo Credits, clockwise from top: Square invitation from eInvite.com, Navy blue Vera Wang invitation from finestationery.com, Sand castle invitation from Exclusively Weddings, and finally my own creation which was inspired by several invitations on Wedding Paper Divas.

But amidst all this fun, I have yet to see exactly what I am looking for to meet this bride's needs, which is why I will be creating something of my own. In my searches, I did find some additional nautical eye candy on Flickr. Brass Paperclip has wonderful ideas in her photo stream that I am currently loving!

I hope you enjoy browsing through this as much as I have! Oh, and if you have any additional "nautical" ideas, send them my way! The rain in DC has dampened my creativity...

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Brides Give Back: Arizona

Reminder: This Thursday!

Check out this must attend event:

(click on image for details)

For more information, and to view a full list of event sponsors visit: www.bridesgiveback.com. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Arizona's Faith House which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence.

Please consider attending this event or donating to The Faith House.

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Brides Give Back

Check out this must attend event:

(click on image for details)

For more information, and to view a full list of event sponsors visit: www.bridesgiveback.com.

Here is a sneak peek:

There are many more sponsors for this fabulous event. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Arizona's Faith House which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence.

Even if you don't live near Phoenix, Arizona, visit www.bridesgiveback.com and consider donating or contact Sarah from The Wedding Hub for more information!

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Save Money: Wedding Shoes

(Photo coutesy of: Orange Acid)

Each day, news about the economy gets more stressful. The last thing any bride needs is more reason to be stressed! Throughout February I will be featuring tips on how to save money on your big day. Today's topic: Shoes!

Wedding shoes, like everything else in the wedding industry have sky high prices for likely a one time use! Here are some terrific alternatives to shelling out major cash for your feet:

1. Nontraditional: Wear a pair of bright party shoes that accents the colors in your wedding. I have noticed this trend in the blogging sphere, but typically these bright party shoes are associated with a huge price tag. You don't have to spend hundreds to sparkle! Check out these Jewel Tone Flats from Old Navy, or take a peek at the selection from Macy's.

2. Designer Styles for Less: Payless is featuring a line by wedding dress designer Lela Rose. Within the collection are a wide variety of shoes that could be just right for you! Also, Target is known for featuring top designers for less, while they don't have a bridal line out know, keep your eyes peeled, one might pop up!

3. Forgo the Footwear: If you are having a beach wedding opt for bare feet or flip flops! It is the beach, why not? Check out these Embelished Flip Flops from Nordstrom.

4. Wear Your Sneakers: Having a casual affair or a backyard fete, skip the heals and wear skimmers, you feet and wallet with thank you! Check out the Design Studio by Keds and design a pair of slip ons that coordinate with your wedding.

I know some of these ideas you have heard before, while other's push the envelope. Bottom line, your wedding day is your wedding day, and you should do what is best for you and your feet! I wore ivory flats down the aisle, and packed embelished flip flops for my rehersal! It was great to have two options for my feet. When one pair got a bit uncomfotable, I switched them up so I could keep dancing all night!

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6th Day of Christmas: Gifts

Gift Giving in Recession (oh the ugly "R" word - I know we don't want to think about it, but budgets dictate that we must!)

Here are a slew of clever ideas that may help you finish strong during these last few days of holiday shopping without busting your budget or looking like you went cheap this year:


For the Eco-Chic:

Buy them David Bach's book, "Go Green, Live Rich" and supply them with their very first Smart Strip, a power strip that helps save energy/money by limiting circuit flow when items are not in use. (The Smart Strip was mentioned in the book and one of the 50 ways to save money while saving the planet.)


For your Global Warrior:

Visit Ten Thousand Villages. There is really no better way to explain this site than to send you there and have you browse! (hint: they do wedding registries too!)


For your Luxury-Lovers:

Check out Red Envelope's "Gifts under $50" or Pottery Barn's "Gifts Under $25" Two of my favorite picks from these lists are the Channel-Quilted Cosmetic Bags (PB) and Monogrammed Tumblers (RE)
(hint: they both do wedding registries!)


For the Coffee-Fiend:

Try Starbucks from Costco! Who knew right? But you can get loads of "designer" coffee for practically half the price.

You can also try a wide variety of Fair Trade Coffees from local shops near you. Click here to find who sells Fair Trade Coffee near you!


For the Musically Inclined:

Compile a great playlist and burn it to a CD. It could be themed (a holiday collection, perhaps) or it could reflect the personality of the person for whom it is intended (indie rock, boy bands, hard-to-find live performances). This doesn’t have to be boring. Check out this HP program to print creative labels and customized album cases to give this gift a real bit of flair!



For the Talented and Sentimental:

Nothing says personalized like a homemade gift. If you can knit, sew, crochet, decoupage, paint, frame, or woodwork, consider using that talent to produce a few gifts for your friends or family. A scarf might be a rather boring gift under normal circumstances, but that completely changes when you tell them that you made it specifically for them. This could also be a great opportunity for you to try something new, like a new stitch or artistic technique that you’ve always wanted to try.

If you aren't so crafty but are giving to someone who is, check out the growing handmade/homemade gifts movement at Buy Handmade. Another great resource for uniquely made gifts: Etsy. Or maybe even do a bit of browsing on Etsy to get your creative juices flowing!



For the Super Chef:

Check out Sur La Table's ultimate Gift Shops for every category of cook or kitchen. If you a buying a gift for me, I will accept anything and everything from here, in case you were wondering. (hint: they do wedding registries too!)


For the Practical:

It might seem like a holdover from your youth, but a stack of IOUs or "love coupons" is a wonderful gift idea. Guaranteeing that you will help someone tackle a distasteful task or one they don’t feel equipped to handle can be a real pick-me-up in the busy holiday season. Or it can be something more simple like a coffee date or back rub. For more creative love coupon ideas click: here!

5th Day of Christmas

Tree Toppers are hard to come by but here are a few favorites that may serve the top of your tree well. These simple ornaments often carry great meaning and tradition within families. Do you wait until Christmas Eve to top the tree? Is there a certain family member who has the designation of placing that topper on the tree? Traditionally these toppers are either a star or an angle representing the Start of Bethlehem from the story of the birth of Jesus. All this to say, since starting my own home and creating new traditions with my husband (this is our third Christmas as a married couple) we have yet to find a Christmas Tree Topper. Here are some toppers I have found in my searches:

Red Envelope
Personalized Star Topper

Selection of angels from Macy's

Martha Stewart's Collection at Macy's has these toppers to offer.

Touch of Class

Do you have any family traditions, or beautiful toppers to share?

4th Day of Christmas: Cards

What on earth do you do with all those Christmas cards? Well, there are plenty of fun ways to display them. These ideas also work well for engagement and wedding cards. (or save the dates if this is a crazy wedding year for you!) Here are a few of my favorites:

(click on the images to go to the websites)

Copy this board idea found in Domino Mag

Pottery Barn Tree
(PB also has a cute curly cue card holder you should check out!)

If you are the sentimental type (me) you could create a scrap book of Christmas photos. Growing up my mom saved all the photo cards. Each family would get a page in a photo album and their most recent card could go on top. It was always fun to look back at our friends pictures over the years and update their page with their new card! You could also make an album each year like this one I found on Flickr:

VGK Chick on Flickr

Or if you are not in the spirit of saving, be sure to find a good use for your cards other than a landfill. You can recycle most Christmas cards or better yet, box them up and send them to St. Jude's Ranch. Click: here to learn more, or simply mail them to:

St. Jude's Card Recycling
100 St. Jude Street
P.O. Box 60100
Boulder City, NV 89006

Happy Holiday Card Crafting!

2nd Day of Christmas

How to decorate your wedding with "Chirstmas" (and a sneak peek at a Real Wedding of the Month!)

Bridget and Steve held a December 22nd Wedding, so there was no way to avoid Christmas. They heartily embraced all the beauty of the season to create an elegant affair that was truly spectacular.



They held their reception at a historic town hall. Due to the season, the town hall boasted a huge tree in the middle of the entry way. Steve and Bridget cleverly used the tree to hold the guest's place cards, which we actually Christmas ornaments. Our place card from this weeding proudly hangs on our tree each year reminding us of this wonderful couple.

Cranberries, Roses, Sparklers, Greens and Ribbons tied together the look for this wedding. All of these items can be acquired at a low cost, but together make a tremendous impact! My favorite tip from this wedding came from the bride's roommate Caroline - she created the centerpieces with grocery store items: glass bowls, fresh cranberries, and simple flowers. Put together these centerpieces make a strong statement. The best part is they are both easy on the wallet and an easy DIY!

Stop by tomorrow to see more pictured from this fabulous Christmas Wedding!

Correction: Bridget and Steve actually brought their own Christmas tree to fill the foyer of the town hall!