3 Bees Paperie is having a contest! Name the invitation in blue and win 50 Save the Dates of your choice. 3 Bees Paperie is an inspired collection of luxury invitations depicting South Asian designs. Below are some examples of the beautiful work they do.

CASABLANCA: Inspired by Persian emblems, this simple but elegant design is decorated with rich red motifs and complemented by cyan font and sky blue envelopes.

HENNA GARDEN: Inspired by the mehndi designs many brides adorn their hands and feet with, Henna has a soft white background with a rich purple design, turquoise font, and lavender envelopes.

Now, it's your turn to give this lovely invitation a name. Be creative and good luck!

Click on the box below for all the details and start creating!

MORE ABOUT FLOWERS

Every bride wants to create a little drama with her flowers. These incredible examples will certainly do that! Whether you want romance, elegance or sheer WOW, you can find it here. Take photos of different flowers when you meet with florists. It is much easier to explain what you want when you have a visual.


















Mixing colors and textures make for a more interesting bouquet. Use natural elements, as well as flowers to create a unique look.



























These bouquets are perfect for summer weddings. Whether the beach or a garden, you can create a look that suits your theme.



I love this little flower! Ranunculus is so lush and makes any arrangement pop. It is available from fall through spring and you can find it in yellow, orange, white, red, violet and pink.




Parrot tulips are perfect for a summer beach wedding or a fall harvest wedding. They are vibrant and dramatic. Found in shades of orange, purple, white, red, yellow and pink, they are sure to make a statement at your wedding.

Vanda orchids are only one of many varieties of orchid, but are a wonderful addition to bouquets, perfect for boutonnieres and lovely cascading down the side of a cake. They are available year round in yellow and orange.


Centerpieces and ceremony flowers can be tall or short, simple or extravagant. But, like these, they are so beautiful. There are many ways to achieve the perfect look for your tables. Make sure you discuss linens and lighting with your florist when choosing your centerpieces. Those choices and their costs need to be figured into your total decor budget.
Remember, the more visually you can explain your vision to the florist and the more creative you can be, the more successful your trip to the florist will be.

"I DO" FLOWERS

Flowers are one of the biggest and most confusing part of planning your wedding. What is available at what time of year? Does my favorite flower come in my wedding color? What varieties of flower work well for centerpieces? Well, here are a few tips for talking to your florist, and some popular- or not so popular varieties of flower.

Hydrangea is available most of the year and comes in pink, blue, green and white.

Mini Callas are so elegant and make a beautiful bouquet. They are available in purple, red, yellow, mauve, pink, green, white and ivory. They are available all year.

BOUQUETS

Arm bouquet

The look: old-fashioned. Think beauty-pageant winner: Long-stemmed flowers are cradled in the crook of the bride's arm. Best for: retro-themed weddings.

Biedermeier

The look: structured. A round bouquet that features concentric rings of flowers that fan out from the center. Best for: hip, cutting-edge events.

Cascade

The look: free-flowing. Flowers and greenery that spill downward from a base, creating a waterfall effect. Modern cascades have a more compact teardrop shape. Best for: grand, large-scale weddings in a formal setting.

Composite

The look: structured. Petals or buds wired or glued together to create one single bloom. Best for: artistic, creative affairs.

Hand-tied

The look: loose and casual. The stems of flowers are bound with ribbon or raffia instead of being placed in a foam-filled bouquet holder. Best for: casual affairs.

Nosegay

The look: classic. A tightly-packed, round bouquet. Best for: nearly any type of event.

Tussie-mussie

The look: Victorian. A hand-tied bouquet with stems cut to the same length is placed in a silver, cone-shaped holder. Best for: elegant affairs.

Pomander

The look: structured and globe-like. A round ball of flowers is attached to a ribbon loop handle. Best for: romantic weddings.

Posy

The look: similar to a nosegay but smaller. Best for: corsage alternatives for the bride and groom's mothers and grandmothers.

Toss bouquet

Less expensive flowers used solely for the traditional bouquet toss

Butterfly Weeds-- are available year round and come in vibrant yellow and orange.

CEREMONY FLOWERS

Floral Arch

The look: romantic. Flowers are woven into a tall arch that the bride and groom or the officiant stands under during the ceremony. Best for: ceremony venues without altars.

Garland

The look: natural. Flowers or greenery woven together into a ropelike structure and draped over railings, doorways, or church pews. Best for: traditional church weddings.

Pew vase

The look: casual. A small vase of flowers that's clipped to the end of a pew. Best for: simple, small church ceremonies.

Spray

The look: contemporary. Branches bearing buds, flowers, or berries. Best for: tall, potted arrangements.

Trellis

The look: casual. A structure of wooden or plastic latticework supports climbing plants and flowers. Best for: outdoor weddings

Anemones-- a sweet little flower that is perfect for fall through early spring. It comes in purple, red, blue, violet, pink and white.

CENTERPIECES

Breakaway

The look: nontraditional—vases of flowers are clustered together at the center of the reception table. Best for: bohemian events.

Fishbowl

The look: classic—a low glass bowl with flowers at the center of the table. Best for: traditional and elegant affairs.

Pedestal

The look: contemporary—a vase of flowers is placed on a surface that rises a few inches from the table. Best for: architectural events.

Tiered

The look: offbeat—flowers are arranged on two or more different levels. Best for: hip, urban events.

Topiary

The look: formal and offbeat—flowers or plants trimmed into geometric shapes. Best for: upscale events with an artistic edge.

Tower Vase

The look: regal—flowers tower above the ta

ble. Best for: glamorous affairs.

Trumpet

The look: contemporary, offbeat—a vase that's small at the base and flares out at the top. Best for: contemporary, offbeat, and urban affairs.

OTHER FLOWERS

Boutonniere

A single bloom or small cluster of flowers pinned to a man's jacket lapel. Worn by the ring bearers, groom, groomsmen, and fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom.

Corsage

A single bloom or small cluster of flowers pinned to a dress or worn around the wrist. Worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom.

Wreath

Flowers, boughs, and leaves woven into a ring shape. Worn by flower girls as headpieces or placed at the base of centerpieces.

Aisle Runner

An aisle covering that the wedding party walks on during the ceremony.

Candelabra

Tiered candles that are used as altar arrangements and in reception decor.

HEIRLOOM INVITATIONS

Here is an idea for a unique and lasting way of inviting your guests to your wedding. How would you like to tell your story in a beautiful book to every one of your guests? Well, Kim of Heirloom Occasions does just that! Kim creates custom and ready-to-order conceptual invitations. Each invite tells the story of the person or the event.

Kim specializes in custom 8-page book invitations, as seen in Metamorphosis and

Love Tree, below. Through the pages, Kim tells a compelling story with visuals, art and text, exciting the recipient about the event much more than can be done with a typical invite, no matter how beautifully designed. The one above is called Our Story and it is a classic!

Metamorphosis combines a gorgeous butterfly motif with this lovely scroll design.



























While Love Tree is perfect for a "green" wedding, with it's simple and more rustic flair.












Finally, Sea of Love is a very romantic and, almost antique, invitation with a beautiful gold page.
No matter which of these, or the many others you will find at Heirloom Occasions, your guests will be so excited to get these works of art in the mail. Thanks to Kim for her images and for her incredible talent!

PRETTY CALLAS AND A DISCOUNT TOO!

I just love the folks at Get Married! I got such a lovely response to my earlier post that I have to tell you all how you can save money on these, and other, beautiful keepsakes for your guests- or yourself! Just enter "topblogger" in the Promo Code Box on the Shopping Cart Pages of The Get Married Wedding Shop. This code is good for 15% off $25.00. Thanks to Lacey for her generous offer to my readers! You will have no trouble finding a way to get your discount!

What a pretty little photo album for everyone to take home and show off the candids they take at your wedding. Fabric and texture paper album has a ribbon calla on the front.

This little calla candle is a 3D fabric flower on a pretty little white candle. It will add a real touch of elegance to your tables and comes with its own "thank you" card.

I love this little frame that can double as your place card. Can you imagine your escort card table full of these little opalescent callas?

SHOP, GET MARRIED

I am fast becoming a Get Married fan! I try to tune in every morning at 7:30AM and I visit the site daily to see what is new. The Get Married Shop is a fun place to find "stuff" for your wedding! Today, favors are the focus. One of the more tedious decisions that a bride has to make is what to give as a favor. So, I went to Get Married to see what I could find to make this small, but important decision easier. What I found is very exciting! Perfect for a summer wedding- outdoors are these little Gerber daisy boxes that you can fill with candies. On the tables they add a splash of color for a finished look to any table decor. Very simple, yet a wonderful touch!
















For your guests to stay cool and also to add a splash of color to the day are these silk fans. So pretty and practical too!



















And, for you destination brides, this is the cutest idea! These little tins in the shape of a suitcase can be personalized to say whatever you want them to say. Your guests will be happy to take these home from the romantic destination that they visit to share your special day.
If you like a more traditional favor idea with a modern flair, try these personalized Tic Tac boxes. They come in pairs or separately and can be labeled in the theme of your wedding.












For the perfect Asian flair favor, these wine bottle toppers with a Double Happiness symbol are great! Even the packaging will add flair to the tables. And, finally, for those of you who want to combine your favor with your escort cards, how about this little adorable package of sticky notes? Wrapped like a gift, you can put your guests table number and name on the front and then they can take home a cute little memory of the day- with a practical use!


Thanks to Get Married for the great ideas!

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Among the many puzzling questions facing brides today is that of the guest book. Gone are the days of that cheesy satin book found in every card store and bridal shop. Brides today want to do something unique and lasting. So, in answer to your question, girls, Get Married Shop has some answers!! Here we have two lovely possibilities. Both are perfect to make a lasting memory for you and an entertaining way for your guests to let you know they wish you the best. Whether you prefer the platter or the vase , you will use these for years to come.

Another lovely idea is this beautiful book with blank pages for your guests to, privately leave their sentiments.

Each unfolding page of this special book is a private envelope for guests to leave notes, pictures, trinkets, sketches, or any other items that might serve as a reminder of the story leading up to this moment as well as their hopes and wishes for what will follow. In this way, your guest book becomes a time capsule and a living journal of your celebration. Whatever your wedding needs, the shop at Get Married has something for you. And, don't forget to put the promo code in for your discount. Just type "topblogger" in the promo box when checking out and save some money, thanks to Get Married!

REEL CINEMA

In my daily travels through the many wedding web sites I follow, I came across a vendor forum that really gave me pause to comment. Many emails and posts later on Bridal Tweet, I have come to know a most fabulous and unique cinematographer! Off to an unusual start, Naomi and I have become cyber friends and my hope is that someone reading this will book Naomi and I together so that I can meet her in person! You will be mesmerised by these images, as I was. But, no one can tell you better about Naomi and Generations Cinema Stories. So, in her own words:

"The studio was created by Jack (my husband and partner) and me on May 17 2004. Jack was always into media - as a DJ, soundtrack producer/designer and videographer for corporate and special events. I was first, a teacher of Creative Writing and literature at the college and hs levels (alternative high schools), before co-authoring a program on stress management and then starting my own personal growth consulting business working with couples and individuals. During that time, I became a licensed non-denominational minister so I could write and perform original wedding ceremonies - which I still do from time to time. Jack and I were honored to be asked to film the first same sex wedding in Boston (Rob and Dave on our site ) and once I had gotten behind the camera at that event, I was hooked on creating wedding films that framed the couple in the historical, emotional and reflective elements of their day. We are mentors to Emerson College and BU film students who intern in our studio, film events with us, and are our junior editors. Every wedding film team has a director, and typically church or temple weddings have a crew of 3-4 - enabling us to be embedded, everywhere at once, but on tripod, in black cocktail attire, and as far as most people have observed, practically invisible. We never use on -camera lights, (they destroy shadows in images) and shine directly in guest's faces; we almost always attend rehearsals to form relationships with the wedding party and to determine ideal camera placement and lighting needs in advance. I love to start the documentary with the engagement (yes, we have been hired to film a few of those as a surprise to the bride!) move on to dress shopping, planning meetings, etc. We often film whole weekends and make 2 DVD sets. I'm most interested in what happens between the expected moments - the intimate gestures and comments that arise spontaneously on a wedding day."

Now, for the best part of this post- the video!

Lindsey and Nate- Old North Church and The State Room--Boston, Mass.


Becca and Henry- Becca's Family Homes in Marblehead Neck


The wedding of amazing, wonderful top planner/designer Chad Michael Peters and Kevin. Ceremony at a friend's home; reception at the Bay Club in Mattapoisett, MA. The Mexican decor is because Kevin was a Spanish teacher, and the couple chose to marry on Cinqo de Mayo.


Thank you to Naomi for her generous spirit and her kindness in letting me share these three weddings with you! PLEASE! It is worth the trip to Generations to see more weddings!! You will want to call Naomi right away for your wedding cinema!

PERFECT FOR EVERY PALETTE!

If you don't know about The Perfect Palette and you are getting married- consider yourself informed!! Chrissy is a genius at inspiration boards and color! Whatever your vision- she has the perfect palette! I chose these two because they are great for a summer wedding and because my June 5 bride is using these colors. don't waste another minute- get on over to The Perfect Palette and get inspired!

Inspiration boards courtesy of The Perfect Palette