INSPIRED BY MARDI GRAS

Just a quick inspiration for Mardi Gras. Taking the color palette of one of my fall brides and Mardi Gras, with its feathers and a bit of flair, I have created this board for a bold and beautiful wedding. It doesn't have to be February to use the colors and feathers of Mardi Gras. Rich jewel tones and Masquerade themes can be used throughout the year. And, finding inspiration is easy! I found more images than I could use. So, here is to Mardi Gras and Katie. Find your inspiration and enjoy! P.S.- Etsy is a great place for all things inspired! And, if you haven't discovered Pinterest- Get There!!
Credits:
Artisan Bake Shop- cake
BHLDN- shoes and wedding gown
Dessy- bridesmaid dress
Lazaro- feather wedding gown
My Dream Wedding- shoe clip
Powder Blue Bijoux- hair clip
Sharp Scissors- tutu
Victoria Westbury- bridesmaid dress with purple sash
Bridal Bijou- center mask
Frosted Petticoat- chocolate mask

THE FROSTED PETTICOAT

I am just so excited to do this post!! For a long time, I have been mesmerized by The Frosted Petticoat. Their whimsical blog, full of all kinds of off beat "couples" and their immensely creative inspiration boards, make my day! NOW! They have an Etsy shop that is full of more whimsical goodies- chocolate ones!!! Can't you just see these lovely snowflakes sitting at each place setting of your winter wedding? They are so pretty and they are delicious too! Are you planning an engagement party, a shower, your rehearsal dinner and looking for something unique to add to the fun? Try some of these ideas- all chocolate!! Buttons, jewel boxes (OH, maybe a Valentine proposal), stars, flowers- even a corset. I just love them! And, I just love The Petticoats!! They are ingenious and as sweet as their chocolates. So, visit the Etsy shop and make your day by visiting their blog! You will be glad you did!!!

THE PAINTED BRIDE

OK! I admit, I tune in to My Fair Wedding on Sunday nights. Not because I love the huge ego or the over the top productions that 99% of you will never have. But, because every once in a while there is a germ of an idea that sparks my interest. This past Sunday, one of those sparks perked up my curiosity. The bride was given hand painted shoes for her wedding. They were beautiful. So, I went in search of more hand painted and lovely things to make your day more personal. I will get to the shoes in a bit.

First, I think the hand painted signs that guide your guests to their destinations and the "Bride" and "Groom" chair markers are so sweet. This pretty sign that leads you to your country wedding is from Shore Chic. It sets the tone for this darling little wedding in the woods. But, you can customize your sign to fit any venue or theme.

Now, to the shoes! There are other companies that do this, but B Gall was my favorite. These beautifully painted shoes will be amazing peeking out of your gown. Figgie Shoes is also a fun company to find unique shoes that will say "here comes the bride" and surprise your guests. Now, you will want to know that you can also have a hand painted gown. This was not easy to find. It took me some time to find a designer and a photo. I found a gorgeous Carolina Herrera gown on Martha Stewart. But, it was an older style and in black and white. But, I did find a Vera Wang with a hand painted bodice with crystal beaded accents. And, I found this amazing designer, Samuelle- who would make a post on her own some day- who does hand painting and hand dipping of her fabrics. The gowns are ethereal and romantic. Chloe has hand painted flowers on the neckline.
Jane Wilson- Marquis is another designer who does painted gowns. These are some of her lovely things, perfect for the non- traditional bride. You may find other designers who do custom work and there are Etsy sites that sell these hand painted dresses. I just love the idea of having this original artwork oh a wedding gown.
How about hand painted invitations? I found these gems from two of my favorite companies- Momental Designs and Starry Night Design Studio- who also does hand painted aisle runners.

Another wonderful designer who does custom aisle runners, candles, parasols and other details, is I Do Originals. Kristen is lovely to work with and her work is beautiful.

And, who could resist the beauty of a hand painted wedding cake? These two cakes are just a sample of the many designs I found. The lovebirds is a picture created by Superfine Bakery. The sweet floral cake- your something blue, comes from the talents of Whipped Bake Shop.

And, finally, a few little details that just caught my eye. the Original Bridal Hanger/ Allegro Art is a wonderful little Etsy shop that creates pretty things like these bridal hangers and toasting flutes for the entire wedding party. These are a great gift for the bride- a perfect way to showcase her gown for pictures. And, a little extra for the wedding party to celebrate your special day.





















Let your imagination run wild and do a little digging and you will find many more ways to personalize your wedding with hand painted art. Oh- and for a perfect way to document you day with art- besides your photos, is to have a portrait of the wedding done by the talented Joan Zylkin. Joan will set up her easel and paint your day. You will have a piece of art for your home and a special memory to enjoy for many years. I enjoyed creating this post. I hope you do.

MICHELLE AND DAN: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

This photo sums up the feeling of Michelle and Dan's wedding last Saturday- A dozen red roses and a handwritten and framed love letter from the groom to his bride. It was the first of many touching and beautiful moments in the course of a spectacular day.

We started the day at The Four Seasons in Philadelphia with a bevy of lovelies primping and giggling while waiting for the photographer. The bride was calm and relaxed as she sat by the window having her pretty face made even prettier by the expert hands of Vanity Salon. With each ring of the doorbell, and each bridesmaid appearing, the excitement grew. It wasn't long before all 8 girls and the bride were drinking champagne and chatting as John Barone was snapping his camera and Tweed Productions was getting it all on film. While downstairs, the groom and his groomsmen were nervously trying to tie bow ties and I tried to get everyone in a tuxedo jacket and pinned with a rose. The concierge at the hotel graciously came to the rescue to help me and the men with the ties. Though I had printed out directions for them, the fingers just weren't working fast enough. Time was of the essence and we needed to keep moving. As I ran back and forth between the 4th and the 6th floors, Michelle's mom was putting her into the traditional bridal sari for photos. "The Dress" was still on a hanger on the door, but Michelle was happy to take some photos in a sari for her mother. The girls were in amazement as they watched the process of folding and pinning the sari.
Finally, the guys were ready to head out to the fountain- and the girls stood at the window watching as John and Jay led Dan and the boys around outside. Meanwhile, the buses were arriving- a huge piece of the day. All the guests were staying at three hotels in the city and had to be transported to church and then to The Willows for the reception. Also, there was a school bus for the guys to get to church and a limousine for the girls. All of this had to be coordinated and timed to the minute. The bride and groom did not see each other before the ceremony,so I had to keep them apart for pictures. The buses were great! The school bus was adorable and the limo driver made sure the bride didn't get dirty in and out of the car. I love working with pros!
The Details
There were plenty of details for this wedding! And, they changed constantly during the process. So, I had to keep careful notes and check in with vendors often to keep everyone on the same page. Michelle, be in the fashion industry, has great taste. She wanted every element of her wedding to be perfect. And, with a Blackberry, and iphone and an ipad- pictures from the internet were a daily surprise in my inbox! The gorgeous flowers, by Chantilly Floral, were amazing! Three shade of pink- from fuschia to medium to light pink and hen mixed with ivory, to create these very lush bouquets and centerpieces. Michelle combined a mix of high trumpet vases with three dozen fuschia roses on top and pink calla lilies floating inside, with alternate square vessels, six to a table, with three dozen mixed roses scattered between the six vessels. Gold chairs, ivory linens and gold edged china, made for a beautiful table setting. And, there was lots of candlelight and pink uplighting in the tent thanks to Moore Events. Other details included the custom table numbers made by- ME! And, the unique escort cards- a full blown rose with a calligraphied leaf for each guest. The leaves came from Etsy and the assembly of the leaf to the rose was done by my daughter. Also, I made 50 pew bows for the church which was a darling little Catholic church. Every room at The Willows was lit with votives and scattered with vases of roses. When the guests arrived for cocktails on the patio, they were greeted by the wonderful staff of Perfect Setting catering and a "Blushing Bride" - pink, of course. Oh- let's not forget THE DRESS! Vera Wang and stunning! Michelle looked like a Barbie doll in her ivory satin gown with a billow of organza flounce on the bottom.

The Party

When the party moved into the tent, we didn't need the heaters to keep everyone warm! There was plenty of energy and great food to do that! The introduction was easy- just the happy couple. They were so excited that the DJ didn't even get their names announced before they made their grand entrance! The groom thanked everyone for being there and handed over the microphone to the bride's father for the blessing. Then the bride's sister and the groom's brother gave two touching toasts before dinner. Michelle and Dan waited until after dinner to do their first dance- a Motown favorite to get the party in high gear- AND IT DID! With the help of the very talented Vaughn Walter, from Silver Sound, the tables emptied to the dance floor and stayed that way all night! Vaughn really rocked the party!! Getting the cake cut was a challenge, as the couple didn't want to stop long enough to do it. Once they did, John had to do 3 takes to get a shot of them feeding each other- it was really cute and SO funny!! Cake and chocolate covered strawberries were set out for dessert along with a lovely coffee station. Perfect Setting did a fabulous job all night! Again- I love working with the pros!!

There was no break in the fun. Everyone was on the dance floor! The groomsmen did an Irish jig for the groom, the bride's family danced some Bollywood and taught the girls how and they even danced the hora- though the couple wasn't Jewish! It was a perfect day! The couple were happy, the food was good, the music was upbeat and great fun and...IT DIDN'T RAIN! I promised the bride it wouldn't and the rain gods and I kept the promise! I LOVE my job!

AMY JO TATUM- ON ETSY

Amy Jo Tatum is a true genius when it comes to creating that one of a kind dress for your wedding. Everything about her feminine and chic designs, from the eco- friendly fabrics, to the details is absolute perfection. She has a flair for everything vintage and classic and she knows how to make the feminine form look stunning in her designs. Amy Jo, who is based in California, makes custom wedding gowns for brides all over. And, now, you can find a very special collection on Etsy. These lovely confections are perfect for a summer bride and put me in mind of a sunny meadow full of wildflowers and a ceremony under a big willow tree.





Starting from the top left we have Madelyn made of tea- dyed tulle and chantilly lace. It has a shirred bodice and the skirt has five layers of tulle and rose beige China silk. The top right dress, April, is one of my favorites. This ballerina length, embroidered ivory organza dress has a full crinoline petticoat and gray silk/ satin sash. How lovely you will be in a museum or an old theater in this nostalgic creation. Next we have Valerie, on the bottom left. This dress is also made from tea- dyed tulle and chantilly lace. It has a full tulle skirt and a separate petticoat. The V- neck is a perfect look for a vintage feel and the sash just pulls in that perfect waist. A country vineyard setting is perfect for this classic, yet modern dress. Finally, there is Tatanya. Five layers of white tulle in this heavenly skirt and a shirred bodice with chantilly lace underneath, this dress can be done with a white tulle, striped or floral sash- and makes a smashing entrance into your old estate wedding. Amy Jo's Etsy shop also has incredible hats and veils to accessorize these gorgeous dresses. There is no end to the possibilities. Amy Jo Tatum will make you look like a dream on your wedding day.
Thanks to Dominic Colacchio for the photography and Cherese Burnley of Beautify

A PERFECT MARRIAGE

Today a little eye candy! Spring has to come soon and with it, the dreams of a summer wedding. So, I put together some lovely images of some frothy gowns and matching headpieces. Just a little inspiration for all you brides who need some help deciding how to be the most beautiful bride.
These dreamy confections are all from Amy Jo Tatum. Amy Jo combines vintage inspiration with modern touches and creates luscious and feminine gowns and headpieces that are one of a kind.

Here, the new and exciting designs of BHLDN. More comfortable and informal, these gowns are perfect for an outdoor or beach wedding. If you want something totally modern and sweet, but still want to look like the bride, then see these dresses.












Dramatic, feminine and exquisite! These are words that come to mind when I see Claire Pettibone gowns and Twigs and Honey headpieces. Together they are the perfect marriage of bridal elegance and a unique look. With a vintage feel, Claire Pettibone and Twigs and Honey will make you feel like you stepped back in time to a more romantic and ethereal era.










Finally, There is Priscilla of Boston. This beautiful ballgown with a touch of pink is a perfect dress for a warm weather wedding. Add this little veil with silk cherry blossoms from Honeycomb and you have a fairy princess look. This Melissa Sweet froth is like a cloud floating up the aisle. Combine it with this lovely headband from Twigs and Honey and you can be the Queen of the May.

Whatever your bridal style, whatever your budget, you can be lovely and delicious when you meet your prince at the end of that aisle- even if it is in the forest, in a meadow or in the sand. There are so many alternatives to the traditional wedding gown. Most importantly, BE THE BRIDE! It is your one chance to wow the crowd, so don't settle and don't bargain shop. A quality garment from a reputable salon is always a more cost effective choice. Taking chances from an unconventional source or from the internet can wind up costing you time, money and heartache. So, be smart and have fun. You owe it to yourself to look your best and feel beautiful on such an important day!




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WITH THIS RINGBOX

The Frosted Petticoat, a new shop on Etsy with a perfect little box for the proposal and the ring pillow. This little shop was born out of a bride's vision to "not" use one of those white ring pillows. She took the box that her engagement ring came from and added some crystals and cameos from her grandmother and Viola! Now, you can have such a box ( hint to the future grooms) and use it for the ring pillow and then to store you rings in when you take them off. What a lovely idea.

And, if a traditional garter isn't your thing- try one of these beaded ones! What a wonderful new idea to make your wedding stand out.

















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ETSY FINDS VALENTINES

Today I went "shopping" at Etsy for Valentines. This is some of what I found. From personalized sweetheart candies, to flowers and hairpins for your hair, to baskets for the flower girls, Etsy has it all. I love these cake toppers- the pandas are so cute and the lovebirds are very nostalgic.
How lovely is this Swarovski crystal pendant? If feathers are your thing, try this bouquet. I also love the heart shaped lovebirds to use as a napkin ring or on a package. So many of my brides have shopped at Etsy for their weddings. You can find everything there to make your wedding special. Happy shopping!



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PRETTY PLEASE: MORE AQUA AND RED

This is such a pretty ring pillow! I should have had it for my earlier post!! It's From Pretty Please, where you may find other goodies for your wedding!