Monday, March 30, 2009

The Perfect Invitation Search...

Wedding planning has been a dream for the most part. Most of my decisions were painless and made without too many hesitations.
My biggest issue? Invitations.
I consider myself a simple, classic bride. I don't want colors, I don't want ribbons, I don't want lots of things going on all over the place. I have made several long trips to Kate's Paperie and searched and searched online for a glimmer of inspiration. For months, I found little to nothing that appealed to me. Searching online, I came across this beautiful invitation on a blog and was determined to find it.
After bringing the picture back to Kate's and begging them to find it for me, they told me these invitations were custom-made for the bride with the manufacturer - the artwork was her own and these were one-of-a-kind. If there was a dream invitation, this was it!
Back to the drawing board...
My time is running short and I imagine crunch time for calligraphy.
I am receiving samples in the mail this week and visiting Kate's, yet again, tomorrow.
Now, I would notice if I received a beautiful invitation in the mail. However, I know that most guests do not. My invitation will ultimately end up in a frame and a memory book, but all my guests will throw it away. It's amazing what a bride can agonize over!
Stay tuned to see what I select for my wedding invitations!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Color Inspiration -- BLUE

Something old, something new, something borrowed... you know the saying! I'll make sure to give you ideas for all of those along the way, but for now, I am going to address the 'Something Blue'. In this case, the entire wedding!

You can take the color blue in so many different directions: French Country, Nautical, or veer off into the oh-so-trendy Tiffany blue. This time around, I am taking a straight-forward classic approach to blue details.

Here are some of the special ideas in the images below:
Christian Louboutin blue soles – it is rumored that they have stopped producing these precious shoes for high-style brides, BUT I recently saw a bride with blue soles! (as of Fall 2008)

Blue lighting – creates a chic look and a relaxed mood. Use white flowers and linens to pick up the blue light.

Even if you don’t throw the garter, wear one – for tradition’s sake!

I love custom details. Create your own stamps at zazzle.com

"Do your friends a favor" - Go to Amsale for your bridesmaids dresses! Her incredible style will make your girls feel feminine and pretty - don't forget - they will be comfortable too!!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Etiquette Question

Q. How do I tell my guests about my registries?

A. Word of mouth, it's the only way.
I promise - your guests will ask your mom, future mother-in-law, bridesmaids, etc about where you are registered. If your guests are technology savvy, they will search your name on The Knot or WeddingChannel.com and have everything at their fingertips.
Do not include your registry on any written communications you send to your guests, not on your save-the-dates and certainly not on your invitations. If a guest asks you where you are registered, you can, of course, tell them. If you have a wedding website, it is acceptable to add that to your save the date (most registries are linked to websites, so if your guests explore your wedding page they will find your registries).

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Wedding Registry

One of the many exciting parts of getting married is the gifting to help the couple start their new lives together. I love perusing a bride’s registry to see how she plans to fill her cabinets! When purchasing gifts for various wedding-related events, I also like to put a little of myself into the gift selection. One of my favorite gifts to give is something for the kitchen such as recipe books, cooking tools, etc. Then, I get this part from my mom (I already told you she's clever!) – I like to buy a few of the towels from the registry and wrap the gifts in the towels, tie with a pretty ribbon and decorate with silk flowers. It makes for a creative and useful way to give gifts!

One of my bridesmaids said she wanted to ignore my registry for our engagement party – here is what she gave us:

All in fun! But true :)

Here are a few of my favorite registry selections:
-All-Clad stainless steel pots and pans – isn’t it amazing?? It’s also safe cookware. I’m hesitant about non-stick cookware, given that the coating can scrape off and is poisonous.
-KitchenAid mixer – every new wife needs one of these! Such a lifesaver! Mama Bliss swears by hers. I was so excited to be engaged because now it’s my turn to get one!!!
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven – beautiful, beautiful cookware. Such a nice heirloom piece.
Also pictured below: Calvin Klein organic towels, Waterford Lismore Nouveau crystal stemware, Mauviel copper mixing bowl, Kate Spade Belle Boulevard vases, Bride & Groom Cookbook, Riedel wine glasses, Crate and Barrel cupcake stand, Crate and Barrel white dinnerware, Samsonite luggage, Kosta Boda decorative bowls, Ralph Lauren bedding, and a bathroom set from Macy’s.


If you are looking for a creative gift to ease the stress of the busy bride-to-be, consider a gift from MissNowMrs.com. The service will help the bride to be change her last name on all the appropriate forms according to her state of residence – driver’s license, passport, social security card, credit cards, etc.


Happy shopping!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Nightgown Party

My family has a sweet tradition of holding a Nightgown Party for the bride-to-be. Some people may be familiar with it as a personal shower. It is a small party of the women in the family, bridesmaids, friends, etc. held shortly after the engagement and prior to the bridal shower. It is usually held instead of an engagement party, but luckily, my future mother-in-law gave us one also.
Mama Bliss hosted my party this past weekend. Such a special day to celebrate the upcoming wedding! I got to tell my relationship and engagement story over and over to all of the family I hadn't seen recently. Even my future mother-in-law got a taste of my loving (but loud) Italian family.
Here are a few of my gifts below - the first is a gorgeous (!!!!) Claire Pettibone lace bridal nightgown, from my mom. She also gave me the stunning coordinating lace robe. Mama Bliss also made the chocolate pops for favors. She's so the Martha Stewart type! :)
Such sweet memories from the day for me to always remember!