Fashion Friday: Vintage Ensembles

How funny that I decide to go Vintage this week and I notice that many bloggers are doing the same thing!  I found some great ideas on other's blogs so I will be sharing those with you also, but first I want to give you some Fashion Friday ideas for your wedding attire.

Movie Star Elegance

Ruffles and Pearls

Lacey Romance

Sweet and Simple Love

and, of-course...SHOES!!

Are you going for a Vintage feel for your party?  What sort of style are you going to go with?

Leave a comment and tell us which is your favorite.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Theme Thursday: Vintage Peaches and Cream

This is one of my most favorite parts of my "job".  Finding a theme to bring an entire event together. 

Vintage themed weddings seem to have really grown in popularity over the last year, and it's so easy to see why.  The timeless, classic romance just sweeps you away to a different age.  Find a venue with some great stone architecture {a museum perhaps?}and take this wedding's inspiration board, add some delicious food and a good old-time swing band and it's the perfect celebration.

I also found this GORGEOUS wedding at Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Stop over there and check it out...I might be staring at it for a while.

Happy Thursday!

The Blushing Brides{maids}

Last week was my Blush Pink week, and I've tried {oh how I've tried} to move on from this absolutely romantic color, but I just keep finding more reasons to let it hang on a bit longer.  Today, I wanted to inspire you to let your girls blush a little too.  I have to honestly say, this is my favorite color right now! 

Found at Adrienne Gunde Photography

Absolutely adore the fun comfortable {and definitely wearable} dresses here!  These were found at Design - Conundrum

The long dresses are just gorgeous!  You can find these at Two Birds Bridesmaid

Dress by Amsale

What color will your girls be wearing?  Do you have a favorite designer?  Leave a comment and tell us. 

Happy Wednesday!

The Hunger Games

All day yesterday, all I could think about was how great the movie was going to be. Yes, I'm talking about The Hunger Games.  I read the books along with my daughter {though I finished them much quicker} and therefore, couldn't wait for the movie to get to the theaters.  I made it to the box office and, thankfully, bought all of our tickets ~ half an hour before they completely sold out!  We were all very pleased with how well the movie was done...it was a great family night.

The only thing that made me love the whole Hunger Games more, was waking up to read my email and seeing this photo shoot on Style Me Pretty. 

Please take a couple of minutes and check these pictures out.  I am now hoping to have someone near me want a party like this!!

The Hunger Games

Did you see the movie and read the books?  What did you think?

Fashion Friday: Some Shoe Eye Candy

Are you in search of that perfect "peachy" shoe to wear on your wedding day?  Here are a few that caught my eye!   

Are you wearing colored wedding shoes?  What color did you choose?

Theme Thursday: Peach and Gray Elegance Summer Wedding Inspiration:

I really am one for color.  When bold colors were everywhere it was so fun and easy for me to envision a wedding design.  As soon as the softer tones started to come back I panicked  little, because, to me things should POP.  As brides started contacting me with soft pinks, grays, beige and white I really thought I wouldn't like designing these as much...Boy was I wrong!  I LOVE the soft peach, pink, white and gray tones for this wedding design. 

And how fun would a cart, full of fresh fruit {mostly peaches of course} and flowers, be for your wedding favors?!

Using soft peach drapery to highlight the reception area, shot glass sundaes, a gorgeous bouquet and a lovely cake!!  What do you think?

Tent Weddings: Tips and Ideas

I absolutely love tented weddings!  To me, they are a blank canvas that you can transform into whatever you can dream up.  These are also the most difficult weddings to plan.  There are so many things you need to know and think about to make everything go smooth.

Here are some tips and ideas for you to help keep the big surprises away.

1. Check with your city's sound ordinances.  Make sure you know when the music needs to be ended and any laws on serving alcohol.  If you are having your wedding at your home, I suggest to, maybe, bake some goodies and deliver them to your neighbors informing them of the upcoming nuptials.  You know, an ounce of kindness goes a long way!

2. Have a contigency plan for inclement weather.  If your ceremony will be held outside the tent, be prepared to move it under the tent if necessary.  You could easily set up a little draping to separate the two areas if you wish.  This could also include umbrellas for your guests, or making sure you can move to an indoor place if needed.  Watch the weather channel!

3. Hire a professional.  Find someone that has done outdoor weddings before.  This is your best bet.

4. Make sure to announce on your invitations that your are having an outdoor wedding.  Your female guests might choose to forgo the heels for something a little flatter.

5. Prepare the site for bugs.  This could include a spray, but a fun little trick I learned is to use "fish" cat food.  Put it around the perimeter of your area and your stinging pests will be more interested in that than what you have going on.  Citronella candles and bug zappers are good options too.

6. Don't forget about restrooms.  Even if you are having the celebration at your home I would guess you really wouldn't want a few hundred people tramping through your house.  There are some pretty nice "Restroom Trailers" available that offer a larger stall for the bride with a large dress. 

7. Make sure you have enough power.  Talk with your band/ dj, caterer, restroom company and lighting to ensure you won't have a black-out.

8. Verify that there is enough parking for your guests and that it is well lit.  You could set up "painters lights", luminaries, or hand out flashlights for favors.

9. Keep your guests comfort in mind.  Set up a beverage station with ice cold water available.  Use your programs as fans and maybe even offer sunscreen or mosquito wipes.

10. Consider using a sunset as the backdrop for your nuptials. Keep the sun at your guests back rather than in their eyes {they'll appreciate it!}.

Are you having an outdoor wedding?  Do you have any tips you'd like to share?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Spring Centerpieces: Ideas For The DIY'er

If you are looking for ideas for some creative, economical and possibly even centerpieces you can make yourself, then you came to the right place.  I'm going to give you 10 tips on keeping your centerpieces budget-friendly and easy.


1. Use flowers that are in season.
For example, Peonies {my favorite flower} are much easier to find in the spring.  So, if you're having a winter wedding you might want to forgo these.

2. Use fruit and vegetables in your centerpieces.
Bright yellow lemons and green limes are great to use in glass bowls for your tables.  They are fresh and enjoyable to look at.

3. Use large flower heads.  One large hydrangea in a glass vase is beautiful by itself in the center of your tables.

4. Keep the height down on your floral centerpieces.  Over 12" and the price goes up.

5. Use your bouquet and your girls bouquets for centerpieces when you arrive at your reception.

6. If you have florals being used at your ceremony site, get them transfered to your reception.  If you have a large "altar" arrangement, use it at your head table.

7. Use your wedding favors in the center of your tables.  These, then, will serve double-duty!  Does it get any better than that?!

8. Do you like candy {silly question, right?}  Spread the jars amongst your tables along with some little baggies for your guests to fill up.

9. Gather a group of different sized pillars up in the center of the tables.  Put them on a mirror and it will really sparkle.

10. Gather up some beautiful orchids.  Repot them in some gorgeous clay pots and line them up along the center of your tables.  The best part about this is that they are so pretty that they really don't need anything else.

Happy Tuesday!

Getting To Know Your Planner: An Interview With Shelly

I was interviewed by Wedding Lovely last week.  This is a website provided to help you with your wedding planning, so, naturally, they interview a planner!

Take a look at how it went.

Getting To Know Your Planner

The Fit Bride: Juicing to Good Health

I recently watched a great documentary name "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and learned a lot about juicing.  When I talk about juicing I don't mean putting needles in your butt to get huge.  Obviously that's not the look you are going for on your wedding day.

Juicing your own fruit is a great way to stay away from processed juices in the store that are full of sugar and preservatives.  The volume of micronutrients you can get from your own fruit and vegetable juice goes above and beyond any amount you can get from store bought juice.  Those vitamins and minerals help our body with so many processes that will help you look and feel your best on your wedding day.

After watching this documentary I decided to try it for myself.  It was absolutely the best juice I have ever tried in my life.  I ran apples, strawberrys, pineapples, oranges, pears, carrots and various other fruits and vegetables through my juicer and everything tasted great.  I had more energy and less allergies after a few days of drinking my very own juice.

Homemade juice would be a great way to add a healthy snack and make sure you are getting the micronutrients needed.  This will help you feel vibrant and look great for your big day.  If you have any direct questions about juicers or recipes please check out the website for "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"  or email me at andy@hfhonline.com

www.fatsickandnearlydead.com

Get Healthy and Juiced!!

Andrew

www.facebook.com/tntpersonaltraining

Life Is Sweet ~ Please Take ATreat

Creating a candy buffet, dessert buffet, pie table or adding plates of cupcakes are some fun additions to give your guests something to remember.  I would love to tell you that I have "a favorite", but the truth is, I love all of these ideas!! 



Here are some ideas for your buffet:

1.   Follow through with your color scheme if you choose. 
2.   Go monochromatic for a dramatic effect
3.   Use all chocolate candies or multiple flavors, shapes and sizes
4.   Dress your candy buffet area up.  Add flowers, paper pom-poms, ribbon, signs, or elegant table covers.
5.   Make your buffet whimsical, elegant, simple or elaborate
6.   Use your candy buffet as the "favor" for your guests.  Have some nice bags {or lunch bags dressed up with a personalized label} for everyone to fill up and take home.
7.   Make sure you have scoops for your candies.  You don't want hands all over everything.
8.   Use boxes under the jars to add dimension to your table.
9.   Label your candy jars with some fun names, fun shaped labels and ribbon.
10. If your buffet will be against a wall, put up a backdrop of sorts to make it a focal point.


Here are some of my favorite inspirational pictures of the ever popular Candy Buffet.  mmm...

This is a beautiful scoop from the David Tutera collection at www.koyalwholesale.com

Did you have a candy buffet at your wedding? Let us know what you included.