.c is for charmed.

farewell

2009-12-02T14:37:00.002-05:00

i'm sure some of you have seen this coming - well it's pretty obvious, since I'm not around posting anymore. but when i started c is for charmed i never really had any intention of anyone reading it. i was just looking for a place to store inspirations and to have something i could look back on when the wedding was over.

and while yes, i could continue this blog with what is relevant in my life now i feel that's unfair to the readers who have come here looking for wedding inspiration. and i don't want to let you down with a post every now and then.

so consider this chapter closed and we're on to the next... come visit me on my new blog, court + hudson, where i share a little bit of what i'm loving everyday. and hopefully bigger things will be in store for court + hudson very soon!

cheers-
chris

thanks!

2009-11-16T09:15:00.000-05:00

i just wanted to thank you all for your sweet comments on our wedding, i read everyone of them.. then made my husband read them too : ) it's a scary thing sharing a very personal day with the world!

and i wanted to give a special thanks to veiled vows and lake jane for featuring our wedding. thanks ladies!

ps. it's true... my dress is for sale. so if any of you are interested in purchasing it, please contact me for details.

our wedding: the bridge

2009-11-11T12:01:00.001-05:00

here are a few additional pictures we shot on a bridge near the brewery. while the rain had stopped, the wind moved in. and 40 mph winds + a fitted dress + loose hair = not so cute. but we managed to snag a few of my favorite shots of the night in our alternate location here on this little bridge.

and i guess that's it!! it's been almost three months since the wedding ended, and i still miss it. it's just one of those really amazing days in your life that shouldn't be clouded with wedding dresses and sit down dinners and perfection - it should be about the two of you.
that's what makes it all count.

i suppose that's my newlywed advice to all of you.

all photos by aaron ingrao

our wedding: the reception

2009-11-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

as you have read, the details were extremely important to me. and there were a lot! (and a lot that weren't captured!) from menus to lace votives, a "sweet love" candy bar to the wedding tree, it's what made our wedding very special. and you'll see that many of the weddings i've featured here inspired some of the elements (the wedding tree, yes i totally copied, but spread the love, it's a great idea!)

and i told you we'd have a photo wall. such a fun idea, and a great alternative way to

display your family photos. our guests loved it.

our wedding: some fun and a little break

2009-11-11T10:59:00.001-05:00

the street fair was fun and all, but after a rainstorm, a power outage, and some serious ceremony nerves, all i wanted to do was relax. so the bridal party headed to my brother's gorgeous house for a little r and r. a few photo ops first...

in case you're wondering, my hair fascinator was created by the LOVELY chelsea

from oh my deer. the piece was gorgeous and beautifully crafted.

and because our flowergirl and ring bearer stole the show... she's not even three,
look at that pose!

and finally, some time to relax. one of my favorite parts of the day!

our wedding: a street fair

2009-11-11T10:09:00.000-05:00

we were that annoying couple that had six hours between their ceremony and reception. not by choice as those were the only time slots available. alas, a six hour gap gives you plenty of time to do just about anything, so while our guests headed up to niagara falls or ventured off to nosh on some great Buffalo eats, we perused a crowded street festival filled with sloppy hot dog eating and a whole lot of confusion! every girls white dress nightmare, but it was amusing seeing the bewildered faces of festival-goers as we walked down the street decked in wedding attire.

you know, tried on a couple hats...

danced to some live music...

ate a hot dog (they did, not me... i stood far away from the ketchup!)

and the sun finally started peaking through the grey!

next up, some downtime... and then party time!

our wedding: the ceremony

2009-11-09T23:06:00.001-05:00

our ceremony turned out to be beautiful - literally. we get to the greenhouse and the sun came out the second my dad and i started walking down the aisle. it sounds cheesy, but i swear, the timing could not have been planned better than if you organized it with mother nature! we originally wanted to have our ceremony in this gorgeous perennial garden on the botanical grounds, but due to the weather we opted for the shelter of the greenhouse instead.

so our circle seating arrangement was a bit smushed, and with the sun, the guests were a bit warm (we were in a greenhouse after all!) , but we loved every minute of it. i'm sorry i don't have many detail shots of the ceremony... the fan programs i spent hours designing, gluing and crafting, the sheperd's hook aisle runners filled with playful wildflowers and the bushels of hydrangeas that surrounded the heart of our ceremony - but sadly, these little details did not get captured!

our ceremony focused on unity, which is why our family and friends surrounded us in a circle as we stood among them.

"let this circle be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future, and that whenever there are sorrows, joy will come around again"

"for after you says these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife"

"remember that marriage is a shared relationship, not a matter of possession. it is a means of showing your commitment to one another, not a blind surrendering of personality. it is not an excuse to become limited in your outlook; but an opportunity for mutual growth"

we did it!

hello again.... and getting ready

2009-11-09T21:59:00.001-05:00

so i know what you're thinking. where have i been and why did i leave before posting a wedding recap? after all, isn't that what i've been working towards the entire time i've been blogging? and the answer is yes, but what i didn't expect was all that came after the wedding planning. and that was a serious creative void that i've been busy trying to fill with new projects.. that i will tell you about later. but i owe you some wedding photos and a recap of our wedding day, so here goes!

while i'd like to say it was the perfect "75 degrees & sunny" august day i was hoping for, it wasn't. it was COLD and rainy... and i woke up to a transmitter dying. yes, the day started with no power at my parent's house! not the biggest deal, but moving to my grandmother's house for hair and make-up left us with little time for those "getting ready" photos. here are a few we managed to get right as the power came back on, and right before we had to leave for the botanical gardens.

naturally, it started to rain the second we headed out to the limo on the way to the ceremony, but i truly believe it will only bring our marriage good luck : )

2009-09-14T20:01:00.002-04:00

as you may have noticed, blogging has come to a bit of a halt. i'm struggling with where i want this blog to go now that the wedding is over, and thus new things are in the works. but i need some time to figure out what those things will be.

but don't worry, i'll be back with the recaps when the photos are in. until then, albert einstein sums up my attitude at the moment... just need to make sense of the jumble in my head!

aimee + kumu

2009-09-03T12:04:00.002-04:00

so yes, i'm officially back from the wedding. and no, i do not have pictures back yet. so we'll do a recap when we get those babies!

but for now let's take a peek at this awesome post-wedding shoot shot by jess over at jessica kettle photography. aimee and kumu were married in hawaii, where they now take up residence. but these shots were taken out in seattle.

the mood of the whole shoot is just divine - the sweet parasol, the beautiful garden...

and maybe the fact that aimee and her mother designed & MADE her dress! 100% tulle people - if you sew, you know how hard it is to work with tulle!

so gorgeous, just what i needed after a (sort of) break from the wedding world! thanks jessica for sharing these images.

married!

2009-08-31T18:00:00.005-04:00

we're officially married and spending a few days unwinding in vermont since our honeymoon isn't officially until november. our wedding was so surreal and so beautiful - i will have a full recap up next week, but here's a teaser for now!

a perfect pillow

2009-08-21T09:56:00.003-04:00

so we're down to 8 days until the wedding - can't make any promises about posting the next week since we head to buffalo on tuesday to finish all of the last minute details. BUT how cute are these state embroidered pillows over at whispering pines.

i've posted about them before, but they really do have some cute items for a slightly vintage, rustic wedding. i think these would make great ring pillows - slightly expensive, but fully hand embroidered.

they have all 50 states available (i just picked the states of our hometowns!)

grace & tailor

2009-08-19T10:10:00.003-04:00

have you had a chance to glance through the latest issue of brides uk? we get the international editions of bridal magazines at work and i love thumbing through them to get a different perspective on things. i came across this (seriously!) GORGEOUS wedding spread that, oddly enough, Bertie from casando ideias posted today.

in the spread they feature this suitcase table plan from uk based styling team grace & tailor , isn't it just fantastic? you have to go check out the weddings, events, and displays they create - many are slightly vintage & fully of whimsy - i am in love.

treehouse point

2009-08-18T15:33:00.003-04:00

ever since i was little i wanted a tree house - you know the one from the movie, now and then? i even went as far as to build little seats in a tree in our backyard with my sister so we could pretend it was a house, of sorts.

so imagine my delight when hollin + eric's wedding, shot by ben blood popped up in google reader. they got married in a treehouse? i'm so very jealous of them. but if you live in the seattle area, you too can get married in a treehouse. (or have a lovely dinner party there!)

treehouse point is a dream realized for designer pete nelson and wife judy. you must pop over to their site to see the rest of the gorgeous grounds.

someone please have a party there, and invite me as a guest?

she did it...

2009-08-18T15:24:00.002-04:00

and she did it well! lake jane got married! and wait till you feast your eyes on her wedding. it's a beauty. but i'm not going to steal her thunder, she'll be doing wedding recaps all week. and davina (of davina + daniel) did a kick ass job of capturing the whole fantastic affair.

framed objects

2009-08-14T09:35:00.002-04:00

i'm loving these frames from the. - you know, the ingenius & witty design team of sherwood forlee and mihoko ouchi who also created the walls notebook. they really are a great wedding gift alternative for a less traditional couple.

these may have to be my wedding present to us : )

via paper tastebuds

ice cream!

2009-08-13T09:34:00.003-04:00

i don't know if i've ever mentioned my love for ice cream. well i LOVE it! i could eat it everyday... luckily our apartment doesn't really have much of a freezer so i don't eat it all that often. but i just had to share with you a fun dessert idea for your wedding. the gold coast ice cream truck! (sorry it's nyc/long islander based only!)
they have good humor ice cream classic, gelato, and even retro-inspired candies. it comes to you in this great vintage ice cream truck.ohh, how i love the ice cream man! isn't this such a cute idea to add a touch of whimsy to your wedding?

guest post

2009-08-11T10:28:00.003-04:00

hey all... i'm guest blogging today over at lake jane while marie-eve is off on her honeymoon! go check out my top five favorite weddings, right here.

christina + tim: part three

2009-08-06T12:45:00.000-04:00

and i have to end with some of the AMAZING details christina & tim crafted themselves for the wedding. i just love all of the personal touches.

aren't these cakes just the cutest thing? i've never seen anything like them! they were created by cake sensations by laura

here's the carved initials again, this time in a card box. i love the hollowed out log. once again, new to me!

a lemonade stand! i love this!

and my favorite... the group shot. i've said it before and i'll say it again, every wedding should have a group shot!

thanks to jen at jk photography for letting me share these wonderful images. she's an amazing photographer (and she travels)!! go check out her blog here for more wedding photos. and she is over here on twitter.

christina + tim: part two

2009-08-06T12:30:00.002-04:00

i just love this shot. how cute are christina's flowergirls?!

christina + tim part one

2009-08-06T08:37:00.004-04:00

today's wedding is a real beauty and a true labor of love. christina + tim were married on tim's family farm in sturgis, mi. jen of jk photography was there to capture every last detail.. and there were plenty! take a peek.

see those initials carved into the tree? christina and tim did that the previous year when they decided that the farm would be where they held their wedding. isn't that sweet? you'll see later that they carried this theme through to the reception as well.

a receiving line of a different kind.

2009-08-05T17:03:00.004-04:00

i'm a little bit in love with this diy story line over at project wedding. instead of a traditional guestbook this story line is a great way to make memories with your guests while remembering some of the good old times.

some colored pens, paper of your choice and a bowl of clothespins are all you need to string a line of sweet memories and lovely words from your friends and family.

finalist

2009-08-04T09:57:00.004-04:00

our wedding invitations were a finalist in the bride's cafe DIY contest. check it out here!

grandopening

2009-08-03T21:28:00.004-04:00

sorry for the nyc specific post, but i came across wedding chapel while strolling through the les of manhattan this weekend. "wedding chapel" is the brainchild of grand opening. it's essentially an adorable store front that allows couples a fantastic alternative to getting married at city hall. you can bring guests, you can decorate, you can not decorate, you can even pretend to get married!
it's a little bit of vegas in nyc, and it's fabulous!

happy weekend!

2009-08-01T09:58:00.003-04:00

my bachelorette party is today and my thoughtful sister and friends have planned a wonderful day ending with a sweet outdoor dinner. hooray for a gorgeous day in nyc! what are you doing this weekend?

with less than one month to go, things are getting busy, and of course so is my day job. so i apologize if my posting is/has been less than creative.

but here are few charming things around the web this week...

mint featured beverly & neil's amazing wedding and website | photo by bob miller

tec petaja does it again... he always managed to shoot the most gorgeous couples, like jordyn & bradley | photo by tec petaja

aren't these invitations fantastic? everything erin jang creates is spot on!

2009-07-29T15:36:00.005-04:00

have you been over to style me pretty lately? you must check out the shabby chic wedding shoot abby posted today, it's just fantastic. i can't take anymore wedding inspiration!! the wedding is a month away (as of today!) and there should be nothing else inspiring this wedding, we should be done be inspired.

but i can't help it. i keep peeking, and falling in love with so many gorgeous details. like these save the date handkerchiefs. oh how i had wanted to do these for our invitations for so long. i still have 70 handkerchiefs that are sitting in my craft box. i just couldn't get all parties involved on board, if you know what i mean : )

the wedding video

2009-07-28T20:03:00.003-04:00

who could forget ginny & ed's wedding? well their photographer, josh goleman just posted the wedding video he shot of them as well. and wow is it gorgeous. and the song "bella" by angus & julia stone is SUCH a great one! i never really thought of it until now, but it would make a beautiful first dance song.

a stunner.

2009-07-23T12:00:00.004-04:00

remember this amazing proposal? well, they got married. and i just copied all their photos to show to my photographer this weekend, you know, basically, "i want that" (i know, i'm not supposed to do that!)

photos via hear black, nathan's facebook (yes, i totally stalked it!)

and with that, im off to Buffalo for the weekend, for my second shower & the final vendor meetings until the wedding. have a wonderful weekend!

emersonmade

2009-07-22T08:33:00.004-04:00

i'm loving emersonmade. she hand dyes all of her linens and then cuts and builds each flower to create some really amazing statements. i was all about flower brooches a few years back when carrie bradshaw made them popular. and i'm glad to see they're peeking out again.

i think they would make a great fashionable bridesmaid gift. i kind of want one for myself!

you can check them out on her blog or buy directly off of her website.

i love this one too - would make such a fun, kitschy boutonniere.

the wedding tree.

2009-07-19T21:17:00.005-04:00

image via jonas peterson

i love this idea for a guest book - how creative! (might be another idea that i "borrow" for my own) the rest of this wedding is to die for (this couple has a crazy gorgeous sense of style), check it out on jonas peterson's blog and on rock and roll bride.

hello tenfold!

2009-07-17T19:47:00.003-04:00

if you don't already know about ellie and her fantastic blog mint... well you should! her wedding was amazing, every detail was done to perfection. and her paper products, all of which she created herself, were the talk of the blogosphere!

well, lucky for us, she's opened an esty shop, hello tenfold. go check it out and tell your newly engaged friends. i'm loving the mix of vintage patterns!

happy weekend!

2009-07-17T11:21:00.003-04:00

we're at six weeks and counting so this weekend i'll be busy preparing for my trip on thursday for my last bridal shower... and a 10-hour day of wedding related meetings. have a great weekend - here are some things i was loving this week.

a coffee shop engagement shoot via simply bloom photography

heart and hands via studio on fire

a candlelit ceremony via carl zoch

fluffy white hydrangeas via once wed
a barn wedding (my favorite kind!) via one love photo

want ranuncula at your wedding? anthropologie says you can wear them around your neck.

i guess i'm it!

2009-07-16T15:26:00.009-04:00

image via mary swenson of its pretty good

i've been tagged by two lovely ladies, Teresa of Diagnosis Deferred and Dawn of The Alternative Bride to list some of my favorite little things. easy peasy. : )

(note: my fiance is obviously my #1 favorite, it's just a given, so i'm listing 6 more)

1. a fluffy down comforter & squishy pillows during an afternoon nap after being outside

there is nothing better! you're sunned and sleepy from running around outside in the sunshine all day and a mid-afternoon nap on a cool comforter with the sun streaming in is a seriously luxury for me! and i love it!

2. compliments - giving and receiving; this can be tough in nyc!

3. working out

i can feel eyes rolling as i write this! but i do. i like working out. i feel so good afterwards and it's the ultimate confidence booster.

4. the bethesda fountain & terrace, central park

one of my most favorite places in nyc, there are so many great spots to hang out, read, people watch or take in the scenery.

5. family/friends

my sister is the only family i have in nyc, my brother and parents are back in my hometown, so i rely a lot on my friendships to be my support system. so yes, i can clump them together ; )

6. details
i love details, they make me happy. i think it's the details that make things special - even if no one remembers.

so if you're reading this, tag, you're it!

framed

2009-07-15T12:35:00.003-04:00

i think i need to step away from the internet... i can't add anymore projects to my list! but i adore this wall of frames used as a photobooth.

images via elizabeth messina of kiss the groom ; wall created by sasha souza

handmade hearts

2009-07-14T20:46:00.003-04:00

i'm a sucker for a muted color palette and a touch of vintage. so when i came across cotton bird designs i just fell in love with her fabric & paper bird cake toppers and vintage fabric hearts (which would make a lovely ring pillow)

happy weekend!

2009-07-10T16:15:00.004-04:00

image via simply bloom photography (blog)

it's a gorgeous day here in nyc, and we've got lots of wedding projects and bbqs lined up for the weekend. how about you? here's what i've been loving this week...

this fantastic laid-back, kid friendly garden wedding

a vintage barn wedding

the reality of wedding trends - here AND here
(thank you for that ladies!)

fresh color combinations in this lovely tablescape

a lovely garden brunch

oh, hello friend.

2009-07-09T10:00:00.003-04:00

we all know i'm a big fan of danni's blog oh, hello friend. well she also has the cutest etsy shop full of adorable jewelry items. i've been agonizing over what to get my bridesmaids and think this would be a great little addition to their gifts!

go check out the shop - the hairpins are my favorite!

pretty papers

2009-07-08T16:17:00.002-04:00

have you seen these gorgeous pieces of art haley from bread of many calls her wedding invitations? head over to oh so beautiful paper to see more. stunning! can i have a do-over?

colin + sarah

2009-07-08T10:50:00.005-04:00

colin & sarah's gorgeous wedding was shot by amanda & carina of love me do photography of philadelphia, pa. I don't know if you've ever checked out their site or blog, but they somehow manage to capture the sweetest, most charming weddings!

do you love sarah's 1940's vintage wedding dress as much as i do? okay good! ; )

aren't the just the most gorgeous couple? the light in this photo is just amazing!

thank you carina & amanda for letting me share this beautiful wedding!

2009-07-07T11:29:00.001-04:00

these are some fantastically dressed bridesmaids!! i love the colors... check out the rest of this adorable vintage wedding over at the brides cafe.

photo by jill thomas

happy fourth of july!

2009-07-02T09:18:00.007-04:00

wishing everyone a very safe and happy fourth of july! be back monday.

2009-07-02T08:21:00.002-04:00

could we just pick this up and move it to my garden ceremony? isn't this a gorgeous wedding walk?

via casando ideias; shot by Alex M.

ginny + ed

2009-06-29T08:50:00.002-04:00

this wedding will soon be everywhere, but it should be. because its gorgeous and josh goleman is an amazing photographer. check out more of the wedding on josh's blog, and on 100 layer cake and on once wed.

we made it..

2009-06-26T11:59:00.004-04:00

to friday! the days seems to be escaping me - my day job is chaotic and our wedding is two months away. but it's finally warming up in nyc and the sun may actually make an appearance this weekend for a whole day straight! have a happy weekend, here are some things that i was loving this week!this little pouch of loveliness via a new fav find of mine, the alternative bride .. could someone work on a diy version because i can't afford the $1,000 price tag!

the sweet details, pastel palette and bunting flags of zoe and iain's wedding shot by lillian and leonard

the gorgeous, inventive invitations of 13 creative via ritzy bee

pernel + aaron's wedding coordinated by the fabulous team at amorology and photography by hugh forte. i won't try to pick a favorite part, the whole day was amazing!finally, the breathtaking florals & dreamy, gorgeous images of emily + eric's wedding, shot by sarah yates

dan & lauren

2009-06-24T15:41:00.003-04:00

john rozier shot this amazing wedding we're featuring today! you can check out his blog and website here and here.

and surprise! it has a vintage, hand-made vibe to it. it's such a departure for me ; ) there are lots of things that attracted me to this wedding... lauren's dress (which was ALMOST going to be mine, so of course i love it!), the attire, in particular, dan's suit and the bridesmaid's shoes and the CANDY BAR! i adore the "sweet love" banner and may just have to steal the idea!

it was great for me seeing this wedding, because it helped me with some aspects of my own wedding. i've been struggling with colors of shoes for bridesmaids and ties for groomsmen and how it was all going to come together - so this helped. and i think it's fabulous! take a peek.

seriously.. the shoes... are so great!

the most adorable banner. i'm adding it to the diy list.

thanks john for letting me share this beautiful wedding!

a beachy cottage & some serious couture

2009-06-22T13:51:00.003-04:00

every bride does it, even when they know better... you know, continuing to look at dresses once their's has already been fawned over and paid for! but this shoot featured in charleston weddings mag took my breath away. shot out on the gorgeous sullivan island, the airiness of the fabrics, that slightly goddess-like appeal = gorgeous.

i love the neckline and detailing of this claire pettibone dress. and combined with the alexis bittar necklace, its amazing!

these last two dresses are my favorite - another claire pettibone "moonlight" and the last being carmela sutera. the hem on the claire pettibone is beautiful.

all photos shot by peter frank edwards

i think im committing...

2009-06-16T19:55:00.003-04:00

to a bouquet.
arranged by the fabulous courtney of flush designs and erin hearts court. her and her hubby shot this gorgeous wedding as well. such a talented couple!

i'm in love with another wedding

2009-06-16T18:57:00.003-04:00

...and another dress. sigh! you MUST go check this wedding out over at the fantastic sugar love weddings, based out of australia.

p.s. i'm kind of in love with every wedding on their blog... ; )

totally reposted after seeing on frolic!

our wedding: invitations

2009-06-13T17:51:00.004-04:00

i've been a little absent lately and i could blame it on the never ending rain cloud permanently affixing itself above nyc, or i can show you what's been taking up all of my time. we finally! sent out our wedding invitations, which have been a real labor of love.
we really wanted to do something handmade with a whimsical feeling to it. we wanted it to feel like a little package of goodies, with each piece having a unique attribute - whether it be the paper of the design. i took the idea of the rsvp stickers from birddog press, i just loved them.
and the admit one ticket just has some reminder travel information.
the invitation itself was just a vellum hand sewn onto vintage wallpapers and papers i collected, each one being completely unique. the colors here are a lot brighter than the actual papers, everything is a very muted palette.
and while i would have loved to use vintage stamps, it was just not in our budget to do so given the number of components of the invitations - so we lucked out with the adorable new king and queen love stamps.

roaring 20's

2009-06-10T09:40:00.004-04:00

risa and evan pulled off one stellar 1920's themed wedding. laura of gritz photography was there to capture that vision and turn it into something truly spectacular. isn't laura's image processing amazing? laura was kind enough to share some more details of their day.

" it was pouring rain for days, even that morning, it looked liked we were going to have to shift to plan b. but it cleared up, and the show went on! all of the groomsmen (all 12 of them!) had flasks and wingtip shoes, and the bridesmaids were decked out in flapper attire. all of the guests came in appropriate 20's attire as well"

i love a group that likes to dress up!

"the ceremony was held under a huge live oak tree - since the brides parents were married under an old oak tree years before.

her tattoo says "love all, seek one" isn't that beautiful?

this is my favorite.. she looks amazing! what a fantastic pose.

"the reception was completely 20's themed and held at the pensacola museum of commerce (an old warehouse). "bootleg" booze was served in mason jars, and you had to use a special knock to get into the "hush party".

such an amazing event! laura, thanks for letting me share this. : )

utterly gorgeous

2009-06-09T15:10:00.002-04:00

i came across utterly engaged today while searching for budget floral inspiration for our table arrangements. and then up popped the dreamy images on grey likes weddings , since she designed all of the florals for that very shoot. can we talk about gorgeous? i love the entire shoot - shot by stephanie williams. perfect for a vintage garden wedding!

p.s. you really must go check out the premiere issue of utterly engaged - it's going to be a great resource for budget friendly ideas and resources. i love it already, can't wait for issue #2 ; )

these are pretty sweet

2009-06-09T08:37:00.002-04:00

okay, bad pun, i couldn't help it! saw this over on victoria with roses and had to share the love. aren't these gorgeous? seriously. amazing. they're made by the (obviously) extremely talented amber spiegel who runs the etsy shop sweet ambs. these would be delightful at a tea party shower or as favors for a vintage themed wedding.

something blue

2009-06-08T08:51:00.002-04:00

hello folks, welcome to monday. how was your weekend? we finally finished our invitations, but more on that later..

let me introduce you to an AMAZING diy project found on love Maegan. Go check it out... because who doesn't want ruffley (may not be a word, but that's okay!) blue shoes peaking out from under their wedding dress?

brooklyn pop-up wedding series

2009-06-03T20:27:00.006-04:00

i'm going... will i see you there? rsvp by june 10th at brooklynchapelrsvp (at) gmail (dot) com

surprise!

2009-06-03T16:44:00.002-04:00

you really have to check out this wedding on 100 layer cake today... it's the BEST story!

rustic chic

2009-06-01T16:58:00.004-04:00

who doesn't love a rustic wedding? well don't answer that if it's not exactly you're thing, but i for one, happen to love them. remember this beauty of a rustic nature-inspired wedding, shot by jose villa and coordinated by the fantastic beth helmstetter? well this was originally where i got my idea to wrap all my candle holders.

and while my wedding has since taken on a more vintage vibe than a rustic one, i received a lovely email today from maggie over at whispering pines featuring some awesome decor pieces. one of my biggest struggles has been finding decor items for the wedding that fit in with my "concept". (my wedding doesn't not have a "theme") yes, scouring the internet eventually does the trick, but nothing like a one stop shop!

whispering pines has some great items to create that warm and cozy rustic chic wedding! I love the twig votive holders and birch pots!

makes me a little sad we went with the vintage summer garden party instead of our candlelit winter lodge wedding... but check out the whispering pine's blog for some great inspiration!

emily + neil

2009-06-01T14:20:00.004-04:00

jesse and whitney from our labor of love were kind enough to let me share the amazing wedding of emily + neil with you. this flashdance wedding was a culmination of both our labor of love and everyone's favorite dj extraordinaire, michael antonia.

what i love most is really two things. first, the color palette. i love that the bridesmaids are mixed up between solids and prints, and they have fantastic footwear - that's not matching : )
second, the photography. jesse and whitney seamlessly captured the best moments of the day. their use of light, the tints, they're all really stunning. scroll down to see my favorite image of emily dancing with the band. i just love it!isn't this shot spectacular? such a lovely, charming wedding!

i love summer fridays

2009-05-29T12:39:00.004-04:00

i have the day off today (love short weeks!) so i'm off to enjoy it. well, i will be slaving away at the sewing machine completing our wedding invitations. yippee! here is some loveliness i enjoyed this week. have a wonderful weekend!

Rosalie's tea party inspired invitations

This post-elopement engagement session

Lots of twinkling

A week filled with this amazing beachfront celebration

A fantastic backdrop

My discovery of this fabulous shop via parcel post

details & some fluffy ranunculus'

2009-05-27T17:36:00.008-04:00

amorology's heather balliet and her team always crafts such beautiful weddings, and the wedding of yia & saul is no exception. the soft palette of peach, grapefruit, and hints of chocolate & kraft brown mixed with splashes of marigold make the whole wedding slightly rustic, but in a very delicate, romantic way. and courtney over at flush designs created the amazing paper goods - the invitations, menus & kraft favor tags. i really love all the little details of this wedding, they made it so special!

i love the kraft table numbers of courtney's that yia & saul used for their tablescapes. do you think i could make it would work for 30+ tables ; ) and the vintage inspired frames for the menus are nice touch, i may borrow that! the amazing flowers ( i love ranunculus!) were all done by paula from rae florae. aren't they splendid, i love the combination of textures!

yia & saul had fontaine su from paloma images as they're fantastic photographer. she did an amazing job of capturing the special moments and elements of the day.

a wedding... and hay bales

2009-05-27T11:51:00.006-04:00

i'm not sure if i could find anyone out there who wouldn't agree with me on this one, but tec petaja is one pretty fantastic photographer! have you checked out his latest? well, here's a sampling, along with a bevy of amazing talent, this "wedding" is one i wish i could attend.

p.s. tec's lovely wife chelsea (Oh My Deer) made the fantastic hairpieces and joy thigpen was on hand for prop styling from Anthropologie (which explains why i LOVE the tablescapes!)

i think this one is my favorite!

check out the details.. the dessert plates, vintage fans, the framed photos, the lighted trees...

and the tables!

i ADORE them! so festive and shabby chic.

all photos via tec petaja

delphine manivet

2009-05-27T09:23:00.002-04:00

i already have my dress - there's really no turning back at this point with three months to go. but check out the GORGEOUS designs from the extremely talented Delphine Manivet. although she is based in paris, i would consider making the trip ; ) her work is simply stunning! feminine, unique, and slightly ethereal. these are a few of my favorites (especially Sacha), but check out her site for more loveliness.

2009-05-25T20:52:00.004-04:00

we've made it back from our first wedding shower with my fiance's family. bridal showers are a funny thing, aren't they? i didn't know all of the people there, but they knew my fiance's family and still showed up to celebrate with us. which i love, but at the same time it certainly makes for some awkward moments during gift opening (plus, i'm not one who enjoys being the center of attention)

but alas, i'm back. and completely overwhelmed by my google reader!

of course i already found one great idea i plan on trying out, since i have to get some thank you notes in the mail. check the tutorial out here. they would make great thank you notes, don't you think? who knew those security envelopes could be so cool?

found via iDIY

headed out

2009-05-19T08:49:00.004-04:00

i thought i could do it, but its crazier than i expected, so ... i'm taking the week off! we have an event this entire week at work then the fiance and i are headed west for our first shower! (yes it's coed) how exciting!

so rather than letting you think i abandoned you, i'll leave you with my newest bit of centerpiece inspiration from here . seriously, who ISN'T in love with that entire wedding? see you tuesday : )

i will always love you

2009-05-17T18:02:00.004-04:00

no, i'm not quoting whitney houston - but rather the amazing don hejny. you see, our first dance song was the VERY first thing my fiance and i came across -- and have stuck with it this entire time. (that's a big deal for discerning brides, i'm sure several of you can relate)

so here it is, what do you think?

if you'd like to check out more from don hejny, click over here.

happy friday

2009-05-15T15:49:00.005-04:00

loving this wedding over on Vintage Glam today. LOVING it! I may have to recreate the guest book table for my own wedding. Go check it out.

p.s. isn't that engagement photo just the cutest? all shot by their awesome photographer (and friend) Kristina Goudey.

UPDATE: Insight into the AWESOME invites and extra photos over on iDIY... ugh so perfect to end the week with ; )

i love public transportation

2009-05-13T19:32:00.003-04:00

i've had a thing for engagement shoots lately... maybe because i've regretted never getting engagement photos taken of jon and i. do you think it's strange to plan a shoot three months before the wedding?

ah, that's another topic! today's amazing session comes from kelty at steep street musings. i love her mix of vivid colors and soft tones. I especially love her latest engagement shoot with nick and laine. maybe it's because they're story is similar to my own - with the whole public transportation thing ; )
this session just looks like one of those "best days". (you know when you think, "that was just the BEST day") -- tons of fun, completely happy, relaxed and comfy, and head over heels in love.

go check out kelty's blog to see the rest of this awesome day... there is so much more!

gorgeous.

2009-05-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

via Justin & Mary

part two

2009-05-12T12:04:00.004-04:00

i was walking past city hall today on my way to work.. and they had just cut the lawn. ohhh how i miss the smell of freshly cut grass! as you can see, i'm still yearning for some big ol' fields and fresh air. so part two comes from eric j photography featuring the seriously adorable couple cynthia & armando .

i want to trade places with them... right now.

p.s. sorry for so many pics - i just couldn't choose. go check out the rest right over here.

wide open spaces

2009-05-11T10:02:00.003-04:00

i've been itching for wide open spaces, green grass, bright blue skies and lots of fresh air. nyc just doesn't provide much of any of that! but to get me through monday, this gorgeous engagement shoot will do. shot by he & she photography in gorgeous san juan capistrano, the lovely couple eric & nikki, are making me wish i was in their place right now.

the light - and editing are really beautiful!

sylvie gil & barndiva

2009-05-10T18:12:00.011-04:00

check out this gorgeous wedding! the wedding of debbie & albert took place at barndiva in northern california and was shot by the amazing photographer, sylvie gil.

barndiva is an amazing venue, known for their customized menus full of local ingredients from sustainable farmers and food purveyors across california. food is their speciality, but their venue is amazing! i love the mix of vintage, old world pieces to create a space that is extremely inviting and romantic.

wedding balloons

2009-05-08T08:31:00.003-04:00

we've all seen engagement balloons but for whatever reason people don't seem to include balloons in their wedding or even as props in their couple shots. I mean, why not? Look at how lovely and fun they can be!

boutwell studio

2009-05-08T08:20:00.006-04:00

dream everyday

do you ever feel like jessie spano in that episode of saved by the bell... "there's no time, there's never any time!" minus the caffeine pills of course?

i honestly don't know where this week has gone, it was like groundhog day everyday - rainy and full of work!! alas, it's friday - i'm sorry for being absent for a few days. lets just look forward to the weekend.. it will be gone before we know it, ENJOY IT! ; )

passing notes

2009-05-05T17:41:00.002-04:00

remember this awesome project from Danni? well she's at it again - look at this! a scavenger hunt of notes! so much fun.

this would make the cutest little surprise for your fiance on the wedding day, since we know they don't spend the hours up to the wedding primping - he will have plenty of time to surf the internet. the final note could even include his gift (if you're giving one of course!)

and since she knew we'd probably all bug her for a "how to" she went ahead and gave a great tutorial on how to make one for yourself. ; )

a little etsy trip

2009-05-05T10:17:00.004-04:00

I went on a little etsy shopping trip the other day and came across this beauty... isn't this just divine? how gorgeous would this dress be for a garden wedding? (p.s. SUCH a bargain!)

thrush iconic vintage

with one of these little beauties in your hair?

be something new

and your heart on your sleeve...

sudlow

tying the knot

2009-05-01T09:18:00.002-04:00

how adorable are these save the dates found over at Polka Dot Bride? I love the play on "tying the knot" and the stiched envelopes. go check out the full recap here.

swoon over it (no really!)

2009-05-01T09:00:00.004-04:00

have you seen what swoon over it (fka the blissful bride) has been up to? well you MUST go check out her delicious new calligraphy studio right over here.

she's got three great classic, but modern styles, and describes them in her own words:

NEW YORK

"This style is for the bride who dares to be different. It's bold. It's unique, but it's not over the top. Letters are clear and legible. Writing is definite. A statement."

PARIS

"This style is long and drawn out. Designed to look like you just "whipped" your addresses on in your finest handwriting. It's natural, but not too natural... if you know what I mean. Very romantic."

LONDON

"My favorite. This style is fun. Swirly. Very whimsical and sweet. And, rest assured, it's just as much fun to write it as it is to look at."

on top of that, The Perfect Palette is holding a a giveaway. one lucky reader has the chance to win free addressing for 100 outer envelopes!! go check out all the details right here. (you betcha i entered!)

2009-04-30T17:27:00.003-04:00

making out in the snow never looked so good. how fun!

J'M

guest participation

2009-04-30T11:35:00.005-04:00

i love any invitation that's "interactive". Be it a simple spot to request your favorite tune, a space to draw a lovely picture for the lovely couple .. and then there is this FANTASTIC idea from birddog press. STICKERS! I just adore.

(i have a one track mind lately.. kraft paper, fabric, invitations... once they're done we'll move onto something else, i promise!)

poppies for grace

2009-04-30T09:31:00.003-04:00

Australian based invitation designers Poppies for Grace was one of my first loves when planning for my wedding invitations. They are available right now in ONE store in the US New York - but their website is full of quirky, handmade inspiration. My favorite kind! Aren't these just divine?

the little things

2009-04-28T14:07:00.002-04:00

Naomi of Rockstar Diaries has a great post up reminding people that the little things in life are what really count. go check it out. Here's what i sent her:

1. when the trees begin to bud and drape over the streets

creating a canopy of branches and loveliness

2. cute little kiddies

3. gummi bears

4. when you see someone do something nice for a stranger (a rare sight in nyc!)

5. afternoon napping on a fluffy down comforter with squishy pillows and

the warm sun shining in (yes, i'm kind of like a cat who likes to curl up in the sun)

6. seeing my fiance at the end of the day, it's just pure comfort

7. giving compliments

8. foot massages

9. wegmans (when i can get to one!)

10. a good meal and good friends

photo via flickr

a super 8 & a bryan photo

2009-04-28T12:02:00.004-04:00

i love super 8 film. i think its gorgeous - and i like that there is no sound. it is my video of choice for my wedding day as i cringe at hearing my own voice repeated back to me. and for whatever reason, every super 8 film i come across has the BEST music mixed in.

this super 8 film is a particular favorite of mine. i love the song, Lullaby, they mixed the film with. does anyone know who sings this version?

a bryan photo is no stranger here in wedding world - they have really outstanding photographers, seems like such a fun place to work - but looks like you have to be a guy to join this group ': ) go check out their blog for my loveliness!

Melanie & Patrick 8mm from A Bryan Photo on Vimeo.

the flashdance.. and a funny story

2009-04-27T08:43:00.003-04:00

happy monday kids! hope you had a nice sunny weekend - it was and is gorgeous here in nyc. we'll take it!

i had planned on posting about how much i adore Michael Antonia of The Flashdance fame today, but didn't expect a hilarious story to go along with it. he is one extremely talented artist and has set the bar extremely high as far as wedding djs go. definitely not in the traditional form, so to speak.

i mean, he played Speidi's wedding for crying out loud! seriously. here's some proof. and while i'm at it, i should mention that my new favorite photographer, Noa from Featherlove was also in attendance, well for part of the event. so these amazing photos are hers - I'll let Michael and Noa tell you the story, go check out on their blogs here and here ... it really is one for the books. classic!

i love the succulents! the gorgeous florals were done by Brent Wang of Eggs Los Angeles

the beautiful cake was from Sweet Gems

Michael Antonia doing what he does best!

our favorite blonde.. Perez Hilton

the wedding looked beautiful - congrats to the newlyweds. i'm definitely impressed with the choice of wedding vendors. oh, i should mention the whole event wouldn't have gone off if it wasn't for the amazing coordination from Michelle of Mint Julep Events.

i'm sure it wasn't easy pulling off this one!

wardrobe envy

2009-04-24T11:46:00.006-04:00

I know I'm supposed to be out enjoying the sunshine, but I've gotten a little distracted by some of these lovelies. Seriously, can I hire these girls to give me a fashion lesson? They look freakin' fabulous!

Plus I just LOVE LOVE LOVE both of these shoots. Scroll down the blog and you're probably starting to see a trend in my photography taste. ; )

seriously - what an awesome shot. love the colors and texture.

i love this dress. enough said.

they make sitting in the middle of the street look like so much fun!

via drew b photography

P.S. the model is Ashley Rose = amazing photographer - go check her blog out!

you know how i love a good set of balloons! love this shot, great color contrast

between the sky and bright green grass

can i have your chair please?

such a gorgeous couple - the outfits in this shoot are fantastic!

via ahs photography

hmm...

2009-04-23T16:05:00.003-04:00

I know this week has been light on posting - my day job has been crazy, and by the time I get home my fluffy soft warm bed is calling (no, screaming) my name. So my apologies! But on an extremely happy note (!) this weekend is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous here in NYC, so I'm heading out early to enjoy the sunshine and indulge in some vitamin D. I promise to try harder next week, but I'll leave you with this happy photo...

via bippityboppityboo

a wedding by sea

2009-04-20T11:09:00.005-04:00

so many of the beach weddings out there have a more modern, exotic vibe to them. This wedding (well it's not a real wedding, but let's pretend) brings you back to the old fashioned beach boardwalk with its brightly colored beach houses and lots of deep reds, bright blues and taupes. I can see the old ferris wheel off in the background, some cotton candy, and a popcorn vendor.

depict photography

monday.

2009-04-20T08:55:00.002-04:00

some inspiration for yet another rainy monday...

f letter

pretty young things

inspired

oh cynthia!

2009-04-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

how fabulous are your designs? I stumbled upon Cynthia Warren Designs (how, I can't quite remember!) but I instantly fell in love. We all know how much I love muted color palettes and a dash of vintage. Each one of her creations, be it a wedding invitation or a piece of packaging, has such a darling whimsical air to it. I'm a fan!

featherlove

2009-04-17T10:53:00.003-04:00

i think we're going to call today "photography friday"- there are just so many great pieces of inspiration out there lately!

These engagement photos of the Emilia and Bill are no exception! I love Emilia (1. because I love the name Emilia, I think its great! and 2. because of her amazing blogs, Veiled Vows and Auburn and Ivory)

The slight grainy texture, the vintage tinting, the 60's styling. its all so dreamy! And the creative genius behind FeatherLove, Noa, just recently re-launched her site and blog - go check it out. (PS. her site has some great music playing too!)

mangoRED

2009-04-17T08:14:00.004-04:00

I was purusing around the web the other day and came across the amazing photography of Philippines based MangoRED- a brother duo made up of Ryan and Randall Dagooc They're work is simply breathtaking. So illusory - gossamer with an edge. If that makes any sense! Go check out their blog, below is just a snippet of what you will find!

kraft paper

2009-04-13T16:02:00.005-04:00

I'm sorry for the constant posts about paper - I'm in full invitation crafting mode. And that gets me thinking about programs. And I'm thinking I like these. They're so simple but so perfect for the handmade wedding I'm after. I love anything made with kraft paper and it seems I also love Cathy and Noah's wedding details, proof here as well!

found via Oh So Beautiful Paper via The Indigo Bunting

fun.

2009-04-12T20:54:00.005-04:00

This is one of my favorites sets of images. Don't they look SO happy? Amy & Gerald's wedding was held at St. Marys Cathedral and the Design Center of Austin in Texas. But their shots at the Hotel Saint Cecilia are my favorite part! I absolutely love how the photographer,the extremely talented Jake Holt , was able to capture how much fun they were having.

Note to self - include bed jumping in wedding photos!

via Wedding Cabaret

oh max

2009-04-09T12:10:00.012-04:00

i love this.

REALLY love these.

and adore this.

It's no surprise that I think Max Wanger is a genius - his work has been everywhere. And every new wedding & engagement he posts it's awesome. Go check him out here.

hello.

2009-04-09T08:29:00.004-04:00

Can I switch my bridesmaids dresses? And subsequentially our entire "color scheme" (if you can call it one). Adorable! Who ever said prints don't work for a wedding, was obviously very wrong.

found via We Met in a Bar from Rod Foster Photography

where were you two weeks ago

2009-04-06T20:53:00.003-04:00

I love when a couple uses a variety of different papers in their invitation suite. And I love simplicity. Jeremy and Kathleen 's invitation are so original and refreshing. They chose to have their wedding as an intimate ceremony and reception in their home (what a great idea!) and these were their invitations. I LOVE love love them! The kraft paper, the silouhettes, the shipping tags - maybe I love them so much because these are all elements that will be featured in my own invitation suite. (More on that later!)

Take a peek. Found over at a Cup of Jo.

hello gorgeous.

2009-04-06T14:31:00.003-04:00

We all know these ladies very well in the wedding world, but this could quite possibly be one of my favorite wedding shoots, ever! It's just everything I want for my wedding. Soft, vintage, romantic. I'm. in. love.

So I wanted to post to give all these ladies serious "props". Their talent is something I can only dream of having! The styling, the designs (that coat!), the accessories..

all photos found via twigs & honey's flickr

Credits:

Styling. Chelsea Fuss

Photography. Lisa Warninger

Designer. Elizabeth Dye

Accessories. Maya of Twigs & Honey

Model. Anna Adams

rain

2009-04-03T11:05:00.002-04:00

It's a rainy day here in NYC - but who doesn't mind a little rain if it can look something like this?

source

P.S. Check out the rest of this GORGEOUS wedding over at Amorology - it's a real stunner!

lovely in lace

2009-04-02T16:37:00.002-04:00

I was more than a little excited by the Spring issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. It is chock full of great weddings and beatiful inspirations. And I actually let out a little shriek when I came across the charming spread on lace.

Why is lace so exciting you ask? Because lace has been a part of weddings for years, right? Well when I tell people I'm decorating my reception tables with lace table runners I get these panicked looks from people.

I know what you're thinking ... it's going to look like your grandma's table. But I promise you, it's going to be so much better than that!

And Martha is going to help me out in proving everyone wrong. Take a look at some of the lovely DIY projects you can do with MSW lace artwork, found here.

inviting

2009-04-01T15:31:00.006-04:00

I apologize (again) for not getting a post up sooner. But with moving to new offices and a smaller team, the workload has been a bear!

I'm at the point in wedding planning where I need to start crafting my invitations, otherwise I risk going crazy if I don't give myself enough time. 100% DIY and labor intensive (but what DIY project isn't?) so a good eight weeks will give me enough time to iron out the kinks.

But gorgeous DIY inspired invites have been popping up everywhere lately. I can't get enough. Here are some I find inspiring for my own invite concepts.

source

martha stewart weddings spring issue (GREAT issue - you need to check it out!)

via Once Wed

source

blah.

2009-03-26T12:00:00.003-04:00

I've been extremely uninspired lately. As you see from my lack of posting. The lack of inspiration has nothing to do with the amazing creativity that is out there on a daily basis, but rather events that have caused stress for me as of recently. All will be A-okay but I've needed a break. But I'm back, i swear!

source via design is mine

ring pillows

2009-03-10T15:44:00.002-04:00

I swear at some point I'll actually have some original content for you, but right now I'm extremely uninspired and swamped at work! BUT, ring pillows are circulating the blog world lately, and this happens to be another one of my DIY projects. These three I happen to love! So romantic!

source