These blank books make great favors for kids at a wedding and gives them something to do! Cost: Less than 1.50 each.

Supplies:

Colorful blank books

Ribbon

White pen

Colorful mini pencils

Directions:

1.Add the name of each child on the front of the book with a white pen.

2.Add a ribbon to the binding.

3.Tie on a colorful mini pencil to each book.

4. Line up on a table for kids or place at their settings.

Buy it: Any wedding planner in the MyWedding directory could help you.

Oh, how we love Frolic! Chelsea’s daily inspiration blog is always chock-full of pretty ideas that feel effortless and chic. So, we’re so happy that she is posting DIY projects that are easy to do while packing a big punch.

Right now I am completely hooked on frozen yogurt. Not exactly sure why, but I see the self-serve dispensers and the miles of toppings and I simply have to stop. So, when I saw Marla and Eric’s engagement session, I had to sit back in admiration. They clearly know how to multitask! Why just get your picture taken when you can get your picture taken eating delicious frozen yogurt? While you check out this adorable session by Ben Q. Photography, I am going to go cover some vanilla in rainbow sprinkles and peanut butter chips. Everybody wins.

One of my favorite color combination’s is tangerine and fuchsia. It’s a fun, vibrant color pairing that can still feel very sophisticated when matched with cream, ivory or even black. Perfect for summer-y weddings, you can also give guests a cool surprise (that perfectly matches your color palette, of course!) by serving Creamsicle pops in orange/vanilla and raspberry/vanilla flavors!

Photo Credits:
Reception Table Floral Decor: The Brides Cafe
Favor Boxes and Parasols: Amorology Weddings
Candy Bar Display: The Ritzy Bee

I am a bit of a Disney-holic. I admit it. It’s my favorite vacation spot. I love everything from the piping hot (albeit overpriced) churros to the princess parades. So, when I saw Sarah and Brandon’s wedding, I kind of giggled with delight. Thank you to Vitalic Photo for sharing all the charming and sweet fun!

As I’m guessing all of you know, this past weekend a little holiday called “Mother’s Day” rolled around. And, although that holiday has come and gone, it remains the topic of my conversation this week – mostly because, although Mother’s Day is always noted in my family with cards and flowers and oftentimes other goodies, this year that one day really got me thinking.

I think it started with wedding photos. Or maybe with a brief conversation that my mother and I had regarding my younger brother’s upcoming wedding – a conversation where we looked back at last year as I was planning my wedding and laughed about several things that there was absolutely no way we were laughing about at the time.

If I’m being honest, wedding planning has its challenges. And I think that those challenges are different for everybody, and I think that one of the challenges that I came across when I was laying down details and making decisions was the way my mother and I interacted over a few wedding details. We learned, in several of those laughable situations, that we plan things very differently. And because she, as someone who cares deeply about me, wanted to be involved and help, and because I wanted her to be involved, we definitely got to learn very quickly how to best work together!

But, as the above photo hopefully shows, I wouldn’t have had my wedding planning process work out any differently. I love my mother so gosh darn much. She’s the best. She’s fun and supportive and loving and has a great eye for details and looks dang good in that purple dress. And I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t have tried on a veil or discovered that I wanted a dress with a train if she hadn’t firmly suggested that I at least try them out before I said no.

Sidenote: If you don’t think you want a veil, try one on first. Seriously.

So, in light of the recent celebration of mothers…I just wanted to say thank you to mine. Our relationship (like all relationships) has its ups and downs and good and bad, but every bit of it is worth it. Especially when it comes to planning your wedding. And laughing about planning your wedding over a pre-Mother’s-Day sushi lunch. Thank goodness for both.

Shop for pots and pans and get a new dress for your bachelorette party?! You can, with Bloomingdale’s fantastic registry perks. When you register, your Bloomingdale’s consultant will show you all the incentives available to you, from splurge card gift certificates after you complete $500 of your registry to a coupon book full of offers throughout all departments!

Now, you can have a classic registry experience, whether in-store or online, and also get practical deals on things like great new outfits or the perfect set of luggage for your honeymoon! First, fill your registry list with brands you love and trust for dishes, sheets, and the coffeemaker that is going to complete your life.

And then, indulge a little! And don’t forget to share those savings! Take your bridesmaids shopping for rehearsal dinner dresses and everyone gets the discount. Head to your local Bloomingdale’s or to Bloomingdales.com to start today!

After a Christmas Eve proposal, these two sweethearts went to the Fort Worth Stockyards for their spring engagement session. From a candy store to secluded stairwells, Belle Photography captured all of the fun and romance!

Photo Credits:

Invitation suite

Gorgeous flowers

Seafoam shoes

Rock candy

Bride and flower girl

These easy apple favors are eco-friendly and festive. Cost is less than .50 each.

Supplies:

Waxed food paper. We chose this pretty gingham.

Blank white postage labels

Alphabet stamps

Ink pad

String or twine, if your tags didn’t include them.

Directions:

1. Stamp the name of each guest onto the tags.
2. Wrap each apple in wax paper and twist around the stem.
3. Secure with the tag and a piece of string or twine.

Tip: Keep these in the fridge until ready for use so they stay nice and fresh!

Buy:  Any wedding planner in the MyWedding directory could help you.

Oh, how we love Frolic! Chelsea’s daily inspiration blog is always chock-full of pretty ideas that feel effortless and chic. So, we’re so happy that she is posting DIY projects that are easy to do while packing a big punch.

I am nuts about all things paper and particularly all things cut paper. It’s a wonder I still do after a harrowing experience of creating almost 100 cut paper paddle fan programs with cut paper accoutrements for a friend’s wedding some years back. Still have the scars to prove it. But, I still have the same love despite those tearful moments. Oh yeah, there were tears. Now, however, I’d leave it to the professionals like the ones featured here.

Credits (clockwise from top left):

Papel Picado Laser Cut Wedding Invitations

Mexican Wedding Banners

Ruby Red Double Cut Paper Luminary

Butterfly Cut Out Favor Box

Kissing Couple Cut Paper Silhouette

Love Birds Cut Out Favor Box

Finding the perfect wedding present is hard. And sometimes they don’t have a registry to guide you, or Aunt Thelma and Co. got to it first, and all that is left is one really sad gravy boat. Etsy can be a great place to find cool, original gifts that suit the couple’s interests and personalities perfectly. Take this bread and oil plate (above). It’s gorgeous and perfect for the foodies in your life. Or just people who like bread. And if you are friends with people who don’t like bread, I would suggest reconsidering that relationship. Seriously. Because that is just not right.

Introverted friends who love a game or movie night? Buy them a little basket of treats like these Scrabble coasters, some fun mugs, and hot cocoa.

I’m partial to quilts. Especially if you can make them yourself. But chances are that you do not have the time or resources to Martha Stewart them up a blanket. Quilters on Etsy can often personalize the quilts for you–incorporating the couple’s favorite colors or style into the project. And, these things pretty much last forever.

We all have at least one of those friends. The ones that frequently quote Sci-fi movies and go to Comicon and talk about Wil Wheaton a lot. This Etsy shop makes all kinds of prints sure to satisfy any couple’s inner geek. And they even make ones for the rest of us. You know, the ones who have no idea who exactly Klingons are…

For the couple with a bad case of wanderlust, Etsy has so many terrific options for vintage travel gear such as this suitcase. Just for fun, throw in a few maps, travel guides, bags of peanuts, and gum.

So, let’s review: Cool presents can be found on Etsy, and don’t be friends with people who skip the bread. Have a great weekend!

Lantson wanted to teach his gal Lindsey how to fish and so they took the day off for a fun day of fishing, campfires, and cuddling in the warm spring weather. Summer Jean Photography (who is also Lantson’s cousin!) was on hand to capture all of the laidback and casual fun!

I love these Spring days with warm sun pouring through the windows, birds chirping, thoughts of easy, breezy days, and, of course, wedding season. It’s the beginning of a time so romantic and wistful. That’s precisely why San Francisco-based, Cherries Flowers, had me from the get go with their enchanting and artistic floral designs. At once refined and unaffected, their designs have an elegant yet sweetly approachable quality. One look through their portfolios and you’ll see that they’re not afraid of a little whimsy either. And, that combination is just the ticket for my kind of wedding.

Photo Credits:

Lemonades (or vodka lemonades, depending on the shindig)

Honky-tonk invite

S’mores cake

Howdy place cards

Pulled pork sandwiches

Did you gasp like I did upon first laying eyes on the photo above? If the budget allowed, I swear I’d have a different wedding cake for each attending guest just to appease my irrational love of all things cake. And, as is evidenced here, Bobbette & Belle ain’t helping me in that department. You know what I mean? How does one possibly decide upon only one type of incredibly crafted cake?!

The glorious pastry wonders you see before you are from the minds, hands, and ovens of Allyson Bobbitt and Sarah Bell, the founders of one of Toronto’s top destination wedding bakeries. I’d gladly seek their counsel in making a cake decision even if it had me bouncing all the way home somewhere between sugar high and cake drunk – because I’m going to have to try a lot of cake. And, don’t even get me started on the indecision that would be invoked over the different wedding favors they make: French Macarons, monogram cookies, floral cookies, cupcakes, and adorable mini cakes. But, hey, indecisiveness never tasted – or looked – so good!

Loving their “Luxury Mini Cakes“! How adorable are they? Very!

Here is a lovely little midweek treat from Scobey Photography! Cynthia and Ken were married in Fort Meyers, FL in a waterfront ceremony with classic details. How gorgeous is Cynthia?! Everything from her necklace to her shoes…fantastic!

Vendors:

Photography: Scobey Photography

Venue: Heitman House

Flowers: Fort Myers Express Floral

Caterer: Rene’s Catering

Cake: Gulf Shore Bakery

Tent: Caloosa Tent and Rentals

Hair: Jennifer at Citrus Salon

Whether you are hosting a destination wedding, or just expecting many out-of-town guests, gift baskets are a terrific way to welcome your visitors and thank them for making the journey!

As if getting married in the wonderful location that you’ve chosen isn’t enough to entice guests to join you, welcome them with thoughtful and personal guest gift baskets to enhance their stay from the moment they check in. We all know of the usual suspects like tropical swag bags full of plush towels, sunscreen and sandals, or a spa-inspired treasure trove of lavender scented oils and aromatherapy candles, but why not make your basket a truly unique experience? Here are some wonderful ideas that fall outside of the lines of expected but are still affordable and very “amour” inspired.

Southern-inspired Swag

If you are tying the knot alongside cobblestone streets in Charleston or Savannah or are giddy-upping to a ceremony site knee-deep in Tennessee wildflowers, choose local items that can capture the essence of your country soiree. Pack some local honey from a road-side stand, a few packets of flower seeds indigenous to that area, and a CD of all your favorite Loretta Lynn tunes (“Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” comes to mind).

A DIY detail? Make your own “moonshine” bubble bath by buying some bubble bath in bulk and transferring it into Mason jars tied up with gingham and twine. Be sure to hang a handmade itinerary tag from the basket or bag’s handle so guests know where to be  and when. And above all, don’t be afraid to throw in a yee-haw or a howdy somewhere. The more corn the better the bread, right?

Big City Gift Baskets

For couples who have chosen the urban appeal of a gorgeous skyline like Chicago, New York, or Seattle, try to capture that city sophistication in your gift baskets. Don’t rely on cheap souvenirs like a Space Needle or Statue of Liberty trinket; instead, think about why you love these cities and get inspired from there. If you love New York because of the high fashion, consider leaving a copy of Vogue in each gift basket and a small bottle of champagne. For any other city, find the food they are famous for – like cupcakes or coffee – and bundle those items in a basket full of retro-inspired stationery highlighting your city of choice.

If your city has transportation like the Subway or the train, include some prepaid cards for fare so guests can explore your great city on your dime. If the weather is pretty predictable – either cold, wet, or hot – include a small umbrella, a scarf, or a small handheld fan to make getting around easier. These little conveniences can help make your guests comfortable as well as highlight your city’s most interesting aspects.

It happens out of the blue. You come home from work, you pick up your mail and when you go to sort through it in the kitchen that evening, there they are: a stack of wedding invitations. Carefully addressed, carefully planned, carefully packaged and now sitting on your counter, clever and beautiful and oh-so inviting.

They’re calling your name with opportunities to celebrate with old friends and new friends and cousins and an acquaintance or two. And you want to go to all of them, but you don’t know if you can make it happen. Who knew that being a guest was so hard?

Last summer I was on the flip side of this particular coin. Shayne and I were planning our wedding and watching our guest list and collecting RSVP cards and then, as the day itself drew closer and closer, making phone calls and sending emails to track down would-be guests who hadn’t quite managed to mail in their “would love to attends.” We weren’t thinking too much about the details of what it takes to get to a wedding these days.

The time. The travel – which, it seems, often includes a plane ticket. The hotel. It all adds up quickly, especially when you’re thinking about attending two or three weddings in the span of a couple of months. It’s just one of those things that almost makes the radar of a wedding-planning bride (and groom) but doesn’t always quite get there. I know it kind of filtered in and out of my consciousness in the form of blocks of reasonably priced hotel rooms and maps of the area, but never really hit home.

I’m convinced, this year, as a potential wedding guest, that all the variables and potential steps-to-take are what make it so gosh darn hard to simply make a decision and send in that little piece of paper with a “yes” or “no” on it. Can we make it work time-wise? Can we make it work financially? Because we all know that a pre-stamped, practically pre-filled piece of cardstock is the easiest thing in the world to drop in the mail.

I’ve got some RSVP deadlines coming up (and I’m guessing you do as well!) and as the wedding days get closer and closer it gets harder and harder to make the decisions and sign myself on as either an attendee or a non-attending party-pooper. Shayne and I keep weighing the decisions and working through the travel plans and at some point, I am convinced that we will place a check mark somewhere on each of our cards and stick them in the mail.

Seriously though, I thought planning my own wedding was supposed to be the hard part!

One of the best things about spring is all the gorgeous Southern weddings (you know, before the heat and humidity get so unbearable that everyone melts). This lovely lake wedding by Elizabeth Scott Photography is one such example. The location was a combination of both Hillary and Travis’ interests: a little water for her, a little golf for him. The details for this wedding are classic, traditional perfection! And make sure to read below for Hillary’s advice on avoiding a unity candle mishap!

What was your vision for the day?

My vision for the day was simple, classic, and relaxed! The only DIY project I did was the programs. I bought the paper from Michael’s and made them in Microsoft Word and had them printed at Kinko’s. We decided to opt out of having a favor for guests at the reception and instead made a donation to our favorite charity in our guests’ honor. The details were printed in the program.
Did your wedding location hold a specific significance to you?
When selecting I knew I wanted a venue that was close to water, something that I always love being near! Plus, Travis fell in love with the idea of being allowed to play at a totally private Greg Norman course… for free!

What was the most meaningful part of your day? I would say the most meaning part of the day was that our pastor/officiant not only was my childhood pastor but was also the pastor/officiant that married my Dad and step-mom. We were very excited when we learned he was able to perform the ceremony.
Did anything funny or out of the ordinary happen?
There were two things, one starts with the story of when I was the flower girl at my father and step-mother’s wedding, 25 years ago, I was told to walk up the aisle and stand on a quarter that Dad had placed for me but when I reached the end of the aisle someone had so kindly picked up my quarter. On our wedding day, Dad had also placed a quarter at the end of the aisle for me to stand on. It was perfect because any nerves or jitters I had all disappeared when I saw my quarter! The second and probably only thing, that I know of, to go wrong during the ceremony was the un-lightable unity candle! After three attempts, we were finally able to light it! I would say if any brides are thinking of a unity candle, light the candles before the ceremony, blow them out, and then set them up. We think the fresh wick of the candle coupled with also being inside a hurricane globe were factors.

How did you know your partner was “the one”?
Travis and I had only dated for a few months before I knew he was the one. I knew when everything just seemed to be easy and natural. It was as if we should have known each other all our lives. Travis and I met on an online dating website and I knew he was special before I even met him for the first time. He sent me an email every morning before he headed off to work (just before 6 am), my phone would ‘ding’ and I would read it and lay back down grinning ear to ear. I still have every single one and I will cherish them always!
Any advice you’d give new brides who are just getting started?
Other than lighting your unity candle before hand, I would say that you should not get caught up in details of the day. At the end of the day, you and your fiance will be married and that is all that matters! Also, during your day, I would make a point to take mental snap shots of as many thing as you can and savor everything because it will be over before you know it. I don’t miss planning my wedding but I do miss our wedding day.
Vendors:
Photographer: Elizabeth Scott Photography
Venue: The Point Lake and Golf Club (now Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte)
Dress: Liancarlo gown from Alexia’s Bridal Boutique in Raleigh, NC. The bridesmaid dresses were navy Watters dresses from J. Majors in Charlotte, NC. Junior bridesmaids dresses were from J Crew.
Shoes: Nina
Groom and groomsmen Attire: Jos A. Bank
Catering and event planning: The Point Lake and Golf Club
Flowers: Willow Branch Flowers and Design
Band: Part Time Party Time Band – Lead singer, Danny Pierce, is one of my Dad’s cousins. I had always known they would be the band at my wedding.

At this year’s New York International Bridal Week, one of the trends we saw was a move toward more versatility with dress design – reversible, removable straps, etc. Well, clearly Katie of Coralie Beatrix would be ahead of the trendsetting with her easy, effortless, and adaptable pieces that she’s been making since 2010.

Inspired by her love of the casual, easygoing lifestyle of living by the sea, Katie has created an entire collection of bridesmaid (as well as bridal) pieces that can be styled and wrapped into a customized look that is as personal as the woman wearing the dress. Beautiful!