Melissa's Smitten

Silk Screen, I do!

2009-10-15T16:53:00.001-07:00

As you know, my heart is loyal to letterpress...but lately a new love has been growing for silk screen printing too! Maybe it's because I've been learning to silkscreen shirts , but these invitations prove how amazingly versatile silk screen printing can be!

Silk screening is typically used for apparel and tote graphics and in the music poster industry. In the poster industry silk screening often has a raw, edgy look...but you can see that crisp lines are now in! And one thing that silk screening still excels at: bright, bold colors!

I love how Satoko (the bride who created the suite of red animal stationery) uses the design on paper and cloth. It tied her whole system together regardless of her medium. As for me, I'm going to start experimenting more with silk screened invitations....I'll keep you all posted on the outcome!

Silk screen suite (top) originally posted on Martha Stewart, Designs by the bride as were the Yellow Scripty Invites. Crisp Yellow invites by Two Trick Pony.

The Art of Love

2009-10-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

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This is my newest collection of illustrations, drawings and art that brides and grooms have created to showcase their personality through the arts. It brings such a whimsical, fun element to the wedding and makes the wedding so personal.

The drawing can be an abstraction of personalities (see cupcake and beaker), tasteful profiles, or a literal portrait. Some of theses were created DIY by a talented bride or groom, some were created by a friend and others were commissioned through an artist. Regardless of who creates the art, it brings something special to the wedding!

Images collected from 100 Layer Cake Blog, Davina + Daniel, Harmony Nixon, and Melissa Bumstead.

In Lieu of Favors

2009-09-22T11:55:00.001-07:00

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What a beautiful tribute to a loved one. This is the best way I've seen thus far to remember a family member who has passed away during a wedding. It's tasteful, meaningful and the best yet- it does something to help others by donating to a related charity.

Real Weddings: Agata and Bill

2009-09-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

Agata and her husband Osgood William Lorimer (who goes by Bill) were married at Royal Palms State Beach in San Pedro. To continue the nautical theme, they created a fabulous photo wall, complete with nautical wall paper, props, hats and fake mustaches.

Sneak Preview: Agata's Photo Booth

2009-09-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

And there's more of this nautical goodness and goofiness to come!

Meet B Poetic

2009-09-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

I absolutely loved these vintage fabric flowers by b. poetic the second I saw them! In fact, I wondered how I could have survived so long in tumultuous ignorance without them! Kaitlin hand makes each of these and they're extremely feminine for anytime or weddings. That's exactly how I like my accessories- a hint of romance that's not obnoxious or overdone. I'd recommend these for the bride and they'd make great accessories/gifts for your maids too. And you won't have to worry about them wilting on a hot day like today (at least it's miserable out here in So. Cal...yuck!)

Then I found this adorable wedding banner (below) on the b. poetic blog and that's when I was sure of it...I am an official fan of Kaitlin and b. poetic. And because I'm gushing so much, I just wanted to note that no, there's no sponsorship or advertising going on here. Really. I just really like her stuff.

Vendors in the Parade may or may not sponsors of Melissa's Smitten Blog, but are strictly selected for the Vendor Parade for their sterling reputation and outstanding work.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey: Reception

2009-08-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

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Here are the last photos from Bethany and Mikey's wedding...sigh...I wish I could have been there under the warm summer sky, with the moon peaking out through the clouds. But from all the accounts from my relatives, it couldn't have been a nicer wedding.

I love the intimate spaces they set up. The soft lighting on the patio with a few simple Japanese lanterns to bring a summer's ambiance. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The good news is that rumor has it that another one of my husband's cousins is getting married in Wisconsin next year, so hopefully we'll be able to make that one! It's been one cousin getting married a year in Wisconsin...we'll have to see how long that trend lasts!

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey's Reception Details

2009-08-21T17:29:00.001-07:00

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Remember how I mentioned that Bethany's family are the nicest, funniest people I know? Point in case: the favors. I love the BBQ sauce with their pictures on it, up to their elbows in finger-licken' goodness.

I really like how well the casual aspects and the formal go together in their wedding, you can see it's a blend of their personalities. A gorgeous cake with orchids...and personalized BBQ sauce. Bethany's amazing dress...and Mikey's awesome shoes. Formal place settings...and handwritten place cards. These casual elements keep the party lively and personal but the overall fee is still elegant.

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey's Ceremony

2009-08-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

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Mikey and Bethany had a beautiful, open-air wedding with open fields and pines trees among the honored guests. A few notes from these photos that I love- I love Mikey's expression when he first sees Bethany. I tear up every time I look at it. And I really like that the whole bridal party got together for a rally and prayer during the service. It's private moments like that Bethany and Mikey are sure to treasure for years to come with their closest friends.

As I share more pictures too, look for all the oranges! I love that Bethany was willing to use orange, I adore orange in weddings! But it's tastefully done, like the bridesmaid's bouquets and the flowers down the aisle. The fans/programs are a perfect touch to this outdoor wedding as is the acoustic guitarist. It's simple yet elegant touches like these that feel authentic and personal.

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey

2009-08-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

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Bethany and Mikey were married under an endless Wisconsin sky. Bethany is my husband's second cousin, and she and her family are the nicest and funniest people I know. I couldn't be happier for them, not to mention their wedding was stunning. I'll be sharing more pictures in the next days to come, but here's an overview to whet your pallet.

Bethany and Mikey's love story is very sweet and I promise to get more details, but the general story is that Bethany's brother Bradley and Mikey worked at a camp together every summer. Bradley (being a very sweet brother) always bragged about how pretty and nice his sister was until Mikey was more than a little anxious to meet her. When she started working at the camp it seemed like a match made in heaven...except to Bethany. It took a bit of wooing from Mikey before she would agree to their first date.

They soon discovered they were meant for each other and fell deeply, hopelessly in love. Sigh.

More photos from the very talented Rebecca Carpenter, from Brown Street Studios to come this week. And yes, Rebecca does travel, but book her soon, as she's already filling up for 2010. With her amazing work, Brown Street Studios is quickly on their way to being on of US's top wedding photographers.

Preview: Bethany and Mikey's Wedding

2009-08-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Bethany is my husband's cousin. She and her new husband Mikey have the best love story, which I promise to share. They were married last weekend in Three Lakes Wisconsin. More photos to come, so stay tuned!

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios

You know this party is off to a great start

2009-07-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Minnesota residents Kevin Heinz and Jill Peterson decided to dance down the isle to "Forever" by Chris Brown. What a fun way to start a wedding- I've never seen anything like it!

Q & A: Thermography

2009-07-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

I really love your invitations! I just got engaged and have a while before we get married. I have been following your blog for sometime now (even before I was engaged!) and I love, love, love your DIY invitations on your site. My fiance and I are all about the DIY stuff! I'm really eager to get started but at the same time I have the desire to have the raised printing- (thermography?) I don't know anything about the printing or invitation world, but is there any way I can do it from home? Do I need special machines or can I use my regular inkjet? Do you know where I can get them? I'm really curious and interested to do this. Any help you have is greatly appreciated!! From Nicole

Dear Nicole,
Many congrats on your upcoming wedding! How exciting and I love your adventurous spirit to go DIY. As far as thermography goes, there's no real "at home" solution that's exactly comprabable. There are some crafting supplies that can be used (think rubber stamps, embossing powder and a heat gun) but you'd have to have a custom stamp made of your wording (about $50) and then some of the letters may or may not read well with the embossing powder. Actually, it could be pretty cool, especially if your stamp was made from a caligrapher and if you were going for a purposefully crafty feel.

Otherwise, thermography should be left to the professionals. The only problem is, it's getting harder and harder to find a good thermographer who is inexpensive and willing to do small quantities and who will work with someone without a graphic design background. Don't get me wrong, they're out there (especially if you'll be going through a fully custom option, or a store-bought option such as Papyrus) but for the DIYer going on her own...it could be tough.

So...all that to say Nicole, you may consider going for a crafty feel and if you're looking for crisp text you might consider using the embossing powder/gun on some of the details stamped on your invite and then for the text itself, run each card through an inkjet printer. I use a Canon inkjet and the results are really pretty professional.

Hope that helps and please share pictures of your project! We'd love to see your process and how they turn out!

Image courtesy of Cassiopeia on the OneWed Forum (though I wouldn't recommend using glossy paper for embossing or printing. Most wedding invitations are printed on matte paper and it will work best for most DIY projects.)

Super Thanks!

2009-07-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

A special thanks to Katee Grace who included Smitten on her blog! I'm flattered...and charmed by her work. Check out her blog at Katee Grace Blog to read all about it.

Also, I apologize for not writing as much as I'd like....so here's the big news! Yes, I'm pregnant! The doctor said my energy should be returning now and though I'm prego-scatter brained, you should start to see a lot more on the blog! Thanks for all your patience and support!

Katee Grace Photography Contest

2009-06-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to share Katee Grace Photography giveaway with you! She's a very talented photographer based in Santa Barbara (yes, she does travel, thankfully!) and she will be giving away a photography package for one lucky couple!

Simply write about your love story (and include a digital photo of you and your sweetheart) by July 25 and email it to Katee to enter at katee@kateegrace.com.

Katee suggestes including in your story: "How did the two of you meet? What makes your heart race about your soul mate? What are you most looking forward to about marrying the love of your life and living your happily ever after?I would also love to hear how you will translate your personal flavor into the details of your special day. Are you keeping it small and intimate using Grandmas fine china and heirloom linen in the family backyard? Or are you declaring your love in a poppy filled field with tall grass at sunset? I can't wait to read your Love Story!"

You can get the full details at the Katee Grace Blog.

Green Bridal Shower

2009-06-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from reader Nikki, who threw a "green bridal shower" or her co-worker, Kristin. Her solutions were not only eco-friendly but also super-sweet. At the end of the party the bride was able to take home some very personal gifts- and I'm sure she'll treasure them for years to come, as they're from dear friends.

Here are some ways we tried to make sure our event was eco-friendly:
Rather than use paper invitations, we used a cute bridal shower template from evite.com. On the evite, we introduced the "green theme" and asked guests to "think digital, recyclable, reusable, and organic".

We served a light lunch consisting of an assortment of salads, bread, chips, dip, and fruit. Wherever possible, we made sure to buy organic and local. For dessert, guests had sorbet served in real orange and grapefruit cups. We used recycled napkins and all other tableware was re-usable.

After lunch, we had a great time painting terracotta pots and planting Kristin's favorite plants in them. We knew that she loves gardening and working in her backyard so this was a fun activity for guests to do together and it also provided the bride with lovely gifts to take home.

In addition to the potted plants, we all pitched in and got Kristin a gift card to her favorite cooking store. As an added touch, the gift card was enclosed in a recycled, plantable greeting card, which had basil and chives seeds inside.

We found this article to be helpful during our planning: eHow

Many, many thanks to Nikki for sharing!

Real Weddings: Erick and Rhiannon

2009-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Meet Erick and Rhiannon, they were married at the Santa Monica Pier. Rhiannon selected the pier because she liked the fact that the reservation costs went toward the restoration- another innoventive way to give back through a wedding! It was a wedding of whimsy and charm! They had the reception out on the pier where Rhiannon said that they were married in front of friends and family....and hundreds of spectators!

Rhiannon and Erick served pizza, pretzels, hotdogs, churros and cotton candy in vintage food carts. It was a fun and casual way to bring in the theme and keep the fun factor high. The amazingly awsome painting of the bride and groom was by a close friend, Jennifer Snodgrass.

I love too that Rhiannon hunted out her vendors from all sorts of locations...and her hardwork really paid off! Her cupcakes were created by Julie Desmeules and Rhiannon couldn't say enough wonderful things about her. Julie doesn't have a shop but does events exclusively and has a booth at the Century City Farmers Market every Thursday. Rhiannon's dress was vintage inspired and crafted by Dolly Couture.

Rhiannon wrote, "I have a few favorite moments. First, the time I spent alone with Erick before the wedding. We spent the day getting ready separately but before the ceremony or pictures we took some us time and it was really nice just to be with each other and away from the hassle and to think about what the day is really about. I also really loved how open our ceremony was - we attracted a huge crowd from the pier of passerbys that stopped to watch. I was a little nervous at first about how they'd react or what types of things they'd yell but they were all really supportive and funny and it really made the ceremony special. Not every wedding has an extra hundred strangers yelling after the first kiss. It made it a lot of fun."

Photography by Harmony Nixon.

As featured on Style Me Pretty

2009-06-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

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Two of my most favorite clients to date are Michelle and Henry who were recently married. They tied the knot at the Sugarman Estate in Maui. It was a beautiful ceremony full of personal touches- like a French Fry station and displaying photos from their travels, hung whimsically on trees throughout the property.

Today I discovered their wedding featured on Style Me Pretty! Unfortunately there weren't any pictures of the invitations, but I promise I'll take some nice ones and showcase them Asap! The sweet story behind the monkey-themed invitations is that Michelle and Henry were both nicknamed "monkey" growing up. They really wanted to showcase their sweet affection for each other and with the amazing help of Evonne (from Events by Evonne) they were able to tie in all the details that made their wedding beautiful and touching. If you'd like more pictures, be sure to visit Away Soiree.

Vendors: Events by Evonne, Cakes by JoAnn, Catering from Soup to Nuts, Kahaiali`i Productions, Bella Bloom Floral Boutique, Smitten Invitations, Pacific Event Group, Photography by Dulce by Visionari, Pacific Isle Rentals, Dress by Pronovias

Real Weddings: Nikki and Brian (Part Two)

2009-05-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

Nikki and Brian had a charming wedding in Santa Barbara. Nikki shared her breakdown on how she was able to keep her budget to $1,500. Yes! Really! $1,500 for a beautiful wedding. Nikki's budget breakdown:

$500 for the reception lunch
$500 for my dress (there's a story behind that, but that's a whole separate blog)
$100 chair rental
$200 flowers
$100 miscellaneous details
Handmade Invitations
Photos by friends and family

Nikki shares, "The SB courthouse is free to use, but you can't make reservations so a few friends got there early to scope it out for us. Luckily there were no other weddings that day...kinda risky! For the reception, our guests had a selected menu - about 4 meal choices...and the food was great! For our honeymoon, we drove up the coast to San Luis Obispo for a few days."

Nikki's Tip - "DIY events can be stressful and at times it felt like it was all on my shoulders, so I tried to keep reminding myself what it was all about...marrying my best friend...and I was also blessed to have great friends willing to help make the day a success."

Nikki's Regret - "I wish I had been able to have a professional photographer. I love the pictures my friends and family took, but there are a lot of high contrast and blurry shots, etc. that I wish looked a little more professional."

Real Weddings: Nikki and Brian

2009-05-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

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Nikki and Brian were married July 1, 2006 at the Sunken Gardens at Santa Barbara Courthouse. For their reception they celebrated with lunch at the Opal Restaurant off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara - walking distance from the courthouse.

Nikki made some very simple yet personal touches that also allowed them to stay within their budget of $1,500. Yes, you heard me right...and see how lovely it was! Nikki made her own invitations. To keep it personal and meaningful, Pastor Jeff of Hope Chapel
officiated. Nikki said that Pastor Jeff was a very close friend of her family and that he knew her for her entire life.

To keep the budget reigned in, as well as to keep the affair intimate, they limited the guests to 20 close friends and family members. For her bouquet and the reception flowers, Nikki's friends made a trip to Trader Joes and the farmers market the day before. Potted flowers lined the aisle and guests took them home afterward...and the bride and groom still have one today on their patio!

The thing I really love about Brian and Nikki's wedding was that they had everything close to their heart. They decided to not be intimidated by their budget but to focus on the celebration. In the next post we'll go over Nikki's breakdown so you can see how she creativly budgeted her wedding, and we'll also have some tips from her as well!

Sneak-Peek: Kepharts and Rhiannon Affair

2009-05-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek!
The Kepharts and Rhiannon affair at the pier! It's a super sweet wedding!

Inspiration Board 39: Under the Sea

2009-05-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

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Were you ever like me? On the top of your "when I grow up list" did you write, "become a mermaid?" Well, here's your chance! Throw an Under the Sea wedding. This would be perfect if you had a destination wedding or one near the shore. It incorporates shells in really fun ways that will last much longer than flowers. And these flowers feel more like they belong in the coral reef! This exotic centerpiece incorporates red dendrobium orchids and buffalo orange vanda orchids. And the dress by Melissa Sweet is the perfect mermaid attire!

Images courtesy of Brides.com

More Courthouse Weddings

2009-04-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

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Los Angeles Times had an interesting article today about the new trends in weddings. More and more couples are choosing to wed in courthouses and then have simpler receptions or luncheons to celebrate. Several of them said that they're saving the money they would have spent on a wedding and have put it to good use....say a down payment on a house anyone? I think it works especially well for some of these couples as many of them lived together for some time, or this was a second marriage for others, or they are just the practical type. One way or another, these high school sweethearts from Poland were awfully cute...they got married after being reunited after years apart.

Sweet Simple Wedding Tips

2009-04-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Weddings weren't always lavish $35,000 affairs. And believe it or not, the couples were just as happy, the guests partied just as hard, and the celebrations were just as fun. I hope that with today's economy couples will return to the simple wedding- where the focus is on tender moments, personal touches and being fiscally responsible instead of the tradition of outdoing each other, impressing parent's friends and showing off as much glam as possible. Sometimes I wonder how we ended up there anyhow.

Here are a few tips to help keep your wedding sweet, simple, wonderful, yet affordable.

Keep the guest list small. When was the last time you wanted to hang out with 200 people you hardly know? Having a large guest list doesn't increase the party atmosphere...think quality over quantity. It's a sure thing that some people will be put out by not being on your list of 75 people, but they would have probably been the same person who was sitting in the corner complaining that your napkins and linens didn't match anyhow.

The date and time matter. Plan the reception for off hours and days. If you'll be having an intimate affair with only your closest friends and family, plan the reception on a Sunday and serve cocktails instead of a full meal. That means a 4:00 - 7:00 reception would be perfect and your guests will still be able to get home at a decent hour.

Try a venue outside the box. If you have a favorite restaurant, why not book your reception there? It doesn't have to be the Hilton...and then you can share your favorite meal with those you cherish. Or maybe a friend's house. My husband and I were married in a friend's backyard and it was fabulous. And with our early departure at 6:30 pm, we didn't have to rent lights or tents. Parks, the beach and even a historic landmark would work.

Keep it simple. Let your maids wear dresses they already own. Create a handmade centerpieces from simple ideas such as potted plants (which nicely double as favors) or decorate with a bunch of bright Japanese lanterns. Instead of a 15 layer wedding cake, serve your favorite cheesecake. It's personal, it's thinking outside of the box, and it puts the focus of your wedding on you and your fiance instead of on your budget and fussy details.

Images courtesy of Mel Barlow Photography

FireProof the Movie

2009-04-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

I want to recommend Fireproof to all of you. To be honest, as much as I adore Kirk Cameron, I really thought it was destined to be a cheesy C movie...but I loved it! My husband and I both enjoyed it and have been talking about what we've learned from it the last few days.

Quick synopsis: This movie is well written, not too chick-flick yet not too hardcore fireman movie and it has some real laughs and tears. Really- and it's not overly cheesy, it's actually very entertaining. It's about a couple on the verge of divorce and the husband decides to take the "Love Dare" to try to save their marriage. It's written very realistically and through the movie some very solid marriage tools are lived out. The movie does have very strong Christian overtones, but to those with an open mind this movie is full of marriage tools that I can guarantee will benefit you and your spouse whether if you're almost married or have been married for thirty years. Two thumbs up!

A Bit of Goodness to Make the World Brighter

2009-04-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

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Today I thought I'd discuss charitable giving for your wedding. I've heard of some intense to small-yet-thoughtful ways that brides and grooms have contributed to the general world goodness. There was that one bride and groom who decided to have a "work day" instead of general pre-wedding parties. So instead of a round of golf or a clam bake the day before, all of the guests, including the bride and groom, donated time working for a charity. Talk about impact!

Charlie Sheen and his wife went for a less intense but still seldom seen act of goodness- they asked all the guests to make a donation to Chrysalis instead of bringing gifts. This is a great way to raise funds for your favorite charity, especially if your home is already furnished.

An even more simple way to help is to register with the I Do Foundation which helps you to find companies that have a policy of giving back to register through. There are many wedding companies out there (even my own Smitten Invitations does) which gives parts of the proceeds to charities. (We give 10% of every order to help women and children) and that's something you can feel good about.

There are so many great options out there to help others through your wedding! And imagine, your dream coming true can help other's dreams come true too! Image courtesy of Bloom Photography

Photo Booth done right

2009-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is how a photo booth should be done- lots of great props, hats, boas...the background doesn't have to be elaborate, only that it's a dedicated spot free of distractions so that the group can focus on having fun!

Inspiration Board: Bright Fall

2009-04-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

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Many of you are probably planning your Fall weddings now, so I thought I'd give you a snippet of inspiration to help!

Just because your wedding is in the fall it doesn't mean that you should be regulated to traditional, dark fall colors. This board mixes in a handful of bright colors and modern designs. With such a cheery setup your guests are sure to feel like celebrating even in the midst of a chilly Autumn evening.

Tejani Trunk Show

2009-04-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ladies, FYI: Tejani is having a trunk show here in Los Angeles April 17-19!

Plus they're offering a 15% discount for all purchases made at the trunk show, so make an appointment, grab your maids, and pick out some serious glam. Visit Tejani to schedule an appointment.

April 17 — 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

April 18 — 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

April 19 — 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Bridal Bar

624 N. Doheny Drive

Los Angeles, CA

Vendor Parade: Fleurtica

2009-04-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Fleuretica has been on my radar for some time. I first stumbled across them at a SoCal wedding expo and their booth was amazing- way beyond anyone else. Then on meeting them I found out how friendly they were...and I've been a fan ever since. Located near Pasadena, Fleuretica Floral Design Studio has been getting noticed for their luscious arrangements, playful colors and twists on tradition. I've seen them incorporate fruit, marsh mellows and all sorts of interesting things in the arrangements- and the result is fantastic.

And since they were so nice to lend their expertise to answer my readers questions, I thought I'd post about them today to make all of our days a little brighter.

Fleuretica Saves the Day!

2009-04-06T17:24:00.001-07:00

Reader Color Coated wrote in the comments, "I'm wondering, do you know by any chance, what those little purple flowers are in the center pieces? Thanks."

For you, Color Coated, I'd go to the ends of the Earth to find an answer for you...but I don't have to go that far! Luckily for me the freindly ladies at Fleuretica helped out. Euri wrote, "The small flowers are waxflower and comes in darker shades of pink, magenta, mauve, blush pinks, and white as well. Sometimes you can find the dyed variety in orange and yellow."

Great to know, and I hope that helps you out Color Coated!

Real Weddings: Terri and Sean

2009-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

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I think you'll agree- Terri and Sean's wedding is amazing. I was somewhat disappointed in the latest Bride magazine for downplaying DIY/Outdoor weddings. It's true, they take a lot more work, but clearly Terri and Sean did an amazing job pulling it off, though they did have help from Shay Brown Events to make everything flawless...but even more so, the bride completely poured out her heart into this wedding.

Terri and Sean were married at the The Inn at Half-Mile Farm in Highlands, NC. They made their amazing wedding chock-full or personal touches. Every detail was thought out, making their day not only elegant but really memorable and personal. Such as dancing her first dance in her great-grandmother's wedding dress. Or using the bride's collection of antique tins for the centerpieces. And acorns from local trees in the centerpieces, napkin rings and boutonnieres. These are the details that bring your guests in and make them feel like family.

Brides did have some great Menu tips for outdoor weddings that I'll share. I've been to many outdoor weddings that I had wished taken this advice! Especially in sunny CA!

Best outdoor menu items:
Yellow tomato gazpacho shooters, vinaigrette green salads, grilled seasonal veggies, pan-roasted fish, fondant iced cakes.

Worst outdoor menu items:
Cheese displays, anything with mayonnaise, vegetables in heavy cream, heavy or braised meets (such as lamb, beef), butter cream frosted cake.

The wedding was planned with the help of Shay Brown of Shay Brown Events in Asheville. The amazing photography is by Woodward and Rick Photography. Menu tips courtesy of Brides Magazine
and Food For Thought Catering

Real Weddings: Cathy and Greg

2009-04-02T19:07:00.001-07:00

Cathy and Greg were married in San Pedro, California - with a view of the amazing Pacific ocean and an amazing sunset for a backdrop. I loved this wedding- her lace wrap is just perfect to keep off the chill while while still being graceful and feminine. The shades of aqua, lavender and pink contrasted with an abundance of white mimicked the hint of warmth during the winter outdoors.

Photos courtesy of Mary Jane Photography

Eco and Affordable Favors and Centerpieces

2009-03-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

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These white orchids look so modern in classy white mini-pots, clustered onto a simple white dish. Add a few paper butterflies and you have an extremely modern, chic and usable centerpiece. To have this piece work overtime, print table numbers on card stock and mount on a white rod and have the centerpiece act as your table card. Finally, let each guest know that the plants are their favors, making the most from these three-in-one orchids. Not only have you cut waste by 2/3 you've also cut your budget and have a stunning yet elegant decor for your table.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Preston Bailey's DIY

2009-03-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Talented Ms. Khris of the DIY Bride has some exciting wedding news to share! Preston Bailey, the uber-talented wedding planner is offering a complete how-to guide and resource manual to create the Wedding Bell (the table setting above) from his book “Celebrations.”

On April 06, 2009, Preston will offer a limited number 1,000 of copies of Wedding Bell for sale to the public. To get your discounted copy be sure to visit the DIY Bride
Blog to get your coupon code.

Real Weddings: Susan and Steven

2009-03-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Susan and Steven were married in Pocantico Hills, New York. They had a Farmer's Market wedding! I saw it and thought it embodied everything wonderful! I love all the fresh details and good food...which makes sense because Susan is a cookbook author and a former Martha Stewart Living food editor. And the menu had such farm fresh dainties like chicken and corn stew, miniature tomato sandwiches, heirloom tomato salad and Lamb with summer squash.

The reception was held at Blue Hill, a restaurant that uses only fresh ingredients grown or raised on neighboring farms. I love how they used fresh picked veggies casually set on a table for decorations.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Inspiration Board 38: Farmer's Market (Centerpieces)

2009-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

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I heard received so much great feedback about the Farmer's Market idea that I've decided it explore it more and to take a look at what Farmer's Market Centerpieces might really be like. The thing I love about the Farmer's Market concept is that each item is either recycled or can be reused in the future. I also like that the vintage/flea market/farm fresh feeling can help keep costs down. And it's good for the environment. And it looks great. And it's a sure to keep the wedding reception fun...actually there's a thousand reasons I love this idea for a wedding.

I would schedule an outing for you, your mom and mom-to-be, and your maids. Truck down to a Flea Market early in the morning. Break into teams and give each team a page of items (with picture clippings) to search for and acceptable budgets for each. Gather enough lanterns, vintage urns and vases, anodized buckets, jam jars, and vintage fabrics for each table.

Then work with a florist or visit a local flower farm and put in an order for your flowers. The best scenario would be to have a florist who's willing to work with a local farmer. If you are considering DIY to save flower costs, consider these pointers. First, don't do the flowers yourself! As much as you're tempted, get a whole team together, give them pictures of the desired result and get yourself out of there!

Because the flowers will need to be done the night before or the day of, the last thing you need are flower stained hands, a strained neck, sore shoulders and a stress attack! Trust me, I know...I did it for my own wedding. Your arrangements should be simple to meet the Farmer's market look, so your team should be able to do a marvelous job with your inspiration!

Images courtesy of Ritzy Bee Blog, Lisa Kae Photography, Elite Photography

Inspiration Board 37: Farmer's Market Wedding

2009-03-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

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Farmer's Markets may be some of my favorite places on Earth. Imagine a wedding in that tone: fragrant flowers in jam jars, ripe tomatoes for centerpieces, soft luminaries and a live Jazz band gently playing Ella's "Cheek to Cheek" in the background. Then add vintage inspired stationery, handmade candies and family photos. It would be an enchanting evening of romance, fun, and good eating.

It would be a very warm, intimate casual affair- and would almost require an outdoor reception. When planning outdoor receptions be sure to consider tenting needs, insect repellents and ample lighting- but all of those challenges can be overcome with creative solutions that only enhance the Farmer's Market feel. Tents can be assorted and mismatched. Insect Repellent can double as candles that add a campy smell that's so homey. Lighting can be lanterns, candles, Christmas lights, luminaries, and Japanese paper lanterns. The more mix-matched and colorful the better.

Finally, be sure to include your local farmers when planning with your caterer. Not only will you be eco-friendly (less transportation of the food) but it will also be farm-fresh-Delicious!!

Images courtesy of Style Me Pretty, {frolic!}, and Martha Stewart.

Eco and Affordable Wedding Bands

2009-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Matt and Sara)

Sara and Matt of the $2,000 Dollar Wedding Blog had plans to save money and the environment with thier wedding rings... and they created an amazing and touching memory from it as well.

Sara writes, "...we also had an unconventional approach to our wedding rings. We asked our friends and family to donate their old gold to an environmentally-friendly jeweler, Green Karat. The company melted the donated gold, credited our account with more than $1,000 and created new rings."

Green Karat can take "dormant gold" such as a broken chain, the one remaining earring and the unused class ring to recycle. Reusing gold means that you won’t create any demand for additional mining, plus you’ll create keepsake rings embedded with the love of your family and friends.

Eco and Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses

2009-03-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

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I was the matron-of-honor is two weddings a few years ago, one in February one in May. Needless to say my stress was high, my wallet was empty and though I have no regrets I was exhausted and broke for some time afterwards. Though both brides selected amazing bridesmaid dresses for both weddings...I have yet to wear either of them since. They're sitting in my closet- looking amazing- but one is too formal to wear to anything less than a black-tie event and the other is fitted from before I lost a little weight so it's not quite as flattering as it used to be. Plus each dress cost a pretty penny, and after shoes, matching jewelry and dress jackets were purchased (as both were winter weddings) the total was astounding (not to mention shower gifts, wedding gifts and bachelorette party!)

When choosing your maid's dresses there are a few new trends that can help make your bridal party save money, save the environment and have more fun. Maids who feel extremely comfortable in their dresses are more likely to dance at the wedding and smile in all the pictures.

Kate Harrison of The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget says ..."Having perfectly matched bridesmaids is falling out of fashion. Today there are many ways to create a unified look for your bridal party that won't hurt anyone's wallet or the environment. Instead of asking your maids to buy a new dress, let them wear something they already own in a generic color...or encourage them to buy a dress that has been worn before. Either option will save them a lot of money and will reduce waste generated by producing and shipping..."

The best way to pull this off is to not pick one color for your theme. This works for any season. Winter = whites, silver, navy blue. Spring = light yellows, greens, sky-blues, pinks. Summer = yellows, reds, aqua-blue, moss. Fall = browns, oranges, goldenrod, reds. Make sure the bouquets also reflect a myriad of colors as well and even the most mix matched dresses will seem beautifully coordinated- and your maids (and the environment) will thank you!

Images courtesy of Faye and Greer Blog

Inspiration Board 36: Mellow Yellow

2009-03-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

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The colors you choose says a lot about you. Yellows are associated with cheerful, gentleness, tenderness and joy. And I can't get yellows out of my head! So here's one take on yellow: a mellow yellow. Mellow Yellows are a perfect fit with early Spring weddings when the world is just about to burst into color. It's perfect for the couple who is cheerful and wants to celebrate, but in a more gentle, refined way. Mellow Yellows are also perfect to mix with other spring colors, such as light sky-blues, or moss-greens.

A yellow and white cheerful bouquet, a vintage inspired cake, and bright centerpieces effortlessly pull of a great Mellow Yellow theme.

Tips from Former Brides: Tina and Devon

2009-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

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I'm currently in lovely Colorado as I write, visiting my brother-in-law Devon and his wife Tina for our vacation. I interviewed her about her wedding- she was married almost three years ago in Southern California. They had a very nice traditional wedding; a church service followed by a formal reception with an amazing, catered sit-down diner.

I asked her "if you could change any one thing about your wedding, what would you have done differently?" After a short pause she answered with conviction, "I would have hired In-and-Out Burger to have catered my wedding." Now, for those of you outside California you might not know that In-and-Out have the best burgers in the world. They'll bring their large catering truck and make the burgers right there, handing out cheesy Double-Doubles with secret sauce and fries.

I was really surprised. Why did she want in-and-Out over her nice dinner? She said it would have upped the fun factor and would have made the wedding less formal and more about celebrating. She said if it was less formal she would have relaxed and not taken every detail so seriously. "I realize now that I should have focused on marrying my best friend, and besides," she added, "most of the details of the day didn't work out like I planned."

Sugar Flowers

2009-03-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

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Sugar flowers aren't what they used to be. Stunning creations, such as the sugar flower cakes by Ron Ben-Israel (top right) are so delicate and amazing that you'll be tempted to only look and not taste! But taste you can!

You may be looking for ways to cut your wedding cake budget, and if so I have a few good ideas for you. Wildflowers by Lori (bottom right) sells sugar flower cake toppers which will be substantially less expensive to decorate to a locally-made cake, but it'll still look amazing.

You may be the adventurous type and want to try to decorate your own cake, and for you'd I'd recommend a kit such as those by Discount Sugar Flowers (bottom left). Only be sure to buy extra and practice before your big day to make sure you feel comfortable. You might also want to go to an old fashioned, Victorian look in which case you might want to use Sugared Pansies (top left) or make your own sugared flowers. These can be fun to use on cupcakes and add a sweet handmade charm to your wedding.

Congrats to Jose Villa and Our Labor of Love

2009-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Flipping through my mother-in-law's most recent copy of Professional Photographer Magazine I wasn't at all surprised to find my two favorite photographers Jose Villa and Our Labor of Love as featured photographers! Of course they would be in a magazine where the true cream of the crop photographers are listed! So congrats to them, and here's a little snippet about each of them.

Jose Villa Photography

Jose Villa Photography is available for travel world wide. He writes, "I am a fine art wedding photographer…ultimately my goal is to craft vibrant, energetic, fine art images that are as unique as the people in the photographs."

(Images courtesy of Jose Villa's Blog)

Our Labor of Love Photography
Our Labor of Love is a husband-wife team that are known for capturing spontaneous moments. They write, "We sincerely hope you're…interested in unique photographs that capture real beauty rather than robo-photos that pasteurize originality. We think you, your family celebrations, your friends and your true loves are beautiful and any images that represent these milestones should illustrate the pure joy in these moments."

(Images courtesy of Our Labor of Love's Blog)

Eric and Emily

2009-02-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Eric and Emily were married at the lush Moorpark Country Club. Emily selected black, white and pink for her twelve-person bridal party. It's a classic look, perfect for a winter wedding with just a touch of spring.

"When having such a large wedding party, be forewarned that you'll need an extra photography assistant as you'll need double to triple the amount of photographs within the same amount of time," advises wedding photography expert Judi Bumstead. "With such a large party you'll get triple the closed eyes, funny grimaces, and bad poses and you'll want that extra assistant there to make sure you get all the shots you need."

Sneak Peek: Eric and Emily

2009-02-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

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Eric and Emily were married in Moorpark, California. More to come tomorrow!
Images courtesy ofJudi Bumstead

Warning to Wedding Vendors

2009-02-25T10:34:00.001-08:00

Dear brides-to-be, I'm deviating from my normal posting format to bring an important warning to other wedding vendors today. Tomorrow will be normal, I promise!

I’m trying to warn everyone about an email I received this morning. I've read about scams that seems to involves a fake bride or groom. I became suspicious when I didn’t receive the email through my website (most all of my inquires come this way); I’m not a wedding planner myself so they obviously haven’t done much research; and he doesn’t mention where the wedding will be…not even a hint of country or state or theme; and he talks a lot about being sure to pay rather than any wedding details. Ebay writes:

Some sellers of high priced goods receive requests from bidders in foreign countries...to accept foreign cashier's checks...some of the requests offer to "overpay" for an item...We urge all sellers to use extreme caution when accepting foreign cashier's checks for high priced items, as such checks may take weeks or months to clear and may be counterfeit.

Original Email:
Hello, my name is Faker Groom*,

We request the services of a good wedding planner who will handle our wedding for us...You are to arrange for videography, music, entertainment, photography, Officiant/Priest & church, cake, flowers and venue...I will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via my credit card once availability is confirmed by you...All checks and balances will be made before the final day of the wedding. Get back to me with your response as we don't have much time left so that we can also process our accommodation within the region.

Best Regards, Faker Groom*

* I've changed the name of the sender, some of the original email has been changed.

Wedding Thank You Notes: Part 2

2009-02-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Etiquette says that you can send out a pre-wedding gift thank you anywhere from immediately to two weeks and for wedding gifts/post wedding gifts you have up to three months to send them. My suggestion is that you make a goal after the wedding to write 3-4 thank you cards a night. Your husband should also be part of the note writing, it's not just the bride's job. Also, if you write the thank you notes to your friends and family, and he his, then it'll be easier and more enjoyable. You'll see that I highlighted the groom's names (yesterday's image) to assign who has which cards. Between you both, you'll be able to get out your thank you cards in no time.

You don't have to write a lot- 3-5 sentences will do. It should always be personal- a computer printed note with a prefab message is a big no. Identify the gift given by individual guests. Then you can write about how you appreciate it, or what personal meaning it has for you, or how you plan to use it. Even if you'll be returning the gift never mention that in the thank you. If you were given money you don't need to name the amount specifically but it's a nice touch to say how you'll be using the funds.

Finally, end your note by letting them know you appreciated them attending the wedding. Only one of you need to sign the note but it's always nice to mention your partner "...Lauren and I both appreciated...sincerely, Joseph."

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Wedding Thank You Notes: Part 1

2009-02-23T11:21:00.000-08:00

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Writing thank you notes doesn't have to be a nightmarish chore! With a few tips you can have your thank you cards out in a timely manner with no stress. And in case any of you have already tuned out thinking you don't really need to send out thank you notes...tune back in because they're one of the most personal and intimate (and important details) of your wedding. It's a great chance to reconnect with your guests and your gratitude for their time, expenses and gifts will go a long way in friendship.

You can prepare to make your thank you writing even easier if you start early. How early you ask? I'd recommend that you start planning even as you're creating your guest list. As you're writing your list up, be sure to have extra columns for gifts received and thank you notes sent. I made a sample list for you- you'll want to track:

Names of guests * Complete Address * Gifts given * Rsvp Number (write the same number on the back of the rsvp so if your guests forget to write their names you can match it up to the list) * Assigned table number (optional) * Number of guests attending * Meal Prefrence * Thank you notes- assign and sent

Next, be sure to have thank you cards at the ready. If you're having customized thank you notes to match your wedding stationery, be sure to order them to arrive at the same time as your invitations. Chances are you'll start receiving gifts soon after the invitations are sent and being able to send out a few thank you notes at a time (rather than wrestling down a giant accumulated list) will really help- so be ready with your stationery at hand.

Wedding Blunders: Gift Drop Off

2009-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

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For the couple's sake all names have been changed. This is a very real story...don't let it happen to you! "Katie" and "Ryan" wanted to have their gifts delivered to their new house after the wedding. The bridal party eagerly volunteered to collect all the gifts from the wedding, load them up in the best man's van and to drive them over to the house. The best man was given the house key and every detail was set....all except one!

After the wedding was over the couple drove to their new home in complete bliss. They would be leaving to catch a red-eye plane to Hawaii so they had decided to spend their first married night at home instead of paying for a few hours in a hotel. Can you guess what the missed detail was?

The bride and groom had forgotten to set the gift delivery time! Somehow the bridal party hadn't realized the couple would be home..."acting like newlyweds" (or so I'm told by the blushing bride) when the bridal party all barged in with the gifts! When you arrange your gift drop-off be sure to assign the volunteers, the place, hand over the key...and always be clear on the date and time!

Photo courtesy of Vitalic Photo.

Inspiration Board 35: Antiqued Gold

2009-02-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Bring a touch of romantic gold into your wedding. Gold is classically charming and can bring vintage romance to your reception...and a hint of Hollywood drama. That's what's so great about gold, it's very versatile and you can dress gold up or down. It's wonderful too because gold is just coming back again with a new twist, so don't be afraid of it!

For your reception decorate with a gold table settings, twinkle-lighted tent and a real gold cake. For a romantic gown you'll love Jenny Packman. I seriously adore her gowns and I would wear one every day of the year if I could. Then accessorise with hair pins by Toni Federici and a handbag like the one featured on Style Me Pretty.

Wedding Wording Etiquette: The Deceased

2009-02-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

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Many brides and grooms want to know how to address their loved ones who've passed away with their wedding invitations. Etiquette gurus dispute the answer which means more freedom for you to decide what's right for yourself. Many traditionalists say that the deceased should never be mentioned on a wedding invitation. Personally, I think having an "in honor of" section of the program or a tribute during the reception are the best options, but I can understand how brides and grooms would find it important to list the deceased on the invitation itself. I say, if it's important to you than you should definitely do it- it's better not to have regrets for the sake of etiquette.

If you will be mentioning the deceased on the invitation it's important to signify that the deceased is not actually the host- otherwise it may seem if they've sent the invitation from beyond the grave. In this case the host line should be from the bride and groom, regardless who's actually hosting.

Jane Roberts

daughter of Mr. Daniel Roberts and the late Ms. Lilian Roberts
(notice that the deceased mother is referred to as Ms. and no longer as Mrs.)
and

Ryan Boxer

son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer
invite you to their wedding...

Jewish wedding invitation etiquette allows for the deceased to be on the host line but uses the Star of David above the deceased's name, signifying the deceased in a non-obtrusive way.

Mr. Daniel Roberts and the late Ms. Lilian Roberts (Star of David symbol here)

invite you the wedding of

Jane Roberts

and
Ryan Boxer
son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer...

There are many other ways to honor the deceased at a wedding. I love how Kelly and Christopher honored their late father during the reception. (Photo by Twin Lens as featured by Style Me Pretty.) Not only did they have a memorial photo of David, but they incorporated his love of cigars as gifts to the guests- which I think must have made him smile up in heaven. It's a very tender way to remember the one you love and lost, similarly, you may want to write a loving tribute in your program.

Wedding Wording Etiquette: The Request Line

2009-02-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Have you ever noticed that some invitations say the honour of your presence is requested or the honor of your presence is requested while still others say request the pleasure of your presence? I'll decipher the "wedding" code for you, and luckily, it's not hard at all. If you are being married in a church, use honor or honour. (That's physically inside the church building.) If you're being married anywhere else, use the pleasure of your presence or another request without the words honor or honour.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking "who cares anyhow?" But it has its use. Many churches can be very traditional and by using the word honor it lets your guests know they should dress appropriately for a church setting. Writing honour or honor is equally correct, as long as you stay consistent. Honour is the British spelling and tradition still uses it on occasion, but be sure to stay consistent such as the words favour or colour.

You can also use variations such as we invite you to join in our joy or would be delighted at your presence or request your presence as a holy witness, etc. The only rule with these variations is that they need to actually invite your guests with words that show that the guests physical presence is wanted- that's the main difference between a wedding invitation and a wedding announcement. A wedding announcement only tells them the wedding is happening but it won't actually invite guests. Any variation you find suitable that invites your guests would work.

p.s. I just wanted to mention...always write wedding and not marriage on your wedding stationery. No one besides your fiance is being invited to the marriage! Custom wedding invitations by Smitten Invitations.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you are having a wonderfully romantic time, enjoying all the nuances of your love.

Melissa's Smitten in Brides Magazine

2009-02-12T18:01:00.000-08:00

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A super-duper hooray! If you have your latest edition of Brides Magazine nearby, flip over to page 442. Scan through the 75 Best Wedding Web Sites until you find the Ideas section. One, two, three, four down...and there it is! Melissa's Smitten Blog has been listed as one of the best wedding websites! And if you haven't seen them yet, be sure to check out the Sweet Citrus and the Asian Fusion wedding inspiration boards they mention.

Can I say hooray long or loud enough?

Laura's Fabulous Map Totes

2009-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Ok, allow me to gush for just a minute. Laura Hooper (calligraphy extraordinaire) now offers totes with your customized map design! I've always been a huge fan of her stunning calligraphy and her maps but on totes! Her totes almost beyond delightful to the point of squeamishness- like when you've had eight pieces of chocolate and you're completely blissful to the point of bursting. Almost like that...that's how much I like them!

Inspiration Board 33: Citrus and Peach

2009-02-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

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I can't wait for Spring to envelope us in beautiful scents and bright colors! In the meantime, here is a "citrus and peach" inspiration board to prepare us for Spring! I love the brightly colored bridesmaids dresses from Lula Kate and the flowergirl dress by Jenny Yoo. Then to complete the outfits be sure to accessories with a Clay hair flower by DK Designs. And the thing I like so much about the flowers that Martha Stewart selected on the yellow background is that many of them are in season year long! So if you're wanting to get an early start on Spring be sure to choose orchids, freesia, roses kalanchoe, lilies and tulips to brighten your bouquet!

New Design: Chicago

2009-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I'm really excited about the newest invitations at Smitten Invitations! I designed these for a modern bride, but with a splash of bright blue to keep it from being too formal. I love the patterns in them because they can be carried throughout the wedding. And not to mention...they're letterpress printed so they're the epitome of good taste!

Here's an inspiration board to go with the Chicago letterpress wedding invitations. Enjoy!

Wedding ring photo by Laura Kay Photography. Bride and Groom photo by Our Labor of Love. Bridesmaid dress by Lela Rose.

Etiquette Q&A

2009-02-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

Be sure to use our comprehesive Wedding Wording assistant (the best on the web) to help you with your wedding wording. You'll also find great tips for your specific situation...but still feel free to write in and ask, I love to answer your questions.

Q: What is the etiquette if the bride and groom contribute, the parents of the groom contribute and the parents of the bride who are divorced contribute?

A: This is a great opportunity to use the "Bride and Groom, together with their families" as the host line. Especially if you and your fiancé are making a significant contribution, this is probably the most correct approach.

If you would prefer to have the parents be the main hosts, it's a little tricky but it can be done with grace. The tricky part is to make sure the divorced couple (remarried or not) are on separate lines (do not use the word "and" to start the second line), yet recognizing whose daughter it is. To keep it from becoming too complicated, see if your in-laws will be comfortable using the"son-of" trick...though I've also listed out a second option for you that doesn't specify whose children are who's. If all else fails, revert to the "together with their families" option.

(Option One)

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hampton

( mother of the bride with remarried husband)

Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts

(father of the bride with remarried wife)

invite you to the wedding of

Mrs. Hampton and Mr. Robert's daughter

Jane Roberts

Ryan Boxer

son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer...

(parents of the groom)

(Option Two)

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hampton
(mother of the bride with remarried husband)
Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts
(father of the bride with remarried wife)

together with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer

(parents of the groom)

invite you to the wedding of their children
Jane Roberts
to
Ryan Boxer

This is another scenario where I'd recommend previewing the invitation with your famalies before going to print. You might find one set of parents thrilled with the same option that your other set of parents will hate. Also, becareful not to get caught into the middle. You should mediate with the mindset that its you and your fiancé who will make the final call.

Image courtesy of Mary Jane Photography, custom wedding invitations by Smitten Invitations.

Etiquette Q&A

2009-02-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's a question sent in from a reader. I promise to try to answer everyone else's questions and have them up for you by tomorrow!

"...His parents have generously offered to pay for our wedding (though we were originally planning to pay ourselves). My parents are not contributing at all... I wanted to honor his parents for throwing the wedding, but I know that my parents would be deeply hurt and embarrassed to not be included in the host line. No matter what I do with the wording, I end up kind of snubbing someone."

First of all, welcome to the "parents vs. in-law vs. newly couple" issue. This is exactly why I tell all my customers to preview the invitation with both parents. It's amazing the range of emotions one piece of paper can bring out!

Here's my advice. You need to have a heart-to-heart with your in-laws first since they're paying. Find out how they feel about being the host- maybe they wouldn't mind it if your parents were included on the second host line (so switching the order in option two) or they might feel comfortable with an option three version which says "....together with their families." But remember that they're doing a lot of work for you and they may want to be the "officially recognized" hosts. Their feelings would be valid, but don't forget that even if they are paying for your wedding they still need to respect your decisions on how you handle your wedding planning, including the wording. But most importantly, talk with both sides and no surprises!

In the end, if you find a solution that isn't "etiquette perfect" but satisfies both parents and yourself then go with it! If you decide to go a direction that you feel right about but you know it might cause tension, remember that it may be uncomfortable but the "parents vs. in-law vs. new couple" is an issue that will resurface again and again during your marriage. If you handle this first go with grace, love, and good communication then you'll have set the stage for a beautifully functioning marriage.

Wedding Wording Etiquette: The Host Line

2009-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

One of the trickiest parts of your wedding stationery is figuring out your wedding invitation etiquette. Some brides may think that invitation etiquette is an old system that no one uses (as I admit, I even thought that once) but with a few tricks you can have perfect etiquette that also doubles as a special thanks to the host(s) of your wedding. So this week, let's go over some of the fundamentals of your invitation wording.

The old system...is still in use. True, many of your friends might not know it, but I promise your parents and all their friends do, so do your grandparents and their entire generation. One of the best tricks to get perfect wording is to use Smitten Invitation's wedding invitation etiquette helper. It's a bit involved, but if you can answer a handful of questions about your wedding, you'll have flawless wording in less than five minutes.

Today let's go over an extremely important line: the host(s) line.
It's very important that you show your gratitude to your hosts by putting their names in the proper place of acknowledgement. This isn't just fussy etiquette, the host line is like toasting your guests- it really shows your appreciation.

Who is your host? This line used to be fairly simple as the bride's parents always hosted the wedding, but now it might include the groom's parents (or just be the groom's parents), the bride and groom, or even the children of the bride and groom. Essentially this is whoever is hosting (aka paying for) the wedding.

Sample one: The parents of the bride are the hosts. This is a "traditional" wedding where the bride's parents have paid all major expenses, though the groom's parents may have paid their traditional expenses such as honeymoon, rings and rehearsal dinner. This isn't "the most correct" solution, but if your wedding meets the description above, then use it guilt free.

Your wording should sound like:

Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts

invite you to the wedding of their daughter...

Sample two: The parents of the bride and the parents of the groom are the hosts. This is when the parents of both parties have agreed to split the cost of the wedding. It's not used for 20/80, it's the real 50/50 split (or close to it). List the parents of the bride first and then directly underneath list the parents of the groom (even if one is paying slightly more than the other).

Your wording should sound like:

Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts

and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer

invite you to the wedding of their children...

Sample three: The parents of the bride are the hosts, but you want to include the groom's parents' names on the invitation. This is becoming more popular and is standard with Jewish and Mormon etiquette. The parents of the bride are still recognized as the hosts in this method and the groom's parents may not be paying anything and still may be included with this method.

Your wording should sound like:
Mr. and Mrs. John Roberts

invite you to the wedding of their daughter

Jane Roberts

Ryan Boxer
son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boxer...

Sample four: The bride and groom are the hosts with the support of families, children, or even just the bride and groom. This option is a great catch-all if your wedding doesn't fit into any of the above examples. If the bride and groom are picking up most/all of the expenses they may list only themselves. If it's complex hosting situation, or if the bride and groom wish to acknowledge their families support they may include "together with their families" after their names. For second weddings they may choose to include their children in the invitation which is a beautiful way to start a blended family, or a family with supportive grown children (who you should list out by name).

Your wording should sound like:

Jane Roberts

and

Ryan Boxer

together with their families (or children)

invite you to the their wedding...

Stationery by Smitten Invitations

Green Flowers

2009-01-30T11:01:00.000-08:00

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Here are a few tips if you're planning to go green with your wedding.

First tip- don't think that going green means adding thousands of dollars to your budget! Especially with florists, there are some great, affordable options to go green with, you just have to know what to ask for. To help us, I've pulled my ultimate resource on the subject, "The Green Bride Guide."

The author Kate writes, "The easiest way to ensure your flowers are sustainable sourced is to find a florist who already has a relationship with local farms or wildflower merchants. Any good florist should be able to accommodate your request for seasonal, organically grown flowers... however, nature is not always cooperative in producing the precise shade or color of a specific flower. If you must have white flowers, pick varieties that only grow in white. Similarly, if scent is important to you, make sure to have the florist include herbs or spicy plant materials, such as flowering sage, scented clover, jasmine and lavender..."

She mentions too that many flowers are bred for their looks, so including organic flowers will bring back those beautiful scents. Many florists who use non-organic flowers actually spray them with a scented chemical, adding unregulated chemicals to your wedding.

Florist featured Fleuretica, Ariella Chezar, Rosenow Floral and photography by MiBelle Inc.

Inspiration Board 32: White Couture

2009-01-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

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This board is for a modern, sophisticated, daring bride. I imagine she has a job at Vogue or designs handbags and lives in a NY loft filled with modernist furniture. Her dresses are always pressed and she drives a white, classic, '60s VW Carmengia. Then she and her architect fiancé are wed at the Museum of Modern Art. Modernist bride who I admire, this board is for you.

I love this Modern Gown by Adele Weschsler. It's so classy with exactly the right amount of feminine softness and detail. It's the perfect gown for a modern wedding. The contemporary centerpiece is by Isari Flowers Studio. The curtain reception hall by Anthony Todd. I love that he's included a gold tabletop, it keeps the setting inviting and gives it a bit of excitement. Not to mention it will help reflect the light, allowing a brighter room with low mood lighting. The Beaded bodice and flowers background images courtesy of Ruettgers Photography.

Wedding Wands

2009-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

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Many of you probably read the "other than throwing rice" post where I talked about wedding wands. I wanted to share with you how beautiful it looks in real life! Selena made her own DIY wedding wands for her wedding after reading the post on this blog. She found ribbons matching her wedding colors and hot-glued them onto small wood dowels.

The wedding wands were then used instead of rice as they exited the church and back at the reception the wands were used on the dance floor for fantastic pictures!

Image courtesy of Mary Jane Photography.

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

May the year of the Ox bring you much joy!

Inspiration Board 31: Firefighter Wedding

2009-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I like themed weddings but they get a bad rap...probably because most of them are badly done. It's so easy to get so excited about a theme that it's easy to go overboard...and take a clean, tasteful, aesthetic with it. Brides (and even some planners) want to hit you over the head again and again with the theme to make sure you get it, but in reality a taste of it will do.

That's why I love this fire fighter's wedding board. It's sophisticated and brings in a black & white (think Dalmatians) with a splash of red (fire trucks) and yellow (flames) color scheme. It focuses on the black and white which is so classy and easy to use. You can use black and white spots, stripes or paisley patterns. Black and white is so timeless that your wedding will look classy in photos years to come. To keep the modern, classic feel of your wedding, look into classic A-line, Princess and Empire styled wedding gowns. They never go out of style.

When working with a theme choose a handful of direct elements such as renting a vintage firetruck (which is fabulous for photos) and letting your Dalmatian be your ring bearer. Make sure you don't compromise quality and style for the theme. If you find fire-hydrant cookies that look like they'd be better at a child's party than a wedding, skip them...or better yet, take them to your baker and ask them to create a grown-up version for your wedding.

Remember, less is always more and you can have a classy themed wedding that's still fun!

Photos include: boutonniere and flower shot by Our Labor of Love Photography, and I adore the table setting, black and white cake and flower centerpiece. Maids photo courtesy of Martha Stewart, Bride in firetruck image courtesy of Jon Koch Photography.

DIY Wedding Invitations

2009-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

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If you're the type of bride who can't imagine sharing the same design with a thousand other brides, but you can't squeeze letterpress into your budget for your custom invitations, I say DIY! Do-It-Yourself project have pros and cons and I've listed a few here.

Pros:

It costs a fraction of the price if you know what you're doing
They can be completely unique and amazing
Having a handmade element makes a wedding so personal

Cons:

They can cost 3x as much if you have no idea what you're doing
If you spend every free minute working on them, you'll come to hate them
You'll need the right tools for the job

There are a myriad of ways to make your own stationery (and incorporate the same ideas into your favors). Two of my favorite ways that are also foolproof are to stamp your invitations or using DIY kits. Stamping can be great- you can use beautifully designed wedding stamps or even have one created based off your own original artwork. I also know many brides who have asked a calligrapher to create the wedding invitation text and with their permission have turned the art into stamps. The result is stunning and personal.

Really take some time to be creative when doing DIY invites, don't be afraid to experiment. Once you have your design, time yourself creating one and then multiply it for your stationery count to make sure you can really do it. Remember that even cutting 200 pieces of paper to size can take up to six hours! But grab a bunch of friends over, rent a few good movies and it can be done!

DIY kits can be great and they're guaranteed to keep costs, time and frustration down. Smitten has print-at-home invitation kits that are reviewed by a typographer to make sure your invitations will look amazing. Then you can take the art and use a home printer or a gocco machine to print. When printing from home remember to use an inkjet printer (I have a Canon iP4500). Be sure to find a high-quality paper as it will bring your stationery from homemade to luxurious.

You can also incorporate some handmade elements with finished products for a cohesive, beautiful wedding stationery suite. And you'll have the freedom to add small details that really make your stationery amazing, like a paper wrap with a ribbon and charm. The fine touches will help make your DIY stationery completely custom and charming.

Custom Wedding Invitations

2009-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Have you ever dreamed about having your own custom wedding invitations for your wedding? I want to spend a few posts this month going over stationery as January is the most popular month to buy wedding invitations for spring/summer brides.

One great way to create your custom wedding stationery is through the help of a professional stationery designer. Most of these designers will charge you a fee for design and for printing. Letterpress printing is one of the most common printing methods for custom wedding stationery as it allows a "small run," keeping prices low (which seems counter-intuitive as it's a costly process) but true all the same.

Custom wedding invitations can range from $10-$25 each depending on the designer, the complexity of your idea, and the materials and printing process used. If your stationery designer charges dramatically less than their competitors, be weary. You may be getting an inexperienced designer who runs the risk of creating a headache instead of stationery, or you might have someone who will shortchange you in design freedom or materials.

Do research before you contact your designer to get an idea of what you'll want, but keep an open mind too. A good designer will take your idea and often will add their own amazing inspiration to create something completely unique and wonderful. A good designer will also be a good listener, so if you feel like you have to argue to have your ideas heard, go ahead and find someone else. It's important that your stationery is designed for your wedding.

I'd also recommend that you give yourself several months to have your stationery custom designed. There will be a lot of back and forth, evolving of ideas, and printing time that can take longer than many brides anticipate. You'll want the time to be able to make relaxed decisions. If you can pull these tips off, I promise you'll be delighted! There's nothing as personal as your own stationery creations to welcome your guests- it's like having a piece of your heart in paper format.

(Image above was a custom design for Brena and Will who were wed with a cherry blossom theme by Smitten Invitations.)

Sweet Wedding Thank You

2009-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I adore Lindsey and her honey themed wedding stationery. Lindsey is not only one of the most fun and friendly people I know, she's so amazingly talented. Today I needed a pick-me-up and when I opened my mail I got it in the form of a cheery yellow envelope. And it was a hand letterpress-printed thank you with the most delightful hand carved illustration! It was exactly the pick me up I needed!

When purchasing your wedding stationery remember to order thank you notes that match your invitations. You'll be tempted to put off ordering them until after the wedding but you'll need them early as gifts are often delivered before the wedding and some companies will give you a discount if you order your stationery all at one time. You can use generic thank you cards, but as Lindsey proved, you can bring a rush of good memories back to your guests once they see your thank you notes in your stationery style. It'll bring smiles back to all of your guests!

FYI- I wanted to point out a stationery delight. Lindsey used a deckle-edge paper. That's the rough edge at the bottom in the last picture. It's an extra touch that's very elegant, so if you want it be sure to ask for it by name (deckle-edge).

Vendor Parade: Savadelis Films, Part Two

2009-01-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Savadelis Films has a great opportunity to share. To help brides and grooms who are on a budget or who have the desire to film and/or edit their own wedding video, Savadelis has created Movie Me, a DIY seminar packed with tips from my two favorite videographers!

Jewel wrote, "As we look forward to 2009, we notice a lot of brides and grooms are looking for ways to stretch their wedding budget without compromising their vision, the quality of products or services. After receiving numerous requests, we are offering a DIY seminar on How to Film and How to Edit Your Wedding."

Sun, March 22, 1 PM - 5 PM
Julia Morgan Ballroom
465 California St, San Francisco
Website: Movie Me
Blog: Movie Me Blog

The seminar will consist of a series of enactments, with humorous narration, of parts of the ceremony and wedding reception. The enactments will be filmed and displayed through a live feed in real time so that everyone can see how to frame each scene, get interesting angles and avoid the biggest no-no's. Then they will demonstrate the basics of editing. They've already received a lot of interest and they can't wait to share.

I really think this is a unique opportunity! If you're at all near the San Francisco area, be sure to make your reservation today!

Friendly Blog Reciprocation

2009-01-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Savadelis Films for mentioning me on their blog!

Jewel wrote, "...she (Melissa) also has a big heart. She understands brides who crave style, but are on a budget. So, she has came up with an incredible idea. She created artwork which you can purchase to design your own invitation. You personalize the design (save the date, note card, or program), send it in and it will be reviewed by a typographer. The final art will be mailed to you on a CD. Then you print the invitations. Mission accomplished! Style on a budget. What a thoughtful lady!"

Thanks again Jewel and Chuck! And to my readers, be sure to tune in tomorrow when I share some very exciting DIY news from Savadelis Films!

Vendor Parade: Savadelis Films, Part One

2009-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

(Click to watch Fever in Quicktime)

I'm very pleased to start this year's Vendor Parade with amazing videographers, Savadelis Films! Chuck and Jewel Savadelis come with high recommendations from a top wedding planner. Chuck and Jewel formed Savadelis Films six years ago with the goal of creating beautiful personal movies of life's events. Chuck was formerly a freelance commercial photographer with a background in fashion, architecture and executive portraiture. (Cool fact: he has even photographed three U.S. Presidents!)

They started a blog to show brides and grooms examples of excellent wedding movies and just slipped into educating couples about how to evaluate videography, what's new in the field of videography, pointing out what's so great about a current movie, and mentioning other great wedding professionals with whom they've had the pleasure of working with.

They have a great video to share called Fever. Jewel wrote about the couple, "This urban, sophisticated couple celebrated their wedding at San Francisco's City Hall. This stylish couple and their guests really knew how to have a good time."

Fever Movie in Quicktime
or
Fever Movie in Windows Media

Vendors in the Parade may or may not sponsors of Melissa's Smitten Blog, but are strictly selected for the Vendor Parade for their sterling reputation and outstanding work.

Sneak-Peek: Selena's Wedding

2009-01-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

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Many of you will remember Selena who married her sweetheart Daniel last November. Selena and I worked together custom designing her wedding invitations, Rsvp postcard and her custom wedding "Trolley Ticket." We then worked together to get the designs ready for her many goco projects including the menus, favor labels and bags, and out-of-town guest kits. Selena was the uncommon bride in that most of her wedding was hand crafted or directly based from her genius ideas. I've never seen a bride work so hard! Today is just a sneak peek of the good things to come.

We had such a great collaboration that we ended up becoming fast friends! Selena is now back from her honeymoon and she has agreed to help me share every detail of her wedding with you in the upcoming weeks.

She assembled a talented team including: photography by Mary Jane Photography, flowers by Joey Molina of Cana Flowers (canaflowers99@hotmail.com), catering by Pure Joy, cake by Crumbs Bakery, Santa Barbara Trolley, linens by Elegant Designs Specialty Linens, DJ music by Bonnie, Save the Date cards by My Candy Paper, and custom designed invitations by Smitten Invitations.

Planning Guest Seating

2009-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

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If you haven't already, be sure to check out the wedding planning tools from Martha Stewart Wedding. I love the guest seating tool, it can also help you keep track of who's invited, which guests have replied and where they'll sit. You can edit the size of your venue room, how many chairs per table, and how close the tables will sit next to each other. You'll have to register to use the tools, but they're so handy it's worth it!

When planning your seating charts, remember that there's no set rules but many tips and tricks to make your arrangements comfortable for you and your guests. Start by planning where you will sit, either at a personal table with your groom (the sweetheart table) or at a larger table with your attendants. Make sure that you and your attendants will be able to face the room. The bride and groom should be centered and then seat your attendants in a boy-girl-boy-girl pattern (with each attendant sitting with their dates).

If you have a diverse group of guests, you can seat your guests with people of similar interests, but don't be afraid to mix them up either. Don't be afraid to mix age groups, or to put singles with couples. If you have disabled or elderly guests be sure to make their seating arrangements are comfortable. For the elderly, they may prefer to be further from the dance floor where it's quieter. Disabled guests will need tables with easy access. Children should sit with their parents or at a children's table managed by a baby sitter.

Overall, remember that this is really a giant party where your guests can meet new friends and catch up with old ones. If you put thoughtful consideration into each table's situation you're sure to do well!

Photos by Judi Bumstead.

New Year 2009

2009-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

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This is the Miller's wedding from New Years Eve 2007. The fabulous affair was coordinated by Christina Baker St. Louis Wedding Consultants and catered by the entire staff at the Coronado Hotel of St. Louis.

There are so many things I love about this wedding. Jeannie and Jack, the bride and groom, look radiant and so obviously in love. I love that they hosted the wedding on New Year's Eve because it started the new year with a celebration of love. And as you can see, they were clever enough to allow the Christmas decorations do most of the hard work for them. Though I wouldn't ever recommend a wedding the day before/of/after Christmas, I love the idea of a New Year's wedding.

The wedding was shot by the ever so talented Jon Koch. He has a very classic style full of vibrant colors which he refers to as "Fine Art Documentary," that is, photojournalism melded with fashion and fine art aesthetics.

New Year's Resolution #3

2008-12-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

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For my final resolution, I hereby do commit to save money. Not that I plan to become a fanatic but you will find me at sample sales and in thrift shops (seeking beautiful vintage pieces at discount prices!) One of my favorite ways to save money is with vintage clothing and once used items. It takes more research, more tenacity to find the treasure, and more gumption to talk the price down, but when you find that gem it's all worth it.

You can research through the amazing Once Wed or if you have more time, try searching for wedding goods under Shop Goodwill or Ebay. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you might find. Consider searching for your bridesmaids dresses through vintage sites and stores. My favorite in Los Angeles is Aardvark's Odd Ark and my favorite online is Some Like it Vintage. Especially if you want a lot of color, vintage prom dresses make wonderful maid's dresses.

I'd love to hear how you might be saving on your wedding without forgoing charm. Email me your tips and I'll be glad to share them!

The gorgeous flowered gown was found through TheFrock.com, the yellow prom dress was found in Dorothea's Closet.com and the vintage flower necklace is currently bid at $15 on Ebay.

New Year's Resolution #2

2008-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

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For my second resolution, I hereby do commit to buy handmade. We keep hearing how the economy is hurting mega-companies but we haven't heard how the economy is hurting the small companies who keep the world beautiful. For your wedding decorations, your attendant gifts and perhaps even your gown, consider buying handmade. Handmade is more often than not better made, more detailed, and comes with better customer service. I'll be buying handmade in 2009!

The Bird Cake Toppers, Flower Hair Adornment, and Clay Flower Hairpin are all handmade.

New Year's Resolution #1

2008-12-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

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This year I have some big resolutions! First of all, I hereby do commit to go green. If you're interested in having a green wedding, might I recommend "The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget" by Kate Harrison. I have a copy and it's packed with ideas from the moderate to extreme environmentally friendly ideas for your wedding that anyone can afford to incorporate.

Here's one tip from Kate's book.

"When I went to buy a veil, my mouth literally fell open: $180...It was especially shocking because unlike shoes or wedding jewelry, you can't buy a veil you'll wear again...consider some of the alternatives...borrow or buy used. Tulle is petroleum based, meaning it comes from a non-renewable resource and doesn't biodegrade for hundreds of years. If you can't find a veil to borrow, or if you want a more intricate style, buy a used or vintage veil. It recycles materials that have already been processed so you don't create any pollution. What could be greener?"

Twelve Drummers Drumming

2008-12-24T15:22:00.000-08:00

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Twelve Drummers Drumming sounds like a handful of ring bearers into pre-wedding mischief to me! I've heard many horror stories about ring bearers, even about my own beloved husband! He locked himself into a bathroom and refused to participate until bribed with the promise of an expensive toy!

Here are some tips for your ring bearers:

Have an awesome toy for bribing purposes. Consider something unusual for your ring bearer that might help him feel braver going down the aisle- maybe he can ride down in a wagon or perhaps he can hold some one's hand. Make sure his outfit is comfortable so that he's not throwing a fit over itchy collars and stuffy jackets. Remember, it's better to have a smiling ring bearer than a perfectly dressed one. Once he's walked down the aisle, have a seat in the front row available for him if he'd prefer to sit down during the ceremony (ditto for the flower girl) and have crayons and coloring books ready under their seats in case they're needed.

Most important, flower girls and ring bearers are there to bring a sense of wonder and the unexpected to your wedding. If they get cold feet in the last seconds before walking down the aisle, don't fret! You'll have a great story to tell later!

Photo by Jose Villa

Eleven Pipers Piping

2008-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I know this is a bit of a stretch, but I thought it'd be so much more interesting to look at eleven groom and groomsmen gifts (including a handsome pipe for pipers!) instead of a bunch of pictures of men playing the trumpet. Don't you think? Anyhow, here are some great and unique ideas to get the men in your wedding!

A great idea for cigar aficionados would be a customized humidor filled with custom banded cigars ($125). Or for the offbeat smoker, a fine Peterson Pipe from Dublin ($60-$80). I love these customized cuff links available from Etsy, you can get them with your grooms men's initials ($20). A Mr. Beer Brewing Kit will let your groomsmen create their own custom brew ($50). Also from Etsy, silkscreen ties for the men in your life who are edgier than Ralph Lauren ($40). Zippo Lighters are so cool looking that your groomsmen will want one even if they don't smoke. Plus they're customizable.

And for your groom an iPod Touch would be a hit. You'll get extra points if you pre-load it with pictures of you and love tunes. You can also get iPod case ($120) that he can customize and show off. A safe bet is always fine shaving gear. The shaving starter kit ($40) and the Power Shaving Set ($400) will make every morning enjoyable for your groomsmen. And finally, food based items will always be a sure-win. Personalized personalized bottle openers ($20) and personalized BBQ kit ($40) are always great gifts.

Prices are estimates and may vary in reality. Bride photo on iPod by Our Labor of Love Photography.

Ten Lords A-Leaping

2008-12-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

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I love dancing at weddings- especially when it brings in the culture of the bride or groom. I would prefer not to see any Lords A-Leaping, but it is great when everyone at your wedding can have a great time dancing. Here are some great ethnic dancing traditions that you may wish to incorporate into your wedding. They're fun, festive, and will bring a rich-heritage tradition into your wedding reception.

Greek: The circle dance, called Kalamantiano. Be sure to shout "Opa!" as you dance! Also, dishes are smashed on the floor for good luck and money is thrown at the musicians.

Hispanic: A line dance, La Vibora, is traditionally performed by the single ladies attending the wedding. The dancers dance around the bride and/or groom. A traditional folk troupe can also bring a festive element to your wedding.

Indian: It is traditional to have a troupe of dancers perform at an Indian wedding, or friends who've practiced a dance, Bollywood Style.

Irish: Irish weddings often hire Célilí or Celtic bands to set the festive mood for Irish square dancing or Irish folk dancing. A Celtic band might include instruments like the harp, the fiddle, the mandolin, the flute, bagpipes and the banjo.

Italian: The Tarntella is the traditional circle dance for Italians. Also, be sure to break a glass. The number of pieces of shattered glass symbolize the years you will share together.

Finnish: "Dance of the Crowns" is popular in Finland. The bride is blindfolded and all unmarried ladies will dance around her in a circle. She takes her head wreath and places it on one girl. Whoever she crowns is said to be the next to marry.

Nine Ladies Dancing

2008-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Nine tips for your first dance, courtesy of Wedding Music 2 Dance.com. They have many more great tips for your first dance, as well as instructional DVDs and music. Photo courtesy of Jon Koch Photography.

1. Select a romantic song. See Our Wedding Song List It is important that your song has a easy to hear and feel steady beat. The song will determine the dance you do. Most songs are Fox Trots (Slow dance), however, if you want to do something different - choose the dance first, Waltz, Tango, Swing or Salsa, (or a combination of any two dances). Once you select the dance you wish to do, then select the song to fit that dance style.

2. Select a song that isn't too long. A Song between two to three minutes long is best. Songs longer that that may get boring for your guests. (Personal note from Melissa: we loved our song, "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" but it was nearly six minutes, so we had the DJ fade out the song after three minutes).

3. Practice your dance to a CD. When you practice, put the CD on repeat. Once you get comfortable with the dance steps and timing to your first dance song, also practice with other songs and faster and slower tempos so you can dance to a variety of music tempos at your wedding -and after the wedding. This will also keep you from getting bored with your first dance song.

4. Practice your dancing. Regular practice is the only way to get comfortable with the steps and with dancing together so it feels natural. This will also help you learn to lead and follow and look good when you dance. The more you do practice the better it feels! Plan to practice.... at least three 20 minute sessions a week. Your goal is to feel that you are" dancing as one."

5. Consider taking dance lessons. If you want your first dance to look really great take private dance lessons (5 to10 is a good average). If you can't take private lessons the next best option is to buy a First Dance instruction DVD or Video or DVD Dance Kit.

6. What size is your dance floor? Find out what size your reception dance floor is and try to practice your dance using the same approximate space at home. If you do not have enough space to practice the full dance routine, practice one or two individual steps at a time.

7. Plan how the dance will start and end. Will it be at the beginning of the reception or after dinner? This might help you set the mood and inspire the flair your dance will start and end with.

8. Inform your team. Tell your Band , DJ and Photographer, when you plan to do your first dance. Also Check with your Band or DJ to be sure they play your first dance song at the tempo (music speed) that you practiced your dance with your song CD. To be sure of getting great pictures of your first dance, tell your photographer and Video person when you plan to start your first dance and if possible demonstrate which dance moves you'd like them to capture...especially important is the dip at the end of your dance.

9. Plan for the unexpected to happen. No matter what happens during your first dance...like forgetting a step or twirl, just keep dancing, enjoy the thrill of this special time together and just have fun and enjoy your first dance! Remember no one knows what your dance steps should be but you. Also ladies....no matter what last minute changes he makes....follow him anywhere!

Eight Maids A-Milking

2008-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

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We all know what it means to milk it- to get every precious drop out of something! Here are eight great tips to help make sure you and your maids get the most out of your special day.

One: Remember that your attendants are financially responsible for the purchase of their outfits and accessories, their transportation to the wedding, their bridesmaids gifts to the bride, and any costs associated with showers and bachelorette parties. Though your maids will be glad to be supportive on your special day, be sure to consider their finances as you're planning your wedding. Don't pick out expensive gowns, shoes and jewelry without their input.

Two: You can have two maids of honor and/or two matrons of honor. This is great if you have two friends you can't choose between. Often in this situation one will hold the bride's bouquet and the other will hold the groom's rings. Also, don't be intimidated by having the same number of bridesmaids as your groomsmen. It's perfectly ok if they don't match.

Three: When selecting your maids make sure that your girls are reliable, are great listeners, who will show up on time, and who are willing to help out. Being a maid is an honor, but it's a lot of work! You'll need maids who are up for the job.

Four: Create "job cards" for everyone in your wedding. These cards will help you divide up the wedding responsibilities and help make communication clear. Then give your job cards and wedding notes to your maids in a pretty wedding folder.

Five: Get a "survival day kit " for each of your maids. It should have helpful items such as band-aids, Tylenol, safety pins, tissues, etc. It'll make sure your maids have everything they need and will banish stress!

Six: Your maid's dresses don't have to match exactly, even at a formal wedding. Using the same material or color can allow your maids to each have a dress that flatters her body type.

Seven: Remember to communicate with your maids. Keep them filled in about all the parties, dates and more that they'll need to know. Ask them often how they're doing and make sure that none of your maids feel overwhelmed with their tasks. Keeping communication open and lighthearted is the key!

Eight: Make sure you and your maids plan for some fun! Stress levels will be high right before the wedding so be sure to plan to have some quality relaxing time with your girls. If it's a day to the spa or a sleepover, you and your maids should make it a priority to enjoy each other and have fun.

Photos from top left: Our Labor of Love Photography, Aihara Visuals, Judi Bumstead Photography, and Vita Bella Photography.

Seven Swans A-Swimming

2008-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

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In this song I visualize seven swans swimming on an ice-frosted pond. Living in SoCal I've never seen anything like that, but I can imagine it's beautiful. So for this post I've taken the inspiration of white swans on a white lake for the white-on-white theme. White-on-white weddings are amazingly classy but they also require a lot of forethought in order for them to still feel exciting and sophisticated.

You'll notice too that there are many shades of white and there are "warm" or "cold" whites, meaning that the white is based off a yellow/red foundation or a blue foundation. In this inspiration board the whites are all warm. Though you can mix and match shades of white, be wary of mixing cold and warm whites. Instead, compliment your white with other warm or cold colors for a splash of color, but minimally to keep your white on white theme. Your cold whites mix well with light blues, silver and moss. Warm whites mix well with gold, yellow, orange, red and pink.

White centerpiece photo courtesy of Martha Stewart, white appetizers and drinks by Rebbecca Thuss Photography, white wedding gown by Amy Michelson, white bouquet by Dragonfly Events, and white wedding cake by the Cake Girls.

Six Geese A-Laying

2008-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I found the Korean wedding tradition of giving wooden geese during the wedding ceremony very sweet. The geese are called kirogi. The birds, a traditional symbol at weddings, mate for life. And they travel great distances to bring back food for their young. The groom traditionally brought a live goose to the mother-in-law to show his commitment to his bride. Many couples keep their wedding geese in their home. It's said when the couple is happy with each other they face beak to beak. When the couple is having an argument, the ducks can be turned away from each other until they make up.

Wooden geese available through Korean Arts.com, Bagged Geese photo by Selva, colorful Korean painted geese available through Antique Alive.com, and picture of traditional Korean Bride by Shisun.

Five Golden Rings

2008-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is a bit of a cheat because they review four rings instead of five, but they're such amazing rings! Plus I thought it was great to hear Martha Stewart review the rings and bring her insight. If you remeber this is Jessica and Cody of last year's "the Today show throws a Martha Stewart Wedding." America voted on the rings, attire, reception location and decorations! You can read more about their amazing "Breakfast at Tiffany's" wedding and get inspired for your special day!

The rings are from Hearts on Fire, De Beers, Penny Preville, and Cartier.

Four Calling Birds

2008-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

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So it turns out there are a lot more birds in this song than I remembered. But fear not! Today I look at beautiful wedding pieces that are inspired by birds. I adore the flouncy feather inspired gown by Melissa Sweet, and when you visit the website you can see how light and airy the model looks in it. I'm so glad that hair adornments are in style, especially the feather and netting, the wispy feathers and the dainty feathered pins. They're so elegant yet minimal, and I love that. I believe less is more and when done right, feathered pieces are really stunning. I also liked how tasteful the feathered florals were in this bouquet.

Three French Hens

2008-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

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I bet you didn't know that a bachelorette party is known as a "hen party" or a "hen night" in the UK and Australia. Though bacheloette parties are somewhat new (and often today equate with wild michief), dinners and parties thrown in honor of the bride-to-be have been tradition for centuries.

Great "Hen Parties" are often weekend excursions or day trips. Consider a day at a spa. There's something very bonding about seaweed wraps and group mud baths. Or wine tasting-notice how giant the bride-to-be's glass is in the photo. Even if you have more than three hens at your party, and even if none of them are French, start planning with your maids as to what type of hen party is going to have you the most relaxed for your wedding day!

Photos courtesy of: Gaylord Hotel, Tour Trent College, and Hilmerson Photography.

Two Turtle Doves

2008-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Turtle Doves are beautiful symbols of love, peace, purity, and fidelity. Doves choose one partner for life and make this commitment until death. The tale goes that if doves are seen on your wedding day, a happy home is assured. The only problem is that doves are now synonymous with tacky weddings- but no longer! I've found some very tasteful wedding doves and have vowed to make some modern dove wedding invitations in the very near future.

I simply adore the vintage cake topper, it's whimsical and charming. The candle holder is modern feeling and the dove cake topper is traditional but with a bright, thick ribbon it feels much more modern and elegant. The wire menu stand is a fun element to bring in, and you can find a local service to help you release doves, bringing a fun tradition into your wedding.

Partridge in a Pear Tree

2008-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

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To celebrate Christmas I thought I'd look at 12 wonderful details that can be incorporated into a wedding. I adore birds; their bright colors, whimsical flight, cheery singing. Wedding toppers have been a big trend this year and I think it will continue for several more. Cloth cake toppers are handmade by Ann Wood. Bird's nests double as table cards and as tasty favors when filled with Jordan almonds. Fanciful pink and green bird stationery can be found through Cheree Berry. And I love the bold cutouts on the wedding cake, it's elegant and playful at the same time. A vintage bird cage can be dressed up to make a beautiful note collector.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This year I am grateful for:

My husband of six and a half years who ever day has become my best friend in a new way- for his support and his love. My family and good friends. All the new blog friends I've made through Melissa's Smitten- for all the kind words and faithful readers. For warm sweaters, cheery fires, and red wine and cranberry stuffing!

Destination Weddings: Stationery Tips

2008-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Evonne, wedding planner extraordinaire, has a great post about wedding invitations. She was so generous to allow me to re-post, as it's extremely helpful for destination weddings (and weddings in general).

She wrote, "A lot of my 2009 brides have started working on their wedding invitations already. Here are a few tips and advice especially if you are planning a destination wedding:

If you want all of your paper products to be personalized and have the same "look and feel", make sure that when you work on your Save-the-dates and your invitations, you are also thinking about your programs, escort cards and/or place cards, your menus and possibly your thank you cards as well.
Since most of the guests will be coming from out-of-town, it's a good idea to send out the invitations 3 months prior to your wedding. That will give them enough time to book their travel arrangements.
An RSVP deadline of 4 to 6 weeks prior to your wedding is highly recommended. That will give the planner, the caterer and the rental company enough time to finalize all the details.
Never put your registry information on the invitations. If you have a wedding website, you can include that on the site.
If you are having a smaller, intimate wedding and not inviting all of your friends and family, you should send out announcement cards after the wedding. Include a nice little wedding photo, and thank them for their thoughts and prayers.
You can certainly hand cancel each invitation, but the post office will still run them through their machine. If your invitations are delicate, it's a good idea to include both an inner and outer envelope.
For eco-conscious brides, instead of doing different inserts for maps/directions, and activities...etc., you can include those information on your wedding website.
Always order at least 5 to 10 extra invitations with envelopes. As for thank-you notes, you should order an extra 50 to 100. You are going to get gifts all along, from your engagement to your shower to your wedding... why not have a full set of thank-you notes with both of your names on there?!
It's very important that you proof read every single draft from your designer, and it's always a good idea to have at least one or two other sets of eyes to look through everything. Once the invitation goes to print, that's it... any changes after that point will be costly."

As a wedding stationer myself I can say, she got every fact correct, I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks so much Evonne! Wedding Invitations by Smitten Invitations.

Real Weddings: Mike and Kristin

2008-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Mike and Kristin's were wed on November 9, 2008 at Simi Valley Community Church, California. Mike and Kristin had an elegant Fall wedding, incorporating lots of yellows and browns into her palette. I love that she had sunflowers in her brides maids bouquets- she brought the last hints of summer into her wedding and sunflowers always bring a touch of whimsy.

You can tell this fall wedding is in SoCal- there's still enough warmth for sleeveless dresses. A word of advice though, this bride lost her veil during her pre-wedding photos when a Autumn gust blew it off into a stream. You may want to have an assistant for your photo shoot to help with last minute mishaps like Kristin's!

Photos by Judi Bumstead Photography.

Musical Tribute

2008-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

(that's me and my dad, and my husband and his mother at our wedding)

I love weddings that bring in family heritage and that acknowledge the parents of the bride and groom. I've seen touching moments, such as Lindsey's parents reading poetry to her during the ceremony. Or when Theresa and Charlton gave their parents flowers during the ceremony to thank them for their support.

I also love the idea of a musical tribute. To acknowledge your parents who are married, play music from their first dance. My parent's first dances at their wedding were "Dance With Me" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" You can take a moment to acknowledge them before the dance and then let them begin the dance before the DJ opens the floor to the entire wedding. Isn't it sweet? It's a beautiful and thoughtful tradition to bring to your reception.

Guest Blogger on A Savvy Event

2008-11-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Please be sure to check out my guest blog on A Savvy Event blog! I was so excited when Kelly of A Savvy Event invited me to create a DIY Project for her continuing DIY Thursdays. I really had a lot of fun. I'll give you a sneak peek picture, but you'll have to visit her blog to get the full how-to!

How to hand cancel envelopes, revised

2008-11-18T10:05:00.001-08:00

When mailing precious parcels, such as expensive wedding invitations, all the books say that it's best to hand cancel them. Canceling is the ink-stamp used to note that a postage-stamp has been used. Typically this is applied by a machine that may be rough on your envelope, but hand stamping may prevent damage.

Having done some research myself, I don't recommend hand canceling to my clients. Though I hand canceled each item, they were still run through machinery that bent the edges of my envelope. Now I tell my brides to use outer envelopes instead. Even though they will still be run through the post office's machinery, the inner envelope and the invitation will be protected by the outer envelope.

Some brides will still feel greater peace of mind by hand canceling. To hand cancel, try to visit your post office during the least busy time (I was told Wednesdays and Thursdays around 2pm are typically the least busy). I've heard many stories about being denied the right to hand cancel, but the post man told me today that as long as it's not very busy, they'll allow it. If they deny you, ask them when a better time would be to come back, but don't get deterred. Come back again with a friend, so you can get them done in half the time.It shouldn't cost any extra to hand cancel, but you'll have to have the correct postage on the parcel first. Then you take the ink-stamp and...stamp your parcels.

When Artists Propose

2008-11-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

I thought this was amazingly sweet!

Real Weddings: Kavitha and Ray

2008-11-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Meet Kevin Lam , the talented photographer from Toronto. Meet Kavitha and Ray. He is a PhD and she is an MD. Both are smart, fun and beautiful. Both are completely green for the environment (they even made sure their alcohol was green) and they are completely smitten with each other!

Kavitha and Ray wed at the Vaughan Estates at Sunnybrook, Sri Lankan style. Then they slipped into American traditional wedding attire and danced the night away! And she got to wear two amazing dresses!! I think both of Kavitha's dresses are simply stunning!

Personal Note: Thanks to Kevin who I discovered online. I asked him to share as I was super impressed with his work. The quick facts are that he is based out of Toronto, Canada (good to know for all of my Canadian readers). He combines his passion for photography and a genuine desire to learn about people and cultures to explore the world through his camera. His photographs have been featured in various publications, Web sites, advertising, and film.

Inspiration Board 27: A Thanksgiving Wedding

2008-11-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

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Who wouldn't love to have a Thanksgiving wedding? It's a Fall wedding wrapped into good food, family and reasons to be thankful. I imagine it would want to be an intimate, family affair if it were to actually be on Thanksgiving. Serving turkey, decorating with cornucopias and cranberries would be so charming. Then bring in muslin and canvas, fall fruit and wood accents, handwritten stationery and fall leaves to tie it all together!

A fall Cornucopia can double as a ceremony and a reception decoration. Make sure to wait for the perfect moment to get your fall sunset pictures. I love both the fall fruit cake and the fall leaf cake, personally I wouldn't know which to choose- and mini pumpkin pies would make perfect favors. And for an intimate affair, a casual table would feel more like a family Thanksgiving. To add a b it of glam back in, the tiara gown with wrap are the perfect touch. For the men green and brown boutonnieres offset both the fall bouquet and the bouquet with hypericum berries.

Wedding Photography Tips

2008-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

(Before amazing advice)

(After amazing advice)

Wedding Photography expert Judi Bumstead (who also happens to be my amazing mother-in-law) wanted me to share these wedding photography tips with you. Take this wedding for an example. It was a very intimate backyard affair, timed around the convenience of guests and church. The setting and schedule were not conducive to breathtaking images. And my mother-in-law isn't happy unless she gets breathtaking shots.

What is a bride to do? There are two great options that my MIL suggests. One, take the photos before the wedding. Typically early-mid morning and twilight take the best images- perfect timing to take all your formal images before your guests arrive. The second option is to take photos the day after, like this couple did. This way you'll have your first peek at each other as you walk down the aisle, the time of day will be perfect for your photo shoot, you won't be stressed out, and your bouquet should last. Best of all, the day after you can go somewhere amazing, even if it isn't next to your reception site and you won't have to worry about keeping your dress spotless.

As you can see, the day of shots are very sweet and very sentimental...the day after shots are amazing! Breathtaking! Superb!
Photos by Judi Bumstead