DIY Photo Booth

Think you need to spend a lot of money on a photo booth?  Think again!  Check out how a classy frame and a few fun props can turn a blank wall into a very good time (and amazing pictures to boot :)

{all images via Joshua Behan}

Tied Up in Knots

Bow ties can turn an average suit into a work of art. Plus, it gives the groom a chance to express his individuality!  Tie it into the wedding decor and voila:

{image via Indie Wedding Guide}

{image via Snippet & Ink}

{image via OnceWed}

Personalized Summer Drinks

Having a backyard wedding? An outdoor bridal shower? A picnic engagement party? Help guests remember which drink is theirs (and cut down on waste!) with these Chalkboard Style Glasses:

{image via Southern Living}

Featured Photographer: Amelia Strauss

What's black and white and fun all over?  These amazing wedding photos by Amelia Strauss.  Check out her "Amelia in Action" link - I think it will explain a lot about why her pictures so perfectly capture every couple she photographs!

{all images via Amelia Strauss Photography}

A Tip of the Hat

Feeling a little less traditional? Adorn your 'do with daring top hats. Personalize them with veils, feathers and jewels:

{image via Bride.net}

{image via Bride Chic}

{image via MiniTopHat.com}

Wedding Books to Swear By

Oy - wedding planning. The lists. The rules. The registry. The colors. The flowers. The honeymoon. All fun - yet, so overwhelming.  Now that I'm officially less than a year away, things have gone into full gear and there's no way I'd made it through the craziness without the help of these trusty books.  

If there are any books you can't live without, please let me know - I'm always looking to increase my arsenal :)

Emily Post's Wedding Planner

The Knot Book of Wedding Lists

Colin Cowie Wedding Chic

Our Wedding Journal

Spelling it Out

From cakes to cufflinks, scrabble addicts can rejoice - there's word play wedding decor for every part of your big day!


P.S. - This weekend was AAA-mazing (triple letter word?) Two great friends got engaged! Love is definitely in the air :)

{image via Bubbly Bride}

{Image via Kella McPhee; seen on Brooklyn Bride}

{image via Whitebox Weddings}

{image via WeddInc}

Flower Girl Baskets

At her second wedding, my mother had the sweetest flower girl.  It wasn't me. I was 26 years old, already past the acceptable flower girl age.  

Sigh.

But it makes me happy (and a bit jealous :) that all future flower girls have amazing basket options that align with any type of wedding:

Couture Wedding

{image via The Bridal Party}

Traditional Wedding

 {image via Designs to Remember}

Outdoor Wedding

{image via The Knot}

Beach Wedding

{image via Wedding Favors Unlimited}

Featured Photographer: Henry Chen

Variety is the spice of life - and Henry Chen embraces that motto to the fullest.  He took this beautiful couple all around Los Angeles - from Venice Beach to the Getty Center, a Concert Hall and Chinatown - to capture their carefree attitudes and ever-lasting love.

{all images via Henry Chen Photography}

Cherry Picked

Two peas in a pod? How about two cherries on the same stem! From table cards to dessert tables, these lovely summer fruits add pizazz to wedding decor and photos:

A Delicious Thank You

{image via Martha Stewart Weddings}

Hand Picked Table Cards

{Image via Project Wedding}

Scrumptious Wedding Band Shot

{image via 123rf.com}

End with a Cherry on Top!

{image via Eat Drink Chic}

DIY Wedding Program

Pick a color. Then pick a relative.  Finally pick a place.  Those Chinese Cootie Catchers (I had no idea they were called that - who knew?!?!) provided endless entertainment in fifth grade.  And, go figure, they can provide endless entertainment for your guests!  

I think the DIY Cootie Catcher is such a fun idea for a wedding program. Let guests discover who's who and what's when in an out-of-the-box, origami-inspired, bringing-it-back-old-school, hand made guide.

Still interested? The Cootie Catcher Program Template can be found at Ruffled Blog.

{image via San Diego Wedding Insider}

Dress Shopping is like Dating

Me and bridesmaid (and all around awesome friend) Wendy before entering Kleinfeld's

There wasn't much hemming.  And just a little bit of hawing.  But after ten dresses, three veils and 1.5 hours I said...


YES!!! 


I literally actually jumped up and down and said "I say Yes to the Dress!!!" The experience was AAAAA-mazing.  I felt like I was living out an episode from the show.  For those that don't watch, hop to the next paragraph... for those that do... please jump up and down like I did :) I sadly didn't see Randy (bummer) but I did see Joan.  And not only did I SEE Joan - she took my measurements.  And now... I LOVE Joan. We also saw Keisha and Sarah.  


And while I couldn't take any pictures (boo security!), I took mental images which should hopefully suffice:

• Subtle sweetheart neckline
• Gorgeous beading on the top 
• A-line silk fit on the bottom
• Buttons running down the back of the dress

Most importantly, I learned a WHOLE lot about the entire dress shopping experience - at least dress shopping at Kleinfeld's.


My three key takeaways:

• Get a Great Consultant (aka: Ask for someone like Debbie):  She's the best, most wonderful consultant. She listened, she asked questions, she made it about ME rather than the people I brought WITH me (who were great, by the way!) She stayed (mainly) within our budget and told us if something was going to be a bit more. She is the main reason it only took 10 dresses rather than 25. And if you are NOT comfortable with your consultant after the first 20 minutes, speak to the manager.  

• Dress Shopping is like Dating: I thought I wanted an A-Symmetrical, A-Line, Bling-less dress.  That's about all I went in knowing.  Debbie took that information and brought in some options.  Turns out - I didn't look that great in one-shoulder dresses.  Turns out - a little bit of bling wasn't such a bad thing (when done tastefully :)  You have to be willing to dive into a couple of dresses so you can narrow down the style that you feel comfortable in.  Plus, what looks "eh" on a hanger, can look awe-inspiring when on your frame.

• Don't Settle: I truly didn't believe I would "know" which dress was mine.  And after the eighth dress I started getting nervous.  Where was that feeling everyone was talking about?! Everything looked "nice." And maybe that's all I WAS going to feel... But when I put on the tenth dress - I didn't want to take it off.  I'm still DAYDREAMING about it.  And no, I didn't cry.  And neither did my bridesmaid Wendy or my mom or my stepmom.  But we all just... knew.  This was my dress soulmate.

So, just like dating... Dress shopping takes time.  It can be overwhelming.  It can even be disappointing.  But when you meet the ONE, it will have been worth every bad dress date before it.

Out of the Office Because...

I'm at Kleinfeld's!!!


That's right - hopefully I'm saying YES TO THE DRESS as you read this.


A-Line?


Asymmetrical?


AAA-mazing???


I promise to share all the fabulously fun details following my appointment.  Until then... say a prayer to the wedding gods and hope for a drama-free day :)

Featured Photographer: Jennifer Bowen Photography

What have I learned since starting this blog? That I have a slight obsession with getting in touch with my (your, our!) inner-child.  Maybe there's just a part of me that doesn't want to accept that I'm a grown-up (I mean, I am marrying a guy who is 2.5 years younger than me :)

Anyway, I love Jennifer Bowen's really fun, totally gorgeous e-session.  Apparently it was a really cold day, but her wonderful subjects didn't even flinch.  And by looking at the photos, you would think this Atlanta engagement shoot took place on a perfect 80 degree, non-windy day.  To achieve that - you have to be a great photographer!

{All images via Jennifer Bowen Photography}