Whimsical Baby Shower

I just love doing baby showers. All the little details that can make it so darned cute, not to mention seeing all the adorable clothes. Seriously, I’m a total sucker. For this shower, we used mama-to-be’s bedding from MigiStyle, and her favorite dessert- red velvet cupcakes- as inspiration.  What a sweet shower!

Add a comment June 3, 2010

The Do’s and Don’ts of Saying “I Do”

Take it from me, your wedding day is going to be an absolute blur. Seriously, it flies by. So after all is said and done, I always like to find out what part of their big day my clients liked best (if they remember it!), and 9 times out of 10 it’s the ceremony. Particularly their vows. Hmmm… maybe it’s because they’re still sober? Nah. Actually, it’s because I always suggest that my couples write their own. Nothing says “I love you” more than words from the heart that are personal to you, not something pulled from a book. However, not everyone has the gift of gab, so here are some pointers to get those creative juices flowing and answer the question– Why do you want to spend the rest of your life together?

*Did you meet in a memorable way or make a unique first impression?

*What are the qualities that drew you to each other and make you want to be legally required to be there for the rest of your lives? (no pressure there, right?)

*What things do you have in common that make you a great couple- values, common interests, hobbies, etc.?

*Is there a poem, movie line, famous quote, or song lyric that speaks to your relationship or that you’re both fond of?

*Has there been one particular moment or event that made you realize you loved each other or was just a wonderful time in your romantic history?

*What are you looking forward to most about being husband & wife?

As a general rule, inside jokes will be lost on your guests, so it’s best to leave those out. And please, don’t include anything that will make your guests blush or embarrass your mom! As you reflect on what you love about each other and your relationship, you may find yourself falling in love all over again. For many couples, this is the first time these sentiments have been really examined and expressed to each other, so it can be a very special treat for both of you. Enjoy the process!

Add a comment February 20, 2010

What’s in a name?

You’ve slaved over the dreaded seating chart for weeks, now how do you tell your guests where they’ll be sitting for the evening? From hanging from olive trees or manzanita branches, to pinning the cards to vintage frames, there are a silly number of options to make an impact. Keep your theme or venue in mind, and you won’t go wrong.

A vintage postcard rack held garden themed escort cards

Lovebirds swinging from a chandelier

What a gem of an idea!

Tag! You're it!

Happy as a clamshell compact

Beachy chic idea

Baby, light my fire! Vellum-wrapped votives go from escort card to table decor.

No way you'll be blue with this charming & tasty treat

Add a comment December 19, 2009

Not Just A Number

I love it when my clients personalize their tables with names of things that are meaningful to them, whether it be places they’ve traveled, songs they love, or even just things that speak to the theme itself. However, if you’re having a large wedding, coming up with 20 names may be a tad challenging. The good thing is that there are so many ways to do the traditional numbers, yet still add a personal touch.

A scrapbooker's delight

Die-cut graphics with a stitched border

A woodsy wedding

Girly garden affair

Vintage fabric with hand-sewn numbers

Traditional number in an untraditional lucite frame. So mod!

Any container will do when it's camouflaged with a wrap

Add a comment December 17, 2009

Get ‘Em Coming And Going

We all know that the bride’s entrance is the first “ooooh” of your big day… talk about a big moment! But don’t forget the “aaaah”. It’s the last thing your guests are going to remember about your wedding, so why not go out in style? There are lots of ways to make a grand exit- from simply having your guests line up, a tunnel of sparklers, to a helicopter or boat… and everything in between. Whatever you decide, make sure it speaks to who you are. Having a green wedding? How about a hybrid car, a bike built for two or a rickshaw? For a country wedding, a horse drawn carriage is sure to make a statement, and a vintage car is always a crowd-pleaser if you’re looking for something more elegant. As you take off to start your new life together, you’ll be waving “bye”, while leaving your guests saying “WOW!”

The tunnel of love!

Classy chassis indeed

Just hitched

Add a comment September 15, 2009

Birds of a Feather…

I do a lot of outdoor weddings, many of which take place in gardens, so I’m always looking for fresh new decor ideas that speak to the location. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of unique uses for bird cages, and I even had one crafty bird-loving client come up with a genius idea for some $1 bird houses she found in a craft store. All so elegant, yet so charming as well. That cake looks too beautiful to eat!

A twist on the hum-drum seating chart board.

Overflowing with blooms.. and style

A functional (fun being the operative part) gift table "centerpiece"

Do you think it tastes like chicken?

A house that's definitely not for the birds!

Add a comment September 2, 2009

A Little Face Time

I’m a sucker for a personal touch with some vintage charm, and thankfully, I had a bride who was into it as much as I am. Using a photo I got from the groom’s brother, I surprised the couple with these handmade delightful menus with silhouettes of the newlyweds. Some guests actually took them home! If your wedding aesthetic leans towards the antique-chic, you can add your own image to menus, your cake, invitations, tags, and so on. DIY-ers can do this on stationery with Photoshop, but if you dial better than you mask & fill, then check out sites like MyGatsby, Karrie Pyke Designs, Mr. Boddington’s Studio or Posh Paperie. How about silhouette cookie favors? Use custom-made cookie-cutters from Victor Trading Company and a favorite sugar-cookie recipe to send guests off with yummy personal style. Or for LA brides, Cuts Arts’ silhouette artist , Karl Johnson (you may remember him from a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine spread), will come to your party and create silhouettes of each of your guests. Some things just never go out of style!

Add a comment August 24, 2009