Friday, June 24, 2011
Collector's Table
Friday's Flower: Billy Buttons (or Balls or Craspedia)
Sorry for the slow posting this week. Life and an ongoing employment search kept getting in the way. I knew I couldn't slack off today though because I absolutely love Billy Buttons (balls, whatever..) I had also mentioned them earlier this week and I'd hate to disappoint. =)
Billy buttons are native to Australia and New Zealand and are relative to daisies. Important to brides: they're available March through October. According to most wholesale sites, shipments of Craspedia are not always reliable. Most sites have disclaimers about growers not always having enough supply, etc. In other words, I'd stick to supplemental use of Billy Buttons and not use them as the sole flower in your bouquet or centerpieces. They're so quirky and fun though! I really love the pop of color they give bouquets and centerpieces.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Classic Navy and Yellow Affair
I love how nautical and classic this color scheme is today. So many great flowers to choose from and even fruits to choose from! Adding in other subtle colors like white, soft pink or gray are also great options for this color palette. Great colors for an oceanside, summer wedding or just summer in general!
The table number below has a short DIY tutorial from the bride. Also, the guest book below is just one of many amazing designs found on the designer's website. Go check it out.
Loving the billy balls that keep popping up in posts? (the little yellow ball like flower) Stay tuned for Friday's Flower.. =)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday's Flowers (or plants): Succulents
Today's post was extremely tough to put together. The sheer amount of succulent eye candy out there is overwhelming. There are so many beautiful arrangements utilizing succulents that it was tough to limit it to the few I've chosen! Succulents are a wonderful choice for the budget conscious bride, the DIY bride and the earth friendly bride. These little beauties come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colors.
Succulents are apparently difficult to define and some sources include plants that others do not. In any case, desertmuseum.org defines them as such: "any plant that possesses a succulent tissue that serves and guarantees a temporary storage of utilizable water, which makes the plant temporarily independent from external water supply." This basically translates to: these plants work great in arrangements because they don't require water! Another great reason to choose succulents is that even after using in a bouquet or arrangement, you can then turn around and re-root them. Some brides choose to grow their own centerpieces or 'place cards' and offer these arrangements as gifts to family and friends after the wedding. Don't have a green thumb? No problem, check out Etsy.com and you'll find dozens of succulent growers! Now, on to the eye candy....
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Vibrant Color Palette
When I came across this super hero inspired wedding, designed by Amorology in San Diego, I immediately fell in love. Go check it out.
It was such a nice change of pace from the pastels and muted weddings that are dominating wedding blogs these days. Don't get me wrong, I love a soft color palette and classic pastels BUT there is something refreshing about a vibrant color palette. Full scale color palettes are definitely not for everyone. You have to admit though that the below board makes you smile.
How amazing are the blue mason jar drinks? Simply take yesterday's tutorial a step further by painting heart shaped chalkboards on each jar for guests to label their own drink. (Consumption based brides take note - help guests keep track of their cup!) Brilliant.
DIY: 4th of July Decor
This morning's post is not wedding related but when it comes to America or Halloween, I will take liberties with the blog! =) Hoping to see 4th of July related wedding decor? Just wait! I have the best inspiration board lined up for you!!
If you'd like to spruce up your home and/or 4th of July festivities with a few easy, low cost decorations, head on over to Hostess with the Mostess to see their DIY tutorials! The swizzle sticks below would be perfect for an Independence Day wedding signature cocktail! The sparkly garland would also look great hanging as a curtain for an outdoor altar.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
DIY Vintage Blue Mason Jars
From Bridal Buzz:
I used a product called Vitrea 160, which is a transparent color for glass, in a shade called turquoise. I also purchased some thinner from the same product line, so I could get a really faint look. After scooping out a small amount of the turquoise color (a dot about the size of the nail on my pinky finger) into a plastic tupperware container, I dipped my fan brush into the thinner bottle and then mixed that into the blue. That's really all you need, and after I was finished, I realized I could have colored 5 more jars with the amount of turquoise I had left.
I flipped my jar upside down and placed it into another plastic tupperware container, then brushed the outside of the jar with the mixture in thin, even strokes from top to bottom. It looks a bit bright and cloudy at this point, but bear with me! You then have to let it set for 24 hours before you bake it in the oven for 40 minutes at 375 degrees F. After it bakes and cools, the majority of your brushstrokes should disappear, so don't worry if it isn't perfect! Once you fill the jar with water and flowers any small brushstrokes that may still be present will fade even more.
The best part of this project (besides the fact that it's super easy) is that it's cheap. The two bottles of Vitrea 160 were $8.00 total.
Etsy Finds: Cup/Cake Toppers
Today's Finds are cake toppers and even little cupcake toppers! (Or mini-bundt cake toppers if you're digging that new trend!) There are some really cute designs out there. If you don't see anything that suits your tastes, wedding colors or motif, you can always visit their Alchemy Team and request a specific item. Sellers will then place bids on your custom request and you get to choose which vendor to work with. I did this for our guest book with great results.
I'm loving all of the vendors offering sugar flowers on Etsy for great prices. I'm already thinking of future bridal showers and baby showers. Budget conscious brides may consider using a grocery store for their cake and decorate it themselves with flowers from Etsy. We managed to preserve our wedding sugar flowers (bright orange peonies) and display them through two moves. Our most recent move was their last. =(
On to the finds...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Poppy and Aqua Wedding
Poppy and aqua has been a popular wedding color combo for a while. I think it's a fresh, fun and flirty color choice. Red really pops when paired with a light blue. Doesn't this combo just scream summer time?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Land of Cotton Wedding
This post is for y'all southern brides out there. Today's cotton inspiration board makes me wonder why I didn't think of that for my own wedding! I'm loving it. There are some really unique and creative bouquets and centerpieces out there utilizing the fluffy white stuff. Very rustic and shabby chic.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday's Flower: Lily of the Valley
Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton and Elizabeth Hurley (to name a few) each carried Lily of the Valley bouquets. While there are many legends surrounding these delicate yet invasive flowers, (most of which are religious in orientation and controversial) I'm personally drawn to the nightingale's story. From Botanical.com: "legend says that the fragrance of the Lily-of-the-Valley draws the nightingale from hedge and bush, and leads him to choose his mate in the recesses of the glade." Ahh, how nice? The lily of the valley is also the national flower of both the former Yugoslavia and Finland.
From my understanding, the lily of the valley, once cut, requires delicate care and handling. IMO, they're completely worth it. I think they're simple and striking. The little wedding bell look-a-likes just scream classic! Most brides choose to use them as filler in their bouquets but I think they stand alone beautifully as well. Simple, classic, feminine. And seriously, if they're good enough for Grace and Kate...
From my understanding, the lily of the valley, once cut, requires delicate care and handling. IMO, they're completely worth it. I think they're simple and striking. The little wedding bell look-a-likes just scream classic! Most brides choose to use them as filler in their bouquets but I think they stand alone beautifully as well. Simple, classic, feminine. And seriously, if they're good enough for Grace and Kate...
From Top Left: cake, Kate Middleton, pop of purplebouquet, Grace Kelly, boutonniere
bouquet2, hair flair, cake2
bouquet2, hair flair, cake2
For those of you that are thinking more non-traditional and 'outside the box'- why not present the lily of the valley in a terrarium style centerpiece? I LOVE THIS. So appropriate for the flower that flourishes in the forest.. Very earthy and rustic.
TerrariumThursday, June 9, 2011
Love is in the Air: an airplane themed wedding
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for meHold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
....
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring
-John Denver
Long distance relationships are tough. My husband and I are not the only couple that have dealt with distance. So many of my friends and loved ones continue to face this challenge, whether through work, military commitments or just life getting in the way. No one can deny though the sweet, sweet feeling of touching down at your home airport and knowing that you'll soon be in the arms of your loved one. Saying goodbye is tough but it certainly makes you appreciate each moment together that much more. Today's post celebrates the 'jet plane'; that wonderful contraption that both takes us away and brings us back together. Enjoy!
From Top Left: cover kiss, save the date, place cards, kissy planescupcake toppers, propeller cufflinks, program table, bride + groom
model planes, dessert bar, boarding pass invitations, hangar
more place cards, jets on tie, painful?, bouquet
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Gettin' Hitched Down on the Farm
From Top Left: cowgirl boots, veggie centerpiece, signhorseshoe place card, flower girl, spread the love
'church doors', John Deere kiss, bathtub bar
'church doors', John Deere kiss, bathtub bar
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