MODERN TABLESCAPE CHALLENGE

Images: Tory Williams Photography

4.25.11 UPDATE: WE WON!! Huge thank you to Brooklyn Bride and Newly Wish for the awesome challenge. See the details of the win here.

What a blast it was to collaborate with some of my favorite people for Brooklyn Bride's Modern Tablescape Challenge! It really was such a treat to brainstorm and break away from our everyday projects to do something fun like this. Find out all the details here.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, these folks....

Denise Fasanello Floral Design, Tory Williams Photography, Papermade Design, Nine Cakes, Classic Party Rentals and Adam Frank Inc.

This blog post would be incomplete without mentioning the fabulous Imperial Trellis fabric by Kelly Wearstler and Schumacher that inspired it all.

I HEART ALE PAUL!!

Photos of some of Ale Paul's Fonts

Yesterday I was with a colleague and we got to talking about fonts. So today I want to pay homage to the master of all fonts, Alejandro Paul. I thought it would be fun to introduce y'all to the man behind most of those fonts you ladies (and gents) are using for your wedding paper.

Ale Paul is a true artist...I can't even begin to tell you how obsessed I am with all of his fonts and type. He taught graphic design and typography at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ale is also the co-founder of the Studtipos Project, which is a type collective. I love his work so much because he really seems to capture the essence of time periods by translating them into type.

You can purchase his fonts here and here. Okay...not quite sure how much I taught you about the genius, but I feel good knowing that I put his name out there. If you ask your stationer who developed your font, don't be surprised if they say Ale Paul!

ONLINE DESIGN TOOL

Photo: BBJ Linen

Such a great tool ladies. BBJ Linen has developed an online tool to design your wedding day table...try it out. It's really fun and I love using it myself to propose linen ideas to my brides. ENJOY!

FABRIC LOVE

Photos: Bird and Banner

I'm on an invitation kick so naturally I want to showcase a favorite designer of mine, Bird and Banner. I'm totally obsessed with the invitations above. I love the unexpected touches they add to all their pieces. My heart skipped a beat when I saw these business cards of a favorite blog of mine...and I just about died the first time I saw these.

I can totally see you DIY brides out there whipping something like this up!!

SNEAK PEAK

Photo Credit: Danny Weiss

Here's a sneak peak at the photo shoot I was telling you about. More to come, including all the vendors involved. For now...visit Danny's blog for eye candy overload!

WHERE FOR ART THOU?

Photo found here

Most weddings involve an element of drama, but hopefully not a tragedy at the end! This might seem clique to some, but romantic to most...why not go all out and base your day on Romeo and Juliet? "Juliet's Balcony" is said to be located on the second floor of the 14th century Casa Di Giulietta in Verona, Italy. Who wouldn't be tempted by the idea of a kiss on that balcony?

The dream is now becoming a reality. By contacting Verona's Tourist Board couples are now able to rent the infamous balcony and acquire exclusive use of the house, but the ceremony must be performed inside the house. Last I heard the rental fee was $1,000 Euros and an additional $300 Euros for non-Europeans.

I find it surprising that I haven't seen any Romeo and Juliet themed e-pics on the web. I'm personally not a fan of themed shoots, but with so many out there these days...this is bound to come up and hopefully it won't be cheesy! Do I hear a fire escape calling your name a la West Side Story??

BE MINE!!

Photo Credit: Ceci New York

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this sweeter than candy invitation "sweet" has me longing to design a Valentine's Day fete! Ceci New York is endlessly blowing me away, and these invites are at the top of my list! Have a great weekend y'all.

BABY'S BREATH

Last picture is for my Winter Chic Bride Jaime, WINK!

Photo Credit: Click on Photo

Okay, so the baby's breath thing isn't a completely new idea...but...I think that I've managed to find some blog posts over time that no one else has really blogged about, at least around our neck of the woods. Using an inexpensive bloom like baby's breath in bulk gives a huge impact...don't you think?? So ethereal! I literally have a whole file of images just like these, from modern to elegant to classic...email me if you want to see more!

Our friends over at Sedona Bride emailed us the three middle pictures...and well...those three pictures don't even scratch the surface of how beautifully they capture that wedding! I am endlessly in love with Sedona's Brides images and blog!!

For more baby's breath inspiration, Click here, click here and click here to see some events that used baby's breath magically!

OH! Be sure to click here to see baby's breath at its best!

GHOST CHAIRS

Photos found here

Every bride at some point PINES after one thing or another. With some brides it's paper, with others it's flowers. When I was a bride it was hands down ghost chairs. I tired to find a way to fit them into my budget...but...my venue came equipped with chiavari chairs so I just couldn't justify the high price tag. Whenever I replan my own wedding in my head ghost chairs are involved (YES! I have issues, and YES! this "so-called wedding" is budget-less). Check out what Taylor Creative INC is doing now to reinvent the already fabulous chairs!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Photo found here

Okay, so the photo above might be a little outdated...it's from Bergdorf's 2008 holiday window last year, but I still love it so much! Especially since it's so wedding inspired! Great inspiration for all those winter weddings out there. I also remember trying on that exact Oscar De La Renta gown for my own wedding.

Anyway...Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!!!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY WITH FLOWER SCHOOL

Photos: Saipua

I have so much to be thankful for this year, my loving husband (who puts up with me day and night), my adorable pup, family & friends, everyone I work with and all my wonderful brides that seriously become a part of my family! So much so that I'm even taking a calligraphy class with one of my brides next weekend...we are both totally obsessed with calligraphy!

It's no secret that I love weddings and all the talented people that make a wedding come together. One of the most important vendors (in my opinion) that you will hire is your florist! There are so many creative forces out there! I was reminded the other day (by one of my new brides- silly excited about her day!) how much I love the work of Saipua and Nicolette Camille. I've been wanting to attend their Little Flower School! I'd love to try and learn how to put together one of their lovely arrangements so that I can have beautiful fresh flowers in my home at all times...that are anything but ordinary!! This WILL be my next class...any takers?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

TOO DELICIOUS

Photo: Bakerella

I absolutely fall madly in love with everything that Bakerella posts to her blog! Her blog is so inspirational, fun and definitely sweet! Wouldn't these pops be darling favors for a wedding shower? Click here to find out how to make your own. Wanna see something just so darn cute? Click here.

MASON JARS

Photos: Leif

One of the best parts about marrying my husband was marrying into his big Italian family. Don't get me wrong, I have an equally wonderful Italian family, but we are more...how do you say...Italian American. Unfortunately a lot of my families traditions from Sicily are just a memory now. Vince's family stays true to their heritage and traditions. Just a couple weeks ago we made around 200 mason jars of tomato sauce (I think we used over 20 bushels of fresh tomatoes). Your probably thinking...what could one possibly do with all that sauce?? Trust me we use it! We only had 11 jars from last year left!

One of my favorite things to do with empty mason jars is to fill them with flowers! It helps when your mother in law has a beautiful garden of garden roses, hydrangea, etc, etc. I'm pretty in love with everything that Leif does, that's where the lovely pics above are from. I am constantly stalking their blog for inspiration. Their beautiful arrangements would be perfect for an outdoor affair, bridal shower, or even rehearsal dinner. Sigh...I love their creations!!

RED CAPRET WEDDING

Photos found here

I am constantly getting inspiration from the red carpet for weddings, and last nights Primetime Emmy Award show was no exception. We can all take a lesson or two from the gowns, the accessories, the makeup, the hair, and all the dapper men.

WOOF

Photos: Art of Love

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm slightly obsessed with dogs! I think Marie Labbancz of Art of Love captured "TJ" of Beautiful Blooms perfectly! Beautiful Blooms is a little far, located in Philly, but I love visiting their blog from time to time. They always have the most beautiful florals. They created these images above to use as greeting cards, but many brides are already jumping at the bit to have these styles recreated for their pups on their wedding day. Just look at that heart...now there's a ring pillow! Also take a look at this wedding that Beautiful Blooms did flowers for the pups! Too darn cute!

POTTERY BARN

Photos: Pottery Barn

I heart Pottery Barn. I especially love the Party Planner feature on their website. You will find everything you need to plan the perfect Bridal Shower...wonderful party planning tips, delicious recipes, fun playlists, timelines and you can even download invites and games.

Don't have a Bridal Shower to plan? Check out their ideas for a Wine & Cheese Party, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, and so much more!

TOPPED WITH LOVE

Photo found here

Candy buffets are great and I even had one at my own wedding...but for a third of the cost, why not have a popcorn buffet! I love salty and sweet, so a popcorn buffet is a no brainer! Butter, caramel, kettle corn, cheddar, chocolate covered, rainbow coated and salted...the yummy list goes on and on. In a few weeks I will be setting up a popcorn buffet for one of my brides using my beautiful apothecary jars. I'm so excited and I'm sure it will be a huge hit. 

Click here to see a slideshow from the Photographers over at Sedona Bride that features an INCREDIBLE popcorn buffet created by Victoria Canada for Phoenix Bride & Groom's 10th Anniversary party.

WITH THIS RING

Photos: New York Wedding Ring

If you gave me Diamonds and Pearls...I would be a very happy girl, and you wouldn't need to give me the world Prince! Can you think of anything more wonderful than using your own two hands to craft your own wedding bands together? That's exactly what you can do at New York Wedding Ring. From the second you start making your rings together you are working with a goldsmith to ensure that your rings are made spectacularly. New York Wedding Ring offers private workshops and entire the process usually takes around 7-10 hours. That equals a full day of fun...just the two of you...and a goldsmith. They have so many different styles to choose from or you can work hand in hand with the goldsmith to create something totally custom. I can't even imagine how fun it must be to make the most meaningful and important piece of jewelry you will ever wear. Imagine the memories that must be created inside that studio?! I smile whenever I look at my left hand. Hopefully Vince and I will visit New York Wedding Ring on an anniversary!