BEAUTIFUL BLOOM-ISH

Pictures: Click on them for resource

Okay, so it's official...I'm totally ready for fall (and winter). Sorry for jumping ahead of seasons so fast! So now that I have fall on my mind, I've been thinking about design elements I would like to incorporate into some of my upcoming fall events. I've been dying to find a bride that loves the look of kale and cabbage. Any takers? Can't wait to plant some in a planter from Restoration Hardware this fall.

LONGING FOR FALL

Pictures: New Hampshire Woods Creations

With the numerous heat waves we have been having lately, I'm longing for Fall to get here already. Don't get me wrong, I like summer...but I love Fall. New Hampshire Woods Creations on Etsy (my FAVORITE site) has so many wonderful items that you can incorporate into any Fall event. For brides on a really tight budget, you can try one of their lovely dried arrangements that won't break the bank. I would surround them with oodles of candles and you're set!! Additionally, their dried wreaths would be a perfect backdrop for a ceremony or flanked on the doors of your ceremony space. Their fireside potpourri (or another one that better matches your color scheme) would make for an awesome favor. You can also use any of these items for a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower or engagement party. Be sure to check them out today.

CHRYSLER BUILDING

Photo Credit: Brian DeMello Photography ©/Bespoke Affairs ©

I love everything about NYC. I especially admire the dramatic buildings that shape our skyline, so when my photographer friend Brian DeMello called me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to style a bride on the 61st floor mezzanine of the Chrysler Building with its distinctive eagles...I jumped at the chance!! I then contacted NYC blogger and stylist, Jacqueline Weppner of Merci New York, to help me solidify the look and produce with me.

As an iconic part of the NYC skyline, the Chrysler Building is a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and one of the finest buildings in Manhattan. We decided to pay homage to the building's design, and style the bride with an Art Deco sensibility, all while keeping the look current and obtainable. I hope that you will enjoy the beauty and grace of our bride soaring above NYC's majestic cityscape. Film Noir meets Gotham City.

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to the following (all of which pulled this together in mere days):

Coordination/Design Bespoke Affairs

Fashion Styling Merci New York

Flowers Poppies and Posies Notice the adorable artichokes that mirror the building's architecture!

Chevron Dress Nicole Miller

Marchesa Wedding Gown courtesy Gabriella Bridal Salon

Vintage Earrings Gabriella Bridal Salon

Moyna Bag courtesy of Gabriella Bridal Salon

Veil and Hair Accessories Bride's Head Revisited

Necklace by Max and Chloe

Hair Stacy Pitt Styles on B

Makeup Sally Duvall

Vintage brooch, bracelet and earrings from my personal collection :)

Vintage fur from private collection

Model Rashida Harris

A special thank you to Brian DeMello for inviting me along. This was truly an experience that I will never EVER forget.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Photos: Twig & Thistle

I remember bookmarking the above festive downloads last year...and never getting around to using them. Leave it to Twig & Thistle to always come up with the cutest stuff. Happy 4th of July everyone!!

HAPPY MONDAY

Pictures: Courtney Davidson

Hi y'all! Sorry for the lack of posts lately, things have been busy over here in good old Hoboken. Today I wanted to share with you a few images from one of my couples E-pics. I'm really excited for this wedding for two reason: an awesome/super smart couple AND an uber talented photographer named Courtney Davidson. I first found out about Courtney's work from another talented guy I know...and when I saw her images I knew that she would be the perfect fit for my couple. You can check out Courtney's blog here and click here to see her post on the duo.

GETAWAY CARS

Photos: Click on pictures for credits

With Father's Day this weekend, I'm missing my father who is a classic car aficionado and retired to Florida. So in honor of all the fathers out there I wanted to get you thinking about creative wedding day transportation. While limos are convenient...renting a classic automobile for you and your sweetie is so much cooler. For my own Manhattan wedding I rented a classic checker cab from Peter at Film Cars. Peter was hands down one of my favorite vendors. The car totally set the mood, he played things like Sinatra, people were applauding while we drove by, and my father had a blast chatting with Peter about all of their cars.

This picture is great for inspiration too. Wishing my dad and yours a Happy Father's Day!!

WOOF!

Photos: The Pink Koala

My brides and I are always thinking of creative ways to personalize their day. Above are some adorable custom cake toppers crafted by The Pink Koala on Etsy...I totally missed the mark on this for my own wedding day. I wish I would have had a cake topper with my little angel on it.

Not wedding related, I've been wanting this for a couple of years now...although with the price tag I'm not sure I'll be getting one anytime soon. Today I see that she is now making cake toppers as well, I totally would have splurged for that. Now that's amazing!

DID YOU KNOW?

Photos: Bespoke Affairs

Did you know that Bespoke Affairs does small scale floral design? Well we do. Of course we can design large scale events...but we leave the execution of those flowers to the experts!!!!! Here are a few shots from a recent Tuscan Garden inspired bridal shower. The bride and groom are first generation Italian so we wanted to incorporate things found in an Italian garden. We used Prairie Moon, Sarah Bernhardt, Garden Roses, Queen Anne Lace, Yarrow, Succulents, Basil, Rosemary, Fennel...way to much to mention. Everything but the Prairie Moon and Sarah Bernhardt were picked from the family garden. The Sarah Bernhardt would have been if the party was one week earlier!

Visit Bespoke Affairs on Facebook to see more pictures from this bridal shower.

FABRIC LOVE...AGAIN!

Photos: Artful Beginnings

Etsy is a very dangerous place for me. I can spend hours checking out all the fabulous handmade goods on there. Not to long ago I blogged about my love of fabric invitations. Recently I came across Artful Beginnings, a company based in Vermont that makes custom invitations and more on materials like silk, linen, rice, hemp, and wildflower seeded paper. They have delightful fabric invites, seeded paper invites, and custom handkerchiefs...just to name a few. What a fun way to invite guests to your next party!

CARLO'S BAKERY

Photos found here

When I got married and moved to Hoboken, NJ...I quickly started to love this little city. So much history here and Carlo's Bakery is a staple in the town. Carlo's Bakery opened their doors in 1910 and are celebrating 100 years in Hoboken! Even before they become nationally known on TLC's Cake Boss, brides were crossing the Hudson and coming from literally all over the tri-state for one of their cakes.

I'm excited to report that one of my brides will have one of their cakes on 10.10.10. This wedding is super special to me for a few reason: 1. I went to college in the town that the bride is getting married in (I guided her to the awesome location), 2. The bride is one of my DEAR friends from college that I hadn't seen in almost 1o years! We reconnected when she found out I was a wedding planner. 3. A really yummy Carlo's Bakery Cake.

Francine and Jon are seriously the most fun ever...this wedding is going to blow everyone away and I'm thrilled to be working on it and to be able share it with you!