Spring Green

  • February 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm

If you weren’t already itching for spring to arrive, then this gorgeous green shoot from Ariella and Meg will probably do the trick. This understated palette of mostly green – with some accents of pale blue and cream – allows for a variety of mixed patterns, which work well together rather than overwhelm. I’m hoping that when it stops raining here, maybe it will look something like this outside my door…


The model wears a silk chiffon dress from J.Crew. Parasol from Cultural Intrigue.


The bouquet includes annabelle hydrangea, cup-and-saucer vine, ferns and hydrangea foliage.


Cocktail umbrellas and manila tags make for sweet – and very easy – seating cards.


Green bittersweet berries adorn the bistro chairs.


The centerpiece includes annabelle hydrangea, cup-and-saucer vine, clematis tangutica, green bittersweet, nicotiana, ferns, jasmine and quince. Ariella wrapped mint colored ribbon around the glass vase.

So there you are, a touch of spring for your dreary winter day (and if you’re not experiencing a dreary winter day right now, well, I’m jealous). We have one more beautiful shoot from Ariella Chezar and Meg Smith lined up for next week, and in case you’ve missed their previous visits here on Snippet & Ink, you can catch up on all of those lovely shoots here.

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Ramada Jarvis launch Winter Wonderland Weddings for 2010 & 2011

  • February 4, 2010 at 12:04 pm

Following the successful launch of Ice White Weddings for winter 2009 Ramada Jarvis has launched Winter Wonderland Weddings for Winter 2010 & 2011 with the opportunity to upgrade free of charge to either an ice white wedding theme or a red tie and tiara theme.

'Our Ice White wedding packages were so popular this year for both Christmas and New Year weddings that we have extended this into 2010 and beyond and added a new Red and Silver theme under the title of Red Tie and Tiaras.' Said Joanna Fisher Director of Conference & Events for Ramada Jarvis.

If you are planning a winter wedding then a Ramada Jarvis wedding reception might be the perfect option.

The Ramada Jarvis group are also offering wedding couples the opportunity to receive a £250 credit towards their bar bill, for weddings more than £3000 +, and £150 credit for weddings booked between £1500 and £3000.

The above offer is valid for any 2010 weddings confirmed and paid for before the 28th of February 2010.

With Valentines Day just around the corner this might be the perfect opportunity to pop the question and start planning your 2010 wedding with Ramada Jarvis.


This article was originally posted onHitched.

Top Celebrity Engagement Rings Styles for V-Day Proposals

  • February 4, 2010 at 1:21 am

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular engagement days of the year, especially for celebrities and bridezillas. In recent years, Harrison Ford, Vince Vaughn, and even Howard Stern popped the question on Valentine’s Day. With the upcoming romantic comedies “Leap Year” and the aptly named “Valentine’s Day”, Hollywood is buzzing about the perfect engagement ring and hottest proposals.

My ears are perked too. There’s nothing like celebrity engagement bling to get a bridezilla’s heart rate pumping.

And when I say bling, I mean bling. Amy Adams, Rachel Bilson, and Jessica Alba are all dripping in diamonds and platinum, and each one is a showstopper. Naturally-white platinum means diamonds sparkle that much brighter, and it’s durable – all those little celebrity children will have quite the heirloom to look forward to. 

Check out some of my favorites. I’ve even given a couple Bridezilla tips so if you and your man-zilla are craving the celebrity style, you can do so at a slightly lower cost.

You’re welcome.

Penelope Cruz Engagement Ring
I love Ms Cruz’s non-traditional sapphire ring surrounded by pave diamonds. The Kirk Kara look-alike retails for $4,785… without the center stone.

Emily Blunt Engagement Ring

Classic and oh-so shiny, Emily Blunt has a stunner on her ring-finger. Platinum and diamonds (lots and lots of diamonds), Chad Allison’s similar style at around $3,500 (center-stoneless of course).

Carrie Underwood Engagement Ring

Girlie, you are going to tip right over with a rock like that on your hand. Exactly the way it should be. This platinum sparkler features a cushion cut center ensconced in a halo of more diamonds. All this could be yours at a delightful $4,500 (without center stone) courtesy of Mark Patterson.

There you have it. A platinum showdown. I can’t wait to see what other celebrity engagements will abound in only a couple of weeks.

For all of your platinum needs, be sure to check out Precious Platinum . For everything else wedding related, come right back here to Bridezilla. Stay tuned!



This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

I’m Putting a Ring on It

  • February 3, 2010 at 11:50 pm

I don’t think I’ve told you yet about Mr. Spaniel’s wedding ring, so gather ’round; it’s story time!

Once upon a time, Mr. Spaniel was reluctant to go shopping for a wedding band. He’d gotten the idea somewhere that the only acceptable men’s ring is a plain white band.

(source)


While I really like the simple, modern but also classic style of a platinum or white gold wedding band, it didn’t strike me as being particularly Mr. Spaniel—which he confirmed by his lack of enthusiasm for it. Instead, I figured I knew Mr. Spaniel better than he knew himself, and dragged him along to another jewelry shop to get him to try on rings. I had a feeling that if we found the right one, he’d get excited about the prospect of wearing it, and doesn’t everyone want their partner to be happy wearing their ring? I also had a feeling that the right ring would be two-toned.

(source)

As it turns out, we were both wrong! A plain platinum band actually never touched his finger (he had no interest at all once he saw all the other options), and he seemed to gravitate toward more “interesting” and complicated designs all on his own. But he didn’t go two-tone…

personal photo

He threw some rose gold in there too and went three-tone.

That Mr. Spaniel. Such a diva.

Did your FI have any preconceived notions about the wedding band? Did the choice surprise you?


This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Board #459: Squeeze and Kiss

  • February 2, 2010 at 11:30 am

Get it? Like you squeeze an orange? Anyway…

Citrus fruits are so perfect in winter – they’re such a bright and refreshing note on otherwise cold and dreary days. And though I would never limit citrus to one season, I do think it’s perfect for a winter brunch wedding. At least, that’s what I had in mind when making today’s inspiration board. Buttery yellow and warm white act as a clean backdrop for bright pops of various citrus colors, from grapefruit pink to tangerine. Instead of a full bar, how about a few citrus cocktails and variations on the classic mimosa? Let vintage botanical prints inspire your stationery, or perhaps act as table numbers (I love them in the white frames on the wall in the top left corner). Ribbon wands are a sweet alternative for flower girls, instead of confetti or rice, or even for lining the aisle in an outdoor ceremony.

Mood: cheerful and sweetly sophisticated
Palette: grapefruit, lemonade, blood orange, tangerine, lime

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Top row from left: citrus centerpiece by Ariella Chezar for Martha Stewart Weddings, citrus cocktails from Callahan Catering, butter yellow cake on Frances Palmer cake stand
Row 2: vintage citrus botanical print from Vintage Printables, dress from Charleston Weddings
Row 3: calligraphy by Tara Jones, velvet ring boxes from Martha Stewart Weddings, kumquat place setting from Fiore Designs
Row 4: suit with orange necktie from Martha Stewart Weddings, ribbon wands by Chelsea Fuss, orange bouquet with small cup daffodils by Ariella Chezar for Brides

As I was getting this post ready to publish, I took a little break to catch up on some of my favorite blogs, and came across this gorgeous post. I guess I’m not the only one with citrus on the brain!

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Board #458: Orchid & Silver

  • February 1, 2010 at 11:30 am

These days I seem to be drawn to lots of neutrals, white flowers, and subdued colors – I apologize to those of you looking for wild or unique color palettes! Today’s inspiration board is mostly white and silvery grays – a minimalist palette that allows for more ornate details, like the millefeuille skirt, the ornate silver frames, and the whimsical calligraphy. Things that might seem over the top* in outrageous colors.

(*This is not to say that you can’t have both a riotous color scheme and ornate details – it’s just more difficult to do so tastefully.)

Mood: simply refined
Palette: winter white, silvery gray (with bits of chocolate torte and orchid leaf)

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: wallpaper table runner with potted orchids from Wedding Style Guide, potted trees from Martha Stewart via This is Glamorous, tiered mini dress from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: gray invitation with calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap, monogrammed chocolate tortes from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: chocolate truffles from Coco Delice, framed photos via Curious Sofa, Mindy Rice bouquet photo by Jose Villa, pocket flower from The Sartorialist

When you’re trying to make every single element in your wedding totally original, you’re more likely to end up going crazy with DIY projects, or to spend tons of money hiring professionals to personalize everything for you. And if you know this going in, and still want to do it, then go right ahead. For everyone else, focusing on just a few special details should help to save sanity, and maybe even some money. Since simplicity is currently my favorite wedding word, here are some of the doable special details I had in mind when creating today’s inspiration board:

- Hire a calligrapher to create your invitation for you, then have them offset printed. They’ll look both custom and tasteful, and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
- Tables are dressed up with a wallpaper table runner (some good wallpaper sources here), and a row of potted orchids. Orchids can get pretty pricey, so look for a nursery near you and find out if you can get a deal for buying more than a few plants.
- Is it just me, or have boutonnieres become as big as corsages? Instead, how about plucking a single flower from your bridal bouquet, and tucking it in to your groom’s buttonhole or pocket?
- Display parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photos in beautiful antique silver frames. It’s a lovely, thoughtful touch (and less self-centered than a slideshow or photo display of the bride and groom).
- Instead of paying more for a wedding cake, purchase decadent chocolate tortes from a local bakery and personalize them with monogram stencils and cocoa powder. To continue the chocolate theme, place brioche molds filled with truffles on each table.

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Today I Love Blue.

  • January 31, 2010 at 9:50 pm

blue-collage1

dress, apples, blue wall, beer kegs, shoes, blue sky, YSL dress, Elie Saab dress, Stella McCartney dress, Zac Posen Dress, bicycle, bow

And I LOOOOOVE making inspiration boards.

What about you? Any wedding-related weekend activities?


This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Monogram Magnificence

  • January 29, 2010 at 9:01 pm

As usual, in my wedding planning quest, I have stumbled upon some things that I feel compelled to purchase, even if they aren’t completely necessary…

Exhibit A: custom monograms!

I stumbled upon a bevy of monograms on Etsy one day, and I couldn’t stop drooling over them. At first, I couldn’t decided which I preferred: a stamp version, or a digital pdf version… both have great possibilities…

On one hand, I love the rubber stamp option… I can use it to stamp the envelopes on our Save The Dates, and possibly on our invitations. I could use it to stamp our favor bags… programs… the list could go on!

I love the stamps from Modern Art Stamps’ Etsy shop…



Lovestocreatestamps also has some beautiful designs… I’m particularly fond of this one:

On the other hand, the pdf graphics could be useful as well… programs, stickers… you name it!

I love the tree designs by WeddingMonograms



And the birds… (also by WeddingMonograms) are adorable!

Lovelogos’ shop is just too cute…

And then… I stumbled upon monograms by Foxglove Design, and the decision was made instantly… for $20 I received 4 different custom monograms… and they were oh-so-very perfect for our wedding (all images from Foxglove Design’s Etsy shop):

I LOVE how they are all a little different, and that I will be able to use them for a variety of projects! I ordered mine without our wedding date, so that I can continue to use them after the big day as well! You’ll see one of these beauties popping up again very soon, as it will be making an appearance on a very special piece of stationery!

Did you/are you planning on having a custom monogram created for your wedding? Did you use a digital file, or a stamp?


This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Cake Drama

  • January 25, 2010 at 11:22 pm

Ugh. I have gone back and forth over this for so long and cannot make a decision. So, I need your advice. See, I have this vision in my head of a beautiful cake on top of a pedestal cake stand. Only, I picked a cake that looks like this:

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Source

See that square bottom? Apparently they do not make many pedestal cake stands in a square shape in the size that I need. I talked to my cake lady about this, and she offered me two solutions:

  1. Switch to all round layers and have my beloved pedestal cake stand, but this would mean 10-12 fewer slices of cake.
  2. Use a traditional square silver cake stand that is elegant, but not really vintage, which is the look I’m going for.

I’ve gone over my guest list and am trying to determine just how many people will come so that I can see if it will matter much if I lose the 10-12 additional pieces. But there are so many unknowns! This person might come and this other person might not, but I really won’t know until our RSVPs are due (and those of you that are married are laughing at me thinking, ‘Yeah right, people will respond to you by the RSVP date.’ I know, I know, but a girl can dream). So, see this is a huge dilemma and one that I still don’t have a solution for.

And there is another problem, too. Miss French Fries posted a picture of the most beautiful cake I’ve ever seen in my life and now it’s all that I can think about.

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So moving to the round layers is fine with me. I’m just worried about losing pieces of cake.

And then there’s this. I just keep dreaming about these beauties:

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So, what should I do?

Option A: Use the pedestal cake stand and hope that the lost pieces of cake won’t matter. I mean, hey, we’ll have a groom’s cake, too.

Option B: Suck it up and use a silver cake stand. And get a pedestal cake stand for my home so I stop crying about it.


This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Art Deco Gowns from Lindsay Fleming

  • January 25, 2010 at 8:23 pm

When these stunning images from Lindsay Fleming hit our inbox today let’s say we were speechless. Art-deco-delicious, the perfect way to brighten a dreary January day.

The company is soon to be visiting London to extend their services to those outside of Scotland so get in touch if you’re interested in getting your hands on one of these beauties yourself.

022antique-IMG_6809024antique-IMG_6812036antique-IMG_6848059antique-IMG_6894070antique-IMG_6923086antique-IMG_6947090antique-IMG_6954Photo credit: Archibald Photography

This article was originally posted onWeddings by Zoe Lingard.