One of the first things Mr. Pancakes and I decided early in the planning process was that we wanted to be as green as possible. The reality is, this is the most money we’ll have ever spent on anything, and we don’t want to spend it polluting the planet. To us this means we will only spend money on things that are really going to be meaningful or useful. For example, we won’t use tiny bags for favors that people will just throw away, when we could just use one reusable basket or just put them out on a table.

When thinking about our guestbook, we really wanted to think of something that we would get to appreciate for years to come. Personally, I like the idea of putting our engagement photos into a bound album and having guests sign it. I also like the idea of a photobooth with Polaroids that the guests can sign and add to a wishing tree or something. Enter Internet. There are SO many amazing alternatives to the traditional guestbook.

{Aaron of True Photography, via Brooke Keegan}

I really like the idea of signing shoes, especially if you aren’t going to wear the shoes again.

{Style Me Pretty}

I also really liked this oar idea. I don’t know why, but I think that these oars would look nice up on a wall or something. However, I don’t think these go with the theme of our wedding.

{Project Wedding}

I like the idea of signing champagne bottles because I am secretly a bottle hoarder. I kept the bottle of champagne we (I) drank the night we got engaged, but had to throw it out because we were moving and it’s just not practical to shuttle bottles around. I kept the label, though. Unfortunately, I just don’t think this idea is very practical.

{Kind Over Matter}

I love the way these wish trees look. Plus, if you got one of those metal book rings, you could make a little flip book out of the messages. That could make a really sweet keepsake. I was also thinking we could even use some medium-sized luggage tags, and then make a little luggage-tag book. I would stamp one side with quotes or something, and the guests could write their messages on the other side. It would be A-DORABLE.

{Wedding Channel}

This bowl got me thinking about ring bowls…If you have few enough guests, you could have everyone sign your ring bowl, which would be an amazing keepsake. I also like the picture frame a lot.

{Elizabeth Anne Design}

This is one of my very favorites. The guest”book” quilt. Since my sewing machine no longer works, I would probably have to buy a quilt and just have the guests sign it, unless I could find someone who was willing to sew the squares together for me. I also love this idea because it is so practical. I love quilts, and it would be great to have one that was covered in the warm wishes of the people I love most.

What are some other great ideas that I’ve missed?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Alice in Wonderland’s White Queen is all aglow softly wrapped up in a halo of light.  With her graceful gestures and compassionate demeanor, she transforms the definition of the fairytale queen.  Transform the definition of bridezilla and become a queen for a day in your very own winter white fairytale wonderland.

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

[With the launch of Rue, I have no idea how Anne found time to create this inspiration board guest post for me, but I'm so glad that she did. Most days you can find her at The City Sage (add it to your reader; you'll be so glad you did).]

Inspiration Board: Splendor and Blush

Kathryn is the undisputed queen of inspiration boards, so when she asked me to do a guest post for her, my heart fluttered at the chance to pay homage to her talent and skill! And what better tribute to her long-awaited nuptials than an image set that revels in the pure indulgence of love? Think soft shapes, silky textures, and an abundance of that most romantic of colors: pink!

Congratulations to Kathryn and Ryan on their wedding and on their much-deserved (and much-envied) Hawaiian honeymoon!

Image Credits:
First Row: Martha Stewart via Decorology, Roland Bello, Janne Peters, Polly Wreford
Second Row: Sandra Lane, Craig Fordham, Gentl and Hyers, Christina Wilson
Third Row: Decorology’s Flickr Photostream, Chris Blott, Gemma Commas, Jo Tyler,
Fourth Row: John Hudson, Hannah Simmons, Don Freeman, Janne Peters

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Always grand and over-the-top, Marie Antoinette personifies the rococo lifestyle of the historically royal and famous.  The bright, cheerful pastels that created the lush landscape of the film are ideal for a wedding inspiration board fit for a queen, or in this case, a bridezilla.

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

[coco + kelley is a perfect example of how fashion and interior design can inspire weddings and parties - I've made numerous inspiration boards based on a fabulous dress or room that Cassandra has posted, and today she's here to share one of her own similarly-inspired boards...]

Hello lovely Snippet & Ink readers! Cassandra from coco+kelley here to bring you a little wedding palette inspiration while Kathryn is off celebrating her own wedding (which I can only imagine will be amazing and gorgeous!)

In December I’m going to be attending my very first winter wedding, which got me thinking… if I were to get married in this season, how would I pick the perfect palette? I pondered of all the things that remind me of this time of year and realized that the inspiration was right under my nose… literally. Scented lavender sachets and the smell of freshly peeled clementines are always in the air around the holidays at my house! On top of all that, I had just stumbled upon a photo of this beautiful lavender sofa accented with Hermes boxes that had sparked my inspiration. Put them together, and you get a very fresh inspiration board for your winter wedding!

image credits: sofa via the selby, bouquet via michelle rago, all other images martha stewart weddings

Have a FABULOUS wedding day, Kathryn, and enjoy the honeymoon! I cannot wait to see photos of all of it. Congratulations again and thank you for asking me to be a part of your blog while you’re off! ENJOY!! xo

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

After trying on dresses and veils, I came to the realization that I am absolutely NOT a traditional-veil girl. At this point, I think I want to get a gorgeous silk flower for the ceremony and/or a fabulous birdcage veil. So I stumbled upon Bridal Style Boutique’s website and found these beautiful silk flower headpieces.

Source

I am kind of obsessed with the mix of silk, feathers, and crystals.

Here are some really pretty (and affordable) colored flower clips that would be great for a nontraditional bride or even the bridesmaids.

Mandizzle on Etsy

So I have to admit that I don’t quite understand all the different types of birdcage veils yet, but I do know that I LOOOOOOVE them and that I need (want?) to have one for my big day.

Source

However, I really want to wear my hair down, so I was wondering: can you wear a birdcage veil with your hair down? These girls seem to be pulling it off!

idoweddingveils on Etsy

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Bathed in diamonds and pearls, wrapped in opulent silks and wearing a heightened air of sophistication, Chanel’s fragrance for the youth of the night serves as inspiration for elegant, art-deco-kissed weddings.

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.