And if you just can’t bear to see the story end, click right here for TONS of additional pictures.

From the insanely charming paper goods to the cake that literally make me squeal, I am completely dying over every last bit of this shoot. Oh and the details, most of them were simple DIY crafts done with a great eye and a knack for all things pretty. To make the “How Sweet It Is Sign”the team simply found chipboard glittered letter cutouts at Michael’s which they glued onto decorative paper, folded over the string and then glued together. I mean, come on…how great is that?

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Red Ribbon Studio, Paperista and Just Bloomed and the other AMAZING vendors that made this happen. It is sure to inspire from now until forever.

Vendors: Photography: Red Ribbon Studio / Invitations+Paper: Paperista / Flowers: Just Bloomed / Bridal Fashion: Posh / Wedding gown: Lila Couture / Tux: Grey Legend by Calvin Klein / Bridesmaids Dress: Camilla, Simple Silhouettes / Bridesmaids Dress: Jocelyn, Jenny Yoo / Bridesmaids Dress: Grace A-line, Lynn Lugo / Cake, cupcakes, macaroons, other sweet treats: Cocoa + Fig / Calligraphy: Rosann Konieczny / Bridesmaid Fashion: Flutter Boutique / Jewelry: JWP Jewlery / Hair & Makeup: Nan Fletcher / Candy Shop Location: Sugar Sugar / Handbags & Fabric Flower Accessories (belt & headbands): Nelle Handbags / Linens: Apres Party

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Post tags: Apres Party, Candy, Cocoa + Fig, Flutter Boutique, Just Bloomed, JWP Jewelry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nan Fletcher, Nelle Handbags, Paperista, Red Ribbon Studio, Rosann Konieczny, Sugar Sugar, Vintage
Post categories: From Inspiration to Reality, The Blog

This article was originally posted onStyle Me Pretty.

There was a bit of grumbling when we passed out our invitations in their black envelopes. You see, in Chinese culture, black and white mean death. So, when you get married you want to pick a prosperous, lucky color… like red. While red is a lovely color, it’s SO not us. However, within our parents generation, only a couple of people said something about it to my mom, but dismissed it saying that we are really Americanized so it’s not a huge deal.

However, little did I know that I’d get backlash from my Grandparents on Poppa Lace’s side, who I hardly see and am not very close too! They were so upset at the black invitation that they didn’t even open it initially. When they finally did, they called Momma Lace to complain about what kind of daughter they’d raised. My Mom tried to defend me, but my Grandparents were NOT having it. I think, at the end of that conversation, they were okay, but still asking, “Why in the WORLD would you pick BLACK of all colors?”

So, when Momma Lace relayed this conversation to me, I experienced a rush of emotions.

First, I felt bad that my mom had to endure a belittling conversation with my Grandma. I felt horrible that she had to bear the brunt of it.

I then felt mad. We are family, but we’re not close at all and the last time I saw them was at my cousin’s wedding. Although my Grandfather is over 90 years old, he didn’t initially recognize me when I saw him two years ago. Someone had to say to him, “that’s Poppa Lace’s daughter.” So, where do you get off rantin’ and ravin’ about black envelopes? You obviously don’t know me well enough to know that I’m totally Westernized and not superstitious.

Last, I felt stressed out. Our bridesmaids’ dresses are black. Our tablecloths are black. I was planning on using more black in our paper goods at the wedding. Would I have to scrap everything and start over?

I’ve only talked to my family, Mr. Lace, and now, the hive about this. I feel like I shouldn’t change my plans because two people are unhappy about it. At the same time, I don’t want there to be a blowout at the wedding because of a black envelope. I am considering calling or writing a letter, but there’s a communication barrier between my Grandparents and I. I am considering resending an invitation with a RED envelope even though it doesn’t match.

Any advice on what to do? Have you had an unexpected cultural issue arise during wedding planning?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

The ribbons draped across the table are actually strips of fabric purchased at Joann Fabric & Crafts for less than $10.

Heart cookie cutters purchased at a restaurant supply store for 95-cents.

Chandelier hung with pages from a vintage book; cake stand from Save-on-Crafts.

Thank you to Erin for sharing this pretty table! Take a look at her brand new, and totally inspiring, blog.

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

dropped veil

At first I was really enamored of the look of dropped veils; they’re so romantic. But since I’ll be wearing my bangs down, I don’t want a smooshed-bang situation caused by a veil laying on my face. Pretty, but no dice.

chapel length

Then I ever-so-briefly considered a chapel length veil. It had drama, but more easily contained drama than a cathedral, which is such out of control drama I’d totally fall on my face. Drama. However, because I’m getting married in a garden ceremony and the guest list is pretty small, I was a little worried a chapel veil would be too LOOK AT ME, MARVEL AT MY GRANDEUR.

I have some self-confidence issues pertaining to veils to work through.

Finally, I settled on waltz length. The reason? They’re sometimes called ballet veils, which obviously meant I was supposed to buy one.

One thing I’ll note is I decided all of this over the internet. I didn’t buy my dress from a bridal store, which sort of precludes me from waltzing into one and trying on different veils with my dress. I’m sure they’d let me try on veils sans dress, but I really like the safety of shopping from my desk.

So of course I turned to the internet for purchasing. First of all, Googling “wedding veil” nets you surprisingly crappy results. The few online retailers that appeared had such unsavory-looking sites, I nearly gave up there.

A couple of weeks ago, though, I was browsing through wedding links and came across Tigerlilly Jewelry. I knew they made sassy birdcage veils, but I didn’t know they made traditional ones, too. Their ordering process is pretty nifty and hassle-free. You choose the length, color, edging, and one or two layers. My ivory waltz veil arrived about 1.5 weeks after ordering, at a total of $60 with shipping.

I really like it… but I don’t think this is waltz length! It hits right at my butt/fingertips, when I was expecting it to hit at about my knees. I’m perplexed.

What’s your ideal veil length? More importantly, is there a consensus on how long a waltz veil should be?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Mood: flirty, sweet, fun
Palette: strawberry red, buttercream white, faded blue

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: ruffled Melissa Sweet dress photo by Tanja Lippert, strawberry cake painting by Wayne Thiebaud, floral headband by Jennifer Behr
Row 2: handkerchief and orchid nosegay photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, silk flower ring pillow from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: RSVP card by Design des Troy, peony centerpiece from Brides, lemonade from Rebecca Thuss, basket of strawberries from Martha Stewart Weddings

PS – Totally unrelated to this post, but for anyone planning on going to WPPI this year, you have to check out the Airhorns and Lasers party. There will be some great hosts and sponsors (including The Flash Dance, Max Wanger, and a bunch of other fabulous folks), and I would so be there if I could.

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Way back when, I thought about doing cookie jars (á la Bakerella) as favors, but alas, most of you confirmed they were too expensive in their original incarnation. Although there were lots of great suggestions for how to scale them down, we decided if we were going to do favors, we’d rather have something our guests could actually eat right away. Some people might never bake the cookies in a jar, and not just that, but for our out-of-town guests, who wants to carry a heavy glass jar of cookie mix in their suitcase?!

After not thinking about favors at all for several months (if you ignore a problem it goes away, right?), we got some great news – a family friend of Mr. Guinea Pig’s wanted to help us out with our favors and make them for us! {Insert choir singing hallelujah} GP friend R went totally over the top in giving us wonderful options (for which we are so very, very grateful), and even suggested we do a mix of things!

(from L to R: cookies, malt balls, chocolate covered raisins, mini-champagne, cinnamon gummy hearts, and jelly beans!)

The first thing we (sadly) ruled out?

Mini-champagne. Is it an awesome idea? Totally. Could we customize the heck out of it? Hello, custom labels. Are we scared our friends will pop corks in each other’s faces or break some glass? Yes indeedy.
The second thing we ruled out: Cinnamon gummy hearts – I hate gummy candies. Plus, cinnamon seemed like a pretty particular flavor – even though the hearts were adorable.

Ah yes, but I forgot to mention the one thing that’s not shown in this picture because a certain Mr. Guinea Pig snatched them up as soon as they appeared, and tore into them (I may have helped)!

(Chocolate covered pretzels! Bonus points because they’re by Utz, an almost locally based company!)

We’d like to choose three things to set out as favors (each packaged separately, not all together in one bag) — we know that chocolate covered pretzels must be on the list (hello happy Mr. GP!) but what else? Is three too many? Not enough? What would you choose out of the options above? Our instinct is to include at least one non-chocolate item for those folks who don’t love chocolate (Miss Cola!).

How did you decide on your favors? Have you gladly handed off wedding responsibilities to others as the wedding drew near?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Mood: traditional spring wedding
Palette: classic green and white

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: bud vases with lily-of-the-valley from Rebecca Thuss, individual lily-of-the-valley favors from Martha Stewart, lily-of-the-valley boutonniere by Flowerwild
Row 2: ivy garland photo by Elizabeth Messina, cake decorated with sugar flowers via The Bride’s Guide
Row 3: flower girl and seating cards both from Martha Stewart Weddings, Jacqueline Bouvier
Row 4: ring pillow with vintage millinery lily-of-the-valley from Rebecca Thuss, lily-of-the-valley bouquet photo by Aaron Delesie, calligraphy on green envelope by Tara Jones

This article was originally posted onSnippet & Ink.

Image of 80s wedding found here. Beautiful wedding image found here.

And then came along a little lady called Carrie Bradshaw, who threw the biggest wedding the 2008 silver screen could have hoped for. Sleek and pretty? Yes…and no.

Don’t get me wrong: there is a huge part of the bridezilla inside of me that gets a kick out of the fact that ol’Carrie is sporting the better part of a peacock on the side of her head. If anyone can pull it off, Carrie can.

But no on can deny that since that epic fail of a wedding, bridal headpieces have gone from mild to wild. We love when fellow bridezillas make a fashion statement  – but a warning to the wise: you might want to make sure your fashion statement isn’t consuming your hair. Or your whole head.

Where’s Your Head At?

I love that, even so large, this Jennifer Behr headpiece is still delicate and feminine. I just hope the groom is always standing on the bride’s right. It’s like a one-sided blinder.

She looks happy, which is a good thing. But this fly-away feather hair-fringe from Eith Designs should have this bridezilla flying over the cuckoo’s nest.

Despite some dispute over whether or not Season 5 Project Runway finalist Kenley ripped her wedding dress design from Alexander McQueen, I like it. Flirty and feathery? Yummy. But why the crazy hat? Perhaps this is fine for the runway, but imagine this rather tall headpiece at your wedding. Unless your groom is sporting an equally ridiculous top hat on, she is going to look like the Mad-Hatter had a baby with a bird, who then became a bride.
 

I found this image at RocknRoll Bride and said to myself, “Rock ‘n’ roll? Or chain mail?” She’s so vintage she’s medieval!

Oh me. Oh my.

This article was originally posted onBridezilla.

“Vibrant Vineyard” invite from WeddingPaperDivas

PROs: I love the color, the vineyard motif and the writing. They’re also affordable, which is always a plus!

CONs: I prefer a vertical layout, and this is horizontal. Also these are digital offset printing (so, they’re not letterpress), and they seem a little informal to me.

“Rustic Print” in Cabernet by WeddingPaperDivas

PROs: Vertical layout which I like, cool fading watercolor-like design

CONs: Digital printing, a little plain

“Modern Whimsy” in Cinnamon by WeddingPaperDivas

PROs: Vertical layout, elegant design

CONs: The design isn’t that unique, digital offset printing (do you see a trend here?)

Letterpress “Vintage Pattern” by WeddingPaperDivas

PROs: Nice design, letterpress

CONs: Not 100% sold on design, it’s pretty expensive

Letterpress “Winery Gate” by WeddingPaperDivas

PROs: Unique design, letterpress

CONs: I don’t like the fonts (but they can be changed for free), and again, letterpress is expensive.

Wedding Paper Divas has a lot of pretty designs, and I’ve heard they’re great to work with. The website is also very easy to use and you can even enter all your information and see a digital proof of what your invite would look like. I’ve also looked at Invitations by Ajalon, which is a small letterpress printer in Sonoma. They have pretty reasonable letterpress prices.  They will also take any PDF you give them and make custom letterpress invitations. This would be appealing if I had ANY design ability, but sadly, I do not. I don’t even own Adobe Photoshop. Anyway, here are the designs I liked from Invitations by Ajalon:

Kourtesis invitation suite

Close-up of Kourtesis

PROs: I love the look and feel of their letterpress (got some samples in the mail and they look great!). I also like this design because it looks somewhat vineyard-y.

CONs: I’d have to pay extra to get the cardstock backing, which I really like. I suppose I could DIY that, though. I think I’d also change the fonts a bit; I think the font they show is a little hard to read. I’d also change it from horizontal to vertical.

Savannah Invitation Suite

Close-up of Savannah invitation

PROs: Pretty, swirly vineyard-y motif, delectable letterpress

CONs: The motif has birds in it. I’m not into the bird trend, so I don’t really like that. Also I’d obviously change the colors of the invitation and just do it all in one color, probably a plum.

The last set of invitations that I liked come from Hello! Lucky:

Vineyard invite from Hello! Lucky

PROs: Nice, simple, elegant design in scrumptious letterpress

CONs: Pricey. They’re $3.61 for each invitation, and that doesn’t include the RSVP cards or anything else. It’s not bad for letterpress, but it still seems like a lot to me.

Those are basically the front runners at this point.

Which do you like best? What was the determining factor in picking out your wedding invitations? And more importantly, can anyone talk me out of my love affair with letterpress?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.

Anyways, a more accurate (albeit longer) title of this post could have been this: Miss Trail Mix vs J.Crew in a battle of the wedding shoes.

Witness my shoe evolution (ridiculous me bought 4 different pairs of shoes for the wedding over the course of 7 months, shhhhhh! And YES, they were all from J.Crew. I have a problem, I know.

First, way back in July, I scored the Caribe Espadrilles on sale for only $40! This was when I was envisioning yellow shoes a la Mrs Joey and more casual feel for our wedding…

(Personal Photo)

They came, arrived, fit, and looked beautiful, BUT… the mule style had the back flipping and flapping a bit, which made me nervous. I decided to keep ‘em for the rehearsal dinner and move on with my search.

A quick PSA regarding J.Crew sale items and returns: I’ve found that even though their website states that all final sale items cannot be returned, I’ve had no trouble calling customer service, playing the wedding card and having them make a note of the item on my account, allowing me to return it to a store for a refund. And if that doesn’t work, take the tag off the item, play dumb in the store and at least return it for a credit. It’s better than nothin’!

Alright, we now return to our regularly-scheduled programming…

Next up, the Joley pearlized-patent peep toes (these are still available in a number of sizes and colors for between $70-$80, plus 30% off!):

(Source)

Super-pretty but missing the “snazz” factor. I considered shoe clips but still wasn’t convinced. Next!

Then I found these lovely, gold Joley patent-pumps:

(Source)

Ah hah, getting closer. I loved these and was set on them until a month later, when J.Crew came out with a peep-toe version and it was game over. I exchanged the pump for these:

(Personal Photo)

(Personal Photo)

Ahhhhhh, me likes sparkly things!!!

In a series of mis-communications with J.Crew, I somehow ended up with two pairs of these babies but was able to return one pair easily (which technically brings my total number of bought shoes to five…ack!).

I’ve managed to not buy any more shoes since then, although I confess that I was seriously tempted by these gold, strappy ones but managed to restrain myself. Oh, fine, just because we all like to look at shoes, I’ll show a picture of those, too…

(Source)

FYI, these are also still available in a number of colors and sizes for $100 + %30 off!

I do love my beautiful crackly, gold peep-toe shoes though, and my bridesmaids are going to wear gold shoes, too. They are definitely worth lifting up the hem of my dress to show off. Game, set, match,

And so, dear friends, at the end of this drawn out saga, I think we can safely say that in the battle of Miss Trail Mix versus J.Crew’s shoe sale section, the score is Miss Trail Mix- 1, J.Crew- 0. Success!

Did you have a long, drawn-out shoe saga or was it a quick and dirty decision?

This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.