Let the sun shine in!

 1 Response »
Jun 042010
 

Sometimes you just love a bride the moment you meet her. I had that experience with Sheena. When we first met she was looking at renting a house my dad owns with her then-fiancé, Scott. I, of course, had to open my big ‘ole mouth as soon as I heard they were engaged and see if they were looking for any design help.

Long story short, they were planning on a very minimalist wedding (very true to their personal style – which I love!) and were going to do their own – very minimal, if any – flowers. If you know me, you know that not even giving yourself as a bride the luxury of having a consultation and just “dreaming” with a designer is a no-no. I’m very quick to state that to an unsuspecting lovebird! We met over coffee, I decided she is one of the most vivacious, cute people in the world, we had a blast chatting about life and marriage and flowers, and *poof* I got to design floral creations for their sweet little outdoor wedding.

Below are photos of their day, as well as inspiration with their colors – Royal Blue and Sunny Yellow.

fresh-lemonadeBluebottle  

Sheena6

royal-blue-crepe-paperyellow crepeyellow-cupcakes

 table-setting-0908-de-56894828SheenaSheena2 

YellowShoesyellow-wedding-boutonnieres3

Sheena4 

She gave me the sweetest note a few days ago – another reason she’s precious! Had to share:

“Thank you so much for your floral contribution to our wedding. Every time I looked at my lovely girls – in their royal blue dresses, holding stunning, single sunflowers whose yellow set off the blue in this magical way – I couldn’t believe I’d ever considered not having flowers.”

See? If only everyone listened to me….(wink!)

Beer Budget Bride: Birdies

 2 Responses »
May 242010
 

WARNING: This post requires you or someone you know to be “crafty.”

Just sayin’.

I hope the above post about bird cake toppers was inspiring and made you giggle just a tad. Feathered cake toppers are a huge trend right now. They’re precious, obviously, but most of the time if they look good they’re super expensive too. The ones at craft supply stores tend to be “way too faux” (i.e., the birds have crazy lopsided eyes or strangely painted feathers.) So, if you’re crafty, here’s your solution: Make your own birds. Now, before you get unduly overwhelmed, know that I did this. You or your “craft-oriented” friend can too.

In true Wedding Singer fashion: “You can dooo eet!”

Here’s what you need:

  1. This nifty bird pattern. (I found on spoolsewing.com)
  2. Two coordinating quilting squares from your local fabric store (or 1 sq. foot of each fabric)
  3. Scissors
  4. Needle and Thread
  5. Pillow Stuffing – or cotton balls (whatever works!)

Here’s what you do:

Print this and cut it out: birdpattern

The instructions are included on the pattern, but just in case you’re a visual crafter like me, here is a photograph journal of what I did as well:

Finished product should look like these: (cute, cute, cute, if I do say so myself!)

For the Birds

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May 202010
 

It’s Spring.

 The birds are singing. They’re hopping around on sidewalks and in parking lots. Whistling a merry tune. Fluttering. Cooing. Making eggs and such. And aiming for my all-too-clean windshield with a precision that would shame any sniper.

Oh, and perching atop delighted wedding cakes!

I have a newfound obsession with birdies. (That’s right, “birdies”.  Birds are the ones aiming for my car.) They make me happy especially when they’re fat and fluffy. So, in honor of them, here are some pics of my all-time favorite feathered cake toppers.

Flickr.com

Red Light Studio

By Lauren Alane

Etsy

 

Little Vale's

Emilie Friday

 Beer Budget Bride Birdies up next! (Wow. Alliteration craziness.)

Open up a Can of Vintage

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May 132010
 

Vintage is all the rage – and rightly so. Done right, there is something comforting and yet edgy about it.  I have several weddings this summer that are vintage-y and I’ve been scouring the local antique and flea markets as well as “hittin’ up” a few restaurants for used bottles. (I’m so shy… asking unsuspecting restaurant managers to save me bottles! Wink!)

I happened upon these adorable tin cans on one of my outings. They were tucked back in a corner booth (as all good antique store finds are) at my favorite antique store in Atlanta, Paris on Ponce.

You will probably be seeing them again (in professional photos – not to insult my little green camera) later this year. But, I couldn’t resist posting them. These arrangements are from a sweet little bridal shower for my precious friend, Michelle (of Michelle Marie Photography).

My Magic Carpet

 1 Response »
May 082010
 

So, my latest quest has been for a new rug to go in my new red and black magnetic chalkboard room (pictures soon) in my new house! I am not having any luck, unfortunately (seeing as I’m extremely picky and have a penny-bank-budget on this one) All that to say, I’ve been searching online with brilliant broad net-caster words like “carpets” and “rugs”.

Haven’t found my perfect rug yet, BUT, my searches have led to a fascinating discovery that will be added to my Bucket List: The Brussels Flower Carpet.

Ever heard of it? Neither had I. It happens every even numbered year in Brussels, Belgium and began in the 70’s by a man who wanted to promote begonias. (Swoon!) It is now an amazing attraction every 2 years taking up the entire square in the Grand Place of Brussels with the most intricate and stunning display of flowers I’ve ever seen.

Feast your eyes:

For more info, click here.

Got a Papercut?

 1 Response »
Mar 262010
 

Haven’t posted in way too long! It’s Wedding Season, people! (Which, in short, means I’ve been swamped with prospective fabulous brides and have thus let my blog slip through the cracks.)

Stumbled across this yesterday on Etsy and was completely fascinated. My house is overflowing with black and white already, but I think I may have to make room for more after seeing these amazing renditions of photos by PapercutsbyJoe.

These are great gift ideas for your family, your groom, or if you’re “rollin’ in the dough” as bridesmaids or groomsmen gifts!

Here’s what you do: (in the words of Joe)

 1. Convo or email me (papercutsbyjoe@gmail.com) some of your favorite photos. Bigger the photo, the better!

2. I’ll make FREE design proofs based on your photos typically within 24 hours. Once you approve a design, I’ll send you back to this listing for you to purchase the piece.

3. Once paid for, I’ll start cutting immediately and your piece will be in the mail within 1-2 days.

That’s it! Designs proofs are free, so feel free to send some photos and see what I can do. You only pay for the actual mounted papercut, and only once I get your approval on the design proof.

Happy Snippin’!!

Beer Budget Bride: Love Will Save the Day!

 1 Response »
Jan 112010
 

Found these today on decor8 , (a blog full of ideas and items ready and willing to be stolen and purchased, respectively) I just love how they look like vintage-y album covers.

Wouldn’t this make a great Guest Book alternative? Forget those framed pictures where you sign the mat- just get some metallic or white pens and sign the Love Print, stick it in an 8×10 frame, and *poof* – cute!

(Images : Field Trip on Etsy)

Beer Budget Bride: Rent a Pic!

 1 Response »
Dec 212009
 

A picture is worth a thousand words…so, I’ll only say a few here. Let’s face it, really great photographers are stinkin’ expensive. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand why – one of the main things is that your pictures are really the only thing you get to take with you to remember your perfect day. But, if you’re trying to cut back, don’t you dare even think about those horrible little disposable cameras!! Here’s a great alternative:

Hire a fabulous photographer to capture your Ceremony and your detail shots. You’ll pay them way less because you’re asking them to commit to almost a third of the time.

NOW, for your reception and to capture your guest pictures:  Make your own Photo Booth!

Here’s what you need:

Rent a camera and a tripod

Set up a background. You can rent backdrops, hang a sheet, hang ribbons, hang christmas lights, hang flowers from ribbon, you could even hang cute pictures of the bride and groom – just have something fun for people to stand in front of.

Get a friend to be in charge of the camera and to *focus and *click!

Your guests will have a blast and you’ll save a ton of mulah!

Here are some recent pictures from a photo booth that my darling friends Michelle and Steven did at my best friend Josh’s stylish Birthday Bash! (Beware, craziness ensued!)

Marsha Lassiter Calligraphy

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Dec 092009
 

Marsha Lassiter recently did invitations for my “fashionista” bride, Morgan. (Who is getting married in less than 2 weeks!)  I wanted to show off her work because these invitations are some of the most fabulous, classy, and beautiful invitations I’ve ever seen. (Obviously, she is amazing!)

Marsha is located in Birmingham, Alabama, but spreads her calligraphy talent all over the Southeast upon request!

Marsha Lassiter Calligraphy

mml4205@charter.net

205.967.0969

Melissa & Ryan: A Fall Affair

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Dec 032009
 

Melissa and Ryan are photographers, graphic artists, and just all-around artsy peeps. They’re my kind of couple! Melissa designed their invitations and chose very warm Autumn colors that were so refreshing to design with. I worked with her mom, Betsy (who I love!), for the majority of the time because they live in San Francisco. You can see from their pictures that they chose a photographer with a true artist’s eye! Check out Shawna Herring’s blog for more pictures of their beautiful day.

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