Damask Wedding Inspiration

via bellacupcakecouture.com

According to Wikipedia, "Damask is a reversible figured fabric of silk, wool, linen, cotton, or synthetic fibers, with a pattern formed by weaving. Damasks are woven with one warp yarn and one weft yarn, usually with the pattern in warp-faced satin weave and the ground in weft-faced or sateen weave. Twill damasks include a twill-woven ground or pattern."

The way we typically think of it today is by the distinct repeating floral pattern that you see in wallpapers or designs. Typically today Damask is a solid color graphic icon set upon a contrasting background.

Big Bold graphic prints are hot right now for modern weddings. It's no wonder so many brides are drawn to not only damask, but leopard print, zebra print and other big bold patterns.

Need some color inspiration for your wedding?

via fizzyblog

If you're in need of some big color inspiration and you're totally in love with the spring and summer fashion lines coming out in 2012, you're in luck!  I've been tirelessly searching and putting together a fun, cheerful and funky inspiration board for you.  It's for a carnival inspired wedding, but the bright colors are great for any exotic color themed wedding or tropical destination wedding you might be planning.

via pinterest

"A carnival themed wedding is all about fun.  The colors are bright, bold and cheerful.  Think teals & turquoise paired with orange and fuchsia."

The food and decor should be just as fun as the colors.  Instead of a big towering wedding cake, instead try a dessert bar with fun foods (carnival finds like fried dough/funnel cakes) or bright pink whoopie pies with rainbow sprinkles.

Vintage Style Glamour

From Movie W.E.

I think that Hollywood is starting to finally realize that everyone is sick and tire of the same old regurgitated story lines at the theaters. The biggest box office hits are more original plot lines and historically interesting figures.


I'm quite happy about this as we get to see some beautiful set designs, story lines and fashion.  The above photo is from the movie W.E. about King Edward who gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American woman who was twice divorced (scandalous at the time).  She was known for her slender figure and homely face. She put her figure to good use as she was always dressed beautifully and fashion forward. 

She didn't capture the attention of men from her looks, but from her fashion sense and how put together she was.

You have to love the woman that coined the phrase, "You can never be too rich or too thin".

In keeping with inspiration from vintage fashion, I've put together many gorgeous bridal gowns with inspiration from the 30's on up to the 50's. 

Winter Wedding Nails

source

If you're tired of the same old french manicure for bridal nails, why not try something different that goes with the season?

source

If you're a winter bride, why not do something pretty like snowflake nails, silver and white stripes or something festive for the holiday season?

When choosing your wedding nails, remember the wedding is just one day; but you'll have your polish color long after.  

Don't keep a boring polish on for your honeymoon!

source

I've searched for all kinds of pretty nail designs to keep the winter blues away, but still give you a feminine bridal look.

Here's some pretty winter nail inspiration for you:

A Pink and Navy Autumn wedding

Happy Halloween Everyone! Boy do I have a Treat for you!  It's a Pink and Navy Autumn wedding. This wedding took place in Gloucester, MA at the Ocean View Inn.

When we met with the fantastic Andrew Kubika of Stay Focused Photography (the talent behind the fabulous photos), we knew he was the perfect personality for our wedding.  He was fun and of course, he took some fantastic photos. His motto is "creatively capturing your most important moments". I'd say that's perfect for his photojournalistic style.

What was this wedding like?  It was a little bit of tradition and a whole lot of fun. Dig into that big bowl of candy and enjoy the Talented Mr. Kubika.

Sneak Peak....September Wedding in New England

This Pink and Navy Nautical wedding in New England was perfectly beautiful.  Here's a sneak peek of the big day. 

The Wedding took place at the Ocean View Inn in Gloucester, MA, one of the oldest fishing villages in New England.  Stay Tuned for more shots and all the details on this gorgeous wedding!

Free Inspiration Board Creator

If you're looking for an easy way to build your own inspiration boards without an art program like Photoshop, you now can! 

I have tradionally made all of my boards using photoshop, but I've seen quite a few people without the means for this type of program and no idea how to use it asking on forums and blogs how to create their own inspiration board.

This is a great tool to share your inspiration and ideas with the world, quickly and easily.

Style Me Pretty now has their own inspiration board builder. I've created two bright and tropical boards just for you! Easily add photos based on color schemes or keywords.

How to:
1. Visit the Style Me Pretty Website and create a username and password.
2. Login and start creating your inspiration boards
3. Save, Name and Tag your boards to share with the world!

Even though this is a great tool, If you're a DIY bride I still highly recommend purchasing Photoshop, Corel or another art program similar to it.

You can edit photos, create invitations, monograms, logos, paper products, iron-ons and more! 

Sweet Inspiration: Deliciously Different Wedding Menus

Searching for the perfect Menu for my upcoming wedding, I looked for some menus that were different, fun and had a unique flavor all their own. From personalized to pretty, this group of unique menus has it all!

From Top Left to right:

• This surfboard menu is perfect for a west coast wedding.  You could also use a rowboat to display your menu for a nautical or beach-side wedding. (image: brides.com)
• These chopsticks inside a printed menu is as functional as it is perfect for an asian wedding (image: brides.com)
• Chalkboard menus are really hot and trendy right now in displaying a bar, drink, dinner or in this case a Cake Buffet menu. (image:SarahkChen)
• Think outside the box with a round menu printed in the pretty colors of your wedding or event. (image: brides.com) 
• Treat your guests with tropical loveliness by placing a flower on your menu. ( image: mydesignsensations)
• Printing your menu on a natural paper or burlap with a vintage font and image can give your wedding or event a rustic feel.  Complete the look with string or rope. (image: bridalbuds)
• Place goodies, treats and surprises inside a brown paper bag printed with a menu.  Perfect for a rustic wedding! (image: tecpetajaphoto)
• Remember the Cootie Catcher from middle school?  Give guests something fun to do at your table while they're eating! (image: pixelperfectmm)
• Want to give your guests the grand overview of the day?  Try a booklet menu.  They can get all their information in one handy book. (image: Bella Forte)
• For something pretty and functional, try printing your menu on the tablecloth guests will be using.  It will add some interest to a basic white tablecloth.  You can also drop your paper printed tablecloth down to overhang under your plates. (image: marthastewart)
• Want your guests to feel the love?  How better than to give them a heart-shaped menu?  This has a bonus DIY craft for you to follow.  This is also a great craft for a valentine's day party!  (image: ohcrafts)
• How sweet it is when your menu doubles as your favor!  This couple chose to have their menus printed in chocolate.  What a delicious and sweet idea! (image: styleunveiled)
• Birds of a feather will flock to this craft.  If you're having feathers or a peacock themed wedding, add a simple feather to your dinner menu for added flair! (image: eventhouseblog)

I hope the board I've created can inspire brides and event planners everywhere to spruce up their boring menu with a little flair.  It doesn't take a lot to add a little pizazz to a basic menu.  Add your colors, a theme or a personal touch and it can make all the difference.

Post-Wedding Brunch

See below for image sources

While we would have loved to have a post-wedding brunch at the same place we're having the Reception, unfortunately his brunch prices were crazy. He wanted $30 per person for eggs, pancakes and bagels. Pahh-leeze. What do you think this is? The The Bristol Lounge in Boston? At least they'll serve you a more upscale meal with things like crab cake benedict for the same price.

Since we had to rule out our reception location, I considered the elks club down the road. I'll have to price out rental for the morning. If it's all included with food, it might be worth it. If not, I might have to DIY breakfast which means a very limited menu to things that can be pre-prepared.

Image Sources from left to right:
fruit-and-veggie-table
Drink dispenser
cinnamon roll lollipops
Waffle bread pudding with strawberry sauce
yogurt granola fruit martini
Apple & Cinnamon Strata

A lovely Bridal Shower for a lovely Bride-to-Be

 The perfect Bridal Shower starts with the loving care and planning from a wonderful Family and a great set of Bridesmaids!

This pretty little blue and gold themed shower couldn't have gone any better.  We had a happy and surprised guest of honor and a great group of guests that really got into the games.

With fun games and lots of little treats and details, it made for a fabulous day with a lovely Bride-to-Be.






All In the Details...

Our Decorations were minimal. From tissue paper flowers, to the "Best Wishes" sign, the details were ruffled fun and girly.  For food we had brunch options like quiches, tomato mozzarella basil bites, turnovers, Caesar salad, fruit salad and mimosas.

The cake...

To keep with the ruffle theme the cake was decorated with a pretty ruffle frosting and topped with ranuculas that I had picked from my garden and placed in blue water two days before the shower.  They picked up the blue color nicely.

It was a two tiered chocolate cake with raspberry white chocolate cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Recipe coming soon.

The Favors...

Pretty little Clear and Gold Swans were filled with chocolate and candy and placed on a little table in the entryway with some flowers.

A lovely little setup to greet you as you came in and left the party.













The Games...
We had a game where the bride had to guess answers correctly about the groom as well as a toilet paper dress game, which was by far the most fun.

The ladies at the party got really into dressing up the bridesmaids and the bride-to-be got to pick the winning dress.










The Prizes...
Every game had a prize, lovely little labeled bottles of wine. The labels had the name of the Bride-to-be as well as the date of the Bridal Shower. A wonderful way to remember the day!

All the Bridesmaids having a good time!

Our lovely Bride-to-Be with some of the Girls!