This morning I read an article discussing the merits of a co-ed shower (the article focuses on baby showers, but applies to any kind of shower where two people are getting gifts), and I immediately felt very old-fashioned, and to be totally honest, kind of stupid.

Image via Glamour and Grace HI everyone. Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. To be totally honest, I've just had a pretty severe case of writer's block. For awhile, I've wanted to take the blog in a different direction, but I haven't been quite sure where or how that would work.

Image via Bella-Fiori Events.

Rose petal aisle runners are beautiful and classic, but unless you're a florist, you may not know just how many petals you need to achieve the look you see all over Pinterest. That's where Petal Garden's "Petal Quantity Calculator" comes in handy: input your coverage type, area and aisle length, and it spits out just how many petals you'll need to achieve the look you're after for your wedding.

Labor Day is this weekend and pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks are right around the corner (!!!!!!), which means that Fall is almost upon us. This has been a hit and miss summer for us Northeast Ohioans, and I for one am excited to break out the boots and sweaters and cozy up to Fall.
I know that there are a lot of Fall Brides out there getting ready for their last month (or two) countdowns, who may be looking for some last minute crafts to add that special DIY touch to their weddings. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Greet your guests with a cute Monogram berry wreath on the doors of your reception hall.
The first can be purchased on Etsy, the second could easily be made with more stems to achieve a fuller look.

Image via ElegantWreath on Etsy

Image via Cara Wilkerson on e-How

Want to make the monogram too? Here is a SUPER AWESOME tutorial using dollar store items:

Image via InMyOwnStyle.com

In case you don't know, here is a handy guide to monogramming.

2. Use some pumpkins or gourds for nice Fall accent pieces on a gift table, cake table or escort table. Click the image for a DIY tutorial.

Image via Green Wedding Shoes.

Use a tutorial like this one to make a gold leaf head chain:

Image via Chic Steals

My beautiful talented cousin Cassandra is getting married (yippee!) and is tossing around the idea of having a modern twist on a Midsummer Night's Dream for her theme (she is so creative).

Hiii. Sorry I have been neglecting the blog lately, but here is proof that I have been hard at work getting things ready for the shower this weekend.

Hi everyone!
Sorry it has been so long. I have been working on some other projects, one of which I'm excited to share with you today!
I have the privilege of being the matron-of-honor in my dear friend Lisa's wedding, and along with that comes the fun of planning her bridal shower. The shower is coming up soon, so last week I went and walked through our venue and got to work on designing/putting together/mailing out the invites.
I love sparkles (what girl doesn't?) and have fallen in love with pink and gold. I've been collecting ideas on Pinterest for months now, but have arranged some of my favorites into this mood board:


top left, middle, top right, bottom right, bottom left
The shower doesn't necessarily have a theme, but the plan is for it to be girly and fun. Invitations are important because they are the first taste your guests will have of the festivities, so I wanted to design something that was elegant but whimsical, and, of course, heavy on the pink and gold.
I scoured google and pinterest for clip art and fonts, and found some really great stuff.
Here is how they turned out:



I was so excited about the cute Vintage Seed Packet stamps that are out right now. Aren't they great?
I found the clip art for the lace background via ClipArt ETC, manipulated the image to make it symmetrical and changed the color tone.
The fonts used were:
Basic Title Font
Lavenderia
Bergamot Ornaments
KG Flavor and Frames
I purchased all of the supplies (gold doilies, cardstock, envelopes and gold washi tape for the envelope seals) at Hollo's Paper Craft in Brunswick for around $25. I made about 50 invitations (SO CHEAP). The most expensive part was postage (yuck).
I can't wait for next month and have been compiling all of my ideas and stock piling supplies.
P.S. here is the venue space:

I. can't. wait.

Vintage wedding seating. Image via Junebug Weddings.
I love the idea of outdoor lounge areas at weddings, especially for guests who don't want to dance, who need to take a break from dancing, or who just love sitting and talking in a nice environment. What could be better than sipping a nice cocktail with friends under the stars on a beautiful vintage couch?
Unfortunately, not all of us have a stock of beautiful vintage furniture or the budget to purchase one of kind pieces. Thankfully, there are some cool companies that rent these items for events, and one of them just happens to be close to us Northeastern Ohioans and is located in the lovely area of Cleveland.
Borrow Rentals has a great inventory of one-of-a-kind accessories suitable for any event, and using their furniture to decorate would make for a KILLER wedding or reception.
From their site:
Welcome to the warm and eclectic home of BORROW®, a custom rental house for beautiful and unique furniture and accessories. Our pieces range from rustic vintage wares to one of a kind up-cycled wood furniture. We love working for our clients and providing them with one-of-a-kind options to create a truly spectacular occasion filled with wonderful design. We are dedicated to every planner, event organizer, bride and home stager, on any budget!
Here are some images of their inventory via their website.
Seating. Image via Borrowed Rentals. How awesome are these farmhouse tables? Image via Borrowed Rentals. These blue polka dot chairs would be ADORABLE in photos. Image via Borrowed Rentals.
I can think of so many uses for these colorful bottles. Image via Borrowed Rentals.
There is much MUCH more on their site, including china and awesome large accessories. Be sure to head there and browse around.
Borrow Rentals
Phone: 216.470.8349
Email: ann@borrowrentals.com
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Wedding Magazine March/April 2013. Image via Wedding Magazine.
I especially love the way the new issue incorporates traditional layouts with a contemporary feel and use of imagery. For example, the feature on seasonal flowers is beautiful and comprehensive, without being too busy. I like the idea that I can pick up a magazine and have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips that is also pretty to look at.

Wedding Magazine Seasonal Flower Spread. Image via Wedding Magazine.
Wedding Flowers & Accessories has definitely stepped it up with this new makeover, and this is a magazine I would be referring to a lot if I were planning a wedding. Brides, check it out! You won't be disappointed.

April 1st. Some people like to think of Fools, but I prefer to think of Flowers. It's been a long, cold winter (especially here in Northeast Ohio), and Spring is *finally* in the air. My skin is just aching for sunshine, and my eyes are longing for beautiful pops of floral color.

My good friends James and Annie are getting married at the end of May, so Annie gathered some friends and family together to tackle some big wedding projects.

Soft and Romantic:

 

Hollywood Glam:
 

Last night I watched the Boy in the Striped Pajamas for the first time, and was nearly sobbing and heartbroken when it was finished. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, but make sure you have tissues handy.
After that was over, I needed something cheerful and happy, so I turned to one of my favorite movies of all time: Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma. Image via FanPop.
There are so many lovely scenes in this movie.

That veil? Perfect. And who doesn't want gorgeous flower laced canopies to walk under? Image via Screen Junkies.
There are several locations in the movie that would make for a beautiful destination wedding spot:
Mapperton Gardens:
Located in the civil parish of Dorset in South West England; Mapperton House was the site of Mrs. Weston's home at Randall's in the movie.


Image via Simpson Photography
Claydon House:
The scene where we begin to see that Mr. Knightley is in love with Emma, and just hope that Emma feels the same way.
 
Image via Vitrearum on Flickr.

Emma and Mr. Knightley at the ball. Image via Jane Austen Society.
Syon Park: 
Image via Syon Park.

Image via Syon Park.

Image via Syon Park. I think I would like to go there someday...so beautiful.
What do you think? Anyone want to have an Emma inspired destination wedding? Can I come?

Let's talk about how expensive bridesmaids' dresses are (REALLY expensive!!). I don't know about you, but when I think of deals on clothes, I don't think of spending $100 on one dress, but most bridesmaid dresses advertised as low cost are $100 or more, and that doesn't include accessories.

While some wedding and event experts are citing 2013 as the year of the return to glamour and sophistication, other experts are expecting this year to be a little more fun and whimsical. Patterns, longer receptions and more personal events are all being cited as big trends to look forward to this year.