Inspiration: Paper Bouquets

Source: stylemepretty.com via Mary on Pinterest

If you are on a budget, or if you want your bouquet to last longer than your wedding day, then consider paper flowers. This gorgeous one is from Style Me Pretty, and it is from an absolutely darling, whimsical DIY wedding. To see more of this bride's charming floral arrangements, see the post on the Style Me Pretty blog, here.

Weddings: Family Photographers

Source: weddingbee.com via Lauren on Pinterest

This is an ingenious way of telling the guests at your wedding what you want them to get pictures of! You could set up a basket of disposable cameras by a guestbook with this sign, or you could have the message at each table. I would just makes sure to include a note about not getting in the actual photographers way! This little nugget came from WeddingBee as an idea for reception games. The original DIY is from WeddingBee's other DIY projects posted by HisPookie.

Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

Source: dear-evie.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Or if you don't know any Gaelic, that's Happy St. Patrick's Day! Let your blood run green, dance a jig, and enjoy a pint! For those lovely brides out there planning their special day, here is a wonderful Irish-themed inspiration board from the wonderful Evie's blog. It features some gorgeous Irish cliffs in the countryside, clovers, and of course some lovely Kelly Green!

Today I'm missing my family across the pond, but here in NJ it's going to be sunny and warm! Today I'm working on a stylized photo shoot with a friend. Enjoy the day!

Weddings: Square Cakes

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via FormFire on Pinterest

We've all seen hugely elaborate cakes at weddings. We've also all seen dozens of cupcakes, as was the going trend last year. Today I spotted these square cakes from Martha Stewart Weddings and I thought they were so pretty! This could be the happy medium some people are looking for between a large cake and a batch of cupcakes.

Weddings: Umbrella Lighting

Source: paisleytreepress.com via Anna on Pinterest

Now here's an idea that's different from the usual lighting you see at a wedding! Maybe this trend will catch on in 2011? What's going to be this year's 'it' things?

Weddings: Vera Wang Dress

Source: google.com via Iza on Pinterest

Oh, Vera, you've done it again! This dress would make any girl feel like a princess. I LOVE the combination of blue and taupe, but I'm a total sucker for taupe all day everyday.

Inspiration: Carnations Made Cool

Source: designspongeonline.com via Leah on Pinterest

I am not a fan of carnations. I didn't think it was possible to make me like them, but this image has made me change my mind. This would make a gorgeous centerpiece at a wedding or dinner event. It could also work with other flowers too, I would love to see it done with baby's breathe or mini daisies. Another neat idea would be to do more than one shade instead of all pink or all white, mix it up. Even multi-sized hurricane vases would look great!

This looks would be easy to accomplish, simply collect your flowers, cut their stems so that they aren't touching the bottom of the hurricane vase, fill up the vase at least halfway with water, then begin arranging your flowers in there. I would start in the middle and work my way out to the edge. DesignSponge was genius to do this with carnations, since they are an affordable flower.

Inspiration: Paper Flowers

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Theresa on Pinterest

Paper flowers are gorgeous, easy to make, and A LOT less expensive than the real deal. Another bonus? They don't die!

Inspiration: Summer Shindigs

Source: juliasroomfordessert.blogspot.com via Leah on Pinterest

I am a self-proclaimed sweet tooth. I love all food in general, but sugar is my true love. How do you usually serve ice cream at warm weather shindigs? If you have a bunch of mason jars laying around, get an ice bucket and try out this display! Great for summer weddings!

Inspiration: Spring Weddings

Source: google.com via Mary on Pinterest

Is it Spring yet? It's sunny out right now but there is a heck of a lot of rain in the forecast over the next week. Next weekend I'll be visiting family in PA. I hope the weather stays sunny because I plan on giving my cousin some new portraits of her boys for the baby's birthday. Not to mention, they are some adorable kids and I love shooting them!


This week I've been working on a mini-portfolio to present to my engagement clients next week so we can finalize the details of their shoot. We're going for a Saturday afternoon in mid-March on the Delaware riverbank.

Weddings: Traditions

Source: google.ca via Mary on Pinterest

Good morning my lovelies, and happy Monday! I came across this image on Pinterest the other day and I absolutely love the idea of branding your love at your ceremony! Not to mention it's perfect for those of us that want a little bit of country in our weddings (uh, ME!) or those that want something a little different than other traditions.


What other non-traditional ideas do you like/did you go with? Leave a comment!

Friday Etsy Picks: Flower Crowns

{ via Which Goose }

Lately I haven't been able to take my mind off of floral headpieces and crowns. This piece is totally dreamy and would make an incredible veil-replacement or a statement piece for a fun outdoor event. The other neat part about this gorgeous crown is that it ties in the back with ribbons for a very custom fit.


{ via Mignonne Handmade }

This lovely crown was made from hand dyed silk and linen to create the flowers. This crown reminds me of something that one of the girls from a Jane Austen novel might wear to a ball.


{ via Lucia Bella1 }

For a simple bohemian look this halo headband is the way to go with its dainty flowers and twig-inspired wire. This halo is also customizable to fit your head to be sure that you're looking lovely all day long.

Have a great weekend!

Design: Minted Design Challenge

Vote for my design on minted.™ see more from Mary Veterano vote for me! Check out my competition in Christmas photo cards and Save the Date cards at Minted.

You may have noticed this button on the sidebar. I have designs submitted in the Minted Design Challenge, so if you like what I have submitted vote for me! If my designs win, they could be sold on the Minted website.

Weddings: Charming Clutch Outdoor Wedding

{ via Grey Likes Weddings }

How awesome is this bag? I want to go to the Goodwill or the flea market and find a cute little clutch to bedazzle with buttons right now! Check out the rest of this super sweet wedding on Grey Likes Weddings from photography Phoebe Joy.

DIY: Button + Fabric Table Numbers

Here's a very simple, fun project for table numbers for a party. If you're going for something kitschy or vintage these are great because you can use buttons, brooches, and pendants from antique stores and flea markets.

Materials:

Scrap Fabric, large enough to fit into a picture frame

Sewing needle and thread

Buttons, Brooches, Pendants

Picture frame



Directions:

Step 1: Trace your number onto your fabric with sewing chalk or a pencil.

Step 2: Lay out your buttons, brooches, findings, and pendants on your number. Take a picture of your finished layout for reference.

Step 3: Sew your pieces to the fabric in the pattern that you laid out. I used an embroidery hoop to help me.

Step 4: Cut your fabric to fit your picture frame (if necessary) and place it in the picture frame. Trim any overhang after putting the backing on the frame. Voila!

Weddings: Designed by the Bride

My DIB Virtual Bouquet, discovered via Savvy Cinderella

Designed by the Bride is an online decorative resource tool for brides and event planners alike. Whether you use the free tools, or subscribe for even more options, you can easily create a virtual mock up of your dream bouquet, centerpiece, and cake! The bouquet I made above uses baby's breath, queen ann's lace, baker's fern, bronze chrysanthemum, "billy balls", and lavender alstroemeria. It was very easy to do!

And though it's a bride's site I would say it's not just for weddings. If you have a party that needs some decorating, use the site to do virtual mock ups of your vision!

DIY: Rustic Fall Monograms

Up first today I'd like to share the Monogram project I did for the Ruffled DIY contest. These are really easy to make, and inexpensive! I made mine for under $10.

What you’ll need:

• Paper stem wire
  
• Wire (florist or jewelry)
  
• Curly raffia (sold at craft stores)
  
• Decorative elements such as fake tall grass or ribbons
  
• Twine
  
• Wire cutters
  
• Pliers

Instructions:

Step 1: Using paper stem wire create the letters. More than one wire may be necessary, as well as cutting for shorter wire lengths. For example, the M was created with two full length wires and a half of a wire.

Step 2: Using florists wire connect the paper stem wire to form one shape. Bend the paper stem wire at joins and intersections or twist the pieces together. Be sure to wrap the florists wire tightly to secure the letter.

Step 3: Using the florists wire create a mesh base to start the volume of the letter. Wrap and bend the wire around the test. The mesh can be as wide as you like, I kept mine between 0.5″ and 1″ away from the stem.

Step 4: Weave, wrap, and braid the raffia through and around the wires to create the next layer. Try to cover the wires as best as you can, but don’t worry if you can’t cover them completely.

Step 5: Cover the remaining wires sticking out by wrapping the raffia, tall fake grass, and any other elements you are using. Wrap as evenly (or unevenly if you prefer that look) as you can around the letter monogram. Secure at points with twine and tuck ends into the weaving.

Overall the letters took me an hour to design and make. They're perfect for a rustic country wedding any time of year, or for a harvest Fall wedding.

Weddings: Charming Outdoor Wedding

{ via Green Wedding Shoes }

If you haven't seen it yet you'll have to get yourself over to Green Wedding Shoes for this darling wedding! I love the way the bride is styled (seriously, how great is that dress with those accessories?), and I'm a total sucker for bride and groom portraits in a patch of flowers. The wedding was shot by talented photographer, Lucidia Photography.