Yellow Billy Balls {and Baloons!}

I always love how the vision of the wedding shines through in the bridal party flowers, the brides bouquet and the groomsmen's boutonnieres. I loved this bride's bouquet from the moment I set eyes on it. Just wait until you see how the flowers set the tone for this event {with the assistance of a couple yellow balloons!}. The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bride's lovely bouquet. These darling flowers are craspedia's which are more commonly known as Billy Balls or Billy Buttons. They certainly make a statement on their own but can also be added into a bouquet as an accent.

The billy balls were not only used in the bride's and bridesmaid's bouquets but they also made an appearance on the lapels on the suits of the groom and groomsmens. The groomsmen's yellow ties also pack quite a punch!To bring in the gray part of the color pallet to the bridesmaid's ensembles, they each had a gray cardigan to wear on the wedding day. And what did the groomsmen get to wear to spice up their outfits? Spiffy white shoes, of course!

As if it couldn't get any better, the groom and groomsmen sported yellow and gray argyle socks!

I'm going to go ahead and throw this story out there. My Mom suggested that we use balloons to decorate our reception venue. I recall looking at her like she had a horn growing out of her forehead. I associated balloon decor with my senior prom, not my wedding reception. However, these balloons actually work!Even the cupcake table reflects the yellow theme!

I am such a fan of the flowers used in this wedding and seeing how they pulled together the color palette throughout the wedding day. Check back tomorrow for another post on this same topic!

In the mean time, check out more pictures from this beautiful wedding by rebekah westover here here

Proof

Proof that not all boutonnieres have to be fashioned from flowers.
A little lavender and some baby’s breath atop a small leaf makes for quite the charming addition to any lapel.

as found on the inspiring blog of: robert sukrachand

Bridal Take on American Gothic

Nestled in the grass with the mountains in the background, two couple's take on the American Gothic painting. A shovel and a rake/pitchfork alongside a veil and a snazzy suit.
Create your own. And then frame it.

As found on utah bride blog here and here

The Beginning of Forever

This weekend is the wedding of one of my dearest friends Laura to her fiance, Rich. You might know Laura as the blogger behind The Beginning of Forever. To me, however, she is just my crazy friend who is always up for a beer, a good laugh and picking up right where we left off.

After we get the rehearsal out of the way on Friday night, the party starts at a swanky downtown restaurant with the rehearsal dinner. Laura is then having her bridesmaids back to her bridal suite for a girls night sleepover. I couldn't be more excited to laugh, share stories and drink a little champagne!

Laura has an awesome bridal party and there is no doubt in my mind that we will rock out the bridal party pictures like so:

Laura, this weekend will be so memorable. It just seems like yesterday when our friendship truly began. That hot summer Wednesday evening in 2005 while sitting on your porch, beverage in hand, and deciding to skip our Macro Econ summer class. It was so worth it. We've shared so many memories together since that night and this weekend we will add many more. I cannot wait to hear you squeal with delight as you get into your dress and get all done up for your big day! You will be such a beautiful bride and I am so honored to stand next to you while you tie the knot! It will certainly be a beautiful day.

Much love,

xoxo jessica lynn

photos via bobbi + mike

Birds Nest

I absolutely adore this ring shot! A little birds nest used to cradle the most beautiful engagement ring perched atop a tiny flower bud.
Speaking of flower buds, the bouquet used throughout this engagement session is just divine. The word divine can also be used to describe the light in this photo, the cowboy boots and the other pictures in this engagement session.
photos by: erin jean via grey likes weddings

Lucky Designs Celebration

One of our favorite bloggers, Erin from Lucky Me, is hosting a give-a-way for five lucky readers in honor of her 30th birthday! Five random winners will receive one of the following prizes!

The Skinny Cow ice cream
A 1 hour consultation from Aviva Events
A $50 Gift Certificate from The Best Wedding Sites Boutique
Earrings from Natasha Ylana Designs
A set of thank you cards from Purple Lemon Designs

How to win:
Venture on over to Lucky Me and leave a comment describing your favorite birthday memory and/or birthday tradition by Friday, August 14th (midnight EST). Five random winners will receive a gift from one of the vendors above!

White Shoes

If you told me that I just had to wear white shoes on my wedding day, these would be one of my top 5 picks. Aren't they adorable?!photo by: stone blue productions via with this ring.

Engagement Pictures: Carnival Fun

The days of summer are slowly slipping by. If your engagement session is coming up and the state fair or carnival is in town, grab your finance and your photographer and get to work capturing the last few rays of a beautiful summer evening.
I personally think it's a must to hop on the ferris wheel and the carousel. What's not to love about these pictures?!
When the sun sets, the vibrant colors of the sky combined with the glow from the booths are sure to make for some breathtaking pictures. previous posts on this topic: here
photos, from top to bottom: chenin boutwell, leo patrone via snippet & ink and millie holloman

Face Time

Along with holding hands with your husband on your wedding day, make sure you get some face time in too.

Scheduling some extra, "fluff," time into your schedule will give you a little cushion to fall back on in case your hair stylist is taking too long or the groomsmen are late for their picture session. If your wedding day runs smoothly that extra time in your schedule will allow you some extra face time with your husband. Take advantage in the form of taking more pictures together or stealing a quiet moment away from all of the joyful commotion in a secluded place {your hotel suite, a private room in your venue or taking a walk nearby}. You'll be glad you did. photo by rebekah westover.