Throw Ring

Remember this engagement session that I was so enamoured with!?
Well, the photographer, kate headley, just posted a sneak peak of one of the details from their wedding. And it totally ties into their engagement session!
The couple's adorable dog was featured in their engagement photo {left}. An adorable cookie reflected the black lab with an orange throw ring {right}, paying homage to the couple's too-cute-for-words engagement pictures. Needless to say, I cannot wait for the rest of the wedding pictures!!!
photos by: kate headley

Poster Mat

Chris has constantly been telling me that we have too many pictures of him and I around our house. I justify it by saying that we have beautiful wedding and engagement pictures along with 4 years of documented memories that i just need to display. Besides, it's not like we have a child {or dog, for that matter} to take pictures of and display around the house!
Recently I saw this post at we met in a bar featuring the lovely poster mat from their wedding:

In my personal opinion, this has to be the next big trend {RIP picture mat}. Purchase a {wedding/love} print that you both love and want to hang in your home. Have your guests sign it and it's guaranteed to have a special place in your home and hold a special meaning for you both.

Naturally, Heather from we met in a bar, had a gorgeous instructional sign accompanying the marker jar to let her guests know they were welcome to sign the mat.

We had our wedding party and close family sign a picture mat at our rehearsal dinner {we had our guests sign a blurb guest book at our reception}. The signature mat is still sitting on the floor of our home office. I know, sad but true. One day it will find a home. I can't help but think that Chris would gladly let me hang a print, like the one above, before he lets me hang another picture of ourselves {picture mat included}. Le Sigh.
That being said, all you brides-to-be out there, jump on the poster mat bandwagon! I would love to see what poster you find for your guests to sign!
Images by Studio 7 Photography

Your Mom's Dress

A couple years ago, I made my Mom pull her wedding dress out of the closet and show it to me. It was actually her mother's wedding dress that she also was able to wear. Talk about a beautiful heirloom worn by two women I love!
I, however, was not too keen on wearing it on my wedding day. And I didn't want to selfishly chop it up with scissors to make a garter or add part of it to my dress/veil/bouquet wrap. So, back in the closet it went.
This is what I should have done:
Pretty Bride displayed both her mother's and her mother-in-law's bridal gowns at her reception. What a lovely way to recognize both women! I am sure that the each mother, and the guests, loved the added detail.

You can find the rest of Pretty Bride's reception recap here.

Give Them Somthing to Look At

I'm not sure that you can really see this in the photo below, but this bride and groom hung old family photos above the gift table at their reception.
Isn't it such a cute idea {if logistically possible at your reception venue!}!?! At least you're giving your guests something to look at while they put their carefully wrapped present on your gift table! as found on: the brides cafe photo by: sweet monday photography

Business Proposition

I have a little business proposition for all of you out there. Someone find a space as open as this and I'll bring the robins egg blue paint and chandeliers draped with non-foo foo garland and we'll have ourselves a lovely little reception hall. After a couple finishing touches we can throw open the doors to brides to be and their rehearsal dinners, bridal shower lunches and even the occasional intimate wedding!
Who's with me? Extra points if you're a wedding planner since we could combine your mad planning skillz with my penned & pretty calligraphy skillz. Can you say full service?!
photo by: laura novak

Birch & Pumpkins & Sticks

I have always loved the work of stacey kane and I have always loved fall weddings, so when I saw this little detail on her blog, I just had to share it with all of the fall brides out there searching for inspiration.
Wouldn't this be a lovely little way to spruce up your guest book table or head table!?

I am quite ready for fall!

Chivari Cushions

When it comes to the reception, most brides {myself included} use the chairs provided to them by the reception venue. Some brides dress up those chairs with chair covers. There are a few lucky brides that are blessed to have a venue offering chivari chairs {or pay a rental company to provide them}. And then there are brides that take the lovely chivari chairs to a whole new level:These pink cushions are absolutely divine. What a great way to utilize the beauty of the chivari chair and incorporate a color from your color palette! And my little eyes spy matching pink ribbon woven into the back of the chair making for just one more pretty little detail. Don't even get me started on the table. I love it all.

pretty picture via: jonathan canlas

Lovely Damask or Bold Stripes?

Going the extra mile to spruce up your tables can have a big visual impact at your reception. Using nontraditional patters such as black & white damask or black & white stripes will leave your guests in awe.

I have always had a "thing" for damask. In fact, I wanted to use it as our wedding color scheme way back when {before I changed my mind 100 times}. When executed well, the damask pattern can be the belle of the ball, next to the bride of course!This damask table-scape is from the lovely wedding of kate's wedding blog who can now be found at pretty damn fabulous. Her wedding was adorable and attention to detail impeccable. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

If you haven't seen the work of Robert Sukrachand, get a move on over to his blog. I found this wedding particularly stunning. And if the black and white striped table cloths weren't eye popping enough, can we talk about the floral arrangements?!

The fluffy dahlias paired with squares of green grass make for a stunning series of centerpieces, don't you think!?

And if you haven't checked out this damask wedding, go now.
Whether you prefer the lovely and versatile damask or the bold style of thick stripes, I think that we can all agree that both patterns are stunning.

Darling and Babe Seat Signs

I love it when the bride and groom spruce up their seats at the reception with signs that say "bride" and "groom" or "Mr." and "Mrs.".

I came across this picture recently and fell in love with the idea of putting {your} nicknames, such as "Darling" and "Babe", in place of the more traditional options noted above. And the polka dot paper and black ribbon make the signs just that much more adorable, don't you think!?

photo found on the blog of marie labbancz