Dear Monday

Happy Monday to everyone! This is a super busy week for me, as I am adding a lot of features to my blog and helping with my future sister-in-law's baby shower. While I'm setting up my photographers blog roll today, I thought I'd share a wonderful idea with you.

This picture comes from Stephanie Williams Photography blog. The couple, Ashley and Jeff, integrated birds into their wedding design. My favorite is the love birds notes. Pretty little birds made from vintage looking scrapbook paper were placed in a galvanized bucket and guests were asked to leave a little note for the couple. What a great idea to add these lovely sentiments to a photo album or scrap book! Wonderful alternative to traditional guest books.

image from {stephanie williams photography}

I found a bird template here and scrapbook paper here . With thousand of different patterns and styles, you have plenty of options for coordinating with your wedding colors and theme.

{bird template}

Free Vintage Postcard for DIY Save the Date!

I have collected a lot of vintage ephemera over the years. I love the colors and craftsmanship used to create the beautiful images.



Last night, I was going through one of my albums and came across this seashore vintage seashore postcard. I thought it would make a beautiful Save the Date.

(click on images to enlarge)

Go to http://www.freepremiumfonts.com/ and browse the thousands of different fonts and styles. There are a load of fonts with a vintagey postcard style. Go here for inexpensive postcard stock. Also, ask the post office teller if they can hand stamp each card; the card looks more old fashion when it's hand stamped than being marked up with bar codes. This DIY wedding project is fun and inexpensive! 100 stock cards are less than $12, and then the cost of the stamps and ink. LOVE IT!

Marika and Jamie- from Stephanie Williams Photography

Stephanie Williams is kind enough to let me share this FABULOUS wedding she shot in La Jolla California which took place on June 12, 2009.



The gorgeous bride, Marika, wore an eyelet silk taffeta dress from Carolina Herrera. It was important to the couple to create as little waste as possible, so Marika looked for a dress that was pre-owned, and this is what she found! (On a side note- my dress, also a Carolina Herrera, was used as a sample in a bridal boutique. You wouldn't believe how much money I saved!).







The couple was married at The Darlington House, La Jolla. It was a beautiful setting for their small gathering of family and friends. Love this shot of the couple in the library!





All stationary used for the wedding came from post consumer waste paper. You would never know it by the looks of the ceremony program and the escort cards!







All of the floral arrangements were made from flowers grown by local farmers, and old curtain were given a new life as table runners!



The bride and groom gave their guests packets of seeds of their favorite herbs, and the bride herself grew the flowers that made the Ukrainian wreaths. Talk about DIY!

I adore the wheat cake from Sweet Cheeks Baking Company. The wheat is somewhat unexpected, considering the event took place in Southern California, just steps from the ocean, but it works!

Having a wedding in San Diego, it is insistent to take some photos as the beach. I love the impromptu bouquet toss to the bridesmaids!

Thanks again to the insanely talented Stephanie Williams for letting me share her work with everyone. To see more of Stephanie's work, please go to her blog. Best wishes to the newlyweds, Marika and Jamie! May you have a long, healthy and happy life together!

Dry Those Tears...

I love vintage fabrics. I have a linen closet filled with chintzes, jacquards, calicoes, embroidered, etc.- you name it, I probably have it. My newest obsession is floral handkerchiefs. I've been trying to figure out a way to incorporate them into my wedding then THUD, it hit me. Have the ushers hand them out to the ladies at the church along with the programs. Tied with a simple satin ribbon, I think the sensitive gals in the crowd will appreciate the thoughtfulness. Check out Ebay for vintage hankies sold in lots. Here are a few I came across:

Pretty Pleased Arrangements

I think mason jars are just the bee's knees! They can be used for seaside, garden or country weddings. From drinking glasses to candle holders, vases and favors, everyone can appreciate their many functions and super low price tag! Always available and never out of style!

Pretty Porcelains

I am taking my reception centerpieces pretty seriously. When I worked as a floral designer, I made so many bubble bowl arrangements that I promised myself that when my time came to get married, I'd do something with a little more originality. One idea I'm toying around with is old Limoges bowls filled with garden roses. Ebay has an awesome selection from $5 to $200 a piece. Yard sales, auctions, and antique stores also good places to browse. Here are a few I found on Ebay:

I love the different shapes and patterns! At the end of the reception, you can give the arrangements to favorite relatives, or keep the bowls for yourself and have a great collection for dinner parties. Each year, on your anniversary, set a romantic table for dinner and fill a bowl with the same flowers used on your wedding day. Any way you slice it, these bowls will be a lasting keepsake.

Project #2

I never understand why brides choose silk flowers for wedding centerpieces. There are so many other options available that don't scream dollar store discount bin. I used to work for a flower shop and cringed every time a bride came in wanting "permanent" flowers for the reception tables. So, I did this super simple project to show everyone that there are other ways to have a lasting memory from your wedding day that don't look like a nursing home projects.

I bought a bag of shells and a tall apothecary jar with a lid. Fill the jar with said shells, and voila! A beautiful keepsake for you and some of your special guests. The best part? It cost $11.99! $5.99 for the jar and $6.00 for the shells. Please comment for online links of where to buy.