Style Me Pretty

Event Design by Soiree

A few months back, I wrote about one of my new favorite books...Southern Weddings, by Tara Guerard. Well, I am now officially in love. The girls at Soiree emailed me a few days ago to check out her GORGEOUS website, with a gallery of weddings that will make you swoon...

This wedding for a bride who fancies warm chocolate and pale pink. Bartenders served lemonade in tents lit by custom lamps, beribboned in pink and chocolate.

For this Winter Wonderland, the bride chose an octagonal cake to set the tone...amaretto cheesecake covered in dark chocolate creme anglaise. Pure decadence.

Tara has be most beautiful taste...so refined and elegant, perfect for a Southern Affair,  but still edgy and contemporary for the modern bride. And, to top things off, Soiree recently launched a new invitation line called The Lettered Olive. Yep, it just keeps getting better and better.

Wedding Invitations by Chewing the Cud

One of my favorite readers, Viola, sent me some photos of the invitations that she recently designed for her wedding. They are so unbelievably great, I just had to share them with you...

The invitations were in one part inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird...the couple's all time favorite story. The second row of photos is a fake book club poster, with "readers questions" on the back. Things like "Who's the spa junkie, Phillip or Viola?" followed by information on nearby spas. The color palette is a Robin's Egg Blue and a Deep Cocoa. The additional inspiration was drawn from bird motifs and various childhood treasures. The end result...perfection.

I am love with how closely they captured the spirit of their personalities in these invitations. They truly do set the tone for the entire affair.Viola recently started a freelance design career and her company "Chewing the Cud" will launch in the upcoming months. Here are a few other great invitations that she has done...

Viola and Phillip are in the final throws of wedding planning, but I am hoping that when all is said and done, she will share the whole vision with us as I know that it will be incredible! Thanks, Viola!

Wedding favors by Cutie Pie Cookie Co.

I love, love, love the Cutie Pie Cookies that Brooklyn Bride featured the other day!!!

You can customize them however you'd like, starting at $3.25 per cookie. You just provide them with the image and...voila! Instant favors. They will even package them individually, so that you can just adorn them with your own cute label or bow. They are so darn cute, though, you really don't even need to add anything!

The Wedding Guide

I wanted to take a moment today to introduce you to a new SMP section...The Wedding Guide!

The Wedding Guide, on the left hand side of your screen, is your source for the latest in Wedding Etiquette, Trends and Styles, Reception Ideas, Color Palettes, Unique Favors, Budgeting and anything else that helps to make your big day, a smashing success. Written more like a magazine, than a blog, We will have guest writers and interviews with industry experts, so SMP can be your one stop shop for a unique and inspired wedding.

I hope you like it!

XOXO - Abby

PS - Don't forget to vote for your favorite inspiration board, if you haven't already. And, we should have another fabulous find up later in the day, so stay tuned!

Wedding Photography by Brook Schwab

If you haven't yet seen the work of Brook Schwab...you really need to. Her photographs are incredibly vibrant and stylish, without seeming staged in any way.. .

I devoured Brook's site last night and found so many of her pictures over-the-top inspiring. Even if you aren't in Houston, you can still look to these pictures for ideas on colors, styles, fashions, anything really. It is always good to look for inspiration in photographer's sites as you can see what palettes really pop. Check out Brook's blog for even more eye candy.

And, speaking of brilliant photography. Check out this great new site, Photographik...an all in one, photographer's network. Basically, it's a site that represents wedding photographers throughout the US, and is an easy way for brides to search for a photographer by city. However, unlike The Knot or Wedding Channel, they limit the number of photographers per city and pre-screen everyone and evaluate the quality of your work before they will accept you. This great site was emailed to me by one of our readers, a photographer AND bride-to-be, Justine Ungaro (who has gorgeous work on her site).

Inspiration Board Contest II, Voting!

Okay, my friends...it's time to vote! We have A TON of boards this round, so I am extending the voting cutoff until this upcoming Friday, the 31st of August. Because there are so many of the same names, and similar styles of weddings, if you could format your votes inthe following way, it would be much appreciated:

Number + Description (for Example... #0. Abby's Chic Style Me Pretty board)

Please only vote one time! The first place winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to the store of their choice. The second place will receive a $50. Our last winner chose Macy's so that she could get some additional items on her registry! Let the voting begin!!!

From Day One...

1. Laura's Classy, But Fun Affair
2. Cella's Winter Wonderland
3. Lienne's Grey is the New Blond
4. Brandi's Casual, Outdoor Affair
5. Priscilla's Chic, Romantic Wedding
6. Diane's Design Meets the Dessert
7. Vicki's Asian Elegance
8. Melissa's Casual, Relaxed Garden Wedding
9. Emily's Sweet & Intimate, Historical Wedding
10. KC's Blue Hawaiian
11. Kelly's Vintage Inspired Glamour
12. Summerr's Whimsical, Quirky, Romantic Affair
13. Sarah's Chic, Whimsical Wedding
14. JessRuthie's Beach Nuptials with a Touch of Glitz
15. Muriel's Colorful Affair

From Day Two...

1. Avalon's Simple, yet Elegant Champagne Bruch
2. Caroline's Elegant Spring Affair with French and Spanish Elements
3. Lydia's Lakeside European Affair in a Summer Green Hue
4. Adrienne's Colorful, Simplicity
5. "K's" Cherry Blossom Inspired Wedding in a Japanese Garden
6. Darci's Classically Simple, Romantic Affair
7. Aimee's Backyard Wedding
8. Dana's Glamorous/Modern, Garden Wedding
9. Jen's Artistic and Fun, but Relaxed Wedding
10. Fara's Flirty, but Elegant Affair
11. KSimer's 50's Vintage meets Japanese Infusion
12. Kyle's Lakeside Union
13. Nicole's Elegant, Outdoors Soiree
14. Jamie's Art Deco Inspired Affair
15. Delissa's Modern Meets Classic Wedding

From Day Three...

1. Sook-Yan's Vintage, Green Inspired Wedding
2. Isis's Winter Wedding
3. Michelle(1) is having a Fun, Summery Affair 
4. "Aquarian Thought's" Indian Inspired Elegance
5. Linda's Warm, Sophisticated Wedding
6. Michelle(2) is titled "My Sexy, Wish I Had the Nerve" Affair
7. Michelle Nicole's Chic, Glamorous Affair
8. Emily's Fun, Tailored, Preppy, Southern Affair
9. Betty 's Warm, Elegant Wedding
10. Jennifer's Contemporary, Asian Flair Affair
11. Jennifer C's Mountain Biking Inspired Bash
12. Lauren is having Modern, Asian Affair
13. Irene's Majestic, Minimalist and Modern Wedding
14. Barbara's Scandinavian Elegance

From Day Four...

1. Amanda's Coral Inspired Affair
2. Violet's Montenegro Inspired Affair
3. Kacie's Romantic, Garden Wedding at her parents Wine Country Home
4. Allison's Early Spring, Nashville Wedding
5. Allison N's "Downtown Affair: A Night of Dinner and Dancing"
6. Faye 's Intimate, Picnic-Style Recommittment Ceremony
7. Asmas's "Mughal Magnificence"
8. Rachel's Exotically Colorful Affai
9. Eipryl's Chic, Garden Inspired Wedding
10. Kelly's Wine Country Elegance with a Twist
11. Angela's Santa Fe Luxe
12. Thryn's Eco-Friendly, Super Chic Bash
13. Lauren's Southern Garden Soiree
14. Melissa's Romantic, Flirty Spring Wedding
15. Jenn's Ocean Breeze Meets Chic
16. Cyndi's "If I Could Marry My Husband All Over Again

From Day Five...

1. Danielle's new take on a Jewish Inspired White, Gold & Blue Affair
2. EZ's Pure, Sweet Sophistication
3. Krista's Cozy, Autumn Wedding
4. Nicole's Chic, Garden Style Wedding 
5. Kathy's Early Fall, Outdoor Affair in Northern California
6. Martina's Beachside Elegance
7. Catie's is having Classy, Southern Affair
8. Emily's Vintage Inspired, Chic French Garden Wedding
9. Blythe's Casual but Ultra Chic, Budget Friendly Affair
10. Julina's Warm and Colorful
11. Arika's Topaz and Blush Inspired Romantic Wedding
12. Helen's Relaxed, English Countryside Affair
13. Natalie's Retro Glam Bash
14. Ashley' Antique Inspired, Warm Affair
15. Rachel's Bustled Farmhouse Affair

From Day Six...

1. Kelly's Romantic, Rustic, Riverside Wedding
2. Camille's Sage, Gold and Rose Inspired Wedding
3. Polkadot Bride's Spring, Australian Country Style Affair
4. Molly 's Rustic, Chic, "Little White Chapel" Wedding
5. Nita's Neoclassical Empire Style Affair
6. Lara's Chic, but Oh-So-Fun Bash
7. Kristen's Late Summer, Coastal Wedding
8. Lyndsi 's Bold, Country Inspired Wedding with a Twist
9. SC's  "Modern Day Grace: A White Tie Southern Soiree"
10. Janice's Red and Gold Inspired Affair
11. Kate is having a Soiree in the City
12. Stephanie's  "Alice in Wonderland, Whimsical Wedding"
13. Martha's Carefree, Romantic Wedding at Home

1. Sook-Yan's Vintage, Green Inspired Wedding
2. Isis's Winter Wedding
3. Michelle(1) is having a Fun, Summery Affair 
4. "Aquarian Thought's" Indian Inspired Elegance
5. Linda's Warm, Sophisticated Wedding
6. Michelle(2) is titled "My Sexy, Wish I Had the Nerve" Affair
7. Michelle Nicole's Chic, Glamorous Affair
8. Emily's Fun, Tailored, Preppy, Southern Affair
9. Betty 's Warm, Elegant Wedding
10. Jennifer's Contemporary, Asian Flair Affair
11. Jennifer C's Mountain Biking Inspired Bash
12. Lauren is having Modern, Asian Affair
13. Irene's Majestic, Minimalist and Modern Wedding
14. Barbara's Scandinavian Elegance

From Day Four...

1. Amanda's Coral Inspired Affair
2. Violet's Montenegro Inspired Affair
3. Kacie's Romantic, Garden Wedding at her parents Wine Country Home
4. Allison's Early Spring, Nashville Wedding
5. Allison N's "Downtown Affair: A Night of Dinner and Dancing"
6. Faye 's Intimate, Picnic-Style Recommittment Ceremony
7. Asmas's "Mughal Magnificence"
8. Rachel's Exotically Colorful Affai
9. Eipryl's Chic, Garden Inspired Wedding
10. Kelly's Wine Country Elegance with a Twist
11. Angela's Santa Fe Luxe
12. Thryn's Eco-Friendly, Super Chic Bash
13. Lauren's Southern Garden Soiree
14. Melissa's Romantic, Flirty Spring Wedding
15. Jenn's Ocean Breeze Meets Chic
16. Cyndi's "If I Could Marry My Husband All Over Again

From Day Five...

1. Danielle's new take on a Jewish Inspired White, Gold & Blue Affair
2. EZ's Pure, Sweet Sophistication
3. Krista's Cozy, Autumn Wedding
4. Nicole's Chic, Garden Style Wedding 
5. Kathy's Early Fall, Outdoor Affair in Northern California
6. Martina's Beachside Elegance
7. Catie's is having Classy, Southern Affair
8. Emily's Vintage Inspired, Chic French Garden Wedding
9. Blythe's Casual but Ultra Chic, Budget Friendly Affair
10. Julina's Warm and Colorful
11. Arika's Topaz and Blush Inspired Romantic Wedding
12. Helen's Relaxed, English Countryside Affair
13. Natalie's Retro Glam Bash
14. Ashley' Antique Inspired, Warm Affair
15. Rachel's Bustled Farmhouse Affair

Nita's Neoclassical Empire Style Affair

Lara's Chic, but Oh-So-Fun Bash

Kristen's Late Summer, Coastal Wedding

Lyndsi 's Bold, Country Inspired Wedding with a Twist

SC's  "Modern Day Grace: A White Tie Southern Soiree"

Janice's Red and Gold Inspired Affair

Kate is having a Soiree in the City

Stephanie's  "Alice in Wonderland, Whimsical Wedding"

Martha's Carefree, Romantic Wedding at Home

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 6

The last day of our Inspiration Board Contest is here! And may I just say...what a lovely job everyone has done. I originally built this site for a few reasons...the first simply being that I wanted to continue to surround myself with all things pretty. The second though, was to help brides (and wedding junkies) see that weddings can be so much more inspired than what you might see in a magazine or on a massive website. The best weddings are those that forgo the "rules" and instead, bring friends and families together in a unique and truly personal way. So, needless to say, this contest has been such a lesson in inspiration...thanks to everyone who shared with us their vision!

Kelly is having a Romantic, Rustic, Riverside Wedding...

Camille is having a Sage, Gold and Rose Inspired Wedding...

Polkadot Bride's board reflects a Spring, Australian Country Style Affair...

Molly is having a Rustic, Chic, "Little White Chapel" Wedding...

Nita is having a Neoclassical Empire Style Affair...

Lara is having a Chic, but Oh-So-Fun Bash...

Kristen is throwing a Late Summer, Coastal Wedding...

Lyndsi (also of SocialDesign) created this Bold, Country Inspired Wedding with a Twist...

SC's board is titled "Modern Day Grace: A White Tie Southern Soiree"...

Janice is having a Red and Gold Inspired Affair...

Kate is having a Soiree in the City...

Stephanie's board is titled an "Alice in Wonderland, Whimsical Wedding"...

Martha is having a Carefree, Romantic Wedding at Home...

And that's a wrap!

We are going to start the voting later this afternoon (not on this post...I will have a second voting post up). We had about twice as many entries this time around so definitely start sifting thru them and see which ones are your favs. Thanks again to everyone who submitted a board!

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 5

Day five of our Board Contest is here! The last day...NOT! (ha, how long has it been since someone said...NOT! I'm bringing it back for the day). We have had so many entries that I am extending the competition thru Monday. With that said, I am unfortunately no longer accepting any more boards for this round. We will definitely have another competition soon, so ALWAYS feel free to send me your designs. I am also going to be re-working the site a bit in the coming months so that the inspiration boards can take front and center and so that your beautiful designs can be showcased even further.

So, without further ado, here are today's boards!

Danielle is doing a new take on a Jewish Inspired White, Gold & Blue Affair...

EZ's wedding is Pure, Sweet Sophistication...

Krista is having a Cozy, Autumn Wedding...

Nicole is having a Chic, Garden Style Wedding...

 

Kathy is having an Early Fall, Outdoor Affair in Northern California...

Martina's wedding is all about Beachside Elegance...

Catie is having Classy, Southern Affair (which you may recognize from months ago when we featured this board)...

Emily's wedding is a Vintage Inspired, Chic French Garden Wedding...

Blythe is having a Casual but Ultra Chic, Budget Friendly Affair...

Julina's wedding will be Warm and Colorful...

Arika is having a Topaz and Blush Inspired Romantic Wedding...

Helen is having a Relaxed, English Countryside Affair...

Natalie is all about Retro Glam...

Ashley is having an Antique Inspired, Warm Affair...

Rachel is having a Bustled Farmhouse Affair...

That is all for today! Again, love the comments...there are SO many great resources within these boards, and I am sure that the designers would be thrilled to share with you their finds! Until Monday!

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 4

Okay, I know that I say this everyday, but today's boards are really, really good. Magazine Worthy. We are kicking off this series with a board from none other than Amanda over at SocialDesign!

Amanda's board is Coral Inspired...

Violet is having a Montenegro Inspired Affair...

Kacie is having a Romantic, Garden Wedding at her parents Wine Country Home...

Allison's Best Friend is having an Early Spring, Nashville Wedding...

Allison N's board is titled "Downtown Affair: A Night of Dinner and Dancing"...

Faye would love to have this Intimate, Picnic-Style Recommittment Ceremony...

Asmas's board is titled "Mughal Magnificence"...

Rachel' is having an Exotically Colorful Affair...

Eipryl is having a Chic, Garden Inspired Wedding...

Kelly's board reflects Wine Country Elegance with a Twist...

Angela's board is Santa Fe Luxe...

Thryn is having an Eco-Friendly, Super Chic Bash...

Lauren is having a Southern Garden Soiree...

Melissa is having a Romantic, Flirty Spring Wedding...

Jenn's board is Ocean Breeze Meets Chic...

Cyndi's board is called "If I Could Marry My Husband All Over Again..."

Thanks to everyone that submitted a board!!! Feel free to ask questions about the products in each of the boards...I am sure that our designers would LOVE to share their sources with you!

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 3

Hold on to your hat, we have some really great boards today, some of which use such original images and ideas! Let's get started...

Sook-Yan is having a Vintage, Green Inspired Wedding...

Isis is having a Winter Wedding...

Michelle (1) is having a Fun, Summery Affair... 

"Aquarian Thought" is Indian Inspired Elegance...

Linda is having Warm, Sophisticated Wedding...

Michelle's (2) board is titled "My Sexy, Wish I Had the Nerve" Affair...

Michelle Nicole is having a Chic, Glamorous Affair...

Emily is having a Fun, Tailored, Preppy, Southern Affair...

Betty is having a Warm, Elegant Wedding...

Jennifer is having a wedding with Contemporary, Asian Flair...

Jennifer C is having a Mountain Biking Inspired Bash...

Lauren is having Modern, Asian Affair...

Irene's board is Majestic, Minimalist and Modern...

And Barbara's board reflects a Scandinavian Elegance...

Thanks again for ALL of the beautiful boards!!! It is incredible to me how many different designs and concepts we have to choose from. Just goes to show that a stunning wedding comes in all shapes and sizes!

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 2

Let's get right to the boards today, as we have a lot of submissions! Just a quick reminder that voting will happen next week...but comments are GREAT! And, with today's gorgeous boards, I am sure that these ladies put tons of work into each one...

Avalon is having a Simple, Yet Elegant Champagne Brunch...

Caroline is having an Elegant, Spring Affair with French and Spanish Elements...

Lydia is having a Lakeside European Affair in a Summer Green Hue...

Adrienne's board is Colorful, Simplicity...

"K" is having a Cherry Blossom Inspired Wedding in a Japanese Garden...

Darci's board reflects her Classically Simple, Romantic Affair...

Aimee is having a Backyard Wedding...

Dana is having a Glamorous/Modern, Garden Wedding...

Jen's wedding is Artistic and Fun, but Relaxed...

Fara is having a Flirty, but Elegant Affair...

KSimer's wedding is 50's Vintage meets Japanese Infusion...

Kyle is having a Lakeside Union...

Nicole is having Elegant, Outdoors Soiree...

 

Jamie's wedding is Art Deco Inspired...

And Delissa is having a Modern Meets Classic Wedding...

Thanks so much for all of the STUNNING boards today!!!

Inspiration Board Contest II, Day 1

Let the games begin! We are starting Day 1 of our second round of Inspiration Boards and I am kicking things off with a bang...fifteen beautiful boards to choose from. Not to worry, voting won't happen until next week so take your time reviewing them each day. Comments are absolutely welcome, as these ladies have put a ton of work into creating these boards and I am sure that they would love to hear your praise!

Let's get started...

Laura's board reflects a Classy, But Fun Affair...

Cella is hosting a Winter, Wonderland...

Lienne of Blue Orchid Blog, designed a board titled "Grey is the New Blond"...

Brandi is having a Casual, Outdoor Affair...

Priscilla is having Chic, Romantic Wedding...

Diane's board is Design Meets the Dessert...

Vicki's board is titled Asian Elegance...

 

Melissa is having a Casual, Relaxed Garden Wedding...

Emily is having a Sweet & Intimate, Historical wedding...

KC's Blue Hawaiian wedding...

Kelly's board is Vintage Inspired, Glamour...

 

And Summmerr will have a Whimsical, Quirky, Romantic Affair...

Sarah is having a Chic, Whimsical Wedding...

JessRuthie's Beach Nuptials with a Touch of Glitz...

And finally, Muriel's Colorful Affair...

Thank you so much for all of the boards...we will have a ton of them each day, so brace yourselves. If you haven't done one, not to worry, just send it to abby@abbyjeanpress.com.

Inspiration Board Contest, Part II

Just a reminder that Part II of our Inspiration Board Contest begins on Monday! Here is a recap of the rules...

For the next week (ending next Friday), we will be having the second part of our contest. Since the first round was so wildly successful and I received far more boards than I could post, I thought we should give it another go. To celebrate the growing number of creative, style-savvy brides and grooms out there, we are offering first and second place with a $75 and a $50 gift certificate respectively, to the store of your choice.

If you haven't already, email me a jpeg image of your board. All boards should be sent to abby@abbyjeanpress.com. For instructions on how to create, please refer to the previous contest.

And for your daily eye candy, here is a board that I designed...I call it Chocolate Elegance, Recycled. All of the pictures were pulled from previous boards for a totally unique look. 

 

Wedding Maps by Stephanie Barba

I have been in love with Stephannie Barba's work for years now. She has been all the rage in San Francisco for some time now, but I was so thrilled to see her on Poppy Talk the other day. If you are looking for a super cute, fun way to spice up your wedding invitations, OR need a great map designed for your in-room baskets, Stephanie is your girl...

Here are some details...

Artwork: There is a one time, flat fee of $400 to design your custom art. Think of it as a painting that you can hang in your house as a memento of your special day.

100 Offset Printed Cards (that means flat printed): $105 / 100 Letterpressed Cards: $225

She stocks tons of different paper colors, textures and weights so that you can really get in there and customize your order. Spend some time browsing her site today and I am sure you will be hooked.

And, while we are on the subject of Poppy Talk...I love her Etsy find of the day. You'll remember that I posted a picture of these awesome vases that I saw on the House Martin blog a while back. Well, they are for sale on Etsy for $18!! I love these little gems for a rustic, elegant wedding (not too rustic because it will seem overly styled), perhaps at a winery or at an outdoor reception under big oak trees with twinkle lights or chandeliers. Thinking out loud here...

Tagged

A couple of weeks ago (hiding my embarrassment for just now getting to this), I was tagged by Rhonda at Our Wedding Plus. In a nutshell, players list 8 facts/habits about themselves. At the end of the post, players then tag 8 other bloggers by posting their names and making sure they know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at the tagee’s blog.

So, here goes!

1. I love magazines. No, not just love. Hoard. I have every back issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and Domino (and am quickly acquiring Blueprint) known to man. When I moved from San Francisco to Boston, I sold all of my furniture and most of my knickknacks, but kept my magazines. I actually think that half the moving cost was chalked up to these little gems.

2. For being a perfectionist, I am the world's worst speller. I once sent out an invitation for my own engagement party to a bunch of people in Massachusetts and misspelled the word Massachusetts. And yet, if the batch of cookies that I just made aren't absolutely perfect, I usually sneak them into the trash before my husband sees.

3. I love show tunes. My parents have been taking me to musicals since I was a little girl, so Andrew Loyd Webber is one of my all time favorite CDs. Sad, but true.

4. I have terrible eating habits. Although I would like to say that I am all about the health food (which I am about 80% of the time), I can't resist that delicious, rot your teeth candy...sweet tarts, sour patch kids, you get the drift.

5. Everything that I have learned in design is self taught. I actually got my degree from Vanderbilt in Communications.

6. For about six months, after college, I wanted to be an actress. Yep, I entertained the thought of moving to LA and giving it my best go. As you can see, that thought was fleeting.

7. And yet, I don't think that I ever really let go it. I actually tried out and made to the finals of a reality TV show (back when they were all the rage) called Domestic Diva. I was 24 and clueless, but it sounded like a fun plan. When the show actually aired (with it's new name, Wickedly Perfect) and I saw the competition, I realized that someone up above was looking out for me. I wouldn't have made it past the first episode.

8. At the end of the day, I am forever thankful for this crazy, blessed life that I have been given. And...I wouldn't change a thing.

These are the bloggers that I am tagging...Jennifer at the Hostess Blog, Christy at Junebug Weddings, Sarah at Toast and Tables, Priya at Love Made Visible, Gabrielle at Design Mom, Michelle at Michelle Caplan/Creative Swoon, and I am going to think of the final 2 over the weekend. Lame, I know, but I am running out the door to a wedding! Seriously!

Yellow Color Pallete

...Lots and lots of yellow. I have no idea why, but today, I am all about the yellow. Maybe it's that Summer seems to be flying by, or that it just happens to be a perfect morning here in Boston. Whatever it may be, I am absolutely nuts for this pretty yellow palette. Particularly for an outdoors wedding, using the natural elements to add additional whispers of color.

Left Row: Photo by Rebecca Thuss, Flowers by Brides. Right Row: Lemonade on Brides, Dress on Bluefly, Favors by Rebecca Thuss.

Isn't it funny how the colors that we love are often determined by how we feel that particular day? What is your favorite color palette today? Is anything just jumping out at you???

Eco-Friendly Honeymoons

One of our readers sent me some info on a company that she freelances for...Elevate Destinations. In a very small nutshell, Elevate Destinations pairs extraordinary travel with a philanthropic intent.

"We custom design individual, group and family trips, giving a percentage of profits to the protection of natural resources and community development in destination countries."

Their trips range from safari's in Africa, to excursions in India, Southeast Asia and South America...all while benefiting environmental preservation and community development. And guess what...the trips look AMAZING. Here is a general idea of what you would get on your African Honeymoon:

-Begin at the Ngong house, an alluring hotel where each room is a luxury treehouse constructed on stilts and carved from native wood. 

-Glide across the Masai Mara in a hot air balloon at sunrise

-Watch wildebeest migrate while you enjoy a seven course picnic in the shade

-Bask on endless white sand beaches; swim with dolphins, surf and sail

-Soak in a candlelit bath under the stars

-Follow baby elephants on horseback

Yeah. It's that good. So, for all of you out there that are thinking about laying on a beach somewhere for 10 days straight...just remember, after about day 3, even your new hubby might start to seem a little boring. Definitely spend some time looking through the Elevate Destinations site...it's a beautiful company, built on a much needed concept.

For those of you that still aren't feeling the African Honeymoon, the company also offers an innovative program called Travel Matters, an online travel philanthropy program, allowing eco-savvy brides and grooms to donate to a non-profit in the country they are visiting, whether or not they are traveling with ED. Brilliant.

Wedding Flowers and their Meaning

When I was choosing my wedding flowers, I knew only two things...they had to be monochromatic, and I really didn't like greenery. Other than that, I gave the florist a lot of room for creativity. Looking back, I really wish that I had known more so that I could articulate my exact vision. As I get further and further immersed into the wedding industry, I am realizing just how important flowers are to the overall look and feel of a wedding. If the flowers are overly abundant, the wedding seems regal and lavish. If they are fluffy and free-form, placed in a hodgepodge of vases, the wedding seems homey and romantic.

Photos all by Christopher Flowers. Top Left is an Amaryllis Bouquet, Top Right are white Mini-Cymbidiums, Bottom Left are Green Orchids, Bottom Right is a Dendrobium Orchid, Chinaberry and Camellia leaf .

So, in an effort to educate myself a little more...as well as my readers, I wanted to post a little bit about flowers and their meaning. This list is from Martha, and I am sure that you have seen it before. But, there is nothing like a good refresher course on Monday morning.

Baby's breath = Everlasting love
Bachelor's button = Celibacy, delicacy
Calla lily = Magnificent beauty
Carnation (pink) = Woman's love
Carnation = Pure love
Cornflower = Delicacy
Crocus = Cheerfulness
Daisy = Innocence
Dogwood = Duration
Fern = Magic
Forget-me-not = Remember me
Freesia = Innocence
Fuchsia = Confiding love
Geranium = True friendship
Hellebore = Calming
Hyacinth = Sport and play
Iris = I have a message for you
Ivy = Friendship
Jasmine (pink) = I attach myself to you
Jasmine (white) = Amiability
Lady's mantle = Comfort
Lilac = First emotions of love
Lily-of-the-valley = Return of happiness
Mint = Virtue
Myrtle = Love
Oak leaf = Bravery
Orchid = You're in my thoughts
Peony = Bashful
Peppermint = Warmth of feeling
Primrose = Youth
Ranunculus = Radiant with charms
Rose (white) = I am worthy of you
Rose = Love
Rosemary = Remembrance
Snowdrop = Hope
Sweet pea = Delicate pleasures
Sweet violet = Modesty
Sweet William = Sensitivity
Tulip (pink) = Caring
Tulip (variegated) = Beautiful eyes
Tulip = Declaration of love
Violet (blue) = Faithfulness

The very most important thing to consider when choosing your wedding flowers...is choosing the right florist. Make sure you find someone who has the TIME and know-how to walk you through all of the little ins and outs of your wedding. They should show you (at the least) a portfolio or (even better) walk you through their shop to give you some different ideas for colors, shapes and varieties.

Flowers should make up 10% of your budget so try your hardest to not be talked into the more expensive varieties of flowers if your budget doesn't allow it. There are PLENTY of ways to achieve a magazine worthy spread without the high costs. Your florist should be open and willing to work with you on this and should have some great ideas as to how to translate a particular look, with your particular budget.

Candy Buffet

I love the Candy Land feature that Martha Stewart has in her most recent Weddings issue...

Here is the How-To portion...

Chocolate Sampler

Paper for liner and sticker
3-inch oval craft punch
Sticker machine
3 1/2-inch-square box
15-inch-long elastic cord

What To Do:
For sticker, cut paper with the craft punch; run through a sticker machine, and affix to lid. Cut paper to make one bottom liner and two dividers, as shown; cut notches in center of dividers so they interlock. (Or use our template.) Place dividers in box. Add lid, and tie on cord.

I wanted to add a little bit to this feature because I think it is just that cute:

*I found these GREAT candy/cake stands at Sur La Table and these that coordinate nicely at Target.

*Some great mail order chocolatiers are Marie Belle for fabulous screen printed chocolates (to add a little color), Knipschildt Chocolatier for the perfect chocolate truffle, Recchiuti Confections for chocolate treats in their purest form and Tribeca Treats for the more approachable chocolate bites.

*For pre-made chocolate favor boxes, check out the personalized ones at For Your Party, or buy these cute colored boxes from Nashville Wraps and use a custom sticker.

*And finally, to make this SO doable, I created this tag template for you to print and tie to each of the dessert stands.

I am happy to email it to you as a pdf. It will not have text, so you'll have to write it in (or if you're me, find a friend to write it in because my handwriting isn't so cute). Just shoot me an email and let me know if you'd like it!

Wedding Details by For Your Party

It's really hard to find ways to have personalized products at your wedding, like napkins and matchbooks, without seeming overly cheesy. The key is in finding the right colors, choosing the right font and designing a nice layout. I love that For Your Party has such nice options to choose from...really cute typefaces, really sophisticated colors and a really good selection of layouts.

Here are some tips for incorporating these personalized goodies into your wedding...

-Pair a scrip font with a block font. I really like the the Bickley with the Bernhard Fashion, the Carpenter with Didot and the Bickham with the Bernhard Modern. Never use more than 2 fonts at a time.

-I really think that although your name/date is nice, it's cuter to incorporate little sayings like "let them eat cake" or "eat, drink and be merry." Even a favorite quote or a line from a movie is cute.

-Monograms are always a nice touch. I am loving the single letter monogram (like the "g" in the top right picture). So sophisticated.

-Don't overkill with color...stick to 1 or 2 colors that reflect your wedding palette. When in doubt, go with a white or chocolate with a colored ink.

-Stick with one or two products...like coasters and stir sticks, or cocktail napkins and guest towels. If everything is personalized, it will seem cheesy.

If you stick to these general guidelines, adding personalized products can be a really great to infuse a little personality into your wedding!

Pretty Little Vases

I love the flowers that are featured on the Domino "flowers" gallery. The colors and textures are gorgeous, but what really caught my eye are the pretty little vases that the flowers are all placed in...

And yet, forking over $200 bucks for a vase isn't really conducive to most wedding budgets. So, last night, I scoured Ebay and Target for cute alternative options and found some really great stuff. The key to bringing in a hodge-podge of vases into your wedding is to stay consistent on at least one of the following: color family, general style (ie. is it antique, contemporary, etc.) or shape. If you do that, you're golden.

Shabby Chic pink vase on Ebay for $12.00, Pretty gold vase on Ebay for $14.99, Ceramic rose vase on Ebay for $7.99

Pale Blue bud vase at Target for $14.00, Gold vase at Target for $19.99, Pale Blue tall vase at Target for $24.99

Pink Fenton vase on Ebay for $9.99, Gold pottery vase (2) on Ebay for $9.99, McCoy pink vase on Ebay for $30.00

Some of these options are a little too pricey for bulk purchasing, but would be great in groups of three on cocktail tables, or tucked in various corners around the reception room. If these prices are still a bit too high for you, scour flea markets, antique stores, etc. for great, low priced finds. Or, go shabby chic and use old jelly jars or aluminum cans wrapped in pretty paper.

Dear Abby...

Dear AbbyI have a color hangover from last week's contest. So today, I thought that we could address the somewhat neglected Questions that have been piling up in my inbox! I am going to let you guys take a crack at them, then I will post my answers a little later in the day!

Our first question comes from Dina...

 

Q 1: Here is the problem - I've always loved the look of an all white wedding. I think that it's so pure and timeless. But, I fear being too boring or minimalist. I want a refined, elegant look, but don't want to be too stuffy. However, on the other hand, I loooove the look of bright vivid colors and being a fellow Martha fan, saw the most amazing fruit and flower centerpieces two issues back and think that it would be so lovely for summertime and enjoying the outdoor spaces. I love the idea of a vintage feel to things - and the notion of crystals hanging from flowering branches. I am not sure how to tie all of these together. As you can see, I'm in some serious need of design help.

Note: Dina and her fiance are getting married at a historical mansion just outside Philadelphia, PA on June 22, 2008. They are only inviting 80 people to keep things very intimate and completely focused on family.

A 1: Hey Dina...I think that many of the comments hit the nail on the head. An all white wedding can be so sophisticated and elegant...and anything BUT boring. The key though, is bringing in various shades of whites and a multitute of textures. By layering these elements together, you will create a depth that is sometimes missing in a stark, all white look. Think lace layered over creamy white linens, puffy white peonies placed in smooth laquered vases, crystals strewn about on tables, flowing white fabric hanging from branches. Lastly, with all of the white elements, you really also need a neutral color to break up the monotony. Green is the perfect accent for an all white wedding, mainly because you can incorporate it naturally through plants and flowers. Bottom line, white can be both elegant and rich looking. Just make sure that you layer...and use GOBS of candles to finish it all off.

The second question is from Sandra...

Q 2: my wedding date is quickly approaching, but I've gotten hung up on one of the best details of it -- dessert!  I'm not a big cake fan, so I have been thinking about creating a dessert bar/buffet for my guests.  Do you (or your readers) have any ideas for presentation or selection?

A 2: Sandra...I love the idea of a dessert buffet in lieu of a traditional cake. And I really love the idea that was posted in the comments section about using mini tins with white napkins tucked inside so that guests can have "take aways." As for presentation, I say, stay consistent. Go with all white platters and stands, or all crystal, or all tin...let the desserts themselves take center stage. Take a peak at the above photo on Domino. I love how they used the desserts themselves to create height and dimension. Your eye only sees the beautiful food that you are about to devour.

And the third question is from "A L"...

Q 3: I'm looking for dresses that are similar in silhouette and style to Reem Acra's 'Beautiful' from Fall 2007.Any thoughts on such empire gowns / sheaths?

A 3: A L...I am in LOVE with the sheath gowns that are all the rage right now...so elegant and romantic. Love, love, love them. I am going to take a look at the latest gowns and will post my favorite sheaths a little later in the day.

A Winner!

It comes as no surprise that Stacy's Tre Chic Beach Beachside Affair takes the cake in our Inspiration Board Contest! Personally, I love the color palette and the simple sophistication of her board. Her direction and style is really clear, which makes it easy to imagine how beautiful this wedding would be. Stacy, an awesome job...you are so clearly inspired!

Part II of our Inspiration Board Contest will begin Monday, August 20th. You can either email the boards to info@abbyjeanpress.com or to abby@abbyjeanpress.com. I am thinking that this next contest will be even bigger than our current one, so get your creative juices flowing! If your board didn't make it up this round, it will go to the top of the list for our next contest!

Let the Voting Begin!

Okay, let's get started on the voting for our Inspiration Board Contest, Part II. I am listing below, all of the entries that we had during this round, with a brief description beside them and a link to the day that the board was posted. Write your vote in the comments section with the name and description, as well as the corresponding number. Please note, there are a few girls with the same name, so it's important that you write in the corresponding number. We will announce the winner on Monday morning, so you have all weekend to decide! Good Luck!!!

Please only vote once!!

1. Brooklyn Bride's Chic, Sophisticated Wedding

2. Jenn's Stylish Southern Throw-Down

3. Sarita's Chic, Spanish Affair

4. Katherine's Green and Pink Elegant Garden Wedding

5. Kay's Casual Summer "Picnic" Themed Wedding

6. Erika's Casual, though Elegant Whimsical Wedding

7. Sarah's Kind of deco, Kind of Modern and Totally Romantic Affair

8. Lindsey's Intimate Family Affair

9. Liana's Casual, Garden Style Wedding

10. Annie's White Inspired Wedding

11. Anna's Gallery Opening Meets Backyard BBQ wedding

12. Amanda's Vintage Outdoors Affair

13. Reichel's Warm Romantic Wedding

14. Camille's Modern Wedding with Hints of Tradition

15. Ashley's Super Chic, Sophisticated Bash

16. Izabella's Sleek and Modern Affair

17. Meghan's Cheerful Garden Party

18. Shana's Glamorous Black Tie Affair

19. Myste's Rustic Autumn Harvest Wedding

20. Cicily's Eco-Friendly Tablescape

21. Kate's Sophisticated, Witty Affair

22. "V"'s Modern Romantic Wedding

23. Lynn's Silver and Pearls Elegant Affair

24. Stacy's Tre Chic Beachside Wedding

25. Rafael's Sweet, Sophisticated Affair

26. Kris's Whimsical, Modern Barn Wedding

27. Shannon's a Art Nouveau Peacock themed Affair

28. Kate's Classic Elegant Wedding

29. Cami's Relaxed, but Elegant Affair

30. Angela's Vintage, Victorian Inspired Wedding

31. Jessica's City Wedding in Shades of White

32. Hollie's Ocean Front, Garden Wedding

Inspiration Board Contest, Day 5

T