Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog

Wedding Dress Picks: Vera Wang

Abby Larson — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:18:20 +0000

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I spent the last couple of days looking through the blog to see what kind of a post we really needed and realized that it had been so long since I did a wedding dress feature! WAY too long, seeing that the dress is basically THE most important thing. Some would say.

So, I wanted to share my 2009 Fall/Spring picks from some of my favorite designer. Of course we have the heavy hitters like Vera and Oscar, but I wanted to bring in a few more affordable designers as well. So, today we are featuring my favorite wedding dresses from 8 different design houses. I would love to hear what YOUR favorites are, as well!

First, up…who else, it’s Vera!

all images via Brides.com

I have to admit, this isn’t my all time favorite collection…but some of the designs are definitely up there. I love the way that Vera brings a sense of modern femininity to every style. She knows that a girl wants to look as beautiful as she’s ever looked and she designs gowns that are all about the pretty. The colored sashes only add to the glamour and sophistication of each gown. In all candidness, you’ll never go wrong with Vera.

So much more to come, but in the meantime, head over to the Little Black Book Blog where today is the last day to vote on your favorite Love at First Invite design for the chance to win a FREE letterpressed invitations suite!

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Post tags: Brides.com, Vera Wang, Wedding Dresses
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

Wedding Centerpieces, VIII

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:45:03 +0000

After all of these gorgeous centerpiece ideas, it seems like we’ve covered all of the bases. Well, not all of them, but many of them. Here is a last look at some centerpieces that don’t use any flowers at all…

Clockwise From Top Left: Apple image via {frolic!}, wheatgrass by Leo Patrone, lantern by Michelle Rago, flat vases by Todd Events, moss by Brides.com, Grapes by Todd Events, Oranges by Brides.com, Pears by Leo Patrone

By using fruit, wheatgrass, vegetables, moss, antique lanterns, sea shells, japanese lanterns, candles (the list goes ON and ON)…you can save a bundle while still achieving a completely stylish, chic look. Plus, it allows you to really get creative and let your inner Martha completely shine!

On that same note, I am always getting emails from brides who are looking for some interesting centerpiece ideas…so tell me, what are YOUR ideas for non-floral centerpieces?

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Post tags: Brides.com, Frolic, Michelle Rago, todd events
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, VII

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:25:50 +0000

I’ve been to so many weddings where the flowers take center stage. And to be honest, it’s pretty great to see gorgeous blooms tucked in every corner, dripping off every detail. BUT, that type of decor isn’t always in the budget, especially these days. So today, we are chatting about centerpieces that are gorgeous, but in just about every example, they are also largely affordable or DIY-able.

One way to really trim your budget is to hop on the teeny-tiny vases trend. Tons of perfect little containers, whether they are clear, white or fabulously colored, filled with small bunches of your favorite stems.

Clockwise from Top Left: Image by Rebecca Thuss, glass vases by Ooh Events, hurricane vases on Brides.com, medicine jar vases on Brides.com, purple hued florals in tiny white vases by Brides.com, tarnished silver vases on Jamali Gardens

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Post tags: Brides.com, Centerpieces, Flowers, Jamali Gardens, Ooh Events, Rebecca Thuss, Tiny Vases, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, VI

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Another really great way to bring textures, colors and even prints into your wedding style is to use a box to house your flowers. Whether it’s a great old wooden box that you scored at a flea market or paper boxes covered in your favorite fabric, a box will add an unexpected touch to your decor that will really go a long way…

Top Row Left to Right: boxes by Artfool and Bride.com / Center Row: by Farmer Julie / Bottom Row Left to Right: Michelle Rago and Rebecca Thuss

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Post tags: Artfool, Brides.com, Centerpieces, Farmer Julie, Flowers, Michelle Rago, Rebecca Thuss, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Inspiration Board, XXIV

Abby Larson — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:21:03 +0000

Our next board was designed by Margaret…

Art Glass Lanterns, West Elm; Bridesmaids dress, style 83362 in Watermelon-David’s Bridal; Peony in Green Vase-dkimages.com; Pink Satin Pumps-zoe.pixyblog.com; “Pink Peonies Bouquet”, Sanra Austoni-flickr.com; “Peony & Dots” invitation-einvite.com; Photo from lpwines.com; Namecards and tablesetting: Jenny & Chris, Rutherford, CA, brides.com

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Post tags: Brides.com, David's Brial, Inspiration Board, shabby chic, West Elm
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Inspiration Boards, XIX

Abby Larson — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:45:09 +0000

Our next inspiration board was designed by Karine…

Car by Wonderful Wedding Graffiti/Flowers by Fleurish Floral/Cake Topper on Brides.com/Milk Bottles by Alyssa Ettinger on Etsy/Boy and Girl by Bride and Bloom

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Post tags: Alyssa Ettinger, Bride and Bloom, Brides.com, Fleurish Floral, Wedding Graffiti
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Inspiration Board, XVI

Abby Larson — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:15:27 +0000

Our next board was desinged by Emily…

From Emily…(From Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Photo #1: Taken at Krug Estate Vineyard / Photo #2 & #3: Snippet and Ink /Photo #4 Melissa Sweet via Brides.com / Photo #5 & 6 via Beau-Coup / Photo # 7 by Snippet and Ink / Photo #8 by TSOGB / Photo #9 lilribbers by Etsy / Photo #10 on Crafty Rachel Knot Bio

From Emily…

I think incorporating pops of blue and green will go perfectly with the brides preferred color scheme, definitely “shabby chic”. I love the strands of ribbon with place cards attached. This would be gorgeous blowing in the wind at the entrance of the reception.I think purchasing various vintage, antique vases and filling them with peonies, roses and gardenias would make beautiful centerpieces! I see this bride wearing a beautiful vintage inspired, lace gown. The bow, sweet little lace flutter sleeves, and the buttons down the back are oh so romantic!

I think wine cork place cards would be perfect to sit at each guests seat. The candle wine corks would be great to place on the tables for a sweet glow, and romantic feel as the sun goes down during the reception. Considering the wedding is outdoors and in May, guests would probably appreciate having a fan to cool off with. These beautiful raspberry colored fans would be so cute to sit on guests seats and you could possibly even tie the program to each guests fan.

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Post tags: Beau-Coup, Brides.com, lilribbers, Snippet and Ink, TSOGB
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Inspiration Boards, XV

Abby Larson — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:30:02 +0000

Our next board was designed by Emily…

First row, left to right: Raspberry bouquet from Brides, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, reception set-up from the Little Black Book Blog by Allyson Magda / Second row, left to right: Wine glasses from Brides, vineyard portrait from the LBBB by Allyson Magda / Third row, left to right: White urn from SMP by Katie Moos, attendants from Martha Stewart Weddings / Fourth row, left to right: Umbrella photo from SMP by Jennifer Davis Photography, pink boutonniere from The Knot, hanging lanterns from SMP by Leigh Miller Photography

Some notes from Emily…

In this board, I tried to blend together all of the different elements the reader was looking for: elegant (the pearls, the monogrammed umbrella), preppy (the polka-dot tie and bouquet wrap), vintage (the cake), shabby chic (the fluttery, ruffly blooms, the urn), and rustic (the hanging lanterns). It’s a lot to mix together, but she made a great pick with the vineyard setting and the raspberry and white – I think it can work! If she wants to work in some DIY details, I would suggest vintage monogrammed handkerchiefs for the moms or bridesmaids, rustic wooden signs to direct guests, and a sweet or savory treat to send guests off at the end of the night (donuts and coffee, mini chocolate chip cookies and milk, or personal pizzas and vintage bottles of coke or lemonade would do the trick).

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Post tags: Allyson Magda, Brides.com, Jennifer Davis, Leigh Miller, The Knot
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Little Black Dress, IX

Abby Larson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:00:49 +0000

Can you believe how many really gorgeous boards we have for this Little Black Dress contest! I was floored by all of the entries…absolutely gorgeous!

Black Dress- gap.com / Flower girl dress- Erica dress by Little Flowers (by Odyssey) / Coral Necklace- by Etsy vendor VeeVee79 / Cake- by Kay Cabrera (on brides.com) / Table Setting- brides.com / Bold Food Setting- by Restaurant Associates (featured on brides.com)

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Post tags: Brides.com, Etsy, Gap, Inspiration Board Contest, Little Black Dress, Little Flowers, Restaurant Associates, VeeVee79
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests, Inspiration Boards

Little Black Dress, VI

Abby Larson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:00:01 +0000

Our next entry in our Little Black Dress competition, “a rich, warm, monochromatic palette that allowed for a wide variety of textures and patterns and ended up being really drawn to the combination of African-inspired textiles and African-American wedding traditions…”

Shoshana Dress with Tortoise-Shell Detailing – from Bluefly.com / African bowls and Textiles – from Brides.com / “Jumping the Broom” – from GrlSixx on Flickr / “Kenya” Serving Utensils – from Zgallerie.com/ Rustic Buternut Squash Soup – from Brides.com

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Post tags: Bluefly, Brides.com, Color Palette, Contest, Inspiratioin Boards, Little Black Dress, Shoshana, Zgallerie
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests, Inspiration Boards, Wedding Resources

Color Palettes Questions – Gold and…?

Abby Larson — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:50:34 +0000

A question from reader, Amanda…I’m getting married at the Newton White Mansion May 9, 2009. My wedding is at 7 PM with ideally an outdoor ceremony and then we will move inside into an all glass atrium at the back of the house for the reception. I know I want to incorporate the color gold (the chivari chairs that come with the place are gold) but I’m trying to determine the rest of the look. I know I want something very classic. I like to describe the idea of my wedding as Italian meets Gone with the Wind and I want a very simple, elegant, romantic feel to it. Despite the time of the wedding, I’m not wanting it to be black-tie.

What do you guys think? Any ideas for a pretty, romantic (but not super-formal) color palette that incorporates gold?

Abby’s Answer…I found these gorgeous flowers (see below) on Modern Day Design’s site and thought that they were the perfect inspiration for this palette dilemma. I love the idea of using a mix of peaches and creams, accented with natural greens and even deeper browns. All of those hues. are a perfect compliment to gold and will only add to the elegance and richness of the venue…

All florals by Modern Day Design, Khaki suite on Brides.com, Jewelry by Saylor Sage

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Post tags: Brides.com, Modern Day Design, Saylor Sage
Post categories: Ask Abby, Color Palettes

Color Palette Contest, Day 4 – Part 4

Abby Larson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:11:03 +0000

Here is our next contest entry! The inspiration image is the pink dress and green shoes that the designer found on Brides.com…

And remember, you can see all of the entries on either the Color Palette page or the Contests page!

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Post tags: Brides.com, Green, Pink, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

Abby Larson — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:00:00 +0000

This next entry was inspired by this Dragonfly print found on Etsy…

And the color palette…

invitation by birdandbanner.com, bridesmaids’ dresses by davidsbridal.com (in their newest color,
Lapis), Lavender found on Flickr by wedding
photgrapher Anne Ruthmann, flower girl photo by PhotoJennic, Ring Pillow by Charlotte Geary, Necklace by Etsy
seller Gingeroni1, Place Setting by brides.com

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Post tags: Anne ruthmann, Birdandbanner, Brides.com, Charlotte Geary, David's Bridal, Dragonfly, Etsy, Flower Girl, Inspiration, Lapis, Lavender, PhotoJennic, Purple, Ring Pillow, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests