Category Archives: Her Weddings + Events

Beach Wedding, Inspired

Posted on June 22, 2011 | 1 comment

A friend is getting married on the beach in North Carolina, (soon!) and had lots of ideas.  When I was in a similar situation it helped me to make an inspiration board, and so I made some for her as well.

The bride has a beautiful beach-front location for her ceremony, and a reception on the pier (pictured below).  She has a stunning gown, and her bridesmaids will wear teal dresses, her groom and groomsmen will wear black suits.

She knew that she wanted a wedding that was fun, romantic, and reflective of who they are as a couple and the location of the wedding.

Here is what I designed:

Soft Sea Shell Wedding Ceremony

Top Row, L – R: Kitty Hawk Hilton Garden Inn, Apothecary Shell Jar via TheKnot.com

Middle Row, L – R: Starfish Boutonniere via Wedding Paper Divas, White Hydrangea Bouquet via TheKnot.com, Starfish Chair Wrap via Castles Crowns Cottages

Bottom Row, L – R: Guest Book Table via Martha Stewart, Hurricane Lamp Aisle Runner via TheKnot.com, Beach Flowers Ceremony Program via Wedding Paper Divas

Soft Sea Shell Wedding Reception

Top Row, L – R: White Petals and Hurricane Candles via WeddingsbyColor.com, Orchid and Hydrangea Centerpieces via TheKnot.com

Middle Row, L – R: Starfish Escort Cards via MarthaStewart.com, Glass Hurricanes via Ikea.com, White Adirondack Chair via HomeDepot.com, Cupcakes by OBX Cakes by Robin, Mirror Centerpiece via Michael’s

A wedding with a theme is a funny thing.  If you’ve ever seen an episode of “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera” you know what I mean; nearly any theme can be executed, how well it is done is in the details.   And, I love working on the details.

If you, or a friend, or a friend of a friend is getting married or throwing any type of event and needs help turning their ideas into inspiration, let me know!

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A Bouquet of Rose Gold

Posted on June 15, 2011 | 1 comment

A few weeks ago my Twitter timeline was buzzing with photos and tweets from the Jewelry Show in Las Vegas.  Some lucky staffers at Brides Magazine and Martha Stewart Weddings were touring the trade show floor trying on ring after gorgeous ring.

I kept up with their tweets and noticed a sweetly romantic trend, rose gold.

I have been crushing on rose gold for a little while now.  If the gift of jewelry could be any more romantic, rose gold makes it so.  Softer than platinum and yellow gold it has a sweet, vintage aesthetic.

My rings are platinum, but their is something blush worthy about these styles.


Top Row, L – R: Clear Quartz and Rose Necklace by Ippolita via Saks Fifth Avenue, Rose Gold Diamond Ring at MKULGems, Paloma’s Crown of Hearts Ring via Tiffany & Co, Fancy Pink Diamond Ring via WCM Jewelers

Middle Row, L – R: Boutonniere Ring via Gemvara, Pear Pave Ring by Zoe via Barneys New York, Rose Gold Love Bracelet by Sydney Evan,

Bottom Row, L – R: Ariella Collection Openwork Ring via Nordstrom, Majolie Rounded Diamond and Rose Gold Ring via Max and Chloe, Rose Gold Ring by Heiko Shrem via Stuart Moore, Diamond bangle bracelet from the Fidelity Collection in 18K rose gold via Kwiat

Would you be blushing for rose gold jewelry?  Let me know in the comments!

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Posted in Accessories, Her Closet, Her Weddings + Events, Jewelry, Wedding Fashion

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Inspired Princess Style

Posted on April 29, 2011 | 1 comment

If everything old is new again, we have to find inspiration somewhere.  For Kate Middleton, there was no better inspiration than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.

Kate Middleton, April 29, 2011 – Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen


Grace Kelly, April 19, 1956, Dress designed by MGM Costume designer, Helen Rose


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On Being a Princess

Posted on April 28, 2011 | 1 comment

Tomorrow, Waity Katy will wait no more.  Tomorrow, Kate Middleton, the future Catherine, the Something of Somewhere will be a bride, and the most watched bride of all time.

Kate and William via People.com
I mentioned in conversation the other day that I sort of feel badly for Kate – yea, we’re on a first name basis.  It can be tough to be a bride, especially when your every move is scrutinized and then compared to one of the world’s most beloved women, your groom’s mother.  

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981via People.com
But, it also got me thinking, how unique is her situation, really?  On her wedding day she will become a princess, and on your wedding day so will you.  Stay with me here…

You might hate the idea of being a princess, and what is stands for: the patriarchy, and pomp and circumstance.  
You might be a beach bride, a ballroom bride, a courtroom bride or a castle bride.  
You might get your dress off the rack, at a sample sale, or have it be the most highly speculated gown of the year.  
You might share donuts with your spouse, cupcakes, or a multi-tiered traditional English fruitcake (*yikes!).
You might have a very small budget, be a DIY-er, or be employing a royal army of vendors for your wedding day.

It makes no difference.  On the day you put on your dress (maybe it’s red, “diamond” white, ivory, or somewhere in between) and walk towards your groom, (up the stairs of the courthouse or down the long and storied aisle of Westminster Abbey), you will be the only person anyone looks at, the only person anyone talks about, and the only Princess for your Prince Charming.
Mark and I on our Wedding Day, via 1313blog.com
I will be watching tomorrow as William and Kate say “I do” and share their awkward first public kiss as husband and wife.  

If you’re in need of more Royal Wedding info, People has done a great job of pulling it all together, and you can watch it live online at 5 AM, EST.  You can also follow the wedding news on Twitter with #rw2011.
Now all that’s left is seeing what she wears!

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Go Green for Weddings

Posted on April 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

My standout favorite in the color category was the Oscar de la Renta dress with a sage belt and cotton candy like confection wrapping the model’s shoulders.  It has since inspired a Green and White Wedding Board with a focus on texture, color and a bit of whimsy.  Green tulle calls for whimsy!



I really wanted to incorporate the satin-bow as seen on the bride, and featured it on the flower girl and the flower “embroidered” cake.  I wanted lots of texture so I loved the olive tree centerpiece for the escort card table and the freshness of the florals and drink.  And of course for a touch of sweetness and whimsy is there anything more whimsical than cotton candy?

Row 1: Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010, Cake via Brides.com
Row 2: Real Weddings Invitation, via Brides.com, Real Weddings Florals, via Brides.com
Row 3: Fox N’ Lily Flower Girl Dress, via Brides.com, Escort Card Table by David Stark Design, via Brides.com, Plaza Pinnacle Drink by CPS Events at The Plaza, via Brides.com, Green Apple Cotton Candy by AIX NYC, via Brides.com, 
What color combinations are you loving for now, or later?  It’s okay to dream (plan) ahead!

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Seeing Green, Pink and Blue

Posted on April 13, 2011 | 1 comment

This past week was Bridal Market in New York, my invitation was lost in the mail but thanks to the various people I follow on Twitter and Brides.com I had a virtual front row seat.  A few trends really stuck out to me, and the first was the presence of color in a sea of white.

In a conversation I had last night I told someone there is no right or wrong way to get married, only your way.  These dresses are the visual illustration of that theme.  You can wear whatever you want, and now in whatever color.  Here are some of my favorites:

For Spring I love the bold, and the slight touches of soft sage green.  It is fresh, light and a really lovely take for a bold bride.

Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Vera Wang – Spring 2012, via Brides.com
Two trends that I loved were the surprising supersized stripes on Carolina Herrera’s runway, and the ombre dyed Oscar de la Renta in radiant blue.

Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2012, via Brides.com
Carolina Herrera – Spring 2012, via Brides.com
In a more classical turn, the runways were filled with swaths of blush, mauve, pinks and lavenders.  The beauty of the bridal bouquet and some ballerina style have influenced the wedding gown.

Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Reem Acra – Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Rivini – Spring 2012, via Brides.com

Vera Wang – Spring 2012, via Brides.com
Watters – Spring 2012, via Brides.com

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I’ll Meet You at the Bar

Posted on April 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

I am not a big drinker, but I love a bar.  I love a cookie dunking, cheese cutting, drink making, ice cream cone stacking, pie slicing bar.  I love it so much that for our wedding I recruited family to make our favorite cookies which were artfully displayed in beautiful glass domes and trays.  

What inspired my cookie bar – Ariel Yve Wedding via StyleMePretty.com
The Viennese table of my bat mitzvah youth, and the all-you-can-eat buffet of my worst nightmares have been elevated to a chic level of sophistication and grace.  You can blame it on food bloggers, food stylists, but Amy Atlas is the pro who has made it an art.  
Gone are over flowing trays of cheddar cheese cubs and sad excuses for French pastries.  In their places are authentic foods, comfort foods, real foods in smaller portions and beautifully displayed.
Ice Cream is amazing, but how much sweeter do you think it tastes when this is how it looks?  Probably a thousand times sweeter is my guess. 

Ice Cream Parlour Chic by Eat Drink Chic
I don’t know too many studs who would be plussed by a spud bar, but perhaps the happy homemaker in all of us would make this for her spud loving stud (or little spud stud baby). 

Spud Bar by Botanic Flowers, Photo by TinyWater
Ahh, the cheese plate has grown into a cheese table!  Is this not the most simple and elegant display of some of nature and man’s best creations (honey and cheese)?  

Cheese Table by Sunday Suppers
We see a lot of cookies, cakes and pies, but how absolutely delightful to see fruits and vegetables (and their favorite dips) all beautifully displayed and taking center stage?  This shows that eating whole and healthily is beautiful.   

Fruit and Veggie Bar at Ohdeedoh

As I menu plan for the upcoming Passover holiday I can’t help but be inspired by the creative presentations and artful edibles.

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Posted in entertaining, Her Weddings + Events, Wedding Inspiration

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Be Engaging

Posted on March 25, 2011 | 1 comment

So, you’re engaged.  Mazel Tov!  Now what?

I was once engaged, and now have friends who are or who will be, and maybe you are, or you have friends/sisters/daughters who are or will be.  Here is where I am going to share some frank advice.

When you are engaged to be married, that is the time between “Will you marry me?” and “I do”.  You might have one of these on your finger, or a string, or maybe you’re not a ring kind of girl – hey, Carrie wanted a closet, no judgement.
Ali Fedotowsky’s Neil Lane Engagement Ring via Stylist.com
Anyway, after you move beyond the proposal and calling your parents, siblings, friends and families, there is a lot to do and consider.  The first thing to remember, tell people before posting on Facebook – some news is worthy of a phone call!

Take the time to enjoy your engagement.  Before buying a magazine, looking at dresses (this might be hard to resist), before even booking a date, take time to enjoy your engagement.  

Be silly, take kissy face pictures, talk with your hands more than normal, tell people you’re affianced, introduce your “fiancee”, get a manicure.

Happily Ever After by Essie
Taking time helps get you ready to plan, which can sometimes feel like the other definitions of “engaged” such as:
  • having ones attention or mind or energy engaged; “she keeps herself fully occupied with vendor phone calls and magazines”
  • involved in military hostilities; “she was engaged in a heated battle for the perfectly pink peony bouquet”
  • booked: reserved in advance; “she has engaged a room block at every hotel within a 10 mile radius of her reception”
  • busy; “she was engaged in all the planning, she forgot to work out, see friends, relax”
To the newly engaged meet some of my favorite friends on the Internet:

And when you’re ready to start planning and talking and looking for inspiration, don’t forget to come here!

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Light as a Feather

Posted on March 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

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Inspiration can come from anywhere, a song, a season, and as we’ve seen here a dress.  Lately I have been piqued by the Beyond Vintage Feather Dress; in silk and dove gray it might be the perfect dress for spring and it would transition seamlessly, with the ease of a feather, from day to night.
Beyond Vintage Feather Dress at Barneys New York
Let’s see how a feather inspires an entire wedding scheme.  With the hues of dove gray, creams, golds and the softest shade of pink the look is elegant, sophisticated, soft and airy. 
Dove Grey Feather Wedding
 
Here are some key items that stand out and are easy to replicate for any space: the sweet gilded bird cage for cards, or best wishes; the long table shrouded in twinkle lights and branches; soft and feather light peony flowers; the soft glow of candle light; a feather detail on a boutonniere; the wisp of silk chiffon on a wedding gown; dainty feather earrings as a gift for the girls.

Inspiration can come from anywhere – I hope you are surrounded by things and people that inspire you.

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Inspiration for a Beachy Keen Wedding

Posted on February 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

I spotted this dress by Milly a few weeks ago.

I loved it.  I love the classic shape, the neckline, the full skirt, the playful pop of color and how it just screams, to me at least, “Summertime!”

It is still too cold to dress in a dress this cute, but inspiration knows no season.

I thought sand, cold beers, bright flowers, knot details to “tie-the-knot” with, sweet starfish, birchwood ceremony space, and heartfelt details.  

P.s. you know I am a sucker for all things “cute food” so I could not resist the idea of the mini caviar bites or the packaged s’mores.

What is inspiring you this Wednesday?

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