Time-Traveling Dresses

Wedding dresses are a fashion statement. All dresses have an element of a decade. Fashion doesn't ever fade. It's incorporated in every single piece of clothing, accessory and shoe. These are a few examples of decade inspired wedding gowns for all you brides who are personally drawn to a certain era. 

The "Marie Antoinette:" Draped over an organza bustle, this dress's lace overlay is short on fabric and long on drama. It's a bold interpretation of the side hoops mimicking the days of Marie Antoinette.


The "Rider:" This modest narrow jacket and bell-shaped skirt on the right recall the riding habits of the late 19th century. A removable hand-embellished train primes it for a trot down the aisle.


The "Flapper:" With a touch of dazzle and a drop-waist, this inspired wedding gown has all the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties. With its light, shimmering skirt and embroidered bodice, it was made for dancing. 

The "Glamorous 50s:" With their crisp tailoring, cinched waists, and ladylike necklines both sweetheart and asymmetrical, these polished gowns carry out the elegance of the fabulous Grace Kelly.

The "Mod:" Channel the swinging sixties with a scope neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a knee-grazing hemline that perfectly matches the expression "short and sweet."

Make him Double-Take

Want the secret  to a gorgeous gaze?  Use soft washes of color to play up the shade your momma gave ya! With the help of these tips, you'll be steeling glances from all your guest and the one you love!

Draw the liner along your upper lash line, from the inner curve of your iris outward. If you want a more subtle look, draw the liner on the inside right where your last line begins. Then Smooth base shadow all over your lid with a brush. After, dust the crease of your lid with the darker shadow and blend with a clean brush.  And if you prefer neutral shades, black liner and bone shadow work well on everyone.

Brown Eyed Girls: Pick purple shades to enhance those big brown eyes! 

Brilliant Blue Eyes: Make them POP with  bronze! 

Behind these Hazel Eyes: Go ivy crazy! 

Gorgeous Green Eyes: Flirt a bit with burgundy!

Destination Wedding: Aspen

Traveling might be my favorite hobby. I love embarking on a new adventure, experiencing a different culture and engaging with it's people. I have a love affair with Aspen, Colorado. And although I love to travel, Aspen is my second home. And one of the most beautiful spots in the world. A local once said to me, "It's the Winters that bring you here and the Summers that make you stay." I hold this quote close to my heart. 

There is nothing that beats the mountains. The scenery is so overwhelmingly gorgeous, you won't need to make a scene with decoration. With the location in the middle of the United States, guest will have an easier time traveling. They could drive if they wanted or fly, they could stay for as little time or as long as they’d like, they wouldn’t have to worry about getting a passport.

You won't go wrong choosing which season to get married in. Each brings a unique and beautiful contribution to your wedding. With the brilliant colors of the trees in Fall, the stunning white of the snow laid on the mountains in Winter, the spring blossoms of the Spring or the gorgeous warm Summers, each is unique 

and special. 

The rustic, natural and fabulous feel of Aspen is truly magical!

Peepin' for Pastels

Happy Easter to all brides!! In honor of this joyous holiday, Easter Egg hunts and Peep madness, we're going to let the delicate colors of Spring inspire. Pastels symbolize the hopeless romantic, youth, beauty, nature and innocence.  

With the help of your favorite colors, you are able to create a theme for your wedding that is your very own. From a spanish wedding to vintage to a simple romantic one, the choice is yours. Here's a few inspirations to get your mind wondering. 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter holiday!

Obsession with the Chevron Stripe

Chevron Stripe has made an impression on the fashion world. It became a quick obsession with decor in the home, on purses, even on wedding cakes! Here's a few ways to incorporate the Chevron Stripe into your wedding.


As I mentioned, wedding cakes are a fun and funky way to incorporate the Chevron Stripe. It is playful as well as edible art!

                                     

Make your wedding stationary chic by incorporating the Chevron stripe. Use it to the maximum or just a little; make it your own!

Dress up the table with a table runner or on the table markers. There's no limit to how much you can use it! 

Modern Centerpieces

Less is more. And when it comes to your centerpieces, simplicity is key. Give your table a breath of fresh air. Don't overwhelm your table, make it clean. Make it modern.

1. A Pop of Color: The green grabs your attention against the simple pristine white tables. This look is eye-catching but not overpowering. 

2. Modern Money Saver : Candles are a great alternative to flowers. With a little combination of a less expensive flower,  a little color goes a long way. 

3. Modern Fabulous: Simple objects you would not normally put on your reception table makes for a unique centerpiece. The combination of silver and white are the definition of Modern. 

4.  Vivacious Vases: substitute a centerpiece with oodles of blooms with petite vases filled with a few flower stems.

5.  Vintage Blues: This sprawling table filled with antique Venetian glass with single-flower arrangements brings the color blue center stage.

6. Fading Floral Frenzy:This floral masterpiece brings a unique and different version of the normal mix of flowers. 

7. Just Hangin': Make more room at the dinner table by incorporating a hanging floral arrangements. This option also give you elevation with the reception decor.

Welcome, Welcome!

When your out of town wedding guests arrive at their hotel room, tired and weary after their journey, nothing is more comforting than a thoughtful wedding welcome bag from the couple they traveled so far to see. A great welcome bag is a sweet way to say “thank you” to your guests before the festivities even begin.

Although the cost of wedding welcome bags could get out of hand for a large guest list, there are many ways to create bags that you can afford.

So, what goes into a perfect bag for your out of town guests? Here are some wedding welcome bag ideas:

1. Something Local - Your guest might find a map handy for entertainment as well as a list of you and your special someone's favorite things to do and places to visit and eat. It may also be nice to include a local delicacy such as a little snack.


2. Survival Supplies - Consider the climate when you pack your welcome kit. If you’re in a hot spot, make sure to include sunscreen. If it’s chilly or dry, lip balm and hand lotion are nice. No matter what the environment, your guests can always use hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and other mini-toiletries that everyone forgets when they travel.

3. “Recovery” Supplies - You don’t have to come right out and call it a “hangover kit”, but your guests came to party, right? It’s nice to give them a little something to nurse themselves back to life after your reception. While we’re on the subject of recovery, bottled water is an excellent addition to an out of town guest bag. Nobody wants to drink the tap water in an unfamiliar town, and hotel bottled water costs a fortune, so a freebie will be appreciated. Plus, you can beautify the plainest water bottle by replacing the labels with your own “brand”.

4. Reusability - A welcome bag that can be reused is the best kind. It’s not only handy, it’s a nice reminder of the fun of your wedding weekend. Your best bets are beach bags or reusable shopping bags, which both fold down nice and small for the return trip!

Keep Them Toasty

I was eating dinner "al fresco" (outside) at a very beautifully modern restaurant on the ocean. The waitress told me that if I were to get chilly, they had pashminas available by request. I was so thrilled by this comforting idea that I thought it would make for an excellent party favor for guest. 

Keep warm blankets would be perfect for an early spring or a mid-fall outdoor wedding at night when the air is still crisp. Ikea has white blankets for $3.99 and can be adorned with cute tags and ribbons to match the wedding pallet. Instant adorableness without making much of a ding in our wallets. This is the easiest DIY on the planet and your guest will appreciate your concern for their comfort. 

With Flowers in Her Hair

Finding the perfect fit for the flower girl's dress can be a challenge. Since this little item of clothing can vary vastly for your tiniest member of your bridal party and can be a pricey purchase, I decided to scour the web for classic and contemporary looks that are at a variety of price points to help provide a bit of inspiration.

So let’s get started with classically styled flower girl frocks…

Dessy’s basic flower girl dress is the perfect blank canvas to adorn with broaches, flowers, or a monogrammed sash. You have the option to choose from a vast color pallet. All classic, all adorable.

JCrew's silk taffeta Avery dress  is elongating and stunning with the option of different colors to complement your wedding colors. 

 Shelley George’s Peanut Butter Dress is a perfect choice for a demure look. Appropriate, cute and doesn't overpower. This look is clean and pretty.

The Briar Patch has a precious tutu inspired gown for more whimsical weddings. The flower girl can't help but twirl. 

 So many cute classic styles, how can one ever choose?

Destination Wedding: Cayman Islands

This past Spring Break, I had the incredible opportunity to experience the luxury lifestyle of Grand Cayman at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.  As I ran on the 7 mile beach each day, I saw many weddings taking place and thought to myself how perfect it would be to get married on the soft white sand beach of Grand Cayman facing the vast ocean with multiple different shades of blue.

So, why here? Couples with keen insight who want more than a destination wedding  head to the Cayman Islands for the ultimate in hospitality and tropical romance. Whether you choose to marry at a smaller resort or a five-star hotel, this destination has the resources to cater to every couple's personal style, guest list size, and whim. Not to mention the backdrop is absolutely gorgeous. Think tranquil turquoise waters, and sugary white sandy beaches dotted with palm and pine trees.

Here's a few things to know about Grand Cayman. The three islands are home to a wealth of reputable wedding vendors, from full-scale event planners to photographers, florists, and bakers. High season begins the week before Christmas and goes through April 16 with an average temperature of 80 degrees. Avoid hurricane season, which is May-November. The Cayman Islands is practically the safest destination in the Caribbean, which makes it a great destination for multigenerational families.

Your guest have a plethera of options should they have some downtime in between wedding events. Stingray City is just a 10-minute boat ride away, where adventure seekers can swim with tropical fish and snorkel among the reefs. At the Turtle Farm at Boatswain's Beach, kids and adults alike will marvel at hundreds of giant turtles and other creatures of the deep. For the shoppers, there is also historic Georgetown, where sparkling jewelry retailers abound.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman opened in December 2005, the Ritz has brought five-star luxury to the Cayman Islands. With its location on the famous Seven Mile Beach, ceremonies and receptions have a set up on the Great Lawn, by the sea on the hotel's private beach, or in a the 9,000-square-foot Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom. The Ritz is staffed with an incredible in-house team of four floral designers (who keep the hotel smelling as beautiful as it looks), as well as a pastry chef to create your wedding's requisite bouquets and confections. What's more, Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, has a menu of indulgent spa treatments (I recommend the hot stone massage!) that will wash you clean of any pre-wedding jitters!