Two Web Belles: Bridal Bits Before You Hit The Beach

1. J.Crew has opened it's flagship bridal boutique on Madison Avenue!

To celebrate, the retailer is teaming up with Martha Stewart Weddings for the Say "I do" J.Crew sweepstakes! Enter between now and June 30th for a chance to win a weekend trip for two to New York, a wedding consultation with matrimony maven Darcy Miller, and $2,500 to spend during a private shopping experience in the brand new boutique! With that cash you could pick up this creamy confection, and outfit your 'maids. Silk chiffon in vintage blue is pretty much universally flattering. Just saying.

2. Memorial Day weekend is finally upon us and the start of summer means we want that sun-kissed golden bronze look. A tan can really give a nice glow, especially in a white wedding dress, but the risks and damaging effects of the sun aren't worth it. The Belles have collectively tried pretty much every self-tanning product on the market, ranging from discount drug store finds to pricey "designer" skin care products and spray booths (think Ross on Friends). One continues to come out on top: L'Oreal Sublime Glow. It works as a moisturizer, building up a natural looking, gradual color when you use it each day. The kicker is the subtle pleasant scent, which few other products have mastered. (Nothing worse than the tell-tale tanner stench that lingers for days). You can find it at drugstores or mass retailers for around $10.

3. This might be a controversial posting for a wedding blog, but the site my ex's wedding dress was sent to us this week and we got a kick out of it. Honestly, even happily married couples have no practical use for the pricey gown in the back of the closet. The site is a web-based book proposal for a coffee table book of 101 tongue-in-cheek uses for a guy's ex wife's wedding dress after she asked for a divorce. Recent postings include coffee filter, Christmas tree skirt, and drop cloth. If you want a laugh, check it out.



4. The flash of the bulbs. The screens, inks, and papers. Yes, we're talking about Gocco. Not sure what that is? Well it's an at-home, mini version of a silkscreen printer that comes from Japan. Hardcore DIY'ers have ordered Gocco kits to try their hands at creating original paper goods, and have posted numerous accounts of their successes and failures around the web. How do we know? We've read a lot of them. A LOT, a lot. But it wasn't until seeing this tutorial from Massive Empire that we actually could follow the process easily and (finally!) understand all the steps involved. Are we brave enough to try Gocco now? If we were, it would surely warrant an entirely separate post. Stay tuned.



5. And today we leave you with this, the drool inducing buttercream wonder captured by Such Pretty Things that nearly had us ready to lick our laptop screens. So light, so fluffy, so NOT helping the beach-ready (or wedding-ready) mentality, if that's what you're striving for. Hey, a Belle can only have so much sugary restraint, no matter what season it is.




Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Real Weddings: Tim & Kacy, Rain in the Park

My husband's best friend got married over the weekend.  The ceremony was scheduled for 3:00pm on Saturday, and at about 2:45, it started to rain.  A drizzle at first, the ceremony was postponed for a few minutes to see if things would let up.  There was no plan B for rain (the forecast that day hadn't called for a storm) and when the rain subsided, the groomsmen wiped the white chairs dry and guests hurried into their seats.  

The first notes of Pachelbel's Canon floated into the air and at the same moment heavy raindrops began to fall from the sky, much harder than before.  Not a single guest stood up from their seat and without skipping a beat, the bride walked down the aisle with a smile on her face.  These two were married under a pink umbrella, and from the look on their faces, they wouldn't have had it any other way.

(personal photo)

I guess coming from a planner, the moral of the story would be to be prepared for the unexpected.  At this wedding, I wasn't a planner, though. I was a guest and a friend of the couple and even though it rained, I have never seen these two more happy.  Weather is a great metaphor for marriage - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.

Congratulations Tim & Kacy!

Eyes On The Bride: Laura S.

Laura is currently planning a September wedding with her fiancé Dave. We've had the pleasure of hearing some of their ideas for their day as they've evolved throughout the planning process, and are eager to see it all come together this fall. Here is a sneak peek into their lives as nearly-weds, as told by Laura.

(personal photo - from the night of their engagement!)

Bride's Name, Age, Occupation – Laura Scaven, 27, speech-language pathologist

Groom's Name, Age, Occupation – David Curran, 26, contract services coordinator

City of Residence – Havertown, PA

Wedding Location – Appleford, Villanova

How you met – We met through friends in college at Penn State; one of my best friends roomed with his best friend freshman year. We became very close friends by the end of college, and then began dating after college.

How long you've dated – 4 years

How he proposed – When we were first beginning to get together, he took me to see a play on Broadway and we stayed in NYC for the night. After the play, we went to this tiny little bar and wound up talking forever over a few bottles of wine. It was a very romantic night, and shortly after we returned from the trip, we decided to be together. So last May (3 years later), he told me we were going to NYC for my birthday. We saw a play, had dinner, and I had NO IDEA. Then we began walking and he took me to that same little bar, where he had a cute little table reserved for us. Still had NO IDEA. Then as we were talking, he moved to the side, and got down on one knee, and said “I just don’t want to wait anymore” and pulled out the ring and asked me!

Wedding colors/theme – Navy and white/green.

Bridesmaids' dresses info – Jim Hjelm- Knee length navy chiffon.

Best part of planning – Trying all kinds of different foods when choosing a caterer… though we haven’t done the cake testing yet - that might win!

Worst part of planning –Looking for a photographer that used the style that we wanted (artistic, candid) that was reasonably priced. We must have be in contact with at least 7 different photographers, before finding our perfect one (Ryan Estes - love him!).

Most surprising part of planning – The way things come in waves. Everyone told me it would be that way, but some months I was crazed with planning, and then other months, things were completely calm.

Favorite vendor so far – Robert Ryan Catering. They have been absolutely professional, friendly, efficient, and creative in planning our style of wedding for our budget. It is a family company and I have dealt with both Bob Ryan personally and his daughter, who have both been wonderful.

Places you registered – Bed Bath Beyond and Crate and Barrel. Though I am thinking now I should have registered at Target - why didn’t I? I love Target!

Any Do-It-Yourself (DIY) plans – Not that I can think of… I was looking into DIY invitations, but that seems like a lot of work!

Honeymoon Location – Cap Cana, Dominican Republic - near Punta Cana, all inclusive resort called Secrets.

Thanks again Laura for sharing this with us!!

Two Web Belles: Eco-Friendly Beauty and Barcelona Bridal Week

1. This past week, TheKnot.com massively overhauled their vendor reviews through one of its offshoot brands, WeddingChannel. So what does this mean for you? Over 100,000 reviews from brides all in one place, easily searchable by location and vendor type. The site is really promoting the idea of getting responses from vendors after a review is posted, which creates a dynamic relationship that you don't normally see on message boards. This review section is still in its beta form, but we think it's going to be a big hit with the planning set.

2. Barcelona Bridal Week is happening in the land of Gaudi. So we wanted to take a peek at what they're seeing on the runways across the Atlantic, other than poor ol' Mischa Barton climbing out from under whatever rock she was hiding to slip into a gown. Below is just a sampling of what we've seen so far, from designers Rosa Clara, Francis Montesinos, and Pepe Botella.

(photo credit)

(photo credit)

(photo credit)

3. We've been known to peruse bluefly for gorgeous potential wedding gowns and shoes at a killer discount. At posting time, there is 1 - yes ONE- pair of Stuart Weitzman white satin 'Pomposo' d'orsay pumps available for $185 (almost half off the retail price). These shoes are the perfect choice for a bride looking for traditional and feminine footwear. If you have to have 'em and you don't happen to be a size 8.5 (or someone snatched that last lucky discounted pair up before you could double click) they're available at Zappos, at full retail.

4. Who says the best things in life aren't free? Aveda Georgetown and Adele Wechsler Eco Couture are teaming up to host an event for the bride who wants gorgeous luxury products that are also environmentally conscious. Luckily, these days the two aren't mutually exclusive. This Sunday, Aveda beauty experts will be on hand to flaunt the newest green beauty products with live demonstrations and makeup trials, and the salon will also showcase a slew of Adele Wechsler wedding gowns . Did we mention the cake samples courtesy of Sticky Fingers Bakery, specializing in vegan confections?

An afternoon of pampering and snacking while checking out wedding gowns? You don't want to miss this one. RSVP via facebook - here's the invite.

5. Billy buttons are so cute! Check out the bridesmaid bouquets and cake recently featured on Southern Weddings? (Northern brides, if you're not reading, start!!)

As photographed by Dallas/Fort Worth based Kari Crowe, these flowers are bright, fun, and have a modern, architectural look. Bonus, Billy Buttons (or Billy Balls, botanical name Craspedia) are available May-October (hello wedding season!) and dry extremely well for use in permanent arrangements.

Spotted: Girl Photography Engagement Session

Nicole Peterson, owner of Girl Photography in Philadelphia, was gracious enough to let us highlight some of her shots from a recent engagement session she snapped around the Art Museum. Nicole has a knack for catching the relaxed and genuine moments shared between those she's working with; nothing ever seems too forced. Thanks again, Nicole. We'll be sure to keep going back to your blog to see what you have to show us next!

Inspiration: A Casual Country Wedding

Our latest destination inspiration is courtesy of a recent engagement of one of our favorite country music couples: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.

source: www.people.com

If you aren't a country fan, you may not be familiar with these two. Miranda is petite, sassy, and recently topped the charts with the hit "White Liar." She was discovered on Nashville Star - country's answer to American Idol. Blake is a sort of country bad boy (just check him out on Twitter - @blakeshelton) He proposed to her after five years of dating, and afterwards, Miranda told People magazine, "Weddings are great and engagements are great and diamonds are especially great. But I'm just excited to be married because I want to tell Blake I really can love him the rest of my life and be happy and make him happy."

This could have just as easily been a Nashville inspired wedding (and we will definitely visit that concept in the future), but we came across some photos from Aaron Snow of an Oklahoma prarie wedding and it seemed like the perfect fit for this down to earth couple since they share a home there. Busy with hit songs climbing the country charts, we envisioned them celebrating a laid-back wedding without much at all to plan.

A sweetheart neckline with a subtle a-line skirt would suit Miranda's cute, curvy figure, and it wouldn't be a country wedding without cowboy boots for the bride and her bridesmaids. We love the pairing of boots with short sundresses for a funky laid-back bridal party ready to kick up their heels at the reception.

The bride and groom would exchange short but traditional vows during a ceremony in an open field with hay-bale seating, and the down-home feel continues with a summer evening reception under the stars. Guests are treated to fried chicken and blueberry pie washed down with bottles of beer from an antique washtub. We bet these two run with a pretty rowdy crowd, so a bluegrass band will keep the party going all night long!

Cowboy boot bridesmaids, Cowboy boot bride, Boots and bouquet, Fried chicken, Lace Dress, Horseshoe, Oklahoma field, Hay bales, Blueberry pie, Rustic wedding cake, Guitar/washboard player

Two Web Belles: Start The Obsessing

1. Take a look at these invitations from One Girl in Philadelphia. Aren't they so incredibly clean and crisp? We love that they are DIY, and, as sometimes crafters ourselves, we totally relate with the slight OCD that One Girl tapped into during the design process. Overall impressive work though, don't ya think?

2. Attention Philly area brides-to-be: Bloomingdale's at the King of Prussia Mall is hosting one of their "Pre-Wedding" Wedding parties next Thursday, May 20th. Maybe there are a couple Belles who went to one of their parties a few years back in Maryland, even though neither was engaged at the time. (Shhh...we went there on official wedding planning business). But we digress. Bloomie's really knows how to throw a classy event, so RSVP and stop by if you can. Added bonus: if you like eating at any of Stephen Starr's restaurants (El Vez, Pizzeria Stella, and Continental Midtown are all TWB faves), you'll surely enjoy the tasty bites being offered up by their catering division, Starr Events.

3. Check out these headline worthy additions to your table top: table runners and vases made from recycled newspapers and magazines. The newspaper ones could easily mesh with a black & white or neutral palette, and the magazine goods quickly pack a colorful punch. Links for the below, from left to right: SERRV table runner, Wishingfish vase, Earth Inspired Living table runner, Etsy seller toocraftyformyshirt vase.

4. One of the belles is working on a home office renovation right now. (New paint=renovation in our book) so office supplies are kind of on the brain. Not exactly the rubber bands, staples, and white-out type of supplies, but the pretty folders, agendas, and rolodexes sort.

Yup, rolodexes. Try to stay with us here. Just slightly hipper than grandma's version, and in an array of customizable colors and patterns, etsy seller cutthecakedesign's super cute alphabetized address boxes have us itching to hand write our current hodgepodge of electronically stored correspondence information. (at one point there was a spreadsheet, then gmail came along, and there's always whitepages.com... we didn't say it was pretty).

These are marketed as an alternative to a wedding guest book, but we see them working even more seamlessly at a bridal shower where the guests can take a minute, fill in their contact information, and dash off a sweet note of best wishes for the bride-to-be.

5. Basically everything else we discussed today has focused on paper, but the beauty of Paperless Post is the absence of paper. Paperless Post is e-vite's older, prettier, more sophisticated cousin from Connecticut. The site is completely custom gorgeous invitations and announcements that have the look of letterpress but are delivered via e-mail.

The site is completely user friendly - check out the screen shot, below of an invite we whipped up in about 10 minutes flat. There are tons of templates in every style and color imaginable, and the handy wording assistant offers text options for every occasion. Just fill in a few personal details like your name and the event information and you're ready to format away.

Did we mention there are envelope liners? Swoon.

Even though electronic invitations haven't exactly swept the wedding word by storm yet, we could really see these catching on. Many couples will appreciate the eco-friendly aspect, and they are much easier on the wallet than a standard stationary suite. Although they aren't free, the site works on a stamp system where each invitation sent cost one stamp. The price in dollars for 150 stamps? $10. Which will set you back about the same amount as a single custom printed letterpress invitation that isn't virtual.

Congratulations are in Order

Very happy news to report, Wedding Belle Jessica is engaged! Sheil, her now fiance, popped the question at one of their favorite spots in Philly. Jessica will have lots to share over the next year as they plan a late spring Philadelphia wedding.

(personal photo)

Like so many couples these days, their wedding will bring together two unique cultural backgrounds.  Can't wait to see how they celebrate Jessica's Italian traditions and Sheil's Indian heritage. 

Congrats again! 

Have you attended a multicultural wedding?  Or planned one of your own?  A memorable wedding we coordinated in 2008 served delicious family-style Vietnamese dinner that was a huge hit with all of the guests.  I'm still sort of salivating over one of the lobster dishes. 

Eyes On the Bride: Tal

"Eyes on the Bride" is a new feature here at TWB - so many of our friends are recently engaged and planning weddings of their own.  We are so excited for them and want to share their happy news with the world. 

Tal is a dear friend from our college days at Penn State.  She is planning a late fall wedding in Baltimore with her fiance, Scott.  They are an adorable couple, and clearly very much in love.  They have a great story because although they both graduated from PSU, they never met until years later when they were set up on a blind date.  Below is a look into their upcoming wedding, in Tal's words.

(Photo by Roger Shoemaker)

Bride's Name, Age, Occupation -- Tal Shtulman, 27, Development

Groom's Name, Age, Occupation -- Scott Bloom, 28, Electrical Engineer

City of Residence -- Baltimore

Wedding Location -- The Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, MD

http://www.radisson.com/hotels/mdbalhar

How you met -- Set up on a blind date by my boss/his neighbor

How long you've dated -- Since Jan 2009, Engaged since Nov 2009

How he proposed -- Scott surprised me at my office with flowers and the card instructed me to look out my window. When I looked outside, he was standing in the middle of the city street with a sign asking me to marry him.

(personal photo)

Wedding colors/theme -- Chocolate brown and champagne

Bridesmaids' dresses info -- Chocolate brown long, flowy dresses by Bill Levkoff.

Best part of planning -- Registering for all the great things we'd never buy ourselves but always wanted!

Worst part of planning -- Sticking to our budget :(

Most surprising part of planning -- We didn't realize how much things cost so the shock factor was big at first but we're getting used to it

Favorite vendor so far -- We absolutely LOVE our photographer - Maria Vicencio of Maria Vicencio Photography

Places you registered -- Crate & Barrel and Bed, Bath, & Beyond

Any Do-It-Yourself (DIY) plans? -- We haven't really done anything ourselves but we're going with a lot of start-up vendors that have all been amazing!

Honeymoon Location -- To be determined but probably a resort in Mexico.


Thanks, Tal and Scott!  We can't wait to follow up with a recap of your November wedding.  Congratulations and enjoy planning!

Let Them Eat Cake

1. Ikea's Tolsby frame is a steal at just $0.99. (how do the Swedes do it?) The clean lines, pedestal stand, and sizing make it perfect for a stylish table number display. Ruffled posted a handy menu template featuring a floral border, which is super easy to customize. We love the bright floral border, but we think the frame would be equally fantastic with a bright punchy paper color with a single bold black number.

2. Frosting Cupcakery opened its doors in Chevy Chase! The Belles have a special affinity for cupcakes, (Current consumption record in one sitting is 8, no shame. Funfetti is awesome) With specialty flavors and catchy names like Campfire (think s'mores) and Snowflake (coconut vanilla buttercream) this bakery has the recipe for success. Frosting is family owned and operated, and can accomodate large orders for weddings and showers. Basically we could omit our blurb and just give you this photo, below. Yup, you're welcome.

3. We have nothing but good things to say as both recent purchasers and recipients of gifts from Wine.com. They have a crazy big selection of bottles to choose from, run specials if you're looking for a bargain, and we've had no delivery snafus to speak of yet. When we're far away from someone and want to send an engagement gift, this is quickly becoming our one stop online shop. And with so many choices available, you can still put in a touch of personalization to avoid giving the same thing time and again.


4. We saw these DIY wrist corsages on Project Wedding and thought they would work so well for the flower girls in your bridal party, especially for the younger ones. It's kind of a simpler, less fussy version of the flower balls that we've seen used instead of the traditional basket of flower petals. The corsage just takes a few flowers and some ribbon and there you have it, some floral goodness to spice up a little one's wrist. Really cute.

5. Ok we're ready to talk about cake again. Maybe a snack was in order before all the blogging began. This time, it's more about hilarious cakes rather than delicious ones. Have you checked out cake wrecks? It may cause vivid nightmares of wedding cakes gone wrong, but honestly the comedy is worth it.

Destination Inspiration: Santorini

Santorini's natural landscapes are highlighted with pops of colors along the island's cliffs - even more so at night than during the day. The inspiration board features varying hues of blues and touches of orange, with a dose of earth tones to round it all out. Enjoy!

(Photo Credit)

Clockwise from bottom left: empire waist gown, Alita Graham; mason jar lanterns, Alyssa Ettinger; peep-toe pumps, Michael Antonio; asymmetrical print dress, Christian Siriano; grey ruffle bag, Stacy Leigh via etsy; cocktail ring, White House Black Market; bouquet, The Knot; ring bearer bowl, Paloma's Nest; terrazzo planter, Crate & Barrel; vase, IKEA.