Two Web Belles: Hallowizzy

1. Black lace is a great fabric for saying 'trick or treat' without wearing a costume. Obviously you're steering away from the more expected white tones going with black, and in doing so you're also bringing an edgier quality to a fabric that is usually so subtle and sweet.

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2. Orange you glad we didn't say soda? Yes, we've always had a soft spot for this partic soft drink. So when we saw this as the featured drink for guests to cool off with at a hot DC summer reception, we wished we had been in attendance so we could take a swig or two. If orange isn't your color (or flavor) of choice, you could of course look to a different specialty soda variety. There are so many readily available nowadays (the ones pictured are from Trader Joe's.)

3. This black ruffle crepe paper wreath really struck our fancy. Love that the steps are simple and the end result is pretty and polished. Of course this wreath could be made in any color to match the decor you're planning, but there's something sophisticated and unexpected about black paper.

4. Jack O' Lanterns have really taken it up a notch in the past few years. Maybe it's America's growing pumpkin obsession with lattes, soups, and baked goods turning up around every corner, the old standby feels the need to measure up. We wouldn't expect anything less, but Martha has outdone herself with these sunburst pumpkin lanterns. Seasonal, but subtle - how does she do it?

5. There's something spooky and mysterious about chess. (Probably the fact that neither of us have the slightest idea of how to play) This life-size chess board is a dramatic bridal photo-op that could be making an artistic statement about the parallels between navigating married life and strategizing a win on that familiar checkered board. Or, they just thought it looked really cool. So did we.

Special Guest Post: Celebrity Weddings Year In Review

So, before we started putting all this energy into our own blog, our blogging experience was this: Erin spent a solid 10 hours a day reading blogs (...and still does), and me, well I tried my hand at writing guest bits for my sister Jen's blog. Yup, I was the brilliant author of recaps of The Hills episodes on Celebrity Skewer. The name kind of says it all, right? Jen knows more about the Hollywood scene than those who traipse up and down Robertson Boulevard, and while she's been slacking a bit on her virtual skewering of celebs (much to Erin's Google reader's dimsay), she jumped at the chance to give us a post that brought two of our mutual interests together. So read on for her celebrity weddings year in review!

I would like to thank Erin and Jessica for the opportunity to guest blog on their fabulous site. Reading it daily almost makes me want to run out and get married. Almost. If only my celebrity boyfriends weren’t already married. Sigh.

Is there something in the water in Hollywood? Before you answer “Whatever Lindsay flushed before heading to Betty Ford!” consider the amount of celebrity weddings we’ve seen so far this year. Is 2010 the Year of Celebrity Weddings? Looks that way to me. From John Krasinski and Emily Blunt to Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, a myriad of the rich and famous are saying “I Do” these days and not all are doing it for their own reality show. Some are exchanging vows for true love (What?), some are doing it for the presents (Cupcake of the Month Club, anyone?), and some are doing it because they saw a + sign on a stick (I call shotgun!). Whatever the reason, the rich and famous are keeping us all on our toes with their nuptials (and occasionally scoring themselves a pretty penny).

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Vince Vaughn kicked off the year by giving hope to those of us who aren’t famous when he married a real estate agent from Canada. If only more celebrities would give us civilians a chance. Best wishes, Vince! More often than not, though, the famous love to mingle with the famous. And when that casual flirtation on the patio of the Chateau Marmont leads to marriage, every Perez Hilton, Harvey Levin, and random occasional blogger (ahem) shows interest (or a mixture of interest and bitterness as you remember standing in line for over an hour to have your copy of The Office Season 2 signed by someone only to have them turn around and marry Emily Blunt!). Our fascination with all things celebrity makes us salivate for every detail and picture we can find, and some celebrities use this interest to their advantage. How industrious!

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Carrie Underwood married hockey player Mike Fisher this past July at a reported cost of over $500,000 for their luxurious wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Greensboro, GA. Did your heart just skip a beat? Mine did. I may have even blacked out. To a celebrity, however, half a million dollars is nothing; especially when you are given the opportunity to earn that money back (and then some!) by giving a magazine exclusive access to your big day. Rumors swirled that People magazine paid Carrie and Mike $2M for first photos and details about their ceremony and reception. (I hope my sister doesn’t mind if I sell her and her fiancé out when their wedding takes place next year. Call me, TMZ!) OK! magazine reportedly paid Hilary Duff (that’s Lizzie McGuire to you!) and her hockey player husband Mike Comrie $1M for access to their August wedding at the Mediterranean Villa La Quinta in Santa Barbara. I hope no one skimped on cocktail hour (and pass me a carmelized onion tart while you’re at it).

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Other celebrities chose to exchange vows in locales they hoped would keep the prying eyes of the outside world away (rude!). There was no guarantee this strategy would work, but for some, it was definitely worth a try. Russell Brand and Katy Perry married in India this past Saturday and went to great lengths to keep photogs away (apparently a scuffle took place between some of Russell’s security team and the paparazzi. Violence is never the answer, boys, but if someone wanted to hold Russell down and cut his hair, I wouldn’t have protested). Other notable couples that packed their passport before walking down the aisle include John and Emily, who were married in Lake Como, Italy (home to their good friend George Clooney), Javier and Penelope, who exchanged vows at a friend’s home in the Bahamas, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, who said “I Do” in Paris, and Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, who tied the knot in the Caribbean. Anyone else feeling jetlagged?

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And just when you think a celebrity wedding couldn’t get any more opulent, take a moment to think of the designers. And the words “custom made.” Some of the most famous fashion designers in the world have created wedding gowns for the A-List (or at least a solid B) in Hollywood this year. Names like Marchesa, Armani Prive, Monique Lhuillier, Elie Saab, and John Galliano, once reserved for a walk down a red carpet, are the masterminds behind the gowns that the stars crave. Whether for an intimate wedding on the beach (Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green in Hawaii) or a gathering of friends and family officiated by Jeff Probst (Jenna Fisher and Lee Kirk in Malibu), you know you have made it in Hollywood when a top fashion designer asks for your measurements (and doesn’t deny your credit card).

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So with roughly two months left in 2010 I think we can safely call this the Year of Celebrity Weddings. I think we can also safely say that US Weekly lies when it says the stars are just like us! All lies! They are nothing like us, especially when it comes to getting married. But take heart, dear friends! Instead of cashing out that 401K and renting out a penthouse suite for you and your beloved, sit back, relax, and wait to see if 2011 is the Year of Celebrity Divorce.

Things I've Learned While Planning: 7 Months To Go

For one reason or another, the 7 months-and-counting mark is the first one I've hit where I feel like I've turned the corner and can see the wedding at the end of the tunnel. Sure, there's still plenty of time and lots to do before the wedding is actually here, but for the first time it doesn't seem like it's really that far away. Anyway, here's what I've learned since last time.

1. I've officially become one of those crazy people you're usually stuck behind at the register at Michael's. You know, the one with a zillion coupons who asks for a price check on a $1 item because she swore the sign said it was half off. Yup, that's me.

2. As my Etsy bill continues to grow at a steady pace, I can see that I'm a custom order kind of girl. How do I know this? Well, I haven't yet ordered anything "off the rack."

3. My parents have become slightly obsessed with the topic of airport-to-hotel transportation.

4. If I lived closer to NYC, I would be in the Paper Presentation store alot. Like, multiple times per week. I'm sure the shop workers are appreciative of the 90 or so miles separating me from them.

5. Just when I thought I was done dealing with flighty catering people...enter the bridal shower venue search.

6. I should just download our first dance song as my ringtone, because when people ask what it is, most don't recognize it right off the bat. And for the sake of all involved, I don't want to just bust out in a completely off-tune rendition.

7. My mini hot glue gun had a life span of 16 years. (What, doesn't everyone get their first one when she's in 6th grade?)

Until we meet again (at 6 months to go!)...remember to keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. {I don't know, I feel like I need a cool send off like Casey Kasem, haha.}

Two Web Belles: Starry Starry Night

1. A star motif on a paper suite can be sophisticated when done right. This invitation, with its berry and navy color scheme and sprinkling of stars, might be just the thing to get your guests prepped for a night of dinner and dancing under a wide open sky.



2. We've been lusting over several pieces from Maya Brenner for a very, very long time. So of course when we thought to find starry accessories, we knew the designer wouldn't disappoint. The earrings and chain below are definitely showstoppers. Everything in this shop is substantial enough to stand on its own, but when you take a look around you'll have trouble picking just one...or two...or three.


3. How about giving your flower girls a few festive star shaped wands to bring along for their walk down the aisle? We envision some cute photo ops! Below are just a few of the favorites we found.

sources: left, top, bottom

4. Stumbled across this constellation flash card project, and though we're not in the market for a celestial study guide, we do love the idea of these embroidered cards as table numbers. Just be sure to include a constellation name, unless your guest list includes a strong contingent of astronomers.

5. Fact: guys love sneakers. Talk about a sweet gift for your groom or the guys in your wedding party - fully customizable Converse Chuck Taylor All Star classic low tops. We had a grand old time creating the pair below just for kicks. (Kicks, ha). There are color choices aplenty and even the option to add an ID tag. Your groom might like a reminder of your anniversary on his heels. The other guys, not so much. Just keep the embarrassing monograms to eight characters or less.

Wedding Movies We Love: Sixteen Candles

Okay, so it's no secret that in this 1984 movie gem, alot is going on besides a wedding. You have enough teen shenanigans (The Geek proudly displaying the underwear in the boys' bathroom!) and coming of age storylines (that Jake Ryan just makes Samantha swoon!) to almost make you forget that the older sister's wedding is a central piece to the backstory. But without it...Sam's family wouldn't have been so busy as to overlook the importance of her 16th birthday, Long Duk Dong would never have come to visit with the grandparents who are staying at the family's house in preparation for the big day, Molly Ringwald never would've donned that baby's breath bridesmaid halo, and we wouldn't have the NEVER TAKE MUSCLE RELAXERS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY lesson forever ingrained into our brains. Yup, this one is a classic for so many reasons, cheesy '80s wedding or not.

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Two Web Belles: Nifty Fifties

1. We were loving this engagement session set in a retro diner from the very first slurp of those milkshakes. We like how red is the featured color here, popping up in clothing, accessories, and detail shots like the ring one shown below. The couple definitely does the theme well, keeping it cool without going campy.

2. Vinyl is a smart way to bring a subtle retro 50's vibe to your wedding. A record table number won't be easily missed by your guests, who would know what kind of party you're throwing when they open your record invitation in the mail. And signing in on records, which you can frame later, is another unique guest book alternative worth filing away.







3.  50's wedding gowns are flirty, feminine, and figure-friendly with their cinched waists, full skirts, and modest level of coverage.  If your grandmother didn't preserve her now classic wedding gown, just turn to Etsy.  There's pages and pages of custom made (or true vintage) 50's gowns.  Our favorite is this retro number that still feels fresh thanks to to the crumb catcher neckline and textured fabric flower hemline by seller BridalBlissDesigns.

4.  Looking for a unique wedding or shower gift?  A vintage dinner for two cookbook, or guide to courtship, marriage, and children might be just the ticket.  With chapters including "Man, God's Deputy, as the Head of the Home", this gift idea is majorly tongue-in-cheek, but a fun loving bride to be would really get a kick out of it.  You could find something scouring a local used book shop, Ebay, or (wait for it) Etsy, which is pretty much like our magical fairy godmother when it comes for unique wedding finds.  Books below found here and here. 

5.  Cars aren't really our thing, but even we can appreciate a pretty, creamy white convertible as a getaway car.  Check out your local rental company or vintage car club for your own photo-op.  Cans, string, and "Just Married" sign sold separately.

Inspiration: Fall Harvest Wedding

Bulging pumpkins, colorful foliage, squirrels pocketing acorns for the long winter... Yup, the signs of fall are officially everywhere. This harvest wedding inspiration takes advantage of everything nature has to offer this time of year. It feels warm, welcoming, and intimate, but best of all the decor we've featured would be inexpensive. Most of the supplies can be snapped up at farmer's market, or even in your own backyard.

Many of the items we've included below have detailed do-it-yourself instructions at the original source site. Check out the links below if you're looking to get crafty for your own harvest wedding, or you just really really want an acorn wreath to deck out your front door.

Clockwise, from top left: mini pumpkin taper candles, wagon wheel, boutonnierres, hanging pumpkins, pumpkins in wagon, white pumpkin centerpiece, acorn wreath, crumb pie with heart, groom with brown tie, mason jar lanterns on stump, dancin’ hay bale, foliage arch, outdoor wedding, fiddlehead and dahlia bouquets

In Case You Missed It...

...we've started adding to the fabulous wedding site, The Fab Bride, by way of a couple guest posts. Our first touches on ways to make your wedding day timeline a success, and the second gathers up lots of football photo inspiration for your Fall wedding. But we're not done yet. Keep checking The Fab Bride for more guest posts from us from time to time. And we have to give a thank you to the always fab Onada for giving us another place to share our wedding thoughts with you. Enjoy!

Two Web Belles: Think Pink!

1. When most people think wedding gown they think white, but there are so many pretty pink dress options out there, ranging from princess inspired in blush to modern with tailored ruffles in carnation pink. (We can't have a discussion about pink dresses without the obligitory Gwen Stefani wedding portrait.) If you're thinking about a pink dress, feel free to hit up the bridal salons and check out which dress option come in your shade, but don't forget to browse the bridesmaid dresses as well. Might as well snag the dress of your dreams without the bridal markup.

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2. We think the letters on the candy table spell it out (literally). If you're thinking pink for a dessert or candy bar, the pure fluffliness that is cotton candy is kind of a no-brainer. It isn't the most filling treat, but it rates high on the fun/whimsy/childhood throwback scale.




3. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something pink, floral, and feathery in your hair. Isn't that how the line goes? Well, it could be with a statement piece like this from Tessa Kim. It's soft, a little vintage, and a subtle enough shade of blush pink that it won't compete with an ivory or white gown. Be sure to check out their site for all types of veils and hair adornments. A lot of cool stuff.





4. You don't have to just eat pink or wear pink. You can "prop" pink, too. A sea of balloons always seems so romantic and sweet. And the subtle hint of pink of a groom's umbrella is super charming...as if shielding his bride from a few stray rain drops wasn't already enough. We know everyone isn't going to stage their wedding day shots like this, but the pink goodness was just too good to pass up.





5. When it comes to favors we always recommend a little edible treat for guests. We have to break the mold here after checking out the offerings at the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month online store. Proceeds go to the foundation, and even wedding favors can start a conversation and raise awareness. We like the drink coozies, and reusable grocery bags.

Book It: A Thomas Birkby House Wedding

We're in the middle of a busy few weeks here at TWB, but we wanted to make sure to tell you about an upcoming wedding we have in Northern Virginia. Near the end of October, we're going to be working at the Thomas Birkby House for a ceremony and reception on the historic carriage house's grounds. We love all the options a venue like this provides, and we're eager to help our couple execute their day at this Leesburg location. Take a look at the photos below to see where we'll be working.

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Destination Inspiration: Happy Valley

Fall always has us nostalgic for our college days at Penn State. Pumpkins and foliage are signs of the season to some, but to any PSU alumni that crisp feeling in the air brings about fond memories of carefree days on campus.

source (both): William Ames Photography

For the latest installment of our Destination Inspiration series, we designed a fall wedding for college sweethearts at none other than The Pennsylvania State University. Penn State's classic navy and white color palette, while not exactly seasonal, makes perfect sense to anyone who spent their formative years in Happy Valley. University Park is the quintessential college setting. The small town in central Pennsylvania is quaint and scenic, and there's even a sweet chapel on campus, ideal for an intimate ceremony.

Just a few minutes from town, there's a restored barn at The General Potter Farm that hosts events including wedding receptions, like the one pictured below. The relaxed atmosphere is the perfect setting for a gathering of family and old friends. Best friends in mismatched navy cocktail dresses, full white bouquets tied with navy grosgrain ribbon and metallic peep toes that beg for the most special of occasions round out the board.

gray suit groom look, Old Main, bouquets with navy ribbon, silver bow peep toes, barn wedding setup, bride with navy bridesmaids, Penn State Elms, Lion Shrine, navy pintuck linens

Two Web Belles: From Pumpkins to Palm Beach

1. Since today is the first day of October, we felt we should share this paper pumpkin centerpiece we saw on the Polished to Perfection blog. It's an easy DIY project that will last on your table much longer than a pumpkin picked from a patch, and the use of patterned paper adds even more whimsy to this little decoration.





2. When we were flipping through an issue of House Beautiful and we happened upon the photo below, we thought that the mag switched from home decorating and started covering weddings. Upon closer look, we found out that this isn't a pomander but a rose pendant light. We think this fixture would fit nicely into a newlywed's abode, especially for the new bride who just can't let go of the memory of frequent bouquet consultations at the florist.





3. Attention all Philly brides-to-be who are still looking for a dress: Nicole Miller in Center City is hosting a trunk show next weekend. And if you can't make that one, the Manayunk location is holding a similar event on the 17th. Oh, and we know you're all wowed by the guerilla style Blackberry photography of the window display at the Bellevue, right?





4. Thinking of how much we love drinking hot apple cider during this season, we were looking for a way to incorporate the flavor into a wedding meal. Sure, you could serve the drink, but what else could you do? Obviously we nearly fell off our chairs when we saw the spiced apple cider sorbet recipe featured on The Kitchn. You could offer this in place of the regular sorbet course of a served dinner, or you could have it out during dessert. We say yes to either...or both.




5. Well, it's that time again. The time when we wish, hope, and long for the day that we hop on a flight and join the wedding utopia that is the engage! weekend. Starting this Sunday, engage!10 kicks off at the really really ridiculously good looking Breakers resort in Palm Beach. So if it seems all the top wedding industry experts are missing in action for the next few days...well, yes, they're all basking in their fabulousness and the Florida sun together. Swoon.