Trendy Wednesday: Crafty Bride

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

Crafty brides never fail to disappoint! Although planning a wedding can be a bit stressful and overwhelming some brides truly enjoy customizing and personalizing aspects of their big day. With prices on the rise, brides are looking for ways to cut costs without cutting the elegance of this spectacular celebration.

By adding DIY projects to your wedding day décor, you are allowing creativity to surface while placing your personal likings on display. DIY projects don’t need to be something extravagant. You can choose how many DIY projects you’d like to invest your time in, and pick projects that will help add character to your wedding without taking away the overall concept.

Favors and place cards are two of my favorite DIY projects. Favors are great because I truly believe the favor should bring out your personality. Sit down with your fiancé and make a list of things you both enjoy. This can be candy, desserts, candles, champagne, hiking, movies … the list goes on and on.  Narrow your list down and think of a DIY project that will help bring your guests into your life.

Here’s the perfect example.  If you both love Macaroon cookies give your guests a few in a DIY box tied with a fabulous ribbon. The thank you tag could read “the sweetest way to end this sweetest day.”

DIY projects are also a wonderful idea for your bridal shower. Walk around a craft store or discount home accent store or even thrift shop. You would be amazed at how many ideas you will stumble across on a budget.

These projects are a great bonding tool for families and bridesmaids as well. If you are making the place cards, or putting together floral arrangements for your bridal shower invite the people you love over to bond and craft! I’m sure you will laugh a lot and get the project done much quicker! Photo Credit: inviteswedding.com, creativeweddingideas.net, fashiondivadesign.com, bargainhoot.com, bugsandfishes.blogspot.com, mostweddingflowerideas.com, weddbook.com, weddingbylily.com

Trendy Wednesday: You are the Statement

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

You are a statement piece. This is your day to be the center of attention and create a day filled with inspiring, jaw dropping details. Brides are always looking for ways to be different and do something that is unexpected. The creative aspect always falls into place, but the wedding dress is the true attention stealer of the day. With so many designs and silhouettes to choose from, the options can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

My suggestion is to pick a few simple silhouettes that you gravitate towards. When you have an idea of the type of dress you are looking for finding the details that adorn the dress is the easy part. Also, it’s a smart idea to pick a few designers that tend to capture your attention. By narrowing down types of dresses you like and designers who understand your vision you save a lot of time when trying on dresses at the bridal boutique.

I am guilty of ripping apart magazines with inspirational pictures. This is such a great way to know exactly what you are looking for when wedding dress shopping. If you have a set of pictures that you love as well as some that you are not interested in at all, picking out a selection will be much easier. Once you have narrowed down a few dresses that you could see yourself getting married in make sure to try on a veil or hat. This is really where you can be creative and over-the-top or simple and traditional. Finishing off the look helps to envision what your pictures will look like and will help visualize the mood of your big day.

Remember that this is your big day. Family members, friends, and bridesmaids all tend to have very strong opinions about your wedding dress. Although their opinions are helpful, you have to be the one who looks and feels amazing in the dress. Make sure you can move around easily, you feel comfortable for a long period of time, and most of all make sure the dress takes your breath away.

Photo Credit: etsy.com, blissbookimages.com, lovemydress.net, zonewedding.com, bellethemagazine.com, tbdress.com, designingreations.blogspot.com

Trendy Wednesday: Illuminate the Night

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

There is something magical about a room full of flickering candles. Candles add warmth, comfort, and love to a wedding ceremony and reception.

Votive candles are a wonderful touch to any space. These money savers can adorn big glass windows, can be placed as accent pieces amongst pictures and flowers, and can even illuminate bigger focal pieces such as guest favors, photo books, and of course the wedding cake! By using votives amongst all the other design details of your big day you’re allowing the venue to become warm and inviting for guests. Votive candles are also wonderful for outdoor lawn space. An evening wedding can have a backdrop of glistening candles… how spectacular!

From more of a design aspect you can illuminate your venue with different types of candles adorning the reception tables. Using floating candles, intricate candlesticks, and candelabras can bring your reception area to another level. I love the idea of a long table with floral arrangements and candles running down the center. This creates an inviting space that is exceptionally appealing to the eye.

Keep in mind that all the candles and candle holders can be unique. Adding variety helps when everything else in the design is very uniform.

Also, remember money-saving tips. If your ceremony is outside bring the candles in for your reception. There’s no need to buy bulk of something that is very reusable. In the end those extra dollars add up!

Photo Credit: weddinggirl.ca, unitedwithlove.com, rrlumin.com, weddingsromantique.com, bedgetbridesguide.com, weddbook.com, theknot.com

Trendy Wednesday: A Touch of Lace

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

One of my favorite wedding day trends is adding a touch of lace. Lace is not only a timeless look but adds the appeal of warmth and delicacy to a room big or small. This is a trend that we’ve seen in clothing, home goods (your grandmothers doilies are ringing a bell) and it is becoming more and more popular adorning designer dresses and even wedding cakes!

When thinking about where to incorporate this amazing trend, look for places that need a touch of elegance. For instance…

1. If your dress has a lace design, think about giving the lace to your baker. They can incorporate the same lace style into your cake. This is a sure show-stopper and never seems to get old.
2. I also love the idea of a lace invitation, or touches of lace in accessories. This is a great way to give your special day a 1950’s vintage inspired feel.
3. A venue space needs to feel inviting. The best way to make the room appealing to the eye is to use circular and rectangular shaped tables. This will give the space variety without making it look very cookie-cutter. On the rectangular tables you can add a lace runner. Having solid linens on the round tables and lace linens on the rectangular tables will give the venue such a warm feel.
4. If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding lace is wonderful for a beautiful garden inspired venue. Lace around the vases of your centerpieces and lace fabric napkins will give an enchanted night sophistication.
5. Lace wrapped around the stems of a bouquet can be the perfect touch to a very simple design. This is a great way to not go overboard with an oversized bouquet. Keep it simple and delicate.

Photo Credit: bellethemagazine.com, weddingpartyapp.com, amyaustinphotography.com, invitationsbyjalon.com, myinspiredwedding.com, greenweddingshoes.com, unitedwithlove.com

Trendy Wednesday: Mismatched Bridesmaids

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

Shopping for a wedding dress is like purchasing a new car. It has to be perfect, stunning, magnificent, and screaming your name from a mile away. Yes, you the bride are the center of attention, but your bridesmaids want dresses that make them feel just as stunning. Looking for the perfect bridesmaids dresses no longer needs to be a huge issue. Everyone has a difference of opinion, from what color looks best on them, to what cut flatters their figure, the list goes on and on.

When planning this big shopping day, approach it with an open mind. Give your bridesmaids options.

1. Pick a color scheme. Pick one color that you want the bridesmaids dresses to be and let them pick the best silhouette for themselves. If you really want to be daring and outlandish pick a color spectrum for the ladies to choose from.  Seeing different dress styles and colors can truly make a wedding come to life.  Not sure what colors go together?  Grab a couple paint swatches – they’ll give you variations on the color you want and you won’t have to worry about clashing!
2.  Different lengths are fun too! Shorter dresses a little above the knee have become quite popular. It’s more of a sophisticated-trendy look.
3. Play with pattern! Dresses that have touches of lace, stripes, and even embroidery can give your bridesmaids individuality that defines their personalities.
4.  If you don’t love the idea of having different bridesmaids dresses, try different colored shoes. Having the ladies pick their favorite shoes is a dream come true.

If you’re still not sold on the idea of mismatched bridesmaids, look for inspiration from the Sex and the City Wedding. How fabulous did those ladies look that day?!

Photo Credit: boards.weddingbee.com, rootedinloveweddings.wordpress.com, bellethemagazine.com, blogs.aexknows.com, weddingsbylily.com, beauxandbelles.net, blog.kristeenlabrotevents.com, feministe.us

It’s All in the Details: Black, White, and Chevron All Over

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

For the past couple years, we have seen chevron popping up all over the wedding world.  From sweet invites to stunning fondant covered cakes, this simple geometric pattern has been omnipresent in all sorts of wedding details.  The beauty of chevron is that it can be tailor made to fit any color palette you want, whether you’re loving spring’s trendy pastels or bright citrus hues.  However, sometimes the most timeless colors for a wedding are black and white.  Below, we’ve created an inspiration board that pairs chevron with monochromatic hues and a pop of metallic gold for some extra glitz.

Clockwise, from top left: The Inspired Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Little Blue Feathers, Juxtapost, Paper Source, Sweet Sorella, Joie Lala Photography, Style Unveiled

 

Would you incorporate the chevron trend into your wedding day?  How much of the pattern is too much?

Let us know your thoughts!

Fashion Fever: Gorgeously Gatsby

Fashion Fever by Corine Brosseau

With the latest film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” right around the corner, the idea of showing up to your wedding looking like a 1920s film star is surely a popular one. Today, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite fashion details taken right from the grand Gatsby tradition.

Clockwise, from top left: Glamour and Grace, Style Me Pretty, YolanCris, Style Me Pretty, Johanna Johnson, Michael Segal

1. Feathers – Opulent and dreamy, some stunning plumage really brings that vintage elegance to a wedding day ensemble. Whether at the bottom of a snug mermaid gown or as a beautiful element for a headpiece, they are a great way to incorporate a 1920s theme.

2. Headpieces – The more intricate, the better as far as headpieces go. A lace cap really brings to mind that quintessential Flapper style while an intricate headband is a bit more Daisy Buchanan.

3. Beading – A dress that skims close to the sides while simply dripping in elegant beading transports you back to the lavish parties at Gatsby’s home.

4. Dropped Waists – A dropped waist is the perfect silhouette for a 20’s look.

5. Bold Makeup – Dark, smoky eyes, wispy lashes, and a bold crimson lip add to the sultry intrigue of the 1920s woman.

These are just a few of the 1920s details we adore! Stay tuned for our latest project, a beautiful 1920s, Gatsby-esque inspiration shoot. Here is a sneak peek from the shoot, featuring our beautiful model, Alexis Monnie:

While you wait for the photos to drop, be sure to check out the amazing vendors we partnered up with for the shoot: Violet and Verde for florals, SB Beauty for hair and makeup, Hushed Commotion for the amazing headpieces, Saucy by Nature for catering, Cake Alchemy for the cake, Cloth Connection for linens, Little Vintage Rentals for amazing props and tableware, Angelique Bridal and Nearly Newlywed for the fabulous fashion, The Green Building for our lovely venue, and the amazing Moss & Isaac, whose photography brought it all together!!

Manic Monday: DIY Do’ and Don’t’s

Manic Monday by Corine Brosseau

DIY projects are all the rage on Pinterest these days and they’ve become more of a trend than a way to save money on your wedding details. Despite all this, DIY can easily become stressful and it’s important to keep a few things in mind when taking on a project for your special day. Here are some of our do’s and don’t’s for wedding day DIY.

– DO inject your fiancé and your personalities into your DIY projects. Making your own wedding decor is an opportunity to really allow your unique love story to shine. You’ll end up with something truly one of a kind that everyone will always remember because of how well it reflected the two of you!

– DON’T bite off more than you can chew. Too many DIY projects can lead to more stress than they are worth – especially if you are still busy with work, kids, or other wedding prep. Make sure that anything you take on is do-able and not overambitious.

– DO check out bridal blogs and sites like Lover.ly or Pinterest for lots of DIY inspiration. I especially love the tutorials on Hey Gorgeous – they’re full of step by step images and really fun, unique ideas.

–DON’T forget to have a back up plan. If something doesn’t work out, it’s important to have a Plan B so you aren’t left with any missing details.

–DO know when to trust the professionals. If you know nothing about graphic design or stationary, you may want to leave designing your invites to someone with the experience necessary to create a gorgeous product. Sometimes it makes more sense to spend a bit more money and save yourself the stress of worrying if the end product will come out the way you want it to.

Did you DIY for your wedding or are you planning to do so? Share your favorite DIY projects or stories on our Facebook page!

It’s All in the Details: Outdoor Celebrations

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

With Spring here and Summer on the way, the number of outdoor weddings will be creeping up as well. There are so many beautiful options for an outdoor celebration with something to suit every bride’s budget and style. Here are some of our favorites!

1. Farm Weddings – For the rustic chic look, barns and farms make the perfect backdrop. With rollicking fields and stunning natural landscapes, these are lovely scenes for your wedding day photography. The collage above features Tyrone Farm’s Chestnut Barn, located in Pomfret, Connecticut. Featuring elegant gardens, a stone terrace, and, of course, the gorgeous barn, there a number of options for a unique ceremony and reception on your wedding day at Tyrone Farm. It’s a truly special venue for the countryside bride.

2. Beach Weddings – The beach makes a wonderful location for the couple who loves sand and surf. Offering a breezy, laid back feel, sandy beaches are perfect for the destination wedding or for the domestic one, giving guests a feeling of being on vacation for the day. Additionally, the beach makes the perfect blank canvas for your reception, giving you complete freedom to dress it however you like.

3. Garden Weddings – For a sophisticated celebration, gardens can make a stunning venue selection. If you love flowers, this is the best spot for you. Gorgeous colors and blooms add character to your celebration and provide inspiration for all of the little details.

4. Backyard Weddings – If you’ve got the right backyard, this can be the best option for the bride on a budget. You can save on the venue and put a little more into the details. A backyard celebration can be the the most comfortable and they can also be filled with the most love. For the family who is incredibly tight knit, these parties can be so raucous and fun, while truly reflecting the joy of the couple and their loved ones.

5. More fun options: For a wooded feel, try checking out state parks or national forests in your area to see if they’d allow you to have a wedding there. If you love horses, the racetrack can also be a lovely choice.

Did you or are you having an outdoor wedding? Share with us on our Facebook or in a comment below!!

Manic Monday: Choosing a Photographer

Manic Monday By Alyssa Aiola

You spend months and maybe even over a year planning your wedding and then within 6-8 hours it is all gone with nothing left to remember it by other then your wedding photographs.  We understand that your photographer could be the most important person you are spending your money on since wedding photographs are cherished keepsakes that are passed down through generations. This passed weekend we attended Bridal Rebellion (a bridal workshop full of vendors and industry related business’s)  where The Lovely Lens lent the audience an interesting point of view on photographers by stating ” Their is no such thing as a wedding photographer, their is only good and bad photography.” This statement really had us thinking and is totally true, you either know how to work with light and your camera or you don’t.  In order to find the right photographer to capture all of the you weddings finest moments we have created a list of key questions you should be asking so you avoid any type of stress or worry or even legal matters.

1. Research: Ask your friends, inquire at bridal shops and with the management of the ceremony and reception sites you have chosen. Also browse bridal websites for information and links to photographers that work in your area.(www.weddingwire.com)
2. Style : In order to receive the exact style of photos that you have in mind you must go though a photographers look book and see their work. Are you looking for more of a traditional style with posed pictures or more candid shots throughout the day, or maybe even more lighthearted and playful shots. You have to see the photographers past work to see if they can match your vision.
3. Examine the Photos: When looking through any photographers look books you must keep in mind and examine the basics of the pictures-such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition. Pay attention to the photographer’s ability to capture the emotion of the day. Does it appear that he has the personality to make his subjects comfortable and happy? Or is she the type of photographer that seemingly takes pictures without much passion.
4. Professionalism: On your wedding day it is important that you feel confident in your photographer in knowing they have done this a lot in the past and have a solid background. Not only should you ask how long have they been a photographer but also how many weddings have they shot. Also ask if they have ever had a wedding at your venue, maybe they are firmiliar with the lighting and space.
5. Budget: Photographer fees, prints, albums, etc. generally come to approximately 12% of the entire wedding budget. This will allow you to quickly discard candidates which you cannot afford.
6. Contract: While you want to make sure you book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Make sure you are signing for the exact package of photos as well as service you discussed. * Make sure the amount of hours they will be at the wedding/ceremony is written in the contract*
7. Equipment: Although you may not be a professional photographer yourself, you should know what type of camera and equipment your photographer will be using during your event. You may find that you are more particular about it than you think.
8. Package: Create  a custom package with your photographer with every detail in writing. Maybe you only want your photographer to be present for 1-3 hours during the reception or you might want a package that  may include a pre-wedding engagement sessions, rehearsal dinner photographs, bridal portraits and newlywed photos.
9. Quantity of Images: This is another aspect that for liability reasons you should get in writing. Some photographers may provide you with under 100 images to remember your wedding day by. Higher-end photographers often capture thousands of images (generally from 1,000 to 3,000) for you to keep forever.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect photographer for your wedding day and look forward to hearing your feedback! Tell us about your wedding photography experience by either replying to this post, writing on our Facebook wall or tweeting us!!