Making Me Blush!

A palette of blush pink paired with either white or ivory and a metallic of silver or gold? Say it with me now...romance! I'm obsessed and I don't care who knows it!

This year seems to be all about the soft touches. How are you bringing the romance to your most romantic of days?

Fingerprints!

Y'all...I've had writer's block. Hard core. Sorry for the silence. I'm gonna bet that you somehow survived though. Yes? Good.

Anywho... I'm back! And I found this super adorable alternative to a guestbook. Who really needs guests names signed in a little book that a.) you'll never look at again (unless you do so just to spite me for saying that you'll never read it ;) and b.) you can't decipher. Uncle Bill is a doctor afterall. Everyone knows you can't read their writing!

This particular poster comes from a lady from Etsy (and if you know me, you know that I love Etsy!). Find her here... Custom Silouette Wedding Poster.

Hope you all had wonderful holidays (it's been that long since I've posted) & if you're newly engaged, congratulations!

Happy Friday!

Peter, Peter...

Y'all, autumn is crazy for me! I've been slacking on these blogs, I know! But I'm back... at least for the moment!

Not only is fall an insane busy time for most of us in the wedding industry but it also happens to be my very favorite time of year. The chilly weather (although we've had quite the Indian summer here this year...hello 90 degree weather. What?), the changing leaves, sweaters, scarves, mulled cider...my list goes on and on.

One item on that list of "loves" is pumpkins. Big fat ones, little cute ones, orange ones, white ones...it doesn't matter. I think they're adorable. And for my October brides, I love the idea of incorporating these gourds into your big day.

Now, I'm not suggesting jack-o-lanterns...at least not in the classic sense. Cut pretty designs out, paint them, glitter them, bejewel them. The possibilities are endless! Remember that it's all in the details. Scatter a few lit up pumpkins throughout your event. Down the aisle, on your cocktail tables, lining the back of your escort card table, etc. etc.

Where to find these pumpkins? Make a day of it and go pumpkin picking with your wedding party. I'll be checking out Arata Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay with a few of my besties this Sunday. Photo ops abound! I'm thinking it'll be a really fun memory maker for you & those closest to you. Right?

Pumpkins can be a whimsical, cute and fun touch to your wedding. But if you don't want to go that far with the fall theme then maybe consider a dessert bar with autumnal touches. Mini pumpkin pies, apple tarts and bourbon bread pudding. Yum, right?

As always, have fun with it. Happy Fall, y'all!

What's More Fun Than A DYI Involving Beer? Nothing, That's What.

Today's inpiration is comes from my little brain's inability to shut off at 2am. One of my family members recently became engaged and I, of course, have been itching to get some wedding planning done regardless of the fact that they decided to postpone their big day. If ya'll didn't know...weddings can be expensive for those of us with good taste (it must run in the family!). That and these two have such big hearts that they don't want their parents to have to pay out of their retirements for their dream wedding. Anywho, just because it's postponed a bit doesn't stop me from brainstorming.

A few items that I took into consideration:

• The bride wants her girls in black dresses...so they can wear them again. What a sweetie! Got to love a considerate bride!
• The bride & groom aren't frilly. There will be no pink, no glitter, no feathers.
• Their main focus is for their guests to have the time of their life, for their families to have time enough to get to know each other and for there to be an open bar.
• They aren't "ballroom" people so the possible venues have all had a rustic feel to them. For example, Holman Ranch is a contender.
• They are both foodies & drinkies. And yes, I just coined "drinkies". You're welcome, Websters.

With all of that in mind I put together the following ideas...

• Rustic Wooden Family Style Tables with Mahogany "Bistro" Chairs & Glass Etched Chargers
• Floral Arrangements in Old Beer Bottles in Various Glass Colors (Clear, Brown & Green)
• Cost Effective Flowers (No Peonies Here!) in White/Cream Palette To Include Baby's Breath, Mums and Freesia (To give off that a-mazing scent...I'm a big believer in just a touch of fragrant flowers. It's a memory maker.)

Favorite part of this design? The beer bottles. And since they've postponed the wedding a bit it means they'll have plenty of time to drink all that beer. Pretty sure their friends won't mind helping with that wedding project!

Campsite Not Required

In case you haven't noticed yet, I've got myself quite the sweet-tooth. Cravings come along with that sweet-tooth and on this foggy day all I can think about is bundling up around a bonfire on the beach and roasting s'mores.

I love the idea of incorporating these tasty treats into a late summer wedding. How do you do that, you ask? Well, funny you should ask...

• How about you offer up these S'more Nut Bars in a little cellophane bag, pretty ribbon & custom tag as your favors?
• Or, if you're going the cupcake route why not offer up these scrumptious looking S'more Cupcakes?
• Look at this idea that I stumbled on...S'mores Cake In a Jar. Pretty sure I'm going to be trying this at home very soon! Marshmallows? Good. Chocolate Cake? Good. Graham Cracker Crust? Good. Put it all in a jar and call it a day? Sold.
• Now, I've been seeing a lot of pie stations...and I love it! But, they're most often berry pies (which again, I love!) but why not shake things up a bit with a S'More Pie?
• Or, heck, go the traditional route! Have a beach-side rehearsal dinner with all the fixin' of a traditional bonfire! Barbecue up some meat, bring some beer and roast those s'mores! It'll definitely be a rehearsal to remember!

If you're not a s'mores fan (borderline blasphemy if you ask me!) then incorporate something else you love into your big day! It's all in the details, ya'll.

Hope you're all out enjoying your Saturday! xoxo


**Thanks to Jason Diavatis with Bay Area Entertainment for inspiring my craving! Looking forward to our next SF NACE event! S'mores and all!**

You Know That Old Saying...

So the saying goes, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in her shoe". It's said that if a bride has all of the before mentioned items on her person that her marriage will be a happy one. Let's take a peek at each of these for some helpful suggestions...

Something old symbolizes continuity to the bride's family & the past. A few options for "something old" are:

• An old family locket or other sentimental piece of jewelry.
• A love letter from your grandmother to your grandfather (back when people still wrote love letters!).
• A vintage hankie.
• A small photograph from your parents wedding in a small frame & attached to your bouquet.

Something new symbolizes hope & optimism for the bride & her new husband. Consider the following for your newness:

• Sassy new shoes. I'm thinking Louboutin...but that's just me ;).
• The key to your new home.
• A new piece of jewelry...mayhaps something your sweet groom gifted to you on the big day (Hint hint, guys!). 

Something borrowed is usually borrowed from a happily married friend or family member. It's said that their good luck in marriage will be carried over to the new couple. It will also remind the bride that she has family & friends to rely on in her new adventure. Ideas on this one are:

• A fabulous vintage brooch from your grandmother's stash of costume jewelry (Another great item for the bouquet!).
• You know that couple that everyone wants to be? How about you ask to borrow her veil? It was gorgeous after all...
• Your favorite aunt's favorite pair of earrings. She's always had good taste. That's why she's your favorite.

Something blue symbolizes love, modesty & fidelity. In fact, the color blue has been tied to weddings since Ancient Rome! A few true blue thoughts are...

• Something lacy & blue underneath that dress of yours.
• Sapphires. Plain & simple.
• Blue satin ribbon wrapped around your bouquet.

Now, the tricky part. Sixpence. It's said that putting a sixpence in your left shoe on your wedding day will usher in good fortune & prosperity. Problem is...where do you even begin to find a sixpence? It's actually quite easy with the handy dandy internet. There are actual companies out there that specialize in wedding sixpences. Oh, the wedding industry. Anything and everything you could ever need is out there.

Whether you choose to follow the saying to a "t" or forgo it altogether, your day is what you make it and it will be special no matter what. Food for thought!

xoxo

Fabulous Fascinators



For those of you not in the know, a fascinator is termed as a frivolous head decoration. In other words, pure fabulousness. Now, some of ya'll may not want to rock this much pure unadulterated awesome on your big day. If that's the case, I do think that it'd still be a really fun accessory for either your rehearsal dinner or bachelorette party. Heck, even include your girlies in the fun! Put your bridesmaids in some fun head toppers for the ceremony or ask that your girls wear these to your bachelorette party.

Incorporating these fun little architectural head pieces will ensure that you have the most stylish of soirees! Current obsession right there. Happy Friday, ya'll!

**Check out out more of these head pieces on Etsy @ EllaGajewska