Joe the Coffee Maker

Say it ain't so Joe! With a cup of coffee this cute, how can you take a sip? Brides, check out these absolutely adorable coffee stencils from fellow all-cute-things blogger Thoughts of Glee.

My personal favorite? "Marry Me?" of course! Wouldn't it just be darling if you answered back with your own coffee stenciled "Yes!"

What a way to start the day!


Image via Thoughts of Glee.

Far and Away

I'm ready for my close up! We all know how beautiful the close-up can be for your wedding shots, but sometimes a long shot is by far the best way to capture the quiet grandeur of the moment.

Images via This is Glamorous, Norman Jean Roy, and New York Post,

Think Pink!

It's time to think pink! Here's a wedding that showcases the use of every girl's favorite color in a contemporary wedding. The secret? Using tonal shades of pink as well as non traditional decor such as paper pom poms, thin wire, and ribbon lace through the centerpieces.

Images via WedLuxe.

Fab Frocks Friday: Is it any Wonder?

White dress? Check. Flowers? Check. Balloons? Check. French ingenue look? Check.

Proving that a great photographer can make anything look spectacular.

Images courtesy of Sarah V Fletcher.

Purple Reign

This fall it's all about the purple reign. Purple is quickly becoming the color of choice for style savvy brides, and who could resist? With its jewel tones, purple imparts all the grandeur and luxury a fashionable bride could want.

Take a cue from these gorgeous receptions that deck your space out in a rich color wash of purple. Whether you use white florals for contrast or stick to varying shades of purple throughout your space, the majesty of purple is fit for royalty. After all you are the princess for the day!

Images via David Beahm Design, Details Details, and David Tutera.

Ce' Magnifique!

Paris holds the keys to your heart! From J.L. Coquet, the "Paris Sienne" dinner service evokes the spirit of the fifties and combines feminine charm with playful elegance. The pink decor stands out prominently on the perfectly white Limoges porcelain. Their matching dusky pink edges emphasize the effect of the decorative pattern.

Perfect plates for your next bridal shower or garden party. Très charmant!

Image via Artedona.

Finding the One

If you're a bride looking for a dress to satisfy the highest fashion stickler, these one shouldered gowns are the perfect blend of fashion savvy and bridal beauty.

Close fitting sweetheart bodices to show off the feminine form paired with spectacular volume and flowing layers, these gowns represent the new classic goddess in all her splendor. What say you ladies? Volume for the ceremony and flowing layers to dance the night away?

Have no doubt, the only words to be said about these gowns will be words of love. So put your best foot - I mean shoulder - forward and get ready to shine!

Images via Rosa Clara.

Fashion Victory

One of my favorite actresses and emerging style icon Lindsay Price, aka Victory Ford of Lipstick Jungle, looking like quite the goddess at the 61st Emmy Awards.

Can't wait to post about all the gorgeous one shoulder wedding gowns - until tomorrow!

Image via Getty Images.

Fab Frocks Friday: Thread Design

This October, Thread Design, the go to line for stylish bridesmaid dresses, will turn the big 1-0.

So, to celebrate this milestone, they've teamed up with InStyle Weddings to offer their lovely brides- and bridesmaids-to-be a chance to play fashion designer.

Here’s the deal: Sketch your dream bridesmaid dress and submit. If your design wins, we will create the dress for up to eight bridesmaids and add the style to our permanent collection. We know, we know, it is a pretty sweet deal.

To enter, send your sketch to weddings@instylemag.com or 1271 Avenue of the Americas NY NY 10020 Attn: InStyle Wedding Design Your Bridesmaid Dress Contest.

Click here for complete contest rules. Click here to learn more about Thread.

The Box Step

Work things out in your favor! Here's some tips from Martha on how to create swoon worthy favors on a dime . . .

From top to bottom:

1. Play with color by swapping the lids on bright boxes. Affix printed labels, then tie contrasting elastic cording in bows and loop them around corners.

2. Add your mark with these favors inspired by the packaging of fine chocolatiers. You can cover prepackaged chocolates in personalized paper decorated with your initials, names, or wedding date. Any word-processing program can produce simple type, but a graphics program is needed for more complicated designs. Print on lightweight paper, and finish with slim ribbon.

3. Favor boxes can look playful or sophisticated with yarn. Many of these ideas use the same technique: Attach the end of yarn to the bottom of a box with a clear round mailing seal. Wind yarn around the box several times, cut off, and affix the other end to the bottom with a second seal. Precut all of your yarn before wrapping.

4. A beaded message and a few lines of Shakespearean verse photocopied onto newsprint paper spell out pure romance.

For more Martha goodness, click here for a bounty of your favor-ite things.

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings.

By Your Own Accord

Preppy grosgrain ribbon just got a make over! For any bride to be, guest, or fashionista, here's an accordion pleated necklace from 3.1 Philip Lim that is sure to make a statement. Don't you just love the perfect color palette of white, gold and black? It's an instant classic that you'll be wearing for years to come!

Image via Net-a-porter.

Soak Up the Sun

And if weather permits, a sunny wedding day never hurts! Here are some gorgeous shots of the grand and the heartfelt.

Images via Hoffman Photography from Details Details, David Tutera, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Under the Weather

We can no more control who we fall in love with than we can control the weather.

If you wake up and find your wedding day has less than sunny skies, fret not dear bride, for here are some tips that will help you weather any storm!

Begin with a positive outlook. Sure, the rain isn't ideal, but it could be worse. After all, rain is something that is extremely romantic. Don't let your desire to pout about the weather stop you and your groom from embracing the highly romantic nature of a rainstorm. Rain is known to bring about feelings of warmth, enchantment, and coziness. Take a chance and embrace the romanticism that comes along with that hated rain storm.

Some brides might freak out and wonder what will become of the wedding photos. If you've hired a good, professional photographer (which you should have), they should have no problem taking pictures in the rain.

Some photographers even claim that rainy weather creates better pictures. The soft lighting associated with rainy days can make for easy picture taking and the sight of rain drops through a camera lens can create some stunning final pictures. Let the creative juices flow for you and your photographer and the results might end up surprising you.

Of course, it never hurts to have a back up plan just in case. Should a rain cloud loom over the horizon, be prepared with decorative umbrellas for you and your guests (adorable picture alert - there's bound to be more than one pair of love birds cuddling up under the umbrella) or an alternative ceremony and reception site should your venue allow. Speak with your vendors for any additional rainy day rentals and details beforehand such as a large canopy or tent for a divine and dry time.

And for that walk down the aisle? Forget those stilettos that will get stuck in the mud and try some wellies. Here's a great idea from this resourceful bride:

So put a little sunshine on your face and enjoy the day - after all, it only comes once!

Images via Elizabeth Anne Design.

Fab Frocks Friday: Remembering

On this day, let's take a moment to pay tribute to a lady that lived with grace and dignity - really just simple gestures of good will to make the world a better place for all of us.

Your Time to Sparkle

Get ready to shine in a sparkly soiree fit for a princess!

What girl wouldn't want a posh, polished wedding with all the details in place?

Images via Brides.

The Great Diamond Dash of 2009

Michael C. Fina and TACORI, leaders in the jewelry and bridal industry, have partnered to host a diamond scavenger hunt in Manhattan on September 12, 2009 at 12:00 noon entitled the “Diamond Dash: Dash for a Diamond & A Cure.” Proceeds generated through the dash will support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), of which Michael C. Fina is a National Supporting Sponsor.

Grand prize winners of the Diamond Dash will receive a beautiful handcrafted Tacori engagement ring setting, matched with a Tacori Diamond, both valued at approximately $20,000, as well as a honeymoon package to Waikoloa Beach Resort on Hawaii's Big Island, including roundtrip airfare and four nights hotel accommodations at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The dash will culminate with the ultimate romantic proposal.

"Michael C. Fina is honored to host the ‘Diamond Dash: Dash for a Diamond & a Cure.’ With the help of our partners, we strive to bring awareness to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society while demonstrating how diamonds make a difference in everyone’s lives,” said Steven Fina, VP of Michael C. Fina.

Dashers will make their way to various wedding-related destinations in New York via clues texted to their mobile device. The team to arrive at each stop first will receive a special prize valued at up to $3,500 each. The couple that puts their knowledge of New York bridal landmarks to the test the best by arriving first at the ultimate destination will receive the coveted Tacori engagement ring, Hawaiian honeymoon package, and once-in-a-lifetime proposal opportunity.
“We are thrilled to exclusively launch our Tacori Diamond in New York with Michael C. Fina as part of the ‘Diamond Dash’,” says SVP Sales and Marketing, Paul Tacorian. “We are honored to support this amazing cause, and we wish all the Dashers the best of luck!”

Potential teams of two can sign up for the event at www.diamondsmakeadifference.com or link from www.michaelcfina.com or www.tacori.com. No more than 1,000 teams will be selected to participate by means of random sampling.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is grateful to Michael C. Fina and Tacori for their unwavering support of LLS' mission to cure blood cancers. Events like ‘The Diamond Dash’ help LLS fund critical research and provide much-needed services to blood cancer patients and their families," said Michael Osso, Executive Director of the New York City Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

All dash participants will receive prizes from partners including Tumi, Godiva Chocolatier, Kleinfeld, Town&Country Weddings, Ron Ben-Israel, and John Allan’s, totaling nearly $1,000. Participants who raise $100 or more for LLS will be given a special gift courtesy of Michael C. Fina. Prize distribution will take place at an after-party held at Michael C. Fina following the dash’s conclusion.

Monique Lhullier Hearts Bridesmaids

The bride wore Monique Lhuillier. The bridesmaids wore Monique Lhuillier.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Calling all ladies who love Monique Lhuillier - and who doesn't love her? Introducing her first collection of bridesmaid dresses that are sure to please. What's more, the entire collection is available online, making planning a coast to coast wedding that much easier.

Images via Monique Lhuillier.