Fab Frocks Friday: Cover Girls and Butterflies

Hope you have a lovely long weekend. And don't forget to pick up the summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings on newsstands May 31st!

I'll be reading mine on the way to NYC for the big J. Crew Bridal Salon unveil and a few other happening wedding events. Next week - dispatches from NYC - so excited, I cannot wait!

A few lovely links to tide you over til next week . . .

• Many congratulations on the new bundle of joy over at A Cup of Jo
• Will this pretty be at the J.Crew Bridal Salon?
• Get connected
• Thank you's the DIY way

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings.

The (purely paper) Flower Shoppe by David Stark

I'm always thrilled to see the awe inspiring creations from David Stark. David has the most ingenious way of using everyday objects and transform them into something truly amazing.

Like this absolutely adorable purely paper flower pop up shoppe at west elm in Brooklyn. David and his team collected discarded books from across Brooklyn and used the pages to create this flower shoppe.

So charming!

Images via David Stark Sketchbook.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Liz from EatCakeBeMerry

This week's Wedding Wish Wednesday comes to us from the wonderful Liz Shim, owner and head designer of EatCakeBeMerry. Liz has shared with the cinderella project some great tips for choosing your perfect wedding cake:

1) Quality Baker

Make sure you choose a great baker that will use the freshest and finest ingredients. Lots of bakeries use shortening instead of real butter, low quality cocoa, and imitation extracts to cut their costs. It's okay to ask your vendor these questions and it's always better to pay a little more for a baker that will use quality ingredients. The final product can only be as good as the ingredients that go into it.

2) Be Creative

When choosing a design for your cake, be creative and don't feel confined by trends or tradition. Cakes have greatly evolved from plain tiers with flowers to sculptures and works of art. Custom cakes are designed to reflect the bride and groom’s personality and uniqueness. So feel free to express yourself through the colors, patterns, tier shapes, and toppers. Another popular idea is to design the cake so it is consistent with the graphics and colors of your invitations. Therefore, when going in to meet your baker bring invitation samples, color palettes, themes, or photos that will help you create a perfect cake for your special day.

3) Delicious Pairings

When building the flavor profile for your wedding cake remember that simplicity is key and choose flavors that complement each other. At a tasting, you may be overwhelmed with so many delicious flavors that it's hard to choose what you want. Some brides ask for 5-6 different cake, filling, and frosting combinations! Although it may be difficult to limit yourself if everything you sample is delicious, too many competing flavors in one bite can end up disastrous. Try to keep it simple so you can really taste the distinct ingredients in the layers and if you are not sure what pairs well, ask your baker for recommendations.

(Psst - they make cupcakes too!)

So ladies - eat cake, be merry, and be married. Thank you so much Liz! And don't forget to check out Liz's blog on all the happenings at EatCakeBeMerry.


Images via EatCakeBeMerry.

Package Makes Perfect

Who doesn't love presents - especially ones that look like these! I must confess - I enjoy wrapping gifts more than receiving them. Chalk it up to my Martha Stewart tendencies which I honed at at early age whilet working the gift wrapping counter at my local department store. There's just something about wrapping up your package in a smart and stylish way that gets my creative juices flowing - wouldn't you agree ladies?

Which is why I love these smart design from Claridges, London that take the idea of packaging and gifts to a new dimension.

Rather than spending all the bucks on big and fancy wedding favors that may be relegated to the re-gifting corner, think of the many simple everyday objects in your life that can be re-imagined for a cohesive look to your wedding. Maybe, instead of monogramming every aspect of the wedding think of a unique design element to bring everything together.

Your favorite No. 2 pencil gets a designer's makeover complete with complimentary colored eraser. A classic white tote looks so stylish and charming with a few added design touches. Simple everyday items dressed up in a new way.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary.


Images via TheDieline.com

Peace, Love & Understanding

Because all we really need is a little Peace, Love & Understanding!

If you're like me you love the beauty and intricacy of calligraphy. Now you can wear the beautiful work of art in a new and original scarf from Bernard Maisner and Echo Design Group. Each limited edition scarf is wearable art, voicing a message of Peace, Love & Understanding to the world. This message of hope and optimism is one that everyone can relate to. Maisner’s beautiful letterforms are screen printed on a delicate lightweight 100% wool scarf, combining the vision of an iconic artist and a world class design house.

A fitting gift for any occasion!

Image via Bernard Maisner.

Fab Frocks Friday: Wedding Gowns and Grand Spaces

. . . and lovely links for the weekend read . . .

• Inspiration: Perfectly Ornate
  
• A must see collection from Christian Dior Resort 2011
• These take the cake
  
• Are you up with love?
• Bridesmaids revisited
  

Images via Rivini.

These Lights Will Inspire You

If you're ever in Las Vegas I highly recommend stopping by the Cartier boutique in the new City Center - and not just for the diamonds! It's there I saw one of the most beautiful chandeliers I had ever seen.

Take a few steps into the store and you're greeted by a magnificent chandelier floating in the air. Take a few more steps and you'll see each individual Swarovski crystal candle is perfectly suspended in air by a thin piece of steel wire. It's quite the masterpiece and absolutely breathtaking, to say the least.

And the genius' behind this art? Windfall Contemporary Crystal Lighting. Their clientele is a Who's Who of luxury's elite like Cartier, Mont Blanc, and The Savoy, London, just to name a few. Here's a look at some of their other installations from around the world:

Inspired. Are you?

Images via Windfall Contemporary Crystal Lighting

J.Crew Bridal Salon

It's almost here! The J.Crew Bridal Salon! Come Wednesday June 2, Madison Avenue will play home to the first ever J.Crew Bridal Salon. Elegantly crafted with herringbone floors, custom plaster moldings, ebony wood and more, this simple and elegant salon features a carefully edited assortment of J.Crew pieces on the first floor and an appointment only bridal salon on the second.

To get your heart beating here are just a few of the Special collections carried in the salon:

• Albertus Swanepoel headpieces: Exclusive to J.Crew
• Bobbi Brown, lip-gloss
• Cosabella lingerie
• Essie, nail polish
• Fenton Fallon for J.Crew jewelry
• Histoires de Parfums
• L'Artisan, fragrance and candles
• Leah C couture veils & headpieces: exclusive to J.Crew
• Miriam Haskell for J.Crew, vintage and vintage inspired pieces
• Wolford, hosiery: 11 exclusive styles for Fall ‘10

And pampered brides will love the Special Services for the store such as:

• Champagne and sparkling water
• One on one appointments with our specialists ~ We will be your one stop, go-to specialist handle all details of your wedding and bridal party so you don’t have to—keep track of their measurements, details, who has ordered their dress, etc.
• Personal shopping to help you with all your wedding-related events and beyond from rehearsal dinner to everything you need for your honeymoon
• Surprise and delights for clients who purchase a gown
• Courier Services
• Alteration recommendations
• Special packaging—just for this store inclusive of bags, garment bags, boxes
• We’ll Find It For You – No matter what the item is, if we don’t have it available at the J.Crew Bridal Boutique, J.Crew will try to find it for you. From every retail store, to our extensive online shop, to across the globe, it will be yours - Just ask us, and we’ll find it.
• Special Wedding packet for brides ~ giving insight into everything J.Crew wedding, what we can do, what we offer, a special little takeaway.
• The 4-1-1 – Offering our recommendations for NYC brides to find cakes, flowers, wedding planners, etc. We also include a list of everything that the bride will need on her wedding day –seamless undergarments, lingerie, spanx, vintage jewelry, veils, perfume and more. We truly are a one-stop-shop for every bride.

And did I mention that Darcy Miller - yes the Darcy Miller - will be the lovely hostess of this extraordinary event? To RSVP send an email to Kate@jcrew.com.

I'm thinking of taking a trip to NYC just to see this!

Image via J.Crew.

Dress + Kate = GREAT

Seeing as my company is at the Cannes Film Festival, I thought it would be nice to share a little of the glitz and glamour from my 9-5 with all my lovely readers. From the Cannes Film Festival, international style icon the great Kate Beckinsale looking ever so regal and polished in her Gucci Premiere. Extra points for the dress being white and oh so wedding ready. Don't you just love when everything ties in together?

Kate, you wear it so well!

Images via Zimbio.

The Big Picture

Is the stress of wedding planning driving you mad?

A dear friend of mine recently got engaged and asked for some advice on wedding planning. Working in the wedding industry, there was plenty of advice I thought to give her - invitations, locations, wedding gowns, cakes, decor, reception, shoes, hair, beauty - you get the idea.

I thought about it for a minute and in the sea of knowledge I had about all things wedding, the best advice I could think of was "You only get married once. Enjoy it. Have fun. And don't stress about the little things."

I know many brides want their significant other to be a part of the wedding. But if he doesn't have an input on what grosgrain ribbon you use to tie your favors, in no way does his indifference to said ribbon suggest any indifference towards you. Yes the devil's in the details, but don't lose sight of the big picture.

Given his way, he would take you down to City Hall and tie the knot right then and there. No, it wouldn't be the romantic ideal you had in mind, but happily married you two would be.

So brides, you only get married once. Enjoy it. Have fun. And don't stress about the little things.

Some advice for life & love.

Image via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Fab Frocks Friday: Red Carpet Romance

The glamour! The excitement! The dress!

And for the weekend read, a few lovely links . . .

• Jewelry Giveaway!
• This sweet wedding cake makes me feel like a kid again
  
• Great advice from one of the best in the wedding industry
• Previews of brilliant work heading to the NSS - swoon!

Happy weekend!

Image via Tumblr.

Inspiration: Black & White & Pink

Top Row: Fashion Gone Rogue, Baccarat, {this is glamorous}
Bottom Row: Martha Stewart Weddings, Mika 78.

A little inspiration goes a long way! Hope you enjoy my first inspiration board in quite some time!

Images via Fashion Gone Rogue, Baccarat, {this is glamorous}, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Mika 78.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Bergdorf Beauty Girls

So excited to share with you some helpful beauty tips from the Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Girls. Check out the following for the Big Day, made specially for the cinderella project!

Images via Bergdorf Goodman.

Making Whoopie

Reader - I think it's time to make Whoopie - Whoopie Pie that is!

William & Sonoma played host to a lovely Sunday brunch during The B-List meet up where we bridal bloggers got to see first hand the latest kitchen and home gadgets on the market. There were panini makers, D5 pans, and juicers that made this self-proclaimed non-DIY-er want to test her mettle in the kitchen.

To my relief that I didn't have to get all Thomas Keller right out of the gate, I found this delightful Whoopie pan to prove my culinary worth.

Fond memories of my childhoods came back to me as I remembered devouring these delicious chocolate and cream goodies. And with easy to follow instructions on the pan, making Whoopie pies seems like a piece of cake (sorry, I just had to!).

Register or pick up a Whoopie Pie Pan today and I'm sure you wonderful readers will think up of loads of other goodies to make with your new Whoopie pan.

Image via notes from my food diary.

Seating Arrangements

So many ways to arrange the seats but only one wedding! The classic bride may prefer the traditional theater seating style. A modern bride might opt for a round seating arrangement (and not a bad seat in the house!). And the glamorous bride might strut her stuff down a runway-esque aisle complete with a small stage for the live music, naturally.

These pictures illustrate the many ways for your ceremony's seating arrangements. All equally gorgeous, you'll have a hard time deciding which way to go. You only get married once . . . though there are vow renewals - just sayin'!

Images via Details, Details and FemTalks.

Fab Frocks Friday: Leap of Faith

Throw your heart over. Love is a leap of faith.

Image from Vogue September 2004 by Steven Meisel via c+s.

Blushing Pink

Oh stop! You're making me blush! Lovely dresses and pretty pinks in this ballet inspired shoot from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Tips from Carey at The Dessy Group

I'm so excited to be introducing a new segment to the cinderella project - Wedding Wish Wednesday. Yes, every day is a wedding day at the cinderella project, but I'm dedicating Wednesdays as the day to share with you the tips and advice from the experts around the wedding industry.

Our first expert, Carey from The Dessy Group wants to share her thoughts on the big day for brides and bridesmaids alike. Before we take the plunge, how about these adorable frocks in bold and bright colors? Party perfect, I say!

Top 5 Tips for Brides

• Remember that it’s you and your man’s day. Do what makes you happy and plan what you’ve always dreamed. Don’t be pressured into extra this and that by well-meaning loved ones. It’s your day to shine and you should make it the day of your dreams.

• Your budget doesn’t have to be huge. Today’s brides are embracing the DIY movement and aren’t scared to shake things up a bit. Don’t want the huge wedding cake? Opt for cute cupcakes instead-you could even make them yourself! Not into recording everyone’s preference for chicken or fish? Offer finger foods throughout the evening instead. Beyond the ease on you and your pocketbook, you get more variety!

• For the day of it’s a good idea to have a small emergency wedding day kit on hand. Include clear nail polish for those stocking runs, a small sewing kit just in case, tissues (you’ll probably need them for those happy tears), breath mints, aspirin, and a powerbar-just in case you don’t make it to the buffet early enough.

• A second pair of shoes for the reception is always a good idea. After the fabulous photos of you in your fancy heals are taken, and you’ve glided down the aisle for all to see, it’s time to get some comfort on those toes so you can dance the night away!

• Most importantly: Relax. Have Fun. You only do this big day once and the planning and day of should be a joy. If something doesn’t go as planned, have a giggle and go to plan ‘b’. Don’t sweat the little things, after all this day is to celebrate your love for each other. Share the love!

Top 5 Tips for Bridesmaids

• When planning the bachelorette party remember who you are throwing it for. If the bride to be isn’t an anything goes tequila shots and strippers sort of gal, maybe opt for a night in with the girls with martini’s and fun games.
• Be a good hostess. At the wedding reception, introduce yourselves to family and friends, and them to each other. It’ll help everyone to feel comfortable and get acquainted.
• Be the friend you always have been. If the bride becomes overwhelmed at times be a listening ear and remind her to relax and not to sweat the small stuff. It WILL all turn out just beautifully with or without the worrying!
• Dance up a storm! Get on your feet and get the party started at the reception-WooHoo!
• As a bridesmaid you have some important responsibilities-the bachelorette party, the bridal shower, emotional support-but remember it’s all in fun and to celebrate your friends next chapter in life. So, bottom line, have fun!! Tell old stories, laugh at yourselves, and take a lot of pictures to remember this great time in both of your lives.

Great advice Carey!

Images via The Dessy Group.

Spotted

Be still my heart! I'm having a love affair with all things spotted. There's just something so chic with classic black and white in polka dot form.

Now there's been spotted wedding invitations, wedding dresses and wedding cakes, but how about a spotted room? Like the one seen here, complete with big over sized polka dots and chandelier - because a girl can never have too many chandeliers!

Any takers?

Images via Stella McCartney and Coute Que Coute by Tim Walker.

Left My Heart in San Francisco

Gorgeously crafted invitations are the order of the day at Delphine Press - one The B-List's lovely sponsors.

One of my favorites is the San Francisco Tile, a lovely design that blends modern with classic art deco motifs. And with crisp blues set against a backdrop of crisp white paper, the effect is the perfect way to announce your wedding.

Or should you like, Delphine makes it easy and fun for you to truly customize your wedding stationery. You’ll preview with confidence your entire suite before going to press, from the save the date to the invitation, menu and thank you card. Interactive pricing, instant previews, wonderful customization options, even wording and etiquette suggestions are all easily viewed, edited and saved from a single easy to use page.

Click here to see the full range of Delphine's wedding invitations!