Summer Sun & Wedding Fun

Summer is here and we're kicking off the high wedding season in style! Don't let the summer heat beat you - have some fun in sun like this contemporary spread in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings:

Playing the game of love never looked so fun! And for the fellas? A well tailored shirt and skinny slacks makes all the difference.

You'll have your wedding looking so stylish with a few modern classic touches and a splash of the sun's golden hues for some instant impact.

Images courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Nailing It

Open toe, peep toe, or closed toe, you're going to want your little piggies in tip top shape as you walk down the aisle and these colors from Essie will have you looking perfectly polished!

The eclectic brights of the Neon Collection are sure to put that extra boogie in your step! Need something blue? The North Folk Collection of dreamy blues is reminiscent of bright blue skies and deep welcoming waters.

Click here to find a color that will compliment your skin tone and quite possibly your wedding color palette too!

Fab Frocks Friday: Thriller

Paying tribute to a legend. . . thank you Michael.

Images courtesy of Style.

Mad Props

If all the wedding's a stage, and men and women merely players, then having the right props for your production is an absolute must!

Take these options from Taylor Creative Props that excite the senses and infuse environments with modern aesthetics and bold color. Each piece reflects the latest design trends and brings a fresh approach to your occasions specific needs.


Images via Taylor Creative Props.

Oh So Dreamy

If you've never seen the magical wedding inspiration boards by Kathryn at Snippet & Ink, then you haven't completed all your wedding research. Indeed, her incredible eye for fabulous dream day details has me giggling in delight.

Her take on the popular Tiffany Blue wedding makes me feel as if I'm seeing it for the first time:

Now if any of you brides have ever tried making her own inspiration board, you know just how hard it is. Kathryn - she makes it look so effortlessly chic!

Source: Snippet & Ink.

Devil's in the Details

From Brides, dresses with luxurious accents and embellishments beg for a closer look:

Rows of bows, embroidered scallop motifs, precise pleats, tiny tulle flowers, and featherlight draped organza. At first glance, something catch your eye. You take a step closer to look at the intricate detailing, noting the fine craftsmanship and exquisite design. It's a beauty, you are utterly charmed. You take a step back, your heart skips a beat - could this be the one?

The right adornments are breathtaking at first glance and leave a lasting impression speaking to style, quality, and refinement.

What sets these wedding dresses apart from the rest? As you know, the devil's in the details.

Fab Frocks Friday: Something Blue

Calling all Fashionistas and Brides-to-Be: Bluefly and Nicole Miller have come together to make sure you have something fab to wear to the one (or five) wedding(s) you're invited to this summer. They're talking exclusive access to select dresses from Nicole Miller's Spring '09 show plus wedding gowns from her Bridal '09 collection at up to 60% off.

If you want to be part of this 2-day only shopping event which starts June 23rd, Fan Bluefly's Facebook Wedding page and they'll give you all the Big Day deets.


Images courtesy Brides.

Just Maids?

Brides be careful! There's a terrible, terrible condition infecting even the most sweet nature girls called bridezilla-itis. Symptoms include temper tantrums, overall unpleasantness, strained relations between family and friends, and complete disregard of other's feelings in hopes of achieving the perfect wedding.

Okay, so there won't be a public health warning about this epidemic, but when did being the bride give you free rein to stomp on other people?

If you are a bride who completely forgot her lessons in etiquette because of her wedding, remember the patron saint of graciousness and manners and ask yourself, "What would Audrey do?"

Better yet, watch one episode of WEtv's Bridezillas and if you come to realize your actions mirror that of the show's brides then take a step back and think to yourself if this is the bride you want to be. Wouldn't it just be awful to not have the love and support of your loved ones because you've alienated them all on the lead up to the big day?

After all, we're here to promote Cinderella's not ugly stepsisters - and we all know how well that turned out!

So brides, heed that inner voice that tells you to be courteous to all, otherwise you just might be the one that turns into a pumpkin at the end of the night!

Images courtesy of Vogue, Glamorama by Steve Meisel.

Puff the Magic Flower

Nothing quite makes a wedding like the proper use of flowers and choosing the right flowers for your wedding can sometimes be a delicate battle between your dreams and your budget.

So it gives me great pleasure to reintroduce you to the carnation - a flower once designated to the aisle of our supermarket florist. As InStyle Weddings asked "Carnations, Really?" But really, the solution is so simple and cleverly chic, it makes all of us wish we thought of it first!

Make an immediate impression on your guests by grouping identical items in a relatively small space. Here, the illusion of volume created by the multiples has even more impact than one giant centerpiece would.

For all you recessionista brides: if you love the idea of having flowers galore at your wedding, carnations might be your best option. Each stem averages one dollar, making the carnation easier to design with on a large scale. Plus, the blooms are so durable that you don't have to worry about your display wilting.

Go graphic: carnations work incredibly well in clean geometric shapes like spheres. You can also try squares, rectangles or even more unconventional shapes like trapezoids.

Choose One Color: size isn't the only way to make a beautiful statement. The bold use of color can also grab the attention of your guests.

Images courtesy of InStyle Weddings arnations Really styled by Bryan Robert Hamecs, photographed by Shimon & Tammar.

Tablescapes

The landscape of your reception is influenced by what type of tables you use. Round or rectangular, they both have their merits, though my heart leans towards rectangular tables. One thing I know for sure, gone are the days where couples have uniform centerpieces upon their table.

Take a cue from these fabulous tablescapes that employ centerpieces in alternating heights and runner style decor. Wouldn't you agree this look much more interesting than the standard round tall centerpieces, not to mention being view and conversation friendly?

A designer note - if you're in the mood to mix and match, keep your flowers uniform in each vase and play up the color by adding complimentary toned blooms along the length of the entire table. A bold wash of color catches the eye and looks oh so chic!


Images courtesy of Mindy Weiss, David Tutera Events, f ê t e, and Details Details.

Who Do You Look Up To?

Whether creating a canopy of delicate hanging flowers or stunning archways for you to walk through, Preston Bailey always finds a new way to re-imagine the world . Preston's unique eye for detail and flair for drama has made him the world's preeminent event designer. I love how he works to completely utilize the entire space before him.

Take a look at these event details that immediately draw your eye heavenwards:

Heaven on earth? I think so.

Images courtesy of Preston Bailey.