Farm Fresh

Take one spirit of Chanel, a dash of country, mix in with brilliant planning and styling (from The Stylish Soiree), top off with touches of gorgeous florals (from JL Designs), and you've got a recipe for a inspiring wedding concept!

Red hued florals set in milky white country vases look so chic, especially with their white floral counterparts. Black accents add a sophisticated touch to this country soiree. A charming tweed runner helps to set the mood.

Check out all the images of this upscale country living shoot here!

Images by Studio 28 Photography via JL Designs.

Edible Solutions

It's time to get down and delicious with these cake alternatives from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Heavenly desserts like Mini Pavlovas, Coconut Souffles, Mini Angel Food Cakes and Miniature Rose Cakes . . .

Or dark and delicious Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Espresso Charlottes, Chocolate Raspberry Supreme, and Petit Fours . . .

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings.

Runway Way Bride: Marchesa Spring 2010

Ethereal. Dreamy. Gorgeous. Divine. Sophisticated. Fashion-forward. One of a kind. Stunning. Beautiful. These are just a few words to describe the 2010 Spring Bridal Collection from Marchesa.

Take a look and see if you agree . . .

Images via Marchesa.

Spring

What a wonderful first week of spring. Happy Friday!

Image via Corrie Bond.

Just Say Ban.Do!

If you are looking for a few accessories to dress up your wedding day look, these dreamy confections from ban.do are unapologetically gorgeous and feminine. Rows of crystals, delicate soft petals, glamorous feathers, each piece is pure perfection.

I am positively dying over the amazing style of each photo, especially the first photo. And those glamorous eyelashes? I'll say "I do" to those too!

Don't you just love being a girl?

Images via Ban.Do.

Life on The B-List

This year I was so excited to become a member of The B-List - an association comprised of the most influential wedding bloggers worldwide. Names like Brooklyn Bride, From I Will to I Do, Ritzy Bee, Green Wedding Shoes, Think Splendid, Junebug Weddings, and more.

The B-List, is holding it's annual conference in Washington, DC the weekend of April 16, 2010 and I am so excited to be attending!

If you are a wedding vendor, you are invited to attend the meet + greet cocktail reception being held on Friday, April 16th at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia from 7 - 10 pm.

The event is a great opportunity to meet and chat with all your favorite wedding bloggers in one place. For more information on registering to attend {and hurry because there are limited spaces!} please click here: http://theblist.eventbrite.com. Hope to see you in DC next month!

Image via The B-List.

She's Bringing Lipstick Back

It's the return of the red pout like the one seen here on Vanessa Paradis' for Chanel's Rouge Coco.

As Peter Philips, Chanel's global creative director for makeup, tells WWD, "Women seem to have forgotten how to apply lipstick . . . there is something so feminine about the act of applying lipstick. I want to make lipstick as easy to apply as lip gloss, and for a long-lasting formula to feel comfortable on the lips."

In an era of lip gloss will lipstick become the choice for brides? If the pout looks as pretty as Vanessa's, I'm guessing yes!

Image via Chanel.

The Flower Market

Roses are red. And pink. And white. And cream. And peach. And purple. And yellow.

The return of spring also signals the beginning of the wedding season. What better way to treat yourself to some fragrant wedding inspiration than taking a walk down your local flower market? It's there that you can talk to floral suppliers about which blooms will be in season for your wedding. For any DIY-ers, you can head straight to the source to pick up a few blooms for your many special occasions such as your bridal showers or future dinner parties.

Myself? I just like getting lost in the irresistible loveliness of all the flowers so close together. It makes me want to take them all home with me!

Image via we heart it.

Fab Frocks Friday: Tunnel of Love

Image via Washingtonian Bride & Groom Winter-Spring 2010.

Best. Invite. Ever.

Image via Fashion Foie Gras.

Extra Little Things

So many lovely little things in the world, how do you fit them all into your wedding? If you are hosting something small and intimate, incorporating home accents into your day is a cost effective, not to mention great way to infuse your wedding with personality.

Take a cue from this artful display from Pale and Interesting that is both pretty and functional. I recommend recreating this design scheme on long tables to best show the different array of knick knacks. Add your favorite blooms to the mix and you've got yourself a one of a kind centerpieces.


Images via Pale and Interesting.

I Could Have Danced All Night

You've dreamed of a graceful glide across the dance floor with your beloved. To make dreams become a reality, practice makes perfect.
Here's some great information from Martha Stewart Weddings on a first dance that will wow the crowd:

Start by thinking about the mood you want to set as you step out for your spin on the dance floor: Will it be tender, joyful, sentimental, vivacious, or lighthearted? What you desire can usually be evoked in a particular style of dance or by a single, meaningful song. You may select one first, then the other, or choose the dance and song together.

Many couples know right away that they want to do a traditional ballroom dance. The perennial favorites for weddings are the romantic waltz and the genteel fox-trot. The waltz is marked by turning movements and is danced to music of the same name (one familiar waltz is "Someday My Prince Will Come"). The fox-trot is a combination of slow and quick steps executed by smooth, gliding motions. It can be danced to any number of musical styles, ranging from ragtime to Big Band jazz to fifties rock n' roll. Most beginners can learn the basics of either dance in a few hours, but you'll need additional time and practice to become confident with the steps.

The more you practice, the more dancing together will become second nature - and that, after all, is the idea. You should look like you're in love, not like you're trying to remember steps. Enjoy getting ready for your debut on the dance floor; few other wedding preparations offer the chance for such ebullient, joyous experimentation.

Fab Frocks Friday: Before the Big Walk

No, not that big walk, sillies! Bridal market is almost here and that means the first looks as the new collections from amazing designers like Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Amsale, Monique Lhuillier, and more.

Here are a few gorgeous backstage shots from Carolina Hererra and Monique Lhuillier:

Images via Life and Monique Lhuillier.

The Beauty of Words

With a swirl and flourish, the written word gets center stage in these gorgeous invitations. But take note - these stand out invitations aren't your ordinary announcement.

More than just a piece of paper, the invitation tells your family and friends that you want them to share in the celebration of one of the most intimate and meaningful moments of your life. These invitations from Mika 78 are impossibly romantic. You'll fall in love with the perfect palette of colors, the buttery soft and ultra thick paper, unique combinations of typography, and the elegance of vintage and modern design.

Beautiful, wouldn't you say?

Images via Mika 78.

Let's Give Them Something to Gawk About

Get ready to feast eyes on this! From the minds behind the beloved foodie website food gawker, wedding gawker is a fabulous online scrapbook featuring dazzling inspiration from sites such as yours truly, Merci New York, Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Once Wed and more.

Take a peek - you are just one click away from hours of wedding enjoyment!

Image via wedding gawker.

Fancy Footwork

There once was a time when the only choice of bridal footwear was a pair of clunky closed toe pumps. Sad, I know.

If visions of walking down the aisle in a pair of clunky dyed to match satin disasters leaves you tossing and turning at night, fret not dear bride for here's something that is sure to put a smile on your face!

Myself? I'm dreaming of walking down the aisle in a swirl of organza and delicate petals like these stunners from Valentino. And don't forget the darling pictures of these puppies peeking out from underneath your dress. And a close up shot. And a side angle. And one with your fresh pedi. Sorry - getting carried away here.

Think outside the proverbial shoe box and and step into this season's crop of gorgeous shoes that are definitely worth the investment for your wedding day and beyond. After all, Cinderella got to wear her heels twice and so should you!

Image via Net-a-porter.

And Best Dressed Goes To . . .

Avant garde, nudes, blue prints, and a stunner of a black gown, here are the winning looks from the 82nd Academy Awards:

Images via Getty Images.