Photo courtesy of Nick & Nikki Lo Bue via Merriment

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!  My stomach is still SO full.  Lauren of Staunch forwarded this incredible wedding invitation idea - a wedding book!  The couple had a great story to tell so they had a invitation book made to share their experiences as a couple and to invite their guests to their special day!  Check out the post for more.

Photo courtesy of GIELLA

I thought this would make a great gift or keepsake for your bridesmaids on your wedding day - custom blend nail polish from Giella!  Use a fabric swatch from their dresses or pick a complimentary color from their online swatches to guide you to the perfect shade! Giella also has custom eye, lip, face makeup and accessories!

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart

Said to be a new trend (although this idea has been used many times before), lets just say it’s said to be more popular in weddings in 2009.  I’m a believer in using your local harvest and resources…mix it with a small wedding budget, and you have incredible food and decor!  Vegetables and fruits in bouquets, centerpieces and favors add a rustic feeling to the decor.  From your own garden to farm stand finds - the fruits of our labor is the way to go!  The images are from Susan & Steven’s upstate NY wedding featured in Martha Stewart - amazing and simple details. (more…)

Photo courtesy Erin de Jauregui of Paloma Images and myself via Once Wed

OMG!   I have to share Courtney’s (of Flush Designs) guest post on Once Wed with you!!!  I can’t describe how incredibly creative this table setting and decor is for winter.  It’s always hard to find unique winter decor ideas for weddings and non-weddings (that’s not cheesy).  This one is right up my alley - Kitschy Winter Table.

Photos courtesy of J.Crew

Girls - you know how a cute pair of shoes makes you feel!  Aren’t these so fabulous!?  After doing much research on shoe trends for weddings in 2009, this is what I’ve concluded:  color, textures, gems, folds/twists, bows, jewels and shiny metallics.  Height is totally up to your comfort but out of the ordinary is totally in!  (more…)

Photos courtesy of Beau-coup

So if the snow on the ground and the fact that we coming up on the middle of December doesn’t hint that winter is really here, I don’t know what else will!  Mentally, I am not ready for the weather but the work break = yes!  If you haven’t heard of Beau-coup, well you better get on it!  They offer stylish and affordable wedding favors and little gifts for all parties.  It seems that every year, winterland weddings become more popular so here are some of my favorite icy favors to inspire you! (above left to right - mini snowglobes & snowflake wine stopper) (more…)

Photos courtesy of Sakurako Shimizu

Lauren of Staunch shared this amazing find with me - a set of wedding bands based on a recording of a person saying “I do”!  Wedding rings have always had some sort of customization done to them, but I think the trend of fully customizing/creating a unique band takes full force in 2009.  Check out the amazing jewelry of Sakurako Shimizu.

Photo courtesy of Karen Wade

Happy Friday!  I’m very excited to have the owners of Vixen Beauty guest blog today!  If you haven’t gathered from my past posts already about how important professionally styled makeup and hair is for your wedding day…well, today is the day that you do!  It will make a HUGE difference for your wedding photos, huge.  So without further ado…Vanessa and Melissa of Vixen Beauty… (more…)