A Very Emma Wedding

I have loved Jane Austen since I was in the sixth grade, and I especially loved the Gwyneth Paltrow version of the movie Emma. I think it would translate to the most amazing wedding, so I threw together this inspiration board. I love the look of the lush green English countryside, the Regency dresses, the patterned china, the silhouette program and cookies, the small strawberry cake (traditional English fruitcake, of course!), and my personal favorite and the inspiration behind the board - the apple lined "aisle". Let me know what you think!

Regency style dress by Pronovias, china and florals by Amorology via Snippet&Ink, strawberry cake by Wendy Kromer, evening garden scene from Domino, Emma scene @ imdb, Painter's Palette rose bouquet from Martha Stewart, recycled paper Jane Austen silhouette by papermenagerie, Regency era wedding party on Austenprose, silhouette cookies and tea on Martha Stewart, dress and apple aisle on imdb

DIY Carnation Bouquet

Charlotte York on Sex and the City called them "filler flowers", Carrie Bradshaw maintained that they were "making a comeback" and that she liked them, especially the pink ones. Well, I think Carrie would fall head over her Manolos for this DIY bouquet then!

Photo via RealSimple Weddings
Take about two dozen carnations in different hues of pink from fuchsia to pale blush pink. Cluster them together, then tie them with floral stem wire (about $1.50 for 110 feet) to hold them in place.

Using garden shears, trim the stems to about two fists' length. Then for the finishing touch, tuck a matching silk ribbon around the base of the blooms and down the stems. This will disguise the wire and pull the look (and your color scheme) together.

I can't wait to try this and put the cute bouquet in my new Ikea vase I picked up for $1.50 on sale while in Portland for the Bravo! Wedding Affair last weekend.

Vase from Ikea

A Lemony Wedding

Based on the Lily Pulitzer lemon wedding invitation suite, I scoured the web and put together these inspiration boards. Let me know what you think!

So Inviting!

Photos from The Bride's Guide
Lily Pulitzer is coming out with a new line of stationery and wedding invitations. As always, her colors are so vibrant and cheery and her signature use of patterns has translated so well to a paper line. I didn't think it could get any better until I saw the lemon wedding invitation suite! (Anyone who knows me probably knows I have a thing for lemons). Since my wedding is over and I did not go with a lemon theme - though I did think about it, I'll have to "settle" for some of the adorable lemon correspondence cards for myself.

How Succulent!

One of the best trends I have seen lately are succulents popping up in bridal bouquets and centerpieces. I love how they work with not only pastels but brighter colors as well - Plus they just add so much interest!




Photo Credits from top: bouquet by ink&peat via housemartin
, bouquet on Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquets by Twigg Botanicals via Amorology

Daily Favorite

I want to do a whole other post on bridcage veils, but had to share a quick favorite. Brenda of Brenda's Bridal Veils on eBay makes some of the prettiest birdcage veils I have ever seen! I ordered my birdcage veil from Brenda to wear after the ceremony for the reception and loved it so much. They are so well made and well priced and she has one of the best selections I have seen.



I just love the detail of the seed pearls on the ivory flower, and the black feather piece would look so glam on bridesmaids in all black dresses.

Daily Favorite

I am beginning to love dresses with sleeves more and more. That being said, they can be frustrating at the same time. The neckline can actually make you seem bigger and the options are fewer than the strapless variety, especially where bridesmaids dresses are concerned. That's why I was so delighted to come across this bridesmaids dress on a modest wedding dress website. Not only would it be an adorable bridesmaids dress, but it could be a great engagement party, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner dress. It's a serious contender for me to wear to a friend's upcoming engagement party...


"Albrey" dress by Bridal Expressions

Time for a Tea (Length) Party

In another life, in my dreams of a whimsical wedding, I would have worn a Tea Length wedding dress. I love the look of the ballet length (just slightly longer than a tea) dresses of the 1950's. The Tea Length wedding dress has become very popular again in recent years, great for both informal and weddings full of character and whimsy. A shorter dress seemed so "me" - I mean, how often do you wear a long gown? But then that was the point - this was my chance to wear a long wedding dress. I'm secretly planning a five year vow renewal ceremony (I simply can't wait 10 years) just so I can wear one...




Top row: Vintage 50's dress via Our One Heart "Pasadena" dress by Dolly Couture
Bottom row: "Josephine" dress by Stephanie James Couture "Edmonton" dress by Dolly Couture

Daily Favorite

After seeing these on OnceWed I fell completely in love. What a beautiful DIY project! I've been trying to figure out where in my house I could use these. Maybe on my patio in the summer.