Inspiration Board: Sweet Sunny Tea Party

A sweet and sunny board that makes me want to frolic around in a field, sip a glass of sun brewed iced tea with lemon, eat delicious little cakes and bask in the sunny weather all while wearing a delightful little frock by Sarah Seven. Anyone want to join me?

Credits: Click, then rollover photos for credits/links.

Real Wedding: Sarah and Jacob's Backyard Wedding

Photographer Courtney Brooke sent this adorable backyard wedding over to me and I am loving the simplicity of it. The brides gold rosette shoes are fab, as is her dress and side pony hairstyle. And of course, love the sweet cake buffet. This wedding is proof positive that weddings can be lovely and simple at the same time.

All photos by Courtney Brooke Photography

Inspiration Board: Green, White and Lavender

An eco-chic affair featuring a color palette I just love - green, white and lavender.

Photo credits: Click, then rollover photos for credits/links.

Budget Engagement Ring Ideas

With the current economic state being less than lackluster, spending a ton on an engagement ring might not be so realistic right now. Don't let that stop your true love! I adore this budget moonstone and hand-hammered silver ring from Turtle Love Committee. It's a fabulously different "placer" engagement ring for until you can afford to get the diamond of your dreams. Or not!

'Monhegan' moonstone and sterling silver ring from Turtle Love Committee, $200

Inspiration Board: Rustic Vintage Chic

I like the rustic style even better when it is combined with a vintage chic look. It takes it from feeling too casual-blue jeans-and-hoedown-ish into more of a timeless, charming reminder of yesteryear. Filled with charming details from the pastel and burnt gold color palette to the invitation suite to the bouquet and bride's adorable burnt gold ruffled 3/4 sleeve jacket, to patchwork quilts, to the DIY projects like the button filled arrangement, and the flowers in antique bottles. The cake combines the retro feel with the color palette and the button and flower theme.

Sources: Invitation photo by Jessica Johnston via Style Me Pretty, bouquet photo by Brea McDonald via Style Me Pretty, bride on blanket photo by Green Apple Photography, cake by Portland Bakery Bar via Oregon Bride, jar photo by Brea McDonald via Style Me Pretty, button arrangement by Martha Stewart via Marry You Me, RSVP photo by Jessica Johnston via SMP.

Loving This: Rainbow Maids

Loved the bright colored dress trend on the red carpet at the SAG awards last night. Why not take a cue from the celebrity playbook and have your maids dress in different colored jewel-toned gowns that they can wear again?

Photo from E!

Exciting Happenings on Marry You Me

I've been so excited to share my news with my readers... Marry You Me is getting a makeover!! A whole new look I'll be debuting on Monday hopefully. Here's a {tiny} sneak peak...

That's all you get for now!

And here's some of my favorite links from around the wedding blog world this week:

Vintage Milk Glass and Moss Centerpieces on Ruffled

A-MA-ZING Inspiration to Reality Shoot on Style Me Pretty, Parts I, II, III, and IV

Vintage Chic afternoon wedding on SMP's Little Black Book

'Juliet and Blue' Inspiration Board from Snippet & Ink

An awesomely fashionable and fun British wedding on Once Wed

Inspiration Board: Simple and Chic

Weddings can seem complicated, but they don't have to be. There is such an understated elegance to a simple wedding that focuses on the important things - two people pledging to spend their lives together. Simple doesn't have to mean boring either. A stylish bride in a short sleeved dress, something that could be worn again. Paired with a cream coat its the perfect outfit for a (free) outdoor ceremony in a public place, like a waterfront park - amazing views included. Invitations from Paper Source set the tone for the theme of simple elegance for the day, and the motif is mimicked in the DIY printed table runner at the restaurant reception. Wine and food are the focus, with DIY simple yet stunning decor of wine bottle table numbers and modern blue vases paired with chrysanthemums and magnolia leaves that double as favors. A cream puff "cake" on stacked Martha Stewart Collection cake stands (which you can use again of course) ends the fete on a sweetly unique note. Simple, chic and very budget friendly.

Photo Credits: Click, then rollover photos for photo credits/links

Inspiration Board: Almond Blossom

Today's board is a rustic wedding inspired by Van Gogh's Almond Branches in Bloom. I love finding inspiration for weddings from outside the wedding world, and this painting would translate to such a gorgeous wedding. The palette is pulled directly from the artwork - various shades of blue along with creams, greens and brown. Turn of-the-century inspired details like leather gloves, blue velvet heels, a lace dress with long necklaces, chair sashes with cameos, and gold-rimmed crystal and china mix with the rustic setting of a barn with sweet rustic details like blue escort cards tied to skeleton keys, and birds nest place cards.

Photo Credits: Click, then rollover photos for photo credits/links

Invitations: Paper Source

I spent some time at Paper Source this weekend (aka paper heaven) browsing and checking out new items. I became a Paper Source addict when living in Bellevue, Washington where a store was right across the street from my work, and it was an invaluable source for paper goods and inspiration during my wedding planning process.

They are known for their different colored/sized papers great for wedding DIY projects, but they also have an amazing line of custom print invitations, some new for 2010. They are available in both the more economical flat printing method or the pricier but timeless letterpress printing method.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Vintage Marquis - Marielle & Edward

2. Playbill - Joanna & Alexander

3. Cottage Blooms - Ellen & Jonathan

4. Carnival - Jane & Paul

5. Faux Bois - Shannon & Jordan

Inspiration Board: Grey and Pink

A great alternative winter wedding palette... Soft grey paired with a light pink complimented by pops of brighter pink. A bouquet of ribbon bows with pearl monogram, pink bow shoes, chairs adorned with ribbon and a fuschia flower, a cake with pearl swag accents, DIY monogram boxed favors, and inexpensive but lovely centerpieces of light pink taper candles in mismatched clear candle holders (from CB2) on a grey table runner.

Photo Credits: Click, then rollover photos for photo credits/links

Real Wedding: Andrea and Allan

The cake alone from this real wedding was enough for me to want feature it, not to mention the other fab details like the brides adorable shoes, the bright pink flowers, the groom's typewriter key cufflinks, or the marquee they rented out at downtown Seattle's notorious Lusty Lady, proclaiming "Andrea and Allan are Doing It".

This cake is so unbelievably gorgeous! Bonnie from New Renaissance Cakes was the pastry genius behind this masterpiece.

All photos by La Vie Photography