Guest Post on A Realistic Wedding

Happy Friday! I'm guest posting today over on my friend Claire's blog 'A Realistic Wedding' sharing some of my favorite {bargain} honeymoon essentials while Claire is off sunning herself with her new husband Elliot on their honeymoon in Turks & Caicos! Make sure to stop by her blog and check out my list :)

Guest Post: The Loveliest Day

Hi there!! I'm Melissa from The Loveliest Day and I'm so excited to be guest posting while Annie is getting settled across the pond in London! I whipped up this inspiration board for you based on one of my favorite trends for 2011, metallics - more specifically, rose gold! Paired with blush and cream tones it just oozes subdued elegance. Like its metallic brothers and sisters, I consider rose gold to be a neutral, just with a bit more sparkle and pizzazz. And really, everything is better with a little sparkle:)

Image Credits L-R: Halston Heritage Pleated Silk Dress, Tassel Cocktail Stirrers by Confetti System for Martha Stewart Weddings via 100 Layer Cake, Halston Heritage Jenny Clutch, Veil by Twigs & Honey, Dahlia Image by Elizabeth Messina for Delphine Manivet styled by Merci NY, Paper Fringe by A Beautiful Mess, Mulberry Oxford Bootie, Peony Cake by Robyn Loves Cake, Image by Ian Grant Photography via Style Me Pretty 

Thanks so much for the lovely post Melissa!!  And thanks to all the amazing guest bloggers who have filled in for me this past week! I'll be re-appearing tomorrow with my first post from London :) - Annie

Guest Post: La Petite Coquin

Hi readers! I'm in London getting settled and will be back blogging for you tomorrow, but in the meantime the lovely Lena of La Petitie Coquin - one of my favorite daily blog reads - is here today guest posting for me. xo - Annie

From Lena: "First, let me say how delighted I am to be posting on Marry You Me - Annie's blog is one of my absolute favorites, and I hope her London move is going swimmingly!

When Annie asked me if I would post, we got to chatting about our love of classic cocktails; if you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know I post a libation every Friday. While I hope that one day soon we'll meet up for a drink at one of San Francisco's best watering holes, in the meantime I'm inspired by coupe glasses, Victory rolls and a classic getaway car."

Images from Delicious Desserts, Sedona Bride via Style Me Pretty.

Guest Post: Postcards & Pretties

Hi Marry You Me readers...Chris from Postcards & Pretties here and I’m so excited to guest posting here while Annie and her husband Brandon pack up and move across the pond to London. When I first received Annie’s email my first thought was it has to be a English inspired board and nothing is more English than tea and biscuits {oh and Prince William too}. I used muted greens paired with light brown and peachy pink perfect for a lovely spring wedding.

{colors} mint green, biscuit, brown and peachy pink

{photos} dress {j. crew} bouquet {martha stewart weddings} teacup cake topper {ruffled} tea cup {dress design decor} table setting {lisa lefkowitz} true love biscuits {fry dog design} sun hat {kate powers} ice cream {tartelette} card catalog {simply bloom}

Guest Post: Lovely Little Details

Hi everyone! I arrived in London at 2 am Oregon time, 9 am London time, so my friend Jacin of Lovely Little Details is here guest blogging for me today! xo Annie

A lovely little map I whipped up for my dear pal

I am so excited to be guest posting for my oh-so-lovely friend, Annie, today. Annie and I met a while back through this crazy/wonderful blogging world and I feel so honored to now call her a close friend!  As we all know, Annie is the queen of inspiration boards, so I wanted to make her a little one of her own as she and her hubby embark on this amazing journey to live in London.

pin, confetti, cupcakes, union jack & flowers, invite, lavender, tea, gap, london

If I was moving to London, I'd try to take advantage of all of the above: fresh english lavender, tea time, fresh roses from the garden, red wellies for the rainy days en route to the pub for a hot plate of fish and chips, confetti {just because} and lots and lots of fun.

Wishing you all the luck in the world, I know you two will do amazing out there!  Just make sure you move back :)

xo

jacin

Guest Post: Luna and Chloe

Hello lovelies!  Kristi here from Luna and Chloe Weddings. I can't tell you how tickled I am to be guest posting for Annie while she makes the trek across the pond. I actually was hoping that I could fit into her suitcase, but no luck! Just so you know: I adore Annie and Marry You Me!

I met Annie on Twitter one day (@MarryYouMe), and I will never forget her knowledge of super random facts (I think that's what she called them).  She informed not only me, but a handful of other Twitter friends what American Food Holidays our birthdays fell on!  Me, I was pretty lucky as my birthday is National Peach Ice Cream Day, others weren't as happy. However, we had so much fun that day, and lots of laughs.  Since thinking of Annie is associated with fun, laughter and good times, I thought that my guest post for her needed to incorporate these things.  And what's more fun than a circus (or carnival)?  After all, isn't it the "Greatest Show On Earth"?  (Just no clowns in my circus, as clowns kind of freak me out.  So a circus with no clowns.)

In putting some thoughts together, and after seeing an amazing circus themed wedding a couple of weeks ago, I knew I needed to create some amazing invitations.  However, when I ran across the ones just below I knew that these invitations were just what I was looking for,and lucky me that I didn't have to create them.

I love how they incorporate a free kiss card, and the yellow envelope with red confetti is such a fun touch.  I do think I would change the invitation somewhat to be just a tad more flashy (like the free kiss card), or at least on a white card to make the red really pop.  But the presentation from the outside is perfection!  In keeping with the red, white and yellow theme of the invitation, we all know that balloons, popcorn and candy are a must!

Yet, I thought of a couple of other details that might be fun to use too.  

Like mini marshmallow shooters...

Not only will the little boys love this, but the big ones too.  It is quite fun actually, and as I am all about safety...this is about as safe as you can get.  Just put in a marshmallow and blow as hard as you can.  It would be lots of fun to have a contest to see who can shoot their mini marshmallow the farthest!  While I picked up the above one at Michael's for $2.00, you can easily make your own with PVC pipe.

Also who doesn't love a box of goodies?  This box could be used in either of two ways:   (1) as a Save the Date, just add a Save the Date card and a note for your guests to practice their skills; or, (2) to use as favors. 

If used as a Save the Date, I would include stickers on each items that said:

• Juggle Me - for the yellow balls (which are actually stress balls so they are squishy and very light weight),
• Throw Me - for the confetti
• Find Me - for the three card monty
• Toss Me - for the ping pong balls (just a cup is needed)
• Wear Me - for the winner button
• Blow Me - for the balloons

Whether you use for Save the Dates or favors I would wrap the box with brown craft paper.  If using as favors I would add a red and white stripped ribbon around the box to dress it up some.  Believe it or not the box is extremely lightweight (one of my goals for save the date boxes), and would be inexpensive to mail.

Another idea would be to use mini playing cards as glass markers.  Not only is it fun, but it is super easy to do.  Plus, it will help your guests remember what glass is theirs.  And no worries that there are only 54 cards in a deck including jokers - by adding a red, white or yellow ribbon you can get up to 162 different variations.  Or you could always use different style of cards.

Homemade confetti is another fun idea.  Use red, white and yellow tissue paper and just cut it up.  Confetti is perfect to have your guests throw up in the air as you walk down the aisle.

Also, regular sized playing cards make great favors.  You could always make or order customized cards too.  Tied with a ribbon, they are simple favor idea.

And just remember that everybody is a...

For the buttons, I just added some white ribbon to the buttons to make them a little fancier.  Cute, no?
So there you have it my dears - a couple of ideas for a circus (carnival) themed event!  I would love this theme for a rehearsal dinner too.
~ Ciao

...image 1 & 2 via once wed, designed by Meagan Bennett & all other images...concept, design, styling and photography all by luna and chloe weddings

Thanks so much Kristi! I love that she remembered our twitter exchange of national food days, in case you are wondering my birthday is National Fried Shrimp Day. As random as it gets! 

Guest Post: Love and Lavender

Hi everyone! I'm in the middle of moving to London this week, so I have Aileen and Ellen of Love and Lavender guest posting for me today! Love and Lavender is a favorite daily read of mine for wedding inspiration - I highly recommend checking them out. 2 days until I leave for London, but I'll be back briefly on Thursday for a surprise post, and then next week I'll return. xo - Annie

Hello Marry You Me readers - We are Aileen and Ellen of Love and Lavender and we are so excited to be here today! We thought we would put together a sewing theme inspiration for you all. We have seen a new trend with sewing in weddings and thought this would be the perfect time to share some ideas! Here are a few ways we thought were really amazing:

Button seating chart via Green Wedding Shoes, bouquet wrap via Style Me Pretty, menu via Green Wedding Shoes

Pin cushion place card via Max Wagner, Ring bearer pillow via Martha Stewart

Embroidery Hoop table number via Stephanie Cristalli, hanging via Love & Lavender

Spool vases via Ever So Lovely, invite via Oh Crafts, name card via Green Wedding Shoes and Emmaline Bride

Measuring tape boutonniere and centerpiece via Love & Lavender

Quilt backdrop via Love & Lavender, photobooth backdrop via Kari Pearson, guestbook via Green Wedding Shoes

Thanks Annie for including us on your blog! We hope you have a blast in England!!

Much love,

Aileen and Ellen

Guest Post on Brancoprata

I'm guest posting today over on Brancoprata's blog, sharing the sweetest inspiration shoot from Easy Dreamer Photography, Posey and Bloom and Spokane Bride Blog. You must stop by Brancoprata and see all the gorgeousness from this shoot! Here's just a little taste:

Photography by Easy Dreamer Photography

Flowers by Posey and Bloom

Event Design by Spokane Bride Blog

Guest Post on The Loveliest Day

I'm thrilled to be guest posting today for Melissa over on The Loveliest Day! Stop by and check out part two of this amazing e-session from Rebekah Westover - this couple has so much style I can't stand it! :)

 

Photos by Rebekah Westover

&

Check out part 1 of this amazing e-session here

Guest Post on Hank + Hunt

I'm guest posting over on the Hank + Hunt blog today! Jenny of Hank + Hunt (who has a fabulous shop on Esty full of the prettiest fabric garlands you ever did see) unveiled her blog makeover on Friday with a blue and green color scheme and ribbon theme. It was love at first sight for me, and so feeling super inspired, I decided to surprise her with an inspiration board based on and inspired by her blog's new look!

Head on over to Hank + Hunt to see the post and the blog's fabulous new makeover in all their glory :)

Credits: (Clockwise from top left)

Drinks with ribbon flags photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, blue shoe photo by Leo Patrone Photography via Once Wed, succulent place card box photo by Stephanie Williams Photography, customizable free bunting save the date by The Wedding Chicks, succulent vase photo by Justin Lee Photography via Once Wed, succulent place setting photo by Stephanie Williams Photography, Big Sur photo via Girl's Guide to the World, succulent cake photo by Stephanie Williams Photography via 100 Layer Cake, green bridesmaid's dress photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Guest Post on Eat Drink Pretty

I'm guest posting today over on Eat Drink Pretty, one of my favorite entertaining sites, with some budget DIY bridal shower ideas using doilies. So pop on over to Eat Drink Pretty and check it out! xo Annie

My doily bridal shower tea setup

Photo credits: Martha Stewart Weddings and The Loving Spoonful

And some bridal shower tea ideas that I love:

A DIY Tea bag invitation via Martha Stewart Weddings
A square doily "envelope" with a seating card inside via Martha Stewart Weddings
Tea sandwiches! Some gourmet versions of classics from The Loving Spoonful
Rose-Water Madeleines with pink sugar via Martha Stewart Weddings

Guest Post: Love Session by Brancoprata

Hi readers! I'm winding down my anniversary trip right now (which has been so much fun) but luckily I have some lovely goodness by the fantastic Portuguese duo Brancoprata for you to enjoy in my absence! I'm thrilled to have them guest posting today, and you will be too once you take one look at this love session.

From Sofia and André of Brancoprata: "Hello, we are Brancoprata and we are thrilled to be here, guest posting on Marry you Me. We like to think of Annie as one of our closest friends and we love her sense of style!! Today we decided to bring you a love session we did last August with Rita and João when they celebrated their six month anniversary! This is one cute, happy & fun couple and we always love to work with them.

André did the shoot in Porto, our hometown! This session had two important settings: the beach, Leça da Palmeira, the spot where João asked Rita to marry him and Faculdade de Ciências (at University of Porto) which is also where they met! Rita had a beautiful wedding dress and a little hair jewelry from the amazing Ligia at Cem Cerimónias.

Oh and just for fun, you can see the actual wedding day here and here. Hope you enjoy!! And thank you Annie for allowing us to share our work in the always inspiring Marry You Me! Happy anniversary my dear!! xo Sofia e André"

Thank you soooo much to Sofia and André of Brancoprata for guest posting here on Marry You Me. And my wedding pics are still on their way... check back Friday :)

Guest Post on Love & Lavender

Happy National Root Beer Float Day! Bet you didn't know there was such a thing, did you? Well there is and to celebrate the goodness that is the root beer float I did a guest post on Love & Lavender today where I whipped up some root beer float cupcakes complete with ice cream. Yes - a cupcake with ice cream has to be just about the best thing ever invented. I also shared some extra root beer inspired wedding goodness you just have to see.

Guest Post on Postcards & Pretties

I'm traveling back home from San Francisco today (so sad to be leaving!), but I did a guest post over on a favorite blog of mine, Postcards & Pretties. I put together a little agua fresca bar as an idea for pre-ceremony refreshment, cocktail hour, a shower, or whenever. Also a yummy recipe for Mexican wedding cookies and some fun fiesta-ish decor ideas. Hop on over to Postcards & Pretties to check it out!

Guest Post on Valley & Co.

photo from Martha Stewart Weddings

Today I did a guest post for the fantastic Aleah and Nick Valley of Good Life Events over on their cute blog, Valley & Co. Aleah did a great post the other day on the tradition of cake pulls, and my post today is all about the groom's cake favor tradition and the meaning behind it. So scoot on over to Valley & Co. and check it out! Have a great weekend everyone :)