French Inspired in Santa Barbara

How gorge was this French-inspired shoot put together by Joy de Vivre, Florette Designs, Sweet & Saucy Shop and Michael and Anna Costa featured last week on Style Me Pretty?? The elegant, slightly vintage look is right up my alley, and the neutral table linens and chairs really let the lush soft florals, mercury glass and pewter table accents stand out. And the real star has to be the almost-too-pretty to eat cake by Sweet & Saucy Shop. Overall, this whole shoot has some major w-o-w factor.

Photography by Michael and Anna Costa via Style Me Pretty.

Vendors - Styling & Design: Joy de Vivre Wedding Design & Coordination / Floral Design: Florette Designs / Photography: Michael & Anna Costa / Rentals: Town & Country Rentals / Silverware: The Tent Merchant / Calligraphy: Leslee Sipress / Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Jam: Santa Barbara Preserves

Real Wedding: Whimsical Garden Party in Oregon

As soon as I laid eyes on this bright, whimsical wedding, I knew I had to share it! Christin and Matthew wanted a whimsical garden party theme for their Sauvie Island, Oregon wedding and did an amazing job pulling it off. Some things I love about this wedding: the yellow, red, pink and turquoise color palette, the wedding flowers were bright dahlias from the garden of the groom's mother, the strawberry jam favors, an airstream trailer where the boys got ready, the little squirrel motif that appeared all over - a nod to the groom proposing with a ceramic squirrel holding an acorn that held the ring, the 'love' photobooth backdrop, the cupcake, pie and cake buffet and all of the ribbons! Photographer Sherri Diteman captured the fun, love filled day beautifully.

How cute is the photobooth backdrop of a hedge with 'love' letters?

Thanks so much to photographer Sherri Diteman for sharing this wonderful wedding!

Vendors: Photographer - Sherri Diteman, Venue - Olson Family Estate on Sauvie Island, Oregon, Desserts - Saint Cupcake, Caterer - Russell Street Bar-B-Que, Bride's Dress - Marisa, Bride's hairpiece - Handle & Spout, Makeup - Lisa Ernst of Valerium Salon, Rentals - West Coast Event Productions

E-Session: Vintage Luggage, Camera and a Field

When I received this stunning e-session in my inbox, I couldn't wait to share it. Marita and Andrew are a gorgeous couple, and just a few simple props and a lovely countryside location helped take this e-session from good to great. Photographer Andria Lindquist captured the couple perfectly: "Marita and Andrew met in Japan when they were juniors in high school. Andrew returned to the U.S. to attend school at the University of Washington while Marita remained in Japan for one year until she came here to attend Seattle University. They dated for six and a half years, and left for Florida the morning after their e-session in Seattle. They are the cutest, most joyful couple. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in Florida this upcoming spring!"

Thanks so much Andria for sharing these amazing pics! To see more from this gorgeous e-session, check out the other part and look on Postcards and Pretties!

Credits: Photography by Andria Lindquist Photography, Makeup and styling by Courtney Weedman, Dress from Anthropologie.

Inspiration Board: A Sunny Breakfast Wedding

This inspiration board is from my archives and I think its an oldie, but a goodie. I love the idea of a breakfast or brunch wedding. Not only is it more original, and a cost saver, but I think the sweetest part is that the two of you get to be married the entire day!

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

For a breakfast wedding, I would make it as charming as possible. Here's some of my ideas for pulling off this wedding in style:

* Send out sweet hand calligraphed invitations in a sunny marigold.
* Wear a tea length dress (like the one shown by Dolly Couture) to match the sweet but informal setting.
* For the flowers, have arrangements of golden rannuculus, lambs ear and succulents.
* Make handmade table runners from a unique pewter fabric.
* Use white china plates, coffee cups and saucers, and add in fun touches like cow cream pourers and cake stands with coffee cakes, doughnuts, and bunt cakes drizzled with sweet orange icing.
* Having a crossword puzzle about the two of you at every place setting is a fun conversation starter and a great keepsake - make your own crossword at Variety Games.
* Keep the table sunny with homemade marmalade jam (you could also give these out as favors), marigold linen napkins, orangey-yellow hand calligraphed place cards, and pewter plates.
* Have a Mimosa bar for your guests so they can customize their own drinks. Hang a hand painted sign above the bar. Keep all the offerings orange.
* As far as the food goes, breakfast items can sometimes be heavy and filling. To keep things delish and light, miniaturize the food! Mini french toast with berries, mini prosciutto nests with quail eggs (to mimic classic bacon and eggs) with mini toasts, and mini lemon poppyseed poundcakes are just a few yummy ideas.
* A getaway in a classic yellow cab with a "Just Married" sign makes for a memorable exit.

I'm leaving town today to head to Portland for my dear friend Elizabeth's wedding. I'm hosting her bachelorette party tonight, and can't wait to show you some pictures of what I've come up with! The whole theme was planned around this fab free download invite that Gia of betsywhite stationery and Flights of Fancy did for Ruffled. I'll check in tomorrow with some of my Friday Faves from around the wedding blog world this week!