Newly Wed-nesday: Getting Acquainted with Guesterly

If there is one thing brides and grooms consistently tell me they dislike about wedding planning, its the seating chart. Trying to create fun and interesting match ups can be overwhelming and often creates a little drama of its own.  Today weddings are more inclusive. Guests are not just bystanders they are participants.  Old wedding traditions have transformed into new ways for couples to bring a unique flair to their wedding. Making sure that guests have a fun and interactive experience is top priority. What if you could get ahead of the game and introduce your guests before the big day? Imagine a big mixer/meet up where you could make all those introductions in advance.  Guesterly is an innovative tool born from one couples desire to do just that.  No more his side and her side just one big celebration.

In 2012, while planning their own wedding, the founders of Guesterly, Rachel and Lorne, came up with the concept. They faced the dilemma that many brides and grooms face, how to blend family and friends from different corners of the country or even internationally. Combined with a concept sparked from  Lorne's college Freshman Herald directory and Rachel's knowledge of publishing through her work as a magazine editor at "O" Magazine, Guesterly was created.  Here is how it works:

Why do I like Guesterly?  Before you ask, let me answer the obvious question. Why create a magazine when I can use a website or social media? Guesterly will reach all of your guests regardless of the social media they do or do not use. Guests may not be as comfortable using websites or posting personal information or photos. Guesterly is delivered directly to your guests and you control who gets a copy.  Finally, every bride and groom will tell you that the big day fly's by in a flash. Guesterly is an ice breaker that will eliminate a lot of time spent making introductions and give you more time to make memories.  Happy Best Wedding Ever! Ta. 

Newly Wed-nesday: Megan and Brandon, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

As I mentioned in yesterdays post, I want to share with you some of "how I spent my summer." One of the highlights was the wedding of my favorite nephew Brandon to his sweet fiance, Megan. I was honored to help them plan the wedding and it was truly a wonderful experience. Megan has a wonderful personal style and Brandon is classic and traditional. Their wedding was every bit a reflection of the two of them.

All The Details:

Color Story: Tiffany Blue, White, Pink

Ceremony: Christ Church Cranbrook was gorgeous without any additional embellishment. The incredible architecture of the historic church was the backdrop during the traditional evening ceremony. Megan and Brandon were the centerpiece of the moment. It was elegant and reverent but filled with joy and personality.

The Happy Couple:  Brandon was quite dapper in his Brooks Brothers tuxedo and black tie. His very classic attire was set off by his Tiffany blue socks peeping out of his loafers.  Megan stunned us all in her gown by Priscilla of Boston. The strapless ball gown created by the designer made famous by Grace Kelly, featured a bodice of handmade rosebuds. She wore satin pumps embellished with crystal butterflies by Aruna Seth. The bridesmaids wore short Tiffany blue dresses that tied at the waist with pockets, of course. Her sister and Matron of Honor wore a robin egg blue version of the same dress.  The brides bouquet of white peonies and baby's breath and maid's bouquets of blue hydrangeas were created by Fleurtech. 

Reception: The Village Club was in full bloom and the lush grounds were the setting for the cocktail hour on the patio. This night was literally a garden-party. After dinner, guest returned to the lantern lit patio. The bride and groom provided family and friends with a cigar bar to enjoy, as well as passed hummer ice cream cocktails.  

Design: Table top decor included huge white hydrangeas, baby's breath in Tiffany style boxes and birch bark lined containers and accented with metal lanterns and blue and clear glassware. Each table was named for a location in Chicago where the couple met and lived. The escort cards and table tents were handmade and depicted a silhouette of each Chicago landmark.

Sweets:  In lieu of the traditional cake, Megan and Brandon had a cupcake bar, featuring with oodles of yummy sweets from Taste Love Cupcakes, winner of the Food Networks 2012 Cupcake Wars. Flavors included, Red Velvet, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Double Vanilla Bean all dressed up with Tiffany blue icing and the signature white bow.

The Party: Brandon and Megan wanted their day to be a celebration, making certain to stick to old traditions but still create a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The bride and groom finished their bridal dance with a "snowball" dance. Making sure that every guest hit the dance floor at least once to enjoy their nine piece band. Other goodies included Tiffany boxes of dancing shoes for tired party feet created by Lisa's Gift Wrapper's, who created all the Tiffany boxes and card box for the event. The brides mother passed around lighted maracas to get guests in festive spirit and the couple set up a photo booth to capture friends and family enjoying their big day. Finally, the evening wrapped up with guests taking home a taste of Michigan with Towne Club Pop and BetterMade Potato chips waiting for them as they departed.

Family weddings are always special and although I am not impartial, I have to say this was one of the best. It was a great time with a beautiful couple. I could not be happier to see my wonderful nephew marry such a lovely and caring wife. Many years of happiness Megs and Brandon. We love you. Happy Life! Ta.

Photo Credits: Laurie Tennent Studio, House of Gray, MadLab Designs, Random Family and Friends.

Newly Wed-nesday: Tea Towel Invitations

I was so thrilled when Karen Brown of UK based The Original Wedding Tea Towel found me on Twitter. I had not seen her designs before but I am obsessed with them. (yes, obsessed is a word everyone is over using and I generally despise, along with amazing, but it fits in this case because I mean it.) I love all things vintage and wedding and adorable. These tea towel invitations are all of the above. Here's the harsh reality, those beautiful paper crafted invites are gorgeous and artful, but most recipients will put them in the circular file. Not these beauties, they will be kept and hug proudly. They would be perfect favors for a bridal tea, luncheon, shower or send them as thank you's.

Here is the skinny on how to get you hands on these unique creations. Since Karen is based in the UK she has teamed up with Peter Loves Jane to distribute them to US customers. (Thanks Peter and Jane, that kinda makes us love you back). You can connect to their Etsy site to get more information and place a deposit on your custom order.  Happy Tea Time!

Photos: Peter Loves Jane

Newly- Wednesday: The Best of Wedding Cinema

Weddings are anything but cookie cutter these days. More and more couples are steering away from the traditional checklist and concentrating their budget and time on the details that most reflect who they are as a couple. Wedding videos are no longer hours and hours of the ceremony and reception from a fly on the wall perspective. They have become mini-movies capturing everything about the wedding day and giving insight into the couples love story.  You will surely not have to force your family and friends to sit through boring footage of clanking plates and drunk uncles. The idea is to document through cinema and create a beautiful lasting keepsake that captures a precious moment in time. I chose some of my favorites for different reasons, but I am sure you will have a stack of used tissues and a red nose after you view them.

First, is a charming look at a quirky couple, complete with father of the bride in Trek-y attire.

Wedding Highlights | Jenefer & Matt from Reel Weddings on Vimeo.

Next, is one of the sweetest, most intimate ceremonies I have seen. The bride and groom decided to forgo the hoopla and make their wedding about nothing more than the two of them. The only guests are their parents and its awesome.

Christina + Sean's Hoo Feature: A rainy day with emotional vows in a Sonoma wine cave from Hoo Films | Shannon Avery on Vimeo.

This relaxed, rustic, handmade outback wedding is complete with a suprise puppy for the bride waiting with the groom. Stanley almost steals the show.

Clare + Justin | Love, Life, and Stanley from bubblerock on Vimeo.

Its not just the wedding that is going feature film! Couples are creating short films of their proposals and even Save The Dates.  The first clip is a bit long but it is worth watching. The groom created a flash mob in downtown Chicago to propose to his bride, who was in love with musicals.



Finally, this Save The Date is so corny that it's adorable. I give them credit because I am not the best roller skater, but they are cute enough to pull this soda pop themed bit off.

Newly Wed-nesday: The Most Dreamy Honeymoon Suite EVER.

This honeymoon suite is fit for a king and queen. It doesn't get more bridal than Tiffany and NYC. So, before you head off to your far away destination, book a lay over in NYC and start your married life off in high style!

St Regis Hotel, NYC, The Tiffany Suite - "A glamorous setting for romance. An exquisite jewel box. A storied hotel that Marilyn, Dietrich and Dalì called home. Handmade silver leaf wall coverings, unexpected touches of Tiffany Blue and a shimmering palette that catches the light like a brilliant diamond. In this elegant aerie, watch the sun set on the verdant crown of Central Park from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Toast each other with the clink of Tiffany crystal, feast under the glow of a magnificent chandelier, then dance cheek-to-cheek by the fireplace. With a 24-hour butler at your beck and call, you may never want to leave—nor have to."

Newly Wed-nesday: The Sweetest Flower Girl Dresses

Knit Tutu Dress Garnethill.com

Jcrew.com

 LaBellaFlorachildrensboutique.com

There is something so precious about a lovely little flower girl as she harkens the arrival of the bride. The variety of flower girl dresses have really changed. The mini-me bride is a thing of the past. Today, your littlest attendant has as many style choices as your maids and some of them are absolutely fantastic. They are cute, full of personality and comfortable enough for a kid to wear all day. Here are my top picks for summer weddings.

Wow Champagne Dress Laylagrace.com

Alice Dress BDLN.com

Long Sash Dress Bodenusa.com

Daisy Dress Nordstrom.com

Shift Party Dress Teacollection.com

Vintage Silver Dress Chasing-fireflies.com

Sophie Dress OscarDeLarenta.com

Newly Wed-nesday: A Blushing Affair

One To Wed

From the earliest days of bridal fashion, pink has been a staple in weddings. Gone, however, are the days of "Pepto" poofy dresses. Here comes the soft, pastel blush pink flowing gowns, and not just for your maids. Brides are wearing this gentile tint too. It was all over the red carpet this season. Most notably worn perfectly by Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence. This weeks inspiration is blush and gold. Adding a metallic like gold brings depth and formality to the color story. They balance each other. Gold keeps the blush from becoming to babyish and blush keeps gold from seeming gaudy. Enjoy the romance!

Swan House Gardens, Atlanta History Center

Swan House Gardens, Atlanta History Center

Pearl by GC of Marchesa for JCP $250

Nordstrom $178.00

LuLu Townsend DSW $49

Table Linens partymosaic.com

Etsy.com 

Vintagedishcompany.com

JamaliGarden.com

Etsy.com Favor Bags

The Cake

Grooms Attire

Etsy.com 

Cocktail Napkin BHLDN.com

Toasting BHLDN.com

Additional Credits: One to Wed, Belle The Magazine, Pinterest, My Sweet and Saucy

Newly Wed-nesday: Something for the Bachelorette

The big day is coming and it's time to treat the bride-to-be to some girl time with her maids and friends. Although the typical gag gift is likely, it seems a waste to give the bachelorette a lot of novelty shop junk. There are other ways to show her with playful and romantic goodies that won't make everyone in the room cringe with awkwardness.

zoeschochocolate.com

Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Zoë's Chocolates, which is the exclusive chocolatier of the 2013 Academy Awards, is a company based on love and chocolate. They have creative flavors like, Dionysus Baklava, Black Daphne Chocolate, and Pinot Noir Infused Fleur de Sel Milk Chocolate Caramel, made from natural and locally sourced ingredients. 

tokyo-milk.com

Objects to desire, that's what TokyoMilk calls their unexpected blends. With lip balms like, Dead Sexy, Cherry Bourban and Clove Cigarette, you understand why this collection is called Femme Fatale. "Not for the faint of heart: An unexpected mixture of fragrance & flavor. A remarkable lip elixir for a remarkably uncommon experience."

Sephora.com

For the bride and her honey bee, dip into some of Laura Mercier's Ambre Vanillé Bath & Body Collection featuring the Honey Bath. "The finish is soft, intimate, and absolutely addictive."

boldloft.com

Adorable! His and hers pillow cases featuring stick people in love. They are also available in t-shirt form and in black. Definitely no going to bed mad with these happy reminders.

Etsy.com

Eliminate the old debate of what to do on date night. These handmade dating dice are hand drawn, laser imprinted and burned with suggestions for the newlyweds day or night out. 

Hey, it's usually not a bachelorette party unless someone gets a little crazy. These gifts will be thoughtful reminders to the new bride of her last big single hoo-rah and maybe the only thing anyone ever speaks of again. (My stars!) Ta!