Polaroid Love in Central Park..

Taken by {yours truly}

Are you stuck in the office today?

Want to have a good laugh?

Floating {hearts}

via Caroline Tran (inspired by Max Wanger)

lovely details..

images by Meg Smith Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

How beautiful.. These floral arrangements are to die for. I love the mix of vintage cans, beautiful vases and a mix of vibrant colored dahlias, roses and fruit. The letters added to the mix is absolutely unique. Love LOVE LOVEEEE this idea.

**side note: When you get a chance, take a gander over to Meg Smith's website.. you won't be disappointed..

Punched

These great Save the date cards by Lil ribbers would work perfectly with the style of invite we'd love to have.. ahh to dream..

inspiration..

I was flipping through pages of graphic design magazines at Chapters last weekend, and this ad caught my eye.. I took a picture with my cell (yea... I know... I'm one of those people) and kept trying to envision this design for a wedding invite...

AHHHH love it!!

Here is a copy via the Type Directors Club.

I can already feel the creative juices flowing... now.. do I DIY Gocco or stamping.. hmmm...

Love at Elgin and Wellington

photography by Couvrette studio

sugar coated with blur..

via One Love Photo

While were on the subject of venues..

Scary word right? Picking one out can be a daunting task for some.. and outright stressing for others who want the perfect everything. I'll let you in on a little secret my friends... nothing is perfect. It is whatever you make it to be. If it's perfect for you, than that's all that should matter. If uncle Billy thinks it's drab than too bad for him. Remember you can't please everyone.

Scouting venues in our neck of the woods isn't as simple as one may seem to believe.. We have tons of venues.. but most are the generic hotel banquet halls.. unfortunately that's not really my bag. I'd like to try something a little different...

Considering on a few alternate ideas like..
Art Gallery
My dad's backyard
Green house
Museums
Private Clubs
University great halls
Farm house
Restaurants
Public Parks

**Have you even considered local real estate listings for a one night rental?? You never know if you don't ask right?

That said, keep in mind, with each type of venue comes a whole new set of rules.. Curfews, hidden costs, and rental fees might taint your perfect night..

Bottom line
Make sure you ask questions & get all the facts you need before signing on the doted line. Save yourself the headache.. and hopefully you'll find yourself the perfect venue.

If I had it my way...

via La Baleine Volante

Just heaven..

Photogs I {heart}..

Newest addition to the list, Our Labour Of Love..

Thanks again to 100 Layer Cake for sharing such amazing talent. Thanks to you, this afternoon turned into an inspiring one...

Music wisdom..

I've been reading up on my weddingisms lately.. Music choice seems to be the re-occurring subject that a lot of people seem to be oblivious to. Since the boy and I have pretty extensive backgrounds in music (in studies and hobbies) we know lots about it. But do we know enough..

Here are a couple tips from the Knot about your "clever" music choices..

#1. Starting the Ceremony in Silence
Because of the focus on your big entrance, it's easy to forget that chunk of ceremony time before you appear. There will likely be 20-30 minutes where your guests will be waiting for the service to start -- don't try their patience with absolute silence.

#2. Skipping the sound check
With destination weddings growing more popular, brides and grooms have to consider making remote locations microphone-friendly. Be sure to carefully assess the setting when coordinating with performers. Crashing waves could easily drown out a string quartet or trio of flutes, and a windy mountain peak could render even the strongest voice silent. It's important to be flexible. Though you may have your heart set on a harp, losing the music entirely will be far more disappointing.

#3. Offending your Officiant
It may be your wedding day, but unfortunately it's not your church. When it comes to ceremony music, many churches and synagogues have certain rules and regulations that will affect your choice of tunes that can be played as you walk up the aisle. It's common for religious congregations to prohibit either secular songs or ones by a composer with a reputation for anti-Semitism. Some may also ban electric music entirely or take issue with an orchestra at the altar. So speak to your wedding officiant before you have a classical version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin" composed for your wedding's ceremony.

#4. The Unending First Dance
You may have fallen in love to "Free Bird" but imagine how long nine minutes and eight seconds will feel alone on the dance floor. Pay careful attention to your love song's length before committing to it for your first dance. If your heart is set on a certain ballad, look into having it cut down to a reasonable length. You can either work on this with your DJ, find a local music studio, or if you know your way around iTunes, you can download the song and do it yourself.

**First DanceTip: Let Guests Cut In Coordinate to have your attendants join you on the floor for the last two minutes of the first dance. Your maid of honor and best man can lead the way.

#5. Letting the DJ Take Control
Don't fall into the trust trap just because your DJ has a fabulous reputation. While you should be comfortable letting your band guide the music, providing a play list (or better yet a no-playlist) will leave you happier in the end. You certainly don't want a song with painful associations to pop up unexpectedly.

#6. Blowing Out the Speakers
Despite the presence of alcohol and all your college friends, a wedding shouldn't resemble a frat party. Club-level volume during the reception will frustrate older family members and make it impossible for your guests to talk to one another.

#7. Playing Punk Songs During Dinner
Sure you want to hear everything in your iTunes collection, but don't destroy your sit-down dinner because you had to fit "I Wanna Be Sedated" in there somewhere. Music should fit the mood of the moment. Stick with instrumentals or soft ballads during your cocktail hour and then transition into the dance party with whatever suits you.

#8.Rocking Out to R-rated Songs
Yes, these are more liberal times, but be careful not to confuse progressive with perverted. This is your day, and you shouldn't focus on pleasing everyone with your musical selection, but there's a glaring line you should avoid crossing. "Humpty Dance" -- fair. "The Thong Song" -- pushing it. Keep it to a sensible PG-13 for best results among all age groups.

#9. Too Much of a Good Thing
You both may truly love late '80s hair bands, but five full hours of Def Leppard and someone might actually go deaf. A night of Nirvana or a rap-based reception is just as bad. Your wedding is a celebration of your relationship -- one that likely involves music -- but it's also a gift to share with family and friends. Keep them in mind when developing your playlist.

Southern comforts...

via Instyle Weddings

Last May, as a surprise getaway, my man brought me to New Orleans for my birthday. Put aside the hurricanes and details of crime and sin, this is a beautiful city. I LOVED walking the streets listening to Jazz musicians play at every corner. The smells of fried chicken and gumbo. The French Quarter is truly amazing. Galleries, theaters, the aquarium....

Since this trip, I have been trying to figure out how to in corporate the southern feel to every detail for our 'wedding' (still working on the ring ; D ). Right down to the corn bread, I dream of it all.

Oh, and before I forget, the food also has to be damn amazing. New Orleans has the best food I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It's amazing how much a regular meal you can make at home becomes so much more when you eat the same thing in NOLA. If you've never been, I suggest you go. New Orleans is the last truly authentic town in the US and people need to know it. Go to the south. Enjoy your lemonade.

Only one reason..

via Photos for Life photography

The only reason I'd have a large wedding party would be to get shots like this. Amazing. But this isn't us. We're the 2 people wedding party type. 1 best man & 1 maid of honor. Good times.. now if only we could get something like this.. without the volume.. hmmm

Trend Alert - DIY Boutonnieres

Edyta Szyszlo via Martha Stewart

DIY weddings are all the rage for 2009. Why stop at DIY invitations and programs? You can create anything with as much or as little of creativity as possible. The skies the limit.

All it takes is a little imagination. Try your hand at crafting a boutonniere, you never know.

You might just get the design bug!

How Charming..

photography by Elizabeth Messina via Project Wedding

vintage footware at it's best..

Noele via flickr

Pretty Things..

via Katherine Tolentino Photography

The Guest Album.. Tree Edition!

via Life's a peach

The wishing tree "guestbook" is starting to make the rounds on the wedding scene. Every message your guests write can be placed into a scrapbook that you will hang on to for many years to come.. 

It's details like this you want to remember.. 

If I had one wish...

check out by Sarah Seven

I would grow a money tree and buy all of Sarah's dresses.. in a perfect world that is.

Beautifully crafted and perfect in every single way. I am very much in love with these unique creations.

Check it out! featured seller on Etsy today!

Shades of red..

1. Watters lace tea lenght gown , 2. Blusher Birdcage Veil on Etsy , 3. Wedding Bands, 4. Tulips bouquet, 5. Red satin shoes,

6. I Love You brass envelope and card, 7. Place cards , 8. Star shaped diamond ring 9. Paper lanterns

a few inneresting facts..

Haven't a clue what to do in these economic times?

make sure you read this!!

Lovely roses

Allen and Company inc via Etsy

How insanely genius is this? I've seen your standard fabric roses, but this takes the cake. I especially love that the stems look real!! (probably from out in the bush - LOVE IT)
Also, LOVE the fact that each individual rose isn't perfect. The imperfections are what makes this so unique. it works.

Check out more of Allen Company Inc's shop and vintage finds ..

You won't be disappointed.

in need of a new header...

I'm going to sit up all night on photoshop tonight. This MUST be done.

Just another one of those days I guess.. ; )

A letter of love..

via Sakura Photography

To Adele Foucher

My dearest,When two souls, which have sought each other for,however long in the throng, have finally found each other ...a union, fiery and pure as they themselves are... begins on earth and continues forever in heaven.
This union is love, true love, ... a religion, which deifies the loved one, whose life comes from devotion and passion, and for which the greatest sacrifices are the sweetest delights.

This is the love which you inspire in me... Your soul is made to love with the purity and passion of angels; but perhaps it can only love another angel, in which case I must tremble with apprehension.

Yours forever,

Victor Hugo (1821)