Spring is here, and so are spring weddings!

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

One of the best things about spring are the beautiful weddings that the season brings. Just like a marriage, spring symbolizes a new beginning. The fresh start of a journey together, as the couple begins their marriage hand in hand. But not just that, they’re also sweet and light, and often full of nature and flowers, and sometimes set outside. Let’s face it: spring weddings just feel so good!!!

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

When I came upon this wedding on Green Wedding Shoes, I fell in love. The rustic, bohemian beauty of it just made my heart melt. All of the woodsy, earthy inclusions of nature to both the wedding and the reception were just perfect. It does a wonderful job of echoing the personalities of the laid-back bride and groom.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

The handmade feel of everything from the invites to the centerpieces to the table settings just really set the stage. The Union Hill Inn really was the perfect choice of setting, and they decorated it so elegantly! As they say: it’s all in the details. And oh, what details!

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

But more than anything, I love the expressions of the couple in each of the photos. You just feel how happy they are and you want to celebrate with them. Okay, okay. Simply everything about this wedding is just stunning!

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Grover.

Wedding + Circus = Sweetness

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Sometimes you come across a wedding that is so different, it just stops you in your tracks. Not different as in “wow, that’s so crazy that I can’t understand why anyone would want a wedding like that!” But rather, “Wow! They really put their personality and heart into their wedding and did something that was completely unique to them. How sweet!”

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

That’s what I thought when I saw these photos on Junebug Weddings, and that’s why I simply had to share. As much as I love wedding trends and the simplicity and elegance of what’s usually in style, when I see something like this it really touches my heart. Each couple has their own likes and dislikes, special memories, inside jokes, and passions. They have those personal things that remind themselves of each other.  When a couple finds a way to integrate all of those beautiful things into their wedding, it only makes their union all the more touching.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

In this wedding, Margaret and Corey turned their special day into a circus! They brought in a Ferris Wheel and an elephant and had the ring bearer dress up as a “ring bear”. The bride and groom are both artists and photographers, and love beauty and creativity. They wanted to shy away from the traditional wedding experience and create a laid back outdoor celebration that would really make their guests feel relaxed and at the same time be a reflection of their personalities. They call their wedding their “first art project together.”

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Photo courtesy of Studio 6.23.

Let your hair down!

Photo courtesy of Yvette Roman.

You know, one of the most fun things about being a bride is the hairstyle. You really get the chance to completely dress your hair up and just feel like a queen. And there are SO many different things you can do with your hair!! (Depending on the hairstyle that you already have, of course.)

Short, medium, or long, there are endless options. You can curl it or keep it straight, braid it, let it fall loosely around your shoulders, or twist it up in spirals and pin it. And then you get to dress it up with clips, ribbons, flowers, or things that sparkle. Like everything else at your wedding, whatever you end up deciding is ultimately a reflection of your unique personality and style.

Photo courtesy of Lea Ann Belter.

 

Photo courtesy of Luna and Chloe Weddings.

Photo courtesy of Christian Oth Studio.

Some brides like to go for a whole new look and will even dye their hair – but beware, unless you’ve done this color before or really know what you’re doing, I wouldn’t do it too close to the wedding. You want to make sure your hair is just right for your big day. And – if you want to get really creative – you could even pair an amazing updo with a chic hat, if the wedding called for it! The only limit is your imagination.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Schollaert Photography.

Photo courtesy of NLC Productions.

Flowers are definitely IN this season, especially now that we’re moving towards spring! It seems that everywhere you look, there are blushing brides with flowers in their hair. Some of them are really fancy and ornate, and others are simple, subtle and elegant. I think the combination of flowers with the right veil are just beautiful.

Photo courtesy of Color Collective.

Loving What We Do

I absolutely love what I do, there’s no doubt about it. It really is a dream job, being a wife and a mother and at the same time pursuing my passion for pattern, paper and color. Even though it's not always easy (there are bumps in any road) I feel so lucky to be on the road that I’m on! Especially when exciting things happen, like right now. BG is expanding to new office space!! I couldn’t be more excited, and of course I had to share with you, beloved blog reader. It’s always a thrill when hard work and passion pay off and you get to take another big leap forward.

You know, I read something recently on the Envelopments blog – our paper good supplier, and it really struck a chord within me. Deborah Hefter said so eloquently what we BG Girls feel as designers, that I don’t think it’s possible for me to say it any better. So even though I don’t usually break out the quotes, I just had to on this one! It was TOO perfect not to. Every time I read this, I get all warm and fuzzy inside, right down to the tips of my toes.

“As invitation designers we are continuously in the habit of falling in love. A new font makes us swoon; a new pattern can cause our heart to skip a beat, while new colors and textures can make us tipsy. We daydream of pairing stock with type, color and texture. We are hunters and gatherers, always looking for the next meal.

And while we can be fiercely loyal and committed in every other way, you could say that in our own sumptuous world where inspiration is always on tap, we are happily and unequivocally “paper ho’s”;  we love ‘em and leave ‘em and love ‘em again.” 

-- Deborah Hefter (Read original blog post.)

I just can’t get enough of…. SHOES!!!

 

My oh my I was feeling inspired to write this blog post when I realized that I just had to write about one of my favorite topics ever… shoes!!!

Photo courtesy of Alison Conklin.

 

Now really, ladies… are the shoes not one of the best things about a wedding? I know, I know. There are about a million other things that are arguably way more important than this one tiny detail. But really, lifting up the hem of your wedding gown to reveal those delicious powder blue heels that were just made for you… heaven!!! The only hard part is trying to decide which ones you want to wear when there are just SO MANY gorgeous shoes to choose from!

 

 

Now, this post could have easily been ten pages long… and it would have all been pictures. I am completely hopeless. But of course I had to have some sort of restraint. I have a few too many pairs in my closet as it is! (You understand, I’m sure.) But they just speak to me. They say, “choose me! Choose me! I must be worn!!” And of course I respond, “well, if you insist.”

 

Shoes from Nine West.

And what’s fun is that regardless of the color of your dress, you can go completely all out with your shoes. There’s something about that splash of color peeking out from under a traditional white dress that makes the whole experience so much more personal. Shoes are the one part of any outfit that just make or break it, and of course the same is true at your wedding. It’s important to find that one pair that are to just so… you. You deserve to feel delicious on your special day!

Photo courtesy of Sam Blake.

Shoes by Stuart Weitzman.

Inspired Accents

Photo courtesy of Yvette Roman.

I’ve always been a firm believer that the little details bring the whole wedding together. The cake, the flowers, the shoes, the dress, the furniture… it all adds up to one great big beautiful celebration of love and families coming together to join a couple in marriage. The perfect combination of just the right details are what create the big picture.

Sometimes those amazing little details really jump out at you, and make you think, “Wow! That really is gorgeous!” You know, when the wedding planner found the absolute perfect accent to go with the wedding scheme and it just makes that particular setting? Well, I found a few of those and thought it would be fun to share them with you.

Sometimes it’s a simple as finding a gorgeous piece of furniture and taking it outside to a rustic, natural setting.

Photo courtesy of Brinton Studios.

Other times it’s rows of dozens of glowing lights growing like vines up the walls of an indoor patio.

Photo courtesy of Alison Conklin.

Or it could be the simplicity of a string glass jars hung in a row with dried florals peeking out of them.

It might be stumbling upon just the right botanical choices that match your color scheme to the T.

Or a gorgeous mirror-lined table piled high with bursting floral arrangements and candles.

Photo courtesy of Yvette Roman.

Sometimes it’s a unique decoration hanging from the ceiling, like these pretty floral lampshade skeletons.

Photo courtesy of Swoon Over It.

Or even just the elegance of a dozen glowing orbs dangling over a gorgeous seating arrangement that will soon be filled with family and friends.

Whatever it is, you know it when you see it. You get that, ‘ahh, perfect!’ feeling and a warmth spreads all the way down to your toes. That’s the magic of planning a wedding!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Seeing as how today is Valentine’s Day, it only seemed fitting that I blog about a Valentine’s Wedding, of course. Although there a million different ways you could design a wedding on this special day, I was really digging the vibrant red. So I gathered several pretty details that would make a great wedding in red, white, black, and of course various shades of pink.

 

Source

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Thuss

This is such a versatile color scheme, you can really take it any way you like: classic red roses and chocolate covered strawberries… fuschia roses highlighted by delicate crystal accents… or soft, muted pinks with only small splashes of color. It all depends on your tastes. (Of course, you could always have a Valentine’s wedding that goes completely against the grain and has nothing to do with the holiday at all.) That’s what is so beautiful and wonderful about a wedding – it’s so personal. On your day, you get to have it your way.

 

 

Valentine’s is the one day a year that love is celebrated by so many at once. It only makes sense that it would be one of the most popular wedding dates as well! Couples are tying the knot across the country and vowing to love each other ‘til death do them part. I hope you all spend your day with your sweetheart, doing something fun and celebrating your love together.