Aisle with Style

Bridal Portraits

2011-12-10T07:50:00.000-06:00

This is quite a moment! I LOVE sharing bridal portraits from sweet brides and grooms. Today I am sharing MY OWN!!! We had the most fabulous day and our photographers, Benfield Photography, made it even more wonderful. We were beyond blessed to have them as a part of our special day. I'm sharing my favorite portrait, so head on over to their blog to see the rest of them!

Bridal Clutch

2011-11-11T08:55:00.001-06:00

Do you need a clutch for your big day? Its a great place to stash your lipstick, gloss, consealor and tissues. It's also easier for your maid of honor to keep up with all those things in a cute little clutch.

This sweet floral clutch from The Limited is 40% off right now! What a great deal!

Flower Hard Case Clutch - On sale for $54.94

Happy Planning!

Romantic E-Session: Globe Lights

2011-09-28T07:40:00.002-05:00

Hi! I'm back. I'm sorry I have totally neglected y'all. I'm getting married. It's a poor excuse for not blogging about weddings, but there it is. I'm here now....that counts for something, right?

I've totally been obsessing about the globe lights from Pottery Barn and here they are used in an engagement session! A string of these from PB is only $15. A styled engagement shoot adds loads of charm and character. This would be a really cheap way to add to a sweet and romantic setting!

Globe String Lights $15.00

[Romantic Light Engagement Session]

Photo Credit: Landon Jacob via Southern Weddings

Happy Planning!

Don't Break the Bank

2011-08-02T12:57:00.000-05:00

I think I subscribe to every reputable wedding newsletter. I rarely have time to read them, but the Wedding Channel recently put out an article that I think is fantastic. There are more hidden costs in the planning process than you would think. As a bride in the throes of planning, I think this is a great check list to capture unforeseen costs.

20 Hidden Wedding Costs

Check out the article for lots of detail, but I've added some of my own personal notes below:

1. Wedding Dress Alterations (they are not always included with the dress)

2. Rain-Plan Tent

3. Non-Approved Vendors (ask your venue for an approved vendor list or what their policy is)

4. Breakdown and Cleanup Costs (don't ask your family to do this, budget for it)

5. Reception Band or DJ Equipment

6. Postage Stamps

7. Parking (I thought of everything, right? ...the jury is still out on how this will pan out for our wedding)

8. Officiant Fees (this should be a given and is listed in every planning book I've seen)

9. Photo and Video Overtime

10. Welcome Bag Delivery (I find that most hotels at least give them out at check-in free of charge)

11. Holiday Weekend Fees (this eliminated some venues for our Thanksgiving wedding)

12. Corkage Fees

13. Bartender Fees

14. Rental Transportation

15. Taxes (It's a killer....this alone upped my food budget by $500)

16. Cake Cutting Fee

17. Coat Check

18. Gratuities

19. Overtime Costs (request that your caterer and venue give you a maximum charge so you know what your range is)

20. Building Fees

Happy Planning!

Guestbook Alternatives

2011-07-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

There are so many creative options for keeping a record of your wedding guests. This fun tradition has lingered long after guests are no longer legally required to sign the marriage document, but there's no reason we can't mix it up a little.

Here are my favorite guestbook alternatives:

1. Jenga Guestbook -Each person signs a Jenga block and the bride and groom play every year on their anniversary. I LOVE it!

Via Oh Lovely Day

2. Thumbprint Guestbook -There are different variations on this idea, but everyone inks their thumb and adds it to a canvas. I would still want a traditional guestbook alongside to capture individuals' names.

Available in Bleu de Toi's shop on Etsy

Available in Dana Bellis' shop on Etsy

3. Vintage Typewriter Guestbook -Each guest types a message to the bride and groom with a vintage typewriter. This goes very well with vintage and Anthropologie style weddings.

4. Canvas Guestbooks -There are many options for guests to sign a canvas to hang in your home. I recently ran across this canvas and love it's unique design!

Available in Cottage Creek Arts' shop on Etsy

5. Coffee Table Book Guestbook -There are a plethora of great coffee table books full of beautiful photography. Choose one of your favorites and have your guests sign the white space around the photos. Then you can leave it on your coffee table and when you glance through it you will be reminded of the wonderful celebration. (Barnes & Noble's bargain section always has a lot of great photography books on the cheap!)

Via White Thread

Happy Planning!

Engagement Web Site

2011-07-14T13:39:00.000-05:00

I think I have the greatest photographers for our wedding, but they also have a super awesome staff that helps them. Lauren is one of those people. She's a fab photog and also put together our engagement site. We're doing our best to stay in touch with our guests (as many of them are traveling from NY and all over the US) and this little site is helping. Mr. NY and I had fun writing the content and Lauren put it all together using our save the date as her inspiration (our save the date will make an appearance shortly --I'm giving our friends and family a chance to see it before I post it on here).

It's just another great perk to using Benfield Photography!

Happy Planning!

Proper Placemat

2011-07-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

While I'm not a newlywed yet, that hasn't kept me from dreaming of lovely little dinner parties for fun couple friends! I can remember my mother's Betty Crocker cookbook from the 60's having a page dedicated to setting the proper place setting. As a soon-to-be new wife, I have high aspirations for throwing lots and lots dinners. I ran across this printable place setting guide from Mrs. Lilien.

Click here to read the full post and download the placemat.

Here's some dining eye candy just for fun!

SMP

100 Layer Cake via Simple Lovely

Centsational Girl

Birds of a Feather via House of Turquoise

Happy Planning!

Stunning Cake

2011-06-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

Mishelle Handy Cakes via Gibson Events

Photo Credit: Beautiful Day Images

I love this modern cake and just had to share it!

Happy Planning!

Shower Etiquette + Inspiration

2011-06-21T08:22:00.001-05:00

While living in New York is teaching me all kinds of interesting differences between Northern and Southern weddings, I believe this particular etiquette case doesn't change based on where you live. I'm often asked by brides with very small weddings if they can invite someone to a shower that they aren't inviting to a wedding. My answer is always no. Here is a write up on Southern Weddings with backup from the beloved Emily Post regarding this very issue.

Who's Invited to the Bridal Shower by Emily at Southern Weddings

Here is what's inspiring me lately!

Happy Planning!

Maids Dresses...Swooning

2011-06-15T17:10:00.000-05:00

I'm not getting married in the summer, so sometimes I get a little jealous of all the glorious things that come with a summer wedding. (Like bright and playful bridesmaid dresses!) I'm not complaining, I'm as happy as can be with our November wedding. The dresses below are by Lula Kate available at Bella Bridesmaid. Click here to find one near you.

I'm totally loving this color combo on the beach. Yes, I'm loving the beach (and missing it --my tan is already fading) almost as much.

Paul Johnson Photography via Southern Weddings

Happy Planning!

Favorite Picture + MPIX

2011-06-10T15:16:00.000-05:00

Mr. NY and I love ALL of our engagement pictures taken by Dale and Meredith of Benfield Photography (need wedding pics -call them!!! yes, shameless plug for my talented photographers and friends). I'm going to share a few of our favorites with you today. Read more about our engagement session here.

We went to this awesome little bookstore called Steve's Sundry in Tulsa for our last e-session location. Here are three of my favorite shots from there. Don't you just love their Coke machine and soda fountain?

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect sign for my planned book picture. Yes, I had this whole shot planned out weeks in advance. It turned out better than I had imagined!

Now here is my favorite shot! My mother handed me her polka dotted umbrella as I left the house because rain just kept looming (boy did it rain and tornado!). I grabbed my animal print galoshes just in case. I am so pleased with this shot. Here it is first in color.

And then here it is in black & white. I'm going to order the black and white version on a large canvas for our living room from MPIX. Check out their site for ordering & prices. They're quite reasonable and the quality is outstanding.

All photos courtesy of Benfield Photography

Happy Planning!

Beach Bound

2011-06-03T09:43:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging from the Atlanta airport (heading to Destin with 9 of my favorite people in the world --girls' weekend!!!) and am testing out posting from my iPad, so bear with me!

Here are some of my favorite beach wedding & engagement photos!

Happy Planning!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Bakery Booked & Vendor Spotlight

2011-06-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

I'm checking things off my to do list left and right. One of the crucial pieces is our bakery. This was really a no brainer. I didn't even get quotes from more other bakeries. (Soap Box: that's a do what I say not what I do situation. You should always seek out best pricing & service. I have worked with my selected bakery on several other projects and didn't feel the need to be more informed than I already was. Stepping down now.) I knew exactly what I wanted and I couldn't wait to get it booked.

Click here for my post on my cake inspiration.

Where is my delectable cake coming from you ask??? Icing on the Top it is. Owner, Jennifer Jones, was introduced to me before I even moved back to Tulsa and started planning weddings again. I have never had cake from her that wasn't delicious and she has the ability to create amazing cakes.

Jennifer's work is award winning. Check out some of her wedding cakes below and let me know what you think. All photos from Icing on the Top gallery except where noted.

Personal photo from a client's wedding.

If you need a cake for any special occasion or wedding in the Tulsa area, be sure to contact Jennifer and her team at Icing on the Top. They will take great care of you and you will not be disappointed!

Icing on the Top
Owner: Jennifer Jones
Phone: 918.828.0399
Web site: www.icingonthetop.com
Location: 111 West 5th Street, Tulsa, OK 74103

Happy Planning,

Grab a Jar: Shower Desserts

2011-05-31T21:33:00.000-05:00

I love little jarred desserts at showers. They make for such an easy way to have an adorable presentation. Here are some really great jarred dessert recipes for your next bridal or baby shower.

Lemon Meringue Pie - Recipe: Notions and Notations

Oreo Stuffed Cookie - Recipe: Picky Palate

Cinnamon Butter Cake - Recipe: Picky Palate

Cheesecake - Recipe: I Am Baker

Brownies - Recipe: Just a Taste

Carrot Cake - Recipe: The Family Kitchen

S'mores Cake - Recipe: How Sweet It Is

Happy Planning!

Cake Inspiration

2011-05-09T12:09:00.001-05:00

I'm working on nailing down my bakery this week. It's kind of daunting. I have to feed cake to a LOT of people. With my dad being a minister, we are opening the ceremony and cake & punch reception up to the whole church. As a result, I'm a little cost conscious of how this whole cake thing comes together. It must satisfy the following requirements:

1. It must be pretty, but doesn't need to be fussy.
2. It must taste amazing and not be dry. Tiers of carrot and red velvet, please.
3. No fondant. It's just not my favorite with the aforementioned carrot and red velvet. (The groom's cake will likely have fondant, but that's a secret cake not to be revealed until the wedding day.)
4. It must feed several hundred people.
5. No cake topper. It's just not for me.

While I love super ornate cakes, I really want something that looks very homemade. Maybe a cake my grandmothers could have whipped up for a childhood birthday, but on a grand scale. Creamy white. Fluffy with the addition of flowers to give it some sophistication.

Here are my inspiration cakes:

Via: Style Me Pretty

Via: Junebug Weddings

Cake Stand: Sweet and Saucy Supply

(You must check out all the cake stands at Sweet and Saucy! They are pretty much to die for.)

Happy Planning!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T22:15:00.004-05:00

With this being my first Mother's Day away from my mother (ever), I just wanted to wish her the happiest Mother's Day! It was hard being away, but thanks to FaceTime I got to see her face (and the rest of the crazy bunch in Oklahoma)!

I also ran across a couple of pictures while reminiscing about all the memories with my mom & family. Enjoy!

Don't you love our late-80's flair???

I'm squinty (boo me), but isn't my mother just darling?

Happy Mother's Day, Ladies!!!

Kate and Grace

2011-04-29T06:10:00.000-05:00

Is everyone else seeing this similarity? Grace Kelly is an all-time favorite of mine and I love that Catherine's dress choice is so classic, so Grace Kelly.

Honeymoon: Bahamas Bound?

2011-04-28T15:43:00.000-05:00

I love ALL of these pieces over on Oh Joy!'s blog! If you're headed to the Bahamas or anywhere tropical for your honeymoon (or a girls weekend in FL. that's what I am prepping for. 36 days and counting.) check out these great finds. My favorite is the striped dress from Madewell.

Head on over to Oh Joy! for more Bahama details.

Happy Planning!

Will & Kate's Official Portrait

2011-04-28T08:06:00.001-05:00

Having just had our engagement pictures taken, it's so fun to see how the Royals do it. Will & Kate's official portrait was released. It is fabulous, as it should be. Is everyone getting excited for tomorrow? Who's getting up with me at 4:00 am to watch all the coverage?!?

Here's a fun link to lots of details on the big day: Royal Wedding from The Daily Mail.

Mario Testino

Happy Royals Stalking (everyone's doing it)!

Real Wedding: July 4th

2011-04-27T07:57:00.001-05:00

This sweet backyard-style wedding took place on July 4th. If you're planning a summer wedding and leaning toward a patriotic theme, this wedding would be a great jumping-off point. It's not strictly red, white and blue and that's just what I love about it. The bride and her mother are quite creative at keeping the look fresh and new. Check out more of the details and read what this bride has to say about planning her wedding over at Snippet & Ink.

Beaux Arts Photographie

Happy Planning!

Hankies for Mom

2011-04-24T21:26:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day is approaching and whether you need a special gift to honor her on her day or as a thank you for helping with your big day, these hankies would make sweet gifts for mom.

Stephanie's Unlimited Creations

Happy Planning!

Featured: Bridal Shower on Pretty Tasty Things

2011-04-22T09:44:00.018-05:00

Thanks to the lovely Korie Lynn and her skills with a camera, the bridal shower I threw for my sister-in-law (with tons of help from her bridesmaids and brothers/amateur caterers) was just featured on this adorable blog, Pretty Tasty Things. The photos are bringing back memories of the day and I thought I'd share some details of all the fun I had with planning the event.

We had quite a formidable guest list to accommodate so to keep the ladies from confusing their drinks, I printed labels in a pretty font, laminated them with some contact paper, and ran raffia around mason jars. The paper straws are from HeyYoYo on Etsy allowed everyone to sip on their iced tea or blueberry lemonade in style.

I collected little ornate frames from around my house (and when I could catch them on sale) to display labels for the food. I added a little flare using the Parisian Anthology Photoshop brush setfrom House of 3.

Partially out of fear for cheesy bridal shower games, but mostly because I really love a good surprise, I edited together a video of the groom answering a slew of questions for which the bride had to guess his responses. She faired quite well! Plus, it was fun to involve him in the day and to see how he can really make her laugh. I also DIYed a He Says She Says game.

We home-made several varieties of delicious cupcakes including devil's food, carrot, and lemon-berry cheesecake; we picked up those delicately iced peanut butter chocolate numbers from the local Wegmans Bakery. My now pregnant (!) brain is dying to take a bite right now. I might have to revive those recipes for the Easter holiday this weekend.

I hope you enjoyed these snippets from all the fun I had as a matron of honor and maybe even got some ideas for an event you're throwing in the near future.

Choose to see la vie en rose,

Tornado E-Session

2011-04-22T09:35:00.000-05:00

This e-session happens to be near and dear to my heart. It happens to be my own, and in true Oklahoma style it came outfitted with a tornado. It's just not very Oklahoma without one.

I have really fantastic photographers, Benfield Photography, who drove on over to Tulsa from Fayetteville to take our pictures. Any normal couple would have rescheduled with a tornado in sight, but Mr. NY and I were moving all of my 27 years worth of belongings to NY the very next day. Rescheduling was not an option.

We started shooting before the rain came, but also had fun under umbrellas and in the midst of some crazy WIND. The rest of the pictures are coming soon, but first check out this teaser from a recent Benfield Photography blog post.

It stopped raining for a moment and Dale captured the amazing sky that Oklahoma produces during a tornado. I just love how it turned out.

I will follow up with more pictures, the breakdown of our locations and what I wore very soon.

Happy Planning!

Gold Staples

2011-04-12T16:26:00.000-05:00

I love this quick fix! Whether you just like things fancy and want to staple papers in gold or have a specific project like they did over at Twig & Thistle, making gold staples is a cinch!

Via Twig & Thistle

Click here to see the Save-the-Date project where these little ditties were used.

Happy Planning!

Free Download Friday: Table Numbers

2011-04-08T13:04:00.000-05:00

Check out this cute table number download from Betsywhite Stationery! There are so many table number options. How am I going to choose????

Download here.

Via Ruffled Blog

Happy Weekend and Planning!