10 random things we heart at the moment:

Tracy B Designs wired flowers- endless possibilities.

The point is, Madeline Weinrib is beyond genius. Ikat is the batik du jour, and we’re loving it.

If I could curl up in the corner of Tinsel Trading and just ruminate on life, I would. Talk about inspiration?

Inhabit Living’s Wall Flats are designed to expand in any direction with an automatic pattern repeat and can be painted to coordinate with your decor. You can cover a existing wall with Wall Flats, help disguise a not-so-smooth wall or add a modern, green wallpaper to any room setting through patterning. W’e're employing some at a wedding of ours this Fall- how fun?

I’m saving my pennies for a funky new pair of specs from local boutique, SEE.

Pe-ah-knee, Pe-oh-knee- however you say it, we can’t wait for them to be in season. T-6 weeks!

Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America. I’m planning a 2011 getaway to B.A. and can’t wait to bring back major inspiration for our clients.

I tried them on in person, so trust me: these Miguel Ases earrings are as fabulous as they seem. Perhaps a “something blue” for a bold bride?

This weekend, I’m baking my family’s infamous cream cheese pound cake (Crisco is involved- get excited). Wish I had this Juliska Isabella Cake Stand to present it!

Being an unabashed foodie, I must confess that I dream of owning a Wayne Thiebaud (this one is Seven Suckers, fyi.)

Jasmine Star is a genius, duh.

The Blonde Photographer rocks my world, plus- I love how she captures these grooms!

Jose Villa has yet another groupie: moi.

Dear Christian Oth: please report to Charleston for a last-minute cocktail party in your honor. It is there that we will toast your coolness.

Whose photography do you heart?

Quick tips from the pros:

1.) Ask your wedding planner to confirm with the band that they will learn 1-2 songs for you, if need be. Make sure you give them ample notice to purchase sheet music, practice, and perfect your song- it’s not a fly-by-the-seat-of-yer-pants situation with professional bands!

2.) Avoid using a cd where possible. You’ve hired a live band for a reason, and word to the wise? Your lead singer isn’t ever going to sound like James Taylor or Van Morrison. Embrace it. Let them sound authentically them.

3.) Take dance lessons. I know, I know, you’re bizzy- aren’t we all? No matter how much rhythm you have in your blood, it isn’t enough. Lessons put a polish on that first dance, which sets the tone for the evening (and raises the bar!)

Great first dance songs:

That’s How Strong My Love Is, Otis Redding (the Taj Mahal version below)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder

You Send Me, Sam Cooke

These Arms of Mine, Otis Redding

Dream A Little Dream of Me, Mama Cass (Louis Armstrong version)

Nothing Can Change This Love, Sam Cooke

The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra

At Last, Etta James (but ONLY if you have a killer female lead!)

It Had to Be You, Frank Sinatra

You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne

What will your first dance be?

Love this little Lela Rose dress we chose for a summer bride of ours, only we’re doing it in a punchy clover green that’s even more delish.

Nothing sweeter than a locket (or four!) on a long 10K gold chain paired with other vintage necklaces, all draped over some airy little shift.

Do: plan for Spring showers, in style. The pagoda umbrella fits the bill.

Don’t: get caught using some nappy old freebie umbrella.

No, no, no. I know what you’re thinking. These are NOT your average chocolate-covered strawberries, people. These are from my hometown chocolatier in Memphis- Dinstuhl’s Candies. They dip them first in a liquid fondant, then in milk chocolate…the result? Pure heaven. Order them here.

What we’re listening to: Celtic bluegrass. So soothing during the typically frenetic days of a wedding designer.

No, that’s not my hand, nor my fake nails. But I am sporting this little greige color, Chinchilly, and I feel rocker chic thanks to Essie.

I hear you, I hear you- I have a love affair with gray. Don’t tell my husband! These little J. Crew Lilly stud heels would be darling for bridesmaids, or in my closet, thankyouverymuch.

Whilst stomping around the kitchen accessorized as far above, you should also whip out the latest Lee Bros’ Cookbook, Simple, Fresh, Southern. There is nothing more refreshing or authentic for new South cooking than the tidbits within.

Currently stacked on my coffee table: Veranda, Remodel, Traditional Home, Southern Accents, old Dominos, and a stray Martha Stewart Weddings or two. Confession: we’re renovating our little Charleston cottage and my dreams are filllllled with Swedish interiors, as above. If only we had existing 14 foot ceilings and a winning lottery ticket!

Anything and everything Cheree is just fine by me. The whimsy, the bold color, the effortless style? Yes, please.

Note: You can always move past our YouTube samples and listen on iTunes or Amazon to varying instrumentation options for each, too- as you probably don’t have an entire symphony for your wedding ceremony (though how fab!)

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What: Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Who: Mendelssohn

Side note: Best with organ accompaniment, amazing for a recessional.

Sample it here.

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What: Air on a G String

Who: Bach

Side note: Get your mind out of the gutter, hee hee. Lovely for parents to process to, as well as pre-processional music.

Sample it here.

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What: Trumpet Voluntary, aka “Prince of Denmark’s March”

Who: Clarke

Side note: A herald trumpeter absolutely makes it, even though others can “fake” it- organs, strings, etc. Best used for the bride’s processional.

Sample it here.

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What: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Who: Bach

Side note: Lovely for the parental processional or bridesmaids/groomsmen.

Sample it here.

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What: Ave Maria

Who: Schubert

Side note: Be bold, get a soloist to join forces with your other musicians, as the words are just beautiful.  Best for wedding party processionals.

Sample it here.

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What:  Barcarolle

Who: Offenbach

Side note: Listen to it for a while until you hear the loveliest part that is wedding-appropriate.

Sample it here.

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What: Water Music for Hornpipe, Suite 2

Who: Handel

Side note: Best for recessional of the couple and wedding party.

Sample it here.

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What: Te Deum Prelude

Who: Charpentier

Side note: Gorgeous and traditional for a bride’s processional- and just different enough to peak your guests’ interest in your choice.

Sample it here.

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What: Cello Suite no. 1

Who: Bach

Side note: Sigh- just so gorgeous. You obvi need a cello to make it pop.

Sample it here.

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What: Rondeau

Who: Mouret

Side note: Fantastic with a trumpeter, but doable with just an organ or a string trio/quartet. Great for wedding party processional.

Sample it here.

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What: Minuet in G

Who: Bach

Side note: Simple and lovely choice for pre-bridal processional music, or for a bride who doesn’t want the pomp and circumstance.

Sample it here.

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What: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Who: Handel

Side note: Fantastic for a wedding party recessional.

Sample it here.

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What: Trumpet Tune

Who: Purcell

Side note: You know this one! It’s tried and true, but still elegant for wedding party or bridal processional, or even a recessional.

Sample it here.

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We think Pachelbel’s Canon in D is tiiiiiiiired, but it’s always an easy fallback for processional music if you just can’t make the leap from what feels safe to what will thrill!

Love me a good Anthro installation. It’s beyond crazy to think that these Simon Doonan-esque elves appear in the night at malls across America and install art . . . so inspiring.

Brooch bouquets, shot by Alice Hu Photography. Takes a quirky bride with a wee bit of courage, but I want one just for my life!

Duh. What gal doesn’t want a sumptuous little vanity in her bedroom, on which one of those brooch bouquets could perch?

Asking for a Holga for my birthday, under the auspices of channeling the profound talent of our friends at A Bryan Photo.

I picked up a Jadeite cake plate like this one on our last trip to East Tennessee, along the road to Blackberry Farm. Delish.

We can’t wait to work with Laura Cooper calligraphy this summer. Her lettering is simply beyond. One day, when I’m 90, I’ll take that calligraphy course I always promised myself I would.

Maybe I don’t have that darling whitewashed baker’s rack,  but our milk glass collection does rival this! We’re breaking it out for one of our special Spring brides who, like us, adores all things vintage.

Just picked up a few vintage suitcases this weekend at my favorite antique mall. Will continue to collect for one of our Fall brides, whose furniture vignettes at cocktails will feature these little gems.

Soul food- any book by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. If you haven’t read Same Kind of Different as Me, get thee to the bookstore. This is the follow-up, and I can only read a chapter at a time because I weep so.

Emerson Made anything. . . from the floral pins to the gorgeous hair clips to the felty belts.

What do you covet?

In preparation, we have a few ideas to throw your way!

1st: Paper

You can certainly take this one to the max by taking paper ever-so-literally to mean: tickets to somewhere fab. Or, keep it simple and give each other social stationery from Mr. Boddington. There is nothing more sophisticated than couture paper, especially tiny European-style calling cards and bespoke letterpress notecards. We love their punchy off-kilter colors.

2nd: Cotton

Two years into marriage, you definitely need a bath refresh. Frette sheets, Yves Delorme robes, and Uggs slippers could all make a statement, as could these little beauties from Neiman Marcus:

3rd: Leather

We love the nearly-lost art of hand-written correspondence, and this cements your intent : a handmade travel writing desk from Pianki . . .

4th: Linen/Silk

Ask for: an Hermes scarf, of course . . .

Give: a Southern proper tie, natch . . .

5th: Wood

Stay local and find a gorgeous woodworker to patronize. Go as simple as a salad bowl or as complex as a console! Charleston boasts many an artisan, including Michael Moran, whom we adore.

10th: Tin/Aluminum

Don’t despair: Pewter is an alloy that is 85 to 99% tin. Italian pewter is to die for lovely, and makes for heirlooms for your children’s children.

15th: Crystal

Duh- you know we’re going to fall back on our favorite, Mr. Yeoward. Pair a gift like this with his fabulous book on entertaining for her or an aged single malt for him and you’re done.

20th: China

Forget the Herend cachepot. Here’s where I say, get literal. Plan that transcontinental trip you’ve always imagined and hit up China.

25th: Silver

If you’re staying around town, perhaps ask the hubby for a sterling serving tray like this:

If the travel bug has bitten, consider Silver Strand, Ireland:

50th: Gold

Not that you can’t find something delicious made of the precious metal we all adore, buuut . . . you could plan a little weekend getaway to NYC and hit up Serendipity for their Golden Sundae?

75th: Diamonds/Gold

Sheesh- a girl has to wait till her 75th for more diamonds? I think not! But either way, I say ponder a diamond watch for you and a fabulous non-diamondy watch for him.

These are just a few of our favorite things (sing along with me) which work super well when served up piping hot or ice cold to late night revelers at a wedding reception . . .

Mac ‘n’ cheese lollipops

Mini Croque Monsieurs on Brioche

Mini Mango Strawberry Sno Cones

Mini Hamburger Sliders (aka “Old Faithful”- add caramelized mushrooms and shaved truffles for oomph)

Little hot pretzels . . . serve with white truffle mayo, smoked chipotle ketchup, and honey mustard

Blue Cheese Chips . . . serve in glassine bags with ample cocktail napkins for greasy fingers!

Mini Chocolate Chip Sandwiches

Ice Cream Profiteroles

Tiny Whoopie Pies

Mini Milkshakes

The key: keep it simple, keep it one-bite. What will you serve late night?

Our office is already filled to the brim with wedding magazines, but inevitably I find another ten we don’t routinely get. So, with pile in arms, I tuck up in a corner and thumb through my mini library before making my way to the register.

I was just in B&N the other day, thumbing through a BRIDES magazine and sipping a hot chocolate when my husband ceremoniously dumped this little gem on our café table. The place being packed, I tried to stifle my chortles (chuckles-slash-snorts) while reading these little Wedding Haiku, and I promptly picked up a copy for one of our hilarious brides.

You remember the 3 line poetry composed of 5 syllables/7 syllables/5 syllables from your English prep school days? Nerd alert: some of my childhood friends (the best kind!) still email me in Haiku . . . and I promptly respond, in Haiku. Shame.

I snapped a few for your enjoyment:

Who, me?

Hope these make you stop working and laugh for just a moment- it is Friday, y’all!

The Dutch

After a Dutch wedding, the couple’s friends and family plant lily-of-the-valley around their home and in their garden to symbolize love’s renewing powers. Each year when the lilies of the valley bloom again, the couple are reminded of their vows.

Interesting note: the bridal shower actually originated in Holland, where if a Dutch bride’s father disapproves of her choice in a husband, he may not offer her a dowry. In lieu, the bride’s friends “shower” her with gifts of household items and sundry needs. If the family approves, the bride receives a trousseau from her parents (yay for those!) Her future father-in-law gives her a “chatelaine,” which consists of a chain or rope made of silver or leather and contains sundries such as a pair of scissors, a pincushion, a needle case, a small knife, and a mirror.  I want.

A lovely little Dutch custom that can be substituted for the guest book is to create a wedding “wish tree.” At the reception, a selection of branches (try blooming cherry/quince/pear) are grounded and filled with paper leaves, ribbon, etc. on which each guest has written a special note to the new pair. Ours was found on Wedding Bee:

The French

“Chiverie” is a wedding night prank wherein the couple are sent off on their honeymoon, only to be interrupted by their wedding guests banging pots and pans, ringing bells, and tooting horns. The bride and groom are expected to appear in their wedding clothes and provide treats for their tormentors. Check out the low-brow pic we found:

The Spaniards

One Spanish tradition that survives still today is the presentation of thirteen coins from the groom to the bride. The coins, usually presented in a special bag, box or tray, symbolize the groom’s commitment to his new bride and his vow to support her. The bride carries the coins during her processional, and they are then blessed by the minister during the ceremony. Afterwards, the coins are kept as part of the family’s heritage. Pretty. Maybe she could sew a few into the lining of her gown?

The Brits

Proper English brides often carry a horseshoe with their bouquet for good luck in marriage. Since that could be a wee bit cumbersome, we suggest the more modern take of including the horseshoe in tiny little motif throughout the stationery suite.

Fun fact: Rain is also considered an omen of good luck on the morning of the wedding ceremony. Our dear friends at Dulles Designs like to remind our clients: “Mariage pleureux, mariage heureux!” (Rainy marriage, happy marriage!)

Locals

In addition to the requisite rocking chairs dotting our piazzas, it is quite common to see the joggling board gracing the lengths and depths of Charleston’s gracious verandas and lawns.

“They” say that a boy and a girl can sit on the board and joggle, or bounce their way toward each other, smooch, and be betrothed. Sweet!