So I thought I’d blog about my latest experience “cake tasting” since it has some useful tips and lessons. My fiancé left all vendor selection up to me since he knew I was going to stay within our budget. I went with Sweet and Saucy Shop! their goodies are seriously to die for and the presentation is practically perfection.

Anyway, we had our tasting and made our decision(s)! I walked rolled away joking that my biggest planning dilemma is having a tough time trying to decide on my ABSOLUTE favorite! Here’s my advice:

Bring your fiancé.. This will be the one time he will want to participate in the planning process. Regardless of your taste in sweets, he won’t want to miss this. I promise!

Be willing to compromise. If you like the chocolate and he likes the red velvet, be willing to compromise and get both! With cakes being anything but “conventional” these days, you can have whatever flavor you want. That also relates to your budget. If you can’t afford the cake you’ve envisioned, be willing to compromise by getting a smaller version and serving a sheet cake or cupcakes instead.

Go with an open mind. I had my mind made up on the exact flavors I wanted to serve… Carrot cake, red velvet, you know the good stuff. Well, we started the tasting and tried strawberry first… YUM! Chocolate Espresso next… YUMMM! Their cookie dough and new “candy bar” flavor… seriously to die for!

Be prepared and take notes! I’m lucky to have a fiance who knows that he needs milk, so we called beforehand to make sure they had it on-hand.  We got so caught up in all the deliciousness that we didn’t take notes, and we just started naming all of the ones that were good.  We practically ordered a little bit of everything!

Have fun with it!  You only get married once (hopefully), and if you are lucky, you nail down your cake vendor after your first tasting. Have fun & bring your appetites!

I’m all about love these days, especially since I saw this “Love” collection by Avanessi. Isn’t it super cute and understated at the same time? I love, love it.

They make way cute accessories and/or bridesmaid gifts. Spread the love and check out more of Avanessi.

When I got engaged (finally), it seemed like everyone was expecting me to have my whole day was planned. I did. Sort of. Being an event coordinator myself withy share of weddings, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be tackling as many if the planning and to-do’s myself, especially the paper.

As a “paper person” who is obsessed with Pantone color swatches and typography, I even found myself confused as to pinning down the look of my paper style. Here are my three absolute to-do’s in order to get the best paper style to suit your big day!!

[one] : GET INSPIRED!! Create a board on Pinterest strictly for paper goods. Selecting your paper style can be a nightmare and fairly overwhelming if you’re like me and like EVERYTHING! Go to a design blog, wedding blog, or paper blog. At the end of the day, check out all the stationery that caught your eye. What do they all have in common? Is there a particular tone it sets for your big day? Would your fiancé agree? What typography is being used? Ask yourself what you like about them. If that’s too difficult, ask yourself what you DON’T like about them. That can help too!

This will help you: 1) get an idea of whether you want “custom” stationery; and 2) help convey your “style” to your stationer (trust me, they’ll be so grateful).

I knew I wanted to do my own, so I played with some of my favorite fonts (Gotham & Peoni Pro) and created something for us on an aqua-colored envelope.

[two] : GET ORGANIZED!!! I created a blueprint of my invitation suite. Yes, a blueprint. Outlining the fonts, colors, and materials I would be using. This will be useful because it will allow you to organize your ideas AND get a clearer picture if what you’re going to spend — envelopes, ribbon and other embellishments, paper, printing!

I decided I wanted to include handwritten bellybands in my suite, so I got that out of the way.

[three] : KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! Yes, I know what you’re thinking… this coming from someone who created a blueprint for her invitations? By “simple,” I mean not to worry about it. No one will remember invitations or paper goods, unless they’re designers, they are paper-obsessed, there is a misspelling, or you create something beyond magnificent that no one has ever seen! If your budget doesn’t leave room for letterpressed or embossed stationery (I know mine doesn’t!), cut corners, DIY, and you will find a way.

I created my own wraparound labels with my inkjet printer at home and dull-sheet labels I bought on Amazon. $10 for $100 sheets + time to design the labels + time to print the labels + time to cut them out individually by hand (with mandated help by the fiancé) = saving me $60+ and quality time with my future husband

I *heart* all that you do.  Really, I do.  From the open-toe pumps with draped satin straps that will make an appearance on my big day, to the amazing bridesmaid dresses I hope my bridesmaids pick since I’m leaving it completely up to them, and all the accessories in between, I love them all!  And now, I hear you now have bridal jewelry and engagement rings at Kohl’s.  Oh dear! Love!

White by Vera at David’s Bridal left to right, from top: open-toe pumps with draped satin straps, bobbin net dress with illusion neckline, draped satin dress with grosgrain sash, v neck sleveless chiffon column dress, one shoulder organza dress with black belt.

P.S. Vera Wang’s style will make a couple of appearances in my big day!! Can’t wait!

So guess what!! I started this blog in 2008 to share my passion and love for –borderline obsession with– weddings! Now it’s time for planning my own wedding. It’s funny because I’ve planned so many weddings and events without any worries or qualms, and now I get to plan my own.

I must say… My guy, or fiancé did an AMAZING job planning the proposal! He lied, schemed, and deceived me into thinking his best friend was receiving an award from work. After a huge fight with my BFF (who happens to be the girlfriend of his BFF) over dress selection (I can go into that later), I was utterly surprised and completely overjoyed. I found myself a winner, and I am so in love.

Excuse the grammar, but HE DID GOOD! I’m in love with my ring, and I’m truly in love with him!

I’ll keep everyone posted on the planning details!

I know, I know.  I said back in February that I was back.  Oops!  I’ve been way busier and consumed with other things that I thought I would be.  I’m not making any promises, but I really am hoping to blog a little more consistently these days.  The truth is… I’m in front of the computer all day doing creative things (and not-so-creative things).  However, weddings are very much on my mind.  (They always will be).  I’m on Pinterest though.  I’m always pinning things that inspire me — from my fabulous stiletto obsession to awesome posters to hang on my wall... trust me!  You will get an idea of what I’m about and what’s on my mind!

Have you checked out Badgley Mischka’s new Spring 2012 collection?  Could it get more colorful?  I think what I love most about it is that despite the splash of color everywhere, the looks are still pretty much classic & chic.  You know how much I love keeping it simple with black & white, but this collection blew me away.  Be sure to check the whole collection out.  These are perfect for spring & summer!  Love!  I am dying to know YOUR favorite!

Badgley Mischka Spring 2012 - Looks 3 & 4

Badgley Mischka Spring 2012 - Looks 5 & 6

Badgley Mischka Spring 2012 - Looks 11 & 26

I’m back, my friends!  Yes, I am BACK!  I haven’t blogged in forever, but I’m hoping to be more consistent in blogging again.  Hopefully, I am able to keep up with posting regularly.

I intend on blogging a little about everything… from wedding & event inspiration, to pretty flowers, gorgeous paper, awesome design, and more insight into my life as a mom, girlfriend, planner, and 30-year-old.  Yup, I turned 30 during my little hiatus from blogging.  I survived and am happy to announce that I am totally comfortable with being 30!  It’s the new BLACK! Ha!

Speaking of black, or white, or both… here are two new things I want need!! I promise it’s for work!

via Coach

Although I’ve been absent, my obsession with Martha Stewart continues.  Seriously, she’s my hero.  I’m a firm believer that everyone has something to offer, and despite how much of an expert you are at one thing (or many), you can always learn something from someone else… who knows?  It could be easier, more efficient, less costly… better.  Anyway, here is Martha’s Party Planning Guide.  You party planners out there may roll your eyes & tell yourselves “I know this already,” and you novice planners may think it’s the best thing ever.  All I know is there’s no harm in seeing how Martha does it, and adding to it, if you need to.

1: Establish the Basics

2: The Date

3: The Guest List

4: Location

5: Cocktails or Dinner?

6: Your Budget

7: Music & Entertainment

8: Putting It All Together

9: The Checklist

If you know this song, congratulations. I love it. If you haven’t, you must listen to it. It is a definite wedding song. “What are you doing for the rest of your life? If you believe in destiny, then how can you not see that I’ll be with you for the rest of your life? Someday you will realize that we are meant to be.”