Oh Lovely Day

{Personal} Celebrating: Life, Freedom, Love, and Success in the form of Hatfields & McCoys

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

On this Memorial Day, I will not only be remembering the servicemen and women who have given their lives to protect our country and our freedom and thanking Veterans (and their families) who make sacrifices everyday for the rest of us. That is what today should ultimately be about.

But for me, it is also the four year anniversary of the day my husband asked me to marry him. Since he proposed on Memorial Day (and I gave birth to our son on Veteran's Day - how weird is that!?) I celebrate that anniversary and celebrate what the day means. I think that is one of the best ways to honor those who have given their lives for us - to celebrate life and freedom and love every day.

This Memorial Day is giving my family an even bigger reason to celebrate, because after working very hard for years my husband is making his television acting debut in The History Channel's Hatfields & McCoys, which begins airing tonight at 9 pm (8 pm CST). This epic miniseries is a three night event, and my husband won't be seen much until night two. And even though we've already seen it (and it is so freaking good, by the way!) we'll be watching it again, and I hope you all will too. Then come back and leave me a comment telling me what you think of it. Honestly, there really is something for everyone. There are fantastic performances by veteran actors like Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton (Tom Berenger and Mare Winningham especially blew me away) and a cast full of hot and talented rising stars like Lindsay Pulsipher, Matt Barr, Jena Malone, Andrew Howard, Boyd Holbrook, Noel Fisher, Tom McKay, Max Deacon, Jilon VanOver, Chris Hatherall, and Jonathan Fredrick.

{via hollywood spy}

{thanks to a reader for tweeting me this photo from the NYC subway -

my hubs is top, second from the left}

{via The History Channel}

{via the Herald Dispatch}

{photo by Max Deacon via the Herald Dispatch}

{via the Herald Dispatch}

Thanks for letting me be a proud wifey today! I hope you'll tune in or DVR Hatfields & McCoys and then come back and tell me what you think. Enjoy! xx

Oh, and for those of you worried about it, my hubs hair and beard don't always look like that!

See? Doesn't he clean up nice? :)

{Guest Post Wrap Up} I'm Back! Plus, a shameless Hatfields & McCoys plug.

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:50:00 +0000

Happy Friday of a loooong weekend lovelies! I know I've been gone for a bit, but I'm back and I've got lots of pretty lined up for you for next week. I had to take a little break from blogging, pinning, bundling, tweeting, and all that fun stuff to focus on some family time. And some of that included attending my first red carpet event as a very proud wifey!

{all photos taken with my iPhone}

My husband is making his television debut in the Hatfields & McCoys 3 night miniseries event starting Memorial Day night, 5/28 at 9 pm (8 pm CST) on the History Channel. He plays Jefferson McCoy, son of the first victim of the Hatfield & McCoy feud and drunken brother of Jena Malone's character Nancy McCoy. I believe he appears at the end of the first night, but then lots on the second night! I've seen the miniseries already and I have to tell you it is brilliantly acted by a fantastic cast, is a compelling story and really entertaining. There are lots of good looking people in it too, if that's your thing :)f It is a must watch! So be sure to tune in and then tell me what you think! And be sure to look for the hubs. Here's a little peek so you know who to look for.

(via the History Channel)

{McCoy family - my hubs is at the top, second from the left}

Now to blog business. A HUGE thank you to all of my guest posters from the last three weeks! In case you missed any of the posts, here is a quick wrap up for you:

Behind the Veil of Rhi from Hey Gorg

Favorite 15 Wedding Gowns from Snippet & Ink

Summer Dreaming with Postcards & Pretties

Wedding Music Faves by Ever Ours

Bridesmaid Dress Options for Curvy Girls from Kiss My Tulle

Behind the Veil of Emma from Emmaline Bride

Lobster Bake Summer Wedding from Magnolia Rouge

Rustic Summer Picnic Wedding from Love and Lavender

Salt + Savory DIY Wedding Favors by Favor Craver

Summer Bohemian Wedding by Glitter Weddings

Behind the Veil of Brit from Landlocked Bride

Bridesmaids Dresses from For Him and For Her (a partnered post)

Tips for finding inspiration from Wiley Valentine

Modern Classic Navy + Kelly Green Wedding from Landlocked Bride

Have a fab long weekend and I'll see you on Tuesday. And don't forget to watch or DVR Hatfields & McCoys starting Monday night! xx

{Guest Post} Navy + Kelly Green Summer Wedding Inspiration from Landlocked Bride

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Today's guest poster is such a sweetheart and I'm so glad she's stopping by today to share some color inspiration for us. And in case you missed it, she was our featured blogger bride in our Behind the Veil feature this week, so check that out too! Please welcome Brit from Landlocked Bride!

I have a penchant for color. Every shade, hue and saturation. And, when Chandra asked me to create a lovely board for her readers while she’s off enjoying her vacation, I jumped at the chance. Why? Well, for obvious reasons, she’s an absolute sweetheart. But, any chance to share another color combo is one to take advantage of.

Navy, Kelly Green and White. I love (yes, love) this palette for so many reasons. It’s easy to add a classic spin on this. Or, take a modern approach by using copious amounts of white with subtle hints of greens and blues. Or, knock the saturation down some, and you have the perfect vintage palette. This particular combination is the perfect balance of modern and classic. Strong blues and greens, and crisp white to allow the colors to pop.

Row 1: Adeline and Grace Photography via Style Me Pretty, Raw Photo Design via Style Me Pretty Row 2: Adeline and Grace Photography via Style Me Pretty, Jen Huang Photography via Rangoli Jewellry, Jennifer Images via Style Me Pretty Row 3: Raw Photo Design via Style Me Pretty, Raw Photo Design via Style Me Pretty, Minted

So, what do you love most about color? Something rich and bold? Or soft and light?

{Guest Post} Finding Inspiration by Wiley Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Today's guest poster is an incredibly talented wedding stationery designer and has become a sweet friend as well! Rachelle from Wiley Valentine is sharing what inspires her, and what can inspire you, in dreaming up your wedding stationery. Take it away, Rachelle!

I am so excited to be here on Oh Lovely Day today! Thanks so much Chandra for having me!

One question I get asked a lot is "where do you find your inspiration". Well I find myself being inspired by things every day. From food to furniture, vintage books, to magazine layouts, inspiration can come from anywhere. Here is an example of how these amazing furniture pieces from Anthropologie inspired a look that could easily be made into a wedding invite suite!

The pattern, the color palette, everything is so bright and fun! It's so much fun when brides come to us with inspiration like this. Something fun & different and then we are able to translate that to their paper goods! My advice to brides would be to keep you eyes open, and allow yourselves to be inspired by your every day. When something really clicks and it feels right you will know.

Such great advice Rachelle! And brides, if you are in the market for a wedding stationery designer you MUST check out Wiley Valentine.

{photo credits: Anthro Hanging Chair / Anthro Chair, color palette, design, and stationery by Wiley Valentine}

{Sponsored Post} Bridesmaid Dresses by For Her and For Him

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:13:00 +0000

After a successful year of business and ever growing collection of dresses, For Her and For Him has decided to host the biggest sale to date! To thank loyal customers and celebrate the launch of the new site, For Her and For Him is offering up to 30% off when you buy multiple bridesmaid dresses. And with wedding season just kicking off, timing couldn’t be better!

Their new site provides even more options to their customers too. There are lots more color choices, and now you can view pictures of any of their new bridesmaid dresses in all the color choices. New options, like adding or removing a train to your dress, or choosing a zip up or lace up back, are available for certain dresses as well.

For Her and For Him is offering 15% off the purchase of two bridesmaid dresses, 25% off the purchase of three to five, and 30% off of six or more. This steal of a deal applies for any dress in a bridesmaid collection, and is available from May 15to June 30, 2012.

To sweeten the deal, For Her and For Him is including their Custom Fit service free of charge with any purchase of more than one bridesmaid dress. Using up to 14 measurements, For Her and For Him will custom tailor ever dress to fit your body perfectly, no matter your shape or size. How great is that!?

As a final tip of the hat, For Her and For Him will provide free express shipping for any product purchased during the promotion, including bridal gowns and accessories. And with so many styles and colors to choose from, you are sure to find what you're looking for. Hurry and get yours while this amazing deal lasts!

_________________________________________________________________________________

For Her and For Him is a sponsor of Oh Lovely Day

{Behind the Veil} Brit from Landlocked Bride

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday! I'm back from vacation but taking a few more days because we have some events for my husband's job this week that are keeping us busy, so I have a few more great guest posts coming your way. But first, another installment of Behind the Veil, featuring the lovely Brit from Landlocked Bride!

As a wedding blogger, what is your favorite part of other people's weddings?

I absolutely love a couple's story and how their story translates into the details of their wedding. As a wedding stylist, I work with my couples to understand how to take a vision they have for their big day and infuse personality into it. It's so important to me that a wedding be a reflection of the couple, their marriage and their style. And, as a blogger, the weddings that have a heart-warming story and details to match are what catch my eye the most.

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

I can't pick just one. I remember so much of our wedding as if it was yesterday. The first look, our ceremony, the ferris wheel ride, partying with our friends and family. So much of it contributed to creating this one cohesive memory that is my favorite part. It's the culmination of how the day unfolded that made it so special to me. BUT, to answer your question, probably the ferris wheel ride. It was 25 minutes of time alone with my new husband, a view of downtown St. Louis, a cool breeze and the mist of a gentle rain. The laughter. It was the first time we had quiet time to ourselves as husband and wife. While our photographers and videographer were not too far away capturing these moments, I never noticed. It gave us time to reflect on the day and remember why we fell in love in the first place.

What was the first piece of wedding planning you did (booked venue, bought dress, etc.)?

The first thing we did was book our ceremony and reception venues so we could set a date. With almost two years to plan our wedding, we wanted to make sure we had our first pick for venues.

In your opinion, what is one vendor no wedding can be without?

Photographer. Even without the regular hoopla of a traditional wedding, you still want an archivist there to capture every detail. The kiss, the vows, the rings. Those are where the memories are - not in the dress or the food or the flowers.

In your opinion, what is one thing or vendor that you think brides can do without (or at least do sparingly)?

Ahh, this is so tough. It really depends on what is most important to a bride and groom. For many, it's videography. As long as they have a photographer, that's usually enough. But, I'm a sucker for a great video (and had a videographer myself). Honestly, every vendor has a crucial part in the grand scheme of things. My best advice is for couples to decide what is most important to them (pick their top three) and focus resources there by scaling back on the other details and vendors that maybe are not as important in their opinion.

What was your favorite source of inspiration for your own wedding?

Fashion magazines. I strayed away from wedding blogs because the trend that was popping up during my planning was the onset of "vintage" and the use of peacocks. While both pretty and fabulous, they are not a reflection of my personal style or my husband's. I was on the hunt for bold uses of color, and the fashion world is full of it.

Do you do an inspiration board?

I did do an inspiration board. It was the foundation from where all of our other ideas were created.

(You can find it here: http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/02/22/revamped-inspiration-board/)

Your favorite wedding memory?

Our wedding ceremony and reading our vows. We had written our entire ceremony ourselves since we had my aunt officiate. Every ounce of that ceremony was personal. And, at the end, there was not a dry eye in the house - even my boss teared up.

Your favorite wedding detail?

Fred Bird. He's the mascot for the St. Louis Cardinals (2011 World Series Champions). My friends and family have a deep love of the Cardinals. So, as a surprise, I hired him to come party at our reception for an hour. Of our 200 guests, only two people knew (me and my husband). We told our photographer and the venue, and that was it. So at 9 p.m., Fred Bird comes rolling in and everyone's faces light up. We have seen so many photos from our wedding of our guests with him.

Were you a DIY bride? If so, what did you DIY?

I'm the opposite of a DIY bride. I vowed to only design our invitations since I have a design and creative background, but that was the extent of it. Until I came across yarn balls. I opted to not do floral centerpieces, mostly because I could not find a style or arrangement that really fit our style for the reception. So, I created yarn balls to place on 1/3 of our tables.

Describe your wedding style.

Definitely modern. I love color. Love it. That's not to say I don't love a good mason jar or bolt of burlap, because I do. My heart just sings at the site of clean lines, minimalism and pops of color.

If you could offer one piece of advice to planning brides, what would it be?

Just one? Oh, that's tough. At the end of the day it's your wedding. While you may have a hurdle or two to jump (thanks to a small budget or an opinionated mom), your wedding should 100% be a reflection of you. There are no rules when it comes to wedding planning, so it's okay to buck tradition or follow it. When you start to listen to everyone, get caught up in minute (unimportant details), let too many magazines sway you, that's when you'll get stressed out. This entire experience should be relatively stress-free. If it's not, then re-think your approach.

And, if I can add one more - establish a budget and stick with it. Know who is contributing, and what your top priorities are (food, photography, etc.). If you set parameters and priorities, you'll know where you should focus on spending your money and where you can cut back.

How did you make your wedding YOU?

Every aspect of our wedding was 100% a reflection of our personal style. We were incredibly blessed to have family who gave us the freedom to make decisions based on the experience we wanted to have during wedding planning. This allowed us to opt for a bolder color palette, hire Fred Bird, serve pretzels and a nacho cheese fountain as a late night snack, and hire an out of state videographer who specializes in Super 8 film. It was our goal for our wedding to be fun not just for us, but more importantly, for our guests. We knew that if we infused so much of ourselves into the wedding, everyone would have a great time.

I love Brit's advice and how she and her hubs went on a ferris wheel ride for some alone time! What a sweet and fun idea, you know, if you have a ferris wheel around :) Thanks so much Brit! xx

{Guest Post} Bohemian Wedding Inspiration from Glitter Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Today we've got Lexi from Glitter Weddings with a little boho style for us. LOVE!
Hi! I'm Lexi. I was thrilled when Chandra asked me to guest post for Oh Lovely Day, because I am such a huge fan of Chandra's blog. I'm actually the Editor of a Lifestyle blog: Glitter & Pearls, and I recently started a Weddings + Events blog: Glitter Weddings (in part, because I was so inspired by amazing blogs like Chandra's). I'm also a part-time lawyer, part-time blogger, and full-time wedding + fashion obsessive. Lately I've been inspired by all things bohemian. I'm a bit of a button-up cardigan and tights kind of gal, so the free spirited, with flowers in her hair, kind-of-vibe has me completely in awe. One of these days I'll probably chuck the suits and high heels for long flowing dresses and bare feet ... okay, maybe not the heels. Logistically, a beach-side wedding was out of the question for me - all I kept picturing was sand in my Alexander Wang's and a face full of wind-blown hair. I'm not what you would call "low maintenance". Instead, we got married by water. Close enough so it was in pictures, far enough so I wouldn't sink in the sand.

But then I stumbled upon these images and I thought, "Oh, dang, the sand would have been totally worth it if I had Moroccan throw pillows and lanterns ... and effortless wavy hair." The truth is, your wedding should be a reflection of you, sprinkled with a bit of imagination. But these stunning bohemian images have me re-thinking "me." Do you dig?

Found via Intimate Weddings // Original Source: Green Wedding Shoes // Photography: Katie Neal Photo // Styling & Design: Sweet Emilia Jane + Sitting in a Tree

{Guest Post} Salt + Savory Wedding Favors by Favor Craver

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes to us from Favor Craver, which is about all things wedding favor! She also writes a fantasic blog called Code it Pretty for you bloggers and she has helped me with my own blog. Today she is sharing a great favor idea with us, and one that you can DIY! I'm planning on trying some of these just for fun! Take it away, Marie.

I love edible favors, but sometimes it seems like they're all sweets and candies. After your guests had their fill of sweet wedding cake and champagne, they might find something savory a bit more tempting. Have you considered salt as a favor?

There's a whole world of gourmet salts and salt-based recipes that would work perfectly as favors, and no matter what your level of DIY skill there's one you can do!

{via Weddingbee}

Artisanal "finishing" salts, like Himalayan pink salt or fleur de sel, are the easiest to package as favors. Simply funnel them into little jars -- cork-stopped jars look great! The crystalline beauty of the salt doesn't need a lot of decoration to look lovely on your reception tables.

Are you up for a bigger DIY project? How about flavoring your own salt? There's a huge variety of options for flavoring salt, and I'd love to introduce you to some of my favorites! These are all simple to make and loaded with flavor.

{via Tiffany Lane Handmade}

Rosemary infused salt has a mild flavor that almost everyone enjoys. It pairs beautifully with poultry and veggies, and it smells divine.

{via 101 Cookbooks}

Citrus salts and are delicious on seafood, rice dishes, and popcorn. And they're pretty, too!

{via Braised Anatomy}

If you want to go bold and spicy, give Sriracha salt a try! This flavored salt infused with the famous "rooster sauce" is pretty serious stuff. But, if you're hosting an adventurous crowd, they'll love sprinkling this hot salt on grilled meats or noodle dishes.

These are all great favor ideas, but what if you're truly culinarily inclined? Some of the most amazing salty favors are challenging -- you'll need a little extra planning and a lot of kitchen panache to pull these off.

{via A Table for Two}

Mix the sweet and savory worlds with salt-infused candies, like these bacon and fleur de sel caramels. This would make an unforgettable and ambitious DIY favor, and satisfy the Ron Swansons in your life!

{via Cooking Melangery}

A slightly less sinful, but equally delicious favor idea is salt-preserved lemons. This staple of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine is just plain gorgeous in the jar. Add herbs and spices for a bit more color and flavor, or leave them plain and let the bright yellow glow.

Before I turn you loose to go salt crazy, let's talk packaging. Jars are the easiest way to send salt favors home, but if you'd like to give it in a shaker, make sure to cover the holes or seal the inside of the shaker so nothing gets loose in transit! A suitcase full of spicy salt is not the greatest thing to open.

If you're giving a gourmet salt or salt blend, a serving suggestion card or label is helpful, especially if your flavor choice is exotic.

Are you planning to add a little salty flavor to your favors? Got a recipe to share? Let me know in the comments!

{Guest Post} Rustic Picnic Summer Wedding from Love and Lavender

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from the ladies of Love and Lavender, my favorite wedding blog duo out there! And their summer wedding inspiration is oh so lovely!

Hi Oh Lovely Day readers! We are thrilled to be guest blogging for Chandra while she is on vacation! Since summer is just around the corner we decided to put together a summer inspiration shoot that has a backyard feeling to it. When we think of summer weddings, we think of a laid-back environment with a somewhat rustic/picnic vibe to it. with casual attire--bridesmaids in mixed-matched dresses and the groom in a plaid button up with a tie. Lemonade is a must as well as delicious pies for desserts.The decor should be fun and informal--almost like you just set up a picnic---with simple flowers and random vintage furniture.

{photo credits} bride and groom / bunting seating chart / lemonade stand / pies / bridesmaids / table / lanterns

Wouldn't you love to be invited to this wedding!? I totally would :) Thanks ladies!

{Guest Post} New England Lobster Bake Wedding from Magnolia Rouge

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Today's guest poster is an amazingly talented and busy lady from the other side of the world - New Zeland to be exact. Not only is she the lady behind the blog Magnolia Rouge, but she's also the designer of Ruby Willow and one of the creators of {MAG}rouge (and if you haven't met any of them yet, you must check them all out ASAP!) So given all she has on her plate, I'm so appreciative that Kate is helping me out today.

Hi, I'm Kate from Magnolia Rouge. I'm delighted to have a little guest post on Chandra's fabulous blog while she's taking some time away! Summer is over in my part of the world - in fact, it was practically non-existent this year! So as I feel a bit cheated of summer entertaining, I thought I'd whip up a New England style lobster bake that I can dream about for the next six months until summer comes around again! I hope this has you eagerly awaiting the summer months :-) Thanks again Chandra for having me!!

Popsicles | Sutherland Kovach for {MAG}rouge, Couple on beach | Trent Bailey, New England Tablesetting | Trent Bailey, Invitation | Ruby & Willow, Stripy Straws | Elizabeth Messina, Aqua Drinks | Sutherland Kovach for {MAG}rouge, Sorbet | Cannelle et Vanille, Starfish | Stacey Hedman

Thanks Kate! I'm so in love with this board and color palette. And now I'm dreaming of a visit to New England... *sigh*

{Behind the Veil} Emma from Emmaline Bride

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today's blogger bride is Emma from Emmaline Bride, and since we both love DIY and handmade details, I know she's got lots of inspiration to share!

As a wedding blogger, what is your favorite part of other people's weddings?

I love the handmade details and the stories behind how they were created. I especially love to hear the story in the bride’s own words, like how she crafted the table numbers, how her fiancé built the cake stand, or how the bridal party assembled invitations with the bride to make it easier. Those sweet little details are always a labor of love!

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

The season! It was early December and we selected a wedding palette of deep red and ivory. Mistletoe pomanders, faux evergreen branches, and large red full-bloom roses decorated our ceremony and reception sites. The slight chill in the air meant I wouldn’t sweat away my makeup, either. ;)

What was the first piece of wedding planning you did (booked venue, bought dress, etc.)?

The first thing I did was dress shop with my mom. We went to so many stores and made a few days out of it - we had such a blast! I even tried on a few fun dresses, just for laughs.

In your opinion, what is one vendor no wedding can be without?

No wedding can be without a photographer! The day flies by in an instant… it’s crucial to be able to relive those memories after the day is over. Plus, you’ll find so many shots that you would have missed throughout the night, since you can’t be everywhere at once!

In your opinion, what is one thing or vendor that you think brides can do without (or at least do sparingly)?

It depends on the couple. If you love flowers, make it a large portion of your budget; if not, use sparingly and allocate the funds to another area, like a fun photo booth or a unique wedding favor for guests. Make the most of your wedding by highlighting areas about which you are most passionate.

What was your favorite source of inspiration for your own wedding?

I planned before I was part of the wedding industry, and before many wedding blogs were popular, so I definitely used wedding magazines to help plan. My favorite was Martha Stewart Weddings magazine; I still have a few issues saved with pages bookmarked, ripped out, and highlighted.

Your favorite wedding memory?

Walking down the aisle and seeing him for the first time. I thought I’d be nervous with all those eyes on me, but everyone seemed to disappear and all I could see was him. What a memorable moment!

Did you do an inspiration board? (Would you share it with photo credits or a link to where you may have posted it with credits?)

I did not have an inspiration board, but I did tear out photos of magazines and place them in a folder for inspiration. I bookmarked tons of wedding sites, always checking back to them in between class or after work. My laptop went with me everywhere.

Your favorite wedding detail?

After the ceremony, we were greeted by the most beautiful snowfall. It was perfect. Plus, there was a massive snowstorm the next day with over three feet of snow, which just missed us! Thank goodness.

Were you a DIY bride? If so, what did you DIY? (feel free to share a DIY or link to one if you'd like!)

Most definitely! I DIYed everything… the flower girl bouquets, the programs, the save the dates, the favors… It was the true start of my newfound DIY wedding love.

Describe your wedding style.

Modern, elegant, and chic.

If you could offer one piece of advice to planning brides, what would it be?

Be yourself: your wedding day should be all about you and your soon-to-be spouse. And, remember to keep date nights weekly for a movie, romantic dinner, and other couple-y things (with no wedding talk).

How did you make your wedding YOU?

We were able to hand-pick songs for the reception thanks to our awesome DJ Aaron of A-Team Productions. We included favorite songs shared with friends through the years, along with crowd-pleasers Aaron suggested to make sure everyone would get up and dance… and they did! Plus, my husband and I spent the entire night on the dance floor and enjoyed every minute.

Such great advice! And don't you love her winter bride style? Thanks Emma for sharing with us today! :)

{Guest Post} Bridesmaid Dresses for Curvy Girls from Kiss My Tulle

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Hey lovelies! Miss me yet? I'm sure you don't from all of these fab guest posts I've had in my place! Today Kiss My Tulle is stopping by to give some great suggestions for bridesmaid dress options for curvy bridesmaids. Having a bit of a gadunkadunk (I've never actually written that word out before - that was weird!) myself, I totally appreciate this post :)

Those of you who read Kiss My Tulle know that I have been engaged in a lengthy and difficult struggle with my weight for the last two years. Since August 2010, I have successfully lost over 60 pounds and now have 20 left to meet my personal (healthy) goal weight. This has been really rewarding for me (you can read a little bit more about my journey here) and I'm so happy to be able to once again go a shopping and find cute outfits to wear. Because you know what? Being plus-sized and shopping ARE NOT a match made in heaven. In fact, it pretty much sucks.

But Cris, what does this have to do with weddings? Um, everything. Because I'll bet that most of you out there have a wedding party. And I'm ALSO willing to bet that at least one of your bridesmaids is not a size zero. In fact, I'll wager that at least one of your 'maids is a sexy size 12 or more. And that slinky little mermaid gown you picked out for your wedding party to wear? Not. Gonna. Happen for at least ONE lady in your wedding party. And if you try to force it - she will hate you, hate herself, and hate your entire wedding day. And is that really what you want?

No? Then you're in luck. Because these days, it is totally possible to find cute, affordable, and plus-sized dresses that are completely appropriate for a wedding. And lucky for you, I've rounded up a few for you (and your 'maids). Each dress is under $50!:

*1. ASOS Curve Exclusive Cocktail Dress With Corsage Shoulder. *2. Old Navy Tie-Belt Jersey Dress in Nebulous Blue. *3. Dots Striped Sweetheart Dress. *4. J Crew Tiered Ruffle Dress in Cerise. *5. ASOS CURVE Slash Neck Lace Dress. Simply Be Angel Sleeve Maxi Dress. *6.

Are you a plus-sized bridesmaid? Did the bride try to help you find the perfect dress for your body? Or are you two still looking? Let's start a conversation in the comments. Oh, and Happy Friday!

{Guest Post} Wedding Music Favorites from Ever Ours

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hey guys! Guest posting for me today is the sweetest girl and a sweet friend, Lydia from Ever Ours. As much as I LOVE music, I don't do many music related posts, and since that is totally Lydia's specialty she's going to get musical today. Enjoy!

Lydia here from Ever Ours. Glad to step in while Chandra's out on a well deserved vacation. Chiming in with my contribution of music suggestions. Music's key in my life. I have three iPods and they're all completely full of music. There's never a moment in my life without some sort of it going on. While I love discovering new songs that'd be perfect for weddings, I still have an old soul and love the classics too. So take a listen and pleasure your ears. The first ten are oldies and the second ten are a few new ones.

for oh lovely day... by Lydia Yeung on Grooveshark

Which is your favorite? Any here that you used in your wedding? Share a song from your wedding: what did you walk down the aisle to, dance your first dance to? Would you like to see more music related posts?

{Guest Post} Postcards & Pretties: Dreamy Summer Wedding Color Palette

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:27:00 +0000

Today's guest post comes from Postcards & Pretties, who never fails to inspire me with her lovely boards! Today she's sharing her current favorite color palette for summer :)

Hi lovelies, It’s Chris from Postcards & Pretties and I’m so happy to be guest blogging for Chandra while she's away. Today I'll be sharing with you one of my pretty palette boards. With the weather quickly warming up, it has me craving to escape to some remote cabin by the lake and just take in all it has to offer.

{colors} petal, coral, teal, tan

{photos} hammock {unknown} book ring holder {ruffled} bouquet {saipua} desk {elizabeth messina}

Isn't this so dreamy? If I wasn't already on a vacation, it would make me want to relax somewhere in a hammock with a book. Thanks Chris!

{Guest Post} Snippet & Ink's 15 Favorite Featured Wedding Gowns

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:13:00 +0000

I'm really honored that today's guest poster is stopping by, because Snippet & Ink was one of my VERY favorite blogs when I was planning my own wedding (and still is!). Kathryn is so sweet and has already contributed to our Behind the Veil feature, and today she is sharing her favorites of all of the wedding gowns she has featured on her blog. You know these are going to be GORG!

Archives can be a great source of inspiration! I dug through some of Snippet & Ink's past features, and pulled out 15 of my favorite wedding dresses from the last few years. One of them might be my own wedding dress (I couldn't help it!)...

Judd Waddell

Laura & Michael, photo by Cappy Hotchkiss

White by Vera Wang

Holly & Scott, photo by David Shirk

Carolina Herrera

Kate & Jesse, photo by Amy and Stuart

custom J.Crew

Molly & Alex, photo by Belathée

Alireza

Kelley & Thomas, photo by Cliff Brunk

Oscar de la Renta

Jennifer & Mark, photo by Lisa Lefkowitz

Blue Soho

Katie & Jay, photo by Jonathan Canlas

Angel Sanchez

Kathryn & Ryan, photo by Elizabeth Messina

Vera Wang

Lanie & Matt, photo by Aaron Delesie

Carolina Herrera

Amy & Naveen, photo by Meg Smith

Monique Lhuillier

Nkechi & Mitch, photo by Jen Huang

Cortana Barcelona

Georgia & Nate, photo by Jose Villa

Lanvin

Keren & Asaf, photo by Karen Hill

custom Lynn Hamilton

Alex & Mike, photo by Ed Peers

vintage

Lisa & Ben, photo by Wrinkle in Time

Didn't I tell you!? Gorg!! I can't even pick a favorite, but I'm definitely partial to Kathryn's own lovely gown :) Which is your favorite?

{Behind the Veil} Rhiannon from Hey Gorgeous

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Sorry this post is a little late today. I'm on vacation and scheduled this ahead of time, and blogger ate my post! So, I had to get to a computer and try to re-do it. It is just too good a feature not to run, plus Rhi from Hey Gorg was so sweet to get it to me so I could post it while I was gone. So, better late than never :)

As a wedding blogger, what is your favorite part of other people's weddings?

As a wedding blogger, I have to say I am continually looking to see how an entire wedding comes together. I love seeing every single element from the centerpieces and the ceremony back drop, to the dessert table and programs come together to create a cohesive final product. I've also been dabbling in floral design for the past year and of course have a special place in my heart for anything floral. Give me an artfully designed arrangement or a beautiful bouquet and I'm one happy happy girl :)

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

The favorite part of our wedding easily was our balloon release. So many people thought we had those giant peach balloons just for fun and I can't deny that they looked sweet in photos! But the real reason we had them was to release after our first look in honor and memory of my Nan. She was my best friend and the kindest person I've ever known; I wanted to find a way to pay tribute to her and releasing those balloons seemed right. In lieu of a funeral when she passed, we release dozens of pink balloons with notes attached to each from friends and family. I loved being able to mimic this tradition and tribute again on our big day.

What was the first piece of wedding planning you did (booked venue, bought dress, etc.)?

Honestly, I'm not sure I remember what detail we secured first for our wedding since we were engaged for a very long 2.5 years! I think before anything, I had a vision in my head and perhaps even a few colors picked out but I do remember that once we truly started to plan, I kept making decisions one after the other (and sometimes without giving much thought to each decision, oops!) After two and a half years of waiting and waiting to make it official, I was really ready to marry my husband, fancy wedding or not :)

In your opinion, what is one vendor no wedding can be without?

This sounds a bit cliche since I'm a wedding planner, but I really think a wedding planner or at least a day of coordinator can be your saving grace on the big day. Believe me, they are worth every.single.penny. I'm also a huge advocate on hiring someone to rock out on wedding photography and videography for you because after your cake is gone, presents are opened and your dress is tucked away in storage, you'll want meaningful memories to look back on. Don't be afraid to splurge on the person who will capture all those wonderful moments for you! And save money for a honeymoon even if it's just for a few days. It's so so worth it!

What was your favorite source of inspiration for your own wedding?

Style Me Pretty and the Wedding Chicks have always been one of my fave sources of inspiration but as a former journalist with a background in the mag industry, I do have a soft spot for bridal magazines like The Knot, WedLuxe and BRIDES. Something about ripping out pages of a magazine or flipping through a publication while curled up on the couch; it's just my kind of thing.

Your favorite wedding memory?

My fave wedding memory is easily walking down the aisle with my sweet Dad and saying my vows to my husband. I'm such a softie and a sucker for a love story so being a part of my own was really an out of body experience of sorts.

Were you a DIY bride? If so, what did you DIY?

I planned my wedding completely on my own while my husband was 13 hours away and most of my bridesmaids were scattered around the nation. As I was finishing my graduate program and was in school full time, plus juggling a part time job, I really felt like I took on everything absolutely on my own with little time and money to do so. I did a ton of DIY projects to save money on little details, honed in on things that weren't necessarily trendy but rather reflected my husband and I as a couple, and in the end was able to just be content with how things unfold. Your wedding day will be one of the greatest days of your life, Louboutins on your feet or not :)

All photos by Amanda Wilcher

GAH! Don't you just love Rhi's gorgeous wedding!? She is a girl after my own heart and she did such a fab job. If I was getting married now and lived in her area, I would SO want her as my planner! Thanks, Rhi! xx

{Weekly Wrap Up} A Giveaway Winner, A Small Announcement + Charlie stops by

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Before I announce our winner of the giveaway for a Custom Hanger from Wedding Hanger Shop I wanted to fill you in on my plans for the next couple weeks. We're taking Charlie to visit the grandparents and doing some traveling, and then when we return we'll be really busy with some exciting things happening with my husband's career (to get a peek, go here and look at the 2nd guy from the left around 39 seconds in and then be sure to tune in or set your DVR's!) So I have some FAB guest posters lined up for you over the next 2-3 weeks. I won't be featuring any real weddings during this time, but to make up for that I'm bringing back the Behind the Veil feature and have some wonderful bride bloggers participating. I will also have guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers, some big and some smaller, all really sweet and creative gals that I thought you would be inspired by! Please welcome them with some love and comments :)

Now, on to our winner. Drumroll please! (budududududududududududududududududuud)

The winner is the author of comment #80, Desiree! Congrats!!

{Weekly Wrap Up}

In case you missed any of this week's lovely posts:

{monday} this charming backyard wedding is full of DIY inspiration (and was shot by my wedding photographer!)

{tuesday} some bridal floral crown inspiration & where to buy or how to DIY

{wednesday} a cheerful yellow DIY wedding with the city of Chicago as a guest

{thursday} a modern twist on the classic summer wedding with stripes, chevron, blues + kelly green

And last, but certainly not least (at least not in my book)...

We had a little family photoshoot yesterday with my wedding photographer, and I can't stop looking at this photo of Charlie, so I had to share. I just can't help myself :)

{photo by Jennifer Roper}

See you guys toward the end of the month. Have a lovely weekend. xx

{Inspiration Board} Modern Patterned Blues + Kelly Green

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:08:00 +0000

{Inspiration} By including horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stripes, and a bit of chevron, you give a modern twist to the classic summer wedding!

{Palette} Navy, Cobalt, Aqua, and Kelly Green, and white of course!

This is one of my favorite boards that I have made. It is fresh, classic, modern, with little touches of rustic vintage chic (which is me!). I really really REALLY wish someone would use this board to plan their wedding. I think it would be oh so FAB! And how much do you love that bridesmaid dress in the bottom right corner? I'm obsessed with it and that chevron cake! What about you?

{credits} bout by Shannon Kelley Photography via Every Last Detail, mint julips by Justin Demutiis via Southern Weddings, chevron cake by cocoa & fig, photo by Jeff loves Jessica via Style Me Pretty, bouquet via Martha Stewart Weddings, blue shoes by Jenny Evelyn Photography via Oh Lovely Day , program by Heather Parker Photography via Oh Lovely Day, mason jar drinks via Oh Lovely Day from Donna Hay, invite by Brian Hurst, bouquet by studio 28 via Style Me Pretty, bridesmaid bouquet by Honey of a Thousand Flowers, photo by Jaquelynn

{Real Wedding} Katie & Wes: Cheery DIY Lakeside Chicago Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

There are a few places where I've lived or traveled that hold a special place in my heart, and Chicago tops them all. It is just the best city and I miss it all the time. Yeah the weather sucks 65% of the time, but on those days when the weather is good, there is no place like it. So when this wedding came my way, it was like going home (my second home) for a little bit. I'm so excited to share it with you today! It just makes me happy.

From the bride:
We stuck true to both of our personalities and worked to find a combination of playful and stylish, from the food to the decor to little details of the ceremony and celebration. We opted for cheesecakes instead of traditional wedding cake and had food that reflected Wes' North Carolina roots. My dress and shoes were really reflective of my personality - the shorter length keeping things playful and a little edgy.

Before arriving at the wedding, my bridesmaids and I took pictures downtown. We felt almost famous, standing in the middle of the street all decked out. People were honking and waving and pre-celebrating with us for a second, and it was a great way to get excited for the hours to come.

Wes’s favorite thing about Chicago is the lake, so when we found this beautiful park and gorgeous building sitting on a peninsula right on the lake, we couldn’t say no. The water and city skyline made for an awesome view for guests and an incredible backdrop to our vows.

My bridesmaids and I did all of the flowers on our own. It added a little bit of stress the day before the wedding, but it was totally worth it. We saved a ton of money, and it was actually a lot of fun making the bouquets and boutonnieres. They felt really special.

We really wanted to walk down the aisle to something special and different, and we opted for the acoustic version of “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service. It made for the most beautiful feeling and was perfect for the lakefront setting.

Our first dance was to the acoustic version of “Beloved One” by Ben Harper. In the first few weeks of getting to know each other, I made Wes a CD of some of my favorite songs, and that song was one of them.

One of my favorite moments of the day was about twenty minutes before I walked down the aisle. My bridesmaids and I were hiding out in a back room, looking out the window at everything all set up, seeing guests begin to arrive, and of course, spying on Wes as he checked things out and talked to a few people. It was really exciting to see him. He looked amazing, and I almost started crying and ruined my makeup.

Ah, I just love this wedding! From the DIY florals (seriously, what an incredible job!), to the lakeside setting...le sigh. And the personal touches that this couple incorporated to make their wedding them were perfect. I'm also really loving the citrus touches in the centerpieces and with the favors! What's your favorite detail? Do tell :)

{Vendors} Photographer: Studio Finch / Location: Promontory Point / Event Planning: Lauren at Ryan Alexander Events / Food: Wishbone Catering / Dress: Justin Alexander 8465 / Makeup: Tiara Peach / Cheesecake: Cheesecake Factory

{What I Love} Floral Crowns

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:48:00 +0000

{Mario Testino}

I've been in a ton of weddings. Seriously. I was a flower girl five times and have been a bridesmaid seven times (soon to be eight times after my brother's wedding). I'm a freaking bridal party professional! Out of all of them I think my favorite thing I ever wore was a floral crown as a flower girl. I used it and my pink dress to be a princess for Halloween several years after. So you know I'm loving this floral crown trend I'm seeing on brides!

There is something so romantic and bohemian about a floral crown, but it can be done in so many different ways it really can fit every bride's style. And if you aren't thrilled with the idea of wearing one yourself, your flower girls would love to! Here are some ideas:

Want a floral crown of your own? Let your florist know and she what suggestions they might have. If you would prefer to go the faux floral route you have two options: buy or DIY.

{BUY} check out whichgoose, twigs & honey, de loop, tessa kim, gilded shadows, or just do a search on Etsy for lots of options.

{DIY}, check out these tutorials from The Beauty Department, Green Wedding Shoes, and Bleubird.

So what do you think? Love floral crowns on brides or think they should be left to the flower girls? I would totally rock one similar to numbers 2, 4, and 7 myself!

{photo sources} 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 /

{Real Wedding} Danielle & Aaron: Charming Backyard DIY Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Today I've got another sweet wedding to share with you today from Jennifer Roper. You might remember this gorgeous rustic Ojai wedding of hers I featured a few weeks back, and her images are all over this blog since she also shot my wedding! Well, today a charming backyard wedding with lots of personal DIY details, and a lovely pastel color palette. Feast your eyes!

Now a little from Danielle on how they used DIY and personalization to make their wedding "them":

The first thing my husband and I did- before any planning began- was ask ourselves, in one or two words, what we wanted our friends and family to experience for that day. We decided we wanted people to have the experience of love and laughter.

My husband is a writer and we both love the power of language and poetry. We thought it would be fun to incorporate that into our wedding. We made a list of some of our favorite words and phrases that pertain to love and family. As people walked through the space we wanted their eyes to catch on a word "smitten" or a phrase "my one and only...". We didn't want to go over the top with it- but we wanted it to be a part of the atmosphere and decor. I went to Anawalt and asked for the discarded wood pieces and my friend and I painted dozens of signs with the words and phrases on them. We hung signs in trees and leaned them against rocks in the garden. We used our favorite words to distinguish the tables. The table that we shared with our parents was "kindred".

In keeping with the word theme, I had a vision of people driving up to the house and the first word they would see is LOVE in big letters hanging across the top of the house. My girlfriend, a great seamstress, helped me sew each letter on a separate piece of cloth material. We hung each piece side by side like a clothing line. Because I love the rustic, homemade, vintage look- it all fit in beautifully.

One of my favorite last minute details? We were originally only going to have beer and wine and at the last minute our friend was able to get us several cases of tequila for free. Since my husbands favorite drink is a margarita it was perfect! We were just going to have regular margarita's until my mom (4 days before the wedding) suggested bringing some prickly pear syrup from Tucson (my hometown). We ended up having a signature drink! "The Weekstrong Prickly Pear Margarita". Weekstrong is our last names combined. The drink ended up being a bright pink color and a huge hit during cocktail hour!

This wedding was definitely a community effort. We had tons of help from family and friends. This started out as a necessity because we were on such a budget- but it ended up being such a blessing and really one of the most wonderful things about the whole process. The day was more magical than my husband and I could have imagined. We were shocked at how beautifully it all came together. It was a true collaboration. And in the end, people said they really got "our hearts". Oh, and the love and laughter abounded!

I just love that! It really shows you how the DIY and personal details are what often makes your day so magical, because your guests all see and feel "you" and your love in every detail. And you feel it too, as well as the love of your friends and family. This is more imporant than anything you can plan or buy for your wedding, don't you think? So, what's your favorite part? The pastel bridesmaids dresses, the sweet signs, the adorable flower girls? I love all of the above!

{Vendors} Photographer: Jennifer Roper / Day of Coordination: Ashley of Coco Rose Events / Venue: my best friend's backyard in Echo Park / Attire: Jenny Yoo gown and Hugo Boss suit (bridesmaids wore mostly vintage dresses - some from Shareen Vintage downtown) / Florist: my friend, Annie, designed all the arrangements with the help of friends and family. We saved lots of money by going to the flower market downtown and getting them the day before / Music: DJ UnieQ (Quaye Kennerly) / Food: the best caterer on the PLANET Chef Cameron Czekalla with Romega Catering (seriously, these guys are amazing and so great to work with- I can't recommend them enough!) / Cake: Maryn Surrey / Lighting: my talented friend Geoff Ross

Honeymoon Registries with Honeymoon Pixie

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000

These days so many engaged couples already have linens, pots and pans, appliances, flatware, and all of the other things traditional wedding registries provide. And lots of couples don't feel they need the "stuff" but have wedding guests who would like the guidance for gift giving that a registry provides. My solution? A honeymoon registry!

My husband and I had both a traditional registry (so I could get the Kitchen Aid standing mixer I always wanted, a nice set of servingware and flatware, and a full set of "grown up" glasses - the ones that match and aren't plastic!) and a honeymoon registry. Having a honeymoon registry is one of the best wedding-related decisions we made and almost our entire Italian honeymoon was paid for!

Honeymoon Pixie provides a honeymoon registry service to engaged couples. It’s similar to a traditional wedding registry; however guests purchase fun activities for you to enjoy during your honeymoon. It’s ideal for couples who live on their own and have many of the household items needed to start a home together. Get inspired with these sample honeymoon registries. Creating your free honeymoon registry is easy with Honeymoon Pixie. Simply select one of their pre-built registries and they produce your own honeymoon registry website to share with family and friends. It's brilliant!

If that doesn't convince you, here's a little inspiration from my Italian honeymoon (by way of a 26 hour layover in Paris!)

{Paris}

{Florence}

{Lucca}

(we got rained on a bit, but Lucca was still one of the most charming stops on our trip)

{Cinque Terre}

(if we look like we're glowing, it is because we hiked as far back as you can see...)

{Pisa, San Gimignano, & Siena}

{Orvieto}

(the hubs was a bit sick in all of the "sunglasses" photos - he caught an Italian cold)

{Rome}

{Venice}

(the $150 dollar 15 minute gondola ride was totally worth it, but only because it was our honeymoon and because it was a gift from one of our wedding guests from our honeymoon registry!)

For any brides-to-be out there, I would highly recommend an Italian honeymoon! And ours would not have been possible without our honeymoon registry. So be sure to check out Honeymoon Pixie and start planning your dream honeymoon.

*all photos are property of Oh Lovely Day -

please do not reproduce or use on your blog without asking permission*

_________________________________________________________________________________

Honeymoon Pixie is a Lovely Vendor and a sponsor of Oh Lovely Day

If you want to be a Lovely Vendor, apply here

and if you want to be a sponsor of Oh Lovely Day, contact me.

{Weekly Wrap Up} Plus, Adorable Flower Girls

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:01:00 +0000

{one love photo}

It is a gorgeous Friday here in LA and I'm writing this as I sit outside and watch Charlie play with his football, a stick, and dirt. Hope you are having an equally lovely day!

In case you missed any of the lovely this week,

here's your wrap up:

{monday} don't ruin your wedding gown photo with an ugly plastic hanger. win a pretty personalized one in our custom hanger giveaway!

[tuesday} this couple incorporated lots of DIY and the bride's three daughters throughout their wedding

{wednesday} one of our featured brides is back with another fab DIY: a chicken wire + vintage window escort card display

{thursday} honey sweet wedding inspiration that bee lovers will appreciate

And be sure to follow my two most popular boards on Pinterest: mason jar heaven & Ryan Gosling's Wedding Advice! Actually, just follow them all :) And don't forget to follow me on twitter and like me on facebook too so you don't miss anything lovely! xx

{Inspiration Board} Golden Honey Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:30:00 +0000

{inspiration} a lovely outdoor summer wedding
{palette} amber, golden honey, cream, green, accented with burlap & rustic wood details

Want to make this wedding yours? Here are some ideas!

Instead of honey jars, why not attach cute tags to these honey sticks and give them as favors?

Honey dippers would make cute escort cards & favors!

Serve sweet tea out of your very own beehive drink dispenser. At that price, get two and serve lemonade as well!

Serve honey infused signature cocktails, like a honey mojito or honey margarita

So, will you bee using honey to sweeten your wedding day? (pun intended!) Tell me about it!

{photo credits, clockwise} honey favors: Ashley Maxwell via Green Wedding Shoes, honey dipper via Wit + Delight, bridesmaid: Matthew Morgan Photography via Style Me Pretty, honey mojitos (YUM!): Brooke Boling via Style Me Pretty, hive beverage dispenser: Love is a Big Deal via Style Me Pretty, invitation from Minted, bouquet: Aaron Hoskins Photography via The Sweetest Occasion

{DIY} Chicken Wire + Window Escort Card Display

noreply@blogger.com (chandra ~ oh lovely day) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

You know the contributor to today's DIY - She already shared the Woodburned Table Numbers DIY from her Rustic Southern DIY Wedding. And today she's back to share the DIY for her Chicken Wire + Window Escort Cards Display, which I super love! So, take it away Katie!

List of supplies:

-cardstock tags for the seating cards

-baker's twine

-mini clothes pins

-old window

-chicken wire

-hammer

-staple gun

-wire cutters

-gloves

-safety goggles (if you break the glass out of the window)

Directions:

-break out glass of old window with a hammer (wear gloves and safey goggles - safety first!)

- cut chicken wire with wire cutters and staple it to window frame with a staple gun

-once you have the chicken wire stapled down you can attach your escort cards with the mini clothespins

Now you can use whatever type of escort card you want, handwrite them, print them, or have a calligrapher do them for you. The type of card you choose and style of writing or font you select will make them you! Here's Katie's story of what she did:

First I found the tags. I searched on etsy for "Craft paper gift tags." I used these. Here are some others that I think would work well: round craft tags, metallic paper tags, luggage style tags, craft + chevron tags. The rule on the tags is the bigger the better. Try to get some just over (or larger than) 2 inches. I employed the help of my neighbor to write the names, and we sat with my guest list spreadsheet and wrote them out. After I purchased the tags, I searched for baking twine and mini clothes pins on etsy.

After a long day of wedding errands, I convinced my mom to pull over at this little antique store in my hometown because I needed a window. As we're getting out of the car she says, "Katie, I really don't think you'll find one here." What do you know, there was a six paned window with a broken pane right out front (in the weather so it was all distressed, yay!) for $5. We bought the chicken wire at Home Depot and I had an upholstery staple gun. My mother made it sound like removing the panes would be easier than it actually was. I tried to remove the seals from around the panes but it just wasn't working. So I did what any good resourceful, farm girl would do....I grabbed a hammer and went to banging on the glass on our front porch. I MUST add a disclaimer here to WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES. Also, it would probably be best to spread out something to catch the shards of glass (and there will be millions of them). From there I went on to cutting the chicken wire with wire cutters and stapling them down. I did scratch up my hands pretty bad doing this, so be sure to wear gloves.

I really love this because it is both DIY and upcycling something old, both a touch of rustic + a touch of vintage, and so pretty to boot. I think it turned out beautifully, don't you? Thanks to Katie for sharing!

Be sure to check out all of our DIY features and if you missed it, go see Katie's wedding and her other DIY contribution to Oh Lovely Day! And if you aren't already following me on Pinterest, you are missing out on lots of DIY wedding inspiration, plus my two favorite pin boards: mason jar heaven and Ryan Gosling's Wedding Advice! If you need an invite, leave a comment below with your email and I'll send you one :)

All photos by TimWill Photography