Bridal Registry Essentials

Have you and your fiance registered for wedding gifts yet?  Completing your bridal registries is a highly recommended activity on your wedding planning checklist.  We suggest registering so it takes some of the guess work off your guests when they graciously buy your wedding gifts.  Your guests want to buy you something you want and need in the colors that work for you and your new home together; going off a list that you made is very welcomed etiquette for your family and friends. 

The Registry Essentials - what every bridal registry should have included (unless of course you already have these things!):

♥ Cooking: KitchenAid Mixer (as my own sister-in-law has informed me, a wedding is the perfect time to get one!), Knife Set, Cooking Ware, Bake Ware and Bowls, Dutch Oven, Cooking Utensils, Kitchen Appliances you don't own or want to update (blender, beater, chopper, coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven, panini press, crock pot, etc.)

♥ Dining: Casual and China Dinnerware, Stemware, Glassware, Silverware, Table Linens, Salt/Pepper Shakers, Serving Bowls/Platters 

♥ Nesting: Bedding, Towels, Bathroom Accessories (shower curtain, soap dispenser, rugs, etc.)

♥ Home Decor: Frames, Vases, Lamps and Lighting, Mirrors, Candleholders, Centerpiece Bowls, etc.

♥ Playtime: Camping Equipment, Grilling Items, Picnic Baskets, Yard Games, Board Games, Luggage, etc.

You can register at a common retail store like Macy's, Target, or Bed, Bath, and Beyond either in store or online.  You also have the option to register on a website that pulls from different stores like http://www.myregistry.com/. 

For more information on registries contact us at http://www.vintageandlace.com/!

Have a great day!
Heather

*All images are from Macys.com and compiled to make collages.

Vintage Bridesmaid Dresses

Selecting your bridesmaid dresses can be a difficult task because there are so many options, not only in colors and style, but in the overall look.  You can have your bridesmaids where the same dress of the same color, different dresses of the same color, same dress but different colors, similar overall style, etc.  There are so many options I wish I could design a different wedding style, vision, and color palette every weekend.  Today I would design vintage-inspired bridal parties with different dresses in complimentary colors for spring or summer weddings.  I'm pulling my inspirations today from ModCloth, an online retail store at http://www.modcloth.com/.


Purple Color Palette:

Golden/Yellow Color Palette:

Soft Neutrals Color Palette:

Mint or Soft Green/Blue Color Palette:

Contact us at http://www.vintageandlace.com/ for more inspirations.

Have a great weekend!

Heather

Bridal Style in Color

Since the Victorian era bridal gowns have been available primarily in white or ivory; however, wearing a colored bridal gown was common prior the mid 1800s. Recently some of the top designers are expanding their color horizons to create a new trend in our generation.  Designers like Vera Wang, Watters, and Monique Lhuillier are including blush, grey, and light green gowns in their collections for 2012. 

 Blush, Oatmeal, and Peach: A soft color for a bridal gown that can bring out your natural skin tones.


Olivia Gown by Wtoo from watters.com

Grey and Light Blue: A modern option for a bridal gown. 

Pleated Fantasy Gown by BHLDN from http://www.bhldn.com/

Light Green or Tea Green: a natural, fresh color for brides.

Harper by Vera Wang, photo from http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/

Some designers are even showing bolder colors like black, red, and purple on their runways. 



photo from apaperproposal.com

Would you wear a bridal gown in one of these colors for your wedding day? 

Happy Wednesday!

Heather 





Pocket Wedding Invitations

If you are looking for something a little different from a traditional wedding invitation, consider a Pocket Invitation.  This style is a unique way to organize your different enclosures for your mailed invitations.  With a traditional wedding invitation you would include the card for your invite, the RSVP card and envelope for return responses, possibly a reception card and direction card which could all be in an inner envelope beyond the addressed envelope.  That is a possibility of six different items within your invitations.  The pocket invitation allows you to organize all your cards and pieces of information within a pocketfold.

photo from http://www.cardsandpockets.com/

There are several different varieties of pocket invitations.  You can do a vertical fold that opens upwards, a single fold that opens once to the side, a foldover pocket that has a tri-fold, or a square pocket with a diagonal pocket inside.  You can also add different embellishments to your invites like ribbons and layered cardstock.

invitation photos from http://www.mygatsby.com/

Pocket invitations can be printed, ordered to print at home, or be DIY assembled.  There are many sites available online where you can select the best method for you.  We like Cards & Pockets, http://www.cardsandpockets.com/, for DIY invitations and MyGatsby.com for custom wedding invitations.

For more information or ideas on wedding invitations, don't hesitate to contact us at info@vintageandlace.com.

Have a great week!
Heather

Boisterous Buffet or Polite Plated: Which Wedding Reception Style is Right for You?

Weighing the pros and cons of a buffet vs. plated reception is a heavy task.  While the jury is still out on which is best, here is what I have learned about each to help you reach a final verdict.  First up, the buffet option:

Pros:

-Usually less expensive (though not always!)

-Provides a greater selection and give guests more control over portion sizes and food likes/dislikes.

-Guests don’t have to choose between chicken, steak or fish; they could have a little of all three!

-If you are behind schedule, buffets are more forgiving than plated meals.

-Items are more consistently served at the right temperature

-Some guests can have seconds while light eaters won’t waste an over-filled plate.

-Getting up gets guests mingling!

-Works well for large groups… IF the buffet tables are double-sided, well stocked, and guests are called up by table – calling tables ensures guests won’t stand in an ultra long line.

-A great option if the reception site is located a distance away from the kitchen, such as outdoors.

Cons:

-Takes up a significant amount of space in a small room.

-Can be awkward or unavailable for very small weddings.

-Some guests frown on the casual mood of a buffet.

-Long lines are a possibility.

-Guests at the same table might reach the buffet line at different times causing a greater variation in actual meal times. In other words, while one guest is just sitting down to eat, the person sitting next to them may already be finished.

-While a buffet set up can be quite elegant, the food on each plate won’t be picture perfect

-Some guests do not like to get up from their seats and it can be difficult for elderly or handicap guests to navigate the buffet line.

-It is hard to gauge exactly how much food you will need so I always suggest calling lighter eating tables before you invite your hungry college friends to fill their plates.

Stay tuned for Part II to learn about the pros and cons of plated receptions!

Photos: thevegasweddingplanner.com; tobyhoogs.com

Spring Color Inspiration: Peach!

There are some beautiful color palettes emerging for Spring weddings that I am very excited about!  Here are a few gorgeous peach combinations.

photo from http://www.thecupcakeblog.com/

Peaches and Cream - Soft and Sweet 

photo from http://www.onewed.com/

Peach and Light Green - Romantic Garden 

photo from http://www.theperfectpalette.com/

Antique Peach and Robin's Egg Blue - Vintage Floral

photo from labelleviegirl.com

Pretty in Peaches and Pink - Cute and Fun with hints of Gold

photo from http://www.zenadiadesign.com/

Peach, Yellow, and Orange - A Bright Spring Day 

photo from arielyve.blogspot.com

Contact us at http://www.vintageandlace.com/ 

for help choosing your color inspirations.

Have a great day!

Heather

Our Latest Wedding Wire Article: Natural Makeup Tips

It is important to look like yourself on your wedding day and I applaud my clients who have the confidence to go barefaced, especially when nearly half of all women report having negative feelings if they don’t wear any makeup (The Renfrew Center Foundation).

However, even if you normally go au natural, you may want to enhance your natural beauty on your wedding day just for the benefit of the pictures. Here are the bare essentials to help you look polished without looking overdone:

Choose a foundation that matches your skin perfectly and layer it with a loose translucent powder. The foundation will even out your skin tone and smooth any minor imperfections while the powder will keep the shine away. This combination will give you flawless skin in your photographs without changing your overall appearance. My favorite due: Giorgi Armani, Luminous Silk Foundation and Chanel, Natural Finish Loose Powder.

Next, choose a very natural blush and accent your cheekbones. This touch of color will give you a youthful “blushing bride” appearance and keep you from looking washed out in the camera’s flash.

Additionally, liberally apply non-clumping mascara to your lashes. Mascara adds a touch of the feminine without being too harsh. For an extra eye enhancement that requires no makeup at all, just curl your upper lashes and use a brow brush to smooth your eyebrows.

Finally, choose a neutral lip-gloss with a touch of shine (not glitter!) and you’re ready!  Keep the powder and the gloss in a little purse for minor touch-ups throughout the night.

With these basic steps, no one will even know you are wearing makeup; they’ll probably just think you are glowing with happiness!

Photos (top to bottom): chrstinacleary.com.au; womensbeautylife.com; facebybethany.com; youandourwedding.co.uk;

View the full article on Wedding Wire's Wedding Aces Here

Movie Weddings through the Decades

Did you watch the Academy Awards last night?  I thought it would be fun to take a trip through movie history to look at some classic and modern movie weddings.

It Had to be You - 1947 Ginger Rogers

photo from http://www.dresswhite.info/ 

Father of the Bride - 1950 Liz Taylor vs. 1991 Kimberly Williams-Paisley

photo from http://www.downcoatblog.com/

High Society - 1956 Grace Kelly

photo from obsessionsandloves.blogspot.com

Funny Face - 1957 Audrey Hepburn

photo from fiftieswedding.com

Sound of Music - 1965 Julie Andrews

photo from EW.com

Steel Magnolias - 1989 Julia Roberts

photo from domesticexperiences.blogspot.com

Runaway Bride - 1999 Julia Roberts

photo from timeless-weddings.net

Sex and the City - 2008 Sarah Jessica Parker

photo from examiner.com

27 Dresses - 2008 Katherine Heigl and Malin Akerman

photo from boards.weddingbee.com

Bride Wars - 2009 Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson

photo from bridedressesphotos.com

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part I - 2011 Kristen Stewart

photo from haute-style.blogspot.com

Have a great week!

Best Wishes!

Heather

Basic Table Decor: Easy, Budget Friendly Tips

Even if you don't have a lot of money to spend on table decor, you can still have a great looking table by making the most of what you do have.

decorationideas.wordpress.com

Basic things like plates, napkins and glassware can really dress up a table when placed creatively and I highly suggest that you set the table formally, even for a buffet.

To start, there are so many ways to fold napkins that add a formal and inviting decorative element to your table.

If you can't master the more elaborate designs or hire a wedding planner that knows how, I like the easy to do Tailored Napkin Fold or Three Point Napkin fold for beginners:

Tailored Napkin Fold

Three Point Napkin Fold

Or, if you are extremely napkin challenged, you can simply fold the napkin in half and drape it over the table's edge as shown:

charmedeventsplanning.com

Additionally, just setting your plates on the table with your glassware can create a more formal and expensive look without any added costs.

Simply add the plates, silverware, and glassware to the table instead of placing them at a separate buffet site to add a sense of style to an otherwise plain table.

Another excellent option is to layer multiple plates on top of each other. This works especially well if you have a small salad plate with a bright color or ornate pattern.

adaytorememberca.com

Also note, the addition of a patterned linen (as shown above) can add a lot of style to your table and if you don't have many tables to worry about, purchasing a nice linen or having one made at a fabric store is an affordable option.

Finally, also remember that simple is beautiful too. Sometimes sticking to a very basic, clean look can be just as elegant as an elaborate pattern, plate, or linen. One way to really highlight this natural appeal is to incorporate an organic element like wood or stone into the table design. This raw element will really contrast the fragile glass and simple plates to create a look that pops. 

designsherpa.com

So even if you table decor budget is small, you can still make a big splash by getting creative with what you do have! 

For more budget friendly wedding planning tips, subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook! 

Vintage & Lace Wedding Specialists 

Aloha,
Rachael

Unique and Natural Wedding Centerpieces

We love the traditional, classic, and beautiful floral bouquets and works of art that bring color to the reception tables; however, there are some unique organic alternatives that are just as gorgeous!  Looking around at the natural climate of your wedding location can help you decorate with local resources, not to mention save money in your budget.  We would like to share a few options with you.


♥ A southwest vibrant centerpiece taking a different approach to cacti and rich colors:

photo from blog.weddingwire.com

 ♥ Local rocks from the river, lake, ocean, etc. add dimension and variety to each table:

photo from www.dynamiteweddings.com

  ♥ Sandblasted branches with flowers placed strategically to add softness can create an elegant table arrangement for your guests:

photo from www.weddingbee.com

  ♥ Herbs from your garden or a farmer's market can enhance the senses with a variety of aromatic smells:  

photo from weddingdish.thinklikeabride.com

  ♥ Ripe fruits and vegetables can add color and a family-dining elegance to a table:

photo from www.marthastewartweddings.com

  ♥ Sand filled vases, mason jars, etc. with candles can add romance (we also like the pop of color from the flower buds):

photo from blog.weddingwire.com

Don't be afraid to think outside the norm when planning your wedding decor; take a walk and look around you.  Where do you stop and think, 'Wow, this is beautiful!'


Have a great weekend!
Heather