Cake Toppers

With the help of my “Style Circle”, we’ve put together a little collection of cake toppers with a ride range of styles. If you are thinking about doing a topper, I’m sure one of these may just suit your fancy. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the 40’s style vintage bride and grooms. Seems like the kind of adornment my grandmother may have had on her wedding cake!

First up, couples:

The left is from The Small Object, and the right is from The Vintage Bride.

Next up, unexpected nature:

On the left, quilled flowers as cake topper. Check it out here via So Happi Together. In the center, a “Love Nest” from Pom and Plumage. Last up, a DIY teacup topper via Ruffled.

Last, might we call these, vintage inspired, perhaps?

On the left, a cake flag banner from Baumbirdy. (LOVE IT!) On the right, “Love Birds” from Cotton Bird Designs.

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The Bachelor & Bachelorette Party

There are so many great ideas for bachelor and bachelorette parties, especially if you aren’t interested in heading to your local bar and over indulging in alcohol just because you feel obligated to. Alyssa and Alex, whose engagement session I featured here, decided to mix it up. The guys went dirt biking and the gals went wine tasting. What I love most is that they decided to hire Troy Grover Photography to capture all the great moments. I LOVE this idea! Troy went with the guys and his wife/business partner/second shooter Aimee went with the gals. Check it out:

And here’s the guys…

For more, go check out Troy’s blog!

Speechless!

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to help out with Utterly Engaged‘s November photo shoot yesterday. Words cannot explain how big my designer crush is on Paige, from Bash Eco Events and Kelly from Succulet Love Designs and Yes, Please. Their styling, inspired by their board below, blew my mind. And I swear, I’m totally not exaggerating. I almost shed a tear…partly because I was so jealous of their amazingness and partly because their work was just that great. Can’t wait for you to see the November issue of Utterly Engaged, but until then, you’ll have to check out the hot-off-the-press October issue.

Modern Dowry: Ceramics

I found Ninainvorm via Thoughtful Day. And I’m so glad I did. Because with plates like these, I could serve burnt casserole and it wouldn’t matter. The plates would make up for it. I mean it…I really do. My boyfriend may not agree, but that’s neither here nor there. He just doesn’t appreciate pretty things like I do.

Please note how Nina uses vintage pieces and reworks them. Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my eyes. Vintage + Modern = Absolute Obsession! Casserole anyone?

Besides the fact that I want these for my house…be it hung on the wall or serving casserole, I also think these pieces could be a great little addition for a wedding. The Yes, Oui and Love collections are all so perfect. Perhaps you could prop these up on display next to your guest book, hang a few amongst a collage of photos, or implement them pretty much any other place where you can possibly justify their use.

Check out Ninainvorm’s Etsy shop to purchase one of these, keep up with her on her blog AND visit her flickr page in case you can’t get enough.

Emerson Made

I am so excited to share with you a most delightful design studio called Emerson Made, which I found via Lily and Co. Proprietor Emerson is an absolute delight. Not only does she hand make each one-of-a-kind piece (which are also hand dyed!!!), she also styles each of her photographs, collages, and artwork. Whew! Her lovely blog is a portfolio/catalogue with just too much good stuff! (I could hardly decide which photos to share with you).

Emerson let me know that this coming Monday, her new online store, Emerson Made, will be open. She has an upcoming line of apparel which will be available at the end of the summer. I’m more than pleased to share with some of my favorite wedding worthy finds.

First off, here are a few lovelies for your big strong man. I adore these ideas for a groom. After the wedding, you can steal his boutonniere for yourself. What a delightful little memory that will come attached!

Second, here are some finds that would work for bridesmaid gifts, or perhaps for corsages for your mother dearest. Not to be redundant, but I really love the versatility of these pieces. They really CAN be used again and again!

Third, look how these lovelies can go from t-shirt to wedding dress. Swoon!

And finally…check out what Emerson Made offers for the table. I know…this may not be realistic for a wedding, but they’d be oh-s0-charming for a bridal shower. If you’re hosting the affair, buy enough for each guest and if you can resist keeping them for yourself, then offer them as favors or give them to the bride as a gift. If you’re a guest for an upcoming shower, I think these would be a rather lovely shower gift! They are custom made and can be printed with the couple’s monogram or the apropos “EAT”.

SugarBloom: Tall Cupcakes

I absolutely LOVE finding fresh takes on standard fare, which is why I had to share this fun twist on a classic favorite. SugarBloom Cupcakes is taking the cupcake to new heights with these tall cupcakes (pardon the pun), elevating the status of this humble dessert.

The delicate treats are absolutely divine, but unless you’re located in Melbourne, Australia, you won’t have a chance to try them out first hand. However, I’ve got the next best option: SugarBloom’s free online tutorial for making tall cupcakes. How impressive would these be at a wedding shower? I’m not gonna lie to you though…this recipe is not for the faint of heart! I have a feeling it is totally worth it though.

DIY Friday: Programs

Just in case you were wondering, I LOVE every single comment and email that I receive from you. It lets me know you are real people coming here and gives me insight into how you feel about what I’m jabbering on about every day. So, thank you, to each of you who takes the time to come and take part in our community.

Now that we’re through with embarrassing tears of gratitude (sheesh) I thought I’d discuss an interesting request that reader Amy Boyd made in one of her comments. (See…I do read them and I do try to respond to every one of your requests for ideas…you all just give me pretty tough challenges!)

Amy wanted some ideas for programs. Hmmm…programs. So, besides just hiring a super rad designer like, I don’t know, Wiley Valentine (whose blog I adore in more ways than one), one really has to ponder the possibilities. So I pondered. Hence the delay. (Sorry Amy!) But alas! I think I’ve come up with a really fun idea that you might be able to do yourself, if you’ve got a few computer skills. Yay for DIY!!!

Breakin’ it down: I thought it would be super cute-tastic to use love taglines for the front of your programs (think half of an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock). They’d act as pseudo-posters for guests (I’d probably want to take mine home and frame it) and then just put your program details on the back. Also, for an added twist, why not spice it up with several different variations? You’ll have to design your own, but here are some posters that might help get the creative juices flowing.

{The Love Shop}

{Bread and Butter}

{Sparkle Power}

{Accesori Design}

{Pig and Thistle} Insert fiancee’s initials:

{Village via Apartment Therapy}

Does this idea make sense to anyone? I hope you get where I’m going. Anyhow, I love this idea so much, I’ve got it saved in my “one day” file (if you know what I mean *wink wink*).

Twist on Tradition: Savory Cakes!

Savory Cakes??? Jan Kish of La Petite Fleur offers a new twist on tradition that I’ve never seen, but totally love. So many brides these days claim they don’t love cake. In addition to that, cutting edge caterers prefer serving unique dessert treats on the wedding day. What better way to keep tradition, but work it into a different part of the wedding? Enter Jan Kish. Her idea here is absolutely fabulous. Bravo!