Matching Monograms

I found this photo today as I was pulling pictures for my slave drivers (otherwise known as publicists). It’s been so many years since we did this wedding, I’d forgotten all about this cool monogram. It was fairly simple… letters carved into particle board covered in seed paper and then attached to the gates that guests entered the party through.

The branches, hanging amaranthus, moss and callas were added to enchant the peep holes in the gates and clusters of similar pieces were placed along the walk way. It was such a precious way to welcome partygoers.

I wanted to share this with you Chic Readers because I think it’d be a lovely way to knock your guests socks off at your next gathering. Imagine doing it with your street number or a descriptive word like “Fete”. Also, because it’s made from wood you can store it and pull out every year for your annual party. Love it!!

itty bitty blooms

Smaller, more casual bouquets are a new and fresh approach to aisle style. Rather that lugging a huge, gaudy clump of roses, have your florist loosely tie a cluster of fresh greens and blooms together with ribbon, twine, silver chain, get creative! I also love the idea of incorporating tiny charms, crystals, or other momentos into your bouquet.

how charming!

Come on ladies! Pinch those pennies and start thinking small. Petite petals are the way to go this wedding season.

So Tweet

I can’t get over how adorable this accessories line is! True Birds are made up of 2 Southern California sisters who hand craft every piece. Most pieces consist of intricate headwear, but they also offer some chic scarves, bracelets, necklaces, and chokers. What makes me even happier is that a lot of the pieces can act as an all in one and be worn in the all ways listed in the former.

So, having a bad hair day? Slip on a pretty head band…problem fixed! Dress up a casual outfit or capture a room’s attention. For you future brides, True Birds has a wedding wear collection and adorable feathered clips. Think a prettier Carrie Bradshaw on her wedding day! Also, don’t forget about your little ones, the baby bird pieces are too cute.

AMY: Hey girl! Guess who’s tying the knot??!!!

YOU: WHAT!!!?? OMG He proposed!!!??? 

AMY: Yup! AND guess who’s going to be my bridesmaid??!!

Your bff is getting married. She wants you in the wedding party. You’re honored, excited, elated. UNTIL you remember you’ll be walking down the aisle in THE DREADED BRIDESMAID DRESS.  ”I’ll totally wear it again,” you groan through a clenched smile…ugh.

Well fear not bridesmaids-to-be! Chloe and Reese have come up with some fantastic dresses that I SWEAR you WILL wear again and again AND AGAIN.  The styles are super flattering and come in a ton of different textures, shapes, and colors. Even the pickiest of the picky Bridezillas will find the perfect shade of chartreuse.

So be the fab best friend that you are and throw an oh-so-subtle hint to the bride-to-be…maybe she’ll even make you her Maid-of-Honor.

Sphere Genius!

It sure is. I’ve seen these spherical wonders at a few boutiques around town and then imagine my excitement when they popped up at my local Anthropologie?! The original EcoSphere is the world’s first totally enclosed ecosystem- a complete, self-contained and self sustaining miniature world encased in glass. Or, in layman’s terms…a living thing that takes care of itself!

adopt a pet shrimp!

These EcoSpheres make great office pets, favors, and gifts! Trust me, your sister will totally appreciate it when you give your niece an EcoSphere and not a hamster for her birthday. EcoSpheres require no cleaning and only minimal care and the little shrimp inside can live to be 7 years old! They can keep you company for years to come without robbing you of your freedom to take a spur of the moment weekend getaway.

EcoSphere sitter? EcoSphere kennel? Nope.

EcoSphere love? Absolutely.

What's Your Sign?

Hello wedding enthusiasts! I know all of you are looking for the newest, most fabulous thing for your wedding and you spend hours scouring the internet in search of said item. Lately I’ve been really into signs… directional signs, signs for food, the bride and grooms names, you name it. We made them here in the office and have about 80 techniques to make them look new, or antiqued, or colorful, whatever fits into our theme.

So imagine my surprise when I just found someone on Etsy offering you a custom sign for $85 a pop! What?! This is madness! Even the most un-crafty bride out there could create these things, for a grand total of, say $10. Hit up your local Home Depot, bat your eyes and ask someone to cut your wood for you, then head to a craft store for paint supplies, then, create. Easy peasy, and the imperfection in the piece is usually what makes it look homemade and special so fear not!

Here are a few others we’ve done:

Give Me a K

Free to Good Home

Snowcones

NOW CASTING BRIDAL PARTIES WHO WANT PRE-WEDDING HAIR MAKEOVERS!!!

Are you engaged to be married? A maid of honor or a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding? Do you want to get a pre-wedding hair makeover for the bride, maid of honor, and a bridesmaid??

STYLE NETWORK’s Emmy®–nominated show Split Ends is bringing back their favorite stylists from seasons past for a hair competition show called “The Big Tease.”  The stylists will be competing for a huge money grand prize and the cover of a magazine, so they will be aiming to make you look your BEST!!

NOW SEEKING  hair models for “The Big Tease” who are engaged to be married, maids of honor, and bridesmaids for hot hair makeovers!

If this sounds like you, please submit a picture of yourself, maid of honor, bridesmaids, your contact information and why you need this makeover ASAP to weingradcasting@gmail.com

Thank you and good luck!

Alter-Rations

So I was flipping through the latest CB2 catalog to harken my mailbox and I found these galvanized steel corrugates. How fantastic are these things??? I’m dying just thinking about what ultra-modern or super-rustic or just unusual wedding ceremony I can use them in.

Can’t you just see these as alter pieces overflowing with amaranths and curly willow and a ton of unique greenery? Their fun texture and color could be used about fifty different ways, and you could totally rock them out on your patio post-nuptials. We love anything with multiple uses!

lucky duck

Well ladies, you can thank your lucky stars. I’ve got just the  place for those perfect save-the-dates! Hello Lucky has the most adorable stationery around. I am a huge fan of letter press and theirs is cute, quirky, funky, and fresh.

lucky shot

And it gets better – printed on 100% cotton paper with remnants from the textile industry, Hello Lucky’s wedding invites are tree-free!!!  So you don’t have to feel so guilty about sending out mounds of save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs, and thank-you notes to all 300 members of your close friends and family. Aunt Louise will appreciate that you’re considering the environment.

And you’re lucky number…ZERO. Free shipping for all wedding orders.

Lucky you.