Love Shak #15: Candles?

meaghan-antoinette :: misswallflower

Dear L: I know, this is not very Rustic Chic.  But it's so pretty!  And elegant!  I know, I have no idea how I'd reconcile this with buckets.  Hee.  But I imagine buckets don't quite fit in with a winery feel, either -- isn't it crazy how just one word can change a whole perspective?

And here's those burlap ribbons I was talking about! Not exactly the same, but pretty close...

Pierce Arnold

as time goes by

I was thinking maybe something like this, although not quite as intricate:

Martha Stewart, feat. on With this Ring

But see how it's kind of laid out in a pattern, rather than a straight runner?  Hahaha, I know, just what you need: more ideas!  But -- really, this is the last one I've got scheduled :)  Less than 6 months to go, you've totally got this thing in the bag :)!

Love Shak #14: Post- Party

Jess Epstein Photography via the Bride's Cafe

L: I'm sure this isn't in the budget.  But whoa whoa whoa, post-party at a bowling alley?  What *doesn't* say Love Shak like this??  Okay, really, I'm not sure what would tie you guys in to a bowling alley.  But it sure would be fun :)  What if I said these socks would be on me?  I know, I'm *such* the negotiator.  

Love Shak #13:Table fantasies

Dear L: I know, no building tables :)  And yes, rounds will be fabulous.  But shoot, doesn't it seem like wooden tables with runners down the middle are freaking everywhere, flaunting their gorgeousness?

{100layercake, feat. Mel Barlow}

Gia Canali on 100 Layer Cake

Aaron Delesie Photographer, Inc. on Style Me Pretty

But I've also been seeing some *lovely* rounds + and long tables covered in table linens! I love the crispness + simplicity of white, a bit reminiscent of the simplicity of a runner on a wooden table, yes?

Ella Blue Studio on Once Wed

Nancy Neil on Once Wed

Oh, Darling! Photography

Paul Carlson Photography on The Bride's Cafe

Hmm, these next ones are neutral/beige-ish, which totally makes me love our idea of that burlap or ... is it muslin? that rough tan or craft-brown material, thrown over linens...  Ooh, it's like Style Me Pretty read our minds with the tutorial!

Paper Cranes and Hearts 

Transylvania Images on Once Wed

Carrie Patterson on Style Me Pretty

And then I also saw more glorious mason jar/glass bottle + chandelier action on The Bride's Cafe... totally doable! Erm, except I'm not sure how a chandelier literally works in a tent.  Hmmm...

Open Air Photography,

gorgeous florals by JMFlora Design

Love Shak #12: Wacky favors

Dear L: o.m.g.  Maybe this is nuts.  But in my head, this is brilliant :)  I don't know what your idea is for favors, but I saw this Alton Brown episode (he's the one who does the science behind foods) on the Food Network for *making mayonnaise*!!  How cute would little jars of different flavored homemade mayos be!!

Column 1: Good Things Wedding Favors (top 2); Butterfly Kisses

Column 2: Brooklyn Bride feat. Paper Hearts and Cranes + Chad Hunt Photography; Papery and Cakery, feat. Martha Stewart Weddings

And see? I can't even find any images of mayo favors!  I'll assume it's because the idea is so unique, and not, er, for any other reasons :D

Now, Alton Brown made the homemade mayo version look so easy + fun to make. The first version he made had to be refrigerated after setting, but I could swear that the next one he made, he said could be put in the pantry for up to a month, meaning they'd be fine on the tables!  And the flavors you can make!  For example, via Butterfly Kisses:

1 cup light mayonnaise
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

Process all ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.Garlic-Chili Mayonnaise: Omit lemon rind and basil. Substitute fresh lime juice for lemon juice. Stir together mayonnaise, juice, and 2 Tbsp. Asian garlic-chili sauce. Makes about 1 cup.

Recipe: Southern Living Magazine.

I know you're just overwhelmed by all this awesomeness ;) 

Okay, other possible ideas: our own peach preserves, since peaches won't be in season in April.  Though, um, I guess it's November, so peach season is probably over already huh :D?  Damn. 

Well, I also saw these cuties on Style Me Pretty.

 Pies keep in the freezer (especially frozen pies that you can leave to thaw for guests while they're laying out on the tables!)... Or, hey!, assembling, freezing, then baking, then maybe refrigerating, then "thaw" to room temp while sitting on the tables? 

LloydandLauren via Not Martha

Either way: cute things in jars = great favors!  And you know you can count on me to help assemble/freeze/bake ;)!

Love Shak, reprised {#11}

Dearest L: Okay, so weekly posts might not be up my sleeve, but I see things + still think of you :)!  So now we'll get to randomness...

Like... Are you at all a fan of the paper lanterns?  Hmm, I definitely remember you saying "chandeliers," which is not in any way, erm, like a paper lantern...  But these are so pretty! And on sale!

 Pier 1

And I saw this and thought -- hey! if the moss-covered initial doesn't work out, doesn't this look fab (and easy :D?) Seems like it'd be an easy project to adapt, too! (ie, leave out the pinecones.  Um, unless you like those...)  Courtesy of + directions on Design*Sponge.

Love Shak #10: Love is in Bloom (Pt 2)

Sorry, L, flowers are just too stinkin gorgeous.  Just *look* at all these beautiful things out there!

• This beautiful DIY on design*sponge by studio choo!

• This French trend (you guys like French, right?) from 100 Idees Deco featured on decor8.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Ooh, mismatched bottles.  I'm so glad you loved how they turned out for your party last Saturday -- with your mason jars, these'll be sooo lovely! Photo from emma's designblogg, featuring Loft Life Magazine.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• And did you see this gorgeousness earlier this week on The Sweetest Occasion, featuring Country Living?

 

• Okay, and finally: via Weddings Fresh (featuring Soul Mates Photography), look how this cluster of simple glass vases can look so elegant, too!
  

• Okay, no really, finally: I know this is not.your.style.at all, but I just loved the bunches of *carnations* that these are!!

(c) Kristin Vining Photography

And ... ta-da! I think this is the last post I've got scheduled. I know you've got your venue, your cake, your fabulous dress, your centerpiece + reception ideas down... is there anything else you need inspiration for :)?  

Love Shak #9: Chalkboards Galore

L, you mentioned chalkboards -- Aylee Bits has a *phenomenal* post here, with all these visual goodies (and credits on the post).

And, in case that's not enough, here's just a few more chalkboard lovelies...

Row 1: first, second via Snippet & Ink; third via Mrs. Peacock
Row 2: first on Coasting Along via The Laurel Hedge; second Once Wed feat. photography by Leigh Miller, via Paper & Cakery
Row 3: collage of chalkboard jars: Kelvin Photographer, on Life Event Design Planning
Chalkboard +greens + jar: Heather Kincaid Photography, on Style Me Pretty
Chalkboard props by The Studio Nouveau on Chic Maps by Nikki

Lacy chalkboard invitation by Twig & Fig on Oh, So Beautiful Paper; sign with jams at Jessamyn Harris Photography

Love Shak #8: Photobooth Love {Chic Maps by Nikki}

So, L, I thought about creating a collage of photobooths, but when I was searching for next week's post on chalkboards, I came across this wondrous post by Nikki of Chic Maps by Nikki.  Holy. Cow.  E mentioned you were doing a photobooth, but I didn't know if it was one of this DIY things or an actual booth, but regardless, Nikki's post is pretty freakin awesome. 

Love Shak #7: Clouds of moss

* Once Wed, feat. Laurie Cinotto of lalalaurie on etsy

Okay, part 2 of the moss love: in my search for moss-covered initials for last week, I came across this beautiful mossy ring pillow, and it had to get its own post. Because it *comes with a tutorial*! I know, usually I am the link queen (I *try* to let the creator keep the credit!) but this post by Sapphire2009 is nearly a year old, and didn't link to the original post on Once Wed. So, just to make sure that the post doesn't get lost, here it is.

***Edit: double woot, I rock! Here's the original post on Once Wed, project created by Laurie Cinotto. But since it's all here, I might as well keep the directions up. And, sidenote: I had no idea that Once Wed had so many rockin projects that also includes cost! That's pure genius right there.

Once Wed, feat. Laurie Cinotto of lalalaurie on etsy

What You’ll Need:
A 5″ x 5″ X 2″ piece of Styrofoam
2 feet ribbon (2″ wide)
3 yards of ribbon (1/4″ wide)
A 6″ x 6″ scrap of fabric
A handful of sphagnum moss
Straight pins
Round-headed corsage pins
A pair of scissors

Instructions
1. Center your fabric face up on the Styrofoam square Fold the fabricedges over sides of the Styrofoam and secure with straight pins. Wrapthe corners neatly and pin. (see figure 1)

2. Turn your Styrofoam over so the fabric side is down. Take yoursphagnum moss and stretch it out across the top of the Styrofoam. Be surethat the moss completely covers the surface. (see figure 2)

3. Cut a length of the skinnier ribbon and run it diagonally across themossed surface. Attach both ends of the ribbons on the sides of theStyrofoam using straight pins. Repeat this process to create a diagonalgrid of ribbon on the top of the pillow.

4. Take your corsage pins and stick them into the points where theribbons intersect on the pillow top. (see figure 4)

5. Turn the pillow on it’s side and pin the end of the wider ribbon inthe center of the side, using your straight pins. (see figure 5)

6. Wrap the ribbon around all four sides, concealing the fabric edges andskinny ribbon tails. Pull it tightly as you go and keep the ribbon edgeslined up with the edges of the pillow. (see figure 5)

7. When you pass your starting point, fold under the ribbon tail and pinit down using your corsage pins. (see figure 6)

8. Trim off any loose moss bits.

9. Cut a 12″ length of the skinnier ribbon and tie it to the corsage pinin the center of the pillow. Attach your rings by tying a bow. (seefigure 7)

What it costs:
Styrofoam square $.90
Ribbon $3.00
Corsage Pins $2
Small bag of moss $1.80
Total = $7.70

PS: L, you know that all you gotta do is tell me what ribbons or pick some out, and I'm totally on this project for ya, right? hee....

Love Shak #6: 'ello, 'ello, L-O-V-E!

Jennifer Brum Photography, via Wedding Bee

Hee. It cracks me up that the hubs loves that Ashley Simpson song. It is quite catchy, I'll say that :D And um that was the best title I could come up with for this (mostly) moss-covered initials meta-post, but the segue sure is rough :D....

"K" "M": April Smith, on Style Me Pretty via Project Wedding
"B": Jennifer Sorkin via Project Wedding
"M" "A": feat. on Project Wedding
"T" "E": Ashleigh Taylor Photography via Project Wedding
"N" and "eve" by SimpleSweetDesign, on etsy
"A" "J", Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty , via The Bridal Suite
"R" "a": by Miss Mascara on Wedding Bee

Tutorials!
The Grosgrain Bride, via The Bridal Suite
Miss Mascara on Wedding Bee for hand-drawn/curvy initials

Love Shak #5 Love is In Bloom!

Really, L, hydrangeas aren't in season in April? Or will be super pricey? Darn, but here's some hydrangea love for you :)

Amick Events

Martha Stewart

Jose Villa on 100 Layer Cake

Sorry, not to taunt :D Bc clearly I love ranunculus! I wish I knew what it was in plural form :) But here's some more beauties (and okay, other random pretty flowers!), in case that wasn't enough for you ;)

The Bride's Cafe, feat. Belle Fleur

Allyson Magda on Style Me Pretty

Martha Stewart (above + below)
The Secret Garden... via vi.sualize.us, feat. on Fairytale Wishes and Dreams

Love Shak #4: It's a Sign!

Lots of signs, actually :D Well, wood, and not chalkboards. But that's another day...

Row 1: Shelly Kroeger of Union Photography on Marry You Me ; JK Photography on Vintage Glam Weddings [upper grouping of 3]
Row 2: Chalkboard, Choco Studio on Style Me Pretty; Jack Randall Photography on Stylish Events
Row 3: Amber Events, photography by Suthi Picotte on Style Me Pretty; Delightful Details on The Bride's Cafe
Row 4: Polka Dot Bride feat. Jonas Peterson; Delightful Details on The Bride's Cafe

Concept Photography on Southern Weddings

Okay, and a little more than just the initial, but such pretty details!

Photography by Niki on Southern Weddings

Love Shak #3: More inspiration

Stylish Events feat. Brides

Dear L: So. I know you said you're all about the wedding blogs + have them covered -- but have you seen Stylish Events?


More recently, April of Stylish Events started a new series, if you will, highlighting all these different blogs -- I mean, I knew she did weekly blog awards, and those are fun to see for terrific individual features on different blogs. And this highlighting series first started out with her faves, which were pretty much my faves, so I didn't see anything super new... but lately, she's been highlighting all kinds of blogs that I'd never heard of -- and sound so cute!! Okay, by cute, of course I mean have beautiful eye candy I haven't seen before.

But. There's no way I can justify adding more wedding blogs to my subscriptions, reader, and/or homepage. But, in case you didn't have enough inspiration (though it sounds like you're doing a *fab* job!) + wanted more to check out, SE seems worth watching, if you're not :)

Ooh, and also the ezine Utterly Engaged -- really, there is no way I can possibly look at engagement publications (hmm, somehow calling wedding blogs "wedding" makes it okay, but engagement makes me feel super obsessed :D)... Oh, who am I kidding, I'm totally going to read those issues ...

P.S. Seriously, fabulous job on your website! love love love love love love love it.