Meet the dreamy new wedding supplies from B H L D N

Not only have they jumped full force into the wedding dress arena, but BHLDN, the Anthropologie party inspired spin-off, now has a store full of pretty party supplies. What I love most, is that the majority of items offered are light weight enough to be a realistic addition for a Destination Wedding. The neutral colors would add just enough style to your event without taking away from the eye-poping blues and greens found naturally in the tropics:

Imagine how amazing these would look spinning in the sea breeze?

These crinkle fans would serve a dual purpose of fending off the tropical heat but also being a stylish photo prop:

Cute:

The perfect shades:

Browse the full collection here. 

Swoon,

The Spring Issue of GET MARRIED is here!!!

With a nod to all things new this season, the Spring issue of Get Married magazine—available today on newsstands—includes a fresh look at the latest bridal styles.  The magazine continues to inspire, entertain and surprise.  Throughout the pages are an assortment of delectable designs and budget-friendly fashions, including cool registry items, gorgeous cakes, stylish invitations and hot-off-the-runway spring dresses and accessories. 

One of the neatest ideas featured in this issue, are Couple Cards: The Get Planning section debuts a new paper concept for brides and grooms available at shop.getmarried.com—couple cards! Get Married is expanding its online shop and this is the first of several products targeted to brides based on feedback of what they want.  These brilliant little organizers are business cards for today’s busy couples.  From giving to wedding vendors or handing to family and friends, these couple cards make it easy to share information.  Plus, couples can customize with a barcode on the back during online checkout, which allows guests to snap it with their smart phones to access a personal wedding website. 

Pick up your copy today! 

Enjoy,

Can you do a Candy Buffet in the Caribbean?

Yes! This trend is quickly island hopping. While a candy buffet does require extra effort in the Caribbean, due to the tropical elements, it can and is being done. It is obviously a smarter choice if you are having an indoor reception, but we've seen it at outdoor events as well. Most of the hotel wedding planners will be able to help you source the clear glass containers. You may visit a local "wholesale" prior to your wedding and stock up on local candy OR bring your own from home. I recommend a combination of both. For the loot you plan on carrying from the US, stick to hardier versions of your sweet tooth faves, i.e. leave the chocolate on the shelves. 

Some of my favorite retailers for sourcing candy for a buffet are Dylan's Candy Bar for a wide selection, and for a retro touch try Nostalgic Candy.

Here are a few photos for inspiration:

{via here, here, and here}

Enjoy,

7700+ Inspiration Boards

Project Wedding is my guilty vice. I spend hours on the site each week... my wedding is long over but the designs featured and showcased on Project Wedding are pure eye candy. One of my favorite areas of the site are the inspiration boards... over 7700 of them. Sweet inspirational bliss! enjoy! 

The Secret Language of Fans

Lovely photo, wouldn't you agree? Photo by Paloma Sia Designs as spotted in a post on Design Sponge all about cooling off with hand fans. Hand fans are almost as essential as sand at a Destination Wedding. They keep guests cool in the blazing sun and are a great way to add a spark of customization to your event. Read more...

Inspiration is all around you this time of year...

What does your summer look like?

I love the summer in the south - roadside vegetable stands, peach infused everything, playing outdoors until the sun finally sets around 8 or 9, and then catching fireflies with the kids for a few minutes before bedtime. All this summer loving is making it hard to sit indoors and work. When I do come inside to work, all I want to do is browse blog after blog, finding more summer inspiration such as these roasted strawberry creamsicles, or these whimsical summer floral bouquets, or this Danish summer home. 

This is much the way I felt when I was planning my own wedding... hours and hours seeking inspiration... online. When really, if I'd just stepped outside, strolled more leisurely through the neighborhoods I frequented, and just relaxed a little, I would have been able to draw inspiration from simple sweet lazy summer days...

So as you enjoy picnics, parties, and fireworks on this holiday weekend, pause for a moment and notice the simple details and perhaps they will inspire you in your own wedding planning planning.

Have a safe & happy 4th!

Enjoy,

Pom-Pom Party Garlands

I love these! We strung some up around the house for a recent party and left them because they are so pretty & festive and make us smile. What a great addition to your Destination Wedding decor? Buy them here.

Enjoy,

The Bride's Guide - by Martha Stewart Weddings

I love Martha Stewart, and even more so now that she has partnered with Sandals Resorts. The Bride's Guide is a treasure chest of resources operated by the experts from Martha Stewart Weddings.

One of my favorites is the in-depth listing of Bridal Events, including such cool dates as the opening of J. Crew's first bridal boutique and trunk show listings for small independent designers. Check for an event near you!

This week, The Bride's Guide team has been busy planning a wedding at Sandals Emerald Bay in the Exumas.... read all about the process right here.

Enjoy!

Our Wedding Scrapbook - Darcy Miller

Darcy Miller designed a very useful scrapbook to capture all of the important details about your wedding that you wouldn't put in a formal photo album. Here she is on Get Married TV telling us more: 

The scrapbook is available on Amazon. Darcy Miller is the editorial director of Weddings at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She no doubt had a hand in Ms. Stewart's recent collaboration with Sandals Resorts Weddings. Yes, Martha Stewart designs are now used as the wedding package themes at all Sandals & Beaches Resorts.

Simple + Elegant

I love Brothers & Sisters on ABC. Sally Field had me at hello and it doesn't hurt that she reminds me very much of my mother so this show is comfort food in my house. I swoon over the opening shot of the large tree strung with lights in the Walker family backyard. (I couldn't find the exact image - but this one from Martha Stewart is close enough.) Every week when that image appears on the screen, I think of weddings and then my business... and so on. What I am always left with is why do most Caribbean Weddings seem to go a bit overboard on the beach theme? There is no written rule that you too have to fall into this trap. It is perfectly ok to say no to the hot glue gun and miniature sea shells and go unique. Collect baby food jars from your friends, carry down some fishing wire and white votives, and hire the hotel groundskeeper to help with the set-up. Order a stash of paper garlands and hang them between a few palm trees and watch as they dance in the sea breeze. What I am trying to say, is it is perfectly ok to let nature be the theme and YOU create your own design. Enjoy!

UPDATE: The very day after I wrote this post, I received a fantastic portfolio of a Jamaican Wedding featuring the exact look I've been dreaming about... stay tuned for more on lovely little hanging lanterns!

its just paper...

...it sure is pretty...

{sweet} paper garlands from lobster & swan

i'm in? are you?

DIY - Line Your Own Envelopes

Not only will you save a little cash by lining your own envelopes but you can add a great customized element to your invitations. Martha Stewart has the how to and a few sample ideas below... this one uses photocopies of old & fun family photos...

...this one uses gift wrap...
Give it a shot!

Bridesmaid Boxes by Jordan Ferney

Jordan Ferney is a San Francisco area based party planner & letterpress whiz. I found her on Project Wedding and am now a huge fan of her blog "Oh Happy Day". She is charming, talented and full of great ideas... like these Bridesmaid Boxes, wouldn't you say YES to one of these?

Full instructions and more of Jordan's wonderful wedding ideas here.

Butterfly Garlands

Garlands are a super easy choice for Destination Weddings because they are lightweight and easy to transport. A simple chic garland will dress up any space and is perfect for either wedding ceremony, welcome cocktail reception, or rehearsal dinner. I love these cute butterfly garlands from LePtitPapillon on Etsy.

Beautiful Inspiration Boards & Monograms

I am in love with these beautiful inspiration boards & monograms from Lucky Me!

Back to School inspiration...
Mojito Inspiration...

Be Inspired!

Pop-up Paper Wedding Decorations

Martha Stewart Strikes Again... I am super excited about Ms. Stewart's partnership with Sandals Resorts. I can't wait to see what great designs she debuts for their Destination Wedding packages. I'll have to wait until the official launch in October - but in the meantime, I've been cruising her website and found some great paper decor ideas that would certainly fold and travel just fine for a Destination Wedding:

Boarding Pass Save-the-Dates

There's a new trend in Save-the-Dates... boarding pass themes! Perfect for a Caribbean Destination Wedding. Here are a few of my favorites from the artists on Etsy.com.

These are from The Stylish Scribe:

These bright and cheerful ones are from Rubber Ducky Designs:

The vintage inspired design from Beyond Design are some of my favorites. How cool - this wedding took place on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua - tops for rustic island charm!

This elegant design is from Fine Prints Design (As Seen in InStyle Magazine, Sept. 2009):

Martha Stewart DIY Beach Seating Cards

All of these ideas are affordable ways to customize your seaside Destination Wedding. Found here! (From Martha Stewart - who recently partnered with Sandals Resorts and will be offering wedding design packages at their properties starting in January 2010!):