It's time for tea !!!

So the little girl in me has always had a fascination with the whimsical tradition our Victorian predescesors call "Afternoon Tea." The delicate floral patterns on the china, the sweet aroma of tea in the air and towers of scones and petite fours have lured me in. How fun would it be to have a tea party themed reception for your wedding? And no, I'm not talking about a Mad Hatter's tea party! I envision a classic, vintage, and uber feminine affair! I've gathered some inspiration for you bride's out there looking to throw a tea party themed wedding!!!

I thought this was such a clever way to display place cards! So cute!

Tea cupcakes!!!!

I stand corrected! This one takes the cake!

Fabulous favors!

If you must go the down the rabbit hole, you might as well go all out!!!

Best Cupcake Towers in LA!!!!

So I had to share with you all this bakery I came across while doing research for one of my brides. It's called Blue Cupcake by Julie. Located in the San Fernando valley, this bakery has the cutest and most elaborate cupcake towers I've ever seen! Julie customizes everything for the couple, and at a reasonable price. Her custom orders start at $100 (over 3 dozen cupcakes), with a 6 inch cake topper starting at $45. Check out Blue Cupcake at www.bluecupcake.com

Fabulous Favors

Favors have evolved from heart shaped cookies and tacky trinkets that most guests will never use. Here are some of my favorite favors that are creative, useful, and just plain fabulous!

1) Share a recipe with your guests! This couple from the south used their favorite shrimp and grits recipe and filled bags with their favorite brand of grits. When your guests make your recipe at home, it'll be delicious reminder of your special day!

2) Flowers in a can! Pop it open like a soda, add some water and sunshine, and you're guests will have beautiful blooms! They come in dahlia, germanium, impatiens, and pansy! Order them from fredflare.com

3) Mints and chocolate are classic favors. Why not spice them up with your own design? I love the ones at www.beau-coup.com

4) Reusable shopping bags are an eco-friendly favor that your guests can use for years! B. Happybags has a collection of stylish totes, but custom designs are also available:)

5) These silver luggage tags could double for place card holders as well! Classy, stylish and very useful, your jet setting guests will be delighted!

Eco Chic!!!!

Couples that have become more earth conscious are taking a stand and integrating their beliefs into their wedding day! But going green does not mean you have sacrifice style! Here are a few tips that will make your big day eco-friendly and fabulous!

Tip #1-
Choose a location close to where your guests are commuting from to keep them from driving a long distance. Consider an outdoor location first...you can rely on the natural beauty of your surroundings, and you won't need to add much of your own decor to make the atmosphere look stunning. Also, choose to hold your ceremony and reception at the same location. It will save even more energy and resources, since your guests won't have to drive from place to place. That's what Kaitlin and Rob from "It's Always Sunny in Philadephia" did by choosing to wed at a Malibu Estate, one of the many eco friendly decisions they made on their big day!


Tip #2-
Buy a reused wedding gown. It reduces waste and is very cost effective. You can find a designer couture gown at consignment prices at Encore Bridal in Los Angeles.
Check out this Vera Wang gown that's sold at $6,800.00 off the original purchase price!
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After the big day, encourage your bridesmaids to donate their dresses to The Glass Slipper project. This organization donates gowns to high school students who can't afford dresses for prom.

Tip#3 -
Use flowers that are in season. Also, go local and organic when it come to your blooms! Organic bouquet has a wide array of flowers that are all eco-friendly.










Tip #4-















For your invites, place cards, programs, and thank you cards, go with a plantable paper stock! These earth friendly invites have seeds embedded in them, so you can plant them after, and wildflowers will grow! Check out http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/

Tip #5-
Use recycled gold! For your wedding bands, look to vendors like greenKarat who take recycled gold and turn them into beautiful and socially responsible masterpieces!


Tip #6-
Use an environmentally friendly limo service. Evolimo in Los Angeles, uses luxury vehicles that use only clean and domestic alternatives to gasoline.

Tip #7-
Skip the signs! Instead of wasting paper to direct your guests on where to go or for your monogram, use a company like Wonderful Graffiti, and instead, have it written on the walls, mirrors, and doors in beautiful calligraphy! They can even be placed on your limo or getaway car! It's removable and can also be framed after the ceremony for a beautiful keepsake.
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Hope you decide to integrate some of these tips on your wedding day! Now, let's make the planet a better place one wedding at a time!

Clean heels:)

A couple months ago, my boyfriend and I attended the most beautiful wedding in Carpenteria, CA . It was an outdoor wedding that took place at the Rose Story Farm. The newlyweds were smart and gave guests a heads up by recommending that you don't wear stiletto heels! When we arrived at the location, I was really glad I wore platform wedges instead because nothing there was paved! I felt so bad for the guests that still wore stilettos and watched as they struggled on the pebbled paths and had their heels sink deep into the moist grass. Although Rose Story Farm is an exquisite backdrop to any wedding, I would imagine that manolo loving brides hoping to wed here are sad to kiss their gorgeous shoes goodbye.
Well, I just found an amazing solution for all you brides out there having outdoor weddings! They're called Solemates! The Solemate high heeler attaches to the bottom of your stiletto and prevents you from sinking in the grass and getting your shoes dirty! What a marvelous idea! I like the clear ones best:) You can find them at www.thesolemates.com!

Raci and Michael's Wedding

Just wanted to share with you some pics from a wedding I coordinated last month. It was an outdoor wedding at a ranch in Santa Clarita. This group had way too much fun...and way too much beer!!!! Good times!!!!

Show your sexy side...

Typically before the big day, the bride and groom exchange heartfelt gifts with each other. Why not spice it up by giving your groom something unexpectedly sexy? A growing trend in the wedding world is boudoir photography. Pin up style photos with you all glammed up in lingerie, costumes, or gasp...even nude! Body conscious? Don't be! These photographers have mastered the art of accentuating your best features! You can even do location shoots, whether you want to rent a hotel room or have shots done on the beach. Imagine how thrilled your fiancee would be to see photos of you at your sexiest and naughtiest! I think it's best for you to send it to him the morning of the wedding, and give him a sneak peak at what your honeymoon will be like!

Love story invite

I adore this invitation! What a clever couple! I think its great when couples share their stories. It gives their loved ones a little more insight into their relationship, and what to expect at their wedding!

Twilight Wedding Dress!!!!

Attention twilight lovers! InStyle magazine asked some the world's most famous bridal designers to sketch our dear Bella's wedding dress, from the fourth installment of the series, Breaking Dawn. It's described in the book as old fashioned with a few modern tweaks from Alice Cullen. Bella is said to look like she's stepped out of a Jane Austen film. Can't wait to see what the dress will look like on K Stew! I love love love Monique Lhuillier and Lela Rose's designs!!!!






















Monique Lhuillier

















Zac Posen / Badgley Mischka















Christian Siriano / Max Azria















Lela Rose / Erin Fetherston

No longer a bridesmaid's worse nightmare!

From the film 27 dresses
Kevin: What the hell is that?
Jane: Theme wedding.
Kevin: What was the theme? Humiliation?
I think this quote and picture from 27 dresses pretty much sums up the horror of being a bridesmaid. There once was a time when it felt like brides were purposely choosing the ugliest, most ridiculous bridesmaid dresses for their best friends! Thank goodness times have changed, and fashionista brides now expect their bridesmaids to look as fabulous as they do! Here are some of my new favorite bridesmaids looks!













Priscilla of Boston Spring 2010 /Melissa Sweet Spring 2010
















Jim Hjelm Spring 2010 / Fall 2009















Alvina Valenta Spring 2009 / Ines DiSanto Spring 2009