Midsummer Glamour

One of my earliest memories growing up is of attending a wedding reception in a beautiful white ranch house with acres of rolling grass and a string quartet playing in the courtyard. Talking to my mother the other day, she guessed that I must have only been two or three at the time, but apparently it made quite an impression because I've always felt that string quartets and garden receptions are the height of elegance and sophistication. Fast forward twenty-something years and I have the opportunity to book that same venue. I think an evening cocktail reception in the courtyard and dancing to a jazz orchestra in the large main room would be perfect. Butter yellow and gray have a sophisticated, yet whimsical quality that's perfect for a garden scattered with candlelight... Throw in a few vintage touches and I think we might have a wedding that is uniquely us.


Photo credits: Style Me Pretty, The Lettered Olive, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart Weddings, Arriella Chezar tables, After Six dress, monogram cake(???)

If There's One Thing I've Noticed...

If there's one thing I've noticed, it's that brides change their minds A LOT. I feel so much better knowing that I'm not the only person who has changed their color scheme or decided that the "perfect venue" has unacceptably ugly carpet... But lately I seem to be flip flopping between two totally and completely different weddings; two weddings where the only constants are the Mr. and me.

We live in Las Vegas. Although we both don't really like the city and plan on moving very soon to start our family, there's a certain allure to The Kitschy Vegas Wedding. My dress is fun and retro enough that I can picture Elvis and a little white chapel, and I've always held the belief that if you take your marriage seriously, your wedding can be as crazy as you want it to be. Like I've said before, we're both nerds; we enjoy swing dancing together and he has enough fedoras to make Sinatra jealous, so having an old school 1950's chapel wedding might be very us...

Photo credits: Stephanie James Couture, Graceland Wedding Chapel, Wedding Paper Divas, black and white dance floor (please let me know where it's from), Style Me Pretty wedding of Kacie and Brandon, Lawry's The Prime Rib




BUT, and this is a big but... It's not my dream wedding. Being the anglophile that I am, my dream wedding is something out of The Wedding Date--a weekend long Pimm's Cup and gin and tonic fueled extravaganza complete with English manor and groomsmen in morning suits.

Photo credits: Peppers, Knowlton Court, Make Be Leaves topiary, Hello!Lucky invitation, Better Homes and Gardens Wedding Reception, drinks from Style Me Pretty, Coat of Arms ring pillow Gayle Warwick

Now do you see my dilemma?

Autumnal Inspiration

I know that it's only August, and in Las Vegas it's still a horrid 106 degrees! But something in me is programmed to start thinking about fall, and everything that comes with it, long before it actually arrives. Call it the school girl in me, but I get all nostalgic over sharpened pencils, plaid skirts, new book bags (or purses now that I'm no longer twelve), and most of all the refreshing, crisp morning air that just calls for a cup of carmel apple cider. So in honor of autumn and the fact that I would rather be anywhere cool and beautiful right now, I've made an Autumnal Inspiration Board. Even though it's not the wedding I'm planning, I love it! It's gorgeous, rich, and definitely reminds me of my childhood. What nostalgia!



Photo credits: dress, Monique Lhuillier, oncewed.com; wine rack, uncork29.com; girl in cardigan, Martha Stewart Weddings; boutonniere and pumpkin, oncewed.com; hot air balloons, renoballoon.com; flowers, customeventgroup.com

Inspiration is in the details

Today's inspiration board


Photo credits: Top row: ???, Ulta ad, www.beau-coup.com, Style Me Pretty; Middle: Wedding Receptions from Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart, Thread Designs; Bottom: Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, BHaG.


I love the green and blush combination. It's so vibrant and spring-y, and much less preppy than bright pink and green. It also has some of my favorite ideas. I love the monogrammed handkerchief and the linen overlays on the reception tables--it would be gorgeous with Irish linen and add a little cultural flair.