Sketches

Invitation Idea: Nancy and Rich got engaged at the Brooklyn Bridge, so they commissioned a sketch (done by Kristen of LetterHeads) for their invitation! What a clever idea--I love the way it looks like an old Leonardo da Vinci sketch. Image via Style Me Pretty.

Abazias

I am so excited to share this site with you! Abazias is the neatest thing--you can actually design your own ring online! I actually used this site when I first began hoping for a ring, and ultimately fell in love with the square (princess and asscher cut) diamonds. Not only is a great tool for determining your ring style, purchasing your dream ring (and finding out if it is in the budget!), but they also sell beautiful wedding bands, watches and other jewelry.

Balloons

This amazing proposal has been traveling the blog circuit, so you might have seen it, but I couldn't resist--the groom proposed by having strangers hand his girlfriend pink balloons on the Brooklyn Bridge, each with a note attached! He was waiting for her at the other side of the bridge.

Melangerie

I am SO grateful to the wonderful Melangerie for the amazing wedding lineage print they are making for me as a result of a contest Look Photography held recently! You have to check out Melangerie's website--they design and print the most amazing wedding geneology charts--including place mats, charts in vintage frames, and accordion foldouts--which creatively display all the guests' relationships to the bride and groom, like a "wedding family tree." Melangerie also designs custom wedding invitations and other creative projects. Some of my favorites ideas: "At Rena’s 90th birthday party each guest received a custom designed book of her best recipes, along with the spices to make them" and "A flower arranging lesson was given to Jackie for her birthday through the presentation of a paper flower bouquet."

Schoolhouse Wedding

[Holland Photo Arts via The Little White Book]

One of my dream wedding is a simply stunning wedding like Jennifer and Briggs had in Virginia--a guest list under one hundred; ceremony in an old white schoolhouse converted into a chapel, and a tea-length custom dress with gold shoes... the more trouble the economy has, the more this wedding sounds like a dream!

Bookmarks

Loving these homemade "Bookmark the Date" bookmarks on Elizabeth Anne Designs!

Beautiful Candles

[TM Photography via The Pissed Off Bride]

Escort Card Idea: Give each guest a candle with his or her name on it. The candles will provide beautiful soft lighting on the tables, but what will be most magical is the line of guests walking their lights from one space to the reception hall.

Beautiful Calligraphy

My invitation address calligraphy just arrived, and they turned out beautifully! I don't want to give away the full look of my invitations just yet, but suffice it to say that Michele Clark is the most amazing calligrapher you will ever hire. Not only does her work look flawless (I gave her quite the challenge with very long military titles), but she is so affordable--only $1 per address! Those of you who have researched calligraphers know what an amazing deal this is... You can contact her at: calligraphybymichele@verizon.net.

New York Wedding Workshop Giveaway!

For all my fellow New York brides: The NY Wedding Workshop is giving away 4 free tickets to Victoria with Roses readers! Send me an email if you're interested!

Lindsay Landman Events and The Knot have teamed up to bring New York couples the most creative, innovative and smart way to plan your sophisticated City soirees. Meet and learn from the best wedding vendors in the biz in a relaxed, creative and inspirational atmosphere. Get your planning questions answered at the panel discussions moderated by top bridal editors and experience the finest cuisine, cocktails and decor New York has to offer. * Each couple receives an amazing goodie bag worth more than $250 and a chance to win the fabulous raffle prizes including an all-inclusive getaway to St. Lucia and $1000 towards your wedding flowers! * Try on designer gowns and jewels to find your wedding style with on-site hair and makeup consultations.

Saturday, February 28th - 11 AM to 3:30 PM - The Xchange at The Terminal
640 West 28th Street, 9th Floor / between 11th and 12th Avenues
Tickets: $65 individual/$85 pair. Visit www.nyweddingworkshop.com to purchase tickets.
Discount for Victoria with Roses readers: Enter FRIEND1 at checkout to receive $30 off your purchase of an individual ticket or a pair of tickets.

Escort Card Idea

As the fiance of a pilot, I love these airplane escort cards from Wedding Style File. I actually had the exact same idea about six months ago, and searched in vain for planes just like this, but couldn't find them! So we went with Idea Number Two.

DIY Contest

Vintage Glam Weddings is holding a DIY contest, and the winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to Wedding Paper Divas. Get more details here!

Jim Hjelm

I love this gorgeous, flowing bridesmaid's dress by Jim Hjelm--even the color! How gorgeous would an orange and cream garden wedding be?

Vintage Hankies

I love these vintage hanky save the dates designed by Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence...

Lavender

Ceremony Idea: Instead of having guests throw petals or rice, give them little packets of lavender to throw--the scent and color will be amazing.

I Carry Your Heart

Loving this sweet ceremony idea from Laura and Ian's picnic wedding posted on A Practical Wedding [their motif was ee cumming's "I carry your heart"]: "Instead of doing a ring exchange, our officiant asked us to hold our hands over the other's heart and declare, "From my hand to your heart, I thee wed" which reminded us that love is an action. Our actions and what we do with our hands affects people's emotions. We must live every day choosing to love our partner and protecting and cherishing their heart and feelings."

John Rozier

I LOVE the work of photographer John Rozier. His use of architecture, angles and poses is so creative, not to mention his brides are so fashionable! Check out his blog or website for more stunning images.

Lined Paper

Stationery Idea: I love this cute card--perhaps an inspiration for wedding stationery?

Packaging

This photograph packaging is unbelievable... by Axioo via Ritzy Bee. Unfortunately, this company is located in Indonesia--but their photographs of the landscape and culture in weddings is beautiful.

Program

I love this program idea! From It's Heavenly via We Met in a Bar.

Bouquet Cards

Floral Idea [from Brides]: "If corn can become gas, why can’t flowers become a thank-you note? Pack up your bouquet and send it to FloralNotes.com; in return, you’ll get a batch of note cards made from the petals." I love the idea of sending thank you notes made from your bouquet!

Gorgeous Dress

Love it: Model Novias dress Via Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Business Card

I am in love with this business card. See tons more here on DailyPoetics. Other ideas I love: a handwritten, then letterpressed card; a calligraphed card; anything on a tag. All of these cards could translate into beautiful wedding cards as well.

Rosecut

How sweet is this rosecut diamond ring by Sarah Perlis? Only $275. This would make a beautiful engagement ring for a couple who is saving up for the wedding or a larger ring!

So Pretty

[From The Knot via The Pissed Off Bride]

Ceremony Idea: A single beautiful flower at the end of each row... simple and beautiful.

Lollies

Favor Idea: One of my favorite treats from childhood is Linda's Lollies. A fun way to present them would be to purchase a rotating lollipop stand with a variety of flavors and let guests choose their favorite flavor.

Aisle Runner

Aisle Runner Idea: Customize it with the words: "And they lived happily ever after."

Literature

For a literature-oriented couple, consider naming each table after a book. Put a different quote from that table's book at each place setting. Guests can trade place cards to see what everyone else has.

Poetry

Ceremony Idea: Tie a beautiful poem onto a ribbon and hand them on guests' chairs.

Airplane

Save the Date Idea: This was our second choice, and I still love it! $2.50 from Einvite. So creative.

Apples

For a fall wedding, place barrels of apples near the exit for guests to take fresh apples as favors. Better yet--have your wedding on the grounds of an apple orchard and let guests pick their own! Other fall ideas I love: placing grapes and candied nuts on the table; hearty breads and soups; white hot chocolate; apple cider; cheese and chocolate fondue.

Picnic Basket

Bridesmaid Gift Idea: Give each of your bridesmaids a picnic basket for two filled with goodies. It's something they'll love but would probably never buy themselves. Also a great wedding gift idea! You can buy them for as low as $33 here.

Small Plates

lInstead of a three-course menu, see if you're caterer can offer your guests six or seven small portions for the same price. Giving your guests variety will give them something to talk about and something to remember--the night will never be boring!

Wooden Benches

I love the idea of seating guests at long wooden tables and wooden (backed) benches. It creates such a simple, beautiful ambiance for an outdoor reception. One wedding I'll always remember took place outside at the bride's house in Maine, overlooking the ocean. She got married at a little white chapel in the country, and the reception took place at her house. She set up a tent in her yard with wooden tables and benches and served a simple lunch. It was a gorgeous day and I'll always remember how simply beautiful this wedding was.

Lock and Key

Escort Card Idea: Give each of your guests a key that will open a locked box sitting at their table. Inside the boxes are their favors! This would work well for a small wedding. For a larger wedding, wrap favor boxes in brown paper tied with string, and attach a tiny silver scissor to each guest's escort tag.

Milk and Cookies

New York Brides: If you're looking for an amazing wedding favor or late night snack for your guests, visit Milk and Cookies Bakery in Greenwich Village. These are THE BEST cookies I have ever tasted (my ever-skeptical father and brother thought so too when I brought them home). $1.50 each if you buy a baker's dozen.

Good Morning Sunshine

I'm reposting this entire clever post by Coco+Kelley--her vision of the perfect day--because I absolutely adore it:

"When I woke up to more snow again this morning, I decided it would have to be a daydreaming kind of day, to take my mind off of winter...

I'll enjoy a cozy breakfast while warming myself with the sunlight streaming through the windows, and then be off for a little walk with the pup...

Then, just a quick ride on the bike to my practically perfect little office... (wait, what am I doing working on a day like this!?)

Forget being inside! I'll have the girls over for gossip and a fabulous lunch by the ocean instead...

Then a little nap in the sunshine, snacking on ripe summer fruits...

Call the boyfriend to tell him that dinner will be at eight, and won't he please pick up some wine?

Full of sunshine and food, and quite conten and happy, it's time for tutu pj's and comfy white sheets... *yawn*... yes... what a lovely day that would be!"

Terramuni Pots

Wedding Gift Idea: I just recently read about Terramuni Wedding Pots. Once the first coin is dropped into your money pot, you must continue feeding it until it's full. At that time, you smash the pot while making a wish. Included with your pot is a special slip of paper, on which you'll record your wish and the date and then drop into the pot along with your first coin. What a great way to save up for that expensive honeymoon you never got to take! I love the idea of arranging a date night every Friday with champagne, chocolate, and an old movie. Agree that each of you saves $15 in spare cash every week and puts it in the jar every date night. At the end of five years you'll have saved $7800!

Shower Ideas

I love these two bridal shower ideas! Host a "Room of the House" Shower, where each guest is assigned a room of the house and chooses a gift that is appropriate for that room. Or host a "Round the Clock" Shower, where each guest is assigned a time of day, such as 7 AM, 12 Noon, 10 PM. Their gift reflects what the bride would be doing at that time of the day. For example, a guest assigned to the morning could give a waffle press; a late-night guest could give lingerie.

Variety

Favor Idea: Have multiple favors, and wrap them in pretty boxes presented on a cake plate. Guests won't know which favor they get until they open it! Ideas include: chocolate eggs, small bottles of olive oil, chocolate-covered hazelnuts, biscotti with recipe, sugared nuts, and little jars of joney.

Capoeira

For a tropical beach wedding, hire capoeira dancers to perform at your reception.

Gumballs

Cocktail Idea: Ask your bartender to drop a gumball, such as strawberry or green apple, into each champagne glass.