Happy

When I saw this beautiful inspiration board from She Walks in Beauty, I just had to post it here. The picture in the top left makes me happiest--the most beautiful, crystal-blue day...

Boudoir

[Image via Modern Boudoir]

Groom's Gift Idea: Have you thought about surprising your groom with a wedding day gift? I've had one planned for a while, but I can't reveal it yet! The most classic gift is a watch, but I was also watching Platinum Weddings yesterday, and saw one bride give her groom an amazing album of boudoir photography-what a great gift! Boudoir photography is classy, non-nude artistic photography that is also sexy. It's pretty expensive for a photo shoot and an album--expect to pay around $1000 for both--but a great gift.

Custom Printables Bonus Offer

I'd like to welcome back one of our wonderful sponsors, Custom Printables, a company that designs beautiful custom monograms, invitation suites, candy wrappers and wedding programs! Valerie, the creator of Custom Printables, is now offering a fabulous bonus/giveaway for Victoria with Roses readers:

1) Email Valerie to receive two free monograms with a $10+ purchase!
2) Also, the first person to email Valerie (valerie@customprintablesonline.com) gets a custom-designed four-page wedding program (8.5 x 5.5 when folded) for only $30!

Check out Custom Printables for design ideas!

How Sweet It Is

Check out these beautiful invitations on Oh So Beautiful! Katie and Ben sent their double-sided save the date poster in mailing tubes; their invitation books included a perforated cardboard rsvp postcard, a bookplate for each guest, and a handwritten note at the back of the book!

Crown

Cake Idea: Top your cake with a crown or tiara for a "wow" factor! Image via This is Glamorous.

Like Air

This dress designed by Akira Isogawa for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer in Australia is stunning--the cloth moves like air.

Jackie

Dress Idea: Recreate this classic with a sleeved ball gown, short white gloves, a long veil and pearls.

Dress Sketch

Oh My Gosh. I love this idea--purchase a custom sketch of your wedding gown for only $100 + $15 shipping from an artist in France!

Thank You

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has left comments on my blog--they don't go unread, and I appreciate them more than you can know! :)

Cork Vials

[Via Everyday Beauty]

Favor Idea: These cork vials would be perfect for holding little candies!

Printable Stationery

This letterpress invitation suite has to be my favorite of all time that I discovered on a blog. Thank you to Meg at A Practical Wedding, who alerted me to the fact that Pretty Pretty Paper is now offering a printable version for only $150! There is something so classic about typewriters...

Bridal Party Kit

I love this DIY Bridal Party Survival Kit posted on 100 Layer Cake--I'll have to keep this in mind for August! Get the template here.

Favor Bags

Blogger Simply Seleta made these snack bags for her daughter's class at school. But how cute would they be as welcome or favor bags at a wedding? One idea I love is renting school buses to transport guests, and giving them snack bags for the ride.

Parasol

Photo Idea: With just enough light, a paper parasol can turn into an amazing photo opportunity.

Rose

Hair Idea: How gorgeous is this bride with her pearls and that giant pink rose in her hair? It's daring, but it works.

Silhouette

[Image by Mi Belle].

Guest Book Idea: Have your guests sign a custom silhouette of you and your groom.

Oh. My. Gosh.

As you know, I rarely post several pictures in one post--I usually like to narrow it down to my favorite pic. However, this wedding just posted by my absolute favorite wedding planning company, Amorology (they do the MOST creative weddings) is too beautiful and inspiring to leave all of these photos out. The bride and groom wanted a Parisian-style wedding, and the result is amazing--full of creative details (like a menu of grilled cheese and French onion soup), and beautiful fashion and decor. See here for more pics: Part I and Part II.

To go with the color scheme of Navy and Pink, each of the bridesmaids was given navy fingerless gloves with gold buttons.

The boulangerie held baguettes, and cheese.

A flower market for favors!

A French bakery was set up with pastries and pink bakery boxes!

Love the umbrella decor.

Each of the bridesmaids was also given vintage umbrellas as a gift.

Carnival

[Image by Mi Belle].

See more of this gorgeous wedding here.

Sunflowers

So many gorgeous details to inspire. Blue Betsey Johnson dress; yellow sunflowers... Photos by Mi Belle.

Bookworms

Paper+Cup has added the most wonderful book-inspired thank you cards to their online shop! They are $4 per card, which is a bit expensive, but still beautiful.

Ring Pops

Amazing detail: via Once Wed and Mi Belle Photography.

Little Birdie Boutique!

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of vintage, and that's why I'm so happy to welcome our new sponsor, Little Birdie Boutique--a wonderful Etsy store that sells the most beautiful vintage-inspired goodies! My absolutely favorite is the swizzel stick favor, above (if my fiance and I didn't already have our favors, or hadn't used up our budget, I would have bought these for our wedding). But I also love the wonderful and creative favor boxes in the Boutique. If you're having children at your wedding, this swirly pop favor will be the biggest hit. Head over to the shop and check out more!

Vintage Maps

Invitation Idea: How creative! This bride (posted on Snippet & Ink), lined her invitations to 40 guests using vintage maps of Paris and vintage stamps bought on Ebay. You may not be able to use originals, but I love the idea of using vintage maps to line envelopes! Another great idea used at this wedding: candlesticks from CB2 as centerpieces, which were then given to guests as favors!

White Linens

[Image via Wedding Style Guide]

Linen Idea: The all-white decor with beautiful fluffy white flowers and white drapes is made just a touch unusual (and memorable) with the striped white linens (notice how they mimic the stripes in the cake slice). You don't always need to use a solid color!

Calligraphy

[Image by Elizabeth Messina]

I am in love with photos of calligraphy on signs--it takes a bit of planning ahead of time, but the effect is worth it! Other ideas: I'm in love; Tied the Knot; Butterflies; Happily Ever After; A Beautiful Dream... can you think of other great sign ideas? This can also work as a fun engagement photo idea.

Pacific Northwest

It seems like the Pacific Northwest just keep coming up in blogs and daily life! There are so many great things I keep reading about:
1. Kate Towers: an amazing Portland designer, whose dress I bought to wear at my wedding reception!


2. The Cottage Company: communities of charming new-build cottages around the Pacific Northwest. "We offer a fresh choice for people seeking a high-quality, ‘not-so-big’ home and a renewed sense of community."

3. A Bridal Shop called The English Department? That sounds like my kind of shop!

4. One Love Photo: "Staying true to our artistic spirits, we capture weddings using a combination of cameras and techniques (digital, medium format film, through the viewfinder, homemade lenses and even a couple toy cameras). Our images are unique because they combine the style and sensibility of today's generation with yesterday's vintage look and feel." I absolutely love vintage photography, not to mention the wedding attire in these photos are the dresses my bridesmaids are wearing! (yellow J Crew dresses). It's great to see how they will look against white--very sunny, very pretty. Exactly like I wanted!

Getaway Outfit

[Image from here]

If you're leaving your reception for a different hotel, or the airport, don't forget a getaway outfit! I love this 1940s girl--she looks so much like Rachel McAdams from The Notebook! I love costume changes--they make great photos at the end of the night.

Stunningly Simple

I love this gorgeous, gorgeous wedding posted on The Bride's Cafe. The bride's lace dress and veil, the simple wooden table with sheer white cloth and a few candles, the guests' white umbrellas... so special. Photos by Elizabeth Messina.

Choose Your Favor

I've blogged about books as favors and I've written a bit about the choose-your-favor idea, but I have never stumbled across such a gorgeous display as this one, via Elizabeth Anne Designs. These favors are presented as lavish gifts, not afterthoughts. I especially love the tiny books.

Croquembouche

[Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs]

Cake Alternative: Wow--I never thought I would have liked the idea of a croquembouche instead of a cake, but with these beautiful pink roses adding contrast, this looks amaazing! What a beautiful addition to a Marie Antoinette or French Flea Market-inspired wedding.

Little Tins

Bridesmaid Gift Idea: I'm loving this photograph pendant in pretty decorative tin as an unusual gift for your bridesmaids. Also, these beautiful wooden photograph blocks by the same seller on Etsy!

Fabulous Dresses

Wonderful simplicity of the bride's exquisitely fitted gown, contrasted with the modern patterns on the bridesmaids' dresses! Calla lilies were the perfect flower for those dresses. Via We Met in a Bar.

Homemade Vanilla

Favor Idea from Style Me Pretty: These adorable little bottles of homemade vanilla! Check out the incredibly easy recipe. Although we already have our wedding favors, I'm thinking this would make an amazing holiday gift next year... but be sure to start months in advance for the vanilla to develop.