Guest Book Alternatives

I don't have much to say... I noticed these two posts and it got me thinking: what are the best alternatives to traditional guest books? Personally, I like the idea of putting my engagement photos into a bound album and having them sign it. I also like the idea of a photo booth with polaroids that the guests can sign and add to a wishing tree...

{Brooke Keegan}

{style me pretty}

{Project Wedding}

{Kind Over Matter}

{The Wedding Outlet}

Bridal on the Brain

J. Crew may be the fan favorite when it comes to retail wedding dresses, but some of my other retail favorites are also scheduled to put out bridal lines this summer!!!

White House/Black Market has just released it first limited edition bridal gown.
{White House Black Market $498}
The Limited's bridal collection is scheduled to debut this June. Following in line are both Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters will be retailing bridal gowns designed by the team at Anthropologie, set to come out later this year. And to round out this budget bridal craze, you can now get your gown at select Costco stores. Yep, you read right – Costco is retailing a select number of gowns from the Disney bridal line.

In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack

I don't know where you live but here in NYC its sunny and 75 degrees. The weather is making it ridiculously difficult for me to stay on my study schedule. If you live in New York City, this weather makes you think of one thing: SHAKE SHACK...
{Matt's Goods}
This got me thinking...I wonder if anyone has done a Shake Shack engagement session or wedding? In the process of looking for Shake Shack weddings I found numerous In-N-Out wedding related photographs. What is it about In-N-Out that makes it so much more wedding worthy? Or is it something about west coasters vs east coasters?

Regardless, I would love a shroom burger from Shake Shack, Animal-style fries from In-N-Out and a black-and-white shake.

Mmmmm.

I.heart.summer.

{Style Me Pretty}
{Jimmy Cheng}
{Stephan Knuth}

{Brooklyn Bride}
Happy Friday ya'll!!

Inspiration: Save-the-Dates {Lucky Luxe}

I got in about 2 hours of evidence practice problems so I feel like I deserve at least an hour to look at pretty pretty things.

Here are some of the MOST fan-gor-ta-bulous save-the-dates I have ever seen:






{More from Lucky Luxe}

These postcards obviously don't come cheap, but there is no harm in looking. For pricing information click here.

Which one is your favorite? Or are these a little too non-traditional for you?

Destination: Wedding

{Source} For a number of reasons, we have decided we want a destination wedding. I have literally been dreaming about my wedding day since I was 7. When I dream about my wedding it is not a series of small parties that lead up to the big day. Instead it's more like Mardi Gras. It's an event that just builds for about a year but is basically a week-(or more) long vacation filled with laughter, friends, fun, and of course a little bit of alcohol. Additionally, because our friends and family are coming from all over the U.S. and some from even further, I really wanted to make sure I would get to enjoy having all my favorite people in the same place. How amazing does that sound? I know its selfish but its MY WEDDING :D

Originally the debate was between somewhere in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. Then we realized that we kind of had to get married on the pacific. That's where we met, that's where we are both from, and according to Mr., the Atlantic is not even really an ocean. It quickly became obvious that all WE really wanted was to have the wedding in Costa Rica. Pacific Ocean...check. Surf...check. Monkeys (yes, monkeys)...check. What more could we want?!!?

Then came the guilt... I feel guilty that its gonna cost my friends so much, I feel guilty that we aren't going to be able to have a catholic wedding, I feel guilty that the wedding is all about us and not at all about my parents.

Then I stumbled on this amazing blog. Tulle and Feather is a blog that follows two California brides one from San Diego and one from San Fransisco as they plan their own weddings. Here are her comments regarding destination weddings:

"if you've been debating about whether or not to have a destination wedding, do it. by far, the best decision we've ever made. when we set out on our wedding planning process we knew we wanted something more than one day. we wanted several days of memories, laughter, tears and pure selfishness. all our favorite people in a favorite place that we would never be able to recreate again in our lives without the excuse of a wedding to do it."
{For More from Tulle and Feather}
I only pray that my friends and family will support our decision and decide to join us on this amazing journey. We love and adore you all.


*** One of my very very favorite people in the world told me he can't read my blog because there is too much pink and lace. This is for you benjy :) Love you and hope you can make it to CR!

Mrs. S...

{from}
I love these hangers! I think they would make an adorable bridesmaids gift! I also love them because they would make for good photographs :D



{Order these hangers from Lila Francs}
Thoughts??

DIY Sparkler Holders

It seems like no one is doing rice anymore. These days its all about eco-friendly alternatives such as flower petals, bubbles, and sparklers.

That being said, here's a great DIY idea:
{For more on this idea click here}

Budget Dress

Call me crazy but I think this dress is kind of amazing. The model isn't doing much for me but I think this could be an amazing wedding dress for a small vintage wedding with a modern twist. (whatever that means) I like it.
{etsy}

Surf & Style

When I was talking to my wedding planner yesterday she asked me how I would describe our couple style. I told her that our wedding would be a combination of his laid back surfer style and my affinity for vintage romance. This wedding comes pretty close to striking that balance... I would probably do a little more lace and a little softer colors for my own wedding. Also you may not be able to tell but this couple is ADORABLE!! Regardless... enjoy!



{For more from this wedding visit With this Ring}

Manhattan Beach Wedding

My FF was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California. The second I saw this wedding I knew it was in Manhattan Beach and it made me wonder if perhaps I should consider having the wedding there. I love this bride's dress and the simple elegance of this wedding.


{For more from this wedding go to style me pretty}

TWO Photography Giveaways

I love giveaways because (1) I like free things (2)I am broke (3) I like to WIN!!! Here are two A-MAZING giveaways...free photography sessions from two A-MAZING photographers:


Here’s the breakdown of your loot:

♥ For the engagement photoshoot: a two hour session on-location, with the option of multiple outfit changes and all high resolution files of the photos.
♥ For the wedding: eight hour wedding day coverage, high resolution files on disc, custom processing, and an assistant photographer. Plus, all of your wedding and engagement photos will be posted online for everyone to drool over!

To enter send an email to contest@brokeassbride.com and, in any medium and in any format, express your love for the one you’re with! Send us a picture, a poem, a video, a song, a story…anything. The possibilities are endless… and creatively will be rewarded! Be sure to include your name and contact information, wedding date and location, and share a recent photo of you and your lovebug.
{Click here for more information}



Here is what the winners will receive:

♥ 6 hours of wedding day coverage
♥ Travel with in the state of Michigan (travel fees will be applied for all weddings outside the state of Michigan and the United States)
♥ Film processing and printed 4×6 proofs delivered in a custom made proof box
♥ Film negatives will be cut and sleeved and delivered with the proofs
♥ All film will be scanned digitally* and posted online for you to share with your friends and family
(*Digital scans may be purchased separately)

To enter the contest you must go to Jen's website leave a comment on the post with the following information:

~A little about yourself and your fiance
~Why you think you would be the best candidate for a film wedding shot by me?
~What is it about your wedding that is different and unique, where will it take place?
~What do you love about film, why would you rather have your wedding shot on film?
{To enter click here}

Good luck!!!

I won!

Engagement Inspiration 101

Our engagement photos are still a month away but since I'm in need of a major distraction I thought I would start looking at engagement sessions for some inspiration.

It seems like the 4 four major decisions are:
1. Location
2. Attire (Him and Her)
3. Props
4. Practicality (what are you going to use the photos for?)

I haven't made any decisions but here are some of the engagement shoots that I really adore.


{More pictures at once wed}



{More from the amazing duo at simply bloom}


{For more of this gorgeous e-session click here}

Love is in the Details {Chandeliers}

The only thing that the FF and I have agreed on is that we want to have an outdoor wedding. One of the things I really don't like about outdoor weddings are the weird floral arches. Ok, that is kind of an understatement. I hate them. They are a deal breaker. I will not get married under a floral arch.

So I've been looking for alternatives to these traditional beach accessory and have fallen in love with chandeliers.

This first wedding is in fact the wedding that inspired me to start a wedding blog. This wedding took my breath away and opened my eyes to the idea of a non-traditional wedding.

{For more from this wedding click here or here}

This is another vintage wedding that I adore. Everything from the jewelry, to the flowers are AMAZING. I also adore all the hairstyles!!


{Lovingly borrowed from GWS}


This last wedding is such an adorable backyard wedding. The bride is just so gorgeous and her dress is kind of amazing.

{More from GWS)}

Here are some other alternatives to those ridiculous (to each his own) floral arches:
{For more click here}

{For more loveliness click here}
This wedding also takes place at Terranea which I've mentioned NUMEROUS times as a possible wedding location.