Best. Entrance. Ever.

Um...this might be the most awesome thing I have ever seen. Thank you, Sera, for sharing this with me.

UPDATE: I totally hadn't checked my google reader this morning and had no idea this had already been posted EVERYWHERE. Sorry for the repetition!

Ghost Wedding

Creepy, ghost Holga pics are my fav.

{from Alyson Fox's wedding by Ashley Garmon}

Mississippi Studios Wedding

I was on the lookout for some sweet holga wedding pics when I came across this one from a wedding shot by Five Petal Design + Photography last summer. Not only is the holga amazing but the wedding was at Mississippi Studios which is in my new favorite section of Portland.

Date Night

Speaking of Utterly Engaged, a few weeks ago I entered the $40 Date Night Challenge contest. And we won! Check out our totally awesome date and my big butt in pajama pants. Yeah, real hot.

Utterly Fabulous

I'm a little bit...ok, maybe completely...obsessed with the new issue of Utterly Engaged. Especially the French Affair shoot.

Farmer's Market Flowers Part 1

I've decided that in order to prevent a complete breakdown and utter frustration on my part on the day of the wedding I need to start getting my flower arranging skills in order now. Sunday means the Farmer's Market around here so every once and awhile I'm going to take $20 bucks down there and come home with a bundle of blooms.

I have to say that my first attempt wasn't so great. I was having a grand ol' time putting the flowers together per Sarah's instructions but the finished project was a little messy. Maybe less is more. I do love the little jars that I made and I think I'll work with more large flowers next time and less filler.

I bought the hydrangeas at Trader Joes. Now these things are supposed to last at least a week but the TJ flowers wilted in 24 hours. I don't think I will buy flowers from there again because there might just be a reason why they are so inexpensive. Anyone else have similar problems with TJ flowers?

Do you have any tips for DIY flowers?

PS: Who can tell me what the pink flowers are? I could not understand what the seller was telling me! UPDATE: They are lisianthus. Thank you, Elisa!

Do I Smell Engagement Photo Trend?

Talking on the phone like a weirdo. You are supposed to be all lovey dovey! Who are you calling?

And creepy dolls?

PS: I think we were trying to channel 60s French mod /secret agent activity. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

{Our photo by Feather Love Photography and 2nd photo by Jeffroger Kho via rock n' roll bride}

Peony :: Love

I can't get over this photo. It is so badass and hot and amazing.

{of Amanda and hubby aka Peony :: Love via esb}

Finally, a DIY Project (and a Giveaway)

For a supposedly DIY bride I haven't posted many (OK, any) DIY projects. Until now! I finally gave all my ww their gifts and can show you the process. I made each girl a flower hair pin as well as a pair for myself which I'll show you at a later date.

Bridal Hair Pins

Supplies:

• Fabric Flower (can be found at any craft supply store like Michaels)
• 3-5 Beads/flower (make sure the hole is large enough for the needle to fit through)
• Thread and needle
• Bobby Pin

Instructions:

• Start by taking apart the flowers. There might be little plastic parts in between the petals so take these out too until you have only the fabric (discard plastic pieces, leaves and stem). Each flower can make a couple of hair pins depending on how many petals you prefer.

• Layer the petals on top of one another starting with the largest and ending with the smallest. You want to make sure that the petals of each part are not perfectly aligned with the petal underneath or above it. This makes it look more natural.

• Thread your needle. Make a couple of preliminary stitches just to keep the flower together. I stitched the center hole closed and it didn't look perfect. That's OK.

• Thread the first bead onto the center of the flower. Make a couple of stitches through this bead so that it is secure. Repeat until the remaining beads are sewn onto the flower.

• With your thread sewn through the back of the flower, line up your bobby pin with the long side out. Make a lot of stitches around the short side of the bobby pin (the one closest to the flower) making sure that the stitches do not show on the front of the flower until you feel like the bobby pin is secure. Tie off the end a couple of times.

And that's it!

You can also add fabric, feathers, etc. to the back of the flower before you sew on the bobby pin. I'm adding chicken feathers to mine and maybe some tulle.

So I couldn't decide on the color I wanted and I made a few red flower pins that I won't use. I would love for one of you guys to get some use out of them so I'm giving away two red flower hair pins here. Just leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner next week!

Ninainvorm

I wouldn't mind sharing a piece of wedding cake with the mister on one of Ninainvorm's plates.

So True

I was having a conversation about wedding trends with a friend today. I was telling her about how my love for mason jars has dwindled since I have seen it all over crazy blog land. OK, so my love of mason jars is still going strong but sometimes I wish it hadn't become SO popular. I will still use the gazillion jars I inherited from A Desert Fete (THANK YOU!).

Then I realized that I have actually never been to a wedding where mason jars were used or where there was a photobooth and I have never heard of any of my friends or family members going to such a wedding so even if mason jars are not new to me they will be new to most of my guests.

Of course, Rock 'n Roll bride , who knows all, posted about this very same topic today! She made a very valid point - "Your wedding guests won’t have been scoring the internet looking for wedding ideas for the last year so will have no idea if something has ‘been done’ or not!" So who cares if that wedding blog you check every day is so over cupcakes, that doesn't mean you can't still have the biggest f*in cupcake tower you could ever imagine at your own wedding.

On a side note, as good a laugh as I got when I first discovered those "tacky wedding" sites, I have to say that if I am supposed to be all about promoting atypical and unique weddings that showcase a couple's individual style and personality then I can't knock a full out camo or S & M clown theme wedding, ya know? More power to them for not giving into the norm and for doing their own thing.

Picture This with Davina of At First Sight

Davina, one half of the super photog duo At First Sight, made me an outfit on her wedding blog! My outfit was part of a trio she made along with outfits for Lake Jane and Accordians and Lace. I am not as put together as all that but I love it. I totally want to wear this at the rehearsal dinner!!! Knock-off Christian Louboutins here I come!

Oh...wait...I guess it's time to fill you in on my little secret. I was waiting to tell you and now seems like just as good a time as any. Davina + Daniel will be documenting our wedding. I am THRILLED*. They are super talented and cute and fun and I can't wait to officially meet them next year!

Oh, yeah, my photogs are hot.

PS: They have extended their photography contest. Go Enter Now!

{first photo via Picture This, 2nd by Davina + Daniel, 3rd by Ben Chrisman}

*Just to keep you all in the loop, Davina + Daniel offered us a super deal for their services. If they hadn't, we probably wouldn't be able to have photography at all so we are super thankful and lucky.

My Wedding Warriors

I keep forgetting to bring my polaroids into work so I scan them for you. Good thing my bestie has more sense than me and took pictures of the little package I presented to my friends. I made a little flower hair pin for each girl in pink and green (yellow for my sister, the MOH) and pinned them to a postcard asking them to be my "wedding warrior". The Wedding Warriors are so much more than just bridesmaids and groomsmen. They are creative, talented, wonderful people who will help us create a unique and crazy-good wedding. This day (weekend) isn't just about us. It's about spending time and celebrating with the people we love most and have been the most important throughout our lives. My side of the group consists of people who have been so dear to me throughout different phases of my life - Bekah, the bubbly songbird who I have known since her birth; Ellen who I have known since preschool and who has been my rock and through middle school, high school and beyond; Ashley, Dannikke, Kristy and Sera who got me through college with their sweet kindness and support. And then, of course, there is my sister, Lydia, who I have asked to be my Maid of Honor. She is the most responsible, most intelligent, most everything good person I know. I am so lucky to have this group of girls with me and we are going to put on a kick-ass party.

Tomorrow I will post the how-to for my flower pins and A GIVEAWAY!

{pics by warrior, Ellen}

Haute Tulle

I wish I could pull this off. She looks hot. I would look like a hot mess. Maybe on top of the head, Audrey-style? I'm going to buy myself the gift of tulle and play around.

{via kiss the groom}

I'm Back (and have less than a year to go!)

We took a trip back east last week to see family and friends. My mom threw us a party which was so sweet and so much fun. I'm going to post more pics soon but here is a sneak peek and a look at some of my wedding warriors! Woowoo!

PS: We are officially counting down now as we have less than a year to go! Ack!

{pic from that sassy wedding warrior in the middle!}