Flower School: Holly Berries

Holly berries add that perfect pop of red to a classic winter wedding bouquet.  

They also make for beautiful centerpiece additions and cake decor.  

Holly is available year round and has a vase life of around eight days.

You can learn more here.

You can purchase holly berries here.

Happy Wednesday.

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A Perfect Weekend

This weekend was a good one.

It started off with a surprise visitor and ended
with a quiet night at home with the husband.
In between I helped a friend design her wedding dress,
brunched, slept in, and drank a lot of hot cocoa. 

I also finally got around to editing our Italy photos. 

I have some great travel posts coming soon.
Here is a sneak peek.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  

xo

{all photos by me}

In Honor of Halloween

 My favorite costume growing up was Ariel from 

the Little Mermaid (sorry for the lack of photo evidence).  

So, in honor of my favorite Halloween costume I wanted to share 

with you this amazing Little Mermaid themed wedding shoot.  

I love a good creative theme and this one was done exceptionally well.  

Take a look!

 

Happy Halloween!

xo

{original post by Pop Sugar}

Etiquette: Wedding Invitations

 

When I first started addressing my wedding invites I had no idea how complicated it can be.  

Formal, informal, blended families, unmarried vs. married vs. living together.  

So many things to think about.   Below are some links to etiquette experts 

and what they have to say.  I tend to lean towards the more formal method 

but you know your friends, family, and wedding best.  

I just hope I can shed a little light.

Emily Post will always be the queen of etiquette.  

Her website was a daily visit for me 

during my wedding planning process.  

I highly recommend it!

Not only does Crane and Co. design beautiful invites 

but they also know how to help you address them. 

Martha Stewart knows it all! 

Here are some of her invitation words of wisdom.

{photo and calligraphy from la Happy}

My Love

This has been the best year of my life.

Today marks the one year anniversary of being married.

My husband is my rock and my cheerleader.

I'm supported, loved, and completely doted on.  

Thank you Justin for loving me
through the simple and the struggle.  

I love you to the moon. 

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together - Colossians 1:17 

City & Bride

I came across this gorgeous shot of a stunning bride in my pretty city.

If you have a few minutes and need some pretty inspiration 

I highly recommend checking out this post on Style Me Pretty.

Absolutely beautiful.

{photo by O'Malley Photographers}

Flower School: Hops

Hops have a near and dear place in my heart.  

My husband is a brewer at a local craft brewery in Seattle  

and the smell of hops will always remind me of my husband coming home 

from work in our first year of marriage. 
We also incorporated hops into our own wedding.  

Hop season in Washington starts in mid-August and goes through September.  

Hops grow on vines best in moist climates.  

Their prime harvest is at the end of summer here in Washington.  

You can learn more about hops here.

Below are some of my favorite hop ideas (aside from beer).

This gorgeous hop arch.  So romantic!

I would love to find some hop vines and make this incredible wreath.

Pretty hop vine draped reception chandeliers

This and This are gorgeous bouquets with hops

You can purchase hops here

{Photos from Bohemian Bouquets & Ruffled}

All About Apples

I am all about apple accents.  They add a simple and elegant touch of fall 

to cakes, invites, centerpieces, and event escort cards.  The above are some of 

my favorite examples for events but below are some apple links from around the web.

Have a great weekend xo

* This thin apple tart looks incredible 

* Apple votives look beautiful especially outside at night. 

See how to make them here.

* Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops - yum! Definitely added to

this week's meal planning. 

* I'm craving a day of apple picking here.

* Five Health Benefits of Apples can be found here.

{  Photos Above   1   2   3   4   }

Mini Celebrations

Justin and I are celebrating our one year wedding 

anniversary in a month.  

On our anniversary we will be having a romantic date day in Rome.  

It can't get much better than that!

How have you celebrated important milestones in your life?

I wish you all a wonderful weekend xo

{photo by Colin Cowie}

Calligraphy Chairs

I want this to be the next big thing.  

Instead of place cards you write everyone's name on their chair!

This. is. Genius.  (and gorgeous!)

 

This gorgeous idea came from the talented team of Karson Butler Events.

Their website is incredible and I would highly recommend taking a look.

 

~

Event: Karson Butler Events

Calligraphy: Laura Hooper

Photography: Jodi Miller Photography