Project Wedding Dress-A Little Inspiration

Check out this slice of delight . . .

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I don't usually hang out on Style Me Pretty, but this wedding is too beautiful to just pass by.  I also just spent like fifteen minutes to try to find the link again.  If you want to check it our for yourself just head to Style Me Pretty and search for Phoenix wedding.

I love the earthiness of the details. . . but I especially love that dress!  Can we talk about that for a minute?

As you know, I am making my own wedding dress.  Lately I've been wondering if it isn't a little boring even if it isn't white and how can I add a little more personality to it.  I never considered, until I saw this photo, creating a two-toned or two piece dress.

What do you think? White lacy top and dramatic colorful skirt?  Too much?

Wedding Cakery

How about some cake porn?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Clearly there is a theme.  I have a weakness for ruffled cakes.  They're simple but textured.  I think they're gorgeous.

You might also remember that along with my dress project we also decided that we would have to make our own wedding cake as well.  So my realistic side is thinking that most of these beauties will just be dreams.  I mean, Youtube can only take you so far right?

But you know I have to at least give it a try.  I already started researching construction techniques.  As far as I can tell, the ruffle cakes are all made out of fondant.   Zero experience there but from what I've heard, it doesn't taste all that good.  So I am also looking for buttercream icing inspiration too.  I love that kind of spackle effect on number two.  Although spackle is maybe not an appetizing visual image.

And what about un-frosted cakes?  These are seriously gorgeous as well.  The one on my inspiration board looks like it has been dusted with powdered sugar, but how pretty!

Cake trials will need to start soon and I better get started practicing decorating sooner than later.  I made Wes a pound cake the other week that killed my hand mixer.  Like flames shooting out, killed it dead.  So . . .  could there be a new mixer in my future?  A new AWESOME, lust-worthy mixer?

We shall see.

Fun With Paper

I love pretty things but pretty things often cost a ton.  However, as I troll around the internets I find all kinds of cool ideas for fun things to do with paper that look arty, sculptural, or just plain fun.

Observe.

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Zig Zag tissue paper streamers from Jordan Ferney/Oh Happy Day.  These are pretty and somewhat unusual party decorations that have the added benefit of being really light which makes them easier to hang.  They are also really easy to make.

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 Or how about the humble crepe paper streamer?  Closely layered on a wall provides a beautiful, softly textured backdrop.  You can also manipulate the texture.  Look at these ruffled versions.

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 Gorgeous right?  Definitely fun with paper!

In Case of Rain

It's a rainy, grey day today and it makes me remember how enjoyable rainy days can be.  I know it's probably the secret dread of anyone planning an outdoor wedding, but I think a little rain is actually kind of romantic.  The fact that it might cool the temperature down enough to facilitate cuddling helps too.  I have been working on a rain plan just in case.  While I wouldn't necessarily mind a downpour, I would like my family and friends to be comfortable. 

Enter . . .  the picnic pavilion.

You know, that park structure that looks a little like nyah*  There is one that overlooks the falls and we are considering reserving it as well.  Just in case.

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That would get us out of the rain, but it could use a little dressing up.  We are having a little wedding along with our picnic after all.  I especially wanted structures or details that could be installed without nails or tape.  I generally like to abide by the rules in places.

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These curtains could be hung around the sides or the entrance with rope.  They are also fairly simple and quick to make or rig.

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Paper or fabric banners could be hung the same way.

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Picnic blankets could be re-purposed as tablecloths.  Add some flowers and some candlelight and you get serious ambiance.

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See the moody colors in this picture offset by the sunshiny flowers.  This really reminds me of a rainy day.  I think it could be beautiful.

*Random South Park reference. . .

Making it Fancy: Invitation Printing

I, like a lot of brides to be, had dreams of letterpress.  Creamy, heavy paper.  Romantic designs.  All the fancy expensiveness.

And then I eyeballed the prices.  As I don't have any firstborn children to sell I was forced to get real with a quickness.

DIY/DIT was clearly the way to go . . . but that way lay danger too.  Check out the real budget breakdowns for these semi-DIY invitations here on Weddingbee.  Printing at home can be pretty pricey too.

There is another option though.  It's less luxuriant but it can still elevate your plain text out of the everyday.  What are your thoughts on thermography?

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Raised printing.  It can be used on designs too.

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It is more expensive than flat printing but considerably less expensive than letterpress.  If you find an independent printer it could be a real bargain. 

Wedding Inspiration: Colors? How About All of Them?!

Look at this!

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Doesn't that make you just want to siiiiiiiiiigh.  So pretty.

I don't think I've ever mentioned my slight obsession with all things Rainbow Brite.  I love color and I think that's one reason I gravitate toward white and neutrals as backdrops so often.  Neutrals make colors really pop.

As a member of the Offbeat Bride Tribe and as a longtime lurker on that site, I am not unfamiliar with rainbow weddings, rainbow dresses or rainbow brides.  Something about this wedding, originally posted on Love and Lavender, really spoke to me and I think that it is the underlying earthiness of it all and how well the brights tie into that.

Also, rainbow cake.  I totally had a moment with that one.

I just love this for a lot of reasons but one big one is that rainbows are a symbolic way, if you so choose, to express your feelings about marriage equality.  A lot of brides who want to support gay marriage do so by including notes in programs or including words in their ceremonies.  I think those are wonderful, brave, supportive, and loving things to do.  What I like about incorporating rainbows into weddings, with all their symbolism, is how joyous, beautiful, seamless and right it can be.