Summer Scents: Lavender Inspired Wedding Details

I was fortunate to spend this past weekend soaking up the sun in Napa Valley to attend my good friend's wedding. While driving around the valley, the sweet smell of summer filled the air - and with it the smells of summer lavender. This little purple plant makes me so happy. It adds a softness to any landscape as an amazing smell to any room. J and I just finished planting different types of lavender in our backyard. I especially love the huge blooms of Spanish Lavender.

The color adds an elegant simplicity to any wedding. Lavender is known for it's calming ways, and used as decor, whether the color or the flower, adds a feeling of an outdoor evening wedding on a warm summer night, crickets humming in the background and a soft peach glow in the sky as the sun sets.

Photo sources: 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, & 11 Martha Stewart Weddings, 2 Wishspecialevents.com, 3 Snippet & Ink, 4 www.es.homesandproperty.co.uk, 8 Elizabeth Anne Designs, 9 IvoryandPeacock.com

Beautiful Creative Cards: Escort Cards vs Place Cards

Did you know that escort cards and place cards are not the same thing? An escort card can be a card or an "item" that your guest picks up upon entering your reception and it will have the guest's table assignment on it. Typically, there will be one card per couple and it directs them to which table they are seated at. Once your guest arrives at their designated table, the place card is typically pre-set on the table and lets them know which "place" to sit at. Each guest will have their own name on a place card that signifies their specific seat. If place cards are not on the table, then guests can assume it is open seating at their table.

I have some fun upcoming outdoor weddings where we are getting creative with escort cards and their arrangements. In doing some web searches I came across these fabulous escort and place card ideas and wanted to share...

These pretty bunches of lavender also double as favors!

The frame adds a sweet vintage touch.

Loving the casual calligraphy on the sand dollars.

An apple a day...

Pinwheels are so playful and different.

Cards with a rustic feel are tied with wheat bunches.

Outdoorsy adorable-ness.

The circular display of rocks is different and elegant.

I love the bees on these! More fun with grass creating a woodsy atmosphere.

What type of place card or escort card ideas have you seen out and about that you love?

Photo sources: Martha Stewart Weddings, Image found via Oh So Beautiful Paper via Perfect Bound.com, theknot.com, MerrilyWed.com