Fav Finds + Flower Friday: A Simple Ceremony

This Flower Friday find from Melissa at A Simple Ceremony made me giggle at first...but on second thought I realized it was an ingenious idea to dress up some not so fabulous restroom situations. There is a fantastic venue in the Marin Headlands where I once had to really spread the love around the bathrooms to make them guest friendly and this little trick would have worked perfectly!

And of course, here are my favorite finds this week. Enjoy and happy weekend!

In love with the paper at this real wedding!

Green Wedding Shoes

Danity and lovely

The Inspired Bride

Chunky and lovely

Junebug Weddings

Oh Coco!!

Oh Lovely Day

Paper + pretty pink flowers

The Lettered Olive

Photo source: Larissa Cleveland via www.ASimpleCeremony.com

Good Read - A Love Story for Wedding Lovers: The Bride Quartet Books

I was one of those kids who inhaled every book that I got my hands on. One of my favorite books of all time is The BFG by Roald Dahl. In elementary school The Babysitter's Club was my second book crush. I had every single book in the series lined up on my book shelf - and let me tell you - there were quite a few of them! Then I moved on to Sweet Valley High and the beautiful blond twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. In middle school I somehow changed directions and devoured Dean Koontz and Stephen King books - until I scared myself silly. Once high school rolled around I found another favorite book, Love in the Time of Cholera. I am a sucker for a good love story.

When I was pregnant, I picked up my reading habit again. My BFF introduced me (kicking and screaming) to the Twilight books. She even let me borrow them and drove them to my house she was so sure that I would like them. I really didn't believe her, I mean come on, vampires!?!? I'm too old for a story about vampires. But of course, I fell madly in love with Edward and Bella and I will admit, I have read Breaking Dawn five times - I just can't get enough.

After I finished the Twilight series, I was at a complete loss as to what I should read next -nothing could compare! My mother in law handed me a book that she said was just perfect for me. And it was.

And it will be for all you wedding industry peeps and fans of a good wedding filled love story. Again, I struggled with the stigma attached to romance novels, but Nora Roberts hooked me with this book series.

It's about four fab women running a wedding planning business. Now, don't get me wrong, it is pure fluff! You will not be learning any secrets of the trade here, just fun reading about 4 adorable gals and their quest for love as they plan weddings. It's full of silly romance that just had me melting. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, but I think it's because as a lover of all things wedding, it's another way to get my fill. So go pick up The Bride Quartet Books, only books 1 through 3 are out...I'm on pins and needles waiting for number 4! If anything, it is a great book to take to the pool or beach this summer.

I'll be honest with you - I was a bit embarrassed to write this post, as these books are not filled with deep thought provoking literature, just a good fun read about an industry I love working in. A few friends and colleagues talked me into sharing these books and I am glad I did. Thanks much - you know who you are. And if you have read them, let me know what you think! :)

Photo source: Amazon.com

Ride Away with Me - Bicycle Themed Wedding Details

You all know how I feel about barns so when I ran across this photo on Elizabeth Anne Designs it made me all smiley. I decided that it wasn't only the barn that made me giddy, I liked the idea of the cool cruiser that the bride was hanging out on. That led my imagination to a bicycle inspired wedding...a vintage diamond bike brooch to pin on your bouquet, wheel cuff links for him, dapper ties for the groomsmen, adorable bike totes for the bridesmaids, fun rod iron centerpieces with apples or even flowers...really the possibilities are endless!

Photo sources: Michele Waite via Elizabeth Anne Designs, RedTandomStudio.com, Sara France via Elizabeth Anne Designs, www.customcaketoppers.net, www.thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com, The Craft Pantry via Etsy.com, www.plants.guidestobuy.com, Flour Pot Cookie Boutique via DestinationIDo.com, Baby by Stevie via Etsy.com, CB2.com, Alaura Rose via Etsy.com, Amazon.com

Flower Friday: A Rose is a Rose: Anna Kuperberg

I was cruising the talented Anna Kuperberg's blog earlier this week, I came across this phenomenal ceremony backdrop full of gorgeous roses. Can't you just picture the white sand, the billowing drapes as the wind sweeps off the ocean? And that chandelier - sigh! Good stuff. So I dedicate my Flower Friday to this photo - the creation was designed by Cabo Flowers.

As for the rest of the blog world, here are my fun finds for the week...

No girls allowed - The Man Cupcake

Landor

Bow tie fun at the dinner table

Dog N' Bird Artful Wedding

Elegant and pink - what more can you ask for with this stunning real wedding

Elizabeth Anne Designs - Weddings

It's alive!

Bridal Bar Blog

This is ingenious! Sno cones and trailers and more?!?

Green Wedding Shoes

Happy Weekend everyone!

Garden Wedding - Amazing Architectural Elements from Restoration Hardware

I am a big fan of Restoration Hardware - affectionately known as Resto in my family. Today I stumbled across a new line of garden products that would be amazing elements in an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception. Adding any of these pieces would create an elegant ambiance throughout and in some cases, an awesome vintage vibe.

How incredible is this gate? What a stunning ceremony backdrop this would make! They carry different style arches and gates in multiple sizes.

Some of the items below would be beautiful lining the aisle or clustered throughout the lounge area.

And then imagine these vintage or globe shaped lights crisscrossing under the trees over your long reception dinner tables.

I can so easily picture a sweet outdoor affair using all of these fun garden pieces can't you? And then after your wedding day, you can put them in your own backyard to create wedding memories for years to come!

Photo source: www.restorationhardware.com

Polka Dot Details

Happy Monday everyone! To quote my Step-mom, "Polka dots just make me so happy!" And in this case I agree. A wedding day full of fun dots in the details! Take a peek below at some great finds to help inspire dotty decor.

Photo sources: theknot.com, jcrew.com, etsy.com at Dear Emma's Stationery, Karen Huckleberry Designs and Blueberry Photography, Jcrew.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com, Brides.ca, Invitations by Harlow via The Polka Dot Bride, Genevieve Nisly Photography via The Bride's Cafe.

Flower Friday: The Most Romantic Wedding Bouquet

This bouquet was featured in a real wedding last month on Style Me Pretty so it may be old news for some, but I couldn't help re-posting as it takes my breath away. I just can't get over how asymmetrical yet balanced it is, as well as all of the different colors working together and not competing against each other. It was designed by Sprout Home in Brooklyn and photographed by Abby Jiu. To me, this bouquet says nothing but vintage romance. What do you think?

And here are some of this week's fantabulous post from around the blogs...

Can you find the bride in the bathtub at this stunning wedding?

I can't get enough of dusty miller

Leaf details to fall for

A stitch in time saves nine

Photo source: Abby Jiu

The Elopement - San Francisco Wedding Photographer

I know on Monday I introduced you to Scott Stater, but there are two more photographers that I need to share with you. This week I attended Sage Wedding Pros workshop The Simple Plan were I learned more than I ever dreamed about how to create and grow a successful wedding based business (I will elaborate more on this in a future post). I worked with a small group of amazing and talented people two of which were photographers. Learning with them and understanding their passion for photography was amazing. The photographer I want to share today is Lilia Photography who works in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Getting to know her I can tell how she puts her couples at ease when taking these stunning snapshots. Her images are very real.

This series of shots from an elopement she did are some of my favorites...

Take a peek at her blog to some more amazing work! Happy Wednesday!

Photo source: Lilia Photography

Scott Stater Photography - SF Bay Area & Austin Wedding Photographer

Last week I was introduced to Scott Stater, a great photographer who shoots in the SF Bay Area and Austin. I loved cruising through his blog and grabbed two of my favs from his site to share with you.

You also have to check out all of the photos from this shoot he did with a couple where the groom proposed and his gal had no idea! All caught on film. Here is a sneak peek from the series...

Completely melted my heart. Scott is SUPER reasonable in terms of pricing and look at these stunning images! Check out his website and blog - you won't be disappointed!

Photo Source: www.scottstater.com

Flower Friday: Holly Chapple Flowers - Pretty in Pink

The first week of May flew by! My little one turned 4 months old, fab margs were had while celebrating Cinco De Mayo and another sunny Friday is here. I have been wanting to share some of my favorite finds from around the blog world, so I am going to post them at the end of Flower Fridays posts. Hope you enjoy this new little feature! Now on to the loveliness...

I've been checking out Holly Chapple's blog The Full Bouquet lately and am loving her floral design. Her blog is a great read so check it out. She recently did a wedding with a focus on baby's breath - seriously some of the most adorable boutonnieres and an amazing kissing ball. This bouquet jumped out at me and I just had to post. It immediately made me happy with it's full bright pink peonies, roses, ranunculus and sassy hypercium berries.

Here are some of my favorite posts from this week. Enjoy and Happy Weekend!

I do near Half Dome

Loving polaroids

Right in your own backyard

DIY Flower cuteness beyond belief

Just can't resist rocking the yellow with Barbie & Ken

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Photo source: Hollychappleflowers.typepad.com

I Heart You - Wedding Day Details

I love hearts. Not the overly processed cheesy kind that ooze fake love. I adore sophisticated, sweet and warm hearts. I admit a have a mini (and I mean mini) tattoo hidden that is a tiny red heart. When I doodle, it is always hearts, lots of different sizes, but consistently hearts. Can I declare myself the Queen of Hearts? I promise you can keep your head. :) I thought I would share some adorable heart wedding details for your big day of love.


Photo sources: Louisa Bailey on 100layercake.com, sarahyates.com, amberspiegel.blogspot.com, Elizabeth Messina at www.kissthegroom.com, www.weddingpaperdivas.com, 6, 7 and 9 www.marthastewartweddings.com, www.bridella.com, www.greenweddingshoes.com, www.elizabethannedesigns.com