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

Monday Morning Pinks - Elizabeth Messina's amazing shots

Happy Monday! It was a million degrees out in my neck of the woods this weekend and I loved every moment of it! This morning, I wanted to share this lovely inspiration board that I found over on Elizabeth Messina's blog Kiss the Groom. I just adore the work of Elizabeth Messina. She takes some of the most amazing photographs. Hope this bit o'pink brightens up your Monday morning!

Click the photo to make it larger to enjoy all the pink glory!

Photo source: Elizabeth Messina

Fav Finds + Flower Friday: Navy & Pink = Lovely Bouquets

Found over on What Junebug Loves is the amazing wedding of Ava and Jordan. I am loving their fresh color palette of navy blue, silver gray, fuschia and a dusty rose and how they were able to incorporate those great colors into their bouquets from Brassavolas Floral Couture. Take a peek at these great images by Stephanie Williams Photography.

Thank goodness for the short week! Here are some of my fav finds this week - enjoy the weekend!

Green is the word

Oh Lovely Day

Light and airy

The Bridal Bar

In honor of my bike post last week

Elizabeth Anne Designs

Maddy said it best: To die for decor

The Inspired Bride

Sneak peak into J. Crew's new bridal shop

The Ritzy Bee

Amazing East Bay Bridal & Dress Shop - Lilac Dress Boutique

A few weeks ago I was wonderfully introduced by my friend Lynn to Lilac Dress Boutique out in Alameda. I was able to spend a few hours drooling over the selection of fabulous bridal gowns, cocktail dresses, and adorable accessories. The best part was hanging with Pilar, the shop's owner and watching her work. Check out her glowing reviews on Yelp and you will understand - this woman GETS dresses.

I watched an attractive woman in her 50's come in looking for a mother of the bride dress for her son's outdoor winery wedding. Pilar pulled some great finds, and helped the woman in the most amazing way accentuate her assets - it was so fun to watch her try on dresses! Pilar is the best friend you take along with you dress shopping - helping you choose things for the dressing room that you normally wouldn't try on and give you an honest response - when it's good or not so good! The woman left feeling confident and radiant in a great flowing print dress that was perfect for the occasion and fit her like a glove.

In terms of bridal, Pilar's selections lean toward the sheath and A-line dresses. She also carries a line of the most beautiful eco couture dresses I have ever seen - certified organic fabrics and recycled lace.

I plan to head back there soon as I had my eye on this adorable silver and white number she has in the window with my name on it...

You must visit this store for that sweet summer sundress or a hot little number for a night out on the town and if you are a bride, Pilar will help you find the dress of your dreams.

Lilac Dress Boutique

1918 Encinal Ave

Alameda, CA

510-865-2544

Tues-Sat 10am -5pm

Photo source: Trisha Dean

Wedding Day by the Sandy Shore - Coral Themed Wedding Details

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend. We took the day off Monday and frolicked in the 85 degree weather and dined alfresco (a few times!) it was lovely! We are back today with a slight twist on the beach wedding theme.

Over the weekend, while surfing my favorite blogs, I found the amazing bouquet below on 100 Layer Cake and it inspired me to create a beach themed wedding with coral as the main accent. I especially love some of the soft cool baby blues and the bold warm reds and sand tones that you can use within this theme. To me coral is so fresh and unexpected in a beach theme where the starfish and sand dollar typically take center stage.

Are you having a beach themed wedding? What elements are you using throughout your wedding day details?

See you tomorrow with an AMAZING dress shop in the East Bay that carries bridal gowns as well as that perfect party dress.

Photo sources: Photography by Gia Canali, bouquet by Krislyn Design found via 100 Layer Cake, 2 and 3: Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings via The Savannah Wedding Planner, Invite by Alee and Press via The Inspired Bride, Table card found at The White Aisle, iVillage.com, Potterybarn.com, Neckalce found at Popgloss.com, Cake from Weddingflowersandreceptionideas.com, 11 and 12 Potterybarn.com

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