Introducing Jim Hjelm at the Wedding Library

It seems like every day we have great news to share with you. Today, the news is that our full collection of Jim Hjelm Just Teas and Occasions is finally in the house and ready to go. It's a new line for us, but we know it's a favorite with brides. At market this spring Jennifer and I were really impressed by the styles, colors, fabrics and price of these pretty dresses. Another bonus is that they often can deliver much quicker than is standard. But that does not mean procrastinate. To give you a push to get started we are offering a 10% discount on all orders shipping after April 1 '09 -- now there's an incentive to cross off this shopping item from your list! Make your appointment now as the offer is good until December 1. Email lindsay@theweddinglibrary.com for fastest service! Buzz Bonus: Our Jim Hjelm trunk show begins October 30.

I do, to Ban.do

The much blogged about and ridiculously adorable online shop ban.do now has whole new crop of headpieces. So, if even for a moment you are stumped for wedding inspiration, or you’re not sure what look you’re going for, just hop into this shop full of feathers and glitter and let your imagination run wild.

Not only are the headpieces and headbands full of fun unique vintages bits, they also come with a Haiku. Maybe you can work it into your vows? Just a thought... The combo of bright colors and different textures are also fantastic for stealing some color palate ideas from. And sporting one with your wedding dress assures that the focus stays where it should…on you.

Fabulous headpieces are an easy find right now, Etsy has a good selection too, so be sure to browse around. Personally I think they are the perfect way to vamp up a traditional veil, or to take the place of one instead! Some other headpiece shops worth peeking at: Twigs and Honey, House of Telsa, and Portobello.

And if you are craftily inclined, piecing together a headpiece out of fabric and jewelry with some sentimental value, such as your grandmother's earrings and your mother's veil, would be a great way to make statement, while keeping things in the family.

So think pretty and have some fun with your head.

Amy Atlas Dessert Tables

The details.  Dinner table napkin treatments, escort card table themes, signage.  These are some of the details that brides collaborate on with their floral designer, planner and caterer. You hire experts to make your food, design your florals and to pay attention to the details -- now you can hire an expert to make design-direct distinct dessert tables.  Amy Atlas creates personal installations that will leave an indelible impression -- what a lovely way to top off a wonderful night. 

Words for a Wedding Planner

Modern Bride TrendLeaders on Tour

When we were asked to assist with this Modern Bride event, we couldn't say no. What fun, an evening of wedding planning with hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, makeovers and cake sampling. All at a cool party space in Chelsea. Some of our favorite vendors will be on hand, and it's all complimentary. We'll be there, so join us at this year's Trendleaders.

Real Wedding: Jessica & Matt

A Beautiful Light just sent these images over from Matt & Jessica's wedding last weekend. Wow! I knew from the moment that I saw the engagement shoot..that A Beautiful Light was going to be fun to work with and they exceeded all of my expectations! I caught myself smiling as I looked through their images. I love when photographers really capture it all...the emotion, the details, everything! This husband and wife duo are new to the area...but have already begun to make quite an impact. They are experts when it comes to light and it truly is BEAUTIFUL! Be sure to check out their website for more amazing images that will take your breath away.

Above is the nautilus shell that the flower girl carried rose petals in.
escort cards hung from manzanita branches with shells.
Abundant floral high centerpieces and more sculptured low table scapes with shells and beach stones brought in a water element that I loved!


This may have just been the longest walk down the aisle...but it gave everyone plenty of time to look at Jessica in her gorgeous gown! Jessica had both of her brother's walk her down the steep hill at Kate Sessions Park, where she met her Father to escort her the rest of the way. The view was incredible as it over looked the bay.


At the end of the ceremony, there was a butterfly release. It was beautiful! The butterflies stayed around to dance on the flowers.



...and on her bouquet.


The room was beautifully transformed in shades of papayas, coral and tangerines with touches of plum. It is always so fun to see your vision come together and this was no exception. Twigg Botanicals of course made all the flowers gorgeous and textural. Shells were carefully placed among tables and offered more of the tropical feel, as Chinese lanterns in various tangerine hues hung above. The warm amber up-lighting by Merrylin from Artistic Productions also added a great touch.
a butterfly even somehow traveled from the ceremony flowers and ended up on the cake! Can you see it? I thought that was so fun. They really kept showing up everywhere.
The bride and groom wanted to incorporate a little of their country heritage and so Jessica had Montana jam brought in from her home state and we personalized them with labels and fabric toppers tied with ribbon. I loved how it incorporated her colors and added a little something special to the table for each guest.
This was my little surprise to the bride and groom. I saw these darling pin cusion plants and just had to find a way to use them. I thought they would be perfect as place cards at their sweetheart table.
During dinner, guests were treated to a Polynesian dance show. It was so much fun! The bride and groom were even brought up on stage with some of the bridal party to show off some of their moves.

The fire knife had to be my very favorite part of the show though. It was incredible!
Everyone enjoyed themselves from the Polynesian show to learning the electric slide together. I loved how the DJ got out on the floor to teach it to them. It was one fabulous party!
One last kiss before the evening ended! Look at that sky! Vibrant and Gorgeous! ...and so will be your future together! Jessica and Matt Best wishes to you both!

Hotel Healdsburg

Perfect area for an outdoor wedding, don't you think?

Courtyard of the hotel, it evokes a modern piazza.

Delicate flowers in the gardens.

I love the juxtaposition of the natural, raw and luxurious.

A little installation I observed at the front desk.

Beautiful arrangements fit the color scheme perfectly.

The hotel lobby and great room where we had breakfast every day.

Jennifer and I whisked off with our husbands to San Francisco and Sonoma last week to taste local wines, brush up on some west coast wedding resources and enjoy California cuisine, landscape, sun and big skies. We find inspiration to bring to the weddings we plan wherever we go, and our stop in Healdsburg is no exception. A slip of a village with a positively European town square, we stayed at the Hotel Healdsburg -- a brilliant California creation. Tranquil, modern, earthy and luxurious, it's also co-owned by one of our favorite chefs, Charlie Palmer. An idyllic headquarters for a full weekend wedding, it's a destination locale without the Euro. If that's not in your future, the earthy palette, shades of olive and green, and oversize furniture is easily re-interpreted in NYC. Stay tuned to future blogs with our wine reviews, San Francisco Buzz and dinner at the famous MacMurray Ranch. (Buzz Bonus: Coincidentally, Palmer owns one of our favorite small wedding/rehearsal dinner spots in New York, Astra.)

sweet release

Just went to the San Diego Style Weddings Magazine release party on Tuesday, which was so much fun! Definitely was a big fan of the mini donut station. I have got to use that! They tasted even better the next day!

Anyway....While I was there, I picked myself up a copy of our very first officially published wedding! Yeah! It was so fun to see it all put together. I do have to say, I think they left out a few of my very favorite details....namely the flowers! Uggh. I think it made my mom a little sad too. They were just so beautiful and such a big part of this wedding...I couldn't believe there wasn't one picture of them, the bouquet, the centerpieces, nada. So it goes though. I guess there just isn't always room. Ce' la vie! Thank goodness for Modern Bride though, who I'm sure will find the space in a 4 page spread to cover it more in it's entirety and some of the flowers. :)

Our photo shoot was also in there and that was so fun to see too! I should have pictures of that soon. More to come!!

Fashion Tape

We've planned hundreds of weddings. We've had couture gowns, hand-me-downs, dressers on hand and seamstresses and dressmakers on call. But we've never attended a wedding where we didn't find a use for Hollywood Fashion Tape. It's that good. We use it to hide a bra strap, position a bodice, hem a skirt, hold up a shoe strap, mount a photo, hold together a seam, hold down an aisle runner...you get the picture. We're McGyver with this stuff. We sell it but you can also find it on line. Go get it. Now.

what's in my file: Spanish Romance

When Andrea and I were trying to conceptualize the feel for her wedding..she knew she wanted lots of silver and gold accents mixed with some traditional romance in an unconventional way. Andrea also knew that rather than two specific colors she wanted a color palette as the background for her wedding. Being that she spent some time in Spain and loved the passion and feeling that Spain offered...we thought this might be the perfect avenue for bringing in a little personality and detail as well as a color palette of sunset corals, Spanish red roses and teal. Things began to quickly evolve!!

Here is a little of what is in my file ...the bridesmaids are going to wear these darling chiffon teal flower headbands from J.Crew. and of course each will have a Spanish fan. The Spanish crown also became a fun motif that we would carry through out the event. Little crowns will sit on custom made velvet pillows and a pave bed of roses for the centerpieces and a gobo light crown will shine on the dance floor. We also have created custom vintage like Spanish postcards complete with vintage royalty stamps that will be placed at each guest's seat with a personalized hand written memory from the bride or groom. Bless Andrea's heart...this is a HUGE undertaking for 300 guests...but, it is also something that is unique about Andrea. She is known for writing little notes to her friends and she wanted to incorporate that into her wedding and let each guest know just how happy they are to have them there.

There are of course tons of other little details but you are just going to have to wait until after the wedding for pictures! :) If you want the feel of this wedding listen to the Coldplay song "Viva La Vida" . Every time I heard it on the radio...which was often...since you all know how much they are playing that right now..I could not help but think of this wedding. I keep picturing Andrea in her beautiful lace gown with Brian amid red roses, roman crowns and choirs singing. :) Crazy where inspiration can come from! It's going to be a gorgeous day though!

here comes October 11th: Andrea & Brian

Don't Andrea and Brian just look darling in their engagement pictures taken by Leo Patrone? I think he really captured them perfectly. When you know Andrea, as I now do...you immediately conjure up all types of warm fuzzy feelings when you think of her. She is one of the kindest and sincere people I know. Just being around her makes you feel special. How lucky Brian is going to be to feel that the rest of his life. :) I am so excited for October 11th! This is going to be such a fun event. Stay tuned for my post on what's in their file. We have lots of fun things planned!

Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

We were delighted to attend the opening of Gabriella Risatti's bridal boutique last week. There are few truly personalized services left; Gabriella is seeking to remedy this with a beautiful assortment of gowns at her light and airy Meatpacking District salon. She carries exclusive designs by Matthew Christopher, Renella De Fina, Sassi Holford, Amy Kuschel, Michelle Rahn and Carmela Sutera. As you make your bridal appointments, you'll want to have this charming salon on your list. (The gown shown above is a show stopper!) Buzz Bonus: We heard from Gabriella that Angel Sanchez will be offering a small selection of special occasion dresses here soon!

Bride's Head Revisited Grand Opening

Of course, there will be drinks and nibbles and a gift of a 10% discount card to be used at the event or at a later date! See the collection at Bride's Head Revisited.

Great Performances Salumeria

We were at an industry party recently where Great Performances presented the best new idea for hors d' oeuvres that we've seen in a long time. This salumeria station certainly captures the NYC foodie zeitgeist -- clean foods simply prepared from fresh, local, delicious ingredients. A server can slice prosciutto di parma while guests nibble on chunks of parmesan, marinated olives, salamis and other antipasti. Yum. A favorite restaurant to see the salumeria in action -- Lupa Osteria Romana.

For Those Who Love Their iPhone

This funny little application provides a countdown 'til your wedding day -- the years, months, weeks, days, minutes and even seconds.  For .99 cents you'll know exactly how many days you have to hire all your vendors, pick color schemes, taste food, find your dress, purchase your invites -- and get married!  Wedding Day can be ordered on line and sounds easy to set up.

Keepsake Boutonniere

I love the idea of a special boutonniere.  Sometimes it's difficult to imagine how special it can be.  Well Laurie Cinotto makes it easy.   She creates these keepsake nosegays from millinery leaves, vintage flower stamens, tiny white seashells, feather accents and striped ribbon.  And this one for $17.  A perfect finishing touch.

For Charming Bridesmaids

We received these lovely necklaces from a favorite floral designer with the initials of our children on them, but brides and their maids might be ready for their own.  These are a perfect, personalized gift for your favorite girls and we love them for their charm (pun intended).  From $95 in silver to $420 in yellow, pink or white gold with diamonds.  Customize with your girlfriend's birthstones or favorite gems.  View them at the Wedding Library or see options on-line at Dyanne Belle's web site.  Check out her other beautiful jewelry while you're there....

Blade Board: Guastavino's

"The inspiration started with the “Save the Date” card designed in silver and royal blue. The space, Guastavino’s under the 59th Street Bridge needed something dramatic and the bride wanted LOADS of candlelight throughout the space. Deciding on a simple white and silver color palette we ended up creating tall centerpieces with curly willow branches and the often underestimated baby’s breath! I created “clouds” of baby’s breath resting atop clear glass cylinders and a similar design adding curly willow branches that rested atop birch pedestals. TONS and TONS of hanging glass votives, pillar candles and votive candles completed the look. It was BREATHTAKING to see the entire room aglow with candlelight!" -- Anne, Blade

1st row: hanging bud vases, Jamali Garden; cake, Cake That
2nd row: hanging votives and branches, Nettle Ton Hollow; pewter crushed shimmer linen, royal crushed shimmer linen, Cloth Connection; glass cylinder vases, Jamali Garden; swirled calla lily, Blade; baby’s breath bouquet, Real Simple
3rd row: white calla lily, crushed glass nuggets, pillar candles, white dendrobium orchids, white votives, Jamali Garden; standing glass candle holders, Accent Decor

Introducing Guest Blogger: Blade Floral and Event Designs

While working with Anne Kilcullen of Blade Floral and Event Designs on a wedding we discovered that she creates amazing "real life" inspiration boards to help bring her proposals to life. We are so impressed by how this helps her clients visualize how her wedding will look and feel. We've asked Anne to share some of these story boards with you, they are more than inspiration -- they are the foundation of the environments she creates. Check in for Anne's posts -- I know she'll inspire you too.

"I created Blade to use my love and passion for flowers and beautiful designs. I find inspiration in everything around me and use my years of experience to incorporate these everyday things into my work. I work closely with every bride to style the wedding of her dreams and I listen to her wish list to create these storyboards. The boards help the bride visualize my ideas for the design of the decor. It's so important to me that the personality of every bride comes through in the design." -- Anne