A Laduree Inspired Dessert Table

If you know me anything about me, you know that I love France…a lot. I have so many reasons to be crazy about the birthplace of my great grandfather but a few reasons that instantly comes to mind is walking in the city with no agenda and discovering hidden gems like restaurants, bookstores and of course having a late night treat at Laduree with my husband. The shoot that I’m sharing with you today reminds me of our last holiday in Paris and makes me long for Laduree’s famous macarons.

Every detail of this shoot is perfect and the photography is beautiful! The talented cast of wedding gurus that created this visual feast are based in Montreal, Canada. This is just a photo shoot but can you imagine them coming together to design a wedding ? Pure gorgeousness.

If you are a bride in the Montreal area, I recommend getting in touch with these amazing vendors. You can find their links at the bottom of this post! Please be sure to visit French Wedding Style blog for more inspiration. Enjoy!

{Via French Wedding Style}

Dessert Table Design + Styling: Principal Planner | Prop/Stands: Principal Planner + Monique Simone Photography | Cookies: L&V Sweets
Cake: The Caketress | Cupcakes and Macarons: Dolci Piu
Cake balls: Three C Baking & Co | Turkish Delights, Marshmallow, Nougat Cookies: Oh So Chic Sweets

Cover Story Postcards by Anthropologie

I was visiting everyone’s favorite store, Anthroplologie over the weekend, and came across a few things that I put on my wish list. However, as a wedding planner it’s hard not to see something and think that it would be a great for a wedding, too.

I will bet you that many of my fellow wedding planners/designers hate the standard, signature only wedding guest books. Who wants a book filled with eligible signatures? Giving your guest an opportunity to leave you a heartfelt message will create long lasting memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. I love reading the messages our friends wrote for us on our wedding day. You will, too. I promise.

I stumbled upon these postcards on Anthropologie and knew they would be a perfect guest book alternative for the bibliophile couple. These Cover Story Postcards are exact replicas of classic paperback works. Wouldn’t they make a great replacement for the traditional guestbook? They’d make a great replacement for wedding table numbers, too.

There are one hundred in a pack and at a great price; I think it’s a perfect buy. The color of each postcard is different and will certainly match any wedding décor. Another must have from Anthroplologie!

{via}

What Lies Beneath…

The season of nice is over…now we can get back to the business of being naughty. Why wait for the “all things pink, fluffy, heart shaped and red” holiday to arrive to be someone’s nicely wrapped package. I say there is no time like the present to treat yourself to something nice and him to something naughty…

An Al Fresco Winter Table

A winter tablescape, adorned with simple details, creates a cozy al fresco setting at dusk. The warm glow of the lanterns and the glass votives hanging from the tree’s branches makes this cozy setting, romantic and magical. It is the perfect setting with nature as your guest of honor.

{via desde mi ventana & Interior Magasinet}

{color theory} Prussian Blue, Apricot & Aqua

My initial thought when I came across this image was, “What an unusual palette this would make for stylish wedding". The various shades of blue from aqua to Prussian , with amber, and slate gray creates a beautiful palette, reminiscent of the colors commonly used in the 50’s and 60’s. Yet, for today’s couple, these colors appear modern and unexpectedly glamorous.

Prussian blue serves as the main color. Think of bridesmaid’s dresses in a deep dark blue. On the reception tables, platinum décor accents create an amazing contrast against the Prussian blue table linen. Silk ribbons, in aqua, are tied around favor boxes that are placed on each guests’ dinner plate.

For the groom, a tan glen check worsted suit worn with a cream shirt, and a blue and amber paisley tie perfectly complements the warm tones of the bride’s bouquet. A silk navy blue pocket square completes the look.

Dahlias, mums, orchids, calla lilies in warm hues of tangelo, cognac, and amber are used to create the table centerpieces and other floral elements to complete the look of this chic and semi floral wedding.

{Prussian blue, slate, aqua, apricot, and platinum}

{color chronicles #2} Autumn’s Jewels

…in the crisp air of a Sunday autumn morning, dew kissed leaves take flight and land where they may to blanket the streets like a jewel toned tapestry. After breakfast in bed for two, an afternoon drive on winding country roads leads to the discovery of a magical place by the creek…

{color chronicles} Patina & Gold

…if a picture can truly tell a thousand words, how many beautiful pictures does it take to imagine a story?

Patina & Gold

The Cloche

One of my favorite items to use when decorating living spaces and weddings are cloches. Their elegance raises the level {no pun intended} of sophistication whenever in any space. Available in various sizes, cloches can be used as part of a table setting, your home décor, and looks wonderful in the garden to protect the gentlest of flowers. I have a few cloches of my own and I am always looking for ways to incorporate them into our eclectic yet classic décor.

{the fromagette}

I love the idea of using cloches for each individual place setting. So elegant!

{via unruly things}

This festive porch décor with the red ornaments in the large cloche are the perfect welcome for your guests. This can also serve as the centerpiece for your holiday tablescape.

{via bhg}

Ornament filled cloches are a darling addition to your holiday decor .

{via bhg}

I wish all my shoes could be displayed this way!

{via Brabourne Farm}

My favorite way to use a cloche is in every day décor as pictured above. Eclectic and chic.

{via décor 8}

Naughty or Nice ?

Imagine the surprise of your guest when you bring out this lump of sparkling coal for dessert! Berkeley-based artist Anandamayi Arnold’s sparkling lumps of black coal, otherwise known as “surprise balls” {stop it Alison!} are not quite what they appear to be. These delights are filled with goodies and treats. To get to the goodies you unravel the ball {made of ribbon and papier-mâché} and in the middle is the surprise. Where did I come across these devilish lumps? Anthology’s Winter Gift Guide, of course!

 So which were you this year…naughty or nice? I was both…in a very good way!

{via Anthology’s Winter Gift Guide}

Crate Inspiration

Whenever I do a post about something rustic, I get an email message or two from friends that say, “I did not know you were into rustic décor?” or “You would design a rustic wedding?” My answer is always, “I am a professional I do it all and yes I do love some rustic elements!” Yes, I am a city girl but living in the south for ten years has definitely exposed me to the lovelier provincial things in life…and one of them is rustic decor.

I was on the hunt for an idea and I came across an amazing one. I am so in love with it that I am trying to think of a way to create a miniature version of it for my own home! It is so charming! This amazing idea comes from Jill Ruth & Co. Find a crate, fill the crate with Spanish moss then fill the spaces with dried flowers…and that’s it! Simple and rustic!

Dried flowers placed in an old Coca Cola bottle crate makes the perfect display for a wedding or even a beautiful accent piece in your home! Love!

{via Jill Ruth}