{cake love} Book Inspired Cake by Lori Hutchinson

This cake is simply stunning, isn’t it? This cake, designed by the one and only Lori Hutchinson otherwise known as The Caketress, was created for a couple who had their wedding at in The Library Room at the Bellvue Manor located in Vaughn, Ontario. Lovely and whimsical and, this pumpkin flavored cake was designed to have the look of vintage writing. The ranunculus flowers, made to look like they were created with pages from a vintage book, are made of gumpaste. I absolutely adore the “mouse” Lori hid amongst the flowers… it is a perfect whimsical touch.

{via The Caketress Blog}

Weddings & Ambient Lighting

I came across these images while researching for a possible  future shoot and it just reinforces what I believe about ambient lighting…sometimes it is all the décor you need.

One of the many things I suggest to anyone getting married and think they have found the perfect venue is to visit the venue at the hour your reception will take place. Lighting is key to all my wedding designs and should be an element that is incorporated in the overall plans for your wedding.

Ask to see the venue at the time of your reception so that you can see how the lights will be during dinner, dancing, cake cutting, etc. Once a client has decided on the venue, if she decides to have uplights {often used to highlight architectural elements like columns}, pin spotting {used to highlight centerpieces, cakes, areas of the room, etc.} or Gobo lighting {image projection done with filters} it is then time to find a lighting company. For me, it is beneficial {and an added way to serve my client} to meet with the lighting company and the bride, at the reception venue, to make sure the lighting is just right and exactly what the bride has envisioned.

{1,2, 3, 4, 5, & 7}

Your Signature Cocktail & Wedding Design

As a wedding designer/planner, it’s my job to find ways to incorporate my clients style and colors into their wedding décor…tastefully. I love using signature drinks as part of the wedding décor. Think of your signature drink as another opportunity to inject some color, fun, and your personality into the wedding design. Look at the images below to spark some ideas on how you can incorporate your signature drink in your wedding plans. P.S. I am smitten with the martini table! Great way to wow you guests!

1. Your signature drink does not have to be made with alcohol. At times, this can help you save you a bit of money. Liquor spends your money quicker!

2. Signature drinks do not have to be hand served. Incorporate it into part of your cocktail party décor and have it beautifully displayed on a table {see the martini table below}.

3. You can have two signature drinks! His favorite and yours.

4. Experiment before the wedding and create a true signature wedding cocktail that is unique to you as a couple. Give it a special name that means something to both of you.

5. Remember, not everyone drinks alcohol so make sure you have other beverages on hand like soft drinks, sparkling water, and juices.

6. Adding fruit to sparkling cider/champagne in a glass flute is a simple way to make a drink special. Use berries or slices of fruit in colors that match your wedding décor.

7. Use colored sugar to line the rim of your glasses. It’s such a nice touch! Check out this Etsy store for cocktail rim sugars!

Need more ideas or recipes? Click here!

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

A Place to Get Away

We all need it from time to time…solace, respite, a place to get away even in our own homes. Regardless of how busy I am, it is important for me to find a place to quiet my mind, and embrace the silence even if it is for a few moments at a time. It never fails that when I do, whatever solutions I needed for the task at hand, comes to me easily. It is hard to focus on anything with all the outside and inner noise crowding our minds. I have always believed in taking a time out, it is so important for our wellness.

I know many of you are parents or work in an office and may find tuning out for a few moments in a quiet place, alone, almost impossible. Try to take some time while the baby is napping, or while your boss it out to lunch to give yourself a quiet break. Trust me, doing so will not only benefit you but will also make your interaction with clients, family, and friends much better.

Here are a few images to give you some inspiration for carving out a space of your own…

Here are some tips on creating your own cozy retreat:

Rethink an unused room, corner, or nook somewhere in your home. This place can even be a corner in your own bedroom or it can be the spare guest room. Pick a room with a window to let in some natural light. Add a comfy pillows, a warm throw, a vase of  your favorite fresh flowers, your favorite inspirational books, a scented candle, and journal for lovely ideas that may come to you…anything that makes this space yours. If anyone is home with you, let them know you don’t want to be disturbed unless it’s an emergency. Leave all the cares outside the door. Take a deep breath as you enter your space and exhale to let all the cares of the world out. All you need to do in this space is relax. Remember it is OK to shut out the world for a while, it will still be here when you emerge, waiting for you to conquer it!

{Credits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ,10, & 11}

Wedding Fashion Do or Don’t?

Armani Privé haute couture had their spring 2012 couture in Paris a few weeks ago. A model walked down the aisle with what NY Mag calls it “a sculptural headpiece that resembles a  veil being whipped by the wind” Brides and friends would you wear this? What does it look like to you? Is it fashionable or a bit too much? What do you think?

{via}

Bill Gaytten for Christian Dior

Cinched waists, diaphanous skirts, heavily tiered ball gowns, and billows upon billows of tulle mesmerized the guests at Christian Dior’s summer 2012 couture show. Models dresses in feminine silhouettes graced the runway with simple an subtle makeup and perfectly coiffed hair.

Bill Gaytten, head of creative direction for the fashion house synonymous with the word couture, shows us that pretty and feminine has a place in the world of haute couture and many would agree.

{Vogue and Style}

Cymbeline 2012 Wedding Dress Collection

Evelyne, Chantal, and Monique are the Cymbeline sisters and the designers behind the Cymbeline brand. For thirty years, these sisters have known exactly what the fashion forward bride wants and it goes beyond the lace and tulle. Artistry and quality is as equally important. These three sisters decided to change the way wedding gowns were made thirty years ago and are still doing so today.

Aware of the latest bridal trends, Cymbeline’s 2012 collection will appeal to the modern, minimalist, or princess bride. Keeping in line with the current fashion and wedding dress trends, there is little fault to find with this collection. I love the graceful and romantic silhouette of each dress. Fortunate for us, there is a Cymbeline is available stateside.

{via}

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}

Photographer Samm Blake – Annabel & Matthew’s Wedding

Even though this is indeed a wedding blog, I seldom highlight real weddings. However, from time to time I come across a wedding, other than ones I have designed, that I truly admire and feel the need to share. The weddings that I do feature are not only chosen because of the details, but because of the photography, as well. You can have the best details in the world but if you have a mediocre photographer, it really would not matter if your details were made of gold. In this case, the photography caught my attention and then the details of the wedding followed suit.

I contacted Samm Blake, a wedding and portrait photographer in Australia, and asked if she would allow me to share Annabel and Matthew’s wedding day with you. To my delight, she was more than happy to. I don’t know much about Samm Blake other than she is based in Melbourne and is one heck of a photographer. Intrigued by her work, I lingered on her site to see more and was not disappointed. I am officially a fan.

Although Samm shot some of the wedding in black and white, I chose to focus on the colored photos…although I might just slip a black and white beauty in! In my opinion, all of the images are beautiful. My favorite image is the one of the yellow flower printed skirt with the back of a bridesmaid’s shoe. It reminds me of  the female characters in Mad Men. So chic! Enjoy the images! Thank you Samm for sharing this beautiful wedding with us!

Photos courtesy of Samm Blake Photography