The Bliss Girls will be judging this super-exciting SATC contest from Southern Weddings...

From SWS: This contest is getting so much buzz already!  We've partnered with the AMAZING {Bag Borrow or Steal} (the Netflix of luxury accessories!) for this exciting contest. {Bag Borrow or Steal} is featured prominently in “Sex and the City the Movie”. Jennifer Hudson’s character, as Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, feeds her handbag addiction by borrowing luxury bags from {Bag Borrow or Steal}. The grand prize for this contest: $250 for your very own luxury rental!  Choose from over 4,000 styles of designer handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses. They cover the gamut of great designers, including Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Versace, Tory Burch, Juicy, and Coach. Borrow for a week or a month, or longer, and borrow for everyday or for your Big Day! 

How to enter:  Without giving anything away from the movie, leave a comment with your vision for Carrie Bradshaw's wedding.  If you were designing her wedding, what would she wear, what would the flowers, favors, tables, bridesmaid's dresses, music, food, cocktails, etc be like?  For bonus points, email us an inspiration board or pictures to go along with your design.  If you send pics or a board, we will post them for all to see.  Email them to [SATC at swsmag dot com].  Whether you've seen one episode or watched the entire six seasons 12 times through (I fall in the latter category), you can win this contest!

Deadline: EXTENDED TO NEXT TUESDAY, July the 8th!

Judges: Here's the exciting part-- the judges panel!   Event guru, Sasha Souza, of {Sparkliatti}, Janie from {The Bride's Cafe}, Kathryn from {Snippet and Ink}, the ladies of {Elizabeth Anne Designs}, the {Bliss Event Group} girls, the {DC Nearlyweds}, and Maria from {Ritzy Bee} are all so excited to see your ideas! 

Rules:

• One entry per person but you CAN add to your entry if you want to add more details.  Leave as many comments as you wish. 
  
• Don't give anything away from the movie : )
• If you email pics and inspiration boards, please size them to no larger than 700 pixels wide and be sure to include your name as it appears in your comment so we know who to match the images/boards to.
• You have to send us a picture of you with your fabulous {Bag Borrow or Steal} rental if you win! 
  

Everyone wins a big discount just for entering!  {Bag Borrow or Steal} is pleased to offer readers of Southern Weddings a great chance to try them out. Shop for a great handbag, piece of jewelry, or pair of sunglasses, or all three, and receive a special discount just for trying them out. Just enter SATC into the promo code field during check out and they'll take 20% of your borrowing fees.

A million thanks to our FABULOUS panel of judges and the phenomenal team at {Bag Borrow or Steal} for the generous grand prize!  Have fun!

I found it only fitting to find inspiration in the 2008 NCAA Football National Champions, Louisiana State University.  The rich culture in Louisiana doesn't stop at Mardi Gras.  Imagine Creole cuisine, jazz tunes, singing the blues and infectious 'joi de vivre' lifestyle (from Frech 'the joy of living').  The yellow gold + purple palette is beautiful for any wedding, but even more so to an LSU fan.  Some tiger print wouldn't hurt either.  Geaux Tigers!

We get a lot of emails about new products... some of them not so exciting, but we love these beautiful wax containers from RS Wax!  They provide a soft glow as candle containers and are a fabulous alternative to the basic glass container if used for flowers and decor.  They come in pretty much any size and shape, so the options are endless!  Visit their website, www.RSwax.com, for pricing and more details.

This wedding is modern but still has some vintage elements.  It would take place in an outdoor venue that is airy and open. The bride would wear a breathtaking Reem Acra dress that has a modern vintage feel. She would carry a beautiful lily of the valley bouquet, which is so gorgeously modern.  The bridesmaid?s would wear beautiful Mori Lee dresses which incorporates the elegance of vintage, but in a modern silhouette. The bridesmaids would carry a sweet bouquet of lilies which is also modern. The champagne invites have a vintage feel to them. The tablescape is gorgeous with lily of the valley center pieces and champagne accents and very modern table linens and overall setting.  The food would be a full seated dinner with salad, soup, and choice of a chicken or steak entrée.  This is the most formal type of food and with the vintage element, formality is a must. The modern twist on the food would be to incorporate unusual flavors and combinations to make the meal memorable. This wedding would be perfect for any bride who wants to have a formal yet modern event.

Tablescape {Rebecca Thuss}

Bride's Dress {Reem Acra}

Bride's Bouquet {Bloomery Weddings}

Bridesmaid Dress {Mori Lee}

Bridesmaid's Bouquet {Bloomery Weddings}

Invitation {Crane}

This wedding would be perfect for fall. The main color scheme is hues of orange, yellow, and brown. The bride would wear a gorgeous Morgan Boszilkov gown with a drop waist accented with a yellow sash. She would carry a bouquet of sunflowers which perfectly coordinate with the sash. The bridesmaids would wear a black sweet grass fibers dress with an asymmetrical hem. They would carry a bouquet of sunset colored calla lilies. The table would have centerpieces of dried fruit and sunflowers. The overall look of the room would be draped in white and brown fabrics with orange accents. The invitation is simple and features clean lines with a simple orange accent. This wedding is inspired by the beautiful fall weather that we have in the south. The shades of the colors used appear to be taken directly from nature and transplanted into this beautiful event. The food would be a complete seated dinner starting with a salad topped off with roasted sunflower seeds and then followed by a choice of a chicken or fish entrée. The food would be rich and warm and filling, all of which is inspired by the southern fall season.    

Bride's Dress{Morgan Boszilkov}, Bride's Bouquet{Organic Bouquet}, Bridesmaid Dress{Sweetgrass fibers}, Bridesmaid Bouquet{Organic Bouquets}, Tablescape{My Eco Chic Wedding}, Invitation{Oblation Papers}

This wedding is still environmentally friendly but also has a modern twist. The wedding would take place at a park with picnic tables and a tent frame as the backdrop. The overall atmosphere would be open and exposed to the elements. The bride would wear gown by Conscious Clothing. She would carry a simple bouquet of cybidium orchids, which are so beautiful and chic.The bridesmaids would wear a modern drop waist black dress and carry a small bouquet of white calla lilies. The table setting would feature potted green plants and other various potted white flowers. The invitations are modern and yet inspired by the environment. The food would be organic, vegan, and vegetarian meals inspired by and featuring the local fare. The overall feel of the wedding would be a modern day in the park followed by a picnic. The southern element of this wedding would primarily be the picnic aspect. However, the potted plants would all be plants that are popular in the southern region of the country. When all of these elements combine they create an elegant, environmentally friendly, modern event which is perfect for any southern bride.

Bride's Dress {Conscious Clothing}, Bride's Bouquet{Fifty Flowers}, Bridesmaid Dress{Edun}, Bridesmaid Bouquet{Blog Green}, Tablescape{Hostess with the Mostess}, Invitation{Greenwich Letterpress}

Kelly and Andy were married on 06.07.08 on Andy's grandparent's estate in Pensacola, FL.  The really special thing about this location is that it is where Andy's sister and uncle each married in the last year.  We have planned and produced each event for this special family and each couple has proven to have a unique taste, different from the rest.  For Kelly and Andy, they wanted to focus on keeping it clean and modern using white, slate and pops of green.  The day was warm, but the evening breeze kept things comfortable.  Here are a few images to share from Heather and Justin of {Captured Art Photography}.

Cake by Betty Weber

Event Design & Decor {Bliss Event Group}

We have a three part series of Eco-Fabulous Weddings you will see throughout the week. All of the fashion pairings are all made from sustainable products, recycled materials, organic or a combination. Enjoy!

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This gorgeous wedding would take place outdoors in a grassy or very green area. The overall mood would be light and airy and in touch with the environment. The bride would wear a gorgeous Threadhead gown that is made entirely of sustainable materials. She would carry a beautiful bouquet of different hues of white and green, which are the main colors of the event. The bridesmaid dress is patterned and very flowy and features the green and white color scheme. The bridesmaids would carry a beautiful gardenia, which reflects simplicity and elegance. The table setting also reflects the open, airy, and relaxed atmosphere of the event. The main centerpieces are cake plates with candles on top. This way the area will be filled with soft light that is so natural. The southern aspects of this wedding would be the outdoor environment and the flowers used. The gardenia is a southern flower and I imagine that the ceremony would take place in a grassy area surrounded by Spanish moss trees. The food would be local from the area and the majority of the fruits and vegetables will be purchased from the nearby farmer?s market. The food would all be healthy, light, and refreshing. The invitations are made from recycled paper and feature a fern leaf, which is so commonly found in nature. All the elements together allow overall image and feeling to be accomplished.

Bride's dress {Threadhead}, Bride's Bouquet {Katy Stardust}, Bridesmaid Dress {Annatarian}, Bridesmaid Bouquet {Sparkling Lotus Land}, Tablescape {Toast and Tables}, Invitation {Greenfield Paper}

So, it's about time for me to share a little news from my personal world.  If I've seemed a little scattered lately, it's because I'm answering phone calls and e-mails from my bathroom floor or in between catastrophic sleep attacks that leave me no choice but to take a nap.  I am suffering from what can only be categorized as "baby-brain."  My husband and I are expecting...twins.  My big mouth got me into trouble at the Dr's office.  Just after I declared {quite loudly} that "I could never have twins" the ultrasound nurse asked "Well, how do you feel about twins?"  My immediate reaction...why do you care?  Are you taking a survey?  Then I realized she was serious.

So now we're left with all the excitement, apprehension and morning sickness that two little babies will bring into our world.  Any advice, tips or tricks would be hugely appreciated.  So far, the best help for morning sickness {and I don't know why it's called morning sickness when it lingers ALL DAY} have been preggie pops and peppermints.

Nobody quite does school spirit like the South. Being based in Florida, we are constantly working with brides and groom who are worried about planning their wedding around "the big game" in the fall. With that in mind, one of our fantastic Summer interns has created a series of inspiration boards that will please both the bride and groom by interpreting your school colors and traditions into an elegant soiree.

From Joyce: As an upcoming senior at the Florida State University, I have come to realize my time in Tallahassee is running slim, however I know I will forever stay true to my alma mater and garnet + gold. For the next few weeks, I will be doing some inspiration board “tributes” to a few schools of the South-- the best being first, naturally. Enjoy!

Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}

Flowers {The Knot}

Cake {The Knot}

Table {BBJ Linens}

Tie {Team Fan Shop}

Favors {Brides}

Bridesmaid Dress {Jenny Yoo}

Doak Campbell Stadium + Chief Osceola {FSU.edu}

I had to post these images from {Kelly Moore}'s blog--oh my goodness, I am in love with these shots!  How fun are these umbrellas!?  Not to mention the bride is gorgeous and all the bridesmaids look so happy...

A huge thank you to Danielle from {Weddings Fresh} for the beautiful week of guest blog posts.  Every post was inspiring and absolutely gorgeous!  Be sure to check out her blog and add it to your reader.  She posted some very sweet words about Bliss on her blog today...  Thank you, Dani!

This board from {Dani} is a great end to a fantastic week.  The title says it all.  Right down to the shoes and bag, everything pulls off the perfect feel for an ultra chic affair.  And how about that bridesmaid dress?  Now there's one you could actually wear again.

Great finds Dani and thank you for the excellent guest blog posts.  We know our readers have enjoyed getting to know you and your impeccable style!

Wedding Gown {Priscilla of Boston},

Table{Love, Luck & Angels},

Zebra Tray {The Macbeth Collection},

Bouquet {Martha Stewart},

Save the Date {Ceci New York},

Table Cloth {BBJ Linen},

Champagne {Brides},

Cake {Rebecca Thuss},

Clutch, Shoes and Dress {This is Glamourous}

I think every bride should follow this time-honored tradition of old, new, borrowed and blue.  Not only does it make for great photo moments, but it's a wonderful tradition to pass along to each new generation.  Most brides use their dress as something "new" but get a bit more creative on the other categories.  What did or will you use to fit these four categories on your wedding day?

{Dani} used this tradition as the inspiration behind the inspiration board.  It's a lovely collection with a timeless feel.

Wedding Gown {Martha Stewart},

Clutch {Franchi},

Eiffel Tower {What Junebug Loves},

Flower Ring Pillow {Martha Stewart},

Building {Martha Stewart},

Butlers {Martha Stewart},

Blue Bell {Martha Stewart},

Bouquet {The Knot},

Just Married Sticker {Cox and Cox}

Lissa and Rick were married on May 25th in Destin, FL.  It was such a gorgeous day, right up until an hour before the ceremony and bottom fell out of the sky.  They were troopers and decided that they were going to have their beach wedding anyhow and if it rained....well they would just get wet!  As fate would have it, the ceremony stayed {mostly} dry and made for a beautiful evening.  Their guests enjoyed a truly NYC style cocktail hour with a delicious steak and lobster dinner.  The music stylings of {No Idea Band} played to a never-empty dance floor throughout dinner.  All in all, it was a gorgeous even for a lovely couple.  I wish them all the best in their bright future.  Mazel Tov!  ~Danielle

Photography by {Arden Ward & Brett Moore}, Flowers and Decor by {Bliss Event Group} and {Kebbie Hollingsworth}

Ever the fashionista, {Dani} has found a wonderfully fresh and modern dress to compliment this green and white garden theme.  This one really is my favorite for the season.  The colors are light and airy and every photo just has that little 'pop' to it.  It makes me want to get married again every time I see one of these inspiration boards.  Ah, if only my husband would indulge me!

Door Monogram {Brides}, Cake{Brides}, Boutonniere {Modern Vintage Designs}, Jones Soda {Brides}, Tablescape {Rebecca Thuss}, Polka Dot Table Cloth {BBJ Linen},Vases with White Hydrangeas {Brides}, Invitation {Ceci New York}, Estate and Landscape {Brides}, Wedding Gown {Le Spose de Gio}

Click here for the full post.  Thank you EAD ladies for the lovely post!

Dani has done an incredible job pulling together some fabulous inspiration boards.  I think this one is my favorite, but I'll probably say that again tomorrow too!

 
Reception {Love, Luck & Angels}, Wedding Gown {Vera Wang}, Chocolate Decadence {Sweet Paul}, Pearls {Snippet & Ink}, Cake {Rebecca Thuss},Champagne and Pink Fabric {Zinke Designs}, Bouquet {Love, Luck & Angels}, Invitation {Etsy}, Good Wishes Tree {Instyle Weddings}

Our fabulous guest blogger this week is Danielle from {Weddings by Dani}.  More to come on this designing diva.  Enjoy!

Fall Preview:

Violet Gown {Vera Wang},Green Chair {The Knot}, Linens {BBJ Linen}, Cake {Rebecca Thuss}, Bridesmaid Dress {Alvina Valenta}, Green Pear Placecard {Brides}, Purple and Blue Bouquet {The Knot}

We have thousands of these candid behind the scenes shots!  Enjoy this little peek into Bliss...

Clockwise from top left: Bliss girls photo shoot with {Rae Leytham}; Lara assisting with the cake cutting {Almasy Photo}; Bliss girls photo shoot with {Kim Sellers} and {At First Sight Photo}; straightening chair covers {Kim Sellers}; the before and after effect we love so much! {Salter Photography}; installing flowers at a Travis Tritt benefit event;  Laura N, Bria, Leah and Ashley ready for Lauren and Craig's wedding {Rae Leytham}; Lara, Kirstin, Stef and Amanda holding mini pinneapples after installing massive florals for a Kid's House benefit (note Amanda's battle wound from a glass vase attacking her!); at the Bragg Mitchell Mansion with Bliss model Tammy {Rae Leytham}; prepping flowers for Travis Tritt; Danielle and intern Lindsey fixing a bouquet at a bridal shoot; Lara at a photo shoot--too many brides, so many beautiful bouquets! {Kim Sellers}.  Happy Saturday!