I so rarely have time to do something purely fun and creative just for myself. When I saw {Tastefully Entertaining}'s post about their 25th Anniversary Celebration, I had to send them something! Here is the result... Happy anniversary, TE! Thanks for the inspiration! Be sure to check out {Tastefully Entertaining} this week to see the rest of the entries.

Sources: Crocheted Votives, Doily Flower Arrangements, White Cutout Bag Table Décor and Blue Mug, Blue Cakes, Blue Favors, Blue Bouquet, Bridesmaids Dress Sketch, Wedding Dress: Pronovias via Brides , Wedding Gown Detail: Carolina Herrera via Brides , Blue and White Bouquet, White Paper Flower Table Treatment

{Southern Weddings} is having two fabulous contests this week!

Enter the {Ideal Favors Contest} and win a fantastic package of personalized goodies from {Ideal Favors}... submit your entry by Thursday at midnight. 

And be sure to enter the {ABCD Designs P A P E R C U P P Contest} to win a custom monogram and stamp set from the fabulous ABCD Designs P A P E R C U P P. 

Any other contests we should know about?  Leave a comment here and we will be sure to post about them.

Good luck!

Our lack of blogging is about to change, folks.  We have been SOOO busy!  Danielle had a wedding this past weekend and we have one every weekend for the next 5 weeks.  Who ever said that August/September were down months?  Yes, we still have a bunch of weddings that haven't been blogged yet.  As soon as we get the pro pics, we will have a slew of Blissful inspiration for you. 

I want to share an upcoming celebration with you that is very near to my heart....  I'm flying to Florida in a few short weeks to do a fabulous wedding for a very special couple.  I am so excited to see these two walk down the aisle.  The bride and I have known each other since we were very young, so I promise I will be balling my eyes out as they say their seaside vows.  I am passionate about all of my brides, but for Britt I am determined to pull out all the stops+++!  I won't give away any of the many surprises, but I thought I would share some of the behind the scenes action with you over the next weeks. 

On Friday we ordered 180 feet of burlap, 500 feet of natural muslin, mahogany chargers, bamboo chairs, beautiful natural linens, paper, paper, and more pretty paper, lanterns, knotty baskets, spectacular shells and a smattering of the following...    succulents, jade and limbo roses, white dendrobiums, cherry brandy roses (my favorite variety of all time), green cymbidium orchids, kale, more succulents, and plumeria.... among about 25 other varieties that I wont share until the wedding day.  The flowers are going to be stunning!  Natural, modern, fun, conversational, and surprising...  all words I love to hear guests use in passing conversation over a fabulous dinner.  I am so excited for this wedding! 

Check back later this week for more... Happy Monday!

PS- BIG Bliss announcement coming soon...  sit tight... it's gonna be HUGE!

Danielle created some lovely guest blog posts for {Elizabeth Anne Designs} this week. Be sure to check them out...

{Bliss Guest Blog on EAD: Danielle Introduction}

{Bliss Guest Blog of Elizabeth Anne Designs: An Interactive Event}

{Bliss Guest Blog on EAD: Ditching the Norm } 

{Bliss Guest Blog on EAD: Unique Favors}

{Bliss Guest Blog on EAD: More Than Just a Drink}

 

{Bliss Guest Blog on EAD: DIY Invitations}

  Recent Bliss Link Love:. (thank you so much!) Please let us know if we have missed your link and we will be sure to add it. Have a wonderful weekend~

{Southern Weddings Magazine}, {Snippet and Ink},{The Wedding Chicks},{Alltop Weddings}, {Brenda’s Wedding Blog}, {Rae Leytham Photography}, {Style Me Pretty: Little Black Book Blogs}, {The Smart Planner: Meet the Planners: Lara Casey }, {Lucky Me!}, {Top 100 Wedding Planning}, {Tying the Knot}, {Blue-Eyed Bride}, {Nearly Knotted}, {Delightful Blogs}, {Arden Photography: We Love BLISS}, {Modern Vintage}, {It’s A Jaime Thing!}, {Weddings Fresh Blog}, {An Atlanta Bride}, {Pearl Events: Link Love}, {The Knot Talk Board}, {Life. Love. Lipstick}, {Cook Images Photography}, {Teardrop Weddings}, {Bell Creation}, {Si, lo Voglio}, {Just Dandy!}, {The Wedding Workroom}

I am so thrilled to unveil our new Friday series. Personally, I am a sucker for those wedding images that you see and wonder out loud..."what's the story there?" When looking through the amazing website {seriously, they have left no detail unattended to} of {Chris + Lynn Photographers}, I found a section titled {Truth}. These are a collection of the very images I adore and I could not wait to share them with our readers. Chris + Lynn have been so gracious to share these with us along with the story behind each image. Check back here every Friday for a new image with new emotion and a great story.

A few words from Chris + Lynn: An Emmy-Award winning team, we bring our cinematic style to all of our work. At heart, we are storytellers...We take our art seriously, but not ourselves! We want to make your photography session fun so you can be yourselves, express your love, and enjoy the experience...We bring our passion for life and for each other everywhere we go; it fuels our energy and creativity.

"I won't cry if you don't cry," whispered Mary nervously to her father when he met her at the doorway to walk her down the aisle. He gazed at her, squeezed her hand, and said "You look so beautiful." Then father and daughter looked into each other's eyes and burst into tears.

Lyndsey Hamilton, one of our favorite planners in the NY and LA markets, has started a phenomenal new blog.  We love looking to Lyndsey and her team for inspiration for our brides.  Just a small testiment to their ability to think of {Everything}...the photo below {from Chris Humphreys} shows ducks that were brought in specificially to swim in a back yard pond at one of their weddings.  Find out more about what Lyndsey and her team are dreaming up at {LHEverything}.

Great to have you in the blog world Lyndsey!

Being that yesterday was my very own 1st wedding anniversary, I feel inspired to create a series of posts about the traditional wedding anniversary gift chart. For those of you who are unfarmiliar with most of them, you probably recognize that the 50th is the "Golden Anniversary" as it is the most commonly celebrated with large parties of friends and family. 

This post will focus on all of us "newlyweds" who have reached the one year mark and are bestowing each other with gifts that represent...paper.  Yes, the 1st anniversary is the year of paper.  Some might find that to be a little boring, but I believe it opens up room for type of creativity.

This custom Comic Strip from {Elsewares} is an 8" x 11" art piece of 6 cells that is hand drawn-to-order by artist Mark Weber.  You can send in a photo of you and your spouse and even give anctedotes or the exact wording you would like for him to use in each panel.  This is the perfect gift for any man who was ever a comic book geek at heart (my husband is included in that group).  It runs about $200 unframed and takes 3 - 5 weeks to complete so you'll need to plan ahead for this fun gift.

I adore this idea from {YourMemoryLane}.  They have a special "First Anniversary" package that will showcase your courtship and your married life.  You answer 10 of the 21 questions on their questionarrie and they translate those answers into a lovely street scene.  This scene costs $295 unframed and usually ships in 5 days.

And lastly, for the money-minded try a share of stock that has sentimental meaning from {One Share}.  The photo I've shown here is for Tiffany & Co {very appropriate for the marriage market!}, but you could try something that will bring up good memories for you and your honey.  Maybe the restaurant where you had your first date, the auto company that made the car you two took on your first road trip or the cell phone company you two used when holding those marathon phone calls during your courtship.  Don't be afraid to get creative.

Paper might seem boring at first, but put some thought into it and I'm certain you can come up with a gift that will not soon be forgotten!

This week we are thrilled to be guest blogging for the lovely ladies at {Elizabeth Anne Designs}.  We created a 5 part series that focuses on tips for the bride who is planning sans wedding coordinator and wants to incorporate something different and memorable. 

Thanks to Ami and Rebekah for asking us to be a part of your beautiful blog!

 

Ashley and Robby, our amazing couple from Birmingham, were married on July 19 on Pensacola Beach.  We had a great time planning their purple and green soiree. The ceremony was gorgeous (perfect weather!).  Chuck Randel did a fabulous job officiating along with Ashley's cousin, Kate, who played the guitar for her processional. At the {Skopelos} reception, guests enjoyed an array of food stations including a Southern grits bar with all of the “fixins”.  Ashley surprised her bridesmaids and friends with a very meaningful cake pull. For those if you that don’t know what a cake pull is, click here.  Guests were surprised with Ashley 's dress change followed by the Second Line Dance departure lit with sparklers.  Photography by {Kim Sellers Photography}. Ashley and Robby are such a caring couple and I wish them a lifetime of happiness together! ~Leah

 

Sorry we didn't post yesterday!  We are busy preparing for a phenomenal wedding this weekend at the {Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Hilton}. {Cook Images} will the photographers for this event, so we know we'll have some amazing images to share.  We promise to give you something to wet your fashion appetite tonight, so keep posted!

I have been dying to post these images.  Kelsey and Jamie are such a fun {and loving} couple who deserved nothing short of perfection for their wedding day.  We had a blast helping them plan all of the 1940's carnival inspired details and amazing little surpises for their guests.  The night was filled with a balloon-animal artist, professional ballroom dancers, an old-fashioned photo booth {such a huge hit} and treats to satisfy any craving {cotton candy, caramel apples, popcorn and snow cones}.  Guests were surpised with an 'encore' serving of food to tie them over until the end of the event.  A huge thank you to the amazing catering staff of {All About Catering} for their impecable service and {Cook Images} for the amazing shots you see here.

This has to be my favorite board that Joyce has put together.  I might be a little biased as it is an homage to my alma matter.  Great work again Joyce.

Joyce says "I have a little sweet spot for my favorite Auburn girls, Danielle and Madelyn, so this is for them!  I went along with a 'sweet' theme and found some fun, tasty favors for the guests - lollipops and Jones Soda - in orange and blue, of course.  I love how you can personalize the Jones Soda with your own picture, quote and flavor, which is perfect for any wedding.  Enjoy the eye candy!"

Invitations {Ceci New York}

 

Bridal Gown {Jenny Yoo}

 

Bridal Bouquet {Brides}

 

Bridesmaid Bouquet {Brides}

 

Bridesmaid Dress {Jenny Yoo}

 

Door Monogram {Martha Stewart}

 

Escort Cards {Martha Stewart}

 

Blazer {U Grad Shop}

 

Tie {U Grad Shop}

 

Soda {Jones Soda Store}

 

Cake {Brides}

 

Orange Lollipops {Brides}

 

Blue Lollipops {The Knot}

 

War Eagle {Auburn Tigers}

 

Chuppa {The Knot}

 

Goldfish Centerpiece {The Knot}

 

Jordan-Hare Stadium {Yarbrough}

We are so excited about the new and fresh ideas going on in the wedding blog world.  One of our favorite sites for daily inspiration, {Elizabeth Anne Designs}, has launched their new Library this week.  We love this new feature and are so excited for Ami and Rebekah. 

 

A few words from the wedding mavens...“We are incredibly excited to announce our new project, The EAD Library.  After months of development and research, we are launching a new resource for brides on Tuesday July 22nd.  The Library is filled with hundreds of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers.  Our goal is a simple, comprehensive list of vendors.  The Library will help every bride, no matter her location, find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event.”

 

Congratulations ladies!  We hope everyone has a chance to visit your site and use this amazing tool.

For fans of "Who's Wedding is it Anyways?" you will remember their pioneer wedding designer, Jung Lee.  Jung is an inspirational woman who entered the wedding planning world after going through the experience of planning her own wedding and the fantastic author of Fete: The Wedding Experience.  This book was developed as a tool for brides who want the experience of having such an amazing wedding planner as Jung, but may not be able to fit her services into their budget. 

As Jung says, "Even if you know next to nothing about planning a wedding, you want yours to be simply spectacular.  Well, you're holding the right book.  I live, breathe, eat, and sleep weddings, and I am here to show you how to create and produce an amazing wedding of your own." 

We adore Jung and her work.  This book is a great find for any bride who truly wants a wedding like none other and a great source of inspiration for wedding professionals.

So, several people have asked to see pictures of the growing babies, but I didn't want to post the funny looking ultrasound pics until they were recognizable as human beings.  These were taken yesterday at our high risk doctor's office {everything is looking great by the way}.  The babies are stacked on top of each other right now and are extremely active.  Baby A usually spends the entire ultrasound body slamming Baby B!  In the photo below you can see Baby A's hand next to his/her mouth and legs kicking his/her brother/sister in the head.  Oh, and the other big news yesterday...we're 100% certain they are identical!

This wedding is perfect for the summer. This wedding would take place at an outdoor venue in open tents by the water. The nautical theme features clean lines and gives a fresh look to a wedding. The bride would wear a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown and carry an elegant and modern bouquet. The bridesmaids would wear navy and carry beautiful yellow tulips. The invitation would also reflect the nautical theme with the anchor border around the invitation. The table setting is beautiful and clean. The food would be fresh seafood. This truly would be an elegant wedding with a modern twist that would differentiate it from many others.

Tablescape {Toast and Tables},

Bride's Dress {Oscar de la Renta},

Bride's Bouquet {The Knot},

Bridesmaid Dress {J. Crew},

Bridesmaid Bouquet {The Knot},

Invitation {Invitation Consultants}

I was so honored to be asked to be on one of my absolute favorite sites, {The Smart Planner}.  Thank you, Liene, for including us (look for Danielle's interview soon too!) and for all of the inspiration your blogs (you must check out {Blue Orchid Blog}!) bring us.  Click {HERE} to read my interview with the fabulous Liene Stevens.

So, this website has been going around the wedding blog world and we just can't help but get on the bandwagon.  This new site {Cake Wrecks} is both entertaining and nauseating (if you know how much cakes cost).  I've posted just a few of our favorites below, but you absolutely have to check out the rest on thier blog.

The Inspiration VS The Actual

This wedding is so modern and unique. The table setting is so different from many others. The colors incorporate the modern and unique factors into the overall feel of the wedding. The bride would wear a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown and carry a freesia bouquet. The bridesmaids would wear a brown dress with a pale blue sash. They would carry a bouquet of blue and white flowers to tie the scheme together. The invitation is simple and yet modern with the sleek lines and color choices. This wedding is for a bride who wants her event to stand out in the minds of all of her guests. The centerpieces alone are unique and were the overall inspiration for this look. This wedding would take place under a lighted tent frame to continue the modern and unique look. The food that would be served would be all organic. The food choices would be inspired by the region where it takes place and feature a signature dish from that particular area.

Tablescape {Rebecca Thuss},

Bride's Dress {Monique Lhuillier},

Bride's Bouquet {Maui Flowers},

Bridesmaid Dress {WToo},

Bridesmaid Bouquet {Maui Flowers},

Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}

 

This wedding is so modern and chic. The main color scheme is various shades of green and blue and white. The bride is wearing a beautiful Oscar de la Renta dress. The silhouette of the dress is so modern and chic. The bride would carry a bouquet of simple white roses. The bridesmaids would wear a green chic dress that is very flowy. They would carry a simple clutch of blue hydrangeas to tie together the color scheme. The invitation is a blue on blue paisley print. This print is modern and also features the color combinations. The tablescape is so modern and gorgeous. The centerpieces are varying shades of blue and green, and the shapes are so modern. The food would be light and feature a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables into everyday cuisine. The food would also styled in a modern way when presented to the guests. This wedding is for a bride who would like a modern, chic, and simple event. The colors are gorgeous and would be most beautiful in a backyard or in a grassy area on the water.

Tablescape {Rebecca Thuss}, Bride's Dress {Oscar de la Renta}, Bride's Bouquet {Bloomery Weddings}, Bridesmaid Dress {Alfred Angelo}, Bridesmaid Bouquet {Bloomery Weddings}, Invitation {Wedding Paper Divas}