Always a Blogsmaid

IceSperations

Summer brides are starting to dot their i's and cross their T's, but winter brides and those 2010 couples are just rolling up their sleeves for inspiration.  I was just thinking about the stigma from corporate events that Ice Sculptures have gotten and thought I'd hit you all off with a little "IceSperation" (another Punny). They can be used in totally modern, really beautiful ways at weddings to wow. 
If you've got the budget, consider Ice Vases, or freezing blooms inside oversized Ice Cubes. These were all done by Ice Fantasies for tables we designed for clients.

I also really love them as signature pieces for an escort card display.  Here are two from a couple of weddings we did a couple of years ago, also by Ice Fantasies (where does the time go?)
Finally, here are some newer, really pretty takes for ice as food display from fellow Brunonian, Okomoto Studios via The Bride's Guide.
The moral of the story... don't be afraid of ice.  It can be un-tacky and it can be your friend. Your wedding day may be full of warmth, but your decor can be ice cold (oh, my cheese kills me :-)

It's all just Peachy!

At this time of year we are so in the thick of wedding season, Mayra and I aren't fit for public company.  Dinners with friends degenerate into talk about clients' RSVPs, some of the crazy people who run venues around the city and the latest issues of elegant bride.... Not fun if you aren't a bride. (Though, the plus side is, we discovered that I have a secret talent of seeing a bridal magazine clipping from the last 5 years and name the season and the magazine AND what was on the cover.... it's freaky).
Anyway, since my post the other day, I've been talking to everyone about how awesome peach is as a wedding color... and I mean everyone.  I told the handyman in my building about it and he's not even getting married.  But since we are sooooo sooo sooo busy, I realized I didn't have the time to make an inspiration board... so instead, I bring you my Homage to Peach as best represented around the web.  Here is the color in it's pure and lovely form as seen on Style Me Pretty
Here it is with brown, which I think is just lovely, but for some reason harder to find images of in execution.... This is from Moments by Morgan
This next color combination had me at "hello" especially after I saw this bag by Emma Gordon on Etsy....
And then I saw this board on Style Me Pretty, which I thought only provided evidence of something already proven by this little clutch. Here is a portion of a larger, gorgeous board.
 And then, I think I saved my favorite for last... Here is Peach and Grey from Elizabeth Anne Designs.
In fact, both Mayra and I love the peach and gray and peach and Navy so much we used it all at our NY magazine table.  The lighting is terrible on this shot, but it was a grey cloth, peach flowers and navy trim and napkins.

Yummy Saipua

One of my brides turned me on to Saipua, the lovely, airy floral boutique (and olive oil soap company) in Red Hook.  I've since become obsessed.  I actually stare at these flowers longingly with emotion.  They remind me of still life paintings (in a good way- the old, french kind) and I want to crawl into them.  Her blog is pretty good too (I mean, she likes Prince). They are gorgeous little bursts of inspiration and airiness.  I'll share some of my favs. 

   

The Power of Lighting

Last night Mayra and I went over to a party for the new event space at Levy Lighting, which is great for a rehearsal dinner, engagement party or birthday party. I'll be honest, we both gave up wine and beer for lent this year, so when we get to go to these event industry events, we are paying REALLY close attention to the party since we're not really paying attention to the bar! 
Last night, that worked in our favor, because Levy Lighting does some of the more innovative things in special event lighting that I've seen.  We got to chat with Ira Levy, who founded the company and said that he's found that brides are really starting to embrace lighting.  And I have to agree-even in this climate, when people are cutting budgets, more and more brides are starting to earmark some money for some uplights and pin-spots...at the very least.   And if you are bringing in some lighting anyway, why not consider a projection like this chandelier above a table of candles and escort cards in lieu of a traditional floral piece? Net-net, the cost likely works out to be similar. 
Here are some pictures of us with our friend Julia from Classic Party Rental and some of the inspiring Light Innovations over at Levy!

Lovely Belle Fleur

Marilyn and Meredith, the mother daughter team behind New York City's Belle Fleur have a remarkable spread in the current issue of Modern Bride on Newstands now.  Having seen their work in person at some of our clients' weddings, I know first hand how gorgeous their floral is. This event is particularly stunning!  Here are just a few shots from the spread, but take note of the linens.... Not only are they bold and daring, but they are mix and match!  let's not get afraid to mix it up!!  AND you can totally create this LOOK using a more budget bud, such as carnations en mass if the hydrangea and anemone is out of your price point.

The Love is In the Details.

Doing these table designs with Fleurs and Classic Party Rentals was a BLAST! Here are some of the detail shots... In addition to the amazing flowers (love the lotus pods!), how much do you love the napkin ring. That was our favorite detail!


Jessy did these unbelievable accent pieces... including this unique display of an array of bouquets.And I'm sort of obsessed with the piece that was in the tree trunk...Here is the other table top design. Internally, we were calling it our "Titanic" table, but I didn't think that sounded very positive, so we switched it to Cosmpolitan Chic.

Love that navy cloth!  And, don't call it a comeback (they've been here for years!) but I think the napkin ring will be back on the scene this season...

An Original Runner

The Q:  I am getting married in a church ceremony, and I am wondering how we can dress up the church without blowing the budget on flowers?  I'm nervous that if we just have a couple of alter pieces we'll spend a lot of money and they won't be noticed.

The A: I have had this question in my inbox for a couple of weeks while I tried to gather together photos and things, but then today I got a piece of news that prompted to just get this post up.

    First off, your instincts are right. From a floral perspective, besides pew bows, alter pieces really aren't that noticeable.  Pew bows done right show up in photos, and add a softness that says "wedding" to guests. 

    Here at Always a Bridesmaid though (and at MANY other planning shops all over the country) we turn to Original Runner Company to make our ceremony sites spectacular.  Emily at Original Runner has been making stand out runners for years- and whether you do a custom design or walk down the aisle on a colored runner, they make a wedding fashion statement!  While the runner is an added cost, it is a surefire conversation piece that your guests will notice AND for a limited time, they are 15% off.  Order your Original Runner before Dec. 15th and they will take a nice little discount off.  Ordering info is below AS well as a couple of photos of their fabulous, Original Runners!

Wedding Decor Torte

The Q:  My fiance and I are want to create a dramatic atmosphere at our reception, but are also really weird about fresh cut flowers.  We'd prefer not to have them.  We really like the idea of just having candles, but I don't want to seem like we "forgot the centerpieces". Any tips or ideas?

The A: Yes!  First, I think that repetition goes a LONG way when it comes to candles.  Consider creating clusters of candles of varying heights in the center of your round tables, using lanterns of varying heights, or better yet, GO LONG.  These table tops done by Verde Flowers  create REAL, glamorous drama with only mirrors, candles and glass (and the occassional cymbidium orchid!), but I think it's pretty impressive (and cost effective).  Remember, when going flowerless (or torte), repeat, repeat, repeat.

Send me a Telligram

Are any of you shopping on Telligrams?  I sort of love these boxes!  They have an assortment of patterned boxes (some of which are below) which is so awesome, since I think patterns are simply under-used in weddings. Telligrams also make these awesome invitation boxes- your information is printed inside of the box.  I think it's a great thing for a shower, or for a favor with a message.

Delightful Damask Details

I've been wild about Damask for some time now, using it over and over again for sample tables at expos and such, but, admittedly, it can be a bit overpowering for some.  So I was just delighted to see some great Damask details out there to add a chic touch of this awesome pattern.   

Here is a great guestbook from Lilyelles's shop on Etsy that can be customized with your accent color.

For a drop of damask on your tables, I love these votive holders. These were found on Etsy as well at Damask Diva's shop They come in a variety of colors. They sell similar items here in NY at B & J Floral Supply on 28th and 6th as well. And finally, these Damask Table numbers from White Aisle would be the perfect finishing touch for your very chic, damask trimmed affair.