sunday mixer: cherry blossom bridal shower

Swwweeet! A Cherry Blossom Bridal Shower! Credits: cherry blossom tea cakes, origami centerpieces, tea cup, cake, invitations, tea pot, clutch, fan, cherry blossom scrabble tile necklace, napkins, flowers.

diy fun: 1000 origami cranes

Japanese legend has it that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish such as long life, or a thousand years of good luck.  The crane, in Asia, is one of many mystical symbols, that is said to live for thousands of years.  World wide, the crane has come to be recognized as a symbol for peace. But you don't have to fold them yourself!  Often a folder will give the thousand cranes as a wedding gift, wishing the couple a thousand years of happiness and prosperity!  Origami is a wonderful way to bring some symbolism into your wedding, even if you can't fold 1,000 cranes! 

DIY: Want to give it a try?  Visit origamitube.com for instructional videos on how to fold everything from peace cranes to Christmas angels! I found a wonderful and easy to follow video on the peace crane here! 

Or visit Amazon and buy an Origami Thousand Crane Kit for $16.95 that has everything you need to make 1000 colorful cranes!

Or try this book also from Amazon: A Thousand Cranes: Origami Projects for Peace and Happiness by Florence Temko, for $9.60.

top image: hanging cranes,

friday feature: asian themed wedding

LOVE it! Samayah and Ray's Asian-themed wedding comes from The Bride's Cafe and it is absolutely stunning!  I love everything about it!
LOVE the bride's simple, flowy white dress, RED shoes, gorgeous turquoise bracelet and over-the-top hair piece!
LOVE the parasols (in place of a bouquet)!
LOVE the SAKE ceremony and its symbolism! (and the symbolism all through the wedding)!
LOVE the cherry blossom cake!
LOVE everyone wearing WHITE!
And LOVE LOVE LOVE the 1000 white origami paper cranes hanging from above for good luck!
Congratulations to the new couple! We LOVE your style!

vintage closet: the getaway car

Move over limousine!  Brides and Grooms are looking for classic wheels to get to and from their weddings these days!  Maybe you have the best man as a chauffeur or maybe the groom makes the quick get away all on his own, his new bride by his side!  How romantic!
All credits: pink antique wedding car, Roadrunner, light blue Morris wedding car, guys in black on black Jeep, pink bug, sexty 2 Vet, white Thunderbird, red Mustang, green truck, VW bus, wedding golf cart, red Chevy.

pretty papel picado invites

 

Just love papel picado for its whimsy and color!  Found this collection of beautiful papel picado invitations to inspire you!  Aren't the colors just wonderful? What a great jumping off point for planning your entire wedding around!  Credits for these invites: bellafigura.com, blog.birddogpress.com, senorsenora.com, brittbrowne.blogspot.com, flickr.com/photos/camillestyles, thingsrbetterwithaparrott.typepad.com.

etsy find: paper flowers

Hand-made, hand-wired luxury paper flowers!  This pretty 8" bouquet is $115 from Ferntree Flowers and can be customized to the flower and color of your choice.  Single flowers are also available like the one below for $4.50 each and would be just a stunning atop each bridal luncheon place setting!

sunday mixer: eco wedding

Love a green wedding!  Bird cake topper, barn reception with grass/candle centerpieces, stone table tags (note the pretty papel picado!), eco-friendly bird invites, wildflower wedding cake, candle lanterns, green wedding dress made with recycled lace and curtains, wildflowers in classic white pitcher, green wedding bouquet, birdseed guests place cards

sweet tiny sugar flower cakes!

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Love, love, love, love wedding cakes decorated in a plethora of tiny sugar flowers!  They have to be among my absolute favorite cakes-for weddings or showers-sweet, pretty, romantic and simple!

vintage closet: short couture dresses

These wonderful custom-made, custom-fit vintage dresses come from whirling turban and start at $400!  In my search for the short wedding dress I came across this site and fell in love with the clean, elegant Audrey Hepburn style. Beautiful dresses, great price and quality workmanship. A+ for whirling turban!

wedding whimsy: papel picado!

Ooooo, I have become a huge fan of papel picado--the Mexican folk art of papercutting!  You've no doubt seen it at Mexican celebrations like Day of the Dead, but papel picado is also popular at all kinds of celebrations from weddings to christenings!  It has such a flirty whimsical appeal, I just love it!  The traditional way of cutting is done using special cut stencils and chisels to hand-cut through several layers at one time, but scissors may also be used.

Both Ay Mujer and Mexican Sugar Skull will hand cut and customize your papel picado!  And if you want to try making your own, check out this cool short-cut idea from Free Pretty Things For You using simple white doilies!  Super sweet at any celebration--engagement parties, the bride's home, a rehearsal dinner, outdoor reception or even a ceremony! Go all wedding white or add some fun with a punch of color!  Either way, papel picado is a clever way of adding unique whimsy  to any celebration!

sunday mixer: sunflower wedding

Sunflowers are wonderful at weddings!  They are bright, cheery and full of meaning! They were worshipped by the Incas, revered as holy by Native Americans and painted by the greatest Impressionists of all time!  Their beauty and allure remain unmatched, but did you know the rich symbolism behind the sunflower may just make it the perfect wedding flower?  It most obviously symbolizes the sun, but also warmth, happiness, adoration and longevity--all wonderful wishes to begin any marriage by!

etsy find: vintage bluebird wish tags

Adorable!  I am in love with tags--for bridal showers, baby showers, weddings and gift-giving!  They are a great way to accessorize your theme, but also a wonderful way for you to get personal with your guests!  Love these shabby chic scalloped bluebird tags!  This set of 8 tags,hand-stamped, comes to us from luvs2create2 for only $5.00!  But you can customize and order larger quantities!  Check out this etsy shop--love, love, love all their tags!

friday feature: summer wedding by the sea

Almost one year later, my daughter's seaside DIY backyard wedding: enjoy!

                                                                          Table names.