Etsy Favorites

I see so many amazing weddings that have accents from Etsy. I know that Etsy is an incredible wedding resource for us brides, but for some reason I never seem to find anything on there. Maybe it's the way I search or the things I am looking for, but I never seem to find anything good from Etsy! Yet, I KNOW those amazing shops exist. Are their other brides out there that feel the same way? So, who wants to help me out here? What are your favorite Etsy shops? Shops you stalk, you ordered from, or you plan to have in your wedding?

I do have a small few of my own that I really do love which I figured I would list below but I would love you all to post some links of your fave Etsy shops as well!

Rosebud Lips

Oatmeal Lace

{UPDATE}

Here are some of the links to shops that other's recommend! Happy Etsy shopping.

The Back Porch Shoppe

Print Your Party

LoBoheme

Katie Armour

Tux and Tulle

Lara Leigh Designs

Alex Bridal

b.poetic

{Guest Post} Paint Themed DIY by Paper Garland

Today starts my trip to the concrete jungle that is New York City. We actually start in Boston then head to New York on Friday, but either way, the trip has officially begun! Fortunately I have called in the big guns and had some of the best bloggers around take my place while I am gone. (Though you'll still see me around here and there.) I won't tell you the order of the bloggers so each day check back to see who the surprise blogger is of the day! Today we are starting out with a super fun little DIY by Paper Garland. Enjoy! I can’t thank Allison enough for inviting me to guest post on her fabulous blog! One ofmy favorite (of oh so many) things about Engaged & Inspired is the incredible archive ofgorgeous details, shoots, and pretties just aching to be recreated by other special brides,so I thought I would take this opportunity to add an entry into her stunning collection!

I love to see a couple incorporate a hobby that they share into their wedding. I think apeek into what makes the couple happy in their daily life can make the wedding an evenmore joyful affair! Created especially for a couple who share a love for painting and art,this painter’s palette centerpiece is created in two easy parts and is such fun to make! Ican’t wait to walk you through, so let’s get started!

For the centerpiece, you will need:-Wooden painter’s palette-Transparent Glass Paints (I used Delta)-Sponge Brush-Paint Brush-7 tea lights-8 votives (7 + 1 to practice on!)-Newspaper to work on

  • Prime the votives: The Delta Paint kit comes with a primer bottle. This step helps thepaint stick and dry faster. The primer dried within about 20 minutes and the votives wereready to be painted.
  • Paint: I am a very novice painter and these paints were so easy to use! I recommendlong, smooth strokes and applying one coat per votive. However, the paint is not tooquick-drying so if you desire a more saturated color, go for two! Let dry for at least 1hour.
  • Admire your work: I chose a Roy G. Biv color scheme to tie into the art theme. Ifrainbow isn’t your thing, I also think it’d be great to use your wedding colors instead!

While the votives dried, I had the opportunity to get to work on my easy-peasy floralarrangement for the center of the palette!

For the floral arrangement, you will need: Simple long-stemmed flowers that make you smile-Paint brushes of varying shapes and sizes-Mason jar-Sharp scissors.

  • Make sure all you need is close at hand: You’ll be too excited to see the finishedproduct to work slowly!
  • Trim your stems: I wanted this arrangement to have a staggered, uneven look (muchlike paint brushes dropped into a water cup!) so I made sure the tulips were slightlydifferent lengths and not so tall that they overpowered the paint brushes. Play with it tosee what you like!
  • Decorate: Arrange the flowers and brushes in beautiful disarray in a water-filled masonjar. I suggest using rubber band or floral tape to discreetly secure the brushes at theangles you want them to stand.

By the time your arrangement is complete, the votives should be nearly dry. Pop a tealight into each one and arrange them in your desired pattern around the perimeter of thepalette. Place the floral arrangement in the center of the wood and you’re done: an artsycenterpiece that’s as personal as it is beautiful!

Et voila! With a few extra touches on theme (but not too many!) like these paint chipmenus, place cards, and table numbers inspired by a feature on Bride Goggles, this art-themed table setting is easy to achieve and makes a great conversation piece for your guests!

Brides: Looking for wedding vendors? Check out The Inspired List to find the vendors who bring your wedding inspiration to life.

Vendors: Have you signed up for The Inspired List yet? Check it out right now and make sure you take advantage of the December Deal to save some money!

Brides:

He Already Put a Ring on it, but Now He Has to Put Two More

Before I start this post, I would love to apologize for my hands. Unfortunately I was not blessed with model hands and therefore they do not do exceptionally well in photo shoots. I went ring shopping yesterday and came out with a decision that I can't seem to make on my own! I asked Ian for his opinion, and I don't know if I am willing to accept it just yet. First off, I want 3 bands. Since I am doing 3 bands I thought it would be cute to add a little color in there just for fun. Ian things the colored ones look like gumball machine rings. I don't know about that, but now I am curious if the color does detract from the beauty of the ring or if it adds something cute and fun.

The simple choice. Diamond bands on each side.

Diamond band plus a diamond and sapphire band. This would be my top choice of the colored options.

Diamond band and pink and diamond band. I would choose sapphire over pink. I don't want it looking too cheesy.

Diamond band and all sapphire band.

Which would you pick??? I need some major help with this decision here :)

Giving Thanks

All of these thank you tags don't even begin to express the number of times I thank you all each day! This past 11 months has been absolutely incredible. In the past year I have made many advances both small and large that determine the rest of my life, and without this blog, with out you all there supporting, I never would have done any of it.

I am so happy to be part of such a wonderful group with some of the most amazing and creative people all over the world. I consider you all my friends from the bottom of my heart and I thank you for being there for me and hope that I have been just as good of a friend to you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

And Bear, I love you and miss you and maybe one of these days near or far, we can talk about our exciting lives again together and hang out at Kooser Starbucks while I watch you draw and talk about my all too dramatic life! I hope you're doing better than ever before. Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend to all of you! So many incredible things happened this week :)

Our Silber Studios video was featured on Wedding Chicks. The Inspired List passed the 300 wedding vendor mark! I have 3 weeks before all my wedding stuff has to be done! (eeks) TWIPS has officially started and is now a thriving wedding community And about 100 other little things that really make your week that much better. It's all about the simple things.

Enjoy your weekend! Happy Wedding Planning!

Featured on The Wedding Chicks

I've been excited about this news for sometime and now I finally get to spill the beans! A few weeks ago a group of us Bay Area wedding vendors got together in a dried creek bed for probably the coolest proposal story of all time!

The video was mocked up by myself and the man behind the camera of Silber Studios. For more information about Silber Studios Wedding Films and to get a $500 discount on their services, check out their website!

Go over to Wedding Chicks and show some love for our vid and totally chic styled shoot!

An Amazing Proposal and An Amazing Video

I'm not going to lie, I have a total geek side to me which includes following start-ups and other geeky stuff. This I attribute to both living in Silicon Valley and being engaged to Ian. I become obsessed the moment I saw this proposal. I mean honestly, what guy really gets this into and this creative with a proposal? It was totally amazing. Oh and I am kind of obsessed with that ring and her face when he proposes. Here is a look at the proposal.

Images are from Dave Morin.

To die for, right? Well, today he launched a site (well, iPhone app rather) called Path which I have been excited about for some time. They included a little promo video on the front page and of course I loved it even more when the finale of the video had a guy with a ring in his hand, ready to propose. :) If you want to watch it, it is below.

I'm excited about the product too. After looking into it a little more I could see this having a ton of potential for the day to day, but also for us brides. This could make planning a wedding a whole lot easier, especially if your bridesmaids are all over the country. You could take photos of dress shopping, picking centerpieces etc. put them on Path, and friends and family will be updated on your plans and ideas. This way only people you want to be involved with the planning will see your ideas. Super awesome.

And of course, I am totally excited to see their wedding. If it is anything like the proposal, it is bound to be epic.

Raise of hands, who is loving this proposal???

Looking for wedding vendors? Check out our vendor guide to search by budget, location and vendor type. Find the vendors who bring your wedding inspiration to life on The Inspired List.

Break Time

Today, I have to take a break. I am so incredibly busy getting all the wedding stuff together, finishing some work assignments and more. With the wedding coming so soon (only 5 months away) I need to get my butt in gear. So, today I leave you all with a photo of the accessories that myself and my bridesmaids will probably be wearing, courtesy of one of my favorites, Rosebud Lips.

I hope to get everything done today and be back here tomorrow for more wedding inspiration and love.

Wedding Videography Discounts

Check out these fantastic wedding videography discounts from Silber Studios Wedding Films.

Whether a wedding film was in your original plan or not, this is a deal that is just too good to pass up. Having your special day turned into a wedding film is one of the best ways to remember all the details of your big day. Everything from the look in his eyes to your favorite speech, a well-crafted wedding film is a definite must for any bride.

From right now until the very end of the year, we are giving big discounts on wedding videos. We are offering $500 off any wedding videography package for brides who book before January 1, 2011. Contact us at video@silberstudios.com for retail pricing info or to set up a time we can get on the phone or meet up in person to chat about your upcoming wedding.

For brides who are tying the knot before March 20, 2011, we have an even bigger discount to offer you! Silber Studios is offering $1,000 off the Diamond and Gold packages from now until March 20th. If you weren't planning on having a wedding film, these prices make it simple and affordable to have one.

Diamond Wedding Package:

  • Two professional videographers
  • Full coverage from getting ready to  goodbye
  • A 3-5 minute highlights film
  • A 15-30 minute complete wedding day film
  • 2 DVD copies of each film
  • All raw footage on a hard drive.

Gold Wedding Package:

  • Two professional videographers
  • Full coverage from getting ready to goodbye
  • A 3-5 minute highlights film
  • A 15-20 minute complete wedding day film
  • 2 DVD copies of each film

Silver Wedding Package:

  • 1 professional videographer
  • Highlight video coverage of the wedding day
  • A 3-5 minute highlights film
  • 2 DVD copies of the film

{Oh The Chocolate Cake} Elegant Decay #6

Hello There! If you have been following #elegantdecay so far today, you have found the right place for your next stop! If you are just finding out about it now, read on to get the details and click on the blogs below to catch up.

Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. have put together the greatest game ever for you all! We are so excited to partner with some of our most favorite blogosphere friends for this Blog Around the World: Elegant Decay post! Today you're invited to a worldwide scavenger hunt on these awesome blogs where you'll find snippets of their Elegant Decay photo shoot!

I must say, I get one of the best photos :) I mean, mine has an amazing looking chocolate cake. Did I mention that it is amazing looking?? I mean let's be honest, no party is a party without a luscious cake.

Now it's your turn to scavenger around and piece together this incredible shoot! Right now there are 5 other photos already available and many many more coming as the day continues! So go for it and piece together this epic shoot!

Twitter Hashtag: #elegantdecay Share your love of the shoot by spreading this around! Join in the conversation, we are all having a blast!

1: Bubble Rock @stephbubble 2: Magnolia Rouge @rubyandwillow 3: Cap Classique @capclassique 4: Brancoprata @brancoprata 5: The Demoiselle @The_Demoiselle 6: Engaged + Inspired @EngagedInspired 7: Postcards and Pretties @postcrdsprettie 8: Paper Garland @papergarland 9: Sparkle and Hay @sparkleandhay 10: Superburbs @superburbs 11: Every Last Detail @ELD_Lauren 12: Brenda's Wedding Blog @weddingsites 13: Niche White @NicheWhite 14: Simply and Forever KatieSaeger 15: Bride Goggles @BrideGoggles 16: Landlocked Bride @LandlockedBride 17: Forget Me Knot Weddings @forgetmeknotwed 18: Fabulously Wed @fabulouslywed 19: The Bride Suite @thebridesuite 20: Enchanted Dreams Wedding & Affairs @NaomiVGoodman 21: Marry You Me @MarryYouMe 22: Luna and Chloe Weddings @lunaandchloe 23: La Petite Coquin @lapetitecoquin 24: Glamour and Grace Weddings @GlamandGraceWed

And of course, let's give major props to the design team who put much work and effort into this shoot!

Design + styling: Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. Photography: Jeremy Leffel Floral design: Anne Bradfield of Floressence Glassware and china: vintage pieces from Nick's mom Venue, food, and drinks: Palace Ballroom by Tom Douglas Linens: Choice Linens Chairs and silverware: AA Party Rentals