Tuscany Wedding by Simply Bloom Photography

OMG. This mixture of gorgeous wedding inspiration, a bride that could honestly be a model, and the amazing work of Simply Bloom Photography, makes for the most amazing wedding I have seen in a long time. Choosing only a few photos was just too hard, so this feature is chalk full of absolutely gorgeous and romantic images. This event takes place in gorgeous Tuscany Italy, with an inspiration board of lace textures, muted colors and a backdrop unlike any other. I can assure you, you're about to be blown away. And this isn't even all of it. Check back for the next feature later today full of some of the most lush tablescapes ever.

I'm Back! Plus a Sneak Peak...

Have I been gone long enough?? Holy Moly, I feel like it has been forever! Our East Coast tour was incredibly fun. We ended up spending several days in both Boston and New York with a little bonus trip to Atlantic City. I've never been to the East Coast (unless you count the Philadelphia airport...) so I honestly had no idea what to expect in terms of the weather. I'll just tell you right now, cardigans and heels just don't cut it in New York in December. This I learned the hard way and ended up lugging a suitcase full of clothing I couldn't wear all over.

I have to thank all my amazing guest bloggers for helping me out during my trip. They had some amazing guest posts which they were kind enough to share with all of us via Engaged & Inspired. (In case you missed any, here they are: Paint DIY by Paper Garland,  Love Birds by She Said Yes, White Romantic by Blush Printables, Backyard Inspiration by Trisha Dean, Vintage Wedding by Steph Bubble,  Fall Destinations by Destination Diva, Desert Wedding by Landlocked Bride, Escort Cards by Every Last Detail.) Which was your favorite?

But now I am back with piles of work and Christmas just around the corner meaning wedding planning is going on the back burner until January. But in a way I am actually really happy about this. On one hand I have less than 4 months until the wedding and so very much to do. On the other, I have had time to step away from all the photos and clear my head. I am coming back to it with a blank canvas of a head and am now ready to actually make decisions and stick to them!

I even managed to get some wedding inspiration from the 6 story Tiffany & Co. Definitely taking aspects of this idea for the wedding!

Before I left I spoke a bit about the fact that I had finally figured out the centerpieces. No joke, I would go to bed thinking about these, spend so much time worrying about which to pick, blah blah blah. It was driving me a bit crazy actually. I am sure you have had something like that which you just can't seem to get out of your mind. Well, I randomly stumbled across this photo and like a lightbulb shining bright, I just KNEW I had found the perfect idea.

So, since I can't seem to keep anything to myself about this wedding (really I can't. I try and I fail. You guys are like conversational wizards that just pull things out of me!) I have decided to post the inspirational pick that started it all. (And if I see this in a wedding before mine, I am going to be really sad, but it's the chance I have to take.)

Wedding To-Do's and a Recap!

Because I am not interested in putting everything off until the last minute, I have decided to set a new target date for myself. I have decided that I am going to get 90% of the wedding done by my birthday which is on December 9th. This way I can enjoy my birthday, the holidays, and not worry about planning again until January!

Source

I understand the massive goal in front of me, there is A LOT! Since I decided this I have gotten my butt into gear and I have actually gotten things done. One of which was creating the absolutely complete and totally organized list of to-dos....which goes on for quite a while. Each part of the wedding is broken down in a separate section of the list making it easy for my to think with the overall look of the venue and the wedding.

I have 3 weeks and a few days left until my birthday, but I have 4 weekends. But seeing as I work for myself, weekends don't mean nearly as much as they used to.

So, here are the things I am going to get done by nightfall on Sunday. I figure it isn't a bad idea to post these things on here because I actually have to stick to them!

1. Order Cotton 2. Put Lace, Hangers, Chicken wire and twine on the armoire. 3. Get wood for table legs and chicken wire from Home Depot. 4. Get cupcake stands and make the table number displays. 5. Make the ceremony sign 6. Wrap books in kraft paper, lace, and twine to see what it looks like. Mock up the centerpiece 7. Make a batch of two-tiered mini cakes to see if I can do it! 8. Go to Priscilla of Boston and do the final fitting!!! 9. Order fashion accessories 10. Research birdcages and find out where to buy and if they are expensive! 11. Figure out the save the dates and actually send something.

Ok that may be all for now. It is not really that much but it is a lot of going here and there. PS: Who thinks a bouquet of lavender and cotton would look good for the bridesmaids? I can't really picture it but I can see it being amazing.

What things are on your wedding to-do list this weekend??? I hope you all are getting a lot done :)

As far as this past week, we had a lot going on. Plenty of giveaways, updates, and inspiration.

The Inspired List received some much needed changes and improvements! This site just keeps getting better and better! Check it out to find vendors in your area :) and if you want more vendors in your area, let me know the location of your wedding and I'll do some research for you! Check out all the updates and additions on my post about it!

Discount Time! This time it is on something that you'll love, videography packages. I know this is often the first thing to get crossed off the budget, believe me, I have been there, but having the memories of the looks you two gave each other, the speeches and the guests tears can not be displayed in photos. The good news this time is that Silber Studios is offering $500 off any package booked before the end of the year! Check out the details and the packages.

This is my wedding inspiration, Take 3. Well, part of it. I have a whole post about it and you can check out boards 1 and 2 while you are at it! The wedding is less than 5 months away, eek!

MagnetStreet is kind enough to host this giveaway, the prize being 100 free holiday cards. These are fully customizable too! They have a line of invitations and save-the-dates as well, but with the holidays nearing, who doesn't want free holiday cards??? Find out how to enter!

Wedding Wednesday Finds (on Thursday!)

Sorry about the late finds but we had to with Erin some love before her wedding! Today I have put together a bunch of ecclectic images which somehow all become a sort of organic and vintage look. I guess I can't stray too far away from my wedding loves now can I? I finally ordered the first of many personalized stamps! I am getting ready to do the escort cards as well as hand stamp clothes pins. It's going to look really cute. I still need to find a DJ and a few other vendors too. I'm pretty behind right now, but I made the promise to get done with 90% of the wedding by the time I go to New York for my birthday, and you better believe that I am holding myself too that!

Now for the finds. The lovely and amazing finds. Speaking of, does anyone know where I could find a real one of these? I am adding a lot of these old windows into my wedding and it would be so beyond fitting if these were my cocktail hour tables!

Who doesn't want a bridal shower that looks like this?

I have never been a huge fan of how cupcakes look on a cupcake stand, but I love the convenience of the single cupcake and no cutting and all that. So, if you are planning on doing cupcakes, take a look at this route. I'm dying of its beauty and your guests will probably want to be your best friend.

Source: Wedding Chicks

Here is a little update on The Inspired List: The number of vendors are increasing each and everyday! We are working darn hard to get this thing really really going. There are several improvements and additions coming that will only make the site better and better. Once it fills up a little more, we get to introduce our next category....which you won't believe how cool it is!

Contain The Pretty

I have been going back and forth and pretty much in every direction trying to figure out what vases would be the best for the centerpieces. There are so many options that I love, and so many options that would work. I am pretty sure I stress the uber-small details far too much, but on the wedding day, that is what will show though! Here are a few of my favorites looks! I think I am going to do with the simple and not-so-full centerpiece look as I just seem to be so drawn to the simplicity.

Source: Mint Design Blog, EAD, EAD

{Florals} A Little DIY Tablescape Inspiration

The fantastic Kia Gregory sent over some images of a little DIY tablescape she did on a whim after picking some gorgeous wildflowers the other day. Now talk about inspiration central! This whole vintage look is so simple, elegant and just all around amazing. Adding a touch of lace to the table and those chic mirrors (not those ugly ones that come with most venues) definitely sets the tone of the overall vintage centerpiece we've got on our hands.

Such a great addition, those teacups are fantastic!

Now that's what I call table love right here!

Check out Kia Gregory for more gorgeous inspiration!

{Real Wedding} David and Sarah By Picotte Photography

You have heard my singing my praises about Picotte Photography in past posts, and you're bound to hear it again. I love the style and the romance she adds to her photography and this wedding is no different. Meet David and Sarah-the use of many different types and colors of flowers is just amazing. I love how they decided to keep everything clean and classic looking by adding clear vases and lots of different whimsical flowers.

This looked like one heck of a wedding! Thanks to David and Sarah for letting me show it off here, and thanks to Picotte Photography for yet another fantastic wedding.

{Darling Details} The Lovely yet Manly Boutonniere

Credit: Lizzie's blog, bottom left photo: Jason + Anna Photography

When it comes to boutonnieres, it's time to get a little creative! The single rose is out, and these fun but still mainly creations are taking it's place. Etsy happens to be a great place to find boutonniere creations fit for the the creative wedding.You kind of don't realize how important the boutonniere is until you see some fantastic looking ones. This is one detail that I have always sort of looked past, but now that I see how awesome it can be, you better believe I'll be picking out some amazingly awesome boutonnieres.

I personally love what Jasmin from Wildflower Event Florals did for Lizzie's wedding (bottom left photo). Each part of the boutonniere had been incorporated into the wedding already from the wood flower that was in all the boutquets to the fabrics that had been used on the bouquets and centerpieces. They fit everything so incredibly well and looked amazing.

Chic and Simple Wedding Inspiration

I'm not going to lie, it has been incredibly hard for me to finalize my vision and figure out which of the 100 million styles (and I love them all) I am going to go with. Part of the problem is that I am meshing so many different styles together (think simple, chic, modern, vintage, and fresh), so I can't just search for one genre. Since you of course need inspiration to at least build off of, it really is important to finalize some sort of color scheme, vision, and style. Enter, this photo. Now this is pretty much what I am looking for in so many regards. Let's break it down. I love the fresh and airy color scheme, natural colors and textures, white table clothes with bright and bold color pops. So this photo pretty much covers it right?? I have been trying to stear far away from pink (as much as I highly love it) because I don't want it to turn out girlie. I am totally fine with adding in pops of pink and incorporating it since it is just an amazing color, but for Ian's sake, I want to make it a bit more neutral.

And now for the details! I'm seriously obsessed with those burlap-wrapped mason jars holding the centerpiece bouquets and candles. Those candles would be so romantic letting off light through the burlap textures. I am definitely adding that to my to-do list!

And since we are on the subject of my wedding, how is the venue search going?? I went to see the Old Whaling Station last weekend. After seeing the space for a fourth time, I decided that it was just too small to work. The amount of DIY I would have to do before and during (yes during! We would have to convert the ceremony spot into the reception spot while people were fully standing there!) just seemed like it was not worth it in the end. So, the search continues.... I found a few spots, but again, I still have to go see them all. I think I should check out Napa again? Or some place like that. Or maybe I will check out some destination locations??

Image Source: Sea Studio

Part 2: Vintage Wedding in my Potential Venue!

Ok here is part two of the amazing wedding. Again, this is the venue I am planning to use so it is great to see that someone has actually done a fantastic wedding here! Just so that everyone doesn't think I am crazy for being majorly indecisive on this space :), here is the update. I am taking the moms to see the place on Sunday. At this point, unless they point out any insanely major issues, I am going to book it. I do have a few cons keeping me from instant love, the first being the homemade food. I actually have no doubt in my mind that it will turn out to be 100% incredible, but it is the stress of getting to that point that is really killing me. It is obviously just a lot of work.

The other major concern is that the space is just not a wedding set-up. In a way I actually really like that because I hate a lot of cookie cutter wedding venues, but at the same time it takes lots more creativity and pulling in different elements to ensure the space is how it is supposed to be. I am definitely very excited to work with the non-traditional aspect, but in times of wedding inspiration-block, I am nervous that I won't know where to put anything! Oh my. That probably won't be the case, but I guess it is worth freaking out about.

SOOO CUTE on the food right! Love the way they did this.

OMG! I am sooo doing milk like this..I am in love :)

One thing I love about this space is the very versatile photography spots! There are so many different places which are all totally different styles. I think that will make for some great diversity!

This is the outside of the building. Not something we would be seeing from the seating in the reception.

OK all, I could REALLY use the help and feedback! What are your thoughts? Cute, not cute, keep looking, do something in particular?? I can't believe I might actually have a full venue booked in the next week. YAY