The Knotty Bride™ Wedding Blog + Wedding Vendor Guide

Shoe-lovers, we hope you’re sitting down.  Sherri Caudell Brennan, Shopping and Fashion Market Expert for The Bride’s Guide, a blog by the Editors of Martha Stewart Weddings, posted this delectable assortment of bridal shoes for your viewing pleasure.  The original post was back in May of this year, so we can’t be certain that all of these Spring ’09 styles will still be readily available, but we loved her post so much that we just had to show it to you…

… if you are among friends/coworkers, please be careful not to drool…

{The Bride’s Guide inspiration board photo credits} From left to right: First row-Kathryn Amberleigh, Vouelle. second row-Georgina Goodman, Kate Spade. third row-Pink Paradox London, Charles David. fourth row-Badgley Mischka, Christian Lacroix, Monica Garcia.

There are low ones and high ones, open toes and closed ones, humble to high impact, subdued to sexy.  Your options are many, so we suggest you try on all of them.  You know, for good measure.  ;)

Today, we’ve got some brilliant little DIY projects from the great Martha Stewart that’ll really show your creative side to each and every single one of your wedding guests.  If you’re crafty, and you’re looking for a few inspiring ways to make your invitations uniquely yours, get ready for some inspiration!

Perfect for a winter wedding, this do it yourself invitation is delicate, sweet and relatively simple to make.  All you need: your invitations (for best results, print on card stock), a Japanese hole puncher and yarn.  We adore the soft pink used below, but the great thing about this project is that you can coordinate the yarn color with your wedding scheme!

You can accent your stitched invites with envelopes lined in a coordinating color or pattern.  (Martha achieved the cherry blossom look above with gift wrap.)

Not looking to spend too much one-on-one time creating your invitations?  Here’s the project for you.  While we wouldn’t necessarily suggest the below for a formal wedding, you can certainly go ahead with this approach for a more casual affair.  It’s pretty straightforward: decide on the content of your invitation (need help with that?  Go here), have a custom stamp made for you (there are a number of people online who sell this ware, but Martha tends to suggest this guy so we will, too), and then stamp your brains out.

Beware: because the stamp is so large, you may run into trouble achieving an even print every time.  So just be sure to check that you’ve evenly coated the entire rubber image, and, upon placing it on your card stock, softly impress each of its corners with your fingers after the initial press.

Looking for the perfect way to marry your passion for bright colors and elaborate prints with your desire to keep it classy enough for a formal fête?  If that’s a yes, then you may want to consider this next project, which we’ve nicknamed ‘business on the front, party on the back.’  (Sooo cheesy.)  Anyway, good news: it involves making stickers!  (Who doesn’t love this?)  To make these cloth-backed cards, Martha advises you use the Xyron 500, a user-friendly sticker-maker, which you can find here.

A little more detail, courtesy of Martha:

After you’ve fed the material through the machine — thin fabrics such as cotton work best — trim the now-sticky piece with a rotary cutter, and then affix it to the back of the invite. For an added layer of texture, use paper in a coordinating color to make envelope liners.

We feel that embossing oozes sophisticated chic.  If you agree, consider an embosser made of your monogram, and go wild…

How pleasantly unique is this?  This ensures your guests will get a truly unique look at your creativity as soon as they lift the flap of your invitation.  Nothing worth doing is easy, and this one definitely involves some doing, so we encourage you to check out Martha’s How To on lining an envelope.

Are you a master DIY-er?  Here’s a challenge, and be warned, it’s ALL YOU, even down to making the envelopes!  Here’s the detailed How-To (Paper-backed wood veneer is the medium used in the image below:)

If you listen closely, you’ll hear “awww”s coming from the homes of your guests as they open these dainty paper doily envelopes. These truly look professional when done with a slow hand.  Believe it or not, they’re quite simple to make!  Just make sure you use 9-inch square doilies, you’re set.  Just fold into itself, affix with a clear adhesive, and voila!

Calligraphy is often not an option when working with a budget.  Here’s an alternative that’s easy and acceptable:

Here’s the template:

Talk about easy; just visit any custom stamp site (Zazzle.com is a leader in the industry) and upload a design of your choosing…

Okay, this next one we L O V E.  Isn’t it just the most stunning suite you’ve seen today?  This one’s all about the accents – the stamp accents.  Get your hands on vintage stamps from a specialty store, and give your invitations a truly elegant throwback feel.

You can go the vintage route, or, if you’re having trouble finding what you want (you’ll obviously need quite a few stamps and it might be tough to hunt down enough if they’re vintage), then consider visiting the USPS online store. There you’ll find countless colors and prints, and who knows, you might find a perfect match for your invitations!

For more on bringing your invitations to the next level, visit Martha Stewart Weddings.  Did we mention we LOVE her?

On Friday, October 16, The Martha Stewart Show was devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This episode gave us a couple of great ideas (if we do say so ourselves) that you may want to employ for your wedding!

As you may already know, we here at The Knotty Bride are always looking for ways to infuse what we find to be wonderful things and ideas, into weddings. Well, this time it was a no-brainer and we’re SURE that your bridal party will be psyched over the first one.

So, getting to it: are you looking for a meaningful item to give to your bridesmaids that they’ll treasure, not just throw in a drawer when they get home? Maybe pink is integral to your wedding color scheme, and you’d like that to extend to your bridal party’s look as they walk… or dance, whatever floats your boat… up the aisle. Or maybe breast cancer has had an impact on your life or the lives of your friends and family, and you are looking for a way to show support and awareness in a way that will bring delight to your guests’ faces, and a feeling of happiness and warmth to their hearts.

If any of that applies to you, well then two things are happening here — 1) we love you! and 2) we’ve got the perfect gift for your bridal party, and anyone else to whom you’d like to give something truly special and incredibly meaningful…

Now imagine that diva-liciousness draped around the necks of your beautiful bridesmaids? They can also roll and tie the scarves around their necks, for a that sophisticated french look. Hard to pull off, but ah-mazing when done right.

Do you love a good DIY project?  Then may we suggest showing your support through your invitations!

For more information or if you’re interested in purchasing any of the Warriors in Pink items seen here, visit fordcares.com

Instructions for making a super special invitation or thank you card:

Tools and Materials
Notecard and envelope
“Symbols of the Warrior” stamping kit
Glue pen
Glitter

Stationery How-To
1. Stamp notecard and let dry completely.
2. Use glue pen and glitter to embellish.
3. Decorate envelope, if desired.

Resources
Stamping kit from fordcares.com. You can find the additional tools and materials over at Martha Stewart Crafts.

You may have seen this golden beauty on The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda: it’s the Limited Edition COUSIN CLAUDINE EXCLUSIVE FOR JENNIFER MILLER, and I highly recommend it! And why not on your wedding day, as your ‘something pink?’  :) In my opinion, it would look stunning on a bride’s wrist as she walks down the aisle. So, consider supporting this October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Program benefiting SUSAN G KOMEN FOR THE CURE by dawning one of these: Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet of jewels.

You can check out the rest of Jennifer’s line here.

We adore the world of Etsy here at The Knotty Bride.  It’s practically the greatest thing going if you want something that screams creative and unique.  It’s like marketplace version of the The Freelancers Union.  Things you’ve never even dreamed of come to life over at Etsy; and, for a bride who wants customization, she needn’t look any further – Etsy is her mecca, her holy grail… of personalization.

The creative minds over at Martha Stewart Weddings recently put together a lengthy list of their favorite Etsy Shops.  Here are our favorites, delicately plucked from among theirs.  Think you might want to get your hands on one of these one-of-a-kind creations?  You’ll find the details of each and every product here at Martha Stewart Weddings.

Ok, as promised, our faves… enjoy!

For a complete list of their picks, click here to take a direct flight to the article over at Martha Stewart Weddings.

When I saw these beautiful brooch bouquets, I stared at them with the curiosity and excitement of a newborn baby discovering its mommy’s face.  You, too, will know a new level of joy when you see these exquisite creations, courtesy of Fantasy Floral Designs.  They are the absolute most sophisticated, most dazzling, and most enviable way to walk the road less traveled, without risking a cliff dive into “I’m trying hard to be unconventional.  Can you tell?”

These man-made floral bouquets are hand-crafted by Fantasy Floral Designs founder–and master creative mind–Amanda Heer.  This is what I call talent.  Interested in getting a bouquet that’s as stunning and unique as you?  For more information, or to make an appointment, you can contact Amanda at 949-240-3571.

Remarkable, right?  The perfect arrangement of pretty pastels, with a glowing sparkle that makes the bouquet POP (as if it needed any help).  We found this next numba-one-stunna on photographer Alice Hu’s site…

Loving it?  Here’s another one, just as stunning, but in darker shades for a bride with black and white on her mind…

Here’s another photo, with two of them cuddlin’ up against one another, just because we LOVE them soo much…

… And one final photo of the glowing clusters, so you can get an idea of what it would look like in your hands…

Ahh, just lovely.  I want it.

A Final Thought: they’re a wee bit expensive.  But remember, if you really love something, don’t let it go… trim your guest list.  ;)  (I’m serious.)

If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for perfect ways to embed your personalities and the special little details of your relationship (that “stuff” that adds up to make the two of you so freakin’ adorable and/or awesome!)  into the important moments and design points of your wedding.  Well, if you consider yourself the kind of bride who (a) would rather stay true to herself than adhere to any debilitating standard, and (b) has an undying passion for all things “The Simpsons”… well then LOOK NO FURTHER!

Still here?  Ok, so it looks like you could be into it…

… Now, if you’re still reading, then one of two things is going on here: you  L O V E  this idea, it’s that one perfect detail for which you’ve been searching, or… you just need a little eye candy to distract you from your work today.  Well, don’t we ALL!  If you’re the latter, then you might want to check out THIS colorific category – go ahead, I think this is what you’re craving.  It’s a wonderland of imagery that’ll make your brain all happy and peaceful.  (Well, it makes my brain feel that way, and I’m sensing you and I are at least a little alike.)

However, if you’re the former… and you feel that these stamps were practically made for you (just take a look again, to be sure, because it would be quite a unique move here, my friend)…

No, wait… I should show you this one:

Yeah, so that’s the most extreme image of this line.

If Homer didn’t make you flinch, then these specialty stamps may be just perfect for you and your hubby-to-be.  Sorry, I hope I wasn’t insulting you; I just always want to make sure that you lovely brides are happy with your choices… and that drive to make sure gets waaaay stronger when we’re considering something like cartoon character postage!!!  My ultimate goal is for you to be pleased as punch that you chose what you did… 30 years down the road.

Where to buy: the USPS online store

These stamps I can get behind, with some coaxing.  Just promise me one thing…

You won’t use matching envelopes.

Chiara over at Style Me Pretty calls this “For the Love of Strawberries.” Couldn’t think of a better way to describe this board of radiant reds!

Credits: Michael and Judy Stouffer, J. Crew

Brides and wedding enthusiasts, boogy on down to Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 28 for the second Brooklyn Bridal Blogger Evening (7 to 9 pm) at Lion in the Sun of Park Slope! Leading names in the world of weddings will be there to fill you in on their favorite weddings, and to offer their advice! In attendance will be:

Vane from Brooklyn Bride
Anne from “I will” to “I do”
Sarah from Brilliant Event Planning
Xochtil from Always a Blogsmaid
Loren from Naturally Delicious

Sound like your idea of a fabulous time?
RSVP at shop@lioninthesun.com with “RSVP October 28 event” in the header.

Delectable snacks and treats to be provided by Naturally Delicious.

Planning a wedding? Everyone in attendance will receive a 10% off coupon on future purchases at Lion in the Sun AND 10% off your Naturally Delicious menu if you book by the end of the year.

I have to share with you these pillowy little pleasures I’ve always admired from our friends over at Martha Stewart Weddings. I bet you could pump one of these stinkers out while sipping your latte or even commuting to work! I’m totally coveting the top three, but I can’t stop staring at each and every single one of them.  They’re just so adorable!

If you’re feeling a tingle of creativity, go get the directions for these babies over at Martha’s DIY Weddings Inspiration, or just take a stroll at Martha Stewart Weddings.

Think your wedding’s the bee’s knees? Have you painstakingly styled every detail, and you’re confident it’s got it goin’ on?  Well then get that fabulous fête in a magazine!

Submit your wedding to Wedding Style Guide

From Wedding Style Guide:

Each issue, we choose a select number of weddings to feature in the pages of our magazine.

If you would like us to consider your wedding for inclusion in our magazine, please download the submission form, complete the details and return it to us together with a few photos.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
It’s all about the detail—we love the little things that come together to complete the picture. We’re looking for stunning stationery, interesting venues, unique table settings, beautiful lighting, sublime flowers and stylish photography— every aspect where care and consideration has gone into the planning.

SUBMIT and WIN
Send in your wedding and if it’s chosen to be published you’ll receive
a special little something in the mail from us.

My inspiration for this board actually came from an early time in my wedding planning, when I was pondering a pretty palette of soft pinks, minty greens and ivory whites. Though I’ve since moved on from this color scheme, I still love it dearly! Who knows, maybe it demands my return…

Credits: Silvana Difranco, Millie Holloman, Lisa Lefkowitz (3)

Thinking these colors might be just right for your wedding? If yes, be careful; I would suggest prominently featuring only one of the scheme’s stronger colors – either the pink or the green – in your implementation. Equal parts pink, green and white can result in a wedding that fails in the sophistication category; too often looking more like children’s party, or a Sweet Sixteen.

My inspiration for this board came from the striking blue sky that glows behind party-goers while they admire a newly married couple in their first dance together as husband and wife.

Credits: Suthi Picotte, Suthi Picotte

If you wanted to employ a color scheme like this one for your wedding, I would suggest detailing the wedding in soft baby blues and warm purples (here, the baby blue is in the programs on the lower left, which have been placed inside of a simple woven basket; the purple paints one of a pair of cute little birdies).

There are a lot of opinions out there regarding the issue of to top or not to top, but one thing’s for sure: when we saw this vintage cake topper spread from project wedding, we fell in love all over again with the idea…

Those pretty pastels, alone, draw me in and don’t let go… maybe that’s what’s got me on the side of toppers, today? Hmm, I think that means the jury’s still out, friends.

I admit, my favorite thing about this gathering is the inclusion of chocolate chunks. Want to rope us in? Show us a creative way to infuse something chocolate into your wedding, and we’ll bite.

Like yourself a blush pink palette? Get inspired with this masterpiece:

Credits: Karlisch, Karen Wise, Jose Villa, Lisa Lefkowitz, Meg Baisden Photography, Byron Hoffman and Lasting Images, Sweet Monday Photography, Suthi Picotte

Tiffany blue, one of the most popular picks of brides across the country, pairs with radiant reds to bring about an exciting and unique elegance for the somewhat daring bride…

Credits: Mark Brooke, Lisa Lefkowitz, Meg Perotti

Here’s a lovely palette for a late Spring wedding, courtesy of a creative mother in Colorado:

Credits: Penny Silvia, Millie Holloman Photography, Lisa Lefkowitz (2), Raya Carlisle Photography, Love Life Images

Absolutely love, love, LOVE the colors in this stunning aqua and red themed inspiration board by Heather Ham:

Now that’s what I call inspiration! Go forth and plan, my pretties!

… and doing it without EVER having to stand on line at 6 o’clock in the morning, or dashing from dress to dress among other discount divas in a sea of last year’s not so sought after sample styles…

Step 1 is likely complete: you’ve found your dress; it’s THE ONE, no doubt about it. But it’s also way out of your price range. Well, let’s look at the facts. Your wedding day will likely be the most photographed day of your life. To be honest, unless you are photographed for a living, this is the best you’re ever going to look. So, I’m going to assume that you’d like to look really good, maybe even HOT, on that one-of-a-kind day, am I right? Of course I’m right. And that, my dear friends, requires, at the very least, a very nice, very flattering, and, potentially, very expensive dress. That dress is called THE DRESS, and we want you to have it. So, all that’s left is acquiring it without breaking your budget…

Well guess what? I did it. For about 60% off the retail price. And I’m no banker’s daughter. So that means you can do it, too.

All it takes is a little bit of legwork. Did I say legwork? Fingerwork is more like it. Here are the simple steps to getting that dream dress for less:

~ Step 2: visit sites that boast gently or once-used wedding dresses. Here are some strong examples:

preownedweddingdresses.com, woreitonce.com, bridepower.com, oncewed.com/used-wedding-dresses

Tip: unless the seller states upfront that she isn’t willing to budge on the price listed, don’t hesitate to negotiate. Email her with a reasonable offer, and see what happens. It’s very likely that it’ll work out in your favor!

~ Step 3: this one’s obvious, but google the designer and style name/# of your dress. Who knows, maybe you’ll have the fortune of finding it on the web page of a charming little boutique somewhere nearby, or maybe across the country. If you find the dress, it doesn’t matter where it’s located, just pick up the phone, pronto! Most shops are happy to accomodate you over the phone or via email. Most wedding shop owners are in the business because of their undying love for it, and that means they take pride and joy in helping a bride LIKE YOU find her dream dress. It’s a win-win, for you and for them. Example: I just HAD to have a certain Melissa Sweet dress (I can’t tell you which one yet, as the hubby-to-be wants it to be a surprise and will be uber-upset if he finds out via this blog. Believe me, it’s very important to him, and they ask for so few things, we’ve got to honor them. Even though I’m DYING TO POST photos of my dress. But I can wait, I can. I can do this.) Ok so back to the story…

I tried on countless other dresses that were in my price range, but always found myself comparing it to the dream. That’s when I decided to buckle down and search the world for it. Low and behold, I found my super pricey, HUGELY DISCOUNTED dress within a day or two! … in Scottsdale, Arizona. And I’m in NY. Fortunately, it didn’t matter! The whole experience, from the first email and phone calls to the moment I received my boxed dress in the mail, was one I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was so thrilling, so heartwarming and so easy! I came away not only with a dress, but a pretty great friend in the boutique owner. She was the absolute kindest person, and better yet, it’s a lovely story I can think back on when I’m older, tummy swollen after multiple births, knitting some kind of blanket and talking to myself on the porch while my husband pretends to listen and then goes inside to turn on the game. (He doesn’t do that yet, but it’s comin’. Yeah you KNOW it’s comin’.) Ah yes. But at least I’ll have my stories… right?

The shoes, alone, have my heart pumping faster.

I found this loveliness on Santa Barbara wedding planner Kelly Oshiro’s site, which I encourage you to visit if you love what you see here… which would have to be the bouquet and shoes at the very least, photographed by Michele Waite and Jasmine Star, respectively.

To all you brides out there who have special needs guests eatin’ at your wedding, I found a yummy little treat that could be exactly what the gluten free doctor ordered. First, take a look (we heart eye candy over here):

Isn’t it lovely? Isn’t it wonderful? You can fill it with berries, or mousse, or whatever you want. How adorable…

Look at these, too… and if you’re interested, here’s how you can make ‘em! ~DIY dessert cups~

ghirardelli dessert cups fo' yo' weddin'