Fete Champetre...

Translation...a country party.  And not just any country party - a wedding, which took place in the countryside just outside of Paris.  Oh la la! 

Above the bride, an interior designer and stylist in New York, shows off her fabulous bouquet consisting of a peonies (my fav flower), mint, grouse feathers, orchids, ferns and some butterflies all tied with a fab antique ribbon.  This bouquet shows how one little element - the grouse feathers, which I am loving - can add big impact.  What a fantastic way to add a touch of chocolate brown into her bouquet.  Below a cloche sits on the table capturing a little vignette inspired by nature.  The cards inside the cloche tell guests which area they will be sitting at...as this was one long table arrangement. 

The place setting below is the perfect blend of rustic and refined.  Lambs ear, which is velvety soft, adds the perfect touch on top of the menu cards.

How beautiful is the table arrangement above?  It consists of roses, sweet peas, mint, mushrooms (just fab) and grass.  And last but not least, the bride and her flower girls...

I am a hat girl (and I love wearing things in my hair) when the occasion fits.  So it's fitting that I am over the moon with the brides plumed fascinator!  Could it be any more fabulous?  Note to self - must find one for my own!!!  So in french fashion - avoir un weekend fabuleux!

I had originally posted this wedding on my Luna and Chloe blog a couple of weeks ago...before I started a separate wedding blog...but, I wanted to make sure this was posted here to because it is so fabulous.

~Ciao

...photo credit: Mallory Samson

Flower Followup

In addition to the bouquet and boutonniere that I choose for the "Flower of the Week" today - I thought I should show you all the flower pics for the wedding - so here they are...

One of my fav colors is chartruese - so this color combination is working for me.  But, funny because my fav flower is a peony...which is so not this style!  But, I love all the small arrangements.

A spider mum atop the menu card - perfect!

And the dessert table - how great are the two cakes on the left?

Hope this gives you some inspiration!

~Ciao

...designed by artfool

Flowers of the Week 10.12.09

How gorgeous is this bouquet?

And the boutonniere...

~ Ciao

... desinged by artfool

Flowers of the Week 10.11.09

Here are the flowers for this week...

~ Ciao

Real Wedding...

...Tec and Chelsea in Nashville, Tennessee.  Check out these fabulous pics taken by one of my fav photographers Jose Villa.

I am loving the bright yellow shoes, bike and cake.  What fun!

~ Ciao

Swoon Worthy 2...

About two weeks ago I posted a set of one of my all time favorite photo shoots...now, I have one more set to add to that list.  I love, love, love these pics...

B stands for Bride, Beautiful and Brilliant...sigh...

I am swooning over the color combo here...the baby blue, cream, white and gray.  I will have to do an inspiration board incorporating these colors - oh, so pretty.

Tell me that these dresses don't make a statement?  Hello, tulle...I love you. 

~ Ciao

...photography carl bengtsson

Perfect Penmanship...

Everyone says that the invitation makes the first impression and can set the tone of the wedding.  I definitely agree with this, but I also believe that the real first impression is the envelope within which that invitation comes in...in particular the writing...or in this case the calligraphy.  We all know how it feels to get the mail, see beautiful calligraphy on an invitation and a cute little stamp up in the corner - excitement.  Now, I would love to receive any one of these envelopes in my mail...

Each one of these makes a statement in its own way.  Not only that - they all would make a great first impression.  Just a little thought for today.

Because there are sooooo many options when it comes to calligraphy, I am going to do a post for each calligrapher that I like...instead of throwing a whole bunch of them at you.  Hopefully you will find the one that suits you and what you are looking for.

~ Ciao

...calligraphy by grace connell designs 

My Hearts all a Flutter...

So, there I was just cruising along etsy.com to see if I might find something that I just loved...and HELLO...I was blown away by the beautiful creations of Myra at Twigs & Honey.  Not only are her creations a little piece of heaven...but the photos were pure perfection, and taken by the incredibly talented Elizabeth Messina.  Just breathtaking don't you think?

Simply over the moon.

~ Ciao

Feeling Blue...

I am sure you have heard, it seems like everyone has by now, but I guess I am in denial and didn't actually want to say it out loud - Conde Nast has decided to end a handful of mags, and two of those being Elegant Bride and Modern Bride.  I am quite heartbroken here as my own wedding graced 7 pages of Elegant Bride quite some time ago.  I have to admit that I am no longer married, but that doesn't take away from the fabulousness of my experience - to open up a mag and see something that I created - WOW.  Maybe one day I will post the pics for you.  Anyhow, it is sad to see something end that has provided so much inspiration and information for brides.  I have been thinking what could possibly make me not so blue?  And then I stumbled across these...even though they are blue...they would definitely make me happy... 

Or these...

Isn't funny how a pair of Christian Louboutin's can put a smile on your face?  And, how perfect would these be as your "something blue"?  Hello, showstopper!  Love them.

~ Ciao

Unbelievably Sweet

Ooohhh, you must take a look at these sweet flowers! These extraordinary sugar flower creations are by Ruth Drennan at Ruth Drennan Cakes.  At first glance you would think they are real...and the colors are just fab.  How about one of these atop your cake?

Too sweet!

~ Ciao

Flowers of the Week 10.5.09

Hello ladies...I hope everyone had a fab weekend.  Over the weekend, as I was looking through all my materials, I kept seeing all of these amazing flowers and couldn't stop thinking that the possibilities are endless.  So with that, I have decided to start a new series called "Flowers of the Week".  Each Monday I will post a blog of flowers that I am loving for the week.  So with that - here is the pic for this week...

I know - a little quirky and definitely different, but ooohhh so perfect for the right venue.  What I am loving about this bouquet and boutonniere is that someone thought "outside of the box" - which gives it that WOW factor.  The bouquet is unique, eyecatching and the colors are perfect for Fall.

~ Ciao

...photography rosenowfloral.com

Love, love, love...

...Amanda Pearl handbags and jewelry.  Oh ladies, these handbags are simply over the moon!

Check out the detail of the gem closure.  And it comes with a little mirror...how sublime.

The Flora clutch below is an ivory duchess satin inside a gold plated cage based on a handpainted design...one of my favs.

Or if you prefer something with a handle...the signature Pearl bag in an exotic white lizard jacuard with a clear rock crystal briolette handle would be a very unique choice.

And to top it all off - how about a gold leaf headpiece to channel your inner goddess?

Or the Maasai necklace.  Made from white silk organza leaves with freshwater pearl and glass pearl "buds".  Now this is a statement piece.

There is a wonderful collection of stunning colors, styles and shapes on her website.  How about carrying a clutch in a color that matches your wedding colors?  There are some fabulous colors to choose from.  Wander over to her website...even if it's just for a peek.

~ Ciao

...source:  amanda pearl

Greta & Jeff

My cousin, Greta, got married about six weeks ago - on a perfect August day.  Finally, the pictures have arrived, and I just couldn't wait to share them with you - they are over the moon.  They had two weddings:  a private one with just family, and a large (250+) one a week later.  Here are some of the pictures from the private ceremony...

It was absolutely perfect.  And fabulous! 

~Ciao

...photography:  lili durkin