100th Post: Cootie Catcher Menus

Today is my 100th post!  I didn't know what to post on this exciting (for me) day, so I decided to post about one of my favorite fun wedding things, cootie catcher menus.  I LOVE cootie catchers; they remind me of being a kid in school and playing silly games with my friends.  Some of my friends and I made it a tradition to use them as our menus at our own wedding.  My friend Kate made them first for her own wedding, then for my friend Julia's wedding, then for my wedding.  And now we make and sell them on Tilde Designs!

I think the cootie catcher menus fit in with any kind of wedding (we each had modern, traditional, and vintage weddings, respectively) and bring a bit of fun for your guests as well.

Want some cootie catcher menus of your very own?  Check us out on Tilde Designs!

Inspiration Board: Orange & Turquoise Fun

Inspired by rising temperatures, I designed a board with summer fun in mind.

Top Row:  Oh How Charming!, JoAnn Manolis, Erik Ekroth, balloon via Snippet & Ink

Middle Row:  JoAnn Manolis (1&2), Menu by Tilde Designs, Lilia Photo, The Knot

Bottom Row:  Jil Sander flats via Snippet & Ink, Anna Kuperberg via Brooklyn Bride, Jessica Johnston, Anna Kuperberg via Brooklyn Bride

It's in the Details: Chalkboards, plus a DIY project!

I love the DIY feel and laid back vibe of chalkboards in weddings.  You can use them for so many different things, and can "dress them up" or keep them low key.  Here are some of my favorite uses:

To display seating assignments, in lieu of escort cards:

Left:  Sarah Yates Photography, Right:  Harper Smith Photography

As Escort Cards:

By Sean Walker Photography

Drink or Signature Cocktail Menu:

Left: Jenny Ebert, Right: Jennifer Roper Photography

For messages for your photo booth guestbook:

Top: Jen Fariello, Bottom:  Nichols Photography

To explain your photo booth:

Via Southern Weddings

For Menus or games:

Top:  Sarah K. Chen, Bottom:  Via Once Wed

For Various Wedding Signage:

Left:  W. Scott Chester Photography, Right: Heather Kincaid

Bride and Groom signage (for photos, thank you cards, etc.):

Top:  Shannon Nicole Smith, Right:  By Sarah Maren via 100 Layer Cake

To explain a tribute to a loved one (and I love this tribute idea):

Twin Lens Photography

As table numbers:

Via Snippet & Ink

The table number above is also a great DIY project.  Find candle holders that have a smooth surface.  Paint them with chalkboard paint (available at any craft store).  Once the paint dries, you can write the table number in chalk.  Put in a candle, and voila, DIY candle holders / table numbers.  LOVE this idea!

What are your favorite chalkboard uses?

Set the Table

What is better than a beautifully set table?  Find at least one way to make your table unique and personal.  If you are having a smaller wedding, I especially love the look of mismatched vintage china in your place settings.  Some other ideas:  use vintage teacups to hold small containers of florals, use vintage crystal punch cups to hold tea lights, make or find a table runner out of a different texture (burlap, crochet, etc.), use lots of color, or a complete lack of color (like the all white table below), tuck a flower in the napkin or place a piece of fruit on the plate.  There are so many ways to set a beautiful table.

Top Row:  Maine Season Events, Amorology, Jose Villa, Jose Villa, all via Style Me Pretty

Middle Row:  Momental Designs via Ruffled, Open Air Photography, Thayer Allison Gowdy

Bottom Row:  Lisa Lefkowitz, Jose Villa, Jasmine Star and designed by JL designs, Love Life Images via Style Me Pretty, Duet Weddings via Green Wedding Shoes

And here is another perfect example just featured on Style Me Pretty, shot by Laura Novak:

Inspiration Board: Pink, Feminine, & Romantic

The new issue of Martha Stewart Weddings is entitled "Pretty in Pink," and it really is!  Taking its inspiration from ballerinas, it features some of the softest, fluffiest, and most romantic gowns I have ever seen.  If I didn't know I would look ridiculous, I would wear a pink tulle tutu everyday (at least in the privacy of my own home), so I absolutely loved the theme.  So, as I often do when I am inspired, I made a board based on the new MSW issue:

Top Row:  tulle flowers by Emersonmade, head piece by Twigs & Honey, necklace from flickr via The Sweetest Occasion, bride and groom from MSW, florals from flickr, 
Middle Row:  florals from flickr, stationery by Hello! Lucky, bouquet from Wedding Style Guide, both floral photos from flickr, pink bridesmaid dress via Wedding Style Guide, 
Bottom Row:  menu by Tilde Designs, pink gown photo by Amy Squires, bride from MSW, desserts by One Girl Cookies, Setting via Wedding Style Guide

Allow me to introduce . . . Tilde Designs!

What happens when two girls meet in law school, cram for countless exams, study for the bar exam, and become attorneys?  Practice law, you might say. . . and you would probably be correct in most cases.  But in the case of my best friend Kate and I, we also decided we wanted to channel our creative talents and skills (those acquired in our own wedding planning, NOT in law school) to start a wedding/event design and paper goods business.

Kate is an amazing paper goods designer.  She started dabbling in it for her own wedding and did everything but the calligraphy for my wedding (and did a fantastic job, I might add).  We had the best time collaborating over Save-the-Dates and invitations, menus, cupcake flags, and various other wedding signage.  Those elements we designed together were what made my wedding cohesive, thoughtful, and full of personal touches.

Kate and I thought it might be fun to put our design brains together and launch a little business.  Not to be deterred by distance (she lives in Chicago and I in L.A.), or day jobs (we both still have them), we formed a plan.  Over our bliss cakes and coffee brunch at M. Henry last fall, we made the decision to devote 2010 to launch our new baby . . . Tilde Designs.  Less than two months in, we have an etsy shop and this blog, and several new clients already.  We couldn't be more excited about what the future holds!

So please stop by our etsy shop for paper goods, a customized monogram, or an inspiration board designed for your event.  Check back often for new items or request any customized item you want.  If someone you know is getting married, throwing a wedding or baby shower, in need of personalized cards, having a baby, or just likes pretty paper goods, please send them our way!

xx
Kate & Chandra

DIY Inspiration Board

I've seen so many great DIY projects for weddings and loved doing projects for my own wedding, so I thought doing an inspiration board focused on DIY projects might be fun.  One wedding in particular, featured on Style Me Pretty last week, was filled with so many DIY elements and I loved every one.  The event was carried out beautifully and infused with so many personal touches I feel like I know the couple myself.  You definitely need to head over to SMP and see the feature in its entirety!

Top Row: Clothesline of pictures by Leigh Miller Photography, petal cone & chairs photos by Jessica Johnston, drink stirs photo by Jennifer Roper; Middle Row:  Initals & candy bar photos by Jessica Johnston, programs photo by Amy Squires, menu by Tilde Designs photo by Jennifer Roper; Bottom Row: chair photo by Jasmine Star, petal cone photo by Jennifer Roper, pinwheels photo by Jessica Johnston, cookie photo by Amy Squires

I hope this post will inspire crafty and non-crafty brides alike to find a project they can handle and personalize their wedding!

The husband and I are headed out of town to visit some friends, so happy long weekend!!!