meet me under the big oak tree

There is something symbolic and beautiful about getting married under a huge tree.  And it makes for some gorgeous wedding photos!

Cooper Carras via Once Wed

Lisa Lefkowitz

Millie Holloman

Ian Grant

Jonas Peterson via 100 Layer Cake

Jonathon Campbell

Jose Villa

via Green Wedding Shoes

Clayton Austin via Weddings by Color

It's in the Details: Nature Inspired Elements

I love these ideas for incorporating nature and woodland elements into your wedding day.  It would be perfect for an outdoor wedding and a green and brown color palette.  I could style a wedding around that ring pillow alone!

Top Row:  Table number by Orchard Cove Photography, ring nest photo (and bird toppers and card sign) by Jennifer Roper, bird cake toppers by cotton bird designs, fern photo via Snippet & Ink

Middle Row:  Cake by Orchard Cove Photography, card sign by Tilde Designs, chair photo by Jasmine Star

Bottom Row:  programs photo by Jasmine Star, invitation by Peculiar Pair Press, table setting photo by Sean Walker via Style Me Pretty, ring pillow photo by Jasmine Star

Poetic Inspiration

My husband and I watched the movie Bright Star over the weekend, and in addition to being a well told, acted, and directed film (it tells the true story of the three-year romance between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne), it was a beautiful visual inspiration.  Every scene, whether shot in a field of wildflowers or set in an English kitchen, was shot so beautifully.  Everything was just so pretty.

Images from the film Bright Star, written and directed by Jane Campion

I thought that styling a wedding based on the film would make for a breathtaking day.  Here is the inspiration board interpretation I created based on Bright Star.

Top Row:  Headband by Jennifer Behr, calligraphy letter by paperfinger, bouttonieres and lavender florals by Jose Villa

Middle Row:  Bouquet photo by Jose Villa, gown by Amsale

Bottom Row:  Table photo by Meg Perotti via Style Me Pretty, books and florals photo by Ken Kienow, Bride and Groom photo by Braedon Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, bride photo by Jose Villa

When life gives you lemons...

Living in Southern California but being from the midwest originally, I have become obsessed with lemon trees!  They are so pretty and different than anything I was used to growing up.  I recently made a lemon themed inspiration board, but was waiting to post it until spring.  That was until I spotted this amazing feature at Style Me Pretty that looks like it could have come from this board.  Now I can't wait any longer...

Top Row:  Ribbon photo by Stephanie Williams, lemonade via Snippet & Ink, escort cards from Lulu Paper, lemon florals by Kathryn Kleinman, Cake by K. Rose Cakes, lemons table number setting from Martha Stewart Weddings

Middle Row:  cake by K.Rose Cakes, church photo by Allyson Magda via Snippet & Ink, bouquet from Bliss Events, shoes by Valentino

Bottom Row: Lemon tree photo by Brandon Vick  via The Bride's Cafe, lemonade via Snippet and Ink,, gown by Vera Wang, shoes from Wedding Style Guide, yellow boutineres by Small Stump & Studio Choo, necklace from J.Crew

Be sure to check out the full feature in all of its vintage charm and beauty, but here are a few of my favorite photos from the shoot done by Amorology Weddings and Jill Thomas Photography:

It's in the Details: Guestbook Alternative

I've seen many guestbook variations and alternatives that I think are great:  recipe cards, using typewriters, quilts, postcards, guestbooks made with engagement photos of the couple or a book where guests take polaroids of themselves and write messages next to their photo.  There are so many fun reasons not to use a boring guestbook these days.  I think my favorite idea is one I just saw last week on a real wedding feature on Green Wedding Shoes.

Photo by Taryn Kent Photography

What an original idea and neat piece of art to hang in your home after the wedding!  You could even do this idea, and then let guests write you messages on notecards and keep them in a special place in your home if you want more than a signature and 'leaf' fingerprint.  This idea is especially great if you are having an outdoorsy wedding or are incorporating nature into your decor. 

Pretty pretty paper!

I just had to share a blog post that combines two blogs that I love.  Nole from Oh So Beautiful Paper was the guest blogger yesterday at The Bride's Cafe.  Nole's wedding was a source of inspiration for me when planning my wedding (check it out here...it is absolute perfection), and her blog always features pretty paper, stationery, and invitations, which are some of my favorite things.  Below are Nole's words of wisdom regarding Save the Dates and  photos of the ideas she shared.  To see the full feature on The Bride's Cafe, go here.

From Nole:

1. Set the tone with your Save the Dates. Aside from the invitations themselves, Save the Dates are the first insight that your guests will have into your wedding. Since Save the Dates are usually sent out pretty early in the wedding planning process, chances are most brides and grooms won't have all the details figured out when the Save the Dates are mailed out, but hopefully you have a sense of the style of wedding that you're planning. Here are a few ideas:

Photo by Max Wanger

Photo by Olivia Leigh

Design by Simplesong

I really love all three of these.  How great would the hanky Save the Dates be for a vintage styled wedding or bride, especially for a smaller guest list?  I wish I had thought of it...

The keys are great because you can incorporate them into your wedding in so many different ways...and they just happen to be one of the elements I used throughout my own wedding.

There is something so simple and chic about silhouettes!  They could also be incorporated throughout your wedding.  A great example of that can be found here and here, in a wedding featured on Style Me Pretty.

One other Save the Date idea I absolutely love is another I found on Nole's blog.  I love the initials carved into the tree (maybe I am biased since they are mine and my husband's initials).

By Sublime Design

I think every bride should send Save the Dates because they are fun and a great way to showcase your style and personality.  Even if your budget is tight, there are lots of places, especially on Etsy, where you can find very affordable Save the Dates.  I got mine from Tilde Designs on Etsy, and not only were they very affordable, but they were lovely!