Inspired Goodness

Spring Has Sprung

With today's nearly 70˚ weather and the start of Cherry Blossom season, I hope everyone is enjoying our first real-deal day of spring. Upon spotting these adorable cookies over a j.chong, I have tons of creative ideas for the summertime entertaining we're planning throughout the summer.

available here

And speaking of Cherry Blossoms, we took a visit to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens last Sunday and snapped a few photos of the first blooms of the season.

There were magnolias, narcissus, tulips and pansies everywhere, although if you're planning a visit soon, I'd give it a few more weeks before the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom. You can also check their progress online here.

we took a walk through the Celebrity Path - where Brooklyn's famous are inscribed in stones along the path.

close-ups of flowers from the fragrance garden

John standing around in the Magnolia Plaza

Tulips!

And this duck was keeping everyone entertained - both kids and adults alike while swimming at the Lily Pool Terrace.

DIY:Decor

 Author: Lindsay

As our wedding approaches and the DIY madness continues, I knew I couldn't stop with just our wedding decor, I had to extend some ideas to the bridal shower.  Although the shower will be held at a restaurant, I wanted to add a few DIY decorations keeping with our earthy, white, with wood elements color-palette.

First, I created some simple...and I mean simple... flower centerpieces that could be taken home.  In my experience, most women don't want to travel home with a vase full of water, which is why the branch was a lovely solution. I plan on keeping some for my home too.

Here they are arranged in a larger vase (for storage purposes!), but could easily be arranged that way.

close up of the flower

The branches will be places in a single white bulb vase from IKEA. 

The flowers are made from 1 roll of white crepe paper!  Cost me about .50 a roll.  Simply cut pieces about 4-5 inches long and roll while pinching the bottom.  I added a little bit of tape to the bottom, then hot glued them to the branches. Done and Done.

A few more projects-in-the-making include potted tulip favors (painted white) and the infamous Martha Stewart Tissue Paper pomanders turned into garland.

Follow Up:  Found some green JCrew shoes on Ebay!!  Brand new and for a great price!! Thanks to those who helped me in the search :)

Flower Arranging 101

How on Earth do they do it? Yes ladies (and gents) I'm right there with you in asking this very same question every time I see this amazing flower arrangements done by the likes of people just like you and me.

It seems that some people have quite a knack to arranging simple Trader Joe or bodega blooms into über fantastic works of art that I have a tendency to drool over. But, there is hope for us once horticultural-challenged kids.

Looks like last season's Top Design offered more than just insane challenges. It has introduced us to the likes of Eddie Ross. If you haven't yet heard of Ross, its likely you need to quickly get on board and join the ranks of us "in the know."

A Martha Stewart alum with a panache for flea market outings and collecting anything engraved, silver and antique, he also just happens to have some amazing flower arranging tutorials on his blog.

Don't trust me, check them out for yourself here.

What a total trend Ross has begun – it looks as if Apartment Therapy is along for the ride too!

{arrangement by Michelle Workman}

Ceremony Decor: Stunning + Simple

Many people tend to overlook how simple it can be to add just small touches to the ceremony that will make all the difference. We've never been big fans of ornately covered trellis' or gazebos overflowing with flowers, but adding a few simple elements are always a welcome addition.

Love these two spaces - a site interior with lovely draped ribbon and peonies at each pew and this circular layout ceremony with white chuppah, draped fabric and orchids flowing from each corner.
{ floral design by Modern Day Design of Santa Barbara, CA }

How do you Chuppah?

Meeting several brides over the past few weeks has really got me thinking about the myriad of choices out there when it comes to unique bridal styles. With the plethora of options available in decorating the reception of your dreams, how do brides impart their unique stamp on the ceremony?

Today, we wanted to take a look at how varied couples can choose to “cover their vows”. Typically used in Jewish weddings, a Chuppah is a canopy or piece of fabric supported by four poles symbolizing the home the couple will create together. 

Such an integral part of the wedding itself, the ceremony is the focal point and symbolizes your wedding – from the very first "welcome guests" to the presentation of the newly married couple. Here are some great ideas for how to do it your way…

The traditional route
 

birch poles held in place by family or friends with fabric top


Modern times
 


DIY + Personal Touches

Influenced by Nature

photos from: Chuppaz by Shira, Brides, Grey Dove,  Little Red Bride, Brian Dorsey Studios and Flickr; Quilted by Grandmother,  (b/w vintage bride + groom), Patchwork Quilt

Flowers Done Right

Elizabeth Anne Designs has the beautiful Real Wedding of Kristen and Sean showcased today - check out the full post here. Not to be taken lightly is the incredible array of flowers used throughout the location and the personal flowers for the attendants.

Flowers can quickly overwhelm weddings but this wedding certainly was done by a seasoned professional who took each aspect of the event and subtly enhanced the features to help create the right look.

All floral work for this event was handled by Bobbe Vagel of BV Floral Concepts.

D.I.Y. Centerpieces

After scouring websites and magazines, I chose a few photos for my reception decor inspiration.  I like these photos for their simplicity, for their fresh colors, and for the fullness that the hydrangeas bring (without the need for "filler" greenery that all the florists were talking about). Photos via The Knot.

Although I had a "team" of friends and family, willing to assemble the arrangements before the wedding, I wanted to use silk flowers, to eliminate some uncertainty and to complete the bulk of the arranging before-hand.  However, I also love fresh flowers and wanted to incorporate them in the decor as well.  So, I compromised! 

I used silk hydrangeas and berries, coupled with fresh white roses (ordered wholesale).  I still utilized my "team" of flower arrangers - but the process was very simple, as they added hydrangeas, berries, roses, and a few curly willow, to create very sweet and simple centerpieces!

Supplies

• Vase
• Hydrangeas - 2 white + 1 green, per arrangement
• Berries - 3 berry clusters
• Roses - 3-5 white roses, per arrangement
• Curly Willow branches - 5-7 small branches, per arrangement
• Wire Cutters / Pruning Shears
• Floral Wire & Tape

The fresh roses were ordered to arrive on the Thursday before our (Saturday) wedding.  We ordered in bulk, 125 roses for less than $100!  We used the extra roses in the bathroom, on the cake table, and by the bar.  The best part about the roses was their subtle but crisp sent at the reception.  On top of it, we were able to enjoy the roses for a week after the wedding, too!

How To

             Ahead of Time

1. Gather the supplies.
2. Using the wire cutters, cut the hydrangea and berry stems to size.
3. Wrap the berry stems with floral wire and tape.  If your berry stems are too short, of if you think they might fall out of the vase, wrap them with floral wire and tape, to add length.
4. Assemble a "trial" centerpiece, adjust the height and look to taste.

The Morning Of

5. Cut the roses to size.  Cut some slightly longer and some slightly shorter than the hydrangeas.
6. Fill the vases with water.
7. Insert the hydrangeas, berries, and roses.  Arrange to taste. 
8. Add the curly willow branches for height.



9. Place on reception table and enjoy!

Barn Angle: Stunning Centerpiece Ideas

Who ever would have thought the latest Pottery Barn catalog wold have yielded such amazing ideas for floral arrangements and centerpieces! These looks can be easily recreated using blooms of your choice - make sure to pick a consistent texture or color palette to keep your look edited and presto, instant success!

The Great Outdoors

Janie Medley, over at The Bride's Cafe never ceases to amaze with her Real Weddings coverage and one of my favorites is from the wedding of Liz and Evan, photographed by Tec Petaja.

For a full recap, visit the Part I and Part II posts from The Bride's Cafe.

A Wet n’ Wild Weekend: Bridal Shower AND Bachelorette Party

If you’re a fan of WeddingBee, I hope you’ve been following my SIL’s big day plans. As the perfectly suited Miss Cupcake, we’ve all gotten a chance to know Brooke a little better and see how incredibly talented she is! Although I did just get her stunning wedding invitations in the mail last night and am dying to share them with you, there is the matter of posting about the Bridal Shower that took place a few weeks ago, not to mention some peeks at our fun and celebratory Girls Night Out/Bachelorette Party.

The shower was held by a dear friend of my MIL’s, Linda, a true hostess with a panache for throwing spectacular showers — (remind me to share with you the one she posted for me one of these days).  In attendance were about 35 women, mostly family and close family friends, celebrating our special girl! I was in charge of creating the bow bouquet – it was a ton of fun to make and the other ‘maids all helped out with the gift opening!

The Bachelorette Party was super fun and after dinner and drinks at El Vez in Philly, we headed to some local waterholes for some cocktails and girl talk. It was a ton of fun to get to know my SIL’s fabulous friends a little more and to spend time celebrating such an important person in all our lives. We ended the night with some dancing and photo takin’ madness at Fado. For the full details, make sure to read Brooke’s fabulous post with all the great photos from both events!