I was shopping at ASOS where I stumbled upon these very romantic sandals. Not a fan of high heels? Having a romantic, sweet wedding? These are so cute!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Romantic Sandals For Girls Who Love Flats
by: Kelsey O'Conor
I was shopping at ASOS where I stumbled upon these very romantic sandals. Not a fan of high heels? Having a romantic, sweet wedding? These are so cute!
I was shopping at ASOS where I stumbled upon these very romantic sandals. Not a fan of high heels? Having a romantic, sweet wedding? These are so cute!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Must-Have Music Standards
by: Kelsey O'Conor
If you're looking for good music that everyone can enjoy, look no further than 50s and 60s and the romantic standards that came with them.
1. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" by Dean Martin
My head keeps spinning;
I go to sleep and keep grinning;
If this is just the beginning,
My life's gonna be beautiful.
This song perfectly captures what you're groom is feeling. How in the world did he get such a beautiful, amazing woman like you to fall in love with him? (Easy peasy, he's just as handsome and wonderful himself.)
2. "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" by Frank Sinatra
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
3. "Come Fly With Me" by Frank Sinatra
Once I get you up there where the air is rarified
We'll just glide, starry-eyed
Once I get you up there I'll be holding you so near
You may hear angels cheer 'cause we're together
This song is perfect for a couple who loves travel. Or planes (like I do). It's subject is not as much about romance, so it might not be a fitting first dance song, but it's one that I love and would be a must-have at my wedding.
4. "Cheek to Cheek" by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald
Heaven, I’m in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek
What better male/female duo is there than the magical pair of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald? This song is so sweet and simple that I can see every single couple, from your grandparents who just celebrated their 50th anniversary, to your cute little nieces and nephews, out on the dance floor smiling and enjoying themselves dancing.
5. "Embraceable You" by Nat King Cole
I love all the many charms about you
Above all, I want my arms about you
This one is much more slow and dreamy than the rest on my list. That's why I love it.
There are so many different versions of the songs on this list, and the standards in general. If you find a song you love, you can probably find a version of it that fits you as a couple perfectly. There's also covers of these songs by today's artists and not just Harry Connick, Jr. (but you should totally check out the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack - and the movie of course- because his covers are wonderful)
If you're looking for good music that everyone can enjoy, look no further than 50s and 60s and the romantic standards that came with them.
1. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" by Dean Martin
My head keeps spinning;
I go to sleep and keep grinning;
If this is just the beginning,
My life's gonna be beautiful.
This song perfectly captures what you're groom is feeling. How in the world did he get such a beautiful, amazing woman like you to fall in love with him? (Easy peasy, he's just as handsome and wonderful himself.)
2. "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" by Frank Sinatra
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
3. "Come Fly With Me" by Frank Sinatra
Once I get you up there where the air is rarified
We'll just glide, starry-eyed
Once I get you up there I'll be holding you so near
You may hear angels cheer 'cause we're together
This song is perfect for a couple who loves travel. Or planes (like I do). It's subject is not as much about romance, so it might not be a fitting first dance song, but it's one that I love and would be a must-have at my wedding.
4. "Cheek to Cheek" by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald
Heaven, I’m in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek
What better male/female duo is there than the magical pair of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald? This song is so sweet and simple that I can see every single couple, from your grandparents who just celebrated their 50th anniversary, to your cute little nieces and nephews, out on the dance floor smiling and enjoying themselves dancing.
5. "Embraceable You" by Nat King Cole
I love all the many charms about you
Above all, I want my arms about you
This one is much more slow and dreamy than the rest on my list. That's why I love it.
There are so many different versions of the songs on this list, and the standards in general. If you find a song you love, you can probably find a version of it that fits you as a couple perfectly. There's also covers of these songs by today's artists and not just Harry Connick, Jr. (but you should totally check out the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack - and the movie of course- because his covers are wonderful)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Things That Inspire Me
by Kelsey O'Conor
The Southwest. I love the colors, the textures, and the designs that are associated with the Southwest. How cute would little cacti look as decoration instead of the regular succulents? And Tex-Mex food is just about the greatest cuisine ever.
Frilly sleeves. To me, no shirt or dress is complete without a ruffle or embellishment on the shoulders.
Waterfall French Braids. This half up/half down hairstyle is so sweet and simple. It works well with a veil, flowers, or other simple headpiece. Check out this video on how to do this hairstyle yourself.
Crazy shoes. Sparkly shoes would make me feel magical all day.
Long tables. Long tables look so elegant, but also make you feel like one big family at the same time. I love the idea of having many different small flower arrangements along the table.
Sources: cacti,shoes, dress, braid, table
The Southwest. I love the colors, the textures, and the designs that are associated with the Southwest. How cute would little cacti look as decoration instead of the regular succulents? And Tex-Mex food is just about the greatest cuisine ever.
Frilly sleeves. To me, no shirt or dress is complete without a ruffle or embellishment on the shoulders.
Waterfall French Braids. This half up/half down hairstyle is so sweet and simple. It works well with a veil, flowers, or other simple headpiece. Check out this video on how to do this hairstyle yourself.
Crazy shoes. Sparkly shoes would make me feel magical all day.
Long tables. Long tables look so elegant, but also make you feel like one big family at the same time. I love the idea of having many different small flower arrangements along the table.
Sources: cacti,shoes, dress, braid, table
Friday, July 15, 2011
Which side is the right side?
by: Kelsey O'Conor
We are often asked which side the bride should stand on as she walks down the aisle. Well here is your answer and the reason behind it:
Traditionally, the bride stands on the left, the groom on the right. (Although the Jewish wedding tradition reverses this.) Weddings used to be a lot more like the ones you watch on daytime TV, with dastardly ex-suitors and other thugs sometimes rushing the altar. And of course, some wedding crashers were heroes, just trying to rescue a captured bride. Whatever the reason for the interference, the groom needed to keep his right hand free so he could grab his sword, thus the bride stood clear and to the left.
If you want to watch a cute movie about kidnapped brides, chases on horseback, and a whirlwind romance, check out The Abduction Club (2002).
We are often asked which side the bride should stand on as she walks down the aisle. Well here is your answer and the reason behind it:
Traditionally, the bride stands on the left, the groom on the right. (Although the Jewish wedding tradition reverses this.) Weddings used to be a lot more like the ones you watch on daytime TV, with dastardly ex-suitors and other thugs sometimes rushing the altar. And of course, some wedding crashers were heroes, just trying to rescue a captured bride. Whatever the reason for the interference, the groom needed to keep his right hand free so he could grab his sword, thus the bride stood clear and to the left.
If you want to watch a cute movie about kidnapped brides, chases on horseback, and a whirlwind romance, check out The Abduction Club (2002).
Thursday, July 14, 2011
What's Your Style?
by: Kelsey O'Conor
Before you can pick flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and create all your DIY projects, you need to choose a color scheme or theme. Having one will keep all the colors in your wedding from clashing. It's more than just the dresses and the flowers that follow the color scheme. It's also the cake, the invitations, the napkins on the table, the escort cards, everything. There are so many beautiful color combinations out there, so here are a few tips on where you can come up with your own.
Coral reefs and their fishy inhabitants can be great inspiration for a color scheme with vibrant pinks, purples, oranges, and blues.
1. What is you favorite thing found in nature? I love fish and the ocean, so I created the above color scheme based around the little fish and softer tones of the corals and blues. I would add a soft, creamy off-white as the neutral. While all the colors would show up in my flower arrangements, I would focus on only two colors for things like my stationary, bridesmaids' dresses, and other details. You could draw inspiration from a red bird in the dark green leaves of an evergreen tree for a winter wedding, or purple wildflowers in a golden field for a springtime wedding.
2. Combine your and your fiance's favorite colors, add a neutral to tie them together, and call it your color scheme. Just be wary of this method, because if your favorite color is red, and his is green, you're looking at a Christmas colored wedding. Blue and orange is pretty, as long as it's not too Syracuse Orangemen. If your colors seem too gaudy, or connect to strongly to a holiday or sports team, try softening the colors, or changing blue to teal, and see what you come up with.
Films with strong styling, like the red and blue motif of The Aviator are great inspiration for movie buffs.
3. If you two are movie buffs, look to classic (color) films for inspiration. Think of your favorite settings, costumes, and cinematography. You can take the movie inspiration as far as you want, from just the colors, to making the film your theme. When you make a particular film your theme, make sure that the movie's ending is a happy one. As beautiful as Casablanca is, (spoiler alert!) they don't end up together. For my color scheme above, I chose The Avaiator for it's beautiful sky blues and bright reds throughout the film.
Look for inspiration for a western wedding in cowboy boots.
4. Fashion and art are really great places to look for color inspiration. Certain colors become trendy each season, and you'll see them repeated throughout designers' collections. If you have a favorite designer, look up their latest collection, winter, fall, spring, summer, resort, couture, or ready-to-wear. Check out recent fashion weeks, or look through their online stores. The same goes for art, whether it's paintings by Van Gogh or colorful trash sculptures by a local artist. Artists know how to use color to convey an emotion so they're experts on color schemes. Above, I based an all-red color scheme on a really great pair of boots. (And hey, if you have a color scheme based on a particular pair of shoes, you have a perfect excuse to buy them!)
5. My final tip is to look back on all the daydreams you've had about your wedding since you were a kid. What have you always dreamed about? Even if what you wanted isn't what you're having, you still have little bits and pieces. Was your favorite childhood color combo orange and yellow? That's perfect! Were you a little bookworm who pictured getting married in a library if you could? Well incorporate the rich colors of book jackets and sturdy wooden shelves.
Anything can be your color inspiration. You can't go wrong with colors that make you happy.
Check out Colour Lovers to play around with color palettes and patterns, and my profile more color ideas.
Coming soon: a follow up post about coming up with ideas for specific themes.
Before you can pick flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and create all your DIY projects, you need to choose a color scheme or theme. Having one will keep all the colors in your wedding from clashing. It's more than just the dresses and the flowers that follow the color scheme. It's also the cake, the invitations, the napkins on the table, the escort cards, everything. There are so many beautiful color combinations out there, so here are a few tips on where you can come up with your own.
Coral reefs and their fishy inhabitants can be great inspiration for a color scheme with vibrant pinks, purples, oranges, and blues.
1. What is you favorite thing found in nature? I love fish and the ocean, so I created the above color scheme based around the little fish and softer tones of the corals and blues. I would add a soft, creamy off-white as the neutral. While all the colors would show up in my flower arrangements, I would focus on only two colors for things like my stationary, bridesmaids' dresses, and other details. You could draw inspiration from a red bird in the dark green leaves of an evergreen tree for a winter wedding, or purple wildflowers in a golden field for a springtime wedding.
2. Combine your and your fiance's favorite colors, add a neutral to tie them together, and call it your color scheme. Just be wary of this method, because if your favorite color is red, and his is green, you're looking at a Christmas colored wedding. Blue and orange is pretty, as long as it's not too Syracuse Orangemen. If your colors seem too gaudy, or connect to strongly to a holiday or sports team, try softening the colors, or changing blue to teal, and see what you come up with.
Films with strong styling, like the red and blue motif of The Aviator are great inspiration for movie buffs.
3. If you two are movie buffs, look to classic (color) films for inspiration. Think of your favorite settings, costumes, and cinematography. You can take the movie inspiration as far as you want, from just the colors, to making the film your theme. When you make a particular film your theme, make sure that the movie's ending is a happy one. As beautiful as Casablanca is, (spoiler alert!) they don't end up together. For my color scheme above, I chose The Avaiator for it's beautiful sky blues and bright reds throughout the film.
Look for inspiration for a western wedding in cowboy boots.
4. Fashion and art are really great places to look for color inspiration. Certain colors become trendy each season, and you'll see them repeated throughout designers' collections. If you have a favorite designer, look up their latest collection, winter, fall, spring, summer, resort, couture, or ready-to-wear. Check out recent fashion weeks, or look through their online stores. The same goes for art, whether it's paintings by Van Gogh or colorful trash sculptures by a local artist. Artists know how to use color to convey an emotion so they're experts on color schemes. Above, I based an all-red color scheme on a really great pair of boots. (And hey, if you have a color scheme based on a particular pair of shoes, you have a perfect excuse to buy them!)
5. My final tip is to look back on all the daydreams you've had about your wedding since you were a kid. What have you always dreamed about? Even if what you wanted isn't what you're having, you still have little bits and pieces. Was your favorite childhood color combo orange and yellow? That's perfect! Were you a little bookworm who pictured getting married in a library if you could? Well incorporate the rich colors of book jackets and sturdy wooden shelves.
Anything can be your color inspiration. You can't go wrong with colors that make you happy.
Check out Colour Lovers to play around with color palettes and patterns, and my profile more color ideas.
Coming soon: a follow up post about coming up with ideas for specific themes.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Summer Flower Ideas
by Kelsey O'Conor
Flowers play a big role in wedding planning. There are bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony decorations, reception centerpieces, and possibly other decorations as well. If you aren't sure where to start in your search for the perfect flowers to have at your wedding, start with seasonal, local flowers. They're going to be easy to find, and much cheaper that out-of-season flowers.
What's in bloom in July? It's hard to go wrong with these beautiful flowers:
Baby's Breath
Baby's breath is a light an airy flower. Baby's breath is usually used as a filler flower, but you can let it shine through as your main flower. I think it looks beautiful on its own or used generously in an arrangement with other flowers.
Daisies
Sunflowers
Scabiosa
Tuberose
These are just six of many July flowers. Ask your florist what's in season near you and use those in your wedding.
image credits: baby's breath bouquet/centerpiece; daisies centerpiece/bouquet; sunflowers bouquet/arrangements; scabisoa bouquet/boutonniere; tuberose bouquet/boutonniere
Flowers play a big role in wedding planning. There are bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony decorations, reception centerpieces, and possibly other decorations as well. If you aren't sure where to start in your search for the perfect flowers to have at your wedding, start with seasonal, local flowers. They're going to be easy to find, and much cheaper that out-of-season flowers.
What's in bloom in July? It's hard to go wrong with these beautiful flowers:
Baby's Breath
Baby's breath is a light an airy flower. Baby's breath is usually used as a filler flower, but you can let it shine through as your main flower. I think it looks beautiful on its own or used generously in an arrangement with other flowers.
Daisies
Sunflowers
Scabiosa
Tuberose
These are just six of many July flowers. Ask your florist what's in season near you and use those in your wedding.
image credits: baby's breath bouquet/centerpiece; daisies centerpiece/bouquet; sunflowers bouquet/arrangements; scabisoa bouquet/boutonniere; tuberose bouquet/boutonniere
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