Wedding Bouquet Twist - Nic's Button Buds

As a proud member of Smitten Soiree, I have the opportunity to come across some of the most talented artists I have ever met.  Meet Nicole (Nic) from Nic's Button Buds.  I fell in love with her unique twist on traditional wedding bouquets and, of course, had to share her bouquets with you!

I WANT ONE SO STINKING BAD!!!!! AMAZING BROOCH BOUQUET!!!

Gorgeous colors!

For the whole bridal party!!!! What a great souvenir for your ladies to keep after the wedding!

I love pink.  Light pink, hot pink, neon pink, baby pink, blush pink... it doesn't matter to me!

Aren't they positively drool worthy? *Sigh* Well... Of course I had to ask her how she got started making these beautiful pieces of art.  I also wanted to find out: why a button or broach bouquet instead of a traditional arrangement?

How did you get started making your bouquets?

I got married in the country where I grew up (Marysville) and with no nearby florist, I didn’t want to have to organize on my wedding day for someone to do a 1 ½ hour round trip to a florist so started looking at alternatives.  I found that decent quality fake flowers weren’t in my budget (with fresh I was just going to go with something bright, cheap and in season)  So I stumbled across loads of alternative bouquets on the internet that being a craft person and having a DIY wedding really appealed to me.  I loved the way  could express my personality and that of my Bridesmaids through the bouquets.  I will admit I spent double the amount on buttons than I had budgeted on fresh flowers BUT I had something unique that really represented me!  After making mine I made a few for fun for others before things really just snowballed to where I am now.  Aside from the button bouquets I am also now making brooch bouquets, button and brooch accessories and hand painted fingerprint tree canvasses (another DIY project I had at my own wedding).

Playing devil’s advocate – why get a button bouquet as opposed to a more traditional bouquet?   

I actually really love and admire beautiful fresh flowers, I wish my husband bought them home a little often (or at all…. Lol) – but the fact is they aren’t for everyone.  Reasons brides look for an alternative bouquet really do vary – some have allergies to flowers and have not developed a connection with any particular flower so like the idea of the bouquets being unique, some brides enjoy the way they can customize and incorporate personalities.  They are great for destination weddings and also for brides like myself who’s weddings are not located near a florist.  The biggest reason if people just want something a little left of centre that they can keep for ever.

I can just picture her telling me this in her cute Australian accent.  I love Australian accents - but I guess that's not the point.  Isn't she adorable? Can I keep her?  Maybe stick her in my basement with a bunch of brooches and buttons and force her to make me a bunch of bouquets? 3 for every room in my house? :)

If you're like me and totally feel like you need one of these, here's where you can find her:
Etsy Store
Website: My Button Bouquet
Facebook

Okay, okay... just one more:

xoxo,
Tara

Teal & Brown Damask Door Hangers

I love teal. I love brown. I love damask. So I guess it's only natural that I was excited to get this order for my Wedding Favor Door Hangers!  I added a crystal to each door hanger for an extra bit of bling.  Oh so pretty!

Need custom door hangers for your out of town guests? Contact me!
xoxo,
Tara

New Wedding Collection - Diana for Library or Book Theme Wedding

My newest collection Diana is a fun twist on a library/book theme.  With this collection, you let your guests know that you refuse to stay quiet in the library!  Along with this theme, I have a few DIY-Bride-On-A-Budget ideas!  But first... my collection!!!!

The Diana Collection is an eclectic mix of corals, mint greens, oranges and yellows. The colors are pleasing to the eye yet also a unique combination. Perfect for a library or book themed wedding but equally as fun for a summer wedding with bright colors. Diana has it all - a modern twist to a traditional idea! As always colors are customizable for the Diana collection.

Interested in more ideas for a library themed wedding?

For an easy (and cheap) centerpiece idea - Buy decorative hardback books.  You can buy these at garage sale, thrift stores, used book stores... or borrow a bunch from the library! Or, go back to your high school days when you had to cover your books! Purchase pretty, decorative scrapbook paper, contact paper, wallpaper, etc. and cover each book with your theme colors!  Sprinkle some flower petals - viola! You have an eye pleasing centerpiece!

Instead of numbering your tables - name them after your favorite books! So instead of sitting at table 2, Aunt Millie will be sitting at the Pride & Prejudice table.

Need others ideas for a library/book theme wedding? Contact me and I will be happy to lend a book ... errrrr... hand!

xoxo,
Tara

Need Inspiration? Enter - The Blushing Bride!

Meet Shardi.  Is she not the cutest little thing you've ever seen? (And her fiance is adorable too!) I love it when 2 adorable people get engaged!!! Okay... got sidetracked ... that's not why I want you to meet her.  She has the greatest blog and I wish I was still planning my wedding because I could have definately used her help.

The Blushing Bride blog is a great source for wedding inspiration.  Have a specific color combo or theme in mind?  Contact Shardi and she will put together a board for you! She puts together the most beautiful boards.  They absolutely make me drool!

Here are just a few of my favorites: (Click picture to get more information)

Blue with Black and White Stripes

Geek Chic

Movie Theme

Seriously?! *Shaking Head* I wonder if my husband would want to get divorced and remarried to me again.  I want to plan another wedding!  So Thank You Shardi from The Blushing Bride - for creating, inspiring bride-to-be's and envoking jealousy in all of us newlyweds out there!

xoxo,
Tara

The New Renee Collection

Table Setting Ideas: Bridal Cookie * Cake & Dessert Table: Amy Atlas * Bouquet: Roses and Dreams * Stationary: Diva Gone Domestic * Money Gift Box: Lacey Claire Designs * Bridesmaids: Image via Raina Dawn Events


The Renee Collection is a perfect blend of casual, rustic chic and whimsey fun. Perfect for your outdoor wedding the Renee collection features beautiful apple green and brown prints with old-fashioned fonts.










Hope you enjoy the newest collection!
XOXO,
Tara

The New Carol Collection

I have been working diligently on multiple collections for my new store which is due to open mid-end of January. I am so excited to share with you my newest collection which is a "vintage modern" combination featuring chandeliers and classic flourishes. Here is a sneak preview of some of the Carol Collection!

Place Cards - Carol Collection

Favor Labels - Carol Collection

Menu - Carol Collection

Program Cover - Carol Collection

All of my collections will be available in your choice of colors. I work hand in hand with you to make sure that each detail of your wedding is just the way you want it. I can't wait to share more of my collections with all of you brides. I am sure that you will love them as much as I do!

Just In Case You Don't Know Who I Am!

Apparently, I couldn't resist adding an additional DIY project to my list. After all the wedding is 2 weeks away! I have plenty of time, right? I made these beautiful BLING Bride and Groom chair sashes for our chairs at the reception... you know... just in case people weren't sure who the bride and groom were! I packed away the groom's sash before I took pictures but hopefully you will get to see professional shots of all my lovely details! The great thing about these is that I can do them in ANY font, size or color! Ohhhh - the possibilites!

Contact me if you would like more information on a custom bridal sash! Maybe a sash declaring your new last name: Mrs. XOXO?

More fun posts to come!

Welcome to the Candy Shoppe! Candy Buffet Labels.

As *one* of my wedding favors for my guests, I will be having a candy buffet. I am one of those super crazy brides that wants all of the details to be perfect. All of the candy that is in the candy buffet is going to be pink, ivory and silver/grey. Tonight I made my labels to go on each of the jars that we bought for this beautiful candy buffet. Designed, cut, assembled by me just wasn't enough!... I had to add a bit of bling to my labels so individually placed a line of rhinestones on each one for some sparkle.

I will be adding silver ribbon to each of these and then am in the process of designing a sign to onto the candy table. I am so excited to see the final result... and of course - after the wedding - I will share the final look with all of you!

PS- I apologize for the bad photos. I was in the living room watching a movie with my fiance while working on these and I had bad lighting!

Are you having (or did you have) a candy buffet? Was it all color coordinated to your wedding colors?

XOXO,

Tara

Wedding Music

I have a lot to say today folks! I guess as the wedding gets closer there are so many details to work out and it helps my thoughts to share everything with all of you!

One of the hardest parts of my wedding day is picking the soundtrack. I wanted that perfect mix of sweet and romantic and fun. A decision I made early on was that I did not want "traditional" wedding songs played during the ceremony. Don't get me wrong: Canon in D, The Bridal March, Ave Maria, and the Butterfly Waltz are all beautiful songs but they just aren't... me.

So, I set out to find the perfect music. It was so much harder than I thought it would be. Mr. K and I love music... but we primarily enjoy different types of music. It seemed like everytime we sat down to try to figure this music thing out - we ended up in an argument. Eventually, Mr. K gave up trying. It was just too frusterating for us to try and do together. So this was one project I had to do on my own.

After agonizing for the past few months, I think I have made my final selections. We are actually having a pianist and so all songs will be done on the piano. I downloaded piano versions and listened to them to make sure they flowed nicely. And then I got approval from FH! I am now just waiting to hear back from the pianist to make sure she can do them!

For the seating of the Grandmothers/Mothers:


For the Processional (Bridesmaids, MOH, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer):


And lastly... My Song! This is not the original "Yellow" but a cover done by Jem and it is so Beautiful!:


There were lots of close contenders that made it so difficult for me to choose from. Here are are a few of them:

Piano Version of Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars


For the longest time... I wanted Bittersweet Symphony for the Processional:


Only Hope by Switchfoot. (The Mandy Moore version is beautiful too!):


So what do you think of my final choices? Are you using traditional music for your ceremony or are you thinking outside of the box? I would love to hear your thoughts!

XOXO,
Tara

Quick Rant... Wedding Vendors.

Let me start off by saying: I'm not a stingy bride. I have not cut corners on cost when it comes to the comfort and enjoyment of my guests. I have hired professional vendors for everything. We have a fabulous photographer, DJ, caterer, bartenders, wedding coordinator, venue, etc. Now I don't claim to know everything about weddings so that is where my fabulous wedding coordinator comes in...

During our last meeting she mentioned how we need to have a meal planned for each of our vendors. No problem! We are having a buffet style and I figured we would have an additional table in the back for the vendors to be able to sit and have a quick bite to eat. After all, I want everyone to do their best performance for my wedding!

So today... I was filling out some information for my photographer. At the very end of the questionairre it said "You must provide 3 meals for your photographer the day of the wedding. Otherwise, a $100 fee will be charged for each missed meal." Seriously?! I don't even get to eat 3 meals on my wedding day... and it's MY day!!! So does this mean that I have to run to my photographer with a plate of eggs and bacon in the morning and make sure before the ceremony we drive through the drive through at McDonald's to get a happy meal? Now let me be clear... I am in LOVE with my photographer. I love my photographer so much that I am paying quadruple (literally) of what my budget was supposed to be. But for that kind of money, I feel like they can buy their own happy meal at lunch... and pack a box of granola bars if they get hungry!

I understand providing a meal for the vendors... after all they can't leave at dinner time. They have a busy day. But to provide multiple meals for my vendors seems a little extreme... especially when I don't even have meals planned for myself!

Thanks for listening. Pulling myself together now.

What to wear... under there! Part 2.

It's an age old tradition. You sit in a chair, everyone gathers around, your new hubby gets on one knee and then promptly puts his head up your skirt to go surfing for that elusive little piece of elastic fabric around your thigh... Yes, ladies - It's the garter toss!

Like everything else when it comes to weddings I was shocked to see that garters can be $100+. I mean it only gets to be seen for less than 1 minute before some poor bachelor grabs it from the air. However, I have been searching for something femine, unique and fun. I can't help it. I don't want to spend $100 on a garter - I really don't. But after going through some of these websites I just feel more and more compelled to spend big money on this little thing.

The Garter Girl has an array of beautiful garters. I found this one and fell in love with the vintage corset style. It is SO unique!



Serendipity By Suzanne has this fun feather/rhinestone garter set for under $20.00!!!




As most of you know by now, my wedding is all about vintage hollywood glamour. My wedding is complete with lots of bling! I saw this one on etsy by Garter Lady and about died!!! She even adds a cute little horseshoe charge for good luck! It's all in the details after all!

I also fell in love with this beautiful feather and rhinestone one from Belles and Crystals.


How in the world does a girl choose? Why can't we all have multiple weddings?! Where did you get your garter? Did you splurge or save on this wedding tradition?

Wedding Monograms

I have found that one trend no wedding can do without is the Wedding Monogram! I have done over 50 monograms for my own wedding. (Of course, I ultimately decided on just one.) It is so exciting to see my name combined with Mr. K's. I have had to make a serious effort to not go overboard!
In the meantime, I have had lots of requests for custom monograms to be made for my customers. I have so much dreaming up new ways to do monograms. I thought I would post a few of my designs for all you readers out there.











Monograms are the perfect touch for your wedding stationary: invitations, menus, programs, thank you cards, etc. I have also had lots of Brides ask me for a plain black and white high resolution image that can be used for Gobo machines to put their monogram on the dance floor or a backdrop. It can be used for home decor items too! Towels, sheets, pillows, candles, etc. Regardless of what you want to do with your monogram make sure that it expresses your style! If you would like help creating your own monogram, contact me! I only charge $10.00 for your own custom monogram. With this you will receive a monogram in your custom colors and a black and white monogram. They will be emailed to you as high resolution files for your own use!

Happy Planning!
XOXO,
Tara