The Carousel

I love it when couples (or photographers) do more with their shoots. Not just a pretty field of flowers or a lovely city backdrop, but something new. Something different. Something inspirational. 

So, naturally, I about died when I saw this couple on a carousel on their wedding day.

Lindsey from Pure is a genius.

Map It

Did you include maps with your invitations? 

We went in circles debating whether we should or not but I hated the plainness of computer-generated ones and wasn't feeling crafty enough to whip one up on my own. Of course, I swooned over the gorgeous work of Laura Hooper but, unfortunately, spending several hundred dollars on map design and printing just wasn't in the budget. 

So, I pulled up all the crafty gene I could muster in one afternoon and whipped up something like this. Unfortunately, I never got any photos of the final product nor do I have a copy (how does that happen?). So, this was only a draft but you get an idea of the whimsy effect I was going for.

What do you think? What are you doing or going to do for maps (or are you doing them at all?)? Are you lucky enough to afford a custom-designed and hand-painted one or are you going the DIY route?

Beautiful Blooms

Seriously, how many people can say that they get to bring home a vase (or more) of gorgeous blooms every week? Let's just say these beauties made my Monday morning a little more bearable. What's more bright and cheery than 25 giant stunning sunflowers?

Delightful Details for Your Darlings

So, due to an eventful (but wonderful!) weekend, I am running a bit behind this morning and I am sad to report that you are just going to have to wait for your Monday Inspiration Board. (No sense in rushing the creativity, yes?)

What I do have share with you though are some adorable details. I stumbled across these flower girl accessories while browsing tutus last week and I just couldn't resist sharing them.

Mini-lace Mary Janes. Seriously? How adorable!

(Shoes by Yunginz :: found via The Bridal Wishlist)

So the flower is almost as big as her head, but could she be any cuter? I don't think so.

And my absolute favorite. I'm not sure what I like most: Cardigan with wings? Tweed skirt? Patent leather teal shoes? This whole outfit breaks my heart. But, from a wedding perspective, I am pretty sure you'd rock your little flower girl's world if you let her wear that cardigan.

Did you find any adorable details for your flower girl?

Friday Funny

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I like to lighten the mood on Fridays. So, though these have very little (or absolutely nothing) to do with weddings, I found them at a bride-favorite location, Paper Source, and they had me cracking up.

The notecard itself? Adorable (love that little plane!).

The message? Hilarious.

I think everyone could use a set of these. Admit it.

Plus, they'd keep you laughing.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Take a Twirl

Unfortunately, we didn't have flower girls at our wedding. Not because we didn't want them but because no one close to us had a child at the right age. But, let me assure you, if we had, I know exactly what they would have worn. Tutus or pettiskirts. No doubt about it.

How adorable is this girl?

...or these beautiful sisters?

How about a sea of twirling flower girls? 

Gorgeous? I think so.

And, in case you needed more convincing, how about these adorable flower girls from The Unbride's wedding? Pettiskirts in action!

And, my absolute favorite... seriously, how much fun!

What are your flower girls wearing? Did you come up with something unique and adorable for them?

The Checklists

After my whole post earlier I can't believe I forgot to tell you about my favorite part about Russell+Hazel. 

Are you sitting down? Are you ready for this? 

They also offer a variety of PDF checklists for free (I don't know about you... but I like free! And, well, I also like lists...) to help you plan your wedding. 

Now, if that didn't excite you, their checklists range from the general -- like their wedding day timeline and day of wedding checklist -- to the more specific -- like their emergency kit checklist, flower worksheet, and photo shot list. Even if you don't think you need it you should at least check it out; you might be surprised. I am incredibly impressed with the thoroughness of the lists and expansiveness of the types of lists they offer. 

Of course, if you have a competent wedding planner (which you should and if you don't then you should think about hiring one) then he/she should be able to take care of all those lists for you.

Keep It Together

I must say that when it comes to desktop items or office supplies I am (pardon the cliche) like a kid in a candy store. I could spend hours (or days, probably) in some place simple like Office Max or Office Depot. But then, take me some place with adorable desk supplies and, well, you've unleashed a beast. 

So, it's no wonder really that I'm in love with Russel+Hazel. I love their fresh clean designs and that they have the same item in a variety of different formats. Some of my favorites...

Gorgeous Wedding Organizer -- so many stickies, business card holders, dividers, and sheet protectors. Everything a bride could possibly need in a planning notebook!

Gift List Book... for recording all those gift ideas!

This one would be especially good for me -- who is notorious for coming up with great gift ideas and then forgetting them by the time the occasion rolls around.

Mini SmartDate Daily Sheets

Breaking your day up by meetings, to-dos, and contacts.

For the ultimate list maker (that's me!).

So, what do you think? Am I old fashioned for relying on good old pen and paper for keeping me organized? Especially you brides, how do you keep yourself together with so much going on?

A Fool for Artfool

I don't know about you, but when it comes to inspiration I'm most inspired by the real life work. It's one thing to decorate things a certain way in theory or set up a mock table... but to actually do it? Well, that's a whole other story.

Lucky for me, I stumbled upon the mecca of real world inspiration pretty early in my wedding travels. So, if you too are on the quest for real floral and decor inspiration, well, I might just have a place for you. Artfool. Have you heard of them? 

Their work is stunning. Their ideas are clean and modern. And, their images are endless. Seriously, I have... I mean I "could" spend hours perusing their site and all the samples of their beautiful work. It's no wonder they've been featured in endless magazines and TV shows.

Love the candles place atop the wood pieces.

The integration of table and centerpiece. The adorable numbering.

The exquisite colors!

And my favorite for last. I have no words for this one.

Just breathtaking.

What about you? Do you have any inspiration gems you've stumbled upon along the way?

Honored

...to be featured on Lucky Me today. If you haven't seen the work of Lucky Designs, well, then you are just missing out. Check out my spotlight on them from a while back. 

After all, since Lucky Designs did my very own wedding invitations I feel like if anyone can speak to their credit I am pretty sure I can. Plus, they have an adorable new blog that you just can't miss out on. Now what are you waiting for? Go check out the post!

And thank you Erin for featuring The Blissful Bride today!

Play with Your Palette

Have you ever heard of ColourLovers? If not, prepare to have your mind boggled.

I can't believe I have been blogging and making inspiration boards as long as I have without knowing about this site. This amazing place lets you create a palette with up to 5 custom colors (using a sliding scale you can get the exact shade you want of each one) to create the perfect palette. Then, you can rotate the order of the colors and apply them to different patterns to see how they look together. 

For all those who have been asking (and those wondering that haven't asked), this is what I used to create both the palette and the pattern for yesterday's inspiration board.

Take, for example, my wedding colors. 

To represent them, I created this palette here...

Then from the palette I created this pattern here...

(which, if you are a long-time follower, you know looks similar to my invitations).

Oh yeah, and you can even enter in the url of a photo and it will pull you the photo's color palette for you.

Take this photo here...

And you get this palette...

Pretty amazing, huh? With every shade under the sun and patterns from whimsical swirls to retro dots, ColourLovers certainly provides an amazing resource not just for brides looking to test their palette possibilities but also designers, artists, fashion enthusiasts... oh the possibilities! And the best part? It's free!

Twitter Me!

I've mentioned it before but it was long, long ago. So, I thought it was worth another go around. That's right folks: I'm on Twitter. Come follow me!

Inspiration: Modern Vintage

As promised, here is a little Monday inspiration. Last week, I was thrilled to get all the responses regarding my inspiration board free for all (keep e-mailing 'em in!). One of the first to respond was Michelle. She e-mailed me stressing that she needed help with her colors. Like many brides, she has found so many things she loves that she feels her ideas are headed in a million directions. So, I gathered up what I knew and hope that this will help her feel a little cohesion to her scattered ideas.

Palette: Dark purple, gray, burgundy, champagne

Mood: Vintage with a touch of mod details -- theme of circles/polka dots

'

The palette: 

...and an image of the adorable details...

And here is Michelle's clean modern vintage wedding:

{invitation, centerpiece, pillow, wall, gray dress, bride}

Michelle, I think these colors look gorgeous together. I see no cohesion problem whatsoever, especially with your theme and venue options (as you can see, I even pulled in the brick wall!). 

To my readers, what do you think?

Out of the Ordinary

I don't usually do this. Fine. I never do this. But, you simply must go check out Darci's wedding over at With This Ring. It is out of this world. You very rarely see a wedding with so many stunning details and so much thought and love put into every single aspect.

Don't believe me? See for yourself...

All photos exclusive property of With This Ring.

Seriously, this was only a taste... now go check out the rest!

Watch the World Go By

On your wedding day, there is nothing you deserve more than to have at least one moment of feeling the world spin around you as you are trapped in your own private place with your new spouse. What could possibly be better? When that one sacred little moment gets captured on camera to be treasured for the rest of your life.

Stunning image by Jessica Claire.

Perfectly Posh

Let me introduce you to one of my very favorite places in the world. And no, I have never been there. And no, they aren't paying me for this (or at all, for that matter). You might ask yourself how does she know it is one of her very favorite places then? Well, let me just tour you around and you might understand.

Welcome to the Nu Hotel of Brooklyn, New York. 

Greeted with a fresh clean entrance and gorgeous vibrant yellow chairs.

Let me show you to your room. Don't mind the fancy lighting, warm atmosphere, 

and lovely artwork along the way...

How about a room with crisp linens, multiple beds, a flat screen TV suspended from the ceiling,

and ample workspace to boot?

Ohh, you aren't working, you say? How about a room with an extra space for lounging? 

Would you like a hammock?

Hammocks aren't your thing? How about an extended bed so cushy and dreamy 

you just won't want to get out of it (nevermind that you are in one of the best cities on the planet)?

And just in case all that wasn't enough, how would you like to wake up to this? 

How's that for a complimentary "breakfast buffet"? Seriously, who knew food could be so pretty?

In case I haven't sold you yet, how about these unique details (among others, like complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the building) for perks: 

• Natural design elements like cork floors, lead-free paint, organic sheets, and biking and storage facilities
• Bathrooms equipped with chalkboard walls, for jotting down notes for housekeeping and travel mates, as well as simply recording your own musings
  
• Complimentary copy of The New York Times
  
• Aveda bath amenities
• and, of course, a 24-hour fitness center, equipped for Cardio, Pilates, and Yoga
  

Seriously, how amazing would it be to be able to have your wedding guests stay here? Jaw dropping, that's for sure.

Have you found a unique venue? Or what was it that sold you on the place you chose?

Top 100

Thrilled to be in the Top 100 Wedding Blogs according to BrideTide and entirely humbled to be among so many amazing big deal blogs like Snippet & Ink, Hostess with the Mostess, Style Me Pretty and many, many others.

Thank you! And thank you my dear readers for making it possible!

Inspiration Board Free for All

I'll confess: I love making inspiration boards. Seriously, I adore it. So, inspired by The Perfect Palette, the more I thought about it the more I thought why not open it up to anyone? Because of my relatively unpredictable schedule, I make no promises on time or how long it will take me to make it for you. But I'm offering it for free. No catch. 

All you have to do is e-mail me at amandabyoung {at} gmail {dot} com with details about the event (formality, type of location, etc.) and colors (samples are appreciated) and I'll lovingly create you a board. Of course, if I create a board for you and you repost it, I do ask that you link back to my blog. My hope is to post a new one each Monday for a little weekly inspiration. 

Here are some samples of my previous work...

So what are you waiting for? Get e-mailing! Any questions? Feel free to ask.