Pretty as a Peacock

After recent talks of a peacock-themed wedding (more on that later, I promise) I found myself swooning over this headpiece. Stunning. Truly stunning.

How gorgeous would you or all your bridesmaids look wearing these?

Picking my jaw up off the floor now. Gorgeous piece by LoBoheme on Etsy.

Just Like Dating

The ever-fabulous Terrica of Fabuluxe did a mini-series on Twitter entitled {Just Like Dating}, where she outlined the ways in which the client/vendor relationship should be "just like dating." First and foremost, this is a brilliant metaphor. And, her tweets throughout the series demonstrated how true this rings. Examples:

"It's okay to ask where your customer is in their hiring process. 

Dating sites do it to match potential matches."

"Don't get too comfortable & take your client for granted... 

Someone else is ready, willing & able to do what you won't."

But, this post isn't just for you planners.

Brides, when you are paying for a service you deserve to be treated with the upmost respect and courtesy possible. This may seem obvious, but my point does not end there. Just like dating, you deserve to be serenaded and catered to as much as possible. Do not get me wrong, you must keep in check that you are probably one of many clients that this vendor has, but that does not ever under any circumstances give them the right to speak down to you, get short with you, or belittle you or anything you say. 

Image Source.

Remember "the power of the purse" from your history books? Well, guess what? You have that power. Don't be afraid to use it. Very rarely is it too late to change vendors. And, of course, a wedding planner can help to mediate and find alternatives when necessary.

Tip Tidbit: How Much Does It Hold?

In planning transportation, many brides and grooms overlook that certain vehicles max out at a certain capacity. So, though you may have always wanted that traditional limousine, if you are transporting more than six people you may have to splurge on something to accommodate. Here is a listing of vehicle options and approximate occupancy rates:

• Bus. Seats 45-60 (a school bus will seat more).
• Double-decker bus. Seats 65.
• Limo bus, limo coach, or party bus. Seats 18-28.
• Limousine. Seats 6.
• Lincoln town Car / Luxury Sedan. Seats 2-4.
• Minivan. Seats 7.
• Passenger shuttle. Seats 15-33.
• Stretch Hummer / Lincoln Navigator / Cadillac Escalade. Seats 12-22.
• Stretch Limousine. Seats 12-24.
• SUV. Seats 5-7.
• Trolley. Seats 22-30.
• Van. Seats 12-15.

And, before you scoff at some of these as transportation options, just remember that you can make things as glamorous as you want them to be.

The Lovely Mrs. Cherry Pie from Weddingbee on a school bus.
Transportation Information Source.

We Have a Winner

Sorry I am a day late. But, we finally selected a winner for the VistaPrint Giveaway. This person is entitled to 100 flat invitations, 100 save the date magnets, and 100 flat thank you cards from VistaPrint. And the winner is...

Robyn! Shoot me an e-mail (scribble at swoonoverit dot com) so I can put you in touch with the VistaPrint rep who will get you your free products.

Now, for everyone else. Before you pout or click away, VistaPrint was kind enough to offer 25% off to all SWOONOVERIT // The Blissful Bride readers. All you have to do is follow this link: 

http://www.vistaprint.com/blissfulbride

Enjoy. Everyone is a winner!

The Burgundy Teal Event

Do you remember when I posted about my obsession with the combination of burgundy and teal (see post here)? For the past few days, MasterPiece Weddings has been posting the wedding that was that inspiration board in action. 

The board:

In action:

That's right: the bride wore teal. I am absolutely loving it. You?

Photo by Munoz Photography.

Blue Shoes

I love it when the bride and groom's shoes speak worlds of their personalities. And this gorgeous shot does just that. Something blue? Anyone?

(Source: Kara Pennington Photography.)

Ecofont

In light of Earth Day last week, I meant to tell you about my favorite new eco-friendly font (well, actually, the only eco-friendly font I know): Ecofont. 

The endless pages we print everyday are not just using up pieces of paper but also ink. Ecofont was designed to use 20% less. I'd say it was a sacrifice if the font wasn't so darn cute.

(Found via Weddingbee and Lucky Me.)

Oh yeah, and it's free.

Shabby Chic

A night to get together wearing the most ridiculous thing you can find. Tell me that doesn't sound like a great party idea! And so it was. The party "Shabby Chic" was hosted by Solutions Bridal and Unique Designs and was just that... shabby chic. Well, the party wasn't shabby that's for sure.

And, a little Public Service Announcement for you all: the following is a lesson as to why wedding planners should never ever be confused with photographers.

The ever-funny Kari of Kee to Your Heart being a goofball with her poofy dress.

Me and my boss, the lovely Melissa of MasterPiece Weddings.

Our attempt at a shoe shot. Photographers, please don't laugh (too hard).

The line up of the shabbiest (which really just meant most extravagant since no one really looked "shabby" perse) and the least shabby (i.e., most normal/trendy looking). 

And let's not forget what is always the hit of the party... PhoBooth! 

I can't resist their bin of ridiculous accessories to put on and make equally ridiculous faces.

There were others but I'm too lazy to scan and Melissa did this one for me so this is all I've got for you...

Major kudos to Solutions Bridal and Unique Designs. The party was a hit! Now I'm just waiting for one where I can wear my wedding dress. C'mon, I need an excuse to bust that baby out of the closet!

Have any of you been to a party like this? Was it as much fun as this one was?

Tweak

Let me start by saying thank you for all the kind words I received yesterday from comments, e-mails, Twitter, etc. I am truly honored and flattered to have so many people rooting for me with this. On that note, I would be even more humbled by anyone that would re-post about it and spread the word (like Lucky Designs did for me -- thank you!). And, if you do, definitely e-mail me and tell me about it!

On that note, if you are someone that believes you might be referring my services, I would love to provide you with some samples and business cards. Shoot an e-mail my way (scribble at swoonoverit dot com) so I can get some promotional materials to you. And, again, thank you all.

Now, it's a small change. All we're doing is changing the name. Instead of being "The Blissful Bride" we're going to be "Swoon Over It" written by "The Blissful Bride."

The address is the same. The posts will be the same (though you might catch us posting on calligraphy-related projects occasionally too, that is, if you don't mind). Really, just the name. That's it. It will be the same old blog you know and love. I promise.

Last Call

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter our huge VistaPrint giveaway. Don't miss out!

Entries will close at 11:59PM EST and you could be the lucky winner of 100 flat invitations, 100 save the date magnets, and 100 flat thank you cards. And, of course, we wouldn't complain if you wanted us (www.swoonoverit.com) to address them for you -- you know, since they were free and all! 

Swoon Over It

It is with great pleasure and incredible excitement that I announce to you the launch of my little calligraphy shop "SWOONOVERIT." I have spent the past several weeks pulling together the details and getting everything just so for my big announcement (again, sorry for my absence in the blogosphere but there was just no avoiding it).  

For now, I'm offering three different styles of writing, available for use on your envelopes, placecards, seating charts... you name it. 

The "New York" :: This style is for the bride who dares to be different. It's bold. It's unique, but it's not over the top. Letters are clear and legible. Writing is definite. A statement.

The "Paris" :: This style is long and drawn out. Designed to look like you just "whipped" your addresses on in your finest handwriting. It's natural, but not too natural... if you know what I mean. Very romantic.

The "London" :: My favorite. This style is fun. Swirly. Very whimsical and sweet. And, rest assured, it's just as much fun to write it as it is to look at.

But, the fun doesn't end there! Check out our website at www.swoonoverit.com for more details. More projects. More options. And, let me know what you think! And, of course, don't hesitate to contact me at scribble {at} swoonoverit {dot} com.

The Big Announcement

Source.

Join us tomorrow for our major, huge, exciting announcement (see related post Super Secret Side Project). I am so thrilled to share it with you all, hear your input, and of course return to our much more normal blogging routine.

Tip Tidbit: Book Your Blooms

If you are engaged for a year or longer before your wedding date, consider heading to your local florist the month of your wedding a year in advance. This will allow you to see all the flowers that will be in season for your wedding and give you a taste as to the colors they come in. Who knows -- it might even inspire a color palette.

Beautiful Bouquet by Karen Tran Florals

Just remember, Mother Nature offers no guarantees; what is in season and the exact color it blooms in can vary slightly from year to year.

New Series: Tip Tidbits

Thrilled to announce (and it won't be the only "announcement" this week!) that I'm launching a small blog series entitled "Tip Tidbits." This series is intended to provide snippets of advice. These posts will be short and may or may not have photos. But, they will provide just a thought or piece of advice at how to look at or do something differently with regards to planning your wedding.

It is my hope that these tidbits will provide an additional perspective for you by suggesting things you may not have thought of or counseling on the "proper" way of doing something. I look forward to your feedback as to whether these are helpful or if you have encountered a situation where these thoughts or ideas might have been useful.

The Pleasing Pandora

And this time I'm not talking about the jewelry brand. I promise. I only bring up Pandora because I recently spoke with a few people who had never heard of it. So, for those of you in that boat...

Pandora is an automated music recommender created by The Music Genome Project. Users begin by entering a song or artist that they like and Pandora selects and plays songs that are musically similar. Users can respond by selecting a thumbs up or thumbs down, which Pandora will take into account for future music selections. Or, users can just allow Pandora to stream music.

I bring this up because it's an incredibly useful tool for finding new music (or playing music, say, when you don't have your music library on hand). Take my husband and I, for example; we like entirely different types of music. But, if you plug a song or artist we both like into Pandora we would be able to discover a lot of artists/music that we both might like together and would not have had an opportunity to hear before. A valuable tool, if you ask me.

Do you have any tricks or tools that have helped you?

***********

Only four more days to enter our huge Vista Print giveaway.

And, while you're at it, don't forget to enter for the free three-night Dream Honeymoon from Sandals Resorts, brought to you by Fancy Fortune Cookies!

Super Secret Side Project

So it is with my great apologies that I have been absent from the blogging world lately. Rest assured, it's not because I would like it to be that way; it is because I have been investing much of my time to a side project that I have yet to reveal. Some of you may know what it is, others may have an idea, but for now I'll leave you with this taste.

Here's to hoping that keeps you in suspense all weekend. I promise to return next week with much more blogging and the great reveal of my big surprise!

**********

In the meantime, don't forget to enter my giveaway for free invitations, save the dates, and thank you cards from Vista Print. 

Also, don't forget to enter for the free three-night Dream Honeymoon from Sandals Resorts! See my post on it here. 

Theme: Election

One of my favorite things about a wedding is when a couple picks and theme and sticks to it. Having one cohesive element that ties into several aspects of their day is truly overlooked as to how spectacular and effective it can be. And, I don't just mean using your monogram in several places or having your colors of choice pasted on every item related to your wedding, I mean carrying an idea from one element to the next.

Maggie of Eat, Drink, Marry is a perfect example of this. The theme? Elections and politics. The colors? Red, white, and blue. The results? Adorable.

What first pulled me in -- the stunning invitations by ABCD Bespoke Stationery.

Can you believe these amazing campaign stickers with the bride and groom's last names?

I think I would have ordered extras of these so I could stick them on everything!

Red, white, and blue pomanders? How gorgeous!

Trivia napkins: what a great conversation starter!

For more wonderful ideas and inspiration from Maggie's wedding check out her blog Eat, Drink, Marry, and to see more of the fabulous work of ABCD Bespoke Stationery check out the website and blog.

So what about you, do you have any fab theme ideas?

Inspiration: Book Lover's Bash

When Shanon came to me with her ideas for a summer birthday party I was beyond thrilled. She mentioned wanting books as the main theme with each buffet table centered around a different one and foods inspired by that novel, listing examples like "The Wizard of Oz" and "Anne of Green Gables." She said her party is to take place in a loft space in an old converted warehouse building.

So, I wanted to play with the book themes a little bit while leaving the feel to the party very fun and natural like.

We picked out this cheery color palette (which you'll see I used in the board itself):

 

And I came up with this board: 

{mason jars, ruby slippers, lanterns, sunflowers, books, palette, photos}

Shanon, I'm not sure if this is quite what you were going for. But, having been an English major myself I am particularly in love with your party around books. I adore the idea of having buffet tables with foods inspired by each book (see the Hostess with the Mostess's Twilight party) and I can even picture the seating tables with stacks of children's books as the centerpiece with small arrangements of sunflowers or other wildflowers on top. Whether this actually inspires you or not, I truly enjoyed working on this one. I hope that maybe just maybe you can pull something from it. 

Everyone else, what do you think?

What's Mine Is Yours

After finally retrieving it from my parents the veil that I almost wore on my wedding day is finally back in my little hands and ready to find a new home. You see, this veil was perfect: an ivory mid-length mantilla veil with beautiful lace and beading. 

But, a combination of factors kept me from actually wearing it on my wedding day: it poured so I had to wear my hair up and my updo was a little higher than I thought it would be so the veil wouldn't work. Nevertheless, the veil is essentially new and in its original packaging and you can profit from my loss.

Please see my classified ad over on Weddingbee and let me know if you have any questions or are interested.

And, stay tuned for an summery, fun inspiration board coming later today!

Dance in the Rain

Lovely image by the talented Fido the Cat

The rain last week made me think of a story I recently heard. And, since nothing is more applicable to weddings than a story of love I figured I would share. I know it's a little text heavy, but I promise you won't regret taking the time to read it. Please keep in mind, this is not my story.

It was around 8:30 on a busy morning when an elderly gentleman arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 AM.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors and got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no but that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She might not know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm. I thought "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. 

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; 

they just make the best of everything they have.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Envy-worthy Eggs

For as crafty as I like to pretend I am, I'm the first to admit I'm no good when it comes to dyeing eggs. So, it's only natural that I swoon over eggs this pretty.

The June Bride's Domestic Bliss via ABCD Design

Wishing a happy Easter to all those celebrating. And, if not, I hope you can at least appreciate the beauty in this art.

Black Chandelier

I am not sure how or when my love affair with black chandeliers started but all I know is that it exists. I can be looking at a photo of something absolutely stunning and if there is a black chandelier in the background that is the very first thing I notice. Something about them is dark but romantic. Lusty. I love them in interiors. I love them on designs. I love them anywhere, really.

This photo from Pearls Events of National Bridal Market is a perfect example.

Black chandelier against all white interior? Ohhh. Don't do that to me!

Or how about a black chandelier above the bed? Luxury at it's finest!

And, of course, I can't resist the black chandelier against a bright, poppy color like hot pink.

Do you see those chandeliers on the walls -- they are black chandelier decals, even!

But, what I love even more is taking a design element like this and tying it into your wedding.

If you truly love it, why not?

For example, how about this black chandelier monogram by Lucky Designs?

Or this invitation found via Mrs. Shortcake on Weddingbee?

Miss Pomegranate on Weddingbee hung these black chandelier ornaments above her cupcake display.

Gorgeous? I think so.

If I were to do it all over again, you can bet there would be some black chandeliers involved. Are you incorporating any design elements into your wedding or function? If so, what and how?