For my dear friend Lisa

Lisa and Adam are getting married next September at the Bavarian Lodge in Frankenmuth, MI. I've had the pleasure of creating not one, but two inspiration boards for them. It's been a while since I've been able to channel some creative energy towards the wild world of weddings, I really had fun with this project.

I was going for vintage elegance with the first board. Given their location and a color scheme of sage green and chocolate brown, this was my interpretation for a more classy affair. If Lisa and Adam opt for a more laid back atmosphere, my second board shows a hint of Oktoberfest. This board has more emphasis on the brown with the use of wood grain repeated in table tops, beer barrels, and even the cake design. Both themes use decorative wheat and a chocolate wedding cake, why not? (Lisa, check out the olive green color and use of feathers in this board over at Snippet and Ink)


Some photos that didn't make the cut but I had to share:

Inspiration board-The After Party

Photobooths vs. Polaroids part II

A couple weeks after my post about DIY Polaroid booths being better than Photobooths, one of my favorite blogs posted a similar entry to her 2000 dollar wedding blog. Sara even took it a step further by posting a link for to different set of instructions for building your own photobooth! *

To add to my thoughts on this subject; if you are worried about the quality of photos from the Polaroids cameras and the photography skills of your guests, it doesnt hurt to ask your wedding photographer if they offer a photobooth option. You wont receive instant prints but the portraits will be professional and photographers are great at coaxing people into fun, expressive shots. You'll pay an extra $200-$400 more on top of your photography fee and that's still a huge saving over the $1500 for the rented photobooth.

*side-note: I love the blog community and encourage people to explore. I've gotten most of my money-saving, creative juices flowing ideas from other wedding blogs of soon-to-be or recently wed brides. Two heads are better than one.

Halfway there

6 months to go!

To help with wedding costs, Josh and I complied a list of things needed for the wedding, that we believe can be obtain by borrowing from friends and family(or friends of friends and family). Please let us know if you or anyone you know have any of these items and would be willing to let us use for the wedding.

white christmas lights
cake stands
mini cupcake baking tins
blue or green empty wine bottles (these would be to have not borrow, since we plan to cut them up)
tiki torches
picnic tables
yard games (horseshoes, bocce ball)
roasting sticks
white, green or blue hydrangeas (if someone has a hydrangea bush and would be willing to let us cut some stems to contribute to flower arrangements)

Photo booths vs Polaroids

I mentioned before that Whitney and I went to a bridal show a few weekends ago. The photos above are souvenirs from the day, the show had two photo booths and they were allowing people to try them out in hopes of booking weddings...for a hefty price of course. These photo booths are available for a rental fee of $1000-$1500. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fun activity for the guests and a great way to get photos of all your guests but that's a big hunk of money. I believe using Polaroid instant cameras is a great alternative.

It can be even more fun and personal for your guests if you throw in fun props such as hats, glasses, and mustaches:

Or hang up some patterned fabric as a backdrop that matched your wedding colors.

This wedding had a school theme so a blackboard was used for the background at the Polaroid station. Guests could write messages for the bride and groom and a photo album was set out to house the instant photos.So here's the breakdown; you can purchase an instant Polaroid camera off Ebay for $5-$15. As for film, $200 will buy you enough for 100 shots and considering people usually pose in groups that'll give a guest list of 100 at least two times in front of the camera. Throw in miscellaneous props and a photo album and you still have savings of at least $700!!!

Here's a link to a wedding with some horribly fun photos from their own DIY photo booth.

Please drink responsibly

In lieu of New Year's fesivities I thought it would be fun to find a signature cocktail to be served at Breaha, Heather, and my wedding (not that any of us will be opting to serve signature cocktails, sorry to disappoint)

Breaha's signature cocktail - The Charleston

A classic, this elegant cocktail gives a nod to the swing dance lesson that Beaha and Zach will hopefully be having at their reception.

Heather's signature cocktail - Berry BlushWith a wedding dated for 7/11 a fruity, slushy drink is a must. Maybe even serve them in Big Gulp cups!

Our signature cocktail - Lime 'n' Lemon HourWho wouldn't like a refreshing citrus cocktail for an outdoor summer wedding? We could even set up the bar to look like an old fashioned lemonade stand.

Heather's Inspiration Board

To my wonderful Heather. I hope this inspiration board aids you in convincing Tom that a pink and black wedding can be elegant and classy, which it most certainly can.


A couple thoughts to share with you:

4th photo in the top row shows a bride with an adorable blusher. I had the idea to suggest a blusher to Heather after seeing this pink and black headpiece on Etsy. I think this would be so fun for her to wear for the reception.

On the bottom row, the 3rd and 4th are some ideas for a pink and black candy bar. I think a candy bar screams Heather because it fits her personality so well. Everyone knows that Heather loves her snacks, I'm sure she would have a blast picking out sweets for her big day. And it would be great for incorporating her wedding colors in a fun way.

Merry Christmas Heather and Tom!

Breaha's Inspiration Board

A Christmas present to my lovely sister...my and plum and ivory vision for her big day.


I have two elements in this board I want to share:

2nd photo on the top row are these adorable hair pins I found on Etsy. The set was a bridal party package and included 3 bridesmaid hair pins and 1 hair vine for the bride. She does custom work, so even though they're already sold out you can put in a request for the same set or keep an eye out for similar items at other retail locations.

Love, love, love these lavender seating cards from Martha Stewart Weddings. 2nd photo, 2nd row shows these seating cards which are made by tying paper with the guest's name and the table number printed on them.

It's going to be an elegant and romantic gala affair...I just know it!