The Xharismatic BRIDE!

Green Colorful Wedding in Provincetown

2011-12-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

Hi all! We have another one of our fun offbeat weddings to share! This wedding took place on the cape in Provincetown and it was a fun one to do. The couple rented a beach house and invited about 60 people for an intimate offbeat affair.

What they wanted:

Something colorful and whimsical that included purple, green and blue.
Centerpieces that did not include real flowers to facilitate their goal to have a green wedding.
Chinese lanterns to be included in the decor.
Jars to be used as candle holders.
An outdoor ceremony
An intimate dinner

What we did to give them what they wanted!

We created centerpieces that were both floral and environmentally friendly by using pieces of fabric that had been given to them by one of the bride's mothers as napkins. The idea was that they would use them as napkins for the wedding and she would then use them to make a quilt for the couple after they were married! What a great idea! We asked the mum to provide any left over pieces of fabric and used them to make their centerpieces and the arbors for their ceremony! They gave such character to the whole feel of the wedding. After the wedding, we took them apart and sent them to the couple to have Mum add them to the quilt! They will forever have this as a souvenir of their wedding day! Very cool!

We used their desired colors in addition to ones we thought would work best with them and designed a very colorful and whimsical reception setup for them.
Instead of clear jars as candle holders we opted to go with colored ones to keep the whimsy and color theme going. They were thrilled with the burst of unexpected color they provided along the aisle they both walked down as well as at the tables as part of the centerpieces.

Last but not least, we used a good number of chinese lanterns in a mix of colors in the reception room to create the colorful ambiance they wanted.

Everything we used was colorful and fun and in keeping with their green, whimsical but colorful and intimate theme!
Check out our website for more pictures and as always, let us know your thoughts! We like hearing them and they help us do better!
Cheers!

Credits:

Decor and Design: Creative Wedding Solutions
Event Rentals: Rentals Unlimited
Photography: Alan Sinclair

Colorful Wedding at the Museum

2011-11-17T15:47:00.007-05:00

It has been a while since I blogged as you may notice. It has been a busy season for us and we just now got finished with it, so I am so glad to be back and to share how things have been going. I am going to try to be honest about the good, the bad and the ugly, so be sure to tune in and to share your thoughts as they are always helpful. Apart from that though, I am so excited to share with you some of the fun weddings we worked on this season!

As you may or may not know we primarily work with offbeat couples who want their offbeat styles and personalities to be conveyed in their wedding style. But that said, we also get some requests from clients whose main request is a colorful wedding but still in keeping with tradition. If we determine that we are a good fit, we are usually happy to oblige.

The wedding I am sharing with you is such a wedding. The clients wanted a bit of a mix of everything ranging from modern to traditional to a little bit offbeat. We found a location that was all of those things in it's own way and they loved it! A well hidden jewel called The Fuller Craft Museum - a contemporary museum that we thought suited their style!

The couple was working within a particular budget so we had to give them something colorful that didn't stray too far from traditional lines and still keep it simple. In lieu of a formal sit down dinner, the couple opted for a cocktail reception in which guests were served heavy hors d'oeuvres for dinner. We set up the space with an emphasis on cocktail and casual seating with seats both inside and outside. A few high top tables mixed with a few big rounds for the guests who preferred to sit traditional style (mostly the older guests) and a lounge area for those who wanted to relax even more in the midst of the festivities! To keep costs down the heavy hors d'oeuvres were served buffet style so guests helped themselves to what they wanted. This not only eliminated the need for servers to pass food around but also kept things light and casual as well as interactive!

Here are a few of my favorites from the wedding since they can't all go on our website. For more pictures of the same event be sure to check our website in the next couple of weeks as they will have been put up by then. In the meantime, don't hesitate to share your thoughts and to let me know what you think! Glad to be back.
Cheers everyone!

Credits

Design and Planning: Creative Wedding Solutions
Photography: Alan Sinclair
Location: The Fuller Craft Museum

Vote For Creative Wedding Solutions As Boston's Best Wedding Planner!

2011-06-22T17:35:00.005-04:00

We are very thrilled to be nominated for Boston.com's A-list for Best Wedding Planner! Please take a moment to support us by voting, and help make us number one this year!

Thanks so much for your support!

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate!

2011-04-29T12:13:00.000-04:00

It is not everyday that we get to witness a historical event such as the one many of us witnessed today! Prince William of Whales married his longtime love Kate Middleton! While that is amazing in itself since we know that historically tradition has not prioritized love in Royal weddings, it is even more amazing that Kate is what is known as a commoner since she does not hail from a Royal blood line!
So from all of us to you Prince William and Princess Kate, we wish you so much joy, love and happiness! Way to go Prince William for following your heart and to Kate for being patient and trusting that love always wins! Cheers to the Prince and the Princess!

Offbeat junkyard inspired wedding idea!

2011-03-28T15:37:00.001-04:00

While going through our photoshoot pictures, I came across these which happen to be fun favorites of mine! I love the idea of junkyard inspired weddings mostly because they have so much character, texture, depth and frankly way too many surprising beauties! There is no telling what you will find in a junkyard when you go hunting in one of them and that makes for fun experiences. These pictures are reminiscent of a junkyard feel but prettier and more well organized as well as artistic!
Looking for a way to decorate your wedding in a unique way, consider the inspiration in a junkyard or a location that will give you the feel and the beauty all rolled up in one! The results are endless!
I dare you to satisfy your curiosity or better yet the curiosity of your guests! I for one would love to throw such a wedding! Happy hunting!

Location: Three Sister Sanctuary http://threesisterssanctuary.com/
Models: Megan Labonte and Mary Tarpey
Photographers: Dominica Chavez http://www.dominicchavez.com/ and Shannon Grant http://www.shannongrantphotography.com/
Makeup: Christy Lavallee http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/
Hair: Brenda Nadolny
Fashion Design: Mauryn Kkira of Creative Wedding Solutions http://www.creativeweddingsolutions.com/
Gowns: Xharisma Bridal rental by Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Accessories: Kkira Creations on Etsy by Mauryn Kkira of Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com

Fun wedding gowns for the bride on a budget! Something for everyone!

2011-03-21T18:57:00.000-04:00

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would do a fun gown entry today! I am always looking for wedding gowns that have character in pretty much every price range. I found some I thought were worth sharing so I thought I would pass them along
These are from various places and I am happy to share where to look for them if you are interested so drop me a line if you have any questions on where to find them.

Most important thing to keep in mind is that they are in various price ranges and I would like to share them according to price so you can see what you like and what might work for you.
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of color, but I thought these were great stylistically and if I was looking for a white gown that had character in it's design but was on a budget, I would consider any of these. Remember Your dress is only a way to express yourself and there are so many things you can express about yourself, so don't let your budget or options limit you. This first set is from White house Black market and they are all below $600.00 so for the bride looking to keep to a small budget or any budget really, they are a great option.

The next set of dresses are from Edressme which is another great resource for great dresses at really good price points. They are perfect for the bride who wants character and a great deal! The majority of these dresses come in at a price point of less than $500.00 and in fact only one of them comes in at $1500. All the rest are at a lower price point than that, below $1000. So take a look and be inspired to find something that not only fits your style but your budget as well. Who says you can only have it your way by breaking the bank? Of course I included color options for the bride after my own heart! Edressme has a whole wedding section as well as one for bride's maids. If you want even more options, a great section to look at is their evening gown section. Don't underestimate the glamor and style that you can find in what was made to be a funky evening gown. While it might be made for one purpose, you can use it for another. Don't let yourself get limited by anyone else's idea of what the dress should be, think about what you see and what it represents to you and you now have a myriad of options from which to pull your unique wedding gown!

$440.00

$1500.00

$450.00

$486.00

$218.00

$286.00

$549.00

$850.00

$658.00

$398.00

$378.00

$398.00

$438.00

$378.00

$298.00 on sale for $238.00

$458.00

$578.00

$478.00

Any of these gowns would make gorgeous wedding gowns for a funky and offbeat bride who wants a unique look. All you need to add are the right accessories and you are ready to say forever! Enjoy!

Offbeat Gay Fantasy Wedding!

2011-02-15T15:14:00.000-05:00

With creativity in mind we put together an inspired photo shoot to share some colorful variations on what a quirky dream wedding could look like. This inspiration shoot was based around the concept of a gorgeous lesbian couple who are colorful but want an earthy wedding. To pull off this fantasy, it was apparent that the first and most important thing was to locate a space that had a colorful, earthy feel. Tip: Take time to find an exceptional location. Your location sets the tone for your event, so choose wisely and fearlessly. We found a wonderful sculpture garden in Goshen, MA called the Three Sister’s Sanctuary, which is appropriately referred to as the place “where nature and art are joined.” It was the perfect space because of the blend of open gardens and raw textures created by owner and environmental artist Richard Richardson. Part of creating environmental art is using found and recycled items, so this location also fits in with the green theme our planet-friendly brides have. In keeping with that goal almost every element we used was rented, recycled, or reusable.

The ceremony was set up in the Three Sisters’ amphitheater where we used wooden baskets as rustic seats around a central stone altar. Tip: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box…literally! We used circles in order to make a large gathering cozier. Circles are a softer shape and create a more intimate feeling. We chose eggplant colored cushions for their vibrance with hand painted glass jars to add bursts of bright color to the four aisles. Tip: Use what you’ve got. In planning, people sometimes forget to consider everyday items they or their loved ones already have, which is a simple and green way to add unique and personal charisma to your event. The jars we used were collected from several people who had been saving them for recycling! As a finishing touch we sprinkled some gorgeous multicolored rose petals in a spiral around the altar to create a sacred space for the couple in the middle of the theater. This is reminiscent of the life journey on which they are embarking, moving ever deeper, ever closer to the center. I also heard it said by my favorite pastor that the wedding ring is circular because it has no beginning or end which is symbolic of a couple’s commitment. I thought it was a wonderful interpretation of what marriage symbolizes.

For an intimate reception we wanted to keep it simple, unique, laid back and fun. In the spirit of maintaining the natural and earthy feel, we decided to literally move everything closer to the earth. We created low tables with cushions as seats right on the grass. The couple is not too attached to flowers, so we kept the floral influence minimal and instead relied on the painted jars to infuse the entire setup with color. Tip: Use what you love. It’s easy to create something original if you focus on what you like instead of what is expected. Blue burlap runs the length of the table with layers of green moss as a bed for the colorful jars. Uncomplicated white plates lighten up this ensemble, and green napkins and simple but colorful menus bring it all together.

In order to create a loose outline for the celebration we established a couple of corner niches on the lawn, a coffee setup and a guest book parlor. We thought it would be fun to create a unique guest book since the couple was not the sort to have a regular one. We attached small painted jars to a folding screen and stretched colorful fabrics from it to create a fun place to sit, and used a drawer to collect all the note cards written by their guests. Tip: There’s always an alternative. Providing different kinds of stationery is one way to keep it interesting as well as interactive for your guests. The coffee tables are small cabinet doors perched on wooden baskets flanking a tall, carved plant stand topped with another painted jar for color. Finally, we added some lovely white hydrangea and kale bouquets bring more texture to an array of simple white coffee cups and saucers.

Since the couple loves color, we kept that theme through out everything including their attire. We gave them both simple but gorgeous gowns that reflected their colorful styles. Tip: Color is your friend! Everything looks richer with color, so don’t be afraid to experiment with it. One of the brides wore a blue strapless gown while the other wore a purple gown with straps. They both had simple hair accessories to add flair to their beautiful feminine looks, but still kept their individual styles. If you happen to be a bride that would rather wear a pant suit, then go for it and find a way to make it work for you by adding color to it. One easy way to do that is to pick a colored and playfully feminine top, or infuse it with color using accessories that way you still have your flair.

This concept was a result of dreaming and putting together a variety of elements to create something unique, quirky and colorful and we hope that you will find inspiration as well as tips to help you as you embark on the exciting journey of creating your own fantasy wedding. Be Free to be You!

CREDITS
Location: Three Sister Sanctuary http://threesisterssanctuary.com/
Design concept: Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Decor Design: Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Menus/Stationery: Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Makeup: Christy Lavallee of Makeup Artistry by Christy http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/
Hair: Brenda Nadolny
Event Rentals: A Perfect Setting http://www.perfectsetting.com/
Gowns: Xharisma Bridal Rentals by Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Hair Accessories: Kkira Creations by Creative Wedding Solutions on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkiracreations
Photography: Shannon Grant of Shannon Grant Photography http://www.shannongrantphotography.com/

Bridal Accessories in Your Color!

2011-01-26T15:29:00.000-05:00

Looking for a unique and colorful bridal accessory to add fun and character to your bridal gown? I am a big believer in the notion that color is healing and that it plays an important role in how we feel and how we express ourselves as people. As a result I think it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity to use color to uplift and express ourselves.
As a bride, you may not feel like you can go so far out-of-the-box as to wear a bright purple gown like the one I mentioned in our ‘Dita in white’ photo shoot. Or even if you want to, you may have any number of restrictions, as many brides do. For instance, if Mum is footing the bill and she gets a say in everything you wear, she may not, in a million years, go for a gown that’s not white. If you don’t want to spend all your time fighting with her about it, or dealing with her dissatisfaction on the day of your wedding, you might strike a nice compromise:
Pick a beautiful white gown, and then use accessories to introduce color to your look! You may have to look hard to find something you love, but the right accessories ARE out there. (and we can help you find them!) Consider wearing a hat instead of a traditional veil, as hats come in lots of really cool styles and colors. Also consider using your jewelry and shoe choices to bring color into your look. This way Mum gets you in a white dress, and she is so happy she cries, AND you get to have the color expression that you want. That’s a happy mini-marriage right there!
If you are looking for ideas about how to make your accessories work with your wedding colors, our line of colorful and fun accouterments, called Xharisma Bridal Accessories may have just the perfect thing for you. All the items in this line are available for both purchase and rental. We can also custom design all of your accessories in your choice of wedding colors. Contact us for more information.

Credits

Headpieces/ Accessories: Kkira Creations on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkiracreations

Models: Mauryn Kkira, Kristen, Shankar, Leah Santello, Megan Labonte,

Makeup: Christy Lavalee http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/, Mauryn Kkira

Photography: Dominic Chavez and Shannon Grant http://www.shannongrantphotography.com/

Offbeat Wedding on a Sunday Morning- Breakfast Reception Included!

2011-01-19T11:33:00.000-05:00

I am so thrilled to share this very fun offbeat wedding with you! It is the first real wedding I am posting on here which is really exciting for us.
There are so many reasons why it inspired me and you will soon see every single one of them.

First of all it happened on a Sunday morning, there was breakfast for all the guests but it was not a destination wedding! The couple was sure that they wanted it to reflect them and they wanted be a wedding they would enjoy being guests at. They also didn't want it to cost them more than they cared to spend, so they got creative and clearly had plenty of fun with it!

The groom and the groomsmen!
The guys wore some fun outfits, and given that it was a summer soiree, their outfit choice was perfect. The groom didn't want to wear a suit or a tux but wanted to wear a waist coat, so he worked with that and found something he was not only comfortable in but something that he would enjoy wearing for the day! I think he did an outstanding job and he didn't just look dashing, his groomsmen looked pretty darn cool as well! I especially loved the way they used the colors they chose and that shoe choice was perfect! Another one of my favorite details were the pocket watches they all wore. Stunning! They also decided to go with different color ties so that they could play around with the very fun and floral print dresses that the bridesmaids wore! Who said everything had to match for it to work wonderfully?

The Bride's dress
Her dress was a BCBG dress and on sale for $419. She only had to alter the neckline and it was a perfect fit after that! She looked amazing and not to mention hot!!!!

The bridesmaids dresses
The bride Laura chose them from the Limited and they each cost $77. How cool is it that all her bridesmaids had worn their dresses at least once by the time they wore them for the wedding because of how much they loved them. Who said bridesmaids have to be stuck with dresses they can never wear again? The bride was very pleased with that! What a way to be loving to your bridal party!

Location: They had both the ceremony and the reception at the Hyatt Hotel in East Boston.
Budget: $8, 000-$10,000 and they stayed in their budget!

Guests: 50 people
Invitations: DIY with a budget of $300.

The day
The couple was keen on starting on time, and they did, 10.30am, with the bride's brother in law performing the ceremony. The ceremony was 1mins long which they loved and I am sure their guests loved them for it too!

Reception
Champagne brunch- Mimosas and Champagne were served for cocktail hour.

Menu: Bacon, Sausage, Pancakes, Potatoes, Fruit and yogurt with granola, goat cheese, frittatas, coffee bar, and juice.

Toast: Bride's sister danced to 'you don't own me' along with the bridal party and the bride's brother. Inspired by the movie 'the first wives club.' Does this look like the coolest toast you have ever seen at a wedding or what? What a fun bunch! It seems like it would have been impossible not to have fun at this wedding!

Guest book: They had an interactive guest book in which guests answered questions that they were asked, had Polaroids of themselves taken and put on the page they wrote on

Music: They did their own music. Put together a list of their favorite songs.
Dancing: Yes there was dancing and the dance list was actually up to the guests. The guests made requests and the designated music person played it.

The cake was baked by the groom's mum and it looked beautiful!

Favorite things of the day for the bride and groom:
Laura said 'Brian crying, the dance toast, and we got to interact with everyone!'
Brian said 'When she came out and I got to see her...it doesn't really get better than that!'

The First Dance:
The couple danced to Etta James 'At last' and then shared the same dance with their parents midway through the song!

Centerpieces and Bouquets: White roses from Costco arranged by the bride in vases from Ace Hardware! The bridal bouquets were wrapped in a handkerchief and a sheer black ribbon, and they looked just gorgeous!

Left out traditions: Bouquet toss and garter toss, instead the bride passed her flask on to her best friend before she left.

Other cool things to note:
The bride wore a flask in her garter!

Brian wore his grandfather's pocket watch!

There was plenty of dancing! If you ever wonder if people will dance at a day wedding let alone a morning wedding, we have proof. They absolutely will and they will do it happily and with as much joy as as they do it any other time of day!

The whole event run from 10.30am to 2.30 pm
Brian and Laura left in a water taxi for their hotel .

The Couple went out to dinner at Mortons that night since the event ended early! Their guests paid for their $100 dollar dinners!

Friday night they had appetizers with out of town guests. Saturday the girls had manis and pedis, Saturday afternoon, they had their rehearsal with everyone, Saturday night, the groomsmen threw the grooms bash, the girls had a bridal shower dinner and karaoke with friends. Sunday, they had time with everyone and realized that they had spent plenty of time with all their guests! They were happy

Other fun facts about this very fun and favorite couple:
Believe it or not, they met through a Craigslist ad!
Got engaged at dinner a few hours earlier than Brian had planned because Laura wouldn't stop quizzing him about when they were going to get engaged!
When Laura asked Brian when he was thinking of them getting engaged, exasperated that she wouldn't let it go, he whipped out the ring and asked "How about now?"
Laura was sure he had blown it because he had not gotten the ring she had expressed interest in, but she was wrong. Brian had in fact bought the ring weeks if not a couple of months earlier!
My personal favorite, Laura, had just put a fry in her mouth when she asked Brian when he was thinking the whole thing would be going down so she had a fry in her mouth when he proposed :)!
Later that night on their walk through the park, Brian made sure to point out where he had been planning to ask her to marry him :)!

They toured Paris for their honey moon which they left for a couple of weeks after their wedding. It was a month long!

Other fun pictures I can't help but share!

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and to leave a comment! I welcome those! Cheers everyone and many cheers to Brain and Laura for such a glorious treat! Thanks so much for being willing to share it with us! Congratulations to a fantastic couple!
Thanks to Kim Lucian for being willing to share the pictures as well!

Photography by Kim Lucian of Kim Lucian Photography http://www.kimlucianphotography.com/Home.html
Jamie Harbor Assistant Photographer.

Peacock Inspired Headpiece!

2011-01-04T14:17:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to you all! We have a fun treat to start it off with. Some funky pictures from one of our favorite makeup artisits who recently did a peacock inspired photo shoot! I was thrilled when Christy of Makeup Artistry by Christy asked me if I would be willing to make a headpiece for the shoot! I was sure I would use some fun and bold colors in true peacock style and was very glad when she saw it and agreed it was perfect! Here are the photos from the shoot and don't forget to keep an eye out for Christy's blog on the entire shoot at http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/Blog.html as well as for her gorgeous work updates! In the mean time we wish you happy offbeat planning!

Credits

Makeup: Christy Lavallee of Makeup Artistry by Chrsity http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/

Model: Leah Santello

Photographer: Novella Photography http://www.novella-photography.com/Welcome.html

Headpiece: Kkira Creations on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/kkiracreations

Fun and funky wedding rings!

2010-12-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

It is holiday season and for many couples that means engagement season! I wanted to share some ideas of really great and unique wedding ring designs to inspire you while you shop for your own. I have been looking for wedding rings that have character and while it has not been easy, I finally found some I am excited to share with you! These are unique and most are actually custom designs from the artists at Green Lake Jewelry www.greenlakejewelry.com! Take a look at their website to get some wonderful inspiration as well as to get information on how you can get your own custom made wedding ring!

Offbeat bride fashion shoot!

2010-11-05T16:10:00.006-04:00

I have some new photos to share from our last offbeat bride fashion photo shoot! It was such a fun shoot since we were going for variations in style. We had wonderful models and the makeup and hair team were wonderful so the entire shoot was such a joy to do. Christy http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/ was excited to do some bold colors for the makeup and Brenda teased up some pretty funky hair dos! The shoot was held at a wonderful location called Three Sister's Sanctuary http://www.threesisterssanctuary.com/ which was such an inspiration so it was not hard to get the best out of everyone! Stay tuned for more information on that! There are more treats to be had!

The point of the shoot as always was to create some offbeat looks that you can transform to suit your own personal style or to inspire your very own different look. Nothing about any of these brides or their attire says ordinary and that is what we were going for. The added bonus with all these outfits is that they are all part of our bridal gown rental collection and were used to suit different brides so that they all get their own individual look. Of course there is also the wonderful bonus of a much more reasonable price tag as well as the fact that we get to give brides opportunities to recycle once worn gowns in various ways and then to pass them on to those that come after them. Either way it is a win-win!
Take a look and see what you think. See if you can find your inner offbeat bride!

Enjoy!

Models: Megan Labonte and Mary Tarpey

Makeup: Christy Lavalee of Makeup artistry by Christy http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/

Hair: Brenda Nadolny

Photographer: Dominic Chavez

Location: Three Sister's Sanctuary http://threesisterssanctuary.com/

Gowns: Xharisma Bridal Rentals by Creative Wedding Solutions http://www.creativeweddingsolutions.com/

Accessories: Kkira Creations on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkiracreations

Fashion Stylist: Mauryn Kkira (Creative Wedding Solutions) http://www.creativeweddingsolutions.com/

Indoor Wild Flower Wedding Shoot!

2010-11-02T06:26:00.001-04:00

I have a treat for offbeat brides on a budget! We recently had a fun indoor offbeat bridal budget shoot inspired by a wild flower garden. Most people think that when they use flowers at their wedding they have to look a certain way and they have to spend a lot to get a great look. One way to achieve a great floral look and theme without spending a lot is to use a wild flower theme.
We took a few wild flowers and brought some wild color to the setup using various containers to hold them and bring more character into the room.

The room was gorgeous to begin with which is always a helpful bit when you are looking to save money, so it was not that hard to bring it to life. For the offbeat bride that inspired this shoot, color was essential so we used every opportunity to add more color in to the room with the table settings, linens, chairs, all the way to the menus and tableware.

We also wanted to keep the natural feel of an outdoor garden which can be hard to do when you don't have a huge budget to cover the whole space with flowers, so instead we took advantage of the wooden feel and look in the space and used it to create and facilitate the feeling of nature and the woods. The containers were inspired by the same goal and everything in the shoot revolved around color in the flowers and linens, nature represented by the dark wood in the room, and the containers in which the flowers were placed and voila. We had a colorful blend of nature indoors, with a wonderful marriage of colors and textures and ambiance. The ultimate flower in the room was the bride in her orange gown with pink, and purple tulle as well as a blue tulle shawl, and the ultimate nature embodiment was the groom in his dark suit and his tall and lovely frame.
Enjoy!

Photography: Dominic Chavez www.dominicchavez.com and George Yurahen http://www.yurivaysgant.com/#s=0&mi=1&pt=0&pi=1&p=-1&a=0&at=0
Event Rentals: Rentals Unlimited www.rentals-unlimited.net/
Location: Longwood Events Clubhouse http://www.longwoodevents.com/Venues/Veronique/Default.aspx
Concept and Design: Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Stationery Design : Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Flowers: Carolyn Kegler http://carolynkeglerfloraldesigns.com/
Makeup: Christy Lavalee http://www.makeup-artistry.biz/
Hair: Nancy Brown
Fashion stylist: Mauryn Kkira (Creative Wedding Solutions) www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Bridal Gown: Xharisma Bridal Rentals (Creative Wedding Solutions) www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Bridal Hat: Kkira Creations http://www.etsy.com/listing/44646506/lady-toruk

Shoes, gorgeous shoes!!!

2010-10-21T14:27:00.004-04:00

I have made a decision. Today is 'Gorgeous shoes day'! It's been a while since I blogged about shoes and since they are a fun topic for me, I thought I would do it again. I went looking for inspiration and while these are really expensive and impossible for the regular person to buy, I thought they would still be a fun way to inspire your offbeat bridal style. So take a look and see what comes up for you. Remember the point is not to go out and get the same exact pair, and the point is not even to feel bad that you can't get these exact ones, it is to inspire you to think of how you might be able to use a certain look to create your own. Think color, design, texture, medium and see what perfect fit you are led to. I hope you enjoy it!
There will be more shoes to come in the future! I have something really cool in the works for all you offbeat and funky brides out there, who want something fun and unique so stay tuned, and in the meantime, check these out!

Dita Von Teese inspired bride in white!

2010-10-15T14:27:00.002-04:00

This shoot was inspired by Dita Von Teese who I love. She is a wonderful combination of the strong modern and independent woman with a unique fashion sense, and the old style feminine siren!

Dita Von Teese is one of the sexiest women in America, so I wanted to try a bridal photo shoot with the fashion modeled after her personal style, while giving it my own twist. I thought it would be fun to see what it might look like if the burlesque queen herself was a bride in white. Not a likely scenario as she got married in a gorgeous purple gown that was a bit reminiscent of Carey Bradshaw’s wedding gown in the ‘Sex in the City’ movie. Hey, a girl can dream!
I especially love that this look is a combination of various looks. It is both modern and vintage; it is elegant and classic in some ways, but sexy and offbeat in others. It is perfect for a bride that wants to have a combination of all of these things and still wants to achieve it in a no-fuss kind of way. For details on how to achieve the no fuss look, check out the details at our website www.creativeweddingsolutions.com on the articles page! In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts here! Enjoy!

Model: Leah Santello
Make up: Christy Lavalee (Makeup Artistry by Christy)

Hair: Nancy Brown

Stylist: Mauryn Kkira (Creative Wedding Solutions)

Gown: Xharisma Bridal Rental Collection (Creative Wedding Solutions)

Fascinator/ Hat: Mauryn Kkira (Kkira Creations on Etsy)

Photographer: Dominic Chavez

Funky Wedding Cakes

2010-10-14T14:50:00.000-04:00

Hi All,
It 's fall and it is the time of year where couples start the wedding cycle all over again! As a huge number of couples will be making the commitment to continue their lives together as couples, they will also soon start thinking about weddings and how they would like theirs' to reflect them.
Obviously, you know that I am all about offbeat couples so I thought I would share some interesting cake ideas I found while trying to translate the offbeat theme to the cake! In addition to being cakes, they are true works of art, with so much character and beauty. It is clear that the amount of creativity involved is pretty great! Check them out and see if they inspire you to consider something maybe even wackier for your own wedding...assuming of course that there even will be a cake!
Enjoy!

Inspiration offbeat wedding photo shoot - Black and White Elegance

2010-09-28T15:41:00.013-04:00

A little bit ago, I shared that I had been swamped from doing a bunch of photo shoots and promised to share the pictures once they were ready.
Well, they are! It was a bit of work and we had to get really creative to get the results I wanted, but it was all so worth it. So today I thought I'd share the pictures as well as the inspiration with you!

This was inspired by an offbeat couple with the groom being a writer/ journalist and the bride being a photographer. I pictured them as offbeat with a beautiful love story in which he travels for work being a journalist and their relationship is kept going by all the correspondence they do through letters. They both feel that writing letters is a romantic way for them to express their love to each other, and both share a great love for books and great stories. She wants some color added to their day and her color choice is fuchsia pink, but he is not so sure for concern that their wedding is going to end up looking frilly and too 'girly' for his taste.
The solution, we mixed both masculine and feminine elements to create a perfect marriage of the two. They both love vintage style looks, so we used that as the common denominator. We used vintage typewriters and cameras as the centerpieces which both spoke for the couple's passions. We tended to the concern that the groom had about having too much pink, and introduced a fourth color (yellow) to ensure that the pink would not take over, after all, it is his wedding too!

Their love for correspondence was represented by the stationery sets scattered on the tables by the typewriters and cameras, as well as their favorite love poems printed out in calligraphic writing that they both love and appreciate.
The final touch was a sheet of paper in the typewriter with the playful words 'love and chocolate' which is how they occasionally sign off their letters to each other because of her love for the different kinds of chocolate that he brings her as a gift every time he returns from a work trip! It also functions as an invitation to their guests to share their 'love and chocolate' moments by typing their messages to them so it doubled as a guest book of sorts!

This couple is obviously offbeat and wouldn't want a traditional wedding, so we dressed them to suit the occasion and to reflect their eclectic taste and style. The bride wore a white and black gown from our rental collection with black netting for a shawl as well as an offbeat hat with a fuchsia pink veil and the groom wore a black suit with a black and white ascot instead of a tie and his favorite hat!

It was such a fun shoot to do and coming up with the design concepts was such a treat, so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. I would love to hear your thoughts, so don't be shy!

Credits

Design: Creative Wedding Solutions

Photographers: Santana Chavez and George Yurahen

Event rentals: Rentals Unlimited

Dresses: Xharisma Bridal Rental line by Creative Wedding Solutions

Flowers: Carolyn Kegler

Typewriters and Cameras: Sunshine Lucy

Hair: Nancy Brown

Makeup: Christy Lavalee

Fashion stylist: Mauryn Kkira (Creative Wedding Solutions)

Headpiece: Mauryn Kkira (Creative Wedding Solutions and Kkira Creations)

Wedding Planners: Creative Wedding Solutions

New York Fashion Week! Boho brides, can you say inspire me?!!!

2010-09-14T16:22:00.001-04:00

Hi All,
I have been taking a look at fashion week styles and I thought I would share my favorites. Ofcourse this is just in regards to fashion , but always also from the perspective of how it would translate for an offbeat bride. I will be sharing more of my finds as the days and weeks go by, but I thought I would start with these which are quite fun and interesting in various ways.
As you may know, I am a very big fun of brides adding color to their outfits, and having different options to play with. I also love texture because I think it adds character to what would often otherwise be a pretty regular gown. So take a look and see what might inspire you.
The cool thing about a bunch of these is that since they are not bridal gowns, there is room to play. Carlos Miele is a high end designer, but you don't have to spend so much to get the look, and you don't even have to buy the same exact gown if you are not looking to spend that much. The point of these entries is to get you thinking about how you can create a unique look for your self on your wedding day, and to get you thinking about how you might be able to achieve the look that you see in your mind's eye. So once again, don't restrict yourself, let your brain and heart go and see where they take you and how they suggest you get there!

Red carpet fashion inspiration for the fashionista off beat bride!

2010-09-09T15:46:00.001-04:00

I thought I would blog about red carpet fashion since we just got through watching the Emmys and I think it is also the beginning of Awards season. In addition to the multitude of fashion critiques published after an awards show, there are a number of articles written to inspire brides to take a page or two from some of the red carpet styles. Bridal columns often suggest a 'bridal version' of the gown some celebrity was wearing, which is one fun way to think about your bridal fashion. That said, I always thought it would be really cool if there was no 'bridal version' and we could just think outside the box and see the actual red carpet gowns as potential wedding gowns. So today I picked out a few interesting red carpet styles from my stash and thought it would be cool to consider them as unusual bridal gown options for offbeat brides who love fashion. I like to take a look at them and picture what they would look like as wedding gowns, with a head piece of some sort and the whole nine yards. Maybe you can give it a try and see what you come up with. This is a fun way for an offbeat bride to consider what she would do if she could. It might help you come to a fun and unexpected decision about what you would really like to wear, unbeknownst to yourself! Remember, most of us don't have awards to go to and we often don't have anything we have to dress up this much for, so why not take advantage and go all out for the big day and give your guests a wonderful opportunity to get all gussied up for your very own red carpet event! Think about it and share your thoughts, am looking forward to hearing them! Enjoy and pass it on, it should be a fun exercise to do with your fashion loving girlfriends whether they are getting married or not!

Accessories for the Boho-Chic Bride!

2010-08-18T12:20:00.013-04:00

So I have been gone a while again, but no worries, it has all been work related and I have even more things to share with you, so you will not be disappointed. We (Creative Wedding Solutions) just finished another one of our photoshoots, and I can not tell you how excited I am to share them when they are out. However, while we wait for them to return, I will go ahead and share a few things I hope you will enjoy.

The title says 'accessories for the boho -chic bride' so I will get on with it.

There are not very many options for wedding accessories that are not either white or covered in some kind of shiny stone and while that is all well and good, I happen to think we limit ourselves when we expect certain things to play a certain role or to be appropriate for certain times and not others. I was thinking about ways that brides can add character to their outfit in a way that reflects their unique style and thought how difficult it might get for the bride who is not into all the prim and proper looks that go with traditional accessories, so I started hunting.

I came across these really gorgeous pieces and had to share them with you. I would be so thrilled to wear them both on a regular basis and for boho- chic bridal purposes. As a wedding planner and a bridal fashion consultant, I would not hesitate to add any of these pieces to a bride whose fashion sense is boho- chic. What is boho- chic style you wonder? Think Kate Hudson, Nicole Ritchie and Sienna Miller and sometimes even Carrie Bradshaw and you are getting the picture. Since the point of it is to put together old and new pieces as well as organic items, a bride would look wonderfully and colorfully boho- chic if they added any of these to their out door summer wedding bridal gown or dress! Bonus?...You get to wear these again at other times in your life for a very long time and you don 't have to wait for the special occasion each year to wear them. Your brides'maids would probably also be thrilled to share in your gorgeous fashion sense, so what's not to like?

The store is on etsy and you can check out some more eye candy at www.etsy.com/shop/bullfinchbarbury

Cool, Fun and Unusual Engagement Photo Shoots!!

2010-07-21T22:54:00.014-04:00

So I have been scouring all over for unusual engagement photo shoots to share with you all. I think it is really cool when I see couples that are choosing to be themselves in everyway even when they are headed for the altar. In this day and age, it is not necessarily the easiest thing to do since everything is mass produced and in someway made for you. We are often told how things should be, what clothes are supposed to be in right now, right down to the colors to use for this season's wedding. I am always impressed by couples that choose to remain true to themselves and do what they feel is right for them. I thought I would share these photos of couples on their engagement shoots to give you ideas of how you might make yours not just a unique event, but also one that tells a wonderful story about the kind of couple you are. I for one was really floored by a bunch of these photos, so I hope you enjoy them and that you are

inspired to go out of the box to create your own wonderfully unique engagement story. Unfortunately not all the photos have names on them, but in the event that you are the photographer that took any of these, please contact me and I will be more than happy to give you the credit for it because I would absolutely love to! Otherwise Enjoy!

Inspiration for the Offbeat Bride!

2010-07-14T12:15:00.025-04:00

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while, as I have been out and about working hard. I may have mentioned that we were working on putting together some photo shoots, and that is where I have been and what has been taking up so much of my time. The good news is that we just finished one, and I even have some photos to share with you. We were so lucky to find such an amazing location - it was easy to get inspired. This concept came about while I was thinking of how offbeat brides who want fantasy weddings can do it creatively by adding color and texture to an unexpected location. I made the centerpieces, and all the stationery as well as the head wear and accessories. The gowns are all part of our bridal gown rental collection. I wanted to show a variety of bridal expressions, so we played with the colors and accessories to create different looks. Take a look at the rest of the photos on our website http://www.creativeweddingsolutions.com/. I hope you get inspired to think outside the box and to have your own creative wedding. Enjoy!

Credits:
Event Rentals: Rentals Unlimited
Design, Decor and Planning: Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Photography: Dominic Chavez
Hair and Makeup: Charlotte Phinney http://www.charlottephinney.com/id3.htm
Wedding Gowns: Xharisma Bridal Rentals by Creative Wedding Solutions www.creativeweddingsolutions.com
Hair Accessories: Kkira Creations on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkiracreations
Fashion stylist: Mauryn Kkira www.creativeweddingsolutions.com

A Twist on Lace!

2010-06-09T17:45:00.000-04:00

Ok, so we all know that lace is one of the most romantic and delicate fabrics used for all things wedding. I bet you thought you had seen all the ways that it can be used and there is nothing new about it. Well I beg to differ... I found another way that it can and is being used in a totally cool way, so I thought I would share it with you all. Check out these gorgeously romantic and unique options on how to bring softness to your outfit without looking ancient or like everyone else. The shop is called white owl, and you can check out more of their stuff at www.etsy.com/shop/whiteowl. I like it a lot and I hope you do too. Let me know your thoughts.

Colorful ties, for the colorful groom...

2010-05-18T18:27:00.000-04:00

So obviously if you are the alternative bride I am guessing that there is a chance that you are likely paired up with a groom that is probably just as fun and colorful. In honor of your wonderfully alternative grooms, I would like to share these gorgeously off-beat ties. I think they would be a great way for the groom to inject their personality into their outfit, that way the bride is not the only one that is having fun after all , despite the fact that we often forget, it is their wedding too! These ties, have so much personality, funk, and pizzaz, that any alternative couple would be thrilled to have the option to use them on their special day.

If you want some more information , check them out at w ww.etsy.com/shop/tuxandtulle

Romantic Boleros...who knew?

2010-05-07T15:16:00.000-04:00

I have always thought that boleros are a good idea when you are out hanging out with your friends on a spring day or even a cool summer night, but not so much for weddings and I will tell you why. In general most of them are made to be cover ups in the sense of 'hiding something' which is why they are recommended as a good idea for brides in church weddings that would like to keep a modest look or in traditional settings. I have always thought it would be so cool if they were not made to look a bit dowdy and to bring down the beauty and frankly the sexiness of the bride and her otherwise often beautiful gown. Well, I found someone who agrees and not only agrees with my sentiment but actually makes them, I found boleros that are not just beautiful, but that are sexy and romantic, which means they can be worn purely for the beauty and choice of them and not just to be coverups, yey!!!

For the bride that still needs to pull off modesty, you get to do that and still look fabulous as opposed to covered up in some ugly matronly lace thing that is supposed to be a bolero.

Take a look at these, and visit the store at ww w.et sy.com/shop/maryanda ngelika and see what other sexy and beautiful things you might find for your unique and colorful wedding. Enjoy!!!

Vintage as an alternative...

2010-04-22T16:04:00.000-04:00

I have always thought that there was something really cool about fashion in all the eras that preceeded ours, and as I have learned more about it, I have actually found out that, a lot of the things that we think are so cool and hip for this day are things that our predecessors not only invented but often times actually wore better than we do now. Now don't get me wrong coz I think that we are doing pretty good and sometimes even give them a run for their money, but I think it is just amazing to me to realize that they started it all, and that we are simply reaping the benefits of what they started and created. As a result of this, I was thinking how cool it would be to share some vintage items that would be so fabulous in this time as a wedding dress for an alternative bride, so here we go. These are from vintage frocks of fancy on etsy, and you check out a bunch more at www.etsy.com/shop/vintagefrocksoffancy. In the mean time sit back relax and let your imagination run wild as you see yourself as today's alternative vintage bride.

Flowers and the bride on a budget...

2010-04-13T11:28:00.010-04:00

I wanted to share this blog with you all because I am big on people working within their budget to get what they want, and while that is looked down upon by some, I think it is a very wise thing for a new young couple to do when they are starting out. It makes no sense to go broke or get in debt because of one day when you have an entire life to live and look forward to.

So I wanted to share this really cool idea I found in a store on etsy for the bride who loves flowers and romance but needs to stick to their budget. Flowers are very easily one of the most expensive things you will spend on for your wedding, and if you don't, you are likely to end up with a very scaled down version of what you want, or not so great looking flowers which let's face it always looks pitiful and sparse.

The good news is that you don't have to give up what you want, you just have to think outside the box and be a little bit more creative, but for those who feel a little challenged in that area, that is what I am here for. So an easy solution to this problem is to use fabric flowers. These are made in various ways and styles and all have different looks and feels. They are fun, creative and actually allow for more flexibility as you can have them any way you want them...with variations on colors, patterns, prints right down to textures and the material they are made out of.

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what I am talking about as well as to inspire you to find something that works for you. If you are a crafty kindda girl, this should be a fun project for you and the bridesmaids, but if not take a look at www.etsy.com/shop/reallybadkitt y on etsy and www.etsy.com/shop/jillianns for options and really good prices.

Colored crinoline for the Bride, I mean why the heck not?

2010-04-05T14:22:00.000-04:00

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have been a little sparse with my entries but I am told this comes with the territory for new businesses, so please forgive the absence. I intend to blog more regularly from now though, I think I may have come up with a schedule that allows for it, so we will see, I will keep you posted on how it goes.

But now that the apology is out of the way, let's talk color for the bride, and some fun ways to inject it in to your attire.

I am in love with colored crinoline and love the various things that can be done with it as well as the fact that it really is one of the easiest ways to introduce a new and fun color in your outfit. But the best part is that it is not just one color that you can do, as you may have noticed in 'confessions of a shopaholic', you can do more than one and go as crazy or as light as you would like. This would work for the bride who has no fear of pushing the boundaries as well as the one who may have or want some limits within which to play... There is something for everyone so check out these pictures and see if you get inspired and go with it and see where it takes you.

Oh, by the way, in case you are wondering about where to get such an item, the first place I would look is in a vintage store or a costume store. If however you have no luck with either of these options, then buy one in white and have it dyed to whatever color or colors you want...You can do that (have it dyed) at 2birdstone on etsy for a really great price, so check them out and have fun with it!!!

Ring Pillows for your creative wedding...

2010-03-24T13:55:00.000-04:00

So, I haven't blogged in a while due to the business of running a business and launching a new bridal rental line, but I am back now and wanted to share some cool traditions with a bit of a twist. This is for the bride who likes both tradition and creativity as well as the out right creative bride.

Ring Pillows are my topic of choice today as they are a tradition that I often find boring because they seem to come in one color and one color only and they all seem to be designed the exact same way...you know, like they were made for your great grandmother's wedding ...then of course the ones that aren't one color only are designed in a way that is still uninteresting as the only element that seems to make them stand out is color.

Well, I found some that are gorgeous, and have character as well as great design. Yes you guessed right, they are on etsy...my favorite place to shop!!!

The store is called white thistle bridal and http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiteThistleBridal is where you can find more of their stuff. I love the creativity that goes in each design and the detail with which it is executed...there is something for everyone really, wheather you are traditional with a bit of a twist or more out there and risky with what you prefer...check it out!

Alternative to the Bouquet?

2010-03-05T13:12:00.000-05:00

So I saw these really cool purses and was originally thinking that they would make awesome bridal party gifts for your bridemaids, until it occured to me that they are the prefcet item to pull double duty for the bride that is on a budget. They are so wonderfully designed as purses but have the perfect decorative item that would double for the bridal party in place of a bouquet of flowers. This is a very fun and savvy way to save money on flower costs as well as a neat way to do something possibly quirky and different if you make it your own. Take a look at some options at http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollusa. I personally enjoy the use of color and various textures that give them such a uniquely refreshing and stunning look.

Dress Up your Favors...

2010-02-17T16:38:00.000-05:00

Hello Brides out there that are always looking for the odd but beautiful thing, I think I may have found something to add to your wonderful ideas of uniqueness at your wedding. What could it be you ask? Well it is a nifty little shop on etsy called Paperlemons and I had to tell you all about it. Her name is Luisa and she makes the cutest , most unique tags I have seen yet. They are striking little odd looking beautiful things that I would use to bring beauty and brightness to any room , decor or party and of course more importantly, wedding table.

These are a wonderful way to dress up favors which as we may know are really another excuse to have pretty little things at a table among other things. Let's face it, they are not just a way to say thank you to your guests but rather they somehow tie the entire decor in the room together. So needless to say, most often I have seen people pick out favors that are a good idea but sadly seem to be doomed to have such mandane presentation, which frankly I think is boring...you might as well just skip the whole favor thing, because again let's face it, you can't really say thank you to 150 of your guests, some of who travelled miles to be with you on your special day with candy or a scented candle...so while it is a nice idea, it is really for us, for the beauty, for the fun, for the excuse to add something other to our decor and celebration, as well as share some quirk about ourselves with our guests, so why not own it and then do it in style, with intention and boldness? This would definitely be one way to achieve that, so check out more of her items at http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperlemons and see what other fun things you might find. My guess is you can have whatever you want if you let her know. I would keep her in mind for things like unique invitations as well or maybe place cards and such cute stationery needs, I know I will :).

Bold, Colorful Wreaths

2010-02-11T22:09:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of brides who march to the beat of their own drum. One of the funnest things that a bride has to do is pick out some interesting kind of head wear, but lately if you look around most of it looks pretty similar and, honestly, pretty uneventful. So if you are looking for a fun and unique way to spruce up your look on that day, I think wreaths would be a great departure from the usual. Now I am not talking about the kind of wreaths that look like they are trying to disappear, I am talking bold, unique, beautiful and fully there-so no one will miss them or you. I found these in a fun shop on etsy. There is pretty much something for everyone, whether you are looking for something subtle or bold you will find some very fun and unique options. I am of course a big fan of the bold and beautiful, so that is what you will see below :) These are also perfect if you are looking for a way to be environmentally friendly since a lot of them are made with recycled items. Take a look at Whichgoose on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/whichgoose to see the countless options available to you. Enjoy!!!

Cool Lighting Decor !!!

2010-02-03T17:08:00.000-05:00

So I found these on etsy and thought they were awesome because they pull triple maybe quadruple duty...firstly as lighting, secondly as ambience, and thirdly as personalized decor that can be used for many other occasions. If you are a bride that is looking for interesting ways to light up your celebration with character, but don't want the usual harsh LED lighting or to pay for a lighting technician who will probably do something that has already been seen a bajillion times, this is definitely a great solution to consider. Take a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hannahnunn and see what else she has on there and share your thoughts.

Creative romantic necklines...

2010-01-19T15:59:00.000-05:00

Hi Ladies,

A fellow etsy lover found these on etsy and sent me the link and I just had to share.

Magdalinen's neck dressings are so gorgeous and stunningly romantic that I can't see how any funky brides out there would not want to take a page from her book or just buy something from her lovely etsy store. I know I would, so I thought I would pass it along. Check out the store at www.etsy.com/shop/magdalinen. The best thing about her items is that they really can be used by anyone, and for lots of occasions or non occassions. In addition to that, though, this is a great way to add funk to your bridal outfit if you are on a budget and want to do something fun, quick and easy, but make a splash. My guess is that you can get any of these in any colors you want so what's not to love :)? Thanks Myca, great find :)!!!

Eye catching headpieces...

2010-01-14T14:39:00.000-05:00

So I found these really cool headpieces on etsy at what has now become one of my favorite Etsy stores. Portobello is an environmentaly friendly designer who knows how to take risks and blend unique materials and colors to produce eye catching results for the bride who wants a headpiece that speaks boldly but with style...check out more pieces at www.etsy.com/shop/portobello. These are also great because of the versatility since the fascinators do not have to be confined to wedding wear and can be worn again on other occasions. Most of these can be separated from the birdcage for a more casual look. Pretty awesome I think. Check them out!

Gatsbyesque Glamour!

2010-01-06T17:12:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Happy New Year!!! This is my first entry of the year so I thought I would share these gorgeous jewelry pieces. They are inspired by the great gatsby era and I think they are fantastic. I love all the vintage looks, as well as the fact that they are color friendly. Check out Noaki's pieces at www.etsy.com/shop/Noaki for more.

Ties anyone?

2009-12-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

So I don't know about you but I am all about anything unique and gorgeous and I have to say that this is not just a brilliant idea but a wonderful way to recycle as well. These dreses would be an awesome choice for the off beat bride, or even for the bride that wants her bridesmaids decked out along with her...I think they are gorgeous and you sure as heck would not have to worry about how unique you are, as the dresses say it all :). Enjoy and take a look at www.etsy.com/shop/glamarita for more. Personally I couldn't get enough :). Thanks Ronnie for such a great treat.

Ethnic wedding?

2009-11-23T18:55:00.001-05:00

Being of African decent myself, I thought it would be great fun to find ways to infuse our ethnic cultures into that special day. So for the ethnic bride or groom, here are some fun ways to infuse your big day with your culture or at the very least I hope you find some inspiration in these pictures I found, as they inspired me :).

Claire Pettibone Unique goodness!

2009-11-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

Hi Ladies, looking for some unusual bridal gowns? Take a look at these. I am such a fan of Claire Pettibone because of the risks she takes with her designs. I thought you might enjoy checking out the beautiful and unusual designs in her collection. Check her out at http://www.clairepettibone.com/ . I think it is awesome how she infuses a bunch of different elements in her designs to create flair and personality. I am especially loving her couture and rock n roll bride collection. Share your thoughts and enjoy!

An Irregular Choice for the Irregular Bride

2009-11-17T15:27:00.000-05:00

I thought I would introduce you to these awesome shoes made by the company Irregular Choice. I can’t tell you how amazing and creative their designs are, and how perfect I think they are for the whimsical or offbeat bride.
So if you are looking to infuse a touch of whimsy or a splash of fun and color into your already stylish wedding or if you are just looking for something unusual with which to express yourself, these just might be the shoes for you. Check them out at www.irregularchoice.com . Enjoy!!!

I bet you didn't know you wanted one till now...

2009-09-03T00:03:00.001-04:00

I think it is the brilliantly unusual accessory for the unusual bride. These are designed and made by Nicole Deponte, who is often found hidden amongst her flowers, always sewing, and most certainly accompanied by her beloved mutt, Mon Chere (‘Monkey’ for short).

Get this- they are all made out of recycled vintage neck ties of assorted styles as you can see below. Among the various beauties you will find whimsical ascots, vests, ruffle cuffs as well as necklaces I bet you have never seen anywhere before - all in varied colors and textures.
Nicole will make any of these items especially for you as needed. She takes orders through her website and will be happy to do so for all your wedding needs, including your stylish groomsmen. The coolest thing I discovered when I spoke with her was that she will even make orders with ties you supply and accommodate pretty much any color scheme you prefer, if you find your tie collection lacking. The options are endless, and let's be honest- who doesn't want to be stylish and unique as well as environmentally friendly :)? It is a win-win from where I am standing and I love it. Thanks Nicole for the lovely gift of creativity!! Check out the rest of her stuff at http://www.nicoledeponte.com/ Enjoy!

Something White? How about color?

2009-09-02T15:14:00.004-04:00

I was never one of those girls that dreamed about what she wanted her wedding to look like. In fact I wasn't too sure that marriage was for a girl like me. I was constantly told how impossible I was and how no man would take me for a wife - because he would have more trouble with me than anyone would want. In my effort to cope I learned to make peace with the idea that I was probably never going to meet a man that would want a woman as opinionated, imperfect, odd, strong, and independent as I am. Somewhere along the way, it also occured to me that maybe it was just as well since I would probably make a horrible bride. I didn't really see myself in the long white veil, or the big white puffy dress. I was 200% sure that I would not be able or willing to have a wedding that was filled with a bunch of conventions that were part of someone else’s ‘tradition' since I am not one to do anything that has no meaning to me. I was sure that if I did get married, I would feel like an impostor if it had to be done the 'traditional' way.

Today I am 33 and I still have not walked down the aisle, but several things have changed since then. I have learned to love my offbeat self, and that these quirks and oddities make me unique in ways that are refreshing (even to men)–who knew? I am not sure my mother is convinced of this yet, but I'm working on it :) … I have learned that I am free to be exactly who I am and that I can and should translate that to pretty much anything and everything I do. And surprisingly, I have learned that I am really not as immune to the idea of walking down the aisle as I thought I was; I just needed to know that it could be done my way.

So to that end this blog is dedicated to you girls like me who know that what you want may not be the norm, but that it is true to who you are. There are also you girls out there who are just figuring out what your off-beatness looks like and I share this blog with you as well.
As an artist who is also now a wedding planner, I am honored with the opportunity to inspire the people I work with to be themselves on one of the most important days of their lives. I mean, let's face it, your life partner deserves to experience the real you on this of all days. He/ she deserves the real you all the time, but without a doubt, on your wedding day - and frankly, so do you. I know that the wedding is only the beginning of the rest of the story, but I firmly believe that it is worth celebrating with authenticity because how we start anything informs the journey that follows. As an artist, creativity and personal-expression are a part of who I am, so how could I be true to anything if I couldn't honor that part of me?

My hope is that you will all find inspiration here not only to be true to yourselves in every day life, but to accomplish that unapologetically on the day you yourselves are blessed to walk down the aisle with the love of your life: in complete freedom, with your own unique beauty and great joy–fearlessly. As for me, I fully intend to do just that and will let you know when that day comes :)! In the meantime, I am happy to cheer you on as you get closer to your walk down the aisle.
Cheers!!!