Crate & Barrel/Real Simple Registry Event

I just received this invitation today & had to pass it on to you!






{Source; Click here to register for this event at your local Crate & Barrel}

My husband and I attended one of these events when we were engaged and didn't know that we would actually be registering for things that same day. We thought it was an informative session on what to register for and nothing more! When the Crate & Barrel people passed out the registry scanners and gave instructions for how to use them, we looked at each other like, "What the heck?" We were NOT prepared to register! We did it anyways, though, and it was pretty painless.

The session begins when the store is closed, so you have the store to yourselves (the only people there are other engaged couples) when you start registering. It's less overwhelming that way! I highly recommend going!

Pre-Owned Wedding Dress Contest!

I almost forgot! PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is having a contest where they will be giving away a wedding dress valued at $1,500! You can enter once per day until February 28th, and the winner will be drawn on March 2nd.

Here's a link to the contest entry form.

Good luck, and let me know if you win!!!

xoxo
Lindsey

Sneaky, Sneaky: Tips on Reducing Your Guest List

I laughed out loud when I read Planning... Forever Events' blog post about reducing your guest list.




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Funny, yes, but a very valid post (sometimes you just have to make it more difficult for people to RSVP "yes").

Saundra's tips are excellent (and the comments below the post are hilarious)!!!

Here's the link to her blog post: http://planningforever.com/blog/2009/01/26/easy-tips-on-reducing-your-guest-list/.

Enjoy!!

Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses

For those of you who have expensive taste without the matching budget, here's a website for you to look at: PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com.

This website provides an outlet for brides to sell their wedding gowns ~ some haven't even been worn once! If you're looking for a designer dress for less, just take a look at some of the finds I've seen today:

$750 BRAND NEW, NEVER WORN Monique Luo (Size 6) Strapless, Sweetheart neckline, Mermaid silhouette dress (Listing # 5101)

$1,000 Melissa Sweet (Size 6) Spaghetti-strap, Trumpet skirt, Light Ivory dress (Listing # 3068)

$1350 SAMPLE Reem Acra (Size 10) V-neck Ball Gown dress (Listing # 4763)

This dress costs $3500 full-price!!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I just received this e-mail invitation from Tiffany's, and I had to share with all of my Indy readers!

If you're not engaged, but think you will be soon, innocently forward this to your significant other... :)




{Click here for full invitation}

Tacori Ring Bling... With a Twist!

I love Tacori rings. Love them. Unfortunately, they are a bit out of my price range, but I can still drool... and so can you! [Keep reading for the surprise...]










The surprise: All of these rings are, indeed, Tacori rings, but all of the rings above cost less than $200! Yes, that's right. Tacori designed a line of Diamonique rings for QVC. Check out the entire collection here. The most expensive ring in the collection is $209.

{Top Row: Bloom Cut Signature Ring $71.00; Crossover Eternity Band $124.00}
{Middle Row: Harlequin Design Eternity Band $74.00; Pink Tourmaline Ring $98.28}
{Bottom Row: Oval Bloom Cut Ring $81.00; Framed Cushion Bloom Cut Ring $96.00}

I know, I know. Real diamonds are forever. But some people don't want diamonds (for whatever reason... conflict, color preference, cost, etc), so I'm providing other options. All I'm saying is: Look how gorgeous these rings are!

I'd LOVE to have one of the eternity bands to occasionally wear instead of my engagement ring+wedding band. Hint, hint, hint (someone go tell my husband)...

Because It's Friday...

Here's something fun... not really bridal-related, but I love taking these silly quizzes. :) I actually think my results are right-on!

What's your color?

you are aquamarine #7FFFD4

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

New Bustle Postcards!

TR just designed me some kickin' new postcards to hand out at bridal events. Take a look-see!

I love them! I'm so lucky to have a graphic designer husband. :)

BTW, if you need any help designing your invitations, programs, table numbers, place cards, Bustle Event Design can arrange the services of a graphic designer. ;)

TR designed all of our printed materials for our wedding... here's a pic of our cute invites:

{Image courtesy of Lemongrass Photography}

Etsy Invitations!!

Why, oh why did I decide to go hunting around on Etsy this morning for invitations?! I've been looking for at least two hours and have found so. many. amazing. invitations. It's insane the talent you find on Etsy!

Here are some flipping awesome invitations I discovered...

{Clockwise from top-left: A D E L I N E by EvaPaul; Brocade by Maida Vale; Bold & Modern Red & Chocolate by April Ink; Spring Daisy by Beyond Design}

{Clockwise from top-left: Concert Poster Invitation by Rasideas; Evangeline II by Mew Paper Arts; Fern Eco-Friendly Invitation by Kiss and Tell Cards; Chartreuse Poppies by Michelle Brusegaard}

Blog Feature

{This is me, surprised & happy... kinda like what I feel like right now!!}

Hello! I just had to tell you that Bustle Event Design is being featured in an interview on Lemongrass Photography's blog... check it out!

Link: http://lemongrassphotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/event-planners-rock.html.

Thanks, Jessica!

Etsy: Modern Romance

I am SO EXCITED to share this Etsy shop with you!!! Modern Romance has the most chic & adorable accessories for your wedding day. Love, love, love the capelets & shoulder wraps; and of course, I wish I would have worn the silk flower & feather fascinator on my wedding day.



{Top row: Silk Shoulder Wrap, Sweetheart Birdcage Veil, Silk Flower and Feather Fascinator}
{Bottom row: Organza Flower Neckribbon/Headband, Russian Pouf Veil, Organza Couture Capelet}

{Image made using flickr's Big Huge Labs Mosaic maker tool}

P.S. I found this Etsy shop via the Something Old Something New wedding blog.

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

I must admit, I didn't go through any special fanfare when asking my bridesmaids to be a part of my wedding. I was clueless and had no idea that it was a growing trend to make a big deal about it! I just thought I should 1) ask them in person and 2) be sincere about it. And that's all I did! No custom cards, no special party thrown... and I wish I could do it all over again! I wish I would have thrown them a little get-together, given them a little gift, and told them all how much they mean to me as my best friends in the world.

[Check out what Miss Champagne did for her 'maids over on Weddingbee...]

Now, you don't have to do anything more than what I did originally. It's fine to just ask them! But, if you're looking for something to make the asking a bit more sentimental, you could give your friends one of these cards from Oh Joy! Studio:





{Blooms & Birds; Cheerful Blossoms}

Oh Joy! Studios actually created these cards for The Dessy Group and can be purchased here.

Our Floral Order

The florist we hired for our wedding called me last night to ask if I could send her some pictures to use on her website, and that got me thinking... Maybe I should share my florist order with you, in case it helps you out when thinking of how many arrangements you'll need for your wedding. Of course, your wedding will most likely differ from mine, so this is just a starting point.

[By the way, my florist's name is Shana from Petals & Pots. E-mail me if you'd like her contact information! All images below taken by Lemongrass Photography.]

{Above: My bouquet... TR's boutonniere...}

{Above: Bridesmaid bouquet sitting in a vase @ our headtable... Flower girl's pomander...}

Ceremony Floral Arrangements (Role, Type of Arrangement, Quantity)

Bride - Bridal bouquet - 1

Bridesmaid - Bouquet - 5

Flower girl - Pomander - 2

Groom - Boutonniere - 1
Groomsman - Boutonniere - 6
Ring bearer - Boutonniere - 1
Usher - Boutonniere - 3
Father of the bride - Boutonniere - 1
Father of the groom - Boutonniere - 1
Step-father of the bride - Boutonniere - 1
Grandfather of the bride - Boutonniere - 1
Grandfather of the groom - Boutonniere - 1
Godfather of the bride - Boutonniere - 1
Godfather of the groom - Boutonniere - 1
18 total boutonnieres

Mother of the bride - Wrist corsage - 1
Mother of the groom - Wrist corsage - 1
Grandmother of the bride - Wrist corsage - 1
Grandmother of the groom - Wrist corsage - 1
Godmother of the bride - Wrist corsage - 1
Female Greeter/Guestbook - Wrist corsage - 5
Female reader - Wrist corsage - 2
12 total wrist corsages

Guest book table - Vase arrangement - 1

Reception Floral Order

Centerpiece worksheet:

Total # of guests including wedding party (predicted) = 195

• # guests at head table = 13
• # in regular tables = 182

Regular table seating capacity = 10 people

182/10 = 19 tables

19 Centerpieces

6 vases on head table for bridesmaid bouquets

Honeymoons: HomeAway.com

Honeymoon.

Doesn't the word just make you relaxed?!

If you & your fiance are researching honeymoon destinations, you should definitely check out HomeAway.com.

Home Away is a website that caters to people looking for vacation rentals (condos, apartments, villas, castles). There are rental properties in nearly every country in the world, and many properties have traveler reviews. The website has a great search function where you can narrow down your results based on:

• Number of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Non-smoking only
• Pet friendly
• Beach-/water-front
• Budget/luxury rentals

Take it from me: You can most-definitely find prices better than at resorts & hotels on HomeAway.com. The only difference is that these properties won't likely have room service, on-site restaurants (unless you rent a condo inside of a resort; in that case, you might have all the amenities of the resort included in your rental price!), or other concierge-like options (i.e. if you're looking for an all-inclusive honeymoon, Home Away is probably not the best site for you).

Here's the easy booking process:

1. Search rentals & contact owner (via HomeAway.com)
2. Secure reservation with a deposit
3. Sign a rental agreement
4. Send final payment
5. Receive pre-arrival packet
6. Check into rental property
7. Have an excellent honeymoon!

I found this cute 1 bedroom condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for just $1,113 per WEEK ($159/weeknight; $318/weekend)!

{Property # 157195}

And this GORGEOUS 1-bedroom open-air villa with jacuzzi in St. Bart's is just $1,550/WEEK when you travel between April & December.

{Property #84304h}

And finally, just look at this breathtaking 2 bedroom villa on the island of Crete... All for about $780/WEEK between April & June. Unbelievable!

{Property #83935}

Anna Elyse Bridesmaid Dresses

Another bridesmaid dress post! Here are a few things I love about Anna Elyse's bridesmaid dresses:

• Neckline variety - and not just your basic strapless/halter/v-neck options!
• Silk Dupioni - I adore the natural texture of this silk.
• Availability - Carrie Karibo Bridesmaids in Cincinnati... I swear that's a coincidence! I didn't mean to post TWICE about dresses available in Cinci's bridal district, but these were too pretty to not share with you!

And here are the collections (all collections can be seen here):

{From top to bottom: Grace, Simplicity, Audrey, Clarissa, Short Jackie O}


I am a HUGE fan of brides who give their bridesmaids options, especially if the bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses. As a former bride, I really wanted to find a dress that my bridesmaids would want to wear again.


The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to pick a designer and let your 'maids choose a dress that suits their body type and that they are comfortable in. You could go a step further and choose the length (long or short) and even a color... OR you could choose a color family and let your 'maids choose a color in that color family (how beautiful are the colors in Anna Elyse's collections above?!).


Either way, your best friends in the entire world get to have a choice, which I think is important during a time when all of the spotlight is on someone else (i.e. YOU).

Sweet Details!

Of course, Martha Stewart showcases only the coolest of the cool weddings, and I'm so glad I saw pics from this fun-loving wedding! [I know I've seen these pics before at some time in my life, but was reminded of them after viewing Ritzy Bee's blog...]

I'm in total love with the color palette, by the way...

How great are these placecards?? The couple created a unique button pin for each of their guests (that must have taken a while!!), attached them to some folded cream cardstock & their guests could wear the buttons around all night! Fun!

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This guestbook idea is so cute. They provided little envelopes stuck to each page of the guestbook for guests to slip little notes inside of... and then seal them up with simple little stickers! I'm thinking of using all of the colors in this photo as paint chips for my entire house... so cool and calming!

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Lastly, their cupcake stand is just too adorable. Understated and simple... sometimes the best way to go, in my book!

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Simple Silhouettes

Oh, am I in love with Simple Silhouettes' 2009 Spring collection for bridesmaids!!!!!

For local Indy brides, the closest retailer is Carrie Karibou Bridesmaids in Cincinnati, Ohio (in the "bridal district"), and she is super-easy to work with! My maid of honor's (sister's) dress was a Simple Silhouettes' style. My sister & I traveled to her store once to try on dresses and handled all other transactions over the phone or by fax. One of my bridesmaids lives in Cincy, so she was able to pick her dress up in the store, but everyone else had their dresses shipped to them. [FYI... Carrie also carries Lynn Lugo dresses, which were the other 4 dresses my bridesmaids wore.]

Here are some pictures to fall in lust with (and I'll just go ahead and say this up-front: I totally dig the tights & high-heel combo!)...

ORCHID

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SWEETPEA

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ANGELICA

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IRIS

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Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for me and Bustle Event Design!



{Image edited using Picnik.com}