Valentine's Wedding Cake

It's been a while since I've posted a cake picture, and this one is perfectly suited for the romantical holiday we are about to enjoy tomorrow:






{Source: Cake Wrecks' Blog}

The decoration on this cake is made out of M&M's! So cute. My husband loves anything pixelated (i.e. old video game t-shirts), so this cake's pixel-like design would totally win him over.

I hope everyone enjoys their Valentine's Day - whether you're with your sweetie or with your best girlfriends!

Tin Can Centerpieces

I simply adore this centerpiece arrangement:




{Source; found via The Bride's Guide}

Of course this idea is brought to you by Martha Stewart! This centerpiece collection actually doubles as guests' favors to take home at the end of the night. Double-duty and cost-effective!

If you are interested in doing this for your wedding, ask family members & friends to start saving their coffee & spice tins. To supplement the tins you find around the house & those that are donated to you, check out eBay for antique & vintage tins.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending Tiffany & Co's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" event. It was an intimate gathering of guests who were interested in learning more about the 4 C's ~ cut, color, carat & clarity... plus Tiffany's own definition of "presence".

My friends Ashley & Allison and I arrived at the store while the rest of the mall was still closed, we were greeted by a Tiffany employee, ushered inside the store to dine on some fine pastries & juice, listened to a non-boring explanation of Tiffany's history (did you know Tiffany's was in business when Abraham Lincoln was president??) & then were allowed to try on the most GORGEOUS baubles in the engagement ring case!

Here's one I really liked (and probably the ONLY one I could hope of getting in the near future - $4k):



{Tiffany Three Stone Circlet}

We learned about the "Tiffany setting", the company's strict diamond standards (any diamond with a black inclusion, chip, laser drill hole or surface inclusion is rejected), and the precision cut to maximize the diamonds brilliance. Here's the classic Tiffany ring:



{The Tiffany Setting}

Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take pictures while inside the store, so here are some of us after we left the event:



{Me - showing off my gift bag... it was full of Tiffany catalogs & even a sample of Tiffany perfume!}



{My fabulous girlfriends Ashley & Allison!}

Disney Honeymoon Contest by Martha Stewart Weddings

I received an e-mail about this today, and thought I should pass it along to those of you who are actually getting married (Savor this time, brides & grooms! You'll never be the target of these deals again - hopefully!).

{Link to contest page}

Mason Jar Inspiration

I love mason jars. They are so simple, rustic, cute & functional (not to mention: CHEAP)! If I were planning my wedding again (I know I say that way too often!), I would HAVE to find some way to use them.

Just some of the ways a mason jar can be used:

• Candle holder
• Vase
• Beverage glasses
• Hanging lanterns
• Candy bar containers
• Pen holder for your guest book/wishing well/what-have-you table

And some pictures to inspire you:

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NEW Perfect Wedding Guide Website!

I'm totally loving the new Perfect Wedding Guide website redesign. Take a look:



Here are some of the new features:

• A wedding gown gallery
• Updated wedding planning tips and articles
• Redesigned wedding planning tools (checklists, seating chart organizer, budget calculator, etc.)
• A wedding favors marketplace

How pretty and useful for all you brides out there!

Love Affair with Peonies

My favorite flower is hands-down the peony. So chic, so lovely, so ethereal... I can't get enough of them.



{Image Source}

A fun fact about the peony: It is the state flower of Indiana!

If you plan on using peonies at your wedding, keep in mind that peonies are generally in bloom in mid- to late-spring; sometimes into early summer. [Using in-season flowers can help you keep your floral budget low.]