BHLDN

   I know some of you may not share my enthusiasm for the opening of Anthropologie's new wedding shop store - but I just can't help myself! It is everything one loves about Anthro but now geared towards weddings! Check it out for yourself!

Tiered Tulip Gown $2400 / Agave peep-toes $350 / Feather Bolero $350 / Ghost Orchid Comb $230 / Tussled Necklace $400

Floral Art Work Dress $1800 / Valenciennes Dress $350 / Ribbon Silk Gown $1600

Feathered Petals Headband $100 /Festooned Shoe Clips $80 / Velvet Cocktail Hat $495 with Rosemund Boloer $150 / Bow-topped Slingbacks $310

Is it True???

Rumor is that has finally decided to listen to the pleas of it's faithful shoppers & is now going to begin selling wedding gowns!!!?? I heart Anthro since the first time I ever walked through their doors in Philadelphia. Rumor is their announcement will be made February 14th 2011! I will be sure to keep you all posted!!!

Sneak Peek available on 100layercake.com !!!

The 52 Colors of Weddings Project : Apple Green

Have you heard of the 365 project?  It seems to be the buzz around the web lately. Many photographers have started a motivational project for themselves to take a photo each day of the year. This is a great way to document your year. And although I am a photographer & love what I do,  I tend to take a lot of photographs in one day but not every day.  But I have been inspired by a fellow blogger, Brandi Girl to create a less ambitious version of this and apply it to the Artful Bride Blog. Let's call it the 52 Colors of Weddings.  Every week I will choose a new color to share with you. 

 52 Colors of Weddings : Week 1 - Apple Green!!

So I am going to start the week off by sharing some great Apple Green etsy.com finds:

Dyed Green Peacock Feather Clip ($25) by LovMely / Fabric Flower & Wheat Boutonniere ($12) by Pixel and Hank / Flora Verde silk-lined clutch bag ($85) by Red Ruby Rose / Spring in Bloom Poms ($9 set) by My Silly Bear / Tulle Pom Party Picks ($10/10) by Shortcake Party Picks / Satin Flowers ($6.50/12) by Milky Supplies.

Green & Polka Dot Flask ($18.50) by Kryan2Designs / Modern Initials Wedding Invitation ($4.50) by Paper and Pinafore / Apple Tart Green Orchid Hair Clip ($7) by Ms Formaldehyde / Hand Dyed Shawl Scarf ($15) at Nits Creations / Apple Ribbon & pearl Necklace ($25) by Carlena Designs / Custom Groomsman Ties ($108/4) by Toy Breaker / Begonia Candle Holder ($16) by LaBella Candela /

Reception Table Cards ($3.25) by A La Mode Bride.

Bridesmaid Gift Idea

You have chosen you best friends to play a special role in your wedding day as your bridesmaids. For all their dress consulting, flower choosing, enveloping licking and bridezilla melt down moment comforting. - and (wink wink) bachelorette party planning - you want to give them something special without completely breaking the budget. Every girl loves a new handbag! So I found a fantastic solution via Davie and Chiyo on etsy. They make lovely dupioni silk clutch bags that are customizable. And better yet - they offer a packages just for your wedding.

Since every bag doesn't need to look the same, there won't be any question as to whose bag is whose. I really love this idea. Want to get to know this designer better - check out their blog.

Don't have a budget yet? Here is more information on how to plan your budget and get a budget worksheet via realsimple.com. to get you started.

Recycled Bride Reveals 2011 Hottest Sustainable Wedding Trends

Recently I received an email from Recycled Bride with 2011's hottest sustainable wedding day trends. I thought I would copy and paste these ideas into this post to help get the creative juices flowing on how to craft them into your own plans.

1. Diamonds are no longer a girl's best friend: Inspired by the sapphire ring that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton, alternative gemstones are all the rage for engagements in 2011. Brides will express their individual style and avoid conflict diamonds, with rings made of colored stones like sapphire, emerald and rubies with diamond alternatives like moissonite and synthetic diamonds. Another alternative to staying eco-friendly is to buy and shop local.

See AB's past article on eco-wedding rings.

2. Chalkboard chic: Stylish slate signs will take the place of paper wedding programs, seating cards, and menus. Chalkboard signs can be made to look elegant and fancy or sweet and rustic, and can be created inexpensively at home using scavenged picture frames, chalkboard paint, and a little creativity. Reducing paper waste at your wedding never looked so stylish!

3. Weddings go local: Farmer's market menus and locally sourced favors and gifts are hip as can be this year. By doing their wedding shopping locally, couples minimize their carbon footprint, support their local economy, and delight guests with unique details they won't find elsewhere.

4. The "Staycation-moon": The popular staycation trend meets the honeymoon as couples skip the expense and carbon footprint associated with honeymoon travel in favor of romantic hometown adventures. Picture a week of museum visits, local theater and sporting events, park picnics, bucket-list adventures, and romantic dining -- no luggage required! Staycation not for you? Check out this mini blog post on green hotels.

5. Intimate weddings: Weddings with small guest lists create less waste, offer more warmth, and give couples tons of flexibility when choosing a location. Intimate wedding celebrations range from elegant multi-course dinners in hotel penthouses to backyard barbecues featuring local bands and brews.

A backyard wedding may not sound appealing to those of you who live in the city (or just don't have much of a backyard). But there are other options (maybe a friend outside the city?)  Check out a past articles on backyard wedding tips and backyard wedding themes to help get you inspired to think outside the box.

6. Cocktail wedding dresses: Short wedding dresses are all the rage, and just about every major bridal designer has debuted a knee-length collection for 2011. A cocktail-length dress can be worn again, and many are just as formal and elegant as a long gown. Look for tons of short and sweet styles for sale on Recycled Brideright now.  Dress makers on etsy also offer an array of different tea length dresses. Check out this past article on Vintage Inspired Dresses under $700.

7. Paperless Invitations: Electronic wedding communication is easier and prettier than ever, with companies like Glo offering stunning, interactive online save-the-dates, reply cards, invitations, and more. E-mail invites are less expensive than paper and help to reduce wedding waste. 

I have a hard time with this trend. I am a big fan of all things paper. And something about receiving an invitation via email just isn't the same as getting a pretty invitation in the mail. (Let's face it - who doesn't like opening something that isn't a bill from the mail)  So if you are like me, there are alternatives to the evite.  Check out this past article on invitation company, Foosie Designs.  (or go directly to her shop on etsy or website for more info. And please note she is currently having a sale on all wedding items right now on her site!! )

8. Greener Gifting: Registries have gone green, with tons of new options for brides and grooms who want to receive ethically-made gifts and support the sustainable economy. Two of our faves are the Green Bride Guide Shop and The Knot's Gift Registry 360, which lets couples create one centralized registry with products from any online retailer they choose. And green donation gifts, like Bluebell Giving Cards, will be popular as both wedding presents and guest favors. 

9. Face Forward: Long veils are sitting on the sidelines this year, as brides forgo them in favor of birdcage styles and unique hair accessories that can be worn again. Expect to see 2011's brides in headbands, vintage hair clips, flowers, and chic tiaras.

This is actually a continuing trend from 2010. Check out this past Artful Bride article including some lovely veil options on Wedding Veils & Hair Accessories from several shops. 

10. Flexitarian Feasts: Another trend inspired by Chelsea Clinton's veggie-conscious wedding is reducing the amount of meat on the menu. This year, more couples will offer vegetable- and grain-based meal options for their guests in an effort to save money and save the Earth.

11. Wedding Recycling: More brides, grooms, bridesmaids and guests than ever are shopping and selling on sites like RecycledBride.com. Smart users enjoy the financial, environmental, and social benefits of wedding recycling, and discover the joy of sharing, saving, and passing on treasured wedding items to other happy couples.

  

If you have more ideas on wedding trends for 2011, we would love to hear about it!  Send us an email artfulbride@gmail.com

Kicking off the New Year!! ( Better late then never!)

HI everyone!! I know I know it's been almost forever since I added anything new to the blog. I relocated across country in the fall, then the holidays & destination weddings. It was just too much to keep up with so I had to take a break from a few projects. But I am back & in full swing with some great new wedding ideas, projects & advice. I would love to begin new sections "Real Weddings" & "Real Engagements". So email me artfulbride@gmail.com for more info on submissions. And if you have bridal questions, advice, crafty projects or just info you want to share - send it in. I am always looking for new ideas to share with everyone.

Let the blogging begin!!

DIY Banners via My DIY Wedding Day

 I found this easy DIY project today on My DIY Wedding Day:

"  Tie a 12-inch piece of ribbon to the top of each letter so that it hangs secure and straight. Attach each of those ribbons to a super long rope between two trees or posts outdoors. Twist a string of large Christmas lights to the rope so that sparkles of light are in between some of your hanging letters.

   This serves as a great backdrop to both celebrate your day and to eliminate confusion when everyone's looking through their summer wedding photos -- they'll know exactly which ones were from your gorgeous outdoor reception! (Another way to use these without making them the focus of your decor: hang them at the entrance, where your welcome sign would be!"

  Sounds easy enough right?

   But with all the things you need to get done for your wedding day, you may feel overwhelmed and that you are running out of time to get it all done.  But you want your wedding day to feel more personal and filled with handmade items. Hmm ... Don't be afraid to depend on other artisans out there to get the job done.  Here are some etsy artists that may be the key to helping you get it all done right

Personalized Banner $15 at Earmark / Pom Poms set of 15 ($52.50) at My Silly Bear / Burlap Banner $10 at Funky Shique / Just Engaged Banner $25 at H Lea 100 / Chair Banners ($20) at Funky Shique / Be Mine ($17) at Bekah Jennings.