photograph by robert and kathleen, ring bowl by paloma’s nest

I love the work of Caroline Colom Vasquez and knew one of her ring bowls would be a perfect detail in our wedding (shown above). Caroline is a native of Connecticut (now residing in Austin, Texas) and has created her incredible product (and business) from her own studio. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart, House Beautiful, Italian Elle, New York Magazine Weddings Issue, Good Morning America, Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, Brides Magazine regional editions and several other publications, including some very stylish online blogs and magazines. I love the idea of your ring bearer carrying one of Caroline’s ring bowls, personalized with a message that reflects the spirit of your day. Our wedding didn’t have a ring bearer, so our best man carried our rings and handed them over to our officiant during our vows.

She also creates beautiful bouquet charms.

The other day I was cruising etsy.com to be inspired or find something we might need for our wedding. I love etsy because it supports local and national small businesses, artists, and craftsman and in my book, those are the best businesses to buy from!

I realized that I didn’t have a hankie to carry with me down the aisle. Neither of my grandmothers had hankies to loan and my mother didn’t have anything either, so I decided to purchase my own heirloom. I came across this really beautiful hankie from Brass Paper Clip which specialized in vintage items for brides. They have so many cute vintage purses, gloves, hankies, flowers…. heaven! I purchased a beautiful Schiffli Lace hankie and received it yesterday. The one thing that I absolutely love about most etsy.com‘s shops is how personable and detail-minded the owners are — just look at how she packaged the hankie that I bought!

I received a really lovely email from Molly Myers, one of the two owners designers at Paisley Quill, a custom wedding invitation and stationery studio. Once I saw her work I knew she’d be a great fit for our brides! Here is a sample of their most recent work…. can you say swooning over this pretty pink invitations? So feminine and romantic!

And these gorgeous fuchsia and navy invitations? Love! It is such a hot color combination and I love the regal feel of these.

Thanks to Molly and Megan for sharing their fabulous work with us! Visit their website and portfolio to see more of their work and learn how they can create a couture invitation suite for your next event. They also have a super awesome blog too that is a must read and in our RSS feed!

I was so excited to be contacted by Jahna of Wedding Runways in Branford, Connecticut. I love that Connecticut has such a talented and amazing couture aisle runner designer. We love to support local small businesses! Wedding Runways’ mantra is they want to “bring red carpet style to your wedding aisle.”

Their selection is truly custom and versatile, offering widths available in 36” or 50” and lengths are available in increments of 25’ up to 150’. They use commercial grade snag-proof material (so important!), non-slip heavy poly scrim and “self-healing” capabilities. Plus, their color calibration system can match your color swatches exactly! They also create matching table runners and soon to come, your very own “step & repeat” backdrop for photo opportunities.

They are currently offering a complimentary, over sized thank you card with your order. You can be photographed holding it and that photo can then be turned into a thank you card to send to their guests. So fun!

 

I met the brains and brawn behind Swirl, a New York based in-house wine tasting company, at BizBash. I was immediately drawn to their booth, for both my love of wine and their unique entertaining service. I enjoyed talking with them the most out of any vendor at BizBash — I just love their business concept, personality, and approach to wine tasting.

Swirl offers customized, private in-home and corporate wine tastings with a fresh, hip spin on things. Where else are you going to compare the wines you taste to your favorite celebs? Is that Sauvignon Blanc you’re drinking a Nicole Kidman (elegant and austere) or a Britney Spears (starts off great, but ends in disaster)?

Their team of savvy “Swirl-ettes” provide an easy and elegant way to get friends together for a bridal shower or bachelorette party. I think it would be a fabulous addition to any dinner or cocktail party as well! A Swirl wine tasting includes everything from hand-selected wines, perfectly paired cheeses and chocolates, to an enthusiastic Swirl expert who guides your guests through the experience.

I love that they are approaching wine tasting without any pretense. Visit their website to learn more about how you can have Swirl at your next party — and also read their blog! I just subscribed to it myself and I am looking forward to reading it!

I love when talented and creative people contact me about their products! Kaitlyn from Le Viette emailed me earlier last week to introduce the beautiful works of art she and her team create. Le Viette is creating a wave of new trends in gift-giving and event decorations with elegantly designed towel sets that resemble real desserts. But wait until you see them! They look good enough to eat.

 

Are they not amazing? I think they would be spectacular for a desert themed bridal shower (stay tuned because we are planning a great post detailing some ideas for one!), desert themed dinner party, and of course, wedding favors! I would love to be greeted, as a guest, by one of these on my plate. I think they also make a great hostess gift!

Le Viette also paid attention to detail, and put the same amount of artistry in the packaging of these beautiful faux deserts – they are elegantly gift-wrapped with satin ribbon bows, custom-made gift boxes, mini insert-cards, flower lace papers, and much more. Le Viette products cost between $6.99 and $7.99.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit down with Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore and tour her exquisite boutique. It’s located in downtown Clinton in a historic and beautiful old home (I think she said it was over two hundred years old!). The boutique is so inviting and beautifully designed; it is, in every sense of the word, the essence of what a bridal boutique should be. I was so impressed by every element of White Dress – from the beautiful décor, to the unbelievable inventory of gowns by Anne Barge, Priscilla of Boston, Judd Waddell, and so many more. Beth also introduced me to a line of gowns by a very up-and-coming Connecticut designer, (more…)

We’re excited to announce the grand opening of a new bridal boutique in Connecticut! Lisa Palama has opened Something Blue Bridal in Southbury and is holding her grand opening weekend on September 19th — 21st, which will feature a Simone Carvalli trunk show on Friday and Saturday. From their website:

Come join us for a fun and exciting weekend as Simone Carvalli displays their new couture bridal line! Meet other wedding vendors and professionals on Sunday, September 21st. Call today for your appointment for Simone Carvalli’s trunk show or stop in on Sunday to see us. Friday, 19th – 10am-5pm, Saturday, 20th – 9am – 5pm, and Sunday, 21st – 9am – 3pm.

They are also running additional specials in honor of their launch:

• Purchase of a Bridal Gown: Receive 10% off accessories, shoes & merchandise
• Purchase of a Bridal Gown & Bridesmaids Dresses: Receive 20% off accessories, shoes & merchandise
• Receive a free gift with purchase of a Bridal Gown

Something Blue Bridal has a great selection of gowns from designers like Maggie Sottero, Simone Carvalli, and Ella Rose. They also have a great selection of bridesmaid gowns, mother of the bride gowns, and bridal accessories. We’ll be attending the grand opening and we hope to see you there!

Last week I received a lovely email from Julia Bornstein from Sandals 4 Events, introducing her company and product to me. I visited their website and was immediately impressed with the quality of leather sandal that they custom create for any event. Julia shipped one right over to me and it arrived Tuesday! It came in a darling black, white, and pink shoe box and inside, wrapped in tissue, was one of their custom sandals and a satin draw-string carrying bag. Of course I was thrilled that she sent me the hot pink, but they do come in a variety of colors! I slipped it on my food and it was very comfortable. These are a super chic favor idea for a bridal beacheon (or luncheon) and to give to guests as favors for your beach wedding. I also love them personalized for your bridal party to wear on the day-of and as a thank you gift.

Julia was also kind enough to extend a little something special to Jubilee’s brides who purchase sandals from her company. Thank you Julia!