Paper Has No Bounds

I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of alternative wedding bouquets. If not done properly, they really can reach a super cheesy level.

Yesterday I spotted this on sfgirlbybay and I fell head over heels. I love paper, always have and always will. In fact the Hub's thinks I am a little delusional when I swoon over paper. He just doesn't get it, his loss. But back to the point, paper is an amazing thing. Etsy shop WhetherPaperworks knows that paper is an amazing thing as well. In fact she really pushes the bounds and makes the most beautiful creations.

And to make this piece even more amazing, she crafted this as her own bouquet, with a 1920's National Geographic! I mean, does it get cooler than that?!?

{image cred: Whether Paperworks via sfgirlbybay}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee

Vintage Vibe

OK, I have a mixed opinion on the whole "vintage wedding" thing. I think some couples pull it off magnificently and others kind of miss the mark. It is a concept that can be easily overdone if not executed properly. Despite my opinion on all of that, there is one concept of vintage weddings I am totally on board with (or for any wedding actually). I love the concept of heirloom or vintage jewelry. There is something so classy about it. I mean how cool is it that one ring could see more than one love and serve more than one couple. That is just too cool, it's like the jewelry is living out it's legacy.

I stumbled across the work of Erica Weiner, and fell in love. I already have one of her pieces on my Christmas list (ahem, Jon!) but more on that later. While she does have a permanent collection, she also has a small showcase of vintage wedding jewelry. And let me tell you, as much as I absolutely adore the ring the Hub's picked out for me, there is something so special about these pieces from the 1920's and 1930's.

I just cannot get enough. These settings are just so beautiful. I think modern culture has driven us to be so materialistic all we see is the size of the diamond. Here, it is about the jewelry as a whole, not just the stone. In these cases, the sapphire rings are just as beautiful if not more gorgeous than the diamond pieces.

Seriously, go check out her stuff. You won't regret it and I bet you find something to add to that Christmas list your Mom is starting to bug you about (they start early, don't they?).

Happy shopping!

{image cred: Erica Weiner}

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Jessie-Lee

Papillon

I know, I know butterflies are so sixth grade. Don't lie, I know you had the embroidered jeans and the twin set tops decorated with the things. Well I did at any rate, and they were the coolest thing ever!

I have posted about butterflies before, but I promise this is in a much different manner. No butterflies were harmed during the production of these images. It is purely synthetic.

With that said, butterflies have an innate sense of beauty. I think that is why they are seen as treasures. They are also represent the purity involved in transformation. This is why I think they are a perfect theme for a wedding. But, only if it is done right! We all know how corny this theme can get, just think about the wallpaper in your Grandmother's kitchen. Ick!

Well here is how you do it right; cake, dress, invites and bouquet, with class not corny!

These in no way look like Grandma's wallpaper. I think these idea are some great alternatives to some traditional wedding details.

I am really loving that cake. I found a great Etsy shop, BUTTERFLYBAZAAR that provides this particular color way as well as monochromatic ones. And they are very reasonably priced. Just think how much cheaper it would be to get a plain white cake and then add these beauties to it. You could spend the savings on some awesome fillings (mmmmm!).

I also enjoy the idea of this alternative bouquet. Unfortunately my wedding bouquet was lost, along with one of my Mom-Mom's handkerchiefs before we left the venue the next morning. Very, very sad. This type of bouquet doesn't need drying, or preservation, it can stay beautiful in its original form forever! How great of an heirloom piece would that be? Thank goodness for Etsy vendors and idotakeu.

That dress! Enough said. Insanely beautiful. From Luly Yang Couture.

The invites. This is how you do butterflies non-corny. The invite is kept simple and the detail shines in the two tone butterflies. Brilliant! From inkylivie.

{image cred: in order of appearance, 1, 2, 3, 4}

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Jessie-Lee

Oh Yes!

It's no secret. I adore ruffles. Any garment that includes a ruffle has my immediate attention. But, unless it is done exactly right I usually have one of my friends looking at me like, "really?"

When I saw this on 100 Layer Cake (even if you aren't getting married this should be on your daily reads), I about died. It is just too fabulous. And look how happy she looks!

I really think if I had to do it all over again, I would go with a chic tea length dress like this. It's so unexpected. But hey, in no way am I discrediting my choice. I loved my gown!

(image cred: Carla Ten Eyck Photography via 100 Layer Cake}

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Jessie-Lee

P.S. After some research, the dress is Melissa Sweet's Billie

Oh The Places You Will Go

Maps! I have always had quite an affection for them, but then there is the question...what do you do with them? I mean lets face it, maps are sort of past their prime. Everyone has GPS now, no one has a million maps to here there and everywhere stuffed in the pockets of their car seats. Don't get me wrong, maps are extremely useful and they still have their functional place, but for us regular, everyday, GPS using people they are just pretty and sort of vintage esque.

So how do we continue to incorporate them into our lives? We decorate with them! And in the most wonderful of ways too. I love maps, I always have. I find their colors rather comforting and their overall aesthetic warm and easy to look at. Just look!

SunnySkyeCreations

theStarcraft

ismay

StellaViolet

bibliocide

RagnazIdnar

hethandjen

bookity

GreenHornedUnicorn

Giftedpapers

I think most of these would be absolutely fabulous for a travel themed wedding. Just think there are bouquets, broaches, origami, garlands, the possibilities are endless. Not to mention the overall color theme here. I would adore having most of these items hanging from my ceiling. How fun would that curtain of paper cranes be above a bed or a couch? I would just hate to keep them dust free, oh well. Form over function that is my motto!

What do you think? Are maps a thing of the past? Should they be preserved or crafted?

{image cred: respective sources under images}

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Jessie-Lee

Cinema Inspired

So, what originally got me into blogging was designing my wedding. Many of those wedding blogs I still read on a daily basis, there is just too much inspiration to pass up. I don't repost a lot because many of you out there really have no interest in a "daily bouquet," I just want things a little more well rounded than all weddings all the time.

However, today I came across the most wonderful engagement shoot I have ever seen! I am seriously not kidding. If you love The Notebook (and I mean really, who doesn't?) you will adore this post and save it in a safe spot until you can get a photographer to do this with you. Hey Babe, I am totally thinking anniversary shoot here, you with me? OK great!

OK, so this being a repost and all we need to get some links straight, it is only fair and proper.

This shoot was originally posted on Green Wedding Shoes (one of my daily reads) and since they are one of those "A-list Blogs" all of us aspire to be, Blushing Bride Studio sent them this content. Oh, I wonder what it's like to actually have people begging you to post them on your blog. One day.

Now, for a little background from the bride and groom to be. And yes, I promise to get to the images after this:

"We chose the movie The Notebook as inspiration for our engagement photo shoot for a few reasons. For one, Jean-Nicola’s late grandparents had Alzheimer’s disease and this movie touched close to home. Also, the chemistry of the young lovers in the movie was intense! And the era is very alluring to us- the fashion and way of life. We hope that our love endures all that life will throw at us, much like Noah and Allie. Oh, and we always fall asleep hand in hand (reference to the end of the movie)…" (via Green Wedding Shoes)

Totally lovely right? Doesn't it just make you jealous they were able to live such an amazing fantasy. Seriously, I want to do this. It is just so romantic, and they really do look so happy and so in love.

What would you do? For your "E-session" would you want to have a theme or do you just want we are so happy and in love pics of you and your significant other? We did the so happy and in love pics. Jon hates them, but I happen to like ours quite a bit!

For more shots of this amazing couple please visit Green Wedding Shoes. There is much more to be seen at the original post!

{image cred: Blushing Bride Studio via Green Wedding Shoes}

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Jessie-Lee

Lovely and Intricate

First off, if you have seen these elsewhere I apologize, but they are just so darn cool! I have spotted them popping up all over the blogging world in the last few weeks and have resisted the urge to post them. Now I just can't help it, I need them in my curious compendium of all things awesome.

Lori Danelle is a crafty one indeed! This lovely lady will take your fingerprint and turn it into the most awesome thing you can produce from paper possible.

"I find it fascinating to look at the detail of something that is so unique to each person, we carry around with us always, leave all over the place, and yet never really look at!"

Talk about some effort. Me and x-acto knives never got along this well, hand down she is amazing.

Really, really cool right? I think these would make such an amazing gift to new parents, newlyweds, or as a first anniversary gift (paper, get it?). I urge you to check out her Etsy shop. Also, Design*Sponge did a pretty amazing feature on her as well today.

{image cred: Lori Denelle}

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Jessie-Lee

Stamp Your Face

I will be the first to admit, I hated linoleum cutting in school. It was always way too precise and one mistake could ruin it all. Not my thing, at all. But in light of this, I majorly appreciate it when someone can do what I never could.

Lise Grossmann makes the most adorable personalized linoleum cuts in her Etsy shop, lilimandrill. She really gears these works towards bride and grooms to be, because of the personalization element involved with weddings. They really would be such a playful way to personalize invites or envelopes, if that is your thing.

I really enjoy the idea of incorporating something like a stamp, that is different every time you use it, into your personal branding or branding for your wedding. It makes every piece you do personalized in its own little way, like you were taking the time to make it all the more special for that particular recipient.

So what do you think? Would you use it, or is it just a little creepy?

{image cred: Lise Grossmann for lilimandrill via Brooklyn Bride}

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Jessie-Lee

Pretty with Pockets

To start, let me apologize for being such a bad blogger lately. I have been having quite a hard time managing my time, mainly due to the fact that I have none. For this, my mind has not benefited. I need my time to blog so my head stays screwed on straight!

I came across these awesome dresses today! So, lets highlight, L'ATELIER a cute little boutique shop from Monterey Park, CA. They make dresses to order, so your dress is YOUR dress. Oh, and they also make a couple of styles for the little ladies in your party.

I realize I have not exactly been hitting on the wedding aspect that I promised in my little welcome message over yonder. I loved the dresses my girls picked out, but these...so awesome! All of these dresses are designed with pockets! They are defiantly higher on the early twenty-somethings budget, but they are so cute! They are also so cohesive, I love it when designers give you the ability to mix and match.

Totally sweet right? I love them. Short, fun and really flirty, what every bridesmaid should be! Wouldn't they look really cute with understated flats? Oh yes!

I think even a non-traditional bride might look seriously darling in one of these in white. Thoughts?

What do you think? Would you give your ladies a choice, or pick just one and stick with it?

{image cred: L'ATELIER}

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Jessie-Lee

Swing Swing

By far one of the coolest wedding pictures I have ever seen. Am I jealous? YES, this is only my favorite ride ever. Sheer bliss.

{image cred: Shea Roggio Photography via Once Wed}

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Jessie-Lee

Swirly-Do!

During my travels through the world wide web this morning, I found a lovely little letterpress/silkscreen shop in Brooklyn. Well I found it on Sweet June Events, but they are located in Brooklyn from a map sense. Anyway, may I introduce to you lovely readers Golden Rectangle Press!

They are so Great Gatsby aren't they? They are a great take on a vintage invite or save the date. I love the vintage look don't get me wrong, I even used it for my own invitations but sometime I feel like it can be so forced or overly contrived. These are just so refreshing. They scream the whole 30's era while still looking crisp. Oh and might I add I love that font!

What do you think? To vintage or not to vintage on stationery?

Oh, don't forget to check out their Etsy shop!

{image cred: Golden Rectangle Press via Sweet June Events}

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Jessie-Lee

Can You Say Ahhhhhmazing?!?

Wow, these are incredible. Bravo Louella Press! Bravo!

This gives me total inspiration for another project! (At least I have a little while on that one) Two of my bestest are getting married sometime in the future and these are very similar colors to what they have chosen. I love the quirky, but graceful elegance of these invites. While I may not be able to reproduce this process, I hope to be able to create something just as vivid and unique for their nuptials. I love these, they really are wonderful, I only hope I can do as great of a job!

Whoa, and NAVY paper! Yeah get out of here with that! Fabulously gorgeous!

{image cred: Louella Press via Paper Crave}

Punctuate away,

Jessie-Lee