Memory Bank

Paperlust on Etsy customized this guestbook with a spot for guests to sign in and a framed place to put the Polaroid. Amanda is excellent to work with and will help you find the perfect style of paper and colors to match your look.

Bearing Rings

Pillows are cute, but the nest can be the best. I bought this love bird home from The Artist's Closet on Etsy and only used two eggs (one for me and one for my groom), then added the symbolic rings for the ring bearer to bring down the aisle. I also liked that it was a nest, which was what my husband and I were soon going to be building.

Polaroids!

I can't handle that Polaroid's instant film is going to be extinct, but let's hope someone else steps up and makes something compatible (that's what I hear might happen). Get yours on Amazon.com while they are still around and let your guests snap some great shots at your wedding. I had guests take photos and put them in my specially made guestbook where they can sign and attached their picture.

Online Dress Buying

A reader had a question about purchasing a wedding dress online and here are my thoughts:

My friend Holly bought her dress online and it was perfect, but I would say to definitely try many dresses on before ordering one in a style you haven't seen on your body. When I was searching for my dress, I had many looks that I liked, and they were all very different. It was through trying on that I realized what worked best for me and suited the style I was looking for.

Also good to call the company you are ordering from and check with the Better Business Bureau just to be sure it's a good place to order from—particularly if the prices seem too good to be true. And check their return policy.

Floral Extras

Flowers everywhere! From top right: ceremony flowers are highlighted with branches, flowers submerged in water with branches and topped with candle, multi-colored rose petals adorning the aisle with pomanders framing the way to the altar, French pails, candelabra decorated with vines and flowers.

And if you're from down South, my florist Ashley from Nola Flora in New Orleans, LA can do all of this and more.

Floral Fantasy

Since I was working with a florist who was out-of-town, I put together a collage of the flowers that inspired me most. When deciding on flowers, think about every aspect of how they are put together. Here were my ideas:

Flower color theme: Deep red, pink, purples, light leafy greens
Natural, rustic, mix of rich and soft colors, with a vintage feel

All tied with natural colored raffia. All bouquets should be well-formed, with a rustic feel.

The flowers (from top right):
Stephanotis, Bouquet from The Knot that caught my eye and inspired, Pink Peony, Lamb's Ear, Dusty Miller, a mix I put together after a visit to a local florist of Eucalyptus with berries, Purple Anemones, and Black Magic roses, Deep Pink Dahlia, Bluebird Rose.

Once I get the photos back, you'll see the final result.

I'm Married!

There are so many little details I can share about my own wedding now that my groom has seen it all. I have to say that I am going through that "it's all over" feeling in that I had so much fun planning and making the decisions all in anticipation for the day only for it to be over. All of the pre-wedding plans are so much a part of the joy of your wedding. So enjoy it all!