...For The Vintage Bride With Mad Style!

Brides in love with the hit TV show Mad Men are in for a special treat! With Season 3 scheduled to debut August 16th, Brides.com has gone retro fabulous on us with 10 Ways To Mad Men Your Wedding! To get your juices flowing, I've created this inspiration board below...be sure to click HERE to see more...

(Photo credits via AMC and Brides.com)

It's all about the short gloves, pearls, birdcage veils, prim and perfect party dresses, fancy cocktails and dare I say pointy bras?! HA HA! Oh, come on now, we're just having fun. It's all about the sexy 60's vintage right now - our (sigh...) mothers would be proud! Funny, isn't it - how what goes around sometimes comes back again? Happy planning!

...Inspired By Bloomingdale's!

A few months ago I was lucky and excited to join Editor-In-Chief of Brides.com, Michelle Preli, on the panel for the Chicago Here Comes The Blog event at the gorgeous Bloomingdale's Home Store, along with Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs...

While there, we got to see some creative tablescape inspiration so I thought I'd share some of it, to hopefully inspire you either for your upcoming wedding, bridal registry or adventures in home decorating! Take a look...

Today, it's all about mixing and matching...or just mixing!

Incorporate things into your tablescape that you normally wouldn't think of. Don't be afraid to use objects that you might not be used to seeing at the table such as bags over chairs (or maybe aprons, beaded necklaces, hats), large potted plants, umbrellas, etc. Tie it up and tie it in!

Get into layering your dishes, chargers or placemats. Play around with them. They don't have to all be so matchy-matchy anymore! Have fun with it. Let your personality and style shine through. Make your tables unique, like you!

Below are a few close-up shots of the different tablescape ideas we ran into...

(All photos taken by letterpress expert & designer, Denise of www.bellisstudios.com)

The majority of these items shown above can be found by shopping at Bloomingdale's. Before you shop, consider playing around online using the new Set Your Table Top Tool created by Brides.com and Bloomingdale's - careful, it's addicting but super fun!

I even created a few of my own table settings using the Set Your Table Top Tool. Take a looksie:

Set Your Table: Sexy Black And White Bliss

Set Your Table: Iced Tea Or High Tea

Set Your Table: Take Your Wedding Home With You

Want more? I'll be posting other tablescape and wedding registry ideas soon, so keep checking back! Can't wait? Find more bridal registry ideas or wedding ideas by visiting Brides.com or by clicking HERE. Cheers!

...Details From The "Here Comes The Blog" Event!

Last week, I was thrilled to join Editor-In-Chief of Brides.com, Michelle Preli along with Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs for the Here Comes The Blog registry event at the Chicago Bloomingdale's Medinah Home Store!

After having a little fun sharing the new Set Your Table tool with couples, we got a chance to discuss a few of our favorite registry trends and also shared some helpful tips and advice together!

Once we finished chit chatting, everyone headed up to the registry floor to browse around, register and enjoy delicious cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from Catered By Design. Check out their awesome cocktail tree on display...imagine having one of those at your wedding!

(Photos thanks to Denise of Bellis Studios who also attended the event with me!)

It was such a pleasure to meet and talk with the happy couples, vendors and the amazing staff at Bloomies. Seriously, I never realized how unique the Bloomingdale's registry is. If you haven't registered there yet, you're in for a special treat! It's not just a registry, my dears...it's an experience. My goodness, it made me want to get married to my husband all over again - just so we could register once more!

I promise to share more details and pictures with you soon! From creative tablescape and centerpiece ideas to gorgeous product lines, the event was truly inspiring. We learned so much while there...so stay tuned for more exciting registry posts to come! It will be like our own little event, extended over a couple of weeks - sound good?

Until then, be sure to head over to Bloomingdale's to build your dream registry and enjoy the new Brides.com Set Your Table tool. Cheers!

...And Other Tips For Personalizing Your Wedding!

He may be a well known planner to celebs, but now Colin Cowie has teamed up with Brides.com to share his secrets with all of us!

There's tons of great inspiration to grab from this creative mind, but I absolutely love his ideas on how to personalize your day. One of them suggests, "offering a series of signature cocktails named after each of the bridesmaids and groomsmen"...

...What a fun way to not only honor, but also thank your bridal party for all they've done! Fun, right? I can just picture the talk between your guests over brunch the next day - saying, "I had too many Angelinas last night..." - ha! Priceless.

To see other fun ways to personalize your day, click HERE and find even more Colin Cowie tips, creative tricks and ways to save by visiting the new Colin Cowie features on Brides.com! Happy planning!

...Adds Sophisticated Edge!

Before modern brides took over, the color black was left for funerals. Today, however, brides are incorporating black into their beautiful white weddings and it's hotter than ever! Black and white weddings are not only classy, but sophisticated, sexy and even a little edgy too...

(Photo credits: frame, setting from Bloomingdale's, setting created using the Set Your Table tool from Brides.com)

If you consider yourself a modern bride, consider bringing this stylish look home to your table as well. The pairing of these colors allow you to transform your table from casual to dressy, just like white dishes do...only with a little sass!

Spice it up a little with punches of color for any season or occasion, using flowers, linens or whatever else comes to mind. Oh yes, black and white is here to stay, wouldn't you say? Now, how will you Set Your Table?

...Using Popular Whites!

Today, I came across this gorgeous table, set for a birthday celebration over high tea. Lovely, isn't it? I find it totally inspiring how nicely food can be displayed by using simple white dishes. Go from casual to fancy in a matter of minutes, by adding a just a few colorful accents!

Keeping it simple never looked so good...

(Photo credit: Wedding Style Australia)

Above, the birthday girl used white dishes along with left over wallpaper as a table runner, colored napkins and a vase of flowers to add color... and wa-la! Her table was ready to go in minutes! Hey, it's important to keep entertaining easy, so that hosts can enjoy their party too.

As your styles change throughout the years, your white dishes will remain classic and easy to pair with anything! If you're considering white, take a look at this place setting idea I created using the new Set Your Table tool from Brides.com:

Here, I kept the majority of dishes white, but dressed them up by selecting a brightly colored charger and cup. With this setting, you'll be ready to serve in style whether it's over iced tea or high tea! To see or register for the pieces shown above, click HERE.

Feeling like getting creative yourself? Design your own place setting ideas with the Set Your Table tool. Once you're done, print them out or register for them at Bloomingdale's. Enjoy!

...And Celebrate Your Marriage Year After Year!

There is a reason why you picked those wedding colors of yours. For some reason, they called out to you. Whether it's because it reflects your personality, your style or you just love the look, let the colors that inspired you for your wedding inspire you for your home as well!

(Photo credits: She Journal from RedStamp.com, dress by Priscilla of Boston, Letterpress Invites by Bellis Studios, dress by Priscilla of Boston, wreath, cake, flowers via Brides.com)

Turn your registry experience into fun by getting creative with it, like you did with your wedding planning!

Go on, brighten up your home together. Mix and match patterns, colors, glassware, etc., by using the new Set Your Table from Brides.com! Careful...it's addicting, but so very helpful!

Once you have your place setting ideas all set, print them out and register at Bloomingdale's. To see or register for the pieces on the tabletop above, click HERE. Enjoy!

...For The Brides.com/Bloomingdale's Registry Event!

This Thursday, May 14th, join Editor-In-Chief of Brides.com Michelle Preli along with Ami from Elizabeth Anne Designs and myself as we share tips and ideas for creating your dream wedding and registry!

The event will take place at the Bloomingdale's Chicago Medinah Home Store at 600 North Wabash Avenue from 5 - 7pm.

(Building photo credit: SkyScraperCity.com)

A good time shall be had, as you'll be able to enjoy yummy tastings, cocktails and even a fun little gift bag! For more details, click HERE. If you're planning on going, let me know so I can look forward to meeting you...hope to see you there!

Until then, keep checking back as I post registry ideas this week using the new Brides.com Set Your Table tool. Cheers!

...Time To Bring On The Coffee & A Lil' Inspiration!

As my sister's wedding nears, my list of to-do's just keeps growing! My days might be hectic this week, however there are way too many things going on in the wedding world for me not to share. So before I start rushing around, won't you please join me for some coffee talk?

(Above photo credits: Left ~ Wedding placecard idea via Better Homes & Gardens, Right ~ Kate Hudson, photographed by NY photographer Ruven Afandor)

The Latest Wedding News & Inspiration From Around The Blogosphere...

First, let's talk about that polaroid placecard idea up above! How easy would be to create those darling little treasures? Take pictures of each other, things that inspire you, flowers or objects within your theme or color. These could double as favors, too! What other ideas come to mind for this project?

I was so honored and excited when Gretchen from MyWedding.com invited me to become one of the official judges for The Search For America's Biggest Groomzilla! I've already voted, but have you? Find your favorite groomzilla by clicking HERE. The winner will be selected May 7th, so hurry!

San Francisco brides, if you don't have plans for May 7th and are looking for some creative registry inspiration, RSVP for the Brides.com/Bloomingdale's Registry Event!

Looking for a laugh this Mother's Day? Check out the new Mother-In-Law Matcher and prepare yourself for some interesting results! Hey, when you marry your guy, you're marrying his whole family too, you know...

Oh, Grey's Anatomy fans! Our friends over at the PlanningPad.com (a fabulous store for all your wedding needs) have reminded us about the big Grey's wedding taking place May 7th. You can visit Meredith & Derek's wedding website and gift registry online and donate to your favorite charity in lieu of gifts! Read more about their upcoming "I Do's" by clicking HERE. Their wedding is going to be unreal (ha, ha)!

Bubbly Bride shares how today's society is embracing pregnant brides by sharing some beautiful photography and encouraging words.

My blogging friend Anne from Perfect Bound has officially launched her newly redesigned site! If you weren't aware, head over there now by clicking HERE and be sure to follow her, she's got a gorgeous thing going for you.

I also must tell you that the very creative Kim Vallee has updated her site, At Home With Kim Vallee, with a lovely fresh new look just in time for Spring! Be sure to visit, she offers so many ideas for every part of your life, including entertaining and parties of course.

The Style School blog by InStyle Weddings offers great tips on how to get your skin in mint condition for the big day!

Dynamite Weddings inspires brides to maintain their bright, white smiles with a handy red wine remover to keep in your purse. Have you heard of these before?

Enjoy!

...How Something Beautiful Is Born!

We all have ideas in our heads when it comes to creating. Little ideas, big ideas and dreams. But how do you make your dreams a reality? For those of you planning your weddings, perhaps you write down a list of ideas. Maybe you make yourself an inspiration board...or, perhaps your ideas begin floating onto your very own wedding blog!

It's what you do with those ideas to make them a reality that can make planning a wedding so exciting. Come the big day, to see your ideas turn into something beautiful is quite rewarding! On that note, I can only imagine how rewarding it must be for designers to see their wedding dress sketches come to life and onto the runways...

To see how several of your favorite Spring 2010 bridal gowns started, visit "From Sketch To Dress Spring 2010" over at Brides.com!

While you're there, be sure to visit the other collections by all of your favorite designers. Go ahead...have a little fun dress shopping. Do what you must to save your favorite dress ideas, then turn your dream wedding into a reality. Enjoy!

Sorry, I'm Out Of Splenda ~ But Here's Some Sugar For You...

(Above: Gorgeous bone china to serve your coffee in style - love it? Register for it at Bloomingdales!)

Have you played with the new Set Your Table tool over at Brides.com? It's fun, addicting and super helpful for all of you darling brides looking to register soon! Enjoy, dearios.

Get your custom handmade veil made by the oh-so-talented GaGaVida from her shop Blush Wedding!

Magnet Street Weddings is giving away 150 free save-the-dates to one very lucky couple! Hurry up, the giveaway only goes through Sunday, April 19th. Good luck!

Terrica, of Fabuluxe Events shares with us recyclable luggage for your honeymoon! Way cool.

You must see this glamorous Phantom of the Opera theme created for an event by top floral designer Martha Andrews - it's truly stunning!

Got some crazy groomsmen? Chuckle with me while reading wedding pranks to play on the groom by The Man Registry. It's just too funny! Hey, it's all in good fun. Good, hilarious, innocent fun - right?

Welcome a new bride as she shares her engagement in a beautiful way, on her blog...you must see it, it's lovely! While you're there, be sure to congratulate her and check out the rest of her inspiring blog, Unruly Things.

The Blissful Bride shares a yummy little secret with us you'll definitely want to try! She also shares with us a more affordable and easy way to get the colored shoes you need...in the form of DIY! Now that is something I think any bridesmaid would appreciate!

Now that Easter is over, what are you going to do with those leftover marshmallow peeps? Your guy might think it's funny to make them fight with toothpicks, however I think this idea from Evite blog is much better! I know, sugar on the brain...it helps to stimulate inspiration though, right?

Catching up with OneWed.com, learn how to stream your wedding live for guests unable to attend and find eco-friendly shoes for your something blue green! Also, be sure to enter their weekly Savvy Steals for chances to score some really cool stuff!

Coco + Kelley shares with us some of the latest bridal gown trends of the season...including some silver and grey ones! I have to admit, I think I actually like the idea of a silver/grey wedding dress...what are your thoughts? I suppose it's all about your own personal style and taste...while some may love it, others may prefer the traditional white/ivory look. To each their own, right?

Now, it's time to jam! Did I hear, "It's Time For The Perculator"?! Oh yes...always old school at heart. Love!