Unique Wedding Backdrop

I'm back from a week of training in Minnesota. It's good to be home and south. The weather has been really great this week, and my mind is still wandering to outdoor weddings. Check out this wedding photographed by Stephanie Fay. I really think this is one of the most creative and eye catching backdrops I've seen for an outdoor wedding.



It's very funky and so creative. I adore the yellow dresser and the meaning behind why they used it even more!!!



Get all the details at Style Me Pretty...

Stephanie

Stationery Winner

I want to be packed away in all your suitcases next summer! What great trips! Let's get down to business and announce the winner of the Paper Source stationery gift set:



Congratulations to Jana, our winner chosen by Random.org (16 September 2009 at 13:15:33 UTC).

Here's where Jana went for her summer vacation:

We went to see the beautiful sights of South Dakota and Minnesota. The Mount Rushmore area and the bad lands were wonderful. Tent camping was fun. Then we headed to Northern Minnesota for a family reunion where we met some extended family for the first time. We drove 3500 miles and were in the car for 61 hours over 10 days. We all still love each other!! We got home 2 days before school started. YIKES. It was worth it, though!

Please email me at aislewithstyle@gmail.com to claim your stationery.

Stephanie

Fall Venues, Part 2: Tents

This post is just barely squeaking by to count for Tuesday. I got a last minute ticket to the Britney concert (A lil' shameful? I know!), and headed out with friends. Don't forget to check back for the winner of the stationery giveaway tomorrow morning!

A lit up tent for an October reception evokes a rather enchanted feeling. It also opens up your location options. A large plot of land is really your only requirement! There is an excellent article from WedPix Magazine that dishes on using tents for your reception location. In the article, Michael Rooney from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (note: wpja.com -my favorite way to search for a photographer) really focuses on how creative you can be when using a tent.

Check out these pictures below for great creative inspiration:

At the Brock House Restaurant in Vancouver, they set up this gorgeous tent for receptions just outside the restaurant.

(Photo Source)

A tent among the trees.

(Photo Source)

This colorful tent from a wedding photographed by Jenna Walker Photography has so much life.

(Photo Source)

Here's another incredible outdoor wedding followed by a tent reception. Also shot by Jenna Walker Photography. Without a doubt, this Style Me Pretty feature is bursting with rustic creativity.

(Photo Source)

If you're opting for the plot of land, you'd better be sure you have 'facilities' for your guests. Yes, I'm talking about portable restrooms. Why ignore the obvious! Here are a few links to peruse:

Dressing Up Portable Toilets
Event Restrooms
Pretty Pottys

Stephanie

Planning a Bridal Shower?

This is for all you bridesmaids, thank you! Thank you for juggling the demands of your best friend turned bridezilla, I mean...lovely best friend. To make your life just a little easier, Martha Stewart has created a checklist for the shower you're throwing for said lovely bride. And rather than reinventing the wheel and creating my own checklist, I'm just passing this one along.

Bridal Shower Checklist


Click to read the full article.

Stephanie

Fall Venues, Part 1: Vineyards

During the early fall I think of fabulous outdoor weddings. Over the next week, I will feature a venue idea each day.

Today's Fall Venue is the Vineyard. Stretching from Martha's Vineyard from the east to Beaulieu Vineyards on the west coast, there are many options across the US. A particularly inspiring vineyard wedding is one photographed by W. Scott Chester Photography of Atlanta, Georgia, at the Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Northern Georgia.

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Check out these other exceptional vineyards:
California -Story Knoll Vineyards
Georgia -Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Oklahoma -Tres Suenos
Texas -The Vineyard at Florence
Washington - DeLILLE CELLARS

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Here are some other helpful links when looking for the perfect vineyard:
Texas Hill Country Wine
Wedding Compass: Vineyards and Wineries
Winery Wedding Guide

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Happy planning,

Stephanie

Etsy Wedding Finds: September Edition

Baubles, Brooches and Bangles

This month I'm exploring everything that sparkles and shines! Whether you're trying to adorn yourself, your bridesmaids, the cake or even that groom, Etsy has something for you! Check out these fab finds from some really cool shops!

From top left, clockwise: Beaded Hair Comb from Little White Dresser $16.00 - Vintage Bracelet from Bazaar Latino $26.75 - Peridot Vintage Glass Earrings from Shelley's South Shore Jewelry $12.00 - Blushing A Cake Jewelery from Bobbi Jordan $124.00 - Deco Style Chandelier Earrings from Adorn+Cherish $1,500.00 - Floral Gardenia Brooch from Carleen Anne $8.00 - Love Birds Amethyst Necklace Set from Lili Swan $28.00 - Scratched Arc Cufflinks from Dedalo $55.00 - Tea Ivory Necklace from Here Comes the Bride $27.00 - Mosiac Turquoise, Prehnite, Carnelian, Bangle Bracelet from Febra Rose Studio Designs $269.00 - Dangling Pearl and Teardrop Earrings from Maylui Designs $15.00 - Two Strand Vintage Rhinestone and Pearl Necklace from Erica Leilani Designs $62.50 - Center Picture: Satin Saltwater Pearl Earrings from Lee Ohio Designs $899.00


Don't forget to enter the Aisle with Style Stationery Giveaway! Time will be up on Tuesday!

Stephanie

Must See FL Wedding

You must read more about this wedding over at Southern Weddings Magazine. I can't get over the colors of the flowers against the gray. The flowers were designed by Nouveau Flowers in Grayton Beach, FL.

(Photos courtesy of Good Green Photography)

Stephanie

The Classic Bride

We hear the term classic bride, but what does that really mean?



To me, it means looking at weddings from years gone by and not really knowing when the wedding was. Last week, Centsational Girl shared her wedding photos from 10 years ago. If you just happened upon these photos, you wouldn't know what decade they were from. This is what a classic bride looks like.



Congrats on 10 years, CG and Mr. CG!

Stephanie

Budget Wedding Hair

If you find you've maxed out your wedding budget and are pretty handy when it comes to your hair, try a classic updo.

While in Chicago this weekend (more on that and the stationery giveaway here), Jannah, of Quill and Varnish, found these great satin bobby pins at Forever 21 for $1.50.



She's oh-so-chic and pulled her hair into a twist then added the pins. I made her stop while walking through Millennium Park so we could snap this picture. Isn't she cute and so bridal with those pearls?

Here are easy instructions for doing your own French twist from eHow.com:

Happy twisting,

Stephanie

My Return and a Giveaway.

I've been gone for far too long! I know how much you've missed me, but it's really worth the wait. I promise, just keep reading.


Last week I became an Auntie. My brother and sister-in-law had a perfect baby boy! Graham Tyler Pickney was born Monday, August 31, 2009. 7 lbs 7 oz. 20 inches long. He's a sweet, sweet baby! How could you not love this little guy?!?

Here's a picture of mama and baby.

My sister-in-law, Amanda, puts me to shame when it comes to writing thank you cards. I really think she ALWAYS writes them the day she receives the gift. Throughout her entire pregnancy she kept up with them. I even caught her sending off one more thank you the night before she went in to be induced. Impressive!

As much as I wanted to spend every waking moment holding Graham, I took off to Chicago for the long holiday weekend. I met 9 of my closest girlfriends from college for a weekend of shopping, eating, sightseeing and maybe a little more shopping.

As we were walking down Armitage Avenue we spotted Paper Source. While I know I can always order from their Web site, I so enjoy perusing their shops. This shop was particularly large, two stories! Heaven!

I meandered through the store and aside from all the fabulous stationery, they have so many gift options. Throughout you're engagement and wedding celebration, it's always wonderful to have hostess gifts, bridesmaids gifts and other small tokens of appreciation for friends and family collected ahead of time. Check out Paper Source's Gift Guide for great ideas!

Here's what I picked up on my trip to Paper Source:

Wheat Bundle Place Card Kit ($12.50, S/8) - Gourd Place Card Kit ($12.50, S/8) - Acorn Place Card Kit ($10.50, S/8)

In honor of Baby Graham and my prompt-thank-you-writing sister-in-law, I'M DOING A GIVEAWAY. As you can see, I'm a little excited about it. Make me proud and everyone enter!

Here's what I'm giving away:

(1) set of stationery from Paper Source, including the following:


Rajasthani Paisley Poppy Thank You Notes - Chrysanthemum Letterpress Thank You Notes - Lotus & Jasmine Garden Moss Thank You Notes

Here are the rules:

1. Tell me where you went on your summer vacation.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. No anonymous comments will be chosen.


Entry Deadline: 5:oo pm CST, Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Notes This giveaway is not sponsored by Paper Source. Winners will be chosen by RANDOM.ORG.

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This giveaway has now ended! Thank you for participating!