SHOP // GARNISH

OH MY GOD! How did I just learn about Garnish? I was just paging through the newest issue of Sweet Paul {another "OMG! how did I just learn about..." moment. It seems I've been having a lot of those lately} and saw an ad for Garnish. Oh, it's so nice to have a place to go to for simple but unique {not to mention customizable: Letterpress labels and/or tags anyone?} packaging options. A cupcake in a mini-coffee-to-go-cup? Sold! Lovely wooden spoons for a lovely paper cup full of gelato? Sign me up! Wedding favors that look so cute your guests won't want to open them? Done, done and DONE!

Ok, now I have to get to planning my next gathering so I can order from Garnish. I can't believe I've gone this long without them.

SHOP // MERINGUE RINGS {REAL & NOT-SO-REAL}

When I saw this post on Poppytalk I got so excited because I thought is was just a sweetly distinctive idea for a favor at a wedding. Meringue rings! Why had no one thought of this before? They would look stunning either on a place setting or on a long table, glorious in their white repetition. And then I actually read the post and found out that these are silicone and really are rings to be worn on a finger, not gluttonously devoured at first site. I will admit my mild disappointment, but then I realized that there are lots of great bakeries out there that could make the real thing for you and your lovely wedding {or maybe you're just that talented and could pull it off yourself}. What great inspiration for wedding favors. Now get on the phone, find out what local bakery will do them for you and report back. :)

The rings themselves are from German designer Tanja Hartmann and are available here.

SHOP // ADRIFT DESIGNS

Though I'm not a big gold person normally, I just adore this ring. It just looks like it wants to be worn for a really long time, forever, in fact. Comfy, warm, inviting...just like your to-be-wed. Find it here.

SHOP // AMBER SKY

If you are the vintage bride type this necklace is for you. It's new yet it looks old and it's blue. You're almost set. You can find this one at the Amber Sky Etsy shop. Really, you couldn't go wrong with any piece in the shop.

SHOP // MAKING THE KIDDOS FEEL SPECIAL

Today is my son's first birthday. I just had to get him a special party hat to wear for the countless pictures that will be taken of him today, so I got him the crown in the photo above. He looks so sweet in it. I was thinking however, that these would be great gifts for any kids in your bridal party or for kid guests to wear at the reception. They would make an older kid feel special and may entice him or her to behave while mom and dad have one more dance before hitting the road.

Available at Nifty Kids Stuff.

IN THE STUDIO // JUST IN TIME FOR SCHOOL

Admittedly these are probably better for that college age student in your life or for yourself to protect against that lunch nabbing co-worker. In any case they're pretty funny and available here.

SHOP // PEACOCK HEAD PIECE

This peacock head piece by Portabello is so lovely for a fall wedding and for that fun evening out with the girls or to wear for your first anniversary. I love wedding accessories that have future function and are not too precious to wear again after the wedding. They are nice reminders of your day without screaming W-E-D-D-I-N-G! Get it here.

SHOP // RINGS

These rings come from Elizabeth Scott Botanical Jewelry. I adore the organic shapes, the delicate qualities and, most of all, the non-wedding ring-y appearance of all of these. They don't smack you in the face saying "Hey, look at me! I'm big! I'm expensive! I am a wedding ring. ". Rather they claim a subtle awesomeness that says it's wearer appreciates the unique and the handmade.

SHOP // ME & MATILDA

Wedding party ties from Me & Matilda are simple perfection. I love the thought of these at a casual wedding or maybe a fancy wedding with a quirky and casual guy who wants to stand out just a little next to his bride. These are great and not too dressy for a day at the office. They also offer ring bearer pillows and the cutest bow ties for big and little guys alike.

SHOP // ETSY WEDDING ATTIRE GUIDE

Etsy has a fabulous series of gift guides including the wedding attire gift guide. Could it be easier for you to have something totally unique for your wedding and beyond? Now get out there and shop!

SHOP // FRENCH MACARONS

Just try to find a good Parisian macaron state-side. Try it, I dare you. Of course I'm writing as a mid-westerner. You would have no problem in San Francisco or New York, I'm sure. But here in Minnesota they don't seem to carry the same mystique as in Paris. Maybe that's ok. Maybe there are certain things you should only have while you're in Paris. I'm not ready to say that about the macaron just yet. Thank goodness for on-line ordering. The above photo is from Paulette of Beverly Hills. Gorgeous, no? They will ship next day air so you get them nice and fresh. And wonderful for a colorful favor spread. Or how about these from L'Epicerie, if you want to create your own packaging.

These two beautiful photos {here and here} are from a blog I just discovered, La Tartine Gourmande. This is a blog from food stylist, Béatrice Peltre. Her work is gorgeous. Great for inspiration of all kinds. The top photo are macarons from Pierre Hermé, the bottom are from Lauderée. Both only available in Paris, *sniff*.

Ok, time to drown my no Paris, no macaron sorrows in another cup of coffee. Who knows, maybe my husband will read this and think what a great substite for a birthday cake macarons would be. Here's to hoping!

SHOP // CAKE TOPPERS

I'm highly in favor of buying things for a wedding that also serve a purpose after the wedding, even if this means they will just sit on a shelf quietly reminding you of your great and wonderful day. Enter these very sweet cake toppers from Goose Greese. They can be purchased as a pre-designed set OR {my favorite} you can order a custom set and send them pictures of you and your to-be-wed. So nice.

SHOP // FASHION @ ETSY

Etsy has a lot of up and coming designers just waiting to make a veil or dress for your big day. What an incredible opportunity to have a couture dress or veil at NOT couture prices. I just happened to find these two. They fall in the category of "if I were getting married today" and "UGH, I wish Etsy would have been around when I got married".

Veil by Austie. Dress by Sarah Seven {actually the one in the veil photo below is Sarah Seven as well but is not currently listed in her shop. I bet you could persuade here to make one though}.

SHOP // LORENA BARREZUETA

This is a great wedding or shower gift idea for the girl who loves dishes and serving pieces. Lorena Barrezueta's Gourmet Collection "reintroduces the ubiquitous disposable tin food container in fine porcelain as a way of addressing our perceptions of quality, value, and high-end design."

She now has three different collections to compliment any style: fresh, classic and lush. So fun, SO creative and no way the bridal couple will see two of these when they're opening they're gifts {unless you give them two}.

SHOP // GIFTS FOR YOUR GUYS

It is often difficult to find good gifts for the guys in a wedding. Do they really use money clips? ties? Maybe, but here are a few more ideas that are a bit more unique, all are handmade and all are very useful {well, the mustaches may not be useful but are super funny and will give you some great photos}.

Mustache on a stick from Something's Hiding Here.

Deconstructed wallet from Scabby Robot. I love this wallet. Very guy and very stylish.

Palm wood cuff links from Lotus Jewelry Studio. Wear them at the wedding and beyond.

Sterling collar stays and guitar picks from Chris Parry. No one NEEDS sterling versions of either but giving your guys a touch of luxury will make them remember your wedding and how important they are to you.
And finally, who couldn't use knitted brass knuckles? This is a knitting pattern, so if you're crafty this is a must {though I would hazard a guess that you could order the finished product from the designer if you ask nicely}. From Needle Noodles.

SHOP // GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLS

Today I'm thinking about unique {and handmade, of course} thank you gifts to get your lovely bridesmaids. They range from things they can wear/carry at your wedding, to personalized gifts made just for them, to practical gifts they can use in their busy lives. Let's start with the personalized gifts because they are from Armato Design & Press {hey, it's my blog after all}.

Above are mini calling cards {and here is another design, with many more very soon to come}, letterpress printed on 100% cotton paper with name and contact information for that busy bridesmaid who is always meeting people. Choose the font and color that best represents your 'maid's personality.

And a great gift for the girl who wants to keep in touch with the people she meets is my personalized stationery. Letterpress printed with her name and a sweet little design. There are a couple different options {look here and here as well}.


Next are a couple of gifts that can be worn on your big day and after for her big and not so big days.

Limited edition clutch from Fiazco because who doesn't want a sweet clutch like this? But how often do we really buy it for ourselves? So buy it for her.

This necklace is perfect for a more casual wedding and so wearable for any day of the week. Little wood flower necklace by Yuki.

The next two are little gifts that are very practical but are also so unique that your girls are sure to think of you every time they use them.

On the face of it this may not look like the most practical gift ever but, who among us hasn't popped an apple in our tote while rushing out the door one late morning, only to find a bruised and mangled apple at lunch time? They may not realize it now, but your girls will consider this a must have. An added bonus: it's funny and just makes a person smile. Find the Wrapple Cozy Apple Fruit Sweater Jacket at Beautiful Bridget's Etsy shop.

I hate to think of how many trees have been sacrificed just to protect our hands from a hot cup of coffee. But since we are not giving up our morning caffeine, this is a perfect alternative to the ubiquitous and wasteful paper coffee sleeve. Cute and unique, just like your girls. Find it here from Laura Bucci.

SHOP // ENVELOPE LINERS

Envelope liners even further tie together a wedding stationery system and make an already pretty package even prettier. It used to be that they were the mark of a true stationery lover as they took a special attention to detail and a lot of extra time. You would have to get a template, cut them out, score them, insert them and then adhere them to the envelope. But now Paper Source is offering many of their patterned papers as pre-cut, pre-scored envelope liners which take the most time consuming part out of the "from scratch" versions. NICE. And not too expensive. All the patterns below sell for $13.25 per 25 pack. These are cut to suit Paper Source envelopes, which is fine with me as these are the Armato Design and Press "house" envelopes.


So, when I was researching envelope liners I found another web site that is of particular interest to me as a wedding stationery designer: Enveloper Inc. They too offer many different patterns for envelope liners {which just by looking at them, seem like they would fit the Paper Source envelopes as well},


but they go one step further and offer custom printing on the liners so that you can have a photo or a pattern that matches your particular wedding stationery. I'm not a great fan of the photo option but the ability to have a motif that exactly matches {or coordinates} with a custom design is AWESOME. The cost here is reasonable as well. They are 20.75 per 25 pack with a $25 set up fee and a $5 proof fee. Not bad for the stationery lover in all of us.

SHOP // LIVING KEEPSAKES

I, very happily, got married five years ago and I loved my wedding through and through BUT if I were getting married today, these are the accessories that I would have to have both because they are so unique and beautiful, but also because they are pieces that I could use for special occasions down the road. Living keepsakes, if you will.


I don't know which one I like better. Both silk taffeta, both by the English Dept, both available here. Either would look great with a simple wedding dress and then later with a fun tank top, jeans and the sassiest pair of shoes you can think of.


This clutch is silk and embriodered perfection. So perfect for a wedding and then later a night out on the town on your honeymoon and then even later for a walk down the street to the wine bar. Find it at Ruby Red Rose.

SHOP // NO MORE NAKED ENVELOPES

The new love stamps are available now from the US Postal Service and they are the best I've seen. So colorful, they'll go with so many envelope colors. Designed by Derry Noyes and Jeanne Greco, they are based on images from 18th-century French playing cards.

Stamps are a great way to impress guests right from the start. Martha Stewart Weddings has done a great job of using vintage stamps in the styling of their wedding invitations for Weddings magazine. Here's one of my favorite shots:


Champion Stamp has a huge catalog of vintage stamps. Here are some of my favorites:


UPDATE {6.3.09}: Just found this story via 100 Layer Cake blog with more ideas on how to use and where to buy vintage stamps. Fabulous photos and great ideas. Check it out.