Crowning Inspiration: Help with your Bridal Registry from the Martha

Martha Stewart. Who is not inspired by her organized, decorated, fashionably-tidy lifestyle of helping households live up to the ultimate American stigma. Even if she annoys you, you have to admit, she knows her stuff!

I have been savoring her Martha Stewart Wedding magazines for years... in fact my childhood room could have qualified for Hoarders with all the wedding magazines I saved over the years! I woke up one day and found recycling to be just as gratifying! I burned those issues to the brain! (wink, wink)

Spring is around the corner, and hopefully sooner than later if the Groundhog does his job this week. And with Spring comes a wonderful time for Bridal Showers. If you are already registered, thinking about it or dreading it, Martha's Registry list is something to review.

To read more about Martha's tips for your wedding registry, check out the article along with some tips on a modern registry.

P.S. Gotta love the colored cuisinart set! I have this set in PINK!

Crowning Celebrations: 2010 Brides & Grooms Featured in The Blade

We are so excited to have five of our 2010 Brides and Grooms in The Toledo Blade!

Congratulations again to:
Amanda (Mendel) and David Skelton

Anita (Chapa) and Robert Doyle, III
Heather (Simcic) and Michael Deaton
Stephanie (Wurth) and Blake Pilgrim
Lauren (Weinblatt) and Joel Gryniewski

 

Crowning Celebration NEW website!

Still working on a few quirks, but can't help sharing the

NEW website!

Check it out: www.crowningcelebrations.com

Crowning & Cunning: Broach Bouquet

A few posts ago I featured a button bouquet by Nic's Button Buds . To see the post click here.

Check out this Broach Bouquet from a wedding in Nashville wedding that I found on Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog. Very fun and different!

Photo credit Phindy Studios

Here are some more fabulous broach bouquets:

If you are traditional and still want to go for the bouquet of flowers, these make great rehearsal practice bouquets and they can be passed down from generation to generation or girl friend to girl friend!

Crowning & Cunning: Rent a Bridesmaid Gown!

I have to thank my stylish friend and boutique owner, Vanessa Cooreman Smith for introducing me to this site. Vanessa knows A LOT about fashion and has a fabulous boutique in South Bend, Indiana called Flourish. Check out the Flourish website and facebook page.

Flourish has a fabulous selection of dresses for bridesmaids. But sometimes, the Bride's choice of the bridesmaid dress is not affordable for everyone. So instead of the Bride sacraficing her fabulous style, bridesmaids can RENT a dress!

Check out these Badgley Mischka dresses from Rent the Runway!

Shown in Navy, a very popular color for 2011, all these dress rent for $100!!!

This option is perfect for the bridesmaid who maybe in 3 or so weddings in one year. If she is not able to afford the price of the dress, she can rent it! And the bridesmaids who wants to keep their dress and wear it again can.... We've all heard the  bride say "you can so wear it again!". Well now you don't have to feel like you should because you spent a fortune! Rent it and return it!

You are not fully dressed without the accessories! Check out these fabulous "rentals":

Choose from hundreds of dresses and styles. Check out Rent the Runway for your next special event or wedding!

Eventista: Toledo Free Press Bridal Guide 2011

It's out! Be sure to grab your copy of the Toledo Free Press Bridal Guide!

The Guide is distributing throughout northwest Ohio. If you are out of town, you can view the guide online from ISSUU.

Read articles written by Brittany Craig on 2011 Trends, Hiring Wedding Professionals and a Top 10 Planning List for Grooms!

Crowning Inspiration: Romantic Candle Chandeliers

Hosting an outdoor reception or social gathering? Check out these chic, yet romantic

candle-lit chandeliers and votives!

They will look great handing from a tent, pergola, umbrella, or tree branch.

If you are feeling inspired and want to DIY, check out this design featured on Apartment Therapy from Sunset Magazine.

So easy and pretty!

Crowning & Cunning: Ribbon and Vintage Bridal Bouquets

I love textiles. With a degree in art and a concentration in fibers, I am totally obsessed with these creative bouquets. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE real flowers. But I think these creative touches are perfect for a rehearsal practice bouquet or toss bouquet. They will blow the gift ribbons outta the water!

DIY Fabric & Feather Wedding Flowers from Jewel Box Ballerina
Click here to buy the tutorial for only $19.95

Gorgeous Vintage Button Bouquet from Nic's Button Budds

P.S. These bouquets are vintage and victorian - both very trendy for 2011!!!

Crowning & Fabulous: Wedding Shoes

While sitting on hold trying to work out issues with my website, I went shopping. {What else is a girl to do?!} Don't you just love these shoes??!!! Yes, they are indeed the fabulous Christian Louboutin's.

For Wedding Ceremony:

For Wedding Reception and Honeymoon:

{While my website isn't fixed yet. I feel better now.}

Crowning Inspiration: Out with the Coffee, in with the Tea Bar

My latest crave is for tea. Since giving up coffee in November, I have found not only better health benefits, but a passion for a very old tradition.

Served hot or cold, its always satisfying.

I am turning my love for tea, and well, the country's new fad, into a tea bar for a wedding.

Traditionally, tea was commonly served at a Chinese marriage ceremony - and still is. But that is not the only place you will find it these days. "Tea Bars" are taking over the esspresso bars at weddings and events.

In the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, both the bride and groom kneel in front of their parents and serve them tea. That is a way to express their gratitude. In front of their parents, it is a practice for the married couple to say, "Thank you for bringing us up. Now we are getting married. We owe it all to you." The parents will usually drink a small portion of the tea and then give them a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck. Another variant is for the to-be daughter-in-law to serve tea to her to-be parents-in-law, symbolizing that she is to become a part of the latter's family. Drinking the tea by all guests at the wedding symbolized acceptance into the family.

In a way, I like to think of it as toasting new life and happiness. 

You can purchase fun tea infusers like these heart shaped-ones:

And fill them with loose leaves in different flavors and strengths:

  You can fill bags yourself and add custom tags with your

names or monogram and wedding date:

  

Or if you don't have time for a DIY project, you can purchase tea bags with your names on them:

For help with a custom Tea Bar at your wedding, contact Crowning Celebrations today!

Crowning & Cunning: Blossom Serving Stems

Love these fun Blossom Serving Stems for a garden party, bridal shower or outdoor wedding. They come in white, clear, clear blue and black, along with a serving tray.

Buy a set of 10 for $9.99 from Rosseto