Crowning & Cunning: Succulent + DIY = L.O.V.E.

Don't you just LOVE how simple and chic these succulents look in these 3-tiered vases?

 

And if I told you the materials were from IKEA and its literally fool-proof would you believe me?! Well check out the tutorial on The Knotty Bride  - and you can purchase the 3-tiered candle holders here.

Crowning & Cunning: Appy Couple Wedding App

There are a lot of applications out there for weddings - but this one takes the cake and is an industry hot topic! Appy Couple is a unique mobile wedding app to help you share your wedding with family and friends! And no worries, even if your friends don't have the ability to use an app using a smart phone, they can still access this user friendly idea on a custom website.

Love all these designs to custom match your wedding colors and theme!

This app is available by invitation only - so get on the list now. It will allow you to give guests travel information and guides, send personal messages, pictures and virtual toasts. Share your story and the excitement of your special day whether you have 20 guests or 2000 - there is no extra costs as guests download the password protected app for free!

Crowning and Cunning: so true!

As you start to plan, don't loose sight of what's important.You are marrying your best friend, partner, and lover. Hire a planner to handle the details. Then relax and enjoy the bliss of being engaged!

Crowning & Cunning: Romantic Details

Happy New Year 2012!!! One of this year's top trends is "romantic details". Check out these inspirations! Don't you just love the details?!

Images found on Pinterest

Crowning & Cunning: Wendy Kromer's Cookie Decorating Class

Yesterday, my mom and I were in for a real treat - literally. We took Wendy Kromer's Cookie Decorating class. If you aren't familiar with Wendy, well she is a fabulously talented wedding cake designer, who aside from creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces for my clients, she also designs cakes for Martha Stewart Weddings. In fact, she was just in NYC creating wedding cake stories for the spring Weddings issue the week before our class.

The cookie class was a quick 3-hours that included her fabulous cookie and icing recipes for flooding techniques. I highly recommend this class to anyone of all skill levels. Wendy taught us some clever ways to make eye-popping designs. Check them out:

Wendy demonstrating the techniques:

Here's my try:

I am eager to get started on more cookies here at home! I even bought a crown cookie cutter to make a few CC inspired Christmas creations!

(Be sure to look for that post later this month.)

Thanks Wendy for a fun afternoon!

Crowning & Cunning: Keep your Bridal Cool this Summer

Summer is here and in Northwest Ohio its goning to be in the 90's this weekend!

Here are some tips to stay cool and fresh:
1. Pack blotting tissues or powder. I prefer the tissues over the powder so that you do not get any on your dress. Blot the tissues after pre-ceremony photos, before post-ceremony photos and then before your reception so that you look make-up fresh.
2. Bring baby wipes. Even if its to wipe away some sweat, or fix runny eye make-up they are great to have on hand and they remove dirt from your wedding gown.
3. Stay hydrated and start NOW. If you hydrate your body properly before the big day, you can enjoy a few cocktails without letting the heat get the best of you. If you wait until wedding day, you will be consuming a lot of liquids which means many trips to the bathroom.
4. In your post-ceremony celebration cooler, also pack in a seperate zip lock some clean wash cloths and ice. The ice will gradually melt and the wash cloths will be cool and damp to place on the back of your neck, on your wrists and forehead. Some Churches do not have AC, so be sure to bring these with you to your ceremony and for all your pictures.
Check out these cute ones I found on Etsy



Crowning & Cunning: Summer Pie Wedding Sweetness!!!

It feels like summer is right around the corner!

And what's summer without it's number one dessert: PIE!!!

My Aunt Maureen makes the best pies! Everything is from scratch and filled to the brim. (Just email me if you want info to order). But check-out these cute DIY Mini Pie favors - its perfect for bridal showers, summer events, appreciation gifts, picnics, or weddings!

The easiest way to serve up pie is "PIE IN A JAR" - love it!

The girls at Our Best Bites have it down. Check out their easy-to-make tutorial. You can whip these suckers up a few weeks in advance, then freeze them. Have your caterer or family member toss them in the oven on wedding day for juicy, warm goodness!!! Can you just smell them now?.....

Don't have time for a DIY - like I said, my Aunt is a great pie baker.

Contact me for more details.

Crowning & Cunning: The Paula Brown Shop

This morning I had a great meeting with Paula & Peter Brown, and Lucy the dog, at the

For those of you who are not familiar - then get to know this shop! It has the latest, hottest and trendiest items for the home and kitchen. It's the modern, Toledo Bride's must-do registry. Not only are their products fun, but reliable,
and they will be treasured for years to come.

Recently, the Paula Brown Shop has expanded their registry items. Not only can you find fabulous china, serving ware, linens, crystal and glassware, but the Paula Brown Shop is now carrying All-Clad and Cuisinart, as well as Wustholf and Le Creuset. Play up fun kitchen accessories and utensils from Joseph Joseph and Iitalla. Look for more great items from these brands as the shop expands the department this Spring.

What I love most about the Paula Brown Shop is that you can mix traditional with modern with favorites from Alessi, Mariposa, Raynaud and Michael Aram.

In addition to your bridal registry, the Paula Brown Shop also offers a wide selection of stationery for all your entertaining needs. From engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, the shop also carries save-the-dates and wedding invitations from Lallie, William Arthur, Crane & Co, Kate Spade and Vera Wang, to name a few.

Like the Paula Brown Shop on Facebook and check out their website for
more registry information.
Stay tuned to this blog and the Paula Brown Facebook page for more info on their
Bridal Open House, Saturday, May 7th.

Crowning & Cunning: The Gown Shop, Ann Arbor | Toledo Wedding Planner | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

Today I had the great pleasure of visiting my friend Stacy of The Gown Shop, Ann Arbor. Stacy is a Perrysburg native with experience in the bridal industry. She chose Ann Arbor for the location of her new store.

Its a fabulous space! The clean lines, high ceilings and tall windows let in soft light to highlight the luscious bridal fabrics. The beautiful crystal chandelier draws your eye to a table of sparkely jewelry pieces, sashes, hair accessories, head bands, clips, birdcage veils and shoes. The Shop's pallet of pink and black highlights the selection of white and off-white gowns along the wall.

Each consult is by appointment only. And the store offers exclusive and personal consultation, taking one appointment at the time. It's like being a celebrity: the store is closed for your private viewing and fitting of bridal gowns, veils, shoes and accessories. And it all looks so fun!

The Gown Shop carries designers Fancy New York, Carol Hannah, Amy Kruchel & Modern Trousseau, as well as shoes from Benjamin Adams, jewelry and accessories from Haute Bride and veils from Sara Gabriel. You can view these designers on The Gown Shop's website: http://thegownshopannarbor.com/

 {love these shoes!!!!!!!!}

If you are in the Ann Arbor area, or visiting the city, be sure to check out her window displays on Main Street. The gowns, which are changed weekly or even daily, are highlighted by crystal chandeliers and her signature stripe background.

 The Gown Shop is located at 122 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor

You can follow The Gown Shop-Ann Arbor on Facebook

Crowning & Cunning: Charming Cookies

Happy Saturday!

It's snowing here {again} in Ohio. So if you are currled up and surfing the web for fun wedding ideas, be sure to check out these cute cookies from Eleni's. They make great bridal shower favors or treats for your welcome bags.

Here's the I DO collection:

Make it personal with these Valentine's Cookies

Write up to 3 different messages with up to 150 characters, and we'll screen your words onto our hand-iced sugar cookies.

Check out the love birds!

And take a bite out of your frog prince!

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!

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 & 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