Pretty as Princess in a Tiara for your Wedding

Tiaras have always fascinated me probably because I'm such a hopeless romantic. The idea of a fairy tale wedding could not be further from my mind. While not everyone can get married in the fashion of Princess Di, we can certainly imagine a wedding inspired by her beauty and grace. Hence, during my search for tiaras, I had the most trouble finding designs that really stood out, but once I stumbled upon the handmade tiaras of Susan York, I immediately fell in love with their vintage yet modern-like appeal. Her creations mainly use Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, and several are available in gold or silver. Note that even though it's a UK company, you can always make an inquiry as to whether they can ship abroad.

Check out some of my favorite finds and be sure to visit her site for even more exquisite pieces:

Horae tiara


Brimo tiara


Naiad tiara

Have a Themed Bridal Shower Cake!

Let's talk cake! While we almost always see the ever-popular three-tiered cake, I wanted to turn my attention to other cakes. Specifically, the bridal shower cake. It's a real chance to showcase the personality and style of the bride. You can make it as whacky as a bustier (yes, I've seen this) or as elegant as a white lace butttercream one finished with peonies. Be creative when crafting the theme and color of the cake, and whoever is in charge of ordering the cake, you can also match the cake with the invitations of the event, so that it's a good way of creating consistency! Plus, the guests can anticipate what's ahead. Look below and you will see an example of a bridal shower cake at a Caribbean themed bridal shower!
Ain't it cute?

via the Post Gazette

Wedding Beauty Update for Your Eyes

Since I'm not exactly feeling pretty, I thought that the best thing to talk about is how to get pretty especially on your wedding. One of the things that really stands out nowadays as you will probably notice are deep, heavy mascara-laden eyes. But honestly, I don't like it at all. So, when I saw the model on the homepage of shu uemura's website, I was ecstatic. The eyeshadow is light yet so flattering with its sea green palette and is part of their "gem glam" collection. And of course, if you are going to have such a look, you have got to check out their eyelash curler, which is a beauty must-have!

Check out the collection here:

Weddings at The Parker in Palm Springs

Ever consider getting married in the desert? Why not! Let's picture Palm Springs for a classy spin! There are several great venues, but my all-time favorite has always been The Parker in Palm Springs. The decor has that classic feel of old Hollywood ala Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn. The hotel accommodations are gorgeous in every room, while the garden area is exquisite. Let your guests soak up the sun in a beautiful garden wedding! And if you're making it a wedding weekend, guests can enjoy some shopping because not so far away is the Cabazon Outlet Mall.

For a preview of all these photos, check out parkerweddings.com:



Enjoy!

Cinco de Mayo Bridal Shower Ideas - OLE!

So, tax day finally came and went! And now it's time to gear up for something more festive and exciting. Care to guess? Of course, it's Cinco de Mayo. Make it a bridal shower-a coed shower. A fun theme that's sure to be memorable. Think of a colorful table setting with artful ceramic serving platters, shapely margarita glasses, and a bountiful serving of food. Having kids over? Then consider a pinata. You may even find yourself wanting to hit that thing. Or have one for adults! Why not! The goal is to have fun. A chance to be a kid all over again, but in a grown up way.

I've found some cool stuff to help you get your party planning started.

Party Invites via Myexpression.com - Luv the pretty borders of this invitation. Perfect for a casual celebration!


Celebration Cake via CHARM & MAVE'S CAKES - This whimsical sombrero will also make a great groom's cake for a Cinco de Mayo wedding.


Drinks - Great for Teetotalers and kids! Mexican Jarritoas Sodas available in various flavors. My neighbor says that you can find them at any Mexican grocery. They're very popular. You can even have your own drinks bar with tequilas, mojitos, Coronas, and a whole array of refreshing drinks. Remember to have ice. Lots of ice.


Taco Bar DIY - this is a place wherein you can save a lot of money with your food budget. Rachel Ray has this idea for a taco bar. You can also incorporate burritos and tortillas. Include items such as beef asada, shrimp, and carnitas. And don't forget the sides such as sour cream, salsa, limes, cilantro, cut onions, and lettuce! Hot sauce, anyone?

More on the web, too. I've gathered some more ideas for you to use:

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/cinco-de-mayo-mania-1.1290558
http://entertainexchange.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-mexican-or-cinco-de-mayo.html
http://www.bellenza.com/wedding-ideas/photo-gallery/cinco-de-mayo-party-ideas-for-a-fiesta-style-engagement-party.html

The Wedding Mantilla

The mantilla is one of those things that you are love or hate. It gives a bride a romantic look, one that is reminiscent of old Spain. If you are looking for something different besides an ordinary veil or headpiece, you may want to consider a mantilla. Most often, they are made of tulle or chiffon, and can also be made of lace. Available as a long or short one. You can also find custom-made ones that can be tailored to the design of your wedding gown. You may want to check out the designs from Orange Blossom Tiaras, here is a preview of one:

A long, oval mantilla veil made of white lace