I Heart Polaroid Collages

I heart Polaroids. I just scored one off ebay and I'm so excited to get out and play with it. I stumbled across these Polaroid collages by sicoactiva on design work life the other day. They are so creative, romantic, sweet, and playful. I think something like this would be an awesome way to capture your engagement (or anniversary) session.

I also love the mix of digital with Polaroid I've been seeing some photographers do, such as these two by Stephanie Williams.

And then there is this polaroid heart collage. I need one of these! I think it would be such a fun element to bring into your wedding decor - or to display photos in your house.

{cookie magazine, apartment therapy}

Anyone planning on using Polaroids in their wedding?

kelly + jim: a parisian elopement (part deux)

The second part of Kelly and Jim's Parisian elopement is just as sultry and sincere as the first. One and Only Paris Photography took the couple from behind the velvet ropes at the L'Hotel in Saint Germain to the one and only Eiffel Tower and the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris. The scenery is straight out of a dream and the bride and groom look like they belong on the runway. The bride chose a Vera Wang gown with a sweetheart neckline for her walk down the aisle. Her chapel veil is romantic and appropriate given the couple's chosen venue. Although Kelly and Jim dediced to elope, it was important that the couple have their families close to thier heart on thier wedding day. Family heirlooms and photographs dedorated the alter and served as inspiration for thier photographers.

Audrey writes, "What we tried to do with the family photos was to include their parents in the wedding: since it is an elopement couples can feel isolated. By suggesting them to bring their parents wedding photos I have tried to give another dimension to the elopement far from home. It was great seeing Kelly impressed by her second day in Paris: they arrived the day before, slept, woke up to get married. She felt like in a dream and couldn't believe it."

Wedding Date: Oct 9th 2009

Wedding location: Paris, France

Venue: Museum Rodin
Photographer: One and Only Paris
Wedding planner: Rendez vous In Paris

Bride's gown: Vera Wang

Treats: Laduree Macaroons
{photo credits: one and only paris photography}

shopping palette: metal, mesh and gray

Michelle and John made my heart melt with their way cool wedding style. I love how their photographer, David Mielcarek, captured both the sweet and tender moments from their wedding but also the crazy, out of control emotion that filled the air. This shopping palette is inspired by Michelle's rock and roll attitude and her unstoppable style. I love how she manages to glam it up and ham it up all at once!

Clockwise from top: Blue Asphalt Confetti Love Tee, $7, available at Wet Seal. Vivienne Westwood Heavy Metal bracelet, $213, availale at Zappos. Studded Heels, $45, available at H&M.

{photo credits: CINEMATICbyDavidM}

kelly + jim: a parisian elopement (part I)

Today I'm as excited as I've ever been to introduce One and Only Paris Photography, the husband and wife team of Audrey and Anthony. The talented couple live and work in Paris. (Sigh.) Their photographic style is part fashion, part fine art, and pure joy. I love what they say on their website about playing with poses and adding fashion to your photographs. "You will see how fun it is to allow us to draw out your model attitude while we catch stunning images."

Modeling for us today is Kelly and Jim, a Laguna Beach couple who decided to elope to Paris. (Double sigh.) I feel as though I'm in a dream just simply looking at their wedding. The setting, the L'Hotel in Saint Germain, is the most lavish hotel imaginable. Located on the Left Bank, the hotel was voted the Best Urban Hotel in the World by Harper's Bazzar. I'm captivated by the color palette, of course. If ever there were a fantasy setting, this is it. I suggest you settle in for a bit, as you may drift away in a fantsty of your own. Many thanks to One and Only Paris Photography for sharing their work and this intimate wedding with us!

Wedding Date: Oct 9th 2009

Wedding location: Paris, France

Venue: Museum Rodin
Hotel: L'Hotel in Saint Germain
Photographer: One and Only Paris

Bride's gown: Vera Wang

Treats: Laduree Macaroons
{photo credits: one and only paris}

minted holiday photo cards + free shipping!

I recently had the opportunity to meet Natasha Lawler, Minted's Community Manager, to chat about the new collection of community-designed Holiday Photo Cards at Minted.com. I'll admit, I've never been moved to send out my own holiday photo card. Designing our photo booth save the date was challenging enough for Tom and me. But Minted went and made the whole "holiday photo card" so easy and so stylish, I'm stuck as to why our faces shouldn't be stuck on everyone's fridge this holiday season!

Minted.com, as you know, is an online store offering modern, custom stationery, and photo cards for all of life's special events. Minted.com carries exclusive designs that can't be found anywhere else, printed on thick, highest-quality paper (including 100 percent recycled paper) and in innovative formats.

Minted.com holds monthly design challenges, like the Thank You Card Challenge Tom and I participated in last year, that are open to everyone.  Every month, thousands of designs are submitted and the Minted community selects the best design. Design challenge winners have their work produced and sold on Minted.com.

So put those extra wedding proofs to good use this year. Upload your favorite photo to your favorite Holiday Photo Card design and get Free Shipping on Holiday Cards and Invitations at Minted with code AFSHIP09. Some of the designs Tom and I have been considering include the Snowflake Window Holiday Photo Card by Minted (pictured at top) the Stripes and Pine Holiday Photo Card by Minted and the Mod Berries Holiday Photo Card by Minted. Also check out Exclusive Holiday Minibook Photo Cards at Minted.com and Exclusive Yearline Holiday Photo Cards at Minted.com

And as if you needed another excuse to send out holiday photos cards this year, Brooklyn Bride is hosting her 3rd Annual Holiday Card Swap. Trust me, your fridge will thank you!

{photo credits: minted.com}

pink bridesmaid dresses inspired by lia

Pop over to Brookyn Bride today to check out Lia and Rob's Brooklyn Bridge engagement session photographed by Simply Bloom Photo. As soon as I saw these photographs, I was reminded of one of my favorite Harper's Bazaar magazine covers featuring Sarah Jessica Parker dancing across the Brooklyn Bridge (at top.) Lia and Rob could have been on the Brooklyn Bride the very same day as SJP for all we know, as the quality of the photographs are so perfectly matched. Lia describes her inspiration for the shoot and her outfit in more detail over at Brooklyn Bride but of course, I couldn't resist rounding up some of my favorite pink party dresses should you want to grab your sweetie and snap a few photos of your own. Like Lia's, they are all ridiculously cheap and chic! Coincidentally, I designed three holiday looks for the lovely Cyd of The Sweetest Occasion which will be featured on her blog all this week. Today's look, appropriate for an office holiday party, revolves around a demure pink and gold brocade party dress. How sweet!

Featured clockwise from top, Knitted Pink Panel Dress, $48, available at Top Shop; Bandeau Peplum Dress, $45, available at Top Shop; The Daiquiri Dress, $177, available at ModCloth; Ruffle Chiffon Nightie, $25, available at American Eagle; Wonder Dress, $63, available at French Connection; Max C Ruched Detail Dress, $49, available at Oli.

{photo credits: harper's bazaar + simply bloom photo}

sneak peak: julie + jason's orange and gray wedding

I'm so excited to share Julie and Jason's wedding with you all. Julie and Jason are dear friends of ours and were married back in November in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania. Jeff Wojtaszek of Jeff Wojtaszek Photography captured their wedding details with pure perfection. What made this wedding particularly special was all of the handmade details that Julie spent months creating. The color palette, if you can't already tell, was orange and gray and no detail was left undone. Julie is a professional graphic designer so I knew she would dazzle us with her creative energy and artistic eye. I can't wait to share the rest of their wedding with you all on Monday. I hear the snow is coming tomorrow so cozy up and settle in with a good book, a beautiful blog or someone very special. Enjoy!

{photo credits: jeff wojtaszek photography}

julie + jason & orange and gray wedding

I'm delighted to share Julie and Jason's wedding and the work of Jeff Wojtaszek Photography with you today. Dear friends of ours, Julie and Jason were married in bride's hometown of Pottstown, PA on a beautiful autumn day. From the moment Julie and Jason's handmade invitation arrived in the mail, I knew their wedding would be filled with thoughtful details and fun surprises. Julie, a professional graphic designer, took her color cues from nature and a tall stack of bridal magazines. Julie writes, "My inspiration came from a page I saw in "the knot" where a bridesmaid was wearing a gray dress holding this beautiful ornate orange flower. The brown was an accent color I added later. The colors worked well together and since orange is both Jason and my favorite color we just loved how everything turned out." We love how everything turned out too Julie! Just look...

Instead of a traditional tuxedo vest, Jason wore a bright orange sweater vest under his Calvin Klein tuxedo. The groomsmen were offset in gray vests and orange ties. Julie's gown was a magnificent combination of lace and crystal beading that floated all around her all evening long. The bridesmaids wore platinum floor-length flat taffeta gowns with a deep v-neck and full skirt. The orange and gray theme carried through to the reception where orange and white centerpieces accompanied a trio of wine bottle candle holders that Julie and Jason made themselves. The favors were handmade as well. Writes Julie, "I made the soy candle favors. I've never made candles before and since I bought everything on-line, including the scented oil and dye, I wasn't quite sure how they would turn out or smell. I got everything from Lone Star Candle Supply Company. The container for the candle was a tin I got from Specialty Bottle Company. If I were to do it again, I would not buy the oil on-line. That probably one thing you need to smell and like. That project was another trial and error to get the color and scent right. All in all, it turned out great." 

Details
Bride's gown - La Sposa
Groom's tux - Calvin Klein
Bride's shoes - Grace
Groom's vest- Banana Republic
Bridesmaid's dresses - Vineyard by Priscilla of Boston
Bride's accessories - J.E. Caldwell earrings + bracelet was from Neiman Marcus
Bridesmaid's accessories - bracelets were from Anne Taylor + pashminas were from Red House

Vendors:
Ceremony Venue - St. James Lutheran Church
Reception Venue - Downingtown Country Club
Photography- Jeff Wojtaszek Photography
Florist- Blue Moon Florists