DIY: Burlap Ring Pillow

Everyone is obsessed with DIY projects now! One of the easiest details to DIY is the classic ring pillow for the wedding bands. Each can be customized to the theme of the wedding itself and they aren't that difficult to create! I was scouring the web for a simple but fun ring pillow DIY design and came up with something better! I saw this DIY tutorial made as a collaboration between Blue Label vendor BurlapFabric.com and etsy vendor Emily Zych of whichgoose . It’s a burlap ring pillow that’s both supremely easy to make AND super cute!

*ALL RIGHTS GO TO EMILY ZYCH AND BURLAPFABRIC.COM*

For this project you will need:
-piece of burlap fabric or small burlap bag
-length of jute twine
-large plastic needle (big enough to string the twine)
-needle and thread
-pins
-iron
-scissors

Instructions:
1. Cut one large piece of burlap material about 9 x 13″ or a small burlap bag

2. Fold each edge over about 1/2″ and press with a iron (you can also pin into place if an iron is not handy)

3. Fold the entire piece in half long ways.

4. Sew along two of the open sides. Make sure to leave one side open.

5. Stuff your pillow with any sort of polyfill filling and sew remaining side closed.

6. String a piece of jute twine on a large needle.

7. Poke needle through middle of pillow, and back up again about 1″ apart.

8. Tie two ends together in a knot.

9. Finish up with a bow!

You can buy one of Emily’s ring pillows right here.

How cute are they!!!

Happy planning everyone!!!


xoxo

Katherine

Ladies of the Celebrity World, Frost Yourselves!

An iconic line taken from one of my all time favorite movies, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, speaks wonders for the world of celebrities these days. A week doesn't go by without some tabloid on the news stand shelves with a front cover picture of someone's larger than life diamond ring. The most recent of these being Jennifer Aniston's HUGE rock. Following suite with the local internet photo reels, here is a selection of my favorite celebrity fabulous finger jewelry! Although I may not like everyone's acting stills, how fantastic are their rings???!!!!

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston debuted her engagement ring from Justin Theroux during an October weekend in Santa Fe, after the couple confirmed their engagement in August.

Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge 

Prince William presented Kate Middleton with the same ring worn by his mother, Princess Diana. Kate Middleton wore the 18-carat blue sapphire set in white gold when the pair announced the news of their engagement in November 2010.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively showed off her oval diamond and matching rose gold wedding band the day after her surprise wedding to Ryan Reynolds in South Carolina on Sept. 9, 2012.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson first shared the news of her engagement to boyfriend Matthew Bellamy during an April 2011 appearance on the Today show. She showed off the reported emerald-cut diamond with tapered baguettes on the side, worth a reported $200,000, saying, "I was waiting for someone to notice."

Keira Knightly

Keira Knightley got a brilliant-cut solitaire on a platinum band from her boyfriend of one year, James Righton, when he popped the question in May.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher continually denied engagement rumors until they surprised friends and family with a secret wedding ceremony in September 2005. The five-carat emerald-cut diamond is rumored to be worth an estimated $250,000.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus got engaged to Liam Hemsworth in June. He proposed with a 3.5-carat diamond ring from Neil Lane.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon fooled everyone when they eloped in May 2008. It was reported the pair had gotten engaged, but Nick and Mariah had actually tied the knot during a secret beach ceremony.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon announced her engagement to Jim Toth in December 2010. He gave her a gorgeous, four-carat ring.

Eva Longoria

NBA star Tony Parker proposed to Eva Longoria in December 2006 with a $150,000 four-carat emerald-cut ring with emerald side stones designed by Jean Dousset.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl wears a three-carat pear-shaped diamond that was designed by Ryan Ryan and given to her by Josh Kelley in June 2006. It incorporates a stone from her mother's engagement ring.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Chris Martin proposed to Gwyneth Paltrow in early 2003 with an Asscher-cut diamond with a double band. The pair later walked down the aisle on Dec. 5, 2003.

Heidi Klum

Seal proposed to Heidi Klum with an 8.5-carat diamond in December 2004 on a glacier in Whistler, BC.

Happy Planning!!!


xoxo

Katherine

Jolts of Emotion. Glimpses of Joy

As a wedding planner and coordinator, I know that everything runs like clock work on a couples big day. Everything has to. The florist has dropped the flowers at the hotels at exactly 12 and 12:30, the baker delivered the cake to the venue at 2:15, the makeup artist finished her work at 2:30, and the limo is scheduled to arrive in 1 minute and 45 seconds. 

With every detail of the day mapped out to the second, sometimes it takes a jolt of emotion, a reminder that the day we planned and are executing isn't routine and tangible  but a miracle and something remarkable in its own making. For me, these "emotion" jolts occur in the blink of an eye. They are a glimmer of the wonder and majesty of the day itself and the start of a lifetime. 

The first of these was rarely ever caught on tape, or photographed until recently when more people opened their eyes to what the "jolt" had to offer. When the wedding march or other instrumental piece sounds, it is only natural that all eyes crane towards the bride. What will the veil be like? what style of dress is she wearing? what color are her flowers? But what few do is to take a look at the front of the ceremony site- to glance at the groom.

For most, it is the first time he has seen his bride and wife to be. It is the start of the beginning of their lives. A single tear, or a ear to ear smile is all it takes to see the beginning of that joy. I've asked grooms what they remember. Here are some of their statements:

"I'd never smiled so big in my entire life! I couldn't wait to start my life with the worlds most amazing woman!"-Matt, Newark

"My first thought when I saw my bride that morning was “Holy sh*t, she looks freakin’ amazing!” Unfortunately, I think the words that came out were something like: “uhh, I like you…uhh, err…dress..” Not that eloquent, however I think the look on my face (and the look on hers) were all that needed to be spoken."- James, Boston

"When she started to walk down that isle, time froze. She was perfect. The worlds most amazing, talented, loving, and beautiful woman was going to be my wife. I remember wishing time would unfreeze so I could marry her faster, but daring it to stand still so I could remember her that way forever. "- Dan, Manchester

"When I first saw my my bride, I felt a million emotions all rolled into one, but more than anything I felt that I was luckiest man on earth as I watched the most amazing beautiful person I know walk down the aisle to marry me!"-Brandon, Norfolk

Source: andrialindquistblog.com

Via: greenweddingshoes.com

Source: michellenewellphotography.com

Via: msbridalguru.com

xoxo 

Katherine

Wedding Ideas: Up, Up and Away!

Up, Up and Away!

While scouring the internet on my usual exploration for something new, I came across a website on Project wedding.com link  for an out of this world wedding: hot air balloons! Defiantly not for those with acrophobia (fear of heights) or globophobia (fear of balloons)!  

"Inspiration: How many of us just dream about an elopement after months and months of planning? Well this couple did just that, but high about the Napa Valley, in one of the most unique ways we have ever seen! Bright colors, and big smiles are the theme of this couple's fun day. From Diane Askew Photography..... Janessa and Trey chose to get married in a hot air balloon because they wanted their wedding to be an adventure - just like their relationship. They wanted an intimate, exciting, beautiful, and fun experience that they would never forget. And they got just that." from www.borrowedandblue.com 

Photos by Diane Askew Photography

Balloon transportation provided by Up & Away Ballooning

 

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine

For the Groom: Boutonnieres without the Botanicals

For the Groom:Boutonnieres without the Botanicals

Whether or not we think we are big on flowers, we are never more aware until we sit down with our florist and go over all of the flowers involved in a wedding! This may be the cause for the not so hidden "eye roll" that the more manly men of our grooms tend to give during the many vendor meetings or wedding negotiations that are necessary for planning a wedding. Gentlemen…I know what you’re thinking.  “It’s bad enough that I have to wear a pink tie and a tailcoat…but now I have to don a flowery boutonniere?  Seriously??!!”  But there is good news! Upon some recent research for a groom I have the pleasure of working with next year, I stumbled upon the most interesting of wedding vendors! 

Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres is a company based out of California who specializes in the design of one of a kind "groom approved" boutonnieres! They have been featured in Modern Bride and other well known publications for the very boutonnieres the modern groom now seeks. You can purchase any of their in stock items or ask them to create one for you based on your style. Some past grooms have gone with sci-fi, golf, and car inspired pins. 

So in conclusion gentlemen, you may be one to settle on the color palette chosen by your bride to be and the florist, or maybe she would be welcoming to the idea of a one of a kind creation that will allow you to have a bit more personality on your big day! All you have to do is ask ;-)

designs by Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine

Fall Weddings: Purple and Pumpkin

The fall originally wasn't the first choice of a bride for the month of her nuptials  Now, It is becoming the new wedding season of choice! Many couples are opting to leave the heat and heavily sunny days behind them and instead are selecting the brisk colorful days of autumn instead. Not only are the fall months cooler, less holiday ridden and have less of a chance for an air conditioning malfunction, but they give a ton more color options that most would never think twice to pit together until now!

This season the two most interesting choices for modern couples are plum and pumpkin! Plum adds the romantic and regal vibes while Pumpkin eliminates the wedding day with endurance, vitality, playfulness and creativity. By joining a the classic original color of purple with a less common choice of orange creates a colorful masterpiece that will defiantly be a topic of conversation among your guests for years to come!

                  

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine

10 Offbeat Wedding Shoes!

Oddee's Editor and chief, Grace Murano came out with this article back in July and I couldn't help but re-post it! Wedding Shoes are the sometimes forgotten piece of style that every bride should think about. They can say "I'm comfortable" , "I'm fashion forward", "I'm going to dance my night away,  and sometimes even "these shoes are to glamorous to move" !


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We all know that these Ugg Boots are extremely popular and every woman in the world loves them more than anything else… but would they go that far and wear the Ugg Boots even during one of the most important moments of their lives? Like their wedding? Apparently the answer is yes and the Ugg Boots wedding collection has been launched with the creators designing a bunch of UGG Boots that would go perfectly with any wedding dress and even make you extremely comfortable. With prices ranging from $70 (for a pair of wedding flip flops) to $225, the wedding UGG Boots just might be a hit.

This weird shoe sold by The Lovely Bride, has a 3 -inch platform and believe it or not, is made for brides-to-be. I must say I prefer high heels (even low heels in some situations), but platforms?!? On a wedding day? For the bride to wear? You be the judge.

The Sissy wedding shoe by Benjamin Adams is what one would expect in a European designer runway show finale. Absolutely stunning!

Looks like origami shoes.

These hand-painted satin shoes are designed specifically so that a bride can wear “something blue” that's very special. Etsy seller norakaren has all kinds of hand painted and decorated shoes for weddings or other special occasions, and will do custom projects, too

Did you know that, if you're so inclined and you have a never-ending source of money (i.e. access to the Trump, Winfrey or Gates fortunes or you're a top Hollywood celebrity or recording star) you can nab a pair of handmade bridal shoes for the considerable sum of $20,000? Yes, you can. 

Allow me to introduce the magnificent handiwork of Anello & Davide, an 86-year-old British footwear company that has created kicks for Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles and for Judy Garland, who wore their unforgettable, sparkling ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz.

Alexander McQueen Resin and Leather Sandals from Net-a-Porter. Price tag? $3,495

Almost Barefoot....for runaway brides.

Christian Louboutin's shoes.

A pair of bridal sneakers, by Something Thine, a creative company that offers tailor-made wedding shoes and other accessories.

Aren't shoes fun!!!???

Happy Planning!

xoxo

Katherine