{Inspiration Board} Travel Themed Wedding Inspiration

A Journey for a Lifetime

Oh I love travel - from around the block to across the globe, there is something about how it expands the mind, enlivens your senses, and enriches your life.  For all you lovers of the open road, a destination or travel themed wedding is an extension of your love of new experiences and adventures. Speaking of which, did you see Monday's gorgeous Paris engagement session? Le Swoon! 

Go vintage or modern, this theme is chic, unique, and full of endless options. Get as creative as you can imagine; there are just so many way to go - antique suitcases, globes and maps, compasses, airline tickets and planes, postcards old and new, flags and photos.

        suitcase, tags, journey sign | compass cake | favor box | map flags, suitcase | invitation, Eiffel Tower | shoes, airplanes

I love this theme for the couple who travels together, maybe met on the road, or is taking a megamoon. A wedding trend for 2013, more and more couples are embarking on a megamoon adventure, a long, extended honeymoon (months and years) usually involving serious global travel. I actually took an eleven month megamoon with my husband and it was an amazing unforgettable bonding experience!

                   tags | plane tag | pinwheel | escort cards | maps, couple | invitations | globe rings | postcards | travel charm

If I were to get married again, I would do it travel style! Putting together these boards got all my wedding planning juices flowing! If you are using this theme for your wedding, PLEASE send me an email with pictures so we can share them on the blog!

What decor ideas do you have for a travel theme? Centerpieces, favors, place cards? What is your favorite travel decoration? Maps, suitcases, globes? Inquiring minds want to know! Join us over on PINTEREST for other great travel wedding ideas.
Happy Planning,

{Real Wedding Round Up} Something Old In Italy Rustic DIY in Australia | Colorific in Mexico

Dang, I have serious wedding envy! This wedding season is simply exploding with some of the most gorgeous, unique, personal celebrations I have seen in a long time. Brides are putting their DIY skills to the test, taking on the vintage, rustic, shabby chic wedding challenge with ease. In today's Real Wedding Round Up, we are going international, Italy, Australia, Mexico, to see what deliciousness brides are conjuring up...I hope these Oh la la, bellisimo and muy bonita Real Weddings provide you with the perfect inspiration for your big day.  On top of that, hello awesome blogs, The Frosted Petticoat, Style Me Pretty and Green Wedding Shoes - remember a Round Up is profiling the Best of the Best!

Michelle and Spencer's Italian Wedding

First stop, something very old from The Frosted Petticoat who brings us the vintage, old country wedding of Michelle and Spencer. Complete with an ancient church and 1920's inspired wedding dress, I'm not sure how much more perfect and personal you can get. You have GOT to see her stunning dress.  This intimate celebration was captured by wedding photographer Rosapaola Lucibelli.

For the rest of the story and photo gallery, head over to The Frosted Petticoat and remember to give her some blog love! I seriously LOVE this blog, from its chocolaty whimsy right down to its Unlikely Pairings wedding boards! A must check out!  

Caitlin and Steve, Rustic Wedding in Australia

Pretty perfect pinwheels were the decor of the day at the rustic Australian wedding of Caitlin and Steve, featured over on Green Wedding Shoes. The bride went DIY with Mom and maids in tow adding just the right amount of color, personality and fun! I adore the burlap reception decor, the cheery color choices and flower petal cones for a memorable exit. Their tablescapes were simple, clean and green, with recycled bottles as centerpiece vases, while their branded pinwheel theme can be seen throughout the entire celebration.  You will love all the little details, captured perfectly by wedding photographer Louisa Bailey! 

To see the rest of Caitlin and Steve's adorable wedding details, head over to the gallery at Green Wedding Shoes. BUT not before you peep this last stunning international wedding...you'll be happy you did!

Destination: Sunny Mexico with Elizabeth Lloyd Photography

Bright, bold color choices make this wedding stand out from the rest for me. You take seemingly opposite colors, purple, teal and lime green, add sand, surf and the gorgeous destination wedding location that is Puerto Vallarta and you have the perfect modern, chic, DIY wedding, featured on Style Me Pretty. It's full of small touches paying homage to Mexico, as well as snippets of home. Family and friends were treated to a tropical outdoor ceremony and reception, complete with comfy lounge areas, family style tables draped in luxurious teal silk, and Corona as far as the eye can see! This destination wedding makes you feel as if you have been whisked away on a fabulous Mexican vacation.

I think this last photo is probably my favorite, possibly because I just spent 3 months down in Mexico and Central America and this image is so iconic and familiar! For more of the story around this visually pleasing, swoon worthy wedding captured by Kiersten Rowland of Elizabeth LLoyd Photography, head over to Style Me Pretty.  BUT FIRST...

What are your wedding suggestions for our next Real Wedding Round Up? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think. These may be pretty hard to beat but with the creative crop of brides out there, I am sure something equally stunning is right around the corner.

May you always be inspired,

 PS: Would you please take a minute to LIKE our FACEBOOK page and FOLLOW us on TWITTER? You really don't want to miss out on the rest of the great stuff we have to offer you!

Wedding DIY Round Up: Pinwheels, Flowers and Favors, oh MY!

Thrifty Thursday - Wedding DIY Round Up

One of my de Lovely brides has pinwheels, paper flowers and unique favors on the brain...a great concept for her late summer wedding. Her super small budget means LOTS of handmade goodness! For today's DIY Round Up, I've searched the wedding web for some of best do it yourself projects to get her creative juices flowing!  DIY is smart, fun, practical planning at its best and think about the green you can save just by doing two or three wedding projects!

DIY Wedding Pinwheels

There are a number of different types of pinwheels, the traditional style as seen below being the most popular because they are super easy and quick to create. I found this inexpensive and whimsical project over at Once Wed that combines pinwheels and ribbon wands, perfect for a newlywed send off or even beach wedding aisle decor - imagine twirling pinwheels and flowing ribbons...de LOVELY! 

Photo Credit: via Once Wed

To get your started, here is what you'll need:

Several sheets of 12″ x 12″ double sided scrapbook or decorative paper (a lighter weight paper, not stiff, heavy card stock) | Round-headed pins | 12″ wooden dowels | Hot glue gun and glue sticks | A push pin | Flower shaped craft punch | A pair of scissors | A ruler

Project instructions at the end of this post.

DIY Paper Flowers: Centerpieces, Bouquet, Decor

This paper flower DIY project we found over at Ruffled Blog may seem a smidge more complicated but if you take each piece, make it your own - go bigger, go smaller, slightly different construction and design, make a wedding bouquet or a centerpiece, you can with little effort create stunning floral visuals for your budget conscious wedding.  This is one of our FAVS!

To get you started, here is what you will need:
Roll of Chicken Wire (your local hardward store) | Box of Powdered Dye (Rit is best) | Coffee Filters (Beached and Unbleached) | Florist Wire | Washi Tape or Floral Tape

Project instructions at the end of this post.

Photo Credits: via Ruffled Blog

DIY Pie in a Jar Wedding Favors

The best part of DIY weddings is that they touch on exactly who you are as a couple, personalized down to the smallest detail. My inspiration bride for this post comes from the South and nothing says southern hospitality more than pie....ok maybe sweet tea, but for now we are going with pie. Green Wedding Shoes has a great DIY Pie in a Jar recipe that they used for a holiday post but I think it will work equally well here. Simply substitute your chosen flavor and in this case, I say peach would be perfect!

Here's what you'll need to get you started:
Ingredients:Pie Crust Dough (fave recipe or pre-made)
2 12 oz. cans of cherry, apple or your favorite pie filling
2 Tb of sugar
1 large egg beaten

Supplies:6 4 oz. mason jars, cleaned with lids and labels removed
Heart shaped cookie cutter
1 Cookie sheet

Photo Credit: via Green Wedding Shoes

The instructions are super simple and have a seriously cute, delicious outcome. This project is perfect for getting family members and the wedding party involved in the wedding prep.  Pie in a jar may cost a bit more than the rest of our budget conscious projects but if you plan well, start collecting jars and grabbing up sales items, it most definitely won't break the bank. Check your local dollar stores, yard sales and trinket shops for the best options.  And remember, people TOTALLY love pie so this is worth it.

Here is the rest of the good stuff for today's projects:
DIY Wedding Pinwheel Instructions
DIY Paper Flower Instructions
DIY Pie in a Jar Instructions

 Thanks for the Ruffled Blog, Once Wed and Green Wedding Shoes for their awesome projects!

Hope you have enjoyed this DIY Round Up inspired by a real, budget conscious, handmade driven bride. In fact, I hope SHE enjoys it too cause we are all about helping REAL brides in real situations. Handmade is awesome and makes a real difference in weddings, for guests who love the personalization and couples, who benefit from the fun and the decreased cost.

Go with the good stuff and happy DIYing,

Mellissa