{Real Engagement} The Poetry of Love - Matt & Rachel's Hip Photo Session

Happy Day, lovelies! I so excited to share this sweet, hip engagement session sent over to us by Still55 Wedding Photography.  Matt and Rachel both bring a ton of personality to this rustic, woodsy photo shoot - Rachel with her fashion forward sense of style, Matt with his music compositions inspired by the passages of poet Dylan Thomas.  Lovers of the outdoors, music, books, creativity, picnics and great craft beers, this session perfectly captures the essence of them as a couple.

Notes from the photographer: It was pretty easy to pin down a suitable theme for this hip couple. Matt is intimately connected with his music; when he's not writing songs he enjoys listening to them. He has a vinyl collection that would entertain any music enthusiast for days. The laid back bride enjoys blending traditional recipes with a creative twist in her kitchen and preparing late afternoon picnics with Matt and their labradoodle, Luke. Through the pages of their lives we blended their style and love for one another into a fun, outdoor, rustic session on a beautiful Florida afternoon.

This couple is so sweet and genuine, I can hardly stop smiling. I love the use of props with meaning - the poetry books, Matt's guitar, a stylish hat - they represent real elements in their lives. Thank you to Joseph and Christine over at Still55 Wedding Photography for sharing this lovely engagement session with us. For more great stuff from them, check out their Facebook Fanpage. Matt and Rachel, we wish you much happiness, health, and an abundance of love in your new life!

What props of meaning would you include in your engagement photos or even in your wedding?  We're compiling a list of practical photo ideas for couples and would love to include YOURS! 

Have a deLicious day,

P.S. For more great wedding inspiration, DIY ideas, and gorgeous photos, join de Lovely Affair over at PINTEREST. Also join the super helpful conversations on FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

July 4th Wedding Inspiration & a Happy Birthday Present to You!

Make A Declaration
You know, I always thought that getting married on the 4th of July was sort of weird. People are dang crazy on this day - gathering, eating, drinking, merriment. Wait a minute? Isn't that what a wedding is all about? Plus, being a national holiday, you get time off, friends and family can get together with a little lee way on either side...what better way to usher in beginning of summer BBQ’s and picnics, fireworks and the beach...ok fine, you convinced me.

Let's celebrate independence from your parents and the rest of the world by getting married!

Photo via Ruffled Blog

GOOD STUFF ALERT! A little gift in honor of independence and birthdays - how about 20% off the entire Wedding Paper Divas site now through July 5th? Not a lot of time but you get a lot of savings. Enter JULYWED at check out and you are in like Flynn. If you are in need of Save the Dates or Wedding Invitations, do it NOW! Seriously, how cute is this?

Via Wedding Paper Divas

Since I'm trying to dispense with the cheese factor, here are some tasteful July 4th inspired boards and photos for your viewing pleasure. Confession: As much as I'm not a fan of the ol' Red, White and Blue  wedding palette, the colors for my second wedding (I married the same man twice...joy) were turquoise and red, just a hair shy of the same color family as these patriotic goodies. Happy 4th ya'll!

Photo via Poetry Booth

Inspiration Board via Simply Stunning Nashville

I am super smitten with these sparkler wedding favors! And the matches - a perfect combo to tie up the theme! Remember wedding branding is about carrying your theme from the first Save the Date sighting to the last smoldering sparkler!

Photo via Tried and True Weddings

Inspiration Board via Wonderful Day Weddings

Photo via Ruffled Blog

Inspiration board via Wedding Bee

I am so dying for these DIY Cake Pops right now. What a super cute and delicious idea! And hey look, we've got your Cake Pop Recipe right here...man, ask and you shall receive.

Photo via Laced in Weddings

Have you ever thought of getting married on July 4th? Would you decorate Patriotic, Just Red, White and Blue, or something a little more subtle? We'd love to know your plan!

Hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July! And please take a moment to join our Facebook Fanpage and follow us on Twitter! Thanks a bunch, friends.

Edible Wedding Favors: DIY Dessert in a Jar!

Happy Tuesday de Lovlies! Looking for an interesting, edible wedding favor?  How about these delicious mini treats that can also pull double duty as dessert? Hello we are talking mini-desserts in the super cute mini-jars! We love this practical planning idea because you cover dessert and create a personal gift to guests all in one fell swoop.

Cherry Almond Crumble, Photo via Lifetime Moms

These cuties would look great on a dessert buffet, and even better as take-home wedding favors! Plus they are easy create and assemble by you and your maid and moms DIY style, making it triply cost effective idea! The best part? They stack well and are easy to transport to your venue with no worries about smashing! Add that personal touch with wedding monogram sticker or a sweet message tag to your guests and you've got the perfect package.

Here are our top 4 choices for Edible Wedding Favors - DIY Dessert in a Jars.

Cupcakes!
Hello Red Velvet cupcake deliciousness....add some cream cheese frosting and you have pure heaven! But then again, I could be biased.  Wedding cupcakes are all the rage these days but we think they are just way more fun in a jar. We found the awesome recipe and DIY Cupcake in a Jar tutorial over at the super delicious blog Cakies. She makes it look SO easy. I simply love the Baker's Twine holding the spoon. This sweet treat has rustic, outdoor, summertime wedding written all over it

Photos via Cakies

Cake! 

Baked right into the jar, what could be easier? Transform your favorite cake into a deliciously-mini version of itself. We got a new take on old favorites poppyseed, pumpkin spice, and chocolate cake.

Recipe and DIY tutorial can be found at Delicious Days.

More DIY info can be found at Angry Chicken

Yummy chocolate cake couldn't be easier! Personalize your treat with a colored ribbon and a note tag to guests. There are so many easy ways to add a pop of color to match your wedding theme.

Complete recipe, tutorial, and photos can be found at Instructables

Pie!
What says whimsy, Americana more than pie? Apple pie deliciousness is should be a staple at any barn wedding or outdoor picnic reception. Does your Great Aunt have a killer pie recipe? Bake it into jars with love and then share the recipe with guests as part of your edible wedding favor.  Friends and family will love the personal touch.

Photo via Our Best Bites

Recipe and Tutorial found over on Home Made Simple. Photo via Etsy.

More pie and cobbler ideas and tips from Not Martha, who points out that you can make these in advance, freeze them, and then bake them on a later date so they’re fresh-out-of-the-oven.

Photo via Green Wedding Shoes

Cheesecake!
Can you imagine a delicious cheesecake in a small little jar? I totally can! What a fun little treat that would be for guests to dig into at the end of your wedding! Love this fabulous recipe and DIY tutorial from My Baking Addiction.

Photo via My Baking Addiction

This no bake strawberry cheesecake idea from Lloyd and Lauren might be an easier and less time consuming if you need to make a huge bunch to serve for wedding favors.

Pudding!
Ahhh pudding....the feel good yumminess that takes you back to childhood. Well, pudding has gone gourmet for weddings...add a fancy jar and you've got something pretty special. Any flavor would work but I think this banana dessert topped with meringue is delightful to the eye and the tongue. 

Found this super easy recipe and photo over at Rosemary and The Goat.

You know there are tons of fun options to choose when it comes to Edible Wedding Favors. We love the idea of DIY desserts because they can help reduce your cost, introduce a favorite childhood or ethnic dessert, and serve as a sweet to eat take away. Get creative! Combine the newlywed's favorite flavors for a totally unique, yummy creation! Include a long held family recipe so everyone can enjoy the good stuff.  Add personal touches likes color, tags, labels, use antique jelly and canning jars, use as part of your centerpiece design or the focal point of a dessert table. Practical planning at its very best. Enjoy!

If you like these goodies, check out our PINTEREST page for more delectable dishes and recipes. What other dessert can you create in a jar? We'd love to add to our list! 

Have a delicious day!

P.S. You can go here to buy jars for any of these baking projects.

 

{Decor} Creative Wedding Lighting Ideas

With all the big decisions about venues, bridal flowers, and color palettes, wedding lighting may end up on the short end of a long to do list.  An important aspect to completing your overall wedding look, it adds character and personality, helping to create a truly unique and magical feel. Whether an indoor or outdoor wedding, there are many possibilities for imaginative, creative and crafty brides. From string lights to uplights, chinese lanterns to hanging candles, lighting can completely change a setting and create ambiance all on its own; dramatic, rustic, romantic, modern, colorful, or intimate.

Photo via Kaleidoscope Event Lighting

Here are some fabulous lighting ideas, from up on a ladder DIY to a professional job, I hope will get your wedding inspiration juices flowing. To start you off, I absolutely LOVE these hanging lanterns and large string lights. Perfect for a rustic backyard summer wedding!

Photos via Pinterest 

Chinese lanterns are also ideal for tented receptions - easy to string up, they throw off a soft, diffused glow, perfect for capturing those intimate moments.  Up lighting can give off as much or as little color as you want, adding dimension that pops against a white tent top.  I had awesome colored chinese lanterns at my Boston wedding and then up lights for our evening wedding in Brazil. It was these details that wowed our guests more than anything!

Photo via Lighting Ideas 

Photo via The Event Firm 

Photos via Swoonworthy

DIY mason jar tree for an outdoor wedding adds a nice rustic, down home feel. This picture makes me thing of a fairyland!

Photo via Wedding Social Network

Rustic barn weddings are not complete without strings and strings of twinkle lights!

Photo via Tahoe Unveiled

Photo via The Event Firm

Photo via Wedding Social Network

So many options for creative uses of ordinary everyday items that add life and personality to your celebration - ribbons, wineglasses, baskets. 

Photo Via Bridal Musings

Lighting can be dramatic or soft, funky and fun, illuminating or intimate; what ever style you choose, it completes and impacts your overall wedding theme and look. Unique and interesting lighting choices will leave a lasting impression on guests and make for some super cool and memorable photos.

What type of wedding lighting are you using? Are you going funky or traditional, DIY or professional? We'd love to hear your experiences! 

Also, we would totally dig it if you would take a minute to become a FACEBOOK fan and a TWITTER follower! If you already are, COOL, can you recommend us to a friend?

Have a delicious day!

{Practical Planning} 7 Simple Burlap Wedding Ideas

Burlap is one of the hottest wedding trends these days with its natural texture and organic appeal.  This dense woven fabric is extremely versatile, super eco-friendly, and perfect for modern rustic weddings. At less than $2-$3 a yard and with so many DIY options, this budget friendly trend is  good practical wedding planning in my book! The best thing? Its neutral, natural color is a complement to any wedding theme.

Here are seven simple burlap wedding ideas to add a touch of rustic charm and texture to your big day.

1. Burlap Curtains - Hang burlap curtains to create an intimate setting for your outdoor wedding.

 via The Secret Life of Invites

2. Burlap Wrapped Bouquet - An easy way to secure your bouquet and add a neutral texture to your lush blooms.
  

via Ruffled Blog

3. Burlaps Accented Stationary and Invitations - Even small touches can make a big impact.

via Belle the Magazine

4. Burlap Flower Cone - I love this gorgeous burlap cone, especially with the lavender. This is a great multipurpose project; it holds flower petals, progams, or ribbon wands, fill with lush flowers and hang on ceremony chairs, or even fill with candy as a sweet treat for guests.

via Nutfield Weaver on Etsy

5. Burlap Favor Bags - Fill with seeds or even a tree seedlng and attach a sweet personalized note for guests, who will be sure to remember your wedding for years to come.

via Lovely Claire

6. Burlap Covered Candle Table Numbers - Another easy DIY Wedding idea: glass votive holders, burlap strips, black paint and number stencils. Wrap around the candle holder, glue in the back and add a ribbon to match your wedding colors.

via Modele Weddings

7. Burlap Banner - This is such an easy DIY project for even a not so crafty bride! Stencils, paints, burlap and twine....the banners adds a super sweet, rustic touch to any wedding.

via Whisper Wood Cottage

Hope you found inspiration in these burlap wedding decor ideas. In the end, they are all pretty easy to recreate and choosing to include even two or three DIY projects, can help you with a tight wedding budget.

Are you having a rustic wedding using burlap? What other burlap ideas will your be incorporating? Join the de Lovely conversation over on FACEBOOK and TWITTER! SO much fun!




Happy Planning,

Mellissa
Multicultural Wedding Inspiration, weddin planning, wedding inspiration boards,  Practical Event Planning,  Real Couples,  green wedding, international weddings, Eco- Friendly, Budget Wedding Tips,  Global Inspiration,  Wedding Colors and Trends,  Wedding Design and Decoratoion,  DIY Projects and Freebies,  World Traditions and Cultures,  Destination Weddings,  Cuisine and Customs, DIY wedding, rustic wedding