Happily Ever After!

I can't believe the wedding is over! Let's take one last look at the original inspiration...

And the final choices!

Yes, after all that, I chose the Vera Wang dress... mostly because I know the mermaid fit will flatter me more than the Reem Acra (after all, it's not a real wedding... yet!). I also decided I loved the swallow motif with invitation that used them carrying a branch that could be an olive branch ~ the perfect blend! The rest of my picks were in posts from the week. I think it turned out amazingly!

image via house beautiful

Thanks so much to all of you for joining me for such a fun week here. I hope you found some inspiration, and will continue to come back for more! Another big thanks to all the guest bloggers too ~ I couldn't have done it without you! Now all I need is the groom, and I'm set!

Have a lovely weekend everyone... see you on Monday when I announce the contest winner!

Contest Finalists: The Last Round

Here we go luvies! The final three boards for the contest...

Anne from Jacksonville ~ Winter Romance

First of all, you have to click on this board to enlarge it for the full effect. The details are just too good to see this small! I fell in love with the romantic nature of this board from Ann. And the fact that she added a snowy street shot just added to that notion ~ I love a winter wedding! The invitations are stunning, the dress to-die-for, and my favorite detail by far is the idea of giving away copies of "An Ideal Husband" as their real life wedding favor. Ann's attention to detail and careful selection was so obvious, I couldn't not make this a finalist.

Ez from Santa Margarita ~ A Handmade Wedding

You had to know Ez' board would make the cut. She's so amazing at pulling pieces together visually to create a wonderful feel. LOVED the bridesmaid dress choice ~ unconventional and such a rich shade of green! And that little cake topper is too adorable.

Courtney from Harker Heights ~ Meet Me By The Sea

One of my all time favorite color combinations, this room was a popular pick amongst the contestants, but I think Courtney did it the best! What sold me was the choice of a pale blue wedding dress (fab!) combined with the bright coral red bridesmaids dress. How fun would that be? The other details so perfectly complimented the color scheme (even the food!) and mood. And how about that tabletop! Very much in love with this one.

This is it people! Time to make your votes! Leave me a comment here, or - even better - pop over to the Finalists Set in flickr and leave a comment there. Congrats to the finalists, and a big thank you to everyone who joined in on the contest fun! I will announce the winner on Monday!

The Final Touches...

It's time for the last-minute details...

The finishing touches on the decor:

I think I'd like a mix of bouquets and herbs in the terra cotta pots. And lots and lots of candlelight, if nothing else. I'll tuck rosemary (I just love the smell of it!) and an olive branch sprig into napkins tied off with twine, and use real silver pieces to set the table.

Gifts for the guests:

I love the idea of leaving cozy blankets for out-of-town guests in their hotel rooms as a thank you for traveling. An engraved classic wine opener (via CECI) couldn't be more perfect for a winery wedding!

And to make a grand getaway:

A sweetly decorated classic car will do just nicely ~ tin cans and all!

Contest Finalists: Round Three!

Sorry for getting these up a bit late tonight. Busy day :) Here are the next three finalists in the Wedding Inspiration Board Challenge!

Ty from Los Angeles ~ Black and White Bliss

Black & White for a wedding is tough. To me, a wedding should be warm and full of life, and black & white seems the opposite! But, the details Ty included on this board made me really love the concept and appreciate the challenge it must have been to create it. The repeated polka dot pattern ~ in nearly every detail selected ~ keeps the look cohesive and playful which helps keep it from being too cold. I also love those Alice in Wonderland Glasses! What a fun little touch! Ty really rose to the challenge on this and made it original.

Marie from Baltimore ~ A Wedding Fiesta!

Taking a completely different direction, this board had me at hello! I figured that this room would bring forth some very different interpretations, and this was by far my favorite! A wedding fiesta? Totally perfect. The details are so completely non-traditional and so fun! Table assignments on tiles? Mutlicolored bridesmaid dresses? Marie took this concept and ran with it... donkey included! ;)

Elizabeth from Portland ~ Golden Goodness

I struggled in naming this board because all I really wanted to write was WARM! I think that's the initial feeling I got from Elizabeth's board. She made some incredible choices ~ and I cannot believe she found a bridesmaid dress to match the curtains! A girl after my own heart. I honestly love every choice, but the first dress and wedding dress, stone votive, and the boutonnière might be my favorites. She kept it earthy but girly and sweet at the same time. Really, I just can't get enough of it. Check out her explanation of the board here on her blog for more reasons to love it.

Wedding Guest #3: Kathryn from Snippet & Ink Throws a Rehearsal Dinner

With a wedding that's turning out to be a little bit country, I wanted a rehearsal dinner that was much more city. After all, a girl needs to feel a little glam, and the city is definitely more my style on a daily basis. So, I emailed Kathryn over at Snippet & Ink to ask her to come with a little inspiration... after all, she IS the queen of these boards! I sent her a few rooms to choose from and my current favorite dress, and let her do the rest...


I'm so excited to be part of Wedding Week on coco+kelley! Cassandra asked me to make an inspiration board that was a bit of a twist on what I usually do, for a rehearsal dinner party rather than for a wedding, and all I could think was how fun! Rehearsal dinners - just like weddings - can range from casual cookouts to formal dinners. Based on this lounge by Kelley Wearstler, I imagined a chic mod cocktail party, in kelly green, black and white, with sassy details like a concert poster invitation and Gina Foster's outrageous fascinator.

Here's the room I chose with the dress Cassandra selected:


And here is the board!


Top row from left: Room by Kelley Wearstler, Chandeliers photo by Vue, Hors d'Oeuvres from Creative Edge via Brooklyn Bride

Row 2: Lounge area from Soiree, Feather fascinator by Gina Foster

Row 3: Shot glass photo by Francine Zaslow, Antique mirrored boxes from Charlotte Moss, Save the Date by Marit Hanson via What Junebug Loves, Cake by Jim Smeal from Brides

Row 4: Coasters by Good on Paper Design, Cocktail Dress, Necklace from Saylor Sage, Table Photo by Isabel Lawrence


You better believe I'm holding onto this board for the day when I really have my rehearsal dinner! Each of these details is so spot on, and exactly what I had imagined it to look like. I am especially in love with the over-the-top feather headdress and the unique invitations. Thank you Kathryn!

Contest Finalists: Round Two

I promised I'd give you three boards every day... here are today's!

Cassandra from Lake Orion ~ Glamorous Green

What I loved about Cassandra's board (other than her name and the abundant use of green of course) was the fact that she took a very chic and glam room and kept it simple. She created a fresh and clean board with very classic choices, but threw some pieces in there to make it personal ~ like the Celtic ring and the whimsical umbrella lights. Have I mentioned I loved sparklers for a wedding? Well, I DO!

Janet from Flint ~ Golden Twenties

I'd really like to only say two things about Janet's board and then let what she wrote me in her email speak for the rest. 1) I love that she took a very traditional contemporary room and created a completely 20's inspired board. 2) So original!!

Here's what she wrote: The vintage 1923 wedding dress is the pièce de résistance of the wedding. After you’ve found a dress like this the key to modernizing and pulling-off this look is all about finding the right accessories. The earrings from Anthropologie were a great period-inspired find. The understated tiara and exquisite tasseled pearl necklace pull the whole look together. I found two amazing pairs of shoes (thanks to Janie Medley over at TBC). Each is pictured next to the gown I would put them with. By pairing some over the top items (for the bride: the dress, earrings and bouquet) with more subtle items (clean crisp hairstyle, headband and shoes) the look becomes updated-vintage.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Janet. And finally...

Rebecca's Citrus Chic

I don't even know if 'Citrus Chic' is the right way to describe this board... maybe WOW is more appropriate? I fell in love instantly with the choices Rebecca made here. The feel reminds me of Palm Springs with the mid-century modern touches (like the invitation and the photo of the Parker... but then there's a bit of a Mexican flair to it as well with the gorgeous church and the beach ceremony set-up. A completely successful combination of two very different looks is tough to achieve, and Rebecca did an amazing job!

Don't forget to voice your opinion in the comments here or on flickr!

Bridesmaid Challenge: Lyndsy & Erin Bring It On

So, here's what I sent my two (very different) maids, Erin and Lyndsy...


With no further instructions than, "You're my bridesmaid ~ take this and run with it!" they both went for it and came out with two boards each uniquely them ... with some surprising similarities!

Lyndsy's Board:

Dress: Melissa Sweet Spring 2009 Collection at theknot.com, Shoes: Manolos, Cuff Bracelet: J.Crew, Hair: Ellen Pompeo at People.com, Make Up: Brides.com, Earrings: Alexis Bittar, Bouquet: Arturo Quintero of Prudence Designs.

Erin's Board:

Dress: Dior Spring 2008, Bouquet: Photo by Amy Squires, Rhinestone Hair Pin: Via Junebug Weddings, Makeup Inspiration: Kristen Bell, Earrings: Margo Morrison, Clutch: Stella McCartney, Ring: J.Crew, Shoes: Christian Louoboutin.

I was surprised that they both picked a subtle shade of grey for their dresses ~ perhaps it was the huge tent on my inspiration board that led them down that path? And both had little embellishments on them as well! I thought for sure Lynds would go for gold or pink in that category.

I love that they both also picked pieces from J.Crew to provide a little pop to their ensembles. Erin's ring is the perfect shade of pink. I think the biggest difference is probably their bouquets. While I love Erin's I'd have to go with Lyndsy's... but it did remind me that I forgot one of my major loves! Magnolia leaves! Does one speak to you more than the other?

A big thanks again to Anne at Perfect Bound for taking the time this morning to introduce the challenge. If you want to play along, send me your submissions!

Meet the Maids

Earlier today, I had Anne from Perfect Bound introduce my idea for a little Bridesmaid Challenge. I asked two of my best friends (who are definitely my future bridesmaids and happen to also be bloggers) Erin and Lyndsy to create bridesmaid inspiration boards based off off of my wedding board. Both girls did an amazing job, and I expect it was a serious challenge for Lyndsy considering my subtle hues! (You can see her wedding photos right here.)

But, before I share theirs with you, I wanted to show you my picks!

For Erin, this stunning dress from Holly Stalder that only she and her supermodel body could pull off. For my sister, a simple little Prada (her tan olive skin would look stunning in this shade of pink!), and for Lyndsy a gorgeously detailed BCBG dress with her favorite sweetheart neckline. I really like the idea of each bridesmaid being a different shade from my inspiration board, since they're all fairly neutral, and then having their accessories pull them together...


I'm horrible when it comes to the little details, so I'm keeping it simple in this category. First of all, the ring would be a bridesmaid gift. Created by Jennifer at Light Flight & Heaven on Etsy this simple ring symbolizes many things and also features two sparrows ~ a perfect way to tie in the theme and serve as a promise to always be there for my girls. The bouquet should look familiar from my post below, and the makeup is inspired by this glowing look from Scarlett Johansson. The shoes? Fabulous Fendi.

Of course, if I could throw in a cuff from Tom Binns for all my maids (and one for me!) I would be a very happy bride!

Coming up... Erin & Lyndsy's picks for their dream ensembles... can't wait to see how they compare to mine!

Bring On the Bouquets!

I. LOVE. FLOWERS. Just thought I'd get that out there before diving into this post, because choosing bouquets for my wedding? Tough. At first I thought I wanted a lot of champagnes/pinks, and then I realized that I really wanted more whites in my own bouquet... so the truth is that until the day I really get married, I'm never going to make a decision! But here's what I do know...


These are the flowers I love: dogwood, poppy (love the dark centers!), pink astilbe, peachy ranunculus (with the green centers!), lambs ear, white peonies and anemones with a hint of pink.

It was close to impossible to try and find a bouquet with each of these elements in it (not that I'd necessarily want ALL of them anyway), so here are my top three arrangements...


I adore the old-fashioned romance of this bouquet (from MS Weddings). It looks fresh out of the garden, but still structured, which I love, and it uses a lot of the flowers I want! I also like the use of the satin ribbon to add in an antique gold, which i think gives it warmth.


This bouquet (via brides.com) has a similar feel, but is a bit more wild. I love the anemones for their dark centers which I think add some depth to the arrangement. Also, you can't see, but this arrangement includes a bit of Jasmine, which is one of my favorite scents. When I was born, my mother planted a bush right outside my bedroom window, so this would be an extra special touch!


I figured I should pick out something for the table as well, and this centerpiece from The Green Vase was absolutely perfect.

I suppose I'll have to wait until my REAL wedding to have the bouquet of my dreams, but for now, these will get me started!

Wedding Guest #2: Anne from Perfect Bound Presents the Perfect Challenge

Hi everyone! Cassandra kindly asked me to provide you with the details of a little design challenge she has cooked up. A while back I asked a few blogger friends of mine to help design a look for my bridesmaids. I provided the dress (navy blue silk Sophia dress from J.Crew) and they provided the rest.
The results were unreal. From Prada rhinestone pumps to patent leather handbags and floral headdresses ~ everyone had a different idea of how to complete the look.

This time it's your turn to turn heads! Based on the inspiration board Cassandra created for her own wedding, design a look of your very own. No detail is too small. The look should be complete and compliment Cassandra's rustic yet glamorous wedding inspiration.


For my bridesmaid look, I fell for the sparkling lights and dazzling gleam in Cassandra's board. The details on that vintage getaway car are mirrored in the cuff bracelet while the dresses keep things glamorous and delicate.

Dress by Notte for Marchesa, $1045. Nina Unique shoe, $80 in gold. Polished cuff in gold, $39. from Banana Republic.

Care to join in on the fun? Cassandra will be posting her own bridesmaid selections as well as a couple from her blogger bridesmaids later today. Let's see what you can come up with!

Down to a Dozen: The Contest Finalists!

First of all, I have to say how impressed, honored and overwhelmed I was by the response to this contest. For many of you, it was your first attempt at an inspiration board, and I love that you were brave enough to dive in and give it a go! All the entries were so unique, thoughtful, and full of personality.

After sorting through nearly 90 entries (!), I have finally (yes it took me hours) narrowed it down to these twelve finalists. I took into consideration a few things when making my final decisions including creativity & originality, composition, and (of course) how well the room was translated into the wedding itself.

SO! Every day for the rest of the week I will post three boards from the finalists and tell you why I chose them. Congrats to those who made the cut, and a big huge thank you to everyone who entered! Honestly, you made it incredibly hard to pick and choose... but here are the first three!

Sarah from Chatsworth ~ Chic & Subtle

I might have been a little biased with this pick, as I almost chose this room as my own inspiration, but I loved Sarah's take on it. Each piece is simple, elegant, chic, and original. The dresses are stunning and luxurious, while other elements are kept more traditional, creating a beautiful balance. Her interpretation of the room was spot on in my opinion!

Marie from Baltimore ~ Queen of Hearts

This board was so fun I had to choose it as a finalist! I named it 'Queen of Hearts' for her, because it reminds me a bit of Alice in Wonderland with its whimsical feel. I also was impressed with how well these images worked together, considering that some are more modern and others quite vintage. I think it's the color scheme and the use of graphics that creates a cohesiveness. Marie took a modern/traditional room and created a really original look that captured many of the elements. Heart!

Anne from NYC (soon to be SF!) ~ Plum Perfection

Something about this board keeps drawing me back, and I think the reason is that it really created a mood for me. It's cool and grey, which makes me think winter or a chilly overcast day ~ not what I would normally associate with a wedding ~ but somehow it works for me. Again, every detail fits perfectly. Perhaps it's the stone church and the wild bouquet, but it seems like a wedding that would take place in English countryside. And, oh the flourishes in the invitations! Gorgeous. I also like that the plum is a subtle addition to the board instead of the focus (which is almost the opposite of the room). Anne ~ you got something goin' on here that I love, and the fact that I can't quite put my finger on it makes me love it even more. Well done!

Now, go help me pick the winner by leaving a comment on your favorite finalist's board on flickr! For resources, please see the flickr pages linked to in the titles.

My First Wedding Guest: Ez from Creature Comforts' Handmade Selections

I'm so excited to introduce our first wedding guest blogger for the week! Ez over at Creature Comforts is one of my favorite people to pop in on for loads of inspiration. When she send me her entry for the contest ~ all with handmade pieces ~ I knew I had to ask her to select some pieces for my own wedding! So, my dears... here's Ez!


Hello everyone!

I'm super excited that Cassandra invited me to create a post to share with you all for her fabulous wedding week! I have a passion for handmade things... I think that at a wedding they are especially meaningful as they bring such personality to your special day! So without further ado, here are some of my favorite handmade wedding accessories (selected to fit with Cassandra's beautiful board).


1. Custom Order Bridal Hairpiece by Myrakim
2. Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Hair Pins by Blithebride
3. Vintage Pink and Cream Boutonniere by Tinarie21
4. Sample Wedding Invitation - Juicy Love by Invitedink
5. Anais Vintage Bridal Hair Comb by Portobello
6. Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Invitedink
7. Wedding Jacket by Myrakim
8. French Ribbon Brooch by Bari J.
9. Muscari Silk Dusky Rose and Cream Puff Ring Cushion by EasterYu
Bonus: Free Matchbook Notepad Favors!
Download the free printable PDF created especially for you, by me! (Instructions included)

xox
Ez

The DRESS!

I can only imagine that choosing a wedding dress could be the hardest process of the wedding. I mean... it's THE dress. For THE day. The ensemble that your future husband will see you walking down the aisle in that should make his face light up in awe and love and amazement that he has YOU. This beautiful gorgeous ethereal being... ok, ok, I'm getting carried away. Let's start with a little inspiration, shall we?

Clockwise from left: Dress via {this is glamorous}, Romona Keveza ruffle train, Amsale pink, Romona Keveza ruffle & flower detail, colorful tulle photo by Aaron Delesie, veil photo by John & Joseph Photography, the most fantastic shoes ever ~ photo by Elizabeth Messina, middle dress by Vera Wang.

If there's one thing I've always wanted in a wedding dress it's a bit of character. Something original, but sweet and a little sexy. I love the idea of an oversized flower, cascading ruffles, or gorgeous detailing at the bust. So after hours of searching for the perfect dress (without trying any of them on!)... here are the finalists:


The mermaid cut always seems to flatter us shorter gals, and this design from Vera Wang is one of my favorites. I love the asymmetrical bustline with a bit of ruffle, a dark sash, and lots of pleated detail. It's casual and elegant at the same time ~ a hard combination to find!


This one might be my favorite... I love the gorgeous goddess flowy style of this dress by Reem Acra. The unconventional bustline adds structured detail while the flower keeps it whimsical...


Sometimes simple and classic is the way to go, and this dress by Melissa Sweet is just that. I love the elongated bodice ~ a dropped waistline helps add a little 'height' to girls like me. (I'm 5'2", by the way!) and the detail is stunning. Plus, I could easily add a floral element to the waist or in my hair!


Or, I could say screw it, it's my wedding, and I want it ALL in ONE! This stunner from Romona Keveza captures every element. A little sassy bustline, a big 'ol flower, cascading pleats and ruffles down the back (complete with itty bitty buttons!), and even a little bit of petticoat showing at the bottom.

Honestly, gals, I could keep going here. The dress I used in my original inspiration board is also a favorite (it's by Claire Pettibone), and there were a few more Vera's and a Hererra that almost made it... but we have to draw the line somewhere! So, once again, I'm asking for your vote! Which is your favorite for me?

(PS - the veil and the Louboutins are a done deal!)

You're Invited...

I've never thought of myself as having a wedding that would carry any sort of theme, but as I started building my inspiration board and, especially thinking about my invitations, I realized that having some kind of motif certainly helps (and seems a little inevitable!).

bouquet: martha stewart, invitation: minted.com

Any 'theme' worth putting on paper should have a meaning, and the olive branch has always been one of my favorites. Not only does it remind me of Italy, but is a symbol of peace ~ something we would all hope for in a happy marriage!

cake: martha stewart, invitation: minted.com, monograms: thornwillow.com

A traditionalist at heart, I plan on taking my husband's name, so a monogram has always appealed to me as part of not only an invitation but something that could be carried throughout the wedding decor, and used after the wedding for stationery and engraved pieces.

top invitation: etsy.com, bottom invitation: via snippet & ink, cups: by cake on supermarkethq.com

A more recent theme that I fell in love with after seeing these black & white ceramic cups is that of the swallow. I love the symbolism behind them ~ especially the part of being independent, but always returning home. They are a sweet idea for an invitation, and one that I could also see carried throughout the wedding.

So, what do you think? While all of these themes will be carried throughout the wedding, only one will make the cut for the invitation. Which is your favorite?

The Inspiration

I thought I'd end this week by unveiling my inspiration board, but then I realized... the board is the inspiration of everything else to come! And, at the end, there will be a real board, based on all the choices I made for my little make-believe wedding.

SO! Here, my dears, is my inspiration room and palette. I chose it for the colors first and the style ~ clean with a dash of rustic charm ~ secondly.


And here's the board!


After nearly three years of wedding planning, I learned a lot about what I wanted and didn't want for my own wedding someday. The look? Relaxed rustic glamour. Something that would combine my Italian heritage and love for meals with family and friends with the beautiful surroundings of the great Pacific Northwest while adding a touch of clean modern glamour because... well, it's my wedding! Oh, and the guest list? TINY. Only the people I love the most please, which is why an intimate location and personal touches are even that much more important. So, that's it! Now the fun part begins... details, location, dresses, invitations... so much to share, so little time! Here we go...

*BLING!*

Let's just get this out of the way...


After all ~ it all starts with the ring, right?

Once Upon A Time...

There was a little girl (ok, she was probably in jr. high), who loved loved loved weddings. She used her allowance to purchase Martha Stewarts. She tore out pages and piled them in a box. And when that little girl got a little older, she started a notebook...


She collected her favorites together for her own 'someday', with lots of gorgeous Vera Wang detailed dresses...


She was inspired by simple tabletops decorated with vintage silver and olive branches that reminded her a bit of her Italian heritage...


And she fell in love with the idea of pale pinks, champagnes and whites after finding this bouquet in (where else) Martha Stewart Weddings.

Then, the little girl grew up. And, while many of her ideas and tastes changed, these three remained the same. So, this week I bring you my own Wedding Week ~ rooted in these three simple inspirations that have grown into so much more! I've asked three very special bloggers to be a part of this week, as well as two of my best friends. And, of course I will be sharing with you my Inspiration Board Contests finalists (btw - I will announce the winner next Monday!). It's going to be a beautiful and busy week here at coco+kelley, and I can't wait to share it with all of you!

luv & ciao,
cassandra