tied with love

Wanting your groom to be a bit more adventurous with his style? Want him to simply get involved with the wedding day? Look no further than his own tie! Here are some handsome alternatives to the traditional silk ties.

Forage Bow Ties, created by the geniuses at Something’s Hiding in Here, are made out of limited edition vintage fabrics. So if you see a style you both love you better order them quickly.

Thank heavens for Good Heavens Ties!


A perfect addition to linen or khaki suits.


Loving these gorgeous two tone ties from The General Knot Co.

Handsome, right? What is your husband-to-be wearing for the big day? Did you stick to a more traditional black suit? Or are you itching for a more unique, handmade look? For more info on groom's attire visit our suit pairings and unique shirt idea posts.

derby days

The Kentucky Derby is right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited! Whilst work calls and I won't able to attend, I'll still be donning a sundress, a big hat and sipping all the julep glory at some fabulous parties.

Here's an inspiration board I created just for the event. Take a peek back at our Southern Derby Soiree we created for a birthday party a few years back. Not in the mood yet? Stay tuned tomorrow for a party around Richmond that will surely get you in Derby mood!

{top row: Meghan McSweeney Photography, invitation via Red Stamp, mint juleps via Southern Living, cuff links via Wedding Dress Blog, bride and groom via todd pellowe weddings, bridesmaids and bouquets via weddingbee, horse via Meghan McSweeney Photography}

you spin me right round, baby

Many may think that pinwheels are overdone, out, finito. Oh, but I still think they can shine on for at least another season or two. They are just so darn playful and pretty.

My bride's inspiration for pinwheels stemmed from bouncing around non-traditional boutonniere ideas. We got so stuck on having pinwheels for the groomsmen, that incorporating these festive crafts were a must. While we're doing it subtly, hidden in some centerpieces and such, it will make for that pop of color and playfulness we're looking for in her neutral, organic, garden wedding.




Be on the look out for a pinwheel crafting tutorial when I get crackin' on creating these for her big day.

Are you having a pinwheel wedding as well? What else are you incorporating to make your design pop? Are you bridesmaids carrying anything unique and fun? How about your boutonniere inspiration?

{Ashley Rose Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, Kate Spade via oh happy day, Etsy, Jagger Photography}

tulip love

{flower garden}

Tulips are my most current obsession and reason to smile while I bounce around town. They are popping up everywhere now that it's getting warmer and I couldn't be more thrilled. I know they won't last long, so I'm soaking up their prettiness while I can.

Hoping you're finding inspiration somewhere.

Looking forward to getting back on track with blogging. Have great posts lined up for the week! Stay tuned, folks!

farm style wedding

I teamed up with the fabulous Meghan McSweeney again to create a rustic, farm-inspired wedding complete with a distressed horse barn, a serene lake and a tire swing. Tarnished pitchers were filled with wildflowers and vintage napkin linens and china lined the burlap runner.

We are so excited that the gorgeous Grey Likes Weddings featured our farm style shoot too! Pop over to her fabulous blog and take a look at more eye candy.





The incredible vendors that participated:

Photos: Meghan McSweeney
Style: LK Events & Design
Dress/Accessories: Pleiades Bridal Design Studio
Flowers: Carolyn Young
Cake: The Buttercream Bee
Hair/Makeup: Josh Henderson, Mango Salon
Models: Shera, James

wildflowers

There is something so natural and organic about wildflower bouquets and arrangements. Something so relaxed and carefree, unpretentious and whimsical--like you walked into a field, gathered some flowers and tied ribbon around them. Here are some hand-picked bouquets that are inspiring me:

{photos 1 & 2, Bob Schnell; Studio Castillero via Ruffled Blog; photos 4 & 5 Hugh Forte Photography via Wedding Chicks; Jennifer Hughes}

pauline in paris

A few months back the fabulous Meghan McSweeney and I teamed up to produce these beautiful images for an Etsy jewelry designer, Pauline in Paris. Some of the necklaces have such a vintage flair with the muted beads and lace details, so I called on my vintage guru Charla Bjostad from Pleiades Bridal Design Studio here in Richmond, Virginia to help me adorn our flawless model.





Aren't those necklaces just divine? Check out the shop to see more eye candy!

We are so grateful that Grey Likes Weddings featured this shoot a few weeks ago, so swing on by to check out more stunning images! Also be sure to meander over to Meghan's blog for all the lovely goodness too.

**Style Me Pretty (eek!) also gave a sweet little shout out to the shoot at the bottom of a beautiful wedding Meghan photographed. Check it out here.


Photography: Meghan McSweeney
Style and Design: LK Events & Design
Flowers: Carolyn Young
Gown: Pleiades Bridal Design Studio, (804) 340-2966

picnic tables

There's something undeniably sweet about dressed picnic tables for a backyard wedding. Because there is something so simple and romantic about these intimate weddings, you don't have to go extravagant with the decor. Sweet, personal details are perfect.

{Whitebox Weddings via Salt Harbor Designs, Nelson Hancock Photo styled by Kate Parker via Wedding Bee Pro, Country Living}

If you're worried about your guests comfort level, grab some colorful pillows at your local thrift store and adorn the table benches. It adds comfort and pop!

burlap is today's tulle

I recently read somewhere that 'burlap is today's tulle' and I couldn't agree more. Since I started dreaming of all things wedding, I can't tell you a fabric that I've had design dreams about more than burlap. At around $2 a yard, it is inexpensive and a perfect element to your rustic, DIY affair.For a country or farm wedding, cover the tops of hay barrels for adorable seating. But be careful of shedding. Get linen burlap and spray lightly with starch and that should rid your guests of burlap-covered clothing.

Cut burlap in strips and use as ribbon for stationery. Add a textured element by wrapping them around candles or framing pictures.

Burlap is a seamstress's dream fabric as it sews so nicely. Get your girls together and make quick DIY favor bags. You can even make wine bags for the holidays!


Aren't this DIY burlap napkin rings adorable?

{photos: Ruffled Blog, W Scott Chester Photography via Get Married, Getaway Brides, Kate Headley via Snippet & Ink, Ken Kienow via Snippet & Ink, Elizabeth Anne Designs}

I can't quite think of another fabric I love more than burlap. Period.

mint juleps: cocktails and decor

Complete with Southern Belles, wonderful weather and mint juleps, my weekend was the perfect way to kick off Spring.

Inspiring this post, the mint julep is classically served in silver julep cups and made up of only four ingrediants: mint, bourbon, sugar, ice. Known for being the traditional cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, it should only be held by the bottom or top edges of the cup allowing frost to form. Because these cups are just so darling [even without the cocktail inside!], why not use them as vases? Add a Southern flair by exchanging clear vases for these silver or pewter julep cups and fill them with gorgeous spring flowers. Engrave your initials as an extra personal touch. And once the wedding festivities are over, reuse the julep cups for toothbrush holders, candles or a gorgeous additional to your new china cabinet.

{photos: Southern Living, Christian Oth via Inspired by This, My Stylish Wedding, Soiree Planning}

A Traditional Mint Julep

• 2 fluid ounces Kentucky Bourbon
  
• granulated sugar (to taste)
  
• Mint leaves
  
• Crushed ice

Muddle mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a julep cup.
Fill cup with crushed or shaved ice and add bourbon.
Garnish with mint leaves.

lemonade stands

Blame it on the gorgeous, hot weather lately [i'm not complaining!] or that I'm in North Carolina drenching myself with all things Southern, but I thought these lemonade or drink stands were oh-so-cute! Have them at a bridal shower, baby shower, or outdoor wedding, they are sure to refresh your guests while looking festive nonetheless.

{JK Photography via Brenda's Wedding Blog, Fred Marcus Photography via The Knot, One Love Photo via Bonafide Bride}

Have a fantastic weekend everyone and get outside!

trend alert: mismatched chairs

Call it the latest trend or inspiring design, but there is something so oddly romantic and sweet about tables and chairs that don't mesh so perfectly.


Perfect for a small, garden wedding, with no need for standard rentals. Raid your own furniture stash or go on the hunt for bargain thrift store chairs. Keep in mind there needs to be a bit of fluidity in the juxtaposition of it all.


When designing this idea and hunting for chairs, make sure you are sticking to a style or color palette. For instance, keep to all wooden chairs with different style backs. You wouldn't want to come home, look at your collection, and realize you have a purple paisley printed chair with a wooden stool and a plaid high back.

Another fun thing to do is get crafty with what goes on the chairs. Have the same cushions or pillows on different vintage or wooden chairs to give it a slightly monochromatic feel. It's important for your design to have a common feel, look and style.

{Ruffled Blog, Country Living, Adrienne Gunde via Trendsetting Wedding, Apartment Therapy}

Perfect for a breakfast area in your home, an outdoor tea party, or a small spring wedding.

engaged: blair + marshall

The always talented Meghan McSweeney sent over these gorgeous images of Blair and Marshall's Spring engagement session in Richmond, Virginia's historic Church Hill district.





The urban view is just breathtaking. Thank you to Meghan for sending over these stunning photos. Check out more of her work here!