{Guest Post} Escort Cards by Every Last Detail

Today's post comes from the always fabulous and always amazing Lauren from Every Last Detail. Her blog is so incredibly inspiring and is a definite must-read for all you brides out there. And now, here you go! When Allison asked me to guest post, I was thrilled and SO excited! I wanted to do a post that's true to my own blog, and so I thought I would do an extended, more detailed take of my weekly {Detail To Love} feature.

This {Detail To Love} isn't just a current love of mine- it's long lasting. One of my absolute favorite wedding details ever. What might this detail be you ask? It's escort cards and items! Note: I add in items because it's becoming popular to use actual items (commonly doubling as favors) to escort guests to their seats as opposed to the traditional cards, and because I LOVE them!

The greatness of escort cards and items is all in how they look. They could be set up on or in something different, or the cards/items themselves could be completely unique and reflect the whole style of the wedding flawlessly. Let's take a look at some of the awesome escort card/item setups I'm loving....

Traditional...

Go the traditional route and add your own twist to it with different patterns of paper!

Photo by Jenna Walker Photography

Decorative...

Add a little something to your traditional escort cards and voila, you have adorable escort cards with a little pizzazz.

Photo by Simply Bloom Photography

Cards but not really....

Use something that meant to be an escort card and just attach the names to them. With something like the below example, you could even have your tables named with the colors, and not even numbered!

Photo by Love Ala Photography

Hanging cards...

Oh how I love hanging things! Having your escort cards hanging is a great way to grab people's attention!

Photo by Cheri Pearl, via Style Me Pretty

Vertical display...

This escort card display is another hanging one, but this time the cards are on a magnetized board with a fabulous frame. Another great way to get guests' attention!

Photo by Kristen Weaver Photography, via Every Last Detail

Escort items...

And finally, my favorite. These little books have the guest name on the spine, and the table number on the front as the "title". They doubled as guest favors, and added a fabulous element of decor to the whole wedding!

Photo by Ashley Brockinton Photography

There are SO many different ways to display escort cards, and I'm pretty much obsessed with them all- that is, as long as they're not traditional! Tell us, what are some of your favorite ways to see escort cards/items?

I hope you all have enjoyed me sharing my love for escort details! A big huge thank you to the fabulous Allison for letting me guest blog for you all!

Every Last Detail is a member of The Inspired List.

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{Guest Post} Fall Destination Weddings

Today's surprise blogger is the fabulous Adrienne from Destination Diva. She is here to bring us some lovely fall destination wedding inspiration. Enjoy! Destination Weddings do not have to be on a beach but can be anywhere from a national park, such as Yellowstone, to the fun filled adventures of New Orleans.  Fall is such a beautiful time of year to have a destination wedding, especially if you plan on getting married outdoors.  The changing of the seasons brings about hundreds of shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. Here are just a few of many possibilities for fall destination weddings:

Smoky Mountain Cabin Weddings

I lived in Tennessee for a few years and thought Gatlinburg was so beautiful.  Surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, this is an ideal place for a fall-themed wedding.   Rustic with a splash of elegance!

Wedding Dress: JCrew silk tricotine Allegra gown, Bride’s shoes: Kate Spade Elate, Bridal Hairpin:  Tiger Lilly Jewelry,  Bridesmaids Dress:  JCrew silk chiffon Taryn dress, Bridesmaids Flip Flops:  JCrew leather Capri sandals (gold), Bridesmaids Bouquet: Martha Stewart Weddings

New Orleans Wedding

From a tradition southern wedding to a unique theme wedding, the Magnolia Mansion is the perfect place for a fall destination wedding!  The mansion’s grand hallway is beautiful and contains statues of Aphrodite and Eros, the Greek deities of love.   Blues, reds, oranges and the gorgeous greens from the gardens and trees make for a beautiful fall wedding inside or out.

Bride Gown: Alfred Angelo, Style 2100, Bride Shoes: Bouquets, Bride Bracelet: Tiffany & Co, Bride: Earrings: Macy’s

Brides: Looking for wedding vendors? Check out The Inspired List to find the vendors who bring your wedding inspiration to life.

Vendors: Have you signed up for The Inspired List yet? Check it out right now and make sure you take advantage of the December Deal to save some money!

{Guest Post} Backyard Inspiration by Trisha Dean Events

Today's surprise guest blogger is the lovely Trisha of Trisha Dean Events. She has been so very helpful to me through my wedding planning process thus far. Her inspiration and attention to detail in the wedding world is just incred. I'm excited for her super fun backyard inspiration board. So, here you go! I am so thrilled to be able to guest post while Allison is frolicking about in The Big Apple! I love watching her pull together details for her and her man's big day and hope her readers enjoy this little Backyard Wedding inspiration board I pulled together! I'm feeling like I need some sunshine in this winter weather and I hope you are too! As the rain falls down and the cold wind zips sideways, I really want to be warm! I want long days and green grass again. As you can tell I am truly a summer girl - I don't last long in cold weather! I found this amazing place setting on Country Living that led the way for my inspiration board. Loving the twine details and the vintage green glass plate. The cloth sewn invite sleeves from Bird and Banner had me squealing with joy! Think of all the different pattern fun you could have! Lace on the wedding dress and on the table add a bit of elegance to any outside soirée. The palette of sage green, warm peaches, soft oranges and pale yellows are super light and romantic. Only 6 more months until summer...

Once Wed - April Smith, Elizabeth Anne Designs - Brandon Kidd, Bird and Banner, Ruffled - Jessica Watson, Ruffled - Evan McMaster, Martha Stewart Weddings, Country Living

Trisha Dean Events is a member of The Inspired List located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Find other Bay Area vendors on The Inspired List.

{Guest Post} Paint Themed DIY by Paper Garland

Today starts my trip to the concrete jungle that is New York City. We actually start in Boston then head to New York on Friday, but either way, the trip has officially begun! Fortunately I have called in the big guns and had some of the best bloggers around take my place while I am gone. (Though you'll still see me around here and there.) I won't tell you the order of the bloggers so each day check back to see who the surprise blogger is of the day! Today we are starting out with a super fun little DIY by Paper Garland. Enjoy! I can’t thank Allison enough for inviting me to guest post on her fabulous blog! One ofmy favorite (of oh so many) things about Engaged & Inspired is the incredible archive ofgorgeous details, shoots, and pretties just aching to be recreated by other special brides,so I thought I would take this opportunity to add an entry into her stunning collection!

I love to see a couple incorporate a hobby that they share into their wedding. I think apeek into what makes the couple happy in their daily life can make the wedding an evenmore joyful affair! Created especially for a couple who share a love for painting and art,this painter’s palette centerpiece is created in two easy parts and is such fun to make! Ican’t wait to walk you through, so let’s get started!

For the centerpiece, you will need:-Wooden painter’s palette-Transparent Glass Paints (I used Delta)-Sponge Brush-Paint Brush-7 tea lights-8 votives (7 + 1 to practice on!)-Newspaper to work on

  • Prime the votives: The Delta Paint kit comes with a primer bottle. This step helps thepaint stick and dry faster. The primer dried within about 20 minutes and the votives wereready to be painted.
  • Paint: I am a very novice painter and these paints were so easy to use! I recommendlong, smooth strokes and applying one coat per votive. However, the paint is not tooquick-drying so if you desire a more saturated color, go for two! Let dry for at least 1hour.
  • Admire your work: I chose a Roy G. Biv color scheme to tie into the art theme. Ifrainbow isn’t your thing, I also think it’d be great to use your wedding colors instead!

While the votives dried, I had the opportunity to get to work on my easy-peasy floralarrangement for the center of the palette!

For the floral arrangement, you will need: Simple long-stemmed flowers that make you smile-Paint brushes of varying shapes and sizes-Mason jar-Sharp scissors.

  • Make sure all you need is close at hand: You’ll be too excited to see the finishedproduct to work slowly!
  • Trim your stems: I wanted this arrangement to have a staggered, uneven look (muchlike paint brushes dropped into a water cup!) so I made sure the tulips were slightlydifferent lengths and not so tall that they overpowered the paint brushes. Play with it tosee what you like!
  • Decorate: Arrange the flowers and brushes in beautiful disarray in a water-filled masonjar. I suggest using rubber band or floral tape to discreetly secure the brushes at theangles you want them to stand.

By the time your arrangement is complete, the votives should be nearly dry. Pop a tealight into each one and arrange them in your desired pattern around the perimeter of thepalette. Place the floral arrangement in the center of the wood and you’re done: an artsycenterpiece that’s as personal as it is beautiful!

Et voila! With a few extra touches on theme (but not too many!) like these paint chipmenus, place cards, and table numbers inspired by a feature on Bride Goggles, this art-themed table setting is easy to achieve and makes a great conversation piece for your guests!

Brides: Looking for wedding vendors? Check out The Inspired List to find the vendors who bring your wedding inspiration to life.

Vendors: Have you signed up for The Inspired List yet? Check it out right now and make sure you take advantage of the December Deal to save some money!

Brides:

{Wedding Wednesday} The Inspired List Edition

I love The Inspired List. I am not saying that just because I made it (well, Ian made I dreamed it into life!) but also because of the vendors that make up The Inspired List. They really are inspiring. I am awe struck at some of the most incredible vendors that have joined the ranks to compile the most user-friendly and amazing vendor guide out there. For this weeks wedding wednesday, I wanted to share a few really amazing shots from these vendors. Turns out, there were so many that I couldn't add as many as I wanted, so a follow up post may be in order for next week.

Mae Mae Paperie is a Los Angeles paper Designer. I love the colors and textures of this design, it's beautiful.

David Rohr Floral Studio is a florist located in Palm Springs. These floral arrangements are just to die for! LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Crimson Poppy is a florist in Oklahoma City. But there is a twist, she is a paper florist. That amazing bouquet was made entirely of paper flowers. Incredible.

Tamra-Marie Artistry is a make-up artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've been very obsessed with this shoot for a while and it never gets old. The make-up is perfect for the shoot.

Dana Bartone is a make-up artist based in New York. This is such a great look. The style is so complete and the make-up just makes it that much better.

Jospeh was Here is a photographer based out of Houston, TX. Not much to say about this photo except that it is shear perfection. It really is perfect.

D Park Photography is a photography company based out of Los Angeles. Dying of the pretty that this photo brings. The lace accent in the background just completes the whole feel of the photo.

Laura Ashbrook Photography is a photographer based out of Washington DC. This white and simple shoot is so very pretty. These elegant details, that dress, and the color palette couldn't fit better together.

So there you have it! The wedding wednesday finds of the day. Which is your favorite? Make sure you to check them all out, and for more amazing vendors, check out The Inspired List.

Looking for wedding vendors? Check out our vendor guide to search by budget, location and vendor type. Find the vendors who bring your wedding inspiration to life on The Inspired List.

{Oh The Chocolate Cake} Elegant Decay #6

Hello There! If you have been following #elegantdecay so far today, you have found the right place for your next stop! If you are just finding out about it now, read on to get the details and click on the blogs below to catch up.

Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. have put together the greatest game ever for you all! We are so excited to partner with some of our most favorite blogosphere friends for this Blog Around the World: Elegant Decay post! Today you're invited to a worldwide scavenger hunt on these awesome blogs where you'll find snippets of their Elegant Decay photo shoot!

I must say, I get one of the best photos :) I mean, mine has an amazing looking chocolate cake. Did I mention that it is amazing looking?? I mean let's be honest, no party is a party without a luscious cake.

Now it's your turn to scavenger around and piece together this incredible shoot! Right now there are 5 other photos already available and many many more coming as the day continues! So go for it and piece together this epic shoot!

Twitter Hashtag: #elegantdecay Share your love of the shoot by spreading this around! Join in the conversation, we are all having a blast!

1: Bubble Rock @stephbubble 2: Magnolia Rouge @rubyandwillow 3: Cap Classique @capclassique 4: Brancoprata @brancoprata 5: The Demoiselle @The_Demoiselle 6: Engaged + Inspired @EngagedInspired 7: Postcards and Pretties @postcrdsprettie 8: Paper Garland @papergarland 9: Sparkle and Hay @sparkleandhay 10: Superburbs @superburbs 11: Every Last Detail @ELD_Lauren 12: Brenda's Wedding Blog @weddingsites 13: Niche White @NicheWhite 14: Simply and Forever KatieSaeger 15: Bride Goggles @BrideGoggles 16: Landlocked Bride @LandlockedBride 17: Forget Me Knot Weddings @forgetmeknotwed 18: Fabulously Wed @fabulouslywed 19: The Bride Suite @thebridesuite 20: Enchanted Dreams Wedding & Affairs @NaomiVGoodman 21: Marry You Me @MarryYouMe 22: Luna and Chloe Weddings @lunaandchloe 23: La Petite Coquin @lapetitecoquin 24: Glamour and Grace Weddings @GlamandGraceWed

And of course, let's give major props to the design team who put much work and effort into this shoot!

Design + styling: Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. Photography: Jeremy Leffel Floral design: Anne Bradfield of Floressence Glassware and china: vintage pieces from Nick's mom Venue, food, and drinks: Palace Ballroom by Tom Douglas Linens: Choice Linens Chairs and silverware: AA Party Rentals

{Our Wedding} Inspiration Take 3

Week 3 and I still seem to be able to come up with inspiration boards t reflect my wedding. This is totally a good thing because it means I am making progress and making decisions. First off, just curious if anyone else fall asleep to color palettes and tablescapes? I do and it pretty much keeps me up for a long time! You all would be incredibly proud of my progress yesterday! I went to anthropologie and got the centerpiece and bud vases. And I got the cutest little hangers that I am using for the armoire. It's going to look so incredible. Then I headed over to Michael's and picked up everything I need to create an epic ceremony sign. Oh and I found little tiny 1 inch wood letters to create the table numbers. Today I am heading over to Home Depot to get some wood and some chicken wire. (somewhere in the process I took up the trade of a woodsman. Well, I call it a woodsman at least)

I finally figured out how to keep everything of mine totally organized. It's this site called Backpack which I never thought to use for wedding stuff, but it is so simple and now all my lists are super organized. I needed that!

Ok, onto my inspiration for the week!

Birdcages: I'm feeling these out but I want something that hangs above so birdcages are definitely in the running. I have to research where to find them, how much they are, etc first but I think these would look great hanging in front of the tree.

Cotton: Yep, I'm doing cotton. I'm thinking of having these hanging strands go behind the head table or maybe in a few other places. They are pretty awesome.

Signs: The signs behind us will be something like this all cute and spelled out!

Windows: OMG, these old windows are making several guest appearances in the wedding. They won't be the escort cards (though that would have been far simpler) but they will be our sign in.

Drawers: I plan on using drawers to hold the favors for the guests. It will be a cute way to display all the jam jars. Luckily, I already have the drawers.

Ok, 4 weeks to get everything done. My backpack to-do list has about 60 items to get done, so wish me luck! Oh and for those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, I was saying yesterday that no one will even make the two tiered mini cakes that I want for the wedding......so it looks as if I will be making those myself. Craftsman and Baker...it has a good ring to it, don't you think??

Check out Inspiration Board Number 1 and Number 2 to get the whole concept of the wedding thus far!

Kate Spade Inspired Shoot by Every Last Detail

I loved the goal for the shoot and how they were trying to inspire brides. And I quote: "Our goal with this shoot was to show brides that they can use bright colors and bold patterns and still be chic and modern." I am ALL about the bold colors and bold patterns working together. This really is a look I would die to achieve for my own wedding. So, if you are like me and love all the bold colors and all these insane palettes then take a chance and go for it.

Every Last Detail is a part of the ultimate vendor directory, The Inspired List. Check out her blog for more amazing inspiration.

Wedding Wednesday Finds (on Thursday!)

Sorry about the late finds but we had to with Erin some love before her wedding! Today I have put together a bunch of ecclectic images which somehow all become a sort of organic and vintage look. I guess I can't stray too far away from my wedding loves now can I? I finally ordered the first of many personalized stamps! I am getting ready to do the escort cards as well as hand stamp clothes pins. It's going to look really cute. I still need to find a DJ and a few other vendors too. I'm pretty behind right now, but I made the promise to get done with 90% of the wedding by the time I go to New York for my birthday, and you better believe that I am holding myself too that!

Now for the finds. The lovely and amazing finds. Speaking of, does anyone know where I could find a real one of these? I am adding a lot of these old windows into my wedding and it would be so beyond fitting if these were my cocktail hour tables!

Who doesn't want a bridal shower that looks like this?

I have never been a huge fan of how cupcakes look on a cupcake stand, but I love the convenience of the single cupcake and no cutting and all that. So, if you are planning on doing cupcakes, take a look at this route. I'm dying of its beauty and your guests will probably want to be your best friend.

Source: Wedding Chicks

Here is a little update on The Inspired List: The number of vendors are increasing each and everyday! We are working darn hard to get this thing really really going. There are several improvements and additions coming that will only make the site better and better. Once it fills up a little more, we get to introduce our next category....which you won't believe how cool it is!