Best Photo Book Ever

I was planning on creating a photo book of our engagement photos to showcase at the reception (and have a great coffee table book) but wasn't sure where to go to get it. Do I go to Shutterfly? Snapfish? Photoworks? And then I was turned on to Blurb...

Blurb is an online small publishing company that is super professional. You can download their Bookify Online tool and just upload your photos, pick a layout and drag and drop. They make bookstore-quality hardbound and softbound books at an affordable price. You can get a four color book with or without a dust jacket ranging in size from 7x7 up to 12x12.

For our book, I am creating images of quotes and interspersing them within the photos. My fiance and I love quotes and song lyrics and they will be a big part of the reception.More info: http://www.blurb.com

The Complete Wedding: Celadon, Slate Grey & Silver

Here at Not Just I Do we want to make planning your wedding as simple and fun as possible. That's why each week we will show you a complete wedding based on the color combination featured. For our first Complete Wedding, let's take a look at the Celadon, Slate Grey & Silver combination. As we previously mentioned, these colors are perfect for a late winter elegant wedding.

Let's start with the wedding dress. While some wedding planning checklists advise you to start picking out your dress first thing, there are some drawbacks to that method. I agree with looking and trying on dresses early, but keep in mind that the vision for your wedding and reception will mature and evolve as you find new inspiration and start to plan the other details of your wedding. So look early, but don't buy until you are absolutely sure! The vision for this wedding is a classic, elegant feel and for the ultimate wedding dress we have chosen this beauty by Alvina Valenta Bridal Gowns, Style AV9055. This dress is an eggshell silk shantung fluted bridal gown with a soft scoop neckline. It features a pleated bodice with a figure-flattering ruched waist, jeweled fabric floral detail and an elegant sweep train.
Of course, you want to pick out a bridesmaid dress that they can wear again, so check out J. Crew. They have beautiful, classic silhouettes that can be worn to other functions and don't cost a ton of money. The perfect pick for this Complete Wedding is definitely the cotton-silk faille Margeaux dress in Dark Charcoal. It's crafted from their new cotton/silk faille fabric and boasts a V-neck and -back, a fitted waist and a slight A-line skirt. Top off your bridesmaids look with this faceted moss aquamarine and olive quartz pendant necklace from pureroxjewels on Etsy. Give your ringbearer this elegant celadon pillow topped with a white satin ribbon and white garden rose to carry your rings in style, made by White Thistle Bridal Designs.

For your reception decor, try these modern silver cubes for your placecards, found at Crate & Barrel. A set of 4 is only $7.95 and they make great favors too. Add some ambient lighting with these Pixel Hurricane candle holders, also from Crate & Barrel. Tiny pinholes punched in the metal band scatter candlelight in a thousand directions for a beautiful effect, which would look amazing on top of celadon table linens. Let your guests take home something scrumptious to eat and hand out hand-made french macaroons as a wedding favor. Just package them individually in clear favor boxes wrapped in celadon-colored Midori Satin Ribbon found at FavorStudio.com. Add slate grey and silver accents throughout your reception space and you will have a Complete Wedding that is unique, elegant and beautifully yours!

I want this...and this...and this...

Have you guys been to My Sparrow? Their tagline is "Stylish Responsibility" and I totally agree! They have great stuff for home furnishings but this stuff would be amazing for a vintage vibe wedding. You could use the wire basket shown above to hold programs for the ceremony or to hold silverware wrapped in ribbon.

Wouldn't these make super cute table numbers? Put them nestled in between recycled wine bottles filled with lavender and hypericum berries for a simple centerpiece.


This little antique mercury bird would look so sweet and unexpected peeking out from a cluster of small bud vases.

Mark Your Calendars!

Show your appreciation to Team Bride for all their hard work with this adorable Kate Spade 2011 spiral bound desk calendar, $20 at Kate's Paperie. With 12 month-at-a-glance pages of spirited suggestions designed to surprise, delight and inspire, 15 pages for notes, 10 pages for addresses, 2 pages for restaurants, and 2 pages for birthdays, you can make sure your girls never forget an important get-together again. Mark down all your important dates in it before you give them away, like your after-honeymoon girl's night out....These are so darn cute that you should probably get one for yourself, too!

Instead of the traditional place settings...

...use these adorable paper placemats instead! Save your money by not renting expensive china and put these beautiful hand-illustrated vintage place settings at each seat with your guest's name written on them. Better yet, place your favor on the "plate" and put a couple funky-colored markers on each table so your guests can doodle while waiting for the DJ to play their favorite song. These 12.5" x 19" placemats come in a package of 50 tear-off sheets and are made of 30% recycled paper. $22 at Kate's Paperie.