I’ve always had a fascination with the 60′s, Woodstock, Hippies, and the Vietnam War. When I received this submission from Renaissance Studios Photography I was ecstatic. Not only do I LOVE their work, but I LOVED this session.

If this session with Sandra and Roger is any indication to what their wedding will be like, I want to be there. Sandra and Ryan did go to a few different locations with a variety in their wardrobe, but these photos were my favorite!

Thank you to Renaissance Studios for submitting this session… I loved it! You can check out more of their work by visiting their website and blog.

I’m crazy about brooches and I love the many ways that you can incorporate them into your wedding. These beautiful pieces can make a big statement and they don’t have to be your “something borrowed” or “something old” anymore.

We’re used to seeing brooches transformed into beautiful bridal bouquets. This easy DIY project can be done using one piece as the inspiration and building around it or finding pieces from thrift stores and ebay that match your color palette. My favorite part about this trend is that you can keep it for a lifetime without the hassle of  trying to preserve fresh flowers.

Wanna make a statement from the very beginning? Adding matching brooches to your invitation suit will have your guest swooning from the very beginning.

Your something borrowed is usually a beautiful brooch passed down from generation to generation. What better way to incorporate it into your wedding day by wearing it on your wedding dress or even as a necklace.

If you are having a vintage style wedding why not have missed matched brooch escort cards!

You can make simple statements with brooches on your wedding guest book or DIY napkin holders. Your guests will love this small little detail.

I love, love, love the idea of a simple wedding cake dressed up with a vintage brooch. It gives the cake a distinct elegance.

Photos courtesy of Charlotte Geary Photography, Free Press Release, Delightfully Engaged via Beautiful Day Photography, Etsy via BGBJewelry, the Wedding Channel, (guest book & napkins) California Style Events, This Next.

I love this styled engagement shot by Carmen Santorelli Photography. This modern black and white theme was shot in New York over Valentines Day. I love how simple and elegant Nikita and Larry wanted their shoot.

This submission came via two bright lights. You can check out more of Carmen’s work by visiting her website and blog.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography

Hair & Make-up: CheVogue

Florist: City Blossoms

As you know I love thinking outside of the box when it comes to food. I came across this photo from MODwedding and I had to share. A fruit and veggie bar will be a huge hit with the adults and children at your next party or wedding.

I love the use of brussel sprouts and artichokes as decor. If you want to do this next idea make sure that you use fruit that is in season. Also make sure some of the fruit is made into desserts so it looks pretty.

You can also add whole pieces of fruit along with granola and nuts for your guests can take some home with them.

If your a cheese lover you can have a cheese and fruit station. Or you can add a few dishes of cheese to a fruit and veggie bar.

If you decide to do a cheese and fruit bar, make sure you include crackers and fig spread on the table for guests who love to add it to their cheese.

What would a party or a wedding be without a fun drink? Strawberry Mojitos are the prefect summer drink!

Strawberry Mojito (courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

• Sugar to rim glass
• 2 large limes, quartered
• 1/2 bunch mint leaves
• 7 strawberries, quartered
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup white rum
• 2 cups club soda
• 8 cups ice cubes

Directions:

1. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Run one of the lime quarters around the rim of each cocktail glass, then dip the glasses into the sugar to rim; set aside.
2. Squeeze all of the lime quarters into a sturdy glass pitcher. Toss the juiced limes into the pitcher along with the mint, strawberries, and 1 cup of sugar. Crush the fruits together with a muddler to release the juices from the strawberries and the oil from the mint leaves. Stir in the rum and club soda until the sugar has dissolved. Pour into the sugared glasses over ice cubes to serve. (For a more spicy treat, try Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum!)

TGIF!

Photos courtesy of MODwedding, the wedding decorator, blog lovin, alden blair events, taste of park city.

Today I’m inspired by big bold colors and Alvina Valenta. Turquoise, orange, and lemon have me swooning over spring and the possibilities of this beautiful color combo that screams “I’m ready to party!” From vintage to DIY and modern styles this color combo is fresh and bold and will have all of your friends jealous at your wedding.

Don’t be afraid to use citrus for table details and escort cards. I love this idea of the Izze drinks or Jones Soda with personalized labels and flavors that match your color palette . Don’t forget to look into beautiful patterned fabrics for the tables and dinnerware that will make your food look amazing.

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of brides.com, {flowers} Stephanie Williams Photography, Alvina Valenta, Pepper Design Blog, {cake & table} Utah Brides Blog, The White Library, Sean Twomey via Style Me Pretty, Pepper Design Blog.

It was Christmas morning when Elisa’s dad asked her oldest sister to grab a camera. Looking confused and having no idea what was going on Elisa world was about to change…

Lance walked over to me and said, “I know that we weren’t supposed to get anything for Christmas for each other, but this is for you.” I was rather surprised and started to tear open the wrapping. It was an orange Nike box and I got excited, “Lance! Is it the shoes I want!?” (I’m a shoe freak, I’ll admit it.) Lance just told me to open it and see. So, I opened the box to find the shoes that I have wanted for some time. Lance’s and my favorite restaurant is Hu Hot (where we had our first date) and after we ate dinner there, we usually would go and walk around Dick’s Sporting Goods, next door. I would always point out those green shoes to Lance and tell him all about the colors. He gave me the green ones, my favorite color.

My Dad said, “Try them on.” So, I opened up the right shoe to see if there was any paper inside the new shoes, although there was a red box inside.

My mouth dropped and I gasped for words and looked at Lance. Lance then got down on one knee and pulled out a piece of paper, which he wrote a poem for me. He started to read it as I started to cry. I couldn’t believe it. He was proposing!!!

I LOVE SHOES! I love how I got to wear two different shoes and ended with the green Nike shoes he proposed with for the reception. A plus for this, my feet weren’t hurting by the end of the night or the following day.

We are both huge KU fans and it played along throughout our relationship, so I really liked how we got married on the same day KU hosted Kansas State and how we got married in Lawrence. I had a KU garter, KU Jayhawk painted on my toe and we gave our flower girls KU Jayhawk backpacks for gifts and the ring bearer a K-State Wildcat.

I wanted our flowers to be simple but meaningful. I went with white roses, which mean true love. The hydrangea stands for friendship, devotion, and understanding. My florist dyed the hydrangeas an ice blue color to follow our wedding colors.

I looked through thousands of pictures for the look of cake I wanted and of course we had to have a KU Jayhawk for the Groom’s cake. I loved how easy it felt when Donna would help me choose the flavors of the cake and fillings, I felt like I was at home and at ease. We had vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavored cakes and then the Jayhawk was Chocolate cake with peanut butter filling.

Photography: Prairie Fire Images

Pastor: Verdell Taylor, Christian Psychological Services – 785-550-0133

Music & Video: Complete Music DJ and Video

Cake: Donna Wege, Cake (Donna’s Cake and Catering) – 785-393-1686

Venue: The Eldridge Hotel

Flowers: University of Flowers – 785-232-4012