Bow a la Heel

What do you think of the bridal shoe “back-of-heel” bow? I like it, but is it too reminiscent of the bridal gown “butt bow”?

I like them in black (though this picture isn’t great for showing off the bow). They would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner or a ladies night out on the town.

Luichiny Zeppelin

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Pumpkins!

I adore pumpkins - tiny and massive, whole or hallow, I love them all! And since autumn has recently begun and I’m seeing pumpkins EVERYWHERE, why not share these marvelous ideas with you!?

So where can you tie in pumpkins on your big day?! Here are just a few ideas.

Centerpieces :: There are so many things you can do with pumpkins, just on the top of your tables! Bring in large pumpkins and surround them with flowers. Carve them up a bit and fill with flowers or candles. Or, try incorporating mini pumpkins into arrangements or making arrangements completely from mini pumpkins (put them in a rustic basket and leave a few scattered around the table).

From Better Homes and Gardens’ 9 Fabulous Fall Centerpieces

Line the aisle :: Group pumpkins on the aisle-side of pews or rows of chairs. Pair with over-sized lanterns filled with candles or floral arrangements. Carve them up and let them glow to meet you as you walk down the aisle!

This pictures is from Fall Bio, a page on which you can find a lot of other fall-themed wedding ideas.

Monograms :: Carve (or have someone else do it for you) your monogram into the side of your pumpkins! Place them below and around the alter, on your reception tables, line the isle with them … put them everywhere (beware of overkill)!

Of course, these are from Martha Stewart’s Translucent Pumpkins . Oh I do love the things she and her staff come up with!

Place Card Holders :: Cut a tiny slit in the top of mini pumpkins and place them on the escort card table and/or use them as place card holders on the actual tables. Or, try sticking a wire in each one, stretched out to hold the little name cards!

These little pretties are from Ranasalame’s Flickr account. Love them!

On the Altar :: If your ceremony site allows flowers or other bits on the alter, consider placing a few pumpkins up there, along with any other memorial, decorative, or traditional floral arrangements.

The image is from Chicago Bride, though she seems to feel strongly about NOT using fall-ish items for fall weddings, but if that’s what you want - go for it. After all, the whole point of this post is “pumpkins”…and it’s kind of hard to not think of fall when I think of pumpkins. (But as a side note, we agree - just because your wedding is during the fall season does NOT mean you have to use oranges, browns, yellows and creams as your colors. There doesn’t need to be a single leaf, pumpkin, or a piece of wheat anywhere on your big day!)

If you’re looking for some more pumpkin ideas, check out these fabulous places!:

Toasts and Tables :
Favor Ideas
Living the Swell Life

Like this post (or any other posts for that matter)? Subscribe to WeddingFanatic!

Also! Don’t forget to check out this week’s GIVEAWAY from NameBirdie.com.

Lastly ~ Interested in blogging with the WeddingFanatic team? Shoot us an email to weddingfanatic{at}gmail{dot}com and we’ll send you some more info!

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Bloggers Wanted

Hello readers! WeddingFanatic is looking to expand. We want to add a few more writers to our team!

Who are we looking for, specifically? Brides (or grooms), vendors, or anyone tied to the wedding industry (or a wedding party). Why might you consider joining? Perhaps you’re new to blogging and would like a little experience. Maybe you just want to share your wedding knowledge (or obsession)! Or, maybe you’re an expert in a particular wedding-related subject and need to share all of that wonderful information! Some additional perks for wedding pros: helping to build your web-presence, links to your personal sites, and more opportunities to get your name out there.

If you’re interested in blogging with us, drop us an email at weddingfanatic{at}gmail{dot}com. We’ll send you more details.

Wondering why we’re looking to expand? We will be changing things up around here and want to make WeddingFanatic bigger and better! We’ll be bringing in new features, a new look, and overall more fabulousness! We want to give our readers more points of view, more tips and tricks, and more advice!

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NameBirdie {GIVEAWAY}

Getting hitched? Just married? Have you started the ordeal that is “changing your name”? Whether you’ve begun the process or are just dreading the thought of it, we have the thing for you: NameBirdie.com!

NameBirdie is an online name change service that can take care of your Social Security card, driver’s license, credit card companies, professional licenses, passport, vehicle registration, mortgages, utilities, IRS forms, voter registration, employer records, school forms, US Postal Service, banks, and much more. How does it work? You sign up for the service (it starts at just under $25) then log in and view your Personal Profile, which is, in essence, a guided list of questions that the program uses to fill out the forms. After you input all the info the program needs, you can view the completed forms, print them out, and mail ‘em in! NameBirdie even tells you exactly where each form needs to go to eliminate all the guess work. Could it be any easier?

Today we are doing a GIVEAWAY with NameBirdie, so GET EXCITED!! If you happen to be looking for a name change service…and wouldn’t mind using one for free, click on over to our entry page and enter your fine self! They will be picking the winner and we’ll announce her (or him) next Monday! Oh, and the giveaway is for one free account to use the site and its fabulous services!

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All Dressed Up : Where to Start

So many fabulous things out there to dream about and search for and try on and purchase! But where to begin? Let’s think about it logically.

Vera Wang

Often, The Gown determines just about everything else. If you REALLY want to tie the day together, you’ll consider the event space (ceremony and reception locations) when deciding on the style of your dress, not just your body type and personal preferences. But after you have found The One, what’s next?

Grace Footwear

We’d start with shoes. They will be needed for alterations and may or may not be seen under your dress, so they are important to consider (especially if being seen). Also, they will determine if you’re two or three inches taller than normal and how much pain you’ll be in at the end of the night (only half kidding!). Details in your shoes (and of course, your dress) may be things you’d like to reflect in your other accessories.

Altered Bride

On to the veil! Now you know how simple or intricate your dress and shoes are, so look into finding a veil that compliments them! Generally, the more simple the dress, the more wiggle room you have for a fancy veil. Long, short? Classic, chic? Blusher or no blusher? Knowing what it is paired with will narrow down your choices.

Kenneth Jay Lane, Photo by Michael David Adams via Brides.com

So now you have the big ticket items (between the above you’ll want to find undergarments - don’t forget about those!). Time for the little things! With the overall look, what kind of jewelry would look best? Lots or little? Intricate or simple? Not every bride needs earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet! If your gown has a fancy neckline, consider skipping a necklace altogether! Sometimes less truly is more.

From the oh-so-fabulous Chlorine!

And don’t forget about the baubles and doodads like a clutch to in which to keep all of your must-have wedding day items!

What was (or has been) your favorite thing to look for/shop for/try on/purchase for your wedding day ensemble? What else would you consider essential to any bride’s wedding day look?

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Knitts

I have seen SO many cute knitted wedding tidbits out there, I just had to post about them!

Here is a delicate knitted shawl that would be perfect for a winter wedding! So much texture and so visually appealing - I love it (and want it)! By Toby Hanna.

Look at these beautiful pieces by Nanda Handcrafted: Fields of Gold Cowl, which can be worn in a number of fashionable ways as a scarf or shawl, and the Ice and Roses Neckwear piece. Fields of Gold would be marvelous for a late fall wedding and Ice and Roses would look fabulous for a winter wedding (and a lot of winter holiday events).

Here is a clutch I wanted to buy for myself when I was visiting family in St. Louis a while back. I found it at The Posh Fox, and it’s made my Suzanne Marie (please contact me if you would like to reach her)!

Want more knitted wedding stuff? Check out CastOff.info for The Knitted Wedding - a group of individuals attempting to knit an entire wedding. Can they do it? I believe so!

Here are some good ideas for DIY knit and crochet wedding projects.

Want some more knitting resources? Here are a few sites and blogs:
Chic Knits
Vintage Knitting
Knitter Natter
Good To Be Girl
CraftZine.com’s Knitting Archives

Want more ways to incorporate knitted bits into your wedding day? Try knitted:
-stuffed animals for your youngest guest
-sweet cardigan(s) for your flower girl(s)
-pillow for your ring bearer
-cuffs for your and your bridesmaids’ bouquets
-hats for some fabulous pictures for a winter wedding
-scarfs for guests, placed by the exit of your ceremony site (with a note asking them to bundle up before the leave for the reception!)

Unless you’re going all out, just use one or two knitted (or crocheted…we don’t discriminate!) elements for a warm, fuzzy feel!

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Eco-Tools

Looking for some earth-friendly ways to make your skin and makeup more fabulous? Let me introduce to you Eco-Tools, a line of skin improving products and makeup brushes!

The line includes facial and body loofahs and a full set of makeup brushes. They are all “eco-chic” with the use of natural loofah, bamboo, cruelty-free hair, and other natural and recycled materials. You just can’t go wrong!

Some wonderful pieces:

Bamboo Bath Sponge

Bamboo and Loofah Facial Buffs

Bamboo 5-Piece Brush Set

I absolutely love the brushes - they can be used for more than just “the natural look”, too, making them versatile (always great). Check out the Eco-Tools site to shop for some goodies of your own.

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Artisan Soap Shoppe

I feel like there has been a burst of wedding-related products that smell and look so delicious you could eat them…but if you did they would taste awful. The Le Viette products are a fab example of this. And another example definitely has to be Artisan Soap! Let me tell you a bit about the company and it’s fabulous creator.

The Artisan Soap Shoppe was created by soapmaker extraordinaire Sarah Bogle about ten years ago. She personally creates and cuts each and every single piece she produces. Talk about a labor of love (or…passion for soapmaking)! Even better is the fact that Sarah take a personal, detailed, and customized approach with each client, assessing her (or his) needs and producing something that is unique to that person. Whatever scent, shape, size, or color you desire, my guess is that Sarah can make it.

I received a little box of goodies from Sarah and Oh. My. I am in love! To start off, every piece was perfectly packaged. Along with the soaps themselves, Sarah included a fabulous written letter AND explanation of each sample! Talk about thorough. I can just imagine the service and perks her clients get! Included in my box of treats were soaps with names like Bluebonnet Fields, Outlaw, Rosemary Mint & Lavender, Cinnamon Hazelnut Java, Salt Rimmed Margarita (second favorite), Coconut Lemongrass, Mocha Java Latte, and (my absolute favorite), Fruity Sangria. Each bar or favor-sized sample smelled delicious and moisturized like none other. They were definitely a treat to receive and would make a tres luxe gift to give.

Here are a few favor ideas/examples, heart-shaped soaps and an ocean rain sea salt bar:

Because Sarah is so awesome, she is offering all WeddingFanatics a special BOGO 50% off SALE for all orders purchased before December 31st. All you have to do is mention “WeddingFanatic” upon checkout to receive the discount. These would make such good gifts for wedding guests or for the holidays.

We also have a special offer for all of you Dallas area readers! You can meet Sarah in person on October 26th at an area wedding show. See the picture below for more details.

To contact Sarah, check out the Artisan Soap Shoppe website (and blog), or give her a ring at (214) 941-9722. If you’re looking for classy, upscale favor or gift ideas, definitely check out the Artisan Soap Shoppe!

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10 Worst Wedding Songs

Too funny. You must check out the 10 Worst Wedding Songs post over at GroomStand. They make some pretty valid points.

And just a random picture of a lovely couple. I love these dancing and wedding pieces from Lladro!!

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Blogs We Love : LotusHaus

Talk about inspiration! This blog is FULL of it (inspiration, I mean). LotusHaus is a blog I recently came across and can’t stop reading.

Some of the faves:

Modern & Chic Wedding Suite

Little Miss Fabulous of LH marvelously displays these works of art (well, that’s what I’d call them) in a number of posts. This particular event she discovered on Bride’s Cafe with Gilly Flowers, Stephanie Lairson, and Bumatau Studio as vendors. I love the color combination and modern theme. Perfect for the bold bride (and groom)!

Wired Up

LOOK at this marvelous creation! Can you imagine having this piece on your guest book table or incorporating it into your reception tablescapes? I sure can. And what’s better, this isn’t the only beautiful floral piece LH has to offer!

Bibi Magazine } Global Modern Bride

Resources galore! It’s great to find new things, and LH is definitely great at it.

Check out the blog. Fall in love!

And don’t forget to check out our GIVEAWAY! It ends on Friday.

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