{bow tie pug photo by Dottie Photography via Love and Lavender}

{Benfield Photography via Style Me Pretty}

{We Heart Photography via Style Me Pretty; Sharyn Peavy via Style Me Pretty}

{Rae Leytham via Style Me Pretty}

{Hillary Maybery via Style Me Pretty}

{Amanda Thiessen Photography via Style Me Pretty}

{Altura Studio via Style Me Pretty}

{Michael Norwood Photography via Style Me Pretty; Thayer Photo via Merriment Events}

{EE Photography and Amanda Marie Portraits via Style Me Pretty}

And one final shameless puppy promo, encouraging you to vote for One Tail at a Time to win $25,000! It’s two easy clicks, just click over and click “vote” and make sure the number ticks up – you don’t have to give out any personal information – 5 seconds for a chance to win $50 to Pottery Barn? So easy! Sharing on facebook and tweeting (make sure you link to EAD on facebook or Ami’s twitter) count as an entry too, so spread the word! The contest ends TODAY 7/18/11 at midnight. Thanks for voting and helping to save puppy lives!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs: The Wedding Blog, 2011 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: favorite details, good things, photography

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I first discovered ETSY when inquiring where a friend had bought a recent jewelry set.  I pulled up the site expecting it to find a few collections of smaller artists, and completely fell in love with what I found.  While it has always been my go-to place to look for jewelry and acceessories in the recent past, it wasn’t until I started planning the wedding that I really explored the depths of the ETSY website.  As soon as I noticed a wedding category, I started scouring ETSY every few days for those perfect touches I wanted to make sure the wedding fully represent us as a couple.  While the wedding is still 7 months away and this list of ETSY finds is sure to expand, I thought I’d share with you the details I’ve discovered so far that I plan to incorporate in our big day.

We decided early on that we wanted to use place cards for seating rather than having table numbers.  Personally, I feel that place cards create a much more “homey” feel, and as soon as we finalized our guest list I started searching for the perfect place card to add an additional decorative detail to the table.  Luckily for me, ETSY led me to the store Timeless Paper.  The place cards and other paper products designed by owner Emily Arrison simply take my breath away every time I look at them!  They are all so unique, and I love that she has a number of products using the same theme so you can really incorporate the idea throughout your day.  While we were initially just looking for place cards, we plan on using Timeless Paper for a number of other products such as napkin rings, programs, and menu cards.

{Images courtesy of Timeless Paper}

Luckily for all of us, Emily has graciously offered a 15% off special for all Elizabeth Anne Design readers between now and November 31st!  Since ETSY doesn’t offer coupon codes, you will need to visit the external website at http://timelesspaper.com/ and enter coupon code: EAD15.  Thank you Emily for this special gift to all of us!

Our next ETSY find was deciding to order one of the unique custom wedding posters from Ello There to use as our guest book.  Instead of having your standard book for messages, we decided to frame the poster and have guests sign the matting around the image.  I love the vintage feel of these posters, and how it will make our “guest book” a piece of art that we will always treasure.  Here are a few of my favorite posters from the store – we are currently leaning towards the first option.

{Images courtesy of Ello There}

Recently, I’ve noticed a number of brides incorporating signs throughout their wedding.  This is a concept that hadn’t crossed my mind initially, but after the idea was put in my head through the wonderful world of wedding blogs there was no turning back.  As of now, I plan on using Mr. and Mrs. chair signs at our reception table, as well as a directional sign pointing to the locations of the various parts of the wedding.

I particularly love these Mr. and Mrs. signs from Signs of Vintage as they are reversible to say Thank You at the end of the night:

{Image courtesy of Signs of Vintage}

As for the directional sign, my favorite has to be this sign this one from The Back Porch Shoppe.  These signs are the perfect match for the decor at the Clifton Inn, and I can’t wait to use them for the big day!

{Image courtesy of The Back Porch Shoppe}

Last but not least, I love the idea of incorporating initials into the wedding.  I struggled for a long time as to how I wanted to do this, but then stumbled upon these beauties from Spotted Leopard for the front doors of the Inn.  I’m so excited about this detail, and to have our guests experience personalization before they even enter the door!

{Image courtesy of Spotted Leopard}

Incorporating each of these details ensures me that the style of the wedding will truly reflect who we are as a couple.  While I would have loved to be able to make some items myself, I love that ETSY allows you to support individual artists and small businesses while getting great products at a great price.  Have any of you found wedding items on ETSY?  What are your favorite must-haves from the ETSY site?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs: The Wedding Blog, 2010 · Permalink · 1 comment · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: DIY, favorite details, floral and decor, inspiration

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I mean, do I even have a sixpence? Doubtful! I hadn’t thought too much about this tradition until this week, when my sister mentioned taping money to the inside of my peep toes. The easiest to fulfill is obviously your something new: new shoes, new headpiece, new dress…. for me, my new Rickard Shah shoes! =

The others, I hadn’t thought too much about.  After my mother stopped joking around about my something old being “a really old pair of underwear!”, my dad presented me with this to pin into my dress:

It’s the compass my late grandfather used to carry with him. When he gave it to me, my dad told me that if I wore it, my grandparents would always be there to show me the way.

::Insert sob here::

I’m getting very weepy as this week goes along! Next up: my something blue. My mom reminded me of this beautiful necklace made for me by her father, who also has passed away. So although I’d had something else in mind…it’s going by the wayside. This necklace is way too close to my heart to pass on.

Something borrowed: My sister’s pearl earrings.

What were your something olds, news, borroweds, and blues?

-B

© Elizabeth Anne Designs: The Wedding Blog, 2009 · Permalink · 2 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: customs and traditions, favorite details, good things

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I love the contrast between the handwriting and yellow zig-zag print on these place cards, which were made by folding flat notes by Linda & Harriett:

{photograph by Jennifer Kloss via Linda & Harriett}

For an alternative escort card display, try using repurposed items, such as old doors or windows, as well as materials such as twine and mini-clothespins:

{photographs by Beaux Arts Photographie via The Bride’s Cafe}

Place cards and escort cards don’t have to be made using paper – most calligraphers are able to write guests’ names on alternative materials, such as ginko leaves, seashells, and even fruit:

{image via Laura Hooper Calligraphy}

{photograph by Rachel Whiting Photography via It’s Mary Ruffle}

{image from Country Living via ritzy bee}

For another fun twist, try using playing cards or “movie tickets” that act as escort cards:

{photography by La Vie Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper}

{photograph by Greg Piche Photography via snippet & ink}

These two escort card ideas, both from Martha Stewart Weddings, are among my all-time favorites.  The constellation escort cards would make a fun DIY project using rubber stamps, and the small bundles of lavender could also be DIY’d while also giving your guests a fragrant wedding keepsake:

{image via MS Weddings}

These keepsake escort card booklets from Rebecca Thuss are a fabulous alternative to traditional escort cards and could include favorite quotes, or even your marriage and ring vows from the wedding ceremony (if not included in your programs), in addition to seating and table information:

{image via Rebecca Thuss}

I also love the contrast between the bold stripes, bright green from the wheat grass, and casual calligraphy in these escort cards via Brooklyn Bride:

{photograph by Jenny Jiminez via Brooklyn Bride}

Well, those are a few of my favorites, but the options definitely don’t stop there.  Have you started thinking about what kind of seating cards you’d like for your wedding?  If so, let me know in the comments!

*Escort cards are cards with guests’ names and table number that are displayed in a central area (like on a table or hung from a line) and organized by last name, which guests use to find their table assignment.  Placecards sit at each individual place setting, and the guests locate their tables either by walking around until they find their card (for a small wedding) or using the escort cards that they found earlier (best if you’re having a larger wedding).  So, escort cards assign each guest to a specific table, while placecards assign each guest a specific seat at that table.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs: The Wedding Blog, 2009 · Permalink · 5 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: favorite details, inspiration, stationery

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