WEDDING BLOG

Oh Oscars, I do love you so! Even though I rarely get to the theater these days (I only saw one nominated movie this year, go Slumdog Millionaire!) it’s still an absolute delight to curl up on my couch to watch the show, wine and snacks in hand, and Kleenex at the ready! I get giddy watching the fashion during the red carpet arrivals, I get emotional listening to the acceptance speeches, and I love finding inspiration for wedding style in the glamorous clothing, hairstyles, jewelry and accessories worn by all the stars.

Last night was no exception in the inspiration category, especially with the hairstyles. Many lovely ladies wore their hair pulled back in low, structured, old-Hollywood glam chignons like Kate Winslet, Freida Pinto, Anne Hathaway and Penelope Cruz, and others like Amy Adams, Vanessa Hudgens and Marisa Tomei went for a looser and more tousled version of the look. All of these styles would look amazing with sparkling earrings, big and small, and would leave lots of room for wearing various kinds of bridal hair accessories or veils.

Other starlets opted for wearing their hair down, either partially pulled back like Angelina Jolie (love those green earrings!) Jessica Biel and Melissa George; all the way down in smooth waves like Sarah Jessica Parker, Robin Wright Penn, Amanda Seyfried, and Alicia Keys; or all the way down in a slightly more deconstructed and modern style like Taraji P. Henson, Leslie Mann and Viola Davis. Pretty! These looks work especially well with strapless dresses and simple necklines so the long hair doesn’t compete with the top of the dress.

(All images from Yahoo News and Yahoo Movies)

The men in attendance didn’t look too shabby either! There were lots of classic tuxedos with bowties (my favorite!) on men like the dashing Mr. Bond James Craig, Brad Pitt, Dominic Cooper, Hugh Jackman, Zach Efron, Dustin Lance Black and Michael Sheen. Modern tuxedos with solid black neckties also looked amazing on guys like Robert Downey Jr., Danny Glover, Matthew Broderick and Emile Hirsch. Yum, handsome! All great looks for men at formal, sophisticated weddings.

Thanks Oscars! Can’t wait til next year! Who were your faves?

If you’re looking for a little touch of decorative charm for your wedding, I just don’t think it gets any better than baker’s twine. It creates instant nostalgia for warm sugary goodness straight from the local bakery, has a charming vintage sensibility, and makes me smile just looking at it. I honestly want to tie it around everything! It’s amazing that something so small and simple can exude such personality! Here are some images I found of creative ways to use it…

Top image: Baker’s twine on vintage spools from Birdhaven on Etsy.com

Bottom image, First and second rows:
Red and white baker’s twine wrapped around a letter press cookie box- an adorable take home wedding favor! Thank you gifts for your wedding party simply wrapped in baker’s twine- custom letterpress notecard set or a letterpress thank you note tied to the top of a box of treats, all from the talented Simple Song Designs on Etsy.com

Third row:
Balloons tied with baker’s twine as a table centerpiece designed by Chelsea Fuss of Frolic via OnceWed.com
Hand made tea bags tied with black and white twine for your wedding guests to take home from MarthaStewart.com

Fourth row:
Little favor boxes with hear shaped cut-outs, neatly tied up from Bake It Pretty
Paper bag wedding favors strung on baker’s twine to create a decorative garland from MarthaStewart.com

Fifth row:
A two pound cone of baker’s twine (a lifetime supply!) from WeSellCoffee.com, available in red and white, blue and white, green and white, or brown and white
A white cake box tied in twine and a pretty gift tag from Bliss Weddings Market

Sixth row:
Pretty photo of black and white twine by photographer Whitney Deal

Bottom row:
Faux bois gift tags tied with brown baker’s twine from Birdhaven on Etsy.com

To celebrate your wedding, your friends and family will shower you with their good intentions. Theyll give you presents, throw parties in your honor, and share their time and talents with you. Be sure that youre doing your part in return by sending thoughtful thank you notes that come from the heart! Thank you notes are the last impression that guests will have of your wedding, so their importance cannot be overemphasized. To really give them a personal touch consider having custom cards printed with your new married name, your monogram, or your two first names together. I love these personalized note cards from Silhouette Blue on Etsy.com. I ordered some for my Mom and Nana as Christmas gifts, and the products, as well as the customer service, were outstanding. The cards are small, glossy and delicately designed, the perfect personal statement for a simple and meaningful thank you!

Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind as you start receiving all those fabulous gifts!

• Send a handwritten thank-you note to each and every person who gives you something of value and be sure to mention the specific gift or contribution and why you appreciate it.

• Dont worry if your handwriting is less than perfect. As long as its legible, its the effort that counts.

• Try to send thank you notes out within 3 weeks of receiving your gift, and dont listen to people who say you have up to a year to reply. Three months should really be the maximum time allowed.

• Keep an on-going gratitude list with your fiance and schedule time every couple of weeks to write and send out your thank you notes together. Make it a fun date night and set up special drinks, snacks, or favorite music to enjoy while you write.

• For people who go the extra mile to show their support, look for thoughtful gifts and creative ways to say thanks. Bake some cookies or make dinner for a person who gave you nice things for your kitchen. Give a spa gift certificate to someone who did ton of set up or clean up during your event.

• Resist the temptation to take your thank-you notes with you on your honeymoon. There will be time to send them when you get back!