{Etsy: Convertible Dresses}

My brides never cease to amaze me with their Etsy finds and brilliant ideas.  Recently, one of our brides emailed me some details of her wedding including her bridesmaid dresses...they are amazing.  Why?  Because each bridesmaid can purchase the exact same dress, but configure it multiple ways so that she feels comfortable wearing it.


Straath of Design on Etsy sells these beauties for $85 each and you can be certain your bridesmaid will wear it again and again!

bridal shower gift

i am a huge fan of buying gifts off registries.  it's a safe bet - you know your gift is wanted and will be used.  however, every once in a while something comes along that you can't register for, but is one of the most amazing gifts (and something I wouldn't mind myself).  my dearest friend stacy who owns The Gown Shop turned me on to this specific item and i die.  behold:

the coolest thing about this item is that 1) you can get any state you want, and 2) you can have the heart put in any city.   how amazing!?  click here for the link to this awesomeness on etsy - seriously, awesome.

to all my friends and clients getting married - you will likely see this cutting board live and in person...perhaps in the form of a gift (especially if you are attending a bridal shower at Misty Farms on August 28, 2011)  *wink wink*

courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

custom paper products | sparrownestscript

With two kids, a husband, and wedding season in full swing, down time can be few and far between.  No matter how busy I am I just cannot seem to stay away from etsy.  From headbands and cute accessories for my daughters to all things wedding related - they have amazing things for everyone!  About a month ago I came across some amazing calligraphers who offer custom products such as return address stamps, personalized stationery, thank you notes, and custom wedding stationery suites.  One of the calligraphers, sparrow nest script, also makes these ADORABLE cards that are perfect for asking your best girl friends to be in your wedding:

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
www.petalsplanningco.com

Something Borrowed

"Something Borrowed" is probably my favorite of the four wedding traditions.  I love incorporating someone else's treasure into your day to make it extra personal.  From your sister's wedding shoes to your best friends necklace to your mother's garter...each detail is unique to you and I love that!

...chunky necklaces are all the rage right now!

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Or you could borrow something more classic...

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"Something Borrowed" AND "Something Blue"

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And who wouldn't love to walk down the aisle in a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes!?

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courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

Groomsmen Gifts

Our last post was all about the bridesmaids and their gifts...and this post is dedicated to the groom and his groomsmen.  Guys can always be hard to buy for, especially when it comes to wedding gifts.  Our advice to to just have fun with it and not put too much thought into it...some of our favorite gifts are...

How awesome is this!?  An etsy find that is so funny and perfect for any group of fun loving guys (I'm thinking specifically about my sister's fiance...).  If you don't want to go the whole nine yards with the book, you could just buy a flask and have it engraved with each groomsmens initials or name.  In addition to or instead of, you could also buy each guy their liquor of choice to personalize the gift even more. 

These are not only cuff links, these are cuff links for the ultimate sports enthusiast.  Each of these cuff links are made out of materials from recycled wood stadium seats. Set in sterling silver, the diamond-shaped cuff links are made from actual seats removed during renovation of New York's Yankee Stadium and Chicago's Wrigley Field, two of the nation's oldest baseball venues. Each one is engraved with the name of the stadium on the back, and each set comes with a certificate of authenticity.  The cuff links are available in two colors: Natural wood cut from the core of the chairs of each stadium, and a painted finish from the seats' the outer surface. Yankee Stadium's painted links are blue-green; Wrigley Field's are green.   How cool is that???!

We have done a couple of blog posts in the past about grooms socks, but we are also head over heels for these groom shoes!!!!  Vans, among other shoe companies, allows you to customize shoes with colors and designs specific to you.  The guys will wear these shoes long after the wedding is over.  Photo Credit

We are in love with the J.Crew bridal collection, and even more in love with these fun, modern ties.  The guys will be able to wear these time and time again.  J.Crew is known for clean, classic yet modern and fun colors and lines - we guarantee these ties will not disappoint!

A HUGE thank you to my new intern Lauren for helping with these blog posts!  This almost 35 week pregnant lady is so thankful for her help!!!!  xoxo

courtney@petalsplanningco.com

http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

Homemade Soap

My good friend Holly of Sweet Pea Floral Design makes homemade soaps that she sells on Etsy.  Her soaps are all organic, smell absolutely heavenly, and are made with love <3.  They make great bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts (the rosemary lemon mint if GREAT for shaving), wedding favors, valentines day gifts (hint, hint), or gifts for any other special occassion!  The soaps are $4.50/each or 5 for $20.  Enjoy!

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
http://www.petalsplanningco.com

Guest Books

Every detail counts when it comes to the design of your wedding.  Whether your style is shabby-chic, modern elegance or country vintage the details are what will make it stand out from all the other weddings your family & friends will attend.


One of my favorite details is the guest book.  Each couple has unique tastes and a different for vision for how to capture the guests who attended the celebration of the best day of their lives.  Etsy is a great resource for wedding details and the following guest books can all be found in the "wedding" section.

 This 20 page guest book is 11" x 8.5" and is filled with your photos, chosen by you and professionally retouched.  It is designed specifically for you with your colors, theme, and story.  Price is $165 and it ships within 2 weeks of completion.  Guests can sign and/or write messages on the blanks spaces surrounding your pictures and it's a book you will have forever!  Perfect for the coffee table :)  Click here for the link on Etsy.

This guest book is so fun and interactive for your guests.  Each guests puts their thumb print on one of the branches on this tree along with their name.  This vendor makes a variety of different trees (twisty oak, great oak, gnarled elm, cherry blossom, and tall birch) as well as a variety of different sizes, depending on how many guests you will have.  Pricing ranges from $55 - $117 and can include various paint colors for your guests to leave their print in.  Click here to view the sellers gallery on Etsy.

The three guest books shown above are more traditional by wedding standards, but are unique nonetheless.  Each can be customized with various colors to suite your wedding colors.  Top book is $28, middle is $76, and bottom is $60.

Top: Modern Pink Guest Book

Middle: Romantic Flower Guest Book

Bottom:  Brown & Blue Guest Book

This guest book alternative is one of my favorites!  Guests sign on the matte surrounding the pictures that make up the spelling of your last name.  This comes in two sizes 17" x 30" or 11" x 14", there are 2 black frame options, and the matting is white.  The larger size is priced at $149 and takes three weeks to create plus additional time to ship.  Click here to view this guest book on Etsy.

courtney@petalsplanningco.com

www.petalsplanningco.com

Etsy Find! Fun Accessories by Pixel & Hank

I'm a big fan of accessories in general, but an even bigger fan of super cool, unique, one-of-a-kind accessories!  I've been following Pixel & Hank on Twitter and I just had the opportunity to check out their Etsy Shop...A-mazing!  They have everything from shoe clips, to headbands, to boutonnieres, to hair clips, special order, and of course my favorite...a bridal collection!  Here are some pics of my favorite items :)  Click here to check out their shop on Etsy.

courtney@petalsplanningco.com
http://www.petalsplanningco.com/

An adorable Etsy find - cookies!

Pictures by BrideCouture

           Who doesn't love to get fun surprises in the mail?  What a better way to ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding than to send them these fabulous cookies!?  You choose the color of icing and BrideCouture elegantly wraps your cookies, includes a personalized note from you, and ships them off to your 'maids!  How fun is that?  It's $27 for a half dozen and you can be sure your girls will be more than appreciative :)

Here is the link to BrideCouture on Etsy:
BrideCouture on Etsy



How did you ask your maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids to be a part of your wedding? If you could do it over would do something different? If so, what?


courtney@petalsplanningco.com
Petals Planning Company