Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

Midnight Vintage/Modern

There's no back story behind this post; it's just beautiful inspiration.

Vintage/modern style is ever so present these days. From wedding...to fashion...to even invitations, achieving the shabby chic look with soft hues and antiquated elements is totally dreamy in my book. Have your photographer use light in creative ways to whip up images that will make your wedding totally modern, yet very timeless. Pair that with a gorgeous color scheme and you'll leave your friends and family gazing at your wedding for years to come.  Enjoy.
 
Image credits: Wedding Imagery by Our Labor Of Love, French Gift Tags via Etsy, Pretty Pillow by 5eizen via The Inspired Bride

Late Summer Wedding {NY Times Style}

Every once in a while, I wander over to the New York Times Weddings & Celebrations section on their website and I indulge myself in a few of the whimsical and romanticized weddings that their Vows writers cover. There is something so classic about the announcements that it feels like you are stepping back in time and reading a vintage newspaper. The announcements always mention the bride as the daughter of so-and-so, and the groom as the son of so-and-so as though they are regal and renowned. They talk about the bride and groom's childhoods, how they met, and their careers. It's all so romantic.

Today, I read about an artistic couple, Elizabeth Wood and Gabriel Nussbaum, who met at a film festival in the Hamptons, and now live in the West Village. Their home was once occupied by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. How cool is that? Even cooler is the fact that Wood and Nussbaum spent time in Louisiana donating their time and talent to children after Hurricane Katrina. Wood taught the children film, while Nussbaum taught theater. They created a documentary using footage the children shot. Shortly after, they were engaged and married in Amagansett, New York.

Inspiration Board | Bridal Hustle Bustle

The Tour de France is well on it's way and serves as this week's wedding inspiration. Whether you cycle, love the art of movement, or the graphic appeal of transportation symbols really grinds your gears (in a good way, of course), incorporate this theme into all sorts of details for your big day.

Don't just stop at bicycles; planes, trains, and automobiles are always classic ideas, but ships and sailboats, hot air balloons, and bridges are also creative ways to help you make your big dash to the finish line! Start with a Save the Date, like this Bicycles for Two design from RedLeafPapers, and soon after that, you'll be rollin' to "I do!"

Do you have a hobby that you've incorporated into your event? What are other ways you made your wedding quirky and uniquely yours?

**Thanks to my hubby who rides his bike everyday for inspiring my post!

Photo credits: Vintage Fusion: Just Married Car via Project Wedding, the Lovenstein Love Bus via Living Light Photography, Bicycles are for Lover T-Shirt via Etsy, Golden Gate Bridge imagery via Marissa-Moss, Hot Air Balloon via greenlaunches.com, Retro Bentley via theknot.com, Ship-inspired groomsmen neckties and Love is the Air matchboxes via Etsy. Bride&Groom with Green Van photo credit coming soon! I left it at home! I apologize.

Announcing Preston Bailey for Invitation Consultants

Every bride dreams of the perfect wedding day, where all of the details seamlessly fall together in gorgeous harmony. Preston Bailey is the most preeminent wedding and event designer in the world who knows how to make these details so spectacular that they ignite the imagination. I am more than thrilled to announce today on Fab*Blog that Invitation Consultants will soon be releasing invitations designed exclusively by Preston Bailey for Invitation Consultants.

These invitations will be inspired by the beautiful floral arrangements that Preston is so renowned for. They will be the perfect way for bride's to show their guests a glimpse into their magical event that is yet to come.

Preston Bailey has worked with Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karan, and Liza Minnelli (among others), and is now ready to inspire your wedding through invitations.

Stay tuned as a few invitations will be available in the late summer, with more to follow throughout fall 2009 and winter 2010.

In the meantime, seek inspiration on Preston's site.

I Just Keep Getting Married...

Some of you might remember me gushing about my Las Vegas vow renewal. My husband and I have only been married two years, but I love weddings so I've made him promise to marry as many times as I want. For this 'wedding' we flew with 4 friends to Vegas, and renewed our vows with an Elvis who looked more like Hugh Jackman. He was so nice, and so much fun! I really thought it was going to be a cheesy experience and that we would be embarrassed to tell everyone about it, but it was the total opposite.

Elvis did a little singing, we did a little dancing, and then performed 'Elvis' vows. I giggled through this entire part, but the vows were really sweet. After wards, we walked up and down the Vegas strip, went for an awesome dinner, and road the New York New York roller coaster. I can't have been the first person to ride a roller coaster in a 'wedding dress' (from J Crew, by the way : ), but it was an awesomely unique experience.

If you are thinking of renewing your vows, or are considering getting married in Las Vegas, I definitely recommend it! Check out our Las Vegas themed wedding invitations, and tell me- would you ever profess your love in front of the King of Rock?

Rustic & Modern: The future Mrs. Ronald Weasley's dream wedding

Caution: Spoiler Alert (don't read if you don't want to know!)

It's that time again! The release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is just around the corner! Being a die-hard fan of the novels and movies, you can imagine my excitement. Yes, I am a Twilight series lover, but first and foremost I am dedicated to J.K. Rowling's creations.

Today's post is in the eyes of Hermione Granger. The tension between her and Ron has been prevalent from day one. It is clearly obvious that they should (and will) be together forever! So let's say "I do" to the Granger | Weasley nuptials with rustic elegance. Natural surroundings, candlelight, and owl details are just some of the ideas that we can incorporate in a chic way. Who says mythical can't be modern? Enjoy.

Image Credits:

Tree Imagery, Maurauder's Map (perfect for direction cards!), Owl print, Harry's Enchanted Flying Car (for Hermione & Ron's send off - let's hope they get there in one piece!), Emma Watson, Golden Own Earrings via Etsy (something borrowed from Luna Lovegood), Candlelight Reception or Breezy Outdoor Setting, Chandelier Lighting via GreenWeddingShoes blog, Patterned Tile invite via Invitation Consultants, Rustic Reception Fall Foliage Cake via Brides.com

Fall Wedding Invitations: This Season's Best

You'll have to forgive my short blog hiatus. We've been working so hard on our Red Leaf Papers line of original party invitations, and on top of that I was on vacation for a whole week. I now need a vacation from vacation. So, anyhow, onto the topic at hand.

It's June and tons of brides are ordering fall themed wedding invitations. Being in the event/party industry, you get to celebrate holidays even when they're more six months away (like designing Christmas cards in May). We're always ahead of the calendar, and I don't mind because I get to see gorgeous, seasonal invites all year long. Above are my favorite fall themed invites. Tell me-- in what season are you/did you/ would you like to get married?

From left to right: A Natural Classic, Amaretto Chantilly, Green Apple Delight, and Golden Sentiment.

Do Wedding Crashers Really Exist?

Wedding Crashers is one of the funniest movies ever. I certainly felt like one for a brief moment in time when... me and the hubby were in Massachusetts at a friend's wedding. The bride and I went to college together. I only knew one other person that was going to be there. We were staying at the hotel and when six o'clock rolled around we made it downstairs and hit the first ballroom we saw. My friend is Indian and all of the people in the room were Indian, so I did not second guess this. Anyways, we sit down and then realize guests are already at the buffet. So we started to gather some food since we did not go right into the mingling. We sit down the hubby and I and then as we are ready to eat we pull open a scroll that says "Congratulations XYZ." Well, we don't know anyone named XYZ. So we thought, ok we just crashed a wedding. We very coyly got up and then "ran out." As we turn the corner we stumble upon another ballroom, which was my friend's wedding.

After being so embarrased, I cannot imagine how anyone could crash a wedding.

But, it is obviously easy to do when you just get in the mix, get food and drink and start mingling. If the bride and groom do not know who you are, they can just say "hey, those two over there must work with one of our parents." In polling people I know, 50% of them said they would crash a wedding or have in the past.

It starts off very innocent where you first take a drink or head in to dance a few songs towards the end of a party and before you know it, you are a wedding crasher! In no way do we condone this behavior!~

Tip: stop wedding crashers with Invitation only wedding invitations and place and table cards, so everyone is accounted for!

Images:The men you can't see who they are, guests can get lost in the shuffle, big parties are a breeding ground, ginger place cards, stripe table number set

What is your Favorite Wedding Movie?

I used to have a blog where I critiqued movies. I loved it, but time got in the way. Plus I do not get to the movies as much as I would like to. Netflix has become a good friend of mine! My favorite type of movie is "chic flick." I do not like surprises and with these movies you know what to expect...a happy ending. If I see a preview for a movie with a wedding in it, it goes straight in my Netflix que!

Here are my favorite wedding inpired movies and the wedding invitations I think they should have ordered to go with the wedding. There are spoilers in here.

1. Made of Honor - Small initimate city wedding

Invitation they could have ordered for this movie's wedding: Fabulously Fetching

2. Bride Wars - Elaborate wedding at The Plaza. Even though I saw it being filmed in Boston

Invitation they could have ordered for this movie's wedding: A Champagne Embellishment

3. The Wedding Date: Traditional Eurpoean wedding in the countryside

Invitation they could have ordered for this movie's wedding: Sweet Pea Bloom

4. Sex and the City: Quick wedding at City Hall

Invitation they could have ordered for this movie's wedding: Magnificent Mocha

5. Wedding Crashers - High society wedding on the Maryland seashore

Invitation they could have ordered for this movie's wedding: In Sophisticated Fashion

What is your favorite movie wedding?

Movie shots thanks to Netflix.com

Waking up in Vegas*

If you were a bride, you may experience what I call EWW. Extreme Wedding Withdrawal. EWW happens to the best of us. Our weddings come, they go, and we're left with residual planning energy. I've heard of ways for coping with EWW: taking up a hobby, having a baby, starting a new career, redecorating, throwing parties, etc. My favorite way to cope with EWW is to just enjoy being married and spending time with my new spouse. I snuck in a Trash the Dress photo shoot 6 months after our wedding as a way of band aiding my EWW.

Well, my spouse isn't so new anymore. We've been married two years and are crazy happy, but I still get EWW. This line of work is difficult because I'm surrounded by wedding invites all day long, just reminding me how much fun it was to be a bride. My husband is aware of my EWW issue and that's where this little special story comes in: