Thứ Hai, 13 tháng 6, 2011

The Secrets for Successful Mismatched Bridesmaids

For the last few years, mismatch bridesmaid dresses has been one of the hottest trends on weddings. Everyday visiting my favorite blogs, I discover tons of style-savvy brides who find the most creative ways to follow this trend.
After all, I believe that allowing your bridesmaids to choose their dresses according to their budget, taste and type of body is a fabulous idea. If you decide to incorporate this plan to your wedding, just remember, the biggest secret of successful mismatching bridesmaids is to make your girls wear different dresses yet still look like your team… your bridal party. Bouquets, accessories and colors are elements that will help you achieve a chic mismatched bridesmaids look.
Here are some fabulous options for a successful mismatched bridesmaids look. (Image Source)
Option No. 1: Same color, different shades.
Neutrals, including grey, are so hot this year, especially when it comes to bridesmaid dresses. Neutrals give mismatched dresses a more unified look than any other color. Try them all in a short length like the first image (source) to give you, the bride, a more distinctive look. Or for a more edgy approach mix long and short dresses like image #2.
For those brides that want their bridesmaids to match their wedding colors, the third image gives you the perfect example on how to do it in a color as radiant as red. Same length, same bouquet, patterned tights and same color shoes are the elements this bride used to bring together her bridal party look. Almost the same case apply to the last photo... this one... this one is just pure mismatched beauty.



Option No. 2: Different colors, same style.
Some brides would like to follow this trend, but they still like to choose their bridesmaids’ dresses. Option number 2 is for them.
Pick the exact same dress in the different tones of your wedding color palette looks amazing and gives your bridal party a pop of color. (photo no.1) You may also choose three or four different styles and colors and let your bridesmaids determine what fits them best, like bride number two. For a more eclectic appearance, choose the same patterned skirt with a different color top (image #3). Or follow the steps of bride number four by choosing a patterned dress and let your bridesmaids decide on the color.


Option No. 3: Same color, different style.
Give your bridesmaids the exact color or even the fabric you would like them to wear and let them came up with their own dress. (picture 1, picture 2) Or pick two or three variations with the same dress (image 3, image 4).



Option No.4: Same dress, mismatched accessories.
For a more settle mix keep the same dress for all your girls and mismatched the accessories. You have an infinity amount of possibilities to play with. Earrings, shoes, cardigans, rings and necklaces are just some alternatives.
Option No. 4: Free Style
If you feel like your girls have a great sense of style give them the freedom to wear what they have on their closets. You can always provide some guidance about your wedding theme to keep the look together. For brides who are looking for a vintage feeling this first image is a great inspiration. Glamorous stylish brides check out picture number two… it’s fabulous.
Many bloggers are going bananas with the idea of the rainbow bridesmaids, and I’m one of them. Isn't it pretty? To accomplish this look make sure all your girls will wear different colors and that all the dresses have a simple and clean cut.


You can't get enough Mismatched Bridesmaids? Then, I have good news for you! I made Part-2. Click here.

Heart this? Then check these out:

Thứ Sáu, 10 tháng 6, 2011

{Real Weddings}: Kelly + Cliff by Dan Dalstra

If only there was a way to snap my fingers and magically end up in this dream of a destination wedding plus trash the dress session. The amazingly breathtaking Barcelo Maya Palace in the Mayan Riviera provided the stunning backdrop and the images from El Paso based destination wedding photographer Daniel Dalstra are just a vacation within themselves. I don’t know about you, but I think I might just take a little vacation in the romantic and tropical love story that the bride shared with us at the end of this post, care to join me?





From the bride... We met through a mutual friend and have been together every day ever since. He asked me to be "his girlfriend" at my senior prom…And of course I said yes!
The proposal... Clint's girlfriend Jen and I planned a surprise birthday vacation for the twin's 26th Birthday. We told them to pack for hot weather and did not tell them where they were going. When we got to our gate, Cliff saw the sign "Punta Cana, Dominican Republic" and the boys were very excited. It was a new place we all have not experienced.
We had a beautiful time. Sipping tropical drinks, basking in the sun, snorkeling, the works. Little did I know...Cliff had his own surprise up his sleeve. He knew we were going on vacation so he and my Mom made a white lie up to go get my ring!
Jen had the pressure of holding my ring from Chicago and for about 3 days in Punta Cana! Poor thing! I thought she was acting a little too protective of her belongings on the trip. Now I know why, she was holding the ring the entire time.
April 15th, 2010, Cliff and I were getting ready to walk with Jen and Clint to dinner. Jen said she wanted to take a pretty picture in the wedding gazebo before hand, so we all agreed. 
There was a wedding in the gazebo earlier in the day and it was still full of flowers. Jen and Clint took their picture and said they would take one of the two of us (Which really was a video of Cliff proposing to me). Cliff was holding my hands and saying how amazing the vacation was, the gazebo with all its artwork on the ceiling and said "Man...I could get married here. Would you want to get married here?" I was confused at all the strange comments and said "Sure why not. It is gorgeous" and then he got down on one knee and said "Would you marry me?" 
The question took a minute to sink in. All I could say is "What??? Shut up? Are you serious?" and of course it was all on video. LOL.
I said yes and as the camera's stopped rolling...I started to sob. It really happened! He proposed!
I am the happiest girl alive and could not have asked for a more beautiful proposal, in paradise with the greatest guy ever!


Photography: Daniel Dalstra | Location: Barcelo Maya Palace in the Mayan Riviera



I { heart } these Engagement Session Ideas - Part 2

I'm a free woman! The Wedding Show is over, for now. Time to get back to my biggest passion blogging.
I found some of these images around and I thought they will give me the perfect reason to bring you more ideas on how to incorporate hearts, the universal sign of love, into your engagement session. Take a look at Part 1 right here, I promise is as good as this second one.
You can incorporate hearts even if you already have a theme for your engagement session. I'm loving this retro style e- session by Crystal Clear Imager.
One of my all times favorite images: You {plus} Me {equals} Love. Via Grosgrain Fabulous

More fabulous chalk ideas. A big heart that you can jump into (image source), and the very famous blowing kisses (photo 1, photo 2)
A heart made out of metal... cute and meaningful. Image via Kiss the Groom
 Paper ideas. Love is in the air (image source)

A paper heart garland makes a great DIY project that will give your e-session a touch of extra love. Do red hearts for a pop of color, or shades of pastels for a vintage feeling.


Or just hold a heart together. Image 1, Image 2

Don't forget to stop by and check Part 1  and Part 3 of I {heart} this Engagement Session Ideas.

Thứ Hai, 6 tháng 6, 2011

A 250.00 Dreamy Whites Online Gift Card Giveaway



Hello!
I hope you are all having a great Monday.
I haven't actually done a giveaway for my shop on my blog yet, so I thought it
would be fun to do a giveaway today.
One reader will receive a $250.00 gift card to my online shop.
I can't thank you guys enough for all of the support you have given me this past year.
I appreciate it so much!
The giveaway information will be at the bottom of the post.
Here is a sampling of what you will find in my shop.


I took some product pictures outside this last weekend.
I  have been waiting for the grass to turn a golden brown so I could
take some product pictures outside.
(I love California's golden rolling hills and oak trees)


Here are a few pictures from this weekend.
I tried to keep it simple.





An antique European grain sack wagon cover.


It has beautiful pale pink stripes.



I recently found this french wine basket that is over a 100 years old.
It was used to carry wine up from the cellar.
It has six slots for holding wine bottles.


 I finally have more red striped grain sack table runners in stock.


I will be adding more of these to my site this next week.


Giveaway Information....

One reader will receive a 250.00 gift card to Dreamy Whites Online.
The giveaway winner will be chosen by random number.
The giveaway ends June 12th at midnight.
The giveaway is open to international readers too.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. To enter the giveaway all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post
stating what you would purchase from my shop if you were to win the 250.00 gift card.

If you would like an additional entry you can.....

2. Post the giveaway to your blog
3. Post the giveaway to your facebook page and or...
4. Post the giveaway to your twitter account
In order for your extra entries to count you must leave separate comments for each entry.


If you leave an anonymous comment please be sure and leave your email address.

Thank you for all of the support and encouragement you have given me this past year.
It means so much to me.

Take Care,
Maria


P.S. I wanted to say thank you to all of you that stopped by and left flower care tips on my last post.
I can hardly wait to try all of your great tips.
Thank you!



Thứ Tư, 1 tháng 6, 2011

hydrangeas, peonies, and a french zinc bucket



Hello!
I hope you are all having a great week!
I just wanted to share a few pictures I took of a french zinc bucket that I added to my online shop last  weekend.


This vintage french bucket has an antique french label attached to one side of the bucket...
I filled it with pale pink hydrangeas along with a couple of peonies....


When filling a large tub with flowers, I just put a bucket inside the tub upside down for added height, and then add another bucket filled with water and flowers...
 It is a lot easier to arrange the flowers this way...
At least it is for me. : )



I don't know about you, but I have had problems cutting my hydrangeas for arrangements and then before I know it they are wilted.  
I just recently learned that if you slightly smash the ends of the hydrangeas and add ice to your water, 
your cut hydrangeas should last longer...


I so far have had better luck with my hydrangeas lasting longer when doing this.



Do you have any flower arranging tips and or flower care tips you would like to share?

Thank you for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

Take Care,

Maria