Messy Side Pony Hair Tutorial

Remember this "hair to"? Joanna has shared another fantastic Hair Tutorial that I couldn't help but share (messy hair is kind of my thing).



Find the directions, here.


Isn't it adorable??



Photos by Jamie Beck via A Cup of Joe.

Birdcage Love

I must be going through bird withdrawal as I've been hunting for pretty cages to adorn my backyard. I love the look of antique cages, in or out of doors.

Birdcages are lovely when used in wedding decor. A few of my favourite options...

Cages used in place of Chandeliers for an outdoor reception:

{Photos by Corbin Gurkin via Duet Weddings, flowers by Modern Day Design}

Cages arranged around the cake table:

{Photo by Armosa Studios}

Cages decorated with moss and blooms at the place card table:

{Photos by left:One Love Photo & right: Martha Stewart Weddings}

Ryan & Angie used cages in their bird motif to hold cards as guests arrived:



Have you ever used birdcages in decor? Wedding or otherwise.

... something blue.

Every once in a while a piece of jewelry stops you in your tracks.

I was instantly smitten with this bobby pin set by Everyday Glory.


How perfect would any one of these pins be for a bride's something blue?

A simple bobby pin is beautiful in an updo, a veil, or a bride's bouquet. I love how this set does not match perfectly; I think two or three would be very pretty in a cluster.

At $28.00US for the set, these charming pins would be a fantastic addition to any bride's day of style.

Check out Everyday Glory's shop for more lovely pieces.

Birdcage Decor

Ryan & Angela: how gorgeous is this?

{David Seaver photo via classic bride}

Although your reception is indoors {and the birdcage will most likely be on our welcome table}, wouldn't it be great to use the vintage birdcage more than once?

I'm thinking we could copy this gorgeous look for your outdoor engagement party, rehearsal dinner, or a post-wedding bbq. It could house the cards that you'll inevitably receive along the way. Or, simply carry the bird motif further.

Thoughts?

Bird Cake Inspiration

Although their guests are going to enjoy Pie for dessert, Ryan and Angela are going to have a mini cake for a traditional cake-cutting. The couple is lucky enough to have a close family friend who has offered to create a cake for them to do so. Below are a few examples of bird-inspired wedding cakes that would work as a one-tier mini cake.

{Martha Stewart}

I love the twigs used here as well as the tree stump base. It is also interesting to see a cake without a traditional 'cake topper.' I kind of like the effect of the mini birds placed sporadically around the cake; however, as a one tier it would be so cute with a pair of tiny birds amidst twigs on the top, don't you think?

{Cake by K. Rose Cakes via ritzy bee}

Better yet, put your bird cake-toppers in a nest! How adorable is this cake? Although simple in design, I love the effect of the rustic nest against the perfectly-iced white cake. For added colour, you could add a couple of bold flowers or choose coloured birds for in the nest.

Also, remember the adorable cake topper we found on Etsy:

{Middleburg}

This would work beautifully on the simplest of cakes. {I also love that you can personalize the banner to read your date, your names, "just married," or any other special message: what a keepsake}.

Beautiful Birdcage Veil

[Once Wed]

Angela and I are huge fans of birdcage veils. I thought of her when I saw this beautiful photo by Kelli Cohee.

I just love this floral hairpiece.

More photos of this lovely vintage inspired wedding can be found here.

Favourite Favours

As promised, I have compiled a few Favour Ideas for Ryan and Angela's rustic.and.romantic affair to complement their elegant bird motif.

The following are some of my favorite rustic gifts.for.your.guests...

[1].
[Once Wed]
I love this idea.
You could leave mini Mason Jars full of homemade jam, honey, or other preserves at each place setting with a thank you note or monogram.
Grape or rhubarb jelly with eggplant fabric or ribbon would complement your colour palette nicely.

A Fun Idea {stolen from a family friend's wedding}: attach a note reading "Thanks for Jamming with us".

[2].
[Style Me Pretty]
We've already discussed this idea but I think it fits too perfectly to ignore!
Style Me Pretty provides helpful DIY instructions for this adorable favor while The Knot gives insight into the traditional significance of the Jordan Almonds used here to Greek and Italian cultures.

Angie: your bird stamps would work nicely on card stock affixed to these nests.

[3].
[The Knot]
What is more rustic at a Fall Wedding than a table decorated with delicious {Okanagan} Apples?
This idea is so simple, yet I love its' effect. I have also seen it done with ripe Pears: mini 'thank you' notes were attached to the stem with ribbon. How Sweet?

[4].
[craftpudding]
Geneve's creative idea of directing more attention to the Pie Bar by compiling the homemade recipes into a booklet is quite special.
I think it would be so sweet to have each baker's hand written recipes copied to card stock and bound with twine or ribbon.

Each guest would be able to leave with the recipes for the pies they enjoyed at your reception. Yum.

[5].
[Martha Stewart]

To correlate with the bird and natural theme, packets of Seeds {wild flower or bird seeds} would be a great favour for your guests.
Martha Stewart packages seeds in adorable origami envelopes.

DIY instructions for these handy envelopes can be found here.


[6].
[Martha Stewart]

In keeping with the 'Green' theme, I think seedlings would be a wonderful way of promoting environmental consciousness [yay Hybrid]!

You could split the favors offering half the guests seeds and the other half seedlings. Also, as they have done here, you can print your 'thank you' messages on recycled or plantable paper. {Starbucks offered plantable paper with their gift cards a few seasons ago: it was really neat}.

[7]. {To Donate}

It it always a lovely gesture when a couple chooses to make a donation in lieu of favors. The following are some of my favorite charities:

1. WWF- Canada


2. World Food Programme


3. BCSPCA


4. BC Children's Hospital


5. BC Cancer Agency

There are MANY worthy Charities out there. Please let me know if you have any particular donation ideas.

A Lovely Shop.

Image Courtesy of Portobello's Shop.

Angela: I think you will adore the beautiful hair pieces and jewelry available in Portobello's showcase as much as I do!


Image Courtesy of Portobello's Shop.

{Thanks to La Dolce Vita for introducing me to this Shop!}

Tweet.

How adorable is this cake topper?



Audrey & David's wedding [recently featured on Once Wed] provides great bird inspiration and personalized details.


I love Audrey's birdcage veil, the green pomanders, and the purple bride's maids dresses.


Images Courtesy of Leigh Miller Photography.

If we weren't already doing a candy bar...

This favour idea found at Style me Pretty would be perfect for Ryan and Angie's bird theme. How sweet?

Etsy Bird Faves, Part 2

On a continuous search for all.things.birds, I thought I would report some of my latest finds. [Just for fun].

Cake Toppers
[I don't think any of these are the style you're looking for Angie, but I'm including them because they are adorable].


I really like these love doves [$75] made by Middleburg.


Middleburg also offers this cute pair of blue birds [$49]. [They also come in brown with an ivory tummy].


However, I think that this set [$77] is my favorite of Middleburg's. You can personalize the banner with the wedding date, "Just Married," or "I love you."


These birdy thank you cards [$9 for 6] by turtlepapers are great. I think they would work nicely as wedding Thank You cards.


Another stationary option is this adorable note set [$14 for 6] by pearlmarmalade. I love the Parisian Etiquette.


This nest [$4.75] by theseasonalcottage is awesome. I think it would be adorable at the entrance table in the curly willow display I have envisioned. Or, somewhere on the pie bar.


The possibilities for these nests [$2.75 for 3] are endless. They're small enough to make a statement without going overboard and they could work very well within our rustic and romantic, Victorian decor.


I like this pin [$55] by ValerieLynn. I don't know where I would put it [maybe somewhere on the bridal bouquet], but I think it's sweet.



I'm a sucker for stamps and I really like these two by craftpudding. This one [$10] would be awesome for any wedding-related correspondence; this one [$12]would add a special touch to holiday correspondence.



I love this save.the.date [$18] by merrygolucky. This bird stamp set [$26.75] by cottonblue could come in handy with wedding correspondence including thank you cards.

And last, but not least...


These cards [$10 for 6] are just great. I love them.

If you're a bird, I'm a bird.

One of my favorite movies of all time also has one of the most romantic scenes of all time [selon moi] with a bird reference. So [naturally] I've included it here for inspiration [& for goose.bumps.and.warm.fuzzies].



*sigh* I could watch this over and over...



This beautiful film also features an amazing soundtrack. This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I would love to do a smooth waltz across a dance floor with Jimmy Durante or Billie Holiday singing "I'll be seeing you" in the background. One day... but for now I have the film.

Video Montages Courtesy of SgtFluffyMcFay and Shellelover.

Etsy Bird Faves, Part 1

As promised, here is my [first] list of Bird Finds on one of my favorite websites: Etsy!


I love these address labels [$10 for 60] by Krystan. I think they'd be very nice for invites or thank you notes [maybe with your new address, Ryan and Angie]? The colours can be personalized [i.e. to match wedding/ envelope colours].


How precious are these cake toppers [$60] by RedLightStudio? Again, you can personalize them with your colours [an 'eggplant' tie, perhaps]?


OK, it's a play.on.words. but I like it. This Bird Cage Veil [$22] by MarlaJDesigns is very pretty. This designer offers various styles of Bird Cage Veils [the style I think you were refering to last weekend, Angie].

Another example of her Veils can be found here.

On a Non-Bird-Related-Note: She also makes beautiful hairpins [everyone loves a little hair bling].


This design [$20] would look beautiful in a bride's up do.


These stunning bobby pins [3 for $22] would also add a little sparkle to a bride or bride's maid's 'do. They would also add a pop to any bouquet.

More hair bling can be found here, here, and here.

Birds of a Feather.

Before Angie and Ryan's bird theme was officially established, we discussed personal touches to correlate with the rustic.and.romantic motif they envisioned for their special day. I thought a vintage bird cage would be a beautiful addition to the welcome/ gift table to hold cards.

Once the presence of "the bird" was established it didn't take long for me to start searching for vintage bird cages... here is my first find:



Found on Etsy for $15 [a steal] this 10'' by 17'' cage would look very nice on a patio after the wedding [maybe with a plant inside?].

What do you guys think about using a cage at the reception?


Here is an example of a bird cage used for cards and well wishes. How sweet?

Images courtesy of inwiththeold and the knot.

love birds.

As I mentioned, much was accomplished during our weekend meeting. One of the things we established during our wedding chit-chat was a previously unrecognized theme.


It seems that Angie and Ryan's wedding has taken on a love bird theme, stemming from Ryan's nickname for Angie: bird. From the rustic fall setting to the twig and wiggly willow accents, the wedding planning thus far has indeed been inspired by birds. So [naturally] I will be posting bird-like inspiration from here-on-in.

Image courtesy of GypsyRabbit.