designed by Tony Fleecs, courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Zap!  Boom!  Whoosh!  Bamf! POW!

That’s right.  As geek chic becomes more and more popular, so do all the nerd-tastic trends it represents!  And brides and grooms everywhere are learning just how fun incorporating these once less desired details into their big day can be!

As a lifetime-achieving, self-proclaimed nerdy bird, I’ve got to admit, I love this… especially when it comes to the comic book themed invitations.  My brothers and I were raised on comic books and continue to little-kid-at-Christmas excited every time the latest Marvel or DC dream is released to the silver screen!

But I’m not naive enough to think that everyone will delight in this trend as much as me.  In fact, I’m sure the more traditional and classic-minded folks out there might even turn up their noses to it… but even the most cynical comic book critics have to admit… they are one of a kind at the very least!  And when done appropriately, turn out pretty amaZING!

Check out below and see what I mean…

Designed by Tony Fleecs for Heidi Atocicco and Chris Ryder’s wedding, this 5 page invitation was nothing short of a page turner :)

courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Hello Kitty meets Archie Comics for this couple’s ‘happily ever after’ invite :)

courtesy of canvasandcanopy.com

Get super literal with a comic book cover invite, captioned with all the big day details and custom illustrated just for you :)

courtesy of emmalinebride.com (left) and stormwolfstudios.com

Take it even a step further by filling your invitation with graphically inspired inserts and super fun details :)

courtesy of nandlnotes.com

Or simply pop in thought bubbles with your favorite photo and BAMF! you’ll have a one of a kind invite like Jay and Anna :)

courtesy of minted.com

No matter how they do it or choose to showcase it, there’s no denying these original invites stand out and leave audiences (err, guests) hoping for the *To Be Continued…

courtesy of fiftieswedding.com

Happy Valentine’s Day to all those who love!  Whether you’re in it or out of it, love truly is all around us, and there’s no better day to exploit it (or try and avoid it, haha!) than February 14th!

Personally, I’ve always been a fan of the big V-day… even during my most single and sullen of days, I learned quickly to appreciate the holiday as one to simply celebrate love… in all its forms!  The love I have for that someone special.  The love I have for family.  The love I have for friends.  Etc.  Heck, if nothing else, it’s a day to simply celebrate the fact that mailboxes are a little more full with pink and red cards and stomachs with pink and red cupcakes.  Yum-may.

And with all the pink and red being displayed – from store front to home front - I couldn’t help but think about two-toned weddings and just how b.e.a.uuuutiful they can be — and in today’s Cupid themed case, just how b.e.a.uuuuutiful Pink + Red can be!  Be sure to not only check out the images below, but also take some time to spread the love to someone today!  After all, it is in giving that we receive :)

photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) lovefromtheoven.com, halterneckwedding.onsugar.com, jessicalewisphoto.com, blog.celeb16.com, colorsareblushandbashful.blogspot.com, thestylishbloom.com, blog.paper-source.com, etsy.com, sophistimom.com and flickr.com

courtesy of robertortizphotography.com

With everyone going green these days, it was only a matter of time before weddings would catch the earth friendly fever.  And why not??  We’re all raised under the respectful manner to “love our mothers;” so, why should Mother Nature be any different?

One area to really show your “Mother” loving ability is found within the confines of the biggest expense in your wedding budget: the reception.  While some couples are opting to budget crunch out favors for the guests, others are simply choosing to keep costs minimal.

Both smart and stylish, eco-friendly favors are the latest and greatest gifts to hit the wedding market.  When deciding which favor will be friendliest, keep three R’s in mind: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse, and incorporate them accordingly.  Below are some ideas on how to keep Mother Nature pleased during your planning:

• Trees, Please: Who says Arbor Day is the only day to hug a tree and save a life?  Planting trees throughout the year is a great way to honor your guests, while making an everlasting impression of your love for the environment… think of them as symbolic saplings, if you will.  As the years progress, trees become greater in size and rooted in strength – just as you and your Mister will!  (Awwww!)
• Potted Centerpieces: Perfect for all the do-it-yourself brides out there, these powerful potted plants serve a dual, ovation worthy purpose.  Not only do they make fabulous, eye-catching centerpieces during your big day, but you can invite your guests to take them home and replant them their gardens.  AND, if you stick to perennial flowers, your guests will delight in seeing them come back year after year :)
• Dandy Donations: It truly is in giving that we receive, which is why making a donation to your favorite charity in honor of your guests is an ideal way to help out Mother Nature, while helping others.  A perfect example of a gift that keeps on giving, donations – no matter how big or small – help make a difference!  Not to mention, with the ease of a donations, there will be no excess wrapping paper or trash!  Now, that’s a “hooray” I can really get behind!
• Shop Locally: Consider reducing your carbon footprint by shopping close to home.  Driving long distances or having things shipped separately or from long distances can only add to the problem; so, be a part of the solution, instead, by looking online for the best deals in your area and taking advantage. 

In the end, every little bit counts; so, why not do the eco-chic thing and be a bride who goes green?  And feel free to check out our line of Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors and give the earth a hug today!

courtesy of Summit via extravaganzi.com

As much of my life is consumed by weddings – whether it be planning them, participating in them or simply attending them – I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of the day’s biggest crowning jewel… The Dress! It’s the one thing I will always look forward too, and the one thing that’s presence will never be surpassed. 

Heck, since of the dawn of time, people have been getting hitched and bridal dresses have been worn, but it remains the singular bridal accessory that is both static in concept and oh so dynamic in content.  With all the vibrant styles, designs, assortments, creations etc., it’s no wonder why it’s a favored part among so many.

And there is no better place to immortalize the wedding dress all than the Silver Screen!

With the well anticipated release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 coming out this Friday (yeah, I just took it there), I couldn’t help but get excited to see the wedding scene again… if for nothing else, the ka-ka-ka-KILLER Carolina Herrera wedding dress, which is tailored impeccably to dance along Kristen Stewart’s delicate figure.

The $35,000 (yes, I said $35,000) custom created gown, which took four seamstresses six months to complete, oozes with timeless bridal elegance and has a regal quality unmatched by today’s standard of competition.  In a world dominated by strapless couture, it’s the kind of dress that stands out in all the right ways…  and don’t even get me started on the jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik’s she got to rock with it!  I mean hellooo!?!?  Can you say dream?!

And speaking of dreams, here’s our Top 15!  Feel inspired, feel encouraged or simply feel completely green with envy like me, but no matter what, you gotta pay respect to the style :)

1. Kristen Stewart in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)

all photos courtesy of summit via dailymail.co.uk

2. Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride (1950)

courtesy of fiftieswedding.com (left) and ia.media-imdb.com

3. Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City (2008)

courtesy of nydailynews.com

4. Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

courtesy of firstqueen.net (left) and j-nacustomgsb.com

5. Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (1957)

courtesy of gelinoluyorum.com (left) and rootsofgoodness.tumblr.com

6. Kate Hudson & Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars (2009)

courtesy of moviebackground.org

7. Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)

courtesy of zankyou.com

8. Rachel McAdams in The Notebook (2004)

courtesy of shesgotdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com

9. Jennifer Aniston in Marley and Me (2008)

courtesy of popsugar.com

10. Natalie Portman in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)

courtesy of boards.weddingbee.com (left) and coolspotters.com

11. Audrey Hepburn (again!) in Sabrina (1954)

courtesy of celebritypicnic.com (insert) and fashionfilmstudies.blogspot.com

12. Sasha Barrese in The Hangover (2009)

courtesy of blog.weddinginacastle.com (left) and projectwedding.com

13. Keira Knightley in Love Actually (2003)

courtesy of pathe.nl (left) and weddingwindow.com

14.  Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia! (2008)

courtesy of wearemoviegeeks.com

15. Ginger Rogers in It Had to Be You (1947)

courtesy of fanpix.net

However – and this is a HUGE however – a couple weeks ago, we received what is legit THE BEST Save the Date EVER!  It was super cute, super inventive and perfectly personalized with the couple’s names in mind. 

Her name: Katie Matis.  His Name: Liam Smith. 

Mash them together in holy matrimony and what do you get?!??

Mr. & Mrs. Smith, of course!!  So, you can imagine my delight when I opened the mailbox and found this save-the-date dream waiting for me!!  There’s nothing I love more than when a couple makes their wedding their own, and in this case… it couldn’t be more perfect!  It is just sooo them, and sets the tone for what will no doubt be an unforgettable evening of family, friends and matrimonial celebration!!

I mean can you say, genius??  Here’s the front:

And the back:

Heck, the reception is at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of this year’s Pats VS Giants Super Bowl rematch!  I mean, how can it not be amazeballs?

The wedding may be months away, but I’m 100% confident in predicting… it’ll be one for the record books :) :) :)