Make a Statement with a Handmade or Vintage Handbag...

Unique Wedding Handbags

Sherri Weese Designs

After the last two months of frantic work and late nights, I finally have a couple days to relax before the next big cluster of designs are scheduled for production.  And as I am not working with my hands right now I thought I would showcase some other people's labor of love, in the form of the finest handmade wedding handbags I could find.  Of course the first is a gorgeous creation done by couture invitation designer, Sherri Weese.  And she never disappoints.  "This original design features a stunning ivory pleated satin clutch with exquisite beaded trim around the top, 2 generous layers of delicate natural white swan feathers, a 1" band of shimmering sequin trim - wrapped around the entire bag. An elegant ivory silk and velvet rose provides a the perfect finishing touch of romance" (from her new etsy shop).  Gorgeous!

Hilda's Handbags

I am a huge lover of vintage evening bags. My grandma is a collector of all things antique, so when I was a little girl we would all receive vintage handbags and jewelry for christmas.  You couldn't feel more girly with a fab beaded bag and little vintage gloves.  I found this fabulous one-of-a-kind vintage 1940's handbag from Hilda's Handbags.  She has a fabulous collection of beaded, hardcase, and designer clutches and bags at unbelievable prices. 

Mademoiselle White

Another fabulous vintage find is this 1940-1950's satin clutch that has been intricately embroidered with silver thread. At under $50, this bag makes a big statement without a hefty price tag.  Check out the  fabulous collection of vintage purses and handbags at Mademoiselle White's etsy shop. 

Bead Lady Designs

This gorgeous black and white sead bead bag is named "Diamonds are Forever".  What is truly unique is that this is a DIY handbag.  That's right, you order the pattern and construct it yourself.  Talk about an accomplishment.  I am tempted to give it a whirl myself.  Order your patterns from the Bead Lady.

Atlanta Antique Gallery

I am a big fan of clear lucite clutches from the 40's and 50's... they are just so remniscent of Cinderella's glass slippers.  This is a perfect example of mid-century craftsmanship and style. A clamshell clutch embellished with Austrian crystals... simple, yet so romantic. Love! Sift through the one-of-a-kind vintage finds at the Atlanta Vintage Gallery to find your perfect piece of fashionable history.  

~ Happy Weddings ~

Share on Facebook

Garden Peony Silk Box

Garden Peony Silk Boxes shipping out of the studio today.  I just love these things! They make me so happy to look at.  And even though I think all the invitations we send out are stupendous, these just make me smile for the day.   We've done a couple versions in the past...

The Navy Garden Peony Silk Box with iridescent green ribbon...

Pink and blue for a Sweet Sixteen...

Our Signature Silk Box. "The Original"... the one that started it all :)

A Cactus Flower invitation for a (you guessed it) desert wedding.

And although this isn't a box, it was originally inspired by "The Original" Garden Peony Silk Box.  I love the crystal floral spray and the handmade paper roses.  Gorg! 

~Happy weddings~ 

Share on Facebook

Bridesmaid Trouble?

Bridesmaids from Hell...

So hopefully it won't happen to you, but if it does, you are not alone.  Through all the excitement and attention, we often forget that even in the dreamy world of being a bride, things don't always work out the way we imagined they would.  Sometimes your close girlfriends turn out to be duds, and it stinks when you have to figure this out during the planning of your wedding (like it's not already stressful enough, right)?  I have dealt with it, and my close girlfriend The Clearance Chick has dealt with it.  You google it, and there seem to be a million Yahoo questions, How do I deal with the bridesmaid from hell?  So chances are, you, or someone you know will deal with it. Here are some tips...

The Expense Issue...

 

Jorma Bridal

So many times I have heard issues with one of the girls not getting fitted for her dress.  This is a clear sign that either A). she is having financial tightness issues, and being in your wedding is straining her budget, or B) she is just not that interested in being a part.  Chances are it is reason A, and first, don't take it personally, and try to be understanding.  We often think, "OMG, it's only $200... and you have 5 months to pay it off". True, but that still may be a budget-buster.  It doesn't include shoes, travel, accommodations for the wedding, gifts, make-up, hair, nails, rehearsal dinner dress, gym membership (so you don't look like a train wreck in public)... being in a wedding is expensive! And although as the bride you are likely spending a small fortune yourself, don't compare it to your bridesmaid's "dues".  Rather, at the first sign of trouble, confront the issue so it doesn't strain your relationship down the road.  If she is your friend you can simply ask if it is a stress for her, and if it is, see if she'd rather help you plan the wedding.  She can still be a part of your excitment without standing up in the wedding... tell her you just want her to be a part of your big day in whatever capacity she can.

The Attitude Issue...

GoatCards

You have a "best friend" from a zillion years ago, and since you keep in touch of course you ask her to be in the wedding.  Words to choke on.  Turns out, she kind of sucks in real life. She makes all the other girls feel uncomfortable either by outwardly insulting them when dress shopping, or by being louder, bigger, and badder than she has a right to be.  She doesn't acknowledge this is your special day, and she doesn't really bring anything to the table.  Really, you'd like to punch her.  But you can't.  Many brides have this problem and feel like they can't simply kick someone out of the party because, bottomline, that is just not a nice thing to do.  Well, don't be nice.  She's not playing nice and she's stressing you the heck out!  If you are losing sleep over a bridesmaid or you have to play referee, let her know that she has been stressing you out. She may not realize that she is being brash or overbearing, and just mentioning it may result in a quick attitude adjustment.  If not, then kick her to the curb and DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT!  Tell her that you asked her to be a bridesmaid because you thought you were friends and you wanted her to share in your joy, but it is clear she isn't.  Do it with a hilarious card from GoatCards on Etsy.  You may just be able to save the friendship with humor.

   

GoatCards

The Dress Issue...

So you found the perfect dress for your girls, and everyone loves it except for the problem girl.  Or one of your gals gets pregnant and can't wear the style, or one of your girls would never be able to pull it off, pregnant or not.  The way I see it, what the bride wants, the bride gets. If she wants a horrible gold lame nightmare, I'll sacrifice my dignity as a sign of my undying friendship.  However, it is downright mean to make someone self-conscious in front of a bunch of strangers.  Not to mention, if one of your girls looks awful in the dress, you will be stuck with that vision forever in wedding pics.  Brides: the benefits of accommodating outweigh the costs.  You want all your girls to feel pretty (not as pretty as you, of course) but pretty nonetheless.  If one of your bridesmaids is just being difficult (i.e. she fell in love with some other dress and is being selfish about it) you have two options: let the girls choose their dress style in the same color, or tell her she would look smashing in that dress at the rehearsal dinner.    

You will undoubtedly have issues during the process, but being gracious, kind, and funny when necessary will help you tread the sometimes tumultuous wedding planning waters. 

~Happy Weddings! 

Tote from FullONuts on Zazzle

Share on Facebook

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Themed Sweet 16 Invitations

Embellished Silk Pocket Invitations

Revelry Invitation Studio, All Rights Reserved

These are some of the most fabulous invitations to leave the studio in a while.  We created these invitations for a Sweet 16 party with a Diamond's Are A Girls Best Friend theme.  I think we tackled the diamond part... we used over 9000 Swarovski crystals on this project!

Revelry Invitation Studio, All Rights Reserved

Each invitation was creafted using Stardream crystal stock, glitter paper, and shiny greeting card stock.  Embellished with satin ribbon and a sparkling rhinestone buckle, the invitations were then placed in a dupioni silk pocket holder covered with crystals.

Revelry Invitation Studio, All Rights Reserved

Revelry Invitation Studio, All Rights Reserved

Revelry Invitation Studio, All Rights Reserved

We created custom cardstock envelope liners for added protection and to add that little unexpected element of surprise.  This truly was a masterpiece invitation sweet... fit for a princess! 

Do you have a special event coming up?  Contact us today to discuss your couture invitation vision!

Share on Facebook

Signature Wedding Cocktails

Signature Drinks for Your Wedding

Diablo Magazine

 I was reading through an old copy of Indianapolis Monthly this morning and came across a gorgeous photo of a fabulous hibiscus flower champagne cocktail offered at one of our local restaurants, Petite Chou, and although I hadn't finished my first cup of joe, I thought... Alcohol!  That's what I'll write about today!

I had a bride about a year ago who, rather than going with an open bar (a potentially disasterous, not to mention expensive) had a champagne bar with four different signature champagne cocktails.  I thought not only is this a cute idea, but it is a great way to save a little money, and to continue a theme throughout the entire event.  After all, if people are going to get tipsy, they might as well do it with your style and grace at the helm, right?

 

So first is the hibiscus flower cocktail: 

Wild Hibiscus Flower Garnish

2/3 oz. Wild Hibiscus Flower Syrup

5 oz champagne

~Pour syrup, flower, and champagne into chilled champagne glass~

You can purchase wild hibiscus flowers in syrup from WildHibiscus.com a jar with enough flowers and syrup to make 50 cocktails is $35.00 (a steal for such a fabulous presentation)!  Create a champagne bar by including Bellini's, Poinsettia's and Ritzy' Raspberry Revelry's... find recipes for these, and 47 other fabulous champagne cocktails here.

 

Grey Goose

Although I don't partake as often as I once did, I have been known to enjoy a little vodka here and there, and Grey Goose is by far my favorite.  The Grey Goose Summer Garden cocktail would be a perfect addition to a vodka bar.

Grey Goose® Summer Garden Cocktail:

1 1/4 parts GREY GOOSE® Vodka

3/4 parts Sambuca®

1/4 part Pernod®

1 oz chilled water

edible dried lavendar for garnish

~Add all liquids in a shaker filled with ice, shake, and strain into a chilled glass~

Other yummy drinks to include in your Vodka bar: Amour Rouge, Lemon Drop (a personal fav), and the Piedmont Peach. For recipes, click here 

*** In addition to mixed vodka drinks at your signature vodka bar, a new trend is to create infused vodkas using fruits and herbs and spices.  How about a cinnamon-apple infused vodka, or a lemon-blueberry infused vodka... I am so going to have to try this at home!

Place ingredients in a large botttle, pour over vodka, and  let the concoction sit for about 2 weeks prior to using.  Be sure to strain well through a cheesecloth to remove any particles. 

A tequila bar doesn't have to be just shots of Patron or your everyday margarita.  Try the Tequila Sunrise

2 oz Tequila
4 oz orange juice
3/4 oz grenadine

~Mix tequila and orange juice in a glass.  Using a flat handled spoon, add the grenadine quickly allowing it to run down the back side of the spoon so it sinks to the bottom.  It will slowly rise up creating the sunrise effect~

Other tequila pleasures to try: the Agave Kiss (a yummy chocolatey, raspberry taste of heaven), the Cantarino, and the Old Lay.

Pic courtesy of Colonel Tiki's Drinks

Or rather than choosing a drink based on a theme (your color scheme, or type of alcohol), choose a signature cocktail based on something relevant to your courtship-- it can be a non-alcoholic Orange Julius because that's where you met, or maybe a margarita because your favorite restaurant is El Pollo Loco (I know they don't serve alcohol, but mexican food and margarita's naturally go together).  Mine would be the 7 & 700-- a concoction my husband and I came up with early in our relationship when we ran out of 7-up and substituted Schmirnoff Ice in our Seagrams 7 & 7's.  It's tasty, but hurts in the morning ;)

Not sure what kind of drink could be your signature?  Check out Stirrings.  The stirrings site makes choosing a drink based on your event theme a breeze. Simply choose your event type, your color scheme, and your preferred drink type (shaken, stirred, etc.) and voila! A list of drink possibilities pops up!  So cool!

Share on Facebook

Unique and Couture Flower Girl Dresses

Tiara's Boutique

I went to a wedding last weekend and they had two adorable flower girls who were so cute, and sooo well behaved through the long Episcopalian service - more than I can say about my son who was removed 5 minutes into it.  I digress... 

But that inspired me to seek out some of the most beautiful and unique flower girl dresses on the market.  Often flower girl dresses are an after-thought; most are somewhat expected mini-versions of a bridal gown.  Although that is sort of the idea (I get it), I love something unusual... even if the statement is made by a 4 year old.   The dress above is something I want to buy for myself today, if only to prance around the house pretending to be a fairy princess.  The designs by Tiara's Boutique are extraordinary, and she is happy to customize size (yep... she'd make one for me) and uses up to 300 YARDS of tulle in each one!!  Gorgeous!

Belle Du Jour

Belle Du Jour is another fabulous boutique specializing in unique wedding wear.  I found this adorable Bluebelle flower girl dress there, and what's not to love?  Sparklies, organza, satin ribbon, a hoop skirt for pete's sake... I would have loved this dress until it was threadbare when I was little.  U.K designer Maggie Cook creates these fabulous pieces, as well as jewelry, headpieces, grown-up gowns and more. 

Sweet Plume

Okay, this may be the most couture flower girl dress have ever seen, and I love, Love, LOVE it!  Created by Sweet Plume, this dress has everything: a chocolate brown duponi silk bodice, gold sparkly tulle on bottom, ivory feathered apron, gold sash, and a peony embellishment... and it costs about what you'd pay for a mass-produced flower girl dress at your local bridal shop!  I want to get married again just so I can have a wee one hop down the aisle in this beauty! 

A gorgeous dupioni silk dream fashioned after a popular gown style from couture design house Petite Parfait.  I love this dress style (it wasn't around when I worked in bridal, and I sooo would have loved to skip down the runway at our local fashion shows in this baby... perhaps a larger version, but, whatever).

If you a little girl and she happens to be the kind of girl who swoons over petticoats, Johanna Grace is your one-stop-shop for all things uber-elegant.  She has an enormous collection of couture and custom gowns for little girls and young ladies, like the above silver silk flower girl dresses.  I simply can't say enough... so here's another picture...

Would you not have grinned ear to ear if your mom brought this home for you to wear?  I am all about the fashion sensibilities of the early 60's (Mad Men is my favorite show... because of the fashion)  and this dress oozes it. I want it now!  Located in New York, Johanna Grace is truly an atelier of couture girls clothing.  Love!!!

DIY Paper Roses, Rhinestone Unity Candles, Ribbon Wands, and Escort Cards

DIY Wedding Ideas

While searching for inspiration for DIY projects, I came across these GORGEOUS handmade paper roses from Mommy Makes Roses.  Artist Cassie Mae Chappell painstakingly hand cuts, creates, paints, and finishes each everlasting rose, and I gotta say, these things are so perfect it is hard to believe they are not real. And the kicker... their made out of coffee filters!  She appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and shared her secret to making these beauties.  Beware, they take time and patience, but the result is worth it.  For templates and a video tutorial, click here

And Martha also shared this adorable idea for little paper chair escort cards.  So Cute!  Click here for a template and instructions courtesy of HeavenlyMuse on Weddingbee.

And I love this alternative to a sparkler exit, Ribbon Wands!  I found these on Weddingbee (a great source for DIY projects).  So simple... go to the fabric or craft store and purchse thin dowels.  You should be able to get at least 3-4 wands (depending on how long you make them) per dowel.  Paint them. Purchase 1/4" ribbon in your wedding colors (you can get spools for $.50 at Joann Fabrics). Tie them on, and voila!  Adorable!  Put them in a pretty glass vase at the exit of the ceremony so guests can pick them up on their way out.

photo courtesy of Beiderman & Sons

I always loved the rhinestone studded unity candles we carried at the Bridal Shop (years ago when I worked in bridal), but they were ridiculously over-priced... but could be an easy DIY project.  I would definitely recommend getting a Bejeweler to use with Hot Fix rhinestones (they can be found at Hot Fix Queen).  Hot Fix rhinestones have a heat activated adhesive that is heated up by the bejeweler tool, making it a snap to apply rhinestones (especially to wax). 

Share on Facebook

New Silk Invitation Boxes!

Revelry Invitation Studio, all rights reserved

I am so excited about the new silk boxes we are handcrafting at the Studio!  The popular overseas silk box manufacturers have dominated the industry with their affordable faux silk boxes... until today!  Due to popular demand (and the guts to finally give it a go), we have added similar styles to our handmade line-up.  Our new silk invitation boxes are crafted from 100% dupioni silk (as opposed to polyester) with roughly 200 colors to choose from, they're competitively priced, and proudly manufactured by a US based company!   

 

Revelry Invitation Studio, all rights reserved

Shown is a 6" x 6" x 1" flip-top lid box we created for a prominent East Coast luxury event stationery designer, who has had nothing but glowing things to say about our products.  We hope to add more styles and examples to our growing list of luxury invitation foundation pieces by the end of the month.

Revelry Invitation Studio, all rights reserved

Want to discuss the ways Revelry Invitation Studio can create the perfect silk presentation piece for your unique invitation creations?  Shoot us an email and we can let the brainstorming begin!

Share on Facebook

Weekly Wedding Deals June 10

So I have missed writing these past weeks.  I was so good at hitting the keybioard everyday, and then we got super booked and uber busy at the studio.  I am pumped to be back at the desk (at least for a day ;)

Here are some great wedding deals and steals to keep your pocketbooks fat!

Get $20 off a $100 registry purchase at Macy's

Code: WITHLOVE

Expires 6/30/10

Get free shipping on $65 order from Party City

Code: PCWELCOME610

Expires 6/30/10

Get $200 in shipboard credits when you pay with your Visa card at Carnival Cruise

Code: VISA-CCL1

Get free shipping on orders $80+ when you pay with your Visa card at Paper-Source

Code: VISA1

E3xpires: 10/31/10

Save $50 on a purchase of $299 or more at Helzberg Diamonds

Code: 62

Get 10% off magnet save-the-dates at Magnet Street

Code: WWGC10

Expires 06/30/10

get 15% off total purchase at WeddingChannel.com

Code: COMPLETE15

Found some great deals out there?  Share with my friends!  Post a comment or drop me an email

Share on Facebook