You might also like:
I hope everyone is having an easy transition coming back from the holidays! I always have a hard time adjusting to “real life” after a break, so I try to find little ways to celebrate the everyday – lunch plans with friends, fresh flowers in the house, listening to music as I cook dinner. And I have to say, though it’s wonderful to unplug for awhile, I miss all of my dear blog friends when I do! I should also say, if find yourself recently engaged after the holidays and you’re new to Snippet & Ink: Congratulations! And welcome!
via Vintage Ski
Pale pink pleats – so lovely.
DIY paper gems.
How sweet and unusual are these tiny agate earrings?
These sparkling wine glasses would have been perfect for ringing in the New Year.
New Year’s Resolution: actually start using the cookbooks in my life, including a few that I received for Christmas, like this one and this one.
Congrats to Rebekka and Kelly on their new site designs!
Happy New Year and happy weekend, everyone!
You might also like:
Sponsored Post
Trying on wedding dresses can be such an exciting time – for me it was the first time I really started to feel like a bride! If you’re ready to start looking for the gown of your dreams, you will definitely want to know about trunk shows. Trunk shows are free bridal salon events where you can browse a designer’s entire collection during a private appointment – sometimes there are even discounts! And Here Comes the Guide has a whole section devoted to trunk shows at recommended bridal salons.
If you’re looking for trunk shows in California, the New York Tri-State area, Chicago, the D.C. Metro Area, and Boston, the HCTG calendar lists upcoming designer trunk shows, and even lets you know which shows offer a discount.
To really make the most of your trunk show experience, Here Comes the Guide has some valuable Trunk Show Tips:
• Though trunk shows take place throughout the year, you’ll have the widest selection of designers from January – March when these events are more numerous.
• Trunk shows are by appointment only and fill up fast, so don’t wait to reserve your slot (and if you can’t keep the appointment, please be courteous and call to cancel.)
• Be prepared to make a purchase in case you find “the dress” in order to take advantage of possible show discounts. But don’t feel pressured to make a decision if you aren’t 100% convinced.
Find even more trunk show tips and info on the Here Comes the Guide blog. And since January is peak season for trunk shows, you’ll definitely want to start browsing their calendar for events in your area!
This post sponsored by Here Comes the Guide.
Image Credits
1. Designer Loft in New York City
2,3. Haute Bride Couture Bridal in Los Gatos, CA
4,5,6. Pure English Couture Bridal in Virginia Beach, VA
With all of our focus on how to make your wedding special, we thought it was time to highlight some ways to make your marriage awesome, too. Introducing “Snapshot of a Marriage,” a new series from contributor Emily Westbrooks, who interviews couples on some of their secrets for a strong and successful marriage.
Andy and Betsey met in high school, when he was seventeen and she was only fourteen – Andy remembers that day: “The first time I saw her, I fell in love.” (Andy says he also remembers the day his high school age kids worked out the age of their parents when they met. Their reaction? “That’s gross!”)
Despite such a romantic start, they learned a few hard lessons early in their marriage. “For the first ten years of our marriage, we fought the same fight over and over again,” Andy said. “When something happened, every fight we’d ever been in became part of the conversation. You can’t resolve things that way.”
Betsey agreed, and explained that she found it a little harder to let things go. “If I ended up wrong, that was hard for me. That took a long time to get over.” The couple slowly came up with a system where they would both try to get to the root of an argument in order to move forward. Now, Andy says, “We don’t rehash old battles anymore.”
Andy says people often remark to him, “You sure talk about your wife a lot.” But he isn’t bashful at all. As he explains, “For twenty-seven years, I have been in dogged pursuit of her affection.” That pursuit appears to be working. Betsey looked at Andy and said simply, “I feel adored and worshipped.”
Now Andy and Betsey are passing along their advice to their own kids. When their oldest son was married last spring, they gave him one key piece of advice: “Tell each other often that you love each other.”
SNAPSHOT SUBMISSIONS Do you know a married couple whose relationship you admire? Or maybe you’re married and want to share your words of wisdom! We’re now accepting submissions from couples who have been married for ten years or longer. Email Emily at emily@fromchinavillage.com with your first names, how long you’ve been married, and a few sentences about why you’d like to be interviewed for our Snapshot of a Marriage series.
Happy New Year! Let’s ring in 2013 with a gorgeous rooftop wedding from photographer Susan Dean – urban romance at it’s loveliest.
Says the bride, “I love growing things and natural spaces and Vinny’s more of an urbanite, born and bred in New York. The High Line seemed like the perfect blend of the two. We loved that it felt both modern and timeless.”
The bride and groom designed the invites, menus and place cards, as well personalized lapel buttons for each guest with a little inside joke. Keep an eye out for their design shop, “Five and an Eighth.”
Says Carolyn, “In honor of Vinny’s heritage, we observed the traditional Chinese wedding customs of a grand dinner banquet and tea ceremony. I wore the customary red dress and we poured tea for all of our relatives.”
What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? We wanted to bring the themes from our wedding ceremony through the brunch celebration: natural shapes and colors, modern design, and in homage to our later dinner banquet, Chinese characters.
What was your favorite moment or part of the day? From Carolyn: “The first dance. We danced to You Send Me by Sam Cooke. The Vipers were amazing and it felt so sweet and romantic.” From Vinny: “When we first sat down to brunch and we were surrounded by all our friends and family.”
What advice do you have for other brides? This is a celebration of your love. Keep your guests in mind but make the story about the two of you.
Do you have any budget tips for other brides? Set your budget low and keep it simple. As you go along unexpected things will crop up and inflate your numbers. Plan for it!
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? We felt that the right music was very important—it sets the mood for the occasion. We found a band that helped to set a comfortable and relaxed environment, while also keeping the tempo up-beat. Music is something everyone can enjoy.
See more of Carolyn and Vincent’s romantic urban wedding in the gallery!
Photographer: Susan Dean / Ceremony Venue: The High Line in New York City / Reception Venue, Catering: The Park Restaurant / Officiant: Rev. Annie Lawrence / Bride’s Dress: Nicole Miller / Custom Red Dress: New Age Designer Inc. (212) 349-0818 / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Birdcage Veil: Marisol Aparicio / Hair, Makeup: Sissi Chan / Groom’s Attire: J. Crew / Floral Design: Fox Fodder Farm / Music: The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn / Cake: A Simple Cake / Invitation Printers: Publicide / Calligraphy: Harriet Rose
