Spring Bride Expo

Handmade Wedding Guest Book by peaseblossomstudio

The holiday rush is beginning to quiet down - I've got spring fever already!  I'm beginning to put together our Virtual Spring Bride Expo here on the blog and have applied for an Etsy Team Grant to cover advertising costs.  If you have advertising ideas, favorite graphic designers (I want our ad to be very professional and polished), or any other ideas concerning the expo please contact me!  I'm hoping this can be a big event for our team and bring lots of Spring Wedding traffic our way!  Oh, and happy holidays!

New Team Treasury Challenge - Bride Gift Guide

Peacock Pom Clutch from eclu

Brides need presents too!  I thought we should do a team treasury challenge to get some exposure during the holiday season.  The winner will get an ad space on our team blog and an interview feature.  I hope this is a fun way to get to know each other and promote our shops!

The Rules:

1. Use at least 8 team members in your treasury.  This gives us more exposure among other Etsains that might not know about our team.
2. Your treasury doesn't have to be "wedding" in theme, but a gift guide for a bride - things she'll need for planning her wedding, gifts for the honeymoon, gifts for the home - kind of like a registry.
3. Tag your treasury "bbteam".
4. Tag your treasury "bride gift guide"
5. Tag your treasury "treasury challenge"
6. Post a link to your treasury in the comments below to be judged.  
7. Promote your treasuries on facebook, twitter, on our new team page, any which way you'd like - the more the better!
8. Due Date:  Friday, November 19
9. Have fun!

Winter Wedding in Black and White

Winter weddings have the opportunity for such beautiful formality.  Maybe it's the starkness of nature, the crisp white snow, the black bare tree branches that intone such lovely monochromatic themes. A black and white wedding can be classic or modern - add some handmade details to give your affair added elegance.

Hip to Be Square Bracelet by ThePeachTree

Custom Designed Wedding Book by RelanderDesigns

Black Favor Fortune Cookies by imeondesign

For more black and white wedding ideas, visit our Winter Weddings in Black and White treasury here:

Welcome New Team Members

More new team members to welcome today!

liaison

maiziedesigns

foamywader

Welcome New Team Members

Our Fall 2010 Jury has finished - please join me in welcoming our new members!

Earmark

Earmark Gatherings

sleepymoondesign

Serephine

CreationsByEileen

Calicogarden

SimplyByBex

More to come tomorrow!

Winter Wedding

Planning your winter wedding?  Ice blue pops against the pure white snow, such a classic and stunning combination.

Chocolate Cake with Blue Roses by imeondesign

Colette Bracelet by ThePeachTree

Handmade Leather Guest Wedding Book by peaseblossomstudio

See the entire treasury here

Harvest Wedding

I have always thought Fall is the perfect season for weddings.  It's my favorite time of year - no sweating under a tent and nature provides such a stunning backdrop - as if the trees are celebrating with you.

Harvest Moon by whichgoose

Ivory Silk Lily Hair Comb by ThreadRare

Whiskey Quartz Gold Fill Earrings by Polestar

Harvest Wedding Treasury

Beyond Bridal Treasury Challenge 2

Since the lovey Lara Lewis gave our team our first front page with her Chic treasury challenge entry I have declared her the winner!  I'm setting up an adspace on our blog for the winners - please contact me if you'd be willing to donate some adspace on your blogs for future winners.

This week's theme: Daydream

Rules:

1. You are free to include non-team members - this is encouraged because it exposes our team to other creative shops, but please include at least 8 team members.

2. Tag your treasury BBTeam and BBTChallenge - I will search for them, tweet, facebook and promote them.

3. Follow our blog and team twitter account @BeyondBridal.

4. Tag the treasury daydream and please include daydream in the title.

5. Please post a link to your treasury in the comments and link back to this blog in your treasury.

6.  PLEASE NOTE: your treasury does not have to have a "wedding" theme - just daydream.


This challenge is open to all! Let's take the team to the front page again!

Questions?  Convo me or contact me through our google group http://groups.google.com/group/beyond-bridal-etsy-team  and good luck!

Beyond Bridal Team Hits the Front Page!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The lovely Lara Lewis' Chic treasury challenge entry has taken our team to the front page of Etsy! Thank you Lara and thank you team!

Beyond Bridal Treasury Challenge!!

I've been so inspired by the recent treasury challenges by Alice from PipingHotPapers and from the Curation Nation blog and originally from Claire and Me's Treasury Challenge Blog - I thought it would be a good idea for the Beyond Bridal Team. These challenges are so fun, promote our shops and teams and get us on the front page! So poster sketch away!! Remember, these treasuries don't have to have a wedding theme - just be inspired by the week's word or idea. I'll set up a poll next week to vote on the winner.

This week's theme: Chic

Here are the ground rules:

1. You are free to include non-team members - this is encouraged because it exposes our team to other creative shops, but please include at least 8 team members.

2. Tag your treasury Beyond Bridal and BBTChallenge - I will search for them, tweet, facebook and promote them.

4. Follow our blog and team twitter account @BeyondBridal.

5. Tag the treasury Chic and please include Chic in the title.

6. PLEASE NOTE: your treasury does not have to have a "wedding" theme - just chic.

7. Please post a link to your treasury in the comments.

Not a team member? Feel free to join in the challenge! Also note - this is not mandatory - just a fun way to promote our shops and team.

Questions? Convo me! Good Luck!!

A Vintage Affair

Vintage trends are so popular this summer - and rightly so! There are so many ways you can add a vintage flair to your wedding - with accessories, decor, gifts, and the dress to name just a few. There are also so many different vintage styles to choose from mod, kitschy, Victorian, 50s,60s, 70s - even 1990 is considered vintage now (which makes me feel particularly old). Finding ways to add these vintage touches is easy - choosing from the amazing selection on Etsy may prove to be more difficult.

If you're a Mad Men, pin-curl loving kinda gal you must check out Julie's shop Fab Gabs Vintage. She has an amazing selection of vintage clothing and accessories that would make your bridal look a vision of loveliness! I adore this 1960s Northern Lights Sequin and Silk Chiffon Wedding Gown - the sequins, the sweet bow, the long flowing skirt - just gorgeous.



For a sweet Summer bride, check out this 1960's Summer Daisy Dress - I could also see this as a traditional "going-away" outfit - perfect for running out the door, vintage luggage in hand, to your awaiting car and honeymoon!



If you're marrying your Don Draper - check out her section for gents. You'll also find fabulous accessories. These patent leather Springolator heels have my name written all over them - if I were getting married tomorrow these are the shoes I would wear - even if I had to pull a Cinderella stepsister to stuff my size nine feet into them! For the honeymoon she even has silky slips and robes!



You can trust Julie's selections for quality and craftsmanship - she lives and breathes vintage and knows her stuff - she's been selling for 10 years. You'll find her passion in every piece.

For old Hollywood and estate bridal jewelry, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven in Lara Lewis's Etsy shop. Deck yourself out in fabulous jewels that speak of an older era. These sparkling Empress earrings are stunners that will add glamor and shine to your wedding day ensemble.



I covet her Audrey ring with 1950's German glass crystal set in oxidized brass.



Add some color to your bridesmaids with classic post earrings, bracelets, necklaces or rhinestone bobby pins - so many luxurious ways to add old Hollywood sparkle to your wedding day without breaking the bank.



If you're attending a wedding this summer for a vintage loving couple, I highly recommend you check out The Fancy Lamb for gift ideas. Robin is a vintage hunter and crafter and her pieces reflect her discerning taste and a flair for finding beauty in unique places. Her shop is full of gift ideas that the couple will remember and cherish for years to come!

These vintage hard-sided suitcases are such a romantic gift idea - and much studier than today's vinyl bags! These were built to withstand being tossed upon a felucca boat for a honeymoon cruise on the Nile or hurled into two-seater Cessna for a flight across the Hawaiian islands. You could even decorate them with travel stickers of their honeymoon destination from Talluluah's Card Shop! Robin has several vintage suitcases to choose from - good luck trying to decide!



Want a classic gift for the new couple? I adore this Vintage Cathrineholm Fondue Pot Set - this would make an excellent present for the kitschy, vintage loving, foodie couple. Pair it with a great fondue recipe book like this one from the Melting Pot Restaurant and they'll be feeding each other gooey Gruyere cheesy goodness for years to come!



I also love the classic kitchen decor in The Fancy Lamb shop - mixing bowls, baking dishes and canister sets make wonderful presents for a culinary bride. My love affair with Pyrex runs deep, but these Pyrex square flower casserole and serving dishes would pop on any vintage loving table! The 1950's canister set would look perfect lined up on any counter top and the turquoise mixing bowls would make Martha jealous!



I love the idea of giving vintage presents to a couple - I imagine each object's memories are carried on and given new life in the couple's future. Vintage accessories and dresses carry such a history into your wedding day, adding glamor and elegance you won't find on any store shelf.

A Personal Touch

A great way to take your wedding above and beyond is with personalized touches that show your appreciation to your friends and family and exemplify your creativity. Adding this personal touch to wedding favors and party gifts sends your guests home with a tangible memory of your day and a thoughtful reminder of how much you care.



Wedding favors can be so cliche, if you're looking for something more unique than Jordan almonds in a bag, check out thelittlereddoor's ceramic houses. Each house is hand-formed and etched, fired, glazed and fired again, making each piece one of a kind and a miniature work of art. Imagine a little village of houses on each table, perhaps holding up a seating card, or simply adding joy and whimsy to your table setting. What a special gift for your guests to remember your day.



Available in a wide variety of colors to match your wedding decor - you can add even more personalized detail by including your initials or monogram.



Another way to show your love and appreciation to your hard working wedding party is with a customized gift. Oktak's unique embroidered purses make a lovely and touching present for your bridesmaids - one they'll keep and use too!



As featured in Brides Magazine in spring/summer 2009, each pouch is hand sewn and embroidered using 100% cotton and available in a wide variety of colors.



Even the linings are adorable! And don't forget your flower girl - give her a sweet, little coin purse or pouch to make her feel all grown up at this special occasion.



For favors and gifts think beyond the shelf. Your family and friends will appreciate the extra thought and attention to detail - your wedding will stand out in their memory as a very special event.

Fashion Forward Wedding

On the Beyond Bridal Team we encourage brides to think outside of the wedding box. With this in mind, why not go for a bright and bold color combination to make your day stand out? This fashion season is all about vivid color - why not apply this to your wedding? One of the most fashion forward trends this summer is teal and orange. Sounds strange at first, but this combination is electric and will make your wedding quite memorable - it's also perfect for summer weddings: bright and sunny, tropical and warm. The flower possibilities are endless - bouquets of orange tiger lilies, roses, gerber daisies or cala lilies wrapped in rich teal ribbon - your walk down the aisle will not be forgotten!

This combo has great possibilities for accessories too. Jill from ThreadRare handcrafts these gorgeous silk duponi hair flowers using luxurious fabric and vintage rhinestone buttons. Each flower is hand cut using her own patterns and sewn with great attention to detail. She takes custom orders as well, don't be afraid to ask for a headband, hair comb, brooch or fascinator matching your wedding colors.



Don't forget your bridesmaids! Another layer of color can be added with the bridesmaid's jewelry. Check out the Peach Tree's simple yet stunning gemstone jewelry. This bold color combination can be toned down and made subtle with a piece like the Aidirondack Carnelian bracelet whose warm tones sparkle on the skin. Or pop it up with cool Peruvean Blue Aqua Quartz earrings and necklace. These are lovely pieces your bridesmaid will keep and cherish - even wear again!



Whichgoose's shop contains a plethora of botanical delights, like these stunning monarch butterflies. Imagine your bridesmaids fluttering down the aisle with these lovely creatures floating in their hair, or even attached to their bouquets!



Moving on to the party - there are so many options for adding these bright colors to your reception. At my wedding I used roses in clear votive candle holders all over each table - I just popped off the rose heads and placed them in a shallow pool of water in each votives, it was a cheap and easy way to make a big statement with color.




Another way to brighten up the hall is with these colorful paper poms from Pom Love. These effervescent hand cut paper poms would add such fun and cheerfulness to a room - imagine tangerine and teal poms floating around the hall adding color and light to every corner! They would also work well as centerpieces - dressing up the check-in and gift tables. They are available on stems as well for bright and cheery vase arrangements. If tangerine and teal don't fit your plans, she has poms in every color to suit your wedding wishes.

Keep an open mind when choosing your colors - summer is the best season for adding bright and bold combinations that will make your pictures stand out - you won't get tired of looking at wedding photos in these tropical hues anytime soon!