I am Loving these...

I absolutley love when couples include their dogs in their wedding photos. Here are some pictures I found over at Green Wedding Shoes blog that I just HAD to share!

And these from The Blissful Bride:

Aren't they all just so cute!

And with that, here are some photo updates of my dog Griffey...He's grown quite a bit!



He loves hiding under the coffee table....

...and perching at our windows.

He has finally won over Moxie (Mike's parent's dog)...

...and they love wrestling.

He especially loves getting blow-dried after a bath :)

And now he knows who he was named after!

Sparklers, Anyone?

This is definitely a MUST for your reception departure. Its fun for guests and it looks fabulous as you walk down the tunnel of guests wishing you fair-well!

(image via: thebrideandgroom.com, Michael Norwood Photography, and bubblybride.com)

Inspiration of the Day

I recently discovered a new blog that I have gotten many many many ideas from. Its called The Party Dress (thepartydress.net) and its filled with pictures of inspiration and ideas for parties. Here are a few tabletop pictures that have inspired me from the site:

All of these are just beautiful!!

Fall's Wedding Style

My long-time friend Rachel Kim, of VueSociety, has graciously agreed to write as a guest for today's blog. She is all about fashion and really knows her stuff. Read on to find out what fashion has in store for Fall Wedding Season. Thank you Rachel!
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Now that summer is slowly making its end, it is time to talk about fall. It's hard to think about fall when it's 80 degrees outside, but it's vital to prepare you for its trends knowing that it is only weeks away. Fall weddings are the most beautiful with the vibrant and bold colors that create statements. Without taking any attention away from the bride, it is still important to dress appropriately. This season, we're looking at fringe, metallic, asymmetrical one shoulder and subtle prints.



Embrace yourself. Fringe?

Fringe has been the most popular trend over the summer (if you didn't catch it). It has evolved into a fall version and it has come in various shapes and sizes including the asymmetrical fringe dress in magenta by bebe. One shoulder dresses have been a hit in past red carpet events with celebrities and luckily it is still going to continue to be huge. Don't neglect the metallics for it will continue on into the holidays. Metallics that don't glam too much and is subtle to the wearer's taste is perfect for a fall wedding. Prints have been around for several seasons recently and likewise has transitioned into fall. This season we will be seeing more purple plums and royals with black. It is the perfect combination to look stylish, conservative and sharp.

All shades of purple is a refreshing and the black makes it bold and the right hue for fall season. By carrying a black clutch would complete the look. Don't forget minimal jewelry because the bride is the star of the show and you would be a shame to take that away from her. Great straps with mega heels would be perfect for the fall trends.



Shifting gears now, we're talking the men trends. Believe it or not. Plaid sports jackets are making a bigger comeback. You will never fail with a very chic, clean and sophisticated black on black with or without a tie. It never fails. Two-tone collar jackets are for the brave that want to make a grown up prep appeal. It has a sweater flare to the sports jacket making it more casual and that is going to vary on the wedding occasion. Boys, please make sure to find out the wedding's formal or casualness to find the perfect sports jacket. Another trend in sports jacket is that they have become shorter and less buttons is better. Try to avoid 3 button jackets unless you're attending a specific black-tie wedding.

Some word of advice for men is to wear a nice watch and keep your look fit. Your jacket and dress shirt should be well fitted and well steamed to minimize all wrinkles. Do not wear white socks unless you are trying to make a tribute to Michael Jackson which I doubt anyone at the wedding will even acknowledge. Wear deodorant so that when the after party starts you can take your blazer off proudly.



Rachel Kim lived in New York City after graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Business Administration, and is currently living in Bellevue (again). She has worked in high fashion and for jewelry in PR and sales. In addition, she coordinated parties, networking events, fundraising events and assisted at New York Fashion Week. She is everything in the word social. Rachel is not easily amused and does not settle for mediocrity. Her true passion for style and her love for the Eastside is proven in her latest blog, VueSociety.

Besides everything fashion, Rachel is a coffee and Panera addict, hence her yellow teeth. You can find her strolling around downtown Bellevue stuffing her face, or fishing at a spot she will not disclose, only because that will ruin her cover (not that this didn’t already). In her playlist, you can find anything from the Top 40, classical, opera, jazz and ballad. She even secretly listens to Warm106.9 at night while twittering. One last thing that you will notice about Rachel is that her umbilical cord from her blackberry and her fingers have not been cut. Enough said, right?

On a serious note, Rachel truly wants to share her knowledge and insights on fashion and be a resource to Eastsiders. Through her blog, she helps both sides of the counter. Her vision is that someday the Eastside will reach a point where it will be put on the map as one of the most fashionable communities. She is all ears for blog ideas and can be reached at rachel@vuesociety.com.

Forever, ever, ever!

This is hilarious! What a great way to keep your ceremony fun for everyone!

Inspiration of the Day

This table setting is so soft and feminine. I love all the candles :)

via Martha Stewart

Wedding Hairstyle Ideas

This is a great example of a sleek, simple updo. You could leave it as-is, but you could also add what you want (flowers to the side, or a viel on top of or below the bun).

I love this updo. It has texture and depth. Plus that clip adds just the right amount of sparkle.

I love this but be sure you test out this style before the day-of your wedding. You want to see how long your curls will last before going flat.

These fabric flowers are perfection. So elegant and soft. Remember: the flowers in your hair do not have to be real :)

This is another version I love, but with one big flower.

If you want to keep it simple, this style is for you.

(all photos provided by TheKnot)

Wedding Weekend in Seattle

Tomorrow is Tara and Stephen's wedding and I couldn't be more excited :) I've been helping them plan their wedding since February and the day has finally come! So I'm off to get all the final details in order. Hope you all have a wonderful, sunny weekend!!!

Great Headpiece

I LOVE her headpiece. It's a great alternative to a traditional veil.

via: { j a c }

What a Great Idea!

If you don't have enough in your budget for floral centerpieces AND bridesmaids bouquets, I really love this money saving idea.

Have the bridesmaids' hold bouquets during the ceremony, then have the bridesmaids hand them over after the ceremony (before all the guests arrive at the reception) and use them as part of the centerpieces on each table. Its so genius!

Here is an example. I wish I had a better picture of the bouquet, but it was very sunny that day and the light just reflected off the white flowers. But you get the gist of it I hope!

Then after the ceremony was over, the bridesmaids went inside and just placed the bouquets on top of the vases to finish the centerpieces!

A beautiful mix of peonies, hydrangeas, and tulips

They had a few different vase shapes, with leaves folded over as a frame to the flower bouquets, and ribbon tied around each

If you are looking to save some money on the flowers, I hope this inspires and helps you!

A Great Washington Wedding Location

If you haven't been to Novelty Hill-Januik winery in Woodinville, you should! I went there a few weeks ago just to check the place out, and I have been meaning to post these pictures ever since!

Its a very cool, modern winery with lots of straight lines. They have a great indoor facility as well as lots of outdoor space. This winery is great because it can be used for both weddings and other special and corporate events.

Entrance of the winery

Inside the front doors, looking out to the outdoor wedding space

This is the main room you walk into from the front entrance. The bar in the middle is for wine tastings and you can sit and enjoy the wine you buy at the tables. They can also clear off the tables and install a dance floor in this area, which is right outside of the indoor event area below.

This is the indoor event space. You can hang anything you like from the ceiling beams, so it makes for great atmosphere. This room seats 100 people in rounds and the kitchen is on the far back wall.

They have 3 of the huge barrel rooms side-by-side. The can transform the space for events with carpeting, soft furniture, tables, lighting and music.

This is an amazing room, located downstairs. The table is one HUGE piece of wood (I imagine it cost a fortune!) Along the baseboards, on the perimeter, are LED lights that can be changed to any color you like. It looks amazing with the blue, doesn't it? This room can seat about 30 people at the table.

This is one of the outdoor spaces used for wedding ceremonies. It is directly in front of the main entrance. Between the row of trees is the isle and folding chairs can be placed on either side for seating. At the end is a beautiful, tall, red fence. Its a lovely backdrop for the alter. Along with the isle space, you get the patio in front as well.

The red fence

It was a really sunny day, so I didn't get the best picture, but this is the second event space, taken from outside of the indoor event space, looking down to the red fence (above).

This is a picture of the same space, taken from the bottom, looking back up to the winery. That is a fountain (below) on the right hand side of the picture.

Inspiration of the Day

When I was flipping threw the Spring 2009 Martha Stewart Wedding magazine earlier today, I came across this picture and I cannot stop thinking about it! Its beautiful! The location is breathtaking and I love the fun summer colors! Such an inspiration!

Here is a closer image of the bridal party and the colorful dresses the bridesmaids are wearing:

This wedding was at Lauxmont Farms in Pennsylvania. It is so pretty with the small pool and stair pathway down to it. Here is another side-view picture of the Sunken Garden from the farm's website: