For Keeps: Incorporating Furniture Into Your Wedding Decor

A really big trend right now is using home decor as part of the ceremony and reception set-up at weddings. And I absolutely love this idea for a couple of reasons:

1. It's an investment. Purchase decor from antique and second-hand stores that reflect your home style, and then keep them after the wedding. The meaning behind the pieces will triple, and every time you use the furniture, you'll be reminded of your wedding day.

2. Use the pieces as a guest book as well. This idea might be too much for some brides, but for others, it's another way to have your wedding day live on for years. Have guests sign the backside, or underneath, the furniture (this will work especially well for tables and china cabinets, and that piece will always hold the incredible wishes you received from your friends and family the day you became husband and wife. To me, it adds character, and I love things with a good dose of character!



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Courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs; Photo by Untamed Heart Photography



Courtesy of Style Me Pretty; Photo by Weddings Costa Rica



Courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs; Photo by Olive Juice Studios



Courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs; Photo by Untamed Heart Photography



Courtesy of Style Me Pretty


Courtesy of Once Wed; Photo by Union Photo



Courtesy of Style Me Pretty; Photo by unknown



Courtesy of Once Wed; photo by Jose Villa



Courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs; Photo by Punam Bean

This past weekend, I popped into a couple of antique stores down the street from me in Chicago, and I found quite a few pieces that I would love to have in our home, and that would also be great additions to wedding decor with a little refinishing. I took pictures, but my phone doesn't have built-in flash, so unfortunately non of them were good enough for posting. However, all the pieces were under $300, and most in the $250-$270 range. That's a steal for a beautiful, vintage inspired china cabinet!

Real Oregon Wedding: Emilie and Rob

Hello, everyone! Today I have a lovely wedding for you all that I'm so excited to share. Emilie and Rob were married this past June at McMenamin’s Edgefield in Troutdale, OR, and there were so many beautiful and touching details that are sure to give you the warm fuzzies. Capturing all of the beautiful moments was Lauren from Lauren Brooks Photography. Let's all give Owl hugs to Emilie and Rob!



























Emilie's beautiful bouquet was made of brooches that her friends and family gifted her at her bridal shower. Emilie's mom arranged them into a bouquet. How sweet!



















































There were so many lovely photos from this wedding that I couldn't share them all. Please be sure to visit Lauren's blog to see more from Emilie and Rob's wedding, and many others! Emilie and Rob, I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

White House Black Market: Dress Review

Last week, I posted a few selections from White House Black Market's new Wedding Boutique.

Well, little Owl readers, this weekend I had a huge moment of weakness. Let me explain.

Back when we were planning our little 75-person wedding, I, like most brides-to-be had a few "dream wedding gowns" in my head. And by "dream gown," I mean gowns that were so far out of my price range, I would need to win the lottery to afford them. Or not have a wedding at all, and just spend our entire budget on this one gown, and wear it around town for a day.

If I had an unlimited budget, these would have been the final two choices:




Both photos courtesy of Brides.com, gowns by Monique Lhuillier.

I'm rather obsessed with floral appliqué on gowns and dresses. I covet them, in fact. This past year of newlywed shopping, I've found a few (non-bridal) dresses at boutiques and department stores that had this detail, but they never quite fit. They were too poofy, or made my bum look huge. I gave up on ever finding that one special occasion dress I could just, well, have. That one dress I would wear maybe once a year to a wedding or other special event, that would make me feel incredible.

Well, people, the WHBM Wedding Boutique collection had MY dress, and here she is:


Photo courtesy of White House Black Market

Had this dress come in white while we were wedding planning, it would have been my wedding dress. When I first saw it online, I scoured all the Chicagoland stores to see if any carried it. Not a single one did. I happened to be out at a mall on Saturday, and just wandered into a WHBM store, not expecting to see it, but you know, just in case. Lo and behold, at the back of the store, there she was. I gave Mr. Owl the look - the one that tells him I've just seen the eighth wonder of the world, and he says to me, "Yeah, go try it on."

So I do.

And, it's perfect.

And, after walking around the mall for another hour, I went back and bought it.

It was quite the splurge, and I feel slightly guilty, but in the end, I decided that after this purchase, I probably wouldn't ever need to buy a Little Black Dress ever again. I'll happily wear this little number to every special occasion we have for years to come. And oh my goodness, the shoes I have that will go with it!

And future brides, if you're having your girls wear black, this dress is absolutely gorgeous, and is one they'll definitely want to wear again. And, as far as the cost factor, for a bridesmaids dress, it's rather affordable.

Onto my review of the dress:

1. It's very well constructed. From afar, it looks like a couture dress. Close up, while it might not pass for Prada, it still looks amazing.

2. The fit is wonderful. It comes with top-half boning for shaping and support. No undergarments needed with this one!

3. It cinches at the waist, which is perfect for an hourglass figure.

4. The top rouching detail just adds an extra something to an already lovely and interesting dress.

5. It passes my "twirl-worthy" test, meaning it's poofy enough to give a slight 50s vibe, but it's also contained enough for a modern feel.

It's an A+, and Owl-approved!

Bridesmaids Spotlight: Dress 'Em Up and Keep 'Em Warm With Cardigans

As the month of August comes to an end, Fall brides are probably pulling together the last few details of their wedding. One of those details might be gifts for your wedding party. A wonderful and useful gift for your girls are stylish cardigans they can wear the day-of to keep themselves warm on a cool fall day, and also, long after the wedding because what woman doesn't need another cardigan in their closet?



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Here are some stylish options that your girls will be sure to wear again and again (all these cardigans come in a variety of color options):


Banana Republic silk blend stretch cardigan; On sale now for $49.50-$59.99 (depending on color)



Old Navy cropped rosette cardigan; $26.50



The Limitedfrill front cardigan; On sale now for $35.65



J.Crew Jenna's cardigan; $70.00



J.Crew cashmere crewneck cardigan; $158.00