The Elegant Owl

Important News! The Owl is on the Move!

2011-05-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello little Owls! I have some very bittersweet news for y'all. The Elegant Owl will no longer exist after this post. Because of a new direction we're taking with SH Weddings, we decided to lump our wedding planning company and blog all under one name. That new name is Get Hitched Weddings.

But fear not! Just because the blog is getting a new name doesn't mean that it's disappearing completely. We've migrated all our posts over to the new blog, and will continue to update over there. We would love for you to join us!

We know we've taken a back seat when it comes to updating the blog. We didn't mean for that to happen, but with these exciting changed under way, we really want to dedicate all our time to creating a perfect brand that we were proud to stand by, which was pretty time-consuming. We love The Elegant Owl, but Get Hitched Weddings suits our brand much better, and we're thrilled to be almost complete with all these changes. Regular blog posts will be back as early as next week. Yay!

The new blog is up and running. If you're a fan of The Owl on Facebook or Twitter, we'd like to inform you that all Get Hitched blog posts will be updated on our new Facebook and Twitter pages. Please come play with us over there! Our Facebook page for our new wedding planning brand and blog will be all in one convenient location. Woo hoo! All links you will need are down below.

The Get Hitched Blog
Get Hitched Weddings on Facebook
Get Hitched Weddings on Twitter

You guys have no idea how much we appreciate your support! That's why we'll be so excited to see your friendly faces on our new sites and fan pages. We would also like to thank you for your patience. We're so excited to get back on track and sharing amazing wedding finds and inspiration with you all.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Hugs,

Sam

I 'Heart' Hearts

2011-04-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

I never used to be big on heart-inspired, well ... anything. But this week, I had a consultation with a new SH Weddings client and this cake (which I've bookmarked as inspiration for myself, too!) was in her inspiration file:

Max Wanger's wedding cake. Photo by Whitney and Jesse of Our Labor Of Love Photography

This cake just makes me happy, and I think it has everything to do with the simple and subtle little heart. As long as you keep it just that - simple and subtle that is - a heart-themed wedding is just absolutely adorable.

Here are some ideas to get you goin'.

Photo courtesy of Savvy Soirees. Vivienne Westwood makes a pair of shoes like these, but you could easily DIY your own shoe clips with some red patent leather and earring backs.

How cute is this little heart ring on the left? And on the right? Heck, I heart them both, which are from Asos. Asos offers free shipping both ways without any minimum purchase.

Heart necklace from CreationsByJuliann on Etsy.

Heart bouquet charms by braggingbags on Etsy. How cute would these be for each of your bridesmaids? I smell a photo op.

Heart table numbers, also by braggingbags on Etsy. Fill those mason jars with wildflowers, and you have a simple and sweet centerpiece that will make a pretty big statement.

Heart garland by thepathlesstraveled on Etsy.

Heart thank you sign by yourethatgirldesigns on Etsy.

Illustrated heart save-the-date cards by LunaPaperie on Etsy.

Heart invitation design by ShannaMicheleDesigns

Heart bouts for the groom! Left courtesy of Love and Lavender; Right courtesy of Straight From The Garden

Spring Inspiration From Martha Stewart Weddings

2011-03-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello little owls! This past weekend I was so inspired by the Spring 2011 Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, that I had to share some favorites with you. For another sneaky peeky, check out my video review of this as well by clicking here.

(All photos courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings)

I'm dying for this gorgeous color palette for Spring, Summer and Fall. Who says bridesmaids can't wear shades of ivory?

A great DIY birdcage veil tutorial.

Confetti programs are such a great way to have a beautiful recession back down the aisle without too much coordination!

How cute is this vintage-inspired place setting pattern from Lenox?

I'm smitten with this adorable backyard wedding.

Get your fringe on with this fun and creative themed wedding!

For more information, visit Martha Stewart Weddings for all kinds of inspiration overload!

Etsy Spotlight: Nature-Inspired Jewelry From Lana0Crystal

2011-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Long time, no talk, right? Well I'm back today with an Etsy spotlight that I'm thrilled about. I've been following Lana0Crystal for over a year now, and I'm such a huge fan of her work. It's so hard for me to not make a purchase every time I visit her Etsy shop! In fact, I only have one piece from her, believe it or not, and it's one of my favorite necklaces I own (to see what it is, click here for the Lana0Crystal video feature!). I love, love, love nature-inspired jewelry, and Lana's pieces are just that with a vintage twist. I'm in heaven. Using mostly metals, stones, crystals and pearls, Lana's jewelry is such a great bridesmaid gift idea, especially for a vintage-inspired wedding.

It was incredibly difficult to pick only a few items to showcase for you today, but I did narrow it down some! Take a looksie. Please note that all photos are courtesy of Lana0Crystal.

I'm truly obsessed with the bird nest necklaces - I want them all! And at such fair prices, I just might have to make a purchase very soon :)

Thank you, Lana, for making such amazing, unique and adorable jewelry! Please be sure to visit her Esty shop for her full collection.

I'm just sayin'! Wedding Dresses From Mod Cloth

2011-02-16T21:02:00.001-08:00

So how cute would this be as a wedding dress?

Singing the Blooms Dress, Mod Cloth

In general, I think Mod Cloth dresses are always a bit too short, but if this were longer, or hit the knee, how cute would a bride be in this? Love!

Also, what about these two, also from Mod Cloth?

Swan Cloud Dresses in blue and pink

How cute would they be with these accessories?

Bouquet from OnceWed; shoes from BHLDN; hair clip from Oh My Deer

My Review of the Anthropologie BHLDN Wedding Collection

2011-02-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I'm pretty sure every single wedding blog out there reviewed the new bridal collection from Anthropologie, BHLDN. The collection took me a while to really look at and I felt like to form an honest opinion, I needed to take the day and let it soak in.

And it has!

My verdict? It's a definite hit, with a few misses.

Overall, I'm in love. The textures alone in the gowns and dresses are stunning. I love that they played with that. The vintage details that have been added to the dresses truly give the "out-of-grandma's-attic" feel, albeit, for a hefty price. Yes, these gowns are GORGEOUS, but as with anything from Anthropologie, very expensive. I think that might be the collection's biggest downfall. I, of course, didn't expect this collection to be super affordable, but I also wasn't expecting the price tags currently attached to the dresses and accessories. Two of the weddings gowns offered are $600, a few at $1,000 and the rest can go up to $4,000, which isn't bad. However, the bridesmaids/special occasion gowns start at $200, most average $350, and some go up to over $1,000. Unless you're having a platinum wedding, I don't think the majority of these dresses are affordable for most bridesmaids, sadly. I also wasn't fond of the bubble-hemmed dresses, which seemed outdated (and not in a classy vintage way!) The accessories, I thought, were priced most outrageously, unfortunately. I found the jewelry pieces, especially, to be way, way overpriced, even for Anthropologie. A lot of the jewelry pieces seemed very simple and not quite as unique considering the price tag. I feel like the brand really took advantage of the "bridal" association with these pieces and really jacked up the prices. However, some of the cover-ups and shoes I thought were decently priced and well worth the cost.

Overall, a stunningly beautiful collection that I adore. I really do. I hope that over time, they continue to develop this collection to include more styles at accessible price points for the average bride and her bridesmaids.

So, without further ado, here are my favorites from the collection!

Can anyone guess my favorite piece from the collection? No? Well, here it is:

Gah! It's simply amazing. I'm smitten with this dress. I would love to wear this with amazing shoes and bright red lips.

A close second is this dress:

I think I've managed to pick out two of the more expensive pieces from this collection. I adore this one as well, and ditto with the bright red lip :)

So there you have it! My review of the new Anthropologie BHLDN collection. Be sure to visit the website for the full line (I only posted my favorites).

Updates, happenings and feelings

2011-02-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hola, everyone! We've been back from Mexico fora little over a week, just in time for the awesome blizzard we had in Chicago here a few days ago. How fun!

I just wanted to update you all on some thing we've been doing here at The Owl and at SH Weddings. In January, we started a YouTube channel as a more interactive way to reach out to our readers and audience. We've had a BLAST creating these videos for you, and we hope that you find them useful. Rather than inspiration, the channel is more devoted to wedding planning and coordination topics, so we want to hear what you have to say. Do you have anything you want us to talk about? Leave us a comment and let us know! We'll be happy to make a video and address it. Seriously.

Secondly, I'm sure you've noticed we haven't been updating The Owl as regularly as we had planned. And since I was bitten by the feelings bug this morning, I'm going to be honest with you all. It's a LOT more work than I anticipated. I still adore this blog and will keep updating and discovering new photographers to share with you, but I've come to the conclusion that I will probably not be able to add new posts every day. My new goal is three posts per week of real weddings and fashion inspiration. Y'all, it's REALLY tough putting a single blog entry together that's loaded with beautiful photos! It really is quite the process, and I didn't realize that when I started. I'm ashamed to be admitting this, honestly. Please keep in mind that many of the popular wedding blogs out there - namely, Style Me Pretty - is the editor's only job. Because my main priority will always be my clients at SH Weddings, I really need to devote the majority of my time to that.

And as I've recently found, creating YouTube videos is actually a less time-consuming process (I swear!), and I feel it's also something that many other wedding professionals aren't utilizing, so right now, I'm really enjoying that a lot.

In the meantime, over the next year (grand scale, people!), The Elegant Owl might be changing names to correlate more with SH Weddings. I'm not yet sure what that means, but let me explain. When I started this blog, I didn't know if I would be starting a business right away. My main goal was to dabble into wedding blogging first, and take it from there. But shortly after I built this page, SH Weddings was born, and I never really had time to redesign them both to go together, which is what I would ultimately prefer. This blog will always remain edited and run by us, but the name may change in the future. To what extent, we shall see! That's pretty far into the future, though.

So there you have it! This was a bit longer of a ramble than I was anticipating, but I would rather keep you all in the loop than in the dark. I hope you don't hate me and you continue to be inspired by what we post. We do really try to find inspiration that's easily accessible to the average bride, but that is also very, truly unique. We don't aim to ever be a Style Me Pretty - we just aim to stay true to ourselves :)

We love you all, and we are always thanking you for your continued support. We truly are.

Hugs,

Us Little Owls

On Vacation!

2011-01-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! We'll be taking a vacation from January 22-28. Around this time tomorrow, we'll be in sunny Cozumel, Mexico :) We'll see you when we get back! Gracias!

Real Florida E-Session: Tiffany and Mike

2011-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello, everyone! I was absolutely smitten when I saw these photos waiting for me in my inbox. Photographed by the very talented Florida-based Jordan Weiland, I love how natural, calm, but very stylish these photos are. I'm so partial to sessions that incorporate fruits (Ah! Florida oranges! How appropriate!) just because it automatically gives a very ethereal and organic quality to the photos, which I absolutely love. Tiffany and Rick are such an adorable couple, and I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!

Session styled by Mary Galletta

Thank you so much to Jordan Weiland for sharing these photos with us today! Everyone, please be sure to stop by her beautiful blog for more lovely inspiration. Let's hope Jordan won't be a stranger to The Owl! Tiffany and Mike, I simply adored these photos, and I'm wishing you lots of happy memories together as you plan your wedding.

Real New York Wedding: Amy and Eric

2011-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

And we continue with the Northeast today in another beautiful autumn real wedding taking place in Upstate New York. I'm personally excited about this wedding because it took place in Cold Spring, NY, very close where Mr. Owl and I first lived together (awww!). But mostly, I'm just obsessed with Amy and Eric's style. Eric is a photographer himself, so of course, this couple wouldn't just settle for anyone to photograph their wedding. They hired Florida-based Divine Light Photography, and they captured the day perfectly. I love Divine Light! And now, I love Amy ad Eric. Enjoy, everyone!

Amy's dress: Vera Wang, The Ethel
Ceremony venue: The Episcopal Church of St Mary-in-the-Highlands
Reception venue: Blooming Hall Organic Farm, Blooming Grove, NY
Second shooter: Courtney Craver

Thank you so much to Divine Light Photography for sharing this amazing wedding with us owls today. Please be sure to visit their blog, everyone. Seriously good stuff! Amy and Eric, I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together!

Real New Hampshire Wedding: Sarah and Pete

2011-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello! Oh my goodness, I'm so in love with today's real autumn wedding. Truly, there is nothing I look forward to most than a perfect, crisp fall day, surrounded by rich colors, and this wedding captures all those elements perfectly. Sarah and Pete's details were a labor of love, including their beautiful program below) and the red cardigan is a fashion statement I LOVE seeing on brides who get married on cooler days. Brilliantly capturing their wedding day was the team at Hinkley Photography. Owl hugs to all involved with this one!

Thank you so much to Hinkley Photography for sharing this wedding with us today! Please be sure to scoot on over to their blog for more gorgeous wedding eye candy. Sarah and Pete, you guys were rockstars on your wedding day, and I'm wishing you a lifetime of happy memories together.

For Sale: Watters Wedding Gown, Style 7086B

2011-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends. I'm using my blog for personal use today. Back when we got married, I was actually a two-dress bride. I purchased this beautiful gown by Watters & Watters at a wedding gown boutique for pre-owned gowns. It was such a great price and fit me perfectly without alterations, and I just thought it was meant to be, so I bought it. Months later, I completely regretted it. I wanted a short dress. It was just my personality, and I purchased my actual wedding dress few months before our wedding.

Well, folks, I still have this one for sale. I've had so many interested buyers, but unfortunately, the dress was hemmed for a 5'6 tall bride who wore ballet flats on her wedding day, so most brides trying on this dress can't wear heels with it (which I totally understand!).

I figured I'd post some photos to see if anyone out there is interested. I'm selling it for $250, plus shipping costs if you're not local. The dress retails for around $1,400 in Chicago and I purchased it for $900 (including taxes). It's a size 8, and it's in almost perfect condition, with two exceptions:

1. There is a tear on the inside lining, but you can't see it, and it can easily be fixed.
2. Some of the ruching details on the bodice are coming lose, but again, with a few stitches, it's an easy fix.

Otherwise, the dress has been professionally cleaned, and I've been taking really good care of it since :)

E-mail me at theelegantowl@gmail.com if you're interested in hearing more! :)

Thank you for letting me use this post for my own benefit.

Off The Rack Weddings: January Edition

2011-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello little owls! The Limited has just added some new styled to their weddings and events line that I wanted to share with you all. All photos courtesy of The Limited, and all styles can be found here. Lots of great colors for spring weddings, and although I wished there was more diversity with color options, the styles are still really great for the price, which is extremely affordable. And I'm increasingly more impressed with their bridal gowns! Take a look, and happy shopping!

Our Top 10 Weddings of 2010

2011-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! I'm back from my holiday vacation in New York, and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It was exactly how I wanted it to me. Relaxing, quiet and filled with love from family and old friends. I had late night talks with my mom with a bottle of wine, ate at some of my favorite home town restaurants and bonded with my sister while we shared her (my old) bedroom. And even though I caught a nasty cold for part of it, it was still a great vacation.

Since then, I've been recovering from my cold, which Mr. Owl caught a few days later (so I've been playing nurse for a day or two).

However, this is a post I've been wanting to put together for a while now, and even though it's the first day of 2011, I think it's still better late than never, right? So, here are my picks for the top 10 weddings that were featured on The Elegant Owl in 2010 (and there are in absolutely no particular order).

1. Alli and Trevor, photographed by Divine Light Photography

I absolutely love the energy that Alli and Trevor exuded. Their personalities shined as bright as their beautiful color scheme, and it's hard to ignore the fabulous style of the wedding party.

2. Lindsey and Adrian, photographed by Renaissance Photography Studios

I'm so in love with the calm, flowy style between Lindsey and Adrian. And the pop of plums in her bouquet is just stunning.

3. Charlene and Derrek, photographed by Johnny Wolf Photography

I couldn't get enough of Charlene and Derrek when I first posted their city hall wedding. Their style is just as sweet as the adorable cake they shared after saying "I do."

4. Lana and Shea, photographed by Blue Sunshine Photography

Lana and Shea perfectly combined elegance with fun on their wedding day. I absolutely loved the small details and florals, and the orange and turquoise pops of color with the popcorn boxes just makes you want to be a guest at this one.

5. Julia and Tony, photographed by Vesic Photography

Julia and Tony had a weekend-long love fest with their friends and family, and their energy and personalities are just amazing. Hooman and Vesic Photographed captured some beautiful moments that have stuck with me for a while now, and I'm just in love.

6. Kyla and Josh, photographed by Katherine O Photography

So much of Kyla and Josh's wedding was a personal labor of love, and the details came together so perfectly. Aside from that, however, their happiness of their wedding day, along with the support of a beautiful wedding party, was really hard to ignore.

7. Katelyn and Stephen, photographed by MMB Photography

I just can't get enough of Katelyn and Stephen! I really can't. Katelyn's wedding day style is so classicly beautiful and their intimate ceremony and reception is one that has been hard to forget (for me, anyway!).

8. Natalie and John, photographed by Travis Hoehne Photography

I just adore the colors of Natalie and John's wedding designs! Natalie's florals are absolutely stunning, and the mixture of soft and bold yellows against the kraft paper table runners on their reception tables is so rustic-chic. Not to mention how gorgeous Natalie and John are!

9. Denise and Mark, photography by Jeremy Lawson Photography

Denise and Mark were just rockstars on their wedding day. You can tell they stayed true to their own personalities and style and just had fun on their wedding day. I'm in love with Denise's dress and even more in love with their overall energy.

10. Whitney and Taylor, photographed by Oakstream Photography

I'm not even sure how to sum up how much I love Whitney and Taylor. They're just absolutely stunning together - without a reception at all, they still would have made this list for their style alone. But on top of that. they created a beautiful wedding day with gorgeous bright colors that popped off a black and white backdrop. Simple amazing!

Real SHW Wedding Featured on Bride Buzz!

2010-12-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hello again! Just popping in real quick again to share some exciting news. SH Weddings November clients, the awesome Jillian and Phil, were featured on Bride-Buzz today! We had such a blast working this wedding, and we're so proud to see it featured online! Congratulations to Jillian and Phil on your one-monthiversary!

A Sensitive Subject: Vendor Meals

2010-12-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hello! Just a quick break from the holiday season to talk about something that can often be a sensitive topic: Vendor meals. I was recently checking my Facebook updates when one of my favorite Chicago wedding photographers, Cristina G, shared a link from famed photographer Elizabeth Messina about vendor meals.

Style Me Pretty

This is such a touchy subject because no vendor wants to come outright and say, "please feed us a good meal." When it comes down to it, a quality vendor is going to work hard all day, regardless of any situation, to make your wedding more than perfect. A good vendor cares about their couples, their families, and has one goal - to do an above and beyond job. I like to think of myself and SH Weddings in that category.

However, here's the thing: Most "vendor meals" are, how shall I say? ... not great. And it's NOT the client's fault at all. I think most clients are unaware of what the vendor meal actually is. I know that when Mr. Owl and I planned our wedding, we asked our venue (also our caterer) what we should feed our vendors, and they replied, "We have a great boxed lunch that comes with a sandwich, sides and a soda!" Not giving it much thought, we replied, "okay!" I wish we had put more thought into it because we had some amazing vendors that worked so hard all day long, and if I had to do it over again, they would have gotten a hot meal.

Style Me Pretty

Now that I'm on the other side, I feel like I have some legitimate points to make, and I truly hope I don't offend anyone. I'm going to come outright and and give my real, true opinion because I feel like I owe my clients nothing but honesty and respect.

So, here it is, folks: If you have the choice, get your vendors a hot meal that's somewhat equivalent to what you're serving your guests. While coordinating weddings this year, Mr. Owl and I have had some pretty bad dinners put in front of us by caterers that are otherwise absolutely amazing, so it really baffles me why guests are getting served a scrumptious meal, and we get a soggy sandwich that's quite literally, spongey and inedible. We've been served everything from a guest entree to, as I just said, one soggy sandwich without any sides.

Wedding coordinators and photographers, especially, work a lot of hours on each wedding - upwards of 10-12 hours for us Owl's is normal, if not more than that. We always pack energy bars and other snacks that we can scarf down when we have a free second (usually during transportation), but our energy can quickly decline come reception time. I've thought about bringing my own dinner with me, but because I work with my husband, we would need to pack two substantial meals, and most likely, they'd need to stay refrigerated, and between that, our clipboards, files and emergency kit, and often supplies and decor items from the bride, it's virtually impossible. We really need a meal that will get us through the rest of the night and after for tear-down (we're usually at the reception 30-60 minutes after it's over to pack up all your supplies before we head home). Honestly, a good meal makes the world of difference.

Style Me Pretty

So, with that said, here are my tips for couples when thinking about the vendor meal:

1. Check the vendor's contract. Some will have a paragraph about their meal saying it has to be a hot meal or equal to that of the guests'. Currently, the only thing we specify in our contract is that our meals need to be vegetarian. I don't want to get more specific, personally, because I know that some couples are in a tight spot financially, and I don't want to force them into anything they're uncomfortable with. But if it doesn't break the bank, we're always grateful for a meal that's a step or two above the boxed lunch.

2. Most caterers give you the option to pick between a meal that you're serving your guests, and a boxed "vendor meal." Find out exactly what that vendor meal is, how it's prepared, what it comes with and how fresh it is. You can find this out by simply asking, "when does the vendor meal get prepared?" If it's that day, great! If it's a few days prior, like a 7-11 to-go meal, think twice. Even though vendor meals are often less expensive, they still charge you a pretty penny for them, and there's no sense in paying AT ALL for something that's not fresh, and that your vendors won't want to eat. It's a waste of money. That said, I've had one boxed meal that was truly very yummy! It was a veggie wrap, two sides of fresh pasta salad and fresh fruit, chips and a very delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookie. I was full and ready for action after eating it. It's just best to know what exactly your vendors are getting and take it from there.

3. Caterers often tell my clients that us vendors prefer the boxed lunch because it's faster to eat. I'm not sure why they tell people this because it's not true. Us vendors are going to inhale that meal as quickly as possible because we want to get back to work, regardless of what it is. I don't think we've ever eaten a meal at a wedding that took us longer than 10 minutes tops, and we've had both entrees and boxed meals.

4. Don't break the bank on a fancy meal if you're on a really, really, really tight budget and struggling to pay your final bills. If your caterer is charging you the same amount for hot vendor meals as your guests, it's okay to downgrade, in my opinion if it's going to hurt you financially. Especially if you have a lot of vendors you need to feed. However, caterers, for the most part, should be discounting guest meals for vendors meals because we're typically not offered a variety of courses like a soup, salad and appetizer. If you need to serve a boxed lunch, it's okay, of course. But offering us some cake would be appreciated for a sugar rush :) And if at all possible, ask your caterer to make sure the boxed meal is fresh and substantial.

5. If you're having trouble deciding, try to imagine yourself as a vendor, having just worked eight hours or more, doing lots of running around in all kinds of weather. What would you like to eat?

So, there you have it! My raw, honest opinion on vendor meals. I know that this post will probably ruffle some feathers, and that's okay. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and there's nothing wrong with a healthy debate :) I wanted to give you some insight into the subject, and help you make a more educated decision when it's time to pick out what your own vendors will be eating at your wedding.

Happy Holidays From The Owls!

2010-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello little owls!

Posting has been slow this month, and that's because I've been really focusing on developing some things at SH Weddings, as well as enjoying the holiday season with Mr. Owl. We LOVE Christmas. Every year, we try to watch all our favorite holiday movies, drink lots of cocoa, bake lots of cookies, send out holiday cards, do lots of DIY decor projects and spend time with friends and family. That takes a lot out of you!

Starting December 16 (this Thursday!) I'll be taking an extended vacation with my mom and sister in New York. I'm so excited! I'll be bringing all my work with me, so you may see a few posts every now and then on my other blog, The Nesting Owl, since most of my time will be dedicated to family, baking, decor, snow activities, etc., and not as much wedding goodness.

Recently, I posted some photos of our Christmas gifts this year to hopefully inspire you to get creative with your wrapping this year (and, well, every year, really). Here's a sneak peek:

We're wishing you all a very happy, healthy holiday season, filled with love, laughter and of course, creativity!

Don't miss this amazing giveaway!

2010-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

The deadline for the photography giveaway from D'Avello Photography is quickly approaching! You all have until December 15 to enter! Go here for details.

Hurry, hurry! This is a great opportunity!

Off The Rack Bridesmaids Dresses: December Edition!

2010-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing some really cute dresses around lately that would make lovely bridesmaids dresses at really affordable prices.

Shop Ruche Gardenia Grace Dress. This dress is sold out on the website, but I love how easy this would be to recreate. Purchase a grey strapless dress, sew up some flowers, and lay across the shoulder. Of course, this is a bit of a pain (but with a great payoff!), so below are some dresses right off the rack.

The Limited dresses from left to right: Dinner Date dress; Bow One Shoulder dress; One Shoulder Detail dress

Mod Cloth dresses from left to right: Plum Perfection dress; Quiet Nocturne dress; View From Above dress

Real Ontario Wedding: Lindsey and Adrian

2010-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Gah! You guys! I'm so excited about today's real wedding. I really am. It's full of beautiful style, lovely details and an overall amazing adorable couple, Lindsey and Adrian. There to capture the loveliness overload was the team at Renaissance Photography. Owl hugs to Lindsey and Adrian!

Thank you so much to the team at Renaissance Photography Studios for sharing this wedding with us today! Seriously, people, please be sure to visit their blog for more beautiful real weddings. And to Lindsey and Adrian, I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Stationery Inspiration From The Pink Orange

2010-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so thrilled to introduce you all to The Pink Orange, creating couture invitations and stationery for brides looking for nothing but exquisitely designed pieces.

Rebecca Ashby, the visionary behind The Pink Orange, was gracious enough to give us an inside peek at her studio, as well as answer a few questions for us!

Rebecca Ashby, owner and creator of The Pink Orange. I mean, how gorgeous is she? Photo by Clark + Walker Studios.

Rebecca, how and when did The Pink Orange come about?
I had been working in various types of design industries and, most recently before starting my business, I was working for a web development firm when I realized how much I missed the 3-D aspect of paper and the “touchy feely” of that part of the design industry. At that time, when I was feeling like I wanted to find my calling in the industry, my husband proposed to me. All I cared about was creating the invitations and other paper goodies. It hit me and I realized what I should be doing for the rest of my life! And so, in 2006 The Pink Orange was born and I haven’t looked back.

Inside The Pink Orange studio. Photo by Clark + Walker Studios

What inspires you to create a piece?
I use all of my surroundings as inspiration! The architecture, plants, color, shape and dimension. However, mostly, getting to know my clients and their personalities is a big part of my creations. Each piece I design is custom and unique, and therefore, tailored for that special day. So inspiration also comes from the clients I am designing for. Their story, their lives together and what makes them as unique as their wedding day.

Photo by Clark + Walker Studios

What type of client comes to The PInk Orange for their wedding stationery? What are they looking for?
I work with all types of clients, but each client comes to me because they are looking for something extraordinary. They want to be “branded," be it for their wedding day, baby or birthday parties, they want something special and unique that they just can’t seem to find elsewhere.

My wedding clients can range from just needing save the dates or invitations to starting with save the dates and wanting every detail down to cocktail napkins to match! I love coordinating every accessory and taking the stress out of the day, while adding in the fun!

Photo by Clark + Walker Studios

What is your process while working with a client?
Our initial meeting, or phone call if they are long distance, starts with a “get to know you” session. I feel this is important to do because after all, I’m designing for them! Just as I would talk through specifics when designing a logo for a corporate client, I need to dive into getting to know each client. We talk about their specific needs as well as their stationery budget and what they want to invest. During our initial meeting, we look at paper, color and previous samples of work so I can get a feel for their likes and dislikes, while talking details of what they might want specifically for their day. I will then brainstorm concepts after they have left and send a fully detailed estimate with rough concepts and pricing. There can be such variation in custom design, I like to give options so everyone is comfortable with what they are investing in. Once the basic concept is selected, the fun begins with of creating mock-ups for the client! That is my favorite part, seeing my ideas come to life. I present in person if the bride is local, and if they are long distance, I will send them through the mail so I can also include paper swatches and ink samples. Any other revisions that are needed are completed via email.

Photo by Clark + Walker Studios

Let's take a look at some of The Pink Orange creations:

Clark + Walker Studios

Photo courtesy of The Pink Orange.

Photo courtesy of The Pink Orange.

Thank you so much to Rebecca at The Pink Orange for stopping by and sharing your story with us! To see more of Rebecca and her gorgeous creations, please, please, please visit her website! It's definitely a do-not-miss and loaded with gorgeous inspiration. Thank you again, Rebecca!

Real California Wedding: Jenny and Jacob

2010-11-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello! I have a real wedding for you all that features an adorable couple, Jenny and Jacob. These two had a beautiful wedding day at Junior League of Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA, and with all the personal touches like a cotton candy machine and other goodies a-plenty, this one was also a blast for all their guests. Photographed by the lovely Jennifer of Jennifer Williams Photography, let's take a look at Jenny and Jacob.

Ah, how adorable! Thank you so much to Jennifer for sharing this amazing wedding with us today. Be sure to visit her blog for more beautiful inspiration. Jenny and Jacob, I'm wishing you many eyars of happy, happy memories together!

Off-The-Rack Bridesmaids Dress Alert!

2010-11-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of obsessed with this gorgeous grey dress from White House Black Market right now:

Grey Tulle Soiree Dress

I love the party skirt, the belt which adds more casual feel, and the really beautiful wrapping details on the top. Love, love, love! So many of my brides are going for grey bridesmaids dresses next year, and this would be a great option.

The Owl Celebrate One Year, Again

2010-11-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Back in September, Mr. Owl and I celebrated our one-year anniversary. We loved that day because we did absolutely nothing. Maybe we ordered a pizza.

But, that wasn't the only thing we did.

The following weekend, we took a trip back to the small Upstate New York town where we got married and kinda sorta recreated our wedding weekend. We adore this town, and when we got married, we were too busy with preparations and celebrations to really enjoy it. It went by in the blink of an eye.

Also, I had some wedding day regrets. Gasp!

Part of this post will be to reassure brides that this may happen. Your wedding day will not be perfect. You'll second-guess a decor decision or the wrong song may play during your cake cutting. None of this matters though, on the wedding day because you're blissfully happy.

It may set in after-the-fact, though. And it did with me. Our wedding day was truly amazing. I still get giddy when I think about the feeling I had when I walked down the aisle and saw all our friends and family there to support us. It was something I'll never forget and will always cherish. We danced later that night to all our favorite songs, belted at the top of our lungs and even scurried away for a few minutes to sit back and take in the whole picture. But, there are also some things that have bothered me since.

First, I regret how I felt the morning of our wedding. I was a nervous wreck. It hit me the night before that all eyes would be on me, and because I have somewhat of an anxiety problem, it made me physically ill. I regret not talking to a doctor about it beforehand because during the morning of our wedding while I was getting ready with my most favorite women on this earth, I felt sick. I couldn't eat the room service breakfast Mr. Owl and I ordered to enjoy on our lovely screened-in porch. And once he left, the anxiety got worse. I just felt, well ... on edge and stomach-achy. This is my biggest regret. The feeling, luckily, went away right after we said I Do, and I scarfed down my salmon entree like it was my job.

Secondly, our flowers were so, so very wrong. In the beginning, flowers were not a priority for us. Photography and enjoying our wedding day were our two biggest priorities. Our floral budget was dismal at best. My Aunt DIYed our branch centerpieces, and we ordered bouquets and bouts from a local florist, thankful that they even took on such a small project. However, when the flowers arrived to my room that day, for a second I thought they delivered them to the wrong bride. They looked nothing like what I had requested. I didn't care that day, though. As long as we had something, "whatev!" was my general opinion on the situation.

Until we got the photos. I was really disappointed. I mean, my bouquet was the wrong color. Not that this matters at all in the grand scheme of our marriage, and believe me, I felt silly for feeling this way, but I wanted a do over with my bouquet.

Which, my little ones, brings me to the point of this post. During our wedding weekend/anniversary getaway, we recreated our wedding morning a little bit. I picked up a gorgeous bouquet that I ordered through an amazing floral designer, Heavenscent Floral Art, and Mr. Owl and I got ready together, enjoying every moment of it. I went back to the same salon and got my make-up done in the way that I was too scared to for the wedding (I felt like I couldn't pull off the vintage look), I put my dress back on and we had a photo session with the lovely and amazing Heather of Heather Bohm-Tallman Photography. And we went back to some of our favorite places to take some more photos.

And you know what? We loved it. We were both relaxed, not too overcome with emotion and really just had fun. We got some of the photos we didn't have time for on our wedding day, and were able to go all out with a more styled theme shoot. And later that night, we even reread our vows to each other.

Part of me still feels silly because we had our wedding day. It was done, and really, we can't recreate it because none of our friends and family would be there. But, this was something we did for us. So I must revert back to my "whatevs!" state of mind. Because honestly, I'm really happy we did this. Just call us Heidi and Seal.

And now, some highlights from our session.

Ah! I loved my bouquet so much!

For more photo sneak peeks, go to Heather's blog.

DIY Bridal Make-Up

2010-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm a really big fan of having your make-up professionally done for your wedding. Sure, we all have a face and make-up routine for going to work and maybe out on the weekends, but it's not every day that we're being professionally photographed. And the truth is, regular, every day make-up often doesn't hold up on camera. Lighting, flash and other elements can give you the appearance of looking washed out, through no fault of your own.

But, it's completely understandable when a professional make-up application is not in your budget. Here are some options for you:

1. Go to Sephora or MAC if you have one in your area. They will charge you $50, however, that $50 goes towards products that you pick out that you get to keep and bring home with you, be in a powder compact, foundation or the lip color you use for the wedding day (which you should always purchase and have on hand for touch-ups anyway).

2. Attend a make-up lesson from a professional. However, this option can be as expensive as getting an application done for your wedding day. However, the make-up artist will show you exactly how to apply make-up specifically for your skin type, coloring and eye shape, and you'll leave with a wealth of knowledge that will last a lifetime.

3. For budget brides, this is probably the most likely option: Turn to YouTube!

I used to be a self-confessed make-up moron before I found tutorials on YouTube. There are quite a few professional make-up artists that post step-by-step tutorials on how to do make-up, and some even do bridal make-up.

Two of my favorite websites are Make Up Geek and Pixiwoo (thank you, Brittany!). These videos will list the products that are used, do close-ups of the application and provide tips for how to do your make-up.

Here are some bridal make-up video tutorials:

Real E-Session: Erin and Ryan

2010-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Erin and Ryan are absolutely adorable. I can't get these engagement photos out of my head - they're fun, flirty and completely romantic. And they were perfectly captured by the lovely Alicia of Oakstream Photography. Let's take a look!

Stunning, yes? Thank you so much to Alicia at Oakstream Photography for sharing these photos with us today! Be sure to pop on over to her blog and stay awhile for more beautiful wedding inspiration!

Real North Carolina Wedding: Julia and Tony, Part II

2010-11-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

And we're back with Part II of Julia and Tony's wedding weekend extravaganza! We left off with an intimate afternoon family picnic and rehearsal dinner bash. And now, onto the wedding day! Julia kicked off her morning with the women in her family with a special breakfast.

And now it's show time! Getting ready for the big day.

Thank you so much to Hooman at Vesic Photography for sharing this lovely wedding with us. Be sure to visit his

Real North Carolina Wedding: Julia and Tony, Part I

2010-11-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm so thrilled to be featuring a wedding, sent over by the awesome Hooman of Vesic Photography! Julia and Tony had a two-day lovefest that began with a Friday afternoon picnic lunch that was perfectly styled with rustic sunflowers and picnic tables. Following that evening was a rehearsal dinner that all of the wedding guests were invited to. The next morning, there was even more special goodness that includes the wedding day, and a little something extra. Stay tuned to find out! Now, onto the day before Julia and Tony's wedding, beginning with a family picnic lunch at the Little Pond Inn at Valle Crusis, NC.

And now, onto the amazing rehearsal dinner, which took place at the park in Valle Crusis:

Be sure to stop by later today for part two of this amazing feature ... the wedding day! Also, pop on over to Vesic Photography's blog for more wedding inspiration.

Today On The Nesting Owl: Mix and Match Dining Room Chairs

2010-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

A really big trend right now with weddings is to mix and match chairs for a more rustic, vintage look:

source

Today over at The Nesting Owl, we're bringing it home. Pop on over for inspiration.

2010 Blissful Wishes Ball in Chicago

2010-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last Monday, I had the privilege of attending the Blissful Wishes Ball here in Chicago, a benefit for Wish Upon A Wedding - a non-profit organization that funds and arranges weddings for couples affected by terminal illness.

I attended with the always fabulous and fun Brittany of Hanle Productions, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Two couples who were granted weddings from Wish Upon A Wedding were present that night, and it was so incredibly heart-warming to see, in person, their love for each other, which helps them to conquer each and every day. One of the couples was recently featured in Parade Magazine, and I'll give you 10 bucks if you don't shed even a small tear after reading it.

I couldn't have been more impressed with the evening as a whole. Hosted at the Millenium Knickerbocker hotel, the decor was beautiful, the food was uh-mazing and the entertainment was awesome. Produced by Ali Phillips, owner of Engaging Events by Ali, and President of the Chicago chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding, I have to say, the evening went off without a hitch. Everyone was in great spirits and the dance floor was crowded the whole night. I mean, with a bunch of wedding industry professionals, you have to expect it to be great, yeah? I took a few photos, but I'm no professional, so you'll have to bare with me.

As you entered the reception area, you walked along the balcony, and the first thing you saw as you entered was this. Gorgeous!

Waiting for us at our tables were chocolates and a mini bottle of champagne to take home. How sweet!

The rest of the photos are from ShutterBooth, which was an absolute blast.

Brittany and I striking a pose.

Brittany, myself and Stevi, photographer an co-owner (along with her husband) of AveryHouse Creative.

Thank you to the Wish Upon A Wedding foundation for everything you do, and to Brittany for being my date :)

Amazing Wedding Photography Giveaway From D'Avello Photography!

2010-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

What a great way to kick off the week! The super sweet, and so very awesome Brynn, along with her husband Mike (together, known as BAM), of D'Avello Photography are giving away an amazing wedding photography package for one lucky couple!

The winning couple will receive a full day of wedding coverage, two photographers, a DVD of high-resolution images and copyright release, an online gallery to share with friends and family, one 4x8” accordion book, and a 3x3” mini accordion books.

For information on how to enter, please visit D'Avello Photography's blog. And be sure to stay a while to see their beautiful work. You might remember the gorgeous movie star wedding they photographed, which was featured on The Owl a while back :)

Hurry brides, you don't want to miss this one! Deadline to enter is December 15, 2010.

Excuse For Being a Blog Slacker

2010-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was my last day at my day job. Not many of you know, but yes, I worked the daily grind up until then, while also planning weddings and blogging. So my little Owls, that is my reason for being a blog slacker. With wedding season being far busier than I could have expected (in the very best possible way), and juggling a full-time job, my brain was stretched thin, and time slipped away from my fingers without even realizing it at times.

I feel so invigorated, slightly terrified, relaxed and confident right now. I took a risk and left my job right at the end of wedding season. Why, you ask? Good question. I needed time to collect my thoughts. I take SH Weddings and blogging very seriously (duh!), and for the past year, I’ve put everything I have into my clients and readers, and I’m just so proud of that work. I really am. Toward the beginning of fall, I felt myself on an energy decline, and realized that now was the time. If I wanted to hold such high standards for myself and how I treat my clients, I had to take the leap and allow myself to focus entirely on my clients and my goals:

1. I need to really think of ways to give my customers full confidence in my skills. I strive for five-star reviews not because I like seeing that number on WeddingWire go up, but because it means I know I did my job well, and I took stress away from a bride, groom and their families on a momentous occasion. I want my clients to never feel like a number, but more like a friend. I need to find more ways to show them that I truly care. Because I do. I really, really do.

2. From a business standpoint, I need to focus on my client base, and define an SH Weddings bride. Is she modern? Worldy? Trendy? Traditional? Everything mixed into one really cool person? I think she's the latter, but I’m not sure. I need to figure that out so I can better serve all my couples and give them personalized attention catered to their specific needs.

3. I need to expand my skill set. I wouldn’t be a smart businesswoman if I wasn’t constantly trying to learn new trends and skills. I devour wedding-related literature during my free time, but that’s not enough. I want to participate in conferences with industry leaders and attend more classes in different arts such as floral design and letterpress to branch out beyond where I currently am.

4. I want to learn more about my network of vendors. I work with amazing people, and I want to know how I can further assist them, and also, how they can further assist my clients.

However, I can’t reach any of these goals without being completely, 150 percent dedicated and having the down time to focus. Therefore, I decided to use the winter months, the notorious slow season in the wedding industry, to make myself a better wedding planner.

During the last part of December, I plan to have an extended stay at my mom’s house, where I grew up. I’ve never done this! Time with my family to reconnect is an instant battery recharger. And to get myself mentally prepared for this leap I’m taking, I’ve decided this is the best way to go about it. Since moving to Chicago almost four years ago, I haven’t seen my family for more than three days straight - and not more than twice a year - and that's always left a small void in my heart. For the rest of this month, I will be filling that void, making me feel complete again, and fully invigorated. And what better time do to this than during the holiday season? Mr. Owl will be joining me for most of my stay, but he'll be flying into New York just a few days after me.

In January, Mr. Owl and I have planned our very first tropical vacation. We honeymooned in Vermont after our wedding because we needed a place to take in fresh air and bond with nature, but we've been craving beaches, warm sunlight, piña coladas and sunsets since last winter. We decided to reward ourselves for a year very well done with a trip to Cozumel, Mexico! We’re on pins and needles, ready to go, and this will be the end-all, be-all of battery recharging.

After our Mexican vacation, I will be ready to go. I’ll be ready to expand SH Weddings into the company I know it can, and will, be. I’ll be ready to dazzle my clients even more and I will become a much more well-rounded member of the wedding industry because of it. And I'm just so excited about everything - including getting this blog of mine back up and running.

Thank you all for being patient, understanding and truly amazing.

We Heart OnceWed

2010-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Exciting, exciting!

SH Weddings is now a featured vendor over at OnceWed!

Clicky, clicky to see :)

Rustic Inspiration Photo Shoot by SH Weddings and Hanle Productions

2010-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

What happens when I join forces with the fabulous Brittany at Hanle Productions? Well, a super fun day at an amazing location with beautiful fall weather and treats a plenty! Oh yeah, and a pretty sweet inspiration photo shoot that kind of looks like this:

For local Illinois brides, we cannot recommend this venue, Oak Hill, enough. The 170-acre property is family owned, and everyone who assisted couldn't have been more accommodating and friendly. Oak Hill has everything a bride and groom could need for their wedding day including a beautiful chapel to get married in, an adorable schoolhouse for a great photo opportunity, an old-fashioned country store, a gorgeous barn for an intimate reception, plenty of grounds for a larger tented wedding, two beautiful rooms and a bathroom to get ready in, several barns, home to the property's horses, more scenery that's perfect for photos than you could have ever imagined and many, many vintage props scattered around that make for the perfect photo.

The Team
Photography by Hanle Productions
Florals, cake, cupcakes, cider stand, table and dessert buffet designs by Samantha at SH Weddings
Bride's dress and hair accessories provided by Miss Ruby Boutique

The Details
Table linen and flatware from World Market
Water and wine glasses from Anthropologie
Yellow cake stand from Crate and Barrel (Spring 2010)
Small cupcake stands from Homegoods
Flower vases and mason jars collected from local antique stores
Place settings from Crate and Barrel
Bistro chairs provided by Oak Hill

Bride's Night Out at Miss Ruby Boutique

2010-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

You girls don't want to miss this one!

Miss Ruby Boutique is home to seriously chic and adorably modern dresses for bridesmaids, classic bridal as well as alternative, flower girls and guests. And they're hosting an event just for you! Local Milwaukee brides, be there or miss out on all the fun! Brittany at Hanle Productions will even be there with her giddy booth!

Whitney and Taylor: Part III, The Wedding Day

2010-10-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

And we conclude Whitney and Taylor's love story with their wedding day! Also captured by Alicia at Oakstream Photography, let's all shake our tail feathers for these two!

Whitney and Taylor Part II: Bride and Groom Session

2010-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Alicia at Oakstream Photography calls these sessions "groomals," and I kind of love that word. When I last left you, I had just shared Whitney and Taylor's amazing e-session, but we're just getting warmed up here. Let's take a look at Whitney and Taylor's pre-wedding session, and after that, be sure to stop by and give Oakstream Photography's blog some love, too!

And the winner is ...

2010-10-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

It's time we announce the winner of our giveaway with Hanle Productions and SH Weddings! Are you ready for this? And the lucky couple is ...

Dana and Shane!

Dana's best friend of 12 years nominated this adorable couple for the giveaway, and we couldn't resist their story. Dana's father passed away in 2001, and he grew up in Hungary until he escaped communism and came to the U.S. Shane knew how important Dana's heritage was to her, and he proposed on Margaret Island in Budapest, Hungary. They snuck away one morning and went to the market to get food for a picnic. Shane said he wanted to take Dana on “a date” to the island. Right after they unwrapped their food, Shane told Dana that he had something for her that she should have before she got her fingers greasy. So cute! The trip extra special because Shane also got to meet her dad’s side of the family, since they all still live in Hungary.

Dana and Shane are full-time students and also work full-time jobs. I simply don't know how they do it. Dana's best friend told us that professional photography just wasn't in their budget, and that broke our hearts! They're planning a great barn wedding with a vintage picnic feel, and we couldn't be happier to offer our services to such a great couple.

Congratulations Dana and Shane!

Real E-Session: Whitney and Taylor

2010-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have such a gorgeous e-session for you all today. Whitney and Taylor totally rocked it and their super cute personalities were front and center. There to capture the adorable-overload was Alicia at Oakstream Photography. Let's all give Owl hugs to Whitney and Taylor!

You want more, don't you? Good thing this is Part I of a three-part series! Stay tuned later today for Whitney and Taylor's bride and groom pre-wedding session with Alicia at Oakstream Photography. In the meantime, please be sure to stop by Oakstream's blog for more wedding eye candy.

Hello? Is this thing on?

2010-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Umm, hi, remember me? Little 'ole Owl editor that used to bring you wedding loveliness on a regular basis?

Well, this is how I feel right now:

source

I'm so sorry, little ones! Life just got ... well, crazy. Not my personal life. My professional life. Wedding season has just been amazingly busy (in the very best possible way). And these past few weeks, I took on one last minute wedding while also preparing for an inspiration photo shoot with the fabulous Brittany at Hanle Productions. The shoot was yesterday, and it was one of the most perfect days Mr. Owl and I have had in a while: Beautiful, sunny, crisp fall weather, great company, a gorgeous, picturesque venue, and so much more. You'll just have to stay tuned for some photos, and I absolutely promise they're on their way.

In the meantime, Bridal Fashion Week was this past week(end), and I have my picks from my favorite designers and their new styles. First up, my all-time favorites, Amsale and Christos.

All photos courtesy of Brides.com.

Amsale

Christos

Watters

Monique Lhuillier

Rivini

Lela Rose

David's Bridal*

*I'm more and more impressed with David's Bridal collections as they unfold each season. I'm a huge advocate of making high-end fashion bridal designs accessible and affordable, and I really think the people at David's are understanding that. I'm pretty excited about it, actually.

There you have it, Owls! Stay tuned this week. I promise posting will be a bit more regular these next few weeks. Thank you so much for your patience!

Happiest One Year

2010-09-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

(editor's note: this entry was written yesterday, Sunday, September 26, 2010)

Today Mr. Owl and I have been married for one year. We didn't do much because usually the day after coordinating a wedding, we're pretty tired, and like to take it easy. That will often involve food delivery and TV marathons, and today wasn't much different. We were adventurous enough to make a trip out to the 'burbs for some needed shopping, and then came home, took a nap and had a marathon of "Pushing Daisies" (recommend by the awesome Brittany of Hanle Productions). And to be honest, these days are my absolute favorite*. I like to just be with that husband of mine. The seemingly everyday boring days are the ones that fill my heart with happiness and contentment. This was why I decided to marry Mr. Owl - because I can just be and do nothing with him by my side, and feel completely relaxed, happy and smitten with my life.

Happy first year anniversary, hubs. One year ago today you had a dance-off with my mom, and I belted out to "Sweet Caroline." I love you.

Photo by Catherine Leonard Photography

*That isn't to say we don't have anything special planned. You'll have to stay tuned to find out what.

Don't forget to enter the SH Weddings and Hanle Productions giveaway!

2010-09-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Time's a tickin'! If you're in the Chicago area and getting married next year, please click here for more information!

Real Vegas Wedding: Mindy and Mark

2010-09-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! And what better to celebrate a new week than with a fun and energetic Vegas wedding? Mindy and Mark had their ceremony at the Las Vegas Nevada Temple, and following that, they had a ring ceremony, luncheon & a Chinese Tea Ceremony all at Vintner’s Grill in Las Vegas. And finally, a beautiful reception at Mark's parent's house, also in Las Vegas. These two know how to party, and I love it! There to capture all the style, emotion and fun was the super talented Alisha at Oakstream Photography. Let's give Owl hugs to Mindy and Mark!

Thank you so much to the lovely Alisha for sharing these beautiful photos with us! Her blog is an absolute much, so please be sure to pop on over for a visit! Mindy and Mark, what an adorable couple you both are, and I absolutely loved sharing your photos and excitement with everyone. I'm wishing you many years of very happy memories together!

Real Long Beach Wedding: Janice and Danny

2010-09-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Where did my week go? Oh my goodness! It was as if I blinked, and it was Friday. Anyhoo ...

... The bride and groom in today's wedding could be models. Janice is a fashion designer, and it most definitely shows with her gorgeous old Hollywood movie star gown (which was designed by a friend of hers!) and high-fashion heels. Their wedding has a beautiful, clean modern feel with an elegant old world touch that I absolutely love. They were married at the historic Breakers building in downtown Long Beach, and they held their reception in The Sky Room. The lovely team at Davello Photography was there to capture all the memories and joyous moments. Let's all take a look at Janice and Danny.

So many thanks to Davello Photography for sharing these style-studded wedding with us today! Please be sure to visit their blog and stay a while. Janice and Danny, your wedding was so much fun to share. I'm wishing you both many years of happy memories together!

Alice and Chuck: 63 Years So Very Happy Together

2010-09-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is my most favorite post to date.

The very talented Elisha at Elisha Orin Photography had the pleasure of capturing lasting love, and it's simply an inspiration to everyone with a significant other. I'm so thrilled to share Alice and Chuck's story with you all today because it encompasses everything a wedding is all about: a promise from two people to spend their lives together. After the cake, the dress, the first dance and the toasts, love and photographs are what you have left, and well, my friends, lasting love is the greatest thing in the world.

About Alice and Chuck, from Elisha:

"I first met them at a wedding. I have been wanting to photograph a couple who has set the precedent for a long marriage. A couple that were truly in love. Alice and Chuck were the winners of the anniversary dance at a wedding I photographed. I always like to grab a photo of the happy couple. I usually tell them to kiss. When I told Alice and Chuck to kiss. Man did they ever….I’m talking like kissing when you are 16 kind of kissing. I love to watch couples win the anniversary dance. They are so proud of their life long marriage. Alice and Chuck were a couple that inspired me. First because of their life long commitment, second because they are happy and they are both so darn CUTE! They are also funny! I spent an hour photographing them and enjoyed every minute of it.

Alice and Chuck first met at a roller rink in 1946. Then married in 1947. Chuck is a Veteran ( thank you Chuck for serving us). They have 5 children, which they thought they might never have. After 5 years of marriage and no baby they thought they might adopt. Their pastor told them “no , your too young”. The pastor said he would pray for them and 5 kids later Chuck told the pastor he could stop prayng now. They have 7 grandchildren and 7 great grand children and 1 more on the way.

During the photoshoot. I told Chuck to stand in a particular pose, and when he did I think Alice really liked it because she smiled and went right up to him and kissed him, ADORABLE! She thought he looked good!!!

Thank you Alice and Chuck for letting me in on your story of your life. I’m so thankful that you can be an example to everyone. Your joy and love for one another shows."

So many sincere thanks to Elisha for sharing these photos with us today. She's one talented woman, so please be sure to stop on by her blog for a visit and stay a while. Alice and Chuck, you're both so beautiful, and I hope that myself and the mister will be half as happy as you both are after 63 years of marriage. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

10 Things I'm Loving This Week

2010-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Cake stand from Anthropologie. Do I need a $98 cake stand? No. But that doesn't stop me from swooning all over this one.

First Falling Blouse from Anthropologie. View the close-ups on the website, and you'll see the beautiful autumnal colors in the leaves. Fall is coming! It's my favorite season.

Dynamic Duo Make-Up Bag from Anthropologie. So cute! I love the color and illustration. It's just so different from the typical black or clear bags you see out there.

Bridesmaids dress alert! The Limited's Rosette Hem dress comes in a few different colors, and it's sweet, simple and charming. Great for a garden wedding!

St. Ive's Green Tea Face Washes. These are great for people with oily skin that tends to develop redness in certain areas. The green tea formula soaks up some excess oils, and it also helps with redness! Oh, and it smells amazing. I switched from a pricey Philosophy brand face wash to this one, so you know it's gotta be good.

Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls. This is great for highlighting certain parts of your face like cheek bones or your temples. Love it!

Laughing Cow Light Cheese Spread. This Owl has been on a diet for the past few weeks after finding out her wedding dress no longer fit! I love cheese, though, and these 35-calorie wedges are great to pack for lunches, and paired with just a few crackers, a snack between 90-120 calories that's totally satisfying!*

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Cones. So that diet of mine doesn't allow for ice cream, either. Cousin Owl told me about these a while ago, and I just started to get them. Oh. My. God. They're delicious. Totally satisfying and chocolatey.*

I've always been a cardio girl. But recently, I've started No More Trouble Zones by Jillian Michaels. And I LOVE it. I feel so strong when I'm done. I still do cardio workouts, but with strength training thrown in 1-2 times per week, I feel amazing.

Lastly, there's no photo that illustrates this: September breezes. There's nothing like 'em. It's still warm, but you can smell fall on its way. Sometimes when Mr. Owl and I are walking our dog outside before bed, and I feel a breeze, I close my eyes and take it in. It's one of my favorite things of all time.

*This Owl now fits back into that wedding dress, thanks to Jillian Michaels, Laughing Cow and Skinny Cow. What's with all the cows? No you, Jillian. Obviously.

PSA: Chicago Renegade Craft Fair!

2010-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Attention craft-loving Chicagoans! This weekend is the Renegade Craft Fair on Division Street in Wicker Park. Tons of Etsy vendors, talented crafters and artists will be there, displaying their work for purchase! Get your wallets ready and head on over this Saturday and Sunday!

This may or may not have been on my calendar for five months. And it's finally here!

Real Georgia Wedding: Ashley and Shane

2010-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back, little Owls!

It's been a while, but I have a gorgeous real wedding for you today, photographed by the super talented Heidi at Our Labor of Love Photography. Ashley and Shane were married at Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills, and there simply aren't words for the stunning backdrop. Not to mention the adorable and stylish couple! Let's take a looksie.

Thank you so much to Heidi at Our Labor of Love Photography! Please be sure to pop on over to her blog and stay a while. Her photos are so inspiring, as are the rest of the Our Labor of Love team! Ashley and Shane, what a beautiful wedding. I'm wishing you so many years of happiness together.

2011 Photography and Wedding Coordination Giveaway!

2010-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

To enter, a friend or family member must nominate the bride- and groom-to-be by e-mailing the following information to both sam@shweddings.com and brittany@hanle-productions.com:

1. The bride’s name, groom’s name and wedding date.
2. Engagement story (under 500 words, please).
3. Feel/style of the wedding (include planned personal touches and details, if available)
4. A description of why you think the couple deserves to win, including any struggles or hardships they've faced recently (under 500 words, please).
5. 1-3 photos of the bride and groom.

The winning contestant will receive:

Photography Package by Hanle Productions:
Eight hours of continuous coverage
Online gallery of photos
All hi-res photos on CD for printing
Engagement session*
Upgrades such as a photobooth and albums can be purchased for an additional charge. *No substitutions allowed; engagement session must take place prior to the wedding.

Wedding Coordination Package by SH Weddings:
One lead coordinator, and one assistant for the entire day of the wedding
All-day wedding coordination, including set-up and tear-down of decor
Customized timelines
One venue walkthrough prior to the wedding
Unlimited e-mail/phone communication

Rules for entering:

a) Your wedding date must be in 2011.
b) Both Hanle Productions and SH Weddings must be available on your date.
c) The wedding must take place in the Chicagoland area.
d) You must not yet have booked your photographer or wedding planner/coordinator.
e) Any entries without the listed information will not be considered.
f) This must be the first time the couple/couple's family and friends are inquiring about services from SH Weddings and Hanle Productions. This is not valid for current clients.
g) Contest winners must sign contracts with both vendors. In other words, contestant winners cannot accept one vendor, and not the other.

For Keeps: Incorporating Furniture Into Your Wedding Decor

2010-08-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

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!

Source unknown

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

2010-08-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

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?

Source

Source

Source

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

Plum and Crimson at The Bride's Cafe!

2010-08-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone!

One of my favorite color combinations (especially for fall) is plum and crimson. And what do you know, Janie at The Bride's Cafe is featuring a gorgeous inspiration shoot featuring these colors!

Here's a sneak peek:

Courtesy of The Bride's Cafe, photographed by Kia Gregory Photography

To see the full shoot, pop on over to The Bride's Cafe for a visit.

Stay tuned later today for some more bridesmaids inspiration!

White House Black Market Launches Wedding Boutique

2010-08-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

White House Black Market has always been one of my favorite stores, and I'm so excited for their new Wedding Boutique! Their wedding gowns are surprisingly very couture-looking, and their accessories line is beautiful. Take a look!

(All photos from White House Black Market)

The flower details on this dress are removable for complete customization!

The next two bridemaid's dresses come with removable straps as well:

This would make for an awesome brdiesmaid gift, no? I know I would wear it again, and how cute would it look if all the girls had one for the wedding day?

We give WHBM an A for their new, fashion-forward wedding boutique!

Real New York Wedding: Ashley and Michael

2010-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

What? A real wedding feature? I know, it's been too long!

Ashley and Michael are such a lovely couple. Ashley was one who never wanted to get married, and three years in a row, Michael took her underneath the Brooklyn Bridge at midnight on New Year's to propose. Third time was a charm with these two because on the third try, Ashley said yes!

Ashley got ready at the beautiful New York Palace Hotel (and I've been told it's been featured on Gossip Girl!), and their ceremony took place at the Linden Terrace in Fort Tryon park. Their best friend, Bobby, officiated the ceremony, and Ashley's mother transported the lilacs that were used through the wedding all the way from her home in North Carolina. I truly is the little things that make a wedding meaningful. The talented and super sweet Angela of Angela Gaspar Photography was there to capture every moment. Shake your tail feathers for Ashley and Michael!

Such a beautiful wedding! Thank you so much to Angela for sharing these photos with us today! Please be sure to stop by and visit her blog for more wedding inspiration. Ashley and Michael, I got the warm fuzzies looking through your wedding day photos. I'm wishing you both many years of happy memories together!

Update

2010-08-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone!

I feel like I owe an explanation for the lack of posts recently. I'm a bad, bad blogger! I sincerely apologize.

SH Weddings has gotten very busy, being wedding season and all. As most of you know, this is my first year in the business, and it picked up much faster than expected. It's truly amazing news, and I'm so incredibly lucky because I adore what I do. However, I haven't had as much time to update The Owl, and I hope to change that around in the coming months.

Posting moving forward will probably be sporadic until wedding season dies down a bit, but I'm still dedicated to researching amazing photographers for real wedding features, and posting wonderful wedding finds.

Please do keep checking back. I'm so grateful that I have little Owl readers, and I don't want to let you down!

Hugs and kisses!

Mrs. Owl

Inspiration Board: Buttercup and Plum

2010-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with this color combination right now. I think it's perfect for a Spring wedding, bringing in the crisp, fresh hues of yellow quenching your thirst. The rich plum hues are a perfect balance to really make yellow pop. It's just lovely.

Top row: Yellow dress, The Sweetest Occasion; Plum bouquet, My Bride Story; Yellow shoes, Once Wed
Middle row: Plums, Percy and Bloom
Bottom row: Lemonade; Purple Cupcakes; Purple and yellow bouquet, Elizabeth Anne Designs

SH Weddings Has a New Look!

2010-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, this is so exciting. SH Weddings had a complete website redesign, courtesy of my super talented, amazingly lovable cousin, who also designed our wedding invitations, programs and menu cards:

Introducing the new SH Weddings!

It's not totally complete, and changes will be made over the next month or so, but we're so happy with the overall design, and really think it perfectly matches our aesthetic.

Stay tuned later today for an inspiration board!

Bride and Groom Session: Cal and Al

2010-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! Welcome to another Cal and Al feature. You fell in love with these guys when you took a peek at their fun-filled e-session with Oakstream Photography, and they're back today with their equally-fun and beautiful bridal and groom(al?) session. Also photographed by the sweet and uber-talented Alisha and Oakstream Photography, let's take a look!

So many thanks to Alisha and Oakstream Photography for sharing these beautiful photos with us today. They're so inspiring, are they not? Please be sure to scoot on over to her blog for more examples of her awesome work. Cal and Al, I'm sure we'll see you again for the big day!

Photography Giveaway From Tonhya Kae!

2010-08-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Owl readers! I'm thrilled to announce that the lovely Tonhya at Tonhya Kae Photography is doing a free wedding giveaway!

How gorgeous is Tonhya? I mean, really. And her work is just as beautiful. To enter for a chance to win this amazing package, please send an e-mail to tonhya@tonhyakaephotography.com, and include the following information: Your name, your fiance's name, wedding date, venue*, a photo of the two of you together, your love story and you must also leave a comment on Tonhya's blog!

The lucky winner will receive:

1) Seven hours of coverage
2) A second shooter
3) DVD of images for viewing and printing
4) Personal online gallery

For more information and details, please visit Tonhya's blog entry about the contest here. The winner be announced on November 1, 2010!

Some amazing photos by Tonhya:

*Applicants must know their venue and date before applying.

Be sure to come back later this afternoon for a beautiful bridal and groom(al?) session!

Out of town

2010-08-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! Mr. Owl and I are headed out of town for the weekend to Upstate New York. This is an exciting trip because we're going home for a family wedding ... the first since we tied the knot almost a year ago! We'll be taking time to see family, and help the lovely bride and groom, so posting will be very light. However, I'll try to update with photos when possible.

Have fantastical weekends, friends!

Real California Wedding: Vivien and Gunther

2010-08-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, today's real wedding will just give you the warm fuzzies. Vivien and Gunther's wedding is vintage chic with so many wonderfully cute details. These two got married at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club, and the official US Berkely mascot Oski the Bear made a special guest appearance. Capturing all the fun moments of the day is Lydia at Lydia Chen Photography. Let's take a look.

So many happy thanks to Lydia Chen Photography for sharing these photos with us today! Please be sure to pop on over to her blog for a visit. Vivien and Gunther, your wedding story is just so much fun and heartwarming, and I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together!

Real Minnesota Wedding: Jessica and Polo

2010-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! Today's real weddings is absolutely beautiful and totally chic. Jessica and Polo had a very intimate ceremony with just their parents and siblings in attendance. Jessica and Polo got ready at the W Hotel at The Foshay, and had their ceremony in the Lyndale Park Rose Garden. And there to capture all the lovely moments were the husband and wife photography team at Clewell Photography!. Get excited for Jessica and Polo!

So many sincere thanks to the team at Clewell Photography. Guys, make sure you visit their blog for more amazing work from these two! Jessica and Polo, your wedding was so lovely and heartwarming. I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Real E-Session: Dawn and Ben

2010-08-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello! I'm just ecstatic about this lovely and organic e-session today with such an adorable couple. Dawn and Ben live in Chicago, and took quite a few pictures in their home and neighborhood. They're even lucky to have a garden, which I'm totally coveting right now. And the always awesome Jeremy at Jeremy Lawson Photography perfectly capture their spirit and love for each other. Let's take a look!

So many sincere thanks to Jeremy for sharing these photos with us today. As usual, his blog is an absolute must, so please be sure to visit. Dawn and Ben, you're just too cute for words! I'm wishing you so many happy memories together as you plan your wedding.

How You Can Afford a Wedding Day-Of Coordinator

2010-07-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you can't afford a full wedding planner. That's okay. With so many tools and templates out there to assist you with DIY projects, craft-savvy brides don't need one. But what about a day-of coordinator?

Lots of brides will say they can't afford one or it's not in their budget. Here's another way to look at it: include it in your original budget, and you'll be able to have one.

As a wedding coordinator, it's easy for me to defend hiring help for your wedding day, specifically someone who caters exclusively to the bride and groom. Sometimes, and more often than not, it can be seen as an extravagant cost, something that only brides with large budgets or an endless cash flow can afford. I'm here to tell you, this isn't the case.

When creating an initial wedding budget, brides and grooms will prioritize so they can figure out what they want to cut back on, and what they'll pay a few extra bucks for. Mr. Owl and I did this. Photography was at the top of our list. So was our venue (as we'd known our venue years before even getting engaged). Third? Actually enjoying our wedding day. We couldn't possibly see how that couldn't be a priority. So, we included it in our initial budget, and presto, we could afford one. And we didn't have a large budget, either.

On our wedding day, I don't remember doing any worrying (except for that whole "Ohmygod-everyone's-going-to-be-starring-at-me" thing). I didn't worry if our ceremony chairs were set-up properly, or if our candy buffet was arranged correctly or if our toasts would start on time. I didn't even have to worry that we didn't hire a DJ because our DOC took care of our iTunes playlist like a pro. And at the end of the reception, when me and my new husband were exhausted and ready to call it a night, we didn't have to arrange any clean-up crew, or bribe any family members to do it, because our DOC packed up all our supplies and stored them away for us. She was multiple vendors in one, and in the end, actually saved us money.

So, to summarize, you don't want to be doing this on the morning of your wedding:

Me, setting up a tent wedding for a client, personal photo.

You want to be doing this with your friends and family:

Photo by Steve Koo Photography

and this:

Photo by Bend The Light Photography

and this:

Photo by Project Duo Photography

Real E-Session: Cal and Al

2010-07-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello everyone! Today real e-session is full of fun and lots of love. Cal and Al are absolutely adorable (as are their names), and their lovely photographer Alicia at Oakstream Photography perfectly capture this couple's energy and the love they have for one another. Let shake our tail feathers for Cal and Al!

So many thanks to Alicia at Oakstream Photography for sharing these photos with us today. Alicia is incredibly talented, so please be sure to visit her blog for more amazing inspiration.Cal and Al, I'm so happy I was able to share your love story with everyone, and I'm wishing you many happy memories as your plan your wedding together!

There's a New Owl!

2010-07-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

We're so excited to announce a new addition to The Owl family!

The Nesting Owl focuses on the hearth. Life after weddings and creating a true home. Decor inspiration, home renovations and what it means to have a home where you can truly relax and be yourself.

If you like what you see, please find us on Facebook and follow us on Blogger!

Belated Birthday

2010-07-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday yesterday!

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs

Birthdays are a big deal in my family. Every year as a kid, my mom would throw huge parties with clowns, magicians and invite all the neighborhood kids I was friends with, and all her own friends, too. I would get to decorate the garage with streamers, balloons and cut-outs and put on my most frilly dress to twirl in all day. My mom always did my hair and feathered my bangs (child of the 80s here!). Like I said, birthdays are a big deal in my family.

In fact, organizing my mom's surprise 50th birthday party four years ago is what made me want to plan weddings and parties for a living. Celebrating someone's life is just a momentous occasion, and I love it more than New Year's.

For my birthday this year, Mr. Owl woke me up for breakfast in bed, and cuddles from the doggie (which is the best thing ever!). I got some beautiful presents and later, I was taken out to Chicago's most romantic restaurant (according to numerous blogs and sites) for fondue! And because no birthday is complete without a Carvel ice cream cake, I got one of those, too.

It was a glorious day. I truly think everyone should take off work, splurge and do lots of self-reflection on your birthday. Celebrating another year of life is nothing to take for granted. Put yourself first, count your blessings and be happy for the support of your loved ones.

Happy birthday to me!

Real Philadelphia Wedding: Michelle and Donovan!

2010-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back, everyone! Today I'm thrilled to share Michelle and Donovan's nautical-themed wedding. They were married on the beautiful and historical Moshulu Boat in Philadelphia, and Ellie of Ellie Bolton Photography was there to capture every moment perfectly. Let's take a look!

So many thanks to Ellie for sharing these beautiful photos with us today! Please be sure to visit her blog for more amazing wedding inspiration. Michelle and Donovan - what a fun and unique wedding. It was beautiful, and most importantly, you both loved every minute of it. I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together!

Things are Happening at The Owl!

2010-07-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

A while back, we announced on our Facebook page that we were developing a new addition to The Owl family: a blog that focuses on the home life. And we're happy to say that this week will be its official launch! Here's a sneak peek at what's to come.

In the meantime, yesterday was The Elegant Owl's six-monthiversary! Did you all catch our favorite bouquets from the real weddings we've posted so far?

Our Favorite Real Wedding Bouquets

2010-07-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

This Sunday will be The Elegant Owl's six-monthiversary! Woo hoo! I've been so appreciative of all the photographers who have shared their beautiful real weddings with us, and since I'm feeling nostalgic, I'm going to post my favorite bouquets that have been featured on The Owl in the past six months. Which one gets your vote?

Cristin and Clair. Photographed by Ellie Bolton Photography.

Katelyn and Stephen. Photographed by MMB Photography.

Alexis and Pat. Photographed by Steve Koo Photography.

Meagan and Nate. Photographed by Oakstream Photography.

Tarja and Jussi. Photographed by Harri Rauhanummi.

Josette and Chad. Photographed by Candy's Photography.

Connie and David. Photographed by Hanssie Trainor Photography.

Lana and Shea. Photographed by Blue Sunshine Photography.

Real Day-After Session: Hannah and Adam

2010-07-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! I'm so thrilled to feature this beautiful and adorable day-after session. I hope you remember Hannah and Adam's wedding, photographed by the absolutely lovely and talented Brittany at Hanle Productions. Today, we're posting their equally lovely day-after session, also photographed by Hanle Productions. Hannah is in the education field, and they incorporated some teacher props is the cutest way! We're so excited to show you Hannah and Adam again.

So many happy thank you's to Brittany at Hanle Productions for sharing these photos with us today! Please, please be sure to visit her blog for more beautiful inspiration for all things vintage! I was lucky enough to coordinate Hannah and Adam's wedding in April, and they are truly some of the most wonderful people, and so in love. These photos reflect them perfectly. I'm wishing you all the best, you guys!

Why I Always Recommend a First Look

2010-07-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

If a client ever asks me, "Would you recommend we see each other before the ceremony?" my answer will always be an enthusiastic YES! As a wedding coordinator, and a former bride, I have so many reasons why I'm a fan of the first look that I decided to list them in bullet point form.

- First looks are intimate. You can arrange it so it's just you, your groom and the photographer. Or, you can make it a larger, personal celebration with your wedding party and parents. You'll have more time to let emotions sink in because, as opposed to a two-minute aisle walk, you'll have as much time as you need.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bowen Photography

- You'll likely get better reaction photos. Sometimes it can be difficult for the photographer, based on position or lighting, to get that perfect shot of the groom's reaction the first time he sees his bride on the wedding day, walking toward him down the aisle. During the first look, your photographer will pick the perfect spot and therefore, the perfect picture. Also, because it's just the two of you, you'll probably let your guard down and have bigger reactions to each other. If you're like me, you won't be able to take a mental snapshot of your groom's face as you make your way to him down the aisle because you're too overwhelmed! I have no idea what Mr. Owl's face looked like as I made my way to the altar. But luckily, during our first look, I took it all in, and our photographer got the perfect photo of his reaction.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs

- You'll have so much time for photos, and you'll be more relaxed. A lot of brides don't know that generally, photographers like at least 45 minutes for photos with just the bride and groom, and an additional minimum of 30 minutes for the wedding party. When you get all, or most, of your photos done before the ceremony even begins, you'll feel better about the day's timing. After the ceremony, you'll have either a short family portrait session, or no photos at all, and you'll be free to attend cocktail hour without the extra stress of fixing your make-up or worrying if you have time to taste the mini crab cake hors d'oeuvre you've been looking forward to.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Cabaret

- You'll see more of your guests. Cocktail hour can be spent mingling with your guests, and if you have a smaller wedding (100 guests or under), you'll most likely see them all before the reception, meaning you won't feel as pressured to make the rounds during dinner and dancing.

Photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

- Your wedding party will thank you. They'll also get to leave right after the ceremony to grab a drink and get some food in their stomach during cocktail hour.

Of course, a first look isn't for everyone, and I more than understand that. Every bride and groom needs to do what's best for them. But, if you're open to it, I will always, always, always recommend it. The Owl's fabulous DOC, Jeanne Stark, gently pushed us in this direction, and we're so happy she did.

Real Texas Wedding: Lana and Shea

2010-07-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello! I know you're all going to love today's real wedding - the details and florals are just beautiful (and so are the bride and groom!). Shea and Lana's wedding took place at the Pioneer Museum, and each moment was captured by Jackie at Blue Sunshine Photography. Let's give Owl hugs to Shea and Lana!

So many thanks to Jackie at Blue Sunshine Photography for sharing these beautiful photos with us today. Please be sure to pop on over and visit her blog for more amazing inspiration. Shea and Lana, I'm wishing you so many years of happy memories together!

Real Yummy E-Session: Sherry and Jed

2010-07-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! And a very sweet Monday it is for two very awesome reasons. One, today's e-session features some very yummy treats (there's no quicker way to my heart than ice cream and candy!). And two, the talented team at Sweet Monday Photography was there to capture all the beautiful moments. Let's all take a look at Sherry and Jed.

So many sincere thanks to Sweet Monday for sharing these lovely photos with us today, and for making all our Monday's a little sweeter :) Please be sure to scoot on over to Sweet Monday's blog for more beautiful inspiration. Sherry and Jed, I'm wishing you many fun memories together as you plan your wedding!

Real California Wedding: Natalie and John

2010-07-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, today's real wedding is just beautiful. I love the sunshine yellow and khaki palette, and I love how much you can see the bride and groom's love for each other. Perfectly capturing their happiness was the talented Travis Hoehne of Travis Hoehne Photography. Let's all give owl hugs to Natalie and John!

So many sincere thanks to Travis for sharing these lovely photos with us today! Be sure to pop on over to his blog for more gorgeous eye candy. Natalie and John, you two are just a beautiful couple, and I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Real Oceanside Wedding: Shane and Laine

2010-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday, everyone! How is everyone surviving this heat wave? Let's cool down a bit with this gorgeous oceanside wedding. Shane and Laine pulled off nautical elegance is the best possible way, and Hinkley Photography was there to capture every moment beautifully. Let's all take a look at Shane and Laine!

So many thanks to the talented husband and wife team at Hinkley Photography for sharing these amazing photos with us today! Please be sure to visit their blog for more wedding eye candy. Shane and Laine, your wedding was beautiful, energetic and well ... fun! I'm wishing you so many years of happy memories together.

Bridal Fashion at Bloomingdales

2010-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

So many brides rightfully rely on Nordstrom for a lot of their shopping needs, including alternative bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, shoes and accessories. While poking around Bloomingdales.com recently, however, I was blown away at some of the beautiful style offerings they had as well. I always assume that Bloomies is just out of my budget, but every style I'm posting here today is well under $1,000, with a few styles in the $100-$300 mark. Woo hoo! Take a look at some great gown and party dress options.

Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon V-Neck Draped Gown. Original price: $560. On sale now for $201.60.

Sue Wong Frothy Skirted Gown. Original price: $668. On sale now for: $501.00.

Sue Wong Short Petal Beaded Dress. $388.00.

Sue Wong Fish Scale Appliqué Gown. $768.

Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature "The White Queen-Inspired" Gown. $548.

Faviana Couture Beaded Charmeuse Gown. Original price: $308.00. On sale now for $110.88.

Laundry by Shelli Segal Long Chiffon Dress. Original price: $365.00. On sale now for: $292.00.

Carmen Marc Valvo Pleated One-Shoulder Gown. Original price: $940.00. On sale now for: $705.00.

Aidan Mattox One-Shoulder Foil Print Gown. Original price: $385.00. On sale now for: $138.60.

Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon One-Shoulder Dress. Original price: $360.00. On sale now for: $202.50.

Sue Wong Strapless Feather Dress. $528.00.

Tadashi Shoji Strapless "Feathery" Gown. $808.00.

Sue Wong Long Strapless Feather Gown. $658.00.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2010-07-01T05:00:00.001-07:00

Literally!

Mr. Owl, myself and the new doggie are taking our yearly July 4 weekend trip to Harbor Country, Michigan. It was two years ago July 3 that Mr. Owl popped the question on this same trip. After one year of city life in Chicago, we both decided we needed a break from the hussle and bustle, and randomly chose Harbor Country after we heard the phrase, "The Hamptons of the mid-West" used on several online message boards. We rented a basic, cheap cabin that was pet-friendly, packed up the car with beach towels, coolers and lawn chairs, and we were off.

I can honestly say that it's one of my favorite places to be. It's not fancy, and I like that. It's rustic, but has a fully-equipped bathroom (phew!). Our cabin overlooks the most charming lily pond with the sound of bullfrogs all day and night. We have our own picnic table and Weber Grill for cookouts. The beach is a quarter mile from our cabin. There's a charming little gourmet food boutique called The Whistle Stop just down the road, a Swedish Bakery a short drive away with giant pastries for almost nothing, and wine country is a 20-minute drive with some amazing views along the way.

Lily pond view from our cabin.

Beautiful beach along Lake Michigan.

View of the harbor from one of our favorite restaurants in the area.

And during our first visit there, in the middle of all that wonderfulness, Mr. Owl asked me to be his wife. It was perfect. And I love going back there every year to make smores, play cards on our screened-in porch, let the doggie run around in the grass and spend lazy days at the beach with a stack of wedding and design magazines.

I'll be off on Monday, but Happy July 4, everyone! I'll be back on Tuesday with the usual wedding amazingness.

Martha Stewart's Favorite Etsy Vendors

2010-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Even Martha knows about Etsy!

In the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha picks her favorite Etsy vendors catering to the bridal industry. Here are some highlights of the 79 vendors she selected.

Cake toppers by Millalove

Clutch by Davie and Chiyo

Glass earrings by Jean Pelle

Wire hanger by Lila Frances

Lollipop wedding favors by Olio Designs

Floral headband by Coco Boudoir

"Kia" bridesmaids dress by Nostalgia

Lace shrug by Holly Stalder

Boutonniere by Ruby Feather

Felt birdie magnets by Red 2 White

Banners made from recycled calendars by Something's Hiding in Here

Pottery by Sara Paloma

(All photos courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings)

Real New England Wedding: Asia and Travis

2010-06-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about today's real wedding feature. Travis and Asia have a great style, and they didn't compromise that on their wedding day. Asia's short dress is absolutely darling, while keeping an edgy feel as well, and their personalities were perfectly captured by Matt and Liz at Hinkley Photography. Let's all take a look.

LOVE this one!

So many thanks to the team at Hinkley Photography for sharing these amazing photos with us today. Be sure to pop on over to their blog for more fabulous wedding inspiration. Asia and Travis, you guys were both rock stars on your wedding day, and I'm wishing you many, many years of happy memories together.

Fashion Spotlight: Watters and Lela Rose

2010-06-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Watters and Lela Rose Bridesmaids are two of my favorite designers for the bridal industry. I've talked about my love of Watters gown designs offering a lot of style for a relatively small price tag (compared to high-end designers). And Lela Rose? Well, could garden romanticism get any better with her designs?

Let's take a look at my picks for the Spring 2011 collections for these two designers.

First up, Watters:

Style: Mojave

Style: Sonara

Style: Yuma

Style: Escalante

And now, selections from Lela Rose Bridesmaids:

Style LR121

LR127

LR120

LR119

LR126

Do you have a favorite? Thinking of using one of these styles in your own wedding? Leave a comment and let us know!

Real Vintage E-Session: April and Janson

2010-06-27T19:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone! And holy hoot, do I have a great session for you all today. April and Janson are graduates of the theater department at Pepperdine University, so it comes as no surprise that their engagement session would be a perfectly stylized production. And the mother and daughter team at Kokoro Photography were there to exquisitely capture them on film (or memory card?). Let's all shake our tail feathers for April and Janson!

*All costume design for this photo shoot was done by the groom, Janson.

So many sincere thanks to Kokoro Photography for sharing these photos with us today. I think we can all agree that they're stunning, yes? Be sure to visit their blog for more beautiful wedding inspiration! April and Janson, I'm thrilled with the style you chose for your engagement session, and I'm so happy I was able to see them. I'm wishing you happy trails as you plan your wedding over the next few months!

Real Illinois Wedding: Alexis and Pat

2010-06-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! We're rounding out the week with another Illinois wedding from Steve and Steve Koo Photography. Alexis and Pat held their wedding at the beautiful Trinity Lutheran in Villa Park, IL, and celebrated with their friends and family at Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst, IL. One of the reasons I am so in love with this wedding is because the bride Alexis created so many gorgeous DIY elements, including the flowers, handkerchiefs for family, friends, and guests, a thumb print guestbook, the table centerpieces, church decorations, the candle etchings and even more on top of that. Let's get excited for Alexis and Pat!

So many thanks to Steve at Steve Koo Photography for sharing these wonderful photos with us today. Everyone, your next step should be Steve's blog for more amazing wedding inspiration. Alexis and Pat, I so enjoyed all your wedding day details, and I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Real Chicago Wedding: Denise and Mark

2010-06-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Can a wedding be vintage and modern? I think it could be! Because Denise and Mark flawlessly pulled it off with their vintage style, modern reception decor and truly talented photographer Jeremy Lawson at Jeremy Lawson Photography was there to capture it all. Mark and Denise chose Salvage One for their wedding day venue, and I'm now officially a fan of this space. Let's all take a look.

So many sincere thanks to Jeremy at Jeremy Lawson Photography for sharing these amazing photos with us today. Please be sure to visit his blog for more unique wedding inspiration (and play with his virtual viewfinder!). Denise and Mark, I truly loved your wedding day style, and sharing these photos with my readers. I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together!

Meet Betty the Dog

2010-06-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. Bad blogger once again! But, there is good news. Mr. Owl and I recently adopted a new dog!

As some of you may know, our beloved dog, Lola, passed away unexpectedly in May. We were so devastated that we decided that we weren't going to get another dog for a long time because it just hurt way too much to say goodbye. A few weeks went by, and while it still hurt like a knife to the stomach, it slowly got easier. Although, all places in our apartment that were now empty (like where her crate and bed used to be) were constant reminders, and that, at times, made the healing process worse. We also realized just how much we missed wagging tails and cheek kisses, so we started looking at shelters and rescues, and put our applications in to officially begin the search for our new furry friend.

This week, we found Betty, a Maltese who was a stray on the street, picked up by animal control, and brought to PAWS Chicago* to find her forever home. And I'm so happy to say that we're it. We've only had Betty a few days, and we already have a bond with her that comes with lots of genuine love and affection.

But acclimating a dog with an unknown past (especially a past we know involves isolation and possible abandonment) takes time and effort, so that's where our focus has been this week.

But fear not, I'll be back with a real Chicago wedding late this morning, and you do not want to miss it! I have lots of other goodies stored away for next week, too.

*I can't recommend PAWS Chicago enough to anyone local who's interested in adopting!

Bridal Shower Inspiration

2010-06-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! I'm very excited to share something a little different today: A DIY bridal shower! Minh-Han’s friend Ami loaded this shower with amazing hand-crafted details, which proves that you don't need a fancy venue to create a unique event. And to capture the shower in all its glory were the husband and wife team at Anapaul Photography. Let's take a look!

Many thanks to the talented team at Anapaul Photography for sharing these beautiful photos with us today! Be sure to visit their blog for more fabulous wedding inspiration.

Real Minnesota Wedding: Josette and Chad

2010-06-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! I have a beautiful, vintage-inspired wedding for you all today. Photographed by Candace and Candy's Photography, Josette and Chad's wedding has the feel of being from a much earlier decade. Candace did an amazing job making absolutely sure that the photos reflected the bride and groom's style. I'm so excited to share this with you all today. Take a look!

Thank you so much to Candace at Candy's Photography for sharing these beautiful photos with us today. Be sure to visit her blog for more delicious (ha! get it?) eye candy (get it again?). Josette and Chad, you guys just totally rocked on your wedding day, and I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together.

Real Florida Wedding: Daryl and John

2010-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

And we're back with Part II of our feature today (Be sure to visit Part I, Daryl and John's e-session). And, we have another surprise for you! Daryl and John had not one, but two beautiful nuptial celebrations. One smaller, intimate ceremony a few days prior. And then their big celebration with their friends and family.

Let's start with their intimate ceremony:

And now, for their big celebration!

How gorgeous was this wedding? Be sure to visit 1313 Photography's blog for more photos from this wedding (I couldn't even feature them all!). Daryl and John, it was so much fun to see the start of your wedding festivities with your engagement session, and see that evolve into a beautiful wedding. I'm wishing you many years of happy memories together!

Vendors for this wedding:

Event Planner: Lauren Daversa
DJ: Michael from The Flashdance

Real Bookish E-Session: Daryl and John

2010-06-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, put me in the cone of shame. I've been a bad blogger. It's been two whole days since a post. Gasp! I know. Mr. Owl and I have been feeling under the weather. And when we don't feel well, we go to bed at 7 p.m. I know. It's ridiculous. But sometimes, you just need to take a break and sleep. And we wanted to be plenty rested for our wedding this weekend.

So, to make it all up to you lovely readers out there, I have tons of photos for you today from the talented husband and wife team at 1313 Photography. And guess what? This one's a two-parter!

We're going to start with Daryl and John's e-session, which took place at various locations in the Design District of Miami. These two are very much in love with books, and with each other. Let's all take a lookie at Daryl and John!

Be sure to visit 1313 Photography's blog for more beautiful photos. Stay tuned later today for Daryl and John's wedding!