engagement | brandon + holly
Happy Monday everyone! Hoping you all had a fantastic weekend… I sure did! I love the light in this gorgeous outdoor engagement from Chi Photography. The grounds of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens was a perfectly romantic choice…
saturday | sum-up!
To me, this dress is the ultimate. If I could only get married again {to the same handsome boy!} this would be my dress. Oscar de la Renta unveiled this amazing gown and many other daring pieces with his Spring 2013 Collection at Bridal Fashion Week last month. The popularity of colored wedding gowns has definitely been gaining steam, what are your thoughts? Would you, or are you planning on wearing a colored wedding gown?
{images by Nathan Kraxberger and Dan Lecca}
Just in case you missed any of our fantastic posts this week, here they are:
- Monday: the ETSY wedding registry!
- Tuesday: romantic outdoor engagement of Jared + Sara by Erin Blackwell Studio
- Wednesday: signature drink recipe ~ The Berry Blue-tini
- Thursday: darling proposal of Bob + Katie caught on film by Elle Rose | Photo
- DIY Friday: in love with this easy, seashell bunting cake topper!
DIY | seashell bunting cake topper
“Hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky, let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic…” ― Van Morrison. There is something so eternally romantic about a wedding on the beach. Here is the perfect, and totally easy DIY cake topper for your special event by the seashore…
Supplies: 5 seashells (preferably ones that will be easy to tie onto a string!), cute twine, 1/8″ balsa wood stick, tacky glue, scissors, ruler, and optional plastic straw.
First, cut your balsa wood stick into two pieces at about 13″ long, remember about 3″ of these inches will be buried into your cake… file the edges with a nail file if the cut is rough.
Optional: cut 4 pieces of a straw into 1″ segments, these are only spacers… if you are super crafty you might not need them – this step is only to make the spacing of your seashells super easy!
Cut about 40″ of twine, you want to have more to work with than you actually need.
Start by threading your first seashell onto the cute twine. Leaving about 12″ on the right side of the shell – tie a simple knot. BE VERY CAREFUL, , sand dollars are very delicate and can brake easily – I advise to buy a few extra just in case.
Next, add a straw spacer. You will cut these off after all your shells are added.
Now, the coral piece. Wrap the twine tightly around the coral about four times and then tie a simple knot.
Add your next spacer and then the next sand dollar. Tie a simple knot and repeat!
Add your next spacer and then the next piece of coral.
Add your last sand dollar and tie the final knot… it’s looking SO cute! We are now going to carefully cut the straw spacers off the twine… slide your scissors into the straw and carefully cut!
Now we will add the bunting sticks. Holding the stick about 1.5″ away from the sand dollar, start tightly wrapping the free end of the twine around the balsa wood stick. About 5 go-arounds will be perfect, then tie a simple knot.
Do the same thing to the other side. Wrap about five times and tie a simple knot.
Yeah!!! It’s almost done!!! Add a little dab of tacky glue to each knot so that they stay put.
Cut the ends to drape about 5″ from the stick… and that’s it!
Carefully insert into the cake. When the sticks slightly point away from each other they create tension which pulls the twine taught, showing off the shells!
Just darling!!!
I’m in love…
As with all my DIY’s, if you create one of my projects… please email me a picture or send me a trackback!
{DIY credits} Photography: Studio 11 // DIY: Jen | Something Turquoise // wood stick and tacky glue: Michaels // navy stripe twine: Cupcake Social via Etsy // seashells: California Seashell Co. Seal Beach // cake: Bristol Farms // cake stand: Anchor Glass // nail polish: Sally Hasen Salon Effects Polish Strips in Blue Ice
proposal | bob + katie
Proposals are my absolute favorite features here on Something Turquoise! So of course I was thrilled to receive this adorable proposal from Elle Rose | Photo. Bob secretly devised a plan to propose to Katie before they attended a special New Years Eve dinner. In cahoots with her bestie, they figured she’d be all dressed up and it wouldn’t seam too weird if he had extra plans for them because of the holiday. Bob decided on the low-key, low-tourist location of the lit up gazebo along Chicago’s famous Lake Shore Drive, right in front of the Drake Hotel…
“I was hiding behind trees as they walked up, and started snapping away as Bob got down on one knee. Katie did not mind the freezing raindrops coming down them one bit at that point. After I crawled out from behind the trees, we snapped some post proposal ring shots and took a quick few inside before their dinner reservation.” -Laurie Schuetter of Elle Rose | Photo
signature drink recipe | berry blue-tini
This is a new feature to Something Turquoise, the signature drink recipe. Having multiple bartenders in my family… who are always dreaming up new concoctions… gave me an idea! Why not feature a new wedding inspired cocktail each month!!! Here is the second signature drink recipe ~ the berry blue-tini. Perfect for a nautical wedding or perhaps one that has a blue color scheme… Aly this is for you!
{click on the image above to print out a recipe card}
To me – it is all about the color. I encourage all my brides to serve a ‘signature drink’ at their receptions and/or bridal showers. One that matches their party either in theme or in color. This month, I was completely inspired by a comment I received on last months drink post looking for a blue drink. Something to consider when choosing a signature beverage is the ease of serving… this drink is so simple; equal parts Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka, and 7Up, garnished with a martini pic full of blueberries. If at a wedding, your bartenders will have no problem serving this drink. If at a bridal shower, have the blueberry martini picks made up ahead of time, the Vodka and 7Up set out for your guests to mix themselves, so simple! Enjoy!
The Berry Blue-tini
1/2 – Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka
1/2 – 7Up
1 martini pick full of fresh blueberries
engagement | jared + sara
I have such a darling engagement shoot to share with you today! Jared and Sara will be getting married later this year and they had close friend Erin of Erin Blackwell Studio, shoot their engagement session at the same location of their future wedding – The Hellenic Center. Gorgeous scenery and romantic light make perfect conditions for a photo shoot…
etsy | the wedding registry
I am absolutely thrilled that Etsy has created their very own wedding registry. As many of you know – I’m a bit obsessed with Etsy… so for me, this is like a dream come true! Here is how to create the most interesting registry ever!
Signing up is as easy as pie… just pick your date and you are ready to go! Etsy has already created multiple categories to help keep you organized and to showcase popular listings.
Adding items is incredibly easy. Under each and every listing there is a button that says, ‘Add to Registry’ – click that button and on your registry it goes! There is also an adorable top menu bar where your most recent additions pop up.
Below is what your registry looks like when you begin to add items:
Along with the registry itself, Etsy had created fabulous wedding tools to help with the actual planning of your big day. From decor trends, photography tips and real Etsy wedding stories… these new tools are just fantastic.
Sharing your Etsy registry with your friends and family is just like sharing any other registry. Add the link to your wedding website, embed the badge on your blog, or even print custom cards to enclose in your bridal shower invitations!
saturday | sum-up!
{image courtesy of FlickFoto}
Just in case you missed any of our fantastic posts this week, here they are:
- Monday: the lovely engagement of Daniel + Laura by J’adore La Photographie
- Tuesday: introducing Storkie.com custom invitations
- Wednesday: adorable florida orange theme wedding of Brian + Bridget
- Thursday: TOP 10 ~ wedding flowers!
- DIY Friday: super cute house address numbers turned into wedding table numbers!
DIY | address numbers as table numbers
Happy DIY Friday!!! You might have seen the new trend of house address numbers being turned into wedding table numbers… but I just found self-adhesive house numbers at Lowe’s and was totally inspired! Using simple acrylic frames… cut and insert your favorite scrapbook paper (or maybe even an engagement photo!), add the house number and your done! This project can be personalized in SO many ways… all inexpensive and adorable!
Supplies: scrapbook paper that matches your theme, one 5″ x 7″ basic acrylic frame for each table you have, the corresponding ‘house address numbers’ to go with each table – preferably the self adhesive kind like these, and a paper trimmer. Optional: Martha Stewart Multi-surface craft paint and if your numbers aren’t self adhesive you will need some E600 glue.
Version One: painting your numbers. For this one I chose to paint the numbers white with Martha Stewart Multi-surface craft paint in: Wedding Cake.
To cover the bold silver, it definitely took two coats – with one hour of drying time in between.
While your paint is drying start cutting your paper. My frames are 5″ x 7″… so I cut squares that size.
Next, insert the cut paper into the frame.
Now, the simple part. Remove the self-adhesive backing to your numbers and stick onto the frame!!!
REMINDER! If you do not buy the self-adhesive house address number, you will need to glue the numbers onto the acrylic frame using a strong glue like E600.
Version Two: beautiful paper + unpainted number = simple, yet elegant table number. This version looks like it’s ready for a tea party!
You can find interesting scrapbook paper all over, from Michael’s to your local scrapbooking store. You will be sure to find some type of special paper that will match your wedding theme and colors.
Version Three: GLITTER PAINT! Using the same pouncing technique I explained in the Glitter Champagne Glass tutorial… carefully pounce the glitter paint onto the silver number. This paint is a clear paint with tons of glitter in it – which means you have to move the pouncer around and dab and go back over it to evenly spread out the glitter. When you start pouncing it will make bubbles in the clear paint – don’t worry, when the paint dries the bubbles disappear. I used Martha Stewart’s glitter paint in: Tourmaline along with her sponge pouncer – but any type of sponge will do.
Two coats of paint is a must, possibly three for a completely even glitter coat. I just love this paper below!
After the glitter paint is dry… stick on your table number! L O V E
As with all my DIY’s, if you create a project based on my tutorial – please send me a picture or a trackback… I love seeing what you create!
{DIY credits} Photography: Studio 11 // DIY: Jen | Something Turquoise // self adhesive, 5″ house address numbers by DeSign-It, available at: Lowes in the store and online! // all three scrapbook papers by: My Mind’s Eye // scrapbooking paper, Martha Stewart Craft paint and paper trimmer, E600 (if needed), and basic plastic frames: Michaels // nail polish: Sally Hasen Salon Effects Polish Strips in Blue Ice
TOP 10 | wedding flowers
On the 10th of every month, I feature a “Top 10″ list to help brides + grooms during their planning process. This month – wedding flowers – 10 flowery tips from and industry professional on getting the most from your wedding day blossoms! A huge thank you to my favorite florist, Jacki of Floral Design by Jacqueline Ahne for writing this amazing list!!!
Click on the image above to print a pdf. version of this Top 10 List.
{article credits} TOP 10 List: Jen | Something Turquoise // Editor: JoAnn Causey // This months Top 10 and the bouquet pictured above by: Floral Design by Jacqueline Ahne // image by: Studio Eleven for the My Beloved shoot
