choosing your china pattern

My advice is... choose a pattern you absolutely love, because like your groom, it's the one you will have forever.
I'm in love with this Wedgewood "Golden Bird" china pattern!
I love the background color of robin's egg blue paired with the golds of the birds, grapes and leaf design.

here's what it would look like on a seafoam linen table cloth

here it is on a taupe tablecloth

When I was married 30 years ago, I chose Wedgewood "Wild Strawberry" as my china. It's in as perfect condition today as it was 30 years ago, and I still love it.

Both these patterns above are fairly busy, but also timeless.

For the kitchen though, I love plain all white. One of my favorites has always been "Nantucket Basket", also by Wedgewood. With white china you can change your color scheme on a whim by using any colorful napkins, linens or placemats, and add any colorful serving pieces. Maybe it's growing up on Long Island, but I love the nautical look of this!

Your china is a part of your registry that will be with you through many happy years of entertaining family and friends. Love it!

what's your pattern?

Congratulations Kathryn and Ryan!

Newly engaged and planning a Spring 2010 wedding.
Pink is her color... but so many pinks to choose from!

pale pink, peachy pink, hot pink... and with what accent color?
I'll just have to keep doing pink inspiration boards to help her choose the details of the big day!

congrats Kat and Ryan!

Inspiration board: pink peonies

Inspiration colors: peonies, pink with yellow centers

I love the casual setting of this wedding... an outdoor ceremony and an indoor barn reception. The color palette of pink and yellow is paired together in a spring 2008 wedding photographed by Alison Bynum. The floral possibilities are endless with this color combo... take your pick from a few shown here... peonies, Gerber daises, spring time tulips and all season roses.

Edible art...Yum!

Decorated cookies are so cute and fun as a party favor! We did this for my daughter's bridal shower. We ordered wedding cake cookies from our local bakery, put each cookie in a clear cellophane bag, tied it with a tag with the guest's name on it, and put it at their place on the tables.
It was our place card and thank you gift all in one!They would be so cute for a baby shower too...

The cookies shown here in my post are from this talented cookie baker Laura whose company
a dozen eggs.com is located in Vermont.
She offers her creative cookie designs for sale nationwide.wouldn't these pj's be cute all packaged up for your daughter's slumber party favor!
the possibilities are endless...
they make me want to throw a party!

poolside entertaining

china pattern "Gwinnett Lane" by Kate Spade

accent pillows available at Home Depot

and the winner is...

okay, I know this was a long time in coming, but I wanted to give you all plenty of time to enter this fabulous Crate and Barrel giveaway. Well, today's the day we find out the winner of Golf Gal vs. Bridal Buzz.
At the end of the 3 week contest, Tales of a Golf Gal was the follower winner over Bridal Buzz from WED event design. But no fear, I will be continuing with both blogs, as they each provide different outlets for my creativity and interests.

And now for the winner of the giveaway...drumroll...

with a random no peek pick, the winner is:

Amy is a bride to be and a Bridal Buzz follower, congratulations Amy!
Her blog is:

a great read! click her header and check her out.

here's your giveaway prize Amy!
Enjoy your margaritas in your new Crate and Barrel Cabo pitcher and glasses!

and many thanks to all my loyal followers of both my blogs!


Amy, I'll shoot you an email so I can get your mailing info, congrats!

go green with earth friendly paper

To celebrate Earth Day I'm inviting you to check out this eco-friendly stationary company
Botanical Paperworks

They offer a complete line of stationary items.
For your wedding you can order invitations, response cards, thank you cards and wedding favors, all with an added bonus! The stationary is made from all recycled paper donated by schools and businesses. When making the paper they mix in seeds, so after the message is delivered, the paper can then be planted. The result is a beautiful batch of wildflowers or herbs.

This favor...

turns into this...

and then these!
no wasteful trash and a beautiful lasting memory of your event!

inspiration board: a day at the beach

Inspiration colors: sea blue and sand

specially prepared for junebride10

I admire...

I recently made a pledge to a wedding group to publish a blog post on Tuesday, April 21st, about a person in the wedding industry whom I admire. I choose Jim Smeal and his company Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal.
Jim is my "go to" whenever I'm looking for an inspiration for a cake. He is a culinary artist who will beautifully showcase your cake to highlight the details of your wedding
He has been creating wedding and special occasion cakes in the Low Country since 1979, offering a variety of cake styles and flavors to meet individual client needs. His styles range from playful and thematic, to traditional and formal... all unique, all special.

If you are lucky enough to be getting married in or near Charleston, South Carolina, be sure to schedule your appointment for a cake tasting with Jim Smeal. Bring him an idea, and he will create the cake of your dreams!

inspiration board: sunflowers

Inspiration colors: sunflower yellow and brown


specially prepared by request for preppy 101

inspiration board: gerber daisy

Gerber daisy color inspiration:

coral, yellow and green

the color purple

walk down this aisle... wearing this...