Audrey Hepburn Inspiration Board

Audrey Hepburn is such a style icon that when it came time to do a board inspired by her, we couldn't pick just one iconic look. So this board includes a little bit of everything: the ballet flats from Sabrina, the Vespa from Roman Holiday, the Holly Golightly hair (and fancy cigarette holder!), and the gamine tea-length gown from Funny Face. She was one of the few stars whose personal style lived up to her movie wardrobe-- as evidenced by the divine elfin-like chiffon dress she wore at her real-life wedding to Mel Ferrer. Which Audrey look is your favorite?

Photo credits: First row: Breakfast at Tiffany's guestbook (Style Me Pretty), place setting (Martha Stewart Weddings), cigarette holder (Orange & Blossom), tea length gown (Brides.com), Tiffany's inspired favors (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Second row: invitation suite (Martha Stewart Weddings), Vespa (Straight Through the Heart of It), little navy dress (Simple Silhouettes), hairdo (Style Me Pretty)

Third row: Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, cake (Martha Stewart Weddings), Audrey Hepburn's bridal gown, copy of gown (Johanna Hehir)

Fourth row: Gloves (Orange & Blossom, ballet flats (The Knot), dress details (Style Me Pretty)

Jackie Kennedy Inspiration Board

If I've done my job right then you won't even need the picture in the bottom right corner to identify today's style icon. Pillbox hat, gloves, a triple strand of pearls and cake with bows and buttons... could it be anyone but Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis? Jackie's wardrobe during the Camelot years exuded regal sophistication: geometric designs in sumptuous fabrics that perfectly matched her striking natural beauty. The two wedding dresses in the bottom row are both from J. Crew, an especially appropriate choice considering the brand favors simple A-line silhouettes and is a favorite of our current First Lady!

Photo credits: cake (Maisie Fantaisie), pillbox hat (Couture Bridal), gloves (Rebekah Westover), pearls (Brides.com), neckline (Karen Wise Photography), earrings (J. Crew),  Hammersmith Farm (Captainvic.com), pink dress (Oscar de la Renta), bridal gowns (J. Crew), Jackie Kennedy (Life Magazine)

Wedding Workbook Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the subscription to My Wedding Workbook is Evelyn Israel.  Congratulations Evelyn! Email us and we will hook you up.  Happy planning!

NYT Wedding Announcement Face-off

It's always fun when our couples' weddings are in the Washington Post Style section or the New York Times Wedding Announcements.  What's even more fun is when our weddings win the weekly Gawker New York Times Wedding Announcement Face-off.  Who knew there was such an official scoring system?

We planned Elizabeth and Adam's wedding and it took place this past Saturday at Meridian House and was absolutely lovely. Photos of the wedding and all the fun details to come but, first, the face-off against Bianna and Peter!

This week's faceoff:
Bianna Golodryga and Peter R. Orszag


The bride is a weekend anchor of Good Morning America: +1
The groom is "the former director of the Office of Management and Budget in Washington" and "a distinguished visiting fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations" and "a contributing columnist to the New York Times": +3
The groom graduated summa cum laude from Princeton and received a PhD from the London School of Economics, which he attended as a Marshall scholar: +6
The bridegroom's first marriage ended in divorce: -1
The bride's father is a math professor at Yale: +1
TOTAL: 10

Elizabeth Sherburne Van Heuvelen and Adam Matthew Shoemaker
The bride's name is Elizabeth Sherburne Van Heuvelen and she ain't changin' it: +1
"The couple met at Williams College, from which they graduated, the bridegroom magna cum laude": +3
The bride received a master's degree in international economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins: +1
The groom received "a law degree from Harvard and a master's degree in medieval Icelandic studies from the University of Iceland": +5
The bride's mother "was appointed by President Obama as a member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States, a group focusing on improving the way the government works": +1
"She had just returned from Beijing studying Chinese, and I had just returned from Oxford": +1
"They soon learned they had carrels next to each other in the library": +1
TOTAL: 13

Thanks Gawker! Lots of high-fives in the office today!

Grace Kelly Inspiration Board

From top left: bride (Angela Anderson Photography), Grace Kelly in bridal gown,

flowers/cake (Style Me Pretty), Monaco castle (Photosigougo.com), Grace Kelly's hats (Vanity Fair), car (Salvatore Ferragamo), ice blue bridesmaid 

dresengagement ring (Adorn-London.com), tiaras (Martha Stewart Weddings), Grace Kelly blue dress, hankerchief and pearls (Style Me Pretty) 

This week we are all about being inspired by classic style icons. Some were also famous brides, some weren't. But all of them had an influential style that we love and think is great inspiration for today's brides.

You can never go wrong with the classic elegance of Grace Kelly. She was the epitome of Hollywood glamour and romantic sophistication. When I think of a wedding inspired by Grace, I think of formal gowns, palatial estates and sweeping views. Glitz without being gaudy. Sexy but still demure. Who is your favorite style icon? Is there anyone (old or new) whose style is influencing your wedding?  We'd love to hear about it, and we're open to suggestions for the next icon inspiration board.
Enjoy!
Laura and Alison

Sneak Peek at Mad Flowers

Take a peek at the gorgeous flowers from the fab lads at Mad Flowers in Dublin, Ireland.  Yes, Ireland. I met them last week when I was checking out Ireland for wedding venues.  This is just a sneak peek on a longer upcoming post on them.  Love their name and love their work. Stay tuned for more!

My Wedding Workbook giveaway!

Last chance for a free, 2-year subscription to My Wedding Workbook Premium, the total online wedding planning system that's the next best thing to hiring a wedding planner and can save you tons of time.

What is My Wedding Workbook? Basically, it's a complete system that is your planning partner, offering you the resources you need every step of the way to stay organized and sane while you're planning your big day. No other wedding tools or software compare to it, and their Premium Package includes:

• A Wedding Website with online RSVP, a blog, photo galleries, guest books and lots of other cool features.
• A Wedding Organizer that lets you easily and quickly manage your guest lists (including out-of-town guests and hotels), venues, vendors, budgets, appointments, payments, tasks/to-dos and much more.
• An Ideas-and-Inspiration Board for managing all your thoughts, pictures and Web links so have a place to record all your big ideas.
• An Email Communications Center for easily reaching out to your guests in bulk (plus it plugs right into your master guest list so you can create custom email lists).

To enter to win, just email us with "My Wedding Workbook" in the subject line. We'll pick a winner on Monday so check back! Good luck!

Amsale Trunck Show at Hitched!

 Still looking for that perfect dress? Rest easy, gals… the Amsale Bridal Gown Trunk Show is happening at Hitched on Friday, October 1st & Saturday, October 2nd!

Designer Amsale Aberra’s gowns are perfect for the bride who wants to look understatedly glamorous and classic, but with a bit of modern flair. Whether you’re looking for something slim-fitting and lightweight, or a full-skirted, intricately embroidered ballgown, Amsale’s designs are sure to please! At the trunk show, you’ll have the opportunity to see the latest styles from the Amsale bridal collection, as well as a chance to meet with a representative from the company to discuss custom changes or questions. Hitched will also be offering a 10% discount on all gowns purchased during the trunk show!

Ever popular with Hitched brides, the Amsale Trunk Show is sure to book up quickly, so give them a call [202.333.6162] or shoot them an email [appointments@hitchedsalon.com] to schedule an appointment!

Something of an Inspiration

I started my fall wedding season off in grand style with a fabulous couple, Adrienne and Daniel.  The two got married on the beautiful Saturday of Labor Day Weekend right on the edge of the water in Fells Point, Baltimore.  I'll post more about their amazing affair soon.  The reason I'm writing is the bridesmaids gifts.  They were functional, had meaning and were downright awesome.

By now, you all know that I have huge Maryland Terrapins pride.  This bride did me proud.  The couple both work for Under Armour, which you die hards know was created by Maryland Football players not so long ago.  So clearly, I wear it :)

When I got to the bride's apartment, I was met by her lovely ladies and her mom all wearing bright pink Under Armour workout tops with "Bridesmaid" written down the side.  My first reaction- I want one!  I'm serving as Matron of Honor to my friend Michele in a month, would it be wrong if I got one for myself?  And the rest of the party of course.

There's more.  The pink!  The bride has had someone in her family that was affected by breast cancer and we all know that pink is the color for hope.  Amazing! Under Armour, a bridesmaids gift (that is functional) and promotion of the fight against a curable disease if properly detected.  This has got to take off!  I asked Adrienne if the company is producing these on a normal basis and they aren't yet.  "But they should!"  I told her.  And I want to be a part of it.

So, I don't know where this will go, but I want to hear from all of you.  Do you love this?  Would it interest you/ would you buy them?  Let me know your thoughts.  I'm eager to share them with Adrienne and see if we can get Under Armour to release a line for the wedding industry that also benefits finding a cure for breast cancer.  I can't wait to hear what all of you think.

xox
Sara

Irish Wedding Inspiration {Green + White Weddings}

A little Irish wedding inspiration from MyWeddingPlace.com.  Love the green macaroons!