Beauty and the Beast Inspiration Board

Today's movie board was inspired by a recent girls' night out to a Beauty and the Beast sing-along. Sure it's technically a children's movie, but it's also a classic, and who doesn't love Belle, Lumiere, Cogsworth and the gang? Happy Friday, everybody!

Photo credits: First row: statue with roses (Martha Stewart Weddings) library and centerpiece (Style Me Pretty)

Second row: champagne glasses (Martha Stewart Weddings), Ulla Maija dress, reception (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Third row: all Martha Stewart Weddings

Moulin Rouge Inspiration Board

My gift is my song... okay, not really. Today in movie mood boards, my "gift" is a Moulin Rouge  board, and this one's for you!

Photo credits: First row: hairstyle (Brides.com), invitation suite (Couture Concepts), bouquet (Posies and Pippa)

Second row: reception hall (Couture Concepts), dress (Brides.com), tablescape (Martha Stewart Weddings), cake (Project Wedding)

Third row: chandelier (Couture Concepts), reception venue (Zena Dia Designs), gown (Brides.com), street shot (Couture Concepts)

Fourth row: tablescape (Couture Concepts), chair (Parisian Events), hairstyle (Perfect Palette) 

Grease Inspiration Board

We're halfway through movie-inspiration week, and today, Grease is the word. We're just hopelessly devoted to the slick style and bubblegum fashions of the classic musical. Long live the T-Birds and Pink Ladies!

Photo credits: First row: leather jacket (Saks Fifth Avenue), bridesmaids (Wedding Bee) 

Second row: pink bridesmaid dresses (Manolo Brides), getaway car (Style Me Pretty), clock (Kristin Vining Photography), cat eye glasses (Style Me Pretty)

Third row: Grease-inspired couple (Style Me Pretty), diner and reception scene (Wedding Bee)

Fourth row: carousel (50's Style Wedding Blog), popcorn (50's Style Wedding Blog), record invitation (Etsy), cupcake (Slightly Obsessive Bride)

Gone With the Wind Inspiration Board

The iconic movie inspiration continues with a fabulously dramatic film: Gone With the Wind.  Who could ever forget the over-the-top Southern hoop skirts, wide-brimmed hats and parasols?

Photo credits: First row: Nottoway Plantation, parasol (wedding-lane.com.au) Second row: dress (Brides.com), bouquet (Int Style Weddings), hairstyle (Brides.com), tassel necklace (Brides.com) Third row: earrings (Brides.com), bridal hat (Stephanie Williams photography), groom in tails (Martha Stewart Weddings), velvet flower girl dress (Brides.com) Fourth row: cake (Martha Stewart Weddings), invitation and program (In Style Weddings), crystal tree and champagne glasses (Brides.com)

Dangerous Liaisons Inspiration Board

This week on Bridal Bubbly, we thought it'd be fun to feature boards inspired by some of the most stylish films ever to grace the silver screen. First up is the decadence of 18th century France as seen in Dangerous Liaisons. Enjoy!

Photo credits: First row: Bouquet and cakes (Weddings By Color), invitation suite (Saima Says Design), miniature cakes (Martha Stewart weddings)

Second row: Tablescape (Martha Stewart Weddings), estate (Brides.com), chandelier (Daily Wed Share)

Third row: bride with fan (Brides.com), elaborate hairstyle (Brides.com), jewelry (Parisian Events), macaroons (Style Me Pretty)

Fourth row: bride in garden (Brides.com), bouquet (Style Me Pretty), shoes (Marie Antoinette movie)

Lobster and Clambake Inspiration!

Tonight I'm headed off to run a fabulous rehearsal dinner on an old-fashioned paddle wheel boat that will set sail from Old Town Alexandria and cruise past the DC monuments while guests dine on lobsters and clams. Fun!  So I thought I'd share some favorite Snippet and Ink shipboard (and lobster) inspiration.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Laura

The Art of the Thank You

I read a twitter post recently that a handwritten thank you note is the ultimate social media and I have to agree.  In an age of nonstop texts, emails and everything electronic, a handwritten thank you is such a lovely departure.  I got a thank you note from one of my recent couples with photos from the wedding and loved it!

When someone takes the time to send you a gift, a handwritten thank you note is a must.  I know it can be a pain (and when you have close to a hundred to write, it seems daunting and is the last thing you want to do after the craziness of your wedding and honeymoon), but consider it a non-negotiable. So knock off four or five each night with a glass of wine and an episode of Modern Family (okay, maybe that's just me--I love that show) and you'll be done in no time!  Here are some of our favorite ways to make your notes a little more fun and creative!

Turn some favorite wedding photos into vintage-style postcards!

Take a photo at your wedding just for your thank you notes:

Or if you forget to take a shot on your wedding day, you can always get creative after the fact with these fun T-shirts:

Anyone doing something really fun for thank you notes?  We'd love to hear your ideas!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame {Ceci Style}

Once again Ceci has come up with a fabulous and creative ideas centered around America's favorite spectator sport: baseball!  Check out her latest online issue for lots of fun tips for watching a baseball game or hosting a baseball watching party!

Cake Love {Wedding Cake Pedestals}

We love cake.  We love cupcakes, cheesecake, upside down cake, coffee cake, . . . well, you get the picture.  But we really love beautiful wedding cakes.

We see a lot of cakes and, of course, we have our favorites.  But one thing that will ruin a perfect cake is a crappy display. Please don't let me see a cake on a tinfoil base ever again. I've had to hide plenty of those with flowers or ribbon or anything I could lay my hands on. So when we got wind of these gorgeous wedding cake pedestals, we felt like cheering! 

This is the perfect way to show off your designer cake with style.  I love that they come in different colors, shapes and designs. From tailored to shabby chic, there is one to fit almost any wedding.

You can also get a few to use on a dessert display if you have multiple cakes or treats to show off. One thing if for sure, you won't have to worry about hiding these bases with anything!

Laura

Engaging Affairs featured in Crave DC (plus a giveaway)!

We were thrilled to be included in the first issue of Crave DC, a fun guidebook full of profiles of successful women entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C. area.  We were also excited to see some fellow industry buddies in the book: Dolce Video, Carla David Design, and The Dandelion Patch (and an even bigger surprise, one of our former brides who owns a custom needlepoint boutique, The Point of It All).

The book is jam-packed with profiles of businesses ranging from yoga studios to spas to cupcake bakeries (and you know how fond we are of cupcakes). Confession time: I sampled a cupcake from Frosting at the launch party and YUM!

It's worth checking out the guide to see what some of the most creative and innovative women in the city are doing.  I'm always inspired by other entrepreneurs! Visit www.thecravecompany.com/dc to find out where to pick up a book.  OR shoot us an email with Crave DC in the subject line for a chance to win a copy!