hip lemonade coolers • a summer wedding must

summer means weddings. and as anyone who has sat through a long ceremony in the cruel sun can tell you, a summer wedding can be a little steamy. to keep your guests cool in a refreshingly playful way, consider passing up the traditional water table in favor of ice cold lemonade.

there's just something crisp and welcoming and spectacular about a sea of icy glasses filled with the stuff. from low country lemon to sparkling cherry to a blend with tea or even flowers, there are a hundred ways to serve it, all of them chic and delicious. what's your favorite?

recipes and credits
first row — floral lemonade • khm, photo by leesa o'reilly; pineapple cooler with lavender and lemon verbena • country living, photo by janis nicolay; grapefruit lemonade • gokul & aimee's wedding, photo by leigh webber photography

second row — low country lemonade with mum swizzle sticks • in style weddings; sparkling mint lemonade • zehr's market

bottom row — fizzy sour cherry lemonade • gourmet; mint & lemon herbal tea • brides.com, photo by miki duisterhof

inspiration blackberries • a black & white garden wedding

picture it — an airy, chic, contemporary garden wedding...in black and white. is it possible? yes.

while this color combo is bold, dramatic, and often used for formal wedding motifs, i am wild about the idea of mixing black and white in playful ways also, as it is so unique and unexpected. our new blackberries letterpress design is a perfect example of how to bring whimsy to this striking color palette. and why shouldn't you have fun with it?

play up the contemporary tone — forgo a cake in lieu of white frosted cupcakes on a solid black pedestal. so different, so couture. a white floral bouquet full of privet berries and wide textured ribbon celebrates the crisp black and white theme while maintaining the casual, bountiful garden feel. absolutely splendid.

finally, a table setting with lush fresh blackberries, olives and artisan cheeses adds a rustic note. i think we'd all want to be at this wedding, no doubt.

design & photo credits — letterpress save the date • paper olive; berry table setting and cupcake pedestal • rebecca thuss; privet berry bouquet • martha stewart weddings.

spring or summer • a butterfly themed wedding

i live in los angeles where sunny days typically abound, but the recent weather has been rather exceptionally fine, and the abundance of flora in my garden has attracted a glorious number of butterflies.

well, i couldn't help but be inspired. delicate wings, delicate fabrics, bright corals, whimsical whites... i immediately sat down to design a new butterfly letterpress invitation, with sweet lines and a simple butterfly motif.

to round out the look, i've included a number of fabulous ideas to coordinate with the colors and elegance of this timeless design element.

monique lhuillier's symphony gown from her spring 2009 collection looks like it is made of wings — i love it. anne heap at pink cake box has many butterfly motif cakes in her portfolio, but this is a favorite. it's elegant, colorful and fun.

finally, check out martha stewart living for a selection of chic diy accents and butterfly decor ideas. the lines and colors are fresh and simple, like the season.

just beautiful.

bridal fashion week • couture to die for

oh, these gowns.

if you follow my blog you already know i have a mad obsession with wedding dresses. and the way ateliers are pushing the envelope with couture this year it makes we wish wedding finery were acceptable as everyday wear.

this breath-of-spring gown is fresh from the runway by atelier aimée. the lavender floral design over silk organza is out of this world. ethereal. modern. feminine.

the detail is exquisite, and the overall effect — so unexpected. the color, handled by a lesser designer, could go horribly wrong, but here it is effortlessly chic.

and the back. a waterfall of silk organza gathered with a fabric wisteria branch. it's a one-of-a-kind gown that will drop jaws coming down the aisle.

i find great inspiration for invitation design on the runway, and this season will be no exception. i am loving this color for spring, and already have a couple of designs in this palette.

stay tuned for more...and enjoy fashion week, everyone.

photo credits: dan lecca / brides.com