So, you have a sweet tooth [Like yours truly. Did I mention it is the 3rd time this week I had a cupcake for breaky?] Or rather you’d like to treat your guests to delicious sweets + goodies…but you don’t want just any sweet table or candy buffet…

Look at these yummy desserts from Sweet and Saucy Shop + this lovely dessert display I spotted on the Jesi Haack Weddings blog from a wedding at the recently renovated + modern Belamar Hotel in the South Bay/Manhattan Beach, CA.

Lemon cupcakes, cake lollipops, and awesomely modern cookies, oh my!
I love what they’ve done…the mini desserts, the display, + the cookies in line with the wedding theme. Love this…

This week’s ideas + inspiration will be how to make ‘normal’ more modern. Think of it as a Cliff’s notes of sorts…with some of my current favorites.

What better way to modernize a reception or event space than GHOST CHAIRS. I love the clean look of these chairs + the way they really open up a space [+ draw attention to your tablescapes].  After all, you can literally see through the chairs. The result? Great decor + photos like these from White Lilac Inc. and Barnet Photography, respectively from a recent wedding at one of my favorite LA area venues – The Beverly Hills Hotel [remember this post?]

As mentioned earlier in the week, the inspiration this week focuses around a Vintage Rustic affair.
I like the Vintage Rustic aesthetic because to me, it romanticizes normal rustic decor…giving it a boost of loveliness for a wedding. I assembled some centerpiece + decor ideas + inspiration below.

I will highlight a few:
- looking for a centerpiece but not keen on traditional favors? The idea is not new but is a lovely one: use mini potted plants + min floral arrangements for place cards and/or favors. When grouped together, they can make a cute little centerpiece.

- for a more rustic ring bearer pillow, see this one from Luckey U.

- I spotted this DIY rustic cake stand on from Once Wed via Simply Natural.

- to fill that space if you are going light on the flowers, look into Lanterns like those below from Pottery Barn or even mini lanterns + mini centerpieces like in this photo taken by from Mel Barlow.

[image credit: mini floral centerpieces - Sugar Plum Invitations via Beach Bungalow 8; tree stump, bouquet, green + red flower mini centerpieces + lanterns - Mel Barlow; ring bearer nest pillow - Luckey U; mini potted plant - Martha Stewart Weddings; DIY cake stand - Once Wed via Simply Natural; black lanterns - Pottery Barn]

I love these images from Rebekah Westover Photography that I spotted via the Utah Bride Blog – they are adorable! Loving the picturesque shop as a backdrop.

And this beautiful image of this lovely couple…

And that dress!

[image credit: preceding 2 images by Rebekah Westover Photography via Utah Bride Blog]

Have you seen this wedding by Josh Goleman? It was a circus theme. My favorite detail? The “cake cutting” and “first dance” signs -  how cool are those?…

I like the romantic feel to this wedding by Altmix Photography. And this shot, beautiful! Love umbrellas in shots…

This week’s inspiration: the Vintage Rustic Wedding. I was inspired by the image on the upper right of the board, I spotted and that was sent to me by Kristi of KLK Photography. How cool is that photo? I love the suitcases as props of sorts. Why not include vintage suitcases in your decor if you are having a more outdoorsy or rustic affair?

The summer + fall would be the perfect seasons for a Vintage Rustic affair. Looking to add a little more rustic to your place settings? Consider having small chalkboard as place cards – or even a large chalkboard menu that your guests can read upon entering the reception/dinner space.
I also love the image of the bride above left by Anne Pearson Photography of a vintage wedding in Utah I spotted on the Utah Bride Blog.

Putting this together makes me now want to grab the hubby and go have a picnic in the park.

[image credit - Rustic Venue I shot the bride via Flights of Fancy, chalkboard place card - Crossroads Cottage via Event Jubilee, bride with suitcases - KLK Photography and florals in that image - Jen K Floral Design, bride in front of door - Anne Pearson Photography via Utah Bride Blog , vintage suitcases - bubbo-tubbo via Blondie 'N' SC, centerpiece + bouquet - Vintage Design Co. ]

For all of you Chicago brides out there, I wanted to let you know of a Giveaway for a Deserving Chicago Couple.

As posted on the Chicago Weddings by The Knot site:

“Do you know of a wonderful, engaged couple that has
recently encountered some hard times in the midst of planning their
Chicago wedding?  Perhaps one of them was recently laid off, or there
are some other extenuating circumstances that are making it difficult
for them to handle all of the (numerous) wedding expenses…”

The giveaway is led by Thomas of Slack Photography, the talented photographer who we hired to shoot our wedding 2 years ago. He has one heck of a photographic eye. Our images were amazing + unique!

For more information, click here.

I have a thing for engagement sessions that are truly multifaceted – that show more than one side of the couple + their different styles + interests. With that said, it is no wonder I truly enjoyed this engagement session by Kari Crowe Photography.

To me it is fun, romantic + a little Texan all in one!

The fun…

And of course, the adorable dog…
Love it!

The romantic…

The Texan + romantic…
love the boots + matching dress + shorts!

Make sure to check out Kari Crowe Photography’s other great work on the blog.

If you’re having a night reception, you may want to have coffee handy for your guests. After all, some guests may have a long drive home or after a night of dancing, might need a java boost. And, what goes better with coffee than [mini] donuts?!

At our parties for work, we would have what was then called Hot Spot Mini Donuts in LA [now called The Fry Girl Inc.]. They quickly fried the mini donuts + then coated them in sugar, cinnamon + the like right before your eyes on their cute little stand. And, the fun factor of mini donut stands doesn’t hurt…food = entertainment. Plus you bet those minis were delish! In South Florida? Check out Donut Divas. They also offer mini funnel cakes [yum]! Indifferent about mini donuts and in the Chicago area? Check out the full sized at Glazed Donuts where they have featured flavors like fresh mango, chocolate covered cherry or lemon ginger!

Also, if you are having a post-wedding brunch, a donut tower like the one above could serve as a little brunch appetizer of sorts for your guests. All will help in making sure your guests are fed and happy.

[image credit: coffee - Veer, mini donut plate - Veer, doughnut tower + mini coffee + doughnuts  - Martha Stewart Weddings]

[image credit: Rebecca-Linh Rodgers]

[image credit: Rebecca-Linh Rodgers]

With June comes an abundance of summery colors like yellow, feminine blues + aquas. Spring + summer weddings are the perfect time for those tan suits for the men + and the beachy flowy dresses for women. My recent color love is tropical blue paired with summer yellow, white + and even tan + brown. Tropical blue + tan are even throughout our city home – those colors provide a nice relaxing environment.

I adore these colors for a beach or island summer wedding. Enjoy the inspiration…

[image credit: cake- Martha Stewart, invitations- Bella Figura,  wedding party + bride and groom - Cooper Carras, earrings- Joie de Vie Jewelry & Accessories, tie- Chinese Laundry, pillow – Marie Scosy Cushions, centerpiece- Dilly Lily ]