Vintage Bridesmaids

I love the idea of taking the standard bridesmaid wardrobe and turning it up a notch! How you may ask?! Vintage of course! Check out these fabulous vintage dresses from Posh Girl Vintage.  Your bridesmaids deserve to look beautiful right?! I know, I know don't worry gorgeous brides, you'll still be the main show stopper!

{Posh Girl Vintage}{Intimate Weddings}{bhldn}

Save The Date

Save The Date by caitlin.l on Polyvore.com

Mason Jar Dessert

Happy Tuesday Y'all! I have a DELICIOUS DIY project that involves desserts, we all deserve a little treat with the long week ahead of us right?! As you already know, I am obsessed with mason jars. Seriously. Use them for anything in your shabby-chic inspired wedding; drinking glasses, flower containers, candle holders... the list goes on and on! Adding to the list is this delectable DIY: mason jar desserts! How fab would it be to have these little cuties on the dessert table or even better, as a wedding favor?! Simply decorate the jar with ribbon and a spoon and you’ve got an inexpensive yet unforgettably fabulous wedding favor!

Here's the scoop on this cupcake in a jar recipe:

Ingredients:

- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 1/2 cups sugar

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 tsp salt

- 2 1/4 tsp cocoa powder

- 1 1/2 cup canola oil

- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

- 2 large eggs, room temperature

- 2 tbsp red food coloring

- 1 tsp white distilled vinegar

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting:

- 1 pound cream cheese, softened

- 2 sticks butter, softened

- 2 tsps vanilla extract

- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1.  Mix batter and spread in cupcake pan.
2. Spray the pan with cooking spray, then fill each hole up with 2/3 of the batter. Tip: do not use liners. If you do; just remember to pull them off before putting them in the jar.
3. Place in oven at a temperature of 350F. Bake for about 17 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and place on wire rack, cool completely.
5. Once cool, slice cupcakes in half. (You will have a stack of tops and a stack of bottoms).
6. Place 1 bottom in each mason jar.
7. Add a layer of frosting onto the cupcake bottom. 
8. Then add the tops of the cupcakes, by placing on the top layer of frosting in each mason jar.
9. Flatten (gently smash) the top part of the cupcake inside the jar. (You want to get the top sort of flat).
10. Beautifully frost the top of the gently smashed cupcake. 
11. Cover mason jars with lids. Then package with pretty ribbons, spoons, etc..  
12. Enjoy!!!

{Check out more pics at: Cakies} Love it!

Rustic Beach Wedding

I am just dying over this rustic chic beach wedding! I cannot get enough of it, designed by Lisa Vorce of Oh how Charming and photographed by the talented Elizabeth Messina. Seriously OBSESSED! It's okay to pick your jaw up off the floor now ;)

{Source}

Love To Flea

With the snow melting and patches of grass starting to make an appearance I cannot help but be giddy thinking about all the spectacular finds awaiting "picking" this summer! Ekkkk! In particular, I am counting down the days until Memorial Weekend rolls around and I can visit my favorite flea of all time, Traders Market in Elko, Minnesota!

Check out the 2011 calender for all of Minnesota flea markets at:
http://www.collectors.org/FM/US_mn.asp
http://mnfleamarkets.com/flea-markets-minnesota.html

It's never too early to start scheduling important junking dates in the calender, so I must mention Junk Bonanza held at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN every September! It's a "pickers" dream!

Check it out: http://junkbonanza.com/

Happy "Pickings"!

Jim Hjelm

2 words, Jim Hjelm. I just die over the gorgeous bridal gowns and fabulous bridesmaid dresses! Be sure to check all of the Jim Hjelm Bridal collection, designed by Francesca Pitera!

http://www.jlmcouture.com/




Jim Hjelm by caitlin.l on Polyvore.com

DIY Centerpiece

Today I have a GORGEOUS centerpiece idea and the best part?! It's a DIY that's as easy as 1-2-3 Go! Get your tool-belts ready ladies!

What you will need: Wood board (can be any size depending on desired length and width, recommend 2x4, 2x6, etc.) paint, hole saw/drill, candle votives, and tea lights/candles.

1) Paint.
Paint board desired color and let dry.

2) Drill.
Drill desired amount of holes an even distance apart. The size of each hole will depend on the circumference of the candle votives. (Holes ranging from one inch to eight inches in diameter require a hole saw. Used with a drill, the hole saw is circular with a drill bit in the center and saw teeth around its edge. The hole saw also comes in varying sizes, though there are adjustable hole saws available.)  Remember: Make sure to drill the holes a little wider than the circumference of the candle votive (about an inch) to leave room to set inside!

3) Sand.
"Antique" the painted wood by sanding.

4) Light.

Place candle votives in holes and light, voila! A beautiful DIY centerpiece!

Getaway Wedding

I have a new venue idea for the ultimate destination wedding! I know, I know... you are saying geez Caitlin just pick a venue, it can't be that hard! The truth is I am a little picky, okay A LOT picky! I just want everything to be PERFECT, so until I find perfection I guess I will keep looking! :)

So here's my idea: Luxury vacation home rentals. If you are going to spend $5,000 to $10,000 on just a wedding venue why not make a week vacation out of it?! Week rentals on the larger properties range from about 2k to 15k+ (depending on the season). The larger property rentals typically sleep 25+ which eliminates the hassle of finding hotels for many family and friends! Talk about creating the ultimate celebration! Plus vacation home rentals are available pretty much wherever a heart desires, perfect!

Here is a property rental located on North Carolina's Outer Banks. With it's very own private beach, it is perfect for a gorgeous destination beach wedding! Can I move in please?!

This is a beautiful private lodge located in the rolling Tennessee mountains!

Incrediable property in West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California!

Enchanted Wedding Venue

Hey there! So it's been awhile since I have posted, we've been crazy busy trying (notice the use of the word trying) to get some wedding decisions made. Including meeting with photographers and venue tours! Sounds fun right? Should be, but the whole making a decision on a wedding venue seems to be really challenging for the queen of indecisiveness, yours truly! We recently toured The Enchanted Barn in Hillsdale, WI. I have some pros and cons;

Lets start with the positives! The Enchanted Barn is a BEAUTIFUL rustic barn, perfect for a shabby-chic wedding! The coordinator (Kimberly) is very sweet and seems like a great person to work with! The venue also provides an all-inclusive package which I think is awesome!

As for the negatives, it's in the middle of absolute nowhere! A 2-hour drive from the Twin Cities which in reality isn't bad/almost necessary for someone looking for a venue away from it all but the nearest hotels are 30 miles away! This posses some problems, DWI's might put a damper on the whole celebration thing! Also, for being so "away from it all" it is located on a residential street with a trailer house directly across the road from it... I wasn't a fan. It is also literally almost on the road, much to my dismay there wasn't the beautiful winding drive to the entrance that I had been hoping for! Ugh! My biggest issue was the lack of plumbing, I really never pictured myself on my wedding day going to the bathroom in a porta-pottie with a big wedding gown on! No thanks! Lastly, there is not a bridal suite or grooms suite for the bride, groom, and wedding party to get ready in which I feel is a necessity!

Side note: There are future plans to install plumbing, possibly for the 2012 season but for sure for the 2013 wedding season.

Overall, the venue is totally gorgeous and fits the description for any shabby-chic inspired wedding. If you are looking for a barn venue, I do recommend checking this one out! It just may be your perfect fit! As for my day in particular, it unfortunately doesn't meet all our needs... I guess my search for the perfect venue continues!

Road The Enchanted Barn is located on.

The Enchanted Barn.

Basement of The Enchanted Barn. (Location for cocktail hour)

Sitting area as well as location for bride to dress.

Bar area.

The Enchanted Barn interior.

Ceiling and candle votives. (Lighting fee is $25.00)

Smile! Daniel on the walkway.

The view.

The neighborhood.

Entrance to The Enchanted Barn.

The new addition on the left (used for storage by owner as of now).  Also, the enclosure for the porta-potties is visible, right under the walkway.

Cupcake Wedding

Recently I stumbled upon a new love, wine from Cupcake Vineyards! People let me tell you... this is HUGE for me since I am a beer girl through and through! Their wine is delicious! But aside from the great taste, I must admit that I am truly obsessed with the bottles! They are BEAUTIFUL! Which got me to thinking, what about a Cupcake Vineyard themed wedding! Gorgeous royal blues with stunning pops of yellow accented throughout?! The colors go together beautifully which is sure to create a remarkable scene for the big day! Plus I adore the name "Cupcake," I mean who doesn't love cupcakes?!

Whether it is Cupcake wines or something else, bottle labels can be great inspiration for weddings! Just a thought :)

Cupcake Wedding

Cupcake Wedding by caitlin.l on Polyvore.com

Grow Some Green

One word that best describes flowers for a wedding...EXPENSIVE! That is why I am here to tell all those brides on a budget there is NO need waste all of your precious pennys. Don't get me wrong though, I am obsessed with flowers! In fact the more flowers at my wedding, the better! But reality is that I cannot afford to spend 10k+ on just flowers to make that dream come true, maybe if that lottery ticket comes through it'll be a different story but for now... there is no way! So here's the deal, save some extra cash for the honeymoon and get your hands dirty with this DIY!
What you will need: potting tools, soil, some fabulous shabby-chic pots, and of course flowers!

1) Choose flowers:

When choosing flowers make sure you take into consideration; are they shade or full sun flowers? Where will your pot sit? Out in the sun or in a shady spot? Are they high maintenance flowers? What is the color scheme of your wedding?

2) Choose potting soil

3) Choose a pot:

Get creative! Try vintage mason jars, tin cans, pop/milk crates... the options are endless! Check out antique stores and flea markets!

4) Plant the flowers in the pot:

Tap the flower container gently to free the flowers, roots and soil from the container it came home in. Pull apart any overgrown and coiled roots that are compacted to loosen them up. Set the roots end into the pot that has been partially filled with the potting soil. The top of the root ball should be about an inch or so from the top of the pot's rim. Add more potting soil to completely cover the roots. Water the flowers thoroughly.

5) Care for flowers:

If you live in a warm weather area you may need to water the flowers once or even twice a day on hot days. If you have cooler weather once or twice a week may be enough. Potted flowers need regular fertilizing for best plant growth and to ensure continually beautiful blooming flowers throughout the season. Follow the fertilizer guidelines carefully.

(http://www.ehow.com/)

If you are considering DIY, remember to put something beneath the container you choose to catch any moisture.  You certainly don’t want the arrangements to drip any water or moisture that could stain your linens! Also, consider to plant at least a handful of extra pots just in case one decides to give out on you prior to your wedding. Should you have extras, just spread them around on empty tables or ledges for added ambiance!
 Talk about inexpensive and easy, and the best part?! After the wedding you and the hubby can relocate the pretty potted flowers to your new home! This plus the white-picket fence... can you say "they lived happily-ever after?!"

Farm House Feeling

Happy March everyone! I can't believe it, time seems to just be flying by! Soon we'll be enjoying beautiful weather and my favorite, family bar-b-ques! Which gets me to thinking, there is something special about family-style seating that really helps bring people together. With that being said, I am obsessed with the idea of incorporating this seating trend into wedding reception dinners! The use of rectangular seating creates such an intimate break from the typically boring 6-foot round tables that are so commonly used! Family-style seating adds just the right mix of drama and simplicity that is hard not to fall madly in love with! Not to mention for those fabulous "shabby-chic" brides this helps to create that ideal rustic farm-house feel!