Project Wedding Blog

I am so excited about the fantastic response we got for our $750 DIY Wedding Challenge. The winner was chosen by you - our awesome community! Thousands of people voted, and the winner of the $500 grand prize by a very slim 1% margin is … the Message in a Bottle Invitations, with 26% of the vote! The $250 first runner up prize goes to… DIY Calligraphy, with 25% of the vote!

Layout by Hostess with the Mostess

Congratulations to the two winners! =) And thank you to everyone who participated and voted!!!

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We all love a little J.Crew in our lives, but its not always so easy on the pocketbook. Well, we did a little digging and have found a beautifully economically-saavy ensemble not only for you, bride-to-be, but also some very cute ideas for your bridesmaids that won’t break the bank!

For the bride…total cost under $850.00

Silk tricotine Sophia long dress, $295.00

Carmen Satin Peep Toes, $265.00

Pearl Garden Bracelet, $75.00

Pearl Stud Earrings, $55.00

And for your Bridesmaids…each outfit is under $150.00!

Option One:

Silk chiffon Sophia dress, $49.99 (regularly $165.00!)

Martine two-color satin heels, $79.99 (regularly $245.00!)

Option Two:

Strapless Florence dress, $59.99 (regularly $250.00!)

Martine two-color satin heels, $79.99 (regularly $245.00!)

Option Three:

Silk chiffon twist-tank dress, $49.99 (regularly $170.00!)

Tabitha T-strap satin heels, $79.99 (regularly $235.00!)

And there is even something for the little darling of the bridal party…and under $110.00!

Girls' cotton eyelet Liya dress, $69.99 (regularly $158.00!)

Girls' Millie satin ballet flats, $39.99 (regularly $118.00!)

Want a coordinated look? J.Crew has got you covered!

Grenada palm pleated halter dress, $139.00 (regularly $198.00!)

Girls' silk palm-flower Beatrice dress, $59.99 (regularly $158.00)

Happy shopping!

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You appreciate your best friends being there for you as you embark on your journey towards wedded bliss — wouldn’t it be great to treat them to a special bridesmaids gift from the designer who has a special place in every gal’s heart, Marc Jacobs? I had to share this quilted baby blue evening bag from his latest line, Marc by Marc Jacobs. It’s adorable, perfect for Spring and the best part? The cost! At $35, this expense won’t push you over the wedding day budget!

Tags: bridesmaid gift.

Los Angeles hasn’t been the same since Sweet Lady Jane opened its doors in 1988. We now only demand the very best when it comes to indulging in something sweet. Jane Lockhart is the sweet lady we have to thank for raising our confectionary standards and introducing to some of the most beautiful cakes out there.

Check out this wedding cake inspiration:

Not a cake person? Not a problem. We doubt your guests will complain when you serve up SLJ’s Hazelnut Mousse Cups, Lemon Bars or Mini Cheesecakes.

Sweet Lady Jane

(323) 653-7145

8360 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90069

Tags: Inspiration, Wedding Cakes.

You want your wedding day to be perfect, and that includes everything — right down to satiny, smooth looking skin, right!? I have to share this beauty product that my girlfriends are all wild over: Decollette Pads.

You put them on right before you go to sleep and wake up with a wrinkle-free chest! They are especially helpful if you tend to sleep on your side and notice those pesky creases on your chest the next morning. So there you have  it - one less thing to stress over before your big day!

Tags: Beauty.

Looking for something a little different than the traditional monogrammed cufflinks?  What about a personalized tie for your groom?

Etsy’s own FieldGuided creates customized “sweetheart” ties, which are absolutely amazing!  Have his name (or yours!) hand stitched on the back of his tie or even the date of your wedding as a special something for your husband-to-be.

Tags: groom style.

I invited Ashley, one of our most valued community members, to guest blog for us today! Ashley planned her wedding here on PW, and has since started her own coordination business called Ashley Kohler Events.

A little bit about Ashley…

Chris and I met about four and a half years ago through a co-worker of his that was actually trying to set me up with someone else and not Chris! Ha ha! I was actually the one that asked if he was single, he was, and the rest, as they say, is history!

We live in the valley…suburbia, but its nice and we like it and its so central to everything! We are about an hour or so away from San Francisco and Tahoe so that makes planning weekend trips fairly easy. We are minutes away from the lake, which is where we spend the majority of our time in the summer, on the boat. Chris is an avid wakeboarder. Me? Not so much.

Career wise, on paper, we have such serious sounding jobs, but we’re actually really goofy and nerdy and have a great time with one another. He is truly my very best friend.

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When I think Grecian wedding, I think breezy and relaxed. When it comes to dressing the part, being a Greek goddess is what it’s all about. Grecian inspired wedding dresses tend to be close to the body and straight although some dresses do have ruching in the midsection. The fabric flows gracefully and is not heavy. Colors are usually white, off white, or champagne. I envision a light but ornate shoe with some bling and doing this will shake up a look that is sometimes viewed as simple.

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Bridesmaids’ dresses can echo your wedding dress and they can also be long or short. Although Grecian inspired dresses are usually light colors, adding a splash of color with your bridesmaid dresses is definitely a great idea. Dresses with only one shoulder strap are also very goddess-like.

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Grecian inspired hairstyles are where I personally go ga-ga! I love the look of either flowing curls/waves or an up-do that is slightly messy. These styles fit perfectly into that aura of “I’m a goddess…worship me”. Hair bands with pearls or rhinestones earn you extra credit!

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I absolutely LOVE the idea of an arm band. It is a great finishing touch and will make you look as if you just visited the island of Santorini. Arm bands come in both gold and silver and can be simple or a little more ornate.

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It’s your day…go on…become a Goddess!

Tags: Grecian Inspiration.

Spring is in the air! I love these inexpensive wedding bouquets featuring fresh spring flowers…

A mixture of green cymbidiuum orchids and white roses for the classic bride.

Pink and yellow daisies, mixed with irises, white roses, and green poms lend a whimsical and casual feel to this gorgeous bouquet.

Layered pink roses, hydrangea, and peonies give this monochromatic bouquet a rich texture to add to its romantic essence.

Classic white roses and hydrangea ensure that this bouquet will stand the test of time.

Images courtesy of Jeret Slack Photography

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Invitations are such an important part of the wedding because it makes the first impression on your guests! I’ve enlisted the help from invitation design  Thuy of  Paper Chez, one of the most chic couture letterpress designers I have seen in a long time, to offer some gorgeous wedding invitation inspiration for us today…

Sending your guests an invitation to your wedding is much more than informing them of the time and place of your big celebration. Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse that your guests will have of your wedding day. The colors, materials, and overall look-and-feel of the invitations should set the tone and give your guests an idea as to what type of affair they would be attending. Whether your wedding style is casual, formal, tropical, or country, you can express your sense of style with the right invitations.

Rustic Romance

Many couples are opting for the beautiful outdoors to set the stage for their weddings. Envision a barnyard reception in the countryside or a mountaintop ceremony at a vintage winery. When selecting your invitations, start with a palette of earthy tones such as tan, sage, brown, and cinnamon. Look for soft, textured paper in natural colors like ecru and cream for an organic look. Finish off the rustic theme with charming vintage motifs and ornamental typefaces. For a modern touch, add a splash of color with a bold belly band.

Tropical Locale

Tropical destination weddings are increasing in popularity and why wouldn’t they? Sandy beaches, warm breezes, and exotic foods will have your guests quickly packing their bags. Instead of the traditional beach-themed invitations with seashell and starfish designs, try something new and unique. For example, an orchid themed invitation hints at an exotic locale without being too literal. Replace the typical beach colors such as teal and coral with modern color combinations such as blush pink and rich chocolate brown.

Formal Affair

If crystal chandeliers, towering ceilings, and arched entryways set the stage for your wedding, you will want to let your guests know that it’s time to dust off the formalwear. When choosing invitations for your fairy-tale wedding, look for designs that say glamour and elegance. Use rich colors such as black, navy, gold, and plum for a regal feel. Instead of the traditional rectangle invitations, go for an oversized, square invitation for a high-drama effect. Finishing off your set by having a calligrapher hand-address all of the envelopes.

Modern Simplicity

Some couples go by the “less is more” adage and take a minimalist approach when it comes to their wedding. Think rooftop terrace overlooking the city amid hundreds of white pillar candles. The style of your wedding invitations should be clean, fresh, and modern. Use colors and images sparingly on the invitations themselves while choosing colored envelopes to accentuate the set. For an added modern touch, include a custom envelope liner printed with geometric patterns.

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