Maybe you are a groom and you have no idea what kind of wedding your lady will love. Maybe you are a persnickety bride-to-be and just want to pick out your own engagement ring. Maybe the budget is tight, and that kind of stuff just doesn't matter to you right now. Maybe you work with your hands a lot and a big diamond just isn't feasible. There are tons of reasons to hold out on the big bling until you both can make a decision on a ring together, it's a huge purchase for most couples! These adorable little rings are good alternatives for the meantime.

This ring from Solange Azagury Partridge spells it all out in gold:

Chatties, is it really supposed to be THAT easy!!?? I went last night for my first official gown search, and I left knowing that I've found THE dress! It's everything I had envisioned. I am in awe, and I can't concentrate on work-related things today!!

It's pretty simple, fresh, light & airy........exactly how I want to feel the day of, especially being on the beach! I tried on some gowns and I couldn't move in them. It was like pull, chug material, pull, chug material. I can't walk gracefully in all the fuss, no idea how everyone else pulls it off w/ such grace!! And this one flattered my skin tone the best, which I can't say for all the others (that I couldn't get out of fast enough)!

Sooo, here it is!!

So....Saturday will be exactly one year that Mr. Jersey and I have been engaged! It has been an amazing year, and we will be having dinner at Castle Hill Inn to celebrate!
But I figured that in honor of my engage-a-versary, I would share the story of how we got engaged. My FH and I had been living together for about a year and a half, and I was definitely itching to get the ring. And that was no secret. When I arrived at home that Friday evening, Mr. Jersey was looking rather handsome in his suit, and he was cooking dinner (he never cooks....that's usually me every night). He wouldn't let me in the kitchen or tell me what he was cooking. When it was dinner time, he sat me down at a beautifully set table with gorgeous flowers and candlelight. He had prepared the first meal I ever made for him (I was impressed he even remembered). And it was delicious. I felt really bad though, because it was pretty hot in our apartment with the oven on, and he was in a suit and tie. But he looked real good. After dinner we relaxed for awhile with some great wine, until he brought out some homemade pistachio ice cream (my favorite). It was so sweet...I didn't think the night could get any better. Until he got down on one knee and gave me the most beautiful ring I had ever seen!
I feel like it was just yesterday....a year goes by SO fast!

Both Birds and Bees seem to be a popular element to include in everything from place cards, to invitations, to full on decor and themes of weddings. Bees, representing Purity and Sweetness, hold a great meaning for weddings. Birds also hold symbolism of freedom, peace, and virtue. Incorporating birds and bees into your wedding in a whimsical way can add some special meaning and fun as well. In fact, one of our Real Weddings recently included both birds nests and bee jewelry! I've gathered some cool bird and bee elements to share with you! Here is a cool inspiration board I created at Style Me Pretty, using Katherine's earrings as a beginning!

A fun way to add a touch of whimsy and color to your wedding is to do a soda bar. Sodas like Jones and Izze (and tons more) come in fun clear bottles with beautiful colors shining through. Lots of gourmet shops, and even Trader Joe's and Whole Foods sell micro brew sodas. Check out this look from Project Wedding:

My parents, fiance, and I are having a sort of a family crisis! I hope someone has a great opinion for me... We're trying to pick the entertainment for our wedding, and we're having a tough time. My parents (who are paying) want to have a band and they convinced my fiance that it was a good idea. I've been a little hesitant the whole time because being a music teacher I know that if you don't get the right band it could be a not-so-great night. Also because I'm a music teacher, I think live music is much better than a recording. Then we went to a wedding band showcase and one of the DJ's there started to convince us that a DJ was better. He actually suggested an acapella group to sing during dinner and then have a DJ for the rest of the night. This seems to solve all the issues about live and recorded music, but I'm not sure about 5 older gentlemen singing rat-pack music. Help!

I was in my future sister-in-laws wedding last year so I thought I'd share some inspiration pictures from her wedding! Our BM dresses color was watermelon :-) It was a fun filled beautiful wedding. The bouquets were beautiful. She bought gems to put into her bouquet herself which was a great touch. She died her petticoat hot pink to match our dresses which was a fun touch! She provided business size cards that contained information for people to go to a website she created and upload all their pictures they took at the wedding so the bride and groom can see their guests pictures and guests could see other guests pictures! It was a great idea! Also for her card box she made a dog house with a cute picture of their two dogs that they love soo much! I didn't take all the pictures here so I apologize if some are a little fuzzy! There are also a lot of pictures because she had a lot of great things to provide inspiration to future brides! Enjoy! :-)

I, like many of my fellow chatties, LOVE etsy! You can find just about anything on etsy. Everything is so cute and unique, and someone will make it just for you the way you want it! And best of all, it helps us non-crafty brides get personal touches for our weddings that used to only be available for diy-ers.

So here is my most recent purchase....the cutest little ring dish ever! Before the ceremony, our wedding bands will be hanging from the attached ribbon (great photo op). Oh...and did I mention that wiseimpressions (an etsy seller) personalized the colors and words for me....and all for only $10. How on earth can you go wrong??

Rocio was looking for a roommate while living in King of Prussia Pennsylvania in 2001. Her first roommate interview happened to be David who was #1 on a list of 70 applicants. After their meeting, David convinced Rocio not to continue interviewing the rest of the applicants, and moved in. One week later, Rocio was in the hospital having major surgery. David took care of her, cooked, and cleaned, and they fell in love.

Since Rocio moved to America from Colombia, South America she had lived in Rhode Island, graduated from the University of Rhode Island, and spent her summers in Newport. David and his family were avid sailors and though David and Rocio live and work in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island seemed like the perfect place for their wedding. As collectors of antiques and retro clothing and art, Rocio and David decided to choose the Glen Manor House to host the event, as they say they “wanted a vintage inspired wedding with a Latin passion”. The Glen’s water view sealed the deal.


Photos by: Serendipity Photography

J Crew is opening their first ever Bridal Boutique on Madison Ave. in New York City! YAY!