what I love: cake toppers

I have a treat for you! This Wednesday, I've invited Invited's lead day-of coordinator, Annie Oudom, here to share what she loves this week! So, Annie, take it away!

Happy, happy, Wednesday everyone! 

I have a few friends that are getting married this year, and they all know how much I live and breathe weddings. One of the infamous questions they always ask is: "What should I do for a cake topper?" My answer to any wedding question is: "The possibilities are endless! But what is it that YOU love?"

There have been so many unique wedding cake toppers that I have seen in my day! Some I question... but nearly all of them I absolutely love. Not only are they unique but I adore the fact that they represent the bride and groom. Whether it's traditional or something a bit wacky, it should really highlight you - as the bride, and your fiance - as the groom. After all, this day is all about the both of you, right?!

We have come a long way since these classic cake toppers:

Although classic is nice and traditional, and nice and... err... ok a bit on the boring side for my liking, I can definitely appreciate them! I've spent a lot of time on Pinterest, either searching for ideas for my own (future!) wedding, or helping out friends decide on what would best suit them for their cake 

Here are some of my favorites:

Cake toppers that resemble the bride and groom

How incredibly cute is this?? I love the fact that the toppers have details of the bride and groom down to a T.

Just flowers
I absolutely love this. The cake looks so dainty and so pretty that I don't even want to eat it! Using flowers as a topper adds a great touch to the cake because it isn't too overpowering.

Monogrammed cake toppers
I also do like using monograms for cake toppers. I'm sure you have seen monograms with the bride and grooms initials of their first name with their last name initial in the center. Or, like the picture above, just using the initial of the last name. What I also love about this particular monogram topper is the bling. I do love my bling. There are just some things I can't deny.

Hello Kitty!
This cake topper speaks for itself. Everyone needs some Hello Kitty in their life, right?!

So loves, what are some unique ideas you have for cake toppers?

what I love: brunch weddings

I am back in the mix of things after last week's wisdom teeth emergency and today's what I love feature is just as fun as last week's frozen yogurt trend... brunch weddings!

As a wedding planner, I get asked constantly for cost-saving tips, and one I like to suggest that couples often forget to consider is brunch weddings!

Photo credit: Stefan Sisters

I love brunch weddings because breakfast food is so diverse! From Belgian waffles to eggs benedict there's something to satisfy everyone's morning appetites! There are also a number of ways to get creative with breakfast foods! Check out this bacon, displayed perfectly for a rustic, laid-back event:

Photo credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs via Jennifer on Pinterest

Keep in mind, bacon in a jar, like a lot of other ideas on some of the most fabulous wedding blogs is too far "out there" for some, and I like to encourage brides to not get too carried away with ideas they garner from styled wedding shoots (as they often don't reflect real weddings), but you can be creative! Like with this doughnut cake for example!

Photo credit: Bronze Budget Bride via Pinterest

A traditional wedding cake can cost an upwards of $500, but Krispy Kreme donughts are as inexpensive as $9 per dozen! That's a huge cost savings, if you ask me!

May I also suggest heading to some of DC's bottomless brunch spots to get the creative juices flowing? Yes, please!! You know how we love our brunches here in the District!
Here's a quick list of my personal faves:

Includes Unlimited Mimosa
Saturdays

Masa 14 - an Asian flare

Beacon - big, bright, and beautiful

The Getaway - in Columbia Heights

Scion - patio seating available (Spring is upon us! Let's get outside!)

Sundays

Ping Pong - til 4:00 pm
W Hotel  - rooftop seating available!
Ardeo - til 3:00 pm with unlimited champagne, not just mimosas!
Smith Commons H Street - also with a rooftop patio

Vinoteca - bottomless kir royale, bellinis, and mimosas

Not Unlimited Mimosa, but Great Food

Birch & Barley - til 5:00 pm

Founding Farmers - yum!

Belga Café - small, but classy
Blue Duck Tavern - has a brand new patio!

Firefly - gluten-free menu available

Now, of course, brunch doesn't automatically equal an inexpensive wedding! For any restaurant with a delicious brunch menu and a private function space, I'd certainly recommend calling and pricing out a full wedding reception and seeing how they can work with you and your budget. Nonetheless, I think it's so very important to realize that there are definitely a lot of local choices for this type of reception!

What do you think of brunch weddings? It is certainly what I love this week!

Check out more breakfast wedding ideas right here.

what I love: the frozen yogurt trend!

Happy Wednesday y'all! Spring is here and summer is on the way, which means it's time to break out the snacks that cool us down! This one is especially close to my heart... and mouth, after dealing with a wisdom teeth removal yesterday - all things cold and frozen are my friend!

I know you're probably thinking ice cream, but think again: this snack is sweet, but low in calories! Who doesn't love that? I know I do! The real question is: have you ever thought of incorporating something like this into your wedding?

We've all seen candy, cookie, and dessert bars, but there's a new trend on the horizon I'd love to see break into weddings! Hello, frozen yogurt!

Tumblr via Pinterest

Frozen yogurt is the wow factor your guests will never see coming, and that they'll be talking about for years! It's the perfect sweet detail to revamp an outdoor reception and cool down famished friends and family.

Did I mention frozen yogurt machines are easy to setup?

Just think: yummy frozen yogurt flavors and a full bar of fresh fruit and sweet snack toppings! This Florida wedding featured on Southern Weddings did it right!

Photos by Tina Bass

Pretty!

Oh so pretty! 

They aren't the only ones either!

Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt made an appearance in this Caroline Tran wedding, too!

Image via FabulouslyEverAfter.com / Photo by Caroline Tran

Mmmm.

Pinkberry! 

Ok, so. The cost to pull something like this off is definitely worth giving some thought, but for the DIY bride, there's some alternatives! I found this tutorial on making frozen yogurt push-ups that could easily be passed around at the reception after dinner!

So fun, right?

Photo credit

Do you like frozen yogurt?

Have you ever seen anything like this at a wedding?

Would you consider having it at yours?

what I love: washingtonian magazine

Washingtonian's Bride & Groom Magazine is a go-to resource for DC, Maryland, and Virginia brides and there's nothing more exciting for a planner than to have a wedding featured in such a presitigous magazine! Yes, that's right folks...

Photo Credit

What I love this week is dear to my heart because it's years in the making, years of hard work and due diligence. INVITED IS IN PRINT!

It's no big secret that wedding websites and blogs are all the rage, but there's are some timeless elements of wedding planning that aren't going anywhere, and one of them is a good ol' wedding magazine! This one is by far the best in our area, not only because of it's pages and pages of gorgeous inspiration photos but also for the growing list of fabulous vendors in their prestigious vendor guide.

So what are you waiting for?!? Go check out Robynn and Jerome's fabulous DC wedding in the Winter Issue of Washingtonian Bride and Groom, on newsstands right now OR you can check out the event online on Washingtonian Bride and Groom's blog right here! 

what I love: fingerprint rings!

This is one for all those couples out there who know they want something different for their big day but just aren't sure where to start. I was lucky enough to be tipped off to these beauties by one of my most recent clients. They got them for their ceremony, and so for you, I have something so special and unique - I bet you didn't even know it existed: fingerprint rings! That's right. These are 100% custom rings with your (and your hubby-to-be) fingerprints on, or in, them. You truly can't get much more personalized than that!

photo credit: fabuluster

How awesome are these?! And the variations available are seemingly endless!

photo credit: fabuluster

I can't think of a better way to literally have a piece of your significant other with you from now until forever.

photo credit: fabuluster

What's better? The rings are so clean and chic to boot!

So it's true! What I love this week are fingerprint rings! Do you love 'em too?

what I love: ombre!

There are so many things to love about ombre that I don't even know where to begin. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what ombre is, the simplest definition is a shaded effect of color which can be applied to nearly anything. Many people immediately think of ombre fabric. Like this dress features: 

 But the fact of the matter is ombre can be applied to so very many different things! And when you're talking ombre at weddings, you're talking beautiful. Just take a gander at the various ombre items available at our beck and call!

One of my favorite applications of ombre is on a wedding cake. The best purveyor of ombre wedding cakes - hands down? Maggie Austin. And for all of you local DC brides, you're in luck cause her homebase is right here in the District!

photo credit: Maggie Austin Cake

 I know you just fell in love; no need to lie to yourself.

Looking for a gorgeous ombre shift dress, are you? I have the perfect one thanks to Alice and Olivia.

photo credit: a blond and a brunette

And for those of you who are looking for just a pop of ombre, you can't get much better than these gorgeous and (incredibly) unique earrings!

That's leather fringe dip-dyed in a fabulous purple. I know, I know. You just fell in love again.

You didn't think I was going to leave out the original wedding ombre, courtesy of Gwen Stefani. What a gorgeous rebel she is.

Finally, I did in fact leave the best for last - a little wedding DIY ombre project that is oh so simple and, more importantly, oh so undeniably beautiful.

photo credit: Once Wed

What are those? Ombre napkins you see! That's right. You can't get more chic than that. What's better? they're ridiculously inexpensive to pull off. Check out all the instructions over here at Once Wed!

There's no denying that what I love this week is absolutely ombre. You don't have to say a word. I know you love it too!

what I love: Letterpress Light!

So some of you may be in the letterpress loop already, but for those of you who aren't I've got a definite treat for you! What I love this week is Letterpress Light!

Letterpress Light ain't no normal letterpress y'all! It is a custom process that was created by the owner, Heather Noss, and she did a marvelous job! It's an incredibly unique process that, in their own words, "...enhances the rich texture of regular letterpress printing, resulting in a 50% deeper press.  It adds more expansive & vivid color options, as well as design flexibility not possible with regular letterpress printing."

The color is gorgeous and vibrant, and the pressing is deeper than what you'll ever get with normal, old letterpress! I just can't get enough of their work. Check out a couple of their beautiful wedding invitations!

photo credit: Letterpress Light

Or this beauty...

photo credit: Letterpress Light

 Finally, see how vibrant the color is?! This is nothing like old letterpress! It's absolutely gorgeous and fresh!

photo credit: Letterpress Light

So I'm certain that what I love this week is Letterpress Light! What do you say, brides, do you love them too? If so, get in touch with them soon to get your custom invites!

what I love: gift wrapping!

The thing about gift wrapping is it isn't solely allocated to the holidays. One must gift wrap throughout the year (for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries - you name it!). That's the best part about learning how to gift wrap beautifully, you get to use the skill throughout the year.

After all, who can resist a little piece of beautiful like this?

photo credit: a gift wrapped life

The holidays are a time that one's gift wrapping skills are allowed to truly shine. It's all about those details - details, details, details! Besides that's where all the fun is! Take a look at some of these chic and adorable gift wrapping details!

This one comes with DIY instructions courtesy of Design*Sponge!

photo credit: Design Sponge

Plus, nowadays, with the focus on eco-friendliness in every facet of our lives, gift wrap has plenty of eco-friendly options too! Take fabric gift wrap, for instance. You heard me right - FABRIC. Check it out.

photo credit: Etsy

Or adorable fabric drawstring bags!

photo credit: Etsy

And don't forget the icing on the metaphorical gift-wrapping cake - the tags! The number of unique tag options out there is absolutely endless! Lots of DIY options, and lots available to purchase. Lookie here for instance.

photo credit: Etsy

There are even letterpress options - gorgeous!

photo credit: Etsy

I most definitely love gift wrapping this week! Whaddya say? I imagine you love it too!

what I love: ampersands!

Yes, I'll be honest. I was slightly inspired by my love just two weeks ago, but let me explain! After all, what single symbol is more integral to the entire meaning and purpose of a wedding than an ampersand?! At the end of the day it's all about the joining of two parts; the bringing together of a Mr & a Mrs, a bride & a groom, a his & a her! See! The ampersand has endless value and purpose for your big day! Plus - its a gorgeous element that can carry through to your life and home decor if you know how to work it.

First off, I want to share a little gem of a blog that I recently found. In fact, I could attribute most of my newfound love of ampersands to this, here blog - the beautiful 300 & 65 Ampersands. I mean the bevy of ampersand gorgeousness available on this blog is endless! Plus - the blog gets daily updates - YES - DAILY! Check out this beauty from October 24th:

photo credit: 300 & 65

Or this playful one for (what I imagine to be) a backyard country wedding:

 
Don't think I'm done yet!

So fun, right?!

And let me tell you the ampersand beauty doesn't stop here! One of my favorite (I-swear-I'm-going-to-buy-it-someday) Etsy finds is this little gem below!

photo credit: Etsy

 Look at how adorable it is, and how much more perfect can you get for an ampersand tee-shirt than an ampersand made of ampersands?!

Finally, a gorgeous ampersand pillow for your new home!

photo credit: Hard to Find

You never knew ampersands could inspire so much beauty in every aspect of your life, did you?!

Alright, alright! I know it! I'm in love with ampersands this week! What do you say? You love 'em too?

what I love: monograms!

One of the BEST things about getting married is (arguably) getting to now share an initial with your one true love. (Yes, I am aware of the fact that nowadays many women aren't taking their fiancee's names, but for the sake of this post, we'll be momentarily ignoring that trend!) I'm talking about a monogram! Tell me you don't love them?! They can be everything from the chicest of the chic to the most elegant of the elegant, and no matter what - they're gorgeous and fun!

The most amazing thing about a monogram is that a truly beautiful one can transition from "weddingware" to houseware! And there are so many beautiful ones out there, I'm certain you can find one that you'll fall in love with.

For example, are you looking to keep things a little more simple and modern for your big day? Go with this beauty.

photo credit: Rock, Paper, Scissors

 Or maybe you fancy yourself a bit more vintage and elegant? Look at all of these REAL vintage monograms!

photo credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Perhaps what you're going for is a tad more rustic? Well don't let sheer oversight make you forget all the places a monogram can go! Take these adorable linen bags for instance!

photo credit: Style Me Pretty

Inspired by one of our full-planning clients, I found this modern, butterfly-themed monogram. Too adorable right??

photo credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs

So this week I'm certain of what I love, and that's monograms! What do you say? Do you love them too??

what I love: spring inspiration!

I have a special treat for everyone this week. I don't know about the rest of the US but here on the East Coast we had a lucky break from the cold winter, and spring arrived!!! Because of this lucky break and fortunate warm weather, I have decided that what I love this week is SPRING!!

So on to your treat: I've selected a couple of my favorite spring inspirations from all over the wedding blogosphere, and here they are!

Flower and Mint Ice Cubes!

  Thanks to Dog N'Bird. What a tasty idea for an outdoor garden wedding. Cocktail hour, anyone?

Adorable lil' birdie DIY nests - like these!

 Thanks to PolkaDotBride! How cute would these look nesting as the cake topper on your wedding day?

And finally... how gorgeous is this brooch bouquet??

 I can only dream of carrying such a beautiful bouquet down the aisle to my one and only. You can get one of your own as well - if you check out Fantasy Floral Designs! Thank you Ruffled for such a great tip at such an apropos time!

Hope you enjoy what I'm in love with this week - spring!

what I love: happy tape!

I know how many DIY brides there are out there - especially now in these economic times! Who wouldn't like to save a buck or two by taking some projects on? For those of you who may be a tad less adept in the crafting world and may prefer tape over Elmer's glue (or God-forbid super glue), I have a special treat - Happy Tape! Happy Tape is a genius creation that just came over to us in the USA from Japan. It is a great paper tape in all sorts of colors and designs.

 

Photo Credits: Happy Tape

For all those brides who are looking to add a touch of personality to generic items, enter Happy Tape!

There's no doubt in my mind, that what I love this week is Happy Tape!

what I love: style me pretty's style circle

Okay, I don't know if you've checked it out yet, though I'm certain you've heard word of it on the streets: Style Circle. Style Me Pretty (yes, the fabulous blog with all things weddings) has created an amazing Circle of wedding lovers.

The Style Circle is composed of all those who love weddings - a place for them to chat, share concepts, color schemes, and best of all (what I love) inspiration boards! They have this magic inspiration board maker that provides the format, the pictures, the ideas - the everything! It's amazing, to say the least.

Look at what I produced in no more than 15 minutes!

Credits: Docuvitae, Karen Wise, Millie Holloman Photography, Raya Carlisle Photography, Jose Villa

You don't have to be jealous of this awesome inspiration board though, because you can hop right on over to the Style Circle and make one yourself - right quick! Trust me (I don't have to ask) you'll love, love, love it!