I'll Do it Myself!

Ok...my new obsession has been found and now I'm passing this gem off to you! DIYwedding.org is sweet, flirty, and magical and is now tabbed as my favorite. (go ahead...do it now!)

I don't want to bog you down with all the deets but I do want to share some of my favorite photos and ideas from the site and let them do the talking!

Some are cute and creative-and others are just photography at it's finest.

Love the bouquet and simple veil!

(um...can I have him?)

Perfect for a springtime wedding. I'm going nuts for nautical! 

On the reverse side is the wedding program but if you get warm, fan it up and if the rain starts'a pourin' it can double as a comical hat. Love. Love.

All supplies needed for this topper can be found for under $10 and your local craft store!

I adore this DIY pinwheel! Get some pretty craft paper, old buttons and hot glue and you got yourself a vintage inspired centerpiece!

I hope you are as inspired as I am! You can check out the website by clicking on any of the photos above! I am sure you will fall head-over-heels like I did! Chat soon!

Love-

Your SB

Do Me a Favor

Hello my southern oak sun-shines! Now I know I have touched on this subject before, I am thinkin' we need a little refresher, yes? Favors for ya' favorites. Sorry I have to say this but, favors are a waste of your money. I know...these people drove from miles away and bought you a duvet (but) I don't think they'll care if they leave with 'love lip balm' or not.

So why don't we get started. I am warning you now...there are mason jars in just about all of them. I can't help it, you know me!

Have a special grandmother that can cook her can off? Does she have a recipe that you can put in a mason jar? Just print off some precious labels, tie a ribbon and send them with your guest. What person doesn't like a unique, homemade dessert? (Nom. Nom. Nom.)

(cupcakes in a mason jar. love.)

This is the perfect parting gift for a fall/winter wedding! Once again, ad that southern touch with a mason jar and paper doily, fill it with yummy hot chocolate and marshmallows and top it off with a personal stamp!

I know I've told y'all about candy bars before but I can't tell you how easy it is to DIY! Scope out deals at places like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Goodwill and your momma's pantry and build this yourself. Place gift bags on the table so they can leave with some sweet treats! 

Ok, we're friends by now, right? So we can be honest with each other. We all like pictures of ourselves. Think about it...Take a picture of the Grand Canon then put yourself in the picture. Which are you going to frame? (that's what I thought) Let your guest leave with a memory of what a great time they had at your wedding! Get them in front of that camera and let them shake it like a Polaroid picture!

(fun at work)
I hope you all have a wonderful, sunny weekend! Throw on that cute white dress and cowboy boots and work what'cha momma gave ya! Cheerio!

How To: Polish Your Party

G'day my lovely ladies! Tis' time to fill your heads with dreamy details of your delightful day! On my recent flight to Atlanta, I thumbed through The Knot magazine and couldn't help but drool over some party details that are original, timeless, and oh...so awe-inspiring. As always I searched for snapshots and summaries and now it's your turn to take a peek. Shall we?

Having an outdoor wedding? Near water? Or does your groom just love boats? Purchase (or borrow) an old canoe or rowboat, fill it with ice and top it off with your favorite beer! (Side note: keep an eye on the groomsmen, they will surely find a way to row it to their own private island)

This is one I adore! These paper cones holding flowers are shabby chic at its finest. Design these to hang on pews or chairs along the aisle. Purchase hollow craft cones for less than one dollar and cover in your favorite scrapbook paper. Add ribbon, buttons, and cloth flowers to amp up the DIY look.

'Circus-esque' banners are a big trend right now. They are whimsical, vintage, and all-together awesome! To make it all-the-better, you can make them yourself!

Purchase craft paper or burlap fabric (cut and glue to ribbon) and you got yourself an original art piece! Place these on the bride and groom chair, behind the head table, or at a photo booth for your guest.



You will be receiving plenty of cards full of well wishes (and hopefully some moo-lah) so purchase a vintage wooden box to hold them during the reception. I found this Hires Root Beer box on Etsy.com for only 30 bucks!  

Time to top off this post with some wedding advice from your guests. Consider designing a Mad Libs card for your friends and family to fill out. These will certainly induce laughter and can be easily put in a scrapbook to keep forever! Certainly sensational, Undoubtedly unforgettable.

I am here to tell you this: Be the Belle of the Ball and Damsel of the Details! Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and sassed out in your pastels and prints.

Love your-

Nashville Native, Raggin' Cajun, & Mississippi Queen

First Impression

Mandy Lynne Photography

This weekend I facilitated a recruitment workshop for 120 sorority girls. Now, those who aren't familiar with the ins & outs of sorority rush there is one thing we are sure to drill and that is...how to make a first impression. So it got me thinking, what would I consider the first impression of a wedding?

Invitations are no longer just an invite; they are decorated cardstock that should tell a story, your story. Now, hear me say this...I don't want you spendin' an arm and a leg. A five piece invitation kit is sure to impress but is sure to join the scraps in less than a month.

So let's talk options. I love maps. If you are having a wedding in a tourist hot-spot make a map of not only where you'll wed but also hangouts you & your groom frequent (sports arenas, zoos, lake fronts).

Plantation (old south) weddings make me weak in the knees so if this is your plan, consider highlighting your venue with a hand sketched card. There's nothing I love more than a new drawing of old oaks.

Now, I am sure you'll all agree that there's nothin' better than a good love story. A timeline of a couples courtship tucked in an envelope would have me smiling and tearing up all at the same time. The invitation below pulled at my heart strings and is worthy of some Ooo's and Ahh's.

Now to top it all off, ponder your postage! Below are Martha Stewarts suggestions for (1)Garden Weddings, (2)City Celebrations, (3)Beach Parties, & (4)Mountain Nuptials. Simply put...love, love, love.

Remember, these can be inexpensive. Ask an artsy friend to draw you out a map, Photoshop a picture of your venue, or get a card company to make one example and color copy the rest on thick cardstock. Quote to leave you with:

To impress I suggest to request all the best.

How to Savour the Favor

The wedding is over and your gifts are stacked high. Now a gift for the guest, before they say ‘Bye!’ Let’s get creative, and go with the theme. Whether it’s photos, candy, or cookies and cream!

Favors are getting more creative by the day-incorporating the theme of the wedding, satisfying the sweet tooth, and creating memories you can keep forever! So let's talk about simple gifts that are cost efficient, inspired and stinkin' adorable!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a candy or cookie bar! Large, clear jars and candy can be purchased whole sale. Just add colorful ribbon and craft paper banners to add a little umph!

How about a photo booth with instant prints? Build a photo wall with old pictures of family members on their wedding days. Simple carpentry and wallpaper can give guest a snapshot to last forever.



Below is a local beer served in New Orleans and of course, Beignet mix! Stick with your theme. Look up local traditions and food to give your guest a souvenir from the host town. 

I Love You To CenterPieces!

Hello belles! I know this post is a few days overdue but I am back and ready for some bloggin’ action!

Now although my recent trips to up north were snow filled and beautiful, it sure helped me remember why I love my warm southern states.

So back in my ‘southern’ mindset I start to think of perfectly pretty centerpieces that give a down-home feel to an uptown wedding. As usual, I am keeping cost in mind so here we go…

Mason jars are no longer for picklin’ or saving jam. Spruce them up with simple tea candles or a bundle of your favorite fresh cuts. These can be purchased at any grocery store at around $10 for a pack of 12! If you want to add a little extra consider gluing rows of hemp to the bottom half of the jars.

Next time you are in a small town, hit up some of the local antique shops. You are sure to find a variety of classic tea cups. Consider this vintage approach by placing 3 to 5 different tea cups filled with colorful peonies or roses.   

My last and most favorite centerpiece is a distressed birdcage! This will not only bring height to your tables but will add a structural dimension of creativity. Place a sheer ribbon through the top loop and fill the inside with single stem cylinders complete with simple flowers or wheat stems.

I hope you all enjoy the video below and try out some of these centerpiece ideas when your special day arrives! Until then I hope that your teacup overfloweth :)

Let's Get Real

OK…We (women of the free world) dream about our wedding early in life. We waddled around in our mothers heels, put towels on our heads in place of a veil, and used a giant hair brush for the blooming bouquet. When that special day comes our wedding is going to be beautiful, smart, fun, extravagant…wait one second…inexpensive too, right?

It’s time to get real. As the saying goes, we want what we simply can’t have. So, let’s talk about ways to save!

Flowers: Think outside of the box! While roses are beautiful, arrangements can be made that are inexpensive and show off your personality. Consider billows of fresh cut cotton mixed in with Texas tallow berries and large magnolias. Or how about cabbage roses, feathers, or wheat? Your florist can help you with your vision, just don’t be afraid to be a little different!

Venues: Although there are many plantation homes, barns, event centers etc. that cater to wedding events only, have you considered doing it yourself? Many home and land owners would be more than happy to make their place available to you and your guests and will ask for much less moo-lah! If you go this route it is in your best interest to have a ‘day-of’ wedding planner to be sure that everything is set up and in order, just how you envisioned it.

Music: Although bands are a great addition to a wedding, they can be extremely costly. Shop around for an awesome DJ who is familiar with weddings. You may also know a family member or friend that may be great at simple guitar pluckin’ and singing. This could be a nice option while the meal is being served.

Things not to skimp on: Photographer! This is your special day and you want it perfectly documented. Shop around. Photographers have different styles, some artistic, some traditional. Figure out what you like, who you like and show them da’ money! The photographer will usually give cost reductions to a couple who chooses to do their engagement and with wedding photos with them. Just remember, ask for discounts and deals. It can’t hurt!

Below are a few photos of how I rang in the new year (with my love, Jeff) and the incredible, Kate Middleton repleca engagement ring I recieved as a gift for Christmas. Thank you again for reading and Happy New Years! Until next time!