Recent Blog Posts Include:

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Posts in Unique Ideas

Dreamy Bridal Portrait Poses for Wedding Day Inspiration

If you’re looking for wedding day inspiration for bridal portraits and poses - you are going to love the lookbook photos from Fancy BOWtique Bridal Couture. These photos are filled with dreamy poses, beautiful hairstyles and luxurious handmade hair accessories. There’s even gorgeous bridal sashes with lots of bling and stunning bridal veils. Beautifully photography provided by La Candella Weddings with wedding gown by Cocoe Voci.

this post contains affiliate links

Are you ready to be inspired for your bridal portrait session?

23 Dreamy Bridal Portrait Poses for Wedding Day Inspiration / photos by La Candella Weddings / designs by Fancy Bowtique Bridal Couture

Handmade Accessories: Fancy BOWtique Bridal Couture
Photography: La Candella Weddings
Hair: La Pomponnee Beauty Artisans
Makeup: Brazil Raine Makeup Artist
Gown: Cocoe Voci
Model: Claire Coulling

Accessories, Handmade, Unique IdeasBrenda Bennett MailleSeptember 3, 2016hair accessories, bridal portraits, handmade weddings Comment

14 Ways Real Brides Plan to Sparkle on their Wedding Day

Today is a fun day as I'm sharing with you 14 ways Real Brides will be adding sparkle to their special day. My recent giveaway had brides sharing how they plan to add a little sparkle to their wedding so I thought I'd share them with you. Are you ready to see all the great sparkling ideas? {ps: this post contains affiliate links to wedding shops I'm proud to partner with}

The Ultimate List of How Real Brides are Adding Sparkle to their Wedding Day

1. Brooch Bouquet {via Rachel}
2. Sequin Table Runner {via Ashley}
3. Silver + White Glittered Decorations {via Vanessa}
4. Bio-degradable Glitter Toss at Church Exit {via Jaclyn}
5. Fairy Lights + Pearls for a Gatsby Wedding {via Gemma}
6. Gold Sequined Tablecloth - for the cake {via Heather}
7. Gold Sequin Backdrop - for photo booth {via Heather}
8. Gold Charger Plates {via Heather}
9. Rose Gold Wedding Accents {via Michelle}
10. Sequined Wedding Dress {via Jenn}
11. Gold Foil Wedding Invitations {via Barbara}
12. Sparkling Silver Wedding Shoes {via Shannon}
13. Glittered Table Numbers {via Shannon}
14. Sparkling Wedding Jewelry {via Brittany}

Handmade, Unique IdeasBrenda Bennett MailleAugust 12, 2016glitter, sparkling weddings, real brides, wedding decorations, wedding ideas Comments

5 Steps to Planning the Perfect Wedding Day with Zazzle

When it comes to finding everything you need for a truly customized wedding, it doesn’t have to be stressful. And, Zazzle has made it easy to guide you through the process with their amazing wedding stationery and gifts page. You will find everything from wedding accessories including invitations and table cards to gifts for your wedding party. And, there’s even items to craft favor boxes or bags to surprise your guests with a fun treat. Here’s 5 easy steps to creating your dream wedding day with Zazzle . . .

1. Save the Dates

Once you have your wedding date, you will want to pick the perfect Save the Date announcement so you can share your big news. Selecting one in a style that perfectly matches you as a couple is easy with all the choices at Zazzle. You can choose from postcards, invitations, envelopes, postage, labels, magnets, and mad libs to create the perfect Save the Date ensemble.

Create the Perfect Save the Date Ensemble that Perfectly Matches you as a Couple at Zazzle

2. The Day of Details

When it comes to your wedding celebration, you want to create one that is as unique as your relationship. You can add a pop of personalization to any aspect of your day with customized wedding details - including stickers, table cards, posters, paper napkins, paper straws, mason jars, and seating charts.

Add a Pop of Personalization to your Wedding Day with Customized Wedding Details from Zazzle

3. Invitations

When it comes to the most important part of the wedding suite - the wedding invitations, you will want to find the perfect combination of custom sendables to set the scene.

Create your Wedding Invitation Suite at Zazzle for the Perfect Combination of Custom Sendables

4. Celebrations

Don’t forget about the wedding celebrations that take place before the ceremony. At Zazzle, it’s easy to throw the perfect personalized party for the lucky bride and groom-to-be. Select from engagement party invitations, will you be my bridesmaid cards, bridal shower invitations, advice cards, bridal shower bingo, cake pops, bridal shower banners, wine charms, favor boxes, chewing gum, favor bags, gift tags, and bachelorette + bachelor party goodies.

Throw the Perfect Personalized Pre-Wedding Celebration for the Happy Couple with Zazzle

5. The Wedding Party

You will certainly want to show the special people in your life how much you their love and support means to you. You will want to consider personalized gifts for your maid of honor, bridesmaids, mother of the bride/groom, father of the bride/groom, flower girl, best man, groomsmen, and ring bearer. I'm personally LOVING this "For Your Girls" Bridesmaid Personalized Gift Box from Sweet Whistle

Personalized Gifts for your Wedding Party from Zazzle

How will you create your dream wedding day? Will you go rustic, simple, vintage, country or maybe even a pretty typographical treatment?

This post was sponsored by Zazzle but all opinions and creation was provided by me.

Sponsored Post, Unique IdeasBrenda Bennett MailleMay 10, 2016 Comments

A Garden Inspired Bridal Shower in NYC at Gramercy Park Hotel Terrace with Black and White Stripes + Pink

I have an amazing Bridal Shower to share with you today where the bride-to-be's mantra is “feminine with a twist of edge”. There's lots of black and white stripes - reminiscent of Kate Spade - and lots of bright pink. It's a modern NYC Bridal Shower designed by GLDN Events and it's absolutely stunning. I even have the bride joining us after the photo gallery with a little behind the scenes story on the creation of her bridal shower day at Gramercy Park Hotel and her engagement story.

Wondering about Elyse's amazing fashion style for her bridal shower? Here's what she wore:

• A Zimmermann Floral Print Corset Laced Dress {floral print, gold bead embellishments and lace-open back}
• Neutral grey leather Saint Laurent platform sandals
• Ivory Rockstud Valentino Clutch

Shop this Bridal Shower Look Here:

From the Bride to Be Elyse . . .

Every bride to be has a story - this is mine and I am so happy to share it with all of you! March 20th was my bridal shower and it truly was one of the most beautiful and memorable days thanks to my family, close friends, bridesmaids & GLDN Events! It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more - a room filled with nothing but love, happiness and well wishes, really making me feel like it was my special moment! Let’s go back to the beginning when I first started searching for a venue. I had been to various places around New York City, but as soon as I saw the terrace at the Gramercy Park Hotel, I immediately knew it was the spot for me! All of the other locations I had seen were not comparable to this unique garden setting- I knew it would make the perfect backdrop for my day with the ladies! Fast forward, after months of preparation, my vision totally came to life and I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome thanks to Meredith, founder and CEO of GLDN events. It truly was a picturesque day and one that I will never forget!

It all began one fateful summer night in May 2012, when Scott and I crossed paths in West Hampton in the basement of a mutual friend. Although neither one of us was looking for love, it was then that we both realized "love at first sight" truly does exist. After parting ways, we could not forget the undeniable chemistry that we had and made plans to meet up in Manhattan a few weeks later. From that night on, we were completely inseparable and knew that there would be big things in store for our future!

After getting engaged to Scott this past October and embarking on a new year, I felt it was the perfect time to start documenting my outfits, experiences and inspirations as I go through this exciting journey! Always obsessed with fashion, I found myself having a constant urge to share my personal style with others which lead me to one thing…Leather and Lace! I am so excited to finally have an outlet to display the styles and trends I am currently coveting as well as my experiences as I go through the special journey of marriage this year!

Wedding Vendor List:

Photographer: Andrew Morales - Life in Reverie // Venue: Gramercy Park Hotel Terrace // Event Planner, Event Design Tablescape, Printed Materials + Favors: GLDN Events // Floral Design: Gramercy Park Flower Shop // Cake: I Ada Cake

this post contains links to several affiliates

Real Parties, Unique IdeasBrenda Bennett MailleMay 2, 2016 Comment

Unique Wedding Reception Ideas

When it comes to unique wedding reception ideas, Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in California has some pretty amazing ones. Today, I’ve put together a wonderful collection of ideas that will help you decide what style is best for your wedding day. Will you have chandeliers? Will you drape luxurious fabric? Will you have your catering company join you outside? Come see all the amazing wedding reception ideas from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering . . .

Wedding Reception Idea : pop-up tent under the stars, illuminated with hanging chandeliers / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

6 Unique Wedding Reception Ideas

1. Dine with your wedding guests outside with elegant table settings, a fountain nearby and hanging lights that will twinkle when night falls. {location: Hummingbird Nest in Simi Valley}

2. Have a pop-up tent under the stars that’s illuminated in up-lighting with hanging chandeliers. {location: Hummingbird Nest in Simi Valley}

Wedding Reception Idea : dine outside with elegant table settings, a fountain + hanging lights / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

3. Have your reception in a museum with an exhibit as the backdrop. {location: National History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles}

Wedding Reception Idea : party in a museum with an exhibit as the backdrop / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

4. Go all white with a tent, white linens, white chairs and even crystal white chandeliers - then make it pop with bright floral arrangements {location: Hummingbird Nest in Simi Valley}

Wedding Reception Idea : go all white with a tent, linens, chairs + chandeliers. Make it pop with bright florals. / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

5. Go fancy with the head table for the bride and groom with a lush floral arrangement and candles surrounding the floor in front of the table. {location: the Brandview Ballroom}

Wedding Reception Idea : go fancy with the head table and a lush floral arrangement + candles / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

6. Go all out and combine all the elements - chandeliers, elegant linens, name of bride and groom illuminated on the wall, lush and brightly colored florals. {location: Le Foyer Ballroom}

Wedding Reception Idea : go all out and combine chandeliers, elegant linens, illuminated name + lush florals / from Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering in CA

So, what is your favorite unique wedding reception idea? Please leave me a comment as I'd love to know what idea excites you the most.

Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering is ready to provide your event with sophisticated settings and award winning catering. I'm proud to have them as a member of my all new VIP Wedding Vendor Guide launching in the coming weeks.

Unique IdeasBrenda Bennett MailleJanuary 28, 2016wedding flowers, wedding receptions, wedding tents, wedding ideasComment

wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides