Inside the Preppy Wedding Style File

Hola Amigos. So things are a little stressful in Mrs. Preppy Wedding's life these days. And by stressful, I mean I have awful allergies (which would be fine except that I have a man sneeze, not a pretty little dainty achoo like most gals), a major conference to plan (it's next Monday and my brain might just explode by then), over 150 e-mails in my inbox (I like less than 20) and I have a major teenage like breakout (I had to spackle my face in MAC green tinted concealer this morning).

I hope to seek some solace in you all understanding that life is a little out of control these days. And so I didn't have to think, I am going to share some of the photos I have been saving in my "idea file." Please excuse the fact that they don't fit a certain theme, just think of this as a foray into my style diary!

Via Martha's Furniture line by Bernhardt. I want this room. Mr. Preppy Wedding will just have to embrace the pink. LOVE the ceramic trophy vase.

From Cottage Living. The exact shape of my cottage kitchen. Want the chairs and the floor. See there's even a water bowl for LuLu. Just like she likes it - pushed into the middle of the kitchen, since she can't seem to keep things on her doggie placemat.

Wheat grass placecard display. Love this. And you enrich your smoothies with the grass after the wedding.

Seriously, not sure about the colors, but I love this whimsy look.

Ok, that's it for today. I will be back tomorrow with some of the new things I am loving for spring.

I'm having a Preppy Party

Happy Wednesday everybody!

I'm excited to let you know that I am hosting an online party for Preppy Monogrammed Gifts. They have a bunch of super preppy products that are perfect for spring! I've put together a small sampling of my favorite items that would also make great bridesmaids gifts.

Love the toile wristlet and tote by Jelly Belly. Get these and fill them with a giftcard that is personal to each maid. Or try the custom make-up case or purse. You pick the colors & patterns that best fit your preppy maid for a more personal touch. Last but not least, I love the monogram car decal, a true MUST for all your preppy automobiles!

There are such great bridesmaids & wedding gifts at PMG. Make sure you check out their Daily Deal section and if you do decide to buy, mention that you were a guest at Mrs. Preppy Weddings online party!

Yummy Preppy Ribbon Bouquet

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Things were very rainy & quiet at my house and I got to watch all the HBO John Adams miniseries I have heard so much about. It was quite interesting and informative - you should watch it.

Just a small bit of wedding inspiration from Martha Stewart's newest issue which features a spread on doing a wedding in cameo and black. I am in LOVE with the ribbon wrap for this bouquet. This would be a cheap way to dress up a monochromatic bouquet.

Seersucker Bridesmaids

I get lots of requests for places where bridesmaids can purchase seersucker dresses. Well, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new seersucker dress options from Thread. Here are my favorites and a sample of the their color options.

Favorite Fashion Finds

So, I had a fantastic end to my BirthWEEK. We had lots of fun bowling, here's a pic of the girls who came out to play!

Mr. Preppy Wedding and I also attended an engagement party on Saturday. They had a very yummy slider station for guests, something I would highly recommend for any of you planning engagement parties for the summer! A big thanks to my friend Sarah for going shopping with me before the party, I was having one of those days where nothing really fit and she was so very patient as we returned to J. Crew THREE TIMES before I settled on this jacket (in white), these pants (in navy). these earrings (that look like turq, but are forever21) and these super cute shoes (in light gold)!

Since, I know a lot of you other preppy gals out there are looking for great shower outfits, check out these awesome finds at Target (and all for under $50.00)! Enjoy and Happy Monday!

Yellow Cardigan, Blue Dress, Navy & White Dress, Black & White Dress, Yellow Trench

Happy Birthday to Me

Sorry for my lack of posts yesterday, I was celebrating my 28th Birthday! The day included being woken up to Mr. Preppy Wedding and the dogs singing happy birthday and presenting me with a little blue box and this new bracelet. I also got to visit my two favorite restaurants in Richmond. Don't worry, in my family, you don't have a birthDAY, but a birthWEEK, so we're ending the week with a bowling party with family & friends. Very 2nd grade, I know.

I was going some research for you dear readers on my favorite knottie bio site and I found a couple new bios you have to check out. I really liked:

Mrs. Pink AJV

ReichB

Pasaseattle

One of the cutest things I saw, was this pic. What a cute idea - you and your husband tying on a personalized apron and cutting the cake and serving your guests. This would be a fantastic and efficient way to see all your guests and thank them for coming! Love it, hope you like it too.

Via Knottie Mrs. Pink AJV

Well, I have to scurry again, I'm finalizing plans for my 10th high school reunion, yes, I am a party planner extraordinaire!

Preppy Shower Gift

Hmmm. I think I may need to buy this cute Martha Stewart picnic basket as a gift for all my spring wedding showers? Or maybe just for myself? And it comes with all the fixins...

Preppy Wedding Stamp on Sale

Had to share this great deal with you all. My favoite address stamp by Expressionary is being offered for 40% until May6 and you get free shipping. That means your grand total will be $27.00 for a personalized stamp. Get over to their site and pick out your favorite. It will become your new, fun stationary tool!

And while you have your debit card handy, head over to Vineyard Vines and get their prepster pink polo for $39.99.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. It was cold and wet in Richmond, but that didn't stop me from doing some shopping for my preppy swap pal!

Every Preppy Wedding Needs a Monogram

Just wanted to share another great source for preppy monograms, Lucky Designs. I love the clean look of their designs and you can get a standard monogram that fits your wedding for only $8.00. This is a total STEAL.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Lucky Designs also has a great wedding blog and for you moms and moms-to-be out there check out the Lucky Baby blog.

I updated some recent pictures into my flickr, you'll see some great pictures from Mexico there. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Preppy Weddings On a Budget

I got an e-mail a few weeks ago from the lovely Reese in South Carolina who was looking at ways to save money on her navy & marigold casual affair this summer. I created a story board for her with lots of inspiration and I also have some helpful tips for you brides-to-be looking for a stunning chic affair without breaking the bank.

Invite, Cake, Bridesmaid's Dress, Tablesetting, Mini-bride

Stationary
It’s very easy to save money and still be beautiful when it comes to stationary. Look to vendors like weddingpaperdivas.com for a very inexpensive alternative that offers lots of options. I also adore etsy sellers invitedink (love these letterpress save the dates) and seller paperandink (here’s another favorite). Use a great company like I Do Originals to create a monogram and use it over and over on your save the dates, program, favor tags and menu.

Attire
My advice on this one is easy - if your prioritizing with a wedding budget, it is very easy to save money on your dress. Pick a silhouette you love and scour ebay. Or utilize the wedding collection at J.Crew or the wedding style dresses at Thread or Jenny Yoo. You can also save money for your bridesmaids by picking a non-bridesmaids dress. Try Nordstom’s awesome website to pick your dress, I personally like designers Eliza J., Shoshanna and BCBG.

Venue
If you don’t have lots of money to spend, look for venues that are not the norm. Try local parks, recreation centers with character, or old city buildings. Look for venues that allow you to work with caters of your choosing. Restaurants are also great places to host more intimate affairs and you don’t have to worry about a rental budget.

Caterers
Work with a caterer that inspires you to create a menu that reflects your personality as a couple. Personally, I don’t like the stuffiness of a sit-down dinner (I think they keep the party from ever getting off the ground). One of the easiest ways to save money is to work with a caterer that will let you bring in your own alcohol. You will save thousands.

Flowers
Go for monochromatic arrangements with lower cost flowers. Add a spin to arrangements by keeping them in unusual vases (think antique tea tins, mason jars or hobnail glass). Keep church flowers to a minimum (no one notices them really) and pick a reception venue that is ornate and doesn’t need a lot of dressing up. Or try something new, like the table setting above (I love the look and height of the wrapped gifts).

Cakes
Keep the design simple. Don’t hire the guy who charges 6 bucks a slice. Forgo the unsavory fondant and pick a vanilla or chocolate icing that can be dressed up with flowers, polka dots or fruit.

Favors
This is an easy one - if you don’t have lots of cash - don’t do a favor. If you NEED a favor, try these super cute favor tags and inexpensive cellophane bags of your favorite candy. Or have your caterer pass late night snacks while you toast your guests. My favorite idea is a take-away milkshake and ice-cream sundae bar to say good night to guests.

Special Touches
It’s the special touches you show your guests that really make your wedding meaningful. And those touches don’t have to cost a lot. For place cards, write handwritten notes to guests thanking them for coming. If you’re hosting an outdoor summer wedding, have ice-cold bottled waters and lemonade passed as your guests are seated and waiting for you to walk down the aisle. Create thank you cards that feature a picture of you and your groom as a nice take away for your guests!

Splurge

There are a few items I think you have to splurge on - your photographer, a live band and your wedding rings. Instead of a photographer and a videographer, spend more money on the photographer who will take quality pictures. A live band is a MUST over a dj in the South - the motown band makes the party. And rings, well they last forever and a girl needs to reflect exactly how much she is loved!

Preppy Wedding Featured on In Style Weddings

Hey everyone - guess what - The Preppy Wedding was featured on InStyle Weddings website as one of their favorite wedding blogs! I am very, very excited, In Style magazine and their wedding publication are two of my favorites and offer me lots of inspiration every month.

Now, I am going to return to my cold medicine induced slumber, but I promise I'll check in tomorrow and I even have an inspiration board for you!