I <3 Ann Wood

So it's not really news, but it's worth another mention... I love Ann Wood's little creations. I love her birds, owls, ships, and all the fantastic little projects she works on. The miniature projects are so detailed and so fantastic that they almost transcend you into a happier, simpler time.

To be even a bit more specific, being a second-time around bride, as I got engaged and began imagining what I wanted for our wedding, I honestly felt a little stuck. As I started to try and put together a vision for the wedding - I found that it was hard to decide upon a theme and identify something that really inspired me. And that's when I stumbled across Ann Wood. I saw a picture of these cute bird cake toppers and thought, WOW... now THAT's something different. I quickly jumped on chat boards and wedding blogs and was able to identify that they were from Ann Wood.

Were they expensive? Yes. Were they WAY over our budget? Yes. Did I still have to have them? Absolutely. I tried looking for alternatives... but NOTHING really compared. So these little birds became the inspiration. Not because I was planning on having a bird themed wedding (yikes), but because I decided that everything I choose for our special day would be carefully chosen, collected, and put together... just like Ann's birds.

So i'm less than three weeks away from our big day and as I stand back and look at all the decisions we've made, and the details we've incorporated into the wedding.. I couldn't be more proud. Each detail is a reflection of 'us' and of the couple we are together... and I couldn't be more excited to share it with our friends and family. So thank you Ann... they may be little, but they sure do mean a lot!

And just in case you're wondering, Ann was kind enough to make a set for my fiancee and I... this cute little couple will be proudly perched upon our wedding cake. And will be a beautiful reminder of our special day.

PS: I just saw this posted on her blog from Design Sponge - a fun sneak peak into her studio! And another about cardboard horses.

(Visit her blog and click on the green button to the right to download the horse template)

A++ for Goose Grease

So in this bad economy it's up to us brides to find creative ways to save money and not go TOO overboard....in fact, blogs these days are buzzing with creative ways to do it yourself, or find cost effective alternatives to pricey bridal items.

Case in point? Our rehearsal dinner cake.

Being that my fiancee is in the Navy, I REALLY wanted to order one of Mike's Amazing Cake's speciality cakes. I mean, look how fabulous this hat cake is! Problem? Yes! For a cake to feed only 20 people, the cost was over $150. Even if I could stomach that, the shipping cost (almost another $175) was enough to set me WELL over my budget.

Cost effective SOLUTION? I worked with Goose Grease (who was featured in this last issue of Martha Stewart Wedding) to create these one of a kind cake toppers. Our venue already provides a cake, so rather than have another 'grooms' cake, we're just going to decorate the existing cake with our fabulous goose grease cake toppers.

I have to give a shout out to the ladies at goose grease... not only did they do a FABULOUS job, but they were SO amazing to work with. I sent them photos of my fiance's uniform, and of what our dog, etc look like and they replicated it almost exactly.

Looking for a cost effective, but incredibly unique cake topper? Be sure to give the ladies at goose grease a call.

PS: they also do miniature cupcake versions... how cute these would be on top of a cupcake-tree.

Cupcake BLING - DIY Style

I came across a few fantastic ideas for fun ways to decorate cupcakes.. having a cupcake wedding cake, or just love making cupcakes (like I do)? Here are a few fun ways to decorate your cupcakes.

Courtesy of Une-Deux Senses and Wedding Cabaret- here are instructions on how to make your own cupcake flags.

Here's another fantastic idea... Goosgrease has been featured in this month's Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine. In addition their adorable cake toppers, they also do a smaller cupcake topper. How fantastic are these? (ANNND... only $40!)

Another cute cupcake topper (great for birthdays) are Goosegrease's round toppers.. How cute are these? A set of two costs $10 and can be customized to match your color scheme!

ETSY addict

How do I love ETSY? Let me count the ways.... agghhhh, who am I kidding, my ETSY shopping cart is a joke. I'm definitely an ETSY-addict. So from one addict to another - here's a fun idea for your wedding. How fabulous is this customized cake stand from Vesselsandwares? Affordable and such a great keepsake that can be used after the wedding. How FANTASTIC would it be to eat the top of your wedding cake a year later, and put it on this stand???

LOVING IT!

Bird crazy

Okay, so admittedly, I'm obsessed with all of these fun love bird themes that are 'flying' around the wedding world. It first started with my obsession with Ann Wood's FANTASTIC bird cake toppers.

Now I've started to notice SO many fantastic 'love bird' details.

Look at Whitney Smith's fantastic bird cake stand - how cute and vintage looking is this!?!

I'm also loving Beehivekitchenware's bird measuring spoons!

Anyone else loving these bird details like I am?