Just a leisurely Sunday afternoon brunch shower celebrating the upcoming wedding of two wonderful people, Kevin and Berry, in the urban garden of Mr. Tom Spicer at one sweet long table filled with friends. We had a bloody mary for the mens (and ladies had a few too of course), a lovely little champagne bar for the gals and flowers by Bows and Arrows. It was perfect. See below for more details – it was too good not to share!

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inner beauty

March 23rd, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Style - (3 Comments)

Cake. So sweet, so lovely, and always surprising. Pasty Chefs have taken their confectionary talents to a whole new level making cake a medium for amazing pieces of art. While we have all seen the crazy things these chefs do with cake on tv, there is one sweet surprise still to be found within. The actual cake itself.  That’s right, we have discovered yet another way to make cake a little bit sweeter. From amazing colors to creative designs, these cakes are full of personality and charm. Imagine having a cake at your wedding that was not only gorgeous on the outside, but exuded beauty from within.

about Shannon Star: Spent four years getting a degree in Financial Management and then said adios to spreadsheets and dove knee deep into the sweet world of buttercream and fondant. Cake became her passion as she taught herself everything she knows with sleepless nights and sheer determination. She uses her artistic abilities to sculpt and create cake in unique and surprising ways. Founded Layered Bake Shop in 2011 and opened her bakery in Historic Downtown McKinney this year. Grew up in San Diego, CA which she feel inspires her style clean style. Shannon moved to Texas over 6 years ago. She has been featured in Green wedding shoes, D Home, Style me pretty and 100 layer cake

pink ombre with pennant topper from camillestyles.com // neapolitan slices from sweetapolita.com // rainbow sprinkle covered // purple ombre from raspberricupcakes.com // blue ombre topped with blueberries from thecakeblog.com // purple ombre from shaunayounge.blogspot.com // blush ombre with fresh flower topping by layeredbakeshop.com // pink ombre with basket weaving from eddieross.com // ombre how to from citified.blogspot.com

timing is everything

March 22nd, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Paper - (Comments Off)

A savvy bride’s guide
on what to send and when

6-8 months out: mail your save the date (destination wedding save the dates can be sent up to a year in advance)

4-6 months: Prepare to order invitations (Custom invitations can take up to 6 weeks to design and produce)

3 months: Get envelopes to the calligrapher and start assembling invitations (Note* handwritten addresses are best but computer printed calligraphy is ok too. DO NOT use office labels and be sure to spell out street/avenue, state names, etc. No abbreviations please.)

6-8 weeks: mail formal invitations

3 weeks: collect RSVPs (Response cards are typically requested back 3 weeks before the wedding.)

2 weeks:  If you still haven’t received a response 2 to 3 weeks before the event that’s when you can start making those polite reminder calls to the stragglers.

Thank you notes – you typically have a 3-4 week grace period after the wedding or shower to send a note… but better late than never.

Remember, the more time you give your guests the more accurate your head count will be!

Check out the links at the bottom for a freebie timing worksheet!

How to assemble your invitation:

The invitation is on the bottom, print side up. (A sheet of tissue paper can be placed over it.) Stack all other inserts on top of the invitation in order of size (smallest on top). The reply card goes under the (stamped) reply envelope’s flap. Everything goes into the envelope with the printed sides facing up. If you are using an inner envelope, place it, unsealed, into the outer envelope with the names facing the back flap.

Great reads for more info:

Emily Post’s Etiquette: Emily Post and The Emily Post Institute have been a great resource for brides for almost 100 years. So you could say she knows her stuff.

Derek BlasBerg’s “Very Classy”

 

Download the “Timing is Everything” Worksheet: PDF |  XLS  |  ZIP

 

xoxo,

Photo Sources: SoolipBridal Musings, Beast Pieces

succulent success!

March 21st, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Flower - (5 Comments)

Echeveria, kalanchoe, haworthia. Whatever the type, succulents have made their way into our big day and in a big way! Succulents have a unique beauty all their own, and when paired with pretty blooms there is no stopping them! They are seen in ceremony decor, centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and used as favors.

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mundane, I think not

March 20th, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Uncategorized - (3 Comments)

You’re probably thinking, “What is that?”.

BEFORE

 


I too thought that the first time I drove by. And I still don’t know what it is. But, I wanted to share this location with you because I feel that we overlook the mundane far too often. If you just see 2% potential in a space or place it could really turn out to be a gem! Don’t always let the location dictate the shoot but let it contribute to your vision. Let’s see what can happen with an old metal shed and some fun models…could make for a fun engagement session! photos by n.barrett photography

AFTER

 

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bring on the black

March 19th, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Style - (2 Comments)


If I had to pick a color it would be white but my second runner up is definitely gray or black – any day, for any reason. Black dresses are slimming right? Well unconventional as it might be (oh, wait, now we love it more) a black wedding dress is something to consider. I had a girlfriend who wore green and asked everyone else to wear white or black. I loved that idea… Shake it up a little.

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backyard beauty

March 18th, 2012 | Posted by Hello Love in Beauty - (Comments Off)

Two school teachers — she, graphic design and he, soccer coach and english teacher — in her parents backyard at their house retreat on the river with their closest friends and furry ones too in a quaint, shabby chic, diy, little country, uber lovely celebration on a perfectly sunny November day. Enjoy the wedding of Allie and Scott photographed by Emma Goode and held at Brazos House Retreat.

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