If you know me, you know I’m not a huge fan of the boring white wedding shoe. That’s why I like to periodically share a few of my favorite, less traditional bridal shoe options. Enjoy…

{Goodie by Badgley Mischka}

{Sazerac by Chinese Laundry}

{Sierra by Jessica Simpson}

{Cycile by Steve Madden}

{Hands Up by Chinese Laundry}

{Evan by Nina Shoes}

{Flash by BCBG}

What do you think? Would you rock any of the shoes I’ve shared above?

Like many people, I used to view baby’s breath as just a filler flower, but I’ve recently discovered how absolutely beautiful it can be on its own. Not only is is ultra-affordable, but it can make a huge impact when used correctly. Thinking about putting baby’s breath front-and-center in your wedding decor? Here’s a little inspiration…

What do you think? Would you forgo the more traditional floral options for baby’s breath? Or do you prefer it as more of a filler flower?

{Image credits: Ritzy Bee, Intimate Weddings, Love and Lavender, Style Me Pretty, The Cinderella Project, Emmaline Bride, Project Wedding, JL Designs, Cori Cook Floral Design}

Having an outdoor wedding? If you and your ‘maids plan to wear stilettos and your ceremony’s on grass, lay little flat stones to stand on so their heels don’t sink into the ground! Talk about smart!

{Image credit: Delightfully Engaged}

Mason Jars are definitely a staple of any rustic and/or Southern-style wedding. Frankly, they’re a staple of life here in Tennessee, so I just love seeing all the amazing ways people use them in their weddings. That’s why I wanted to compile a big long list of my favorite ways to use Mason Jars in your wedding decor. Enjoy…

1. For Drinks

{Image credits, from top left: PoppyandPearlCo on Etsy, The Berry, Joyful Weddings & Events, Ruffled Blog, Modern Hepburn, Wedding Chicks}

2. For Favors

{Image credits, from top left: Boho Weddings, Keen to be Seen, Pinterest, Hostess with the Mostess, Ashley Maxwell Photography}

3. For Desserts

{Image credits, from top left: Emmaline Bride, Postcards and Pretties, Main Event Productions, Marry This, Southern Weddings}

4. For Centerpieces

{Image credits, from top left: Wedding Chicks, The Knot, Wedding Chicks, Pinterest}

5. For Aisle Decor

{Image credits, from top left: Love Life Images, Heavenly Blooms, Pinterest, Wedding Bee, Emmaline Bride}

6. For Light

{Image credits, from top left: We Heart It, Casa Sugar, Elizabeth Anne Designs, TreasureAgagin on Etsy, Bettencourt Chase, TreasureAgain}

7. For Fun

{Image credit: Style Me Pretty}

How are you planning to use Mason Jars in your big day?

This fresh favorite is easy to make and ultra-delicious! Even if you’re not hosting a brunch party, it’s perfect for a laid-back weekend breakfast; plus, fresh strawberry compote is a great alternative to fattening, sugary syrup! Head over to my Foodie page to see the recipe.

Want to make your own fruity appetizer (not just for brunch, for any meal) for a chance to win $10,000? Dole is currently hosting a California Cook-Off over on its Facebook page, and you’re all invited to enter. If you make your own recipe using at least one cup of any Dole product, you can win a trip to Los Angeles where you’ll compete at The Grove in the 2012 Dole California Cook-Off judged by Celebrity Chef Ben Ford! In addition to the trip, the winning recipe contestant will also receive a cash prize of $10,000, and the two runners up will each receive a cash prize of $1,000!

Don’t have a recipe to enter? Be a fan judge! Also on the Facebook page, you can enter your email address for a chance to win the sweepstakes prize, which is a trip to Los Angeles to be the Dole Fan Judge joining Chef Ben Ford and a distinguished panel of judges in crowning the winner of the 2012 Dole California Cook-Off! In addition to the trip, the sweepstakes winner will receive a cash prize of $500.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dole via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dole.

{Editor’s note: You might be wondering why the usual Fab Friday Finds post is appearing on Thursday — it’s because we have a pretty awesome weekend breakfast recipe to share for tomorrow, so stay tuned for that and enjoy this week’s Fab Friday Thursday Finds!}

The temperature is rising, and these drink displays are the perfect inspiration for designing your own refreshment table. Here are a few of the favorites I’ve collected…

1. This whimsically beautiful beverage bar is a simple, yet classic display! Image by Nicole Hill Gerulat Photography, styling by Amorology Weddings.

2. I love this Booze & Berries setup — what a cute play on the word “boysenberry”! This ozzes Southern charm. Image by flutter glass Photography from California Bohemian Wedding Inspiration.

3. You can easily recreate this unique look by shopping around for a vintage piece of furniture and displaying soda or beer bottles on the shelves or in the drawers. Image by Punam Bean.

4. The vibrant colors of the bold berries in this display are sure to be attention-grabbing, allowing you to take a more understated approach to the table decor itself. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Like many couples, Michael and I didn’t want our wedding reception to end. I swear it flew by in what seemed like an hour (although it was really 3!) Knowing our guestlist was predominantly young and many guests were from out of town, we thought ahead and planned an official wedding after party — somewhere for our guests to go if they wanted to continue the party into the night with us…especially since we waited a couple days to leave for our honeymoon.

If you’re considering a wedding after party, you might have a couple questions about how exactly it works and where to hold it. The nice thing about a wedding after party is that there really are no rules, no restrictions, no tried-and-true traditions. It’s totally up to you how you handle it. Here are a few ideas that might help you get started…

1. Be VIP at Your Favorite Nightclub

For our wedding after party, Michael and I reserved a VIP space at our favorite nightclub. We didn’t cover the tab (frankly, we were already broke from the reception), but that didn’t seem to be a problem for guests. The nice thing about reserving a VIP section at an already-occuring party is that you get the best of both worlds — it’s a break from the more private reception setting, but there’s also a reserved area for guests to hang out with each other if they choose. While our reception was a total blast, our nightclub after party was were things really got crazy!

2. Host a Casual Meetup at a Local Bar

If your crowd’s a little more mellow and laid-back, sometimes hosting an after party is as easy as deciding on a casual bar to meet up at. Choose a place with pool, darts or other bar games that will keep guests entertained, or consider opting for a location that you know will have a good band playing. Just make sure the location you choose will have the space to accommodate your guests. The laid-back atmosphere will let your guests relax after the reception while still enjoying the company of you and your other guests.

3. Reserve Dedicated Space

If you have the extra cash and you want to host a more intimate after party, reserve dedicated space at a venue slightly smaller than your reception — maybe even a room at the hotel your guests are staying at. Think of it as a reception part two with a little less planning than your reception but a lot more privacy than the other two options I’ve discussed. Keep in mind, with this option, chances are you’ll have to pick up the tab.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you decide, the wedding after party doesn’t need to be super formal. In fact, it’s pretty common to forgo invitations altogether and promote the party via word of mouth at the reception, or even as a simple Facebook event just days prior. Because your guests will already be in party mode at your reception, it’s common for those that want to continue partying to tag along to the after party.

While it’s polite to invite everyone, it’s highly likely that a lot of the older guests will opt out, so don’t feel like the venue you choose needs to be nearly as large as your reception venue. For our wedding, about 30% of guests made it to the after party.

Are you planning to host a wedding after party? If so, where?

Today, I’m going to keep the writing to a minimum because I have something seriously amazing to share! Organized and sent in by French wedding blogger Nathalie Bernard, this stunning, whimsical and romantic styled shoot is nothing short of amazing. Enjoy…

Gorgeous, right?

Vendor Credits
Planning & Organization: La mariée en Colère
Photography: FairyDaily
Decorations: 123nousirons
Attire: Confidentiel Création
Cupcakes: Candy’s Cupcakes Bordeaux
Hair: Event Coiffure Bordeaux
Makeup: Jenny Make Up

Let’s be honest – choosing wedding favors is not the easiest of tasks. The internet is flooded with options, so finding the exact right option for your big day could be one of the more difficult decisions you make. That’s why I just love American Bridal – it’s one website with TONS of options. So whether you’re hosting vintage-inspired nuptials, a rustic affair, a garden wedding, an eco-chic big day, a seaside soiree or a variety of other wedding styles, American Bridal surely has what you’re looking for when it comes to personalized wedding favors!

Here are a few of my personal favorites…

Personalized Hershey Kisses: I like Hersey Kisses as wedding favors because I think they go just so well with the theme of love! (Remember seeing them as a gorgeous addition to Courtney & Nate’s DIY Valentine’s Day wedding?) American Bridal even takes this perfect little wedding treat one step further by enabling you to customize them – yum!

Classic Gumball Machine Wedding Favors: I’m pretty sure you all know by now that vintage-inspired weddings are my thing. Michael and I actually themed our candy buffet with nostalgic treats, so I really adore these sleek yet nostalgic gumball machine favors! They’re classy enough for a wedding but totally fun! Guests will have a great time dispensing their very own gumballs from these whimsical mini machines, and the sophisticated black-and-white look will coordinate with your décor very elegantly.

Wild Flower Wedding Favors: We talk a lot about eco-chic weddings because they’re definitely a hot trend, and they make a BIG difference on the environment! A beautiful gift for your wedding guests, these adorable Earth-friendly wildflower wedding favors boast a snazzy dot/stripes-themed label that perfectly accentuates a trendy garden wedding. These eco-friendly favors are the perfect way to thank your guests for being a part of your special day!

Seaside Sand and Shell-Filled Globe Bottle Stopper: Because it’s almost summer and beach weddings are all the rage, I couldn’t pass up sharing these great sand globe bottle stoppers! Talk about form AND function! The sand and shells-filled globe will bring back memories of your special day on the beach for years to come.

Those are a few of my favorite American Bridal wedding favors. What are yours?

Disclosure: While the opinions expressed herein are my own, this is a sponsored post and compensation was provided by American Bridal.

Fellas! Thinking of popping the question? If so, you’re in the right place. We’ve gathered some of our favorite, most unique proposal ideas to help inspire your shining moment!

1. If you and your honey love playing board games, consider proposing over a game of Scrabble!

2. Calling all coffee lovers! The only time when you won’t be upset that the last sip of a good latte is gone.

3. How sweet is this camping-inspired s’mores proposal?

Share with us — What are some of your unique proposal ideas captured on camera?