{La Inspiration - Cherry Blossoms}

Spring is beginning to peek out from behind the gray of winter here.  I noticed that the Cherry Blossom tree has in my yard has started budding.  Delicate, fragile, beautiful and resilient, cherry blossoms are often noted as a metaphor for life and love.  What could be more perfect for an early spring wedding?  Let's go shopping!

Set the tone with a gorgeous invitation, like this die cut one from Etsy seller EMTsweeetieWeddings.

Oh my, how stunning!  This wedding gown with an obi sash by Culture Bridal.

A fabulous dress deserves killer shoes... I think these Louboutins do the trick!

With your bridesmaids in varying shades of pink by Anna Elyse, they'll echo the delicate petals of the trees.

Lovely clay florals by DK Designs Hawaii.

Say your vows under a dramatic Huppah like this one seen at The Knot, photo by Brett Matthews. 

 

Your guests will know that they're at the right venue with a window cling like this one from Bliss Wedding Market.  

Your guests can pick up their place cards at a table like this pretty one designed by Opalia Flowers. 

Then your guests can put their good wishes for you on your guest book tree, courtesy Martha Stewart. 

While sipping on Haru's Cherry Blossom Cocktail (recipe below). 

And after you've danced your last dance, send your guests home with sweet memories of your day.  Cookies by Meli and Angi.

Cheers!
LaVERE

*Cherry Blossom Cocktail (from Haru Japanese restaurants)

2 oz Svedka Cherry Vodka

1.5 oz Nigori Sake

0.5 oz Cranberry Juice

0.5 oz Peach Puree

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cherry and edible flower. Enjoy!

{La Inspiration - Irish Countryside}

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going on a virtual shopping spree.  We’ll skip the shamrocks and shenanigans and stick with a subtle nod to the Irish countryside… Some recent finds that have us swooning:

Birch Bark Ring “pillow” and Flower Girl Basket by Etsy Seller NHWoodscreations.

A hand cut birch tree with your initials would look amazing on your place card or guest book table, and this print would make darling invitations…  Both by Etsy Seller OurHumbleABoweD.  

Moss covered letters for your site doors?  Check.  By Etsy Seller SpottedLeopard.

The name says it all – “Queen of the Woods” headpiece by Etsy Seller WHICHGOOSE 

JCrew’s dune gown – so ethereal. 

A romantic bouquet.  From Posy Flowers via Brides.com

Moss in Milkglass centerpieces by Etsy Seller floresdelsol.  I’d stack these up to varying heights on vintage books of Irish poetry… 

And maybe you can get your groom to take a page out of John Wayne’s style file –

A classic “pops” hat a la The Quiet Man (rent it if you haven’t seen it) would be fab. 

Slainte! (That's Irish for Cheers!)
LaVERE

{La Inspiration - Year of the Rabbit}

Happy Chinese New Year!  Of course, we’re feeling inspired by the holiday and all of the festivities. 

Disclaimer: If you’re looking for traditional Chinese inspiration, you might want to visit our friend Google.  We’re going for a modern, atypical style. 

I know red & gold are the traditional colors for a Chinese wedding, but we’re going for avant-garde here, remember? 

This Ginger Jar from Pearl River Mart really caught my eye and inspired everything else…  

Invitations by Etsy Seller ImbueYouIDo have a modern sentiment with a hint of inspiration from the past. 

The gorgeous traditional Cheongsam dress is taken up a notch in this vintage version. 

 Kimera Design of Brooklyn hand makes fabulous gowns.  We love their mandarin collar style for both bride and bridesmaids.  (Obviously, we would probably go with a red or turquoise bridesmaid dress, or white – if the bride wears red). 

This bracelet by Etsy seller 1485jewelry, would make a great gift for bridesmaids.

A red and white cake like this one from Bay Shore Cakes would be just lovely.  We’d go with red velvet, natch!

And you know what we’d love to see on top of the wedding cake?

These guys!  Foo Dogs/Fu Dogs/Imperial Guardian Lions can be found many places online we found the above at Byrd Shop. 

And what do you know, in doing my virtual shopping, I came across the below - 

Oprah’s got it right with this table setting. And guess what – the ginger jar and plates are the very same Pearl River Mart items mentioned above.  Double happiness!

For some additional ambiance, we would sprinkle around a few of these gorgeous lanterns and Lotus Candle Holders from Luna Bazaar.

Again, I know we’re bucking tradition here – but why not use traditional red envelopes to hold your favors?  We’d go with small cards explaining that you have made a donation to your charity of choice in the guest’s name.  It’s kind of like giving money in the envelope…

That’s all for now…  hope the year of the rabbit is good to you!

(from here.)

干杯 Gānbēi! (That’s Cheers in Mandarin – or at least that’s what the internet tells us…)
LaVERE