Happy Valentine's Day!

Ahhh, Valentine's Day... It's one day set aside to celebrate love with pretty flowers and sparkly goodness.  It's an excuse to overindulge & be wildly romantic.  Sounds a bit like a wedding reception!! 

We hope that you enjoy your Valentine's Day-no matter how it's spent.  However, more importantly, we hope that this day serves as a reminder to celebrate love every day.  Romantic gestures are nice on February 14th, but they're arguably much nicer on random days over the course of the year.

If we can't inspire you to be romantic, maybe this amazing photo project by Lauren Fleishman can. 

Photo by Lauren Fleishman

It's called Love Ever After - it's a series of portraits/interviews with NYC couples who have been married for 50 years or more.  It was inspired by the love letters Lauren's grandfather penned to her grandmother during WWII.  And it absolutely melts our hearts in the most wonderful way.  Go check it out & get a little melty on this chilly February day. 

Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Inspiration - To Wed or Not to Wed}

To wed or not to wed...that is the question. And of course, our answer is yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! Is English renaissance your favorite era? Incorporate some of the long gone golden age in English history into your wedding day by carefully selecting subtle details that will show your fondness for this time period, and why not, even some Shakespearean poetry. 

Calligraphy is a Greek word meaning "beautiful writing." If your budget allows it, use it on your invitations.  Otherwise, using a printed font that looks 'old English' will also have a similar effect, especially if you use a wax seal.

Invitations by Etsy seller Shine Wedding Invitations

Monogram Wax Seal Stamp from LetterSeals.com

When selecting a venue, a place resembling neo-classical architecture can transport you to a different century and an Italian garden would not only add to the ambience, but make for great pictures.

In NYC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has several amazing venues that would lend themselves nicely to a Shakespearean inspired event.

Vélez Blanco Patio

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens

Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court

Whether you select a DJ or a band to party the night away, a string quartet during your cocktail hour can provide a great selection of classical music to add to the romantic atmosphere.

 

 

Although 16th century fashion might not be your bridal party’s cup of tea, tap into their inner Juliet by including a small bag of fragrant potpourri, when you give them a pretty hand-made necklace as a token memento of your day.

Potpourri from Rose Petal Weddings 

 Romeo & Juliet necklace -bronze pendant, silver chain and pearls  
by Etsy seller Dawana from Peaces of Indigo

Give your wedding programs an old fashioned look and incorporate one of your favorite Shakespeare sonnets.  

 Letterpress Notecards from Etsy seller Lettuce Press.

And finally, to tie it all in, the bride should look the part. For inspiration, take a cue from a custom made gown designed in a timeless style by Sandi Spika Borchetta for Taylor Swift for the video for her song Love Story.  The closely fitted bodice and an up do with gentle curls add to the romantic, young and fresh look.

 

There are so many fabulous ways to incorporate The Bard and his works into your wedding.  Other ideas include naming tables after your favorite characters or plays, having a feather quill to use for signing the guestbook, and you could even hire an actor and a minstrel to roam around the event reciting poetry. 

Cheers!

LaVERE

{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 Lovely Things - Love from Above}

Happy Valentine's Day.  In lieu of an inspiration board filled with chocolate, flowers and hearts, we're going to keep it simple...and just send you some love from above.   

Photo copyright Aerial Photography For You.

What a great way to photograph your wedding guests!  Sure it would take some coordination, but hey, that's why you have a wedding planner, right??

Cheers!
LaVERE