Couture Cupcakes with Bella Cupcake Couture

Bella Cupcake Couture offers chic textile-inspired cupcake wrappers. The boutique-style designs are exquisite and offer a sophisticated elegance to any special occasion; weddings, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, celebrations, and just because. Wrappers can also be customized with your wedding monogram or business logo.

The patterns mix elegant hues like chartreuse, chocolate brown, citrus or soft pinks, making every cupcake look stunning.

These lovelies are not only fashionable, they are also eco-friendly. Each design is printed with soy inks on recycled paper. No matter which type of cupcake you enclose it around; red velvet, lemon drop, double chocolate, plain vanilla... it is sure to be adored!

Thank you Carrie for sharing these amazing images & congrats on being featured as "The Doer of the Week" for Martha Stewart Living Omimedia...What an amazing honor!! Also just in time for holiday savings, Bella Cupcake is offering 20% off from now until December 5, 2009! Simply enter the coupon code of "holiday" at the time of check out!!

Be sure to follow Carrie's blog here & become a Bella Cupcake Couture fan on Facebook!

Pay it Forward - Give Thistle Farms

Looking for a gift that keeps on giving for your bridal attendants? Consider buying local with Thistle Farms!

I was first introduced to the ladies of Thistle Farms at a recent Oktoberfest in Germantown. I fell in love with their lip balm & body balms, because they are made from all natural ingredients & I love the fact all products are made with so much love. The products come in a variety of scents which include Lavender, Citrus Vanilla {Personal Fave}, Rose Grapefruit, Tea Tree Mint & many others.

Thistle Farms is a non-profit business operated by the women of Magdalene. By hand, the women create natural bath and body products that are as kind to the environment as they are to the body. Into every product goes the belief that freedom starts with healing, and love can change lives.

All sales support the residents of Magdalene, a two-year residential community founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1997 for women with a history of prostitution and drug addiction.

The name, "Thistle Farms," references the thistles, considered weeds, that grow in the cracks of pavement on the streets and alleys where the women of Magdalene once walked. However, the name also references the under-appreciated qualities of thistles-- they have a deep tap root that can shoot through tick concrete and survive drought. In spite of their prickly appearance, their royal and soft purple center makes the thistle a mysterious and gorgeous flower.

For more information, look for the book written by the Women of Magdalene with founder Becca Stevens, titled Find Your Way Home: Words from the Street, Wisdom from the Heart .

Also be sure to become a one of their Fans on Facebook!! These amazing products are also available at Whole Body in The Hills Center in Green Hills

Give the gift that keeps on giving, give local & give Thistle Farms!

Celebrity Inspired Engagement Rings

Star Style: Inspired by Six Celebrity Engagement Rings

Hoping to rock a rock in the near future? While celebrities’ rings may be a bit out of our price range, that doesn’t mean we can’t borrow a bit of their style. While we don’t suggest copying anyone’s look diamond for diamond, we do think that there’s a ton of inspiration to be had from A-list engagement rings. Make these looks your own–budget be darned!–by adapting a bit of star style in your own life.

Pretty in Purple: Heidi Montag. Let’s get down to business with a ring that is really off the beaten path. While you may not love Heidi’s paparazzi-desperate ways, her amethyst and diamond ring is a choice that stands out from the pack. Don’t be afraid to choose a semi-precious stone for your engagement ring (this Lavender Kunzite in 18-karat yellow gold comes to mind), but if you’re foregoing a diamond, make sure that it makes a real statement.

Three-Stone Stunner: Mariah Carey. While it was rumored that Mariah’s 17-carat square emerald-cut pink diamond flanked by two half-moon diamonds was recycled from Nick Cannon’s former fiancee (it’s not true), the ring is gorgeous either way. A lot of people love the sentiment of a three-stone ring (it references the past, present and future of your relationship), and it’s a meaningful way to incorporate more than one diamond shape into the design.

Royal Oval: Katie Holmes. Not everyone will get a proposal under the Eiffel Tower, but an oval-shaped setting is a flattering shape on virtually any bride’s hand. Katie’s 5-carat diamond surrounded by micro pavé is a little more interesting than a standard round, and the elongated stone will even seemingly lengthen the shortest of fingers.

Not-so-Mellow Yellow: Heidi Klum. Colored diamonds are all the rage these days, and for good reason. These naturally-hued stones are rare, interesting, and allow you to focus on a spectacular stone rather than worrying too much about a setting. Heidi’s 12-carat cushion-cut canary yellow diamond is breathtaking, and by going Couture (who wouldn’t want this spectacular ring?) you can get a similar look with the same wow-factor.

Split Decision: Beyoncé. Let’s be honest: Beyoncé’s insane 18-carat emerald cut diamond ring is out of most everyone’s league. But one detail is easily replicated: The split-shank mounting that holds the massive stone. A split shank is a good choice for several reasons: It holds a diamond in place well with little worry of movement, it’s a perfect place for a bit of pavé diamonds without being over-the-top, and, well, it just looks pretty on the finger.

Hip to be Square: Ashlee Simpson. Considering her husband’s rock music pedigree, Ashlee’s ring is surprisingly sedate. But, the design is one of the most popular today: A diamond surrounded by pavé diamonds. The setting chose by her husband, musician Pete Wentz, is a very defined square shape–perfect for a modern bride who craves a little edge. Even better: The extra row of diamonds makes any center stone look even bigger!

Shop all these styles and much more at Jewels Boutique.

Serious Eye Candy: Southern Weddings Magazine is here y'all

The much anticipated 2nd issue of Southern Weddings Magazine is available today across the Southeastern parts of the US! {So excited for those Southern Belles of SW}

Nashville Brides be sure to watch for this amazing issue on store newstands like Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Milion, Harris Teeter, Publix, Food Lion & even Piggly Wiggly {yep even the Pig}! Pre-order your copy here!

The stunning cover was shot by none other than Nashville's own Jeremy Cowart! Who is an amazing photographer whose work makes me light headed its so AH-mazing! Check out his website here & blog here...& be sure to follow him on Twitter!

Congrats Lara, Whitney, Katharine & Emily!

Fanciful Bridal Headpiece Inspiration

Fanciful brides really do take my breath away. I love how they allow their adventurous, imaginative & out of the box personality to come through with their wedding style.

Ban.do offers very fanciful & whimsical bridal headpieces & belts, collars & corsages that are sure to add a unique pop to any fanciful brides ensemble!

Jen & Jamie are the designers behind these amazing pieces. For more fanciful bridal pieces check out their website here & blog here!

I love the soft boldness of this pink headband!

Are you a fanciful bride? If so what are you doing to make your wedding out of the box & unique?

Nashville Wedding Eye Candy - CJ's Off The Square

I had the pleasure of attending the Open House for CJ's Off the Square recently & honestly I could not wait to see this amazing venue! Nestled in the heart of downtown Franklin, Tennessee it was chic, quaint, oh so elegant & screamed Southern Chic Wedding.

Williamson County Weddings offers custom invitations, event coordination & Event Venue. Yes, CJ & Amy are Event Professionals however they do encourage other planners to take advantage of this amazing space. {Special tidbit} They are building a new pavillion which will only make the venue even more exciting!!!

These amazing pics are from their recent Open House! Awesome event & amazing venue!!

Thanks so much CJ & Amy for a great evening & an amazing venue!! Looking forward to working with you ladies in 2010!!!!

Image Credit: ShannonJenkinsPhotography.com & personal iPhone

Its Par-tay time! Southern Weddings Magazine Launch Party

Southern Weddings Issue Launch Party

Well, Butter My Butt and Call Me a Biscuit!

Southern Weddings is Having a Party, Y’all!

Southern Cocktail Attire *Bowties Get Bow-nus Points

Date:November 6th, 2009, 7pm

Location:Bridal Bar Atlanta

Address:Perimeter Place 4511 Olde Perimeter Way Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30346

Congrats to those Southern Belles of Southern Weddings from Bridal Opulence! Looking forward to an AMAZING magazine!!

Etiquette Monday - Hosting a Bridal Shower or Event

Today's Etiquette Monday is perfect for a Maid of Honor or Bridesmaid that may be hosting a shower in a brides honor! Bridal showers can be casual, whimsical or elegant solely depends on the theme that has been selected for the event.

It is normal for a wedding planners to be contracted to plan & host showers for their clients as an additional service or Ala carte portion of their planning packages. This ensures that the event will flow seamlessly & the bride, her bridal party & family will be able to relax and enjoy the occasion!

In the event that a wedding planner is not contracted to plan the event I would like to share a few helpful tips to being a great hostess!

• The event host always extends the invitation to shower guest at least 4 weeks prior to the shower date.
• Determine the location and plans for the event which also includes planning the menu.
• For events of 8 or more its recommended to use place cards to direct event guest on seating.
• When seating VIP guest {ie., bridal party, family} they should be seated to the right of the host/hostess & guest of honor.
• Honoring VIP guest its customary for the Host/Hostess to make a "welcome toast" to kick off the shower or event.
• If the shower is formal its customary for the Host/Hostess to propose a toast to the guest of honor while dessert is being served.
• After this toast, the guest of honor will also respond with a toast to thank the Host.

Image credit

Happy Hosting!!