{Jim Hjelm + Blush} Known for luxurious fabrics, flattering silhouettes and trademark craftsmanship and dresses start at $2500. Blush dresses are all under $1500. {Jim Hjelm; Blush; Blush}

{Watters + Wtoo} A Watters bride is fresh and sophisticated. While Watters gowns start at $1500, the Wtoo line are around $1000. {Watters; Wtoo; Wtoo}

{Monique Lhuiller + Bliss} Fashionable and elite, this designer stormed the wedding dress market in 1999. Her dresses are for the modern feminine bride. Dresses start at $3000. Bliss is the classic yet-affordable dress line from Monique. Dresses are less than $3500. {Monique Lhuillier; Bliss; Bliss}

{Enzo Ani + Blue} Modern embellishments paired with traditional silhouettes makes Enzo Ani a classic designer. Continually pushing past the threshold of wedding fashion. Gowns start at $1500. While the Blue line offers brides deliciously designed dresses without compromising quality for all under $1500. {EnzoAni; Blue; Blue}

In addition to these lines, Vera is joining forces with David’s Bridal and creating a line of wedding gowns ranging in price of $600-1500. This is an extraordinary opportunity for brides to wear Vera on their day without spending $4-25K tag. The dress line is expected to hit stores around Spring 2011.

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Seems simple enough!

Sweet success!(Photos by Once Wed)

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The bride wore a silk a-line dress adorned with a silk sash, both from local designer, Lena Medoyeff. The little details made this ensemble sing. A floral hair accessory from another talented NW vendor, Twigs and Honey by Myra Callan, nestled in the bride’s hair. The pearl earrings and brooch pinned on the sash were family heirlooms and added another line to this love story.

Trees were the unofficial theme for the wedding and it made appearances in the ceremony with a references two trees going into one. Groomsmen wore ties with oak tree details. During the celebration, the bride and groom planted a tree as a symbol of their unity.

The groom designed labels for the wine bottles filled with lemonade and ice tea.

A typewriter guestbook allows guests to type their thoughts for the couple to savor later. Scattered candles flickered around the ceremony site. This wedding was a labor of love, from the handmade table runners to the friend who designed invitations.

Strawberries Fields Forever: Handpicked local strawberries soaked between stacks of shortcake was made by the groom’s mother and friends. It was an all hands-on-deck approach made this wedding memorable and personable.

During the last dance of the night, as a surprise to the newlyweds, the father of the groom set off fireworks to commemorate the celebration.

A tip from the bride on a budget: “We were definitely on a budget, which made us prioritize. We couldn’t get distracted by all the pretty wedding industry ’stuff’ that is everywhere when you’re planning a wedding. We put money towards the things that were important to us: supporting our friends and local artists, and our wedding being comfortable and laid-back. We made a budget and stuck to it.”

Thank you Bryan and Leah for capturing all the moments and thanks to Janna for sharing your bona fide Pacific Northwest wedding. All Photos by Bryan Rupp Photography

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Dried Goods: In one of my posts, “DIY Projects :: Seasonal Centerpieces“, I featured non-floral centerpieces from Nettleton Hollow. This is a seasonal project that will highlight your Thanksgiving table and help celebrate a bountiful celebration.

In A Nutshell: Faux acorns make an easy and affordable way to dress up your dinner’s surroundings. Fill apothecary jars with seasonal fillers with nuts, cranberries, dried leaves and branches for a striking arrangement. (Pottery Barn; $14)

Perfect Pear: Use seasonal fruit to help guide your guests to their seat. Make sure to wash the pears, in case your guests munch on the place card.

Spilled Beans: An easy DIY project that will have your guests asking you to share your secret. Incorporate the colors of fall when you pair pumpkins with lentils and other dried beans. Candles will also warm the gathering space, so be sure to keep plenty around.

Glorious Gourds: As farmers markets close up shop, be sure to grab some lovely squashes. Place in a neutral bowl to allow the colors of the bounty to pop. Martha also suggests adding kumquats for a splash of citrus color.

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ps. Happy Veteran’s Day! I hope you have the day off!!

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I signed up for the free service and “made” my invitation. It was extremely simple to set up and word my Summer Soiree. Once I completed the steps, my invitation was ready for delivery.

My invitation pops up!

After I email my invitation to all my guests, I can keep track of my guests’ replies with the tracking tool. I can even remind the guests of the RSVP deadline. Remember, bad RSVP etiquette is never flattering.

Is this something you whoudl use for an event such as a wedding? Or do you prefer the romance of a paper invitation?

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1) I gathered the napkins and checked the tag to make sure it is a fabric that can take up the dye. A list of fabrics are on the inside of the Rit box. I washed my stark white napkins in the washing machine and did not dry them. Filled up a large stock pot with warm water and watched it until it boiled (ha).

2) Then, I rinse napkins with warm water in the sink and dumped a cup of salt in the stock pot.

3) Filled up a glass measuring cup with 2 cups of hot tap water and poured the powder in the cup to dissolve it. I used all stainless steel, glass or disposable items to avoid staining my kitchen utensils.

4) I then poured the dark pink liquid into the pot and added a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Soap makes water wetter, allowing the dye to adhere to the fabric easier. Thanks to Bill Nye Science Guy for this science tip. See.. Mom and Dad. I did learn something from watching TV.

5) The warm napkins were gently placed in the boiling pot to avoid the dye from splashing onto the counter tops. I stirred the napkins around every few minutes with my Sherwin Williams paint stick. I turned down the heat so the water was simmering.

6) Once the napkins achieved the shade I wanted, I removed them with my BBQ tongs and placed them back in my sink. I rinsed them with warm water until the water was clear and the pink dye was no longer present. Tossed them in the wash and dried them as I would colored cotton clothing.

Upon inspection, I found the color faded more than I would have liked. So I repeated the steps again with my extra box of Rit Dye. Luckily, I thought to buy two.

Total Cost
Two boxes of Rit dye: $5.96
Package of 12 white cotton napkins: $9.99
Total per napkin: $1.32

You can sell your napkins to the next bride. Using Bravo Bride or The Knot (message board: Trash to Treasure) you can sell your weddings goods and recoop some of your expense.

Now the finished product! Just a little pressing before the party and they are all ready to go! Do you have any questions you are “dyeing” to ask? Or any coloring mishaps from the past? For me, I slightly dyed my hands as I was rinsing them in the warm water bath.

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1) Short n’ Sassy:  This strapless satiny number is a peppy and will add a punch to your party. The full skirt allows movement (and dancing) for your joyous occasion. The fitted bodice will make sure everything stays in its proper place. (veiledbeauty; $325)

2) Earth Angel: This silk and and lace option just oozes with delightful details and feminine touches. It features symmetrical peplums that sway with every step. The recycled bustier is outlined in ruffles, as is the hem of the skirt and train.There is no denying that this dress fell from heaven. (sarahseven; $1400)

3) Streamline Sheath: a stunningly simple sheath dress with a soft but plunging neckline, giving the bodice a lily like shape – hence the name of this gown!
The shaped bodice cups the breasts and gives full coverage, but makes a feature of the flattering decollete plunge. The dress is empire cut, with two darts each side fitting the form, back and front. Full length with a back split in the hemline for ease of movement. The fabric is a heavy double crepe with a matte satin bodice.
(LondonDemimonde; $500)

4) Versatile Green Dream: If your mind often changes and you want to keep it green, this dress is for you. The dress can be tied in a variety of ways to express your current mood. Made of organic cotton and bamboo jersey, making the fabric’s texture is creamy smooth and eco-friendly. (isadoraclothing; $360)

5) Déjà Vu: I’ve seen this dress before… However, at the almost a 1/6 of the cost, this dress is just a stunning as the first laid eyes on it. Side pockets are hidden in the seams of this billowing full length pleated skirt. Spaghetti straps add a dash of delicate to this impressive gown. (AnnabelAndRuby; $340)

6) Hand Picked: This dress was made by a caring hand. From the hand embroidered embellishments to the hand beaded crystal accents and lace detailing makes this an exquisite wedding gown. The tank bodice and low v neck make this dress a flattering and svelte silhouette. (bellinabridal; $795)

Would you buy a dress from Etsy? How about your wedding dress?

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1. Clean and Water: Remove any leaves that are going to be submerged in water. This will make your water last longer (ie. cleaner) and your flowers look look clean. Cut stems at angle and put in water immediately.
2. Cut, Refresh, Repeat: It can be tedious, but it will help prolong the life of your flowers. If you don’t have time to change the water, use an opaque vase, to disguise the murky water. Use warm water for everything. Except hydrangeas, they require hot tap water. Tulips don’t need fresh water, so no special treatment for them.
3. Special Stems: Hydrangeas or lilacs are woody and need lots of exposure to the water. Split the stems several inches up from the bottom to expose the white inner part of the stem to the water. For bulbs, tubers and iris, score the bottom of the stem. Also for tulips, use a needle and prick the throat of the tulip to prevent it from growing.
4. Same Colors: Buy flowers that are the from the same color palette for an easy and chic arrangement.
5. No Crowding Please: When using a larger vase or wide mouth bowl, it may require using a large quantity of flowers, but all you need is scotch tape. Create a grid on the top so your flowers will sit in its own section. No crowding!
6. In Your Hands: Hold the flowers in your hand. It is easier to rearrange then placing them in the vase. Once you are satisfied, tie with some string and place in your chosen vessel.
7. Wilt-free: Try not to place your flowers in front of a warm sunny window. The heat will stress your flowers and cause them to wilt.

Do you have any more tips or tricks? Please share!

(Tulips: Podesta Baldocchi; Calla Lilies: Gifford’s Flowers)

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