Stunning DIY wedding in Napa Valley

In the search for ideas for my sister, Brooke's wedding in Napa this fall, I recently came across this stunning DIY wedding from Style Me Pretty...

{click on photos to enlarge}
The different style bridesmaids dresses, the gorgeous lace bridal gown, and the amazing bouquets of wooden flowers are absolute perfection!

The stamped muslin banner (top) is adorable!

And including the dogs is the perfect finishing touch.

And my favorite touch of all... the coffee mugs that spell "LOVE" used as vases. And the fact that they're sitting on books is all the more perfect since we've just decided to incorporate beautiful old books into Brooke's table decor!

For more from this gorgeous wedding, head on over to Style Me Pretty.

Italian inspiration

As soon as I saw this beautiful inspiration board from Zenadia, I flashed back to my summer in Italy. I flashed back to walks through piazzas in Florence, to frescos on the ruins in Pompeii, to street musicians, gelato, and the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
This soft, stunning inspiration board makes me happy. For all the details, go to Zenadia's blog.

The most awesome bride ever...

My sister is getting married! Anna and Michael dated throughout high school and then went their separate ways. Years later (last year to be exact), God brought Anna and Michael back together. They picked back up right where they left off and they are now happily engaged to be married in May 2011.
Their wedding will take place on our Papa's farm in Hartford, Arkansas. It will be an intimate, elegant Southern wedding in front of about 100 family and friends. We're having a blast designing a one-of-a-kind wedding full of vintage, personal touches that are so perfectly Anna!

Last month, Shannon from A Moment Captured Photography, took their engagement photos at the farm and they are absolute perfection...

The owner of the once famous Hartford Music Company, wrote several famous hymns in the 1940s, including "I'll Fly Away".
Papa purchased the original Hartford Music Company building several years ago and turned it into a restaurant and offices. Sadly, it burned down last year, but still holds a special place in all of our hearts.

She's gorgeous, right?!

Congratulations again Anna & Michael! I absolutely cannot wait to be looking through what are sure to be some breath taking wedding photos. Michael - you're a lucky man! Love you guys!!

Thanks again to Shannon from A Moment Captured. She did an amazing job as always!

Pink Lemonade Party

This adorable party from The Sweetest Occasion is giving me all kinds of inspiration for a few baby showers I have coming up. A lot of it I've seen before, but this is just a step more eclectic and I absolutely LOVE the use of the tin cans tied on chair backs. Perfection...


To see more from this sweet party, go on over to The Sweetest Occasion.

Molly & Colby are married!

Congratulations to the newest Finishing Touch married couple! Mr. & Mrs. Brenner were married Saturday in a beautiful, southern ceremony in McAlester, Oklahoma with about 300 family and friends. We've been working with this sweet couple for about 6 months to make Molly's big day absolutely perfect! And it couldn't have turned out better.

Here are just a few of the photos we snapped throughout the day and evening...
left: bridal bouquet made by Finishing Touch - white hydrangeas, white dahlias, orange ranunculus, orange bi-color roses, and green hypericum berries, tied with ivory satin ribbon, topped with a vintage hankie and finished with jute twine.
right: 2 mothers' nosegay bouquets - orange ranunculus and green hypericum berries, tied with ivory satin ribbon, topped with a vintage hankie and finished with jute twine.

The happy couple as they say their vows.

Baby's breath clouds in milk jugs wrapped with jute twine made for a dramatic entrance into the reception space.

Beautiful cake (layers of white, chocolate, and strawberry) by Karen's Cakes of McAlester, and flowers placed by Finishing Touch.

Each centerpiece, created by Finishing Touch, was unique. 6 tables were topped with a candle centerpiece of different sizes and embellishments, 6 tables were topped with milk glass vases filled with orange ranunculus, 6 tables were topped with mason jars of different sizes that held orange ranunculus, orange bi-color roses, white hydrangeas, white dahlias, baby's breath, or green hypericum berries. All centerpieces were placed within a grapevine wreath and accented with votives & the heads of colorful flowers to tie them all together.

And the getaway car... a 1990 Ferrari!

Vendor Love
Photographer: Melissa Claborn, McAlester, OK
Ceremony Venue: Fuggitt Manor, McAlester, OK
Reception Venue: McAlester Country Club
Catering & Bar: McAlester Country Club
Florist: Finishing Touch Event Design, Little Rock, AR
Bakery: Karen's Cakes, McAlester, OK
DJ: Sayer Brenner (brother of the groom)
Rentals: D'z Rentals, McAlester, OK
Wedding Coordination & Design: Finishing Touch Event Design, Little Rock, AR

Congratulations again to Molly & Colby Brenner. I hope you are having an amazing time in Cabo San Lucas!

Professional Photos from Melissa Claborn Photography will be posted as soon as I receive them. They're sure to blow my snapshots away, so stay tuned...

Southern Hankies

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been absent on the blog lately. I just got back from a great vacation, and have been getting caught up on work for the last couple of days!

To get back into blog mode, I wanted to give you all some great handkerchief ideas! I recently posted a link to Sincerely Yours Paper's amazing handkerchief save the date on the Finishing Touch facebook page and have been completely obsessed by it! Here are a few images of the beautiful designs she created:
Talk about luxurious! And perfectly southern! Amy Hannon of Sincerely Yours is the best. Call her today for gorgeous custom paper designs and much much more.

If it's not in your budget to send a personalized handkerchief to everyone on your guest list, you can still use them as favors for the women, or as gifts for your bridesmaids, mothers, and grandmothers.
If you're looking for some affordable personalized hankies, head on over to Artful Beginnings' Etsy Shop. They have some beautiful pre-made designs or they can create something specifically for you. Here are a couple of my favorites:Or something a little more playful...The customized silk handkerchiefs are $21.00 each. And be sure to ask for a discount if you're ordering a larger number. Check out their store for more options and details!