Farewell, Summer 2013

Here we are at Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer.  The beach scene above (can you spot my husband?!) shows my typical summer weekend on the Jersey shore.  All I need is bright sun, gentle waves & a good book!  & this is exactly where you will find me this weekend, enjoying every last bit of summer.  Because, as shown in selected shots from my Instagram account, what a good summer it has been:  

& yet when the final 2013 summer weekend is said & done, I am ready to move forward & embrace a new season.  There is a lot on the horizon.  I am excited to see what comes next!  Perhaps a longtime dream come true.  

Until then, have a fun summer weekend!

Photography: Kate Corpuz of Koru Wedding

{weddings} summer brights

When Summer comes to mind, I immediately think of bright, cheerful colors.  All colors of the rainbow, in their most vivid shades.  In one last hurrah of Summer weddings, I'm celebrating the bold & pretty colors in Summer weddings!

Each image makes me smile & wish Summer could last forever!

Photo 1: Josselyn Peterson via; Photo 2: Wendy Laural via; Photo 3: Alaina Bos Photography via; Photo 4: Bethann Greenberg Photography via; Photo 5: Agaton Strom via

{wedding cakes} something turquoise

Continuing with yesterday's "beachy without being typical beachy" look, this little beauty fits right in.  The cake is just perfect for a beach wedding without using seashells or starfish.  The icing is the color of the Caribbean Sea.  The gold leaf looks like coral.  The pale blue sea glass is the finishing touch.  Here's a wedding cake that is right at home at a beach wedding! 

Photo: Awake Photography via

{wedding centerpieces} just beachy

At the public viewing of The New York Flower Show Dinner Dance, one of my very favorite centerpieces was the beach tablescape by West Elm.  It was so creative & original!  I stood & admired it for quite some time because the longer I looked, the more I noticed.

Everything I adore about the beach is represented: the cool blue ocean, the wispy sea grass, the fine sand & the worn driftwood.  The beach is deconstructed & presented in a new light.  The centerpiece is just perfect for a beach wedding, while avoiding the typical beach look.  I, for one, am a huge fan!

For other unique centerpieces from this event, take a peek at {wedding centerpieces} large & in charge!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Kate Corpuz for Koru Wedding  /  Tablescape Designer: West Elm

{noteworthy} cupcakes, cupcakes & more cupcakes!

Nothing says summer quite like a cupcake tour in Manhattan!  Oh, is that not an actual saying?  Well, it should be.  It was such a fun way to spend a beautiful summer day with my sister!  That's us, enjoying our sugar tour above.  Knowing how much I adore cupcakes, my aunt had purchased two tickets for The Cupcake Tour of New York by Great New York Tours for us as a Christmas gift.  We saved the tour for a sunny, warm Sunday, when walking through the city & tasting cupcakes sounded perfect.

    
The great cupcake tour met at Union Square, arguably my favorite part of the city, & we walked half a block to Baked by Melissa, a tiny place I have walked past a million times.  Baked by Melissa is famous for its bite-sized, mini cupcakes.  We tried the flavor of the month, Pina Colada, & it was delicious.  Someday I will return to try the signature tie-dye cupcake!

Next, we stopped at Amorino Gelato Artigianale.  Yes, gelato on a cupcake tour!  But once we sampled the incredible, refreshing mango gelato, it became quite clear why a gelato place is included in a cupcake tour.  The gelato is that amazing!

Hands down the cupcake bakery that has my heart, we went to Crumbs Bake Shop next.  I'm a huge fan of Crumbs' gourmet cupcakes & I frequent the Hoboken location a little too much.  I'm happy to report the cupcakes were just as yummy in this NYC location!  We were given our choice of a mini cupcake from their best-seller pack & I was lucky enough to score a tasty cookies and cream cupcake.

After walking through scenic Washington Square Park, we arrived at the charming Molly's Cupcakes to build our own custom cupcake.  Just to sugar us up more than we ever could have imagined, they ran out of mini cupcakes & they offered us regular-sized "Molly" cupcakes instead.  I created a basic vanilla cupcake with french buttercream frosting & topped it with pastel sprinkles.  It looked pretty cute & tasted so good!

When we arrived at the adorable Milk & Cookies Bakery on a charming, tree-lined street in the West Village, my sister & I decided we would take our treat to go.  We skipped the cupcakes in favor of their famous cookies, specifically the Salted Oat Surprise.  I simply couldn't wait until I got home to try it so I ate half of my cookie & I was instantly in cookie heaven! 

Last but not least, we found ourselves on a sweet corner in the West Village at Magnolia Bakery.  Sex & The City fans may recognize this little bakery!  We were treated to a full-size red velvet cupcake with whipped vanilla icing.  My sister & I finally raised our white flag in sugar surrender.  I guess there is such a thing as too many cupcakes.  Those red velvet babies came home with us & my husband & I loved them!

If you're looking for something different to do in Manhattan, I highly recommend The Cupcake Tour of New York.  & not just for the treats, although the cupcakes are obviously the highlight.  The cupcake tour is a fun way to explore the city too.  It gets you away from the hustle & bustle of midtown & showcases some of the more unique, delightful neighborhoods of the city.

One last thing.  Per Molly's Cupcakes, did you know there are cupcake rules?

May your weekend be lovely & sweet!

Photography: Kate Corpuz for Koru Wedding
  

grasping summer

Two weeks from today, Labor Day weekend will be said & done, & summer will essentially be over.  Cue sad face!  I simply adore summer with its warm sunshine, beautiful beach days & yummy ice cream cones.  So I plan to relish every last bit of summer, including here.  Koru Wedding Style will be summer all day, every day for the next two weeks!

I hope you enjoyed a little taste of the summer goodness to come in the next two weeks.  Grab your sunglasses!

Photo 1: A Guy and A Girl Photography via; Photo 2: Hannah Persson Photo via; Photo 3: Christina Lilly Photography via; Photo 4: Christina Szczupak Photography via; Photo 5: Millie Holloman Photography via

Wedding Wheels, Tubes

The tandem bicycle wedding getaway from yesterday's Mackinac Island wedding was pretty grand but this decorated inner tube wedding getaway may take the prize as the most fun & the most original wedding getaway of all!  So summery, so perfect.  All you need is a cute bathing suit, Just Married inner tubes & a scenic river.  Instead of changing into a formal going away outfit, slip into your bathing suit & head for the water.  Jump into your inner tubes & float your way into happily ever after!

Want to see more creative grand departures from weddings?  Official Wedding Wheels post coming next week!

Photography: Aster & Olive Photography via

{Fourth of July} red, white & blue

Three cheers for red, white & blue!  Happy Fourth of July!

(Reminder: Regular blogging will not resume until Wednesday, July 17. Thanks!)

Photo: via Martha Stewart

{noteworthy} summer vacation

Happy Friday!  Are you wondering why you're looking at Bailey sunning himself at the dog beach instead of the Sneak Peek for next Wedding Wednesday?  Well, my loves, Koru Wedding is taking a summer vacation!  The blog will be dark for the next two weeks as Bailey, my husband & I enjoy some rest, relaxation & sunshine with family & friends.  I will return on Wednesday, July 17 with a fabulous Vermont wedding, followed by plenty of wedding inspiration plus a little personal stuff mixed in for good measure.  You didn't think I would forget to give you every sugary detail of last week's cupcake tour, did you?  Hold tight, have some patience & I will be back very soon!

In the meantime, I'm wishing you long summer days of sun & fun!     

Farewell, Summer

Can you believe that when we meet back here on Tuesday, it will be September?  It's hard to believe.  Summer has been beautiful & amazing, while also sad & heartbreaking.  RZ & I are determined to end on a high note & we're spending the weekend at the shore to celebrate the last days of summer.  I'm ready to say good-bye & embrace a new season of possibilities.  Farewell, Summer!

Happy Labor Day weekend!  Make it safe, make it very fun!!  

Photography: Zofia & Co. via

{weddings rings} Lobster Claw

Summer goes hand-in-hand with fresh seafood on the East Coast & I couldn't help but smile when I spied this quirky wedding ring photo:

Normally, the last place I would want to see wedding rings are in the grips of a lobster's claw but for a seaside wedding, it's pure genius!

Photo Boro Creative Visions Photography via

{Real Homestead Wedding} Micah & Hardy

Today's lovely wedding brings us to the western slope of Colorado, a budget-friendly location with million dollar views!  With a beautiful Bride, a reluctant ring pup, plenty of cowboys & cowgirls, this wedding is truly country-western.   Vendla Stockdale shares the beauty with us through her photos:  

Micah & Hardy's summer wedding took place on a homestead in western Colorado.  With a rustic log cabin & gorgeous grounds, they let the nature's beauty shine bright on their wedding day.

Micah wore a white, strapless wedding gown embroidered with red flowers & a matching veil.  She carried a bouquet of red roses accented with pearls & green leaves.  With a big smile that never left her face, she was a pretty Bride!

The bridal party matched with the bridesmaids in red dresses & the Groom & his Groomsmen in red vests & ties.  Cowboys hats were a must for the men!  Micah's cute pup served as the ring pup with red & white roses decorating her collar. 

Micah & Hardy said their marriage vows in an open meadow.  The ring pup wasn't thrilled about walking down the aisle but her Mom was more than happy to walk down the aisle & marry her handsome cowboy!

The celebration continued on the wide front porch of the log cabin with its sweeping meadow views.  The cowboys & cowgirls danced to country music until the sun dipped below the horizon!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Vendla Stockdale Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Hello, Fall

Fall doesn't officially arrive until Friday, September 23 but I started celebrating early.

 As much as I adore Summer, once I've kissed good-bye to the long, lazy beach days, I embrace Fall with open arms.  Crisp air.  Colorful leaves.  Warm apple cider.  Cozy sweaters.  Pumpkin patches.  Fall weddings.  Oh yes, there is much to celebrate during the Fall season.

I kick off the season by adding a touch of Fall to my hurricane candle.  Clearly, it's time to dump the Summer sand.  One cheap bag of candy corn later & here is my first Fall decoration:

    
Bonus: I had extra candy corn to eat :-)

What are your favorite Fall decorations?

This Place

Ahhhhh . . .

Oh, this place. One of my favorite places. Sun, surf & sand. The days are long & lazy, made for a beach chair & a good book. The nights are perfect for campfires & s'mores. I adore this place.

Where can you find me these next few days? Not here. This place.

Regular blogging to resume shortly!

Beautiful in Pink

Happy Mr. & Mrs. + Gorgeous Bouquet

How pretty!

Pink isn't my color but it's definitely my best friend's color. She & pink are best buds. It came as no surprise when she chose bright, vibrant pink as her color for her Summer wedding. Now this was no Blush & Bashful pink situation like "Steel Magnolias." Pink was the accent color used thoughtfully here & there, like pink bridesmaid dresses, pink & white bridesmaid bouquets & pink & white centerpieces.

What had my heart was her bridal bouquet of bright pink roses. This bouquet was a classic look of open pink roses tightly massed with no greenery. So simple, yet absolutely stunning. The bouquet was beautiful in person, even more striking in photos.

Beyond that, a bright, happy pink bridal bouquet was so perfectly her, a gorgeous accent for a beautiful Bride!

It's A Wrap! 16th Edition

Oh how this Jersey girl adores this boardwalk photo!
Image by Kay English Photography via Style Me Pretty

Happy Friday, Koru Family & Friends! Summer is in full swing & I'm taking full advantage. Today, my hubs & I are attending a Summer wedding & tomorrow, we jet off for a little Summer vacation. I'll be back to bring you wedding goodness in August (wow, August already!). Of course, I leave you with gathered prettiness & loveliness to tide you over until my return . . .

Boardwalk + Peonies = AWESOME Wedding!

Love, love me a vintage taxi

A little slice of rainbow heaven

Oh, be still my ribbon loving heart

My goal is to send more "Just Because" & "I Love You" notes

Happy Weekend! Make it bright & beautiful~

Centerpiece, You are Beautiful

Besides planning & coordinating a wedding, there is little I enjoy more than attending a wedding as a guest. Oh, the pure & simple joy of eating, drinking & being merry to celebrate a happy couple's positive new beginning!

Now the wedding planner in me is always there. This part of me likes exploring new venues, enjoying good food & admiring pretty decor.

Historic & Beautiful Edison Ballroom

I had the golden opportunity to be a guest at an Edison Ballroom wedding last Summer (why has it taken me so long to blog about it?!). This stunning, art deco ballroom has served as a grand ballroom for Hotel Edison & as a theater for Broadway. It's sleek & swanky, yet you can feel its history. Clearly a win-win if you ask me!

Centerpieces, you have my Heart

Now I crushed hard on the amazing centerpieces. Everyone around me was snapping photos of the Bride & Groom or their dressed up friends & my camera was aimed at the centerpieces. RZ may or may not have been embarrassed. The crystal candelabras held dark purple, almost black, candles & dripped with additional crystals. Then four dark purple, cut crystal wine glasses filled with various purple orchids surrounded the candelabras. GORGEOUS!

Yup, I'm still drooling

I haven't looked at these photos in awhile & my love affair with the centerpieces is renewed! Have you fallen for fabulous details at your friends' & families' weddings? It's not just me, is it?!

It's A Wrap! 15th Edition

Hydrangeas in FULL Glory
via Erin Ever After

Stop it! No really, stop it.
This centerpiece is beyond!

Are you a Twinkie fan? Yes?
Then this fun creation is for YOU!

You know how I love me an all-white or mostly white wedding. Feast your eyes on this white beauty!

Sorbet as wedding inspiration? Yes indeed!

Happy Summer Weekend!

Oops

OOPS!
Available at Etsy in BremeloPress' shop

Oops. I messed up.

That says it all! I've been largely missing in the blogging world lately; I haven't had the time to read others' blogs or write Koru's posts. Sigh. I'm sorry. I've been loving the long, lazy days of Summer a bit too much. Also, I've been prepping & working a few wedding planning jobs. While my days have been filled with plenty of things I love & adore, I haven't had the time to share them with you. I promise to make more of an effort!

Thanks, Koru friends & family, for hanging in there with me. Mwuah!

Tomorrow, there is a great It's A Wrap! coming your way :-)