{beach wedding} balls

Colorful beach ball toss: what a perfectly clever ceremony exit for a beach wedding!

Photo: Elaine Palladino Photographer via

unplugged

Yesterday, it was wise words on weddings from Ryan Gosling.  Today, let's take a look at wise words about an Unplugged Wedding:

This. is. SO. important.

At a recent wedding, a cell phone rang smack dab in the middle of the marriage ceremony.  I cringed. Many of the guests turned away from the Bride & Groom saying their vows to see who was the offender.  The wedding guest silenced his phone quickly.  Clearly, he had no intention of trying to ruin the ceremony, it was an honest mistake.  An easy mistake.  An avoidable mistake.

With just a few simple words in your wedding program or discreet sign posted by the ceremony entrance, you don't have to worry about unnecessary disruptions during your marriage ceremony.  Trust me, you don't want anything to interrupt your vows!  All it takes is a little reminder & your wedding guests will take the time to silence or turn off their cell phones.  

Cameras are mentioned too but cameras don't tend to bother me or my Brides.  That's a personal choice whether or not you want to limit cameras as well.

OffBeat Bride has awesome Unplugged Wedding templates available for your use.  I chose the Modern version here but there are many others like Flowery & Vintage.  Plus they offer more advice on ensuring an Unplugged Wedding so check it out HERE!

Template available & Image from Offbeat Bride

baby, baby

I've never had an opinion about baby's breath one way or the other until now. I see it popping up everywhere in the wedding world & I'm falling in love.  Baby's breath is so simple & sweet, just my style.

Here are a few examples of baby's breath in weddings that made me fall in love:

The bunting is darling but the baby's breath arrangements make the statement for this ceremony altar:

Baby's breath bridal bouquet that is seemingly heaven-sent:

Delicate baby's breath mixed with fragile stephanotis is bridesmaid bouquet perfection:

Escort cards nestled in a bed of fluffy baby's breath is quite genius:

Varied containers wrapped with ribbon & filled with baby's breath makes the ultimate simply pretty centerpieces:

Best of all, baby's breath is inexpensive.  Music to the ears of Brides on a tight budget! 

Are you seeing baby's breath everywhere too?  Hate, Love or Like?  I vote LOVE!

Photo 1 & 5 Yolande Marx via Photo 2 Jonathan Ong via Photo 3 via Photo 4 Braedon Photography via

{Real Wedding} Melissa & Phillip

Who doesn't love a good love story?  Partner a good love story with a gorgeous Southern wedding &, well, I'm hooked.  Let's dive in with the pretty images of Melissa & Phillip's wedding by Lauren D. Rogers Photography:

Oh so pretty!

Melissa & Phillip were destined to meet as their paths kept crossing.  Both attended the University of Virginia.  They only meet briefly.  Both worked at the same consulting firm in Atlanta.  They met again when they were placed on the same project.  They became friends, they became a couple &, finally, in October 2011, they became husband & wife.

Melissa & Phillip's autumn wedding took place at Clifton Inn, a stately white manor house in a beautiful setting surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The day was infused with the glorious oranges, reds & yellow of the autumn season accented with deep blue & dark purple.  With details like a bourbon bar, a bourbon whiskey guest book & grits favors, the Bride & Groom laced nods to their Southern heritage throughout the celebration.  Perhaps the best detail of all is Melissa's cheery, gorgeous smile in every photo, exuding such happiness on her wedding day!  

Melissa & Phillip said "I Do!" in an outdoor ceremony full of autumn-colored flowers, sunny skies & family & friends.  The romantic wedding celebration continued inside the manor house with dinner, dancing & merriment.  The fun night concluded with a festive sparkler departure for the Bride & Groom.  What a perfect beginning to the new chapter of Melissa & Phillip's love story!    
 

VENDOR LOVE

Photography: Lauren D. Rogers Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony & Reception Venue: Clifton Inn  /  Event Planner: Beehive Events  /  Band: The John Winntet  /  Make-up Artist: Daphne Latham  /  Cake: Clifton Inn  /  Tent: Skyline Tent Company

heart marks the spot

I heart the sweet pink heart of rose petals!  So soft, so romantic.

Can you imagine a giant petal heart marking the spot of a marriage ceremony?!  It's beyond perfect for an outdoor wedding.  With all the luscious shades of roses, the petal heart possibilities are endless.  Such a pretty statement of love!  

Now how to keep the rose petals from flying away on the first good breeze . . . it remains a mystery.

 Photo Micheal + Anna Costa Photography via

{fur babies + weddings} brideskitteh

I regularly pore over wedding magazines & blogs in the name of job research.  It's as good of an excuse as any!  I'm consistently amazed at the beauty & creativity I see in weddings, much of which I share here with you.  But I'm not often surprised.  Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking I have seen or done it all in my twelve years of wedding planning.  

Like pets taking part in the wedding.  I've done two weddings with dogs, both were walked down the aisle on a wedding color-coordinated leash (see the adorable Frenchie Bruce HERE).  I've done one wedding with a cat, she was flown cross-country to participate in the ceremony & carried down the aisle in her decorated carrier.  So when I spied this handsome black cat sporting a bow tie & posing with his Bride & Groom, I figured it was another cute fur baby in an animal-lovers' wedding:    

And he is.  BUT there is a twist!  The Bride considered him a part of her entourage & pegged him the "Brideskitteh."  Now that is a first!  Brideskitteh, I just love it. 

And this Brideskitteh's name?  Meatwad.  Enough said.  

I refuse to ever think I've seen & done it all in this wedding world ever again.

Photos by Zachary Hunt Photography via

sequins & sparkles

Yesterday was a draining day spent at the oh so lovely DMV getting my new driver's license bearing my married last name.  Yes, I finally decided to take my husband's name!  More on that later.  The DMV is one of those places that sucks your happy soul & good energy.  I came home tired & cranky.  What's the remedy for that?

Sequins & sparkle!!!!!! 

A sparkly, sequin aisle!  How genius!!  The candlelight's soft glow makes the sequins shimmer beautifully, creating a magical aisle for a Bride to float down to meet her Groom.  Talk about a WOW factor for a marriage ceremony.

Ahhh, the sequins & sparkle have me smiling already.  What cheers you up after a trying day?

Photo by KT Merry via

Thankful.

Him, I am so thankful for him

Photo by the great Timothy Glenn Photographers

Thankful.  Very, very thankful.

My husband RZ is at the tippy top of my gratitude list this Thanksgiving.  I dedicate this post to him.  

I am thankful to call you my husband.  I am thankful for the beautiful moment we clasped hands, looked into each other's eyes & pledged our vows in front of our nearest & dearest during our marriage ceremony.  I am thankful for the fun, rockstar party that followed.  I am thankful for our sunny, dreamy Hawaiian honeymoon.  I am thankful for the incredible, lovely newlywed times that came after our wedding & honeymoon.  & for the times that were not so happy or easy, I am thankful we weathered the storms together.  I am thankful for our sweet home we share with our sweet pup.  I am thankful that I look forward to the moment you walk through the door every night.  I am thankful for every big & small moment that we make special.  I am thankful for this amazing life that is ours. 

More than words. 

Dear Koru Family & Friends, I wish you the most Happy Thanksgiving!  

Irish Wedding Bells

Maybe it's because I'm Irish.  Perhaps it's because I love green.  Or just because.  But I love Bells of Ireland!  Those perfect lime green bells have my heart.


I don't spot them much in the wedding world so I was absolutely delighted (I may have squealed!) when I stumbled upon not one but two, DIY bridal bouquets that included Bells of Ireland.  I did what any decent blogger would do & pinned my heart out so I could share them with you.  


This stunning beauty is a combination of orchids, beach grass & Bells of Ireland just perfect for a beach wedding in Maine:

Photo by One Love Photo 

via

& the sweetest part?  The Groom's Dad made the Bride's bouquet!


For a Fall wedding, this lovely is a combination of snapdragons & Bells of Ireland that is unexpected yet just right:

Photo by Cassandra Eldridge Photography

via

& that beauty?  The Groom's Dad was taking a snooze on his duties so the Bride & Bridesmaids made it!

The cherry on top of the stylish Bells of Ireland is that they are known as a symbol of good luck.  What Bride doesn't want to carry a little good luck down the aisle as she get married?!

Tell me, what are your favorite flowers?  Does their meaning play into your choices for your wedding? 

Chart House Wedding {Real Wedding Sneak Peek}

Don't get too excited, Koru family & friends.  Maybe just a smidgen excited.  Why?  I have some sneak peek photos to share with you from last Saturday's wedding!!!!  Please understand these photos were taken by me during a whirlwind work day on my camera phone.  I couldn't capture everything (ahem, like the beautiful Bride & Groom!), nor could I capture anything well.  But I did my best to give you a little glimpse of a happy, gorgeous occasion.

The Bride & Groom live in Hoboken (just like me) where they are treated to stunning views of the New York City skyline just across the Hudson River from them.  It was important to them to share those city views with their guests & the Chart House in nearby Weehawken gave them that luxury.  Bonus points if you remember I considered Chart House for my wedding!  Chart House sits at the end of a pier & it's so close to NYC you feel like you could touch the buildings.  As shown here, Chart House is at the end of the pier on the left & the city is just beyond it:

The Bride loves, LOVES the romantic vibe of candlelight & candles were a major force throughout the wedding during the ceremony & reception.  I didn't get a good photo of the guest table centerpieces but each table got a healthy dose of red rose petals, crystals & candles wrapped in various black & white pattern ribbon.  Here is the version I modified for the head table:

This is a close-up of a candle & rose petals on the head table, yet look beyond the table to that glittering NYC view from the ballroom!  Incredible, right?  The Empire State Building is front & center, lit up in orange, white & blue for the NYC Marathon the next day:

Oh, & the gorgeous, delicious cake from Hoboken's famous Carlo's Bakery (aka Cake Boss)! Again, bonus points if you remember Carlo's Bakery also made my wedding cake!  This couple's round, white cake is decorated with a big, black bow, black swirl detailing & black piping.  Red velvet cake- YUM!  I re-purposed flower garlands used during the ceremony to decorate the cake table.  We positioned this darling cake so it was in front of the windows facing downtown.  Maybe only I notice it but the white glow near the top of the cake is the Freedom Tower:

After a fun, rocking reception, the Bride & Groom had a Sparkler Grand Departure!  If you follow me on Twitter you know this was almost nixed due to a fire hazard.  But when there is a will, there's usually a way & we found one.  After a candlelit Last Dance, my assistant & I lined up the guests, handed out sparklers & lit them up, then prompted the Bride & Groom to run through to their getaway car.  This is the second Sparkler Grand Departure I've organized & it's just so awesome!  My photo was taken after the Bride & Groom had left but the guests still had plenty of sparkle:

I hope you enjoyed this humble little sneak peek!  More to come as soon as I can share professional photos from the great Daniel Hedden Photography.  Um, cause if you noticed, I am not a professional wedding photographer.  Just leave me to the wedding planning!

Koru Kate Finds: Put Your Stamp On It!

Happy Monday!  I hope your week is off to a brilliant start.  After the Halloween theme & the wedding break, I'm baaaack!  Things are returning to our regularly scheduled programming here on Koru Wedding Style.  So sit back & relax as I bring you my latest Koru Kate Finds!

Location Custom Stamp

Image via & Available at Paper Source

Hands down, Paper Source is one of my favorite stores.  Paper Source is a dreamy slice of paper heaven for a girl like me.  I regularly pore over their web site, catalog &, not as often as I'd like, Brooklyn store for inspiration & supplies for weddings & craft projects.  I just plain adore one of their newest products that I have chosen as my latest Koru Kate Finds: Custom Wedding Stamps!

Custom Wedding Stamps are absolutely fabulous for you crafty, creative, DIY Brides!  What better way to personalize your wedding than to literally put your stamp on it?!  

How about this bold style for a sleek, loft wedding perhaps?

Big Ampersand Lines Custom Stamp

Image via & Available at Paper Source

Perhaps this style for a formal, modern ballroom wedding?

Anniversary Date Custom Wedding Stamp

Image via & Available at Paper Source

I chose two of my favorites to feature today but trust me, whatever your fancy & style, there is a 

custom wedding stamp perfect for your wedding.  Choose your style, customize it & use it anywhere & everywhere at your wedding.  Just imagine the possibilities here.  Stamp your wedding heart out: your programs, escort cards, table numbers, menus, favors & more!!  

& the first stamp shown above?  Make your own save-the-dates!!!!

The custom wedding stamp is easy, affordable & stylish!  Does it get much better than this?

Koru Kate Finds: Carnation Glory

I've said it before & I'll say it again: I like carnations.  Carnations come in a gorgeous rainbow of colors, don't cost a fortune & easily last from getting ready to the last dance- yup, I'm a fan.  I did lots & lots of research on chic carnation arrangements when I was planning my wedding.  Almost one year later, I'm pleased to run across new wedding inspiration for carnation-lovers.  Today's post is dedicated to those Brides who share the carnation love with me.

The Carnation Topiaries would look beautiful in any color to match your wedding decor:

  Image via Luxe Finds

I can envision these pretties lining the aisle, decorating cocktail tables or, with a few at varying heights, serving as a reception centerpiece.

This Carnation Cake would add a simple, sweet look to any wedding reception:

Image via Luxe Finds

I believe this cake would look quite lovely in any carnation shade.  Plus add more tiers, square tiers &/or a patterned linen for more pizazz!

For more fabulous carnation inspiration, please visit Luxe Finds.

What do you think about using carnations for a wedding? Yes or no?

Wedding Wheels

Here is a little-known fact about me: I love cars.

Yes, it's true.  My little fascination with cars started when I was younger.  I favored my Matchbox cars over my Barbies.  I treasured my car & truck quilt my Grandma made me because it was much more fitting than the flowery stuff available for little girls.  I adored our family friends' Mercedes.  I dreamed of owning a classic Mustang (still do!).

You may think my love of cars got lost in my wedding planning world of tulle, lace & flowers.  Oh no.  As I pore through wedding magazines & wedding blogs, I always look for fun, creative modes of wedding transportation.  It doesn't have to be a car to catch my eye either.  Now that I can pin & save those images of wedding wheels, I'm in heaven.  My Wheels board on Pinterest is my favorite.

Allow me to share some favorite Wedding Wheels with you.  Nope, wheels aren't limited to cars!

An unexpected cherry-red tractor for a Farm Wedding:

Image via Snippet & Ink

An adorably-styled classic for a Classic Wedding:

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings

A cute bicycle of love for a Country Wedding:

Image via Ruffled

A vintage blue truck for a Southern Wedding:

Image via Southern Weddings

For my absolute favorite Wedding Wheels, just take a look at the Koru Wedding Style header!  I really love cars so Wedding Wheels will become a regular monthly feature- I can't help myself :-)

Do (or did) you have any fun plans for Wedding transportation?

{Groom's Words} Tears of Joy

My Handsome Groom at the Altar

(Photo by Friend)

I wish I'd had a tape recorder.

Two nights ago, RZ & I were having dinner with our cousins who were telling us about a recent wedding they'd attended.  They were gushing about the tough Groom crying when he spotted his beautiful Bride.

RZ said, "You don't think it will happen to you.  But it does, it really does.  I was standing at the altar & I saw my Dad crying & I wondered what was happening.  Then I realized I was crying!"  

I'm paraphrasing here, already forgetting his exact words, although the loving sentiment is forever etched on my heart.  Me, little old me.  I was the beautiful Bride who made him cry on our Wedding day.  

RZ & I have talked about our lovely wedding again & again: how perfect it was, how happy we felt, how the love & joy of our family & friends was palpable.  During these fabulous discussions of our memories, I never asked him what he was thinking &/or feeling at particular moments.   I wonder & I want to interview him about every last detail but that seems like a bit much.   I feel like I'm way late to the importance of the Groom's perspective party.

Did your Groom willingly share his emotions after your Wedding?  Or did you ask?  Or do you plan to ask?  

Koru Kate Finds: 4th Edition

A Wedding Path
Image from Martha Stewart Weddings

Today's Koru Kate Finds is another oldie but goodie.

I have been pinning my little heart out & I came across this classic image from the great Martha Stewart. The image brought me back, way back . . .

Once upon a time, I was a lost girl. Little passion, no direction. I happened to stumble into an internship with a wedding planner. Oh, I loved it so very much. The Brides, the wedding gowns, the flowers, the food. I began to eat & breathe weddings. As such, Martha Stewart Weddings was my Bible.

I remember spotting this simply incredible image in the gorgeous pages of MSW & it captured my heart. Years later, it caught my heart when I found it among the pretty in The Best of Martha Stewart Living Weddings. Then just days ago, it reclaimed my heart in the lovely world of Pinterest. There is something about this beautiful rose petal path lined with large hurricane candles that speaks to me over & over again. So powerful, so timeless. Among other things, I find this wedding path reminds me of how & why I came to love weddings.

Wouldn't you just love to walk down a rose petal path? Who knows what beauty is on the other end!

Jersey Best

Quite a cool venue- looks like it deserves the buzz!

Image via One Atlantic

The Knot released its list of the "10 Most Talked About New Jersey Wedding Venues" & it's an interesting read. This humble Hoboken wedding planner has some opinions on said list!

The Pleasantdale Chateau deserves a "Longstanding Most Talked About Award!" When my sister got married 12 years ago, this historic mansion & its manicured grounds were the topic of many venue conversations. I delved into wedding planning two years later & throughout my career, the Pleasantdale has remained a popular venue. I adore working there because the Pleasantdale is top notch in every way. I believe it will continue to stand the test of time with its beautiful, unique rooms & gorgeous, picturesque grounds.

On the other end of the spectrum, the W Hoboken is new & hot. It's been a big topic in Hoboken long before it opened & it continues to garner much attention. The W Hoboken is hip & swanky, yet somehow still manages to impress everyone from your old-fashioned Grandma to your hipster cousin with its impeccable space, food & service. I may not have picked it for our wedding but I enjoyed working there & I want to work there again & again. With its waterfront location & its cool factor, I hope the W Hoboken keeps Brides & Grooms talking!

Mallard Island Yacht Club, One & Only Westmount Country Club, The Palace at Somerset Park, & Stone House at Stirling Ridge- check, check, check, check!! Each venue deserves its buzz for being a bit different, a bit more fun than a standard wedding facility. Definitely talked about, definitely popular. Some are more buzzworthy than others among my circle of Brides & wedding vendors.

The other venues I haven't heard much about period. Is it just me? Liberty Science Center is practically in my backyard & I haven't overheard so much as a whisper about weddings there. I know zilch about One Atlantic but I don't deal much with Atlantic City so that may be my shortcoming. After checking out the web site & falling in love with the photos, I'm praying to the Wedding Gods for a wedding there, STAT. That could be the same case with The Addison Park & Valenzano Winery, just a tad beyond my normal scope of Northern Jersey/Manhattan venues. Still, I love to know anything & everything Jersey Weddings so I'm making a mental note of these venues.

Are any of you getting married at these "hot" venues? Or do you have a less talked about venue you prefer?

Calling Jersey Girls!

The honor of your presence is requested at the "Jersey Shore" house!

Oh yes, my dears, it's true: the "Jersey Shore" beach pad is available for weddings!

Or engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinner or any other event you'd like to host at the summer home of Snooki & the Situation. The Seaside Heights home is being touted as perfect for the non-traditional Bride & Groom. All with killer tans & Jersey accents must apply. Dream come true or nightmare?

I have to admit I have never watched "Jersey Shore" but I knew I had to pass along this gem when a fellow Jersey Girl sent this info my way. I don't live under a rock & I know the show is hugely popular. Perhaps some have been anxiously awaiting a "Jersey Shore" theme wedding. Any takers? Let me know, I'd love to help with the wedding planning!!