tulip love

I feel like just yesterday I was saying hello to Spring; now it's almost time to say good-bye.  With Memorial Day just around the corner, my mind is dreaming of long, lazy Summer days of sunny days, beautiful beaches & refreshing ice cream.  Before we part ways with Spring, I wanted to give a final shout-out to my favorite Spring flower: Tulips!!!! 

I love the graceful simplicity of a white tulip bouquet for Spring Brides:

 

I love the unexpected, pretty look of a closed, white tulip bouquet for Spring Bridesmaids:

I love this white parrot tulip centerpiece almost more than words can describe:

Tulips, you have my Spring heart!

Tell me, what do you love about Spring? 

Photo 1 Travis Hoehne Photography via; Photo 2 Captured Photography by Jenny via; Photo 3 Jose Villa via

{Sneak Peek} Melissa & Phillip

Here's a juicy sneak peek at the fabulous wedding coming next Wedding Wednesday:

I promise you that it's a beauty that you don't want to miss!  With a sweet love story & a darling autumn wedding to match, Melissa & Phillip's wedding story is sure to inspire.  I can't wait for you to see it!!  Color me very excited!

Till then, Happy Weekend!

Photo by Lauren D. Rogers Photography

{wedding rings} sandy

I am enjoying one of the most beautiful Spring days & the sunny skies & soft breezes have me dreaming of beach days.  The beautiful ocean, the bright sun & the warm sand . . .

Speaking of sand, how cool is this sandy ring shot?  I'm pretty much head over heels in love.  The sand & the rings are such a perfect pairing for a beach wedding.  It's a simple photo yet absolutely striking.  The rings' shadows are incredible & the sands' texture is so detailed.  Amazing.  The black & white photography just makes this photo as I'm not sure I would like it so much in color.   

Now if only I could bury myself in the sand today . . .

What are you dreaming of on this lovely day?    

Photo by Robin Van Dyke Photography via

spring

Welcome, Spring!

The bright yellow heads of daffodils dotting the green landscape signify the beginning of Spring in my little corner of the world.  Since Spring made her official debut today, a darling daffodil arrangement marks this special occasion on Koru Wedding Style! 

There is so much to love about this sweet daffodil arrangement, starting with the main stars: gorgeous yellow daffodils.  But would this arrangement be as special without the limes, the burlap & the ribbon?  I think not.  This combination is pure Spring perfection.

Spring Brides, let these daffodils inspire you.  They would be ideal cocktail table centerpieces or fabulous reception centerpieces set on a burlap runner.  Or get creative & switch the burlap for lace & match the ribbon to your wedding colors.  Not planning a wedding?  How about a using these as a cheery Easter decoration?  Wherever your imagination takes you, it will be just lovely.  

What signifies the beginning of Spring to you?  A date on the calendar or something like the sighting of your first daffodil or robin?

Photo via

Spring Flowers

Goodbye, Winter & Hello, Spring!

Spring may not officially start until March 20 but I'm declaring it Spring at Koru Wedding Style.  Winter was disappointing- in so many ways, not just the lack of snow.  I'm ready to move forward & embrace the new beginnings of Spring.  Let's get this Spring party started with with some gorgeous Spring bridal bouquet eye candy.

My favorite Spring flowers are delicate, beautiful tulips:

Peonies are quite lovely too, especially in this loose, garden-style bouquet:

Anemones are daring & modern with their black centers & they look perfect in this small, sweet bouquet:

Did I say tulips were my favorite Spring flower?  I lied.  Or maybe it's simply a tie with graceful, stunning calla lilies:

What is your favorite Spring flower?  Or, like me, do you find it too hard to choose?

Photo 1 Aquario Studio via Photo 2 Grazier Photography via Photo 3 Caroline Tran via Photo 4 Joielala Photography via

Mitten Magic

Hello, March!  I do hope your wet, rainy arrival means Spring is coming soon.  Yes, Spring!!  It's time to start wrapping up our Winter Wedding celebration!

Accessorize, accessorize.  For winter weddings, accessorize often means fur stoles & warm boots.  This ultra-cute bridal party sported handmade purple mittens!  LOVE.  Those bridesmaids are real troopers braving the cold with bare shoulders but at least their hands stayed toasty warm & looked super chic.  Oh & did I mention the Mother of the Bride knitted those fun mittens?!  Love, LOVE!!    

I'm adding adorable mittens to my must-have list for winter weddings.  Stat!

For more of this winter wedding eye candy (purple Uggs! cute dog! lots of snow!), please visit HERE!

Photo by Jessica Smith Photography via

how about a blanket?

Our Winter Wedding celebration continues!

Yesterday, I wrote about the fur/fake fur stole as an absolute essential for a Winter Bride to look fabulous & stay warm.  Of course, I adore a creative Bride who has her own ideas for looking awesome & keeping toasty! 

To stay warm & dry on her winter wedding day, this savvy Bride grabbed a black umbrella, a striped blanket & tall boots.  The Bride wouldn't let a little snow ruin her plans for outdoor photos.  The results are charming!  

&, if I've said it once I've said it a million times, a good attitude & bright smile will ALWAYS make for great photos, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.  In this montage, we don't witness the huge smiles but photos like that wouldn't be possible without a sunny attitude.  Maybe a positive attitude & a big smile are the true, must-have essentials for your wedding day!

Photo by Sarah Culver Photography via

Fur Sure

Since this is the last week of February & in my mind the last week of winter, I'm dedicating this week to the fabulousness of  Winter Weddings.  Grab some hot chocolate & enjoy this winter wedding celebration at Koru Wedding Style.  Ready, set, let's go!

What is a very important accessory for Winter Brides?  Why, a fur/fake fur stole or jacket of course!

I borrowed this luscious, rich brown fur stole from my sister-in-law & I loved rocking it on our winter wedding day.  It kept me so toasty & warm!  & it looked pretty fabulous in our wedding photos, if I do say so myself.  (Peek at the header to see another photo of me wearing it!)  I was happy & honored to wear something borrowed that was gorgeous, practical & meaningful.  The stole once belonged to my sister-in-law's grandmother.  I hope my niece Janie will wear it one day & as Erin describes its storied history she can include that Tita Katie (Filipino term for Aunt) wore it when she married Ninong Rodney (Filipino term for Godfather).      


Now let's admire other fabulous furs worn by Winter Brides, such as the wintery gray fur that makes a subtle statement on this pretty Bride:

This caramel-colored beauty is absolutely stunning against the snowy scenery:

While the gigantic balloons are pretty cool, winter white fur is the finishing touch of this bridal ensemble:

This Winter Bride looks warm & cozy in her caramel-colored fur stole:

I love me some fur (or fake fur) clad Winter Brides!  Does any other wedding season have an essential accessory that is both beautiful & practical?  

UPDATE: Visit Style Me Pretty AND Style Me Pretty New York today to see two beautiful Winter Brides rocking fur!

Photo 1 Timothy Glenn Photography; Photo 2 Katie Jane Photo via; Photo 3 James Christianson via;
Photo 4 via; Photo 5 FS Photography via

Hello, Winter?

Old Man Winter, you have really, truly disappointed me this year.  One measly snowstorm?  Come on, it's embarassing at this point.  If I did my job so poorly, Koru Wedding Shoppe would be out of business.

Yes, my dears, my winter-loving heart has been broken in 2012.  Now luckily for my winter wedding loving-heart, there has been plenty of snowy wedding goodness to keep my heart beating.  Naturally, I must share my wintery favorites with you!

A  kiss is just a kiss, unless it's a kiss against a snowy backdrop:

Why not romp through the snow on the joyous day of your winter elopement? 

A little walk on the winter wedding wild side:

And this is one beautifully accessorized winter Bride (the cardigan, the necklace, the boots!)

 

I heart winter weddings SO much.  I have a little more winter loveliness to share next week, then I promise to move on to spring weddings.  Tell me, what is your favorite wedding season & why?

Photo 1 via; Photo 2 via; Photo 3 via; Photo 4 via

First Look, snow-style

When I was a Bride planning my Winter Wedding, there was not a lot of inspiration to be found in wedding blogs or magazines.  Spring, Summer & Fall weddings were clearly favored. Thankfully, two years later (wow, where did the time go?!), Winter Weddings are getting more of their well-deserved time in the spotlight.  Here at Koru Wedding Style, I will never tire of featuring Brides & Grooms enjoying their Winter Weddings.

How about a Winter Wedding gem like this?

Such a stunning black & white image of a Bride & Groom sharing their First Look in a snowy landscape. This Winter Wedding delivers big time!


Photo by Alison Conklin via

Take That, Blizzard

If you've hung around Koru Wedding Style long enough, you know I'm a big fan of winter weddings.  Clearly as a winter Bride, I'm biased.  But with fun photos like this, can you blame me for loving winter weddings?

Snow + Smile + Sass = Delightful Winter Wedding Magic.   

A little backstory: this is a wedding day blizzard.  Not just some pretty snow.  A blizzard!

The way I see it, there are two options when faced with a wedding day blizzard.  You can scream, cry & curse the wedding weather gods.  Or you can keep smiling & make the best of it.  Clearly, this wise Bride chose the Option Two.

The Bride slapped on her snow boots, grabbed her umbrella, hitched her dress & made a beeline to the church to marry her Groom.  & did some high kicks on the way!  Ah, the true spirit of a gracious Bride.
 
Brides of all seasons, remember that anything can & may happen on your wedding day.  The key is how you choose to handle it.  Don't let anything ruin the beautiful day you say "I Do!"  

Photo via

Snowflake Smile

Winter Brides may not be able to say their vows in a beautiful garden or stroll among fields of lavender for photos.  But Winter Brides can have fun too, despite the cold & snow!  Don't believe me?  Just look at this Bride's joyful snowflake smile!

Photo via A Practical Wedding

Gone Wedding

RED, the color of Saturday's Wedding

Image by Jonathan Ivy Photography

via The Knotty Bride

Koru Family & Friends, here's the deal: the blog will be silent for the remainder this week.  Why?  Because I'm thoroughly & happily entrenched in wedding planning this week.  Saturday is the BIG day!!! 

I met this sweet Bride back in December when I was in the final stages of planning my wedding.  She had bright, beautiful ideas for her Fall wedding day.  It's been a true honor & absolute privilege to see those ideas grow & blossom.  I can hardly wait to help bring those very ideas to life on Saturday to celebrate this happy couple's positive new beginning!

Before Saturday, there are schedules to be finalized, details to solidify, vendors to confirm & much, much more.  So consider me Gone Wedding. 

As for you & me, we'll meet again next week~

Pumpkins, Pumpkins & More Pumpkins

Tonight, I have a date with my cutie 2-year-old goddaughter to paint three baby pumpkins.  I'm so thrilled to be seeing & experiencing Halloween through a little one's spirited eyes. We have three small pumpkins & primary color paints: the making of a very seasonal good time!


We'll be sticking to the basics with our pumpkins but there is nothing wrong with a little Halloween pumpkin dreaming is there?!


Behold the Autumn beauty of this incredible pumpkin path:

Image via Country Living

The most delightful curlicue pumpkin:

Image via Country Living

Simple, dimple!  Disguise your pumpkin with a vintage (as shown) or new Halloween mask:

 Image via Country Living

Black & white pumpkins, achieved with black paint or Sharpie marker, are tres Halloween chic:

Image via Country Living

I loved Lite-Brite as a kid so this Lite-Brite-effect, crescent moon pumpkin has my heart:

Image via Country Living

For easy, no-carving inspiration, check out last year's Halloween pumpkin post!

Which pumpkin inspiration is your favorite?  What cool plans do you have for your Halloween pumpkin?

Pretty Paper

I have a wedding invitation appointment tomorrow & I'm really, really excited because I don't have such appointments much anymore.  I'm not comfortable bringing strangers to my home studio & I'm not lugging my heavy invitation books elsewhere.  But tomorrow is a fun appointment with a family friend that will give me the golden chance to flex my creative invitation muscles.  Now I have invitations on my mind! 

Invitations are my favorite wedding detail & I'd love to share some recent finds with you:

Invitation by Avie Designs

via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The modern, lasercut Mexican Papel Picado invitation is AMAZING!  I'm in absolute awe.  This invitation is practically too good to be true.  I would love, LOVE to receive this invitation to a fun, fiesta wedding!! 

   Invitation by Julia Kostreva

via Once Wed

No doubt about it, letterpress is beautiful.  This Fall invitation takes letterpress invitations to a new level with a process called split ink fountain.  I don't know anything about split ink fountain except that I absolutely love it!

Invitation by Woodland Papercuts

via Postcards and Pretties

This charming invitation is named Deer Beloved.  I mean, that just about says it all!  Papercutting is used to create the invitation & I'm a huge fan of the results.   I'm picturing a winter wedding in Aspen.

Invitation by Scout's Honor Co.

via 100 Layer Cake

Nautical-themed weddings & invitations are nothing new but the fabulous watercolor design takes this invitation to another level.  I know from my art class days that watercolor is no easy feat so I really admire this design.  It's a fresh, pretty take on a classic waterfront wedding. 

For more of my fun invitation picks, check my Paper Board on Pinterest!

What invitations are you loving these days?

Fall Lovin'

One crisp, cool October Sunday each year, you can find me & my husband celebrating the Fall season at Wightman's Farm.  This tradition dates back to my childhood, now it's our tradition too.  The farm is a seasonal delight of products like pumpkins & apples & of activities like pumpkin slings & apple picking.  RZ & I are in it for the farm's fresh & delicious apple cider & donuts, not to mention the miles & miles of plump pumpkins.

 
We loaded up on two cups of hot apple cider, two gallons of apple cider & two dozen donuts before I began my search for the perfect pumpkins.  Sometimes it takes awhile but with the threat of rain, I was amazingly quick this year.  That's me in the purple skirt in absolute Fall glory with my cup of hot apple cider & our bags of homemade donuts as I pick the two most perfect pumpkins:

RZ convinces me to pose for a photo among the corn stalks & while I can bear to be separated from my new pumpkins, there is no way I'm letting go of my hot cider & yummy donuts:

My hubs says Hello & Happy Fall:

He had his eye on this Jets pumpkin & I insisted we decorate our own.  Then I was left wondering who has the incredibly fun job of painting these pumpkins?  Where do I sign up?

Much like Fall, traditions are comforting.  Once upon a time, I shared this tradition with my birth family, now it's a delight to create & enjoy this tradition with my baby family (remember: this does not mean we are having a baby!). & our yearly trip to the farm never disappoints.  We celebrate not only the gorgeous season but the delight of making yet another sweet memory in beautiful life we have together.  Till next year, Wightman's Farm!

What are your favorite Fall traditions?

It's A Wrap: 22nd Edition

Count this beauty as one of my Favorite Weddings

Image via Style Me Pretty

Hi, Koru Family & Friends!  Today is the first day of Autumn.  It's pretty much a wash of heavy rain & grey skies here but I hope Autumn delivers sunny, crisp, cool days soon.  Enjoy the first Autumn weekend!

Before you leave to celebrate the weekend, please enjoy the Koru List of my favorite finds this week:

It's a bold statement but I feel comfortable making it:

This whimsical Wedding is my favorite Wedding EVER

Will you be using Tangerine Tango or these other hot colors for your Wedding or Event?

Sometimes an amazing Wedding needs no words

What would you do with 66 Minutes with your loved one?

Come join me in pinning lots & lots of Wedding loveliness!

May your Autumn weekend be fabulous~

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?

Every Last Detail

When I arrived at my bridal shower at Trinity in Hoboken, the very first thing that struck me was how perfect & beautiful everything looked. Then I realized not only was every last detail fabulous, it was so personal.

The favors were handmade, crystal snowflake ornaments gorgeously presented in a purple organza bags with matching tags:

(I adore purple. I decorate our condo with snowflakes for Christmas.)

The tables were decorated with pretty, white poinsettias, felt snowflakes, Crumbs Bake Shop cupcakes & ornament place card holders displaying photos of me & RZ:

(Winter Wedding = Winter Bridal Shower)

The delicious vanilla or chocolate Crumbs cupcake favors were nested in a white basket with a delicate "Thank You" charm & every photo was from a special day or event like this St. Patrick's Day party photo:

(I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm addicted to Crumbs Bake Shop cupcakes!
And I enjoyed reliving our memories through our photos!!)

Each bridal shower guest was asked to bring us a Christmas ornament for our Christmas tree:

(I love, LOVE decorating our Christmas tree, always have.)

Each guest tagged their ornament & hung it on the Christmas tree as they arrived:

(Guests put thought into the ornaments, like the framed engagement photo above, two beagle ornaments for Bailey,
a NY taxi cab similar to our wedding day transportation, etc, etc)

The bridal shower looked like a photo shoot for Martha Stewart Weddings, yet it was clearly designed with love for me. I'm one blessed Bride-to-be!

Floral Hint

Carnation photo via Hey Gorgeous!

To be honest, it's very, very difficult for me not to share every last detail of our winter wedding with you. I'd love to post a photo of my wedding dress, our wedding invitations, our cake, etc. It's so tempting! Then I remember it's most important for our treasured wedding guests to be surprised & delighted at our wedding. After our quickly-approaching wedding, I will have plenty of time to share with you. Reason wins.

Mostly.

Except for the flowers. Planning & creating our modern, winter white wedding look with my fabulous florist Liz has been one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning. Then to not be able to share any of the details . . . so unfair! I have been bursting to show you our perfect, sample centerpiece ever since I laid my eyes on it. But I resist.

Then I stumbled upon the above photo of a simple, white carnation bouquet on Hey Gorgeous! yesterday. I couldn't resist the golden opportunity. After all, I have written about my love for underrated carnations & my plan to use carnations for our wedding so I can say a little more. Right? This isn't an outright sneak peek, it's more like a sneak hint. Our wedding will feature flowers similar to the photo above from the bouquets to the ceremony to the reception. Sweet & romantic.

That's all I can write & show you for now!