Wear-Again-Worthy Bridesmaid Dresses

Each of these styles feature slim silhouettes and flattering elements that make them wearable for your next cocktail party or night out on the town.

Alfred Sung

alfredsung.com

Aria

ariadress.com

Ann Taylor

anntaylor.com

Simple Silhouettes

simpledress.com

Lela Rose

lelarose.com

Coren Moore

corenmoore.com

Lazaro

lazarobridal.com

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Country Wedding Ideas

Country Wedding Ideas

More personal than a banquet hall, country weddings can be some of the most beautiful and inventive of all. Maybe it's the mix of informality and elegance, the day-to-day and the once-in-a-lifetime, or how impressive it is to see a place so transformed. Regardless, let these ideas stimulate your imagination to dream up your singular celebration.

Abundant Glory

This oversize bouquet recalls the lushness of a country meadow. A chartreuse velvet ribbon binds the long stems of gloriosa lilies, sandersonia, rose hips, Lachenalia, geranium foliage, mahonia, and French, parrot, and 'Tennessee' tulips.

Calico Cake

A two-dimensional calico print comes to life on a cake with diminutive hand-sculpted flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh strawberries top stacked pound cakes instead of the traditional biscuits, with mascarpone cream sandwiched between the layers. Platters piped with royal icing in a basket-weave pattern lend a country feel. They sit on ribbon-wrapped columns that elevate the dessert from its rustic origins and allude to the shape of a conventional tiered wedding cake.

Basket Centerpiece

Baskets brimming with fruit imbue a reception with rustic charm. We filled Nantucket baskets in various sizes with warm-toned fruits: pears, apricots, and two kinds of apples. Small baskets laden with blond cherries are arranged at place settings for guests to take home -- tiny bows are a graceful touch.

Tuscan Takeaway

Ripe fruits symbolize abundance and fertility -- and make delicious favors. Tomatoes look beautiful and enticing in this rustic Italian display.

Buffets and Bites

A sumptuous Italian buffet sets the tone for a reception in the country.

Harvest Centerpiece

A table arrangement of grains celebrates the bounty of the harvest. In addition to wheat, which symbolizes a fruitful life, this textured display includes other dried grasses (available at crafts stores), so it can be made weeks ahead. The final flourish? A luxurious satin bow.

Berry Basket Favors

Send wedding guests home with fresh strawberries and scones to enjoy the morning after. Wrap scones in cellophane, and line a wooden berry basket with parchment paper. Tie on a note stamped with a strawberry design.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Fabric Wedding Ideas

Paper Details

The key to the whimsical collection shown is to mix your media. First, commission this suite's paper elements from Print Icon (printicon.com). Then add the fabric yourself, using an adhesive laminating machine (such as the Xyron, available at craft stores).

The invitation has Liberty of London "Tana Lawn" fabric (bandjfabrics.com) adhered behind the cut-out initials, and denim covering the back. The envelope is lined with inexpensive paper photocopies of the same glorious print. Likewise, a fabric ampersand was cut and glued to the save-the-date, and a denim strip decorates the reply card.

Get the how-to for this cut-out fabric invitation and save-the-date.

Programs

For the ceremony program, cut fabric into an 8 1/2-by-11-inch rectangle, fold it over a booklet of paper the same size, and staple the spine.

We used Suzanne Rheinstein's "Ikat De Lin" fabric here and throughout the slideshow (617-449-5506) and Paper Presentation 8 1/2-by-11-inch "Classic Crest" cover paper (paperpresentation.com).

Sweet Seating

Help guests find their tables and give them something festive to wear -- the bows on these escort cards can be removed and pinned over the strap of a dress or onto the lapel of a suit. To create them, fold 2-by-4 1/4-inch strips of cloth in thirds lengthwise, and knot in the middle. Glue the bows to bar-pin backs (available at craft stores). Let dry, and then stick them through 3 1/2-by-5-inch flat cards with guests' names written on them.

These were calligraphed by Dana Cochran (afinelinestudio.com).

Table Toppers

Bright bunches of sweetpeas, poppies, roses, ranunculus, and astrantia will pop when placed in cloth-covered vases. To make them, attach fabric to plant pots with double-sided adhesive sheets (get the complete how-to here). We used Kelly Wearstler "Sea Urchin" fabric (617-449-5506), Twin Tak adhesive (leesartshop.com), and Ikea "Mandel" pots (ikea.com).

Then, display them on a circular or rectangular runner. This one is made from Grayline Linen handkerchief linen (graylinelinen.com).

You can personalize your place settings with fabric napkins printed by Spoonflower that display your dinner menu. Upload an image file of your menu to their website; select a fabric, size, and layout; and they'll send a sheet of cloth ready to be cut (spoonflower.com).

Colorful table numbers can guide guests to their seats. Print them onto card stock, cut out the numbers with a craft knife, and fold the cards to make tents. Glue fabric inside to cover the cutout. Get the complete how-to here.

Vera Wang Wedgwood Naturals "Dusk" plates (na.wwrd.com).

Photo Booth

Creating a picture booth doesn't get any easier than this: Drape a few yards of varying fabrics from an overhead pole, and say cheese, Mr. and Mrs.!

He is wearing a Banana Republic chino jacket and trousers (bananarepublic.com) with a J.Crew vintage chambray utility shirt (jcrew.com), a custom tie by Tie Crafters (tiecrafters.com), and a Ray Griffiths Fine Jewelry band (raygriffiths.com). She is wearing an Alberta Ferretti gown (310-652-9000), Kimberly McDonald earrings (mitchellsonline.com), and a Diamond in the Rough "Champagne Bubbles" necklace (diamondintherough.com).

Fabulous Favors

The evening wouldn't be complete without a few thoughtful thank-yous for guests. Good wine is made for giving -- and drinking with dear friends. Pick up half bottles of your favorite vintage, apply custom labels, and then wrap them Japanese-style with pieces of denim.

Sweet Take-Home Treats

Offer salted caramels at night's end. Roll a version like the Suss Sweets Caramel Sticks (deandeluca.com) in a paper with an enlarged photocopy of fabric. Twist the ends, and seal it with a label.

Cookie Favors

If you're starting to think there's nothing that can't be adorned with fabric, let's confirm that: Yes, even cookies can showcase your wedding's color and theme. These baked goods are Eleni's Edible Image Cookies (elenis.com). Upload a scan of cloth to their website, and they'll fire up the oven. Package the cookies in clear containers, like these from The Box Depot (theboxdepot.com), and add a bow.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Unique Bouquets

Black-Beaded Flowers

Glossy, black-beaded flowers dance among puffs of white hydrangeas in a lush, rounded composition; the long, black-satin streamers are gathered at the ends in soft ruffles.

Check out more unique wedding bouquets HERE:

Ideas Full of Fun, Color, and Confetti

 

Why have a reception when you can throw a party instead? Ready, set, check out these confetti ideas!

Color Splash

Nothing says "Let's celebrate" like candy confetti, especially when it's overflowing from a swanky champagne coupe and cascading down the side of a pure white fondant-wrapped cake. It's a spontaneous statement that couldn't be easier to make. Cake, Cakegirls, thecakegirls.com.

Kabloom

Bursting with peonies and roses, this vibrant magenta bouquet gets the party started before the first cork is popped. It makes a bold statement, so stick to natural makeup -- and score extra points by working in an accessory, such as these multi-hued diamond earrings, that nods to the confetti theme. "Sunday Rose" gown, $9,500, Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com. Earrings, $275,000, Neil Lane for De Beers, debeers.com. 3.01-carat diamond ring, cartier.com.

Suite Surprise

With its perfectly round silhouette, the circle is as fundamental to graphic design as flour is to cake batter. Enter our spirited stationery collection, which puts confetti on display in all its roly-poly glory. To make the motif your own, download the free clip art here, hit print, cut, and mail (in navy envelopes lined in hot pink of course). The celebration will begin at the moment your loved ones open their mail.

On the Dot

What appears to be colorful confetti at first glance is actually a jaunty take on place cards. Tossed out on a table, a smattering of color-coordinated circles announces guests' names and table numbers with flair. To ensure that your palette is as elegant as it is effervescent, make sure to mix in muted shades with neon brights. Or just follow our lead and temper tangerine and shocking pink with moody midnight blue, gold, and bright white.

Top Brass

Unexpected inspiration calls for unexpected centerpieces -- and an artistic arrangement of brass horns is just that. The look is clean and unfussy (not to mention incredibly chic), but it's the out-of-the-box thinking that will really wow your guests. The perfect finishing touch? A simply sewn garland made from oversize foil confetti in hot pink and gold. Garland confetti, Artistry In Motion, 818-994-7388 or artistryinmotion.com. Table confetti, Confetti.com.

Have a Ball

Late-night snacks can feel as tired as the wedding guests who devour them. These doughnut holes, however, are a wake-up call in the form of a sugar rush. Simply ask your caterer to whip up a big batch in a variety of sugar-coated hues, and serve them to your (grateful) guests in metallic gold paper cones.

Lolly Good

Shaken, not stirred? Nope -- in the case of these homemade liqueur lollipops, the catchphrase is "stirred, not sucked." Meant to be swirled into a glass of champagne until they dissolve and infuse the bubbly with flavor, these playful pops (in black currant, raspberry, and peach) are a grown-ups-only take on the tried-and-true childhood treat.

Hits the Spot: Candy

These tubes of chocolates are as irresistible as gumball machines -- only they're sleeker looking and don't require a quarter. Dylan's Candy Bar. Clear tower, 2 by 5 1/2 inch, B-T104, Spectrum Ascona, 1-800-356-1473. Gold label, 1 2/3 inch round, MLR10, Paper Presentation.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Real Parties: Cooking-Themed Birthday Party

Saw this adorable party over at Hostess with Mostess - the party was put together by EventologyWeddings. . .see all of the cute details below

more details HERE



Candy Themed Shower

Plan a shower that is sweet like candy -- just like Darcy Miller did for bride-to-be Dylan Lauren, owner of Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. "This theme is so much fun and perfect for Dylan," Darcy says. "But, really, who doesn't like candy?"

Cheeky Ring Pop favors were presented to guests as if they were crown jewels.

Strawberry chocolate bars from Chocolate Editions by Mary & Matt (chocolate-editions.com) were sent to guests as invites. Darcy's illustration (darcymillerdesigns.com) provides the details on the outside. Inside are the initials of Dylan and her fiance, Paul Arrouet. Custom stamps from Zazzle (zazzle.com) top it all off.

 

Lemon Drop cocktails -- punched up with swizzle sticks -- are served on a tray lined with jelly beans.

Guests scooped their goodies into little cellophane bags from ForYourParty.com.

Small cupcakes from Baked by Melissa (bakedbymelissa.com) are crowned with white-chocolate discs from American Chocolate Designs (americanchocolatedesigns.com) printed with sketches of the bride and groom.

Need a better view of our larger-than-life smorgasbord? Behold! To re-create it, keep the colors monochromatic. Design it with or without the perimeter, depending on how many sweets you want to offer (order 1/4 pound of candy per person). The acrylic initials and heart were custom made by I Love Lucite (310-966-0740), but "you could also arrange little glass bowls in the shape of your letters," suggests Darcy.

Here, the breakdown of every morsel.

Candy inside the initials:

SweetWorks gourmet gumballs (candy.com)

Candy in the heart, clockwise from top left:

Sixlets chocolates (candy.com)

Hammond's Candies cinnamon straws (hammondscandies.com)

Albanese Candy gummi bears (albaneseconfectionery.com)

Madelaine Chocolate chocolate hearts (candy.com)

"Really Cherry" gumballs (candy.com)

Jelly Belly red-apple jelly beans and licorice wheels (Dylan's Candy Bar, 866-939-5267)

Candy around the outside (in Container Store trays, 888-266-8246):

Mehlenbacher's Taffy sticks (805-460-9871)

Jelly Belly cotton-candy jelly beans (Dylan's Candy Bar, 866-939-5267)

 

Madelaine Chocolate milk-chocolate hearts (candy.com)

Dryden & Palmer cherry rock-candy crystals (rockcandy.com)

Kimmie Candy Company choco almonds (shopkimmiecandy.com)

Mark Joseph's cake, bedecked with fondant hearts, carries on the "D loves P" theme

Tubes of Jelly Belly jelly beans in gradient colors are set out for guests to take home.

Candy necklaces, tucked into jewelry boxes, are another playful favor.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 





 
 



 

 

Fab Find:

Scratch and Save

 

You won the lottery when you found each other, so send this cheeky save-the-date card to let guests share in your luck. After scraping off the paint with a penny, they'll hit the jackpot: your wedding date!

You won the lottery when you found each other, so send this cheeky save-the-date card to let guests share in your luck. After scraping off the paint with a penny, they'll hit the jackpot: your wedding date!

Tools and Supplies

 

•Ink-jet and laser printer

•8 1/2-by-11-inch card stock in white or cream (you will print 2 cards per sheet)

•Craft knife and metal ruler

•Metallic acrylic paint (we used Golden Artist Colors acrylic paint in iridescent silver, $4.75, utrechtart.com)

•Liquid dish soap

•1/4-inch-wide watercolor brush

•A7 envelopes (5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inches)

•Pennies

Basic How-To

 

1. Download our PDF file, and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader (if you are using a Mac, use Reader instead of Apple's Preview application). Most browsers already include this program, but if you have trouble downloading the file or would like to upgrade Acrobat Reader, you can obtain the latest version of the software for free from Adobe's website.

 

2. Replace the placeholder text with your own (you only need to do this in one box; the form will automatically fill in the rest), and print onto card stock.

 

3. Use the craft knife and metal ruler to cut between the crop marks (do not cut all the way to the edges of the paper; this will leave the crop marks intact around all the edges to guide subsequent cuts).

 

4. Combine one part dish soap with two parts metallic acrylic paint. Paint neatly over the number in the center of the hearts with a thin layer. Let it dry thoroughly, about 1 hour, and then add a second layer. Let second coat dry thoroughly (about 1 more hour) before putting the cards in the envelopes.

 

5. Mail the card with a "lucky" penny for scratching (you will need extra postage for this).

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings