Search results (tags) for: "handmade wedding series"

Handmade Weddings: Vegan Punk Style

2009-05-28T10:38:00-05:00

Our courtship was a string of midnight coffee and donuts, drunken bike rides, and sweaty punk shows. So when Paul and I decided we wanted to have a wedding, we had the daunting task of organizing a DIY vegan punk atheist wedding that wouldn't alienate our parents and extended families.

In order to balance out all the traditional elements missing from our wedding (like mentions of God or "man and wife," rings, or a marriage license), we incorporated as much of our families' heirlooms and tokens of past generations as possible. We decided to use vintage California as our overall theme, and tried to have as classy a wedding as two scruffy punks can manage.

The invitations were letterpress printed by the sweet friends of Paul at Portland's Stumptown Printers. I wanted them to look fancier than the hand-addressed alternative, but didn't have the money for a calligrapher. So I picked up an old 1960s cursive typewriter for cheap and hand-typed them all myself. I thought I was going to lose the use of my fingers after all that typing, but I love how they turned out!

Paul's mom Merry, a.k.a. obi1, also gave us her beautiful collection of vintage California postcards and photochromes to use as response cards. It was Paul's idea to use vintage stamps too. We found some wonderful sheets of old stamps at the local hobby store that cost face value.

My dress was an homage to old Hollywood in a warm off-white, and lucky for us, it was a floor sample that happened to fit like a glove, so we saved a lot. My goodwill wedding dress score that mysteriously disappeared when my mother offered to have it "cleaned" was even cheaper ($5), but, admittedly, not the stunner this one was. My pretty retro birdcage veil was made by somethingboldveils, and I wore my mother's pearls with Merry's pearl earrings.

We had the ceremony up in Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills in front of a big willow tree. We wrote our own vows, and had our very stately friend Nate act as officiant. (Holding his notes in a Ramones book to look more official, no doubt!) The vows were all about our love for each other, the joining of families and our desire to declare our commitment in front of our community. It was heartfelt and sweet — almost everybody cried.

The reception was held at the Hillside Club, which is a Tudor style hall built in 1906, destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in 1923. It really helped to have two spaces so inherently pretty that we didn't have to worry about decorating much.

Our very favorite vegan chef Antonio serves up all organic, vegan and locally grown fare at his stand, Flaco's, in the farmer's market. We had him whip up some faux chicken tamales, mole drenched soft tacos, pineapple jicama salad, mushroom ceviche, and big glass jars of strawberry agua fresca and horchata! All of the carnivores and veggies alike raved over the food!

To go with the food and theme, we got glass bottles of coca cola made in Mexico and big batches of sangria that my bridesmaid Kristina and I made the morning of the wedding. We took a case of red wine and cut up pounds of oranges, strawberries, nectarines, and berries, and threw them in a bucket to steep. We filled rented pitchers halfway with lemon lime soda with ice and topped it with the fruit infused wine. The result: very pretty and tasty centerpieces!

We cut our raspberry and chocolate vegan wedding cake from Black China Bakery with Paul's grandfather's Masons sword. I kept thinking "I'm actually cutting a vegan cake with a sword!" while laughing.

We got the infamous DJ Lebowitz to play at our reception, doing piano adaptations of a slew of punk songs, from bands like The Ramones, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, and Black Flag. Our families enjoyed it just as much as our friends who were calling out song titles and singing along to their favorites. We danced our first dance to the Ramones version of "Baby, I Love You." That moment summed up everything about our wedding day for me, and I started crying: I was surrounded by my family and friends smiling and having a wonderful time, in the arms of the man I love, and it felt absolutely perfect.

Photos by Andrew Kercher, a great photographer, and mellow dude.

Further Resources:
Simple and easy vegan Mexican recipes.
Starter sangria recipes.

See more photos of this wedding in Ariel's flickr set.

Handmade Wedding Series | Weddings Category

Weddings Showcase | Curated Items for your Wedding

Handmade Weddings: Vintage-Inspired Place Settings with Poppytalk

2009-05-08T10:15:00-05:00

Welcome back to Jan of Poppytalk! We're happy to have her for another installment in the Handmade Weddings series. She's full of good ideas — using vintage postcards as your RSVPs, for instance! Today, she brings us her picks for vintage and retro handmade items to create that lovely old-timey look with your wedding decor.

I recently came across the beautiful work of illustrator Cynthia Warren*, who creates the most authentic vintage-style paper goods. From wedding invitations to party favours, I was instantly smitten and inspired to dream up a vintage-themed wedding article. The marriage of her calligraphy, illustrations and typography create a sense of romance and draw one into another era and time. Ideas of banners or pennants floating about, with table favours such as candy and cake boxes, lace, vintage silverware — you get the idea. And so I set off to find pieces here that would compliment the idea of a vintage-inspired wedding setting.

(*Noteworthy - I found Cynthia Warren via a Canadian blog, Cafe Cartolina)

Ornamental large frames- brights

First stop is the shop of Ormolu who creates these very special ornamental frames. You could use these as frames for the photo booth strips of your guests, or as shown here, banner-style. By ormolu, $5.

Calligraphy Samples

Laura Cooper of LHCalligraphy makes hand drawn custom wedding invitations, menus, maps, placecards and even compasses. Her work is impeccable, and she also offers couture letterpress as well as digital offset designs. By LHCalligraphy, $10.

Vintage Sterling Teaspoon 1898 Glasgow British marked -Ester-

There's nothing more beautiful than a sterling silver table setting. Granted, people don't usually own a place setting for 100, but if it's a small wedding, obviously renting is an alternative. If you're having your wedding in a hotel, silverware usually comes with the banquet. But if you're doing things on a budge,t we found some really reasonable pieces here at Etsy just by searching silverware in the Vintage Category. Look at this beautiful Vintage Sterling Teaspoon circa 1898! One could easily outfit at least the bridal party table with these (and then they become part of your collection afterward). By oldthings, $10.

100 Custom Stamped Initial Wedding Favor Bags

There are so many ideas one can do with wedding favors, like candy bags like these from susanschrock, personalized with an initial. By susanschrock, $35.

Cameo box -set of 4

Wrap some special chocolates or cake in these cameo boxes from thesecretG. By thesecretG, $3.40.

Right On Escutcheon Gift Tags

Or tag some goodies up. By KisforCalligraphy, $5.50.

EMMA TABLE NUMBER

For easy yet romantic ideas for decor, we're looking at these beautiful Table Number Cards which embellishedbytiffany also makes in other font styles and colors. By embellishedbytiffany, $3.

Paris Burlap Banner

And we love the idea of bunting banners draped criss-cross along the ceiling or swooped along the side of a fence or from tree to tree if the wedding is outdoors. funkyshique is offering up some sweet burlap ones. By funkyshique, $12.

Vintage girls, cotton and lace bunting

Or ColetteC has some extra special ones with vintage lace! By ColetteC, $24.

Linen and Lace

I didn't realize Etsy Vintage has all these awesome linens and things! I found this beautiful vintage tablecloth, which would be awesome for the cake table. Or find a few and drape them along the head table. From thevintagethread, $75.

CLAYCRAFT by DECO - Ivory Peony Cake Flowers (set of 3 flowers)
And to top things off, these clay flowered cakes are amazing (and a great keepsake). By dkdesignshawaii, $140.

Have fun exploring Etsy Vintage and try searching for handmade wedding items with vintage elements. Your guests will be transported!

Check Poppytalk's previous wedding post here. Looking for more wedding content? Try these links:

Handmade Weddings | Weddings Category | Weddings Showcase | Curated Items for your Wedding

Etsy Finds: Say I Do to Handmade

2009-05-07T12:17:00-05:00

Getting married or know someone who is starting to plan? I tied the knot last year and wanted as many handmade details as possible. All of the Etsy sellers I worked with were eager to take part in making my wedding special, and I felt so lucky to have them involved in the big day. Here are some of my top wedding Finds (and sellers to work with!).

Black Diamond and 14kt Gold Ring

First things first: get the ring. If you aren't traditional, you'll find amazing options on Etsy. Why not go with a black diamond? By stamp, $235.

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CUSTOM Wedding Cake Topper

I picked the hair color and accessories for my wedding topper, and it looked just like us! By thesmallobject, $135.

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White and Green Elegance

Clay flowers are a wedding memento you can keep forever. By debashri, $150.

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BLISS headpiece white silk dupioni, vintage rhinestones bridal head piece

When I received my custom made headpiece by houseoftelsa I burst into tears. There's something so special about these! $65.

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Boarding Pass Invitation (Download, Print and Send)

Having a destination wedding? These "Save The Date" boarding passes are for you! By WeddingPanacheNY, $35.

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Small Starfish ornaments wedding favors -- dozen

Wedding by the beach? These favors would be a great souvenir for your guests! By naturalhome, $28.

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Custom printed silk bridal hankie - Hearts

Trust me, you're going to cry. Be prepared! By ArtfulBeginnings, $19.

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Chocolate Dipped Strawberries - vegan soap

I sent my out-of-town guests home with custom soaps from LoveLeeSoaps. I also love these strawberries by DirtyAssSoaps, $15.

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Rounded Square Wedding Band

Don't forget your husband's band. Chances are he wants something EXACTLY like this. By ninadinoff, $100.

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Dream- wall art, hanging banner

I had a custom made glittery banner like this above the head table. It was a dream! By InMyBlueRoom, $15.

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Looking for more Wedding Finds? Try these links:

Weddings Category | Handmade Weddings Series | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Ideas

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Handmade Weddings: Decades of Bridal Style

2009-04-15T14:23:00-05:00

Sarai is a designer, vintage lover, and seamstress extraordinaire. Some of you may know from her blog, Sweet Sassafras. She's also launching her own line of beautiful sewing patterns. Sneak a peek at the preview at Colette Patterns.

There are so many gorgeous options when it comes to bringing vintage style to your wedding that it can be difficult to define one specific look. Last year, I brought you some tips and ideas for bringing vintage elements into your wedding attire. But there is such a wealth of inspiration to be gathered from the styles of the past that it can be difficult to pinpoint what you want! Let's look a little more closely at a few styles from past decades that may inspire you.

Deco Bride

Clockwise from top left: Tower Czech Rhinestone Deco Pendants from dibabeads, Vintage Ivory Lace Wedding Dress and Jacket with Satin Slip and Vintage Ivory Satin Lace-up Bridal Shoes from GlorybyJeannieLee.

When you think of the style of the roaring twenties, you probably immediately think of the free spirited flapper. Slim, boyish figures were in and restrictive corsets were out, emphasized with sack dresses and dropped waistlines. Egyptian themes were all the rage, and these influenced the strong geometric lines of Art Deco, which were reflected in clothing and jewelry.

But in spite of the flat chests and bobbed hair, women still wanted some femininity. For weddings, the simple straight cut of the sack dress was balanced with fluid silk fabric, intricate detail, beading, and trim at the hemline. Headpieces drew attention from the body to the face, with many brides choosing to wear a cloche hat or long, trailing veil.

For this look, think of the pixie-ish beauty of Clara Bow, the sultriness of Louise Brooks, or the vivacity of Josephine Baker. Try beaded trims, fringed hemlines, a very long net veil, wreath-like headbands of gilded and beaded leaves.
Photo courtesy of ondiraiduveau on Flickr.

Screen Siren

From left to right: Satin Nightgown from TheBohemianGoddess, Gold Leaf Vintage Barrette with Rhinestones from rosebudcottage, and Two Part Rhinestone Deco Vintage Buckle from ohmymilky.

In the more troubled thirties, many women turned to Hollywood for their dose of glamour. Screen sirens such as Jean Harlow showed off their curves in draped gowns of shimmering silk that covered up yet revealed everything. The 1930s saw a turn to a slightly more feminine, soft aesthetic with waved hair, slinky gowns, and sparkly costume jewelry.

Brides wore long gowns in slim silhouettes, often cut on the bias in silk charmeuse or crepe. The look was glamorous, but streamlined. These modern gowns might be further adorned with rhinestone and silver jewelry, dress clips, or belt clasps.

For this look, a bias-cut gown in a flowing silk is the main event. Dress it up even more with rhinestone dress clips, jewelry, or a clasp at the waist. Add a faux fur wrap for drama. Get soft wavy hair with pin curls or marcel waves.

Photo courtesy of ondiraiduveau on Flickr.

Forties Glamour

Clockwise from top left: Milk Glass and White Rhinestone Bracelet from beth1818, Vintge Tulle Wedding Dress from atouchofvintage, and Vintage Satin Bridal Shoes from WearingHistory.

During the war, styles for women took on more severe, military-inspired lines with broad shoulders and small waists. Hair was often worn in elaborate rolls that suited women's new role in the workforce.

Headpieces for brides suited these hairstyles, with higher, crown-like pieces and attached veils. Shining satin continued to be popular for dresses, though the movement was toward rayon rather than the silk that was needed in the war effort. Wedding dresses were still simple and modern, but with more structure and less drape.

For this look, try a long silk gown with a sweetheart neckline and puffed long sleeves. Hair could be worn in rolls, or for a more subdued look, a simple pageboy style or soft Veronica Lake style waves. A beaded snood or half-crown headpiece would complete the look, and don't forget the peep-toe shoes!

Photo courtesy of ondiraiduveau on Flickr

Fifties Frills

Clockwise from top left: Vintage Rhinestone and Pearl Heart Necklace from theatticshop, Vintage Pink Organza Full Skirt Party Dress Set from blythehopesvintage, and Vintage Champagne Wedding Hat from OhTwoVintage.

Needless to say, the fifties brought in full-force femininity. From Paris, Dior's New Look inspired women to adopt full skirts and ultra-nipped waists aided by some serious foundation garments.

Wedding attire also emphasized the hourglass shape. From simple satin and fluid fabrics, the fifties moved into an abundance of lace, tulle, and frills. The strapless frilly confections you might associate with 1950s evening gowns were popular, though perhaps with an added lace capelet or bolero for modesty during the ceremony. Just look to Grace Kelly's wedding for the epitome of 1950s bridal style.

Photo courtesy of ondiraiduveau on Flickr.

For this look, you could try a strapless dress and bolero, plenty of lace and tulle, short white gloves, a cocktail hat with veil, or a high neckline with a Peter Pan collar.

Camelot Style

Clockwise from top left: Sequined Glamor Felt Pillbox Hat from angrykitty, Sexy Vintage Cream Stretch Lace Dress from atouchofvintage, and Vintage White Day Gloves from overthetopoverstock.

Jackie Kennedy inspired legions of women in the early sixties with her pristine style. Her fitted sheaths, bare arms, and box-cut suits were refined and glamorous, a striking contrast to the hourglass shapes of the fifties.

Wedding dresses in this style might be made in a simple sheath or a-line shape, and done in a heavy fabric that suits the structured look.

For this style, try a structured sheath with matching coat or a boxy silk suit. Accessorize with a pillbox hat, short gloves, a birdcage veil, and kitten heels.

Vintage White Tapestry Brocade 1960s Jackie O Wedding Dress from Retrogirlgypsyarcade.

Handpicked Wedding Items | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase

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Etsy Finds: Crafting an Eco-Friendly Wedding

2009-04-13T10:00:00-05:00

Lately, I've been daydreaming about the challenge of pulling off an entire wedding with an eco twist. With this idea in mind, I turned to Etsy, and I realized it's a breeze to find unique items to craft a memorable event that's also easy on the earth. I think each of the items below would make a great start to pulling off the perfect environmentally friendly wedding all the way from the invitations to the favors. To find more items like these try the search term eco wedding.

14k Diamond Wave Band

Kristin only uses diamonds in her work that are conflict-free and purchased in compliance with the Kimberley Process. The ring above would make a great option for an engagement ring, wedding band, or combination of the two. By kristincoffin, $685.

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Couture Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress

Make a stunning appearance while remaining comfortable in this dress made with the eco-friendly materials bamboo and organic cotton jersey. It also incorporates handmade organic linen flowers and hemp/silk Charmeuse details. By NaturalBridals, $6800.

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Eco-friendly linen invitations - Green, set of 25

Stand out from the crowd and send your wedding invitations in linen. They will not only make an impression, but will last for years to come. By ArtfulBeginnings, $60.

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Violet paisley freestyle bow tie

Dressing your groom and groomsmen just got easier (and a lot more fun) with these rare bow ties made from repurposed vintage neck ties. By xoelle, $36.

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Dear doves cake topper

The top of your wedding cake couldn't look better with one of these nest cake toppers. Mosey incorporates vintage millinery flowers from Germany into her pieces. By mosey, $32.

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vintage LOS ANGELES transit cufflinks

These cufflinks made from vintage 1950's Los Angeles MTA transit tokens would make a great addition to the groom's attire or a great gift in multiples for his groomsmen. By dustDesignCo, $26.

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Ivory and Taupe butterfly bloom, hair clip or brooch

Touch up any dress, clutch, pair of shoes, or hair style with one of these delicate looking flower accessories, assembled with a vintage butterfly brooch and recycled fabrics. By Cultivar, $22.

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PlantableTags Favors Set of 10

Leave your guests with a lasting memory of your celebration when you give these plantable flower tags as your favors! Once your guests get home, they can plant the tag, do something healthy for the earth, and think of you while watching the flowers grow. By GreetingsthatGrow, $5.

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Set of 4 Tumblers made from recycled wine bottles

These clever little tumblers were made using recycled glass from wine bottles and are so versatile. They'd make the perfect toasting glasses, create a unique table setting as your guests' wineglases, or if used as a vase, they'd dress up a table with a cool green glow. By bodhicitta, $35.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Handpicked Wedding Items | Environmentally Friendly Items
Handmade Weddings Posts | Earth Tones, Our Eco-Series

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(Hippie) Handmade Weddings: Circa 1972, Baby!

2009-04-10T18:15:00-05:00

Growing up, I always had a flair for the theatrical. I think I inherited this inclination from my awesome hippie parents. You see, my parents’ 1972 Hippie Wedding is a thing of legend in the small town of Alameda, California.

New in town, they posted signs on telephones poles inviting the town-folk to attend their “no-hoopla wedding.” The ceremony was held in a small, tree-shaded park across the street from their apartment. They expected 50-odd guests, but attracted crowds in the hundreds. Some musicians walking by set up on a stage and jammed into the wee hours. My Dad's co-workers surprised him by pulling up in a converted school bus turned hippie love bus filled with libations.

Greeting guests in front of the hippie bus.

Cutting the cake for throngs of hungry children.

I have heard the legend and have admired the terribly groovy photos, but the elements I treasure most from their big day are the handmade ones. My Mom recently brought over my Dad's handmade wedding vest and her vintage bridal shoes, so I could admire their handiwork.

My Dad, the ZZ-Top looking fella', was "just not into suits" and asked if my Mom would make him a "groovy" wedding vest.

"He actually joked that the wedding would be called off if I didn't make him one," my Mom recalls.

"I had just started to crazy quilt at the time and decided to go patchwork for his vest. I handembroidered around each patch, and in the centers of some on the backside, I embroidered your father's initials. We found a pink paisley shirt at the Five & Dime, and I made him a pair of red velvet arm garters to finish off the look."

My Mom and her bridesmaids decided to make their gowns from simple, store-bought patterns.

"We decided to make our gowns because we were on a budget. Back then, you would have to go to a fancy boutique or department store to find a gown. I found them to be very intimidating and impersonal."

"I chose ivory brocade, which was a bit rebellious at the time. In Chinese culture it is traditional to wear a red gown for good luck. I figured since there was nothing traditional about our wedding, I would buck the 'old ways' and wear what I liked. I wore my red dress in our engagement photos instead, which made your grandfather happy..."

Of course, no wedding day would be complete without something old.

"We found my vintage (now antique) bridal shoes at a small mom & pop shop during a road trip to Monterey. They were wrapped in their original packaging materials and were in pristine condition. I really loved the silk embroidery and the bright colors, a lot of work went into them. They were the perfect finishing touch on my perfect 'no-hoopla' wedding ensemble." I would agree.

My parents celebrated their 36th Wedding Anniversary in October.

If you have a soft spot for nostalgia, check out more posts about real weddings and their vintage elements. Not only are Kim's parents fabulous, you should see her hats! Watch this video we made with Kim about her millinery, topsyturvydesign.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

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Handmade Weddings: Creating Custom Letterpress Wedding Invitations with Pistachio Press

2009-04-07T17:00:00-05:00

Letterpress printer pistachiopress walks us through the process of getting custom made invitations. Check out some of the other Handmade Wedding posts we've done on invites: Invitation Options with Moontreepress, Pushing the Envelope with Calligraphy, Invitations and Papergoods by Poppytalk.

As a printmaker, I have always loved the tactility of prints on good cotton papers. Naturally, this led me to letterpress printing and eventually to working with brides and grooms on custom wedding invitations. I know that the idea of working with a printer on custom invitations can be a bit overwhelming, but I hope this piece will clarify the process and make the experience a bit less daunting.

[Left: save-the-date booklets, Right: wedding stationery designed by Alexander Cheek and printed by Pistachio Press]

For custom letterpress wedding invitations, I think it’s best to start with a printer whose work you love, even if that work isn’t exclusively wedding stationery. There are a lot of great letterpress printers on Etsy who also make and design wedding invitations. Etsy’s Alchemy feature is another way to find a printer who will work with you on custom designs. My favorite part about Alchemy is the option to send a private request to a seller whose work you already love. (You can also contact a seller by sending her a "convo" message.) I suggest purchasing a sample of the printer’s work to get an idea about the quality of the papers and printing offered.

For most of the history of letterpress printing, the inked type just lightly kissed the page and didn’t create an impression. In contemporary letterpress printing, the tactility of a deep impression on cotton paper is often desired to set the piece apart from other forms of printing. Many printers now use photopolymer plates instead of lead type, which allow more options for typefaces and illustration elements (see more about how this works here). It’s a good idea to talk to the printer if you would like a very specific impression.

[Left: photopolymer plates, Right: detail of machine stitched invitation]

Letterpress printing is generally a bit more expensive than other forms of printing because the labor involved is often much greater. The paper must be fed through the press separately for every color printed, which will be a large factor in your pricing quote. To keep costs down, many couples opt to go with a two-color invitation and one-color response cards, thank you notes, and menus.

[Left: eyelet lace cards, Right: recent invitation and response card]

Depending on the complexity of the illustration you want and how many pieces are being designed, complete custom design work can range from $300-$800 in addition to the cost for printing, which can range from $500-$2000. This generally includes one design direction and about three rounds of revisions. For custom work, it’s especially helpful to have a clear idea of what you would like the finished product to look like because additional revisions can increase your overall price.

Having a solid idea about the kind of wedding you’re planning is key when you start looking for invitations. Are you going to have a large, traditional wedding or a smaller wedding at a park? Your invitations are the first indication your guests will have about the wedding and they help to set the tone. The more information you can give to your designer, the better! I love knowing where a client is getting married or what colors the bridesmaid dresses will be and incorporating these details into the invitations.

[Left: hand-drawn invitation, Right: detail of a response card]

Many letterpress printers have several options available for customizing handmade invitations without having a complete custom design created from scratch. For all of my pre-designed pieces, the couple always has the option of changing ink colors, paper stock, wording, and typefaces. I have a list of available typefaces that I provide to my clients and I often custom-mix the ink colors for the invitations to match a swatch of fabric from a tie or a dress. If the designer already has a card with a design you like, you may want to ask if that specific element can be incorporated into your wedding invitations. This may also cut down on the cost of custom design because the illustration and plate have already been created.

[Left: mixing the perfect shade of green ink, Right: green swirl cards]

The timeframe for custom invitations is generally 4-6 weeks for design work and 4-6 weeks for the printing. The process may be shorter if you know exactly what you want, or longer if you make a lot of changes to the design. I would suggest building in a bit of a cushion in your timeline for addressing the invitations. Many printers will mail you the envelopes early so that you can start the process of addressing or give them to a calligrapher.

[Both images: custom design by Tara Hogan (tarahogan.etsy.com) and printed by Pistachio Press]

If you’re in love with the work of a designer who isn’t also a letterpress printer, you may want to ask the designer and the printer if they would be willing to work with you on the invitations. I have printed for a few clients who either designed their own invitations or worked with another designer and the process was a lot of fun.

Further Resources:
Pistachio Press (www.pistachiopress.com)

Handpicked Wedding Items | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase

Paper Goods Category | Letterpress Wedding Invitations

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Handmade Weddings: Natural Grooming Tips from GreenUnion

2009-03-27T11:37:00-05:00

Whether you're getting married or are simply looking for some beauty tips to make you look and feel great, look no further! From her roots in creating gorgeous, stylish and sustainable celebrations, Rosie Ames founded eco-friendly wedding website GreenUnion. The inspiration for GreenUnion came from her interest in ethical issues and understanding that, while couples are less interested in excessive over-spending and over-consumption, smaller more handmade events are becoming increasingly popular. Stroll through Etsy's Bath and Beauty Category with Rosie.

It's a well known fact that every couple looks radiant on their wedding day, but if you feel you can't rely on your own sheer happiness alone to ensure total radiance, here are some natural, organic, and ethical alternatives to give you a boost on your big day.

We suggest the very first step to all natural beauty is to take care of your overall health and well being in the run up to the big day. This applies to brides and grooms equally.

Munch away at a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, drink lots of water (be green, avoid bottled water and tap into faucet water which is perfectly good for you) and reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Do plenty of exercise like walking or swimming, preferably in the fresh air, and get lots of sleep. This will help keep your body, skin and hair in tip top condition.

If you practice what we preach, then using a natural or organic facial and body lotion on the build up to your big day, feeding your skin precious nutrients and oils, will be all you'll need to radiate that natural beauty to the world.

Look out for organic skincare products that are free from artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, petrochemicals and phthalates. Try Pai Skincare or Spiezia Organics or check out these fantastic products on Etsy from ArtSpot:

Makeup Magic
Make sure you try new products and shades well before the wedding day, especially if you have sensitive skin. Once you've found something that suits you, stick to it and don't make the mistake of trying new products or colours on the day, it could end in tears. Askmemakeup on Youtube has some helpful tips in her series of videos:

Your skin will be extra wonderfully radiant if you don't wear any makeup for a week before the wedding and keep your skin moisturized. On the day, apply makeup to a well moisturized base and keep your colors natural. Have a lip gloss handy for touching up throughout the day. If you're not sure about doing your own makeup, let Orglamic create a beautiful bridal look with natural, organic cosmetics or ask a makeup artist to use your own natural products.

Everyone's asking about mineral makeup — it’s pretty good for you and your skin, but choose wisely and always try them out before committing yourself. Everyone's skin is different and every bride's after a different look: experiment because practice makes perfect. On Etsy you can get samples from Lollibomb:

They say mineral makeup is so natural, you can sleep in it. But if you still want to wash your face and go easy on the environment, you can get reuseable face pads from laksaware on Etsy:

In case you've never used mineral makeup find out how on Youtube:

Here's a handy hint: when getting ready on the day, wear something which buttons all the way up so you don't end up mussing your hair and splotching your makeup when it's time to get into that dress!

Healthy Hair
With a balanced diet and heaps of exercise, your hair will have no choice but to shine out naturally. Having it trimmed regularly (every six weeks, even if you're growing it, or less if it's a crop) will get your hair into peak condition. If you're thinking of coloring it yourself, think again, and have it done professionally at least 3 months before the big event, just in case you hate the result and need to take alternative action!

Whether you're having your hair styled professionally or doing it yourself, it's a great idea to experiment with your style. Try out different accessories like a veil, fascinator (such as the one above from myrakim) or flowers in plenty of time and once you've made your decision, stick to it on the day (see the post in this series about Do-ing it up with Veils and Hair Accessories).

Happy Hands

Your hands will be on show on your wedding day, so a little attention won't go amiss. Lots of moisturizing on the run up to the big day and a pampering manicure always hits the spot. Pictured above is GudonyaToo's all natural hand and nail scrub for a little exfoliation. Here's some cuticle crisis cream from parrotfeathers:

Etsy has some gorgeous manicure sets which would also make great bridesmaid's gifts. This one is from sparetimecrafts:

A good buff will make most hands sparkle, but if you plan to polish, check out a kinder product than those on the average high street (or for the US-readers, convenience store?), like Suncoat's water based nail polish.

Good Grooming
While their brides are pampering themselves for the big day, grooms may feel a bit of pressure to devote a little time and effort getting into shape themselves!

Follow to a good diet and exercise regime, choose products that work for your skin and moisturize regularly and thoroughly. A well groomed head may require a bit of application, but make sure your hair is squeaky clean. Here's some natural shampoo from SoapStore:

You might want to take some time to experiment with some styling products till you find one that suits your hair and then 'stick' to it. Doesn't hurt to have a sibling, friend, or your partner check you out and give you their honest opinions!

On the wedding day, have a good shave, shower and moisturize well, smooth down the bed head.

JoyfulGirlNatural's Organic Aloe Herbal After Shave Gel Natural Man

HeidisHandmades's Shaving Soap Mug & Brush

And don't forget the natural deoderant by SpaTherapy.

Then you should be fit to climb into your outfit looking like a million dollars!

In her spare time Rosie grows flowers in her cutting garden, plants trees, keeps hens in the back yard and walks the Devon moors and windy beaches. This article has been refreshed since its original publication in April of 2008.

Further Resources:
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Chemical Safe Skincare
Womens Environmental Network - 'Ending the Cosmetics Cover-up'
American Botanical Council

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Bath and Body Category | Bath and Body Showcase

More Spa Posts

Etsy Finds: Love My Way

2009-03-26T10:33:00-05:00

Meeting someone that shares your affinity for Werner Herzog, makes you scrambled eggs, and loves you in spite of your funny quirks (doll collecting!) is a treasure worth holding onto. Make your wedding as special as your relationship with handmade details from Etsy.

Lovely and modern bridal hair piece

By myrakim, $65.

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diamond seed 2pt. stacking ring

By blancamonrosgomez, $115.

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White as Snow Dress

By sarahseven, $455.

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wedding cupcake toppers - FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING

By goosegrease, $40.

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Organza Flower Neckribbon/Headband

By modernromancepdx, $22.

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cosmia

By whichgoose, $25.

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Gilded Rose Earrings

By laralewis, $14.

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Love Birds (cut out card)

By pocketstudio, $5.

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charcoal roses

By allencompanyinc, $105.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Handmade Weddings Series | Guest Curators | Trends | Weddings Category

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Handmade Weddings: Planning Laura-lai’s Wedding!

2009-03-25T17:00:00-05:00

Laura-lai, one of my very bestest friends, is getting married later this year. That's her on the right and me on the left (below) a couple of years ago at Farm Aid. Laura (I call her Laura-lai, a nickname I made up for her) and I have many things in common—we like to go to concerts together, we both love handmade and DIY stuff, we are both foodies, we both are interested in reducing our environmental impact and lots of other stuff.

One thing that I can say we do not have in common is our style in fashion, home decor and the like. If we are out shopping together there is little chance that we will both like the same dress or sofa or earrings or shoes or anything. If we both see some tees we like, she will grab a green one and I will grab a purple one. She likes stripes, I can’t stand them. If we are window shopping together, she goes yuck to all the things I drool over and vice versa. We are just different, is all.

However, we are both alike in that we spend most of our time in jeans and t-shirts. In fact, I think the last time Laura was really dressed up may have been at her sister’s wedding about two years ago (pictured left). When she does dress up, her style still tends to be pretty casual, so planning this wedding is a really big deal for her.

That said, now that she's in the throes of planning her wedding, Laura must contemplate the fancier side of things. And as her best friend, I decided to vicariously put together a little wish list of goodies I would choose for Laura-lai if I were planning her wedding and not her. She may not like what I pick, but I know she's just gonna love that I did this!

First off, Laura has some of the most gorgeous hair I've ever seen. It's thick and just the prettiest shade of red. I hope she wears something fun in her hair to show off her locks. Something like these goodies:

Feathery Flower Brooch in creamy white with whitish feathers and pink edges from Piper Ewan:

Hannah bridal hair fascinator from La Boheme:

Or maybe a pretty veil instead.

Lily Pad Veil from Veiled Beauty:

Cage-Cap Flapper Style Birdcage Veil with Satin Flower from Brenda's Bridal Veils:

It’s not that Laura doesn’t like to wear dresses or anything like that, it’s really that our lifestyles just don't call for getting all gussied up much. We live in a college town, so even at the nice restaurants you find jeans and flip flops pretty much year round. Plus, Laura is a midwife, which means she spends a lot of time in comfy midwifery clothing and doesn’t really have much time for formal attire! As for the dresses, I'd like something a little vintagey or retro for her. Or maybe something sweetly elegant. Here’s a few I’d love to see on her.

Ansley - Layered chiffon gown from Amy Z:

Gretel from Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture:

White Gown from Amanda Archer:

I’d also love to see her in wear a fancy shrug with a simple sheath dress.

Ruffled Silk Carina Bolero from Bonzie:

Antique ivory silk taffeta ruffle bolero from The English Dept:

As far as jewelry and accessories, I know she will probably play it low-key, but I would love to see her wear some bling and kick it up a notch with some accessories. I think blue would work well with her pretty hair and fulfill that whole ‘something blue’ quota.

Silk peacock feathers - luxury clutch bag from Red Ruby Rose:

Something blue flower corsage pin from Deciduous Soul:

Netted Pearl Pendant - Silver from Precious Meshes:

Blue Iris Earrings from Bijoux d' Odalisque:

Pink Amethyst Briolette Mystic Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Earrings from bluetulipdesign:

For her wedding décor and wedding accessories, I actually think she may like some of my picks, especially considering that some of them are more environmentally friendly. These are made from reused materials and/or can be reused as home décor after the big day.

Cotton Bird White Red from Cotton Bird Design:

Crochet flowers - small calliopsis from Suili:

White Jasmine Vase Fillers from La Pomme:

Custom Wedding Cake Topper - Hand Painted Love Birds from Red Light Studio:

Birds Nest Wedding Ring Pillow from Rain’s End:

Potted (Love) Photo Holder from Diamond Tea:

Custom wedding cake toppers from Goose Grease:

If I were choosing her stationery, I'd choose something fun and bright, which to me would complement her personality. I'd also choose a design with a nature motif because I think she would like that.

Zinnea Blossom Wedding Invitation (ECO-FRIENDLY) from Pink Lily Press:

Poppy eco-friendly invitation from Kiss and Tell:

4-Ever Wedding Invitation from Silhouette Blue:

So, those are my picks for Laura-lai’s wedding. Maybe I’ve picked some things to help you plan your own wedding and maybe, just maybe, I’ve picked a few things that Laura-lai will even like for her own!

Find out more about Jen — visit her site IndieFixx.com!

Handmade Wedding Series | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide | Wedding Category

Handmade Weddings: A Happy Cake for a Happy Family

2009-03-20T13:10:00-05:00

Hilary, aka bunnywithatoolbelt, created her business in 1987, a time when she could easily be picked out from a crowd in her head to toe bunny suit. Although Hilary no longer goes on daily jaunts dressed as a giant rabbit, she still loves her business name, and more importantly, her business! Today she is well known for her offbeat, charming wedding cake toppers and wooden critters of all sorts.

Some girls dream of being the bride, but as a young girl, I dreamed about making the bride that sits on top of the cake. Romance and relationships have found their way into the sculptures and other artwork I've made since I quit my day job two decades ago and became a full time artist. In that time, I also became a legally ordained minister, and have officiated the weddings of eight of my closest friends. Both of these interests have come together in the line of handmade wedding cake toppers I sell on Etsy.

One of my favorite commissions of all time came last summer. My friends Katherine and Davis were getting married, and I was called upon for double-duties as artist and officiant. Their marriage was non-traditional in many ways, and they definitely wanted their cake to reflect that sentiment. Each was walking down the aisle for the second time, as well as bringing children from previous marriages into the mix. The traditional bride and groom cake topper didn’t quite tell their story. They asked me to create five colorful figures to represent the members of their newly formed family. I also made some matching painted wood flowers to scatter around the sides. Since the couple was footing the bill for this wedding, they economized by making the cake the backdrop for the ceremony, standing in for flower arrangements. The baker integrated my artwork with her cake’s shape and decorative icing, and even built on the themes I started by adding a cascade of floral-topped cupcakes surrounding the base so the guests could have their cake and eat it too.

Creating the perfect set of figures for a wedding cake have given me personal connections with people all around the world. My experience working with friends to create their own wedding ceremony has been incredibly helpful with this aspect of my business and I employ many of the same personal touches when I work with my customers. Cake toppers are a very personal statement about a couple’s outlook on life. They are also one of the few actual mementos of a wedding that couples display in their homes after the special day has passed. I am so fortunate to have a job where I am constantly reminded of the power and value of the handmade object in people’s lives.

For more from Hilary, check out her website and blog. She also put together a photo portfolio with details on her cake topper technique.
Handmade Wedding Series | Cake Toppers on Etsy | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

Handmade Weddings: A Guide for the Bride (and Groom)

2009-03-18T16:00:00-05:00

Are you getting married, but feel lost in a sea of big name bridal magazines filled with traditional and often cliché wedding ideas? If so, you may not know where to turn for touches such as that vintage gown, that one-of-a-kind button bouquet, and what about those handmade cufflinks?

After you have perused the many amazing vendors on Etsy, if you find yourself still in need of some guidance, here is a handy list of some valuable resources. Instead of the bridal mags, why not save some trees and go cyber instead? These are some of the many amazing blogs and websites that make it a point to source those unique and creative touches for your big day:

Style Me Pretty

Brooklyn Bride

Offbeat Bride

Eco Chic Weddings

WeddingBee

Great Green Wedding

WedSmack

Portovert

BRIDE TO BE - Mini Jot and Go Recycled / Upcycled Journal Notebook
by ivylanedesigns, $6.

If you still prefer the printed page to the digital type, here are a few books that may give you a spark:

Eco-Chic Weddings: Simple Tips to Plan an Earth-Friendly, Socially Responsible, Affordable Green Wedding by Emily Elizabeth Anderson

The DIY Wedding: Celebrate Your Day Your Way by Kelly Bare

Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides by Ariel Meadow Stallings

Anti-Bride Guide: Tying the Knot Outside of the Box by Carolyn Gerin

The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding by Khris Cochran

For those who like to get some exercise while planning a wedding, you may be tempted to attend one of those big bridal fairs you see advertised on television. What a great way to sample some cake, watch a fashion show and pick up some business cards! However, many of the exhibitors at these types of event may not appeal to the more unconventional couple. So what is a gal or guy to do? Check your local city paper for any events in your area that may have interesting artists or designers. Try a local craft fair or two. You may just find that one of the jewelry designers at the show has an amazing bridal collection or your favorite paper goods company also does a wicked wedding invitation. To find a craft fair in your area, you can look to resources such as the Indie Craft Show Directory.

"Indie I Do" craft fair in Vancouver, courtesy of Tracey Heppner

Alternative bridal fairs are a new trend, which cater especially towards the non-traditional couple. These are great places, not only to shop, but also to exhibit if you are a maker of anything potentially wedding related. So far, the few lucky cities hosting such an event are Vancouver’s Indie I Do, Unbridaled Expo in Philadelphia, and Indie Wed in Chicago.

Hopefully this list provides you with a few options for finding those distinctive and personal touches for your special event. If you know of any other resources, feel free to list them in the comments below!

Handmade Weddings Series | Vintage Wedding Items | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

Handmade Weddings: How-To Take Your Measurements

2009-03-13T16:51:00-05:00

Hey ladies,

Brides-to-be should check out this handy video from Sandra Mendoza-Daly of Debutante Clothing and the Vintage Indie Wedding Guide. She shows you how to take your measurements, a skill necessary for the hunt for vintage wedding dresses. Fans of vintage clothing know the pain of getting the dress back home and not having it fit. Get your measurements down pat and save the heartache for the wedding night (just kiddin').

Vintage Wedding Dresses on Etsy | Handmade Weddings Series | Spring Showers Showcase

Handmade Weddings: Off-Road Wedding Gift Guide

2009-03-06T16:05:00-05:00

We've all received the wedding registry wishlist from friends. In some ways, I think registries are great: I can see whether my friends need sheets or already have a blender. On the other hand, I work for — and am completely obsessed with — Etsy. If I can buy a handmade or vintage gift, why oh why would I get it at the mall?

In this wedding guide, I go the "off-road" approach to wedding gift shopping. In case you don't think these exact items fit the taste of your newlyweds-to-be, I've posted some handy search results links below. These are some of the classic items you might see on the average registry. Go rogue! Go Etsy!

Dinnerware (First stop, the Handmade Ceramics and Pottery Category, next stop Vintage.)
Tea towels (Check out this post for some truly inspiring tea towel action. There's a tea towel renaissance going on right now!)
Bedding, pillows and linens (There's Vintage too, if your newlyweds are cool with secondhand sheets.)
Picture frames (Handmade and Vintage. Try wall decals too.)
Clocks (Handmade and Vintage)
Cake stands
Teapots (There are some amazing handmade teapots in the Ceramics and Pottery Category.)
Mugs and glasses
Photo Albums (Handmade or Vintage)
Vases (Handmade or Vintage)
Cutting boards
Strainers
Rugs (Handmade or Vintage)
Other kitchen items (Try searching kitchen pots in Vintage!)

If you're getting married and want to get your family and friends into the Etsy gift-giving state of mind, check out Etsian dorana's Ning registry site, MyHandmadeRegistry.com.

Find out how it works. She's adapted the Etsy Favorites Mini to be used as a custom registry. Very cool, dorana! You can also check out these posts for some other custom registry sites.

Handmade Weddings | Vintage Wedding Items | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

Handmade Weddings: Vintage Indie is a Guide for the Bride

2009-02-26T13:45:00-05:00

Ah, wedding bells: can you hear them? It's almost wedding season and that means dreaming, planning, and shopping for the big day. These days wedding planning seems to be going in a new direction of quaint, memory-filled details, as well as keeping important issues like sustainability and eco-friendliness as touchstones. I'm excited about this over at Vintage Indie and the Indie Wedding Guide; it means people are catching on. Are you getting excited yet? I bet you will, when you see my vintage picks for your special day...

Dress - Circle Skirt 50's Lace Vintage Wedding Prom Dress from empressjade
Purse - Bead Purse from ShesFancy
Shoes - Vintage Silver Pearl Pumps from blissvintage

Suit - Vintage Bill Blass Mens Two Piece Pinstriped Wool Suit from Sundayandsunday
Shoes - Mens Vintage Black Leather Wingtips from shopgoodgrace
Cuff links - Vintage Sterling Silver Black Onyx Intaglio Roman Head Warrior Cameo Cuff Links another from Sundayandsunday

Headpiece - ThePuddingstorevint Vintage 80's Floral Headband from thepuddingstorevint
Earrings - True North Earrings from 2007musarra
Bracelet - Elegant Vintage Bracelet from Mistressofsolace
Ring - Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Size 9 from qualityvintage

Cake Toppers - Vintage Bride Cupcake Picks from jocankit1
Bridal Shower Fun - Vintage Bridal Bingo Game from kittyBcreative
Invites - Vintage Shower Invitations from tippleandsnack

Excited, right? Post in the comments with your vintage wedding favorites!

Are you a seller specializing in handmade or vintage items for weddings? Get involved with the Indie Wedding Guide on Vintage Indie. Find out more here.

Handmade Weddings | Vintage Wedding Items | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

How-Tuesday: Favor Bags with Brooklyn Bride

2009-02-24T13:41:00-05:00

YouTube | Mp4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

While a drawstring favor bag is a simple project, the idea behind it is big: fabric is an excellent way to add a personal touch to your special event! Whether you're planning a wedding, birthday party, or baby shower, think fabric for a unique — and inexpensive! — splash of color. The wrapping becomes part of the gift: a reusable bag is an eco-friendly alternative to wrapping paper. Your guests would never chuck your cute handmade bag into the trash, right?

Vane Broussard of Brooklyn Bride Blog (and bklynpillow right here on Etsy) joins us to share this design she developed while planning her own wedding. Her frustration at the lack of modern and affordable wedding decor options led her to become very creative — and got her started blogging! She's been going full speed ever since.

Drawstring Favor Bag

Materials You'll Need:

Fabric
Ribbon
Sewing machine with thread to complement fabric
Scissors or rotary cutter
Pins
Safety pin
Iron and ironing board
Embroidery thread, needle and hoop
Pencil or fabric marker
Ruler

Making a Favor Bag:

Measure and cut a piece of fabric that is 15" x 6 1/2". (You can really make this any size, I just like them petite.)
With the wrong side of the fabric facing up, at each of the shorter sides, fold and iron the fabric a 1/2", then again by 1". These sizes can be adjusted depending on the width of your ribbon.
Sew along the very bottom of that inch to make a pocket or channel for the ribbon on both ends.
Plan where you'd like to place an embroidered design. (Remember, you'll be losing at least a 1/4" on either side of the bag for seam allowance.)
Use a pencil or fabric marker to lightly sketch your design on the fabric; with an embroidery needle and four strands of floss, follow the path with a backstitch. (Keep stitches small so that the curves of any letters don't look choppy.) If you want to get fancy, you can try other stitches, like French knots!
Bring right sides of the fabric together and pin the sides, leaving the top of the bag open.
Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance along the sides, stopping once you reach the channels for the ribbon.
Turn the bag right-side out. To thread the ribbon for the drawstring, use a safety pin to catch one side of the ribbon to help you feed it through the channel created. Tie the ends together and trim the excess to finish.

Start with some fun favor bags, then try your hand at wrapped vases and a ring pillow... The possibilities are endless! What handmade touches did you add to your wedding? Tell us in the comments below!

If you're feeling crafty, check out the Stamping Metal Tutorial on Tuesday, February 24th at 3PM EST in the Virtual Labs. Catch more Etsy how-to videos and more wedding posts right here:

How Tuesday Videos | Handmade Wedding Series | Fabric Supplies Tagged "Organic"

Etsy Finds Vintage: Put a Ring On It

2009-02-14T08:19:00-05:00

Ah, Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it (but we mostly love it!), it's a day to celebrate the affection you feel for your family, pets, children, or maybe even a special someone. And what inevitably happens on Valentine's Day? Many an engagement, of course! Whether you're getting hitched in the near future or just love vintage clothing and accessories (I fall on the latter end of the spectrum myself), enjoy these vintage wedding items. Make your wedding unique with vintage!

Size 8.5 AMAZING Sparkle LACE Heels 1950s

From DewberryVintage, $56.

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drop dead gorgeous 1970s floor length dress

From garconniere, $80.

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Vintage Rhinestone Tennis Bracelet

From AntiqueCellar, $14.

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Sweet Cream Hat, Vintage Darling

From ShesFancy, $12.

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vintage white and cream beaded and sequined purse

By atouchofvintage, $22.

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Vintage White Formal Gloves Size Small/Medium

From CarnivorousDeer, $14.

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Reduced Price GOLD sling back pumps size 8 1/2

From CarnivoreCockatiel, $12.

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Glitter ME This Vintage Deco Pin

From DownLoversLane, $30.

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Vintage 60's Cream Romantic Evening Party Dress Wedding Dress

From sailorpinkvintage, $64.

View Item | View Shop

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Wedding Gift Guide | Guest Curators | Search for "Vintage Wedding" | Handmade Wedding Series

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Handmade Weddings: Spring Inspiration

2009-02-12T16:30:00-05:00

Winter gloomies have many of us yearning for spring. Lucky ladies planning their weddings right now can delve into that mood and daydream to their hearts delight. Think fresh designs, vines and shoots and plant patterns, earthy browns and creamy whites as complimentary colors to grassy green.

We were particularly inspired by Laura Hooper aka LHCalligraphy's shop. She does custom calligraphy and letterpress designs with personal care. These place cards look like they're sprouting right out of the box! Make sure to check out her oh so clever custom map invitations too.

If you want to learn more, see her blog www.luckyorchidwedding.blogspot.com.

Handmade Weddings | Spring Posts | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

Handmade Weddings: LoucheLab's Love Story

2008-09-05T14:00:00-05:00

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

[music by Barry London]

This article was originally published on March 28, 2008. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy!

If you're following the Handmade Wedding Series, then you probably appreciate a good love story. LoucheLab and her husband Ned have a particularly handmade story of falling in love (well, it's high tech, too). Blogging, artwork, photography, web cams, artist books and international romance all converged to get these two souls together. Below, you'll find LoucheLab's account and photographs, as well as a special video portrait we produced with them (which does have some spicy mature artwork by the artists, so be forewarned if you are watching this with your child — this is an adult love story, after all!).

Ned and I met by accident. (Which is a pretty big accident, considering that we lived about 7,000 miles from one another.) I was living in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Ned was living in the Meat Packing District in New York while packing up his studio to move to Brooklyn. We had both started blogging 9 months before — after painful break-ups. So Ned was surfing random blogs and got into mine, went to my Flickr page and looked at my art and then wrote me an email.

It was basically my art and his words that brought us together.

We spent almost a year apart; then I flew to New York at Christmas to meet him for the first time. Before I came he said, "I want us to make art together while you are here." My art was always very solitary, so I asked, "What do you mean?" and, he said, "I don't know, but we'll figure it out."

And we have: we made graffiti and paintings, and we took a lot of pictures of one another. After I went back to Israel, we kept on talking on webcam all the time; it was on 24 hours a day. He would wait 'til his midnight, which was my 7:00 AM, and we would talk before I would go to work, and I would rush home from the office to see him. It was like living in one apartment with a window into the other room where he was, without being able to touch one another — besides with words and art.

In the course of the months apart, we both created a lot, we expressed our love, the sexual frustration and the emotional roller coaster state with photography and paintings and street art and t-shirt making and computer art and so on. The whole relationship, between his blog and my blog and our Flickr accounts, was very public, and we had people all over the world encouraging us through the difficult times and happy for us, when finally, we made the choice of me moving to New York so we could start a life together offline.

[Me signing our Ktuba (illustrated wedding contract in the Jewish tradition). We wrote the text together and I illustrated it.]

We first decided to get married so I could stay in the United States, but as the preparation started, it became a very small part of it all. Because art was such a big part of our relationship, and because as a part of our relationship we beat all odds and made the rules as we went along, it was really obvious to us that our wedding would also be like that — intimate and important and very art inspired.

[This is me working on the Hupa. It's a big blanket like thing that in Jewish tradition serves as a roof the couple need to get married under. I spray painted about a 100 ravens on it, and my hand was sore for about a week after. The stars in the middle are tattoos we got together when I came to visit New York and met Ned for the first time.]

The theme of the wedding was ravens, because of — well, a lot of things, but also because they mate for life after having a relatively long period of just playing the field. (Below, you'll see me getting my wedding tattoo. I illustrated it.)

It was basically a Rabbi who is a friend and about 20 friends and family members in our studio in Williamsburg. A lot of what we made was a spur of a moment idea that took shape. Ned edited a cool music mix and we thought "this would be a nice give-away," which lead to me spray painting 40 CDs with a cool pattern, and us burning copies 'til 5:00 in the morning.

Our Rabbi told us that although we didn't want rings, we needed to exchange something of value. So we decided to get rings after all, and on the train on the way to the store, we tried to figure out what they would symbolize for us — and what being married means to us. We talked about learning and making mistakes and this being a beginning rather then a happy ending: we got both rings engraved with "Human" on the inside.

The idea of writing and illustrating our own Ktuba actually came from Josh the Rabbi, which I was really grateful about. I wouldn't have thought about it myself. Also, he suggested making some art or writing something to express how we feel about weddings and marriage, which is how the wedding book I made came to be.

We didn't have a DJ or a band or 300 people in fancy dresses or flowers or a white dresses: we had only people that we wanted there (including my sister on webcam from Israel). We had to deal with a lot of feelings and fears beforehand, rather than having too many arrangements to take care of. While the wedding was going I realized I forgot one of the decoration projects I wanted to do, but it didn't matter. After the ceremony, Ned's parents took everyone out to Union Picnic for dinner, which was at the time our favorite restaurant. Even still, we hear from people who were there about how significant and intense the whole event was, and how it's one of the most memorable events they can think of.

[Ned getting his wedding tattoo. He designed it.]

The handmade wedding theme caught on, and we got artwork from three or four artist friends as gifts, and Ned's dad designed and printed a book of the wedding pictures for us which we show off to anyone who wants to know what the wedding was like.

I always hated weddings before. I used to work for a catering service and the way so many wedding are about food or about showing off was really repulsive to me. With the way things went with our wedding, I can say that this was the best wedding ever, which is cool because it was mine!

[Married!]

What an inspiring love story. Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Watch our other Handmade Video Portraits and subscribe to our Youtube Channel!

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Handmade Weddings: Going with the Flow

2008-07-25T14:18:00-05:00

You've seen those network TV specials documenting every wedding disaster in the book—you know, the naughty ring bearer gets into the $1200 cake before you’ve had a chance to cut it. Or the mother-in-law forgets to pick up the bridesmaid bouquets and the girls have to walk down the aisle empty handed.

Prepare yourselves, brides and grooms to be—it’s practically a guarantee that something will go wrong along the way.
It happened to me. I got a phone call 13 days before my April wedding from my catering director informing me of their need to change my venue. I won’t bore you with the details and the reasons why, but this meant that the cozy, intimate, candlelit dinner party for 40 guests that I had planned for the past four months was about go the way of the dodo. I would have to redirect my guests after I had spent hours hand-making my one-of-a-kind invitations. I’d have to start from scratch with décor—I’d planned on only candelabras to light the small and rustic room with stone floors and a wall of mullioned windows. The new space I’d been offered was the antithesis of my vision…a gaping, sprawling white box serving at the moment as the gallery for a local high school’s art show.

I could have panicked. I could have gotten my wedding-night knickers all in a twist. I could have gone all Bridezilla on everyone leaving nothing but a trail of torn tulle and lace in my wake. But instead, I channeled all of that negative energy into an opportunity to negotiate the wedding of my dreams on the vendor’s dime. After all, they were breaching their own contract so they’d have to be willing to accommodate me.

Now, my story ends happily, albeit with some anxiety-ridden twists. In the end, I was able to have my wedding in the original location, with the original décor, as originally planned. But the reality is, these things happen—even with months of careful planning (and for some couples, years!), unforeseen circumstances arise. The minister might mispronounce your name. Your cousin Tammy might have an allergic reaction to the raw bar. And my bets are on the best man's speech being far less than you had hoped for. In the event that one of your vendors springs a last-minute change on you, keep your cool and bargain with them for an alternative to make up for it. You may end up making out better than you had anticipated!

As an invitation designer, and recent bride, I see first-hand how the universe tends to shrink, allowing you to think only in terms of linen colors and barrel curls and escort cards. Remember to be flexible and stay focused on the task at hand—you know, the ‘til death do us part’ bit, the ‘have and to hold’ part. Your wedding should be memorable, not because of a minor hiccup along the way, but because you let it ride and enjoyed your time with your guests and your new spouse. Chances are no one will even have noticed that your gown was tucked into your stockings that time anyway…

See more posts in the Handmade Wedding Series.

Handmade Weddings: Diamond Setting

2008-07-15T11:15:00-05:00

I love jewelry. I love designing jewelry, making jewelry, wearing jewelry, and looking at jewelry. And as a bride-to-be, I was so excited (and lucky) to have the opportunity to design a ring around the most beautiful diamond I have ever seen.

I was initially drawn to "Cherish – precious topaz" by Al Krafcik aka Beyond the Rockz because of the ring's clean lines and handmade prongs.

I convoed Al and we started working together on a setting for my diamond. Our convos turned into an Alchemy request, which turned into a wax model, which turned into a gorgeous white gold ring. And then Al offered to set the stone in person, so that my fiancé and I could watch him set the diamond. And now you can watch too!

Check out this video of Al setting my diamond in a custom made Beyond the Rockz design. Do you have a stone that you want to set or do you want a one of a kind piece of jewelry? You can create an Alchemy request or request a custom item from one of the many amazing jewelers here on Etsy.

See more posts in the Handmade Wedding Series.

Seller How-to: Bridal Shows

2008-06-13T12:37:00-05:00

Well Sellers, I just finished my first bridal show and it was well worth it, I think! Other than hearing two of the worst reception singers sing, loudly, and often, it was a lot of fun. Things sold, I have custom orders to work on, and I'll certainly do it again next year.

I thought I would write this post for those jewelry designers who have thought about the bridal venue but haven't yet exhibited at a show. They're just my own observations and thoughts, but I hope this will helpful.

One of the main things that holds jewelry designers back from participating in bridal shows is the cost. Shows in my area (Maryland) run from $400 and up for a four-hour show. That can make you swallow hard. To get past that initial dollar figure "yikes," you have to look at the show as a marketing venture more than an immediate selling venture.

Most shows give each vendor a list of the brides who attended. While you don't want to spam the heck out of anyone, you CAN craft a good "thank you" letter, and consider an incentive — a discount, a free pair of earrings with purchase, something that makes the letter or postcard WORK. If the list included emails, be very careful — I personally would only use that email one time, and then never again without their permission. So use that email to SAY something, and ask if they'd like to get your email newsletters (include a link they can click to subscribe) or would prefer snail mail.

If you don't have a web site, set one up to get the most of your booth fee. Unlike craft shows, bridal shows aren't really a buy-now venue; I did have people buy things, but for the most part, brides are in the looking phase. Many haven't even chosen their dresses or colors yet. If they don't have a web site to go back to, you've lost even the thought of a sale. And think about it — if you make jewelry other than bridal jewelry, you want to gain a repeat customer — someone who will visit your web site over and over.

You really don't need an elaborate booth set up for a bridal show — a big pro. If you want my long-drawn-out booth design email, just click here and let me know what your interests are and I can give you technical stuff. Give your work some levels — put busts on wrapped boxes or get creative with pedestals (a pretty plate on top of a glass vase, etc.) and let the jewelry speak for itself.

So, you pay your $400-500-whateverhundred bucks, you have a pretty table, gorgeous jewelry — now what?

Well, don't be surprised if no one buys. Do NOT take that as a negative (see above about not buying right now). Have lots of cards or promos — preferably ones with photos of your work on them, to help jog their memory — and let them know what you can do. If you're big on customization, tell them. If you specialize in a genre of wedding (beach, renaissance, etc.), play that up. Flexibility is really important in the bridal business, I believe, because every bride wants it to be Her Day.

OK, the day is done, what's next? What can you do to get your name out there even more?

If you’re good at networking (and I am rather not, I get nervous), doing a bridal show can give you some great connections. I was approached by a dress boutique owner about displaying some things in her store, and if I’d been braver, I would have approached other boutiques (I do much better via email, I get way shy in person — I think it’s the whole fear of rejection thing — easier to take via email). Instead of asking stores about taking your work on consignment to just sit in their showcase, suggest they use your services as a “dresser” — when they change their window displays, see if they’ll let you dress the mannequins with your jewelry. (That would work for a regular boutique, too.)

If you have a website with a bridal section, consider having a Bridal Links page, and exchange links with local businesses — florists, DJs, etc. The key is to make sure they put YOUR link on THEIR site as well.

Network with wedding coordinators — they refer brides to all sorts of services. Cultivating a relationship with one is a great way to get business.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Big thanks to limamike for sharing her how-to with the Storque. You can see her original post on her blog.

Handmade Weddings: The Sales Results, Happily Ever After

2008-04-15T15:00:00-05:00

We chose handmade weddings as a month-long series for a lot of reasons: There are tons of different aspects of a wedding that can be handmade, the styles are almost infinite, and there are tons of fabulous wedding items on Etsy. That's all great, but we also wanted to see whether or not an in-depth series would be useful for buyers and sellers. Well, the results are in for the wedding series and I must say, we’re suitably impressed: We ran the series for four weeks and business in the wedding category grew 57% vs. the previous four weeks!

A huge thank you goes out to Etsy sellers who decided to give the Weddings Category a shot, as well as the sellers who contributed their stories and expertise, including littlethings1, MagicIsland, solidio, ruralabandon, fubabee, beadifulthings, shoofly, citydirt, sewphisticate, mosey, LadybugSF, PetereneDesign, hobocampcrafts, LoucheLab, maryink, esdesigns, liskidder, gurlygirl, pistachiopress, vintagethisretrothat, RaeGun, creationsbylonni, moontreepress, KisforCalligraphy, Thomasina, confections, onesmallstar, pinklilypress, skyfiregraphics.

We also owe a big thanks to our guest bloggers who drove so much new traffic to the Storque and people's shops (you can find a list of them here).

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the series and we’ll work on more ways to spread the word about buying handmade!

Check out our new Featured Column, Earth Tones, all eco-friendly stuff in honor of Earth Day.

Handmade Weddings: Thank You!

2008-04-11T17:13:00-05:00

Here's a big thanks to all the bloggers and Etsians that contributed to the Handmade Wedding Series! If you can believe it, there are many topics we didn't have time to cover this go-around, but we'll just have to save them for the next wedding series.

So have fun on your honeymoon and don't forget to write your thank you notes to your friends and families!

Handmade Weddings: A Last-Minute Article about My Last-Minute Wedding

2008-04-11T14:20:00-05:00

One last real wedding to sneak into the Handmade Wedding Series!

We were married last September in Virginia but procrastinated almost everything until maybe a month beforehand. Together we were working about 10,000 hours a week at Etsy and I was wearily navigating my way through the first trimester of pregnancy.

Inwardly, I was positive that if I ignored planning my wedding hard enough, a wedding fairy godmother would swoop down in a magical monsoon of glitter shimmer tulle and take care of everything for us somehow.

That actually did not happen. But, I am here to tell you that it is okay to have a wedding by the total seat of your pants. A really great wedding, even.

This is my husband, Peter. He also works for Etsy.

Like any little girl, I had always vaguely daydreamed of what my my wedding dress would someday look like. I did not daydream myself five and 1/2 months pregnant, however. We had gotten engaged in January and then just became a little too impatient. So, I designed and made my own super beautiful knocked-up wedding dress with a ton of help from Beni of Burdastyle. When I say "help" I actually mean that she sewed the entire dress for me while I whined about how difficult it all was. I have a phobia of sewing patterns and hadn't even attempted to make anything from one since Girl Scouts in 1986. It was a totally harrowing and last-minute experience and I actually used a stapler to hem it and handsewed the snaps in our hotel room the morning before the ceremony, but it cost me $80 and I still sort of resembled the ballerina princess fairy I knew I was inside.

Burdastyle is this clever website where you can download and print patterns and get sewing help and all kinds of other essential things for making your own fashion. Had Alchemy been around on Etsy last year I probably would have gone down that road and saved poor Beni from having to deal with me, though. A dress that hides, yet accentuates, a baby bump is definitely a custom request.

We got married in the Japanese Garden of Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia. Next to a waterfall. How ridiculous is that? The best part was I had never seen the place in my life and chose it on blind faith when the date was nearing and we had no location in mind. The week before the wedding I kept saying, Don't we need to get some flowers or something to, you know, decorate it?

And then when I finally saw it, it was like, Oh, duh, it's an insanely beautiful unicorniverse paradise already! Because it was outside next to a waterfall. Lesson learned: you can avoid the hassle of choosing flowers and stuff if you just hold the whole thing outdoors where it's lovely.

If you are trying to plan a wedding from five states away and not do anything except occasionally glance at the calendar and panic, then you'll definitely need a friend to coordinate it all for you. We had Almitra, who coordinates things for a living and was able to swiftly handle all of our crises. She found us a cake (made by a really sweet lady in central Virginia) and a caterer (an old friend of hers who owns a restaurant in Richmond) and a couple cases of champagne, all amidst me crying on the telephone about how tiredly pregnant I was and sending her IMs like PLS HELP EVERYTHING IS A SHAMBLES I AM CRYING.

Neither Pete nor I have a family minister or church and we were at a loss for an officiant who could legally marry us. Eventually we gave up on the legal part and convinced our friend Brooks to do the honors as he was "our most stately friend" and we thought he could convincingly lead the ceremony.

We actually got legally married a month and a half later at the City Clerk Office here in Brooklyn. Friends, if you're crunched for time, take my advice and just fake it.

Pete wrote our vows the night before the rehearsal and I bobby-pinned them into a vintage copy of Treasure Island. We googled wedding vows and then added a really long Rilke quote to pad it. The ceremony still only was about two minutes long because we were all very nervous and spoke too fast.

But the best part of our wedding was the reception.

We held a reception at our friend's, well, cement lot in Southside Richmond. It's called The Bike Lot, and a bunch of folks we know rent garage space to work on bikes or mopeds or whatever else out there, they have a bunch of homemade ramps and the whole space is covered in beautiful graffiti. So we basically invited everyone we knew to come and have a big sweaty drunken dance party barbeque with us.

Everyone had a really great time. Pictured above on the left are Pete's sister and brother, in the latter stage of drunkeness.

My best friend Luke had pulled a wedding band together for me and managed a few superb covers of songs by Jawbreaker and the Misfits, among others. We had two other friends play records and our first dance was to Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship.

Etsy customer support expert Lori Weaver joined in with vocals at one point. I think this was a Gorilla Biscuits song.

And for days afterwards, Pete's motto was "If you can't skate at your own wedding, when can you skate?"

Here is the top of our melted cake. The cake toppers were a gift from Pete's mom and dad. They had accidentally dropped and broken the foot off the bride figurine at an antique shop, and had been forced by the shop owner to buy them. Pete's mom glued the foot back on and mailed them to us as a gag, but I sort of loved their weird Precious Momentsesque charm.

Our friends had decorated the Bike Lot with a zillion paper airplanes and not much else, which was totally sweet and beautiful. Someone had found a tandem bicycle and tied cans and such to the back, and at the end of the day we rode off together while everyone flung glitter and the contents of their cups at us. And we lived happily ever after. The end!

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: A Gift from Groom to Bride

2008-04-11T10:37:00-05:00

I have to admit that I had no idea that I was supposed to buy my bride a gift for our wedding — wasn’t marrying me enough? (No.) Thankfully for me, my father pulled me aside and told me that I needed to get a gift and that it was a great opportunity to add another memory to the wedding.

My first instinct was to go with something that commemorated our engagement, but, in truth, it wasn’t very memorable. I ended up buying my wife something she asked for (a watch), which is always a good plan. If I were doing it today, I think I’d write a poem and work with deliasthompson to customize this bracelet.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Handmade Weddings: Almost there...Crucial Last Minute Details!

2008-04-11T01:19:00-05:00

As we wrap up the Handmade Wedding Series, littlethings1 reminds us about some of those little details that will make your whole wedding come together!

The date is nearing, the chapel is booked, caterer is set, and the bridal party has been chosen. Hopefully you've stuck to your budget.

Many brides are now looking for a personal touch to add to their wedding celebrations by having custom and handmade details, as a way to show your own personal touch. Perhaps you've been DIYing some decorations, but trust me, you don’t want to be hot-gluing things the day before the wedding! The most important thing you can do is to have everything completed for your wedding day several weeks in advance, and to plan everything so your wedding day is stress free from last minute details! If you're running out of time and want to get some handmade items, do a search on Etsy.com for one of a kind handcrafted decorations to purchase for a one of a kind statement. A few custom ideas are:

engraved or hand painted votive holders:

cjoglasswareandgifts

flower-girl baskets:
BrassPaperclip adapts vintage doilies into baskets:

Or have her carry a pomander by EverythingButTheRing!

Here's a classic one from foreveryoursflowers:

ring bearer pillows:
EasterYu's dear ones with birdies

Sophisticated silk one by ShopBub

Another fresh option from tinarie21

cake toppers:

custom ones by tikiarnold

Whimsical topper by simplysweetbydawn

melabo's artistic squirrel and groom topper

Don't forget the pesky "something blue":

earrings by JenniferRydinDesigns

GarterLady

Having personalized bridal party gifts can show your bridesmaids and groomsmen that their support is truly appreciated. A few of the most common gifts include personalized watches, jewelry, flasks, and money clips. Some more original ideas include such things as one of a kind gifts suited for the individual; you can use Alchemy for custom orders. Here's an article with some tips for groomsmen gifts, and also this post about bridesmaid gifts.

Last, but not least, don’t neglect one of the most important items: thank you cards. A sweet note with a hand written appreciation of the gift received.

by dutchdoor

by woodenapples

Have a fabulous wedding day!!

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Handmade Wedding Series: Inside Tips from Wedding Photographer MagicIsland

2008-04-10T23:14:00-05:00

MagicIsland makes a living as a wedding photographer in North Carolina. She shares some tips with the Handmade Wedding Series on how to find the right photographer for your nuptials.

Can you introduce yourself and tell me about your experiences as a photographer?
My names Mary Haggerty, I have a photography shop on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina called Ocracoke Photo (and two shops here on Etsy: MagicIsland and Photo America). I have worked as a photojournalist for more than 14 years and have been a freelance photographer for The New York Times. I have also been a portrait, wedding and Fine Art Photographer. I have had my photographs exhibited in galleries and museums. So, I have a good deal of background as a photographer. My wedding photography reflects my background as a wedding / portrait photographer, fine artist, and photojournalist.

Many artists and crafters have friends who take cool photos. I imagine they could do a pretty good job snapping some great shots. But I wonder if they would be able to cover all the angles? Why not have a friend who likes to photograph be your photographer? Why hire a professional?
The most important thing to consider if you want to guarantee that your photos will be wonderful is to hire a professional. Hire someone with experience. I can’t stress this enough. Consider photography first. It’s what you will have to keep (besides your spouse) after the wedding is over. It’s what will be sitting on your mantle and bookshelf and in your album for the rest of your life. Photographs are the treasures you’ll share with your friends and relatives and maybe your children. It’s a record of your love.

Asking a friend to photograph your wedding can be very tricky. There's a lot of pressure involved in photographing a wedding. Your friend and designated photographer won't get to enjoy themselves as a guest. So, what you might want to do is ask a friend who knows how to take photographs to take pictures for an hour or so before the wedding or during the ceremony and a few after of the bride and groom and some family, but not all day. If it's a local wedding and off season, sometimes I'll go out for and hour or two for a bride. You might find a professional willing to do that.

What do you need to know about printing, albums, and negatives/digital files?
Have in mind what you’d like as a finished product. There are all styles of wedding albums and this truly depends on your personal style and how creative you are.

I think most photographers now use digital cameras. I wouldn't say digital is better than negatives, just easier. So if your photographer shoots film, that’s fine; labs usually transfer file onto CDs too. A lot of my weddings are destination weddings so my couples are in town for a week or so. Because I shoot digital, this way they can select their photos the next day in my shop, I print in house and they have all their photos to take home along with their album. There are also many options for having a traditional book professionally bound: this is very expensive and takes 8 weeks to get your book finished. Ask your photographer what products and services they offer. They may offer things like in house printing, canvas prints and custom framing.

I've been working with Etsy seller decklededgebindery on some handmade albums.

What are the price ranges?
This is hard to say, price ranges are so different from place to place and also determined by the experience of the photographer. I think you could get a photographer for $500... or $30,000. My wedding packages start at $1,250 and that includes an album.

What are the different styles? Seems like there's photojournalistic style and then on the other hand, traditional wedding photographer style?
Photojournalist style is very popular. A lot of my brides come to me knowing my background as a photojournalist, they almost always tell me that's what they want, until I remind them they may also want some posed family photos, and yes, they usually do want a few of these also. I would say a mix of traditional and photojournalist styles work well together.
Make sure you like the photographer's style and that it fits your personal taste. Take a good look at their photographs.

What should you look for in a black and white photo, say? vs color? Any tips?
I shoot all my weddings in digital color files. Any digital files can be made into black and white prints. I really like the look of classic Black and White. Usually my couples use a mixture of color and black and white in their albums.

In what situation would you need an assistant?
I don't use an assistant but if you're having a wedding with over 200 guest or a big affair you might want to find a photographer with an assistant.

What's the deal with getting a photographer if you're doing a destination wedding?
Most of my weddings on the Island are destination weddings. Hiring a local provider is a good choice. You could look online or call the local Chamber of Commerce or check the county website; they all have wedding provider information. If you know any locals ask them for referrals. It's best to go visit your destination spot and make appointments to meet with all the wedding providers you're interested in. I also supply couples with local information on music and food, flowers, and lodging provider suggestions if they ask! If you find a band or florist you get along with, ask them what photographer they would recommend. If you can't visit and you find a photographer online you'd like to hire, you can ask them for phone numbers of couples whose weddings they've done and that would talk with you. This is very helpful. Alternatively, you could also hire a wedding planner.

One more note about destination weddings: you'll also want to find out about wedding license requirements and also things like getting permits you might need. If your wedding is here at the beach or at our historic lighthouse you need to get a permit from the National Park Service. So, ask about these things too!

Where is a good place to start looking for photographer in one's area? Are there websites or organizations you can recommend?
If you're looking for photographers in your own area, asking friends for referrals is a good idea; ask if you can see their wedding albums.

I suggest a face to face meeting with potential photographers. Do you feel comfortable with them? Most people aren’t used to being in front of a camera for a whole day. So, it’s best to find a photographer that you feel at ease with, your photos will look more natural. I think that's very important. If you can't meet with them a phone call is good and if you need more information, ask for referrals and phone numbers from couples who have hired this photographer. They can tell you not only how good their photos are but also what it was like to work with the photographer.

Further Resources:
Ocracoke Photo: www.OcracokePhoto.com
Ocracoke Island’s website: www.Ocracokevillage.com
Pirate ship wedding cruise: www.schoonerwindfall.com
Outer Banks wedding guide: www.outerbanksweddingguide.com

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Handmade Weddings: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Album & Guest Book

2008-04-10T16:36:00-05:00

As we near the end of the Handmade Wedding Series, it's time to think about preserving all of the memories. Thanks to solidio for her great ideas on guest and scrap books!

Of all the things you buy for your wedding, you only get to keep a few. The cake gets eaten and the flowers fade, but the guest book and the album for your photos are items that you will have forever.

There are probably as many options available for handmade books and albums as there are Etsy sellers, so I narrowed it to two key decisions you need to make when choosing a book or album.

Decision one: The Cover
I like to think of the cover as the personality of the book. It’s the first thing you see, and is also a tactile element of the book. Remember that the guest book should look good in your wedding and also in your home. So choose a cover you like! It doesn’t have to match your wedding perfectly, but should blend in with your theme. If you are having red roses at your wedding, but your home décor doesn’t have much red in it, keep that in mind.

Cover materials range from silk to wood to leather to paper to metal and a variety of oddball materials. There are advantages and disadvantages to each – and each has it's own feel to it. This is truly a personal choice, and my best advice is to search the options out there, and if you have an idea for a cover, find someone that works in those materials and ask them if they can make a book or album for you.

Take a look a these —

Nina Judin Books' Leather with copper details:

Pamela Tang's Silk:

Decision two: Binding Type
The binding is important for two reasons — it affects the way the book lies on the table, and affects the ability to add pages to a book. (I’ll be talking more about functionality and style in this article, not techniques or terminology. I’m not a bookbinder!)

One type of binding used for albums is called post-binding, and it is commonly used in scrapbooking. This type of binding allows you to add or subtract pages by unscrewing the posts that hold the pages together. You can then add, subtract or move pages, and screw it all together again. The pages of the book do not lay flat, but they do tend to stay open while you are looking at them. You can usually find pages to add at your local craft store, and they are very easy to use with photos. These books often have standard page sizes, like 12x12, 8x8 or 8x10. This binding is a logical choice for an album, but could also be filled with blank pages for a guest book.

A cool post-bound example from Sleeping Forest Studios:

The other type of binding is constructed in a variety of ways, but has the common trait of looking like a book – it lies flat on the table and you cannot add pages to it. These are your typical journals or sketchbooks. They sometimes use beautiful knot patterns, and can have an exposed or covered spine. This type of book would be a logical choice for a guest book, but can also be used as an album. You will need to attach your photos directly to the paper with photo tabs or adhesive.

Here's a great example from LaPaperie:

Other terrific options —
You can find an Etsy seller like jennysbooks and ask her to make a custom cover for a traditional guest book or album that you already have. Here's an example of one of her covers:

You can also find an Etsy seller (the one below is from scrapbooks) make a custom wedding scrapbook for you:

In the end, there are two major choices with albums and guest books: cover materials and binding. There are many options to fit just about any taste, or you can take this opportunity to get a custom book designed to your taste through Alchemy. Many artisans/crafters will take the time to walk you through what choices they have and go over options with you. Keep in mind that a custom book could take 6-8 weeks to make, so order early! And enjoy the process.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Handmade Weddings: Thoughtful Gifts for Your Wedding Party with ruralabandon

2008-04-09T16:18:00-05:00

And now a word of advice from the woman that so often has to hold her tongue — the bridesmaid! ruralabandon tells the Handmade Wedding Series the Dos and Don'ts of another wedding tradition: thank you gifts for your bridesmaids.

Brides have enough to think about when planning a wedding. Seriously, although I'm ashamed to admit it, I’ve seen that show Bridezillas! Not everyone has the funds to hire a wedding planner, and those who do still seem to agonize over every little aspect. So take some advice from a seasoned bridesmaid about one detail: the bridemaids’ gifts. Here are some simple Do’s and Don’ts to help any bride pick the perfect gifts:

Thank them in style with these beautiful letterpress tags by FullCirclePress.

DON’T give gifts that only work when matching the dress – think about this one. Is it really a gift when you are buying something to match a dress the person is likely to never wear again? This type of gift says "I don’t trust you to wear appropriate accessories with the dress I picked out."

DO give gifts that match the person – think about each individual and buy accordingly. Is there a memory you share? An inside joke? Buy something that will really touch their heart or make them chuckle.

Make her smile and remember all those trips to the ladies room together with this Ladies Room Necklace by rotorcaps.

DON’T give manicures and pedicures before the big day – they can take care of that. (And don’t worry, they won’t come to the wedding with florescent yellow nail polish.) Although according to a recent Storque article, neon IS making a comeback.

DO give personalized bath and body gifts – think of the person’s favorite scents, colors and personality, and buy accordingly. For example, if the person is into natural products, why not give them a gift basket with organic bath and body items?

This Aloha Gift Set by soapboxhawaii is perfect for the bridesmaid that longs for sand between her toes.

DON’T buy a t-shirt, tank top, or sweat suit with BRIDESMAID written across it. Britney did this, and we all saw how that turned out!

DO buy something they can use long after the wedding – whether it be a nice pair of earrings or a special purse, make sure it is something they will use and cherish.

Think about sending a special message with a practical gift. Check out this pocket mirror by dcdesigns.

DON’T buy each person the same gift – this screams sale at Big Lots! You chose your attendants because they share a special place in your life, so personalize things a bit. This doesn’t mean monogramming a key chain either.

This bridesmaid prayer candle by gagavida will let your bridesmaids know that the dresses could have been way worse!

When it comes to gift giving one thing always rings true: the best gifts have a personal touch. The good thing about buying handmade is the intrinsic value of a personal touch. You can even use Alchemy to do custom, personalized orders. So, 'SHOP ON!' Brides and Bridezillas…a gift from Etsy will probably make them forget all about that horrible dress you made them wear.

Wishing all the lovely brides a beautiful wedding day and a wonderful life filled with love and joy! Oh…and one more thing…I am sure your bridesmaids' dresses are smashing.

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