Jack Frost, Meet Virginia

When Jessica Boyd and Philip Glaesar set their wedding date last year for January 29th, 2010, they did not expect a winter blizzard to roll through Richmond that same weekend.  The city hadn't had a blizzard for years, so what were the chances? Apparently, very high. 

The blizzard came and went, and had an effect on the wedding weekend.  But the couple made the best of it, and the wedding went smoothly. 



Don Mears Photography, From the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Jessica used winter night black, snowball white, and hunter green to set the mood for this winter wedding that held all the charms of Richmond, VA - Tables were labled as famous Richmond streets.  My favorite part of the wedding: the white UGG boots Philip gave Jessica before the wedding, so that if she felt like taking off her heels she could throw on something comfy.

The bride used local vendors for the food, the dress and the decor. The dress came from Caryn's Bridal in Farmville; the menu and seating cards from Red, Orange Design; and table cards and centerpieces by Mona Ray.  The couple held the rehearsal dinner at Twenty-Seven Bistro and were married at the Renaissance Conference Center in downtown Richmond. 

Oh, the Snow!

Good morning all,

The snow in Nashville seems to have gotten to my head!  Sadly, I don't have a blog post for you this morning, but I will be back this afternoon to share something spectacular with you.  Stay warm, stay dry.. stay inside.  Cheers!

Ballerina Gowns

Design by Rodarte for Natalie Portman's dress in the film

Natalie Portman is the talk of Tinseltown once again with her film "Black Swan," which has been generating Oscar buzz since it opened last Friday. The film has inspired many haute couture designers and has led to one of my favorites trends this season - ballerina-style wedding gowns.  

Sincerity Bridal's Taffeta and Tulle Wedding Gown

It's all about the tulle, ladies.  Tulle gives women a femininity that is evident with every movement.  The design is seductive yet sophisticated.  It gives women the fairy tale look that they dreamt of as a child as she is ready to finally get her prince.  

Feathers are coming back as well.  The Spring 2011 collection of  designers - Gucci, Chanel, Zac Posen, Marchesa, Elie Saab and Kate Spade - will all feature the light accessory that enhances the ballerina-like feeling.  

For those not into the extravagance of tulle or wary of feathers, some designers have made the look more grown-up and toned down.  You can achieve the same ballerina look with draped fabrics or a slight train trailing behind the dress.  Think Sarah Jessica Parker a la Sex and The City.  Ok, so Carrie obviously needed at least one feather...

NYdailytimes.com

If you want to read more about the Ballerina-style trend and see the hot designers leading the way, be sure to visit: http://www.latimes.com/shopping/marketplace/weddings/la-mkt-togetherfeat-advertising-ballet-12052010,0,4140894.story

Destination Wedding: New Orleans

Have you ever taken a trip to the Crescent City?  If you have, then you know that New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world, and the perfect place for a fun destination wedding, especially if you're looking to save on travel expenses. 

Stay: Hotel Monteleone

http://atravelerslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/exterior.JPG

Located in heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, this hotel is as chic as it gets and celebrities are often spotted in the halls.  It is a luxurious hotel with television, internet and mini-bar, as well as a spa and pool and dining downstairs.  They are also extremely accommodating of wedding parties and have their own wedding planner on site.  The head chef will be happy to create the perfect menu for your event as well. 

Rehearsal Dinner: Brennan's

http://www.brennansneworleans.com/photo_gallery.html

The Brennan family is a restaurant dynasty in New Orleans and they never fail to put out 5 star food at each of their restaurants.  Brennan's is the original, the most famous, and the venue where you should host the rehearsal dinner.  The restaurant is divided into small and large rooms, so pick one for your party and work with the chef to create a menu that will be sure to please all of your guests, especially those seafood lovers.  

Ceremony: Maison Dupuy Hotel

http://www.neworleansparties.com

This charming hotel is also located in the heart of the French Quarter on Toulouse.  Brick walls and cozy spaces make this an intimate setting that can hold up to 200 guests.  

Reception: River View Room

http://www.marriott.com

This venue, located on Decatur St., provides exceptional views of the Mississippi River, the river front and the French Quarter and will  be a great end to an amazing wedding.  With 5 terraces, you will literally be able to see all of New Orleans.  The River View Room also provides a bridal package that will please everyone in the wedding party.  

Temple St. Clair Jewelry

Check out more of her designs at TempleStClair.com

Last week, I was introduced to Temple St. Clair, a jewelry designer who designs for high-end stores like Barney's, Saks, and Neiman Marcus.   Recently, she sat down and did an interview with Virginia Living contributor, Suzanne Gannon.  They discussed her Virginia upbringing and how that influenced her jewelry, giving it a classic aesthetic that combines beautifully with Temple's modern style.  In her own words: "I think I tend to be rather classic with a twist of my own style that makes my work timeless and modern and contemporary."  If you want to hear more from the designer herself, take a look at the interview, now on Virginia Living's WebXtra blog.

Wedding on Baldhead Island, NC

Good morning all! This week, I want to share a beautiful wedding and couple, Brooke and Ryan, that were featured on Green Wedding Shoes last Friday.  The wedding took place on Baldhead Island in North Carolina and was inspired by the couples' very cool, laid-back personalities.  

I don't know if you can tell, but Brooke's dress is short in the front and long in the back... the ultimate party in the front, business in the back dress. 

The color palette set the perfect tone for a North Carolina wedding.  I'm especially fond of the vintage-looking glassware.

Every detail of this wedding seems so fun.  Brooke and Ryan incorporated two of their passions into the wedding - Tom Robbins novels and music.  The result was fantastic.  See the glowsticks the wedding party is wearing up top?  Brooke says that one of her favorite moments was watching her grandmother leave with a glowstick on her head.  Besides that, the groom's brother Seth led the ceremony and other relatives showed off their sweet, and not so sweet, moves on the dance floor.  As Brooke puts it, the day "was just such a magical lovefest."  If you want to see more and hear more about the vendors Brooke and Ryan used, head over to Green Wedding Shoes and check out their story! 

A Fashion Fairy Tale

Happy All Saints' Day!  I know that greeting isn't as exciting as Happy Halloween, but the costumes are all put away and all of the candy has been handed out, so I think we can officially say that the Day of Hallows has past.  My Al Capone costume was too much fun and I'm sad to see it go.  What did you dress up as?

In the spirit of Halloween and dressing up, I wanted to feature this shoot by Tim Walker that appeared in the October 2010 issue of W Magazine.  He "envisioned model Karlie Kloss as 'Mary, Mary Quite Contrary; Snow White; and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz all rolled into one.'" Kross wears haute couture from designers like Carolina Herrera, Armani and Chanel that is wonderfully romantic and great inspiration for a fabulous, playful fall wedding. 


Dress by Dior Haute Couture and shoes by Louis Vuitton

Silk bustier dress by Armani Prive



Dress by Chanel Haute Couture and socks by John Rocha



Dress by Carolina Herrera, Shoes by Louis Vuitton, Gloves by LaCrasia







The Wedding Dictionary

Grooms- Not really sure what your bride-to-be is talking about with all of that wedding lingo?  Here's a short list of vocab you should probably know when you start planning your wedding.  Ladies, you might like to know some of these too!

The Groom:

Ascot: A wide, formal tie generally worn for formal daytime weddings.

Boutonniere: A flower, or flowers that are worn by the men in the wedding party. It should always be affixed to the left side of the jacket.

Cutaway Jacket: A jacket which tapers from the front waist button to a long, wide back tail. It is usally worn with a wing-collar shirt with an ascot and vest.

The Bride:

Bodice: The close, upper-fitting part of the dress

Blusher: A short veil that covers the bride's face before the ceremony.
Cathedral train: A long piece of fabric that extends 7 feet from the waist.

Illusion: The netting used for veils and headpieces. 

Nosegay: A small bouquet carried by the bride and bridesmaids. 

Tea Length: The length of dress that falls several inches above the ankles. 

Photo courtesy of The Wedding Chicks. 

A Proposal

How would you like to be proposed to? Under the stairs on a moonlit night as you and your partner sit at your favorite spot? At the restaurant where you had your first date? On a romantic weekend getaway at that sweet, little cottage in the mountains? It is a fun occasion to fantasize about - imagining that moment in which your loved one pulls from his jacket pocket a small box that contains so much promise for the future.

Recently, while on a jog in the nearby park, I came across this chalk drawing on the pavement:

Who is Paige?  Did her soon-to-be fiance plan a romantic walk in the park that would end at this very spot?  Did he plan for her regular running route to bring her to this place where she would be surprised by the unexpected message?  I'd like to think that she said yes and that they are now happily planning their wedding.  Unfortunately, the end to this story is a mystery. 

Seeing chalk drawing this made me think of the lengths that men and women will go to to propose to their loved one in a special way.  The proposal does not have to be extravagant, just meaningful.  Because when you're in love, romance comes easy.  

What would your ideal romantic proposal entail? We'd love to hear from you!

Marie Antoinette meets Rustic Glam

The first thing that came to mind when I saw this post on Style Me Pretty last week was the film Marie Antoinette.  If you combined Sofia Coppola's lavish costumes and treat with California's rustic style, this would be the outcome.  Thanks to XOXO Bride, Braedon Photography, and Nico Designs, the bride and groom found themselves in a truly spectacular fairy tale at Dos Pueblos Ranch in Santa Barbara.  Make sure to go to the Style Me Pretty blog to see more photos from this dreamy wedding!

Robert Plant - Falling in Love Again

I promised, and here it is: Robert Plant's "Falling in Love Again."  Ignore the video, it's not official.  Just listen to the music and enjoy!



Video taken from Youtube.com

It's October Again!

It's October again!  That means it is officially the season for apple cider, pumpkin carving and apple pie.  It also means that it is once again 50 degrees in Nashville, which to me, is freezing.  To take my mind off the cold weather, I've decided to share some fall wedding inspiration.  

Fall is a great time for a rustic-themed wedding and hand-painted signs are a must-have. 

The guests above are sitting on haystacks.  I love this for 2 reasons: 1. Nothing says fall like a good hayride.  2. If you live on a farm or know someone who does, haystacks are a low-cost, easy alternative to chairs.

This couple carved Mr. and Mrs. into a pumpkin.  It's creative and perfect for the season.  

To make your wedding memorable not only for you, but for your guests as well, throw in some surprises.  Tomato soup shooters, apple cider martinis and miniature apple pies are just a few examples of something you can do to take your wedding that extra mile.  

Of course, there's always the cake.  Don't you just want to dig in right now?  

All images are courtesy of theknot.com

The Story Behind the Anniversary Box

Happy Monday everyone!

Happily Ever AfterWords officially launched its own Youtube channel last week and premiered its first video - "The Story Behind the Anniversary Box."  Now we can finally share the heartwarming story behind the Anniversary Box in the words of Susan Hogg herself, one of the creators of the Box. I am excited to bring you this short video featuring Susan as she prepares for the wedding of her daughter, Tyler Hogg Wheeler. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch. I hope you enjoy it as well!

Falling in Love with Fall Again

I have the end of summer blues this week.  Fall begins on Wednesday, signaling the end of lazy summer days by the pool with a Margarita in one hand and a trashy novel in the other. On the bright side, with fall we get pumpkin spice lattes, football games and a whole new color palette! 
So I'm getting over my summertime blues with this Moroccan Inspiration Board from coco+kelley.  With muted fall colors, it is the perfect transition from summer to fall. 

Also, I have to put in a plug for Robert Plant's new CD, Band of Joy, this week.  I'm loving it, especially the soft, melodic "Falling in Love Again."  I think it would make for a great first dance.  As soon as I find a version to share with you over the internet, I will! 

The Anniversary Box - The Definition of Tradition with a Twist

Your wedding is perfectly planned - your traditional but modern theme has all the t's crossed and i's dotted. And yet, you're still looking for the one thing that will set your wedding apart. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I've found that special twist.

It's the Anniversary Box, an elegant silk box that contains notecards numbered 1-50. During an event leading up to the wedding, such as the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner, guests write a memorable, heartfelt note to the bride and groom. The notecards are then put back into the box to be opened on the anniversary year indicated. That way, the couple is able to relive every special moment from the wedding over and over again.

Just imagine opening a note from your grandmother 11 years from now. Although she has recently passed away, the words she wrote you on your wedding day immediately transport you back to her kitchen, laughing together and enjoying the smell of fresh cookies in the oven.  Although those special moments with her cannot be replaced, they can be relived with the Anniversary Box.  That is why I recommend it as the new must-have for the modern bride.
 Whether you buy it for yourself or give it as a gift, the Anniversary Box is the twist that will make a wedding magical and unique.


Photo Credits: http://www.happilyeverafterwords.com/

Putting a Twist on an Old Tradition

Hello brides-to-be, grooms-to-be, and everyone in between!  Welcome to Tradition with a Twist, a place for modern brides (and grooms) to find inspiration for their wedding that is both traditional and unique.

I am very excited to bring you the first blog post on Tradition with a Twist.  On this blog, I will share everything I find magical about weddings with you - the fetes, the gowns, the treats and of course, the bride and groom.  My goal is to give you ideas that will help you set your wedding apart.  I love tradition, but I want to help you take it to the next level.  I hope that you will find some inspiration from Tradition with a Twist that will make your own wedding even more magical.  And if you're not on your way to getting married, I hope that this is a worthwhile distraction from your desk job ;)   

I love feedback and would enjoy hearing your own stories and ideas if you would like share.  Please keep following, because I have many fun  ideas that I cannot wait to bring you! 

Cheers and  have a wonderful day! 
Picture Credit: http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/