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Today's DIY was actually created by my mom and it was the inspiration behind the Halloween Wedding inspiration board that went up earlier this morning. This DIY wreath is perfect for Halloween, but you can easily change the colors to suit any type of event including bridal showers and bachelorette parties. My mom used a wreath form {you could use any shape you like} and 3 black feather boas were enough to cover the styrofoam form. She then found the feather hair clips at Joann's on clearance for just over a $1 each. What a GREAT Bargain! Creating gorgeous decor for events doesn't have to cost a fortune.

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all photos taken by Brenda with a Canon 60D

This elegant Russian Cage Veil Bridal Hat is where modern meets vintage. It's available in either white or ivory and is currently on sale at With this Bling {reduced from $60 to just $38.99}. If you are planning an old fashion 20's wedding than this is the perfect accessory for your finishing touch. There is a gorgeous flower that accents the top of the hat along with scattered Swarovski Crystals and sprays of feathers.

I'm so excited to start this week off as I have one of the most amazing weddings to share with you. This Tampa, Florida wedding was photographed by Mariana and Khaled of Kismis Ink Photography and is absolutely stunning and the details are captured perfectly. Not only is the brides dress a "super wow" one with beading and a feathery style but wait until you see the wedding cake. Let's get started with some photos of Nicole and Keily's wedding and then more details on the special day . . .

Nicole's purple feathered high heels and feathered-fascinator {seen a few photos down} are pure gorgeousness.

Loving the details on the wedding gown and don't you just love Nicole's purple garter that matches her shoes so perfectly?

Nicole got ready for her wedding in the Bridal Suite of the Don Vicente. This historic inn was built in 1895 and features Persian rugs, ornate furniture, and lacy, elaborate cast iron balconies. Miriana says "Nicole and Keily's first look seems as if it's a scene from an old romantic Spanish film".

The church Nicole and Keily married in opened in 1905 and most of the church's interior design is just as it was a century ago with the Romanesque architecture and seventy stunning stained glass windows.

Nicole is the daughter of Cuban immigrants and their reception was held at the The Cuban Club which was once a unifying force in the Cuban community. Aren't the feathered centerpieces amazing? So different, yet perfect for the setting of this wedding. And, that cake? WOW!!! Loving the bling between the layers.

Have to send Mariana a HUGE thank you for letting me share this spectacular wedding with you today.

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Kismis Ink Photography
Caterer: Affordable Catering 
Dress Store: Emelina's Bridal & Boutique 
Linens and Coverings: Kate Ryan Linens 
Transportation: Ambassador Limousine & Sedan
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Sacino's Formalwear 
Event Venue: Cuban Civic Center 

This is just a small inspiration board I've put together based on my pinterest board by the same name. I have so much yummy purple goodness in this board I couldn't include it all here {unless there was to be lots of scrolling LOL}. As many of you know, I just LOVE purple. So this board started coming together as soon as I saw the purple feather fascinator from Emici Bridal and it just kept growing and growing. What is your favorite element? {see the entire purple board on pinterest here}

Please click the above image to see the board larger.
For more inspiration, please Follow me on pinterest

Image Credits and Shopping Resources:
purple silk chiffon flower, chocolate martini, purple bridesmaid dress, purple bouquet,
blueberry and blackberry cupcakes, feather flower shoe clips, purple and gold wreath

Yay, it's Friday and I have an amazing photo shoot to wrap up this month's Wedding Vendor Challenges. Today's shoot comes to us from DBY Events and Red Letter Event Planning with stunning photography from Angela Swan. Wait until you see what the desserts are presented on and you are going to go CRAZY for the colors in the floral arrangement. It's so lush and completely GORGEOUS!!!!! Kasey of DBY Events writes the following . . .

Our Havana Night was inspired by the classic comedy “I Love Lucy” and its iconic heart emblem and the retro polka dot motif. We imagined that a popular local music club was converted from its regular hip dance environment to the hot and spicy ‘Club Babaloo’ for an intimate Valentine's Supper Club.

The retro color scheme played well into the oversized invitation with the left polka dotted border and the prominently featured heart inviting all couples to come celebrate the lover’s holiday at one of two seatings for dinner. Lucy and Desi would be right at home, where we captured their spirit and essence in the representation of a fun and flirty evening.

The décor and paper goods for the evening, both influenced by our vintage lounge venue and our Havana night theme, incorporate elements tropical and garden-inspired, luxurious and natural; perfectly befitting a night of retro romance.

We love the balance of the whimsical with the elegant in our table linens and florals. Using sequin overlays with soft satin underlayers, the Black ostrich plumes add softness, while the florals include silver succulents and bold protea bring out a wonderful texture and depth to our look.  Dark feathers pull in the "club" feel, and our polka-dots are reflected in both the fun shapes of the hot pink anemone and the handcrafted wire work.

Mirrored mosaic chargers on the high boy tables with hand beaded napkin rings give each guest setting a touch of glamour, and beautifully reflect the candlelit dinner. The low booth settings incorporated the need for ice in the hot Havana nights and featured charger plates with large acrylic stone borders. All table settings include a place card for the couple, with a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ waiting to welcome the intimate couples to their seats.

The sweets table buffet was centered around the most romantic musical instrument, the piano at the club.  Bringing in the whimsical polka dots design, the name cards bring the design elements full circle, and the amazing chocolates and decadent cakes were placed on vintage platters atop the baby grand so that guests could tickle their taste buds while tickling the ivories before dancing the night away…

Vendor Credits:
Planning: DBY Events
Photography: Angela Swan
Coordination: Red Letter Event Planning
Venue: Sara at Chord On Blues 630-513-0074
Paper Goods: DBY Invitations
Florals: The Elegant Petal
Linens: Windy City Linen
Chameleon Chairs : Classic Party Rental and Chameleon Chair Collection
Sweets Buffet: Cocoa Bean and All Chocolate Kitchen