Brenda's Wedding Blog | Fresh Ideas for Creative Weddings
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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

How to Sparkle from Head to Toe on Your Wedding Day
How to Sparkle from Head to Toe on Your Wedding Day
It’s your wedding day - the time to shine and sparkle from head to toe. Today, I have an inspiration board to give you ideas for creating a sparkling look from your head {well, your teeth actually - details on that in just a sec} to your wedding shoes. Joining me to make sure you have the whitest smile ever for your wedding, is Luster Premium White. They are the makers of 2 Minute White - a simple-to-use, two-step whitening treatment that brightens teeth by six shades in as little as three days while maintaining 100% enamel safety and zero tooth sensitivity. The exciting news is that one lucky reader of Brenda's Wedding Blog has the chance to win Luster Premium White’s 2 Minute White.

Are you ready to sparkle on your wedding day? Be sure to get your entries in below and you could be the lucky winner that is selected in two weeks.

this giveaway is sponsored by Luster Premium White and contains affiliate links

Glittery Gold and Blue Wedding Inspiration Board for a Big Day that Sparkles
Inspiration Boards, GiveawaysBrenda Bennett Maille Comments
How to Create a Loft Wedding where Urban Meets Vintage {styled shoot in Chicago}
How to Create a Loft Wedding where Urban Meets Vintage {styled shoot in Chicago}

Today's styled wedding {which actually features a real couple that had been married for years but never had a formal wedding} has such a great inspiration behind it. Not only is the Chicago skyline a great backdrop to marry in front of - but marrying at City View Loft with panoramic windows and exposed brick walls is a beautiful setting. The following is a beautiful explanation behind the creation of this styled shoot from the design team - Vow & Knot Events, and Maria Nicole Photography . . .

"When designing this inspiration shoot we focused on bringing an old world charm to this urban oasis. Similar to bringing together a bride and a groom with their own styles, we wanted to bring together the feel of a urban venue with the details of a vintage affair. The beautiful juxtaposition of glass and steel to cobalt sky alludes to the rich history of Chicago, and we decided the perfect venue to show off both was the beautiful City View Lofts."

7 Design Ideas for Creating a Loft Wedding where Urban Meets Vintage Include:

1. Piling flowered vintage china onto gorgeous jade chargers
2. Layering hand printed tea towel menus at each place setting
3. Radiant florals that cascade out of the vase and onto the table
4. Top each place setting with a paper cone filled with mini blooms denoting seating arrangements
5. Rent a reclaimed wooden table to be reminiscent of Sunday family dinners at home
6. A hand-painted wedding cake
7. Display desserts on tiers above the dessert bar

The bride wore a one-of-a-kind Edith Elan custom wedding gown. With the gown being made right in Chicago it brought the entire styled shoot to a more intimate level. The bride was able to dance a first dance with her husband in a gown made by a woman who actually lives just blocks away from their apartment.

Making weddings is so very personal to us here at Vow & Knot Events, and Maria Nicole Photography. Whether it's the smallest of details, or the grandest of displays, we feel that your wedding should be a representation of who you are as a couple. In a city filled with possibilities, we're so glad to call this our sweet home Chicago.

Wedding Vendor Team
Photographer: Maria Nicole Photography — Ceremony + Reception Location: City View Loft — Dress Designer: Edith Elan — Invitation Designer: Lucky Invitations — Equipment Rentals: Rent Vintage Chicago — Event Planner: Vow and Knot Events — Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Photo ShootBrenda Bennett Maillechicago, chicago weddings, styled shoot, loft weddings, vintage weddings, urban weddings Comments
Boho Chic Inspired Wedding {styled shoot} in Ancient Greece
Boho Chic Inspired Wedding {styled shoot} in Ancient Greece

I have a spectacular inspirational styled shoot to share with you today - coming all the way from Athens, Greece with photos by Anna Roussos Photography. It took place at the unique wedding venue, Nasioutzik Museum. It was filled to the brim with such amazing design and detail. The fantastic florals featured delicate blush pink roses, white hyacinths and red eucalyptus leaves. As Eleni of Love4Wed {the coordinator} writes . . . "From the beyond beautiful dessert table, the burgundy detailed wedding stationery, to the ancient Greece inspired wedding dress with French Chantilly lace, this wedding inspirational shoot can definitely make any wedding-loving heart sing!"

Wedding Vendors:
Coordination Eleni from Love4Wed
Photographer Anna Roussos Photography
Wedding dress Twisted Classics by Katia Delatola
Wedding planner The Event Company
Wedding Venue Nasioutzik Museum
Stationery & Wedding favors Atelier Invitations
Backstage Photography Penelope Photos
Desserts Maria's Cakes & Cookies
Floral Design Studio 7
Makeup & Hair Roula Stamatopoulou
Dinnerware & Linen Rentals White Lilac
Furniture Rentals Zazoo Event Rentals

Photo ShootBrenda Bennett Mailleboho-chic, boho weddings, bohemian weddings, greece Comments
Inspired by Preston Bailey : Wedding Inspiration where Urban Glam Meets Modern City
Inspired by Preston Bailey : Wedding Inspiration where Urban Glam Meets Modern City

Get ready to be inspired with stunning pops of color and the ultimate in classy style.

This styled wedding was designed to inspire all brides, in particular curvy brides, and to provide styles that can be worn at the wedding and the celebration afterwards. It features the spectacular floral designs from Maribel of EightTreeStreet and gorgeous snapshots from Photography by Amy Nicole. Renown plus size model Jessica Likas showcases two gorgeous gowns from Fabulous Frocks of Alexandria {the St. Patrick Bridal collection and Enzoani collection}. The groom model added a slick modern touch with the monochrome navy suit and shirt accented by a pop of cerise on his tie. The styling in the loft venue was inspired by Preston Bailey and features linens from the Preston Bailey Collection at Nuage Designs Inc to style the luxe tablescape with a urban node.

this styled shoot feature links to several companies I have an affiliate relationship with

The first gown showcases a delicate illusion back gown from the St. Patrick Bridal collection with a drop waist accentuated by gorgeous beading. The second gown was more frilly and modern with a delicate razor back from the Enzoani collection, perfect for a glam urban bride. The bright pops of color included a cheery mix of navy blues, pinks, cerise, yellow and touches of lavender, with touches of gold and champagne. The flowery bridal bouquet included long and luxurious French ribbon. The overall setting for this styled wedding features a lavish tablescape and a sweet modern ceremony space. And, lastly, what city girl doesn't love getting around town by bicycle? Aren't the flowers on the bride's bike the perfect extra decor accent?

Spectacular Wedding Tablescapefrom an Urban Glam Meets Modern City Wedding - Inspired by Preston Bailey / Florals by EightTreeStreet / Photography by Amy Nicole

Wedding Vendor Team
Photographer: Photography by Amy Nicole — Floral Designer: EightTreeStreet — Invitation Designer: Blush Paper Co — Beauty: Britin Artistry — Event Venue: The Loft at 600 F — Dress Store: Fabulous Frocks of Alexandria — Model: Jessica Likas — Hair Stylist: Kayla Dreesen of Love Letters by Kayla — Signage: Mark with a Spark — Linens and Coverings: Nuage Designs — Other: The Mrs Box — Favors and Gifts: The Welcoming District — Calligrapher: Wabi Sabi — Jewelry: White Aisle Boutique — Model: Anthony Bell — Shoes: Betsey Johnson — Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Photo ShootBrenda Bennett Maillepreston bailey, urban chic, glam weddings, modern weddings Comments
How to Create an Urban Glam Wedding {Styled Shoot} in Red and Dusty Blue
How to Create an Urban Glam Wedding {Styled Shoot} in Red and Dusty Blue

With the 4th of July holiday coming, this styled shoot for an Urban Glam Wedding in red and dusty blue is the perfect showcase. It was photographed beautifully by Misha of Lavishly Lux Studio and I'm in LOVE with all the sparkle! Just check out these great ideas to bring the Urban Glam into your wedding.

Unique Ideas to Create an Urban Glam Styled Wedding

1. Think outside the box when it comes to a wedding dress - consider a bold color with LOTS of sparkle and glam
2. Bring in unexpected elements and texture into your wedding bouquet {like dusty miller, thistle and the ever romantic roses}
3. Go sparkly with the garter too
4. Display the monogram of the wedding couple with metal letters for the perfect Urban touch

Wedding Vendor Team:
Photographer: Lavishly Lux Studio — Floral Designer: bella fleur designs — Reception Venue: Event 1013 — Makeup Artist: Impeccable Faces MUA by Ronnika Williams — Model:Roxanne Hart — Event Planner: The Pink Tuxedos Wedding and Event Planning — Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Holidays, Photo ShootBrenda Bennett Maillered, blue, 4th of july, urban chic, glam weddings Comment