R P Scissors Blog

The Little Things: Shawl Baskets

With the winter season having officially arrived, ways to keep warm are always on the brain. One cute and easy touch to add to your reception is a basket of pashminas or shawls for your guests. And of course its also yet another opportunity for a personal touch! 

You can match the basket to your colors...

Source: Jasmine Star

Keep it simple with pretty ribbons...

Source: Style Me Pretty

 

Find a great holder like this vintage suitcase...

Source: Rock Paper Scissors Blog

 

Or personalize your own adorable tags...

Source: Weddingbee

 

Mrs. Apple Cider of Weddingbee has provided a tutorial here for those very tags! Thanks Mrs. Cider! Keep warm everyone!

Colorful Bohemian Wedding

I'm so excited to share with you a wedding of one of our own, intern Molly! Molly got married to her fiance Kenrick this September in a farmhouse in Pennsylvania. She's here with more of the details and all the delicious photos. You can see more from the original Wedding Chicks post here. Enjoy and Congratulations, Molly!

From Molly, I wanted our wedding to feel “sweet bohemian with a touch of glamour” and I couldn’t have had more fun designing it!

One of the most fun elements to create were the escort cards and their display. I took two old bulletin boards and spray-painted them gold then pinned our heart escort cards backed in colorful patterns to them. A lot of guests tucked the colorful cards into their suit pockets like pocket squares.

I chose two of my favorite vintage sheets from my collection to create the two photobooths and left by them a big, red heart I made out of tissue paper for our engagement photos six months ago and a big vintage frame I found discarded by the roadside as props.

Lucky on Thanksgiving

Found on Mary Ruffled (original source Elizabeth Demos via Design Sponge)

I feel very lucky on this day to call so many wonderful people my friends.  I am lucky to have the family I was born into.  I am lucky to have so much in my life, even the challenges.  I am lucky to have you reading and a part of my life. Happy Thanksgiving!  What do you feel lucky to have in your life?  xoxo Ara

Fun Reception Ideas: Cigar Bar!

Boucher Photography

From photo booths to candy buffets, it seems everyone is looking for that special touch that will put their reception over the top. One unique idea is to have a cigar bar. Many companies provide this service, bringing in the cigars and often a cigar roller as well, or you can DIY by simply putting out cigars, cutters and matches. This is a great opportunity to create a super cute vignette with signs, old fashioned cigar boxes and custom matchbooks. You could even create custom labels for the cigars themselves with your wedding date on them!

Kristin Vining

You could DIY signs...

Left: Ritzy Bee, Right: Style Me Pretty

Order custom matchbooks...

The Studio B Photography

Even better? The amazing photos guaranteed to ensue, like this right shot...

KKBloom

and these fantastic bride and groom shots could not be more fun! Enjoy!  xoxo, Alex

Left: Marie A Rummer Photography, Right: Coastal Cigars

 

etsy spotlight: Baumbirdy

Baumbirdy has been getting a lot of nice street cred lately and deservingly so. With features in Martha Stewart Weddings and countless adorable real weddings on some of today's most popular blogs, Baumbirdy has proven their staying power in the world of invitations and paper design.

{photo by Amy Carroll Photography}

Their unique approach and materials  (wood invites! clutch-style designs!) make them an excellent choice for those indie brides out there and anybody looking for something unique and playful. And those typography cake toppers-- what an adorable alternative to the traditional bride and groom! These are some of my faves. xoxo Molly

Great Vendor Find: Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Sugar Flower Cake Shop sells gorgeous sugar flowers individually to spice up a plain cake, and of course also sells amazing cakes complete with flowers.

We took a tour of their studio up in the sky, which you can see in the picture above.  None of the pictures really do the flowers justice as the delicate hand and natural painting style really set these flowers apart.  

Details of the gorgeous sugar flowers.

rydocumentary.com              jenhuangphotography.com

If you aren't already familiar with Sugar Flower Cake Shop from Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, definitely go and check them out.  They do sell complete and beautiful wedding cakes like the ones above, as well as the sugar flowers.

Photography by Sugar Flower Cake Shop

Sugar Flower Cake Shop is a great find for a budget bride who doesn't want a budget look.  Embellish a homemade or plain cake with some handmade sugar flowers, and your cake will be transformed for a fraction of the cost of a full custom cake!  Their sugar flowers are also available at Dean and Deluca.  They are seriously so gorgeous in person, go check them out!

 

Marie + Nahn

Today's Real Wedding comes from one of Brooklyn's finest, photographer Katie Osgood. This adorable couple, Marie and Nahn, got married in Central Park this summer and their photos perfectly capture what it feels like to be walking around the Park on a gorgeous, sunny day. The chic bride is here with more sweet details about their big day.  Nhan and I met on a blind date! Doesn't that sound so '50's? My girlfriend and his friend were both interested in each other. Both of our friends wanted to bring a friend so we could double date.  Nhan and I hit it off at a diner over Earl Grey tea and talked about books, movies, and music.  We didn't stop talking for hours while our friends were starting to fall asleep. We have been together since May '01!

I choose my dress at the last minute! I was going to wear a Tom Ford for Gucci Crystal Swarovski crystal dress but it seemed too flashy for a daytime garden wedding.  I know lace is always a classic and tasteful choice for an outdoor wedding. I wanted my dress to be light, airy, and not too formal. I wanted a vintage, yet timeless look.


The idea behind the shoot stems from my love of fashion and my PR fashion experience. I basically wanted to do a fashion shoot, everything planned out from inspiration photos.  I know getting a great picture is usually not from a snapshot. I wanted a photograph that tells a story. My Sex and the City reference photos were intense, dramatic, and romantic.  I really wanted to draw that vibe with our pictures. Nhan and I did 2 run-thrus in the park before the wedding. We really wanted to plan the route and specific portraits.  I prioritized which picture was most important.

The flowers were designed by me.  I love the look of mint green flowers and wanted a pop of saturated color.  I used just a few orchids since they are expensive
 

From the photographer, Katie. I love getting to know my clients before I shoot them by meeting a couple times and/ or doing an e-shoot first. I usually end of doing more than just shooting. For example, pinning boutonnieres, fixing hair, tying most bows, etc. I always keep safety pins and bobby pins in my camera bag ;) I end up coordinating times with the drivers and maintaining the schedule too. By the end of most weddings I feel like I've been a part of the family for a day. I like my clients to trust me and lucky for me my clients do! For this particular wedding, I was even the witness!

Thanks Katie! Be sure to check her out for your big day! And a big congratulations to Nhan + Marie on their gorgeous wedding day. 

Wedding dress, Topshop. Shoes, Nine West. Hairpiece, Etsy. Groom's suit, Burberry London. Reception arrangements, Scott's Flowers. Bouquet, J Clores & Son. 

 

Thread Pop-up Shop in NYC This Weekend!

Please do your bridemaids a favor and get them to go with you to the Thread Pop-up shop this weekend in NYC.  

Thread has adorable, very fashionable bridesmaids dresses, and if you go to the pop-up you get a 20% discount! Call them and squeeze in an appointment.  Seriously ladies 20% off makes them extremely reasonably priced for a cute dress that they'll actually wear again.  And they have wedding dresses as well if you have not found "the one" yet.   So grab your ladies and have a fun girl's afternoon!  I'll be there to check everything out this weekend, so if you miss it, check back next week for all the details.  

etsy feature: austi

 Whether you're a long veil girl, a big artsy flower girl, a bird cage girl or an adorable hat girl, Austie is the perfect place to pick your poison. Every piece is handmade by Portland-based designer, Austie Eckley. The designs are ethereal and lovely, the styling spot on, and the prices affordable.

Austie is a great place to stop by if you're looking for something unique and sweet for your big day (or if you just want to look at some really pretty pictures!) xoxo Molly 

Photobooth Prop Resources

Looking for super cute props for your photobooth? We found some great ones to share with you.

You can grab these and more at the Whiskerworks Etsy shop

Or Ruffled has a fantastic FREE template for these great felt DIY mustache props

Check out these fun smile props from Smitten Sticks on Etsy

Go to Hello Lucky for these great chalkboard talkbubbles

LOVE these adorable chalkboard talkbubbles in fun shapes from Shabby Chalks Etsy shop

Have fun with your photobooth props, and send us pics of some of your favorites! xo, Ara

Sample Sales This Weekend!

Go get your designer gowns for less ladies THIS SATURDAY!

Vera Wang Sample Sale!

Amsale Sample Sale at the Wedding Library!

Saturday, November 13. 9:30-4:30pm

at the Wedding Library

43 East 78th Street
New York City, New York 10021
Phone: 1-212-327-0100

No appointment necessary!

For more info, click here.

Other Wedding Festivities Part V: The Post Wedding Brunch

A citrus inspired post wedding brunch

Clockwise from top left: Martha Stewart, The Knot, The Knot, Kelly Oshiro Events, Buddy and Bean

Welcome back to the final installment of the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by intern extraordinaire Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. It can be a bit overwhelming, no? But the fun side is that they can be a great opportunity to showcase all the fabulous ideas that didn’t make it into the big day. 

The post wedding brunch is the final event in a long line of parties celebrating a wedding. This one is unique because it happens after the ceremony and reception, lending it a “wind down” kind of feeling.

The day after brunch is a modern event that is quickly gaining popularity as a way to send off your guests and relive memories from the night before. As a newer trend it has less traditions saddled to follow but it is usually hosted by the bride and groom, or by a close friend or family member as a gift to the couple. The location could be a private home, a restaurant, or, if most out of town guests are staying in a hotel, consider hosting a brunch there to make life easy on everyone, including the host. You can send a separate invitation for this event to make it really stand out or you can include it with your wedding invitation for simplicity’s sake.

At Rock Paper Scissors just because the post wedding brunch is the last event to take place doesn’t mean it needs to be last in style! We picture a low key brunch using simple and inexpensive lemons as a main décor element. White linens, usually included at a venue or restaurant, can be supplemented by yellow napkins to make your table look custom and cheery. Centerpieces can be as simple as a big bowl of simply citrus or supplemented by yellow flowers.

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Lemons can be used to bring interest to all five senses. It can be added to meals and water as a flavoring, and large quantities emit a lovely scent, one that can also help to wake people up before a long flight or drive! 

Other Wedding Festivities Part IV: The Rehearsal Dinner

A dramatic nautical rehearsal dinner

Clockwise from top left: Paper Crave, Le Cupcake, The Knot, The Mayflower Shop, Paper Crave, A Hole Lotta Nothing, Timeless Paper

Welcome back to the fourth installment of the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by our intern Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. It can be a bit overwhelming, no? But the fun side is that they can be a great opportunity to showcase all the fabulous ideas that didn’t make it into the big day. 

The rehearsal dinner is an event where the key players of the wedding gather after rehearsing for the wedding ceremony to take place the next day. The dinner is traditionally hosted by the grooms family, but like most wedding events we’ve been covering this week, tradition is loosening and couples are often hosting, or at least planning, the event themselves. The guest list can be anything from immediate family and wedding party to a huge bash with every out of town guest invited. The location is similarly anything goes- it can be held at a restaurant, a private home, the hotel where most guests are staying, or anything else you can dream up.

At Rock Paper Scissors we think the rehearsal dinner is a nice event to make a nod to the groom’s hobbies and tastes. With a whirlwind of feminine and bride centric events, this is a great opportunity to honor the other half of the wedding celebration! With a sailing loving groom in mind this inspiration board started with the discovery of this amazing and dramatic invitation suite- proof that nautical need not be simply cutesy or preppy! From there we sought out other great paper products, table numbers and place cards, that used two elements from the invitation suite, rope and anchors. And to round it out, life saver cupcakes are perfect for a rehearsal dinner, slightly less formal and less expensive than a cake. 

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Rope can be an unexpected and fun design element. It can be incorporated into centerpieces, signage, even invitations, lending a more masculine vibe to the event.

Other Wedding Festivities Part III: The Bridesmaid's Luncheon

A gerber daisy inspired bridesmaid luncheon

Clockwise from top left: Perfect Wedding Guide, Cheerupcherup, Google, ModCloth, Carrie's Cakes, Martha Stewart

Welcome back to the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by our lovely intern Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. So far we've looked at the engagement party and the wedding shower, and today we're looking at the more elusive bridesmaid's luncheon.

While everyone knows what a Rehearsal Dinner and a Wedding Shower are, a Bridesmaid’s Luncheon is not always given for modern weddings. Those who do chose to carry on this tradition will be rewarded with a warm and personal event perfect for kicking off a wedding weekend.

While totally optional, more and more brides are bringing back the luncheon, most commonly hosted by the bride in honor of her bridesmaids and close female relatives as a thank you for all they have done for the big day. It can be hosted anytime, though it is usually held the day before the wedding, when everyone is in town and the key players have likely taken off work for the rehearsal dinner. It’s the perfect excuse to meet up and spend quality time with the important players before the madness of the rehearsal and wedding begin. This is also a great time to give your bridesmaid’s gifts, if you feel they are too personal to present at a large rehearsal dinner.

At Rock Paper Scissors we picture an unabashedly feminine affair where the bride and her girls gather after a morning of blissful pre-wedding manicures and pedicures. Using simple gerber daisies as inspiration, we found great paper products to get your girls excited about the party before it begins. Then, keep the day affordable using bud vases with single stems for centerpieces and cupcakes to feed your sweet tooth.

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: For such a small and intimate event, forgo traditional place cards and instead create a photo place card. Find small 2 x 3” frames and instead of writing the name of the person, find a photo of the bride and the guest together. Print in black and white and voila! Place card, personal touch and party favor all in one.

Other Wedding Festivities Part II: The Wedding Shower

Wine + cheese bridal shower ideas!

Clockwise from top left: Paper Culture, Sunday Suppers, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, EP Beads.

Welcome back to the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by our amazing intern Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. We started off the week yesterday with the engagement party, and now we're moving onto the wedding shower.

Some brides may love the idea of having all their nearest and dearest in one place celebrating. Others may cringe at the thought of playing shower games and opening presents in front of a crowd. The bridal shower is one of the most traditional parties surrounding a wedding, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a conventional party!

At Rock Paper Scissors we believe that bridal showers can be stylish and fun! We love the idea of a wine tasting party; that’s the kind of bridal shower game we can get behind. With vino on the brain we hunted down modern and fun invitations, fantastic wine glass and wine bottle centerpieces and table numbers, and easy to DIY favors in the form of beaded wine charms. The tasting itself can be done by hosting at a vineyard or winery, hiring a private sommelier, or via store bought wine tasting kits such as this one from Wine Enthusiast. Or for the true crafter, you can always design it yourself!

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Instead of the usual veggie and dip platter, how about a cheese buffet in the style of the infamous Amy Atlas dessert buffets? Its cute and unexpected, and goes perfectly with the main event. All you need is a variety of cheeses, a smattering of white platters, a cheesecloth tablecloth and some cute signage!

xoxo,

Alex

P.S. We don't just help brides, we are happy to help bridesmaids with throwing the loveliest bridal shower that your BFF has ever seen :)

Other Wedding Festivities Part I: The Engagement Party

An NYC themed engagement party inspiration board

Clockwise from top left: The Bride's Cafe, Bella Figura, Brooklyn Cookie, Cappy Hotchkiss, Photo by Lauren Rutten, Personal Photo  

Welcome to the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by Intern extraordinaire Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. It can be a bit overwhelming, no? But the fun side is that they can be a great opportunity to showcase all the fabulous ideas that didn’t make it into the big day. Lets get started!

Engagement parties are the kick-off to your wedding season. It’s your first big opportunity to get together with friends and family and get excited! Traditionally, this event is hosted by the bride’s parents, though it is perfectly acceptable and often times more practical for the couple to throw their own party. This party has less formal traditions than most, so really anything goes. It can be big, small, formal or informal. The one rule that does stand is that guests invited to the engagement party should always be invited to the wedding!

At Rock Paper Scissors, we think the engagement party should be a fun and chic homage to the couple, and perhaps the city they met or got engaged in. We dreamt up a New York City inspired bash with nods to the “big apple”, the Brooklyn Bridge, and of course the subway system. We envision modern monochromatic florals using bold and graphic blooms such as anemonies. Wouldn’t those Brooklyn Bridge cookies make the greatest favors?

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Use the Metrocard, ubiquitous in any New Yorker’s wallet, as a design element. Scan it into your computer and use it as a placecard, on an invitation, or simply as decoration.

xoxo, Alex

Pink Winter Wedding Inspiration

When you're planning a winter wedding, the options can seem much more limited as far as your color palette and your themes. However, winter weddings allow the creative bride a whole new stage on which to display some really gorgeous ideas! And don't feel like you have to have the winter blues to make your event seem seasonally-appropriate... instead, take inspiration from our rosy winter cheeks, and go pink! The combination of pinky tones, mauves and warm golds really keeps this palette from getting too light and pretty and instead keeps your wedding warm, cozy and completely unique. Add lots of candles, some gorgeous winter flowers (think cockscomb, sweetpeas, and roses) and you have yourself a pinky-peachy-keen winter wedding affair! xoxo Molly

{winter flower bouquet, MSW; pink feather headpiece, Serephine; boutonnieres, Twig & Honey; gold-plated flatware, Horchow; pink/ gold/ black invites, JP + Kiera; glitter star centerpiece, MSW; pink glass plate charger, eBay; gold wreath ring, Tryst by Kerry; black and gold favor box, Advantage Bridal; blush pink taper candles, Colonial Candles; glass candlestick holders, CB2, gold painted leaf centerpiece, MSW}

Spanish Modern Photo Shoot Video!

 

                                   

Lauren Gabrielle Photography from Nevaeh Film Productions on Vimeo.

Did you all love the way that our Spanish Modern photo shoot with Lauren Gabrielle came out?  Well so did we, and we are obsessed with the video that Navaeh Film Productions did while she was shooting it, that is also Lauren's promo video.  Check out some great behind the scenes footage!  The photo shoot comes in about one minute into the video, but the whole video is quite enchanting and kind of mesmerizing.  Warning, you may end up watching it multiple times.  

Paper Flower Tutorial

We are beyond thrilled to be on the lovely Merci blog today!  You can check out the whole post, shot by the talented Lauren Gabrielle, on Merci here, and we wanted to share with you the paper flower how-to.  The overblown, large paper flowers added SO much interest to our table, and are not too difficult to make since we made a template for you and have given you step by step directions below!

 

Supplies needed: templates, 24" x 36" thick paper, pipe cleaners, scissors, pencil, hole punch, double sided tape.

The template for the largest flower, labeled "one," requires two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper, so first step is to print out all of the templates, second is to tape the "one" template together. Now trace the templates on your 24" x 36" piece of paper.  We have also included a template to show you how to maximize your piece of paper.

Cut out each shape, and then cute a 1" to 1 1/2" slit in the bottom of each petal.  You are cutting this slit so that you can "boat" the flowers by folding them and giving them a more structured shape.

Now that you have cut the slit, attach a piece of double stick tape to one or both sides of the slit, and bring one side over the other to create tension in the paper ("boating" the flowers).  Next punch holes about 1" up from the bottom of each petal.  For the larger petals, punch a hole about 2" in from the sides.  For the small petals, you will be punching closer to the edge.

Start by putting together the innermost smallest petals.  You will make two bunches of three petals each for the smallest petals.  Use the pipe cleaner to attach the petals by looping through two pieces of pipe cleaner and then twisting them on the back.  Make one bunch tighter than the other with no space between the petals to serve as your innermost bunch.

Then take the smaller, tighter bunch and put it through the one with a little more spacing to create one joint flower.  Twist the pipe cleaner in the back to secure.

Making the middle and largest petals is very similar.  Use two pieces of pipe cleaner to secure the petals as shown above, leaving a center hole so that you can attach each new layer.  For the largest flower petals, you may need to twist two pieces of pipe cleaner together to make a longer piece.  



Put the small bunch you already put together inside of the medium bunch, attach the pipe cleaners by twisting. Do the same now with the medium bunch and put them throw the large bunch, twist pipe cleaners as needed.  We kept our pipe cleaners long so that we could use them to manipulate and stand the flowers, but feel free to cut them  after twisting if they are getting in the way.



And here are the finished flowers!  The instructions are the same for all shapes, and it looks best to mix up your shapes, colors and sizes slightly to get an effect like this:

Here are the templates for your downloading pleasure:

Download RPSPointedFlowerTemplate   Download RPSRoundedFlowerTemplate   Download RPSScallopFlowerTemplate



Credits: Top and bottom photo by Lauren Gabrielle, How-to photos by Alexandra Baackes

etsy vendor spotlight!

If you're a DIY bride, sometimes the most difficult task is finding the right resources to fit your aesthetic.. especially when you're looking for all those details to not cost you an arm and a leg. While most etsy vendors feature handmade products that you can purchase as-is, some vendors cater to those can-do brides who are looking for the right pieces to make their own crafts. Knot & Bow is a fantastic resource for those crafty elements that really tie together your escort cards, table numbers, gift bags, etc. Of course it helps that their own aesthetic is so adorable! 

I love those kraft-paper stickers-- they'd be great for sealing favors or labeling your tables! And those mini-clothespins are perfect for hanging escort cards. Swing by Knot & Bow and get inspired to get your hands dirty in some fun wedding crafts. 

xoxo, Molly

 

An NYC Engagement Shoot Love Story

This NYC engagement shoot is beyond gorgeous, and it uses a very simple prop - New York City.  Daniel Krieger Photography sent over this stunning engagement shoot featuring the beautiful Andrea and Miguel, and I jumped at the chance to share it with you all.  This is really one of the most well done shoots I've seen in a while.  It goes to show that some of the best engagement shoots can come with a simple backdrop, and cityscapes both tell a fun story and offer a lot of visual interest.  Looking through the pictures, I saw a universal story emerging of boy and girl falling in love in New York City...

 

Our story begins when

boy meets girl

they kiss!

sparks fly

they date, traipsing around nyc

they fall in love....

then one day he asks if she'll make him  the luckiest man in the world

she says YES!

they take the plunge

and start their life together

THE END....which is just the beginning for Miguel and Andrea.  Congratulations!

Credits:  All photography by Daniel Krieger Photography