R P Scissors Blog

Online Bridal Gown Sales: The Aisle New York

The wait is over, and The Aisle New York started it's first sale yesterday!  Here is a peak at the new site:

The Aisle New York is a new Gilt style member's shopping site that offers time and quantity limited sales on high-end designer bridal gowns.  The first sale runs through January 9, but quantities and sizes are limited so there is certainly an incentive to buy quickly if something catches your eye!  Unlike a sample sale, the site does offer the option to return if you purchase their "return insurance," so the shopping is risk free and the discounts are certainly worth it.  The Aisle started their sale with strong bridal brands Monique Lhuillier, Angel Sanchez, Elizabeth Fillore and Oscar de la Renta accessories.  

Check out this stunning Monique Lhuillier Edie Gown at a deep discount: 

Retail price: $4,840.00 The Aisle New York Price: $2,899.00

And this Angel Sanchez Silk Trumpet Gown:

Retail price: $6,380.00 The Aisle New York price: $3,190.00

The discounts are as impressive as the site promised, and as an extra bonus, the site and the designer's will be giving a portion of the sales from each dress to charity for an all around good deal.  Go and check them out!  

Great Find for Packaging Details!

Happy New Year and congratulations to all of you who are recently engaged! We are so excited for what 2011 brings, and so thankful for all of your support in 2010.  Let's start the year off with a great resource for all of you: Olive Manna.

How great are these colored clothespins?  So perfect for displaying pictures or escort cards at your wedding reception.  Olive Manna is a fabulous vendor who has their own online shop, plus a Wedzu shop.  They make darling vintage inspired packaging accessories that will make your wedding look so crafty, without a whole lot of effort.  

Adorable pennant stickers to make cute tags for favors, straws, or envelopes.

Their baker's twine comes in a variety of colors, and they offer it in spools of 240 yards for under $20.  Let's just note that I have paid $1 a yard for a similar product here at a ubiquitous NYC craft store.  No more!

Perfect sized cardboard favor boxes.  

To enjoy these plus many more products, go and check out Olive Manna.  So easy and so cute!

 

Upcoming NYC Wedding Fairs in 2011

For those who don't know, we are coming up on Wedding Fair/Bridal Expo season in NYC.  There are some great ones, and some to avoid assuming you don't think that atmospheres like Times Square during rush hour are "fun." Here are my three favorites in order of their event date: The Wedding Library Wedding Party event with Martha Stewart Weddings is fabulous.  Last year's show was also held at the Palace Hotel, and it was spread out enough to actually be able to enjoy all of the top notch vendors. And let's just say that Martha Stewart doesn't put her name on something unless it's going to be really good.

 

Wedding Crashers is a Brooklyn centric wedding fair for those looking for a more relaxed fair experience with some rather cool vendors.  This was by far the most truly fun fair I went to last year.  I could recommend this to even the most fair averse couple.  It is going to be on February 27, 2011 at the Bell House.  For more info click here.  

 

 

 

And in March you have the best NYC centered fair to look forward to, the New York Magazine Weddings Event.  If your wedding is in the NY metro area, you can come here and find all of your vendors.  Plus your admission ticket includes cocktails.  Mmmhmmm.  I only recommend the best events to you my dears.  

Baby, It's Cold Outside: Winter Wedding Inspiration

On this chilly Friday afternoon, let's enjoy some of the colors of the season: all shades of winter-white! Sticking with a neutral color palette is far from boring when you mix it up with the textures and add a little sparkle. And, when in doubt, go with my personal motto: you can't have too much glitter. Enjoy! xoxo Molly

Top Row: Glitter Chandelier, White Locus Candleholder, Silver Orbs

Second Row: Garland, Snowflake Placecards, White Feather Hairpiece

Third Row: Champagne Silver Sparkle Wreath, Real Wedding

Fourth Row: Branch Candelabra, Silver Votives, Just Married Sign

Fifth Row: Shiny Beaded Pillow, Vintage Beaded Clutch, Silver Branch

The Little Things: Card Boxes

Last week, we looked at shawl baskets as a cute reception detail. This week, we take a peek at some super cute card boxes, another opportunity to do something fun and creative! 

Personally we are loving the suitcase cardbox...

Source: Just Chic Events

Maybe with the addition of a cheeky sign...

Source: Wedding Chicks

Another approach is the classic birdcage...

Source: Style Me Pretty

Even more subtle is this super chic little vignette. Enjoy! Xoxo, Alex

Source: Style Me Pretty

 

 

Decorative Tape

How many of you caught this cute idea for decorative tape uses in Brides magazine this month?

So cute and so easy.  Decorative tape is exactly what it sounds like, pretty tape.  You can stick some pretty tape on your centerpiece vases to spice up plain glass, and you don't have to be as ambitious as the picture above to make it look fabulous.  Even just one, two or three rows done horizontally around a round vase would look great.  You can use it on candles like the example above for a very inexpensive custom look.  The candles that they are featuring I swear I have seen at Ikea and they cost $5 for a bijillion. 

Also you could use it on your paperie.  Such a cute accent to your programs, menus, escort cards, etc.  Print these items at home, add a little decorative tape, and you are good to go!  

I rounded up some sellers of these fantastic decorative tapes to make life easy for you:

This tape is from Kawaii Tape on Etsy.  Check out their shop for this plus many more styles and patterns.

Kawaii Goodies on Etsy has great Japanese Washi tape, but ALSO has fabulous fabric tape like the cute polka dots above.  Check out their shop for more selection.  

And finally there is a website called www.cutetape.com, that not surprisingly sells cute tape like the one above.

So go out and get crafty with this super easy DIY project. xoxo, Ara

Free Beauty Consult from Paul Labrecque and Merci!

Merci announced a great giveaway yesterday for a free beauty consult!  

Save the Date WINNER!

We are excited to announce that Emily, comment number 7, is the winner from our random number generator!  Emily, we will get in touch with you to make arrangements for sending them out to you.  

xoxo, Ara

Gorgeous and Affordable Wedding Invitations

Here are rest of the fabulous invitation suites that match the Save the Dates we are giving away this week!

We have a great Save the Date giveaway going on this week, and the last day to enter is TODAY!  Click here for more information and to enter.  Today we are featuring my favorites of the full invitation sets that match the adorable save the dates from Printable Press.  Molly featured her favorites, which were woodsy and natural, and are very cute, but my favorites are the glam and sophisticated ones above.   Which ones are your favorites?  Printable Press has a little bit of everything - whimsical, glamourous, cute - so definitely check them out!

I love Printable Press for so many reasons.  They have fantastic designs plus an affordable, approachable focus, allowing you to have their wedding invitations printed yourself to save a little cash.  And what is better than an affordable wedding invitation, how about a free save the date?  We are so excited to do our giveaway with them later on this evening, so make sure you have entered! xo, Ara

Weddings In the News!

Is it just us or are weddings popping up everywhere in the press lately? Of course part of the blame can be attributed to the slew of recently engaged celebs, not the least of who are this attractive royal duo:

But it's not all Kate and William! Take a look at these other recent news stories where weddings are the headliner. 

UK Brides Nervous About Prince William's Wedding

Courts Reject a Skype Wedding

Avatar Weddings in Southern China

Couple Turns Cancelled Wedding Into Fundraiser

Have you seen any great wedding or event stories in the news? Leave a link in the comments or send them our way for the next round up!  xo, Alex

Printable Press: A peek into some designs!

In honor of our AMAZING save-the-date Printable Press giveaway this week, I wanted to showcase a few of my favorite invitation suites from the designers! Hmm... where to start? They're all so adorable! 

Maybe it's this winter wind blowing through the NYC skyscrapers this week, but this suite has me thinking of the gorgeous great wide open. I love the balanced simplicity of this design- it's graphic and sweet and frames that spot-on perfect typography! As a big typography nerd, my favorite part of this suite is the modern lettering. Perfect for a mountain lodge affair or just a lover of the great outdoors.

This adorable invitation suite is particularly close to my heart. My husband proposed to me under initials we'd carved into a tree while in college and this set just reminds me of good, old-fashioned, timeless romance. Whether you're high school sweethearts or just young lovers at heart, make your first public declaration of your wedding date as sweet as this age-old symbol of the simplest kind of declaration: you + me. 

To enter our Printable Press save-the-date giveaway, be sure to head on over to our Facebook page and LIKE us! Then pop back over here and leave a comment below. We'll be choosing a random winner on Friday night, so be sure to enter before we close the contest on Friday December 10th at 8pm EST!   xo, Molly

Save the Date Give-away from Printable Press!

We are so excited to announce this FANTASTIC give-away from Printable Press!

Printable Press has partnered up with us to offer a truly fabulous give-away for FREE Save the Dates!  You get to choose your favorite from any of the five designs above, and Printable Press will customize it with your names and date.  Printable Press is a super talented design studio who creates affordable and extremely chic paperie by allowing you to print their designs yourself.  BUT for this give-away, Rock Paper Scissors Events will sweeten the deal, and we will get the Save the Dates printed for you and ship them to anywhere in the USA.  All you need to do is to pick up some envelopes, and your save the dates are completely done!

We believe in making give-aways simple and fun.  Obviously brides and grooms can enter, but this give-away is open to friends, bridal party, industry vendors, family, etc, because you can give this Save the Date as a gift!  It is the holidays, and wouldn't this make a fantastic present to someone who just got engaged?  And brides, if you really want to win, feel free to encourage others to enter as well and make this your holiday gift!

We would love to stay in touch with you to let you know about future give-aways, pop-up shops, bridal events and discounts, so all you have to do to enter our give-away is to like our Facebook page, and then write us a comment below letting us know you liked our page.  If you already like our page, that's great, and you can still enter!  Just write us a comment below letting us know that you have already liked our page, and you would like to enter.  Click here to get to our Facebook page.

Entries are open until 8pm EST (5pm PST) on Friday, December 10, 2011.  At that point, we will choose a comment at random, and make arrangements with you to get your cards in progress.  Please note that we will need 3 weeks turnaround to deliver the Save the Dates.  If you don't know your details yet, no sweat.  This give-away is good for six months after you win.

Good luck!

Ara

xoxo

 

Free Templates: Save the Date, Invitation and Signage, oh my!

Amazing resource: The Wedding Chicks.  Isn't this Save the Date the cutest ever?

Ok guys.  You may know of the Wedding Chicks because they have a great blog, but has everyone taken the time to peruse all of their awesome FREE wedding paperie templates?  We are talking the works here.  Save the date templates, bride and groom signage, monograms, even invitation suites.  They will even do slight customizations for free with your name and wedding date so that you don't have to fuss around with the templates, and they'll email you a printable jpeg so you are good to go.  

 

These are their free Mad Men Save the Dates?  Hello, cuteness.

Go and check out the Wedding Chicks for some truly great free templates.

And we have a fun surprise for you!  We have a giveaway from one of our favorites, Printable Press, coming up for you tomorrow.  

 They are giving away one of their absolutely darling Save the Date templates, customized with your personal information.  We'll announce the give-away tomorrow, and you can enter all week long until Friday at 8pm EST/5pm PST.

Douglas Hannant Trunk Show at Gabriella Bridal NYC

Ladies go check out the new Douglas Hannant collection for 2011 at Gabriella Bridal this weekend, and score a 10% discount!

Images from Douglas Hannant

Gabriella Bridal is also having a Helen Yarmuk trunk show this weekend offering 10% discounts on their line of fabulous furs and jewelry. You do need an appointment to try on the Douglas Hannant dresses, but you do not for the Helen Yarmuk accessories.  For more information go to Gabriella New York.

100 Layer Cake Site Is Up!

The "coming soon" sign has been replaced with a fully functional and totally fabulous new wedding site.

100 Layer Cake is up and running!  It has TONS of great wedding resources, like a marketplace where you can buy and sell cool items for your wedding, a great DIY resource with tons of instructions and free templates, and a vendor section where you can browse great local vendors (including us!).

Check out some of the items being sold on the site, for generally VERY good prices:

And the fabulous DIY section:

Enjoy!  Way to go 100 Layer Cake ladies!

 

Thread Bridesmaid and Wedding Dresses

New crush: Thread Design. We got a behind the scenes peak into their office right before their pop-up shop got underway.  Come on in and we'll show you around!

Go ahead and take a seat and get comfy, because there is lots to tell about Thread, and we got an all access pass. Thread dresses evoke a hip, fashionable, modern sensibility, and everything else about Thread fits right into that branding.  They turned their office into a showroom for their pop-up shop last weekend, and believe me it is a gorgeous place to work.  If they were renting out desk space, I would be the first to sign up!   The space is large and loft-like, with lovely dark stained wood floors, a gorgeous chandelier, and a full wall of windows.  Thread uses the space as their design studio, and the inspiration and mood boards that usually cover the walls were stored in their dress store room for the pop-up shop.  Thread makes their  bridesmaid and wedding dresses to order in the Fashion District in NYC, so their storage is mainly for their party line Thread Social, which is available for immediate purchase.  

First glimpse at Thread, then the view as you walk in, and finally the dresses (!) as displayed for the pop-up shop.

Melissa, one of the owners, at her desk.  LOVE the lamps they use as "desk lamps" 

There are many things that you should know about Thread Design.  First being that they have truly fashionable bridesmaids dresses, for which they built their name and notariety. They are awesome.  Second being that they have extended their bridesmaid line to include some simpler, more affordable dresses.  So your bridesmaids really have no reason to complain.  Third is that their bridesmaids dresses were so popular and chic that they created a party dress line called Thread Social.  Yes, I kid you not.  These bridesmaid dress designers were so sought after they created their party line second because so many people asked them for other dresses.  Lastly being that they have just introduced a line of elegant, chic and very simple wedding dresses, all retailing at less than $2000.  Mmmhmmm, I told you there was lots of good stuff to know about Thread!

And of course, on to the dresses.  Several of the dresses below are new and part of the less expensive bridesmaid line.

And here are two of their very simple, but very chic wedding dresses.

We loved getting a behind the scenes tour of this fabulous boutique woman owned small business.  For more information, more dresses, and for shopping information across the country, please visit their website at www.threaddesign.com.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Vintage Book Theme Brooklyn Wedding

So excited to finally share all of the gorgeous details from Cameron and Marcella's book and travel themed wedding. We've been waiting for the cute ladies over at Wedding Chicks to feature it, which you can check out here, and now we can share all the fun here as well! The fantastic pair married at the truly breathtaking Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  Since the bride is a teacher and the groom loves to read, we started with a book theme, and then quickly added in a travel element since the couple are big travelers as well.  Each table had a stack of vintage books that the couple collected over a few months that served as a favor for each guest.  The books also served as great (and inexpensive) visual interest that created layers and textures and different heights for the candles and gorgeous flowers by Amy at Seaport Flowers.  Each table was named after a destination that the couple had traveled to together, and the groom happens to be an amazing photographer and he created beautiful postcards for each place setting.  And the photography by Ohana Photographers really hit this one out of the park.

 

For the escort cards, those are standard air mail envelopes run through a printer.  Cute, fabulous and budget friendly!

A detail of the beautiful postcards made by the groom.

And it gets even better.  The couple printed a note on the back of each city giving travel tips and favorite memories from each city visited.  

 

 

All photography by Ohana Photographers.  Flowers by Seaport Flowers. Venue The Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  Event design by us ;) Rock Paper Scissors Events

DIY Paper Table Runners

Hello cuteness!  100 Layer Cake has a fantastic DIY project over on their blog that they made for their Hitched event.  The event itself deserves a serious perusal, and below are a couple of pics to show you the runner.  So clever.  For the details on how to make this, visit 100 Layer Cake here.

 

Images from 100 Layer Cake tutorial.

Sweet and Handmade Reception Decor

Hello! This is Molly, one of Rock Paper Scissors' intern extraordinnaires. I wanted to drop in and make sure you saw this super sweet, super soft, super unique reception of Aimee and Jerry's, which I saw over on Ruffled a couple weeks ago. I always love when creative brides get their hands dirty in the pretty details


I love those bow napkins!

 
This event was held at the Smog Shoppe, one of my favorite venues floating around blogland lately. It comes with all this fantastic ecclectic decor that gives the events there a really lived-in feel.

 
 
So cute! Everything was sweet and light without being too feminine. For more pictures and information about the bride and groom, pop on over to Ruffled for all the juicy details.

Vintage Inspired Bridal Shower

Wow, holy bridal shower!  I came across this amazingly cute bridal shower on Wedding Chics, and it has so many sweet vintage touches from the clothespin letters and notes to the thread and button decorated mason jars.  Props and styling were done by Jeni from found {vintage rentals} , who specializes in vintage prop rentals so the gorgeous outcome is really no surprise.  To see the full event photos, click back to Wedding Chics here.

 Clothespin letters, vintage book chandelier - oh my!

LOVE the thread with the buttons.  So doable, so cute.

Clothespin vintage shutters?  Yes please.  

All of the lovely photography was done by Kaysha Weiner.  

Wedding Day Hair + Make-up Giveaway!

I wanted to pass along this awesome offer from Merci and Facetime for a giveaway for FREE wedding day hair, make-up and bridal styling for a bride plus 5 bridesmaids in the NYC metro area.  Bridesmaids can enter as well, so I would send all of mine over to Merci and increase your chances of winning!  For more contest information, go to the Merci blog, here.  You must enter by September 10, 2010 at 8pm, so hurry on over.

 

Cute + Creative Reception Photo Display

Hi!  Another great find for an idea of how to display photos of you and your fiance, your family, childhood photos, etc, at your wedding reception.  Hanging ribbon like this would be a piece of cake, and you could adhere it with a pretty straight pin and double stick tape.  A DIY project pretty much anyone could handle!  Part of what makes this interesting is the different size photographs and the alternating ribbon color, so don't be afraid to mix things up.

 Photo by Cunnigham Photo Artists, via Style Me Pretty

Wine Bottle Table Numbers

Simple.  Chic.  Love.  If you are looking for uncluttered, clean and simple decor, filling your tables with elegantly labeled wine bottles is the way to go.  Look at how few flowers they used, and how great it looks.  The patterned table runner and blue vases add a bit of pop so it is far from boring, but the overall look is very clean and spare. And it's budget friendly to  boot.  Perfect.

Creative wedding table number idea from Martha Stewart Weddings 

Chic Reception Photo Display

Love this.  So elegant.  And best of all easy.  A great idea for displaying photos at your wedding in a beautiful, creative way.

Photography by Aruna B Photography via Style Me Pretty

 

Great idea: Lighters for First Dance

Spotted this on one of my favorite blogs, Dog N' Bird, and it is just such a great idea to pass along.  Picture a "power ballad" first dance song with all of your guests swaying, lighters high in the air.  Does it get any better?  And besides that, love the presentation of the lighters in the apothecary jar, wrapped with pretty paper.  Those are definitely just inexpensive Bic lighters in there, and it looks great!  

 Image via Dog N' Bird, photography by Adi Nevo Photographs, originally via The Knot

Unique Wedding Decor by Ashley Meaders

I came across Ashley Meaders's work when seeing it on Once Wed, and it is so fresh and fun that I had to share it with you all. Ashley works with a collective called the FlashDance (who are ABSOLUTELY worth checking out if you are unfamiliar with them), and she makes the coolest, hand-made, unusual decorative items for weddings.  Just from looking at a glimpse of her portfolio, you see everything from photo booth props, to heart escort cards, to paper and fabric flowers and garlands and archways and altars.  For those of you with a taste for creative, unusual touches for your wedding, but without a crafty bone in your body, Ashley can take care of the DIY for you.  See a little of her work below, or a lot of her work on her site by clicking here:

Photography by Our Labor Of Love

Photography by Our Labor Of Love
  

Photography by Kyle Hale

 

Musing: Where has the summer gone?

I was away for most of July (explanation for lack of posting), and now it's nearly Labor Day!  Or it least it feels like it is.  July took me on a two week adventure to Italy, for a friend's wedding that was divine, and I took some time to travel as well.  I will definitely share some pics with you all.  Italy was stunning.  Then I was off immediately to LA for another wedding, and coming back to NYC has meant getting back to business.  

Looking forward to two more weddings in the next couple of weeks, and then it seems that Fall will be upon us. What will the change of seasons bring for you?

Smogshoppe Wedding by Annie McElwain

Does everyone know Annie McElwain?  'Cause if you don't, you should.  She has one of my absolute favorite photographer's websites; one with pictures that put a little tear in your eye and that has music that actually adds instead of distracts from the site.  You can see her amazing pictures on her site here, and you can check out a bit of her work below.  She sent over a totally gorgeous California wedding that took place at the Smogshoppe, yes as in a converted old smog shoppe.  Love interesting venues.  The bride and groom are the lovely Christi and Jaime, and they softened the industrial Smogshoppe with pink peonies and purple hyacinth.  Beautiful.  

      All photography by Annie McElwain

Quatre Coeur Fabric Flowers Event

Just got this in my inbox and thought I would share!  The lovely ladies of Quatre Coeur who do amazing floral design are also doing fabric flowers.  You could use these as accessories for you and your bridesmaids, or go all out and use them in your bouquets and at your reception.  They are having a trunk show plus how-to's this Saturday in Brooklyn so go check them out.  See the invite below.