Just Happily Ever After Official Relaunch - Summer 2011

Dear Readers,

I am pleased to announce that Just Happily Ever After is aiming for an official relaunch this summer in 2011! It is quite busy around here as preparations are being made. I have spent the past several months abroad in Asia and the Oceania, and have accumulated a wealth of notes and inspiration which I cannot wait to share with all of you.

As part of our relaunch, Just Happily Ever After aims to begin with a full week of promotions and highly selective, unpublished work. If you are a wedding vendor, know a wedding vendor, or have a favourite wedding vendor you would love to see featured, we would love to see their work. Complete our submission form and send it via email by June 30, 2011.

I am excited for what is to come!

Cheers,
Jess

create: pinwheels

I have a penchant for DIY projects, particularly ones that help couples personalize their special wedding day and make it even more beautiful and memorable. Today's wedding DIY project brings you lovely, whimsical pinwheels. These could potentially be used as table decoration or table cards, pinned to vintage suit jacket lapels, or added to the ribbon-wrapped stems of a delicate bouquet. I would love to see how many different, unique ways that these could be incorporated into a wedding. They would be so fun pinned to a white wall in various colors and sizes. Enjoy!

1) Pick text weight paper and coordinating buttons. Try using different types of buttons of varying sizes or shapes. You will need scissors or a paper cutter, and adhesive.
Cut out two long strips of paper of equal length and width. Thicker strips will give you a larger pinwheel.
2) Accordion fold the two strips of paper making sure that the width of the folds match. Narrower folds create tighter pinwheels, wider folds creat looser pinwheels. Line up one end of the accordion with the end of the second. Use adhesive squares to secure.
3)& 4) Pull the loose ends of the accordion strip around towards each other and adhere securely. The pinwheel will look like a paper circle before you push the pinwheel out and press it down with your finger.
5) Use a button to tightly secure it with as many glue dots as necessary. You may need to weight your pinwheel until the glue dries.

Credit: Posh Paperie, Jackie Wonders

engagement: { james + lynnette }

If you have ever seen the movie Up, you will know what I mean when I say that this engagement photo shoot has the same feelings of love and youthful excitement that are portrayed in Up. It is vintage, slightly eccentric, and absolutely inspiring in every way.
—Jess


Credit: Wildflowers Photos

Real Wedding: Clara and Brandon

Today's real wedding encompasses a lovely vintage fairytale and pure, unrivaled romance. I just love it when couples feel free to be creative with their big day and incorporate many smaller parts that all work together towards the bigger picture. There are so many details about this wedding that make me swoon...here are just a few of my favourites. Be sure to note her cute updo, gorgeous wild garden bouquet, and the honeycomb-inspired cake!
Credit: Helmutwalker Blog

pretty little things: letterpress after my own heart

I speak from experience when I say that this letterpress (shown below) does not only look pretty but the high quality of the paper and the vivid nature of the colors used are admirably accurate! I was so excited to receive these in the mail. There is something particularly special about sending such beautiful cards, because truly each design is a work of art! I have to admit I have and will probably always have a weakness for quality letterpress. Le sigh.


Credit: Pistachio Press

Real Wedding: Viviane and Pedro

The beauty of this wedding is revealed in each of the uncomplicated details. I love the clean, natural colors and their wood signs. Those sunny yellow candlesticks especially caught my eye! Where can I get some of those?! Beautiful setting, beautiful wedding. Happy Monday!

Credit: Carola Duarte

Real Wedding: Erin + Greg

Today's wedding is all about effortless beauty and romance. I love the great, big trees, and the hanging cast iron chandeliers...the way the setting sun gives everything a beautiful, undemanding glow. I think you might fall head over heels with this wedding as much as I have!


Credit: One Love Photo

pretty little things: woodsy goodness

Love this creative, woodsy little invitation! It stems from such a diverse palette. I would love to see how these colors are integrated into the wedding, maybe with some deep red and yellow mums?
Credit: Rifle

Blog Mentions

A big thank you to all of the companies and blogs that have mentioned or awarded Just Happily Ever After. I am so proud of how far this blog has come since we first began and I hope that we continue to bring you all fresh, engaging content.

• Queen City Bride
• Snippet and Ink
• Erin Hearts Court
• I Still Can't Tell Which Ones Are Weeds
• Ashley's Blog
• Bridal Bliss
• Jennifer Behr's Facebook Fan Page
• Numerous Etsy shops

Win a Wedding Photography Package!

Absolutely WONDERFUl opportunity to win free wedding photography! I love Lifebox Studio's work, you won't be disappointed! Click here for details. —Jess
Credit: Lifebox Studio

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's to a lovely day to celebrate with those you love! Cheers.

Credit: Pepper Wedding

pretty little things: dainty clutches

I am finally back after an extended leave of absence during the holiday season. I hope that you all had a lovely December! Today I'd like to bring you a small sample of the beautiful handbags I discovered awhile back and have completely fallen for. They are bold, modern, and so chic. I think one of these would be such a perfect alternative to the typical bridal purse or a fabulous gift for your bridesmaids! Credit: Beegee Bags

Untitled

Dear Sunday, it is my birthday.

Love, Jess

Credit: Country Living

Real Wedding: Brittany + Brent

You might remember Jenny and Joel's wedding that we featured in late August. Everyone who I talked to about it had the utmost admiration for it, as did I. Well today I am excited to share with you another of Andy Jackson's beautiful films, and I know that you will fall in love with it as much as I have! Andy wanted to share a brief message with you prior to watching the film...

"Both of these films are approximately 20 minutes in length, and I always try to ask people not to watch my films until they know they can watch all the way through, without interruption. The purpose of my work is to allow the viewer to "feel" the wedding day; to be sucked into the emotions of the day. My hope is that the viewer will experience love, not just as it relates to the wedding or event, but as it relates to every detail and every action that takes place between a couple, their friends, and their families. The wedding itself is just a symbol... without the foundation of love and sincerity that is portrayed, the symbol is meaningless."

Brittany and Brent's wedding took place on the lovely Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Event Planner: Shay Brown - www.shaybrownevents.com
Photography: Parker J Pfister - www.parkerjphoto.com
Cinematography: Andy Jackson of Portal Films - www.portalfilms.com
Florist: The Bloom Room - www.bloom-room.com
Venue: The Biltmore Estate - www.biltmore.com

Credit: Portal Films

pretty little things: the place close to your heart

O France! If I lived or studied in France I would send little notes and packages such as these to my dear friends. I love the idea of using a place that is special to you as inspiration for your special day. It might be a specific place like Paris, your hometown, or something like the beach or a rose garden.

Credit: Unknown

{ oh what larks! }

One day I would like to have pretty things like these in a sun-filled room painted in chantilly lace white and gossamer blue. I could have company over for afternoon tea Dorothy Draper style or sit and sew new pillow shams to match the tufted sofa. O frivolous, romantic thoughts.









garden vase

vintage-inspired pillow by GeorgeGs

pintuck taffeta

Croscill Veranda Luxuriance Multi or Croscill Veranda Emanuelle Passion Fruit

create: handy tags

Hang your tags on each wine bottle or use them as table cards, implement beautiful calligraphy to write each guest's name on the opposite side and drape all the tags on a "tree" of leafy magnolia branches. Click here to download the free template for these tags!

Credit: Poppytalk

Real Wedding: Ginny + Ed

I adore this fabulously vintage-inspired wedding, everything was seamlessly integrated into the couple's vision for their special day. Even the guests dressed perfectly for the occasion! I can't get enough of this!
Ginny and Ed are too cute together.

I love how the light seems to glow in this shot of the vintage bridal party dresses!

What a beautiful, happy bride!

Love this photobooth shot!
Credit: Josh Goleman

pretty little things: brown paper packages all wrapped up in strings

This invitation suite is full of foresty goodness. I love the deep green and the fun white calligraphy that just pops off the envelopes. Lately I've been a huge fan of tags and baker's twine, it reminds me of the market in a way that is reminiscent of the older days when you received parcels wrapped in crisp brown paper and twine. These are a few of my favourite things!

Credit: Rifle Design

lovely: pronovias

Pronovias can be credited for some of the most stunning gowns ever. They are a family business that originated in Barcelona and have come a long way to currently being a leader in the wedding fashion industry. Below are a few that caught my eye! Seriously, oohing and aahing over wedding gowns is simply too much fun.

I love the simplicity of this one.
I am really attached to this silhouette lately, it's just so feminine and pretty!
This one reminds me of Spain and the roots of Pronovias.
If you look closely there's some pretty, subtle detailing.
Exquisite lace.
Credit: Pronovias found via Brides