{image credit} (500) Days of Summer album cover, (500) Days of Summer movie, paper lanterns, Zooey Deschanel, blue Manolo Blahnik heels, park bench, note cards, origami bird garlands, black suit & tie, blue dress, Endless Summer hydrangea

I thought the visuals throughout the film, such as the soft muted colors and Summer’s vintage inspired wardrobe would create unique look for a wedding. Here are some ideas:

1. Create your own photo collage to have displayed at your reception
2. Origami bird garlands
3. White paper lanterns and white lights strung over the dance floor
4. Soft blue dresses, either for the bridesmaids or for an unconventional bride
5. Simple black suits with skinny ties for the groomsman
6. Don’t forget the music! Perhaps some Hall & Oats and The Smiths

You could also use these elements to create a fun engagement photo shoot as well!

{image credits} Happily Ever After sign, pink bowls, J.Crew necklace, peonies, Monique Lhuillier ruffled wedding dress, french blue books, pink ruffle cake, pink ruffled gown, blue bridesmaids, beach lounger, pale pink flower, blue coat over ruffles, strawberry macaroons

{image credit} Top: Modern Hyde St Design Bottom: Parcel Express Design

From Karen: I used 1 X 2’s cut to size from my home improvement store (I attached them with L brackets which only cost me $5!). I did use designer fabric by Patricia Bravo but I got a great deal on that on Etsy so the whole project was really affordable.

Be sure to also check out the post that started it all: How to Upholster a Headboard. Special thanks to Sherry and John over at Young House Love! You guys are a constant source of inspiration (and also a good laugh!)

{image credits}  tablescape, Prague street, wax seal, bouquet, Jim Hjlem dress, chandelier, door handle, gray gown, sheet music, tea lights, books, Paris Opera House, black rose

Its easy to see how you could create a memorable wedding, anniversary party or engagement photo session with this as your inspiration. Here are some ideas:

1. Candlelight, and lots of it. This will create a mysterious and romantic effect
2. Use rich, velvet fabric as a backdrop for your photographs
3. Personalized wax seals for your invitations
4. Chandeliers. Rent or buy them and hang from the ceiling or flank your head table
5. Use sheet music to line the envelopes of your invitations. Also, incorporate it into your table settings (see below)
6. Dark colored roses and tulips for your bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces

The picture above illustrates how you can use sheet music in your table setting. Fold the sheets to create a pocket and embellish with a velvet ribbon (or even the same wax seals from your invitations). Then you could slip something special inside, such as the menu, or the schedule for the evening, photo keepsakes, fun facts about the bride and groom, or maybe the story of how you met. The possibilities are endless! Just be creative and make it a reflection of your special day!

{image credit} vintage sheet music CD pockets

Its amazing how items around home can be repurposed in such unexpectedly beautiful ways. Be sure to check out Summer Watkins “how-to” photos over at Style Me Pretty.

{image credit} Grey Likes Weddings via Style Me Pretty

{image credit} Top from left: Eat Drink Chic, The Knotty Bride, Country Living, Martha Stewart

LOVE how using a simple hole punch can transform a plain white gift box (or paper ribbon) into something so unique and adorable!

{image credit} Top from left: Real Simple {1} {2} {3} {4}

Who loves receiving a pretty package? My hand is raised! I honestly get excited when I receive any type of package – in person or through the mail, from a friend or from a store – I literally squeal every time! Today’s post highlights simple ways to make someone you love squeal when they receive their own pretty package from you.

{image credit} Holly Holderman

I really like the idea of using your recipients name right on the package, as shown above. Use a laser printer, stamps or trace and then cut-out letters from decorative paper, such as old maps, sheet music or printed card stock.

{image credit} from left: The Haystack Needle, Sea Unicorn, Bugs and Fishes

Embellish your package with vintage wallpaper, paper doilies & mini clothespins (shown above in upper left). Or create a wrap-around gift tag (shown above in bottom right). Simply cut a wide strip of colored paper, attach that to your package (use double-sided tape or glue stick), then cut out  a smaller white strip, use a rectangle hole punch to create slots for your ribbon (or very thin paper strip) to slide through. Center and attach the white strip on top and voila!

Create a butterfly gift tag by downloading the PDF here.

{image credit} from top left: Ribbons & Pom Poms, Humunuku, Whisker Graphics, A Little Hut

Look for ways to recycle brown paper you may have tucked around the house already. Turn brown paper grocery bags and take out bags (the clean ones) inside out to reuse.

{image credit} from top left: Sundance Catalog, Style Canvas, A Lovely Morning, Nice Package

This theme is great for a winter wedding, but could easily be modified for anytime of year. And who says its only good for weddings? This would be awesome for a shower or dinner party too! Just imagine those adorable “drink me” tags on your cocktail glass. “Eat me” tags are also available at pinkcherrymama’s esty shop. I can just see little cupcakes adorned with those!

{image credits} drink me tags, top hat, blue Elie Saab dress, snowy iron gate, red rose, Alice in Wonderland tags, red satin heels, antique keys (my photo), burgundy Jim Hjelm dress, ruby necklace, heart-shaped tea cup

And for those of you who LOVE Alice in Wonderland as much as I do, be sure to check out the new movie trailer. It hits theaters and IMAX on March 5th!

{image credit} Pretty Random Objects

{image credits} yarn, Love Me sign, velvet couch, antique flatware, grey wedding dress, dove, mini vintage camera, pleated grey heels, Me & You sign, grey Jim Hjelm dress, lilac giftwrap, J.Crew suiting, lilacs

{image credits} lace embossed plate, velvet box of doilies, birch tree, winter bride, mint bridesmaid dress, mint invites, plates, snow-covered pathway, frothy mug, barn bridge