photo credit: Stuart Stevenson via Flickr

One of my favorite recipe websites "Delish", recently posted a great article with expert wedding advice from Monique Lhuillier and I thought i'd share...

"Decide on a color 'story' and carry it through to the china, napkins, flowers, menu," suggests Lhuillier. She also suggests, "A printed menu on a napkin is a more modern look than a napkin ring — and shows you took the time to plan a wonderful meal." And flowers? Says Lhuillier, "Oh, I love an abundance! And lots and lots and lots of candles."

From the Monique Lhuillier Collection for Royal Doulton: Femme Fatale dinnerware and Atelier stemware and flatware; available at Bloomingdale's. Photo by Julie Toy

"A table should feel luxurious, which is not to say that everything has to be expensive — a mix of high and low can be scrumptious. But always use your best china. Life is short!" says Lhuillier.

Peacock, Deyrolle, Paris; all flowers by Krislyn Design. Photo by Julie Toy

Yes, that's a log! Lhuillier put flowers in carved-out birch: "I like integrating textures — more organic, more interesting." For a miniature version, try the 18" Sleeping Beauty, $250. Krislyn Design: 323-692-7862; krislyndesign.com."

Jkara beaded chiffon gown
$200.00$120.00 by Jkara at Dillard's:
Fully lined champagne gown featuring a white/silver hand-beaded floral design on the scalloped bodice, a fully lined chiffon skirt and a back zipper. Of polyester. Imported.

Tadashi Capelet Gown $370.00 by Tadashi at Neiman Marcus
Mulberry.V neckline.Embellished brooch detail. Gathered cap sleeves and bust.A-line skirt.Silk.Imported.

Short Sleeve Evening Gowns By Mignon $438.00 at eDressMe

• Evening gown
• Short sleeve blouse top
• Sequin a-line skirt
• 100% silk

JS Collections Beaded Mesh Gown with Bolero $268.00 by JS Collections at Nordstrom
Pleated panels detailed with tonal beading crisscross the bodice of an elegant mesh gown, perfectly paired with a sheer mesh bolero.

• Dress has side zip with hook-and-eye closure; spaghetti straps; unfinished hem.
• Approx. length from shoulder to hem: jacket 14"; dress 61".
• Dress is fully lined, with padded cups.
• Polyester; dry clean.
• By JS Collections; imported.

Adrianna papell lace gown $188.00 by Adrianna Papell at Dillard's
This cap-sleeve back-zip gown features a nude bust with lace overlay and a tiered black skirt. Of polyester/rayon/nylon; lined. Imported.

Marc Bouwer Glamit! Beaded-Waist Gown $895.00 by Marc Bouwer Glamit at Neiman Marcus
Cocoa. Gathered detail. Off-the-shoulder neckline with beaded strap detail. Short flutter sleeves. Beaded band at natural waist. Straight skirt. Ruffle hem. Pure silk; polyester/spandex. Imported.

Cachet Beaded Lace & Satin Gown with Bolero $198.00$129.90 by Cachet at Nordstrom
Ornate lace highlights the Empire bodice of a fitted taffeta gown with a flared A-line skirt. A shapely bolero with scalloped cap sleeves provides light coverage.

• Dress has back zip with hook-and-eye closure; spaghetti straps.
• Approx. length from shoulder to hem: jacket 16"; dress 59".
• Dress is fully lined.
• Polyester
• By Cachet; imported.

Ignite evenings tiered gown $180.00 at Dillard's
This stone hammered satin gown with back zipper offers a beaded sweetheart bust, cap sleeves and kissing tiers on the skirt. Of rayon/polyester/nylon. Imported.

I am a frequent Etsy.com online-window-shopper ;) and could literally spend hours upon hours in fascination at the unique creations the creative wedding and print shops have for sale... Stumbled upon the Belletristics - Aesthetic designs for the DIY Bride storefront and love that all of their items for sale seem to be pretty affordable and help cut down on costs if you visit your local Kelly Paper Company or other discount/wholesale paperies to get beautiful cardstock for lest and choose to print on your own at home (usually it ends up costing less by sending the file to staples since ink is so expensive these days and you may get a good price depending on the size of the bulk order - the only bummer is the price usually includes printing on simple matte cardstock or you just pay for their bulk printing and you supply your own upgraded paper). This shop seems to be flexible with personalizing colors, texts, and some other additions depending on the item and details of the order. Check em out~

'Belletristics is a design shop specializing in high quality, affordable designs for the DIY bride. Using Belletristics' design services will save you time and money while helping you bring together the vision that you have for your wedding. Designs can be created in a variety of file formats, so you can print at home or use a professional printer.'

Here are some of my Favorites from the Belletristics Storefront (Printable Wedding Invitation and Table Number Card Sets):

I just love these unique Yearline Save The Date Cards from Minted! They have so many great designs for you to choose from and are a fun way to share your story with guests at the same time as letting them save the date to your big day. Consisting of many opportunities to share your pictures and stories, you can't seem to go wrong with this type of Save The Date Card. "Tell your story with multiple photos and text blocks inside your card", Check out some of their yearline card examples below:

Beach Day Hurricanes (Set of 3) $19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Message on a Bottle $149.00 at Wisteria

4 oz. Glass Cork-Top Bottle $3.49 at Container Store

Abalone Shell Mirror $30.00 by Jayson Home & Garden at Jayson

Shell and Starfish Frosted Glass Coasters by Kate Aspen (Set of 4) $2.25 at Bed Bath & Beyond

PhotoCredit: DomestiFluff

I came across these sweet labels from the oh so crafty blog DomestFluff and just had to share this great find :) I think that these would definitely make one great wedding favor (especially for a backyard, rustic, or green wedding (i.e. if you choose to use all natural products from your homegrown fruits). They would also serve great purpose as a welcome gift to your out of town guests or even with the Holidays coming up, they could serve as a festive gift! You will need to print the tags on cardstock (tan/brown rustic cardstock should be used to achieve the look featured above) and the round labels should either be printed on cardstock or on round 2in. pre-cut sticky labels. Check the awesome downloads below~

Rectangular tags / labels download for different types of jam:

The PDFs contain 15 tags of the same design per page

Strawberry Jam
Peach Jam
Cherry Jam
Plum Jam
Blueberry Jam
Raspberry Jam
Mixed Berry Jam
Orange Marmalade
Blackberry Jam

2 inch circle label PDFs contain 12 labels of the same design per page:

Strawberry Jam
Peach Jam
Cherry Jam
Plum Jam
Blueberry Jam
Raspberry Jam
Mixed Berry Jam
Orange Marmalade
Blackberry Jam

Here are some reasonably priced jam mason jars to use for this project:

Lillholmen Jar With Lid $4.99 at Ikea

Commercial Square Glass Jar $1.99 at Container Store

Slom Jar With Lid $2.99 at Ikea

Numbered Mason Jars, Set of 3 $39.00 at Pottery Barn
I also came across these cute mason jars that would be great as table numbers: