gown friday: summer kick-off edition!

{priscilla of boston}

happy friday, ladies! i hope you enjoyed our summer kick-off week with arin of zinke design--i can't get enough of her high fashion blended with summer wedding tradition--a fabulous combination for sure! thank you, thank you, arin!!

for gown friday i thought i would feature some summer chic gowns. when i think of summer weddings i envision the likes of melissa sweet, monique lhuillier, and claire pettibone--breezy fabrics, flower applique, delicate lace details, and more along the lines of sheath, a-line, and modified trumpet skirt, rather than a large, princess ballgown (though i had to indulge in the pnina tornai below just because it's HOT for summer!). so i leave you with just a little sample of just that--of course the are so many to choose from, and these gowns aren't necessarily the most current collections from each designer, but nonetheless, gorgeous and a perfect fit for a summer soiree!

{pnina tornai}

{monique lhuillier}

{monique lhuillier}

{melissa sweet}

{rosa clara}

{lazaro}

{judd waddell}

{vineyard collection}

{jim hjelm}

{danielle caprese}

{claire pettibone}

{claire pettibone}

{alvina valenta}

{romona keveza}

{all gowns courtesy of kleinfeld bridal}

summer kick-off week: farewell zinke design!

{Photo via Christopher Micaud}

Now that summer's officially kicked off, we want to hear about your summer adventures and what styles you'll be musing under the sun. So post a comment about your favorite summer style, tradition, outfit, trip, wedding locale and don't leave any details out.

Thank you, Weddings Fresh, for having me - I so adore the daily charm Weddings Fresh brings to our blogging world.

Hope to be back soon. Cheers.
Arin - Zinke Design

summer kick-off: summer traditions from zinke design

{Jason Wu, Fendi, and Alberta Ferretti via net-a-porter.com}

I love summer traditions: Friday mornings spent packing the car for theweekend trip to the lake. 4th of July floating under the fireworks, peachpies and summer BBQs in the backyard....

For those of you planning a summer wedding, why not revisit the forgotten tradition of the departure dress? Surprise your guests and wave farewell in one of these numbers:
Jason Wu for the afternoon party, Fendi for the traditional celebration, andAlberta Ferretti for the Black Tie event [as seen above].

And for more chic options:

{Roksanda Ilincic; Christopher Kane; Proenza Shouler; Herve Leger; Sonia Rykiel; Lela RoseAll via Net-a-porter}

summer kick-off week: summer blossoms with zinke design!

In my midwest backyard, my peonies are blooming, my hydrangeas are blooming early and my garden has been keeping me busy every evening. I also love the floral inspired fashions that have blossomed this summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

If I could have a wedding re-do, I know I would design a completely opposite event from the formal ballroom shindig that we had over 5 years ago. The first thing I would change would be my wedding gown....and this floral inspired beaded lace Jenny Packham dress would be divine for my 5’2” frame.

--Arin, Zinke Design

And for some colorful floral inspirations:

[rannanculus photograph – source unknown]

[photograph by Serge Leblon]

[missoni dress]
[flowers in hair – J. Crew]
[storyboard via Zinke Design]

summer kick-off week with Zinke Design!

When Dani generously asked me to guest blog this week on Weddings Fresh to kick off the summer season, I didn’t have to think twice before compiling this Gucci board as the first summer post. The elements: moody jewel tones paired with crisp white and funky florals; jewel toned eyes, fedoras and a beach worthy tote.

Gucci’s hot. They nailed their sexy summer inspired Spring 2009 ad campaign.
Cheers to everything summer: vitamin D, laid back looks, road trips, summer soirees, and tinny tiny bikinis. Ahhh, living the dream.

--Arin, Zinke Design

{photo credits}

gown friday!

{pnina tornai}

okay ladies, i must confess i am in desperate need of wedding gown inspiration! eh! so i am asking you for your help! any suggestions, gowns, designers, or trends that you want to see, i would love your ideas and your help! so please leave me a comment or e-mail me and tell me what you want!! please!

so for today, i leave with you two gowns that i absolutely love (both of which i found via bride chic--she's so good!). seemingly quite different but to me they represent a certain traditional, idealistic bride--a modern romance if you will. and the gown below, oh my!! i have always loved gowns with sleeves. they must be done with good taste, but the gown below is so unbelievable romantic and well, just reminds me of grace kelley--and i would have loved to be that kind of bride :)

i hope you enjoy your three day weekend--it's a long time coming for us and i am sure for you all as well. next week weddings fresh will be featuring posts from the talented arin of zinke design as we celebrate our summer kick-off week! so excited to see the summer trends and inspiration arin has for us!

{white chocolate label by scott corridan}

wonderful giveaway!!!

i don't think i could be any later on this post, so i apologize for not getting this great opportunity to you sooner!! but creative montage and wonderful graffiti are teaming up to offer a free giveaway to you brides! each of these designers are fantastic--what a great collaboration! here is the scoop but check it all out at creative montage's blog:

...to celebrate this awesome collaboration, we are giving away one free 18" Wonderful Graffiti! All you have to do is comment on this post [on Creative Odds n' Ends] and tell us the following:

**Which of our ready monogram designs would you choose? (To view samples, go to our site and click on galleries and then click on ready made monograms. Note that not every monogram will work with this product and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.)

**Which colors would you choose from the available options below? (please select at least 2 colors)

**Then leave your email address and that's all you have to do! (If an email address is not provided, you will not qualify for the winnings!)

This contest will be open until Friday, May 22nd at midnight and only available to US residents. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 25th in the morning so be sure to come back here to see if you won!

okay ladies, get to it!!

and i also want let you know that next week we are welcoming arin from zinke design to help celebrate our summer kick-off week! so excited to see her talented and oh so chic posts!! take a look at her recent inspiration board--what a dream!

table inspiration

{rachel whiting photography}

i was so inspired by these tables yesterday. i love the simplicity, the authenticity, and easy feel of each of these beautiful examples. it's good to break free from what is expected!

{country living}

{rachel whiting photography}


{endless inspiration}

twigs & honey

aren't these headpieces just lovely?! oh my, twigs & honey never ceases to amaze me with their beautiful work...and by the way, myra is from wonderful portland, oregon!! :) love it! and of course i have to comment on the dresses: both from kristie kelly couture. those sleeves are just gorgeous--would you wear sleeves?

{images found via kiss the groom}

sunday brunch

I know a lot of couples have some sort of Sunday get-together with family and friends to celebrate their wedding from the previous night. My husband and I decided to spend that time alone and enjoy moments spent not thinking about our wedding and relax in the blessings of finally being husband and wife :) However, hosting a brunch is a wonderful way to say thank you and to honor those who have been with you throughout both of your lives. I would encourage you to make this an event that you and your husband share in creating. A gift back perhaps.

So when I came across a blog called Sunday Suppers it even inspired me to have my own Sunday brunch. It’s all about two women who bring friends, local fresh ingredients, beautiful tables and delectable menus together to make what looks like time well spent! I have been moved by both the simplicity of their gatherings and attention to detail in food and presentation. And I must say there is nothing more comforting in the morning than some good coffee, a fluffy biscuit and homemade jam butters!! Oh my! Go and check it out, and after all the flair and glamour of your wedding has come and gone, take a special moment to relax and find delight in your family and friends--new and old.

{check it out here for more information for cooking classes and menus}

gown friday!

morning, morning! oh goodness, sorry for the late post...sometimes mornings just don't go as planned...but it's beautiful outside here in portland and i am loving it!! i hope you enjoy a little sample of kenneth pool's spring 2010 collection. just beautiful. sign me up for the dress above! that is if i can ever get in good enough shape to pull it off--but i know some of you brides out there are just perfect for it! get it. :) see you monday...

{image source}

real wedding: our labor of love

stunning, absolutely stunning. upside-down hanging tulips, floating cakes, parasol filled rooms, gorgeous yellow and black detailing, and unbelievable bouquets: this wedding is stunning! amazing job as always, our labor of love :)