ModCloth Pinterest Contest
ModCloth just launched its first themed contest on Pinterest, and you’re invited! They’re looking for a cohesive board that will inspire their spring 2012 wedding campaign.
We often feature ModCloth dresses here in our blog posts at Where to Get Engaged and would love for one of our readers to win this awesome contest! To enter, create a board, title it “Spring ModCloth Wedding,” and then add a description of your aesthetic to it. Make sure your board contains each of the 20 pins listed in the picture above, in no particular order. In each pin’s caption, include the number and name that the pin corresponds to for the contest, along with the hashtags #modcloth and #wedding. When your board is perfect, share it by posting a comment on the original contest announcement pin, located in the “To Have and To Hold” board, which can be found here. Your board could win a $100 gift certificate, and inspire the ModCloth 2012 spring wedding campaign!
Head over to Where to Get Engaged on Pinterest to get some help crossing off those 20 pins!
Weekly Jewel: Elizabeth Taylor Inspired Earrings
It’s no secret that Elizabeth Taylor loved her jewels…and especially emeralds! One of our vendors, Christopher William Jewelers, just happens to have a pair of earrings that are an almost exact replica of these beauties which were recently auctioned by Christie’s after Ms. Taylor’s passing. As Taylor herself remarked, “I feel as though I’m only the custodian of my jewelry. When I die and they go off to auction I hope whoever buys them gives them a really good home.”
These diamond and emerald earrings, by Bulgari, 1960, were a gift from Richard Burton, worn them the Paris premiere of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962; worn to greet Queen Elizabeth in Washington, in 1976; and as part of her costume in The VIPs.
These 15.06 carat total weight dangle earrings with over 7.5 carat total weight pear shaped emeralds have 1.64 carat total weight round cut diamonds set in 18k white gold and are a absolutely gorgeous….just like those worn by Ms. Taylor herself!
What do you think of these Elizabeth Taylor inspired earrings?
Celebrity Inspirations: Halle Berry’s Emerald Ring
So, is she or isn’t she? Rumors are a swirl that Halle Berry became engaged to her boyfriend of more than a year, Olivier Martinez, over the holidays. A rep for the ring’s designer (Gurhan) told PEOPLE Magazine that her diamond-and-emerald ring was in fact for an engagement, though other sources are saying the couple is NOT engaged, and the ring was just a gift.
Either way, the vintage-esque, gold and emerald bauble is quite an intriguing pick, especially for someone who could’ve gotten a nice big diamond.
If you’re looking to buck the trend like Berry, check out this gorgeous emerald and diamond ring from the Christopher William Jewelers estate collection.
This 14k yellow gold, oval emerald and diamond halo ring with round and baguette diamonds is a definite statement piece that will jazz up any wardrobe…whether as an engagement ring or not!
Stop by your local jeweler today to see their entire estate collection!
Monday’s Montage: Champagne-Themed Wedding Decor
What’s a more perfect way to transition from the holidays to toasting to the New Year than with a champagne themed wedding? Check out all of these beautiful bubbly inspired details from the Winter edition of Martha Stewart Weddings!
1. A Grand Entrance: Let guests know they’re walking into a good time by filling the foyer of your reception space with balloons reminiscent of the fizz in sparkling vino. Ask your photographer to hang out in the wings and capture everyone’s arrival on film. Shindigz latex balloons (amazon.com). The bride is wearing a Monique Lhuillier “Flutter” gown (moniquelhuillier.com). The flower girls are wearing (from far left) a Marie-Chantal “Princess” dress (mariechantal.com) and Nellystella “Mimi” dresses (Yoya, yoyanyc.com). I love this sparkling hue!
2. Fanciful Invitations: If Dom Perignon is the king of Champagne, then our suite is the king of stationery. Its crest motif and calligraphy pay homage to his majesty’s label, and the cheerful fonts and phrasing will get friends in the party spirit. Have our design printed by Spark Letterpress (letterpresslove.com). Calligraphy here and throughout by Nancy Howell (nancyhowell.com). These invitations will really set the tone for the event.
3. A Refreshing Tablescape: Elegant and indulgent, these Champagne towers only look expensive. When constructed with rental coupes (these are from Party Rental Ltd., partyrentalltd.com) and filled with one of our tasty, reasonably priced suggestions, they cost less than many floral centerpieces. Or, use flickering candles in place of Champagne. Plus, with this clever tablescape, you don’t need waiters to descend with glasses before the toast — and there’s plenty for seconds. This is a great alternative to expensive floral centerpieces and it will accent the theme perfectly!
4. Indulgent Option: Raw oysters with migonette gelee, made with both Champagne and champagne vinegar, are no less indulgent than other treats such as cavier.
5.Decadent Dessert: Tempt taste buds toward the end of the night with our Citrus Fizz, a mix of Champagne and fruit. To make it, scoop the flesh from part of an orange, leaving behind a bowl-shaped peel. Candy it, and then fill with citrus segments and top with sparkling wine. Stephen Russell citrine and diamond earrings (212-570-6900). De Beers ring (debeers.com). What a perfect way to depart for the evening!
6. Festive Favors: While you could have everyone spray you with Champers as you make your way up the aisle as newlyweds, that might get messy — and a little too World Series locker room. Instead, invite friends to uncork Champagne-confetti cannons and shower the air with paper as you pass by. Leave one between each ceremony seat (save-on-crafts.com). I love this idea and think it’s super-unique!
7. Take-Home Treats: Send each couple home with a customized goody box bearing a split for two, flutes, and Champagne-flavored candies. The Details: Dufeck double wine box (dufeckwood.com) stamped with a Stampworx-2000 custom stamp (stampworx2000.biz). CB2 “Simplicity” flutes (cb2.com). Piper-Heidsieck Brut (astorwines.com). Goelitz “Champagne Bubbles” candies (groovycandies.com). What a personal and sweet treat!
8. A Luxurious Bouquet: Carry a clutch of pale garden roses, orchids, gomphrena, Champagne grapes, and flowing passion vine (it’s less brittle than grapevine but looks similar) down the aisle. At the reception, display it in an ice bucket in lieu of a vase. Love this one? Add William Yeoward’s crystal “Karen” version to your registry (williamyeowardcrystal.com). If there could ever be a “champagne themed bouquet,” this would be it!
Would you have a champagne themed wedding?
Father-Daughter Dance Song + More Surprising Parent Dance Options
We all know that the father-daughter dance is one of the most important moments of the wedding day…one that both “little girl” and dad alike have been dreaming about for years. My dad and I were supposed to dance to “Brown-Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison at my wedding reception because that has always been “our song,” though at the last minute my father got nervous about dancing to the fast pace of the song and opted for “You are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker. While it wasn’t “our song,” it was still equally sweet and a very special moment. Now that I have a daughter of my own, imagining my husband dancing with her on her very own wedding day gives me chills…and hearing songs like this one doesn’t help! Becoming popular as the closing song in the movie Knocked Up, “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III is now a cult classic, and sure to be used at many a weddings.
Other surprising songs to be used for parent dances are these, compiled by Martha Stewart Weddings:
“Simple Man,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Kind and Generous,” Natalie Merchant
“A Song For Mama,” Boyz II Men
“Sweet Pea,” Amos Lee
“Teach Your Children,” Crosby, Stills, and Nash
“Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Luna
“Landslide,” Fleetwood Mac
“Father and Daughter,” Paul Simon
“My Darling,” Wilco
“Loves Me Like a Rock,” Paul Simon
“Tupelo Honey,” Van Morrison
“Gravity,” John Mayer
“More than a Feeling,” Boston
“Did You Know,” BeBe Winans
“I Turn to You,” Christina Aguilera
“Always Be Your Baby,” Natalie Grant
“Walk With You,” Edwin McCain
“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” Prince
“A Song for Mama,” Boyz II Men
“A Song for My Son,” Mikki Viereck
“My Wish,” Rascal Flatts
“I Wish You Love,” Natalie Cole
“I’ll Always Love My Mama,” The Intruders
“Stand By Me,” Ben E. King
“Mama’s Song,” Carrie Underwood
“Our House,” Phantom Planet
“All My Days” from the “Away We Go” soundtrack, Alexi Murdoch
“Over the Rainbow,” Ingrid Michaelson
“Sea of Love,” Cat Power
“Gracie,” Ben Folds
“Such Great Heights,” Iron & Wine
“I Will,” Ben Taylor
“If I Could,” Regina Belle
If I ever have a son, I would love to dance to “Loves Me Like a Rock” by Paul Simon, as seen on the above list. My husband’s cousin danced with his mother to this song and I thought it was the most adorable thing I had ever seen and loved the fun, upbeat song nature. I am also a huge sucker for “Sea of Love” by Cat Power as another cult classic.
Good luck in choosing your perfect parent dance songs and feel free to share them with us by leaving a comment below!
Weekly Jewel: Teal Chalcedony Set
Welcome to our new series called the “Weekly Jewel” in which we feature our favorite pieces from vendors and jewelry brands on the site, handpicked by our bloggers for your viewing pleasure! This week’s feature is a Rhodium Teal Chalcedony necklace with matching earrings.
This delicate set is absolutely gorgeous and would look great with everything from a fancy chocolate colored dress to a plain white button-down shirt and jeans.
Stop by one of our vendors, Christopher William Jewelers, to see these pieces in person, as well as a beautiful Rhodium Rutilated Quartz set that’s currently in stock!
Look for Less: Drew Barrymore’s Engagement Ring
Considering Drew Barrymore‘s newfiancé Will Kopelman is an art consultant, it’s no surprise that the actress’ brand-new engagement ring is a stylish work of art.
The 34-year-old art consultant proposed to Barrymore with a magnificent, colorless radiant-cut Graff diamond. According to the jewelery company, the ring Kopelman chose is just under 4 carats.
Credit: Jeff Vespa/Getty Images for LACMA
Sources told Us Weekly that Kopelman, son of the former CEO of Chanel, Arie Kopelman, popped the question in Sun Valley, Idaho around the holidays.
Barrymore, 36, first stepped out with Kopelman in February of last year, although according to a source they dating briefly — and split up — in 2010.
If you’re looking for a ring similar to Barrymore’s gorgeous radiant-cut stunner, check out this simple, yet elegant Tacori engagement ring which incorporates the beauty of the classic princess cut by blending it with a modern look.
While it’s not a radiant cut ring, the princess cut gives a very similar feel. This beautiful engagement ring from Tacori’s Dantella collection features a delicate halo of diamonds that is followed by a row of diamonds along the setting. The intricate detail along the profile, features the elegant Tacori crescent at the top and side of the setting. Sparkle with this graceful princess cut engagement ring by Tacori!
What do you think of Barrymore’s ring?
Monday’s Montage: China Inspired Wedding Cakes, Part 2
Are you a classic bride who’s been dreaming about her China pattern since nursery school? Have you been wondering how to incorporate your favorite art-inspired porcelain pieces into your big day? If so, then you must check out Part 2 of gorgeous wedding cakes inspired by beautiful pieces of China, found in the Winter issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.
1. Transferware Wedding Cake: The nineteenth-century English pottery that inspired this cake (top left) was known for intricate scenes and border patterns. Here, a border detail is repeatedly piped in chocolate.
2. Lustreware Wedding Cake: The sweet, shimmery details of lustreware plates — often used to serve dessert in the nineteenth century — were typically painted in silver, copper, and pink. The playful motifs encircling the tops of the four tiers of this cake were created with powdered food colorings and a sable paintbrush — the best tool to match the brush strokes of the originals.
3. Wedding Band Cake: In the nineteenth century, this fine white china was shipped plain from France and trimmed with gold paint once it reached the United States. These white tiers were dressed with metallic ribbons; sprigs of olive branches symbolize fertility.
4. Creamware Wedding Cake: The reticulated pattern of this eighteenth-century English china is emulated in the multitiered cake by rolled fondant cut with aspic and eyelet-embroidery cutters. Sugar paste was used for the “embroidered” flowers on top and base.
5. Ironstone Wedding Cake: The subtle aesthetic of ironstone made it popular in nineteenth-century England. This confection takes on the quietly raised pattern and charm of the original.
6. Wedgewood Wedding Cake: The icinglike trim on jasperware, developed in England in 1775, translates well to a wedding cake — piped here in royal icing. This cake and base were covered with fondant; gum-paste leaves adorn the base and top.
Which wedding cake is your favorite?
Holiday Proposal Story
Lysbeth, a reader from the Glamour Magazine blog, Save the Date , recently wrote in with this adorably cute Christmas proposal story.
My boyfriend and I had almost finished decorating our Christmas tree when he started acting funny and hugging me really tightly.
Then he told me to turn around while he “hid the pickle.” Wait! Let me explain! We follow the German Christmas tradition where the first person to find the pickle-shaped ornament on the tree has good luck for the whole new year.
As I turned around and closed my eyes, I heard my boyfriend crouch down and I thought to myself, “The pickle is low! The pickle is low!”
Then my boyfriend told me to turn around, when I did, he was down on one knee with a ring!
My husband also proposed to me by the Christmas tree and, of course, I thought it was absolutely perfect!
If you’re looking for a ring similar to Lysbeth’s, check out this Verragio ring (style 0384).
This engagement ring from the Couture Collection, featuring 0.50Ct. of pave’ set round brilliant diamonds to enhance a round diamond center.
What do you think of holiday proposals?
Stop by your local Verragio jeweler to view their entire engagement ring collection!
