Belle of the Ball

Wardrobe Change

2012-02-22T13:15:00.000-06:00

The ceremony is over and now it's time to celebrate! Whether it's changing your dress, pulling up your hair or swapping shoes, wardrobe changes are all the rage! Now step outside of your comfort zone and try some of these wild transformations...

"Less Length, Same Glam"

Dancing the night away can be difficult in a full lenght gown!

Change it up with a short reception dress

These hair clips from BHLDN and BANDO

are great ways to pull your hair up for a long night of dancing!

Steve Madden & TOMS

Over your high heels? Swapping shoes is the perfect

solution to make yourself more comfortable at the reception

Fun Guest Books

2012-02-21T13:39:00.000-06:00

Looking for an alternative to the boring guest book? We have tons of ideas to help you remember the people who participated in your perfect day! Liven up your guest book with some of these ideas...

"Please Leaf Your Name"

Have guests leave their

thumbprints and sign to make your wedding tree

Guest Libs

Guest Libs are a perfect chance for guests to show off their humor!

Better With Age

Wine Bottles are a great way to

remember friends and family from your wedding day!

Piece of the Puzzle

Love Puzzles? This is a great way to have fun

with your new spouse and reminisce about the wedding!

Having guests sign plates is a great way to add decoration to your new home!

Setting the Bar

2012-02-17T14:20:00.000-06:00

When choosing the bar for you wedding, have a little fun! The reception should be all about having fun with friends and family. If you are only serving beer and wine, add a signature cocktail to the mix. The signature cocktail can be a great way to show off your personalities and set the tone for the evening.

Elizabeth Anne Designs

"Belles and Gents bar" is a creative

way of showcasing his and her favorites

Martha Stewart

This frozen signature cocktail

is the perfect touch to a summer wedding

D-I-Y!

Champagne bars are a great way to have

guests make their own beverage with different garnishes and sugared rims!

Take the bar home

This box of goodies is a

great way for guests to celebrate all over again in your name

Flavored Ice Cubes

Whether it's a cocktail or water,

flavored ice cubes are a great way to spritz-up any drink

Etsy

Personalized straws are a delightful

way to remember why you're celebrating

We're Crazy For Bourbon & Bloom

2012-02-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

I can't tell you how excited we are that Bourbon and Bloom has moved to Houston. We love adding an antique touch to our weddings and B&B is the perfect place to find accessories for weddings as well as other events. From celebrities to friends and family, we've seen the antique trend popping up everywhere! Here is a look at how to add the look to your event...

BlogSpot

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's

rustic car adds the perfect touch to a southern wedding

Pinterest

Using an antique suitcase provides a unique

twist on the seating card presentation

bhldn

Grab this cake topper

from Bhldn to top off an amazing cake

Idea of the Day: Be Unique

2012-02-15T09:46:00.001-06:00

Creating your own vibe for a wedding can be difficult at times, but all you need is a spark of inspiration to help you craft an idea into your own. Here are fun and unique ideas to ensure your wedding is unforgettable!

Have mirrored tops for your wedding? In lieu of place cards write your guests names directly onto the table!

Love monograms and want your groom to match you? Add a pop of color to is monogrammed cummerbund.

Use fun knobs to hold your escort cards

Do you love champagne and he loves bourbon...don't select just one signature drink, have two!

Love a color? Be bold with it.

Want to have mail when you get back from your honeymoon? Have your guests write postcards for you at the reception and have your wedding planner mail them while you are away!

The best advice we can give, is to just be yourself. Let your personality shine through in the details and your guests will notice.

all photos from Easton Events

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:37:00.000-06:00

The day is finally here for chocolates, flowers, and love! Wishing you and yours a very happy valentine's day!!

XOXO

We Love Kate Spade

2012-02-13T11:37:00.003-06:00

If you love Kate Spade as much as we do, you will be excited to see that the designer has introduced a new decor shop! The Florence Broadhurst Home Decor Shop is only available online but has so many great options for gifts or your wedding registry! Check out a few of our favorites below!

June Lane Serving Bowl

Belle Boulevard Flute Pair

Spotted Floral Cushion Cover

Trimble Place Collection

Two Of A Kind Mine & Yours Highballs

Happy Shopping!

Will You Be My Valentine? Part II

2012-02-10T10:47:00.001-06:00

Check out our Valentine must-haves for that special man in your life!

Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Silk Bow Tie

Paul Smith Men's Half Stripe Cufflinks

Gucci Street Suede Bit Loafer

Paul Smith Men's Red Harlequin Socks

Will You Be My Valentine?

2012-02-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we wanted to share a few things that get us in the mood for the special day! Time to start thinking, who will you ask?

Couture Bow d'Orsay Pump

Bergdorf Goodman

Marc By Marc Jacobs Iphone Cover

Heart Shoe Clips

Essie "A Cut Above" Nail Color

Essie "Lovie Dovie" Nail Color

Essie "Antique Rose" Nail Color

Heart Headband

Stop by tomorrow to see our gift ideas for that special guy in your life!

Pillow Talk

2012-02-01T17:09:00.000-06:00

Looking for a way to accessorize your lounge area at your wedding reception?? Take a look at these fabulous Alexandra Ferguson pillows we found on Etsy! Allow your guests to kick back and relax in style!

Paris on our mind

2012-01-31T10:55:00.000-06:00

With Paris fashion week coming to a close and a rainy day in Houston, we are day dreaming of all things French!

We could not agree more with Audrey!

photo from: Daily Dose of Stuf

Love this palette: pale french blue, barely blush, soft white, gold leaf. It sums up our Parisian mood right now! These colors would make for beautiful wedding.

photo from: Snippet & Ink

Dior Fashion Show: loving all of the pale grey dresses

Paris in the Spring!

Can't make it to Paris? Order Laduree macaroons from the NYC store for a special treat. Better yet, treat your wedding guests to these wonderful confections by having them as favors!

Create a Parisian themed invitation for your wedding.

photo from: ps print

photo from: Daily Dose of Stuf

Bon Voyage & au revior!

SAG Awards

2012-01-30T10:46:00.000-06:00

As you all know, awards season is one of our favorite times of year for mainly one reason.... the fashion! Check out our favorites from the Screen Actors Guild Award. The best part, all of these designers also make wedding dresses!

Stacy's favorite : Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza

Valerie's favorite : Glee's Jayma Mays in Reem Acra

Marissa's favorite: Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Natalie's favorite: Diana Agron in Carolina Herrera

Chelsea's favorite: Michelle Williams in Valentino

Christine's favorite: Sofia Vegara in Marchesea

photos from: The Daily Mail

2012-01-25T15:20:00.000-06:00

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy inside once we saw the amazing new spring bridal collection from BHLDN. The dresses are unique and every single one of them has that certain romantic feeling to it. And who doesn't love lace?

Not only do they have the perfect, idyllic, fairytale dresses but they have gorgeous bridesmaids dresses, accessories and if you're already looking for a Valentine's Day card for the one you love then this may be the place for you!

These are just a few of our favorite dresses that made us fall in love! And we couldn't help but throw in the Mr. & Mrs. chair covers because they're way too cute to leave out!

BHLDN

Golden Globes 2012

2012-01-17T14:08:00.001-06:00

We hope you all got a chance to watch the Golden Globes! One of the best parts about awards season is watching all the glamorous starlets walk the red carpet. Here's a few of our picks for the best dressed at Sunday night's awards show!



                                                Chelsea's Favorite:

Hollywood Reporter

Natalie's Favorite:

Just Jared

Valerie's Favorite:

Telegraph

                                                   Alia's Favorite:

Mirror

Fancy Marshmallow Treats!

2012-01-10T13:46:00.000-06:00

The regular marshmallow is a goner! Now people are creating new ways of re-vamping the classic puffy snack. So if you're interested in the new and improved gourmet marshmallow, here's a few that will simply make your mouth water just looking at them!

Caramel Dipped

Plush Puffs

All For Your Wedding

Chocolate Chip Marshmallow

240 Sweet

Homemade Cranberry-Pomegranate

Bobbie's Baking

Personalizing Your Bar!

2012-01-06T14:41:00.000-06:00

The bride and groom are always hoping they can find special ways to make their wedding creative and fun! What better way to put your own spin on things than personalizing your bar at the reception? We found some cute ideas that we couldn't resist passing on to you.

Flavored Cubes

Martha Stewart Weddings

Message on a Bottle

Martha Stewart Weddings

Iced Frappe

Martha Stewart Weddings

Coffee with Chocolate Spoons

Martha Stewart Weddings.

Emerald Green Wedding

2012-01-05T15:34:00.000-06:00

Right now we are really loving green..pretty much any shade of green, especially emerald! It's a bright, vibrant, happy color guaranteed to make your guests green with envy! Here's some great ways to implement the color into your wedding.

Wedding Invitations

One Fine Day

gozhy

The Party Dress

Sweet Southern Prep

Kate Spade Inspired Wedding

2012-01-04T15:37:00.000-06:00

If you love Kate Spade as much as we do then finding some inspiration from your favorite bag or shoes can be the answer to figuring out the best colors for your wedding! The best part about Kate Spade is her fresh ideas and the bright colors she uses which are perfect for spring weddings!

Pizzazzerie

The Bridal Bar

Merriment Events

Save the Date!

2011-12-29T08:42:00.000-06:00

It's official! Wedding season is on the way and you know what that means..super cute Save the Dates will be sealed and delivered! We've really enjoyed seeing all the creative ways couples are letting their family and friends know they're tying the knot!

If you're brainstorming ideas for your Save the Dates then you've come to the right place! Here are some we really loved!

Good Wedding Invitation

Hitched Salon

Wedding Bee

Tumblr

And we've saved our favorite for last!

(front) The Wedding Decorator

(back) The Wedding Decorator

The Belle's Wish List

2011-12-21T15:39:00.000-06:00

Christmas is five days away and we've sent our Wish List off to Santa!

Natalie: Iomoi Lucite Tray

Iomoi

Chelsea: Siracusa GM Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Marissa: Diamond Bangle Bracelet

Ultra Diamonds

Valerie: J. Crew Gift Card

J. Crew

Christine: Sapphire Earrings

Overstock

Alia: iPad2

Apple

Stacy: tickets to see Radiohead at the Toyota Center

Ticketmaster

Belle of the Ball wants to wish you a Happy Holidays!

Wedding Party Gift Ideas

2011-12-20T13:23:00.000-06:00

Having trouble figuring out that perfect gift for your bridesmaids and groomsmen? Let us help you out! We've got some great ideas that you're sure to love!

A fun t-shirt, personalized pocketknife, or manly scented candle? They all make great gifts and will commemorate your special day perfectly!

Etsy: Flanels Shop

Sundance Catalog

Garden & Gun Store

Jewelry and magazines: two things girls love! Bauble Bar is a fun site where you can spend hours shopping around for all kinds of sparkly things! Throw in a subscription to their favorite magazine and you're all set!

Bauble Bar

InStyle

Christmas Party Snacks

2011-12-16T15:00:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry with family and friends! If you're planning on having a Christmas Party but aren't sure what to feed your guests...we have a few really festive ideas for you! Their mouths will water just looking at these decadent treats!

Cherry Chocolate Kisses

Photo & Recipe from The Curvy Carrot

Reindeer Cupcakes

Photo & Recipe from Hoosier Homemade

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge

Photo & Recipe from Bakeat350

Peppermint Cream Bites

Photo & Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

We hope you enjoy baking, eating, and serving these goodies as much as we've enjoyed looking at them! Happy Holidays!

Charming Fall Wedding

2011-12-14T14:34:00.001-06:00

This lovely couple, Julia O'Banion and Michael Tanner recently tied the knot and had the most charming fall time ceremony and reception. The stunning couple chose to have their ceremony at Second Baptist Church and their reception at the Houstonian in the Hearth Room.

We really love the way JP Beato III captured their special day! Here's a little glimpse at the magic!

Photo from JP Beato III

Casual Chic Wedding

2011-12-13T15:06:00.000-06:00

When planning a casual chic wedding, the first thing that comes to our minds is a garden inspired wedding!

Not only is a garden wedding light and airy, but it can be the perfect reflection of the bride and her personality.

With a casual chic wedding you can completely forget a traditional gown and go with something that is more your taste and style and of course, more casual.

We imagine a simple, yet elegant, slim, lace wedding dress like this one.

Photo from InWeddingDress

Choosing the wedding colors is really fun especially for a garden wedding! We love the pastel colors that give it the light and airy feel. You can't go wrong with light blue, pink, yellow, peach, lavender or green. Pick the colors you really enjoy and that suit your personality the best!

Depending on the colors you decide to go with, when choosing what flowers you'd like to have on your special day, we always love the classic rose- whether they're pink, peach, white or yellow!

For the reception, make the tables look and feel like a garden party. You can make a garden party more of a traditional style or you can give it that vintage feel. And what kind of food to serve? Well, of course laid-back, comfort food!

Modern Wedding Cakes!

2011-12-07T14:23:00.000-06:00

Wedding cakes are an extremely important part of any wedding! Not only are the bride and groom just dying to dive into their tasty piece of wedding cake, but all the guests have been eyeballing it all night long with their mouths watering, waiting to know that the cake is just as delicious as it looks!

Some brides love to go the traditional route with a traditional cake. But right now, a modern wedding cake is the big trend.

It's incredible what they can do to dazzle up the cake and the fact that it's edible, sweet, and delicious makes it even better!

Check out this layered damask cake! I bet you can't wait to have a bite!

Photo from Pinterest

We love this beautiful yellow cake with the creative ring pattern all over it!

Photo from Pinterest

Here's another one that made our mouths water just looking at the chocolate glaze! It's really simple, but different.

Photo from Pinterest

Who doesn't love gifts? Now your wedding cake can be a stack of them!

Photo from Pinterest

We've saved our favorite for last! It's the decadent and very luxurious looking Macaron cake!

Photo from Pinterest

A Style Collective

2011-12-06T13:06:00.000-06:00

A Style Collective was started by two lovely ladies, Kirbi Knop and Tina Sanford. Their passion for design and details prompted the start of their company and it shines through with all of their intricate ideas. Whether you're in the market for renting some vintage style props for a photoshoot or an event, or you're needing help with the event styling, or maybe you just need some creative direction, Knop and Sanford will be happy to help you!

We love these handcrafted invitations because they add a special personal touch to them!

Photo from A Style Collective

Vintage frames can be a unique addition for a photoshoot!

Photo from A Style Collective

If you're currently looking for some beautiful china for an event you're hosting then A Style Collective may have just what you're looking for! We love the vintage feel that this china can add!

Photo from A Style Collective

They even rent out furniture! Vintage furniture can really add warmth and coziness to any setting! We love anything vintage!

Photo from A Style Collective

Style Me Pretty Feature!

2011-12-01T13:58:00.000-06:00

We're so excited to be recently featured on Style Me Pretty! Abby Tippit and Matthew Spinn's Wedding was a lavish affair coordinated by our very own, Alia Rdissi.

The Tippit/Spinn Wedding ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church in the Museum District, followed by an amazing reception at La Colombe D'or.

The bride chose to have a mix of traditional and modern decor with red centerpieces and champagne linens for the reception tables in the Grand Salon at La Colombe D'or. In the Conservatory Tippit chose white, black, and mirrored sofas, ottomans, and cocktail tables to create that modern feel.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple, Abby Tippit & Matthew Spinn as well as our coordinator, Alia Rdissi!

Anne Hathaway's Engaged!

2011-11-30T15:27:00.004-06:00

Hollywood starlet Anne Hathaway is engaged to her boyfriend of nearly three years, Adam Shulman. The couple was spotted out and about and Hathaway was flashing that gorgeous, six-carat ring. Shulman helped create a unique design with Kwiat Jewelers.

Photo from E! Online

Now that the stunning actress is engaged, that leaves us wondering what her wedding dress will look like! We've found some looks that we think she would look perfect in.

We love this dress with it's empire bodice and chiffon tiered ruffles. The dress has a very elegant, vintage feel to it that fits Hathaway's style perfectly. Her style is classic, chic, with a dash of vintage and romance.

We could definitely see Hathaway wearing something like this. Backless gowns are extremely sleek and sexy. Not only is the gown sexy, but it also has that polished look to it that will leave Hathaway looking elegant as always for her wedding day.

Or will she choose a dress similar to her character's in The Princess Diaries and Bride Wars? Both dresses seem to fit her personality and style.

In the 2009 movie Bride Wars, Hathaway's character Emma, wore a silk taffeta mermaid gown designed by Vera Wang.

In The Princess Diaries 2 as she played "Princess Mia" she wore a gown fit for royalty. The sleeves were long and lacy with seed pearl accents sewn on. The train of the dress made it grand and regal measuring almost as long as an airfield landing strip. We have a feeling she'll be more low-key than this!

Pippa Middleton's Christmas tips

2011-11-29T14:03:00.000-06:00

Party Planner and sister to the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton recently dished on her family's blog, The Party Times, about her favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit. A few of our favorite tips are sure to help you start feeling festive too! Many of her ideas can be found on her family's website, Party Pieces.

First Impressions: During the holiday season people love to go looking around at Christmas lights so we have to agree that it's always important to keep in mind that first impressions definitely do matter. The best way to spread some holiday cheer is by lighting up the outside of your house with tealight garden lanterns and fairy lights wrapped around trees. Other great ways to showcase your holiday cheer is by making use of the traditional holiday wreath or decorating your yard with lit up rustic rattan reindeer.

Sprucing up the tree: Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without a tree and everyone loves a bright and colorfully lit tree. Keep in mind that the more colorful and bright, the better. Making use of nostalgic decorations during the holiday season also adds a nice personal touch. Adding chocolate treats and candy canes to your tree is a nice addition, this is a classic idea that can also be done by stringing popcorn and wrapping it around the tree to capture that old traditional feel and another plus is the children in your family will love it. Angel kits or other Christmas decoration kits can also be a fun, festive activity that the children will be happy to participate in.

'Tis the season to be baking: It isn't Christmas without baking! The entire family can help bake Christmas cookies with cookie cutter sets that have a variety of different shapes such as a star, reindeer, snowflake or Christmas tree design. We love the idea of handing out your treats for your guests to enjoy in tins when you're done baking and decorating. Add some hot chocolate to the mix and they'll be begging for more.

A gingerbread house: Our favorite holiday tradition is building a gingerbread house. Not only will it smell and taste good, but it can also serve as a great decoration piece. You can use it as a centerpiece or put it in a nicely lit up windowsill for all your neighbors to enjoy.

All dressed up: Christmas themed tablecloths add a cheery pop to your household. Then all you need on your table is a festive centerpiece and you're all set! If you'd rather go with solid colors then red, green or white partyware with a decorative napkin should do the trick. Making use of festive baubles in vases or tiered cake stands can be easily done and adds that personal touch to your decorating that you're looking for. Tiered cake stands full of glittery, gleaming trinkets is such a great idea that we can't wait to use this year!

Photos from The Party Times

We love English Accents

2011-11-28T18:19:00.000-06:00

We Belles love fashion, so tonights British Fashion Awards was a delight to watch while stars walk down the red carpet.

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen won Designer of the Year. We think designing Kate's wedding dress gave her an advantage over the other nominees!

Victoria Beckham won Designer Brand of the year.

Olivia Palermo in a dress by Matthew Williamson and shoes from Topshop.

Alexa Chung won the British Style Award.

Stella McCartney.

Poppy Delevigne in a Matthew Williamson dress.

Kate Moss looks rock chic in a fishnet dress.

Georgia May Jagger stunned in her roaring 20's inspired dress.

photos from The Daily Mail

Engagement portraits

2011-11-23T12:50:00.000-06:00

Engagement portraits are a special time for the bride and groom to express themselves and let their personalities shine. In addition, the engagement session is a great time to establish comfort and a relationship with your photographer. Choose a great location, cute outfit, and strike a pose! Have fun at your engagement session, be creative, and let your friends and family see how happy you are!

Our first two couples chose to take their photos in the great outdoors. Bring along man's best friend and you have an adorable family photo or set up a picnic for two and enjoy a quite bite. The key to a successful portrait is letting your organic chemistry shine!

Wedding Paper Divas

CPDK Studio

Our next couple did a tribute to Zombieland! This engagement session not only tells a story of strength and bravery, but introduces you to the creativity and fun loving personalities of this couple!

Amanda Rynda

These last two couples got a little wet and wild for their engagement session! It is important to have fun with your photos. If you and your fiance are goofy and fun, let those qualities of your relationship come through in your portraits.

Green Wedding Shoes

Melissa Young Photography

Breaking Dawn Wedding

2011-11-21T18:57:00.000-06:00

Like most of you ladies out there, we too, saw Breaking Dawn part 1 this past weekend. We admit that we can't resist Bella and Edward's love story, but we were mainly excited to see the highly anticipated wedding...and it did not disappoint!

photo from StyleThread

Bella wore these beautiful Manolo Blahnik white satin and crystal embellished shoes.

The wedding cake was a classic 5 tiered white cake with real flowers.

The ladies of Cullen family were dressed impeccably in gowns of purple and greys. We love how everyone's dress played off of each other yet was not over the top to take away from the Bride!

The ceremony and reception was a something out of a stunning woodland fairly-tale. The filmmakers stitched wisteria up 40-50 ft. in length that cascaded from the trees for the breathtaking ceremony. By the alter, cherry blossoms and tiny cuts of white lavender were used to create the perfect backdrop. For the reception the centerpieces were made from sweet pea, viburnum, ranunculus, and Australian fern blended with moss.

Last but not least the wedding dress was beautiful! The gown was made by Carolina Herrera especially for this film. The dress is expected to to be in her stores for sale, but it has not been confirmed how many will be made or at what price. In the meantime, Alfred Angelo, has replicated the dress for less than $1,000.

After party snacks

2011-11-18T15:49:00.000-06:00

After a night of celebrating the new "Mr. and Mrs." its no surprise that some guests might work up another appetite. Sending guests home with something to munch on for the drive back has become trendy and fun for wedding celebrations!

For our tex-mex fans, breakfast tacos are a huge hit! Serve 'em up extra hot with salsa on the side. Make sure to have enough for seconds because these tacos go by fast!

For a midnight snack that brings you back to your childhood, cookies and milk hit the spot! Serve a variety of different cookies or the traditional chocolate chip. Also, donut holes are a nice surprise!

Another option that will soothe your sweet tooth is a colorful candy bar. Set up all your favorite candy snacks in different jars and glass vases. The design looks great and tastes even better!

And finally, with the holidays around the corner, pies are everywhere! Serve your guests mini pies for a festive, fall treat!

A western wedding

2011-11-17T14:31:00.006-06:00

Former model, Lauren Bush, said "I do" to her new man, David Lauren, son of fashion icon Ralph Lauren, over Labor Day weekend at the family’s 17,000-acre Double RL ranch in Ridgway, Colorado. A spread of the nuptials is featured in this month's edition of Vogue magazine.

The ceremony was small and intimate with a country western feel. The setting for the couple's Big Day was simply breath-taking and romantic, and to top it off, Bush's gown was designed by her new father-in-law. A dream come true for any bride!!

Vogue

The bride wore a strapless, antique ivory gown with an overlay of tulle richly embroidered with metallic thread, Swarovski crystals and pearl beads.The strapless high neckline covered in lace is similar to Kate Middleton’s wedding gown, which is all the rage in bridal design this year.

Vogue

In the Vogue piece, Bush comments that the gown, "isn’t Victorian exactly. I wanted something modern as well, so there is the high-necked collar and puffed shoulders with the large open back.”

Nearly 100 craftspeople spent 3,000+ hours hand-embroidering the tulle with a delicate flower motif and Renaissance-era scroll design.

To maintain the country western/tasteful Little House on The Prairie feel, the bride wore cowboy boots, as did her five bridesmaids. Her girls were dressed in white linen blouses, vests, and vintage prairie skirts.

Jackson Hicks Bridal Show 2011

2011-11-08T14:08:00.001-06:00

What an incredible show this weekend! The Belles participated in the Jackson Hicks Bridal Show and Tea Party at the magnificent Corinthian downtown! A very special thank you to Darryl and Co. and Atelier du Papier for their help and support to make our moc table settings simply divine!

This year, we featured three different table settings- each with a unique style and theme.

For our first table, we featured a more "modern" look with silver and eggplant colored linens, ghost chairs, dark purple succulents, and a very tall, see through centerpiece with hot pink flowers woven in and around the glass!

For our second table, we featured a "contemporary" theme with navy blue and salmon colored linens, HOT pink peonies, as well as pink roses. The table was set with gold chivari chairs- a great look for a fall wedding!

Our third table setting was a "traditional" set up, featuring light champagne linens accompanied by a candelabra floral arrangement with white peonies, green hydrangeas, and beautiful white roses. For this table we used mahogany chivari chairs A simple yet very romantic table setting for the traditional white wedding!

Thanks again to our vendors for their help this year! A beautiful and successful event for all!

Do the Do bar!

2011-11-03T12:41:00.000-05:00

How fabulous do you feel after a great blow dry? With blow dry bars popping up all around the country, a quick fix is more accessible and affordable than ever! At the Do bar in Houston's NEW West Ave center, guests can choose a hair style from the menu of five signature looks, create their own blow dry, or even add rollers or braids for a special occasions. Finish it off with a perfect makeup look, and you are set for the day, or a girls night out on the town!

The Do bar is a perfect activity for prepping before your Bachelorette party, bridal shower, or any other "female bonding" event before the Big Day! Get all your girls together, get pampered, and party! See some of the looks from the Do bar menu below:

Let's PLAN on it ;)

2011-10-27T16:04:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like us, you must LOVE a good planner. The perfect planner has all the bells and whistles including: tabs for every month, a section for all your contacts, a place to jot down notes, and enough writing space for your cute and bubbly handwriting. Of course you want the outside of your planner to look as perfect as it does inside.

At Erincondren.com, you can personalize your very own calendar or notebook. In addition to making an adorable day planner, Erincondren.com offers customized iphone cases, stationary, and other items that meet your creative needs! Take a look as some of the example planners we loved below!

ErinCondren

ErinCondren

For all you blushing brides out there getting ready for the Big Day, create a personalized Wedding Planner to keep track of appointments, tastings, dress fittings, and everything bridal!

ErinCondren

Eye Do!!!

2011-10-21T16:14:00.000-05:00

When it comes to getting all dolled up for the Big Day you want to make sure your hair and makeup are done just the way you like it. You would prefer that the amount of hairspray in your hair does not make you a fire hazard, and your eye makeup does not remind any of your guests of the circus! Today's post features tips for Wedding Day eye makeup.

Soft pink and deep plum tones are light and fresh. This combo looks great on almost all skin tones.

The Knot

Pale gold and deep matte brown shadows warm the complexion and enhance the eyes.

The Knot

A smoky eyes gives off an edgier vibe with a silver metallic (easy on the glitter!) and rich black shadow combination.

The Knot

We recommend bringing in a picture of the look you're going for. Take a peek at some of our favs!

Your name in CHOCOLATE!

2011-10-19T15:01:00.000-05:00

What is the first thing you see when you walk into the cocktail hour at an event? The escort card table of course! As you approach the table and look around carefully for your name, you wonder to yourself who will join you in celebration on this wonderful evening.

How would you like to walk up to the escort card table and see your name in CHOCOLATE? Everyone loves a little something to munch on. Why not offer your guests a GIANT letter that not only instructs them where to sit, but also serves as a great gift to go home with and snack on after a long night of dancing and fun!

We've found a delectably delicious escort card that will have your guests on a sugar high for weeks! Check out these yummy chocolate letters from ohhappyday.com!

Ohhappyday

In addition to ohhappyday, Dylan's Candy Bar offers large chocolate candy bar letters that can be used for favors, escort cards, tables numbers, WHATEVER! If you love chocolate as much as we do, you're gonna love these letters! Enjoy!

Dylan's Candy Bar

Hostess with the Mostest

2011-10-18T11:38:00.000-05:00

With the holidays around the corner and dinner/birthday parties to attend, finding the perfect hostess gift is not always easy to come by. When picking out the perfect gift to thank your host or hostess for welcoming you into their home for a night of dinning and catching up with friends and family, it is important to keep their personality in mind. Think back to something they might have mentioned they wanted around the house or could have used when planning their big event!

Of course a nice bottle of wine, flowers, cards, etc, are perfectly acceptable, however, its always fun to get creative for your host after all they have done to put together such a great evening for your and your friends!

Zhush.com offers unique and stylish accessories for the home. With accent pillows, candles, stationary and more, there are tons of options to choose from. Lucky for you there's even an entire tab devoted to gifts specifically geared toward hostesses!

For the hostess who loves to throw a "rockin" dinner party, these diamond drilled solid quartz crystal salt and pepper shakes are just the right size and simply unique. Zhush offers quartz shakers in a variety of colors including black, white and purple with light flecks of yellow and gold!

In addition to the salt and pepper shakers, Zhush offers a horn handle serving spoon set in neutral tones that goes with any style home.

Why not add a little Parisian flare to your hostess gift? This Eifle Tower bottle opener and corkscrew set is super cute and fun!

Other that the Hostess tab, Zhush.com has great options for gifts and home decor. Take a look around the site and find the perfect gift for any occasion! Enjoy!

Wedding Belles

2011-10-06T15:46:00.000-05:00

Do you love looking to icons of the past, like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor? Good, we do too! With the release of the Reel Art Press book, Weddings and Movie Stars, our two favorite topics are combined. This book lets you look at all of your favorite royal and silver screen weddings of years past.

Audrey Hepburn to Mel Ferrer

Mia Farrow to Frank Sinatra

Bianca Perez-Mora Macias to Mick Jagger

Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Burton

photos from Stylist

Oh, cut the cake!

2011-10-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

Want to know the sweetest part about weddings? The cake of course! A delicious end to an incredible evening in which two become one. The cake cutting signifies one of the first tasks the couple completes together as husband and wife. Leading up to that very moment, the cake sits in the center of the room, filling the event space with tempting scents. As guests walk by, they might snap a quick picture and anticipate the big moment in which they will enjoy their first bite.

We've seen and tasted some pretty incredible cakes in our day. Couples are finding ways to express themselves in the detailing, flavors, and presentations of these tasty little treats. Take a look at some images we've pulled of some deliciously awesome sweet sensations!

Classic:

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Floral:


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Retro Glam:

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Chocoholic:

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Hair accessories

2011-09-30T12:30:00.000-05:00

Today's brides are accessorizing with less traditional and more spunky and creative hair pieces. We often see our blushing beauties in bling'in head bands or hair clips, as well is in dainty French veils or flower combs.The Belles have pulled together looks from the bridal collection of dazzling designer, Jennifer Behr. Although a traditional veil is totally acceptable, beautiful, and classic, you might find that adding some flare "up there" changes your entire look for the Big Day!

Jennifer Behr creates a range of seductive belts and headpieces - 21st century crowns - each one with its own appeal… crystals are set in dark metal and hand-stitched to ethereal silk chiffons, braided ropes, slick patents and tough studs. The collection is made by hand in the Jennifer Behr studio and within a network of small workshops in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Looking for something a little flashy? Check out these little fire-crackers from Behr's collection...

Jennifer Behr

Add in a splash a color to your ivory/white gown with this scrumptious floral comb. For this particular piece, Behr starts with hand-dying the silk in subtle shades of peachy blush, then hand-curls and rolls it into three blooming roses.

Jennifer Behr

A French veil is both classic and sexy at the same time. With the floral comb attached on the side, this piece is both feminine and a bit mysterious. For brides looking for a piece to accompany their up-do or low-set bun, a French veil is great option for you! See below some of our favorite Behr picks!

Jennifer Behr

All the leaves are falling

2011-09-27T14:45:00.000-05:00

Although temperatures have not dropped too much around these parts, we are happy to say it is OFFICIALLY Fall! As we welcome Autumn with open arms, we embrace the different colors, scents, styles, and patterns that come with it. This gorgeous autumn wedding was shot by photographer, Jen Rodriguez.The wedding features a color pallet of bright yellows and greens with a contrast of darker berry tones and other pop fall colors! Take a look at some of our favorite shots from this Autumn Gold event!

Grey Likes Weddings

Check out the beautiful bridal bouquet and the groom's boutonniere. The use of fall colors in floral design can be done not only with the actual flowers, but with other gifts of mother nature, including honeycombs and succulents.

Grey Likes Weddings

The influence of the fall season in food/beverages always spice things up. Serve your guests hot apple cider, a cool savory lemonade, or a tasty pumpkin pie!

Grey Likes Weddings

We love the use of the barrel and canvass covered cork boards, as well as the mason jars and wood tables to give the event a nice rustic, country feel. The natural brown tones accompany the bright colors of the flowers perfectly and really help them stand out!

The yellow/berry tone color pallet is just one of the many examples you can use for your fall wedding or event. There are tons of color options to have fun with and explore. We encourage you to step out of the box and really embrace the season!

Cocodot.com

2011-09-14T17:21:00.000-05:00

Today's blog post features Cocodot.com - you're one-stop-shop for chic and creative online and printed greeting cards and invitations! This easy to use website allows users to choose from a variety of cards for all their holidays and events!

Feelin a little spooky this year? Freak your friends and family out with a Halloween E-card! Cocodot.com features tons of card options for the upcoming fall season!

Cocodot

Want to send a quick invite to all your girls for your bridal shower or luncheon? Cocodot.com has a tab just for parties and get-togethers! Choose something dainty and floral for your bridal shower, or something a little more festive for your crazy bachelorette party!

Cocodot

Cocodot
Sending out holiday cards, invitations or thank you notes will never slow you down again! This website has it all and is totally user friendly. Cocodot.com makes greeting cards and invitations more fun and exciting than ever - you're gonna love it. And HEY! You can thank us later ;-)

Cocodot

Great escape

2011-09-13T15:29:00.001-05:00

As the evening comes to a close, guests line up to bid adieu to the happy couple. In that final moment the bride and groom run through a tunnel of friends and family, fleeing the scene in the ultimate getaway car. Traditionally, newly weds would simply tie used tin cans to the backs of their automobiles. Today, couples are getting a little more creative, leaving their wedding party behind in style.

1. Time travel

The vintage car is sweet, classy, and very romantic. Slide into the back seat of a vintage Cadillac feeling totally glamorous!

The Knot

2. Speed Racer

Hopping in a flashy sports car or on the back of Harley Davidson motorcycle is another fun option for a wedding day departure. Peel off and head straight to the honeymoon!

Parallel 39 Blog

Jubilee

4. Fairytale Adventure

Just like Cinderella and her Prince Charming, end your magical evening in a horse drawn carriage. Choose a horse and buggy ride for the final touch to your fairytale wedding!

Beau Coup

3. Do it yourself

Still have a little energy left over after the reception and not quite ready to head home? Hop on a bicycle built for two and blaze your own trail!

Our Love in October

The getaway car, bike, horse, WHATEVER you choose is the final moment to express your creativity on your Big Day. Have fun with it, think outside of the box, and find something you love and will never forget!

Peek-a-boo: 2012 Pronovias Campaign

2011-09-09T13:38:00.000-05:00

Attention readers! We have a sneak peek on the release of the 2012 Pronovias campaign. Just wait 'till you get a look at some of these editorial photos- they are simply marvelous!

The campaign features favorites from the Pronovias and Manuel Mota for Pronovias collections as well as pieces from the Cocktail 2012 collection for bridesmaids and mothers of the bride.

The shoot takes place at Holkam Hall, an 18th-century style home in the village of Holkham, tucked away on the countryside of Norfolf on the East Cost of England. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and compliments the collection so well. Take a look at some of the images from the campaign below.

Merci New York

The Belles pulled together some of our favorite looks from the bridal and cocktail collection. This first piece is from the 2012 Dreams Collection which features gowns in pleated Paris organza or lace-edged tulle with vertical, horizontal or diagonal layers. The frills give body and movement to the skirt and are a fabulous wedding accessory and add to the romantic mood of the evening.

Pronovias Barcelona

This next piece hails from the 2012 Fashion Collection. In this collection, designers use soft, refined fabrics like Sofia gauze and pleated Paris organza. Today's woman was the inspiration for these gowns with their pure, discreet lines, fitted at the waist or hips by delicate drapes and ruffles.

Pronovias Barcelona

And finally, this next image is a piece from the 2012 cocktail collection. This collection uses intense colors, figure-hugging shapes, sheer fabrics, exquisite details, and embroideries of authentic gems. These gowns are for the most glamorous guests, bridesmaids, or mothers of the bride.

Pronovias Barcelona

The photos were shot by photographer Toni Bernad and feature model Emily Didonato. Didonato is known well for her work with brands such as Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren, and her recent work with Giorgio Armani's new perfume line.

If the shoe fits

2011-09-08T14:43:00.000-05:00

Picking out the perfect pair of shoes to accompany your gown for The Big Day may not always be a "walk in the park." Many brides look for a shoe that is expressive, elegant, and most importantly comfortable! In addition, many women like to find a pair that can be worn for other special occasions.

Today's blog features London-based luxury shoe designer, Aruna Seth. Aruna is critically acclaimed by fashionistas around the world for her STUNNING Swarovski-crystal embellished shoes. These little show-stoppers are uniquely glamorous and handmade in northern Italy.

Merci New York

Aruna's design approach involves a very fine attention to detail in more ways than just the "bling." In addition to the Swarovski crystals, the material and trim line make the shoes instantly identifiable. The shoes are also designed to elongate the legs while giving the gift of stability and comfort.

Seen on the red carpet and in fashion capitals of the world, including London, England, and Moscow, Russia- home to her main show room- Aruna Seth's collection is know as the ultimate in evening elegance.

A shoe like this with such personality and class is sure to make a bride feel like a star on her wedding day. Aruna's bridal collection features heels as well as flats for women who are looking for something with a little less height. Below are some of our favorites from the bridal collection! Enjoy!

Aruna Seth

Aruna Seth

Aruna Seth

Venice Film Festival

2011-09-07T16:11:00.001-05:00

Fashion Fashion Fashion! We can't help but pick out our favorite dresses from Venice. Who do you think is best dressed?

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada

Abbie Cornish in Atelier Versace

Jessica Chastain in Elie Saab

Kate Winslet in Stella McCartney

Pictures courtesy of Huffington Post

Ring Bearer Pillows

2011-09-06T15:08:00.002-05:00

Many couples are looking for ways to add some creativity to their wedding ceremony. Send your ring bearer down the aisle with a custom made pillow including you and your groom's name, your wedding date, and perhaps your wedding vows or a portion of your vows! Decorate your ring bearer pillow with your wedding's color scheme or use a pattern similar to your invitiations. Below is an example of a more traditional way to add some"fluff" to your ring bearer pillow.

Freshline Illustration

Freshline Illustration

Have a pillow made as a gift for a friend or family member's Big Day. Include the couple's name and wedding date and maybe an inspirational, hearfelt quote. Use colors from the wedding's pallete or choose from other colors of your/the bride and groom's choice. Here is an example of how Kourtne and Benjamin decorated their ring bearer's pillow for their wedding ceremony.

Freshline Illustration

Below are a few more examples of how add creativity to your ring bearer pillows. Choose from a variety of different styles and colors. Whether you use your wedding color scheme, more neutral tones, or have the pillow made from flowers or different textiles, a custom made ring bearer pillow is a spectucular addition to your wedding ceremony!

Freshline Illustration

Etsy

The Knot

Sign Right Up!

2011-09-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Sign-in books are a great way to keep a record of who attended your wedding. But, how often are you going to pull out the book and flip through names. Below we have some ideas for creative ways for you to remember who was there for your Big Day!

photo by Ruby Press

photo by Martha Stewart

Have your guests write not only their names but their well wishes for the new happy couple! Feeling creative? Set up a sign- in station for your guests to personalize their own note for you.

kelli ward photography

Create your own photo book with fun vacations pictures, engagement pictures, pictures through the years, etc! Make sure to leave enough blank space for guests to write their advice.

Headed somewhere fabulous for your honeymoon? Having a destination wedding? Pick up a book about your location and have guests sign around the pages. When the wedding is all said and done, it will make looking through these books extra special!

photo by Martha Stewart

Want well-wishes/advice that will last a lifetime? Glue envelopes ( in your wedding colors) to pages of a scrapbook and ask guests to write their notes for your anniversaries 1 through 50. You can pull out the book each year and see what is sealed inside!

From a photo booth to polaroids allow your guests to leave pictures of themselves with a note that will be sure to make you smile in the years to come.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

2011-09-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Have you always wondered why you are running around trying to find these items for your wedding day? The saying comes from and old English rhyme that ended with " and a sixpence in your shoe". The tradition behind this famous little saying is Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, although this remains

largely a British custom.

Something Old can be anything from a Grandmothers brooch to lace from a great Aunt's wedding dress. The easiest place to put them is your bouquet!

Your new wedding dress is the stress free way of choosing your Something new.

Have you had your eye on something from your future Mother-in-law or Grandmother? Ask to borrow it for your wedding day!

Something Blue is my favorite and it is because you can have the most fun with it! From blue nail polish to the blue lining in Christian Louboutin shoes you can show your personality through this brilliant color!

If you want to keep with the full old English saying then add a six pence to your shoe, Jennifer Lauren Bijoux creates custom sixpences for a modern twist on the old tradition!

Show me Your Back Side

2011-08-31T08:59:00.001-05:00

Long gone are the days where your chairs for the reception or ceremony are just meant to blend in. Since personalization is the key to any unique wedding, check out a few ways you can personalize the back of your chairs. It can be from just the Bride & Groom chairs, only the last row of chairs for the ceremony, for your head table or every single chair!

This simple laurel from Style Me Pretty is elegant and not trendy. Just a classic way to show where the bride and groom are sitting.

For the two love birds!

Tying these ribbons on the chairs is sure to be a tedious job, but it would look fantastic for an outdoor reception.

These signs have the classic Mr. and Mrs. with the initial of the couples last name but its the florals that gives these chairs the wow factor!

Have the mantra of go big or go home? Then these rosette chair covers would be perfect for your head table.

We love this one! The mason jar of flowers slung to the side along with the couples names written on chalk is adorable. Just tell the groom not to sit all the way back or he'll end up with his name on his tux!

These four Bride & Groom or Mr. & Mrs. signs say all they need to say and can be made or purchased easily. It is also an easy way to incorporate your wedding colors into the chairs.

Flowers on the back of every chair can be expensive, but these single gerber daisies add so much color to this lake side wedding.

This is a great idea for just the last row of your ceremony chairs. They will be in all of your pictures and can be re-used for the head table chairs.

This side tie with a posy of flowers is perfect to line the aisle. Want to save on cost? Only add them to every third chair!

These pink lucite chivairi chairs strung with orchids is fabulous!

& it says it all!

These are so gorgeous and feminine!

Pictures from from Pintrest! Check out our Pintrest page for more inspiration!

Save-The-Date

2011-08-30T09:26:00.000-05:00

Save-the-Dates are a fun way to showcase you and your groom's unique personalities. Typically, save-the-dates are less formal than the invitation and do not have to match your wedding colors at all. Take a look at some of our favorite save-the-dates from Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Accessorize Me

2011-08-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

Often times Brides remove their veil after the ceremony and want to add a belt or a hair piece for the reception to show, " We are ready to party!" Untamed Petals is the perfect one stop shop for all accessories on your wedding day!

We love this asymmetrical flower applique to this sash. You can choose the perfect ribbon in satin or grosgrain in almost any color!

Vintage inspired, this rhinestone clasp is attached to an elastic band. Making it easy to wear with anything after your wedding day. The best part..its only $155!

The two smaller flowers are adorable. You can add a rhinestone or or pearl to the center to add a little something extra !

The websites best seller and we understand why!

This rose comb is gorgeous. If you choose a piece like this, make sure to take it with you on your hair trial so your stylist can ensure it fits perfectly.

They have a small collection of flower girl headpieces, which make a great gift for your flower girl.

The rhinestone bow attached to a silver chain wound with ribbon is our favorite!

Garter Girls

2011-08-24T09:22:00.000-05:00

The tradition of the garter dates back to the 14th century, where people thought having a piece of the Bride's clothing was good luck. The guests would pull and tear at her dress, ripping off pieces of fabric, which did not sit well with the Bride...can you imagine!? For the sake of the dress, the tradition of the Bride having the groom remove the garter from her leg was started. We've come a long way from the 14th century, but Groomsmen still want to catch the garter.Today garters have become part of the outfit for your Wedding Day. Check out a some fantastic garters that you may not want to give away!

Champagne lace with a sliver bow make this garter classic and traditional.

These fun garters allow you to incorporate your wedding colors or just show you are having fun! They also come with a toss garter and a keepsake one.

These lace garters with blue is one of the easiest ways to have your " something blue".

Feeling sassy? These couture garters with feathers, pearls, & rosettes are sure to have your guests asking where it is from and even have girls lining up to catch it!

None of the other garters grabbed your attention? At The Garter Girl, where all of these amazing garters came from, you can customize a garter just for you. You can add your monogram, wedding date, quotes, the sky is the limit.

Let them Eat Cake!

2011-08-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

We have a bit of sweet tooth today and so we thought we would feature some really fun cakes. The problem is, when cakes look this good it is hard to watch them be cut into hundreds of pieces!

Dolce La Vita Photography

Marta Locklear Photography

Millie Holloman Photography

These ombre cakes are so beautiful! It could be done in any color for your wedding.

We love the layers of ruffles at the bottom of the cake.

Kristin Vining Photography

The lace detail on this cake is feminine & subtle.

Jade and Matthew Take Pictures

This is a modern cake but it still feels whimsical!

A classic monogramed cake with real flowers. Perfect for any wedding, anytime of year.

We would guess this cake would come close to $12 a slice and would be too small for a wedding but, this rose cake would be perfect for a bridal shower. And, it was just too pretty not to show!

This square cake with fondant rose details is classic but with a quirky twist.

Modern wedding cake with flags

What's your color??

2011-08-19T18:24:00.000-05:00

Having a hard time picking your main wedding color and accent colors...yeah we thought so! With everything out there these days from persimmon to aubergine there really is a rainbow of colors out there for you to choose from. Which is why when wedding planner extraordinaire, Preston Bailey, created What's your color story? A Color Palette Picker we were elated! This tool allows you to choose your main color, give some details about your event and voila! It creates a color palette right there for you!
Check out what is produced for me!

* Click on the photo to make it larger

Even if you have your colors, it is still such a fun tool to play with! Enjoy!

Paris is always a good idea

2011-08-19T09:46:00.001-05:00

Audrey Hepburn said it best " Paris is always a good idea" and this couple thought so too! Style Me Pretty posted these engagement pictures that are so ... how do you say in french...Belle!

Photography from Jose Villa Photography

BHLDN is Finally Open

2011-08-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

This morning we were invited to a vendor brunch at BHLDN in Highland Village! And we have to say...it was AMAZING! The store is so beautiful and filled with everything from online and more! It officially opens to the public tomorrow, so stop in if you have a chance! Below are a few of our favorite pieces we were so pumped to see in person!

This sparkler comb was so delicate and stunning!

The Savoy dress comes in a variety of colors and is so feminine! One our of own Belles purchased this dress!

You can see the little blue jewel added to the bottom of your shoe for your "something blue". These bow topped sling backs also come in while and yellow!

In person you can see all of the little details of this exquisite dress! There are little stars all around over and it would go perfectly with the sparkler comb!

All of their decor and stationary is in store and they have someone onsite to help you create your perfect look!