BHLDN - Anthropologie Wedding Line

I am sure that the first thing you did today was jump on your computer and check out the new Anthropologie wedding line that launched this morning, BHLDN, just as I did! If for some reason you did not have enough time to thoroughly shop around, do not fret, I have chosen some of my favorites to share with you.

Before we get into the gowns, dresses, shoes, accessories, lingerie etc., I wanted to clear up one question. I know this was my first reaction to the new line, so it may be yours as well... "What the heck does BHLDN stand for?"  It is actually BEHOLDEN minus the vowels. Anthro was inspired by the Dutch word, which means "to keep", and so became BHLDN. Now on to my favs!

My Favorite Gown!

My Favorite Dress!

My Favorite Shoes!



My Favorite Assecories!

And my MOST Favorite!

I have borrowed all of the images from bhldn.com.

I hope these bring you as much joy and excitement as they did to me. Let us know what your favorites are after you check out the new website, and Happy Valentines!

Well-Dressed Chairs for Your Wedding or Special Event

I love searching for ways to differentiate your special day! With an assortment of chair options and even more ways to dress them, I've come up with a few of my favorites to share with you.

A sash tied vertically is a classic way to decorate your chairs.

I've seen this style done on folding chairs, as well as chivari chairs, with one or two colors. This option works with so many different decor schemes.

Using pomander floral arrangements as aisle markers is my favorite way to add a pop of color against folding white chairs.

These pomander florals are also often used for table arrangements, or for the flower girl to carry down the aisle. We've even seen them floating in pools or fountains!

Rosette ties create a romantic vibe for the reception.

Although it looks difficult, I found some simple instructions to DIY! Check them out!

These simple orange sashes tied in loose knots combined with adorable starfish and rope aisle markers, completed the nautical theme at this wedding.











All photos courtesy of The Knot.



While we're on the topic, check out Marquee Rents upcoming cocktail party on October 27th from 4-6. The event is showcasing their brand new Oak Bistro Chairs, which give off a rustic feel, perfect for the fall season!

There will be music, champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and a two hour "chair special" that allows you to rent the new chairs for the same price as the chiavari chairs -  a great savings!

You can RSVP to the event on the Marquee website.

Wedding Planning with Style

For a new bride, planning a wedding can seem overwhelming, time demanding, and very stressful. Today I would like to share a few fun resources to lighten the bride-to-be's load.

Is someone close to you newly engaged? Be the best Girlfriend/Maid of Honor/Mom/Future Mother-In-Law ever, and give the bride an indulgent gift, or better yet - a wedding planning basket full of all of these goodies!

Here are some great finds to help get you or your friend excited for the months ahead:

First and foremost, a cute agenda book to mark all those important dates and details will get her organized  and ready for some serious planning. This insanely adorable Lilly Pulizter agenda book claims to be filled with "frisky fun" and stickers. Yes, please!

Secondly, some great wedding mags are a must. I recommend picking up a local Austin Wedding Guide. These magazines are loaded with information and feature the best wedding vendors in the business. The Knot Texas is another publication filled with glossy goodness.

Side note: Don't forget about all the amazing online resources out there. AustinWeddings.com and TheKnot.com are priceless during the planning process. Here at The Allan House, our staff visits the ultimate wedding blog Style Me Pretty on a daily basis for inspiration. This blog is dedicated to posting everything from extravagant to budget friendly weddings - all of which are phenomenal. They also have a very helpful section of qualified wedding vendors they have chosen for their Little Black Book.

My next obsession which will insure smooth and stress-free planning is these tasty libations. Say "I do" to sparkling wine in a can! These Mini Pink Sofia Cans by Francis Coppola are compact and great for those "let's celebrate" impromptu moments. Bring a few for DIY night with the girls. Sit back, sip, and relax.

Another guaranteed winner is a gift certificate for a delicious meal. Having brunch with a few girlfriends is a great stress reliever during the planning process. And because everyone important is already gathered, it makes the perfect opportunity to dress shop or venue hop afterwards! Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill located in Austin has a tasty brunch option and a Bloody Mary Bar where you can concoct your own!

Next up: Stationary. Stationary is a really fantastic gift during the wedding process. Thank you notes are a must for brides because of all the help and gifts they will be receiving. Vera Bradley has flowered girly prints that you can order online.

Don't forget about beauty products! Every bride wants glowing skin on her wedding day, so give her your favorite. I personally love the brand Fresh. Their Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask just so happened to win Best Splurge in Allure's "Best of Beauty" awards given this year.

Not sure if any of these items will do the trick? The most surefire way to relieve the stress of planning and create a dream wedding is to hire a fab wedding planner. Need a recommendation? I heart BZ Events!

Trust me - with a little indulgence and a great mindset, the planning months ahead will be better than you ever expected!

Personalized Signs for Your Wedding Photos

While perusing my favorite wedding blog Style Me Pretty, I have begun to notice an adorable, up and coming wedding fad.  The new idea I stumbled upon is custom signs incorporated into photos of the bride and groom.  "Mr. & Mrs.", "Just Married", and "Honey" are just a few of the fun phrases that have been used on these props for photo shoots. This fun trend is another example of how detail driven today's weddings have become. Love it!

These signs are the perfect way to incorporate the theme of your wedding into your post-ceremony portraits.  They will also help you and your new hubby loosen up and get creative while posing for the camera!

Country Wedding Inspiration by Terra Dawn Photography

Modern Outdoor Wedding Inspiration

Austin, Texas Wedding by Ivy Photography

Country Wedding Inspiration by Terra Dawn Photography

Delicious Wedding Favors by Tiff's Treats

Tiff's Treats has now made it easy for you to provide a cute and delicious parting gift for those who attend your wedding or special event! The famous Austin cookie joint has made a convenient package that holds 2 to 4 freshly baked cookies tied with the ribbon color of your choice. 

With their 26 satin ribbon color options, you can easily pick a color that accents your special event's color scheme, while allowing you to display your cookies as a decorative arrangement.

Also, If you give a guest a cookie, they may ask for milk! I recommend Horizon Organic milk boxes. The popular organic milk company makes conveniently small and sturdy boxes that you take on the go. These are perfect to pass out as guest leave.

For more details about these sweet treats and to place your order, contact Tiff's Treats at specialevents@cookiedelivery.com. Trust me, your guests will thank you!

Marquee Chiavari Chair Event

It's that time of year again! From July 12-24, Marquee Event Group will be holding their 4th Annual Chiavari Chair Event. Chiavari chair rentals will be 50% off for events in 2010.  That's quite a deal at $4.50 per chair!

Sign up here to become a VIP and receive a special in-store offer of 50% off all chair accessories, including shrugs, sashes, and upgraded seat pad covers.  Just visit Marquee's Design Center to place your order. 

Chiavari chairs come in a variety of colors.  Some of our favorites are gold and fruitwood.  

Gilt's Wedding Weekend March 12-14

If you aren't a member of gilt.com, let me tell you, you are seriously missing out! Can you guess where I purchased my Tory Burch suede platform pumps, countless pairs of 7 For All Mankind, Michael Kors patent leather peep toes, Kate Spade leather tote, and too many BCBG dresses to count? Yes, all from Gilt Groupe. And the best part, all for up to 70% off retail prices!

So when I stumbled upon Gilt's Wedding Weekend with Martha Stewart Weddings, I just had to share. The series of fabulous sales begins March 12 and lasts through March 14 and will include items such as wedding gowns, bridesmaids' dresses, men's formal wear, designer shoes, and even honeymoon packages.

Gilt Groupe membership is free, but there is often a waitlist. Join now so you don't miss out on their Wedding Weekend!

Edible Party Trends: Sweet Bars

On the week of Halloween, a day that we all looked forward to as kids (who doesn’t love free candy?), I bring to you my first wedding food trend: sweet bars.

For your guests who come to your wedding with their sweet tooth handy, treat them to an assorted candy station during dinner. Not only does it add a look of richness and decadence to your event, your friends and family can get a quick fix before cake cutting time.

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Source: Getty Images

Must-Haves for Your Wedding Day Part II.

SoleMates
You WON'T Fall Head Over Heels

Don’t let your wedding day heels make you wobble and stumble! The SoleMates High Heelers fit right over the tips of your pump or stilleto heels, increasing their surface area and preventing you from puncturing the grass or getting stuck in cracks. Available in black and clear, Sole Mates run at around $10 a piece. Check out their website for more information:
http://www.thesolemates.com/index.php

Brecht H.

Must-Haves for Your Wedding Day Part I.

Blume Box
Think Inside the Box

Blume Box offers creative, eco-friendly vases and place cards. The vases come in thirteen different colors with a plethora of accessories, ranging from customized ribbon to mini-boas that are 100% recyclable. The shapes and sizes also vary to fit the individual style of your event. Prices range from $3.50 for a 4” cube to $4.50 for a 10” tall vase. They are adorable and completely cost effective for any event. Check out their website for more information: http://www.blumebox.com/

4" Cube Blume Box with Ribbon

8" Blume Box with Two 6" Blume Boxes

Blume Bud Placecard

Brecht H.

Designer Jewels for Your Big Day

Every bride wants to look and feel like a princess on her wedding day, whether the event is casual or an evening fit for Cinderella. Unfortunately, not all of us have room in our budget to add a lot of bling. A great alternative, however, is to rent! You can rent unbelievable pieces of jewelry of any style for a fraction of the price.

A great place that offers designer jewelry to rent or purchase is http://www.adornbrides.com/ . They offer necklaces, bracelets, and earrings all starting at around $100 for the rental. If you would like to rent a set of coordinating jewels, bridal sets begin at $400 and bride’s maids sets begin at $90. Check out a few amazing pieces from AdornBrides.com:

Crestwood Yellow Diamond Earrings - $500 to rent
Chadwick Diamond Cuff Bracelet - $490 to rent Colburn Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace - $140 to rent


If you’re looking for a trendier, less traditional option take a look at http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/. This site offers jewelry to rent from designers like Chanel, Gucci, and Kenneth Jay Lane. In addition to jewelry, BagBorroworsteal.com also rents luxury handbags, sunglasses, and other accessories.

Charriol Stackable Diamond Bangles - $237 to rent


Miriam Haskell Four Strand Pearl Necklace & Earring Set - $16.00 to rent

This is one of the most important days of your life, so make sure you put as much effort into your accessories as you do the rest of your attire!

Brecht H.

Unique Spring Color Scheme

Whimsical and flirty –
While planning for your spring or summer wedding, consider taking a slightly different approach to selecting your colors. This bohemian color scheme offers a perfect way to add fun and a lot of personality to your special day. Pops of burgundy, plum, and teal can perfectly compliment a dark chocolate brown or you can make the burgundy the staple color. For your flower arrangements try including nikko blue hydrangea, purple dendrobium, and thistle flowers for a really unique display. Also, try sprays of lily grass to provide additional texture. Peacock feathers also have these colors and can make for a great accessory both in the floral arrangements and your theme (invitations, save-the-dates, place cards, cake, etc).
Don’t be afraid to mix sophisticated with whimsical in every detail. Consider having a tiered chocolate cake with sugar-paste dendrobriums and thistles on a paisley print. Pops of color can be added to your all-white wardrobe with lilac satin sandals from Max Studio, Scent.
A great feature of The Allan House are our white paper lanterns hung from the majestic trees in the courtyard. A simple way spice up your décor would be to switch out the white with the bold colors of your reception. You can purchase inexpensive paper lanterns of your color choice from www.lunabazaar.com. Check out Plum Purple, Teal, and Sienna or Chocolate.
Quality linens can be rented in burgundy, plum, and teal through www.Marqueerents.com, in addition to other great variations.

Brecht H.