Blurb book winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! There were so many interesting photos to choose from but here are the names and photos of the 5 winners! Congrats!

Nole:

Melissa:
Roopa:
Two Excited Nests:

Keg Design:
I'll be e-mailing the five of you shortly regarding your prize! :o)

A big thanks to Blurb for hosting this fun contest!!!!

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The getaway, part three

{I snapped this image from the Jan 2009 Country Living}

Continuing the winter wedding theme, wouldn't it be so fitting to make your getaway in a picture-perfect sleigh? Imagine a hand-painted 'Just Married' sign hung on the back.

You could also offer sleigh rides as your favor throughout the night to guests! You could have wool throws tucked in to help couples and families get toasty and they could bring along your signature cocktail/drink {Hot Toddy, Irish coffee, spiked cider} to keep extra warm.

Can you tell I miss the snow? :o)

{Read the getaway, part one and part two}

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p.s.

Tomorrow's the last day to enter this contest to be entered to win one of FIVE Blurb books!

Tomorrow's also the last day to take this short survey to be entered to win a gorgeous silk flower & veil by Modern Romance and/or one of THREE Crane & Co.'s The Wedding Blue Books!

ALSO - If you'd like to be entered to win a copy of the newest Real Simple Weddings, hop over to Heather's blog and leave a comment! Make sure to check out Maida Vale's blog while you're there! It's brimming with wonderful inspiration and great DIYs!

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Fur stole

Several years ago, when J first proposed, I envisioned having a glamorous white winter wedding. I imagined the two of us walking out the chapel doors, hand in hand, with snowflakes dancing all around us. And I imagined this vintage white fur stole wrapped around my shoulders to ward off the chill as we made our way from the ceremony to the reception.

I love, love, loved that the fluffy stole was an authentic vintage piece and from the moment I first tried it on, iconic images of Marilyn flashed before my eyes:

{Image found here}

While I didn't end up having a winter wedding {we chose to marry on the day we met each other which happened to be in the fall}, I do still have the overtly chic fur stole tucked carefully away in my closet. I'd love to see it make its way into the hands of a winter bride after my own heart. So, if you fit the bill and would like more information or photos, just drop me a note! SOLD!

p.s. The chair in the photos? It's the French, Louis XV-inspired chair I picked up in New Orleans a few weeks ago! I was also really, really in love with this doll at Perch!

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The getaway, part two

{Image found here via UK Wedding Magazine}

The perfect getaway transportation for a seaside wedding. Just place your bouquet in the basket and pedal down a nearby pier for fun and romantic shots with your sweetie.

{Read the getaway, part one}

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Maida Vale

I'm so pleased to share with you the beautiful work of Heather Locke, the creative force behind Maida Vale, and CB's newest sponsor! I love how the pieces above blend modern colors and styles with an overall classic simplicity. Exquisite.

Here's a little more info on Maida Vale in Heather's own words:
Maida Vale believes that no couple should be denied a stylish wedding invitation or birth announcement due to budget constraints. Through thoughtful discussion with you, we will identify your design needs to create an affordable invitation that sets the tone of your event, or a birth announcement that reflects your joy as new parents.

How perfect is that? Make sure to peruse through their adorable collection of classic wedding invitations and save the dates. Enjoy!

Want to become a CB sponsor? Just drop me a note!

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Ask CB Readers:

I receive a fair amount of wedding-related questions on a regular basis and while I try to reply to each and every one promptly and to the best of my ability, I can't help but wonder how others would answer these questions.

So I've decided to turn the floor over to you, my dear readers. I hope this will create a greater sense of community as well as a platform for all of us to help one another. Enjoy the first question from Mandy, a maid of honor who is struggling with a bachelorette party issue. If you have any ideas that could help her, please leave a comment below. :o)

I am in a wedding in May '09 (my best friend). We are having a party at the beginning of her bachelorette party so that some of her female family members may feel like they are part of the bachelorette party, but then those of us going out later are heading to a different venue. I'm the one in charge of organizing this ... and I need something that can somehow link all of the girls who are going, like a T-shirt. That however seems like a monstrous task (there are 40 being invited to the whole evening and about 20 will go out afterwards). If you have suggestions, we'll take 'em! Also ... drink suggestions for the beginning of the bachelorette party?

Have your own question? Send it to theclassicbride@gmail.com!

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Drenched in white

{spotted here on The City Sage}

How amazing would you feel getting pampered in this pretty and pristine room before your wedding?! Gahhh ...

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Blurb book giveaway!

Remember this beautiful book, created by a bride, documenting her amazing honeymoon in Paris? Well, it served as inspiration enough for me to start creating my own version using the same fabulous publishing service, Blurb.

And, today, Blurb has graciously offered to give away 5 gift certificates worth $54.95 to 5 lucky CB readers! Blurb books make perfect guest books, engagement photo albums, wedding albums and more! Even better, Blurb introduced Premium Paper last fall. The 100-pound silk-finish paper is 35% heavier than Blurb’s standard 80-pound paper, and features improved opacity and superior print quality.

To enter the contest, please comment below with a link to the image you’d use on the cover of your book. Also, please use a valid e-mail so that we will be able to contact you. You have until midnight CST this Friday to enter. The winners' names & photos will be posted this Saturday.

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For the love of cartography

Here's a peek at the (faux-)vintage map of Paris I briefly mentioned earlier. I just love the sublime pastel shades. When I first spotted it, I immediately had images from Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette dancing through my head! Yum.


Wouldn't it be lovely to incorporate vintage cartography into your wedding stationery? I've always been intrigued with maps and street names - there's such incredible history and significance documented in them and when done right, they can truly be a piece of art. I'm on the hunt for a pretty, white-washed and ornate frame to be this little print's new home!

I found the map at the sweetest little shop in New Orleans called Gem de France, which carried all sorts of beautiful French products. A heavenly aroma of lavender wafted through the charming store and my Mom was thrilled to find a fab assortment of Le Jacquard linens. If you have the chance, check this shop out.

And guess what ... we're heading back to the Crescent City tomorrow! J has the day off so we're taking off for another little day-trip. Can't wait to see what we find this time!

p.s. Much thanks for all the great tips on places to go, stay, eat, etc. in NoLA - please keep them coming!

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Pretty dresses

I fell ..

in love ...

with these Melissa Sweet (Reverie line) dresses the minute I spotted them on this adorable blog. Classic yet modern. And I would have absolutely considered wearing that first one at our wedding!

While Ms. Sweet definitely knows how to create eye candy, the attached price tag may not be as sweet for some to stomach. I decided to take a look around and see if I could find any gowns just as beautiful but for a fraction of the price. ... And, you know I did! Check out this beaded lace number, this simply gorgeous A-line gown and this lovely trumpet style. Still pretty without breaking the bank. These wedding gowns definitely offer the classic look for less cash.

*SP

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Survey + Giveaway

How would you like the chance to win a hand-made gorgeous silk flower & veil for your wedding day hair? Or the chance to win Crane & Co.'s The Wedding Blue Book? By taking Classic Bride's first-ever survey, you'll be entered to win!

Sweet and talented Christine, from Modern Romance, will be giving away one gorgeous veil with a dupioni silk rose and Crane & Co. will be giving away 3 etiquette books. Just click here to take the quick survey to be entered to win both prizes! Polling ends Friday, January 30 at midnight and the 4 random winners will be announced on Monday, February 2.

I've created this survey in an attempt to discover what you enjoy the most about CB and to find out ways I can improve the blog. And the best part: It will take less than three minutes, I promise! So start filling in your answers now! :o)

A huge thanks to Christine and Crane & Co. for hosting this contest!

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p.s.

I'll have to share the French chair and sweet vintage map of Paris I picked up in New Orleans later! And my gorgeous new business cards that arrived in the mail yesterday -- thanks, Taylor! And, then, I promise, it's back to wedding inspiration! ;o)

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Catching up ...

{gorgeous secretary via Material Girls}

I've slowly been adding antique pieces to our home over the past few years and have been wanting an oak secretary like the one above for ages. What a cheerful and inspiring space for working on wedding calligraphy or just writing notes to friends (ok, or just reading fave blogs!).

Speaking of calligraphy, I'd like to take a second and give a big blog hug to all the sweet bloggers who gave SD Calligraphy a mention in the past week! It's really touching and it makes me so happy to be a part of a niche community that is so supportive of one another! Merci! And, if you happened to mention SDC on your blog and I missed it, please let me know -- I'll make sure to add your link! :o)

Weddingbee

Grosgrain Bride
Vintage Glam

Brooklyn Bride
Elizabeth Anne Designs
flights of fancy

We met in a bar ...

The Artsy Bride

Lucky Me
Blue Orchid Designs

The People St. Clair Studio

Victoria With Roses

Truly Engaging

Melissa's Greetings

The Little White Book

Perfect Bound

Pretty Pretty Paper

With This Ring

Brenda's Wedding Blog

Snippet & Ink

Tying the Knot

And Stanley Makes Three ...

Get Married: Blogger Brides

"Bride" Ideas

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com

Oh My Word

PolkaDot Bride

Maida Vale Modern Invitation Design

2 excited nests
Muffy Martini

In other news, our recent trip to NOLA was again divine. We stayed on St. Charles in the Garden District and spent a full day walking up and down Magazine Street. We spent a good bit of time in the showroom of Leontine Linens - a must if you're a monogram fanatic! Then, we headed over to the French Quarter for some beignets and more shopping and more architecture-admiring! Here's just a glimpse:

Above: The BEST ice cream we've ever had ... The Creole Creamery. Fresh, home-made + incredibly unique flavors.

Have any tips for where to go, see, eat, etc. in New Orleans for our next visit? Please leave a comment ... we're heading back in early February and would love some fun insider tips! :o)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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Thank you + more

A huge thank you to all who left sweet comments + sent lovely e-mails and positive vibes my way all weekend long! I am truly so happy and excited about this new chapter in my life and I already have a few surprises in store with my shop and you can bet that CB readers will be the first to know! If you haven't already, I do hope you'll swing by my shop, peruse my samples and, if interested, drop me a line!

& in other news:
I am headed to New Orleans for a bit of a celebration with my Mom tomorrow but will be back shortly. And I'm happy to share that the next few weeks will include several exciting giveaways for you all as well as another unbelievable contest! Stay tuned for details!

Country Living image via The Inspired Room

Besides being smitten with the chandelier, I am loving the unique charm of the little settee/bench at the end of the bed. It looks like it's just waiting for a bride to sit down for a moment of solace before her wedding. Plus, I'd just adore it in my house - will be keeping my eyes out in NOLA this week!

{top photo by Look Photography}

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Announcing the grand opening of SDC!

I'm so excited to finally open the doors and let you all in on the project I've been working so tirelessly on for the past few months - SD Calligraphy!

It's with huge thanks to this blog and all of my dear, dear readers for making this happen. I discovered the brilliance of modern calligraphy a few months after I began this blog {through another blogger!} and my interest was immediately sparked. I soon went out to the store, picked up a few quills + ink and came home to try them out. After many hours upon hours of practicing, it finally started to feel natural to me. I experimented with styles and variations and eventually came up with a style that I used throughout our wedding stationary {Chelsea}. Throughout the entire wedding planning process, I was told again and again by sweet friends and relatives {and many of you!} that I should open up shop. So, thank you to everyone who supported this step and I truly look forward to once again being a part of the wedding planning process as I work with brides and grooms who are planning their own special day! :o)

I do hope you'll join the fun and check out my styles and samples for a bit! And to intensify the celebratory spirit, the first five customers to mention code AUDREY will receive a 15% discount on their entire order! Cheers!

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Almost here ...

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Sweet touches

Love, love, love the sweet collection of handkerchiefs from one of CB's newest sponsors, The Wedding Outlet. Check out the one above or browse through the entire collection here. For our wedding, we used heirloom handkerchiefs and had them embroidered with special messages for the Moms {and me!}. Sweet touch that is sure to bring a few happy tears.

They also have a great selection on their clearance page, full of fab deals on everything from ring pillows to thank you notes to cake toppers! And their newest feature is the pink banner that displays at the top of every page {which changes every day}. The messages range from a sale on a certain category, highlighting a new shipping rate, a newsletter, new items, etc. So head on over and enjoy!

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Getting closer ...

Just two more days!

{click to enlarge}

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Classic City Hall

On January 15, 1954, Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco's City Hall. It was simple and to the point and it still turned heads.

Yesterday, I came across these photos taken by Ben Chrisman in the same location.

I can guarantee that if SF was our hometown or current residence, we definitely would have considered City Hall for our ceremony. Gorgeous without being over the top and just my style. See more from this couple's wedding and for more SF City Hall nuptials, go here.

p.s. I know these photos have been circulating like mad but if you haven't yet seen Joanna Goddard's engagement photos, you need to! Warning: Jealousy may ensue.

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Coming soon!

As promised, here's your first glimpse of the excitement to come this Friday! Stay tuned for more!

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Cuteness + contest!

{Martha Stewart image via Journal of a Beach House Bride}

Loads of tulle + ballet slippers + tiny cardigan = most adorable flowergirl ever!

And now onto the fabulous contest news:
Want to wear a free Vera Wang or Melissa Sweet wedding dress on your wedding day? Would you rather spend your money on your honeymoon instead of your wedding dress? With the PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com Wedding Dress Giveaway - the winner could! From January 1st 2009 - February 28th, 2009, you can enter to win a wedding dress valued at up to $1,500 USD. On March 2nd, a winner will be selected at random from all entries received by the contest deadline. So head on over and have a look - and make sure to enter for your chance to win!

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Nistor Photography: Real wedding at the Viceroy

I'm so excited to share this real wedding with you today! Neni and Abe held their wedding at one of my faaaaaaavorite wedding venues: the Viceroy Santa Monica! So clean and crisp and oh-so-perfect for a glamorously chic wedding. I think the photo above could double as a Kate Spade ad. Love it!


And the talent behind these gorgeous photos? Nistor Photography, the Southern California-based husband and wife team of Matthew and Amanda Nistor {and also Classic Bride's newest sponsor}! So if you're scouting around for a sweet and amazing duo to capture your special day, make sure to check them out!



Love, love, love this shot. The cohesive colors and textures look so perfectly planned!

To see more from this lovely couple's wedding, visit their blog entry and make sure to check out Nistor Photography's porfolio for more inspiration!

p.s. I'm so ridiculously thrilled and elated to ring in 2009 with an upcoming venture that's been in the works for several loooong months! All will be revealed this Friday so stay tuned for details {and lots of sneak peeks throughout the week}!!!! :o)

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