{ritzy bee blog}

guest blogger: carly {our intern}

While spring may mean wedding season to Ritzy Bee and all of you readers, to a teenage girl it only means one thing: PROM! Flint Hill’s prom {my school prom} will be held on the Key Bridge Marriott roof top, and is appropriately themed “City Lights”.  Check out this inspiration board to see a glimpse of what our big night will be like {and it could also even inspire a sparkling evening wedding too}:

{Photo credits: row 1 Anna Be via Style Me Pretty, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Brides.com. row 2 Michelle Rago, Rifle Design, Fete NY, row 3 Martha Stewart Weddings, Carly's picture Amanda, Carly, Megan & Kristy}

a day of cupcakes

Sometimes you just need a cupcake...or two...and yesterday was one of those days! We met with our sweet friend Suann from Simplesong Design and she brought this lovely box of cupcakes {boxes available in her online shop here} full of delicious cupcakes that were quickly devoured.

 

Cupcakes are part of the Ritzy Bee office motto! {sign can be purchased here at Jenny's Bake Shop via Etsy}

Last night we also attended a fun event celebrating the launch of Julianne Smith's new garter collection at the tasty little DC spot Hello Cupcake...

Julianne's garters are too cute...

What a better way to spend the evening than with some of my favorite wedding industry friends and eating more cupcakes!

{l to r: Sasha from Hitched, designer Julianne Smith, Maria, Lynette from Hitched}

carey haynes art

One of the most unique companies we saw this year at the National Stationary Show was the beautiful and fun art of Carey Haynes. Carey creates mixed media art & paintings with the use of paints, pastels, inks, fabric, paper, pencil and pen. You have to see these works of art in person to notice the gorgeous texture and colors. What a fun gift for a bride, bridesmaids or a friend to cheer up a wall or office! Be sure to check out more at her online gallery here...

the blue jar

We absolutely love the charming and simple look of antique blue mason jars with flowers for wedding decor, a dining room table or even on a night stand...

{Photo credits: 1 Junebug Weddings, 2+6 Kate Headley Photography, 3 Sunday Suppers, 4 Vintage Glam Weddings, 5 Josie Girl via Flickr, 7 100 Layer Cake}

details we are loving

Hope everyone had a nice, long weekend! Here's a roundup of our latest favorite things...

This beautiful inspiration board over at Snippet & Ink

Love this moment captured by Kate Headley over the weekend.  The details of her dress are so gorgeous too!

This wedding invitation from one of our NSS favorites, Twig & Fig. The invitation was inspired by the movie Juno. The map is way too cute!

This wedding cake window via Poppytalk

pretty pair

Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend! Our sweet friend Kate Headley sent this pretty little duo over to us...we both love weddings, J. Crew...and beautiful peonies...thanks Kate!

thanks dad

Since today is Memorial Day, we wanted to post a bit of a personal message. Thanks to all of the service men & women who have sacrificed so much for our country...but a very special thanks to my father, Tom, today. He is and has always been one of my best friends and I love and admire him so much for all he has done for our country.

My dad at 18 in Vietnam. After serving four years in the Navy in Vietnam, he volunteered on a peace mission and returned to Vietnam to rebuild housing & orphanages for children and monks who were left with nothing. He is an incredible human being and father...

...and an AMAZING {self taught} portrait artist

Thank you and I love you Dad!

{...and yes...that's me sporting the Julia-Roberts-'01-Oscars-do-meets-wedding-tiara look}

miss pickles press

We have been big fans of the talented Jen over at Miss Pickles Press for awhile now and are so excited to feature her today! With lovely custom paper goods & accessories {all with a bit of nostalgic flavor} like our favorites below, who wouldn't want to include them in your planning!?

Her cutlery packaging is available here on Etsy

We were so excited to see these details below Miss Pickles Press recently created for the fun wedding of Holly + Nathan...love the fabric eyelet details...

Love the way the escort cards are displayed!

And how FUN are these guest favors?! Keepsake Ball jars decorated with fun linens & ribbons...we love how they are displayed...

This fabulous wood sign was made by Lee Dayvault of Maple Drive Workshop a FANTASTIC company out of Georgia who can create vintage wood signs

Some of the other lovely wedding details Holly + Nathan's wedding from their talented photographers Juxtapose Photography. Thank you so much Miss Pickles Press for sharing your creative geniousness with us...we can not wait to see what's next for you!

the pop-up wedding

You must hurry over to Brooklyn Bride to read all about this ingenious little event...anything that involves Brooklyn Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings & The Wedding Library you  know will be amazing!

top {10} spring wedding details

{No. 3} Birds and Nests

Don't you love when it's finally warm enough to open your bedroom window, and you hear birds outside? Or when you realize there's a nest in the tree outside the house? Though they've been done before, birds and nests are such a darling element for any spring wedding.

{Photo credits clockwise from top left: cards by Austin Press, ring nest from Junebug Weddings, cake toppers by Ann Wood, peony and nest centerpieces from Martha Stewart Weddings}

{No. 2} Daffodils

Daffodils are so bright and cheery, even playful - such an appropriate personality for a flower that announces the coming of spring. Individually in bud vases, bunched in a bridal bouquet, or even live potted versions for centerpieces, daffodils are easy to love.

{Photo credits clockwise from top left: dress by Flora & Henri, bud vases from Nancy Liu Chin, potted daffodils from Chelsea Fuss, bouquet by Artfool}

{No. 1} Gardens

The first place I go when spring finally arrives is the backyard or the garden. There's so much happening there, with new flowers blooming daily. And even if you don't have a garden wedding, you can still incorporate garden elements - arrange centerpieces in old watering cans, use vintage seed packets in lieu of table numbers, and send each guest home with a miniature potted plant or herb.

{Photo credits clockwise from top left: garden arch from Moosey's Country Garden, centerpiece and herb favors both from Brides.com, vintage seed packet from Country Living}

Thank you so much Maria and Ritzy Bee readers for having me! And happy happy Spring!

Thank YOU Kathryn...we LOVE when you stop by!