The arrival of autumn means wedding season here in Arizona, which means lots of bridal showers as well. For those of you planning a brunch shower for the brides in your life, here is a great Bloody Mary recipe to serve your guests.

Pitcher of Bloody Marys

6 limes, juiced
1 tablespoon celery seeds
3 tablespoons grated fresh or prepared horseradish
2 quarts tomato juice, chilled
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups pepper vodka, chilled in the freezer
Celery stalk, for serving
Cucumber spears, for serving
Handful fresh cilantro, for garnish

Combine the lime juice, celery seed, and horseradish in a pitcher. Muddle the mixture with the end of a wooden spoon to blend and break up the celery seeds. Pour in the tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together to combine.

Divide the vodka among 6 tall, chilled glasses filled with ice. Fill the glasses with the bloody mary mix, stick in the celery and cucumber and garnish with the cilantro. Give the bloody mary a good stir and serve.

Enjoy!



{Stock photo, recipe from Food Network}

Name: Erin

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Blog or Website: Lucky Me, the official blog of Lucky Designs

What do you do for a living?
Building my design business, with experiences in both teaching and computer programming.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Watching Food Network, eating homemade pancakes (made by my husband), and singing Raffe songs with my daughter.

What is your dream vacation spot?
Italy (but only if I could go with my husband. I think it would be so romantic!)

What beauty item could you not live without?
An everyday essential - chapstick, a beauty item - eyelash curler

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
My grandmother - I miss her dearly, and would love to sit down and enjoy her spaghetti and meatballs with her. Jacques Cousteau - I always have been and always will be a marine biologist at heart.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Never Give Up - Thank you mom!

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
In addition to Blue Orchid and The Smart Planner...

Southern Weddings - I greatly enjoy the real weddings they choose to feature.

Creature Comforts - Ez's blog is so eclectic and full of unique things.

Let's Eat Cake - I am so proud to be a part of such a fantastic cause!

As a wedding planner, I receive phone calls from journalists from time to time asking for me to weigh in on some wedding-related issue so that they can beef up their articles with quotes from industry experts. And since I'm running a business and not running for the second most powerful spot in the world, I usually see no problem with taking their interviews and answering any questions they may have.

Earlier this year I received one of these calls from a prestigious news source and this is part of the exchange:

Me: Hi, this is Liene at Blue Orchid Designs, I'm returning your call.

Reporter: So, your husband is the sexiest man in the world. That must be nice.

Me: Um. What?

Reporter: People Magazine voted him one of the world's sexiest men.

Me: Um.

Reporter: You wrote about your husband . . .

Me: Oh, yeah, that (see number two).   I was kidding. Just being sarcastic. I am not married nor engaged.

Reporter: Oh, well I took it literally. Good thing I cleared that up!

Needless to say, it was pretty difficult for me to get through the wedding-related portion of the interview without bursting into laughter.  The reporter was very smart and astute, and I came to the conclusion that they had just skimmed through really quickly.

Last month we did a giveaway with Kelly Ashworth Design for some designer notecards.  To enter, you had to share your favorite character from The Office, since Kelly is also a big fan of my husband's show.  It has been a few weeks now, and we haven't heard from the winner, so we are selecting a new one.

Congratulations to Laura, our new winner, who said:
"Who doesn't love Jim & Pam? However, I have to say Kelly always cracks me up . . . from wearing a white dress to Phyllis's wedding to giving Jim all of the latest celeb gossip when she was telling him how she's been, I love her character!"

 Laura, please email us at info{at}blueorchidweddings.com to claim your prize!

And to everyone else, support my not-husband and watch the season premiere of his show tonight!

The uber chic bridal shop, Mariee Gallery, is kicking off a series of trunk shows in October. It's the perfect opportunity to preview the lines of some fab designers and find your dream wedding dress. Here's a schedule of upcoming trunk shows:

Vineyard :: October 17-19, 2008

Jenny Packham :: November 1-2, 2008

Adele Wechsler :: December 5-7, 2008

Rosa Clara :: March 20-22, 2009

You may call their boutique, nestled in the Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale, to make an appointment.




{photo by Jane Zarzynski Photography for Mariee Gallery}

If there is one wedding tradition I would like to see die off, it would be tossing the bridal bouquet.  Trust me, unless you are one of the first of your sorority girlfriends to tie the knot, tossing the bouquet simply serves to make all the single ladies at your wedding uncomfortable and heading to the bar for a refill. 

A fun and more discreet alternative stems from Turkish wedding culture.  There it is a tradition to have all your single girlfriends sign the soles of your wedding shoes.  It is said that the person whose name fades the most after the shoes have made their way down the aisle and seen their time on the dance floor will be the next to get married.

You can do this with just your bridesmaids or you can include it as an activity at your bridal showers.  Either way, it is a fun, personal and affordable element to add to your big day. 

What traditions are you incorporating in your wedding?



{Photo by Anne Ruthmann}

Today is officially the first day of Autumn (though you can't tell here in Scottsdale!) and time to start thinking ahead to all of your Fall parties.  This season heading into the holidays is always busy, no matter if you're single or married, and options for easy entertaining are always welcome.

This recipe for Fall Fruit Compote is delicious, and can be ladled onto cheesecake or alongside spice cake purchased from Trader Joe's or Costco (come on, you know you do this, too!). Because the compote can be covered and chilled for up to a week, you can make it ahead of time and not stress on the day of your event. Your guests will be super impressed with your laid-back hostessing style (and the dessert of course) and while we don't have a crystal ball, we predict lots of requests for seconds!

Fall Fruit Compote

2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 (2 1/2- by 1/2-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
1 cinnamon stick, halved
3 whole cloves
10 black peppercorns, cracked
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 firm pears, peeled and each cut into 8 wedges with core removed
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
4 dried Calimyrna figs, quartered
2 tablespoons Calvados (Liene's note: you can substitute Grand Marnier for this)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Bring apple juice, sugar, zest, and spices to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and simmer 5 minutes. Add butter, pears, and dried fruit and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pears are tender, about 25 minutes. Pour liquid through a sieve into another saucepan and boil until reduced to 1 cup. Pour liquid back over fruit and stir in Calvados and lemon juice.

Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 8-10 servings or about 2 cups.

Enjoy!




{Photo by Anna Williams for Gourmet, recipe via Epicurious}

Name: Cara

Location: San Francisco, CA

Blog or Website: caraismatic.com

What do you do for a living? 
Right now I am a full time bride-to-be. I left my cubicle-ized corporate life job in June, and am currently planning a major leap of faith in the career department.  Think positive thoughts for me!

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Hummm . . . sleep in (who's dream day doesn't include that?!). Attending a Yoga class, going to breakfast at my favorite brunch spot Curbside Cafe, then going to a farmer's market, strolling some shops and boutiques around town, going home, reading a good book, cooking a nice home-cooked dinner, and curling up with my fiance to watch a movie or something good on TV to cap it all off.

What is your dream vacation spot?
Ohhh I loooovvve to travel, so I have a LARGE list of places I'd like to visit, but I'm going to go with Maldives for now because I wanted to do our honeymoon there, but it was way out of budget, so I'd love to make that trip happen in the future!

What beauty item could you not live without?
My Sedu flat iron; I have serious Tina Turner/Diana Ross hair going on if it is not tamed. It works miracles, I tell ya !

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
My grandmother. She passed away last year and I'd love to have dinner with her again and tell her I'm engaged. She was the best grandmother anyone could ask for. She taught me many things, and I'd like to thank her for helping to make me who I am today.

Second person is a bit tougher . . . I admire a lot of people for various reasons, but I'm going to be cliche and go with Oprah. She truly seems to be able to take what is in her head and make it happen.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Probably to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while and really get to know yourself. Not specifically told to me by anyone in particular, but I think my mom installed that in me in various ways.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
I love Weddingbee, YumSugar (LOOVE food and cooking), and Seth's Blog.

When you get married, there is one piece of paper that is probably of equal or more importance than your timeline and that is the Banquet Event Order (more commonly referred to as the BEO).

The Banquet Event Order is what your venue or caterer will use to set up everything for your reception. This document is separate from your contract and you won't receive it until closer to your wedding date. The BEO includes exactly what you are eating, the number of tables you've ordered, the number of chairs at each table, the exact times food will leave the kitchen to make it to your guests while staying hot, etc.  It is prepared for you by your venue, so you don't have to worry about creating this.  

You or your wedding planner will have to sign off on this document prior to the wedding. Before you sign, make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb. While you should read every document thoroughly before signing, this is definitely one to pay special attention to. For many catering managers and banquet captains, the BEO is essentially their bible for your wedding day.

If something is not on there, it will likely not be happening during your reception. If something is on there, but you don't want it to be, make sure it is removed prior to signing off on it. The venue staff will execute set up and service according to what is stated on the BEO. It is the document they use to make sure that all staff are literally on the same page.

If you are using a wedding planner, they will take care of reviewing this for you. If you are using a day-of coordinator, make sure they have a final copy of the BEO.  This will help them ensure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day.  

There are over 500 posts in the Blue Orchid Designs blog archives, so to make things a little easier on you, here is an at-a-glance list of some of our posts that talk about all things related to wedding stationery:

The M on an RSVP Card

The Difference Between Escort and Place Cards 

4 Tips for Managing Wedding RSVP's

Keeping Track of Wedding RSVP's

Wedding Etiquette: Honor vs. Pleasure

Send a Honeymoon Postcard to Yourself

30 Days to Plan a Wedding: Stationery

Name Order Etiquette for Wedding Invitations

If you've been itching to eat at a new place, but haven't gotten around to it yet, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Arizona is hosting their first-ever Restaurant Week and about 100 Valley restaurants are participating.

Next week from the 20th-26th, you can dine on three-course meals at some of the best restaurants in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area for $29 per person or $58 per couple.  Participating restaurants include the popular Lon's at Hermosa Inn, Trader Vic's, Flemings, Don & Charlie's, Wright's at the Biltmore and many others. You can check out a complete list here.

This is a great opportunity to finally pencil in that girls' night out or date night with the love of your life that you've been talking about but just haven't gotten around to scheduling yet.  Make your reservations soon, because tables are expected to fill up quickly!

This recipe is courtesy my friend Nicole. She has made this treat numerous times, and yet as you can see, there are no photos. These babies simply don't stick around long enough for a camera to document their loveliness. Bring these to a party or your next event, and we guarantee you will receive heaps of praise and compliments. They are that good!

Mint Chocolate Brownies

1 box brownie mix
1 container vanilla frosting
A few drops Creme de Mente (you may also substitute a non-alcoholic mint flavoring)
3/4 C semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp butter
Green food coloring (optional)

Step 1: Bake your best batch of ready made brownies from a box and follow their directions. I prefer the Ghirardelli brownie mix for extra chocolatey goodness. Once they have baked according to the box, let them cool until they are only slightly warm to the touch or completely cool.

Step 2: Pick your favorite container of vanilla frosting and add to it mint flavoring (or creme de mente for adults-only fun) to your liking. Add a couple drops of green food coloring if you so wish. Spread the frosting onto the cooled brownies and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the frosting has hardened up.

Step 3: In a double boiler on the stove (or you can chance it with the microwave for about 1.5 minutes) melt 3/4 C semisweet chocolate chips and 3 Tbsp. butter (salted or unsalted) together until the consistency is slightly thicker than water and smooth (don't worry it will thicken up later). Pour the chocolatey goodness on top of the frosting, spreading it around evenly.

Step 4: Let the brownies set out a few minutes until the chocolate starts to harden and then wrap it with foil/saran wrap and place in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, allow the brownies to come to room temperature so that it will be easier to cut through the hardened chocolate.

Name: Jessica Lynn

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana and moving to Cincinnati, Ohio in October after the wedding!

Blog or Website: Tying the Knot

What do you do for a living? 
I live the exciting life of an auditor. Long story short, I go into a company and make sure that their accountants are doing their job correctly.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Almost every Sunday for the past three-ish years has been spent saying goodbye to my fiance. He has lived in Cincinnati and I have lived in Indianapolis since the day that we met. Thus, the ideal Sunday for me would be anytime after our honeymoon when we will be living together, and in the same city. I would love to sleep in a little, take our golden retriever puppies for a walk (that we will get once we are married!), work around the house and run some errands, cook dinner together, and relax around the house at night with my best friend.

What is your dream vacation spot? 
Believe it or not, I have never been out of the United States! We are going to St. Lucia for our honeymoon so at the moment, that is my dream vacation spot! In the future I would love to go to Europe for two weeks and see all that I can see!

What beauty item could you not live without?
Does a hair tie count? To be honest, I'm not that into beauty products but I love Ponds Cold Cream and I swear by the Bo-ing conceler sold at Sephora.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why? 
My Daddy. He passed away unexpectedly at the end of June and I would give anything to spend more time with him. My other guest would have to be my Mommy because I know that she would want to see him again too.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Wedding advice: Plan for your alterations, veil and jewelry to cost at least half the amount of money that you spent on your dress. That little morsel of advice saved me from the sticker shock of the alteration cost . . . which was outrageous.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
I turn to Elizabeth Anne Designs for inspiration everyday.  Ritzy Bee has the cutest ideas and features. And I love the way that Jasmine Star tells the love story of a couple with beautiful words and gorgeous photos.

{photo by Nicole Green Photography}

I've posted this before, but with Fall wedding season coming up I wanted to share it again.  In this short video, author Tim Ferriss shows how to tie the perfect windsor knot in about 90 seconds.  This knot is my personal favorite of the different tie styles because it is classic and timeless. Send this to your groomsmen so that their ties are perfectly detailed for your wedding photos. 

When you receive an RSVP card for a wedding, it will more than likely have a line that looks like this:


So what does the M mean, anyway? Quite simply it is there for you to complete your title when you fill in your name. For example:

Ms. Jane Doe

Miss Jane Doe

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

Mr. John Smith

Mrs. John Smith

This is the traditional method for addressing RSVP cards, but leaves little room for other titles such as Dr. or military designations.  Many couples today are opting to omit the M and simply precede the line with the word 'Name' or 'Names of Guests' instead.

What's your story with the M?  Did you or will you include the M on your RSVP card?



{photo via Wedding Paper Divas}

Today's guest blogger is Mary Driscoll King, the studio manager for My Wedding Film and Darby Elizabeth Photography.  Earlier this year, Mary and her husband celebrated their second wedding anniversary and welcomed their first child in the same month.  Today, Mary shares a little about the importance of learning solid communication skills so that you can better navigate the changes your marriage will go through over the years and different seasons in life.

Last week there was a post that began with the phrase, "A good wedding planner will put out fires.  A great wedding planner will do everything in their power to prevent them."  In keeping with the preventative theme, a great idea is to seek PRE-marital counseling.

Hopefully you do not have too many fires started right now, but trust me, there will be arson in your future.  You are almost certainly thinking, "Here we go again, another married woman standing on her soap box and preaching about the importance of counseling."  The only reason that my husband and I even took the classes was because we were forced to in order to get married in the Catholic church (fine - they cannot force you to do anything, but they are pretty darn persistent!).  I thought, "my husband and I have known each other for eight years, we have good communication skills, and this is going to be a waste of my precious wedding planning time".  It turns out I was wrong and this is something that has taken me two and a half years and a beautiful baby later to finally acknowledge and appreciate. 

According to an article from the WebMD News Archive, "The research reviewed 23 studies on the effectiveness of premarital counseling and found that the average couple who participates in a premarital counseling and education program reports a 30% stronger marriage than other couples."  Put the odds in your favor and seek counseling.

No matter how strong your relationship, communication and problem solving can almost always be improved.  The counseling - or 'relationship guidance' as I like to think of it - will ask you to address topics that you have probably mulled over for years and come to agreement on already.  It will also bring up others that are rarely addressed because they appear accusational when spoken of (i.e. "You are such an introvert and never want to talk when we have an argument", or "you are so lazy and I never get any help around the house".)  It is important to attend to these concerns in an environment that is non-threatening and non-confrontational. Addressing these issues in a rational guidance setting instead of in the heat of an argument is ultimately much more beneficial. 

If you're planning on tying the knot any time soon, or if you're already married but want to strengthen your communication skills, a company called Engaging Discussions has workshops called The Marriage Experience around the country and you can click here to find a date and location near you.  Your officiant should also be able to refer a quality pre-marital counseling class in your area.

Speaking from experience and having a baby five years earlier than we expected, you want the most stable and communication-friendly environment possible when that little bundle of headache joy arrives!

Click here to read more from Mary and other guest bloggers.

It's no secret that the simplest way to rehydrate party guests en masse is to serve a refreshing punch.  This Raspberry and Rose Petal Punch is pretty enough to serve in a traditional punch bowl (which are making a comeback in the wedding world and will be super popular over the next couple of years) or in oversized beverage jars. Plus, it's a nice departure from the standard non-alcoholic beverages your guests may be more accustomed to being served at events.

Raspberry and Rose Petal Punch

2 (32-ounce) bottles no-sugar-added raspberry-and-apple juice, chilled
2 quarts soda water, chilled
1 cup rose-petal syrup (note: available at most Mediterranean ethnic groceries, this syrup is different from Rose Water)
About 36 ice cubes (about three trays' worth)
2 pints fresh raspberries
A few edible flowers, like roses or violets, for decoration

1. Pour the juice and soda water into a large punch bowl.

2. Gradually stir in the syrup, tasting regularly until you reach the desired sweetness and fragrance. Refrigerate until it's time to serve.

3. Just before serving, stir in the ice and scatter the raspberries and flowers over the top.

For a chic flair, serve in small Mason jars.



{Photo by Ulla Nyeman for Cookie; recipe via Epicurious}

This is just a reminder to Casie, the winner of designer cards from Kelly Ashworth Design to email us at info{at}blueorchidweddings.com with "I'm a Winner!" in the subject line to claim your prize!

If we haven't heard anything by this Saturday, September 13th, we'll randomly select another winner from the entries.

Name: Sarah

Location: Just moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast a few months ago! Loving it!

Blog or Website: Classic Bride

What do you do for a living?
Before we migrated South, I did design work for print media. I've always loved designing - whether it was cards for my Mom and Dad when I was little or scrapbooking and collaging when I was older. Currently, I've expanded on that theme and am working as an in-house modern calligrapher (You can see some of my work on my blog - I chose to address our invitations and make our Save The Dates and do some fun wedding signage). I'm looking forward to expanding my business online (after the wedding!) with my own website!

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Enjoying an iced coffee or smoothie on the terrace with J, taking a picnic to the beach and walking over to our favorite Live Oak (sounds a little weird but you'd have to see it - it's amazing!). Then later enjoying dinner at our favorite little sushi cafe.

What is your dream vacation spot?
I would love to go to Lucerne, Switzerland and stay at Chateau Gutsch with my soon-to-be husband. I've traveled there before with my family and was fascinated by the city - so pristine and beautiful in a way I had never seen before. I also have to mention Charleston, S.C. - I could move there today and never leave. Having grown up there, it will always feel like home to me and the historic charm and beauty is so endlessly inspiring!

What beauty item could you not live without?
Uh-oh! I'm not sure I could limit it to one! I'd be lost without my CHI flat iron, my M.A.C. staples and my lip gloss!

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
While Audrey Hepburn was the first to come to mind as I find her to be a beautiful person inside and out, I'd have to go with both of my grandfathers. They both passed away before I was born and I only know them through photographs and stories my parents share. I'd love to be in their presence and hear their funny memories of my parents and see how they remind me of my Mom and Dad and myself. I think a dinner party with the two of them would be lovely.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Keep it simple.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
This is so tough! I love ALL of the blogs on my Google Reader but I will say the three that never let me down (maybe it's because I feel their style is so similar to my own) are: The Preppy Wedding, This is Glamorous and have glue gun . . . will travel. These three always have gorgeous photos and interesting content! So well done.

{photo by Look Photography}

A good wedding planner will put out fires.  A great wedding planner will do everything in their power to prevent them.  Part of running damage control is being privy to certain family issues, particularly the ones no one wants to discuss or ones you've become so accustomed to that you don't recognize them anymore.

If you've hired a wedding planner, he or she will ask certain questions about family dynamics over the course of your wedding planning.  If you've hired someone just for day-of coordination, they should ask you certain questions as well.  Just in case they don't for whatever reason, here are some things that are incredibly helpful for us to know as we manage your wedding day:

Your Family Could Singlehandedly Start World War III.
Do we need to keep your mom and your stepmom away from each other during the ceremony?  Should we let the ushers know of any potential ego issues between the grandmothers?  Is your older sister not-so-secretly livid that you are getting married before she is?  Will both your father and stepfather be sharing the first dance(s) with you? Knowing these things ahead of time will help your wedding planner create a drama-free seating chart, run interference if need be, let the photographers know who to group with who for family portraits, and cue the ushers and emcee about any particular order of honor to seat people or make announcements.

Aunt Betsy Doesn't Fall Off The Wagon, She Jumps Any Chance She Gets.
Don't worry, every wedding has one of these. Or two or three or four. As wedding planners, we've seen it all, particularly when there's an open bar involved. Definitely give your wedding consultant a heads up on who may need their keys collected early on and a cab waiting for them at the end of the night.

Your Best Man Has Stage Fright. Or Tourettes.
Does your best man have a history of dropping the f-bomb at inappropriate times, especially after a couple of drinks? Is your maid of honor known for babbling uncontrollably without knowing when to stop? Knowing the personality of the people giving your toasts can better prepare your coordinator to keep an eye out and cue the deejay or band leader to cut the mic and tactfully steer the course of your reception if need be.

Armed with this information, your wedding coordinator can help your day run as smoothly as possible, ensuring that you and your new husband are able to relax and be guests at your own wedding.

The talented team at Get Married recently launched Blogger Brides, a collaborative blog that includes updates from real brides as well as celebrity wedding experts.  They even have a section called community bloggers, where you can create your own blog through the Get Married site and network with other brides. 

Here is a little bit from the email they sent:

"In keeping with the interests of today's brides and Get Married's commitment to bringing the best tips, trends and expert advice to plan the perfect wedding, GetMarried.com has launched Blogger Brides featuring Star Bloggers, Blogger Brides and Community Bloggers.

Star Bloggers are the most innovative and sought after experts in their fields who share their expertise and up-to-the-second trends. Just a few of the many notable Star Bloggers include Get Married's host and celebrity event planner, David Tutera; acclaimed photographer Robert Evans of TomKat wedding fame; Hollywood stars' favorite cake designer Leslie Maynor; author, editor and wedding designer Michelle Rago; florist to Hollywood royalty Kevin Lee; Get Married founder Stacie Francombe and editor Harmony Walton who also assists Hollywood stars with their weddings and events. Experts in the fields of music, invitations, fashion and travel round out the A list of Star Bloggers.

Specially selected Blogger Brides - real brides planning their weddings - will share their experiences as they go through the process of selecting gowns, choosing cakes and hosting bachelorette parties.

All GetMarried.com registered brides are encouraged to join the world of Community Bloggers to share with their friends, document their journey, have some fun and even vent from time to time."

On a personal note, I was able to spend some time with Stacie and Harmony from Get Married while we were all at Engage!08 and they are fabulous and so down to earth and I consider myself lucky to work in an industry with such quality people.  I am super excited that they have launched this part of their company and encourage each of you to check out the Get Married website, their new blog, and be sure to tune in to Get Married TV each morning on Lifetime. 

Vané Broussard over at Brooklyn Bride has launched a new business called Bklyn Pillow, featuring ring pillows for the modern wedding. I am so excited about this, especially since she is an interior designer and has access to lots of stylish fabrics that aren't available to the public.  The pillows are also about 5"x5" which is the perfect size for little hands to hold on to.   Here's some of what Vané has to say about her new venture:

"The pillows are all handmade by me . . . I mainly use fabrics available to the trade only, but also use remnants of fabulous fabrics found all over, whether they be placemats, totebags, other pillows . . . whatever strikes my fancy. bklynpillow is all about creating ring pillows [and eventually other accessories] for the modern bride."

Click here to read our Over a Cup of Coffee Interview with Vané last year, and here to read all about her own wedding (and see all the gorgeous photos of the end result!), and of course, check out the Bklyn Pillows here!

Congrats on your new venture, Vané! Here's a toast to much success!