Lavender & Lime Wedding: Etsy Inspiration Board...

Etsy Inspiration Board & Vendo Links... HERE... 

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Food...

Lavender Almond Cookies from Saoirseangel would be a lovely addition to this wedding at the end of this mouth watering Provencal meal from Food&Wine.

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Cake Toppers & The CAKE...

These wedding cake toppers were created especially for a wedding in Lavendar & Lime, but I can create wedding cake toppers that look like you down to the flowers. Contact me at handpaintedloveboxes.etsy.com

Oh I love this cake.. it's by JollyBeBakery

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Rings...

Rose gold is a trend that I've seen here and there. It's so pretty with this purple Ametheyst. OneGarnetGirl, a very popular Etsy shop (this ring is already in 15 treasury lists before mine came along!) makes custom rings just for you...

AdziasJewelryAntelier is doing what Etsy sellers do best... making something beautiful AND meaningful at the same time. Read about this special ring HERE... 

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Dress...

This dress is a little bit different from the one I painted for the cake topper, but I love it. My mom made me two three tier twirly skirt dresses when I was little and I loved them and wore them both thread bare.

These boots are from one of the many amazing vintage shops on Etsy.. MyFavoriteVintage... 

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Accessories...

This vintage gold bracelet from Lorilan has all the wedding colors, goes perfectly with the dress and is stunning. If you have some extra to splash out with, this bracelet would be a beautiful memento from the day that you could wear again and again.

Isn't this a pretty green? Beautiful men's necktie from Rabbitstop an Etsy Shop...

I need somewhere to wear this String of Pearls.. it's so me! Beautiful for a bride from EricaElizabeth an Etsy Shop... Some bride needs to ge this for their wedding and have me make their cake toppers. I would love to paint this.. :)

Lavender & Lime Wedding: The Favors...

I think these little tea lights are cute and would be darling in a favor bag with some candy... They are from WeddingCenterPieces.com

These sachets would be easily made long before the big day. Image from SavvyHousekeeper

This soap is just beautiful. It's from BlancDeZinc an Etsy shop in Provence.

And, LOOK at THIS! Rather than have your guests toss rice at you.. how about they toss flowers at you.. PoPkO on Etsy can set you up. This listing is for one pound of lavendar which equals 18-19 cups.

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: Inspiration Board...

Etsy Inspiration Board & Vendor Links... HERE...

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: Cake Toppers & Cake...

These little cake toppers are from my shop. They don't exactly match this wedding, but they could. When I create cake toppers for a wedding... this is the list of information I try to get from brides so that I can create a cake topper that will be a memento to last a lifetime.

Information for Custom Wedding Cake Toppers
Photos are preferred when they are available...
1. I need a photo of the couple
2. I need a photo of the dress
3. I need a photo of the veil if there is one

rings: silver in color or gold in color ..... Bride? Groom?
other jewelry: necklace? bracelet? describe very carefully or provide photos
hair style: describe very carefully or provide a photos
flowers/bouquet: describe very carefully or provide a photo
wedding colors: describe very carefully or provide a photo
grooms attire: suit color (2 or 3 button) tie, pocket square, shirt, cuff links, boutonniere... describe carefully or provide photo.

Names, Wedding Date (for the bottom)
If you would like to have custom cake toppers for your wedding. Please contact me through my Etsy shop at www.HandPaintedLoveBoxes.etsy.com

I would love to work with you :)

For a summer picnic wedding. I think this little homemade cake would be marvelous. It's so pretty and homemade means it's sure to be yummy. :)

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: The Flowers...

Do you know what flowers are blooming in August? Asters! I love pink Asters and if you plant them early enough, you can have garden flowers for your picnic wedding in late August. These flowers are delicate and frilly, but with a great hot pink color and a cheerful yellow center.
Photo from CrossLaneFloral.com

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: Bridesmaid Dress...

A pearl choker would be a beautiful and classic bridesmaid gift. You can purchase one like THIS or, you could pick up some inexpensive seed pearls at a craft store and make several necklaces for less than you would think. A handmade gift is always a treasure.

This dress looks retro, but it's new and custom made for you by PinUpDress on Etsy. I love gingham.. love, Love, LOVE it! And, this dress would be cute in this color or yellow or pink.

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: The Groom

It's traditional for a couple to exchange gifts on their wedding day. I wish that I had given my husband a set of these solid piece (his favorite kind... they are so sturdy) cufflinks. Artist AnneHolman who has a fantastic Etsy shop makes these beautiful cufflinks which she can customize for you. It would be lovely to have cufflinks made with a map of the city where you met, or a favorite team or a common hobby.. whatever is meaningful to him or to both of you. Check out Anne's amazing shop.
MeandMatilda is a fun Etsy shop that specializes in special occasion neckwear. The fabrics they use are just refreshing and so different from what you'll see at the mall. I think that when you go with something handmade, you can find something completely unique that will be timeless when you look at the photographs years from now.

Two of my favorite things together... Gingham & French Cuffs.. This shirt is from ProperCloth.com a place with very lovely shirts... WHERE if you can't find a shirt that's exactly what you want... you CAN DESIGN YOUR OWN! Hooray!!!

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: The Dress...

This pretty cotton eyelet dress is one of my favorites. It looks vintage, but it's new. It has the advantage of being custom made. YourFairyTaleWedding on Etsy will help you design and they will make your dream dress. Paired with this pink peony and these shoes.
I'm so sorry to say that YourFairyTaleWedding has completely disappeared and I can't find the owner anywhere... so I will let you know when I know...

Late Summer Picnic Wedding: The Food...

I am so smitten with these pink paper swirly twirly straws. They are just happy to look at! They will be brilliant with the Lorina Pink Sparkling Lemonade (my favorite!)...
Did you know that Etsy has a lot of catering and restaurant supplies in smaller quantities? That is another great thing about Etsy. You can get 300 of these glassine sandwich bags instead of 3,000 and most sellers are willing to create a special order for you selling you only what you need. Then you just need a great sandwich... or a couple of great sandwich choices.
My latest favorite goes like this: Sun dried Tomato Turkey, Havarti Cheese, Tomato, Alf alpha Sprouts on a great soft bakery roll with a little mayo and a tiny mustard.
In addition to the drinks and sandwiches, you serve your guests some great kettle chips and some brownies or cookies...



Etsy Vintage searches are always good for finding old picnic baskets and many of them are a reasonable price. I you are having less than a hundred guests and on a budget, you could ask each of your bride's maids to cater a picnic for 1 picnic blanket (about 10 guests..)
Tip: be careful to use ingredients that are going to hold up to a little wait and a little heat. It may be wise to transfer food to cute picnic baskets from Styrofoam coolers where at least sandwiches and drinks can be kept cold.

Fields of Gold Wedding: Etsy Inspiration Board...

Inspiration Board & Vendor Links... HERE.... 

Fields of Gold Wedding: The Bridesmaids Dress...

Whenever I put together an inspiration board. I use a photo or a painting to get me started. I think the colors in this photograph are so restful and beautiful. Wheat & Sky... This photo is by CrystalPhotography on Etsy.. You can see it HERE...

This shawl is so elegant and made in just that sky blue by innovationdesign Wouldn't it make the perfect gift for the maid of honor?

This dress is pretty enough to be the wedding dress. I love the pretty flowers it's by AmandaArcher.... Who makes gorgeous dresses in every color..

Fields of Gold: The Dress...

My whole life I have seen frozen brides in the fall and winter. They literally turn blue and are often offered the suit coat of their groom.. who then begins to freeze... This is silly. The sweater was invented long ago. And, Look how pretty it is here! Image by Braedon Photography and first published at GreenWeddingShoes.com

Fields of Gold Wedding: The Food...

This little serving plate by CatsPawPottery is so beautiful and perfect for this wedding. Not only that, it's VERY reasonably priced. A couple of these plates full of cookies and brownies or little powdered sugar wedding cakes .. would be lovely...

Martinellis sparling apple juice is the apple shaped bottle is one of the cutest things ever.. A bunch of these piled on ice in a bucket would be fun wedding fair and darling as part of the decor.

And, now you are going to know I'm crazy... but I think if you gathered a bunch of really good artisan breads and served large slices with good butter and homemade jam and other toppings.. you'd have a treat that everyone would love.

Fields of Gold: Engagement...

Sometimes, we don't think much about the man's wedding ring. But, this is beautiful and would be a lovely memento of this wedding day. I love this ring. It's so handsome.

This photo is so pretty. And a field of corn or wheat or an orchard are such pituresque places to have photos taken, but remember that farms are private property. Please before you have photos taken.. ask permission from the farmer AND arrange for compensation. What grain you trample cannot be harvested and is a loss for the farmer.

Fields of Gold Wedding: The Flowers...

I couldn't really find a bouquet that is what I had in my mind for this wedding. I like the idea of this one, but it needs a little wheat.. ditch the purple and add a pale blue ribbon.. and we're there. :) Image from w-weddingflowers.com

Image from TheBudgetSavyBride.com
And, these are beautiful, but they need a pale blue ribbon as well...

Yep.. blue ribbon. :) Image from TheKnot.com

Love BoxEs goes DownUNDER!

My Wedding Cake Toppers are being featured this week on a wonderful Australian On-line Magazine... called Little Wed Hen. I love the article so you must pop over and see why I'm up so late bragging about myself.

Married in the year of the Dragon: Etsy Inspiration Board...

Inspiration Board & Vendor Links HERE...

Married in the year of the Dragon: Food & Favors...

At a traditional Chinese wedding dinner you are supposed to have a whole roasted pig, chicken (phoenix) and pigeon. I'm wondering if you have to do that because that sounds like a lot of work and expense when we have amazing Chinese Restaurants that cater yummy things like 5 Tates Shrimp and Nanking Pork and General Tsao's Chicken. .. General Tsao must have been the best general ever because his chicken is FANTASTIC. I hope I'm not just trampling really important traditions here, but I LOVE Chinese Food and it comes in those cute containers and they are usually red and white which matches...

Then, look at these gorgous cookies! Look at what they can do over at TasteOnTray.blogspot.com

These would make such pretty wedding favors.

Married in the year of the Dragon: The Dress...

The name of the tradition red Chinese wedding dress is Qi pao. Since Chinese New year 2012 falls on January 23rd. We looked for a warm dress and love this one with the faux feather trim. This little bride is so cute I think.

It's good luck for her to walk from her house under a red umbrella which I think is supposed to give her good luck to have many children or something... not sure. Many Chinese have a great love for children. When I visited San Fransico, I had a new baby. A dozen or so Chinese people just on the street would stop me and tell me in English or Chinese how beautiful my baby was. That's when they won my heart.
Children are treasures. Get the red umbrella :)

Married in the year of the Dragon: The Flowers...

This bouquet from Blossom'sFloralArtistry makes my heart sing! It is full of traditional flowers and is just a celebration all by itself. She has a post about the symbols of flowers in Chinese Tradition HERE.. that is beautifully done. I recommend clicking over to read it. :)

Several family members and friends have opted for a wedding dinner over a traditional reception. Look at all this pretty red together. I love it.

Married in the year of the Dragon: The Decorations...

The Chinese Wedding Ceremony is intricate and full of tradition. It is more than a wedding between two people, but a joining of two whole families and everyone is involved. THIS is a wonderful guide if you want to read about the tradition and ritual that go into a Chinese Wedding.

At some point, the bride will serve tea to her new in-laws. I love this tea cup. It's so pretty. Did you know there is an online Chinese Wedding Store... there is. And, that's a good thing because you are going to need a lot of RED wedding stuff. Red is a bold color that keeps away evil spirits. You know, I think that may be true! I grew up in a house full of red and there were no evil spirits in it ever. :)




























I love the idea of double happiness! A Chinese wedding must have a double happiness banner. The banner and the tea cup are available HERE...