1.  The Social Seam – Black and White Bridal Clutch

2. LaceyClaireDesigns – Black and White Damask Three Tier Wedding Card Box

3.  BMJNYC – Black Dimaond Twig Ring

4.  SugarPlum Garters – Black and White Damask Garter Set

5.  Mackensley Designs – Black and White Damask and Red Rose Bird Cage Holder

6. AbbeyandIzzieDesigns – Black and White Damask Wedding Fans

7.  Appleberry Ink – Damask and Yellow Wedding Invitations

8. Go Against the Grain – Black and White Modern Cupcake Flags

9. Bride in Bloom – Red and White Real Touch Calla Lily Bouquet with Damask Ribbon

We had some technical difficulties with last weeks giveaway so we are reposting and running Fancie Strands giveaway this week. We apologize for all who entered last week and hope you will give us another try this week.

This weeks giveaway features this beautiful pearl headband from Fancie Strands valued at $45.00. This elegant bridal headband is handmade with ivory goose feathers and pearls, skinny silver metal headband, and is available in white or ivory.

To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks below. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.

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To learn more about Fancie Strands visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fanciestrands
http://www.facebook.com/fanciestrands
http://twitter.com/fanciestrands
http://pinterest.com/fanciestrands

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1.  Cottontail Press – Vintage Orange Save the Date Ticket Announcement

2. Parsi – Orange and Yellow Clay Bridal Bouquet

3.  BMJNYC – Citrine Gemstone Ring

4.  Go Against the Grain - Mini Yellow Guest Book Pencil Flags

5.  AbbeyandIzzieDesigns – Yellow Wedding Ceremony Fans

6.  It Tops the Cake – Calla Lily and Yellow Rose Wedding Cake Topper

7.  Appleberryink – Yellow Tree Branch Wedding Invitation and Stationary

8.  Haribowswonderworld – Bright Yellow Ring Bearer Flower

9.  Mackensley Designs – Yellow and Orange Wedding Birdcage Card Holder

10.  Bride In Bloom – Orange and Yellow Autumn Bouquet

Click on the picture to view the treasury and shops contained

The flowers you use on your wedding set the stage for the tone of your day.  Formal and elegant?  Bright and cheerful?  Vintage chic?  There are different flowers for every theme, and for the newly engaged bride, the choices can be overwhelming.

Start with the theme and location of your wedding.  What are your wedding colors? Certain stems only come in specific colors, so if you have your heart set on peonies, you aren’t going to get them in blue.  Roses and calla lilies are great for more formal weddings, orchids and succulents fit in with tropical destinations, and daisies, hydrangeas, and lavender are perfect for outdoor and country weddings.

Cost is also a big factor when choosing your wedding flowers.  Hydrangeas are large, so they give you more bang for your buck.  Daisies, roses, carnations, and calla lilies are on the more affordable end of the spectrum, while orchids and peonies will have you spending more.  And of course, if you are buying out of season, always expect the cost to be higher.

Silk and real-touch flowers are a great alternative to live stems, as the colors can be a bit more customized, you don’t need to worry about anyone in your bridal party with allergies, and they are more cost-effective.  And as an added bonus, they last forever.  No more tossing your bouquet in the trash before you leave for your honeymoon!

Still feeling stuck?  Your florist or wedding planner can give you advice as to the best flower selection for your theme and budget.  Your flower arrangements don’t need to be large and overflowing – often a simpler, more petite arrangement will complement your dresses and venue just as well as expensive arrangements.  Have fun with your flowers, and remember – whichever stems you use, they will always remind you of your big day!

Ann has been gracious enough to offer the winner their choice 10 colors, 6 are shown here.

To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks below. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To learn more about Ann Leslie Designs visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/annleslie
http://www.facebook.com/annlesliedesigns
http://twitter.com/annlesliedesign
http://pinterest.com/annlesliedesigns

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1. Garden Party Flower Girl Dress – Amanda Archer

2. Brooch Bouquet in Garden Pastels – Haribows Wonder World

3. Happily Ever After Drink Straws – Go Against the Grain

4.  Pink Peony Luggage Tag Magnets – Mavora Art and Design

5. Garden Wedding Lavender Rose Bouquet – Kate Said Yes

6. Cherry Blossom Favors – AbbeyandIzzieDesigns

7. Herb Garden Marjorie Invitation and RSVP Card Set – Creative Montage

8.  White Peony and Ivory Rose Silk Flower Wedding Cake Topper – It Tops the Cake

9.  Wreath Floral Wedding Invitation with Postcard RSVP – Lasso’d Moon

10.  Ivory Lace Bridal Clutch – AngeeW

Dad Cupcake Toppers by Go Against the Grain

Father’s day is coming up (June 16th, 2013) and what better way for a bride to find something unique to give from etsy!  Here are some great gift options from the Etsy Wedding Team!

Lincoln penny cufflinks by ShellScapes

Green bow tie by The Social Seam

Custom Father of the Bride caricature glass by Crystal Peace Studio

We asked former wedding planner, turned talented EtsyWeddingTeam member, Shelly of CompanyFortyTwo for her advice on if brides need a wedding planner.  Read on to hear what she says.  Be sure to visit her Etsy store for chic rustic table decor, custom rustic wedding menus, unique rustic escort cards and place cards and more!

 Do you need a wedding planner?  This is just one of the many questions you will ask yourself once you get engaged.  For most brides the one single deciding factor for all of their wedding decisions is their budget.  Whether it is a shoe-string budget or a budget that would make David Tutera jump up and down with glee, most brides have to decide what is most important to spend their money on.

When I got married my top three must-haves were great photography, amazing reception decor and tasty food.  Even though a wedding planner was not on the top of my list I knew it was a must. Having been a planner myself I would recommend every bride have one.  Try not to think of wedding planners or wedding coordinators as another nail in your budget coffin.  Try to think of them as a gift you are giving yourself.  Weddings are stressful, tiring, and can drain you of every emotion you have! Brides put a large amount of pressure on themselves trying to plan the perfect day and if you can eliminate a huge portion of that stress then by all means you should.

Second Photo Credit:  FancieStrands

So why do you need a planner?  Here are some of the reasons:

1.  Just say no to STRESS ~ They help elevate stress and take the burdens of planning off your shoulders.

 2.  Professional Connections ~ They have access to fabulous vendors and can help negotiate pricing and discounts for you to help you save money in the long run.

Photo Credits:  Left - SiboDesigns  Middle - AngeeW   Right- NatalieBriggs

3. Knowledge ~They are in the know about the latest industry trends and can offer expert advice.

4. Peace of mind ~  Planners are excellent at fixing “day-of-disasters” and most likely you will not even know something went wrong on your big day.

5.  Your time is precious ~  Most brides-to-be work and have other facets of their lives that keep them very busy.  A planner can help you nail down the best of the best in your area and within your budget. So instead of interviewing  ten bakery’s you only have to interview the top three in your area.

6. Your wedding is out of town ~  A planner is practically a must in this situation.  Having no prior knowledge of the area or local wedding vendors, a planner can guide you through this uncharted territory.

 7.  All the right things ~  Planners can help you with all your etiquette questions regarding save the dates, invitations and any possible etiquette issue you may be having.

Photo Credits:  Left – YellowBrickGraphis  Right – CompanyFortyTwo

8.  All about you ~ Most importantly, the day of your wedding is just that…YOUR day!  The planner takes care of all details concerning your wedding day so you can relax, sit back, look beautiful and ENJOY your day!

Photo Credit:  PowderBlueBijoux

Ways to fit a planner in your budget:

Having been a wedding planner myself, I think every bride should have a planner for her own peace of mind but I am not unsympathetic to budget woes.  Here are some ways you can still have a planner but not break the bank.

1.  Hiring someone who is new to the wedding scene.  This is a little risky because the planner may not have a lot of experience under their belt but he/she will most likely be offering their services at a discounted rate until they are established.

2.  Hire a company that offers wedding coordination and day-of-services only.  This helps eliminate the more expensive “planning” service and the coordinator will only be responsible for day-of-services.

3. Enlist a friend.  If you absolutely have no money in your budget for a planner then I would suggest asking a friend to help you.  This should be someone who you trust to help make decisions for you (on the day-of) and who has a “take-charge” attitude.

I hope this helps anyone who has been sitting on the fence about hiring a wedding planner. One final tip:  Make sure you interview several planners before you make your decision.  You want to work with someone that you can trust and connect with. Go with your gut, if the chemistry seems a little off keep interviewing potential planners until you find someone you “click” with.

Happy Planning! - Shelly Nakabayashi of CompanyFortyTwo