Last month we introduced you to Amanda – one of our talented product designers, and Mark – the very smart man who proposed to her (you can tell him we said that).

So while they’re off in North Carolina posing pretty for official engagement photos (which of course, we’ll share later), here’s a little update on their wedding plans.

First order of business – the date.  After much thought and consideration, the perfect October date was selected.  And yes, this being a Tar Heel state wedding, it’s an off week for everyone’s favorite football teams.

Date – check – now the church.  Amanda’s childhood church, circa 1811 (the church, not Amanda).  A beautiful, stately building right in the heart of town – and what an amazing sanctuary!  Can’t you just envision the gorgeous walk down the aisle?

And speaking of “the walk”, Amanda’s chosen blush pink and white as her wedding colors, and the bridesmaids will be resplendent in soft shades of complimentary  gray – from silvery gray to charcoal.  Amanda’s own dress is a shimmering white confection from Watters & Watters,  designers known for classic, innovative designs.  We won’t reveal the actual dress, but here’s a taste from their lovely bridal fashions.

And the reception?  Oh they considered so many places!  Both Amanda and Mark wanted some place fun and cool, but they were also looking for a site not too far from the church.  And they found it – the Museum of Natural Sciences, a simply gorgeous venue with a soaring atrium and all sorts of interesting exhibits – such fun for their guests – and a mere block away from the ceremony.

The honeymoon destination is still under consideration.  They’ve narrowed it down to two fabulous islands – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, or Barbados.  Quite frankly, they can’t go wrong with either, can they?

More deets later!

All together now! Then comes <fill in your favorite mommy-to-be> with a baby carriage!

We actually have a Kate Aspen Special Delivery coming in the next few months.  Brooke is expecting a beautiful baby girl in July and we’re “over the moon” about the impending arrival.  Yes, shower plans are already in the making – which reminded us.  We haven’t shown off our delightful baby shower favors recently.  So we made you a little baby shower montage.  Oh!  And there’s a video, too (look in the column to the right).

Enjoy!

Reality show alumni Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney’s wedding took place in California yesterday.  You can watch the events unfold in a two-hour special set to air March 8 on ABC.

While we know the show will be quite lovely, we also know you probably don’t have an entire Hollywood production crew in your pocket for your wedding (although it may feel like it at times).  So here’s a little peek at  the wedding professionals behind the Jason and Molly affair:

The Venue

Terranea Resort •   Palos Verdes, California

A gorgeous eco-conscious resort just south of Los Angeles, Jason and Molly’s ceremony took place under a driftwood covered arbor overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Yes, it was raining a bit.  Yes, there was a tsunami warning.  But love trumped all, and the fifteen minute ceremony took place as planned.

Color of the Day

Mostly white •  Green to accent •  Dramatic black for pop

Guests were seated on the lawn on linen-draped white ottomans and sofas, giving a Pacific casual-chic atmosphere to the wedding.  Antique bird cages were scattered about the venue and the couple released white doves after the ceremony.

And no, we don’t know if Kate Aspen favors were on the venue design menu, but we do have THE perfect choices!

Event Planner

Love Luck and Angels • Los Angeles, California

Talented Los Angeles-based event coordinator, Jo Gartin, pulled it all together for Jason and Molly.

Floral Designer

Eden Rodriguez • End Design • Palo Alto and Mill Valley, California

Following the eco-conscious flavor of the couple, the ceremony, the venue and the day, Eden Rodriguez of End Design provided the floral flair.  At the reception, the tables were dressed with beautiful displays of white orchids and tulips, Casablanca lilies and black pepper berries.

The Dress

A white, strapless number by Monique Lhuillier.  We’re guessing it was from her couture collection, because a price of $45,000 is mentioned.  Tune into the special on March 8 to see it.

The Honeymoon

Ahh, that remains a secret, perhaps until March 8, which is only fair.  The newlyweds certainly deserve to enjoy their honeymoon together at “a Caribbean resort.”

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Mesnick!

Photo of Jason at Molly courtesy of People.com.

Woo Hoo!  We found this one on Flickr.com and oh how we wish we were at Cap Juluca, too! That’s where this picture’s from.   Heavenly Anguilla!

Even though your wedding budget might not include a posh Caribbean resort, you can still share a little beach love with delicious ideas for a beach tablescape (and beach favors, too!).

Some cute ideas to consider:

Beach junk + Citrus + Blue Hyacinth (atop a mirrored base)

A little sand, some driftwood, pieces of fishing net surround a clear container holding fresh hyacinth and limes – how beachy-easy is that?  Dress up the table with the elegant solid chrome shell bottle stopper in a coordinating personality box, or keep it eco-friendly and casual with bamboo!

Conch – From Fritters to Fabulous Centerpiece!

It makes good soup, too – but did you ever think about conch as a centerpiece?  Stuff with damp oasis, insert flowers and voila!  Beach-perfection!  Accent each place setting with a polished shell place card holder – put some engagement photos of the two of you around in the shell frames, and send your guests home with Beach Memories in these clever little photo albums!

Fabulous Fish-scapes!

Simple gold fish in a simply lovely crystal bowl, the glass pebbles at the bottom reflecting the colors of your beautiful day.  Accent with tea light candles flickering in lovely light house-themed holders, and mark each place with the delightful silver-toned miniature sailboat place card holders.  The favor to remember?  Kissing fish, of course!

Have a Ball!

Oh this one is just plain fun! Brightly colored tablecloths, beach balls already in the air so let’s get the sand castles up on the tables to act as candle holders and place card holders, sprinkle around some sassy flip flop frames with souvenir pics of you and your new husband, and be sure to say thank you with the super-cute shell bottle opener – presentation ready complete with a thank you tag!

Happy Planning! 

Here’s a bit of wedding trivia for you:

Ancient Roman brides dressed in white to please the mythological god Hymen who reigned, back in the day, as the god of marriage and fertility.  ‘Twas said he favored white.

Interesting, no?

In Eastern cultures, the traditional wedding color is red. Modern eastern brides often give a nod to tradition while remaining planted firmly in today by switching between two dresses – one traditional and one modern.

Back in the day, when only royal families could afford the luxury of elaborate wedding dresses, they would bedeck their brides in many-colored wedding gowns elaborately ornamented with silver and gold thread embroderies.  Thusly, elaborate weddings broadcast status and wealth, while the lower classes wore simple white.

Who knew?

The fabulous designer, Coco Chanel, introduced the first knee-length wedding gown in the 1920’s. (This one’s by Romona Keveza – lovely!)

In the 1960’s, the elegant actress Grace Kelly’s ascension to Princess with her wedding to Prince Ranier of Monaco sparked the imagination of brides world-wide.  As a result, wedding gowns turned toward elegance and simplcity.

The marriage of Lady Diana Spencer to Prince Charles in the 1980’s marked the resurgence of the big, fluffy princess-style gown.  The gown is now part of a traveling exhibition honoring the memory of the lovely Diana.  If you get a chance to see it, do go.  The exhibit is currently here in Atlanta, and we all made a field trip to see it.  Poignant, but absolutely amazing!

Here’s an interesting video of the uncrating of the dress as it arrived at an exhibition venue:

Influenced by era, culture, and celebrity, wedding traditions continue to adapt to the times, giving all you sassy brides a wealth of possibilities when planning your special day!

Our favorite tradition?

Something old, something new,
Something borrowed, something blue,
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.