With spring seemingly just around the corner (we’ve heard the birds a-chirping already) our wedding inspiration board today is a reflection of some of the colors we’ll soon be seeing in the garden. Can’t wait to see those pretty spring blooms popping up!

Having grown up in New England we are very familiar with the long history and traditions as well as the style that a preppy wedding would entail. I have found that many Northeastern prep weddings would utilize the bolder spectrum of the traditional colors such as the bright spring green above, vibrant oranges, yellows and pinks. We may be a bit stuffy and conservative here in New England but we do like to kick up our heels, when appropriate of course. Making sure not to get too carried away with all that brightness would be the addition of your traditional navy and khaki. Since I consider myself a pretty organized person, the preppy wedding speaks to me for its clean, crisp simplicity. Coordinate this wedding in a Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket seaside venue along with a lobster bake with all the trimmings and you have yourself a true New England classic.

I know we have our New England prep, but I think there are other prep styles in different regions as well. How about the Southern prep or even a California/West Coast prep? Share with us some detail. We’d love to hear them!

xoxo

Row 1: Lela Rose Bridesmaid Dress via Style Me Pretty | Preppy Groom by Emily Steffen Photography via Wedding Chicks | Pink Dahlia Invitation via Hostess with the Mostess

Row 2: Wedding Bouquet by Emily Steffen Photography via Wedding Chicks | Pink Stripe-y Straws via Etsy | Green Wedding Shoes via Geneoh Photography

Colors: Spring Green, Navy, Pink Tulip, Khaki Gray

I must preface this post by saying that I have never had so much fun putting together a vendor spotlight before. (Not that I don’t love all of my vendors, because I do, immensely :) I digress… Today’s spotlight is on this not-so-typical, unique and revolutionary wedding registry called Knot a Registry, curated by the fabulously spunky Kira Hug. Knot a Registry takes even the most (and it is the most) daunting and mundane (of which it is both) task of wedding planning and making it fun and all about you.

The Knot a Registry idea and brand is incredible. What gets me more is Kira’s grab-you-pull-you-in voice on the website and blog. Best of all, she vlogs (that’s video blogging for those who don’t know) at least once a week. All around though, this woman is hilarious. I’ve literally spent hours on her website and blog (sometimes laughing my butt off) and am seriously tempted to just copy and paste it all here (it’s just that good). But seeing as you can do the clicking, reading and exploring yourself, I’ve decided not to do that. What I have decided however, is to let Kira tell you exactly what Knot a Registry is all about. I’ve excerpted her interview with me below because, well, she kicks butt! Read on, so your registry will too! ;)

{Knot a Registry} is a curated gift gallery for creative couples. Imagine, a registry that gives you everything you wanted and changed the world. A registry that is built upon your aspirations and desires. A registry that makes gift giving easy, engaging and even playful. What would it be like? How would it transform your life? I know we can rock your registry and I’m here to help.

At Knot a Registry, we believe that your wedding registry can be so much more than a collection of meaningless trinkets for Aunt Bessy to buy. It can be a symbol. An art-piece. An inspiration board. A challenge. A way for your guests – and virtual admirers you haven’t even met yet – to play an active and intimate role in your unfolding love story. (Read more here.)

How do we do it? We will explore passions and pursuits of the soon-to-be bride or groom. You tell me what you think you want, and I’ll ask the questions that extract your actual desires and needs. I design a customized Experience Series for you and your sweet thang. Experience Adventure. Experience the Arts. Experience the Trapeze. We’ll see where we end up; it’s different for every couple.

For $500, and in just 10 days, we will create the registry of your absolute dreams!

Best. Thing. Ever. Or what? For more information on the actual step-by-step process and to see a curated gift gallery, clickety-click the links :)

{About Kira} What?! You’re not tickled pink by the antique vase your aunt Bessy gave you? Yeah, me neither. I’m here to curate a gift list that is going to blow your garter off. I’m the Founder of Knot a Registry and I love gift giving, beekeepin’, my home and hubby in NYC, and building with Jenga blocks and ideas. I believe brides and grooms transform into super heroes upon engagement, and I’m here to help you rock your registry. When you design your gift registry, you design your life.

{How it All Began} My husband, Ezra, and I were submerged in the wild during our wedding planning season yesteryear. Lions, tigers, and gowns. Oh my. As we maneuvered through DJ’s, stylists (fake lashes, stick ‘em on!), and costumes, I realized that we never brought up the “R” word. Registry. It felt like a dirty word, and all I could think of was the department store. Eek.

We were in search of a rare registry that could solve all of our problems, deliver all of our desires via our inbox, and change our lives. Sans scan gun. Since we couldn’t find the right registry, we made our own. It’s Knot A Registry.

{Most Frequently Asked Question + Tips}

Q: How should we politely ask guests to give gifts from our registry?

A: There are three parts to my answer:

1. Create a registry that is playful and engaging for your guests. If it will not be pleasurable and easy for them to navigate, don’t share it. Let’s raise the bar here, Brides and Grooms. Spend as much time on your registry as you do picking your wedding menu, flowers, colors, etc. It all counts.
2. Your guests want to give you gifts that will elevate your life. Make it easy. Include the registry hyperlink in your fancy airmail invitations and your electronic PDF invites as well. Yes, sending an electronic invite along with your tangible, high-gloss invitation is a smart idea. It allows for guests to store the fine details in their smart phone. We all lose the original invite months prior to the actual wedding day. Offer a preview of your registry and feature a playful gift image in your invite. Draw your guests in. Ultimately, your registry is marketing collateral. It can and should be crafted like a work of art.
3. Don’t be afraid to tell your guests what you really want. They want to know. They want to hear about your new life and the gifts that will help you gain unique new experiences and kick-off your marriage in a positive-light. Post a link to your registry on Facebook. Tweet it. Friends that may not be attending your wedding also want to support your marriage and celebrate with you. Let them.

{Favorite Love Quote} “The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.” – Rumi, The Illuminated Rumi

Are you ready to swim with dolphins? Get a couples massage? Make your own popsicles? See a play on Broadway? Donate to your favorite charity? Get a canvas of your favorite wedding photo? And so much more. Or, rather, anything you can think of. Then, click here or her handy-dandy ad in our sidebar to contact Kira and get started today! Don’t forget to tell her I sent you! :) And be sure to follow Kira on Facebook and Twitter! And, also read her blog where she posts giggle-worthy delight in the form of wedding info-spiration, drama-taming tips and heart-fluttering gift ideas.

Thank you, Kira, for making the Heart Love Weddings family just a bit more fabulous by being a part! We couldn’t be happier to have you to share with our brides and readers! xoxo

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Photos: Knot a Registry, couples yoga, make your own popsicles, dolphin encounter, rock climbing, couples massage, wedding canvas

With the completion of the most popular time of getting engaged (from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day), it is now time to get down to some serious wedding planning. It’s time to get super excited about choosing style, colors, dresses, flowers and all the rest of the fun stuff. But it’s also a time that you will become frustrated, stressed, and also overwhelmed with all the well wishers and advice that seemingly comes from the most interesting sources. Everyone seems to have an opinion and there seems to be so much to consider. Well, we’re here to help. And we’re offering a fresh perspective and hopefully some new twists in the conventional wedding planning approach. We shared our first things first approach to wedding planning few weeks ago, and today we’re going to start breaking it down by tackling the first item on List #1: The Big Picture – Setting Your Date and Guest List.

via Millie Holloman Photography

First, here’s a couple of basic ground rules which you will need to get started:

• Breath, yes, take a deep cleansing breath. And keep taking deep breathes during your whole wedding planning process right up until you say “I do.” It really does help. Oprah says so.
• Relax. Everything will get done, all in good time.
• Pick your go-to people that are going to help you make decisions. Keep this group small. This group should include the bride, groom, parents, a best friend. Too many and things get really dicey, even ugly and disappointing. Trust me.

via Millie Holloman Photography

Next, let’s start planning a wedding – the first really big party that you will probably throw as a couple! As with any party, the first thing you do is set a date and create your guest list. Many think the budget is the very first thing you decide. Really? No. Have you ever planned a “party” and started out by saying “we are only going to spend x amount of dollars?” No. Why? Because you don’t know how many people will be coming. Isn’t the amount you’re going to spend directly related to the number of guests that will be available and can come on the date you choose? Say it with me, why yes, yes they are. Bingo, light bulb turns on.

Note: There are some that would disagree, that the first consideration is and should be the budget. We will get to that but after we’ve created the guest list and set the date. And after you’ve done some research. Going into wedding planning with your budget first will inevitably result in a lot of drama, arguments, dashed hopes, and lots of sobbing may ensue.

via Millie Holloman Photography

Now let’s get back to setting the date and your guest list. These two planning elements are uniquely intertwined. Why? Because you want the most important people in your life, the ones that love you and support you to be there on your wedding day. You don’t want to schedule your date when your best man is out of the country on business or when your parents are in the throes of working tax season (wink, wink).

{Setting the Date} Things to consider:

• Season – spring, summer, fall and winter. The season will also impact whether you will have an indoor or outdoor ceremony and/or reception.
• Destination  – consider if you will be traveling out of the country or in the US but out of your immediate locale.
• Vacation schedule – some couples may face restrictions due to conflicting work schedules, mandatory vacations times, deadlines and being able to get coverage whether you are employed by someone or even self employed.
• Once you’ve taken the above into consideration, now pick a date! Pick several. Yes, don’t get too attached to one date at the beginning of your planning. Very important. Why? Because the next step will be to start researching photographers, videographers and venues. There is no greater disappointment when you find the perfect photographer/videographer or the most gorgeous venue and your perfect, set in stone date is not available. Cue sound of a sad trombone and maybe even sobbing. Be flexible.

There is something very special about a rainbow. But a rainbow on a wedding day? That’s incredible! It’s what first drew me to this truly beautiful Chesapeake Bay wedding with delicate nautical touches from Abby Grace Photography. What’s more was the photograph of the beautiful bride and her handsome groom sharing a kiss on the docks, the most brilliant rainbow sinking into the ocean beyond, like a ray of happiness shining down on their future together.

David and Chrissy met on a church outing where Chrissy wanted absolutely nothing to do with David’s not-so-smooth talking. By the end of that first meeting, she was committed to staying single, but he was committed to dating her. (Guess who won out in the end?)

For two long years, David ardently pursued Chrissy. After many unsuccessful attempts, David decided to remain friends with her in the hope that she would one day return his affections. But, because she continually kept him at arm’s length, David eventually had to walk away. Six months later, they tried again. But due to unforeseen circumstances, they weren’t able to move forward. A few months later, a friend suggested they meet for coffee. Their coffee date turned into a four-hour long lunch by the end of which, the two were officially dating.

Within their first year together, Chrissy knew that David was the one. She chooses to overlook the fact that he’s a huge Yankees fan and he tolerates the fact that she grew up favoring the Boston Red Sox. Most of all though, they love to laugh together.

It wasn’t long before David began planning his perfect proposal. He purchased the ring and asked friends to help him set the whole thing up at another friend’s house, completely throwing Chrissy off his trail. They put out flowers, candles, wine and cheese. The moment was beautiful and after David got down on one knee, he whisked Chrissy away for a celebratory dinner with both of their mom’s.

{From the Bride} We chose not to see each other before the ceremony. My friends did the flowers and I made my own centerpieces with garden lanterns that took me forever to find and large hurricanes filled with stones I picked off the beach in New Hampshire. Much of the day was a blur, but I do remember some things. Our rendition of the Dirty Dancing dance and our sparkler sendoff were some of my favorite moments. My top moment though was seeing all of our family and friends gathered around the dance floor as we danced to Darius Rucker’s History in the Making for our first dance.

{Advice for Couples} Communicate! This is a big one. Also, be open about expectations and be willing to change them. And remember, at the end of the day, you will still be married, no matter what happens!

How completely gorgeous is Chrissy in her draped Mermaid gown? And David looks positively dashing (and dare I say, smoldering!!) in his tux! The photos of them on the pier simply melt my heart! And that rainbow? Sigh. Swoon. Love it. Congratulations you two! May there be many more rainbows and laughter in your future years together! And a very special thank you to the lovely Abby Grace for sharing their very special day with all of us today! xoxo

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Photography: Abby Grace Photography

Venue: Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa

Ceremony: Cherrydale Baptist Church | Pastor Steve King

Favors: Kate Spade (sailboats), The Knot (custom matchbooks)

Wedding Dress: Moonlight Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew

Men’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse |Hair: Kate McGuire

Cupcakes: Wegmans | DJ: Crow Entertainment

Flowers: Wegmans | Veil: Etsy

Oh, how I’ve loved this week. My favorite love-filled day of the year. Incredible numbers in traffic. Some amazing features. I got to spend an entire day with my guy, going to lunch, seeing The Vow, falling even more in love and staying off my phone. Blissful. I got to use words incredibly close to my heart to write a post that inspired so many. I can’t even begin to tell you how good that feels. It’s overwhelming, it’s humbling, it’s amazing. It’s wow. I’m usually always very afraid to write posts like that, that are so close to my heart. I hide behind the computer screen. The words are all mine, the brand is all me and every day, I lose myself in it, but I rarely ever put my face on it. After today, I’ll do that more. Because this post and the amazing response has set my heart on FIRE! Thank you, all of you.

What we indulged in this week…

A glamorous Tiffany Blue wedding was the perfect lead-in to Valentine’s Day!

The most romantic and breathtaking love story and engagement session EVER!

A beautiful love story, a perfect day, a breathtaking wedding film!

A winter wonderland wedding inspiration board filled with beautiful blue hues!

So much love for our vendors!

An informative heart to heart on why wedding albums are PRICELESS!

A sweet engagement session with sweet smiles and a picnic!

A post so incredibly close to my heart. I hope you’ll read every word of it.

A love sought, found and kept.

A few lovely links from around the web…

A kiss at the top of a ferris wheel, gorgeous dress and a first look balloon release has me swooning.

I pinned this flower chart, but the post is super informative too, so I thought I’d share it with you!

I needed this reminder and because I know I’ll need it again, I bookmarked it.

I’m making these tomorrow :)