Vintage Wedding Hats

I'm loving these unique, handmade vintage hats by Graceful Butterfly. Sonia Caceres, the designer behind Graceful Butterfly, is a Chicago based artist who's custom wedding hats start at $125 and go up to $450. Go here for more information on how to order.

My Flowers: Pre-Trial Run

We're using Aria Floral Studio in Westmont, IL for our flowers. Last summer, when we were making the decision, Aria did a pre-trial run for us. Since our wedding colors are black, white and green, we're incorporating most of the color (green) in the flowers. They did a great job of pulling together as many unique floral and greenery options as possible. I like the wheat grass, cabbage leaves and various other "cool" looking things. The bouquet still needs work - I want it to be all white with a few touches of green (and a bit bigger). I LOVE peonies & ranunculus...hopefully they'll be able to get enough of them (in white) in June! I can't wait to go back in May for our "real" trial run...

Brand Development: Insite Brokerage Inc.

Logo

Full-color, 2-sided business cards w/ rounded corners

(Click on images to enlarge)

Awesome Wedding Cake Alternatives!!!

I'm really excited to share today's posting with you! As a bride-to-be, I'm still trying to figure out what to do regarding our wedding cake. I'm not a huge cake fan...I prefer ice cream, candy, pretty much any other kind of sweet than cake. I'm also not a huge fan of paying $5-10 a slice for something I probably won't have more than a bite of! I was doing some research last night and came across these deliciously amazing "wedding cake alternatives" - check them out:

The first two images are of Croquembouche. Croquembouche is a French dessert traditionally served at weddings. It's a tower made of profiteroles (pastries filled with cream) that are "glued" together with butter and carmel (yum!). The third image is, obviously, of chocolate covered strawberries. A local Chicago bakery, House of Fine Chocolates, creates "Strawberry Trees" - towers made of chocolate covered strawberries. I think I'm officially in heaven! I'll keep everyone posted on what we decide to do for our big day...at this point I'm still considering the all-white, all-coconut options I posted about last week.

Image Sources: Chocolates by Michelle, Le Petit Patissier, sum.ptuo.us, eccakes.

Save The Date: Carolyn & Tony

Postcards make wonderful Save The Dates...and require less postage too! Cost is $0.27 to mail a postcard, versus $0.42 for a regular letter. As always, custom designs are available - just send me an email! Please note: personal information has been changed to protect the identity of my client.

Brand Development: Slimpressions

(Click on images to enlarge)

I've had an amazing experience working with Amy and Jennifer at Slimpressions on their brand development over the past few years. I've helped them create a logo, visual identity system, product hang-tag and numerous marketing & trade show pieces. I would highly recommend Slimpressions to anyone who is looking for a shapewear product to slim their arms, back and midriff. Slimpressions create an amazing illusion of weight reduction (see the "before" and "after" shots of the model's arm above!). The "Haves" and "Have Nots" are great for mother-of-the-brides or grandmothers who are hoping to slim down for the big day! The "Skinny Minis" are great for warmer weather, as they have adjustable spaghetti straps (no sleeves). Slimpressions has been featured in Redbook magazine and is available online and at boutiques across the country. Go here to find a store near you.

Something Blue

Watercolors; $85.00

Nature Lover; $45.00

First Glance; $125.00

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. These beautiful earrings by Pequitobun would be perfect for a bride's "something blue." Made of antique pieces and gemstones, each are a one-of-a-kind find. For more on wedding customs, go here.

Sneak Peek - Custom Logos

I've been getting a lot of requests lately for custom logos (specifically for weddings & new businesses). Here's a sneak peek at some of my most recent work...lots more to come next week! Happy Weekend!

Blog Love!

A special thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who have shown me "blog love" this week. Amanda over at Vintage Glam was kind enough to do a 2-part post on Megan and Bryan's "Storybook" wedding (Part 1 & Part 2) I featured a few weeks ago. Check out the original KEG postings here and here. Also, a shout out to the following blogs for putting KEG on their site:

Classic Bride

Soon To Be Koo

Veiled Vows

Vintage Glam 

Wed In The White City

If you have a great blog or website related to weddings, design or anything wonderful, please contact me...I'd love to see your work. I'd also be more than happy to put you on my blog roll. And I welcome the same: please place KEG DESIGN on your site too...I'd be delighted!

Engagement Invitation: Alyson & Anthony

Coordinating Invitations for the couple's Engagement Celebration.

Save The Date: Alyson & Anthony

A traditional Save The Date card becomes memorable with special embellishments. Alyson and Anthony wrote a poem about their engagement, which was printed on an iridescent piece of vellum. The vellum was placed over the main card and attached using a blue metal brad. Brown twine was tied under each brad and a single austrian crystal was added for the perfect final touch! Coordinating Engagement Party invitation to come...

Coconut Delight

For some reason I'm drawn to all white wedding cakes and desserts. We haven't figured out what we'll be doing for our wedding yet, but I love some of the following examples. The coconut flakes are making my mouth water and the filigree cupcake holders are super cool. Oh, the possibilities...

Sources: The Cake Girls, Martha Stewart Weddings, Paper Orchid, Favor Affair, Sarah's Candies.

New KEG Designs on Etsy!

Check out my new letterpress Thank You cards on Etsy. Go here!

Wedding Invitation: Bailey & Rhett

Winter wedding in Chicago...skyline and snowflake imagery help set the mood. Thermography (raised printing) adds elegance to a classic design and is more affordable than letterpress. Wedding colors = sage and ivory. (Click images to enlarge.)

Budget Friendly Dresses

Athena (Silver/Taupe); $38.40

Nina (black); $44.00

Holly Navy; $28.00

Christina (Navy); $33.60

I wanted to share this great site I recently discovered, 1 Happy Girl Boutique, with everyone. Paige, the founder of the boutique, is a local Chicago based model and shopping fanatic. These dresses are too cute - I especially love the silver one. They would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner ensemble or even bridesmaid dresses. Budget friendly too - prices starting as low as $20!

Chicago Brides: Hinsdale Wedding Walk 2/22

Happy weekend everyone! If you're a Chicago-area bride looking for some inspiration this weekend, head over to the Hinsdale Wedding Walk. A long list of vendors and stores will be sharing in the latest wedding trends as well as new merchandise. Hinsdale is quite a beautiful town and a great afternoon escape from the city. 

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door - 1pm to 4pm. Raffle prizes too! Check it out!

A Big Thanks to Veiled Vows!

I'm still new to this whole "blog" world...and learning as I go. So far, the few "hellos" I've sent to some of my favorite fellow wedding bloggers have been kindly received. I wanted to send a special thanks to Emilia over at Veiled Vows & Auburn & Ivory for featuring some of my work and putting my blog on her site. Thank you! Please check out her blog(s) and amazing handmade jewelry on Etsy. Happy Friday!

Hand Stamped LOVE Necklace; Sterling Silver $15.00

Gold or Gaudy?

The question isn't whether or not the Martha Stewart China (below) is gaudy (because I love it!), it's whether or not the gold-plated flatware is cool or, well, flashy? I registered for the two China patterns below, half "Garland Moss" and half "French Knot," because they look amazing mixed together. The gold-plated flatware matches perfectly, but might not be necessary. It's very Anthropologie to me...and who doesn't love Anthropologie?! What do you think...comments?

Wallace Hammered Flatware, Gold Plated

65-Piece Set $209.90 @ Neiman Marcus

Martha Stewart Wedgewood "Garland Moss" 

5-Piece Place Setting, $119.00 @ Macy's

Martha Stewart Wedgewood "French Knot" 

5-Piece Place Setting (Gold), $99.00 @ Macy's

A is for Anderson

Monograms are a great way to personalize your wedding. Once you have a monogram that you love, it can be incorporated into your wedding save the dates, invitations, programs, napkins, favors and more. A consistent design element throughout your event will help tie everything together. 

Because there are an infinite number of possibilities when creating a monogram...full last name, first initials, first letter of last name...it makes them very fun to design. Depending on the look and feel you're going for (romantic, vintage, beach, retro), the fonts used to create your monogram can also help tell your story. If you're interested in a custom monogram design, please email me at kelly@kegdesign.com.