Destination: Paper

Full time job, full-time wedding planning does an abandoned little blog make.
Thankfully Amanda Zoss of Zoss Design emailed me the cutest Cape Cod-inspired wedding invitations to put Shoreside Bride back on track and heading for Destination: Paper. Where I may stay for this whole week.

{ Find them here. Thanks for sharing Amanda! }

How quickly will your guests' minds go from "Opening the Mail on a regular Monday" to "Awesome Destination Wedding on a Cape Cod Beach!" when they open this little number? Just looking at the seagulls and the dune fence makes me feel like I'm on vacation.

The Cod

Although this may be obvious, Cape Cod is named after the codfish, which swam in great numbers along our coastline. Its abundance lured thousands of immigrants to settle on this spit of sand, yet the cod is a much maligned fish and often said to be the most ugly. What do you think?

  (And I bet you're wondering how this is all going to relate to something wedding-y.)

Local graphic artist Andrew Newman (whose daughter had a lovely wedding a few years back) elevates the lowly cod with a unique tongue-in-cheek style and puts his clever designs on cards, totes, t-shirts, stickers, etc.  in his Cape Card line (also sold on Etsy).

How about this as a Welcome Bag:

Or this as a funny thank you note, or save the date?

And, well, this one just cracks me up. Can I register for this?:

(*This whole thing has gotten me wondering who was the judge in the Atlantic Ocean fish beauty pageant that determined the Cod was less attractive than the flounder. Perhaps it came down to the talent portion of the competition.
Ahh. Too much caffeine too late at night.)

Tuesday Shoesday: Grey Day

It is a cold, rainy, grey day here on Old Cape Cod. A good day for curling up, watching daytime TV movies, and online shopping.

Is it OK to base a whole wedding around the shoes? I think so. Some gray beauties that sparked a whole Winter-on-Cape-Cod color inspiration:

{ Pour La Victoire }

{ Kate Spade }

{ Rocket Dog }

{ RSVP }

All from Zappos

Baby It's Cold Outside

It is snowing like a bah-stahd out there.  If your wedding was tonight, you'd need some cozy warm tights underneath your dress. Something like this:

{ Jennifer S. Rau Photography via Wedding Obsessions }

Like this idea? Find some cable knit tights here.

Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Starfish Hanging, Six Geese a Laying...

Err, no. Not quite the song. But me likey these starfish ornaments and thought they warranted a song.

Tie pretty little nametags to them (in silver or gold calligraphy), hang them from a Christmas tree, and aren't they just a darlin' Cape Cod Christmas Wedding escort card? 

{Is everyone trawling Etsy like I am for Christmas presents?!? 

These are from Etsy seller Hen And Chick 

but maybe could be a DIY project? } 

She Wanna Pearl Necklace

The pretty kind. Not the, uh, gross kind.

Particularly these, which would make a great bridesmaid gift. (I know. I've seen them in action. With short chocolate brown dresses and gold strappy sandals. Perfection.)

Or just a great anytime gift. (Hint, hint.)

{ Find 'em here }

Love Is...Part 2

More Shoreside guest "book" ideas I've been collecting...

{ Make a Wish, Take a Wish. It fulfills my need for 

apothecary jars and seashells. }

{ 'Leaf' a thumbprint on a Wedding Tree via; or all over Etsy}

 { Vintage Cape Cod postcards }

{ Or have guests sign a object you could use to decorate your home, like an oar...}

{ ... or a pair of Adirondack chairs }

Just One More

Just one more accessory... headbands for the flower girls. This Hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head is really taking shape! (And I can spend hours looking through Etsy.)

{ Etsy seller PetitCalla }

Thursday Purseday?

I got to thinkin'. (This is often dangerous and typically expensive.) But don't the blue shoes for the Hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head need a fabulous purse accompaniment? 

So today is Thursday Purseday around the Shoreside. Perhaps this is the start of a new trend?

This is what I have in mind:

{ Etsy seller Ma Belle Cherie }

Happy 5th!

I spent my Fourth of July watching baseball, sitting at the beach, seeing fireworks, eating food off the grille, lounging in an Adirondack chair perched in the shade and licking ice cream cones. I hope your weekend was also full of fun, relaxation, and other good All-American things.

{ Via the amazing duo of Christine & Andy at Bello Photography }

  

I have to admit, a Cape Cod 4th of July wedding holds great appeal...The color palette, down-home wholesome food, fireworks and sparklers.

According to experts, a 28" sparkler is really the best option for weddings. (Who knew there were experts in such things, but there you go.) They burn longer, meaning they are safer and your photographers can get cool shots. Get some here. 

And go out and enjoy this warm summer night. 

For the Girls

Cute blue, red and white dresses for cute flower girls. (Aren't they always cute?)  

{ Vintage Americana }

 { Pops of Red }

{ White Eyelet Lace. Can it be any more charming? }

It's a Grand Old Flag

Is there anything more quintessential than 4th of July on Cape Cod? I think not. The rest of the week we're going to focus on all Shoreside things red, white and blue.

Love this invitation from PaperTrails. Rehearsal dinner? Chic yet casual but 4th of July wedding? Lots of possibilities. Might just have to throw an Independence Day party just to use these.

{ Find them here }

All Tied Up

NBA finals series is all tied up. Game 7 tonight. (Right now, actually.)

I'm all tied up with this sailor's knot bracelet, too. It's like what you wear at summer camp. Bridesmaid gift? Very casual rehearsal dinner attire? Not sure where it fits into the Shoreside wedding, but I love it.

{ Etsy Seller The Vamoose }

Go Celtics! Beat LA!

C is for Cookie

Me = cookie monster. Love them. Gobble them up. Prefer them over every other dessert.

I especially love these cookies from A Dozen Eggs Bakery (based in Vermont, but shipped anywhere). And the owner, Laura, is originally from the Cape. 

{ Quahog Cookies! They are so cute I almost can't stand it. 

Also, please note, Quahog, as Laura discusses on her blog, is pronounced Co-Hog. }

{ A whole Shoreside collection. }

Tuesday Shoesday

Jolly Jack Rogers.

{ Get your jollies here. }

As American as Apple Pie

It's almost Memorial Day, the official start of summer. Friends and family will soon be in route to the Cape for this kick-start weekend... beach, Figawi, drinks on the deck, cookouts are all in the works. Maybe a wedding crashing or two.  Should be good times.

In honor of this patriotic holiday, a little piece of Americana in the form of apple pie. (Or cherry, strawberry, lemon meringue, really, whatever kind of pie. Pie is good.)

{ Martha loves pie. }

You can serve pie at a wedding. It's very cute, and very handi-crafty, but in a good way.

{ See, Martha really loves pie. }

Pie doesn't need to be 'haute'. It's just pie. Simple, plain, American pie.

{ Project Pie... err... Project Wedding }

Serve them up individually.
Please note: I have a particular love of cute little flags sticking out of food.

{ Wedding Obsessions }

These Centerville Pie Company pies are made right here on Cape Cod. Oprah loves 'em.  You will, too.

{ Bello Photography for Desiree Spinner Events via Style Me Pretty. }

Happy Almost Weekend!

Dog Days

I'm melting. And it's only May. If it's this hot now, what will it be like in the true Dog Days of Summer?

But despite it being too early - way too early in my opinion - we'll have a Dog Day:

{ Wedding Course }

{ Patricia Lyons via Style Me Pretty }

{ Love his collar boutonniere. From The Knot. }

{ Martha loves dogs, too }

{ Dog wedding cakes from Tiny Water Photography via Wedding Chicks }

{ My dog. He wanted to be famous. }

And probably the most famous 'dog' seen on Cape Cod:

 { Ubiquitous sweatshirt from The Black Dog Tavern }

Make a Splash

With super-cute mermaid prints from Cape Cod artist Kathy O'Neil:

Send the most charming thank you cards. Or use as a guest 'book' by having guests sign the mat of a larger print.  

Tuesday Shoesday

Across the internet, Tuesday is celebrated as Tuesday Shoesday. Here's my contribution to this fine tradition.

Please note: Cape Cod Wedding = Sandals. 

Stiletto heals make absolutely no sense on the beach.

Pearls are a classically timeless choice. Even on your feet. 

{ Beverly Feldman's Dubai sandal. }

Pretty in pink. How cute would these look with a navy bridesmaid's dress?

{ Stuart Weitzman Labamba }

Simple. Lovely.

{ Who else does simple loveliness? Lilly Pulitzer. }

They are silver. They look like knots. They are nautical. 

They are perfection.

{ Kate Spade. Practically perfect in every way. }

Oh my. These are the Pièce de résistance. 

{ Valentino }

Happy Tuesday Shoesday! 

The Ikea Wedding

Brides on a budget, rejoice.
Chic centerpieces from IKEA:

{ IKEA Sweden via The Sweetest Occasion }

{ Above two from The Knot }

{ These are all from And Unlimited Photography. The whole wedding is wicked awesome. 

It's my nautical wedding heaven. }

Those little white buggers are only $1.99. Can you hear my joy?