Sure, you all want unique wedding invitations that looks classy, chic, and the best you can afford, right? Well, for most folk, invitations and wedding stationery account for about 5% of your total wedding budget…

But can you imagine spending $5,000 for 100 invitations?!

If you did, this is what they could look like. These black and white formal invitations - by Bernard Maisner Calligraphy and Fine Stationery - are hand written on black card stock with white ink to create a very dramatic-looking invitation. The fabric liners are present in each envelope and also done by hand. Of course they are gorgeous, but maybe a little out of your price range. These invitations were shown in the Feb/March issue of Modern Bride magazine.

Bernard Maisner Studio . www.BernardMaisner.com . New York

If you haven’t checked out Shop Love Me yet… what are you waiting for?! Shop for yourself, your groom, or for gifts for your attendants. There are so many great gift ideas… and even more things you’ll want to snag for yourself! From jewelry to cosmetic cases, and cuff links to flasks - you’ll definitely find something you’ll love. One of the cutest gift ideas I’ve seen on there is the adorable days-of-the-week panties set. Don’t you remember those from when you were younger? I do, but this is a much more grown up version. Other things I love: Pink Pave Diamond Frame, Jumbo Silver Letters, and the Oversized Giraffe Tote.

Shop Love Me . www.shoploveme.com . Online Only

Looking for fun personalized wedding favors that’s unique and cute? Check into custom fortune cookies! Have them decorated how you choose, and some even come in different flavors or colors. Plus, you can customize the fortunes inside! Have them say something simple like your names and wedding date, or choose a few fun fortunes for your guests to laugh about. You can serve them directly at each guest’s place setting, or have a table set up with various-sized decorative jars filled with different flavors or colors! Looking for something cute to pair them with? Get a bunch of those mini Chinese take-out style favor boxes from your local craft store and put a fortune cookie and a lottery scratch off ticket in each one, complimented by a personalized ribbon or sticker with your names and wedding date. Brilliant.

Custom Fortune Cookies . www.customfortunecookies.com . Online Only

Have you heard of MEG Jewelry? It’s to-die-for! Intended to adorn the most beautiful of brides, this jewelry is classic and gorgeous and could easily for worn for other fancy occasions. Some pieces are even changeable, such as the Nora Necklace with the magnetic, removable flower accent. Made of beautiful freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, and colorful baubles, MEG Jewelry is truly amazing. You can see a few pieces at the New and Blue boutique to get an idea, but we also have a full-color catalog of pieces that are made to order. You can also order online and have items shipped directly to you! If you’re after a certain stone, color, or style that may not be featured on our website, you can contact us to see how we can get it for you.

MEG Jewelry @ New and Blue . www.newandblue.com . Portland, Oregon

You’ve got the dream man, the rock, and the wedding ideas… now it’s time to put it all together! Wedding planning books are everywhere. They come in many forms - full-size three ring binder types, pocket-sized, eco-friendly, and more! Sure, you could use that lace-covered one your momgave you a couple years ago, right after the “when will I have grandkids” plea. Or you could skip all the frills and gushy advice and go straight for the glory. The best wedding planning guide I have seen to date: the Anti-Bride Wedding Planner. This straight-forward approach tell you all you need to know and doesn’t waste your time with things you don’t. There are places for you to take notes and pockets for you to keep receipts, plus a whole lot of sound advice! You need this planner.

You can find this book - and other Anti-Bride guides - at New and Blue, or www.NewandBlue.com

Anti-Bride Wedding Planner @ New and Blue . www.newandblue.com . Portland, Oregon

Alice-Louise Press is a new company to New and Blue, and is already making quite a splash! Her designs are fun and fresh, and you can customize with any two colors you’d like. This stationery uses genuine letterpress, but it costs a fraction of what you’d expect. In the album, you can view her designs as a sample, but keep in mind she also takes custom piece requests: directional maps, programs, coasters, guest book pages, and so much more - so the theme shown on your wedding invitation can be carried throughout your entire event. Even the return addresses are adorable! Everything is customizable on her stationery: ink and paper colors, design placement, fonts, and wording - to name a few. Amy owns the company, and is a pleasure to work with. Her full-color proofs really allow you to see exactly what your custom invitation will look like. As with all letterpress, production can take a little longer, so plan accordingly. 

Company: Alice-Louise Press

Design Name: Evergreen

Availability: In store or over the phone only!

Colors Used: sage and brown

Guys: are you tired of filling your wedding registry with fine china, floral sheets, and monogrammed towels? Boring! Those days are gone, thanks to The Man Registry. Here you can register for that deep fryer you’ve always wanted, as well as HDMI equipment, BBQ tools, poker sets, a Playstation, and a doughnut maker… along with hundreds of other “man” items. The site also offers helpful tricks and tips for being the groom, so you’re sure to be well prepared for the tasks ahead. What a great site!

The Man Registry . www.themanregistry.com . Online Only

Spring and summer weddings are coming up soon (believe it or not) and everyone needs a fun way to keep out of direct sunlight. Take a look at these floral parasols from ShopLoveMe. These ones are pink, green, and yellow floral and would add a touch of color to any wedding - but they are also available in other patterns and colors, should you choose. Give them to your guests as a favor, or to your bridal party to use during their long day in the sun outside. They would look so cute in your wedding pictures - either with the bride alone or with the ‘maids or moms. Or, use them in your decor - either hanging from the ceiling upside-down (I’ve seen it done and it does look pretty awesome) or elsewhere in your reception. Be creative!

Shop Love Me . www.shoploveme.com . Online Only