I know I said I was going to blog more - does sharing a link to a blog count?!? I don't think I could describe The Big Fake Wedding better than White Magazine, plus they have all the links already done! Click here to read all about this amazing experience!

​https://whitemag.com/blog/the-big-fake-wedding-wraps-up-atlanta/?v=7516fd43adaa

Someone asked me if I was familiar with wedding traditions and customs from around the world this past weekend....which gave a great idea! I am going to start doing a weekly blog post featuring different cultures and nationalities and their courtship and wedding traditions. My favorite is the age old, most well-known "something old..." but not everyone knows what each part represents so here is a repeat of a blog I did a while ago that is perfect for this topic!

When it comes to bridal traditions, there are lots of them. Today, I want to talk about my favorite of all wedding traditions – “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence for your shoe”. When I got married, I had all of those things. My something old was a ring my paternal grandmother had gotten from her grandmother that I wore on my pinky. My something new was my dress. I borrowed earrings from one of my mother’s friends daughter. My blue was a pin my maternal grandfather that had sapphires and diamonds in it that he had gotten for a years of service award for working for the phone company. I think maybe my sixpence was a penny from the year I was born. I had all of the things that were supposed to be lucky, but never really knew why or how they came about as a tradition to begin with.
As it turns out, because of the mention of the word “sixpence” it is presumed that this started during the Victorian ages. Each item in this poem represents a good luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them, her marriage will be happy. “Something old” symbolizes continuity with the bride’s family and the past. “Something new” means optimism and hope for the bride’s new life ahead. “Something borrowed” is generally from a happily married friend or family member whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. It also reminds her that she can depend on friends and family.
My two favorite parts of the rhyme are the “something blue” and the sixpence for the shoe. As it turns out, in Roman times, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty and fidelity. Christians depict the Virgin Mary in blue, so it is also a symbol of purity. Before the late 19th century, most wedding dresses were blue, so much so that proverbs were written – “Marry in blue, lover be true”. The silver sixpence is to symbolize wealth and financial security. It may have been derived from an old Scottish tradition of the groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. They say that for optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. I never could find out the reasoning behind that and I am not one to question the fates!!!

When you are planning your wedding, you might have a hard time incorporating blue into your wedding colors but you still want to make sure you represent all parts of the poem. One part of your wedding ensemble that sometimes gets overlooked is the bottom of your shoes. Sounds weird, I know, but when you are kneeling during part of your wedding ceremony or kicking up your heels at your reception, the bottom of your shoes will be seen. What a great place to sneak in your something blue!
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If you are a DIY bride, it is actually not that hard to do. First, spread out some newspapers to work on. Then what you do is coat the bottom of your shoes with modge podge, a white gluey substance you can buy in your local craft store. You do not want it to be too thick but you do want it to be even. While the modge podge is still wet, you sprinkle the bottoms of your shoes with blue glitter. My personal favorite is the Martha Stewart extra fine glitter that you can buy at Michaels Arts and Crafts. It comes in various shades of blue, but I like a good traditional blue. Shake off the excess glitter (if you have done this over newspaper, you can fold the paper on the crease and shake the extra glitter back into your bottle — waste not, want not!) and let dry. After they have dried all the way (about an hour), then coat the shoes again with another layer of modge podge. This will help to “seal” the glitter to the shoes so that you are not leaving a sparkly trail every where you walk.

I do offer glittering the bottom if your shoes in my etsy shop and even provide the sixpence to go along with it. But here is a twist - mention that you read this blog AND have me address your wedding invitations and I will do your shoes for free! Yes!!! And if you are a planner, florist or friend who shares this information with a bride who has me address their envelopes and get a special gift card from Starbucks or Target - your choice! Just make sure I know you referred them to me!

So it's been a while since I have taken the time to do a bridal show. I have moved, I have started new jobs, etc. - life just gets in the way. But when I got contacted about The Big Fake Wedding, the concept intrigued mr. I love the idea of putting on an actual "wedding" and having badically a live styled shoot. The inspiration board for the show was a yellow based concept. And when I think of yellow, I think of the sun. So I did some research (Pinterest is my friend) and found a black and white image of the sun, moon and stars that I loved. I have been painting on leather for a little while but have been wanting to make a rocking crystal covered jacket for a bad ass bridal jacket. This yellow inspiration board and the Big Fake Wedding gave me the perfect excuse to go all out with my creativity! I am sure I will end up with great photos both inside and outside Amient Plus Sudios where the show was held.

Once I had the jacket done, I really was looking for other ways to show it off as much as possible. Itbwas then that I happened to see the email from Lauren with Atlanta Wedding and Event Professionals and the Aisle Be Ready show and seminar at the Georgian Club. She gave me the opportunity to show off my work in different ways so I got to create the next thing I had been wanting to try - hand painted calligraphy on acrylic hung from copper tubing. It definitely was a learning experience but with some help from Tina at Fabulous Fox Designs, we got it up and it looked great draped with her beautiful flowers.

Since I was scheduled off for the whole weekend anyhow I started thinking that it would be great if I could go to a bigger bridal event when I remembered that Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta was also going to be happening. With Shelly as the new owner of this event I thought this might be the perfect time to try this show again. Since acrylic is going to be the new "mirror and chalkboard" of wedding accents and decor, I was anxious to try my hand at something else so I added acrylic to an antique gold frame and made a welcome sign which came out great!

All three shows were quite successful in different ways but in general I got to see old friends, make new ones, showcase my newest work while also focusing on my classics and, best of all, interact with LOTS of engaged couples!

So.....what can I make for you today?!?!?

If you have an upcoming graduation, consider having you announcements addressed in handwritten calligraphy. A lot of hard work has been put in to get to graduation and you should commemorate that time and effort by making your announcements as beautiful and elegant as possible. If you are looking to do a combination graduation announcement and graduation party invitation, contact me directly to design something specifically for you!

Of course, you know that we do calligraphy and rentals. But did you know that we do event decor also? Check out the pictures from the Valentine's Day dance at the local middle school. If you are looking for some new and different decorating ideas for your special event, give us a call!

Seems like school started only last week, October flew by in two days and here are, six weeks until Christmas! Where does the time go?!?  If you are looking for something special this holiday season for yourself, friends or family, why not consider a customized gift of calligraphy? You could do a quote canvas, similar to what is pictured here, song lyrics, a bible verse so many other things.  And to make your holiday cards even more beautiful and memorable have them addressed in handwritten calligraphy.  Your family will love them and your clients will be so impressed!  Special gifts will be given with each calligraphy order placed this holiday season so you don't want to miss out! I look forward to hearing from you!

If you want something other than the standard "book" invitations, you should consider custom invitations and I can help you get exactly the look you want.  Custom invitations are a must if you want to really make a statement with your invitation or if you are laying the groundwork for your themed wedding or party.  Contact me directly and let's get started on something that is uniquely YOU today!

Using mirrors for decorating at weddings is becoming a very popular trend. Whether you use them as a program, seating chart, thank you note or menu, they add elegance and flourish to your big day. Of course, not everyone wants to out and buy a bunch of mirrors that you are only going to use one day - that is where Dreamweaver Calligraphy and Events has got you covered! We are now offering rentals of a wide variety of mirrors (as well as chalkboards, easels and more). We can do the callugraphy and even deliver them to your venue! For more information, please contact us directly at 6784094001.