As you already know by now, I love to window-shop on Etsy (and would buy everything on there if only I could afford to!). This time, I thought of seeking out handmade items that can help you incorporate “Something Blue” creatively into your wedding attire, and this is for those of you who want to do something a bit more interesting than simply wearing a blue garter around your leg (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but hey, it’s 2010. There are tons of options out there.  ;))

Here now are 15 ways to make a cool blue statement on your wedding day.

1 and 2: Wear a handmade vintage headband and/or sash with blue trim to your vintage wedding.

Bellocq 20s Inspired Headband, $195, and Delia Bridal Sash, $180, from Lo Boheme

3. If your dress is backless, a full back necklace with blue raindrop gems will make a great focal accent.

Precious Rain labradorite and sterling silver full back necklace, $1,500 from noracatherinewedding

4. Instead of carrying a bunch of blue flowers, tote a gorgeous blue handmade bag instead.

Blue botanical handbag, $390, from LittleTown

5. Wear a blue fascinator or headpiece

Blue bridal feather hairpiece headdress – Ocean Garden, $299, from eekdesigns

6. Pin a handmade corsage on to your gown to provide accent and contrast.

Vintage brooch floral corsage, $37, from Annadsouza

7. Rock and roll brides can wear a cool leather cuff with blue accents.

It Snows in the Orient Cuff, $135, from cleowolfus

8. Wear a big  and blue handmade floral headpiece instead of fresh flowers

Starry night hair flower, $115, from Noaki

9. Don a pair of pretty hand-painted peacock shoes

Proud as a Peacock Handpainted Pumps, $198, from norakaren (whose handpainted peacock shoes I already featured before)

10. Wear a sash (or headpiece) with hand-dyed ruffly blue blooms to make a funky, crafty statement

Headband, Sash or Belt, a Versatile Piece with Blue Blooms, $99, from pishposhes

11. A necklace with blue crystals and an antique finish will go well with you vintage wedding theme

Droplet necklace, $98, from Noaki

12. Wear a bold, blue bolero over your white strapless gown

Blue Rose Full Hand Felted Bolero, $200, from TianaCHE

13. Attention vintage brides – here’s a nice blue alternative to the ubiquitous fascinator.

Blue Panama Cloche Hat for Women, $160, from TheMillineryShop

14. Make a subtle blue statement with this aquamarine cocktail ring.

Aquamarine Flower Cluster Oxidized Silver Ring, $165, from petracollection

15. Add a touch of whimsy to a pair of your regular bridal shoes by clipping on some pretty blue floral shoe clips.

Something Blue Fresh Water Pearl Flower Shoe Clips, $22, from TwistedCrystals

Let me take you back to my high school days with “Perfect“, a cute love song by (the now-defunct) Eddi Reader-fronted Scottish acoustic pop band Fairground Attraction. The song is actually their first single from their debut album “The First of a Million Kisses” and was launched in April 1988. It was an immediate success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, and won the award for best single at the 1989 BRIT Awards.

Don’t let its seemingly mainstream popularity deter you from using it in your wedding though because it’s an earnestly-sung really sweet and bouncy track that you and your new husband, not to mention your guests, will surely enjoy swaying to. Apart from how beautiful the vocals are, the lyrics are gold too:

It’s got to be perfect
It’s got to be worth it, yeah
Too many people take second best
But I won’t take anything less
It’s got to be, yeah, perfect.

Listen to it here.

Fabyan, the latest brand from the Paris-based bridal boutique Herve Mariage , has a collection of stylish wedding dress alternatives for women who prefer to march to the beat of their own drums. Their 2010 collection consists of short dresses (some in colors other than white) with intricate and far-from-ordinary embellishments, fresh takes on the skirt and blazer look, and lacy, feminine pantsuits that are suitable for wearing to both civil ceremonies and church weddings.

Here are some of my favorites:

Aida by Fabyan

Alisea by Fabyan

Amour by Fabyan

Soul Anais by Fabyan

Amber by Fabyan

Anya by Fabyan

Art by Fabyan

See the entire Fabyan 2010 Collection on Herve Mariage’s minisite.

The TreeSpace Studio‘s concept for last week’s wedding charette is an invitation suite that resonates with Great Gatsby inspired glamour.

From TreeSpace graphic designer Amy:

I wanted to design an invitation set that reflects the very classy Erin-and the challenge was to come up with something that incorporated everything she was looking for without being kitschy and is instead understatedly glamorous in an old fashioned way. Gold letterings, lots of glitter and paper shimmer seemed like the obvious and common choice, but the Great Gatsby glamor of the 192os and 3os is in my mind something very fabric-based. Shimmering silks, sequins, studded dresses, feathers….pearls and it would be a huge shame to not try to work this in somehow!

Read the rest of the entry and see what Amy came up with on her sketchbook blog.

If you have a wedding design dilemma, submit it to The TreeSpace Studio’s Illustrated Friday’s Wedding Charette.

Today I am excited and extremely honored to share with you a unique, beautiful and wicked cool rock and roll wedding — and it’s all because the bride and groom chose to do everything their way.

But first, let me tell you a little bit more about the couple.

Photo by Kurt Kim Photography

What I actually love most about featuring this real wedding on here is that for the first time I am writing about someone I know personally!

The bride, Annette -- whom I’ve known since her Fatal Posporos drumming days in the mid- ’90s -- is a Ska-punk drummer, editor, bad-ass bassist and all-around tough chick. The groom, Dennis, is a bassist, pianist, guitarist, producer, programmer, company glue, and a hella good cook. (Read more about them on their wedding website). As you can tell, their lives are centered around music and rock and roll so it was only natural (and fitting) for them to have chosen a Beatles theme for their wedding.

The Yellow-Submarine inspired wedding invitation designed by a friend of the couple’s. They got guests to RSVP online to save on postage.

From Annette:

We had a 60s themed Beatles wedding at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo (California). Friends and family were game enough to come in their Sixties best. We were a budget couple so most of our wedding was DIY.

Presenting Annette and Dennis’ Marital Mystery Tour:

(Left) The ceremony was held in the museum’s gallery amongst vintage cars.
(Right) The gorgeous bride and her mom. Annette’s gown and gloves are the very same ones her mom walked down the aisle in 41 years ago -- what can be more meaningful than that? The veil she wore was from another vintage bride.

(Left) The groovy Maid of Honor.
(Right) The band sang and performed “Strawberry Fields” for the entourage entrance and the groom sang “Something” as the bride walked down the aisle.

Colorful beaded curtains gave the ceremony site a hip 60s vibe.

The band performed the Beatles’ “Across the Universe” for the couple’s exit and Dennis jammed with them towards the end of the song.

While the ceremony was completely Beatles’ themed, the reception had a touch of Metallica.

The entourage and couple’s reception entrance.

The sweethearts table had a Metallica mug on the groom’s side and a Beatles mug on the bride’s.

Each table was named after a Beatles album.

Instead of a first dance, the couple chose to do what they do best: rock the house to the tune of  Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”.

Guests enjoying the impromptu rock concert.

Congratulations and thank you for allowing me to share your wedding with Poptastic Bride’s readers, Annette and Dennis, you guys rock!

See the rest of Annette and Dennis Diaz’ wedding photos on Flickr.

Photos by: Katsi Del Rosario, Sarah Antona, Lyn Chun, Miguel Rodriguez, Johnny Uribe, Steven Wang, Ray Warriner

A couple’s slideshow that was shown at their wedding featuring photos from their rock and roll e-session

More photos from their rehearsal dinner and wedding day.

Image courtesy of MilkpodStudio on Etsy / Fabric bouquet by MilkpodStudio

Face it girls, we love flowers and we want lots of beautiful blooms around us at our wedding (I know I did!). However, there are many smart reasons for having a flowerless wedding.

For one, it’s eco-friendly. Lots of brides are already choosing to go flower-less because doing so cuts back on the use of pollutants and fertilizers.

For another, it’s inexpensive. Rather than spending good money on fresh flowers whose shining moment will only last until the last of your guests have gone, use it for your honeymoon instead.

What’s more, you get to keep your unique, nonfloral bouquet as a keepsake plus your guests can take the centerpieces home as favors.

(And if you still can’t get over the idea of getting married without real flowers at all, why not hold your ceremony outdoors in a garden? That way, you can still be surrounded by flowers when you march down the aisle!)

If the reasons I mentioned above still haven’t convinced you to go the non-flower route, maybe the following gorgeous and creative non floral wedding bouquets will help you decide. The handmade feel of these bouquets make them perfect focal points in vintage and handmade weddings.

Paper Flower Bouquets

German Crepe Paper Flower Wedding Bouquet from lalalaurie

Custom Large Paper Bouquet by WhetherPaperworks

Paper Flowers Bouquet for the Creative Bride from momichka

Fabric Bridal Bouquets

Old World Elegance Grand Bouquet from MilkpodStudio

Pretty in Pink Petite Bouquet from MilkpodStudio

CALYPSO Bouquet made of Sinamay Fabric, Seashells & Crystals from hairbowswonderworld

Custom Made Fabric Bridal Bouquet by gabriellelouiseshop

Felt Flower Bouquets

Purple and Cream Hand-embroidered Felt Flower Bridal Bouquet from onehappygirl

Hand Embroidered Felt and Vintage Button Bouquet from LadyStraightlace

Forest Felt and Button Toss – Flower Girl Bouquet from reallybadkitty

Vintage Brooch Bridal Bouquets

Animal Brooch Bouquet from 1amanda

MAGIC OF LOVE- Vintage Inspired Bridal Bouquet with Enamel and Rhinestone Flowers by hairbowswonderworld

Sassy Bride Brooch Bouquet from 1amanda

Bead Bouquets

Crimson Passion French Beaded Wedding Bouquet from BeadFloraJewels

Beaded Poinsettia Wedding Bouquet from Copperglass

DIY Handmade Flower Kits

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer and would rather make your own non-flower bouquets, here are a few resources to help you get started.

Princess Lasertron, a bridal designer, blogger and best friend makes floral accessories for brides like bouquets and hairpieces. She also sells a felt flower kit that contains all the materials you’ll need for a 10″ felt bouquet.

Paper Source Crafts has a selection of inexpensive paper flower kits that can help you get started on floral paper crafting. You can mix and match the different blooms (pictured below) to create personalized and one-of-a-kind bouquets for yourself and your bridal party.

Candy Shop Magnolia Paper Flower Kit	Summer Magnolia Paper Flower Kit
Gerbera Daisy Flower Kit	Poppies Flower Kit
Classic Magnolia Paper Flower Kit	Butterfly Kit

Image is a screenshot from the track’s official music video (embedded below)

Those familiar with the Chicago jangle-pop band The Hush Sound (currently on hiatus) will be pleased to know that vocalist Greta Morgan now fronts newish indie rock act Gold Motel whose music sounds like “ice cream melting in the sun“. Indeed it does. Their self-titled EP is a delightful collection of happy, sunny pop reminiscent of 60s girl band harmonies that instantly bring images of polaroid-tinted childhood summers to mind.

If you are planning a retro or vintage themed wedding, including this song in your reception playlist is a must! (In my humble opinion, at least. )

Morgan’s songwriting is ace as always. Take Perfect in My Mind‘s lyrics:

I don’t have forever, but I’ll live like I do
Feels like endless summer with the light shining through
All I have is borrowed, my skin and my bones
All I have is borrowed, but I wear these summer clothes

Every thing is just fine
Every thing is just fine
So long as I’m by your side
It’s perfect in my mind

Now listen to it:

ARATTA8XRH3Q

The TreeSpace Studio‘s latest wedding charette submission involves a challenge to design an invitation suite for wedding parties that will be held for two sets of  guests: an afternoon ‘Strawberry-themed tea party and ceremony’ and an evening dinner and party for younger guests.

From Amy, TreeSpace designer:

This all inspired the idea for a special spined-accordian ‘wedding storybooklet’ with an artwork cover that folds out into an illustrated scene that is a combination of background stories, families, map and venue  as well as quirky wedding details that would hopefully represent the joy of Joseph and Melanie’s coming together.

Learn more about how Amy solves this dilemma through design on the TreeSpace Studio’s blog.

Submit your invitation design dilemma to The TreeSpace Studio’s Illustration Friday Wedding Charette >>

A few days ago, I wrote about how fun and easy it is to dress up for a striped wedding. This time, I will provide you with some visual inspiration on how to style a stripe-themed wedding reception.

Striped Wedding Reception

Striped Wedding Cakes

Aside from the bride and groom, the cake is usually the star of the wedding reception. There are tons of inspiration on Flickr but I particularly love this simple yet very attractive striped wedding cake that was featured on Martha Stewart Wedding website’s Striped Wedding Details feature. The stripes are formed by layering strips of multi-colored fondant around the cake’s circumference.

A few more striped wedding cake photos for your inspiration:

1. Striped Wedding Cake, 2. Madhatter Cake, 3. Striped Wedding Cake, 4. More playing!

Striped Wedding Bouquets

For a stripe-themed wedding, you can go ahead and choose your favorite flowers. Arrange them into a bunch and tie them up with striped ribbons that match your color motif.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

You can buy striped ribbons at craft stores. Alternatively, you can also wrap solid-colored ribbons around your bouquet’s handle in layers to form stripes  (like in the first striped wedding cake above).

Striped Table Setting and Reception Decor

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings

To ensure that the striped wedding theme is carried all throughout the event, deck the reception area with bright and funky striped details in your color theme. Here are a few items to get you started.

Neat Stripes Table Linen Collection

Sydney Plaid Table Linen Collection

Jonathan Adler Italia Trio

Rosebud Stripe Runner

Summer Splash Corn on the Cob Dishes/Picks

Happy Cheeks Lola Stripe Chair Cushion

Stripes Stackable Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers (set of 2)

Candy Cane Dessert/Snack Plates (set of 4)

Earth Tone Stripes Ribbed Placemat & Napkin

Striped Wedding Favors

You might as well go all out with the striped theme and extend it to the favors and keepsakes to send your bridal party and guests home with as a reminder of your colorful celebration.

"About to Pop!" Popcorn Favor Box (Set of 24)	Cool Stripes Personalized Mint Tin
"Hearts-n-Stripes" Personalized Mint Tin	Wedding Stripes Favor Saver
The Sweetest Couple Pastel Stripes Personalized Hershey Chocolate Bars	Chocolate Bath Salts

Striped Gifts for your Bridal Party

Gifts for your bridal party should also reflect your wedding’s theme so that they’ll remember you and your striped wedding whenever they see or use it.

Trifold Note Cards with Hinged Box

Foldover Notecards w/ Keepsake Box (set of 12) – Be Square, Miami Venn & Offset

Spiral Photo Album

Belgravia Cactus Stripe Cosmetic Bag

Chartreuse Stripe Market Tote

And finally… A Striped Gift for your Groom

Give your new hubby a keepsake that will remind him of your unique and special stripe-themed party.

Stripe Cadet Slim Laptop Tote