Happy New Year!

Wouldn't champagne served in an Edge flute from Crate & Barrel be a wonderful way to ring in the new year? If you're a New Year's Eve bride, grab a pair and toast your new marriage in style at the stroke of midnight.

I'll be back in '09. ;)

A winter white cake.

Just before Christmas, Seattle was buried in snow and ice. My husband and I were stuck in the house for several days. Finally venturing out one afternoon to fend off cabin fever, we hit a local bookstore. I picked up Seattle Bride and saw this beeeeautiful cake from Jen's Desserts. How very appropriate for at wedding at this wintery time of year!

Image credit: Photograph by Rachel Olssen/Seattle Bride, Cake by Jen's Desserts

Warm holiday wishes.

As promised, here's a sneek peek of this year's holiday cards! Since we live in Seattle, I created a coffee themed illustration. Starbucks is based here (alongside many amazing local coffee roasters) and nearly everyone is addicted to a warm beverage of some sort. Using the beloved Gocco, I screenprinted my simple design onto many, many cards. I also created a second, more literal version of the card that incorporated a "cardboard" sleeve. Both versions were a fair amount of work, so I am glad they are done and mailed!

I'll be back the week of 12/29. Until then, warm holiday wishes... from Seattle. =)

DIY: Satin cake platform.

Shown in Tuesday's moss + robin's egg blue palette, this platform is an easy way to add a little color detail to your cake table. Follow these easy steps and contact me (by leaving a comment) if you have any questions. You're on your own, however, to find the fabulous cake! ;)

1. Purchase an unfinished wooden platform. There are many available on ebay, but you might also check your local lumber supplier. If you have a handy fiance, you can also put him to work and cut one from scratch. ;) The platform should be 1-2 inches larger than the base of your cake.
2. Cover the platform with a non-toxic craft paint. The above example was painted white.
3. Cut a piece of heavy satin ribbon to the correct length by wrapping it around the edge of the platform. Make sure to purchase a ribbon the same width as the height of your platform. Before cutting, add a bit of extra length to later create a slight overlap at the beginning and end of the ribbon.
4. Adhere ribbon to the platform using crafter's glue. Smooth out glue before placing ribbon to avoid any unsightly bumps. Allow ample drying time before adding your cake to the top. Good luck!

Image credit: Bride's

A favorite thing.

Bloom, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

Our Bloom invitation has been featured as a "favorite thing" for 2008 by Melissa at Relishbridal. Thank you, Melissa!

Moss + Robin's Egg.

Instead of going for a traditional powder blue and white winter wedding, why not add a bit of shimmer and a punch of green? The silk shantung of this Simple Silhouettes dress is undeniably festive. To offset the cost of the dress, pair it up with an affordable baby's breath bouquet that is easy to put together on your own. This will pull in the moss green and save you a bundle.

Credits (clockwise from top left):
Sew Lovely, Real Simple, Simple Silhouettes, Brides, The Knot

Robin's Egg Blue.

Table Numbers, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

It's a new week! The sun is shining here in Seattle and the snowy mountains are out in full force. Since things here are going good, why not start the week off with a bang? I'll post a new holiday-inspired color combination tomorrow. The simple table number cards shown above should fit in pretty well with it...

A yummy holiday cupcake.

I thought it might be fun to stray off topic a bit so I could share a cupcake recipe. I'm more than a little cupcake-obsessed and often wish the craze would have occurred sooner so I could have had a cute little cupcake tree at my wedding!

Anyhow, we go nuts for Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's each holiday season. I thought it might be possible to incorporate them into a cupcake crust of some sort this year, but wasn't sure how to achieve it. After snooping around online a bit, I found The Bumbling Baker and her post on Oreo cupcakes. This provided the perfect starting point for me (even though mine didn't come out as plump and lovely as hers!). The results were divine. Here is how I put mine together:

Step 1:
Remove the top from 24 Candy Cane Joe Joe's. Place half with filling in the bottom of your cupcake liner or pan. Set tops aside.

Step 2:
Using your favorite recipe for a moist (and preferably rich) chocolate cake, blend batter and pour over the cookies. Bake and let cool on a wire rack.

Step 3:
Make a peppermint cream cheese frosting. Ice cupcakes once they have cooled. I chose a recipe (as follows) from the book Cupcakes Galore.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
pinch of salt
a few drops of mint extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

To make:
In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, milk, salt and mint extract. Beat well. Gradually blend in powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

Step 4:
If desired, top with a peppermint candy. Enjoy!

Red + Pink.

When I saw this Charsa dress, I thought it would be perfect for a wedding around the holidays. She's wrapped up like a pretty package! Add peppermint or pomegranate martinis as a signature cocktail and you have the start of one very fun winter wedding. Since I'm already married, I guess I'll have to settle for keeping this dress in mind for a formal party... ;)

Credits (clockwise from top):
The Knot, AbsoluteWeddingStore, Allie by Charsa, Solitaire by Stuart Weitzman, Spokane7

A sweet save-the-date.

Continuing with color combinations inspired by the holidays, another palette will be unveiled tomorrow. The Cosmopolitan save-the-date card (as shown above) would be a great companion to it (hint hint). And, did you know that when you order 1-color versions of our 2-color designs, you save $25? Until tomorrow...

10% off through December 31st.

The house has been covered from top to bottom in silk-screened holiday cards! I'm happy to say that I have finally finished them and they will be in the mail very soon. No more ink under this girl's fingernails! After I'm certain that friends + family have received their cards, I'll post some photos of this year's creation.

To celebrate checking another thing off my to-do list (and as a little holiday giftie to you), I'm offering a 10% discount on all invitation + birth announcement orders through December 31st. Just enter the code "BLOG1208" when purchasing. I'm off to Portland for the evening and will be back on Wednesday. Happy Holidays!

Ceremony Reading: Why Marriage?

Why Marriage?
by Mari Nichols

Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body.

Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me.

Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold.

Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship.

Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements.

Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole.

Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness
I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage.

Because with this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.

Teal + Gold.

My tree is decked out in teal and gold with touches of ivory and chocolate this year. What a yummy wedding palette this would create any time of year! And that dress? Yes, please! As December carries on, I'll try to post more festive combos like this.

Credits (clockwise from top):
lanterns from Martha Stewart, chocolate martini from G Living, bridesmaid dress from Watters & Watters, table setting from Rosanna, Trophy cupcake via NYC Blondie & Brownie

A holiday-inspired look.

I love this time of year! Putting up the tree last weekend inspired me to put together a holiday-inspired palette that will be unveiled tomorrow. As a hint, our Bloom invitation (as shown above) would be a great companion to it...

The basics of honeymoon planning.

If you don't have a lot of experience planning your own travels, don't give up on the idea that you can put together a honeymoon on your own. After determining where it is you want to go, follow these basic steps to working out all of the details:

1. Buy your plane tickets.
   Once you have tickets purchased, your dates and starting/ending points are set in stone. If you are planning a trip that involves moving around from point to point, think about buying an “open jaw” ticket. This will allow you to arrive in one city, but leave from another. These type of tickets don’t cost much more, but can save you time and other costs further down the line.


2. Develop a potential itinerary.
   Base your itinerary on the number of "nights" you want to spend in each place. Use a map to figure out a logical route for your journey. Be sure to include one night for any overnight flights. Most importantly, don’t forget to consider travel time between destinations. Rework your itinerary until it feels just right. If you don't plan on moving around during your honeymoon, skip ahead to the next step.


3. Book hotels.
   Now that you have your itinerary finalized, start researching and reserving hotels for each stop. Using email or a hotel’s website, you might contact a few hotels for each destination to see if there is availability during your stay. If you want to be sure that you're getting a hotel that will cater to your needs, check each hotel’s rating on TripAdvisor.com. If every hotel you contact is booked, revisit your itinerary. Look at a map and see if it’s logical to change your route. If that’s not possible, research smaller towns close to your desired destination to see if there are more options for lodging. Doing so can often lead to big savings.


4. Decide how you’ll get from point to point.
   Get a train pass and/or reserve a car. Again, if you don't plan on moving around during your honeymoon, skip ahead to the next step.


5. Finally, plan all the fun bits!
   Make any necessary sightseeing reservations. If you're a foodie, figure out where you might want to eat. Whatever you decide, make sure it's a nice mix of relaxation and fun.

Planning a European honeymoon online.

Planning a honeymoon abroad can be a daunting task—especially when you're already planning a wedding. With some online research, it's possible to find destinations that will make your trip special (and affordable). The following links are useful for general planning tips, as well as hotel and restaurant recommendations:

• Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
• Fodor's Travel Forums
• TripAdvisor
• Slowtrav
• Worldby.com
• Amore (for travel in Italy)
• AutoEurope (car rental)
• ViaMichelin.com (free point-to-point maps)

Maps & Guidebooks (for offline planning):

• DK Eyewitness and Top 10 Guides
• Rick Steves
• Fodor’s See It series
• Frommer’s Day by Day series
• City Walks series
• Streetwise maps

Tomorrow, we'll post a how-to detailing the steps to take when planning your honeymoon.

DIY: Diaper cake.

This past spring, I put together a diaper cake for a co-worker who became a new mother. She was on bed rest for a good portion of her pregnancy, so I wanted to send over a special treat that was not only cheerful, but also useful. If you are hosting a baby shower, this project could also double as a pretty (and unique) centerpiece.

Although it might look complicated, the "cake" was fairly easy to create. I followed these instructions, but think there should have been direction as to what size of a cardboard cake platform to use. I ended up with one that was a bit on the large side, so I'd recommend getting the 14" size.

Now, I just have to wait for more friends to procreate... ;)

Real couple: H&S

H&S, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

Since my last post shared a moment from my own wedding, it might be a good time to give details from the event. After getting engaged, I got sucked in to planning beyond belief. I scoured the internet for inspiration, read every magazine possible and jammed a huge binder full of ideas. I pretty much turned into a typical bride! As a girl who didn't want a big dress or a bouquet toss, I encountered challenges along the way as I searched for unique elements that would personalize our event.

In the end, our budget forced us to turn into a DIY couple–creating everything from monogram banners that flanked the entrance to our ceremony to hand-embossed napkins perfect for signature cocktails at our reception. It was a lot of work, but well worth every minute of the effort we put into it.

Outside of the tangible details we created, we also personalized our wedding by doing a few key things just a little differently. Before walking down the aisle hand-in-hand, we each took a stroll through the garden where our ceremony was held with our parents by our sides. And, instead of riding off in a rented limo afterwards, we took a gondola ride right outside of our reception location. It was a goosebumpy moment for us–one that we enjoyed away from a crowded cocktail hour as we let our new commitment to each other soak in.

Click the following thumbnails to enlarge. More "real couples" will follow in the future. Until then, happy Thanksgiving!

Make it yours!

H&S, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

The best weddings are the ones that truly reflect a couple's happiness. I can't tell you how many ceremonies I've witnessed where the couple was hardly mentioned. Don't let that happen to you! Guests leave with warm hearts when they've been let in just a little more than normal.

If you have a story that is too cute not to share with your guests, share it. Incorporate special moments from your dating history into a toast, or create a photo album or scrapbook that sits on display with your guestbook or escort cards.

If you have a talent or hobby that you are passionate about, incorporate it. My musician husband arranged to serenade me with the big band at our reception. I was surprised and touched by this gesture. Many of our guests hadn't ventured out to his late night gigs, so they were also excited to see him perform. The photos that resulted keep us reminded of that special moment in our big day.

So, when planning your ceremony or reception, think about what makes you... you. Whether that be something that reflects you as an individual or as a couple, work it in. Your guests will be left with something to talk about.

DIY: Modern favor tags (and a free template!).

Wedding Favor Packaging, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

It's easy to create favor packaging that is modern and classic. By combining an inexpensive satin ribbon with a tag that has been printed at home, you can dress up takeaway boxes or other containers without eating up your budget.

Using the first in our series of free wedding templates, you can create your own tags by following these steps:

STEP 1
To get started, download the monogram labels (shown above) in chocolate brown or black. Once you have downloaded the template, print your specific monogram's page at 100% of the original size on the cardstock of your choosing. Colored cardstock that coordinates with your wedding colors looks especially great.

STEP 2
Once you have printed enough pages to cover the number of favors you plan to produce, use a pair of scissors to cut the sheets into horizontal strips. Be careful not to cut into the faint circle outlines you see printed on each page, cutting in between each row wherever you please.

STEP 3
Using a 1 1/2" circle punch (available at most craft stores and online retailers such as Impress), punch each circle to produce the finished tag. If you are using a traditional punch, turn it upside down to line it up with the faint outline that has been printed on each sheet. Following this method, punch out all of the tags.

STEP 4
If you are ready to adhere it to your favor packaging, roll a strip of permanent adhesive on to the back of each tag. We like the Tombow mono adhesive tape roller for projects like this. It's affordable, refillable and extremely sturdy. Like the circle punch, the Tombow roller is available at most craft stores and online retailers such as Scrapbook.com.

DIY: Monogram Banners.

Make the entrance to your ceremony or reception with these elegant monogram banners. After your big day has come and gone, they're wonderful mementos.

SUPPLIES
All supplies can be purchased at a local craft. The finished size of these banners is approximately 26" tall by 22" wide with the initials being 14" tall.

• Upholstery fabric: Purchase enough fabric to make two 26" x 22" banners. When possible, choose a heavy upholstery fabric in your color palette.
• Stitch-witchery or sewing machine
• Dowel rods: 4 in 1/4" widthCut dowel rods to approximately 30" long.
• Styrofoam: 22 sheets of floral styrofoam, approximately 1" thick.
• Floral buds: Purchase bunches of inexpensive, seasonal flowers.
• Ribbon: Choose a sturdy satin ribbon.
• 2 Snaps per banner: You can use other alternatives, such as Velcro. These are not required if you wish to create a triangular hanger.
• Hot glue gun
• Invisible fishing line thread

DIRECTIONS

1. After cutting the fabric to size, use stitch-witchery or a sewing machine to hem the edges. Create a pocket at the top and bottom of each banner by folding the fabric over and placing the hem low enough for the dowel to fit into. Be sure to leave openings on either side so the dowel can slide in easily.
2. Using software such as Microsoft Word, print initials at desired size. The sample used letters that were approximately 14" tall. To print at this size, use the "tile" setting on your printer to create a large stencil. Doing so will print the initial onto several pages that can then be cut out and taped together.
3. Trace around the initials' edges onto styrofoam. Cut with a utility blade.
   Tip: If the styrofoam breaks, it's not a problem. You can hot glue it back together. For added support, use wooden skewers to support any breaks that might occur.
4. If you purchased flower buds in bunches, you will want to cut off individual buds. Using these individual buds, cover the letters completely using hot glue and by pushing the stems into the styrofoam.
5. To attach the letters to the banners, use a combination of hot glue and clear fishing line to attach/sew the letters to the material.
6. Attach ribbon to dowel rods. Sew snaps to the appropriate place on the ribbon to create a hanging loop. Creating a triangular hanger is much easier and only involves looping one large piece over each end of the dowel.

Paper lanterns.

Lanterns, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

Although trendy for several years now, paper lanterns are a classic and affordable way to decorate a large space--whether you're having an indoor or outdoor event. To dress them up, add a simple batch of white string lights, choose varying sizes for contrast, or add a pretty satin ribbon tail in your color palette. Visit Asian Ideas for a great selection of white and colored lanterns.

Different ways to... exit the ceremony.

Wedding Ribbon Wands, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

This is the beginning of a series of posts on different ways to do things at your wedding. From walking down the aisle to exiting your reception, the ideas presented here will range from traditional and classic to modern and unique. My goal for these posts is to help you think outside of the box by introducing a little something that will give your big day a more personal feel.

So, let's start with a different way to exit the ceremony. Bells and bird seed are good options, but the visual element created by ribbon wands makes for exciting wedding photos! Add a little note to your ceremony program to cue your guests when it's time to stand up and wave.

SUPPLIES
All supplies can be purchased at a local craft and hardware store. This supply list makes 32-40 ribbon wands.

• Ribbon: 100 yards
  Purchase approximately 100 yards of thin inexpensive ribbon. Choose a color combination, or one solid color, that suits your needs. Additionally, if you want your ribbon wands to be fuller than those shown in the sample image, just add more ribbon.


• Dowel rods: 32-40 in 1/4" width
  Craft stores sell dowel rods at pre-cut lengths in bags of 8-10. The 12" length makes for an ideal ribbon wand. While you can also purchase dowel rods at a hardware store, you will most likely have to cut them to your desired length.


• Paint
  Purchase one small bottle of craft paint in the color of your choice. The ribbon wands shown in the sample image were covered with a metallic pearl coating. For a simpler option, you can also leave them unfinished.


• Sponge brush


• Sandpaper: Fine grade


• Screw eyes: 40 in 214 x 13/16 size
  These can be difficult to screw into the head of each dowel, so use pliers after getting it started. Also, be gentle, as the wood can split.

DIRECTIONS

1. Using the sponge brush, paint all dowels. Stand them on end in holes punched in a piece of styrofoam to dry.
2. After the wands have dried completely, gently sand them with fine grade sandpaper. Painting may roughen the surface, so sanding them will remove rough areas without removing the paint.
3. Attach a screw eye to one end.
4. Cut the ribbon into 15-20" lengths. Cut ribbon at an angle to avoid any fraying that might occur.
5. Gather a total of 5-6 ribbons and slip through the screw eye. Tie in a nice, tight knot.

Maida Vale on Flickr.

Punctual Save-the-Date, originally uploaded by Maida Vale.

You can now find us on Flickr! If you'd like to take a closer look at any of our products, the Maida Vale photostream is located at www.flickr.com/maida-vale. And, you can always find a link to the photostream at the top of the right sidebar on this blog.

A few of our favorite links.

Have you noticed the list of links that appear in the right column of this blog? Whether you are a new bride or mom-to-be, these are a few of our favorite places for inspiration and ideas. We will add to this listing from time to time, so please comment if you have any others you'd like to share!

Gathering friends for a holiday party.

I have hosted a holiday party in one form or another for the past 15 years. Some years, they have been large gatherings with mistletoe-induced shenanigans. Other years, they have been smaller, more intimate get-togethers. Regardless of size, it just isn't the holiday season without a party or two on our social calendar.

Each year, I take pride in creating the invitation that will welcome friends and family into our home each December. This year's creation was inspired by a recent trip to a French bakery in Northern California. For a little extra something, I created envelope liners from paper by Snow & Graham. Now I just have to be patient and wait until after Thanksgiving to start decorating! Click to enlarge the following images.

Maida Vale on Etsy.

Our Etsy shop is officially open! At maidavale.etsy.com, samples of our invitations and announcements are for sale. If you purchase a sample and place a subsequent order, you will receive a credit for the cost of the sample. Other goodies will also be added in the coming months. Stay tuned for details. And, until Monday, have a great weekend!

Origin of a name.

I'm often asked where the name "Maida Vale" derives from. In addition to having a passion for all things paper, I'm also passionate about travel in Europe. After initial visits in the early 90s sucked me in, I decided to spend a summer in London studying British politics and the history of the city. Choosing London was a safe decision given that a language barrier wouldn't exist, but doing so was certainly one of the best choices I've made.

I landed in a small apartment (shared with six other students no less!) in a lovely residential neighborhood called Maida Vale. Live music, amazing museums and galleries, and even Abbey Road were either within walking distance or a short ride on the underground. In a nearby area called Little Venice, there is a picturesque canal reminiscent of my former Indianapolis neighborhood of Broad Ripple.

Essentially, staying in London (and Maida Vale) coincided with an important time in my life—a time of new found independence, confidence and enthusiasm for travel and design. I have returned many, many times and will always think of it as my second home. And, hey, it also doesn't hurt that vale is pronounced veil!

Welcome!

Welcome! The goal of this blog is to provide inspiration and ideas galore for your wedding, as well as other yummy design tidbits. But first, let me introduce myself: I am Heather, creative director and owner of Maida Vale (established in 2006). I currently reside in Seattle with my husband (Shawn) and two kit-kats. In an upcoming post, I'll share details from my own 2004 nuptials. Stay tuned!