SIMPLY INSPIRATION: Succulent Wedding + {Lindee Daniels Pop Up Shop}

This gorgeous lace top dress is now available at Ivory + Beau through Tuesday March 11th!!! This is by far one of my favorite Lindee Daniel gowns. It's so soft, romantic + gorgeous!! The fabrics that Lindee uses are by far some of the nicest fabrics I have ever touched. She uses only the best organic fabrics that really make these gowns special. Lindee also is one of the sweetest ladies ever!!! We had the pleasure of Skyping with the designer yesterday to discuss how her dresses can be customized and changed. If you are interested in making an appointment while we have Lindee Daniel's dresses call us at (912)200-4794 or e-mail at ivoryandbeau@gmail.com or fill out our quick appointment form here!!

{Photo Credits} Lilly Dress via Brides, Photography by S'wonderful, Dress by Lindee Daniel // Seating chart via Polka Dot Bride, Photography by Vellum Studios // Bouquet via Wedding Chicks, Photography by Leif Brandt, Flowers by Stems Design Studio // Table setting via Ruffled, Photography by Esther Sun, Planning by At Your Door Events // Succulent Gifts via Wedding Chicks, Photography by Mirelle Carmichael 

{Bright Idea Thursday} SIMPLY DIY: Handmade Favors

We recently had a wedding where the bride and groom had handmade vanilla extract and honey for the favors for the guests! I love this idea for 3 reasons:

1. It's personal and I am the kind of person that thinks anything personal is more special than store bought.

2. If you are clever enough it can be something they can use & we are all about being green. 

3. This is something you and your fiance can bond over and enjoy time together doing.

So here is some inspiration for some DIY handmade favors! What is your favorite idea? Would you and your fiance consider doing this?? I know if it were my man he would absolutely love the idea of making some homemade beer for guests!!! But I personally wouldn't mind some homemade chocolate hazelnut spread, but then again maybe not a bright idea because knowing me I'd probably end up eating it all myself. :) Happy Thursday!

{Photo Credits} Hot Chocolate & Baileys via Sam Richardson // Candle via Ruffled // Honey via Style Me Pretty, photography by Serendipity Corner // Chocolate Hazelnut Spread via Ruffled // "I Do" Brew via Style Me Pretty, photography by Dan Stephenson // Wooden Coasters via Ruffled // Sugar via I Love Farm Weddings // Teacup Planter via Ruffled //Vanilla via Style Me Pretty, photography by Lemon Fresh

{Organic Wednesday} Natalie Portman's Wedding

Natalie Portman Images

I have been a pretty big Natalie Portman fan ever since she was a little girl and starred in Beautiful Girls. Did you know that in 2003, Portman graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. degree in psychology, pretty smart eh!! How do you like them apples!? Well I did some snooping and only found a few paparazzi pictures online of her recent very Organic and Eco-friendly wedding, but have all the details. By the sounds of it, I would have LOVED their wedding, sadly I was not a guest.

"Although Portman debuted the rock at the Oscars last February, she and Benjamin Millepied made it official with a super-romantic wedding ceremony Aug. 4, 2012 at a private residence in Big Sur, Calif.

Wearing a bohemian wedding gown designed by her pals at Rodarte, the same house that made the purple dress that Portman wore to the 2010 Oscars. She wore flowers wrapped around her head and a long veil, she exchanged vows with French choreographer/dancer Millepied, 35, beneath a hand-crafted chuppah just after sundown on a spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Presided by a rabbi, the vows took place by candlelight beneath a hand-crafted chuppah. They were surrounded by family – including 14-month-old son. During the ceremony, the couple were wrapped in a tallits, a Jewish prayer shawl, and in keeping with custom, things ended with Millepied smashing a glass to shouts of "Mazel Tov!"

The wedding between Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied reflected not just the bride's Jewish faith and the groom's French nationality, but also the couple's outlook on the world. 

Instead of having flowers flown in, the ceremony featured wildflowers indigenous to the Big Sur coast where the ceremony took place, and instead of "fish or steak" the menu was strictly vegan in keeping with the bride's diet. Also instead of the traditional wedding cake, the couple opted for French macarons.

The reception was held under a tent at a private residence, and featured a Klezmer band. The newly married couple kicked the dancing off with a 20-minute hora dance before being lifted up in chairs by guests. 

When things wrapped up around 2 a.m., the approximately 100 guests took home packets of wildflower seeds as party favors. The packets were inscribed with a single word: Merci".

sources: read more and even more reading