I know it’s the wrong time of year for this, but I couldn’t resist posting it for those brides that are already starting to plan their summertime beach weddings!  This idea can also be incorporated in to other seasons using a different base element, which I will explain shortly.

Boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen are one of the smallest details in a wedding, and also one of the easiest to DIY.  Because you only need enough to cover the bridal party and any male family members, it shouldn’t be too time consuming.  My favorite DIY idea so far are these starfish boutonnieres, courtesy of Style Me Pretty.

They best part is, they’re simple, cheap and unique.  You can purchase starfish in bulk from places like Century Novelty.  You can also buy bar pins and a hot glue gun from any craft store.  The process is pretty self-explanatory–glue the bar pins to the backs of the starfish, and there you have it! Here’s a shot of the final product, as found on Bloom’s Design Studio.

As an alternative, you can use different items to compliment the season and style of your wedding.  Think flowers and ribbon, feathers, even small, shiney Christmas decor for holiday weddings!

Looking for special gifts to give your wonderful wedding party? Check out Ponko, a unique online shop that gives you access to tons of handmade gifts AND the opportunity to send requests directly to a designer! It’s your chance to turn your signature wedding flowers into a gorgeous pendant for bridesmaid necklaces, or to design cuff links for your groomsmen yourself.

This blend of technology and style is the perfect way to infuse your own creative spark into gifts for everyone who will make your big day a huge success, but there are plenty of ready-to-buy gift ideas on the site as well if you are too pressed for time to make a special order. Check out this darling dragonfly necklace, this modern fan (perfect for outdoor weddings!) and a cool “zen” puzzle (to help your friends focus on the morning of your nuptials).

I love the energy that good groomsmen bring to a wedding celebration! From demanding that they all wear kilts to putting on impressive performances like this one, groomsmen always seem to be adding a lot of charm and style to weddings. Forward this video to the groomsmen for your upcoming ceremony as a source of inspiration for their wild wedding antics!

Beautiful and relatively inexpensive this Kissing Hearts necklace from Fossil make a charming gift for you or your bridesmaids.

Show off pictures from your honeymoon and wedding in these designer frames by Umbra.

Bobbi flats from Kate Spade are stylish and comfortable and will take you from your wedding day to the honeymoon and beyond.

This salad server set from Designer Things is modern and chic. It’ll make even the most mundane activity, serving salad, an act of style.

Invite guests with Letterpress for a look of luxury! Vintage Swirls Wedding Invitation.

Every bride and groom faces stress as their big day approaches. There is always some little detail that won’t work itself out. In my case, we faced the challenge of having a groomsmen who refused to wear a tuxedo. We tried everything we could think of to get him to conform, even made appointments for him at a local suit shop the day before the wedding, but it was hopeless. Many of my bridesmaids suggested that we kick him out of the bridal party altogether, but he was our friend and we wanted to include him.So, I had to learn to forgive his stubbornness and forget that all of our wedding pictures look like we are playing a game of “which one doesn’t belong?” I guess the lesson to learn is that if you are gonna put “black tie optional” on your wedding invitations, make sure you mean it! And to remember that when things are put in perspective, sometimes the little details really are just little challenges that shouldn’t ruin your affair.