layercakefilms: super 8mm weddings

{ super 8mm wedding film packages }

i *loved* loved loved this idea when i first saw it online, and now it's on etsy (and ergo blog fodder!!) -- hooray!

this is the best. thing. ever: super 8mm film wedding videos. if you're not familiar with super 8, it's a vintage technology -- see layercakefilms.com for in-depth info, but the skinny is these are silent, retro-awesome, short, two- to four-minute videos of your wedding set to whatever song you want, dead kennedys, celine dion, your pick.

why no audio? you ask. you can have audio synched up if you like, but sound super 8mm film is no longer made. why so short? that's how long each roll of film is, so you get lots of little moments stitched together -- and according to layercakefilms, "most wedding videos are too long and involved, thereby REPLACING your memories..." -- really, if you're anything like me, once you see the amazing montage of their work you will be constitutionally unable to sit through a regular wedding video.

there are three cinematography packages available on etsy that include someone to shoot the video and an edited dvd, as well as a rent-and-film-your-own option that they will edit for you -- or just contact michelle and she will come up with something fabulous.


more info at layercakefilms.etsy.com and layercakefilms.com

{update! 10.april -- so i thought, omg! ...i wonder if ariel at offbeatbride.com has seen this amazing sick montage video with all these awesome offbeat brides... {{spirit fingers}}
...ok, so now that i've pulled my head from where the sun don't shine, just looked up this offbeat post on layer cake films from back in the day, and if you mention the offbeatbride ad you might could swing a little discount!

also, i totally want a super 8mm camera now. i want to make a sweet montage! me walking to work! cut to me drinking coffee! typing! typing! typing! typ... }

foundling: poppy pins

recycled silky poppy pin in ivory

wow. i *love* this shop! came across foundling while looking at vendors for the handmade market in raleigh (took place today), which i applied to but didn't get in (no sour grapes!) -- everyone's stuff is so inspiring!

betsy of foundling makes treasures from vintage + repurposed/recycled materials, a pastime very close to my heart -- the poppy pins above come in a glorious range of colors (love the idea of a red one on the big white dress, or red bobby pin poppies in the hair). (or one at the waist to jazz up plain bridesmaid dresses.) plus there's beautiful delicate resin jewelry using vintage papers and maps. so, so lovely. le sigh. wish i could have seen them in person today!

more at foundling.etsy.com or check out thefoundling.com

myhodgepodgerie: tissue cover

my favorite sneezies pocket kleenex case

here's a little thing, but so sweet: fill with a pocket pack of tissues and give to a mum or mum-in-law (or overbearing bridesmaidzilla sister who sniffles through your entire wedding video) (...er, sorry, april!) for the ceremony. a sneezies. even the name is adorable. i know, i've gone soft.

more overwhelming cuteness at myhodgepodgerie.etsy.com

flushdesigns: puzzle invite

customized word puzzle card/invite

word-nerds, unite! the above sample is a birthday card, but courtney of flushdesigns also makes a custom wedding invitation version. you supply her with colors, preferences, up to 30 words, and she makes gorgeous inkjet and letterpress word-search cards. brilliant. more custom invitation options at flushdesigns.etsy.com

dekel: mezuzah case

mezuzah case -- lahav/flame

for those unfamiliar, a mezuzah case holds and protects the mezuzah, a parchment scroll that contains specific verses of prayer from the torah and is attached to the doorframe -- both as a commandment of the faith as well as the blessing of a new home. as the description elaborates:

In the Book of Deuteronomy it is written: �And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates." Jewish homes have always fulfilled this commandment by hanging a mezuzah on the frames of their doors.

this case is one of a traditional/contemporary series with beautiful silver filigree caps and etched hand-blown glass made by israeli artist irit dekel -- more at dekel.etsy.com

dishfulsofdoodles: handpainted tableware

small serving bowl

square serving platter

these are just so cool. self-taught wisconsin artist mary imig gallimore has formed a doodle empire of 'daydream-inspired tableware painted by hand.' originally a high-school notebook doodle, each shape is drawn freehand and filled in like a puzzle to craft these intricate, obsessively quirky platters and dishes. she has gorgeous work, will take custom color orders, ships internationally, and gift-wraps -- and the dishes are food-safe and hand-washable. add to your etsy registry at myregistry.com, or give a truly one-of-a-kind gift. *almost* too pretty to use. more at dishfulsofdoodles.etsy.com

mezzo: feather hairpins

feather hair pins in white (set of 3)

i would *swear* i saw this on offbeatbride.com (which cannot be beat for alt-wedding 'porn'!) and didn't realize the bride was also a montreal-based etsy maven -- ooh la la! here's something for those who prefer an allover look rather than the feather fascinator... fancy, fancy. in other colors as well at mezzo.etsy.com

alliejdesigns redux: teensy tutu

picture perfect tutu in white

would. you. look. look at this adorable nugget! don't think of myself as a girlygirl, but check out the freaking tutu with the pink sneaks. if you don't want to be upstaged, do not, repeat! do not get this for your flower girls. freaking cutest thing ever.

the grownup version is here, with more at alliejdesigns.etsy.com

madisongre: bridal clutch

blanca bridal champagne rose clutch

part of me thinks clutches are silly -- won't someone carry your giant honking regular bag with waterproof mascaras, lipsticks, camera, tissues, etc. etc. *for* you on your big day? don't you get minions (i mean! bridesmaids!) for this sort of thing? but there's something so ladylike about this one, and it's got a little wristy thing, and the big flower is a brooch so you can move it to the other side or remove it as you see fit. plus madisongre donates a percentage of sales to local (california) animal shelters and the susan g. komen breast cancer foundation. nice. now if they'd only correct one little thing: champagne, champagne, please. more at madisongre.etsy.com

waisze: repurposed favor boxes

altered altoid tin favor box

am back! whether you're for or against the 'favor' as a concept, check out this great upcycled project -- these are remainders from her own wedding, but perhaps if you prodded wai sze in nyc could make some in your colors as well? you'd have to eat a *lot* of altoids to make your own, i suppose, but then your fiance might appreciate all that mintylicious breath... a beautiful idea!

more at waisze.etsy.com

charleystar: wedding tote

wedding canvas tote bag

sweet little hand silkscreened totes -- i confess, when i first saw this i thought, awww. the q-tips are in love. but the more i look at it, the more i find to like -- a basic workaday bag with a million uses. and the mood is just right: just a simple, silly smile and holding hands. what better? see charleystar.etsy.com

toybreaker (tielab): silkscreened ties

matching silkscreened groomsmen neckties

detroit-based tielab, aka toybreaker, not only prints rockstar neckwear for bands on tour, they offer a bulk wedding discount on multiples of their fierce hand-screenprinted ties -- poppies as above, or check out the revolvers, clipper ships, and mechanical prints. for weddings with 10 or more, you can purchase wholesale; a wide range of colors and styles available (give them 3 weeks lead time and they'll match your color). their motto: "be prepared for big dates, court dates, and dates with destiny." more glorious tie love at toybreaker.etsy.com

retrospectivedesign: invite map

custom invitation map and directions

having labored over my sister's map for hours in illustrator, and yes, i know that makes me bridesmaidzilla -- my sister couldn't have cared less what font or colors were on her map (no!! must... match... invitation... aiiiiee) -- i can say as a professional that this map is a both a great deal and a great idea. retrospectivedesign keeps it simple, clean, legible, and (most important!) easy on the bride.

the pdf file is yours to print on whatever stock (vellum! papersource trip!) you please. my tip, having attempted to print and cut all 150 myself (hell, i have a giant papercutter, how hard can it be?) -- have them printed and cut by your local copy shop, the what, $10? will be money very well spent. of course you knew that, because you're not bridesmaidzilla. like me.

a good map is important. brings me to a somewhat related point: the road ahead. having gotten my sister successfully hitched, i am confronted by the fact that i quite enjoy blogging about wedding shops on etsy, but as an unmarried-yet-attached woman-over-thirty, there may be a sad pathos in my continuing to do so. bridesmaidzilla no longer: now sister-in-law-zilla, way more satisfying and *much* less work.

so what to do? keep the blog going because it's fun, even though my mother asks for the umpteenth... so... what's going on with you and M? offer it out in the etsy fora and have someone take over? make a final sweet hurrah of a post and call it a day? i just don't know -- hadn't exactly planned on becoming a wedding-shopping blogger :). what do you think?

enough about that. i promised photos of cone boobs, and since my camera remained behind to enjoy las vegas, am relying on family to post photos to our shared photo site online, and promise to get you all a good one.

yes, etsywedding: your source for all things cone-boob. for great maps and other custom items, see retrospectivedesign.etsy.com

invitedink: invitations

"scroll of hearts" digital printed invitations

a mother-daughter team based in CA, invitedink has some unusual options, and does both letterpress and digital printing as well as custom work -- i love the rounded corners on the lovely card above. and the rrrrred. excellent.

plus -- who doesn't want to see the flintstones get hitched? one heck of a maiden name.

they also have a lovely website where you can look at swatches and get more info on custom orders/options. i think the best part is that grandma and great-grandma invitedink worked for the zellerbach paper co., so this has been in the genes for a loooong time. more at invitedink.etsy.com

ravenx: candles+bathsoak

above: asian-inspired gold square 72-hour candle
below: mandarin ginger mineral bath soak

72 hours is a loooong time in the bath, friends. maybe just long enough to wash the stress right out of your hair. these look like the perfect gift for after the big day, or for those (like me!) in the final death-spiral throes of planning. what's that? aunt edna changed her mind and wants to bring the whole clan of 9 in the RV? ... ... ... no, that's wonderful news!

more at ravenx.etsy.com

jaime windon: photography

wedding photography from jaime windon's photography/travel blog

ok, cheating on etsy in public. but she is *so* talented, just look! a world traveler and a helluva good soul -- and the colors are amazing. plus she is *so* so nice in person. maybe she'll join etsy and then i can ease this cheatin' heart. she does photography for all kinds of events -- i should ask her to come document the 'thunder from down under' in my near bachelorette-party future. more at jaimewindon.wordpress.com or her website

hapa: silver origami cranes

silver origami peace crane (tsuru) pendants in progress

my friend ali had us fold dozens of peace cranes for her wedding, and here hapa makes them into truly lovely and meaningful silver pendants and earrings for bridal gifts and sets --
according to hapa, cranes recur in "Japanese weddings, wedding kimonos and Japanese wedding decorations ... cranes mate for life and are devoted to their partners in all seasons. Both males and females work together to build their nest and care for their young." long life, peace, happiness, eternal youth: sounds like a fine toast for the reception. more at hapa.etsy.com