Renee Lavinsky

Wedding Website: http://www.reneeandjay.com/
Renee de Sibour is a full-time Environmental Scientist and a what-seems-like-full-time stationery designer and printer. She, her fiance, Jay, and their “adorkable” kitty Quasi live in Maryland where they are planning a DIY wedding for July 2010. They joke that the wedding is going to be Renee’s biggest craft show to date. She plans (”plans” being the key word there) to make everything from the screen printed invitations, to the paper flower bouquets, to the fresh-baked cookie favors, to the groomsmen’s cufflinks. Renee hopes to share some of her favorite budget-friendly tips, how-tos for recycled and DIY projects, and some of the things she’s learned from the invitation industry.

Her Environmental Scientist persona collides with her artistic tendencies at MyUglyKitty.com, where she’s been selling custom screen printed wedding invitations and handmade items from recycled materials since 2006.

Picture Perfect

Posted by Renee Lavinsky on November 11, 2010

Wedding portraits are probably something you’ve put lots of thought into. Where should we take them? Who should be in them? How should I pose? Will my cheeks hurt by the time I’m done? (the answer to that last one is “yes” by the way).

But have you ever thought outside the camera? Wedding portraits don’t have to be limited to photographs. Commissioning an artist to create a custom portrait of you and your fiance, can give you a beautiful work of art that will last a lifetime. Why not try one of these amazing Etsy artists.

Stylish custom portrait by Ashley G

Photo by ashleyg

A beautiful silhouette by nella designs

Photo by nelladesigns

Custom cross-stitch by weelittlestitches

Photo by weelittlestitches

“Cute, quirky, and affordable” by NanLawson

Photo by NanLawson

Adorable custom wedding cake topper by urastarhouse

Photo by urastarhouse

Something for the nature lover by jennyleefowler

Photo by jennyleefowler

Or the perfect cake topper to capture your casual side by goosegrease

Photo by goosegrease

You’ll need to speak with the artist directly to find out things like price, time-frame for delivery, and what they’ll need from you. Most custom portrait artists can work from a photo – so you can even use your favorite wedding photo.

Be creative and you may end up with your favorite wedding portrait yet!

Filed under: Details, Fun & Creative Ideas, Our Brides & Grooms

November 11, 2010 by Renee Lavinsky

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Happy Feet

Posted by Renee Lavinsky on November 5, 2010

Between walking down the aisle and dancing the night away, your feet will be a big part of your wedding day. Don’t forget to dress them up too!

Shoes have come a long way since simple white dye-able pumps. While those can still be awesome, why not try something with a little more “flair.” Just pick a style that fits your personality and get ready to hit the dance floor.

Romantic:

: “Randee” by Badgley Mischka

Dazzling:

: Nadia Sandal by Calvin Klein

Down to earth (perfect for a backyard wedding):

: Leaf Sandal by Fratelli Rossetti

Easy Going:

: Pour La Victoire Bridal and Evening Vida

Fun:

: Nova Heart Sneakers by Burberry

Life of the Party:

: Kinnetic by Steve Madden

Trendsetter (gorgeous with yellow!):

: Demar by ALDO

And, my personal favorite, the sweetheart:

: Patent Heart Platform Phnom Penh High Heels by Made in China

Now that you’ve got the shoes, you’re ready to cut a rug. Except that dance floors aren’t rugs. They’re shiny, waxed, and slippery. If you’re worried about your first dance being a big hit … as in your butt hitting the ground … try these “heart stoppers” available from drugstore.com.

: Photo Credit: Polly Alexandre

Too cute!

Filed under: Fashion, Our Brides & Grooms

November 5, 2010 by Renee Lavinsky

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Gettin’ Hitched!

Posted by Renee Lavinsky on March 19, 2010

Not everyone is into fancy ballrooms and stretch limos. Sometimes a rustic wedding is just the thing a down-home, country couple needs to make their day perfection!

Here are some great ideas to help you make your rustic wedding gorgeous and perfectly you.

Photo Credit: WeddingBee.com

With just a few simple decorations, like Christmas lights, a wreath, or draped fabric, you can create a very dramatic scene.

Photo Credit: David Klaput

A barn can give a warm welcome and a great frame for a stunning cake.

Photo Credit: PrattPlaceInn.com

And what about cake? Apples give a beautiful farm-fresh touch.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Speaking of cake, what about a DIY wooden cake stand?

Photo Credit: Laurie Cinotto

You’ll need something for your guest’s to take home. What about s’mores or homemade jam with adorable labels?

Photo Credit: Missy Mclamb Photographers and Studio Blencoe

If you’re having a buffet, your guests will love these little silverware packets (from the same stylish wedding as the jam and s’mores).

Photo Credit: Missy Mclamb Photographers and Studio Blencoe

OK, one more thing from this adorable wedding. Mason jars make fabulous, inexpensive, and rustic centerpieces. Just add water and some wildflowers.

Photo Credit: Missy Mclamb Photographers and Studio Blencoe

Your invitations will set the scene and will give everyone a glimpse into your party. Try something with a farm theme or a warm rustic appeal.

Photo Credit: FavorIdeas.com

Photo Credit: Three Bells Press

Tags on weathered wood, can make the ideal setting for seating cards.

Photo Credit: SumethingBlue.wordpress.com

And, last but not least, don’t forget your bridesmaids. Extend the theme all the way to your toes! Plus your bridesmaids will thank you for not making them wear sky-high heels all night!

Photo Credit: Our Labor of Love Photography

How cute!

Filed under: Our Brides & Grooms, Theme & Color Inspiration

March 19, 2010 by Renee Lavinsky

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The Everyday Bridesmaid

Posted by Renee Lavinsky on March 12, 2010

One of my fiancé’ and I’s main concerns is making sure that everyone is comfortable and relaxed at our wedding. This meant picking a place that’s easy to get to (even if you have to fly in or drive a distance), having the reception at a hotel so no one has to worry about drinking and driving, making sure everything is air conditioned (since we’re having a July wedding below the Mason-Dixon line), and that there will be something for everyone to do (e.g., broad range of music, toys for the kids, variety of food and drink that everyone can enjoy).

The last thing we want is for anyone to feel put-out by the event … especially our wedding party. I’ve picked five bridesmaids and each one has an entirely different body shape. I knew that I would never be able to pick a dress that each one felt comfortable in. Girls, you understand, a really tall girl may want a longer dress than the shorter one, and the “well-endowed one” will be pulling up a strapless dress all night. Some like heels, some want to wear their hair up, some like big gaudy sparkly earrings (OK, that last one may just be me), but you get the idea.

: Photo Credit: Grade Fashions

In recent years there has been a big trend in customizing bridesmaids dresses; however, all this “customizing” really seems to be just picking out a neckline, since traditionally the bride still chooses the color, length, and fabric.

: Photo Credit: David’s Bridal

“You can pick whatever dress you like…as long as it’s lilac, tea-length, in brushed satin, and isn’t strapless – since that’s what the maid of honor is wearing, and she gets first pick.”

I’d rather give my bridesmaids a little more freedom.

Well, in even more recent years (maybe the last two), I’ve seen a big jump in coordinating rather than matching bridesmaids dresses.

You can still get an overall effect that goes with the color, style, or theme of your wedding, but in dresses your bridesmaids are sure to wear again! Here are some great examples of weddings who did just that!

…all in silver:

: Photo Credit: GoodWeddingDresses.com

…in similar fabrics, but different shades of blue:

Photo Credit: The Knot

…a variety of warm tones, but all long:

Photo Credit: The Knot

…completely different dresses, all in shades of green:

Photo Credit: 10-foot Poet

…different fabrics, similar color:

Photo Credit: InStyle Weddings

…completely different and completely chic

Photo Credit: Erin Hearts Court Photography via OnceWed

… who says that the bride can be the only one in white:

Photo Credit: StyleMePretty

…or (my personal favorite) go vintage!

Photo Credit: Offbeat Bride

Of course, there may be a little backlash from your bridesmaids – it’s a lot of pressure for them to pick out a dress without any input from you. To ease that tension a bit, here are a few tips:

- Offer to go shopping with them

- Pick out some paint chips from the hardware store with the colors you had in mind. The chips are easy enough to take with you to the mall

- Send them photos of what you like.

- Go online shopping, there are billions of dress sites out there.

- Offer to go through their closet. They may already have something that would be perfect!

Having the girls wear something they’re comfortable in (and that doesn’t cost an arm and leg just to wear one day) will definitely help your bridesmaids enjoy your wedding as much as you do!

Are you doing anything “out of the ordinary” with your bridesmaids?

Filed under: Fashion, Our Brides & Grooms

March 12, 2010 by Renee Lavinsky

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DIY – Custom Chocolate Bars

Posted by Renee Lavinsky on February 26, 2010

I once read in a magazine that all guests really want is a favor they can eat, and, after a moment of picturing my Great Aunt holding a shot glass with ”Bottoms up! Jay and Renee July 2010″ engraved on it, I realized that that was pretty good advice.

Photo Credit: Brandi Deziel

I did a web search and quickly found out that 100 custom-wrapped Hershey bars would cost up to $275 plus shipping! I guess that’s not terribly expensive in the grand scheme of weddings, but if there is a way to DIY something for less, I’m going to do it. Plus, I’m sorry to say, the designs seemed to be a bit…um…kinda tacky? Is that the best way to phrase that? Let’s just say they weren’t what I had in mind. I should make a disclaimer that I’m sure there are less expensive offers out there and I’m sure that there are better designs, but brides are busy and if it’s not within the first three Os of the Goooooooogle search, I’m moving on .

So how do you get exactly what you want for a lot less? If the title didn’t give it away yet….DIY!

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

You’ll need chocolate, a computer, double stick tape, and a printer (optional).

For these, I used 2.5-ounce Hershey king-sized bars because they were a good size and were double-wrapped, i.e., when I removed the brown wrapper, they were still sealed in the silver. I picked up a couple boxes from Sam’s Club ($16 for an 18-piece box).

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Start by sliding off the brown wrapper. It should come right off, leaving the silver wrapper.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Next, carefully open the brown wrapper. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s just to measure for the wrapper design.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Measure the length and width so you know how large the custom wrapper needs to be. The measurements don’t need to be perfect either.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

This one is just under 6 inches wide. Therefore, 6 inches-wide might hang over the edge a bit, but you can probably shorten the width down to 5.5 inches without a problem.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Don’t forget the length either. There is room for error here too. You can see that this wrapper is just over 5 inches long, so you can probably get away with 5 inches with enough overlap for the tape.

Then, remembering your wrapper size, design you wrapper! I used Adobe Illustrator, but Photoshop, Paint, or even Word would work. However, you may need more sophisticated software for more complicated designs. You could even hand-draw or collage a design and make photocopies!

: Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

I started by drawing a 6-inch by 5-inch square and adding stripes, shapes, and the appropriate wording. Make sure any wording is centered, and it will fit fine on the chocolate bar. You may want to leave some “bleed” on the sides. For non-designers, “bleed” is an extension of the design beyond the borders of your limits. The excess is cut off so you’re sure that there are no gaps along the edge of the design.

Now, there are a couple options for printing. I happen to have a laser printer at home that produces a nice shiny result. Before I got a laser printer, I used to take the file to Staples and have them print out copies. You can probably fit two per sheet to cut down on costs. Inkjet printers would also work, but I’ve found that the colors are generally a little duller (unless you use a higher-quality glossy paper).

Once you have enough printed, cut each wrapper out.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Center the wrapper on your chocolate bar, so that the writing is the in correct place.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Flip it over.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Add a little double-stick tape to the top layer of the overlapping wrapper. Scrapbook tape runners work great for this.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Fold the bottom layer up.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

And fold the top layer (with the tape) over and press firmly.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Lightly pinching along the edges will help the wrapper stay on and the candy bar lay flat.

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Ta-da!

Photo Credit: Renee de Sibour

Cost for 100 perfectly customized chocolate bars: $109 (including having Staples print 50 full color pages). And, as I’m sure you can figure out from my example wrapper, they’re great for showers too!

If you’re really patient, these could also double as escort cards. Either type the name and table number before printing or leave a blank space to hand-write them.