These little vellum lamp shades will transform any wine glass and votive into a pretty lamp (and any living room into a romantic honeymoon suite) and would also be a beautiful, easy centerpiece for unfussy brides. From the MoMA gift store, they are packaged in groups of three for $15 ($13.50 for members) . — Katie D.

Update: We believe in credit where credit is due, so please pay a visit to the creators of the fabulous spread above, Dahan Caterers in Washington, DC. They specialize in creative, kosher catering!

There are a lot of things I love about weddings: watching the always gorgeous bride walk down the aisle, the touching exchange of hand written vows, the opportunity to dance the Horah (so fun!) and the cute little appetizers that make the rounds during the cocktail hour. This past summer, two of my very stylish friends had a very posh wedding on Baltimore’s waterfront. The culinary highlight was this beautiful appetizer table made to look like a summer garden in full bloom. Guests could pick their own bouquet and dip the edible flowers in the yummy spreads planted in terracotta pots. The watering cans held extra skewers for the veggies filling the picnic baskets — yum! Spring brides, take note! — Katie D.

Coasters are one of those things that we love to buy, but don’t really need. Unless you’re a total slob, a set or two should last a while. But this new collection of pressed paper coasters at Fishs Eddy has us coming up with lots of excuses for why should stock up. At just about $4 for a set of ten, we are thinking they’d be inventive wedding favors, cheeky stocking stuffers, and the perfect gift for any colleague. Our favorites are the Alice collection which are cute enough to plan an entire party around. Break out the rabbit ears!

We’re always happy to help out a reader in need, but we know some of our best ideas come from you guys. That’s why when reader Marisa T. sent over an email asking for help planning her self-catered wedding menu, we decided to open the discussion up to all of you. We’ve tested some reader picnic recipes before during our Picnic Recipe Contest and ended up with a delicious 2nd place winner, an outstanding 1st place entry, and a knock-your-socks-off grand prize winner. We bet you have even more to offer.

We’re getting married in May and will be self-catering our home/ garden reception, and I’m looking for picnic-type side dishes. Can you point me in the direction of recipes that can be served at room temperature, can be prepped ahead of time (at least a day, preferably more) and that can sit out for a couple of hours without getting yucky or unsafe? –Marisa T.

Leave your suggestions for Marisa in the comments!

Paper valentines are romantic, but if your commitment is serious put it on a mug! These from Bailey Doesn’t Bark, created by artist and designer Re Jin Lee, are called Postcups. On one side, it says “Hi,” “Miss You,” “Love You,” or “Thinking of You,” and on the other you can add a personal message — up to 100 characters — Re Jin will hand write it onto the cup with heat set porcelain paint (black or blue) before it is fired. Each retails for $50 at baileydoesntbark.com. Shipping is free. Can you feel the love?
 

This is one happy incident where I was actually the inspiration for someone else. One of my wedding photos has gotten a bit of notice on Flickr (the photographer was Steven Herppich). When Flickr member TattooedChiquita101 saw it, she was inspired to model her custom cake topper after the photo! The fantastic result was sculpted by Christina of La Banane Rouge. We’re big fans of customized cake toppers around here, so we give this wedding topper our full blessing! –Mary T.

P.S. Check out the “wedding cake” too — it’s made of Krispy Kreme donuts!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a year since our lovely little barn wedding. So much as happened since (Hello, Isadora!) but most of the time it feels like just yesterday. When looking around for an appropriate gift for my guy, I game across this genius Doodlebook frame from Umbra at MoMA’s store. Stick a favorite photo in the frame, scribble some sweet-nothings around its border, and presto — you have not only a unique gift, but also one that allows the receiver to express himself, too. And, since it’s made of paper, it’s perfect for a first anniversary gift, don’t you think? — Angela M.

Well, summer has officially arrived and with it I think it’s safe to say we are in the full swing of wedding season. I went to an absolutely gorgeous wedding this past weekend and was delighted to find an Envirosax reusable shopping bag filled with goodies hanging from the door knob of our hotel room. Small eco-friendly ideas like this are such a breath of fresh air at weddings! Another sweet idea? Today I stumbled upon the Wonderful Graffiti Wedding site (by way of CasaSugar) and fell in love with the site’s customizable (and easily removable) wall transfers. How lovely and earth-friendly it would be to put one beautifully designed menu on a wall in your venue rather than printing out individual menu cards! Available here for $72. — Meg D.

Read more of Meg’s tips for stylish, green living at her blog, Style Saves the World.

Portovert, the “gateway to green weddings,” is holding a contest for crafty green brides. The Portovert DIY Wedding Challenge is open to those whose DIY wedding took place between February 28, 2007 and March 1, 2008 and included green elements. Prizes include organic pampering products and eco-friendly table settings. Enter the contest here. Deadline to enter is March 31.

Photo copyright Kate Black.

Flickr is great for inspiration, and we were taken with babysingsing’s red-themed wedding, particularly the custom Papel Picado banners she ordered from Casa Bonampak. Simply gorgeous. And if you don’t want to spring for the customization, there are a lot of beautiful, ready-made love/amor-themed decorations as well.