Look, it worked for Trista and Ryan

Happy St. Patrick's Day! When you're done with your pints of green beer and crawling home from the pub, remember that today is also important because it marks the season premiere of one of my favorite (and thanks to some subliminal messages, my husband's favorite) reality television shows: The Bachelor!
This season's bachelor is Matt Grant, a six-foot, five-inch blue-eyed 27-year-old "financier" from London. But is he ready to walk down the aisle? Well, he's apparently the youngest of five married brothers and is "ready to start a family", according to OK Magazine. Not a bad sign.

Call me a softie, but for some reason, past precedent has no affect on me, and instead, I just have incredible faith in this show. Sure, about 80% of the time the relationships don't work out, but you have to admit it's entertaining to watch regardless of the outcome. If people can find love on a blind date, newspaper personals, via speed dating or Match.com, then why can't they find it on a television show? Here's hoping that this season results in another on-air proposal, televised wedding, and well-publicized offspring, a la Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter.

Something Blue

If you haven't figured out your 'something blue', check out Brides.com this week for a great selection.

Square-cut diamond ring by Lauren K

Austrian crystal hand­bag with pewter frame from Clara Kasavina, at handbagart.com.

White-satin slingbacks with vintage-style buckle (dyed glacier-blue), Badgley Mischka, at myglassslipper.com.

Hand-tied bouquet of white sweet pea with blue muscari, wrapped in striped duchess satin ribbon, Belle Fleur.

Here's hoping

If you read this blog on a regular or even some-what regular basis, then you know that I'm kind of into celebrity weddings. So it might not make sense that, after checking out US weekly, I'm taking the time to highlight a few celebrities who've made it clear they won't be getting married any time soon. Well let's just say celebrities don't always stick to their word. . .so here's hoping we see some wedding pictures in the future from. . .

Brad Pitt (who has said he "will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able") and Angelina Jolie.

Halle Berry (who made it pretty clear when she said:"I will never marry again. I mean it with every bone in my body") and Gabriel Aubrey

m Carrey and Jenny McCarthy (I love the quote I heard recently from Jim: "We're never getting married. But we're never getting divorced".

Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis

Black and White

The black bridesmaid dress trend continues. I've seen them at the last 3 weddings I've been to, and here's Kate Bosworth in a beautiful version by Lisa Ho, at a wedding this Saturday.

Green Gateway

Want to put together an eco-friendly wedding, but don't know where to begin? DIY Bride recommends Portovert, a website and wedding guide with recommendations on how to put together a green ceremony.
Believe it or not this perfect pear can serve as a paper-saving invitation! Designed by Sarah King of Evening Tweed.

Want to keep it more traditional? Ten per cent of proceeds from these New Orleans invitations, designed by KenzieKate, go to the Green Project, a nonprofit with a mission to promote and encourage environment sustainability in New Orleans.

And my favorite - these delectable-looking organic cupcakes from Miette Cakes.

Bellisima

And we're back! Fully connected, access to everything - after two and half weeks without the internet, in-home wireless feels like like I'm at the forefront of the technological frontier. So my complaining is over - on to the post.

I am always looking for places to find unique bridal, wedding, shower, and anniversary gifts. Thanks once again to Daily Candy, I have a new obsession: a unique San Francisco-based specialty shop that offers beautiful gift selections called Bell'occhio.

Boîte en Bois, $12.00

Santa Maria Novella Pot Pourri, $32-$100

Pink and White French Torchon, $12.00

Red Burlap gift bag, $2.50-$3.50

French Porcelain Cake Stand, $68.00

Absinthe Candle 8 oz., $18.00-$24.00

Mother of Pearls, $240.00

Digital get-down

Don't even say it - I know. No seriously, internet, I knoooooow. Now don't go thinking that this is lazy-blogger syndrome, because it's not. The. Internet. Is. Still. Not. Installed. And I'm descending into madness. I would make a big deal about how everything should be up and running by tomorrow evening, but that's what I said about Monday, and who knows, maybe I'll be wrong again. So I'll ask you to please cross your fingers, and I'll leave you with something to ponder.

I'm a huge fan of digital photography, especially when it comes to weddings. Check out the blog of one of my favorite all-time vendors, Kim Hawthorne at Photos Unscripted to read up on that extra "umph" she gets using a little photoshop. The effects make a difference - but are still really subtle, which is exactly what you want for your wedding.