I am a big fan of fruit elements in wedding florals. BIG fan. I like all sorts — lady and crab apples, cherry tomatoes, figs — but am especially partial to blackberries and raspberries. I’m hoping to incorporate blackberries into our wedding day style, and here’s some of the inspiration I’m using!

Mini raspberry arrangement by Chelsea Fuss (photo also by Chelsea)

White peach and blackberry sangria from Martha Stewart Weddings (photo by Jason Walz)

Photo by Corbin Gurkin, styling by Duet Weddings

Blackberry boutonnieres from Martha Stewart Weddings

Blackberry, peach and garden rose arrangement by Ariella Chezar

Florals by Amy Merrick

Blackberry and raspberry arrangement from Napa Valley Celebrations (photo by Meg Smith)

Raspberry and billy ball boutonniere by JL Designs, photo by Robert Evans, via Green Wedding Shoes

Blackberry gin fizz from Martha Stewart Weddings

From Martha Stewart Living

Blackberry prosecco (photos by Charlotte Jenks Lewis via 100 Layer Cake)

Ranunculus and raspberry arrangement by Ariella Chezar

Fresh berry appetizer from Martha Stewart Weddings

Berry votives (photo by Sarah Yates via Once Wed)

Raspberry and blackberry mini centerpieces (florals by JM Flora, photo by Jodi Miller Photography, via Snippet & Ink)

It’s time for our second mini food installment (see part I here)! Diminutive treats are especially on my mind because we are meeting with three caterers next week, AND I just ordered a copy of Peter Callahan’s new book, Bite by Bite! (Have any of you seen it yet??)

Mini lobster rolls

Mini gruyere macaroni and cheese cups

Mini deep dish pizzas (baked in a muffin pan!)

Mini individual crudites served in hollowed-out bread bowls

Mini Greek salads and beet and radish salads

Are you a mini food lover as well? :)

All images from Martha Stewart Weddings

It’s been exactly two months since we got engaged, which means it’s time for another update on what we’ve accomplished so far! For those of you who are engaged or married, I’d love to hear where we differ and where we’re the same.

Photo by Stephen Pappas via Style Me Pretty

After two months (with 12+ months to go), we or I have:

— Asked two people to join our bridal party (they both said yes — whew!)

— Tried on wedding dresses for the first time

— Fell in love with a veil

— Spoke on the phone with two florists

— Chosen a florist (!!)

— Confirmed and contracted with a photographer (!!!)

— Begun to buy silver pieces for reception

— Set up appointments with two caterers for next month’s trip home

— Set up another dress shopping appointment for next month

More details to come about all of these points soon… promise!

P.S. First planning update

I had some major success at the flea market this weekend! In fact, I had major success before I even got to the flea market this weekend. I was on my way back from the bank and headed to pick up my friend Megan for our Saturday morning trip when I spotted two chairs at the end of a driveway and a “moving sale” sign. I quickly did a U-turn and hopped out to inspect the chairs. They looked great to me, so $60 later (down from $75!), I loaded them into my car! We’ve been searching for living room chairs for awhile, since our current living room seating is only one loveseat (not so good for guests). These guys are perfect (or, they will be after some paint and new upholstery!). Here’s a peek:

I love the caning on the back and the detail on the legs. Better yet, here’s proof that they’re comfortable:

She literally hopped up the minute we set the pair down and didn’t wake up for a solid hour.

Then, once we actually got to the flea market, I cleaned up with silver pieces, which I’ve begun collecting for our reception. More on that later! For $18, here’s what I brought home:

There was also a gorgeous silver champagne bucket which would have been perfect for a larger arrangement, but the seller wouldn’t budget beneath $30 and that was a little more than I was ready to spend.

Also, a tip for those of you who are hesitant about bargaining: don’t be! See those taller goblets in the back? They were marked $5 each, so I asked if I could have them for $15 total if I bought all 4. To my surprise, she said I could have them for $10! It never hurts to ask. The platter was $5, and the compote was $3, down from $5.

Add those to the pieces I already have, and I’d say we’re well on our way!

Here’s a close-up of the larger Revere bowl, which is actually an award from my senior year of college! If you look closely, you can see my name engraved on the bottom. I love that we’ll be incorporating family heirlooms and pieces with personal significance into our reception decor.

Anyone else have a lucky flea market trip this weekend?