If you’re a Harry Potter fan, chances are you want to incorporate your love of all things magical in your wedding day. My Weekend is Booked, a literary-inspired gift box company, is here to help. MWB has a selection of pre-curated Harry Potter-inspired gift boxes that will make your besties swoon.

Cast a spell on your bride squad with the Accio Bridesmaid box filled with magical treats. 

Are any members of your bride squad part of the house of courage and bravery? They’ll adore this charming box!

Any bridesmaid that belongs in the house of serpents will swoon over this green and gold box that celebrates dark magic and mystery.

Reward your bride squad for their loyalty and patience with this box of wizardy goodness that celebrates the yellow and black. 

Your best witches will enchanted by this luxurious box that celebrates the house of wit and knowledge.

Take your bridesmaids on a trip to the enchanted land of castles, spells and magical creatures with the Mischief and Magic box.

Your bridesmaids will get more of a buzz from opening these coffee-themed boxes than they do from their morning coffees! 

Looking for that perfect gift for your book loving bridesmaid? Or maybe you need a touching gift for the groom’s mother who happens to be a Jane Austen fan? Welcome to My Weekend is Booked, the world’s first literary-inspired gift box company.

As avid readers, we wanted to combine our love of literature with our desire to serve the wedding market. We hunted high and low for other gift box companies that are geared towards a book loving audience, and found nothing. What’s a book loving bride to do?

We have spent the past year trying to answer that question. We’ve scoured arts and craft shows, boutiques and online stores for products that make our hearts beat a little faster. Products that not only look beautiful on the outside, but offer something unique and special to the recipient. It took us months of product testing to distill our selection down to only those that offer the all-important ‘wow’ factor.

Nearly all of the products we’ve chosen for our boxes are sourced from small makers throughout the US and Canada. As makers ourselves, we understand the effort and care that goes into each product, and we are thrilled to be able to support that.

In addition to our support of small makers, we also believe in eco-friendly natural products. Our own line of candles, as well as bath and body products are handmade with only the finest ingredients, including top grade essential oils and 100% plant-derived fragrances.

My Weekend is Booked offers a selection of pre-curated lit-themed luxury gift boxes that are perfect bridesmaid and groomsman gifts, or wedding welcome gifts. What about a gift for your hubby to be? We have just the thing! And just in case you don’t see something that speaks to your book lovin’ soul, we’ll work with you to create custom gift boxes that will make you swoon.

Pop the question to your besties in style with this glamorous bridesmaid proposal box inspired by the classic children’s tale The Secret Garden.

Reader, you’re going to marry him. Now it’s your turn to pop the question! Ask “Will you be my bridesmaid?” with this elegant literary-inspired gift box.

This box will transport anyone who receives it into the elegant world of Jane Austen. 

Cast a spell on your best witches with this luxurious box of magical treats. Ask “Will you be my bridesmaid?” with this book-themed bridesmaid proposal box.

We solemnly swear that your groomsmen will be charmed by this magical box!

Visit MyWeekendisBooked.com for more lit-inspired gift boxes

Today we are featuring a gorgeous intimate wedding that just might inspire you to scrap your big wedding plans. Here’s what photographer Becki Smith from Smith House Weddings had to say about Melba and Josh’s wedding:

When the bride-to-be and groom-to-be began planning, they sat down with all the traditions and completely threw out the ones that they knew weren’t for them. The result was beautiful: an intimate wedding ceremony with just their immediate families at the White Hall Houston, followed by a wedding dinner with just 30 of their closest friends at Brennan’s of Houston. The moments shared were nothing short of remarkable. Everything flowed together so seamlessly and the moments were equally full of laughter and tears of joy.

Once Melba and Josh knew that they wanted the foundation of their first day as husband and wife was an intimate wedding ceremony and to be simply surrounded by the people they love, they dove straight into the details, something that Melba absolutely loves. The three most important things were the florals, the cake, and the color palette.

Melba, 34 & Joshua, 34

Location: Houston, Texas

Wedding Date: October 7, 2017

Number of Guests: 21

Wedding Cost: $16,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: The White Hall Houston

Wedding Reception Location: Brennan’s of Houston 

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

It was really important to both of us that we share our special day with the people who meant the most to us.  Having planned and attended large weddings, we wanted something more personal and meaningful, because it often feels as though those truly special moments that you share with your guests and each other can be lost at larger weddings.  We wanted our evening to flow seamlessly; we wanted there to be warmth and laughter resonating throughout.  In our experience, we have learned that the people in your inner most circle are few, and they are the ones who will truly share in your happiness and make such a special occasion even more extraordinary.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

MELBA:  We honestly had the most difficult time finding an officiant!  Josh and I are spiritual, so we wanted an officiant who could incorporate elements of our spirituality in an interfaith ceremony.  For me, it was important to incorporate some Jewish prayers, while also including tenants of Buddhism and principles which Josh and I ascribe to.  We actually wrote our own ceremony script but could not find an officiant who wanted to do it our way.  At the last minute Josh found an officiant who did an amazing job bringing our vision to life!  It was even more special than we imagined.

JOSH: Getting the details just right.  When planning an intimate wedding you find that the little things matter even more, so it is important to focus on those as well to ensure you have a cohesive theme and aesthetic.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list? 

Overall, this was relatively easy.  We knew which family members we wanted to invite and our closest friends were easy to identify.  We had more of a challenge with our seating chart, which felt like playing a game of Tetris!  Thankfully Josh is great with spatial arrangement and other logistics!

However, for couples who may have a difficult time paring doing the guest list, consider asking yourselves a few simple questions, for example: “who do I talk to often?  Who have I shared special moments with?  Challenges?  Who have I shared this journey with my fiancé/fiancée with?”

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We did not have any real issues with the small guest list.  Some guests, however, did not promptly RSVP, or were indecisive regarding their plus ones.  We were able to make some accommodations, but were firm with the deadline.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

MELBA:  Josh and I wrote our own vows.  For me, one of the most significant moments was listening to the vows Josh wrote for me.  I could tell that he had taken so much time to write something meaningful and heartfelt.  Having an intimate wedding ceremony with just our parents made both of us feel even more comfortable expressing our feelings and the excitement we felt embarking on this journey together.  Even the creative process of writing our own vows was truly romantic:  reminiscing about our first date, spontaneous trips, and finding ways to incorporate some of his favorite things into my vows, like basketball.  Watching Josh’s expressions and reactions to my vows during the ceremony really meant so much.

JOSH: Reading our vows to each other was the most special and emotional moment for me.  We both took a lot of time and effort in writing our own vows and it was very emotional to finally get to share our promises.  Listening to the jokes Melly incorporated into her vows made me smile through the tears.  Watching Melly walk down the aisle was a close second.

What were the highlights of the reception?

MELBA:  Honestly, there were so many special moments. And while I adored Josh’s toast and my mother’s speech (dedicated to Josh because she absolutely adores him!), I was most proud of our chocolate chip cookies and milk bar!  I was inspired to incorporate it into our wedding because Josh’s favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies!  During the planning process we sampled so many cookies from different bakeries, but our baker made the best ones!  It was so important to me to make sure that our wedding had something unique for Josh, and to see him so happy made it worth it.

JOSH: I really enjoyed listening to the speech Melly’s mother wrote for me.  It was very thoughtful and we all had a good laugh at Melly’s expense!  I also enjoyed listening to Melly’s toast and exchanging our wedding gifts.  It was also nice to see all of our friends and family interact and get to know each other.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It was liberating!  We did not feel compelled to conform to tradition.  With an intimate wedding you have more creative latitude to truly make the occasion something distinctive.  The resounding consensus from our guests was that this was the “best wedding” they had attended precisely because of the intimate setting.  Our guests included people who have known us for years, or in some cases, our entire lives, and were excited to meet and engage with new friends.  We wanted to structure the layout of the room in a way that would facilitate conversation as most of our guests did not know everyone attending.  The table was setup banquet style, and we arranged our seating chart so that each guest was seated next to or across from someone they did not know.  Shortly after introductions the room was brimming with conversation and laughter!

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Here are our top 5 tips:

1. Think of a wedding theme and color palette and try to stick with it. This will help you streamline your planning and stay true to your vision.  We knew early on that navy, ballet pink, and gold would be our colors, which perfectly completed our theme.

2. Consider having a wedding dinner instead of a reception! We absolutely loved hosting a wedding dinner.  We wanted an ethereal, fairytale aesthetic, so that meant lots of natural light and soft colors, and finding a restaurant that captured that vision.  We wanted our dinner to be formal, so Brennan’s was the perfect choice.  Brennan’s is known for their incredible meals as well as their hand crafted drinks, so we were still able to offer our guests a signature drink: a kir royale during the cocktail reception, and wine with their meals without having to think about hosting a full bar.  Having a wedding dinner also eliminates a lot of other wedding costs and potential headaches, like hiring a caterer, bartender, band, etc.  Everyone can go out later to dance the night away!

3. Splurge on the items/vendors that are most important to you! For us, having an incredible photographer and florist was essential to our vision, and with Smithhouse Weddings and LBJ Floral we definitely accomplished this!  While our private dining room was already very elegant, we wanted to dress it up a bit more with linens, tall floral centerpieces, and other details.

4. Don’t be afraid to break tradition! For instance, Josh and I liked the idea of a guestbook, but we did not want a traditional guestbook.  Instead, we wanted something with utility, which could become a part of our household.  So, we had a portrait drawn and asked our guests to sign the matting.  It is beautiful and currently hanging in our dining room!

5. Attend wedding events and don’t be afraid to tell vendors you are having an intimate wedding! Many bridal boutiques and wedding planners host trunk shows and other events at their establishments, and this is a great way to meet vendors in person.  You can also get invaluable wedding advice and even win a few goodies!

Vendors: 

Photographer: Smith House Weddings

Florist: Lanson B Jones Floral

Bride’s Dress: Mori Lee

Cake: Whisk Bakery

Hair and Make-up: Adorne Artistry

Linens: House of Hough

Groom’s Tux: Limatus Bespoke

Officiant:  Kimberly Handly

Wedding welcome sign, gift bags, and portrait: Etsy

Custom mason jars, personalized stamps, and cookie bags: Zazzle

Cake serve ware: bhldn

Prepare yourself…you are about to see some of the most gorgeous wedding gowns ever created! Whether you want to frolic through a snowy winter forest, or dance in front of the Eiffel Tower, a tulle gown is an essential part of your magical wedding.

This stunning gown from MywonyBridal speaks for itself. Holy swoon!

How dreamy is this beige tulle gown designed by AmeliaWeddingDesign? 

The best part about tulle gowns? The epic twirls, of course! (Gown by DreamandDress)

This dress from ReevBridal looks stunning against a snowy forest backdrop. Winter brides, add this beauty to your cart right now!

What’s better than a tulle dress? A lace, silk AND tulle dress, of course! You will shine in this lovely gown from VICTORIASPIRINA.

This copper tulle skirt from SumarokovaAtelier is truly a piece of art.

You’ll feel like a queen in this lilac tulle dress lined with satin from AnturagStudio. The ruffled train is breathtaking!

Yes, it’s true. This exquisite blush dress from JurgitaBridal is under $1,000! 

*This post contains Etsy affiliate links.

Looking for the perfect bridal hairstyle? Call your florist, because you need a batch of fresh flowers and greenery! Whether you opt for an up do with a small floral accent, or go all out with a full flower crown, florals and greenery will instantly elevate your bridal look.

A few tips on florals: an over-the-top flower crown can obscure your face from guests during the ceremony, so you may want to limit the wear of your crown to the pre/post ceremony photoshoot. Also, if you plan on wearing the flowers for a long period of time, they can wilt so if you plan on wearing your hairstyle all day you may want to opt for just greenery.

A large, colorful floral comb contrasted with this bride’s simple loose hairstyle make for a bold look perfect for an alternative wedding.

From the Colorful Al Fresco Farm Styled Shoot //Photographer: Dawn Derbyshire Photography //Hair Stylist: La Pomponnee Salon and Spa //Floral Designer: Holly Hanna Floral

Bride’s can’t get enough of this laid-back baby’s breath hairstyle- In fact, this photo is one of our most popular pins ever! To get the look, all you need are beach waves, a loose braid and a touch of baby’s breath.

From Ryan and Stefani’s California Beach Wedding //Photographers: Photography by Ben and Kadin //Hair & Makeup: LePique Beauty, Corona Del Mar //Flowers: You + Me Floral

A succulent crown? Yes, it is possible, and it looks absolutely stunning, especially when paired with a succulent bouquet.

From Chris and Marissa’s Intimate Off-the-Grid California Wedding //Photography: Sam Arroyo //Florals: Huntress Florals 

Brides, take note! This flower crown strikes a perfect balance between pretty and practical. It beautifully highlights the brides face without distracting from or obscuring it.

From Cynthia and John’s At-Home California Wedding //Photography: Let’s Frolic Together //Florals: Native Poppy //HMUA: Hair Drezzers on Fire 

Who says you can just have one floral accessory? This flower crown and flower braid combo is absolutely gorgeous! Don’t forget to finish off the look with a bold red lip.

From the Rustic Elegance in the Forest styles shoot //Photography: Christian Wagner FILMS & PHOTOGRAPHY // Hair: Marina Eichmeier (Haare) //Make-up: Andrea Kriegbaum, Brilliance FaceArt //Flowers: Monika Winderl, Blumenhandl Tegernheim

This bold half flower crown stands out even against the dramatic redwood backdrop and adds the perfect pop of color to Kaitlyn And Matt’s wedding photos.

From Kaitlyn And Matt’s Enchanted Forest Wedding //Photography:  Paige Nelson Photography //Make up/Hair:  MUAH Make Up and Hair //Florals:  Christine Cater Florals

The right flower crown makes a simple bridal hairstyle infinitely more elegant. Click through to this styled shoot for more floral inspo, and take note of how the bridal bouquet, flower crown and bout all match for a beautiful, cohesive look.

From the Woodland Fairy Tale Elopement Styled Shoot //Photographer: Holly Castillo Photography //Hair: Monique Does Hair //Make-Up: Brigitte Caille Make Up Artist //Florals: Wild Peony Design

A lush, wild flower crown paired with loose beach waves makes for the perfect laid-back beach bridal look.

From Rachel and Trager’s Intimate Malibu Wedding //Photography: Pine & Sea //Florist: Brooke’s Flowers //Hair and Makeup: All Dolled Up Beauty Bar + Lush Sculpting Lounge

* This post contains Etsy affiliate links.