Amy at Button Empire , an Etsy shop based in Alberta has a thing for love: “Basically, I love love. It’s a delight to be included in the sacred days when couples come together and jump the broom,” she wrote to The Wedding Co.

When we came across Button Empire’s “I’d rather be Smooching” and “Nerdy Fiancé/Fiancée” button sets a few weeks back we were instantly smitten; Amy’s current fave is this, perfect for the gal who loves her phone.

Though they may seem simple, it’s amazing just how personal a set of customized buttons can be. When we asked Amy if she’d done favours for weddings her answer was a resounding “yes” but here’s the nitty gritty if you’re wondering: “We’ve done custom orders based on wedding colours, the couple’s general vibe, their love of nature, or their love of words. We once did a huge set of 245 buttons made with a really nice old dictionary.We pulled all the words to do with love and it made an amazing set that they used at their reception as favours for all the guests. We also search out the neatest of vintage papers and collage little sets for brides and grooms with pictures that resemble them. Oh yeah, we also do buttons for the gay and lesbian brides and grooms. We’ve made several same sex couples custom sets (bride and bride picture type buttons) for their special day as well.”

"Mighty Oaks" collection of 100 buttons for a couple who gave them to guests at their wedding

Prices vary depending on number, materials and (I presume) anything that’s obscure to source but from $5 for a pair to $85 for 100, the button is definitely a budget-worthy find!

Since we’re on the them of ‘fasteners’ this week, I thought I’d post an item from Etsy which just popped up for sale: I just love this board from Old Crow Farm as a starting point for a handmade seating card arrangement. The magnetized clips would do just the trick for adding everyone’s names and their table locations — they could also serve as something to take away with them if you personalized them with a button, or other simple DIY. For $48, you can’t go wrong!

A visit to The Paper Shop yesterday had Catherine yanking her camera out to snap these gorgeous hand stitched buttons by Bookhou.

Super sweet, they would make a great addition to name cards as a little takeaway favour, or pin them to your ushers and ring bearer as alternatives to the usual boutonnière. In the blog, Bookhou at Home, designer Arounna writes: “some people like to buy shoes – I like to buy equipment. My new favourite machine – a button maker.”

Bookhou’s beautiful products are available at all these places.

Love this ring pillow from Etsy seller, The Blooming South.

As beautiful as the pillow itself is the designer’s write up of it, who notes that it’s one of her favourite designs, possibly because it reminds her of her days as an equestrian: “The pillow is made with Belgium Burlap Linen tied with a French Velvet bow. Centered in the pillow is a monogrammed button in pale pink Italian Crepe Linen. Initials available are: T, S, R, N, L, K, H, and D. A sweet chocolate brown and ecru gingham check ring ribbon finishes the look as well as keeping your rings safe as the pillow makes its way down the aisle.”

The eco-friendly pillows are approximately 5 x 5 x 2 inches and filled with premium, buck wheat hulls for maximum fullness.

The Blooming South also sells sweetly simple covered button cufflinks in six colours and all of the items come gorgeously packaged in handmade boxes and pouches.

‘Brooch’ the subject of an alternative bouquet. Consider something that will last a lifetime and become a true heirloom.

Amanda Heer creates ‘brooch bouquets’ from 50-60 brooches and posh pins. You collect them from grandmothers’ collections, neighbours, thrift and antique shops, ship them to her and Amanda will make you a completely custom bouquet for about $350.

Collect like-coloured, shaped or textured brooches for a specific statement or mix and match for a more eclectic feel. We love the idea of using family trinkets; this has to be the best ’something old’ idea we’ve come across in a long time {just don’t toss it, it might be lethal}!

Looking for their contribution to the bouquet.

A lovely subtle colour palette.

To find Amanda’s work, check out her website and her blog.

Christos' Desiree from the spring 2010 collection: Pearl Bridal House will host a Christos trunk show, February 27th.

With your valentines sent and received, and your first true love secure, you’ve got the time and energy to put into finding that other love of your life … your wedding dress.

Lucky for you, it’s this time of year when a lot of new collections are arriving in stores — those divine creations you’ve seen pictures of in the magazines over the last six months are finally on the rack and your local boutiques are excited to make some matches.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a trunk show used to refer to the travelling trunks designers used transport and display new designs. Buyers would dig through the trunks to find merchandise to order for the coming season.

Today, a trunk show is a civilized, service-oriented event; boutiques use the launch of new collections to provide their customers with a one-time opportunity to see an entire line from one designer. While a retailer might represent the Vera Wang bridesmaid line, they will never carry the entire collection for that season. Instead, they will pick and choose up to half the dresses available that they think will perform the best at their store. Trunk shows are held to offer clientel the entire collection for one or two days. Customers are encouraged to make appointments prior to a trunk show, because either a representative of, or the designer will be on-hand to help fit and discuss the range of merchandise available — a little like speed dating.

Andria Anastasiou of White, Toronto says designers will also often bring pieces that have been well received from previous seasons as well, this is another coup for brides who want something slightly different than what will become typically popular throughout the coming season.

Usually, when you attend a trunk show, you have up to one week after to order any item not stocked by the boutique directly from the designer. Boutiques often offer a slight discount when you place an order as a result of the trunk show.

Start your engines … and be prepared for love at first sight.

You’re charmed, we understand! All strung up. Maybe it will show up at the top of the cake or when you put it in ink. No matter how you show it, a gesture of  simple love makes for hearty results: here are five super ways to incorporate a little heart into your wedding celebrations.

Clockwise from top left: Ur A Star’s custom wooden cake toppers ($75US), Perch Papier’s Simple Love 8 wooden tags ($12US), Note Trunk’s Self Inking Custom Rubber Address Stamp ($26.95US), Joyful Joyful’s heart paper garland ($15US), Little Vale’s custom bouquet charm ($28US)

Remember our DIY from earlier this week? If you’re more of a do-it-for-me type (as many of us are) consider this:

Felt at Home – an Etsy seller in Birmingham (UK) will put your personal message of up to 25 words on a length of bias binding or ribbon, roll it onto a vintage wooden English cotton reel and secure it with a ribbon and button. A brilliant way to send someone you love a secret message if you ask me, especially if you’re planning to ask them something special… Artist Phillipa England has also created one-of-a-kind spools with beautiful phrases or poems for you to choose, if the pressure to come up with something original yourself gets you reeling.

The spools range from $25-$32US.

Your Heart on Your Sleeve Cufflinks by Bella Moda Artist

Love these tongue-in-cheek heart-themed cufflinks for guys, especially those making their way to the altar shortly. What a fantastic way for him to wear his heart on his sleeve without compromising his coolness.

Ace of Hearts playing card silver cufflinks by Crimson King

Ace of hearts playing card silver cufflinks, $13 US; Your Heart on Your Sleeve Cufflinks, $24.99US … Now, if only i could find that heart symbol from Romeo and Juliet, we’d have a full set … I’ll keep looking!

Duo Lucid Flower Necklace, $55US

The third accessory designer we met at Indie Wed was Katie, the metalsmith and artist whose hands are behind the work at Dollybird Design. Launching her first bridal collection for Indie Wed, Katie promised us she’d hurry to get her bridal designs up on Etsy but we had no idea we’d hear from her four days later, be among the first to view her bridal-specific designs here.

I love Katie’s aesthetic, from the her website that feels like a revered specimen collection to this bridal collection that, as she says, strikes a balance between being non-traditional but also non-competitive with a wedding dress, to that incredible poppy ring on her homepage (that I would definitely give to a bridesmaid — but want to keep pour moi)!

Made from sterling silver and lucite, the rings, necklaces and earrings of this collection are feather-light and brilliantly white, they’re lush and large and absolutely perfect for a spring wedding, paying homage to the over-sized blooms of the season.

Lucid Flower Button Earrings, $40US

Layered Lucid Flower Ring, $65US