DIY Ice Cream in a Jar

How awesome is this idea... Ice cream in a jar for your hotel-bound guests! This would be such a nice treat for welcome bags or just as a stand alone gift to guests. See the details at Style Me Pretty, here.

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Baker's Twine Does It All

Baker’s twine is one of my favorite accessories to have on hand—it’s handy for everything! I think I like it more than (dare I say it) ribbon! Here are a few handy examples of ways to use baker’s twine in your wedding—favors, invites or place cards. The options are endless, and lucky for you, the twine comes in a variety of sweet colors. I love how it adds just a pinch of color, and how practical it is at tying up an invitation suite, or favor box. Not to mention it goes with just about any style!

The twine isn’t hard to find out on the internet—try Etsy for small quantities and wholesalers for bulk. Even if you end up with leftover twine, it’s perfect to accent small gifts, holiday cards or even decorate with around the house!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

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Have It Sweet!

Have you ever gotten to that point where your google reader is so backed up that you find yourself just avoiding it all together? Over the holidays I spent little to no time on my computer, as the real world took ahold of me. I hate to admit it, but I actually pushed that Mark all as read button once or twice. I know! I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t bare to look at those skyrocketing numbers any longer!

Well the good news is, I’ve finally caught back up with some of my favorite daily reads, and have come across some wonderful ideas in the process. Check out this post on Have It Sweet via The Inspired Bride last week.

Not only would these gourmet sweets make a yummy favor, they’re beautiful enough to display for the world! Don’t even think about tucking these little morsels into a paper box, they definitely need to be in a clear cello bag at the very least! Or display a variety of them in vintage candy dishes for a gourmet candy buffet.

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The Giving Tree

I just saw this idea on one of my new favorite blogs garnish. The idea and photo came from Amy Atlas via the iced blog, to give due credit. Anyway, how cute is this giving tree! Here it's intended use is for a birthday party or holiday gathering, but I love it even more for a wedding! Placing a little treat inside a simple paper bag and tying it with pretty ribbon would be more than enough to make guests jump for joy.

It seems you can DIY it for little to nothing, as long as you have a few substantial branches hanging around your yard, a bulk supply of white goodie bags and some ribbon. This would really dress up some simple sweets like jelly beans (in your wedding colors of course) or chocolate covered cherries! And if you have the time and resources you could seal them all with a customized sticker to say thanks.

If you’re having a fairly large wedding, it may be smart to plan for two giving trees, or just hang a few dozen goodie bags among the branches and the rest can be situated in tidy rows below it.

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Hot chocolate on a stick

Welcome back to reality (for those of us who are back to work this glorious Monday). I took a week off but still managed to feel a little frazzled when Christmas Eve came around. Luckily both my husband and I have amazing families, who made the running around and last minute shopping totally worth it. We spent a lot of time visiting and celebrating a really great year together.

I had a list of little projects I wanted to accomplish over Christmas break, and not a single one was completed. That’s okay though, it’s the thought that counts, right? Here’s an easy one that I found over at lil sugar — hot chocolate on a stick! I intended to make these ahead of time and hand them out to all the kids at our family Christmas party, but they could totally fit the wedding favor bill as well!

Pretty these up by wrapping them individually in a little cello bag and tying them with bakers twine or a colorful ribbon.

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Girl Scout Cookie Favors — Anyone?

I cannot believe I never thought of this — well I suppose it’s just another reason to renew our vows — Girl Scout Cookies. My husband sent me a tempting email today, someone at his work had a daisy who was selling cookies, and I told him I wanted one of everything. There’s not a lot of sweet things I don’t like, so it’s no surprise that I like GS Cookies — but these are different. I almost can’t live without them! This is why I’m so sick about not having them at my wedding!

I mean for cryin’ out loud, I myself was a brownie and girl scout, not to mention — who doesn’t like at least one type of GS Cookies?!

If I had to do it again, I probably wouldn’t give everyone a full box of em’, just maybe 4 cookies, nestled in a cute little paper wrapping. Boxed up and ready to be eaten!

Sources: 1, 2. 

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DIY scratch off tickets

I’m slightly hooked on scratch off tickets — not sure why, but they’re a hoot anyway. I saw recently a little project via iDIY where you can make your own scratch off tickets! The original tutorial is from Artmind and seems very self explanatory, with lots of great pictures to help along the way.

While the options are endless for this project, I like to think it would work well for save the dates (scratch off the date, or name), bridal shower games, or favors.

The tutorial is geniuos in every way, but I can’t help but want to alter it a bit, so I’ll share… Instead of just painting the silver mixture freehand on the card, I think I would probably use a stencil, or create a custom template so that the lines are a little cleaner (OCD is coming out full force today, hah).

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Bakerella does it again

From time to time I like to browse creative blogs like Bakerella — you know the one. I'll sit there and dream about the hobbies I might have, if I had enough time for hobbies to begin with. I've always loved baking, and severly salivate every time I see new projects from Bakerella, but this latest project triggered some wedding favor ideas!

Bakerella spruced up a recipe for Cowboy Cookies, coincidentally turning them into Cowgirl Cookies with some pink m&m's. She then made some cookie mixes from that same recipe, creating a gorgeous little take-away gift for all to enjoy! I loved this idea so much that I decided to share it with you all —as a favor idea. Just think, m&m's come in every color under the sun, so these would be an easy and fun project to customize with your wedding colors!

Add a little tag or sticker with your names and some light directions and you're golden! I bet you could even cut the recipe in half for a mini-batch in some smaller (easier to lug around) jars.

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DIY printables from Vale Design

So you're into DIY but you're not a pro-designer. Never fear, Erin Vale of Leo on the Loose has created a series of easy and beautiful box template that you can snatch up for only $5.00. All you have to do is print, trim, fold and glue! These would make perfect party favors for a birthday, shower or even for a small wedding.

Check out the gable boxes pictured above at Erin's etsy shop here!

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Kid-sized gum ball favors

I know not everyone shares my view on this, but I really love it when weddings incorporates the little guests just as much as the big ones. Children just seem so magical and entertaining during weddings, which is why I feel it's important to accommodate their needs and wants as well!

These mini gumball machines would be a cute way to make your little guests feel special on the big day. Use it as an escort card or on their place setting, and watch their eyes light up!

Photo credit: Wedding Decoration Warehouse

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Nature inspired wedding details

Now that the weather is a little more tolerable, we've been seeing a lot more outdoor weddings. What better way to celebrate the day than with a few of these outdoor inspired wedding accessories!

monogram birdseed favors, butterfly place card, kissing ball pomander, table sign, garden faucet knobs, wildflower seed favor.

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Regional Relics Post 5: Maple Syrup

The tradition of making maple syrup has been going on for centuries, initially used by Native Americans before European settlers discovered it. Even today, some of the traditional methods of transforming the sugar sap into syrup remain the same, which is why Michigan made maple syrup is our 5^th and last Regional Relic item.

You can find jugs of this sweet stuff in almost every general store you visit in Michigan, but you can also visit places like Currey Farms for bulk inquiries.

Select a few jars of maple cream to add to your wedding cake, or for a sampling of wedding cupcakes. You could also whip up a clever morning after breakfast basket with a spread of syrup choices, fresh fruit, juices, and pancake, muffin or scone mixes. We like Bob’s Red Mill brand the best (even though they’re based out of Oregon).

You can find out more information at the Michigan maple syrup association, here.

Photo sources: cupcakes, waffles, breakfast dry mixes, syrup bottles.

 

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Regional Relics Post 4: Cherry Republic

Cherry Republic is one of my favorite spots to score genuine cherry products from Michigan. They sell everything from Candy and Wine to Bath products — all cherry inspired!

If you had thoughts of a candy buffet at your reception, consider adding a few of their post popular cherry candies to the mix. You can place a special hang tag around the candy canister, with some information on the local favorites. The cherry soda pop is one of my favorite items out there, and would definitely be a hit with little ones at the wedding.

Cherry Republic also offers customizable items for use at weddings and special events. Check out the weddings link on their homepage for more information!

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Regional Relics Post 3: Black Star Farms

Weather your getting married in a vineyard or just want a Tuscan feel, serving local wines at your reception will add that perfect pinch of authenticity! 

One of my favorite wineries in the Leelanau area (north-west Michigan) happens to be Black Star Farms, where their casual and hand-crafted approach to winemaking won me over. I'm no wine connoisseur, but the classic wines and fruit brandies that they produce really utilize the best flavors of Michigan. Utilize their on site tasting rooms to really experience each flavor, and then handpick a variety of wines or spirits to enjoy later. How special  

To add to your reception, try dressing up each table with a bottle or two of your favorites, or toast the evening with a sip of sparkling wine, rather than standard champagne. Along with your custom cocktail for the evening, create a spritzer with white wine and other fresh ingredients.

Photo sources: wine bottles via Black Star Farms, vineyard image courtesy of Daniel E. Johnson, inn image, wedding photographs courtesy of Angeline Larimer.

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Regional Relics Post 2: Native Flowers

Flowers that are native to your state (Michigan in our case) can be both beautiful and cost saving when planning for your big event. Some species can be found in your back yard, and others can be acquired through nurseries. Use them in table arrangements (possibly paired with a local piece of pottery), in bouquets, or as favors.

You can educate your guests on the local flora by naming tables after them, or even making a donation towards preserving them!

A few of my favorite native Michigan plants include Black Eyed Susans, Wooded Sunflowers, Asters, Wild Bergamot, Columbine and the Michigan Lily.

Here are a few links to nurseries with species lists, as well as plants for sale in Michigan: Michigan Wildflower Farm, MNPPA, Light of Day Organics.

Flower credits: 1. Aster 2. Wooded Sunflower 3. Wild Bergamot, by John Dykstra 4. Michigan Lily 5. Black Eyed Susans 6. Columbine

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Regional Relics Post 1: American Spoon Foods

During our up north honeymoon getaway, we wandered into American Spoon Foods for a tasty take-home treat and were blown away by the gigantic selection of goodies! Amidst the towering shelves of shiny glass jars (filled with things like strawberry butter, lemon curd and Maple BBQ grilling sauce) was a tasting cart… so we sampled away until we found enough sauces and jams to fill a case.

Above you'll find a few of our personal favorites, in no particular order. These jars would be perfect tokens of a trip to Michigan, which is why they’re the first of many items on our Regional Relics list! Stick a few into your welcome baskets for out of town guests, or even request that your cake be filled with the maple cream!

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Regional Relics mini-series

Throughout your wedding planning process, you’ve probably spent hours researching where to find that perfect favor, accessory or embellishment, in order to get the best of the best. throughout your wedding scavenger hunt, have you considered choosing items that can be found in your home state?

Don’t miss our new mini-series, Regional Relics, beginning Monday, June 8th! These next 5 posts will be focused on rounding up goodies from around our home state of Michigan, and incorporating them into your wedding plans.

Note: While this post is centered around products found in the state of Michigan, comparable products can be found in your home state. We highly encourage readers to do a little digging to find out what’s unique to their location!

Postcard image: Michigan Historical Museum, logo: RSVP Invitation Studios

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