Stationery favors

Favors are always a tricky thing to perfect when planning a wedding. You try to choose something that people won’t just throw away (let’s think green) after the event, but also something that can be useful for your guests.

I’ve come up with an idea, and I’m wondering why this hasn’t caught on before? Am I missing something?

How fun would it be to give away stationery sets to your guests?! You could design a set of custom notes that match your wedding theme or purchase them  from a well known retailer of your favorite brand. Either way your guests go home with a set of pretty papers that remind them of the two of you every time they write a note. You could even self-address the first envelope, so that they are encouraged to write you for the first time as newlyweds!

This type of favor could conform to any budget as well… custom stationery sets could run as low as $3.00 for a set of 5 notes and envelopes (as long as you order in bulk). Or as high as $37.00 for 5 correspondences, like the Kate Spade ones pictured above left.

From left to right: Kate Spade, Crane & Co., rsvp invitation studios

Invitation Styles: Anatomy of an Invitation

I just read over this helpful article, paired with some wonderful visual aids from martha stewart on wedding invitations. I loved the ideas and the tips on finding your own style!

Guest post : Pearls Events

Another fun guest post to check out over at Pearls Events. This time it’s all about hometown honemoons!

Site update

I’ve been devoting all my down time lately on getting my website up and around. It’s been put off for far too long and was pretty much just a waste of space. So, I finally got the invitations section to a point where I am happy, even though this will be constantly changing in the future.

Take a peek if you get a minute, and let me know if you have any feedback, I’m always looking to improve.

Good eats

I love wedding food (well food in general). It’s almost always prepared and arranged in a unique fashion, not to mention how yummy it tastes!

I came up with two reasons why I love wedding food so much:

1. I didn’t have to cook it

2. I probably couldn’t cook it if I tried. 

Appetizers are usually a good hint at what the main course is going to be, which is why I love these mouth-watering starters featured on Brides.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Chips ahoy

Artful hors d'oeuvres

Beachy bites

Bundles of joy

Custom ring bowls on Etsy

I'm always scouring Etsy to find those lost treasures, and this morning I found something that caught my eye... The ring bowl!

Made by Paloma's Nest, this dainty ring bowl will work in lieu of a ring pillow, and has been featured in the fall/winter 2008 issue of BRIDES. She will custom stamp your choice of words into the hand made ceramic bowl, but I love the samples she has up on her shop! Great ideas!

Wonderful weekend in Chicago

Joe and I made the 5 hour road trip on Friday morning for a quick weekend getaway to the windy city. He had never been, so I was so excited to see his reaction to a bigger city. We made the rounds and ended up visiting his sister and my sister (it’s quite convenient that they reside in the same city), and made some tourist stops along the way, including Millennium Park. I love Chicago!

Pictured above Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Signature cocktails

A bridal party or reception just isn't complete without a signature cocktail! It's a yummy and creative treat for guests (over 21) and can be a more cost effective route to go.

This cocktail happens to be a tequila sunrise cocktail, featured at Brides.com.

Mmm, my mouth is watering and it's only 8:00 am.

Caramel apple favors

I just ran across this handy tutorial for caramel apple favors that double as place card holders! This tutorial comes from the blog of The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza, and is probably the most specific tutorial I have ever seen, it's great! I'm a huge fan of caramel apples, especially straight from the orchard or cider mill. It's another clever idea for fall weddings, and something that I've never seen before.

Depending on how many guests you have, this could be a great DIY project for you and your closest friends! If you are having a large wedding, buying pre-made caramel apples in bulk would be another option, and then cover them in fabric yourself!

Escort vs. Place Cards

Blue Orchid Design blog had posted a really informative article on the difference between Escort and Place Cards. I think this is definitely something every bride-to-be should know, especially when ordering your custom paper products, like table numbers, and escort or place cards!

Bookplates for grace

My niece Grace is turning 4 next week, so I was trying to think of a creative gift for her. Since she loves books, I thought it would only be appropriate to give her a few new books to enjoy, along with these handmade bookplates. 

I designed them and had them printed on thick textured paper, and then had them made into stickers. They are beautiful in person, and stick really well to just about anything!

Etsy.

Guest post : Pearls Events

Check out the lovely Pearls Events blog today for a guest post by yours truly.

Autumn loves chocolate

I pretty much love any kind of cake there is, but these inspiring cakes just reminded me how much I love chocolate cake!

It also reminded me that autumn is the perfect time of year to go all out and have a chocolate inspired wedding… not only is the color perfectly in season, but the flavor is rich and warming for those cooler days.

Left: Courtesy of Rob Ben-Israel Cakes.

Right:Cheryl Kleinman: Brooklyn, NY: 718-237-2271

Happy Monday

Just a little something to perk up your morning!

Meet Milo.

Etsy shop updated

Just updated my etsy shop with a few new stationery items... that's what I did on my rainy weekend indoors.

Wedding day gifts

Gifts: to each other from the bride and groom

Do very many people do this anymore? Aside from a sentimental note to each other before the big moment, carried along by the maid of honor or best man, what have you thought to give your future spouse on your big day?

My husband and I voted not to do this, as we were on a very strict budget, and we thought at the time that we would be our gift to each other, what more did we need! Right? It is still a tradition in some weddings, as that gift will forever remind you of your special day every time you pull it out, or use it, etc.

Here are some creative ideas for that special exchange:

+ Authentic baseball stadium seat cufflinks (a twist on the traditional)

+ Two Hearts handmade copper photo album

+ “Remember what is important” necklace

+ Couple’s genealogy Tree

+ Jeanine Payer – satine necklace

+ Hidden message capsule valet keychain

Mini terrarium

Last week I was feeling mighty crafty… I think I was going through my “I should have been an elementary school art teacher” phase, when I decided on a simple project with things I could find around the house. 

I found the directions at a cute little blog called knits and pieces… thanks Jenna! 

I ended up with a fun mini terrarium that satisfied my craft craving and allowed me to garden (indoors) in the rain!

Materials:

+ 1 glass pendant light cover (clear)

+ terra cotta pot saucer

+ 1 small plant

+ fish tank stones (or dish garden topping)

Mix all ingredients and water!

Funny story about the fish tank stones… I did not want to go out and buy a 2 lb bag of the dish garden topping, so I just reused some neutral fish tanks stones instead! Viola!

How lovely would these be as centerpieces in a cluster of different sizes for an eco-friendly wedding?! If you’re not into the all natural terra cotta look you could always paint that, and even throw in a few frosted or colored pendant light covers with candles on the inside instead of plants… ooh romantic!

Then just give them away when you’re done as parting gifts. Gotta keep it green!

Bargain shopping

I love it when i find a bargain, sale or clearance. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (which can come in handy during a Michigan fall). So what better place to hit the sales than at the outlet mall! A few of my old college buddies and I hit the pavement on sunday afternoon, what a nice day for a shop!

I filled my bargain craving by picking up a pair of these babies. Now all I need is a pair of matching plaid collars for my black and silver mini schnauzers!

Photographer of the minute!

Jonathan Thrasher, destination photographer, has captured my attention! Based out of Michigan, Jonathan will travel to any destination in the world. Granted, the places he visits are very nice, his photos are even more astounding. I think his commercial experience really gives him a leg up in the wedding world... not only does he capture the moment (something all good photographers should do), he brings out the beauty in the destination, and in the bride and groom, without a fierce competition!

Truly inspirational images.

Check out his portfolio if you haven’t already!

You know all of those little things that seem to be missing from a home when you first move in? 

I do! We moved in to our little brick home over a year ago, and the entire time I was moving firtinure around and hanging art on the walls, I was thinking... I need more stuff! I wasn't thinking... an armchair, or a china cabinet. I needed all of those little details a "home" has, that a new house just does not.

I managed to fill my house into a home little by little, going to flea markets, antique shops and home decor stores. It took me over a year, and I'm still not satisfied, until now...

I have just encountered the amazing etsy shop of blue bell bazaar. Jackpottttt.

Sinfully Simple

I ran across this beautifully simple gown by BCBG at the Nordstrom's site and fell in love! This is one of those no-hassle-no-pulling-at-it-all-night-gorgeous kind of dress. It's definitely got a price tag anyone could love, and it looks like it would be a perfect dancin' dress!

After seeing both sides of a wedding, the simple and the elaborate, my vote definitely goes to simple. 

After having a beautiful strapless wedding gown, equipped with train and all, I know how hard it was to keep it in one place. I have vivid memories of something poking me in the back all night, and someone stepping on my train, busting the bustle. Eh, it happens (luckily it was at the end of the night), but I would have totally traded all of that for a simple, chic look like this one!

For the love of fall!

Labor Day weekend always means the end of summer for me. Living in Michigan my whole life, I should know by now that it cools down quickly this time of year, even if it is only September. It’s that time of year where you take the boat out of the water and start bringing in the fire wood.

Even though it’s not quite fall, or even pumpkin season, I love these pumpkin inspired concepts for a romantic wedding centerpiece. From our dear Martha, of course.

I can’t say I’d have the patients to do many of these myself, but if you got a crew of friends and family, you could get a handful of them done for a cozy country wedding reception!