Here's the Scoop on a Fabulous Bridal Shower Idea...

As the winter months drag on, shift your mind to warmer thoughts. Are you searching for a unique idea for that spring or summer bridal shower? How about an Ice Cream Social theme? For all you girls out there who can recall spending more than one evening of their lives curled up with a pint of Ben and Jerry's, this bridal shower is right up your ally. Follow this recipe for a sweet shower that you and your guests will surely enjoy.

Kick off your ice cream themed bridal shower with do-it-yourself invitations shown at right. Use card stock and bakers twine to create adorable ice cream cone invites. If you can, throw your party outside and decorate your venue with whimsical ice cream cone garlands, balloons and centerpieces made from balls of yarn and sugar cones, as seen below.

Start your shower off with a light and tasty lunch with a 50's diner feel. Mini slider burgers and mini grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect paired with an ice cream treat to follow. Include appetizers like French fries and onion rings served in cone-shaped holders.

Your Ice Cream Social shower would not be complete without a self-service ice cream sundae bar. Your bar should include ice cream, of course, stick to the basic flavors like vanilla and chocolate and let your guests go crazy with the toppings. Place containers of ice cream in galvanized steel tubs filled with ice.

Ask each of your guests to bring in their favorite sundae topping, be sure to provide the essentials like chocolate syrup, caramel, chopped nuts, sprinkles and whipped cream. Other great toppings like Oreos, crushed candy bars, marshmallows, brownies and fruit will surely be appreciated. Don't forget the cherries! Place toppings in old fashioned glass jars or waffle cone bowls for a nice presentation. Have your guests create their sundaes in old fashioned, tulip sundae glasses for a retro touch, or waffle cone bowls for a less expensive option. Because nothing goes better with ice cream than cake, include in your menu cupcakes made in sugar cones, frosted like ice cream.

 

What would a bridal shower be without games? Keep your theme going with an ice cream sundae building contest, blindfold optional! Pair guests up and blindfold one, the blindfold-free partner will direct the other in building their sundae. Pair this game with other traditional bridal shower games. Give out ice cream themed party favors and prizes like neat ice cream scoops or collectible ice cream dishes or bowls.

You don't have to wait until spring or summer to celebrate with an Ice Cream Social Bridal Shower, ice cream is appreciated year round. Throw your party indoors and you will have your guests looking forward to warmer weather. This Ice Cream Social theme would also work well for engagement parties, couples showers, afternoon wedding receptions, and weekend wedding festivities.

So grab a spoon, you might need to start practicing for that sundae building contest!

Mandy

Credits: 1st image-ice cream cone dishes, 2nd collage-balloons, invitations, garland, 3rd collage- mini slider burgers, french fry cones, 4th collage- yarn centerpiece, bowls of ice cream, cupcake cones, waffle cone bowls

Take a Cue from These Wedding Hues

The shiny New Year is right around the corner and with it brings a whole new gamut of fresh and innovative weddings.  I personally can't wait to see what all our brides will come up with.  It is sure to be an exciting 2011 full of creativity and personal touches.

Before all the ribbon and decorations, of course comes an inspiration.  Whether it's pulled from your grandmother's vintage brooch or your favorite handbag, brides seem to be inspired by color early in their wedding planning stage.  To help with your wedding color hunt, we've pulled out all the stops, taking a cue from all our brides, Facebook fans, wedding industry giants, and fashion gurus, to bring you our top wedding color palettes for 2011 weddings.  Broken down by season, these colors are dramatic, romantic, and perfectly fabulous.

Spring - A freshing mix of fuschia and sunny yellow

Credits: Pink and yellow table setting, popsicles, wedding bouquet, wedding cake

Summer - Exciting palette of cobalt blue paired with tangerine

Credits: Bride and groom in grass, blue and orange table setting, bride against orange wall, wedding cake slice

Fall - Deep plum, orange, and earthtones make this palette a fall hit

Credits: Bride leaning on wall, wine bottle bags, bride with bouquet, blackberry pie

Winter - Wine, icy pink, and navy blue create a warm and inviting winter mix

Credits: Groom's pocket square, pink bridal shoe, wedding aisle, raspberry fudge

Happy Planning!

How to Plan a Fairy Tale Wedding

The headlines are booming with tales of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton. What Bride doesn’t fantasize about having her own Fairy Tale Wedding? This could be easier than you think. Here are some tips for planning your own Fairy Tale Wedding.

What to Wear: Choose a ball gown style dress for your wedding. A fairy tale bride should be ready to go all out. Also select a beautiful tiara with a floor length view. The shoes of course must be gorgeous. Look for something with rhinestones to give your look that Cinderella feel. Don’t hold back on the accessories either, you should consider gloves and lots of bling.

Invitations: When I think ‘Fairy Tale’, I think royal scrolls. How lovely your invitations will be presented to your future guests in a scroll. Another great idea is using a wax seal for your invitations. This will also give your invitation that whimsical fairy tale feel.

Location: The best place to hold your wedding would be in a castle but we don’t all live near castles. Do your research. A lovely ball room will be appropriate and can be transferred into a fairy tale scene easily by adding a lot of draped fabric, flowers, candles and glitter.

Decor: Dress up your wedding with Fairy Tale accessories. A lovely guest book and pen set. You can also find carriage shaped card holders for your reception and castle shaped place card holders. Don’t hold back, this is a fairy tale wedding.

Favors: Who could resist a beautiful carriage shaped candle favor or a castle shaped book mark. I also love the glass slipper favors, though they my not be appropriate for your gentlemen guests. You could also use the Royal Coach Design Mint Tin Favors which would be practical for everyone.

Now that your head is spinning with fun ideas, get our there and start planning. Don’t forget ladies that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true!

Blushing Brides think Honeysuckle Pink - 2011 Color of the Year

Pantone Color Institute, the leader in color, has announced that of their spring line up, Honeysuckle Pink will be the color of the year. This is an exciting prediction. This shade of pink is bright and cheerful but is a more natural, calming tone than shocking hot pink. Pantone calls it "a brave new color," so hopefully some brave brides will be inspired to use it!

I love this color paired with softer hues. A palette made of pale pink, ecru, and honeysuckle creates a sweet, romantic look. Peonies and roses (and yes, honeysuckle too) go perfectly with this color scheme. Create the centerpieces shown below but submerging flowers in water filled cylinders.

Honeysuckle pink also looks as soft and cozy as a kitten when paired with gray. Grey is a popular accent color in weddings for 2011, giving them a modern look without appearing harsh.  Silver can be interchanged with gray, making it easy to find favors for your guests. I am in love with the silver tone teaspoons shown below that feature sayings on each handle like "a pinch of joy."

If you don't see what you like but love the idea of a honeysuckle pink wedding, you can always pair it with neutrals like white, ivory, and tan. You could also create a more dramatic look by using black with your pink and another accent color like lime green. If you are thinking spring, consider a brightly colored wedding made up pink and celery green or soft pastels. For summer or destination weddings on the beach, use coral reefs to inspire your color scheme and bring orange, yellow, and honeysuckle pink together to make a splash!

~ Jenna
Photo credit for Honeysuckle and Ecru Inspiration Board: Honeysuckle and ecru invites from Tiny Prints, Centerpieces from MayWeddingFlowers.com,Cake from The Knot, Bridesmaid dress from Dessy, handbag from Prepare to Wed.
Photo Credit for Honeysuckle and Grey Inspiration Board: Teaspoons and Sprinkle image from We Heart It, Silver Wedding Gown from Weddings on the French Riviera, Table Setting from Ghana Bride, Boutonniere from Flower Designs Tannes

Time for a Tea Party Wedding!

 Little girls have always loved playing dress up and usually they are dressing up for either a wedding or a tea party. Now, as grown ups we know sometimes we have to choose, but sometimes we get to have it all! Your wedding day is one of those times. A tea party wedding theme is a dream come true. Draw your inspiration from those childhood dress up days, a little Alice in Wonderland whimsy, a dash of vintage and Victorian refinement, and the lovely wedding dress designs by Carolina Herrera (shown left) to create a tea party fit for a queen.

This theme is wonderful for breezy spring and summer outdoor weddings, but could also be set indoors at a bed and breakfast or some other intimate venue. A tea party theme wedding can also be incredibly budget friendly. Your guests will simply think you are 'in the know' with the 2011 wedding trends, where smaller weddings and inventive seating will play a huge role. Keeping the guest list small will keep your wedding cozy and let you play around with the seating. Your wedding and reception could be in the same venue (think garden), with guests taking their seats at the tea tables for the entire event. Consider a ceremony in the center of a circle of seats or tables that will keep guests feeling like more than just observers on your day. 

Food and favors can help you set the tone for your day. With Alice inspired favors and small "drink me" and "eat me" signs on cups and plates you can create a wonderland. With tea tin favors, posh cucumber sandwiches, and antique tea cups you can have a Victorian atmosphere. To create the feeling of little girls playing dress up, choose overlarge decor to create the feeling of a child playing in an adult world. Provide guests with costume jewelry, hats, and gloves or invite them to come in their own. One of my favorite ideas is to serve your wedding cake as cupcakes in antique inspired tea cups that guests can take home. Other tea themed favors are tea caddies, tea cup candles, and  tea infusers. As always, be creative and don't be afraid to try new things. It is your day, so what you (as a couple) like is what counts the most!

Happy Spring! (yes, I know it is December... but let's think warm thoughts!)

-Jenna

Photo Credit: Caroline Herrera gown courtesy of Coutorture. Teacups courtesy of Bride. Tea Party sandwiches courtesy of Intimate Weddings.

2011 Spring Color Trends

The 2011 spring fashion report is in and Pantone LLC, the global authority on color, has pulled out all the stops to unveil their detailed fashion forecast.  Featuring the top 10 colors for women's fashion, Pantone cites some of today's top designers along with sketches, headshots, and commentary from other fashion insiders.

"The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  The top 10 colors selected for the season include Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Beeswax, Regatta, Lavender, Blue Curacao, Peapod, Silver Peony, Russet, and Silver Cloud (see below).  For 17 years, Pantone has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring the season's most color trends.  To read more, check out Pantones detailed forecast here.

What does this mean for weddings?  The colors that Pantone has selected for the spring season pair together an interesting mix of vibrant hues and cooler, neutral tones.  I feel that this marriage of colors will undoubtedly carry through to weddings.  Look for colors that pair contrasting, complementary hues together, as well as, palettes that include warmer softer hues paired with vibrant contrasting colors.  By combining complementary colors (colors that are opposites on the color wheel), brides will be creating a striking wedding palette that demands attention.  Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a sense of playfulness.  Pair with silver cloud for a mix of warm tones and cool neutrals for the perfect post-winter pick-me-up.  Spicy Coral Rose and honey-yellow Beeswax evoke a sophisticated feel.  Combine either one of these colors with Regatta for a striking, vibrant color contrast or Lavender for a unique color combination.

Happy Planning!

Fig and Platinum New Year

Eggplant (or rich purple) is proving to be one of 2011's up and coming wedding colors among brides. Rich, dramatic, and gorgeous....can I please just say, I love this color!!  With the right New Year around the corner, I couldn't help but think how perfect this dramatic shade would be for a New Years Eve wedding.  The drama of this deep purplish shade would look stunning paired with a sparkling, contrasting hue like silver and white.  For this inspiration board, I pulled my color palette from the fig fruit.  Deep purple on the outside and pink on the inside, pair with sparkling accents and you will have yourself a fabulous wedding color combo.

Happy Planning!

Image Credits: 1st Row: Blackberry and fruit centerpiece via Martha Stewart Weddings, Eggplant chair sashes from theknot.com, diamond band and scattered diamonds via White Flash Diamonds.  2nd Row: Figs via Thayer Photo, Chandelier wedding invitations from Wedding Paper Divas, Peonies from The Laurel Hedge, Hanging chandelier from Sheri Crystal Designs. 3rd Row: Love sparklers via weddingbee.com. 4th Row: Blackberry cocktails via Matt Armendariz Photography, Bride and groom toasting from Melissa Mize Photography, Plum ring bearer pillow, pink dress via Etsy. 5th Row: Sparklers via Adrienne Page

How to Dress Up Your Holiday Drinks

If you’re like me and you are always trying to think of new and fun way to spice up your holiday parties, think drinks. Here are some great tips for dressing up your holiday drinks at your next get together.

Accessorize: By adding a candy cane to a cup of hot chocolate or some cranberries to a glass of champagne you have added a truly festive feel to your beverages. Colored sugar is another great decoration for your glasses. Add red sugar to the rim of a green apple martini to give your drink a little pizzazz.

Personalized Cups: What better way is there to say Happy Holiday but by saying it right on the cup. Order personalized cups with a holiday message for your friends and family. This is fun way to spread the holiday cheer and your eggnog will never look better.

Ice Cubes: My favorite way to dress up your holiday drink would be with ice cubes. Try freezing some mint or cranberries inside the ice to add color to your drinks. Another fun idea is to freeze colored water in holiday candy molds. You can pick up some Christmas tree candy molds at your local craft store and fill them with green water. Once they freeze you will have Christmas tree ice to add to your holiday drinks.

These are just a few easy ways to add holiday cheer and impress your guests!

Carrie

Creating A Classic Christmas



The Holiday season is a time to reflect on the events of the year and reminisce about holiday seasons past. It is a time for comfort foods and traditions, a time when the faintest scent of baking cookies and the twinkling of lights can send you back to the magical time of childhood. This year take advantage of the stage the season has set for you and give your guests a truly classic Christmas.

Your party decorations will be essential in creating the mood for your party. Bring everyone back to a simpler time by using as much natural or homemade decor as possible. Make planning for the party a family adventure by venturing into the woods for pine cones and evergreen branches. These will look beautiful on a colorful table cloth surrounding adorable cabin centerpieces made from lincoln logs. Add chalkboard place mats and decorate with non-toxic chalk in a holiday theme with your guest's name to keep with this fun and innocent theme. Because this is the time of year where childishness is actually a good thing, get crafty with paper snowflakes and colorful paper chains. In the days leading up to the party you can cozy up on the couch and watch some holiday movies while stringing popcorn and cranberry garland. This natural garland will look fabulous on your tree, mantle, or draped strategically around the room.

As your guests arrive and throughout the evening, have classic Christmas music playing quietly in the back ground to keep everyone in the spirit. Play up this "Christmas Magic" theme by encouraging everyone to bring a gift for a white elephant exchange that is inspired by their most treasured childhood Christmas gifts. Later everyone can play vintage games like Twister, Password, and Pictionary. Choose games that keep the conversation flowing and encourage everyone to participate. When our family does this the laughter is contagious and we come away feeling like we bonded a little bit more with the family members that we don't get to see as often as we would like.

Consider the traditions from your own childhood and ask your guests what traditions mean the most to them. Use these as inspiration to make one more memorable holiday for old and young!

Happy Holidays!

 

Photo Credit:Popcorn garland from A Very Country Christmas, Cabin Centerpiece courtesy of Real Simple.com , Chalkboard Placemat from Live Simply Live Pure.com, Pine Chair Sashes from Pink Frosting.com, Paper Snowflakes from Good Housekeeping.com, Night Before Christmas Paper Chains from Ormolu

Winter Wedding Bouquet Alternatives

I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with good food and good company.  If you're an Xmas fanatic like me, than the minute the sun broke the horizon on Friday morning, you too were awake setting up your Christmas decorations.  Every year I try and outdo myself with new and inventive ways to decorate around the house.  This year I glued pinecones to ornament hooks and spray painted them gold to add to my rustic decor.  While setting up my poinsettia centerpieces, I couldn't help but think they would make adorable winter wedding bouquet alternatives.  Don't you think?  But of course why would I stop at just poinsettias...what would be the fun in that?  Just for you, I put together my top picks for winter wedding bouquet alternatives.  Enjoy!

1) Feather Fabulous

Simply chic.  What else is there to say?  Made completely of feathers with bejeweled accents, have one made in snowy white for that ice princess feel.  These lovelies are complementary of the ladies from Emplume.

2) Pinecone Rustic

For the rustic bride, pinecone bouquets are perfection.  Start in advance and this bouquet alternative can turn into a fun and easy DIY project.  Add wintry flair and sparkle by spray painting silver, gold, or glitter onto your bouquet.  To learn how to create your own, check out this tutorial from oncewed.com used to create the bouquet above.

3) The Hand Muff Bouquet

Fabulous.  Winter hand muffs keep you and your bridesmaids warm and stylish.  And they will look amazing in photos.  This idea is one of my favorites because it truly captures the winter season in a unique way.  Better yet, they double as great bridesmaids gifts too.  Pair with warm and cozy slippers for the perfect gift set.  The children's hand muffs above are courtesy of Etsy and can be found here and here.

4) Bling Bling

Why limit all your sparkle to just your wedding dress when you can have an entire bouquet made from glittering rhinestones.  Glistening just like the snowfall.  Make entirely of gems and jewels, this bouquet will sparkle all the way down the aisle.  I especially love the rhinestone bouquet idea because it will last forever.  Truly an heirloom quality piece that can be passed down.  Heirloom jeweled bouquet courtesy of Noaki of Etsy.

5) The Pomander Snowball

Mimic the snowball fights from your childhood with our number 5 bouquet idea...the pomander snowball bouquet.  This idea takes the traditional flower bouquet and mixes gives it a unique twist.  Have each of your bridesmaids and flower girl carry these snowballs down the aisle to capture the feeling of winter.  Pair with a traditional rose brides bouquet for the perfect complement.  Pomander snowball bouquets courtesy of Etsy and The Knot.

Happy Planning!

Tips for Personalizing Family Gifts

It is time to start making your list and checking it twice! There are less than 5 weeks to shop for all the holidays, not to mention even less time to place orders online. Luckily you can cross off several names from your list by giving a family gift. Family gifts are most appropriate for extended relatives, coworkers, and others you would like to give a simple and thoughtful gift to.  Some of my favorite family gifts are board games, baked goods, and personalized signs, frames, ornaments or boxes that have been printed with the family's name. The vintage sign shown here is a perfect example of a gift that can be hung in a family room for everyone to enjoy. 

If you are choosing to have a family name printed on a gift, there are few things you will need to consider. Ask yourself whether you are trying to convey the family's ownership over an item or make the family name plural. In the case of personalized gifts, the answer will usually be making the name plural. Here are several ways to solve the problem of pluralizing surnames for gifts or holiday cards.

•   The basic rule of thumb is to pluralize by adding s to family names not ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z.
• For names ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z you must add an es. This can sometimes look awkward, so it is also acceptable to simply leave the name as is.
• Add an 's to show ownership (i.e. The Smith Family's Christmas Party)
• If the name is plural or ends in an s already just the apostrophe. (The Sandersons' House)
• Leave last names as is when the above rules result in awkwardness. Instead of putting The Matthewses' Home on their welcome mat, simply use The Matthews Home. You can create other phrases like The Matthews Family, Matthews Residence, Matthews Clan, etc.
• If none of these solutions suit you, try using a single last name initial. The font will be the focus in this case, so choose wisely!

Happy Holidays!

~ Jenna

Adding a Personalized Touch to Men's Christmas Gifts

It's that time of the year ladies, when we must start thinking about Christmas gifts for our husbands, boyfriends, Dads, brothers, sons etc. No matter who the gift is for you want it to be special and from the heart. A personalized gift is a great way to give that special man in your life something that he will love!! Here are some great personalized men's gifts for Christmas 2010.

Wall Signs: This is great gift for anyone. You can order you son's favorite football team wall sign or for you Dad or husband you can order a personalized pub sign or golf sign. There are many different options to choose from and a gift any guy would love.

 Bar Ware: You can never go wrong with personalized beer mugs or monogrammed shot glasses. Another great idea is a personalized can koozie with your special guys favorite football team. He will love the personal touch of his name or message on the koozie and he will surely use it everytime he is watching football.

Golf: It's hard to find a gentleman these days that doesn't enjoy a great game of golf. Whether you get him a personalized golf towel, putter set or engraved divot towel, the golfer in your life is sure to love the many options that are available for the avid golfer.

Picture Frames: The great thing about a personalized picture frame is that you can not only add a nice message on the frame to your loved one but you can also add a picture that is special to you. This is a great gift for your husband or boyfriends desk. Don't forget about co-workers and friends. This is also an in expensive way to add a personalized touch to an office party gift as well.

Unique: The truth is there are personalized gifts for men out there for every type of guy, whether your guy loves sports or he is an outdoorsman you can find something unique for him. Adding a personalized touch to a lockback knife, a pocket watch or cigar humidor is going to make your gift special to the person you are giving it to.

Now jump on your computers or hit the streets and find that uniquely personalized gift for the special men in your life. Happy Shopping!

Carrie

Tis the Season for Holiday Wedding Centerpieces

It's only November but I can already feel the Christmas season inching its way here.  Soon it will be time for the sound of crackling fires, Bing Crosby, and yummy scents of baked goodies to fill the air.  I for one can hardly wait! Time to snuggle up with a warm cup of cocoa and watch the snow fall.  This love I have for Christmas has of course always made me wish for a holiday themed wedding.  And since my wedding has already passed, I will just have to live vicariously through all of you.  So here it is.  For all you other holiday gurus out there, here are my top picks for holiday wedding centerpieces from the simplest setting to the most elaborate arrangement.

1) Wrap It Up

One of the simplest and most inexpensive holiday centerpieces to pull off, the empty gift box!  Simply purchase your favorite holiday wrapping paper and bows to match your wedding colors and wrap away.  Use different sized boxes to create texture and visual interest and stack them along the center of your tables.  You don't even have to put anything in them.  They're just for show, after all.

2) Edible Art

Instead of creating a candy buffet, bring the buffet to your guests with edible table centerpieces.  Mini cakes, towers of holiday candy, or single serving desserts make for a mouth-watering display.  Set your goodies on short or tall displays accented by berries, holly, and other holiday accents.  Include personalized napkins next to each centerpiece printed with a note that says 'enjoy' with your names and wedding date.  Your guests won't be able to get enough of your edible art.

3) Branch Out

Christmas wouldn't be the same without all the ornaments that decorate our Christmas trees.  For my #3 pick, use a simple tree as your centerpiece.  Either spray-paint a bare branched tree or use a pine tree as your main focal point.  Add ornaments to your tree to give your centerpiece depth and to provide guests with a favor to take home.  Clear ornaments are perfect for low light settings and will make your tables sparkle, catching the light from every angle.  Personalized ornaments are great for adding a custom touch to your guest tables and will remind guests of your special day every year.

4) Twist on the traditional

Flowers will continue to be one of the most popular and traditional wedding centerpiece choices.  For the holidays, put your own twist on this wedding staple by creating ornament accented floral arrangements, present shaped bouquets tied with ribbon, and/or peppermint wrapped flower bouquets.  To create your peppermint bouquets, simply glue candy canes to the outside of an inexpensive vase, insert your flowers, and voila!  Present shaped flower arrangements can be a little trickier and usually turn out best when left to an expert (especially when using live flowers).  To make this centerpiece on your own, purchase square flower foam from your local craft store, fake roses, ribbon, and scissors.  Simply insert the stems of your flowers into the foam until the flowers cover it entirely.  Tie your ribbon around your present, step back, and admire your work.

Happy Planning!

Allie

Credits: Row 1: Holiday wrapped gift boxes via bhg.com. Row 2: Mini wedding cakes courtesy of lieventplanning.com, individual cookies on cake stand and candy tower via countryliving.com.  Row 3: Silver tree branches with ornaments available at pier1.com, personalized ornament tiles via angelellie of etsy.com, beaded winter snowflake ornaments. Row 4: Candy cane flower arrangement and ornament display via bhg.com, rose covered present centerpiece courtesy of party town.