Savoring Summer with these Outdoor Wedding Favors

While walking through the stores this weekend I noticed back to school supplies are out and fall and Halloween decorations are sneaking their way on to the shelves. It makes part of me long for the crisp air and crunch of leaves that autumn brings, but another part of me refuses to give up summer without a fight! We have a good month and a half of summer weather left here in the Midwest! In honor of that, here are some ideas for those who love the sunny outdoors! 

Enjoy and help preserve the outdoors with ecofriendly favors such as plantable seed packets, polished rock place card holders, and adorable notepads that definitely remind me of climbing trees as a kid. You can also find other nature inspired decor,  like natural wood plaques, at most craft stores. These would look adorable with initials or table numbers carved into them.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Living

You can also give guests a little bit of nature to take home with them. Small bouquets wrapped in a cone of pretty paper can be hung with ribbon along chairs or placed in an arrangement for guests. A sign reading "take your pick!" can be placed near the flowers to be sure guests know that they are not merely part of the decorations.  Another way to incorporate fresh flowers in your favors is by giving hair clips, corsages, and boutonneires made by you or your florist. These can be pinned to a linen covered peg board for guests to choose from. If flowers are too fussy for you, potted plants and herbs are a great way to go!

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Living

If you will have your event outdoors, be sure to provide plenty of water and shade for guests. If no trees or tents are available, you can always provide paper parasols and hand fans. Fans can serve a double purpose if you have your wedding programs printed on them. It is also considerate to provide sunscreen and bug repellant wipes, or have citronella candles lit to keep away uninvited guests.

Today's summer wedding favors are available in a wide range of themes and styles to accomodate any outdoor wedding reception or party.

Remember, it is sunny days with friends and family that will keep you warm through the winter months!

~Jenna

Back To School Lunch Bags

More and more Moms today are packing bagged lunches for their children. Whether you are trying to save money, eating organic or just trying to provide a nutritional meal for your child, lunch bags are a necessity. Your child will love picking out his or her own bag color and adding his or her name and design to their very own lunch bags. This is also a great way to keep your child’s lunch from getting mixed in with the other bagged lunches at school.

Personalized lunch bags can also be used as snack bags for sporting events or field trips. Add your school logo onto a lunch bag and have them printed in your school colors to add some fun and personalization to your next school event.

Carrie

Deliciously Rustic Fall Wedding Inspiration Board

While browsing over on Etsy, I came across these amazing salt shaker lights which immediately got my wheels turning. Wouldn't they make an absolutely adorable idea for wedding reception table lighting?  So unique and since many venues are putting their foot down about open flames, they are a great alternative.  You could even string them up outside to light the way for guests.  But why stop there when you could do a whole theme on a kitchen inspired motif?  (Even more perfect if you and your fiance are chefs.  But still just as cute even if your not).  In celebration of all the gourmet chefs at heart, here's a little rustic fall inspiration board inspired by all things kitchen.

Top: Place card escort chalkboard created by Unscene, mismatched vintage plates courtesy of Onada Photography, cheese plate photo by Matt Armendariz.
Middle: Salt and pepper shaker lights by surthrival of etsy.com, menu chalkboard courtesy of Beth Helmstetter Events, potted herb favors via In The Now Weddings and Events.
Bottom: Cocktails, homemade jam, and apples all courtesy of Matt Armendariz, vintage wedding dress and mirror photograph by Marlin Munoz.

Happy Planning,

Allie

Ice Cream Wedding Buffet Ideas

I absolutely love the idea of having an ice cream buffet instead of a candy buffet for your wedding. We have been withering away in the heat this summer and what a great way to cool off your guest but with a nice scoop of ice cream. Having an ice cream buffet at your wedding reception also adds an element of summer time fun to your event. Guests will love customizing their own sundaes with a variety of toppings.

Here are some ideas for creating your own ice cream buffet.

ICE-CREAM

Fill a metal or plastic tub with ice to keep your ice cream cold. If possible I would have a friend, family member or caterer serve the ice cream to avoid messy situations. There are also many companies on the internet that will rent soft serve ice cream machines.

ICE-CREAM TOPPINGS

This is when the fun begins. Add all of your favorite toppings to the buffet table. You can use large glass jars or bowls and fill them with shaved coconut, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles or even fresh fruit. Of course you will want to include hot fudge and caramel. Be creative and add lots of color to your buffet table with different toppings.

ICE-CREAM SUNDAE DISHES

Find some cute ice cream sudae dishes. The dishes can also be a favor to your guest if you send them home with the dishes. Another idea for dishes would be to use personalized plastic cups. You can have the cups personalized for your wedding and have your guest make their yummy sundaes in the cups.

Now you have all you need to create a beautiful ice cream buffet for your wedding. Go all out; ice cream brings out the child in us all. Happy Shopping!!

Carrie

Photo Credit : Ice Cream/Float bar @ http://www.bridefly.com

Hassle-Free Delivery of your Wedding Accessories, Gifts and Favors

Planning a wedding has so many details to include from ordering your dress to ordering favors for your guests. When placing on-line orders for your wedding accessories, gifts or favors it’s a good idea to verify production time for personalized and non-personalized items. In most cases, production and processing of your order does not include delivery time.

UPS, FedEx and USPS are some of the most popular companies that on-lines stores use as a method of shipping orders. Your order is assigned a tracking or receipt number when it ships from the production facility and makes it easy for you to view the scheduled delivery date.

When you track your order, you will know the exact date to expect delivery. If you are not going to be available to sign for the package, leave a note at your door instructing the driver to leave your package in a designated location. Another option is to have your packages ship to a neighbor, family member or friend who is available to sign for your package. A required signature, in most cases and unless you specify, is left to the discretion of the delivery driver as he or she may feel comfortable in leaving your package at the front door.

One thing to remember when placing on-line orders, UPS and FedEx will not deliver a package to a PO Box. Always enter your house number, physical street address that includes Street, Avenue, Road, Circle, Court, Terrace, Boulevard, ect. If you live in an apartment, enter your apartment number, Suite and/or Building number. This information is critical and if not provided, will delay delivery to you or in some cases, the package is returned to the shipper and you may be charged to have the package resent after the correct address is obtained.

Add the following links to your ‘Favorites’ to easily track your packages and ensure delivery to you before your wedding day.

http://www.ups.com/WebTracking/track?loc=en_US

http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm

http://www.fedex.com/us/pckgenvlp/track/index.html

Renee’