Creative Guest Book Alternatives to Treasure for Years to Come

 

Trending now in 2012 weddings are alternatives to the traditional guest book options.  The people who share your wedding day with you are likely some of the most important people in your life and you will want to remember everyone who celebrated this wonderful event with you.  Traditional guest books are still popular with brides, but there has been a growing movement towards alternative guest book options.  There are countless creative and clever ways to express your personality and relationship through the style of guest book you choose.

If you and your future husband or wife are wine lovers, we have the perfect idea to help you cherish the names and best wishes of your guests for years to come. Purchase several bottles of wine and consider having the labels personalized with your names or monogram. Supply your guests with a permanent or paint marker to sign their names and a few words of advice. You can have a table where the guests will sign the bottles, or have one bottle at each table at your reception. Have the bottles labeled with numbers, and celebrate with one bottle of wine on your 1 year, 5 year, 10 year, and 20 year anniversaries. 

A guestbook quilt is a great option for any couple, but is especially fitting for a couple who loves to cozy up on the couch to watch movies or spend time together. Your guests’ well wishes will wrap you in love and support for years to come. Make sure each guest has at least one fabric square and a fabric marker to leave a note for you and your new spouse. After the wedding, have the squares quilted so that you can keep it on display in your home!

  

For those who would like to display their guests’ signatures on the wall in their home, a signature frame is an ideal way to show your personality while showcasing the wonderful people in your lives.  There are many different sizes and designs available in these frames.  You can use one that will display a photo of the happy couple on your wedding day, or simply use one with a design and your names and the wedding date.  However you decide you want it to look, you will surely love being constantly reminded of those closest to you.

 

While trying to determine what style of guestbook is right for you, remember to express your personality.  Also consider that the reason you are looking for an alternative to the traditional guestbook, whether it be because you want to wow your guests or you want to be able to remember each one of them for a lifetime.  With so many ideas, you can be sure to find a perfect option to be displayed at your wedding. 

Image Credits: Wine Bottles from Etsy, Quilt by Style Me Pretty, Signature Frame from My Wedding Reception Ideas

Unique Personalized Gifts for Mom and Dad

Why is it that on every gift giving holiday it seems that Mom and Dad are always the hardest to shop for?  Is it because they already have everything? Or perhaps it's really because when you ask them what they want, you usually get a mushy answer along the lines of, 'Nothing as long as I have my family with me.'  While however thoughtful and true this may be, it is still nice to be able to give your Mom and Dad a gift they will love and actually use.

We love the idea of giving personalized gifts for mom and dad.  Custom made gifts are a sure fire way to give your Mom and Dad something they won't have already.  Since personalized gifts are made to order, you are also guaranteed to have a gift you won't find on any store shelf.  For one-of-a-kind gift ideas your mom and dad will love and use, check out our top picks below for gifts like scarves and wallets to tote bags, wine glasses, and more.

Personalized Gifts for Mom	Personalized Gifts for Dad
#1 - Personalized Pashmina Scarves	#1 - Nappa Leather Airline Ticket Passport Holder
#2 - Countryside Tote Bags	#2 - Engraved 300 Chip Deluxe Poker Chip Set
#3 - Monogrammed Egyptian Cotton Hand Towels	#3 - Monogrammed Golf Towel
#4 - Engraved Stemless Wine Glasses	#4 - 2-in-1 Personalized Cooler Duffle Bag

For other great gift ideas and more, check out our complete list of personalized gifts for mom and personalized gifts for dad.

'Fa la la la' Finger Foods for Holiday Gatherings and Parties

Tis the season to wow holiday guests with fabulous finger foods and tantalizing treats! Whether sweet or savory, miniature finger foods are even more appetizing when themed with the season. Fashion your finger food into Christmas tree shapes, Santa hats and jolly snowmen. 

A cheese cube Christmas tree will help hold holiday guests off until the Christmas meal is served. Get the kiddies to eat their vegetables by disguising them in a crescent roll veggie tree or avocado slice Christmas tree! Mozzarella, basil and tomato Caprese kabobs bring in the colors of the season for a festive holiday hors d'oeuvre. Some of these adorable delicacies may look too cute to eat, but I'm sure you'll manage! Olive and cream cheese penguins and smiling powdered doughnut snowmen will have party guests oohing and aahing. 

What would the holiday season be without some sweet treats? Serve Christmas tree topped cupcakes, fashioned from upside down ice cream cones covered in frosting. Strawberry Santa hat mini brownies will look precious on your cookie tray next to twisted sugar cookie candy canes! Don't forget to try candy cane cupcake shooters and serve hot cocoa cups garnished with dainty doughnut holes to end the night. Take a look at our collection of Fa la la la Fabulous Finger foods for your Christmas or Holiday party!

Have a happy holiday season full of life's little enjoyments!

Photo Credits: Santa hat cake pops, Crescent roll veggie Christmas tree, Candy cane cupcake shooters from Cupcakes Takes the Cake blog by Hoosier Homemade, Cheese cube Christmas Tree, Avocado slice tree, Olive Penguins, Christmas tree cupcakes, Caprese kabobs, Candy cane sugar cookies, Strawberry Santa hat brownies, Powdered sugar doughnuts, Hot cocoa shooter with doughnut hole garnish

12 Days of Weddings - 12 Drummers Drumming Inspiration Board

Happy December and welcome back to our 12 Days of Weddings blog series. So far you have seen each of the first 11 verses from the famous '12 Days' Christmas carol played out in image collages for fantasy holiday weddings. It has been fun, but now it is time for the final edition in the series. Don't worry, we still have this 12 Drummers Drumming inspiration board to lift your holiday spirits!

For the 12 Drummers Drumming we chose winter blue, holiday red, and shiny gold for our color palette. Sheet music and percussion instruments create a musical theme that is sure to get your guests' spirits singing.

If you are just joining us in the blog series, we hope you enjoy this latest post and feel free to check out the preceding eleven inspiration boards for holiday ideas for your winter wedding. If you aren't a holiday bride, we're positive you can use some of these lovely ideas at your next Christmas party as well.  Happy Holidays!

Image Credits: Sheet Music Paper Chain from Jane Lookerse on Etsy, British Royal Air Force Marching Band from Zimbio, Drum Centerpiece from KM Flowers, Love Banner from Victorian Station on Etsy, Mrs. Calligraphy Print from Special Things Shop on Etsy, Sheet Music Wrapped Gift via Mysker Moore Wedding, Platinum Bridesmaids from The Knot via , Sheet Music Ornaments from Kristy's Chic Boutique on Etsy, Glitter Confetti from Note to Sarah, Winter Blue Dress from Wedding Dress Shop, Vintage Groom from Ruffled Blog

Pretty Little Things - Miniature Wedding Cakes

Pretty, petite and oh-so-sweet! Why not serve darling little wedding cakes to each guest at your wedding. These individual treats will make your guests feel so special. While individual wedding cupcakes have been popular in the past because of their casual and easy serving, mini wedding cakes allow for that same convenience but with a little more elegance and whimsy. The little cakes can be served just like a regular wedding cake. Your guests can come up to the cake table and collect there dainty delicacies. Another fun option is to have the sweet mini cakes set at each place setting or have a single medium sized wedding cake set as the centerpiece for each table. The beautiful desserts will help decorate the tables and be a great conversation starter for guests. Your little cakes can be mini replicas of a larger traditional wedding cake that is displayed at the reception. Feast your eyes on this fabulous collection of miniature wedding cakes, they may just be too pretty to eat!

Your miniature wedding cakes can double as special take home favors for your guests! Choose an assortment of flavors for all of the cakes and package them in clear topped mini cake boxes or cupcake boxes, depending on how big they are. These easy favors are a 'piece of cake'!

Image Credits: Main cake image, Yellow cake collection, Teal rose cake by Stephanie Joy, Rose topped blue ribbon cakes, Pink rose and heart cakes by Maisie Fantaisie, Pink striped mini cakes, Mini cake candies