Wedding Tip: Insure Your Wedding Rings

Everyone knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend and every bride will treasure her engagement ring and wedding band for the rest of her life. That’s why it’s so important to have the rings insured.

We’ve all heard stories of people being robbed while on vacation both inside and outside of the country. Tourists and vacationers are easy targets because criminals assume we have money and valuables. Whether it’s a face-to-face robbery or a staff member at your resort stealing from your room, it happens.

Along with insuring your rings consider buying a fake diamond ring if you frequently travel outside the United States. To the naked eye, it’s hard to tell the difference between cubic zirconium, moissanite (lab created diamond), and swarovski crystal, which are all great substitutes for diamonds and can be purchased inexpensively.

Establish the value of your rings by having them appraised by a certified jeweler. Check your homeowners or renters insurance policy which will most likely include coverage for a limited amount of jewelry. The limit of coverage applies to all jewelry you own, so be sure to consider the value of all your jewelry before deciding if that is enough coverage. Compare rates before you insure your ring with your local jeweler or a jewelry insurance specialist. Places like Jewelers Mutual will offer an online quote, so you can compare costs and coverage. Insurance will never replace the sentimental value of your wedding ring, but it can give you some peace of mind and protect your investment.

Renee'

Memorable Memorial Days

Memorial Day is just around the corner.  It is time to start firing up the grills and preparing for a group of people to trample your backyard! An abundance of awesome food and cold drinks is an unspoken must. There should be no plate or cup left unfilled. Aside from these elements, here are some ways to create a truly memorable outdoor party.

Give guests something that they can use at the party, but also take home as a memento. For outdoor parties these things can be reusable plastic cups personalized with a family name, design, or event date. Line with a plastic bag and fill with peanuts, candy, or drink mixes. That way guests can remove the goodies inside and use the cup for the party.  You can also place personalized matchbooks on the tables for guests to light candles later in the night and then take home with them. These are just a few examples. Use what you know about your guests to gear the party favors toward things that they are interested in.

Give your guests something to do. If the day is a hot one set out inexpensive squirt guns or a tub full of water balloons and let the "kids" have at it. Slip and slides (a.k.a a large sheet of plastic and a water hose) are also fun for kids or adults. (Though alcohol may be required for the second group.) If your party lasts into the evening a bonfire is easy entertainment when marshmallows are provided. If you have access to a lap top and can rent a projector, hang a white sheet on the side of the house or garage and make your own "drive-in movie."  Another favorite past time for summer parties that last late into the night is a card game. You can even send guests home with a deck of personalized playing cards.

Create a carefree, easy going, atmosphere. Part of why we love outdoor parties is the ability to get messy and let go of the stress we normally carry around with us. You can do this by providing entertainment, as mentioned above. Don't bring out your heirloom tablecloths or fine china. Stick to plastic or disposable plates and cups.  This will help guests feel at ease as well. You can also provide conversation starters cleverly blended into the party supplies. Styrofoam cups or paper napkins with funny quotes are a great way to do this. You could even go one step further and attach labels to the bottom of plates or cups that are printed with silly conversation topics or fun questions to ask the closest person.

It is these  fun and  personal touches that will make the day and night amazing.

Have fun!

~Jenna

Photo credit: Watermelon from liveearth.org

Get Inspired! Cornflower Blue and Yellow Inspiration Board

Hopefully you all had a beautifully, sunshine filled weekend.  Spring is definitely in the air and I can't help but get that warm and fuzzy feeling from the anticipation of fresh flowers and good weather.  If you live in our neighborhood, than you're still waiting for the warm air to hit, but one can still dream of days to come.  Till then enjoy this fresh spring inspired wedding inspiration board created from a palette of cool cornflower blue, refreshing daffodil, and golden marigold.  Happy Planning! ~ Allie

Top: Blue dress from Florahenri, blue and white gingham wrapped bottles from Martha Stewart, blue and gold wedding bouquet from The Green Vase photography by Troy House.
Middle: Chinese lantern photo from SWS, image of blue pinstripe suit and yellow daffodils courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography
Bottom: Blue ribbon from cornflowerblue.com, calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap Calligraphy, lemon mason jars from SWS, yellow dress from Florahenri.

Monogram Intial Cake Toppers - The Hottest Trends in Wedding Cakes

Monogram cake toppers are one of the hottest and newest wedding trends. Many brides today are adding a monogram to there invitations, napkins, placecards and frankly anything they can. Now brides are adding that same classic flair to their wedding cakes as well. Beautiful monogram intial cake toppers are a great way to keep the mongram theme throughout the entire wedding, not to mention that it is a stunning addition to any cake.

Monogram initial cake toppers don't have to match the theme of your wedding, they are for anyone. These cake toppers come in a large variety of letters and numbers. They are also available in different styles. Choose the numbers 5-0 in gold  for your parents or grandparents 50th Anniversary party or 1-6 for a sweet 16 party. The initials DAD would be perfect for your Dad's birthday or a Father's Day cake. The combination of letters and numbers are endless. Get creative and have fun!

Carrie

Birthday Party Favors

Lordy lordy look who’s turning 40 has to be the most popular and widely used verse in birthday cards and invitations alike. With 40 comes a confidence that you may not have had before. No longer a kid, you have plenty of life's experiences under your belt. You may find that you don't care as much about what other people think and that you don't sweat the small stuff as much as you used to. So, go on and embrace 40! It only comes around once!


Whether you’re planning a surprise birthday for a friend or relative, or you’re taking charge of your own birthday bash, the sky’s the limit with endless possible themes to make it a momentous occasion everyone will still be talking about when you’re turning 50.

Have a Party of the Decades where guests dress from any of their favorite past 4 decades. Each family member can make up posters of what happened in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's then add in a few facts of the birthday boy or girl for a fun filled trivia game covering those decades. Do a little research and make popular food and décor to represent each decade. Have collages of various items displayed for those who've witnessed the birth of the personal computer, the compact disc, the DVD, cell phone, and SUV. It takes very little research and it's a fun kind of retrospective for a 40th birthday party bash. Give away some fun favors like photo albums, key chains, or small gifts that reflect a particular decade and sure to put a smile on each guest’s face.

Renee’