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