Tasty Take Homes

Send your guests home with a tasty treat

that keeps the party fresh in their mind

Raspberry Infused Vodka

Learn how to make this and get the Recipe

Or these

Candy Filled Cherries

Learn how to make these

(From Martha Stewart Weddings)

Fab Find: Wine Bottle Menu Cards

Wine-Bottle Menu Cards

For their menu cards, this couple hand-typed their three-course dinner
onto the same patterned paper they used for their invitations.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Fab Find: Frosting Free Wedding Cakes

A Different Stripe

Here, we put the notion of icing on ice, relying instead on unadorned
pastel layers for graphic appeal.

courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Adorn Yourself {with Twigs & Honey}

I came across these lovely hair accessories on Kiss the Groom

These lovely hair adornments could be worn for your wedding…rehearsal dinner or cocktail party.

Want One? Check out Twigs & Honey

Comic Book Engagement Photos

Love this different take on engagement photos.

Photography by Amanda Patrice

Floral Sybolism

The blossoms you select for your wedding day are rooted in rich cultural and historical traditions. From ancient Rome and ancient Greece to the Middle East, we've gathered the best flower-related customs we could find.

• In Thailand, the mothers of the bride and groom walk to the altar to drape puang malai -- flower garlands -- around the couple's shoulders to wish them good fortune in their life together.
• Swedish and Danish grooms sew small pockets of strong-smelling herbs like garlic, chives, and rosemary into their clothes for good luck.
• The Indian groom's brother sprinkles flower petals over the couple at the end of the ceremony to protect them from evil.
• Ancient Greek brides often carried ivy at their weddings as a symbol of their never-ending love for their sweeties.
• Ancient Roman brides carried bunches of herbs to symbolize fidelity and fertility -- and to scare off evil spirits.
• The Victorians, who were fascinated by the meanings of different blooms, popularized the wedding rose, which represents true love.
• Also in Victorian ages, the bride originally tossed her bouquet to a friend as she left the festivities to keep that friend safe (by warding off evil spirits, of course) and to offer her luck; this came to mean that the single woman who caught the bouquet would marry next.
• In a Greek Orthodox wedding, crowns of orange blossoms were traditionally made for the bride and groom -- they even matched the delicate embroidery on the bride's dress. The blossoms symbolize virginity and purity because they are white and fragile, and they emit a sweet, delicate scent.
• In Tudor England, brides carried marigolds dipped in rosewater and ate them afterward, since they were thought to be aphrodisiacs!
• According to Italian tradition, the front grill of the Italian getaway car is decorated with flowers, paving the road to a happy marriage.
• In the Middle East, the bitter herb artemisia is incorporated into bridal bouquets to ensure that marriages will survive bitterness as well as sweetness.
• According to Indian tradition, both the bride and the groom sport a floral headpiece.

{DIY} Flowers

Are you considering cutting your budget by doing the flowers yourself?

You could do it. Just remember to keep it simple and buy quality flowers in bulk.

Ketchup Escort Cards

As told on the Knot: As a nod to Elizabeth’s absolute love of Heinz ketchup, they gave out customized mini bottles.

Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through every detail!



Chartreuse {1 Color 4 Ways}

This year's go to green, Chartreuse proves that near neon can be mega chic: here's how to make it work

Cool Castle -- Chartreuse and Purple -- A plummy partner gives a vibrant color some regal bearing - just the ticket for updating a landmark estate or historic mansion.

{Fab Find} Fabric Wraps

If you're giving vino as a thank-you present, skip wine store bags and nestle bottles in these bright reusable fabric wraps.

$12.00 each.

{Fab Find} Figure Dating

Custom Save -the-date illustrated wiht a full-body silhouette by Swiss Cottage Designs.

It's as easy as this: send in a photo and they will work with you to create your likeness. Flat-printed cards $510 for 100 (with lined envelopes).

{Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drink} Berry Sweetheart

{Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drinks}

Berry Sweetheart


3 oz Cranberry Juice

3 oz Apple Juice

1 oz Honey

1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.



2. Add the juices and honey to a mixing glass.



3. Stir the ingredients with a barspoon.



4. Pour the contents of the mixing glass into the highball glass.



5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

{Hot New Trend} Seated Dinners

Seated dinners - but with a variety of tables.

While older guests sit at traditonal tables, younger ones lounge on couches or dine at high tops.



{Catering Trend} Food Truck

Korean BBQ, Indian curries, waffles, grilled cheese --

 are big, either at the rehearsal dinner or parked outside after the wedding offering late-night snacks.

{Wedding Trends} Comeback of the Year

The Groom's Cake

 It's all about his interests -

created to look like a record player, a race car, even a fishing hole or a golf course.

And yet. . . it's served at the rehearsal dinner,

so as not to steal the wedding cake's spotlight on the big day.

Beer Tasting Happy Hour {St. Patrick's Day}

Love this St. Patty's Day inspired beer tasting!

Check our all the details and more inspiring photos at HWTM!

{Wedding Trends 2011} 5 Candy-Station Alternatives

5 Candy-Station Alternatives

1. Fried to order doughnuts

2. Shots of infused vodka or tequila

3. Ice creams and sorbets

4. Scotches (single malts and blended)

5. Crisps - blueberry, peach, rhubarb, strawberry

{Fab Find} Spring 2011 Essie Collection

Spring 2011 Essie Collection

Fabulous colors for a spring wedding, collection includes French Affair, Nice is Nice, Sand Tropez and more

Kisses and Bises

a kiss of pink shimmer (perfect to layer over any color)

French Affair

a sophisticated soft lavender pink

Coast Azure

a breathtaking medium blue with shimmer

Sand Tropez

a soft sandy beige

Nice is Nice

a whimsical light lavender

Topless and Barefoot

a barely there soft beige pink

Go HERE if you want to see more from the Essie Collection



Wedding Trends 2011: Band or DJ?

Instead of choosing one or the other, brides are hiring musicians -- congo players, savophonists -- to play along to the DJ's tracks while guests dance.

Choosing Your Wedding Colors

How To Choose Your Wedding Color Scheme

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:

Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

Although much has been written on how colors effect our moods and emotions, colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.



Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. It is made out of three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, plus a blend of in-between colors. Below are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated color scheme. Read more about color theory to learn more.



"Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green.

"Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.

"Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.

Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. You can then print and select your favorite colors from the chart. Here are some color charts we created using this tool.

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look.


What the Experts Say


Michelle Mospens has been helping brides with their color decisions since 2001 and according to her research, "The 2011 year in color will not only be BRIGHT and amazing, it will also be vintage, earthy and sunwashed."

2011 Wedding Color Trends:

Spring into Summer

Wedding Color Trends Palette Part 1: Apple green, mauve, lilac, hot pink, slate grey, celadon, aged gold, coral, red, violet purple, mocha / chocolate / brown, navy, emerald / pine green / dark cyan, clementine orange, and yellow.

Fall through Winter

Wedding Color Trends Palette Part 2: Dark chocolate, dark charcoal gray, sangria/brick red, myrtle (dark) green, dark tangerine, dark chestnut, asparagus, tyrian purple, dark midnight green, deep blue, persian green, mocha taupe, agate blue, amazon green, scallop shell, moccasin, olivine green, khaki, carrot orange, oyster gray, gray taupe, and antique white.

info from My Personal Artist

DIY Ice Cream Parlour

I'm totally in love with this,

DIY Ice-Cream Parlour "Make your own Sundaes" Buffet Concept for a Wedding or Party

from "Eat Drink Chic"

All images by Amy Moss 

Check out more details and Free downloadable labels HERE

Cuddle with your Guest Book

Looking for a cute idea for your guest book but don't want to go the traditional route?

See more pictures and details from this casual spring Real Wedding in Brooklyn, NY HERE



Five Senses Inspired Bridal Shower

This beautiful bridal shower theme featured on HWTM was inspired by the five senses. . .

To see more pictures and details.... go HERE

1. Sight – beautiful decor & eye candy

2. Sound – they had fun music playing in the background the whole event!

3. Touch – all different sorts of textures with the linens, etc

4. Taste – the delicious menu, fit for a foodie!

5. Smell – guests were able to create custom perfumes as their favor at the scent station created by Kamilyin!

*****

THE MENU

Lunch: Stuffed Mushrooms, Pancetta Wrapped Prawns, Caprese Salad, Salad Bouquet, Mushroom Risotto, Lamb Lollipops, and Wild Alaskan Black Cod


Dessert: Coconut Cheesecake, Espresso Choux, Valrhona Caramel Truffles, Peanut Butter Mousse Cup, Butterscotch Pot de Creme, Raspberry Blondies, and Lemon Olive Oil with Candied Ginger

Beverages:Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sauvigon Russian River Valley 2008, Michael Pozzan Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2009, KARMA Sparkling Wine, Water with Lemon & Orange Slices, and Lemon Iced Tea.

*****

VENDOR CREDITS:

-Planner/Designer: Carolyn Chen of The Special Day

-Photographer: Dave Richards Photography

-Catering: Raul Porciuncula

-Florals: The Mille Fiori

-Linens: Wildflower Linen

-Rentals: Signature Party Rentals & chiavarichairrentals.com

-Printed Goods: Paper-Girl

-Scent Station: Kamilyin