Came across a really cute DIY for your wedding at Intimate Weddings that I had to share. I quickly fell in love with the idea of having a s’mores bar at your wedding reception. Both contemporary and fun, s’mores are a great way to entertain guests especially if you have a country wedding theme.
“Gourmet S’mores Station for a Rustic Wedding” by Intimate Weddings
This gourmet S’mores table is positively awe-inspiring! Can you imagine how much your wedding guests would dig these homemade marshmallows?
Jennifer from Cookie Creatives created this incredible gourmet S’mores table for a client’s housewarming party. She made 4 different flavors of marshmallows, raspberry, lime, vanilla, and chocolate. She also had 2 different kinds of graham crackers, 3 types of chocolate, toasted coconut and chopped toasted pecans as toppings. Check out all the details here.
How to throw a girls weekend for the laid back bachelorette.
One of the biggest obstacles on the daunting list of maid of honor duties when brainstorming ideas for the bachelorette party is making sure the tone of the party matches the personality of the bride-to-be.
Sure, it’s easy to throw a wild bachelorette party fully loaded with booze, boys and debauchery–but what do you do when your bride-to-be wants a fun, yet relaxing girls weekend?
Plan a Spa Getaway: Bottom line is all women like to be pampered and your bride-to-be could use the relaxation before the big day. Plan the perfect location, with an atmosphere that fits the personality of your bride-to-be. Plan treatments and amenities that lie within your party budget. For an extra touch provide guests with spa package bridesmaids gifts equipped with lotion, candles and other girly stuff.
Escape to wine country: For the bride-to-be that doesn’t want to escape to Las Vegas but still wants to drink: head to your closest wine country for a weekend of good wine, food and girl talk. Wine is produced in all 50 mainland states so there are options for all bridal parties without having to take a flight!
Throw a fondue party: What woman doesn’t like meat, cheese, fruit and chocolate? This is a great option for the bridal party on budget that also leaves guests feeling like they did something fun, unusual and not cheap. Provide your guests with classy bridal gifts that give that little extra touch and have cocktails and bridal games that help lighten up the mood.
For more great bridal party ideas check out:
http://blogs.wishpot.com/wedding/2008/08/bachelorette-pa.html
Photo’s courtesy of: Affirmative Action Dad, The Mom Reviews, Retirement-merry-go-round
This week we want to share our top 10 Etsy wedding invitations. Handmade and DIY weddings are popular now for so many reasons; whether it’s adding a unique flair or giving your day that special touch, nothing sets the tone better than a fabulous wedding invitation. By getting your invites from a handmade site like Etsy you are ensuring that they will be specially made for you and, best of all, make a big impact on your guests. Here are our favorite finds to add to your wedding wish list.
These first few are bold and very high impact. They’re perfect for a less traditional wedding or couples who are trying to inject their nuptials with a sense of fun. Of course, the colors are customizable to match your theme, but invitations like these really give you a sense of some of the more colorful invitation options out there.
Etsy also has lots to offer as far as more traditional and understated wedding invitations go. Other brides may be looking for something more classic, and we think these four are very elegant while still offering a little something special.
Of course, we had to share some of the more interesting finds and these two are especially unique. The first are printed individually on a hand press and feature a fun vintage image. The technique of hand pressing means each invitation is printed individually, making them more like one-of-a-kind art pieces. Second are these incredible invitations printed on red cedar. They are so reminiscent of carving your love’s initials into a tree. Oh, and we’d bet these have a nice cedar smell to them too which is a fun added bonus!
1. Tandem Bicycle Wedding Invitation by ellothere
2. Grandfather Oak Tree Wedding Invitations by vohandmade
3. Rock Poster Wedding Invitation in Blue Green and Brown by aprilink
4. Easton Wedding Invitation by steliedesigns
5. Custom Wedding Invitation by westwillow
6. Carnation Vintage Invitation by myprettyprintables
7. Modern Dots Wedding Invitations in Purple by shineinvitations
8. Tying the Knot Wedding or Shower Invitation by pinkroses1220
9. Wedding Invitation Set - Dancing Theme by luckyduckletterpress
10. First Love Wood Invitation by baumbirdy
-Caitlin
You’ve said yes, now its time to tell the rest of the world. You want your invitations to be as special and unique as you are, to show off your personality to your carefully selected family and friends.
But where do you start? After consulting with your fiancé, making the list of invitees, and checking and double-checking names, you begin the hunt for the perfect wedding invitation.
This is the point where it all starts to get overwhelming. You suddenly realize that hundreds of sites offer wedding invitation services and each of those carry hundreds of invitations. Searching through them blindly is a painful way to start your wedding planning.
So where do you turn?
I love Invitations by Dawn. They offer free shipping, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and have hundreds of customizable invitations. If you like the idea of do-it-yourself but need a little inspiration, they also offer DIY invitation kits to help jump-start your imagination. Whether you like the perfectly groomed look of the modern invitations, the traditional and simple, or anywhere in between, Invitations by Dawn has the perfect design for you.
For those of you who are thoroughly overwhelmed with where to start, how much time to put into the process, or in general, Invitations by Dawn also offers helpful articles, special offers, and wedding assistance to guide you through the process. Picking out wedding invitations should be a fun and exciting process, and now it can be!
One trend I’ve noticed this year is having embellishments added to bridesmaid dresses. Whether it’s an extra flower added to the back of the dress, a small broach pinned to the neckline, or different colored sashes wrapped around the waist, embellishments can add that little finishing touch for each bridesmaid. The possibilities are endless and allow the bride and bridesmaids to personalize the bridesmaid dresses in a unique way.
Are you planning on adding embellishments to your bridesmaid dresses?
Some of the centerpieces that you see in bridal magazines cost over $400 each! Those elegant, architectural centerpieces that stand high above the tables, dripping with exotic flowers and greenery are gorgeous, and floral designers work magic with a wide range of flowers and greens. But that price! Brides and grooms are looking for ways to center their tables in beautiful ways without spending a fortune. That’s where we come in, with this list of the top budget tips to turn your table centers into works of art at a more realistic price.
If you’ll go floral:
- There’s no need to stick with inexpensive flowers! It might seem to make sense that an all-carnation centerpiece will cost less than an all-rose centerpiece, but you don’t have to sacrifice that much. A great floral designer will create centerpieces that include a few top-quality flowers, perfectly arranged with other, more moderately-priced flowers. The final effect saves money, but doesn’t show it.
- Mix up your colors. Using all-white flowers means that you’ll need to use a greater number of blooms to make a visual impact. So work some color into your centerpieces for more drama.
- Check out unique filler plants, those great greens and ferns that add texture to your centerpiece at a low, low price.
- Small, tightly clustered flowers in a low-set centerpiece are elegant and inexpensive, depending on the size you choose.
- A single rose or gardenia floating in water, in a pretty glass vase, is one of the most elegant and inexpensive options possible.
- Fill a vase with all-white or multi-hued flower petals, with a few whole flowers set on top.
- Tall, narrow vases can hold longer-stemmed Gerbera daisies or calla lilies, for just $10-$20 a centerpiece. Surround these with flower petals or votive candles.
- Set your centerpiece vase or bowl on top of a mirrored circle, which reflects the image above – especially if you have votive candles on it as well. The effect makes your centerpiece look bigger.
If you’ll skip the flowers:
- Use something from your season or setting of the wedding in a square or circular vase (bought on the cheap at a craft store): seashells and sand, or pinecones, colorful autumn leaves…
- Center your table with a craft-store-bought three-wick pillar candle, surrounded by votives and rose petals.
- Maximize the light of candles by surrounding them with craft-store crystals or glass stones in any color. They reflect the light, giving the impression of a larger centerpieces.
- For a holiday wedding, fill a glass vase with holiday ornaments, bought on sale at post-holiday events the year before (early planning can save you a fortune).
- Center your tables with framed family photographs, which is often free and facilitates guest mingling.
- Use something you collect. At a recent bridal shower, the mother of the bride centered the tables with her antique teapots. At a wedding, the groom used his model sailboats.
- Check the craft store for unique items. You’ll find wooden lanterns and ceramic pieces for just a few dollars each.
- Take some of the items off the buffet table. Each table can be centered with a beautifully arranged bread basket, with soft butters and tapenades, for an edible centerpiece that costs you nothing extra.
- Ask what the site has on hand that can be used as a centerpiece. Some hotel ballrooms and banquet halls have their own elevated candelabras that can be used for free, or rented, with your store-bought candles.
- Instead of one big wedding cake, get small ones (serving 6) to set in the centers of each table. Do your math, though, to be sure that you’re saving money on the mini ones.
- Ask the site manager to arrange the room’s spotlights over each guest table. Many sites have track lighting systems that will allow the lighting specialist to fix a pinlight to shine on the center of each table. A single bud vase with a flower, lit up by a pinlight, has a dramatic, jazz club-type look to it.
- Center your tables with an item from your theme. At a Tuscan wedding, you might have bottles of wine and grapes. At a Moroccan wedding, perhaps some different hummus dips and crackers or pita chips. At a Halloween-themed wedding, a pumpkin or gourds.
- Use your bouquets as the centerpieces for a few of the main tables, saving you hundreds of dollars on 5-8 tables.
- If the groom will wear a top hat during the wedding, his hat can be the centerpiece for his parents’ table.
- Frame poems or quotes for the centers of each table. Make them up on your home computer, using colored or parchment paper and craft store-bought frames.
- At playful themed weddings, use toys as the centerpieces.
- We advise against live goldfish in bowls as centerpieces, since weather conditions can injure or kill the fish, and what will be done with them after the wedding?
Sharon Naylor is the author of 1000 Best Wedding Bargains, and over 30 additional wedding planning books, www.sharonnaylor.net
Given today’s economic outlook, many brides are interested in saving money on wedding arrangements, but they still want to have a lovely special day. Since I design jewelry for brides and attendants, I’m often asked for ideas on planning the wedding and reception.
Here are some ideas for planning your Special Day that won’t break the bank:
- Rent a gown or wear a pre-owned dress. There are a number of websites that offer good values on gowns and accessories.
- Consider a wedding planner. A good planner might actually save you some money.
- Have your event in the off-season. This can save big bucks in both the cost of the venue and associated costs such as hotel accommodations. Facilities that offer wedding coordinators and other services can save you a lot of money over hiring these services separately.
- Choose your own spot for the reception. Try a restaurant which already has all the facilities – not a rented hall. If you choose a garden setting for your wedding or reception have a fallback location in case of rain.
- Limit the number of guests and attendants
- Prioritize your to-dos and recruit your friends to help you. Make a checklist for everything that needs to be done – vendors, guests, venue, etc., and check things off as all the details are completed. The checklist will really help you to stay on track with your planning and can save you from overlooking things that need to be done.
- Do as many things yourself as you can.
- Consider handmade decorations.
- Forget the engraved invitations in favor of less formal notes and choose a limited color scheme for your invitations, etc. – you’ll save a lot on printing costs. You can also use the fonts on your computer and design your own invitations, etc., then get them printed at an on-line printer.
- Create your own dot.com – I’m seeing a lot of these and they really make sense. You can post all the details, photos, and more and e-mail to your friends and family.
(Image courtesy of eHow.com)
I love pictures. I love taking them. I love posing for them. I love posing other people for them. I love making collages. I love giving picture gifts. . . . you get the idea. Pictures, to me, represent those moments and the details that add that extra little bit of spice to your life, they spark joyful memories, begin conversations and tell your story to those who didn’t know you when. To me, they are essential accessories to life.
So, what does this have to do with weddings in particular? Well, a recent trend that I have absolutely fallen in love with, is taking pictures of your guests for the guestbook (maybe it’s not the trend that’s new, maybe it’s just me 
). Remember, not everyone will make their way into the professional wedding photos, but that doesn’t mean they are any less important. These people are here for you and this a great way to keep them close to your heart when you look back. . . a wedding is just as much about the people who surround you, support you and love you in life as it is about the couple starting their journey together.
Anyway, last year, my cousin had rented one of those retro-looking photo booths for her guests and EVERYONE loved it and kept going back for more of its {charming} fun. However, photo booths don’t always fit into the budget, but there is another option: go the DiY route {always think DiY J)!
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my photo booth DiY options and found these cute little pictures for inspiration:
Wedding Bee
{love the idea of using props – gives the camera shy something to smile about ;)}
Monolo Brides
{what a cute accessory}
The Wed Hub
{so delightful}
Chic Maps By Nikki
{colorful fun}
First thing to do is make sure there is an area that would be appropriate for the photo booth at your venue. Next, find your backdrop. Check to see what you have around the house that would match into the theme of your wedding. Ikea is another good option for something playful and fairly inexpensive. Drop it Modern also offers a variety of {ultra chic} and pretty cool backdrops, this one is my favorite:
Drop It Modern
From there, decide whether you are going to build a frame, string it or hang it.
I also really like the idea of offering props to your guests. It can help ease the nerves and lighten the mood of having to pose for a picture they may not want to be in. Try searching Value Village and costume stores right after Halloween for some cheap finds on wigs, big sunglasses, hats, boas etc.! Another cute idea is to purchase a small chalkboard and colored chalk and let guests send a picture message. Make sure to have a few though, or your line may get too backed up!
Anyway this a chance to let your guests have fun and relax before your ceremony, it sets the tone for the day and gets everyone involved. . . I love it!
X.O.X.O
P.S. A link {for you} to a more detailed DiY instruction list for your photo booth . . . enjoy!
Check out these great buttons that Savvy Bride and Blind Pig Design did. What a great way to share your wish list and registry. If you are creative and have your own unique Wishpot badge, or button let us know and we’d be happy to feature it too!
And both of these wonderful people have given us permission to give you the Ok if you’d like to use their buttons
The first button is from http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/
This creative girl is a graphic designer who recently married the love of her life. Her site is Jess Lehry Designs and she also has an amazing blog all about weddings and real budget-savvy inspiration, tips, deals, and tidbits from her newlywed life. 
She is also a wishpot wedding expert. Isn’t it pretty?
The next button is by Blind Pig Design. Blind Pig Design was launched in 1999 amid little fanfare and in an even littler studio space! What started as a tiny one-person studio specializing in print design and corporate identity has since ballooned into a slightly larger one person studio specializing in linocut prints, posters and illustrations, identity development and web design.
Well great things come from little studios 
You can see this button here
Thank you to both Jess Lehry Designs and Blind Pig Designs for being so creative and for sharing your talent!
Let them know what you think.
gift girl
I’m not talking about your straight, and might I add, boring silk bow ties. I’m talking about it’s friendlier, more approachable cotton cousin. Maybe it’s the return of Americana style that’s made me fall in love with the bow tie again? All I know is that the punchy colors of the madras, floral and paisley patterns are perfect for an end-of-summer beach or farm chic wedding.
Just take a look at the J Press site. All of the madras bow ties are "out of stock." It’s not hard to see why the preppy options don’t stay on the shelves for very long. There’s another reason to rejoice…Apparently, the bow tie has been so popular that even the LA Times featured a "How To Make A Bow Tie" piece! Click here for the how-to. For those of you who are very crafty, you can make your own bow tie that matches your color and wedding themes. Pick your fabric from a place like, Gorgeous Fabrics, get your sewing machine and presto! A DIY gift for your groomsmen. Brilliant.
Let us know if we can help style your groom. E-mail us at <a href="mailto:weddings@9tailors.com">weddings@9tailors.com</a>.
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