Favorite Favors March 23, 2008

Wedding favors are another one of those traditions that I have issues with. The idea, in itself, is great. Guests spend a good deal of money on attending a wedding between the travel costs and gifts, so it only makes sense that in addition to giving them a party to remember, you would reciprocate with some sort of gift of your own. However with the cost of weddings rapidly rising (in my state it is $26,000 people) favors can turn into a cheap necessity. You feel obligated to get them, but don’t want to spend a lot of money so your guests end up with some rhinestone emblazoned chotchke which they will never use. This seems like a lose-lose situation to me.

I’m not anti-favor. But I do believe strongly that if your wedding budget is already stretched, no one will notice or even really care if they get a shot glass with your wedding date on it, or Jordan almonds in your wedding colors. Instead put the money you save toward better food, another hour of music, or an open bar. I guarantee your guests will appreciate these things.

If you do have money to spend on favors, there are lots of creative options out there that both you and your guests will enjoy. In general, anything edible (or drinkable) is a crowd-pleaser as well as adaptable to whatever type of shindig you are hosting but there are plenty of other choices too. Here are some ideas I love.

Customized *Beverages

I start with this, because bottles of wine are most likely going to be the favor we give our guests. We love wine, most of our friends and family love wine, and it strikes a good balance between something immediately enjoyable and a keepsake if you choose to save the bottle. There is a company here in Columbus (Camelot Cellars) that lets you help make the wine itself, bottle it, and design the label so you get the satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project without all the hassle. If you or your family doesn’t drink, or if you have kids at your reception Jones Soda allows you to make custom labels fairly inexpensively, comes in every color of the rainbow, and tastes pretty excellent too.

Interactive Favors

This could go several different ways, but I do like the idea of anything that allows your guests to create their own favor. Candy buffets and vintage photo booths are two popular options right now but you could personalize this as well by having a sundae bar instead of wedding cake or a dance instructor teach salsa lessons. Whatever you’re into really. This gist of this type of favor is creating memories instead of just giving things.

Favors that Do Good
And while we’re on that thought, some couples are doing donations to their favorite charities in lieu of favors. This is a worthwhile option on a lot of levels, because the donation can be as big or as small as you like, and doing something like this not only benefits a cause that means something to you, but is a reminder of the more important things in life.

Corpse Bride Inspired Cakes March 20, 2008

I admit to having a thing for all things Halloween and Tim Burton, so I was excited to find these Corpse Bride cakes. Kitschy though they may be, I think its fun to see a dark and a more cheerful interpretation of the movie for weddings and the cake topper is pretty adorable. I don’t know that I would use one of these for my own wedding, but I may just have to find an excuse to throw an elaborate Halloween party when the time comes, and order the cake on the right…

www.pinkcakebox.com                                       http://www.halloweddings.com/menu/cake.php

Alice in Weddingland March 17, 2008

After seeing the incredible Alice in Wonderland inspiration board from Style Me Pretty, I had to make one of my own. Normally I’m not partial to themed weddings, but Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are high on my list of favorite books, and I really think the whimsical world that Lewis Carroll created lends itself to weddings or parties. Plus, I also happen to be on Spring Break for two weeks so I have lots of free time

This theme is also one of those rare ones that is easily adaptable for kids or adults, or both at the same time (like the cute party hats I had to include!). My favorite part of the board though, not surprisingly, are the dresses. This Reem Acra dress definitely has a fairy-tale quality, the pale blue color is gorgeous, and I love the bubble hem on the bridesmaid dresses. There is so much more that you could do with this theme, hopefully someone somewhere will have a fantasy wedding like this!

A little Irish Inspiration March 16, 2008

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s day, and because I love all things Irish (except potatoes) I decided to put together some fun elements you could incorporate into your wedding. Whether or not you have Irish heritage, I think adding traditions from other cultures is a good way to mix things up a little and celebrate in a unique style.

• The Claddagh ring is probably one of the most recognizable Irish symbols. Designed in the 17th century, the hands, heart, and crown were said to represent friendship, love and loyalty and depending on they way you wore it, whether you were single or in a relationship. A Claddagh ring could be an alternative engagement ring, but they can also be given in friendship, so I think they would make a really cute bridesmaid gift. I like this more modern black version:

• Most grooms probably wouldn’t want to do this unless they were Irish or Scottish, but since I love the look of a guy in a kilt I’m including it anyway. You could even get the whole wedding party in the the fun!

• It goes without saying that what kind of drinks you serve would be a great way to add a little Irish to your wedding, whether you serve Guinness, Irish coffee, or a martini you make up yourself. This is a Bailey’s martini and looks pretty yummy…

• If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional wedding ceremony, you could use parts of the Celtic Handfasting ceremony. This tradition is where the phrase “tying the knot” came from, because the couples’ hands were tied together with ribbon.

And of course there are many, many more ideas. If you want more inspiration, the Knot is a good place to start with lots of articles and pictures. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

“Bold and Stylish Items” March 13, 2008

I love the girls from Junebug weddings, not only because they are from Seattle, but because they seem to always be one step ahead in finding fresh inspiration. The post on the Estilo Wedding Store is no exception. The owner Maria is a bride after my own heart:

• “The inspiration for the store came when Maria, drowning in a sea of white taffeta and lace, was unable to easily find bold and stylish items for her own wedding…Maria decided, “Women don’t want to drop their unique style just for tradition’s-sake on their wedding day. They want to show it off!”

I couldn’t agree more! The online store carries everything from printable invitations to bridal party gifts to decorations, all searchable by your wedding style. They also carry a whole line of eco-friendly products. A few highlights:

• One of the few classy ring-bearer pillows I have found, and I love the contrast of black and white.
• How pretty are these parasols? They would make a great alternative for bridesmaid bouquets at an outdoor summer wedding
• Fancy cupcake wrappers and quirky cake toppers could dress up dessert.

Nouveau Traditions March 11, 2008

As a fledgling bridal blogger, I’m still overwhelmed by the amount of new wedding traditions that seem to have become as much a part of the whole shindig as the “something old, something new” adage. Here is a random sampling of trends I’m intrigued by as options to modernize your wedding. More detailed posts on each to come!

• Monograms - Used tastefully (read: sparingly) a monogram can really punch up your wedding stationary. I’m especially attracted to graphic simple designs like this invitation set from Wedding Paper Divas.

• Boudoir Pictures - This is was by far my most eyebrow-raising discovery to date. After googling “B-Pics” like a total nerd (see #6 on Top Ten post) I was somewhat flabbergasted to realize that it is considered fairly standard for brides to pose for a risqué photo shoot pre-wedding. The most often stated reason for this trend is that it makes a sexy wedding gift for your man in the form of a “black book.” Yet the more I think about it, I think the real benefit is allowing women an opportunity to express themselves sexually and feel great about their bodies in a safe environment. Do you have a little Dita in you?

• Trash the Dress - Its the sentiment behind this I love. Brides can become untouchable figures, literally and figuratively, hiding behind a bundle of nerves, a big dress, and lots of make-up, worried about looking perfect. Trashing your dress doesn’t have to mean setting it on fire or drenching it in mud like some of the more hardcore enthusiasts. It might be just as liberating to put on the dress the day after with a totally different and relaxed attitude. Plus I think the unexpected backdrops make for some pretty cool and artsy shots that can reflect a bride’s personality much more effectively than posed photographs. Check out the Flikr group for lots of inspiration.

• Signature Cocktails - Need I say more? These can even cut down on your bar tab if you offer just one or two types of cocktails in addition to beer and wine, without sacrificing the class factor. I’m considering using white grape martinis for ours. They look and taste pretty fabulous, I think.