Thursday, February 28, 2013

Make It Your Own: "Meaningful Menus"

One of the things your guests remember most is the food you serve at your wedding. Whether it's a buffet or sit down dinner, it is nice to let guests know what they will be eating on that special day. You can use one large menu at the beginning of the reception, lay out individual menus at each place setting, or incorporate the menu into a keepsake for guests to take home with them.

Individual menus at each place setting, can make it a little easier on your guests to remember what course is next or what options are at the food stations. It also can be a good way to mark, which meal goes to which guest, and helps clear up any confusion as to what the guest signed up for on their RSVP card. These cards can stand up on the table or lay nicely on the napkin or charger. This is also an opportunity for the menu to serve double duty as a favor. One example shows the menu printed onto a vintage napkin, which can be washed or just set aside and kept as a keepsake.

If you are trying to save paper or money, one large menu can be just as special, and you only have to make one. Items such as mirrors, window panes, or doors make beautiful backdrops for a menu. Some other examples are a creative use of paper, such as a large scroll, or painting wood or the center of a tray with chalkboard paint and writing the menu in chalk. Whether you decide to make individual menus or use one large menu, it is an extra detail that will add a personal touch to your wedding and a more memorable meal for your guests.

XO,

Nicole

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Health and Wellness: pure barre

More like pure GENIUS!

Newly engaged ladies and new brides alike, take heed: the latest in workout trends, pure barre is a ballet-based program that produces some serious results. Whether you have a couple of months or a whole year to prep your best wedding day bod, Pure Barre can most assuredly help you reach your fitness goals.

How does it work?

According to the company website, “Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Students see results in just 10 classes.”

How much does it cost?

Cost {and schedule} varies based on location. However, I do know that our local Savannah, GA chapter has an amazing Bride-to-Be special that offers 3-months of unlimited classes for just $375. That may sound like a lot, but considering that you will see results in as few as ten classes and that the regular unlimited six-month price is $870 {yes, well over 2x the 3-month BTB special}, it’s a steal!

Where can I find a studio?

If you are one of our lovely local brides, a Pure Barre studio recently opened up just off of Abercorn Street {near Gigi’s Cupcakes–how perfect} at 5521 Abercorn St., Suite #500. If you are not local, check out their website for listings.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

diy inspiration {packaging + pencils}

maybe you’re a budget-conscious bride wanting a creative-yet-inexpensive save the date {or even casual wedding invitation}, or perhaps you just want to decorate your everyday life with adorable adornments.

in either case, you should make it your first priority to head straight over to knot & bow’s etsy shop to find things like

stickers {to seal envelopes, decorate – whatever!}

kraft heart stickers {144 for $12}

library cards {use with a custom stamp to craft your very own save the dates//casual invites like these}

{100 library cards in assorted colors for $14}

glittery twine {for tying up pretty packages, or in conjunction with your handmade save the dates}

{260 feet for $14}

and the cutest pencils you’ve ever seen:

{$12 for six pencils with unique phrases on each}

Saturday, February 16, 2013

latest dessert trend: naked cake?

that’s right, you heard me! naked cake. yes, that means sans frosting {or, as the case may be, icky-yet-attractive fondant}.

milk bar tiered wedding cake in pistachio and chocolate chip {my preferred flavors!}

why, you may be asking yourself, would anyone in his or her right mind opt for a frosting-less wedding cake? i have come up with a few reasons for you:

1} frosting grosses you out. as a cake and filling person myself {aside from chocolate ganache situations, which are altogether different}, i can completely understand this logic.

2} it looks cool. there is just something about the vulnerable layers of exposed cake and luscious filling that beckon you to come hither

3} guests can see exactly what they’re getting. sure, this negates the whole surprise factor, but you have to admit it’s almost more exciting to anticipate the deliciousness in plain view rather than suspiciously scan over layers of the often-inedible fondant exterior and hoping for the best.

4} it’s different without being too different. not sure you want to completely forego a cake in favor of a trendy dessert, but don’t want traditional fare either? naked cake {yes, i’ve decided that’s its official term} could be just the thing for you!

and the styling options are endless! check out some of milk bar’s other offerings:

milk bar three tier wedding cake in strawberry lemon

milk bar four tiered wedding cake in dulce de leche

milk bar multi flavored wedding cake

for those of you who do not live in the immediate nyc area and do not feel comfortable having your wedding cake shipped all the way from nyc {i honestly can’t blame you for that}, why not ask a local baker to recreate the same look for your wedding cake? you’ll avoid paying crazy shipping fees AND you’ll be buying local, which is always best.

now, please excuse me while i take a moment to wipe the drool off of my screen and run off to the kitchen to whip up the closest thing to those tasty little numbers that my kitchenaid stand mixer and i can create.

XO,

Jennifer

Friday, February 15, 2013

modcloth bridal style

i am SO excited to announce that modcloth, purveyor of reasonably-priced adorable sundresses, vintage accessories & fabulous footwear, has a vintage wedding style section!

this is perfect for a casual wedding dress, creative bridesmaid dresses, or even just a classy little rehearsal dress.

check out a couple of my favorites:

{for your bridal luncheon}

Vintage Wedding Style - Bow, How Wonderful Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Reflecting Pool Earrings

Vintage Wedding Style - Dainty Dramatist Heel in Mint

{for your rehearsal dinner}

Vintage Wedding Style - Champagne Soiree Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Drop by the Party Earrings

Vintage Wedding Style - Lustery Day Heel

{for your bridesmaids}

Vintage Wedding Style - Home Sweet Scone Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - For the Butter Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Ooh La Lavender Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Frost and Foremost Dress

{for your vintage courthouse wedding}

Vintage Wedding Style - Aisle Be There Dress in Lily

Vintage Wedding Style - University of Marilyn Dress in Cream

Vintage Wedding Style - Love You Ivory Day Dress

{for your reception}

Vintage Wedding Style - Vanilla Cream and Sugar Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Bright Starlet Dress

Vintage Wedding Style - Marshmallow Whirl Dress

cute, right? and so affordable! you can find all of the styles i noted above on modcloth’s website.

happy shopping!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

the day of v

oh, valentine’s day. while i prefer celebrating lupercalia {yes, i was a latin nerd from 7th grade onward} i can absolutely get behind any holiday that gives me an excuse to wear pink, enjoy my much-loved chocolate, and drink wine with the boyfriend {or group of girlfriends, as the case may be;)}. sure, it may be a hallmark-holiday, but who am i to diss such a glorious occasion for indulgent behavior? exactly.

for all of you lovely readers out there, i assume that, reading a wedding blog as you are, you are most likely not a valentine’s day hater {like jessica biel’s character in that cinematic masterpiece, valentine’s day}. this is probably your last valentine’s day as a singleton, if you’re getting married sometime between next week and february 2014; or perhaps it’s your very first valentine’s day as an engaged or married couple. if neither of those descriptions fit you, who’s to say they won’t by next valentine’s?

in any case, i couldn’t resist giving in to the hype and compiling valentine’s day inspiration from my favorite blogs that will help you plan just how you’d like to spend your valentine’s this year. whether it’s your first as a newlywed, last as an unmarried couple, or somewhere-in-between, go ahead and make it special!

without further adieu…

how about staying in and enjoying a romantic dinner for two by the fireplace?

{via ruffled}

or, for the more adventurous and spontaneous among you, why not put together a pale pink, 60′s vintage ensemble & run off to the chapel with your sweetheart to elope?

{via 100 layer cake}

rather decorate with pale pink for a valentine’s day party than wear it for a surprise wedding?

Victorian Valentine's Wedding Inspiration

{via snippet & ink}

or maybe you get engaged this valentine’s {fingers crossed for those of you hoping for that!} and want to plan a sparkly wedding bash on your one-year-engagement anniversary next valentine’s day?

pssst… make sure to click the image so you can check out the bride’s super creative, instagram-inspired seating assignments!

gold sequin table cloth, vintage soda bottles at valentine's day wedding

{via green wedding shoes}

or maybe you’re a mom looking for cute valentines to send your kid to school with? pssst… there’s a link to a free pdf printable of the graphic on the bag if you click the image!

{via twig and thistle}

send your sweetie to work or school with a bagged lunch that literally says how much you care:

48 Naturally Sweet Fruit Stickers - Food Safe

{via etsy}

too far away from your love to spend valentine’s with him or her? send an old-fashioned {yet interactive!} note like:

{via oh hello friend}

or just grab some nifty valentine’s day notecards to let your special someone know you care:

{via modcloth}

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

it's the little things...

i am such a big believer in manipulating the little details of your day to truly reflect you and your spouse-to-be’s individual personalities and relationship as a whole. as you will see in the following examples i found via some of my favorite wedding blogs, this can take a variety of forms whether it be through uniquely worded paper goods, a quirky guest book, or whatever your heart desires.

without further adieu, i present to you…

this bohemian tea party styled shoot via love and lavender:

bohemian tea party via love and lavender

look at those little menu cards! “dancin’ fuel” in lieu of the more commonplace “entree” & pictures rather than words? adorable. i am also such a fan of the lace-meets-bright-pops-of-color-meets-mismatched-china look, all with the beach as a flawless backdrop. note, however, that this is obviously just a styled shoot – if you are actually planning on recreating this look at your real wedding, please put the candles in holders. no need to destroy all that lovely lace! and your guests would also appreciate a carpet/rug/extra pillows to soften their interaction with all of those hard rocks & seashells, i’d imagine.

a decadently gorgeous ford plantation wedding via snippet and ink:

those little kraft brown paper bags on the right hold a fragrant mix of white rose petals and mint leaves to toss on the couple in place of rice or bird seed. while that alone is deliciously unique, my favorite touch is the wording on said bags: “to take & to toss {to have & to hold}” – a cheeky nod to the ceremony vows!

a lovely art deco-meets-handmade-fete via ruffled blog:

this suite of hyper-creative paper goods scored major brownie points with me for a few reasons. 1 – the wording: “please also join us -wonderful shiny people- to dance with joy at our marriedness” is perfectly wonderful and, i imagine, just sums up the newlyweds’ personalities to a tee. 2 – the fact that they had a high tea reception. i mean, honestly. how cool is that? 3 – the intangibles of this wedding are just lovely. you can just feel the warmth & happiness of their day emanate from the photos of all the little touches that truly made this wedding theirs. click through to see just what i’m talking about!

valentine’s day diy styled shoot via green wedding shoes:

no, your eyes do not deceive you: that is in fact the much-lauded, ever-popular thumbprint guestbook making an appearance in a new & {vastly improved} fashion! this ingenious little detail was born out of inspiration gleaned from the faux-couple’s getaway car – a vintage little red vw beetle. since this is from a styled shoot and there is not an actual couple, it is up to us to imagine why the fictional lovebirds chose this particular vehicle for their exit. could it be the bride’s first car? the car in which the groom picked up his bride for their very first date years ago? a family tradition started by the groom’s mother back in 1980? who knows! the point is, this is another cute way to incorporate a bit of your own history or quirk into your wedding. be creative! unless, that is, the whole tried-and-true tree picture with thumbprint leaves speaks to you. if that’s the case, go with it. it’s your day;)

so, dear readers, go ahead & spill in the comments: how are you thinking of personalizing your big day?

Monday, February 11, 2013

Make It Your Own: "Playful Place Cards"

There tends to be a lot of elements sitting on your reception tables, and yet among all the beautiful decor, your guests have to be able to see where they are sitting. This is why it is important, not only to make your place cards pretty, but to make them noticeable. You can use fun and playful items you already own, or go treasure hunting for new or vintage items. Either way, you can make whatever place card you choose unique and personable.

Maybe you collect vintage items or enjoy the hunt for them. Repurpose those items for you place cards. An example shown here is vintage doorknobs, but you could use any type of found object, or mix and match them. Perhaps you or your friends save all your wine bottles. Chances are you have a collection of corks as well. Simply slice a groove for the card and slice a flat edge on the bottom, and voila, a free, yet stylish place card holder.

A new, fun trend is using a variety of figurines painted in a unifying color. Simply write the name in a contrasting color on the figurine or lean a card against it. This is fun and will definitely stand out among the decor. If you prefer to just use paper, create a unique design and place it in a creative way, like the butterfly seen here. You can attach it to the glass, silverware, or bowl. Finally, give your guests something they can eat. Cake pops or fruit with a simple name tag attached are always a hit.

Have fun and see what you can come up with to create a memorable place card that is unique to you and your wedding style. Check out the MGE Pinterest Page and the "Make It Your own - Design Feature Board" for more great ideas.

XO,