Great Invites

It's come time to pick the most perfect stationary...

Oh dear, where to start...

Maybe...here!

Photo: Regan76

Go old fashioned! Your guests will love the style.

Photo: Adrianne Curran

Go graphic!

Photo by: Graphic Design 4uStudio

Take an inexpensive invitation and wrap it in vellum and tie it with your favorite ribbon.

Photo: Marina Guimaraes

Add your own details to really make a plain invite something special.

Photo: Katrina.Alana

Create your own event 'logo'.  Use it in varying forms on your save the date, invite, program, menu, even photo mats and signs at the event.

Photo: Amanda Cripps

Find unique printed paper you love at your local craft store and add it to the top of your invites.

Repeat the paper use in programs, menus and signs.

Photo: Amanda Cripps

These heavy card stock invites were printed to look like playing cards on the front and the invite on the back.  Then wrapped in vellum to show the surprise. Shhh!!!

These invites were printed on the vellum and tied together with a black and white picture of the couple.

Other options...

Go Electronic

Might ought to print one for Grandma but if you know you're guests are tech savvy- go for it!

https://www.paperlesspost.com/

http://www.punchbowl.com/

http://www.celebrations.com/

An Enjoyable Evening

It's happened before, and if you're not careful it will happen again.

Brides and Grooms plan great events and get so caught up in the hustle and details, they forget to enjoy themselves!

Don't let it be you.

How to Enjoy Your Event!

1- Plan

This does not mean you should over think everything. You should enjoy your planning too.

Get a schedule.

Make a binder.

Write it all down.

Do a walk through 1 month out, checking all the details and making notes.

Divide it all up and detail it out.

2- Delegate

2-4 weeks out go over all items and details with your wedding coordinator.

~ Alternately ~

2-4 weeks out pick people to help you do tasks.(Make sure you thank them with gift cards!)

Make a 2 week countdown plan for all the last minute details that will need to be done along with names of who will do them.

3- Let Go

All of your details should be done 1 week out.

If it's not done, drop it. You don't need it. (If you do, then hire or bribe someone else to do it.)

Spend the week and your event weekend...

-Enjoying time with out of town friends

-Having a drink with your soon to be hubby.

-Go to a yoga class and take a steam after.

-Shop for honeymoon clothes.

-Take a nap! No seriously, you don't want to get sick- 

napping is one of the greatest boosts for your immune system.

Planning a wedding is high stress but done right, it can be very enjoyable.

"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail."

Plan ahead.

Relax and enjoy the moment.

Great Centerpieces

You've been on Pinterest all night, don't deny it.

You can't decide what to do for centerpieces for your event.

You need a plan...

Starting Points

1- Color

-Consider your event colors, then find flowers you like in that color scheme.

(Great flower article to come btw)

-Or go from the flower. Found a flower in a color you adore? Take it and run with it. Use it as a base and build from it. It can determine your style, mood, even determine the container.

2- Style

-A ceremony in the garden followed by lunch in a Victorian home? Think frilly, fine- wildflower type bouquets and tall vases filled with wispy flowers.

-A black and white modern event would lend itself to tightly bunched deep red roses in a low centerpiece without filler.

-A summer afternoon reception was fantastic with bright white table cloths, wheat grass bases with gerbera daisies (held upright by straws).

3- Season

-Help your budget and make your decision by choosing your flowers by the season.

You could order bunches and bunches of 1 type of flower and have overflowing buckets for a very reasonable budget.

A good start...

California Cut Flower Assoc

Event Hacks-A Better Guest Book

Forget those old books to sign and stash away...  Let your guests sign a gorgeous mat you can display in your home!
We've got a great source for custom mats, made to order, any color, your mat- your way. So cool!go to http://www.matboardandmore.com/ Don't forget to order a frame so you can hang it after!
Want other event hacks? See all of ours...

You should probably go here now... Pinterest

Cakes and other yummy things.

What's an event without something sweet? It's so important that we've planned events with only sweets.- Dessert reception anyone?

What do you like?

No seriously, people get sick of eating all the same floured cakes with butter-cream frosting.  If you love berry tarts, then incorporate it into your summer evening! Your guests will love having something different.

Budget Concerns?

Plan a large buffet table covered in various blocks and cake pedestals filled with a variety of cupcakes.  Our favorite thing about this idea? No one has to cut a huge cake!

What type of event are you having?

A garden event- A pretty clean and spiring tall white vanilla cake- Just keep it out of the sun.

A late night reception in a big city- how about a variety of rich chocolate desserts: mouse, ganache covered cakes, truffles, and chocolate covered strawberries.

A kids birthday party- monster cupcakes and a ice cream sundae bar.

A snowy mountain dinner- a golden croquembouche

Photo: Merle Ja Joonas

Like all planning details, consider it carefully, make it you and relax and 

                                                                  Enjoy Your Event!

Sources: http://letthemeatcakeflorence.com/cake-facts-2/history-of-the-wedding-cake/