Couple To Only Talk Using M&M's

I just heard about a local Philadelphia couple that is going to talk only by using M&M's. They were picked out of a group of 300 for the Treasured Moments Challenge.

Most couples need to work on their communication skills anyway, lets hope this is helpful for them learning to communicate better. Imagine trying to talk about dinner plans, what movie to go see or what band to hire for their wedding and ONLY be able to talk using little M&M's!

For their vow of silence, the couple will get $1,000 a day for up to a month, which they say will help pay for their wedding.

I wish them luck and if you need a wedding planner - call me!

Keepsake Cookbooks

I was looking at The Secret Ingredients website about Keepsake or Heirloom Cookbooks and stumbled onto their blog. If you need a neat idea for a wedding present or a shower gift check them out. You submit recipes, pictures and choose a layout then for about $200 you get a beautiful cookbook.

As we all know if they are not edible, favors tend to get stuck under the car seat, in a drawer or even the trash can.

[A wedding favor doesn’t need to be flashy or expensive. In this case, the sentiment “it’s the thought that counts,” really means something. You can say “thanks” to the family and friends who help you celebrate your big day with a small gift that “gives” forever: a recipe.

First, you have to pick the right recipe. Here are some suggestions:

• Go with something regional or seasonal: Does your family put its own twist on a favorite regional dish? Is it warm, comforting soup season, or summer grilling season? Think of something your guests will want to make the night after your wedding.
• Choose something from your wedding menu: Talk to the caterer about using a recipe from one of your menu items. Or, provide the recipe for a special wedding cocktail served.
• Celebrate family tradition: Is there a traditional food associated with the wedding celebration in your family?
• You don’t have to stop at one recipe: If you can’t decide between two or three, use them all. Then, guests won’t all get the same thing.]

Thanks to www.thesecretingredients.com for the great ideas.

Happy Summer

Today is the longest day of the year, the official start of summer.
What will you be doing today?

As you know I love flowers so I decided to go flower shopping. I went to Waterloo Gardens in Exton today as well as Produce Junction to look for some flowers for my new house. We move in a few weeks and I want to have a few hanging baskets on the deck and some potted plants around to make it look like home.

Waterloo has the best selection and has lots of ideas on what goes best in sun or shade. I really love hydrangeas and they are having a hydrangea festival this weekend so they will be 30% off! That will look great in my front yard. I also got 2 huge pots of verbena and 2 baskets of angle wing begonia from Produce Junction. They have the best deals on flowers, plants and produce.

So no matter what you do today, enjoy and happy gardening!

Another Happily Married Couple

Laurel and Tom were married on Saturday in a traditional Catholic ceremony. The exited the church through a Military Sabre Arch and jumped into a 1940's Bentley. They had an awesome reception at Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC.

This event definitely reminded me that you certainly have to go with the flow and make things the best they can be. The fire alarm went off in the building; this meant bells and strobe lights going off all over the place. Luckily this happened later in the evening during dancing and we tried to pretend the strobe lights added to the dancing atmosphere. We hope the guests didn't mind too much!

Weatherford Photography was with the couple all day, going around town hitting all the hot spots for pictures. They were awesome to work with; as a husband and wife team they meshed well together. Can't wait to see the professional pictures.

Married Away Wants You!!

The Style Network series Married Away is seeking couples who are planning a destination wedding this summer between June 22 and September 1. The destination can be domestic or international. Your wedding can be featured during season two of the series and perhaps for up to five years on the network.

The new Style Network series Married Away follows two couples, their families and their wedding planners all over the world in search of the perfect wedding, capturing all the joy, unpredictability and drama of having the Big Day far away.

Interested couples should contact Katie Griffin at (212) 763-3673 or via email griffin@trueentertainment.net.

Ice and Easy

Last night I attended an amazing seminar and dinner all about ICE!! The event was sponsored by the National Association of Catering Executives at Harrah's Casino in Chester, PA. Ice Caters provided the beautiful displays, education info and centerpieces.

Most of us have seen the ice luge at the bar but what about ice martini glasses or ice votive holders? There was an ice bar during cocktails then for dinner every course was served in ICE!! Our first course was a Japanese Oyster Shooter served in an ice shot glass and our entree was a salad with salmon and shrimp served in a shell ice bowl.

There are so many cool things that can be done to get that wow factor. Even if you don't have the budget for ice bowls or ice glasses for every guest, what about ice serving platters with shrimp or sushi and a tray of ice shooters with cold melon soup passed during cocktail hour. Impress your guests with champagne chilling in an ice bucket set on the bar.

Prices are reasonable and the boxes come with instructions for serving or display. Check it out today!

Gifts for Dad

Does anyone else think that buying for your dad is one of the hardest things to do??

Since Fathers day is on Sunday I thought I would share some good gift ideas to help you prepare, if you are spending the day with him or just mailing a gift I hope these tips help.

Branding Iron for grilling
Red Envelope or Orvis

Backyard hammock
LL Bean or Pawleys Island hammocks

What about a membership to a Beer of the Month Club
Amazing Beer Club

For the Golfer: Automatic Putting Stem
Target or Dicks Sporting Goods

Bocce Set or Horseshoes
Red Envelope

or of course a Home Depot or Lowes gift card so he can get something himself

Enjoy the day with your dad!

Bar Trends for 2007

For the past few years couples have chosen their favorite drink or a drink in their color scheme to be their 'Signature Drink'. Another way to carry out a theme.

My wedding had 3 Signature drinks. 'The Newport' made up of Lemonade and Blueberry vodka (where we got engaged), 'The T' made up of Iced Tea and Raspberry vodka (my new last name) and of course the Mai Thai (we honeymooned in Maui and Kauai).

I think couples are getting more adventurous and opting for Specialty Bars, ie: Martini or Margarita Bars. The bartender can mix up tons of options to keep the guests guessing. With all the flavored vodka and tequila the skys the limit. You can even get the wedding martini glass as your 'toasting glasses'.

A recent client of mine wanted to have mini shots of Patron tequila passed to the guests instead of the traditional champagne toast. Whatever you decide don't forget to adorn your Signature drink glass with an umbrella, cheers flag or a piece of fruit.

Calling all Lilly Lovers!!

I am so excited! Today starts the 4 day warehouse sale for Lilly Pulitzer in King of Prussia.
As many of you know my favorite colors are pink and green. Lilly clothes just make me smile. :)

My mom, some friends and I are going tomorrow! I hope to pick up some fun summer picnic accessories as well, it will look great on my new deck.


So if you need a little pizazz to your wardrobe come with me!
See you there!
Lilly Pulitzer Sale

Hanging Dahlia Decorations

I just started going through Martha Stewarts new Magazine and found so many cool things. Here is a great decoration to make for your back yard parties or have at a bridal or baby shower. They are so easy to make and just imagine the possiblities with all the colored tissue paper options!

How to Make the Pom-Poms
You'll need tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Tie a length of mono filament to floral wire for hanging.

Voila!

If you have extra tissue paper, wrap your vases and add candles for centerpieces.


Thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings Collectors Edition

What is an escort card?

An escort card is a card that the guests get during cocktails and it directs them to their tables. So many times I hear 'place card' and couples actually need an escort card. A place card directs guests to their specific seats. With place cards you have to figure out who is sitting next to whom.

Both are great options but escort cards tend to be less trouble. Typically the guests name goes on the front and the table name or number goes on the inside or bottom corner. You can use both to carry out your theme. Attach the card to a bottle of champagne, a candied apple, a candle or just adorn the card with your monogram, a flower, a knot or just your theme motif.

If you are doing only escort cards but are offering your guests a choice of entree you must put something on the card that subtly says beef, fish or chicken. I have seen different colored cards for different food choices or different adornments added to each card.

I always recommend doing escort cards over not doing anything. Guests need to be guided into the reception and feel better if escorted where to go.

Wedding Month

Today its June 1st, I can't believe how time flies!
Happy Wedding Month!! Statistics show that June is one of the most popular months to marry, that is true for all generations. I hope all the June brides out there have a very happy, beautiful and elegant wedding day!