Adorable Gift Bags

Check out these adorable little bags AND they are earth friendly!
Wouldn't they be perfect to give with bridesmaids gifts or just fill with goodies for your out of towners (also in blue and green).
They are called the traveling bag because you note who had it before you.

These are found at Celery Street.

Beautiful Spring Wedding

Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding! I helped coordinate Hanyoung and Bretts wedding, starting with a traditional Catholic mass, a Korean Ceremony then dinner and dancing at the Marriott Conshocken. Han changed gowns for all 3 parts. They were so fun to work with and really brought some creativity to the wedding.

The ice balls (from IceCaters) were a HUGE hit! and her centerpieces were a mix of high branch and candles and low flowers and candles (from Fresh Designs)(branches seem to be popular with my spring clients). The band eFusion Love rocked the house and had people jammed on the dance floor till the last song!

Photography was done by Nathan and Thran at Lightyear Studios - check out their blog for the professional pictures.

A twist on the cocktail napkin

Most brides have colorful cocktail napkins at their wedding - some with their names on it some with their new monogram.

How about taking it a step further....be very creative and give your guests something to talk about.

We originally saw this idea at InStyle Weddings but this past Saturdays bride made it her own. Stay tuned for more of her wedding this week.

You could also put song lyrics, your favorite quote or your signature drink recipe.

What is an Escort Card?

I am reposting this because I think its important.

An escort card is a card that the guests pick up during cocktail hour and it then directs them to their dinner table. A place card sits at the dinner table and tells guests what specific seat is theirs. With place cards you have to figure out who is sitting next to whom and that can be time consuming. I hear place card used all the time but remember place card and escort card are used for different things.

Typically the guests name goes on the front and the table name or number goes on the inside or bottom corner. You can use either 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 themes 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.

Happy Earth Day.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Think about getting reusable bags today - Either a Target, Whole Foods etc. Get a few keep them in your car and use them.

Oh and if you are planning a wedding - think about using these as your out of town gift bags. You don't have to put your names on them just make them practical for your guests.

I get Better Homes and Garden Magazine and love it, as I am sure you guessed.
I noticed on their online site they have a scrapbook section. I came across this Fun New Guest Book idea:
Stories By Everyone

'Your wedding guests will love recording their advice, thoughts and best wishes for your future.

Every couple has a story. Tell yours with this easy-to-personalize guestbook. You can include your favorite photos, dating stories, important dates, and more. Add up to 15 photos to this 30-page book and give your guests 448 lines to help commemorate your special day.'

They also have some other wedding items - all 25% off till the end of April.

Look at their Swatchbooks and coupon books - I think I will order the baby steps one.

Daily Candy Spring Guide

Daily Candy now has a weddings website - for many cities - click here for Philadelphia.
Daily Candy Weddings Philadelphia

Some Tips

Before you tie the knot here are some things you should do or plan to do.

1-Go away together - take a long weekend and go visit a winery, go to a ballgame, stay in a bed in breakfast, ride a roller coaster at an amusement park or go lay on the beach. What ever it is do it together and try not to talk wedding - just get ready for the marriage.

2-On the wedding day give your cell phone to your best man and/or maid of honor. There are always last minute calls that you don't need to deal with. I don't know why it is but guests always call the bride for directions or info on something to do in the area.

3-Have your planner take you into the reception space right before the guests enter - it will be the only time you can see the room untouched. They you can really take in the ambiance and all the decor that took you a year to decide on.

4-Ask your bridal party to take pictures of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and/or after party. This is still part of your wedding weekend and you don't want to miss a thing.

5-Tell everyone involved the details of the weekend - this includes bridal party AND the dads. They might need to transport people, the centerpieces after the wedding or picking up the tuxs and they need to know what you know.

6-Get your engagement ring cleaned and polished.

My Version!

So what do you think?

Cost Saving Ideas 2

Saving money on your wedding could also be about spending wisely-

1- Use the money from a Champagne toast for live ceremony musicians.
2- Don't offer a choice of entree, take the upcharge and put it towards a yummy cake.
3- Give the Bridesmaids single flowers to carry then use at the centerpiece for their table, then use what you save on dance lessons.
4- Skip the $8 favors and order ballroom lighting.

See a trend on the suggestions above - Your guests will remember the wedding as a whole, not the specific details.

Cost Saving Ideas

Here are some tips on reducing some costs for your wedding.

1-Hire a planner - they know the professionals to call, the sites to look into and can keep you on budget as well as save you tons of research time.

2-Ask if there is a recession special - everything is negotiable.

3-Think seriously of getting married off peak - March or August -how about a Thurs or Fri?

4-If you must get married in June or Sept - how about a fancy luncheon?

5-Don't think Package C is the best option because the bottom line looks good to you - Create your own 'package' with what is important and don't forget to add in service and gratuity.

6-Cut out the cheese display (its not worth it) and the extra dessert (a yummy cake is enough).

4-Guest List Guest List - I can't stress enough - if you are tight on budget lower your guest list, even by 15 people can save you thousands. Not only in food costs but table, linen, centerpieces etc.

More Easter Ideas

Are you still working on your table decor for your Easter meal?

How about this adorable Bunny Fold Napkin from Martha Stewart.

HAPPY
EASTER!

Easter Table Centerpiece

So Easter is at my house this year - I am so excited. I plan to set the table with my grandmothers china and do the above centerpiece but use the TyeDyed Eggs in the middle.

Instructions from BHG.com:

Turn a handful of dyed eggs and a bouquet of carnations into a playful spring centerpiece. Fill a medium-size footed bowl with a few inches of water. Nestle dyed eggs in a smaller bowl (prop bowl on a dish if necessary). Cut carnation stems about 2 or 3 inches long and pack the blooms around the bowl of eggs.

Happy Nesting!

Tie Dye Those Eggs

LITERALLY

It's almost egg dying time! My mom used to get these beautiful Easter eggs from some older ladies at her church - they would dye raw eggs using their husbands old ties. Well they stopped doing it and we couldn't get them anymore(the process seemed to be a secret). Until Now...

I found a kit that you can use - You just transfer the patterns from recycled vintage neck ties onto eggs. Key is you don't have to boil the eggs first so it saves you time and a mess-you don't have green dye on your hands for days.

Just remember to keep the egg crate to store them for next year - I bring out 2 doz every year - yep they last for a long time!
Order them at Mahar Dry Goods

Knot Best of AGAIN!

For the 3rd Year in a row Elegant Engagements, LLC has been named by the knot as the Best of Event Planner for 2009.

Thank you to all the readers and clients that voted and congrats to all the other winners!

Go get your copy - its on newstands now!

Meet the Parents

Over the weekend I met with a couple who mentioned that their parents had not met yet. They didn't know what to do or how to arrange this. I told them it was a good idea to try to get this done before the wedding!

Traditionally, the grooms parents are supposed to set up this meeting if it happens post engagement. But these days when parents live out of town and schedules are hectic the bride and groom should go about setting up the meeting. I suggest inviting both sets of parents into town for dinner at a neutral location - maybe the couples favorite restaurant or a potential wedding location.

The good thing is there will be lots to talk about - getting to know you things as well as all things wedding!