Branching Out With Your Wedding Decor

As we say bye-bye to the summer of 2011, the amount of weddings we are coordinating still has not diminished.  In fact, October is the 3rd most popular wedding month in the Midwest and having an outdoor ceremony is planned by many...but don't forget Plan B because the weather could change any minute.

Well for the bride who wants to bring the fall season into her wedding decor, I've always thought the mixture of branches, flowers and candles can truly create some statement pieces for your ceremony and tablescapes.

Using branches to bring the outdoors inside for the wedding ceremony. 
This easy DIY project joins branches together with ribbon and adds a few blooms at the knot.

Put branches in a tall wide vase and add flowers around the rim to create a dramatically tall centerpiece.

Make an escort card table tree by using branches, flowers and hanging crystals. 
Attaching the flower buds to the branches really softens to centerpieces.

Place branches in cylinder vases to add height to the space and surround them with
small bouquets creating a high and low effect.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.boards.weddingbee.com; www.weddingpaperdivas.com)

Toast It Up With Champagne

At some point during the wedding reception, toasts are going to happen.  The greatest piece of advice I could offer is keep them short, sweet and do not open the floor up for all your guests to start extending their well-wishes.  And this happens to be the perfect opportunity for the bride and groom to say a few words of thanks to family and friends for celebrating the day with them.  But before the guests of honor take the mic, the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor should be the ones to welcome the guests and say a few sentimental words of remembrance, encouragement and love to the newlyweds. 

I have witnessed on numerous occasions a Best Man or Maid of Honor unprepared to speak to the crowd and an awkward pause always occurs when they say "I thought I was going to have a little more time" or "I didn't write anything down" or "I'm unsure what to say".  Have a skillfully planned wedding toast, in my opinion, is the only way to go when planning out your reception timeline. So below I've given a few suggestions on how to make this memorable moment happen as stress-free as possible:

• First, before you take the mic, always have your glass of champagne or wine in hand before speaking.  It is a toast, remember.  And end the toast with, "Please raise your glass..."
• The Best Man should lead the toasts with the Maid/Matron of Honor following.
• Have a toast prepared in advance.  You have known for months that you were going to be asked to give a toast when you accepted the position.
• Speak from the heart and know that it's okay if your toast is written on paper or a note card so you don't forget.
• Remember, it's not a speech and please keep it tactful.  Speaking about negative past events and ex's is a total no-no.  
• Last, keep the toast less than 2 minutes.  Toasts are typically going to happen after the bridal party has been announced in or before the entree, so keep it short and sweet so that guests can eat!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: rsvpartiesinc.com; http://www.weddingsbycolor.com/)

What's Holding Your Flowers?

Most centerpieces are going to consist of some type of glassware holding your flowers and/or candles.  When I speak of glassware, I'm talking about cylinder vases, Eiffel Tower and bullet vases, or cubed shape vases...the standards you'll see at a wedding reception.  But when creating your entire tablescape, consider the vessel that will be dominantly displayed on your guests table and how you might like it presented.  Check out the ideas below for the "flower holders".

Consider using vintage vases or mason jars for single blooms or small floral clusters and group them tightly on your guest tables.

Using colored glass or uniquely shaped glassware can really make colored florals pop and become a conversation piece on  your guest tables.

And for the DIY bride, wrap your glassware in patterned paper or fabric to blend nicely with your overall color scheme.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Cupcake Fashions

Today ends cupcake week and instead of posting another beautifully decorated cake-in-a-cup, I've decided to blog about the holders that contain this tasty treat.

Instead of using your standard white paper cupcake liners that can be purchased at any local grocery store, consider using decorated cupcake wrappers as the holder of your treats.  You of course can purchase them, but consider making wrappers yourself out of printed cardstock, doilies and/or foil in your wedding colors to blend with your decor.  Then display them on a lovely platter, cupcake tower or stand.  As I always mention, guest love it when you pay attention to those small details.

Until next time...WEDologize!

National Cupcake Week 2011

This has to now be one of my favorite times of year, outside of my birthday, Deja's birthday, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day...well you get the point.  I'm very excited about the discovery of National Cupcake Week and the ode to what has to be the best dessert ever created.

Cupcake Week was created as a competition among pastry chefs to challenge their talents, educate and create even more decadent "cakes in a cup".  Please enjoy one of my first inspiration boards in celebration of my favorite dessert!

Until next time...WEDologize!

Dressing The Tables

Today's blog was inspired by the design I'm doing for one of our July couples who selected chocolate, ivory and coral as their wedding colors.  As I thumbed my way through table linen swatches, it dawned on me that some couples might not know the diminisions of linens needed for particular tables.

Below are some linen basics:

6' banquet table - seats 4-6 people - 90x132 banquet size to the floor on all sides

8' banquet table - seats 4-6 people - 90x156 banquet size to the floor on all sides

60" round - seats 8-10 people - 120" round will go to the floor

72" round - seats 10-12 people - 132" round will go to the floor

Lo-boy or Caberet
36" round - seats 2-4 people - 96" round will go to the floor
48" square - seats 4 people - 120" to 132" round will go to the floor and you will have to tuck edges

Hi-boy
36" round - seats 2-4 people - 132" round to create hour-glass shape tied with a chair sash

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.tusconweddingsite.com; www.etsy.com; www.weddingandpartynetwork.com)

Hey...It's Good To See You!

Is the "receiving line" a dinosaur??? My personal opinion is YES!  It's rare to see the newly married couple, their bridal party and parents in front of the church quickly greeting guests as they make their way through the line.  Not saying you shouldn't have one, but understand the receiveing line does take a long time and can cut into your photography time and reception time if not planned properly.  So what are some alternatives to replace the receiving line:

• Actually schedule ample time for photographs between the ceremony and reception, approximately 2-3 hours. This will then allow you to be apart of your cocktail hour and greet guests at the reception venue.
• Instead of placing favors on the tables, the bride and groom can walk around and personally give a favor to the guest.  This would allow for them to stop and speak with all those that attended.
• Have the DJ make an announcement that the couple will walk around to each table and greet guests individually.
• Plan with the photographer to walk around to each individual table and take photos with you and your guests.

But should you lend towards a receiving line, include only yourselves and your parents.  Most guests aren't attending the wedding to meet the bridal party ;)

Until next time...WEDologize!