Vendor Contact Information

Wedding Insurance- Should you buy it or not?

Up until today, I have been very skeptical of the whole wedding insurance movement BUT more and more I am dealing with brides and grooms for whatever reason that do not actually get married. So the question is "If we are not going through with our wedding plans then how do we recover financially?"  I am currently in talks with several companies that provide these services and will feature the information in a future post. But until then, I suggest couples to really do their homework and make sure they are clear on the terms of the contracts they are signing as they plan their big day.

Creating a Unique Atmosphere for your Big Day

                                                    Truffle Favors by Elegant Designs by J

                                        ~ featured on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/elegantdesignsbyj

In everything that we do presentation is "key". The smallest details will added a more personalized touch to your special day. So today's focus is on ways to personalize your day. 

So here is the Top 10 list:

1. Custom Invitation Suite

2. Carry the theme/ color scheme from the ceremony site to the venue

3.Unique, Creative Favors

4.Elegant place settings

5.Signature Cocktails at the bar (good way to highlight your personality)

6.Creative Stations featured at the Cocktail Hour

7.Custom lighting

8.Custom Monogram or Logo featured on the Menu and bar napkins

9.Luxe Linens for the table

10.Creative First Dance for Bride and Groom, or Entrance

Whatever you choose to do, be sure to focus on making the day memorable for both you and your guests. Your wedding should be considered the best day of your life.

So You are Ready to Plan....

If I could pick just one word of advice it would be: communicate! This will be your most important tip. Every wedding, just like the marriage, has two partners. It is essential that you both have your desires fulfilled in the wedding. Start by making a list of each of your wedding wishes, organizing them from “must haves” to “great if we can afford it”. Begin the conversation between the bride and groom with a few questions:


How many guests do we want?
How much money do we have to spend?
What type of ceremony? Civil or Religious
Formal or informal?
Attendants? How many do we need?
Location?
Type of venue?
More questions may come to mind while you make your lists, but these suggestions will get you going. Then, think about your budget and how you will finance the wedding. Will you be covering all expenses yourself or will you be getting help from the family? Understand that once you accept financial help, you may have to give up some control. 


Okay, now you’ve made the major decisions and set your budget, you may want to consider the help of a professional wedding planner. This decision will put you in a more relaxed mode for your planning because you will have the guidance of a professional. The planner will take your vision and make suggestions that will work with your budget and specifications as listed above. The planner works with wedding vendors on a continuous basis and many will have the best vendors with special pricing because the vendor knows they will work with the planner again. So, you’ll not only have much less stress, hiring a wedding planner could actually help save some money!


If you decide not to use a planner, get ready to hold onto your vision. Ask for vendor recommendations from friends and family and then make your choice based on your budget and your style. Many times you can attend a bridal show locally and meet face to face with numerous vendors all in one spot. Once these choices are made, be ready to respond to unsolicited advice from well meaning friends and relatives. A good response to any advice could be, “Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll mention that to John.” Or “Interesting perspective. I’ll have to mention this to Jenna”. Use whatever words don’t make a lasting commitment to use their advice, while remaining friendly and mannerly to your loved ones. If you do this you will not get caught up in the free for all that sometimes happens when you are getting advice from lots of different people. 


Once you have your vendors, start considering who you want to be your attendants. This is not a decision you should make hastily, without thought or too long before the wedding date. Compile and review a list of duties you’d like each attendant to be responsible for and then fit the personality to the duties and their ability to complete them. Be sure to consult a wedding etiquette book or this website to make sure that the duties you’re expecting are legitimate expectations. No bridezillas! Too many times brides don’t consider these suggestions and it ends up affecting friendships. If your very best friend is irresponsible she may disappoint you if you ask her to be maid of honor. Be sure to discuss your needs/desires before she agrees. Also consider the financial responsibility that comes with the honor of being a member of the bridal party. Make sure all expenses are discussed.


Above all, find ways to relax and enjoy this time while you plan your wedding. It goes by in a blink of an eye. Don’t blind yourself with stress.


Now that you have all pieces of your intricate wedding puzzle at hand, begin fitting those pieces together to make your dream wedding a reality!

Choosing your Wedding Colors...Helpful tips for today's Brides

Choosing Your Wedding Color Scheme

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:

1. Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.
2. What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.
3. What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

Although much has been written on how colors effect our moods and emotions, colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

1. Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. It is made out of three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, plus a blend of in-between colors. Below are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated color scheme. Learn more about color theory or visit Color Scheme Designer to try out some color scheme ideas.
   • "Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green.
   • "Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.
   • "Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.
2. Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. 

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look

Spring Weddings

For your spring wedding, the perfect signature cocktail can help pull together a seasonal theme. Before you decide your drink menu, review this guide to delicious spring cocktail ideas.

Flavor of the Moment

Many of your favorite fruits are synonymous with spring -- combine those flavors with spirits and you can set a light, festive mood for your wedding. Consider these tasty cocktails for your reception, rehearsal dinner, or, of course, your cocktail hour:


Mango Martini

• 2 parts Grey Goose vodka
• 1/2 part mango puree
• 1/2 part pineapple juice
• Splash of sour mix

Mix ingredients in shaker. Shake well over ice and strain into a martini glass.

Citrus Kiss

• 2 oz. Ketel One Citron vodka
• 2 oz. Grand Marnier
• 2 oz. Rose's lime juice
• Lemon, lime, and orange slices (for garnish)

Combine first three ingredients into a shaker over ice. Lightly shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with intertwined lemon, lime, and orange slices.

Watermelon Martini

• 3 parts Kettle One vodka
• 1 1/2 parts sour watermelon Schnapps
• 1/2 part sour mix
• Watermelon ball or wedge (for garnish)

Shake first three ingredients well with ice; then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon ball or wedge of watermelon.

Attractive Libations

Your signature cocktail should look as good as it tastes. Garnish the rim of the glass with fruit slices, serve the cocktail blended instead of over ice, or add a hibiscus flower to each glass for a spring feel. These recipes are both attractive and tasty:

Champagne Mojito

• Rose's lime juice
• 1/2 lime wheel
• 3 mint leaves
• Champagne
• Fresh mint sprig (for garnish)

Fill 1/8th of a champagne flute with Rose's lime juice. Add lime wheel and mint leaves. Fill the rest of the glass with champagne, then garnish with fresh mint sprig.

Pimms Cup

• Ginger ale (or 7-Up)
• 1/2 part Pimms liquor
• 1/2 part fresh lime juice
• Cucumber slice (for garnish)
• Twist of lemon (for garnish)
• Sprig of fresh mint (for garnish)

Fill a Collins glass with ginger ale. Stir the liquor and lime juice together and add to glass. Garnish drink with cucumber slice, twist of lemon, and a sprig of fresh mint.

Drink on Location

Do thoughts of springtime bring pleasant memories to mind? Share those moments with your guests by selecting a signature cocktail that creates a sense of nostalgia. Try these mixes for a beach or destination wedding.

Sandi-Tini

• 2/3 cup white cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 oz. Alize Blue
• 1/2 oz. citrus-flavored vodka
• Swedish Fish (one to float in each glass)

Mix together first three ingredients, add one Swedish Fish, and rim glass with Tang.

A Taste of Romance

• 1 oz. rose water mix (2 oz. rose water + 1 liter creme de cassis)
• 5 oz. Veuve Clicquot

Pour rose water mix into a champagne flute. Fill flute with champagne.
Knot Tip: If served at the bar, garnish with black currant, and if passed on a tray, sprinkle the tray with rose petals.

Springtime in Paris

• 2 oz. Grey Goose vodka
• 1 oz. Chambord
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• Raspberries (for garnish)

Combine first four ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries.

Cherry Blossom

• 1 1/2 oz. Three Olives Cherry vodka
• 1/2 oz. orange juice
• 1/4 oz. grenadine
• 1/4 oz. Red Bull
• Maraschino cherry (for garnish)

Ready for Spring Birthdays....

Mad Hatter Tea Party

(Inspired by the classic story & movie)

Tea parties are great fun to have and even more so when based on the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland. Planning one of these can be almost as much fun as actually having one. It is almost limitless to what ideas you can use when creating this party.

First stop has to be you local second hand charity shops, most will have bric’n’brac shelves. Go for teacups, saucers and teapots, maybe even a whole tea set or tiered cake platters... Chintz, vintage and mismatched, even broken or chipped ones are great. The more the merrier. Not only are you supporting a good cause, but this is also great recycling: As these are not family heirlooms you can afford to let your kids play ‘real’ tea party or teddy bears picnics with these afterwards, which they will love you for.

But back to the party. Make your charity finds be the centre piece of your table setting (or you may already have some pieces that can be used) – you can plan the rest round this. Stack up china in a higgledy-piggledy fashion and use cups and saucers as serving bowl/plates or with candles in.

If you have a kiddies tea set then use this as props to introduce different scale of items like in the Alice story.

For the guests, we suggest using the pipii sugarcane plates and bowls and white paper cups, which can be decorated beautifully with our curious decoupage orflower images or alternatively take your inspiration Alice in Wonderland; decorate with red and white roses, chess pieces and/or playing cards, pocket watches and clocks. If possible set your table outside under trees so that you can hang decoration from the branches, but whether inside or out; add colour to the table with Chinese paper lanterns, Chinese fans,cocktail parasols and fairy lights and flowers – real or fake – you can make great tissue paper flowers. For a quicker alternative, you could scatter curious and flower decoupage images on the table. Use our cake toppers for more fun and make straw decorations yourself – look at photos for inspiration and find images in templates.

There is no end to ideas from the Alice in Wonderland story that you could use – we have listed some good fun ones below:

• Use playing cards on the table decoration
• Make sign for the table and round your house saying ‘this way’, ‘that way’,’up’ and ‘down’.
• Make cupcakes with ‘eat me’ on the top
• Make food and drink with labels saying ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me’
• Add more chairs than you need and odd ones to so that guests can move around randomly
• Put a toy mouse in the teapot
• Have a toy rabbit/ hare sitting the table, flamingos dotted around and a Cheshire cat on a branch.
• Your invitation could be from the fish footman and say ‘don’t be late for an important date’.
• Shape your invitations like a playing card, tea bag, teapot or tea cup and include a teabag, playing cards or other stuff with the invite.
• If you have a play tunnel how about using that for the entrance.
• Bake cookies in the shape of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades. You can also use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches.
• Glue the lid on a jar of jam, so nobody is able to open it.

Not so Mad…. Tea Party

If this is all too mad! – just tone down the ideas and you can have a wonderful ‘English afternoon’ tea party with just as much fun. Again, we would suggest your first stop is still at the charity shop for a couple of choice items – there is nothing like the real china to little or big girls – a beautiful teapot or tiered cake platter really does set the scene, decorate withbutterfly or heart garland as well as our beautiful white paper lace bunting – all reusable. Use as many flower as you can find or make to decorate the table. Old fashioned doilies are great and good fun to decorate and for kids too – something to do at the party table.

Keep the colours soft and gentle instead of wild and wacky, so opt for pink spotty candles for the cakes and perhaps using our stylish gold and silver cupcake cases instead of spotty red ones used for the Mad Hatter party. Use the pipii tableware and cups – decorate with decoupage paper images, flowers and butterfly stickers. Tie a flower or butterfly round each serviette, use our cake toppers and cocktail parasols for decorations. You will have a very dainty and magical looking party table.

And how about a little brocade purse for each guest to welcome them to their seat with a name tag inside. Or a fan to cool them down on a very hot day. Both will be loved equally by little ladies.

What to do on the day:

• A hat making workshop, buy old straw ones and make tissue flowers for decoration. Or tell each guest to bring a hat that they would like to decorate.
• A croquet game or just any garden games.
• Chess game or create a huge one for the garden
• Card games.
• Memory game.
• Teddy bears picnic (ask friends to bring their favourite soft toy)
• Play pin the grin on the Cheshire cat.
• Make up an Alice in Wonderland quiz.

Snack and recipe ideas:

• Sandwiches cut into butterfly and heart shaped with cookie cutters
• Chocolate dipped strawberries
• Moorish Chocolate frosted banana muffins
• Delicious chocolate cupcakes with optional chocolate icing
• Delightful lemon cupcakes with strawberry & cream frosting
• Meringues
• Festive Swords
• Butterfly cookies