Favors for Your Outdoor or Garden Wedding

Ah, sweet springtime. Pick the best of the bunch for your outdoor wedding favors.

It’s spring…almost. And in honor of the season, everything’s coming up gorgeous at favorsbyserendipity.com.

We’re so pleased to be able to offer such a unique selection this spring, especially when it comes to outdoor and garden weddings. We feel this season’s selection of favors truly add that something special to your outdoor affair — and we know you will too.

Let’s take a sneak peek at what’s new for 2011. (Click on the pics for more info on each, or the image above of the bride and groom for a selection of our favorites.)

Lovebirds in the Window Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers: Give these to guests as favors or set them up on your wedding reception tables. Don’t you love them? The soft ivory white color will go with any decor, so your guests are sure to make use of this beautiful gift.

Butterfly Bookmark Favor: This is precious, and very elegant.  Stunning polished metal makes an impression. It’s all wrapped up in a pastel-colors box. Perfect for either wedding favors or gifts to the wedding party.

Meant to Bee Ceramic Honey Pot: These sweet ceramic creations can hold honey, jam or jelly and are perfect at your guests’ place settings as take-home favors.

Paisley Cupcake Wrappers: So many of our 2011 brides are loving the wedding cupcake trend that we just had to post these precious favorites. Yum! Pink paisley is ideal to accent an outdoor table, so this treat couples as decor.

Enjoy — and remember to send us pics of your wedding favors and how you used them to make your wedding extra-special.

Style Update: Spring Wedding Favors

Depending upon where you live (giving a shout out to the northeast — hello, my friends!), it may not seem like spring is coming…but it is.

Stylishly yours: daisy favor boxes.

And so is the annual influx of spring weddings.

And why not? Spring is gorgeous, and it’s about new beginnings. Can there really be a better time, both weather-wise and symbolically, to say “I do” with the person who will be walking life’s path with you?

Of course, you’ll want to stand out from the crowd. Make a big impact with these lovely spring favors that are truly you. Here are our favorite Spring 2011 wedding favor ideas.

Daisies. This adorable bloom is an emblem of springtime.

What a gorgeous idea. Guests can plant these at home.

Incorporate daisies into your wedding in a truly organic way with favors that contain seeds (see pic). We love this idea — not only will your guests be thrilled with the unique gift, but they’ll think of you and your spouse when the flowers bloom.

We adore these very special bouquet favor boxes, and so will your guests.

Also top favor boxes with spring daisies; there’s nothing like this sunny, sweet flower to accent any wedding gift.

Flowers native to your area. Naturally, daisies aren’t the only spring flower around. Find out what species grow in your area if you don’t already know, and find favors that match what you discover.

Spring colors — with flair. Bolder, “statement” colors are very on-trend for 2011. Look for vibrant versions of favorite spring colors, like hot pink, sunny yellow, mint green and sky blue with deep, rich navy to accent the hue.

Also incorporate spring colors into edible favors — especially buttery, delicious yellow or cream.

Please *do* eat the daisies: these brownie pops are a spring sunshine-yellow for visual as well as taste-bud appeal.

Organic choices. Go green for real with eco-friendly wedding favors. (We love the bamboo, by the way…check it out.) Match this choice with environmentally friendly materials for your wedding stationery, too.

Sunny home decor. Try a sun catcher or small spray of ornamental spring flowers that can be hung on the wall for gifts your guests will use and love.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Proposals are usually at their peak in December — and that’s right around the corner. Use Save the Date magnets as soon as you set a date.

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The last leaves are falling, a chill is settling into the evenings and in many places, homes are battening down for the coming winter and for the season’s first fluffy white, postcard-perfect snows.

And you all know what THAT means. That’s right: It’s wedding proposal time! (Gotcha!) Across the U.S., more wedding proposals happen in December than in any other month.

If your beloved has been dropping a hint or two, be ready to grab up our Save the Date magnets. Shown at left in gorgeous Damask style, center right in Daisy and lower right in Tropical Flower, Save the Date magnets won’t get lost by friends and loved ones in a paper shuffle because they stick cleanly to refrigerators or other metal surfaces.

They’re orderable in multiples of 10 (minimum 10 magnets per order) for your convenience…and many styles can be complemented with matching wedding favors or bridesmaids’ gifts (look here for a Damask example, and be sure to check out our other Save the Date magnet styles).

Our brides-to-be love our Save the Date Magnets – they’re an inexpensive, beautiful and very practical way to remind wedding guests to mark their calendars for that very special day. As always, we’ve provided plenty of style options to showcase our brides- and grooms-to-be perfectly. So grab yours now! (Or, well…you might want to wait until he’s officially popped the question…)

Fresh Ideas for Your Fall Wedding

We’re sure you agree: everybody loves gorgeous, colorful Autumn. That’s why many of your friends – and perhaps you and your groom-to-be – are planning a Fall wedding.

Given this, just how do you stand out from the crowd? Over the years, our readership has shown itself to be one creative bunch…so here’s to Fall brides and what they can do with their own creativity and a few great ideas. Here are a few we absolutely adore (and, psst—that are some of the most popular wedding favor ideas this season).

Favors That Double as Decorations

LOVE this idea. Pictured below is an example of an elegant, trendy Fall wedding favor that doubles as part of the reception place settings. It’s the “Turning Leaves” bookmark and it’s oh so elegant for Autumn…and for your special day.

Stylist: Sasha Souza; Photo By Damion Hamilton

Have the Turning Leaves Bookmark  hold the menu if you’re having a more formal affair, or attach it to your wedding programs. Or put one at the upper left of each place setting at the reception.

Other great ideas for favors that add Autumn atmosphere are candles in colorful holders, leaf-shaped place card holders or indulgent treats like spiced cider or gourmet cookie mixes. Yum!

Unique Centerpieces

Flowers are traditional, but why not add elegance (and a little bit of “you”) to your reception by choosing unique centerpieces? With a Fall wedding, you’re in luck; choose from Autumn’s bounty for a natural and very on-trend look to your reception tables.

Group Autumn fruits, such as apples, with a little Fall greenery. (See the example below, which is a real treat. Photo credit: Jennifer Wahlquist). Berries are Autumnal too, as are unshelled nuts tossed around the centerpiece for a natural yet very elegant feel.

Candles work well here too. Tip: If you’ll be placing lighted candles as part of your centerpiece, make sure they’re set well away from your guests’ plates (and reaching hands and elbows), while making sure the area just around the candle is clear of any hanging flammable greenery or other decorations.

So what are you waiting for? Get started on your own beautiful wedding creations. And don’t forget to let us know what you’re planning for Fall wedding favors. We’re always glad to hear from you!

A Wedding Planner? Questions Answered

Many wonder if they need to have a Planner when they think they can just do everything themselves.  I can tell you after coordinating many weddings (and I’ve retired from that now)  you will be so glad you hired one.

Having a planner gives you peace of mind and helps keep you calm on a very happy but stressful day.  The following questions are often asked by those who are still vacillating, I hope the answers will help with your decision:

1) What will a planner do for me?

a)  Hold your hand through the whole process.  This is very comforting when last minute changes take place and quick decisions have to be made.

b)  He/she will negotiate the contracts with your vendors so all you have to do is tell your Planner what you like and, most importantly, what you don’t like, and he/she will make sure you get what you want.

c)  Help design the wedding to suit your style and personality.

2)  Should I hire my planner before booking the venue?

Whenever possible you should hire your planner as soon as you get engaged so they are there to help give you the vision you have for your special day.

3)  If my venue offers a coordinator do I still need a wedding planner?

A planner that you hire is always on your side.  If you use the coordinator of the venue, their job is to make sure you buy lots of food, beverages, etc.  However,  your planner can help you with your overall budget and will keep it in mind and also what’s most important to you.

4)  If I find vendors that I especially like on my own, say for example, a wedding favor company, is it okay to tell my Planner that I want this particular vendor?

This is your special day, and of course you can let your Planner know of any specific wishes you have, venues or vendors you especially want to use.  The Planner is there to carry out your wishes, and is happy to do so.

5)  Can I hire a Planner just for the wedding day?

Yes, you can hire a planner for the day diy wedding planningand he/she will execute all the plans you have made.  Of course,  this means you have to be extremely organized, have every detail planned and written down so they are able to do their job efficiently.  You’ll need to make lots of lists, have a vendor list with phone numbers and what you expect.  Getting cell phone numbers of the vendors is a very good idea in case they are stuck in traffic, etc. and the Planner needs to contact them.  Make sure you set aside time to go over all the details with the Planner if they are only going to be there the day of your wedding.

Picturesque Beach Wedding

What can be more beautiful than a picturesque setting of the ocean with a beautiful sky as a backdrop as you walk down the aisle?   Few places are more romantic for a wedding than the beach.  Having your wedding on the beach is very relaxing and you can make it as casual as you like or as elegant as you want.

Doing your wedding at a hotel that has a beach front makes it comfortable for your guests to come in and enjoy the reception in one of the banquet halls.  Your theme is already set so your flowers and favors can be reflected in the design and makes it as stress free as possible.

Beach Theme Centerpiece

Flowers by Dellables

Beach Theme Centerpiece by Dellables

Do It Yourself Beach Theme Centerpiece

Using starfish, pearls, sandollars amidst orchids and other tropical fresh flowers can be incorporated in your chair decorations and on the aisle and arbor, as well as your wedding cake and centerpieces.

Your guests will not only enjoy sharing your special day in a beautiful setting, but may view it as a vacation and the fun begins as soon as they arrive.  Whether it’s an exotic beach your guest will travel to, or, if you’re fortunate to live in an area close to the ocean, and it’s a local wedding, either way your guests will feel like they’ve “been away” for the day.

Decor on the Beach

Your favors can tie in beautifully with your theme so your guests will have a wonderful rememberance of your wedding.

Sand Castle Favor

Informal Wedding Decorating Ideas

Summer is the perfect time for an informal wedding outdoors .  Another  popular trend is to have your wedding in a barn.  To keep the wedding elegant yet informal,  I have some beautiful pictures to help you see this can be achieved.

1)  First choose your colors.  What color makes you feel good?  Orange or yellow?  Pinks and lavender?  Red and white?  All these colors would work beautifully for a summer wedding.

2)   The flowers are also expressing your informal look.  You can achieve this by the style of container they are placed in and, in some cases, by the flowers themselves, such as Sunflowers, Daisies, and for a little more formality, Roses and Hydrangeas.  Clay pots filled with Hydrangeas make a wonderful summer centerpiece.  I’ve even spray painted the clay pots when I wanted to use them in white…you can make them any color you like to coordinate with your theme.

3)  Lots of twigs, branches and moss can add ambiance.  I’m also a big fan of the LED candles that are available now so you don’t have to worry about them blowing out if you’re outdoors.

Barn Wedding by Jennifer Whalquist

Flower Decorations

Country Centerpiece Idea

Garden Wedding Centerpiece

Buffet Tablescape

Your wedding favors should also express your informal country look.  Succulents are very popular in flower arrangements this time of year, and these succulent style candles are the perfect favor to tie in with your theme.

Candle in Clay Pot

Eco & Budget Friendly Weddings

More and more brides today are looking for environmentally friendly as well as budget friendly  options for their wedding decor.  There are so many ways to be eco friendly for your wedding.

1- Serve organic food

2- Wear a gown made from natural fabrics

3- Send invitations printed on recycled paper

Even though you’re going green, your wedding can still be ultra chic.  Just cutting down on the number of flowers you use can help.

Using branches with some flowers and crystals can fill in a room with a tall ceiling or an outdoor event while limited the amount of flowers needed.

Branch Centerpiece - Photo Courtesy of On Occasions Of Atlanta

Hydrangeas are a wonderful flower because they have so much volume. Be creative with DIY centerpieces. Pick flowers from your garden. I once had a bride with a very limited budget for decorating. Fortunately her wedding was in a month when everyone’s hydrangeas were in full bloom. We found a neighborhood bursting with hydrangeas in the front yards. Three of us split up and with clippers in hand, knocked on doors , explained why we needed them, and all the neighbors were so willing to let us clip a few hydrangeas from their bushes. Many said “take as many as you want”. I was able to make centerpieces from “free” flowers for all the tables and it was beautiful.

Photo Courtesy of: On Occasions Of Atlanta

A lovely flower inspired favor for your wedding could be a Cherry Blossom Candle.

Prepare Yourself For Your Wedding Day

Every bride wants perfection on her wedding day.  After all, it’s what she has dreamed about since she saw her first “At Last I Found My Prince” movie.  However, there are some things you need to know  so you will be prepared for the unexpected, which I can almost guarantee will happen.

1- To save yourself a lot of grief,  recognize  there will be mishaps – don’t expect perfection, it will only lead to frustration.  Your cake might have something happen in delivery – perhaps it’s leaning.  Know that it’s your wedding day and you’re going to have a great time!  Even the most seasoned wedding planner might encounter last minute hitches in your wedding.

2- When thinking about your Limo  think about the season of your wedding.  If your wedding is in the high wedding season or holidays, you’ll have to book it way in advance.  As soon as you set your wedding date, book your transportation.  You might get a discount for booking early or take advantage of special packages they offer.  If you wait until 2 months before the wedding, you may be paying next year’s prices.

3- Expect the unexpected!  If you’re having an outdoor wedding, make sure you have a plan B.  Always choose decor that can be used indoor or out so if things have to be moved inside it will look as good inside as it does outside.  Think about having a tent for your outdoor reception to protect your decor from the elements in case of rain.

4- Think about insurance.  You have a lot of money invested in this day.  Since it’s one of the biggest expenses you’ll have in your life, it gives you peace of mind knowing you have insurance in case of any financial loss.

5- When choosing a wedding planner, be sure you feel comfortable with them, you’re trusting them with the most important day of your life.  Interview more than one planner and  find somebody that gets your vision, understands what you are doing and relates to you on every level.

Since I mentioned “At Last I Found My Prince” at the beginning of this post, I thought you’d enjoy seeing  some  popular fairytale favors.

Your Wedding Day Menu

Remember that incredible meal you had at your favorite restaurant or while on vacation?  This is why selecting your menu can be a major task.   You want to get it right because  your guests will remember  if the food was great at your reception or disappointing.

Your food as husband and wife should reflect your taste but always be mindful of others. Some things to consider are:

1- There may be vegetarians amongst your guests. (Having the caterer prepare a cheese ravioli dish, was the perfect solution at an event I did recently).  Using place cards helps the servers know who gets the vegetarian dinner.

2- If you’ve invited people who have  food allergies you need to take that into consideration.

3- As you’re planning, have a variety of dishes if you are doing a buffet, or choices if you’re having a sit down dinner.

4- The season also plays a roll in what you will want to serve.  In the Fall, you may want to carve out mini pumpkins or squash and use them for soup bowls.

soup in "pumpkin bowls"

5- In the summer, fresh fruit abounds.  Serve a nice assortment and keep the meal on the lighter side, and use fresh fruit in your decor.  There are so many fruits that can be used this way, simply coordinate it with your color scheme.

Fruit Decor

6- If you have a morning wedding, a brunch type meal would be lovely.  For drinks offer Bloody Mary’s or Mimosas so they are more in tune with an earlier event.

7- Traditionally you will want to offer a soup or salad, an entree then dessert.

8- Make sure to do a taste test with the caterer or banquet facility (or your friends and family).

9- If you’re having a DIY reception, make sure all the offers are cohesive. Decide on a theme for the food, i.e., Italian, Mexican, Beef, Chicken, and don’t offer a combination of all these selections.  You don’t want it to feel like a picnic, but a lovely, thought out delicious and harmonious meal.

10- For variety,  you can offer a few different chicken dishes if you’re going with chicken.  The same with beef, etc.

Rice Krispie treats make a wonderful addition to your Dessert Buffet for any season.