I won’t play favorites but — shh — it’s one of the ones shown below. Nope, not the big one, so that narrows it down.

But you know, here’s a thought. What is “traditional?” Historically speaking, and depending upon the place and culture, the diamond hasn’t always been the last word in marriage proposals. Sometimes it was only used as a garnish, with a small chip on either side of a garnet, ruby or emerald. Other times it wasn’t there at all. (Gasp!)

Some cultures never used rings to symbolize their union; they made a public announcement (as in much of northern Europe during the lower Middle Ages) or exchanged some other gift to announce their intentions. Some had just the woman wearing a ring; many exchanged rings only on the wedding day, leaving an engagement ring out of the equation entirely.

Bottom left: platinum diamond leaf and vine engagement ring, Etsy seller anajaydesigns; top left: vintage golden topaz ring, Etsy seller SimpleDaisy;  top right: sapphire carved curls with tapering stones, krikawa.com;  bottom right: Tips on Selecting a Unique Engagement ring, overstock.com; center: bridalmusings.com

Okay, so we’ll get off the fascinating but distracting-from-the-subject history of engagements, jewelry and promises and mosey along to the present.

What do you want in a ring? Seriously. Have you thought about it? Generally, when we think rings today, we imagine an engagement plus wedding ring for the bride, a matching wedding ring for the groom, and at least one huge diamond. And all that’s lovely; in fact, this motif embellishes my and my dear hubby’s fingers right now. But you don’t have to stick to that not-so-old tradition. The pic above proves that. Check out the choices. And those are mild when it comes to “unique” wedding jewelry.

Your ring or rings symbolize your union, your love, your forever. Is it bright and beating like a happy heart? Why not a heart-shaped stone or a ruby? Is it “happily ever after“? How about a Renaissance or Victorian/vintage style? Does gold make you look icky? Try silver or white gold. Or combine two different colored metals. It’s all good.

While you’re making your decision, have a look at the oh so awesome rings above. But don’t stop there. This is your jewelry. It’s your marriage. It’s your forever. Pick what you want, exactly what you want.

And wear it happily ever after.

Your wedding decor.

Oh come on. You and I both know that you’ve spent more time so far on choosing colors and your reception theme than you did picking a college major. So why neglect one of the most underutilized aspects of wedding decor: the pattern?

Lately, we’re in love with damask. And yes, I’m about to promote my own products. But I wouldn’t be doing so if I weren’t absolutely, completely, positively, squish-ily in love with them.

And I am. Damask is an amazing pattern choice for invitations and decor — it even looks incredibly cool as wedding gown detailing. It adds dramatic flair, another thing I go weak in the knees for.

Let’s celebrate damask! Here are my favorite Favors by Serendipity darling damask offerings:

1. Elegant Silk Fan (above, left). File this one under “things that make ya go oooo.” I so want to wander downtown with this fluttering in front of my face. (You know you’d be jealous.) I also love it as a wedding favor, its real intent. Shown above, the fan decorates a place setting. The fan is 8.25″ long and comes packaged in a white box. Savings on bulk orders.

2. Vellum Shades (below). Total elegance for the reception. You supply the glasses and candles in any color and style you want for a very personalized look. Sold in sets of 24, savings on multiple purchases.

3. Turquoise damask cube favor box (below). Super-cool this season is damask — in color. I LOVE this turquoise box. Match it with a chocolate bow and you’re in damask heaven. Shipped flat to protect the box; requires folding. The inside of the box is white.

4. Damask cupcake wrappers (below). Cupcakes are so hot. These absolutely gorgeous wrappers match your wedding colors as well as your taste for the elegant and special.

Oh my. In damask heaven over here. By the way, be careful! From what I understand, it just isn’t cool to love the decor and favors more than the groom. (Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!) For a list of FBS damask items, clickie on over here.

Need help? This fun book has the basics.

We’re noticing a trend, and we like it: games are cool again when it comes to bridal or baby showers.

Today’s shower games offer many more options, too — including scratch offs, advice cards and updated versions of retro pass times.

It only makes sense to include games at a shower. Games are a great way to break the ice. It’s likely that not all the guests know each other. You’re inviting same-age friends, work friends, extended family…people the guest of honor gets together with,  just not necessarily at the same time. Games are a real ice-breaker – especially if they’re really fun, like the following.

Have fun checking out these game options for your shower. We promise your guests will love you for making things fun for everyone.

1. Scratch-Offs.

Choose this scratch-off for a Breakfast at Tiffany's or "little black dress" theme.

These are sooooooooooo cool. Each is a game and a party favor in one. Have a small gift for the winner — a basket of goodies is the perfect idea for either a baby or bridal shower.

2. Diva Mommy Celeb Trivia Game.

Diva Mommy celebrity trivia is awesome. The box comes with 50 baby-related questions and amusing answers. Also check out Stroller Derby.

Another option is to make your own trivia cards. This way, you can get very personal and targeted toward the guest of honor. For a bridal shower, ask what date the bride and groom to be met, then give three possible answers; players must pick the right date. Also gather basic data, like the average cost of a U.S. wedding ($28K+ — yep, for real). See who’s “in the know.”

So cute!

3. Advice Cards.

My mom had these at her shower, and I’ll bet her mother did, too. Sometimes gifts are a tradition for a reason. I mean does advice really ever go out of style? Mail these personalizables to guests and have them fill out and bring their cards to the party. As the hostess, you gather the cards as guests walk in, then give them all together to the guest of honor.

4. Baby Clothesline Keepsake.

Here’s a cute idea. Hang a ribbon clothesline and use baby item-shaped cards. As guests enter the party, each fills out a message to the baby, or gives one piece of advice and hangs it on the clothesline with a pink or blue  clothespin. After the shower, the cards will become a keepsake for the couple and their new bundle of joy.

5. Start Your Own Tradition.

These books and mementos are awesome for the bride-to-be’s guests. Start a tradition and have each newlywed pass the book on to the appointed bridal shower arranger for the next of your friends who’s getting hitched.

Enjoy, my lovelies.

Photo credit: avlxyz on flickr.com

The Sit-Down Meal

• A sit-down meal means it’s easier to determine exactly what quantity of food you’ll need.

• Controlled portions can actually make a sit-down service cheaper than a buffet; guests tend to take larger portions when self-serving, and a buffet table is meant to be kept looking filled-up.

• Some people just prefer a sit-down dinner. A sit-down has an elegant feel and is very “traditional wedding.”

• There’s no long line to wait on and no self-serving mess factor for guests, who are wearing dangling sleeves, jewelry and ties.

• Dietary restrictions tend to be easier to control with a sit-down meal, as cross contamination is probably less of a factor, at least from other guests.

The Buffet

Photo credit: blmurch on flickr.com

• A buffet gets guests to mingle. There’s always something to comment on in the food line. A buffet could make your guests open up a bit and have more fun at your wedding.

• There’s no chance of a miscount on the food orders. Running out of penne with broccoli rabe at a sit-down when you have three more guests who specified “vegetarian” is a bummer. At a buffet, there’s always more of everything.

• Buffets tend to be less work to organize than sit-down dinners.

• Guests have lots of variety to choose from, and they wind up with exactly what they want.

• Buffets are better for weddings up to 75 people; larger weddings mean guests will be standing for a very long time for their turn. If you’re having a medium-size wedding, a buffet is the perfect option for you.

I’ll bet you have a sweet tooth too. Got a sweet idea for a wedding shower or baby shower? Let us know and we may choose you for one of our upcoming features. Until next week, my lovelies…bon appetit…

These cute miniature candy jars are perfect for a vintage wedding or shower. They’re reminiscent of the grab-a-handful jars that widened the eyes in kids of days gone by. Fill with whatever sweets strike your fancy. We recommend candies in the color of your shower or wedding theme. The personalization on the lids is a nice touch. 2.75″ X 1.75″.

My kids used to beg for these brownie pops, but this version is all grown up — and prettied up for spring. Green Garden brownie pops come wrapped in cello bags with an organza bow; lovely! Please note that these pretty party pops need 5-7 business days notice in advance of shipping (a $10 rush fee can be applied if you’re in a hurry).

Who can ever say no to a lolly? Something Sweet lollipops make a pretty presentation with a touch of the whimsical (just our style). Cello wrapped and tied with a bow, these treats are strawberry flavored. Purchase by lots of 24. Oh, and they’re personalizable, too. Check out our different designs.

We predict…that your guests are going to love these rainbow colored fortune cookie treats! Each includes a message for a lucky guest. Decorated in flowers, bells or hearts. Grab ‘em.

]]> http://yourweddingwhisperer.com/2012/03/23/were-so-sweet/feed/ 0 http://yourweddingwhisperer.com/2012/03/15/flowers-flowers-everywhere/ http://yourweddingwhisperer.com/2012/03/15/flowers-flowers-everywhere/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:04:31 +0000 YourWeddingWhisperer http://yourweddingwhisperer.com/?p=4016 Yesterday, while pulling the last hearty winter veggies from our garden, I realized that spring really is coming. Yep, here in Southern California, we do in fact experience a spring — the weather change is subtle, but it’s there, in abundant floral color. (Our roses are blooming riotously, too. Pretty!)

Springtime is all about flowers, and anything that grows when it receives some nice, warm sunshine and a good solid watering. Weddings, too, are beautiful, fresh, new and celebrate life.

Perhaps that’s why flowers have always been such a big part of weddings. Besides the obvious fact that they add color and often smell quite pretty, flowers are about taking what’s best in the world, and watching it bloom to its very best.

So as “official” spring approaches, let’s take a look at some gorgeous floral options for 2012:

Have a floral wedding choice you’d like to share? Send us an image (at least 300X300) and a brief description of how you used the item, as well as the brand name or website.

Today I’d like to bring up a little subject that aaaaaaaaaaaall my brides seem to agree upon. (If you’re the one exception, speak out! We really want to believe differently!)

That subject is: the groom’s involvement in the wedding planning.

Or, well, his lack thereof (generally). Our guys are Renaissance men. They’re proud of our careers and flaunt the fact that we’re so ambitious. They do laundry (sometimes). They might even shed a tear or two during a chick flick if we’ve really got a keeper.

So why then do so many grooms flinch in fear from the idea of “helping” to plan a wedding that’s for both of you? And is there anything that will induce your equal partner-to-be to get into reception patterns and flower arrangements?

Maybe. Or maybe not. Since it’s worth a try, here are our top reasons grooms so often seem to be uninvolved in the wedding planning process, and tips for how to encourage — or how to deal.

1. He wasn’t trained to be “into” it. Like it or not, and yes, I say this as an accomplished individual with a career, men just aren’t raised on all things wedding the way we are. Even Barbie and Ken had wedding attire, including trunks to hold the goods in. Dreaming of her future wedding is a common thing for many little girls.

But it’s probable your groom didn’t have the same experience. He can’t figure out what all the fuss is about. And like much of society, he may be thinking it’s all for you, the bride.

Let him know that it’s his wedding too — and let him know in an encouraging, not demanding, way. Invite him on one, just one, wedding planning jaunt, and make it a short one; for example, confirming the wedding menu.

You might be surprised, and so might he, at how he realizes he does have opinions on individual game hens (his wallet certainly does) and on the many many wonders of buttercream (mmmmmmmmmm). If not, that’s okay. You both reached across the aisle, no pun intended.

2. He may be thinking you’re thinking his ideas are stupid. Be honest: when he suggested light blue for his tux, you laughed just a little. Yes you did, come on. (Okay, so maybe this is a little autobiographical. I laughed.)

If he’s hesitant to begin with in making the wedding and reception plans, and his one or two ideas are met with that look, he won’t want to bring the subject up again. When he suggests something, wait. Think about it. It might be a good idea. In fact, it might just be a great idea. Or it might be an idea that stinks — but it’s all his and it will make the day more meaningful for him.

He’s his own person. His opinions are valid. Honor them and you’ll see a more enthusiastic response the next time you ask for help or ideas.

3. He may be worrying that too much involvement on his part will seem, err, a little less than uber-masculine. Yup, we all know this one was coming. Guys do in fact rib other guys if they get too “into” the wedding planning process. It may all be in good fun but deep down, your boy is embarrassed.

Don’t henpeck him, don’t demand, don’t plead, don’t cry, don’t lay down the guilt and don’t — DON’T — do not (hope we were clear about that) push him into wedding answers in front of his friends. Ask once, in private, for his opinion on an aspect of your wedding and then don’t ask again about that aspect. Be very very casual about this. Toss out the occasional question as part of your normal conversation.

If he gets comfortable with not being pressured and with his input being low-key, he may open up more and be of more help.

4. It may just not be his “thing.” Not every groom is interested in the details of planning something like a wedding. Not even every bride is. By far. We’ve known a lot of brides over the years and we’ve seen a lot of stress on the part of brides who thought they “should” be all gaga over daisies, vases and little tiny rocks.

Your groom may be the same way. Don’t automatically go the psych route and feel he’s afraid, embarrassed or uncertain. He may just be bored. Period.

If he is, don’t force him. Do, however, enlist in help, and lots of it, from friends and family. You should never have to do all the wedding planning on your own. Let your groom do his own thing, but don’t do it all and silently simmer. Trust me, there are plenty of people around you who are absolutely dying to help — let them.

Remember that the most important thing is your lifetime together, not the wedding day. (Hard to believe, I know. But true.) Try not to stress so much on who does what when it comes to wedding planning, and don’t feel abandoned if your guy is less than enthusiastic. Each of you is getting something special — one another. And that’s what really counts.

These are the brownie pops we referred to. So cute!

I’ve always adored animal themes for baby showers. Baby animals = total cuteness. It’s one of my top picks for celebrating a new baby.

It’s one of our customers’ favorite choices, too. Baby zoo animal favor and accessory sales are off the charts this month (Thank you!).

Let’s look at a few of our most popular best-sellers. Guaranteed you’ll get ideas. If so — share them! We always love to hear from you.

Baby Wild Animals Diaper Cake:  the idea of a diaper cake is pure genius — it’s something new parents need, and it’s adorable. This wild animals diaper cake fits perfectly with a zoo animals baby shower. Choose one of seven cool animals. The cake contains seven Pampers disposable diapers in size 1 (also genius, since not every newborn fits into size 0 diapers).  They come in 3 different sizes, Mini, Classic and Two-Tiered.

Baby shower picks: these picks are handy for serving foods during the baby shower. They come in packs of 12 and feature four cute zoo animals: giraffes, elephants, zebras and lions. They retail at $2.25 and range in size up to 3″. Bonus: they’re reusable.

Animal Crackers bib gift set: there’s really no such thing as too many bibs (I’m sure all the parents out there are agreeing with me!). This gift set comes with four bibs in “animal crackers” styles. Attach a box of real animal crackers for a cute touch. Four bibs, $24.99.

There are more, so check them out. Also have a peek at our full selection of animal theme favors and gifts, including jungle animals, barnyard animals and Noah’s Ark. Thanks for having a look, and enjoy, my lovelies!

Foodie wedding favors continue to be on-trend for 2012 — probably to a greater extent than last year, actually, if our orders and readers’ comments are any indication. Baked goods are huge, for example. Our wedding brownie pop orders are off the charts.

Meanwhile, marrieds-to-be are also focusing on what goes on behind the scenes of all those delicious delicacies. In other words, cooking is big again (yay!). So we’re getting a lot of requests for food prep items as gifts.

Love, love, love these cookie cutter favors. They’re all Favors by Serendipity items, so check here for more info on each.

Vigilant Publishing Group is soon to release Smart Wedding Planning II: Tips & Secrets From Top Wedding Pros, which should be pretty cool if part one was any indication. And, that’s right…Favors by Serendipity is going to be featured.

(‘Scuze us while we happy dance…)

We’re honored. Thanks, Vigilant Publishing. In the meantime, hungry for wedding eye candy? So are we. So we cooked up a little Fall 2012 magic just for you. Check these out, so pretty…we’re loving the emphasis on just a hint of color (or a whole splash of it, in Vera’s case):

Fall 2012 gowns, l-r: Vera Wang; Monique Lhuillier; Marchesa; Jenny Packham.