“Top 10 Tuesdays” – Favors for Organza Bags

We’re Baaack!

This week we’re feeling a little… “DIY-ish” So we thought we’d give you a few ideas on how to fill Organza Bags

Organza bags are an absolute favorite here at FBYS! You can put whatever you want in them and they deliver a lovely presentation no matter the occasion. Organza bags are perfect for weddings, bridal showers, children & teen parties, baby showers and just general get togethers where you want to give your guests a nice take home gift.

However, because organza bags offer so much room to get creative with the contents, sometimes we don’t know what to put in them. So we’ve collected a handful of items that you can use in your organza bag for your next party!

Lotions & Lip Glosses

 

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This is a great gift if you’re throwing a “girls only” type of bash! Pick up an assortment of inexpensive beauty essentials and fill the organza bags with lotions, yummy lip-glosses, hand sanitizers or body mist.  Our lip balms come personalized so you can make it your own!  These goodies always come in handy so your guests will surely love the favor.

Mini Mani/Pedi Kit

  

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Here’s a fantastic idea for a memorable baby shower Favor! Pick up some nail polishes, either pink for a girl, blue for a boy, (or even the color scheme of the baby shower) and some nail files and toe separators and put them in the bag! It will be a mini mani/pedi kit that your guests will love to use.

Tea Party Goodies

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Whether you’re having a tea party teen party, bridal shower, or engagement party, the organza bag is the perfect way to go. Choose your party’s color and fill the bag with tea bags, a small spoon, honey, and a small treat like a macaroon. Delish! Your guests will be blown away by the thoughtfulness!

Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates 

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You can never go wrong with sweets! Hershey’s kisses are so small and delicious that a handful of them in a bag will do the trick. You can even personalize the kisses with some of our stickers!

Your own handmade soap

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If you’re into DIY projects here’s one that’s right up your alley. You can whip up your own signature soap and put it in the bag with a cute quip like “From my shower to yours!” Perfect for bridal showers and baby showers. Here’s a great tutorial for making your own soap. Try your hand at this DIY Project and give your guests a gift that’s extra special!

Cookies or Rice Krispies Treats

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Organza bags are also perfect for edible goodies! Bake up your own batch of yummy treats for each bag or go with one of ours to add the final finishing touch to your party. This favor is perfect for any occasion! Seriously, all of them.

Small Candles

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Candles always come in handy, especially if they smell yummy. Bonus points if the candle is in a tin! Some of our candles are completely customize-able so you can choose the colors, the designs, and the wording to make it special.

Your own Coffee or Tea Blend

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Chances are your guests are either coffee lovers or tea drinkers. Or Both! A great idea for a special “Perfect Blend” themed affair is an organza bag filled with coffee beans and a coffee scoop.

Honey or Spices

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Staying in line with the kitchen/cooking theme, another great favor to put in an organza bag would be your own personalized honey jar or cooking spices blend. Ideal for any “honey” themed affair, such as “Love is Sweet” party or “Sugar and Spice and everything nice” themed baby shower.

Don’t forget that each organza bag favor isn’t complete with personalized labels!!

We’d love to hear from you! How have you used organza bags?

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“Top 10 Tuesdays” Favors for Graduation Parties

Welcome back : ) We want to let everyone know that we are branching out to other special occasions on our blog. We want to celebrate every special day with you!

Every Tuesday we bring you our top picks for what’s hot and trending in the industry. Today we’ve hand picked our favorite favors that are perfect for any Graduation Party!

[Image Credit: SmartTop10]

So it’s nearing the end of April and as we all know May through June is graduation time. Yes!! All the students who devote countless hours to studying, writing papers, and taking tests finally see their hard work pay off. And what a relief it is. But now it’s time to celebrate. No, seriously, party and have a grand ol’ time because the next chapter will be exciting and daunting at the same time.  Now is your chance to give your graduate a party worthy of their hard work!

Whatever party your planning, here we have selected our favorite favors!

Personalized Edible Favors

You can never go wrong with favors that are personalized. And A+ if you can eat them! Whether you go with Mints, jelly beans or lollipops, your favor will pop with color and sweetness! Because finishing up all that schooling sure is sweet.  With dozens of color combinations and designs to choose from you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.

 

“Oh the Places You’ll Go” Themed Party

If you’re going with this oh so appropriate Dr. Seuss theme, give your guests a favor that they’ll be sure to use each time they travel. Our Acrylic Luggage tag is sturdy and completely customize-able!

 

Personalized Favor Packages

These days a candy buffet is almost mandatory at any party. If you’re planning on creating one, go with the school colors and choose one of these favor packages that are both adorable and reusable for your guests to fill with different things long after the party is over.

 

“The World Is in Your Hands” Themed Party

If your grad is planning on doing some traveling after graduation before the real work begins, how perfect is this Globe Design Bottle Stopper? It’s a beautiful symbol of adventure that your guests can use over and over again.

 

“We’re your #1 Fans!” Themed Party

Every grad has a “fan base” of family and friends that add much needed support. Expand on this theme by using fans in your decor! Create a colorful fan backdrop using the school colors and lay out small paper fans on the candy and food buffet tables. Our fans can be easily personalized with favor tags and labels to honor the grad and their fan base.

 

“Chalkboard” Themed Party

By now the most recognized symbol of school and graduations is the ubiquitous chalkboard. You see it from kindergarten all the way up to the college years. So naturally, it’s a perfect theme for a graduation party. And chalkboards are so versatile you can use it virtually anywhere in your décor. Our “Sip and Scribble” Chalkboard coasters are perfect for this theme! Let’s “chalk” it up to the grad’s success!

 

“One Smart Cookie” Themed Party

We all know it takes brawn as well as brains to be able to graduate. Pulling those all nighters aren’t easy… it takes one smart cookie! It would be a delicious and witty affair, and the perfect favor is our Sugar Cookie Mix. It’s customize-able for a graduation party and you can get it with the mini whisk too!

 

Key to Success Themed Party

Every student knows that the key to success is in their hands, especially after they finish with school. This classic theme allows you to get creative and lets the guests give the grad their own “keys to success!” Hang a board with bits of advice tied to vintage keys for a vintage yet practical look. Our favor pick for this themed party is our Skeleton Key Bottle Opener.

 

“Picture Your future” Themed Party

If you’re throwing a “Picture your Future” themed graduation party this is the perfect opportunity to focus on the grad’s future plans. Whether they’re about to venture off to college or if they embark on a new career, you can use their plans as your décor. How perfectly appropriate is a photo booth for this party? Your guests can walk away with this cute picture frame and a picture of themselves with the grad! Double points for the Chalkboard!

 

“Reach for the Stars” Themed Party

So now that school is over, the graduation party is a perfect time to encourage your grad to reach for the stars!  Here’s an idea – Have a board where your guests can leave bits of advice for the grad on star shaped stationary. Decorate your space with stars hanging from the ceiling and set up a photo booth with a celestial background.  Our favorite favor for this themed party is our adorable and practical Star Bottle Stopper or these yummy star shaped chocolates

 

How do you plan to celebrate your grad’s success?

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“Top 10 Tuesdays” Vintage Blush Wedding Decor & Favor Ideas

 

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!

Every Tuesday we bring you our top picks for what’s hot and trending in the industry. Today, we’re sharing with you 10 Decor and Favor Ideas for a Vintage Blush Wedding.

Right now the Vintage and Blush wedding theme is incredibly hot and if you’re excited to go with this gorgeous theme for your wedding, here are some ideas to inspire you!

 

 

Barnyard

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“Top 10 Tuesdays” – Engagement Party Ideas

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Hello Lovelies!

Every Tuesday we bring you our top picks for what’s hot and trending in the industry. Today, we’re sharing with you our picks for Engagement Party Ideas.

So he took you out, got down on one knee and made you feel like the most special woman in the world. Now you’re engaged! How exciting! So much to do in the next few months to plan your dream wedding, but first… you must share the joy and excitement with all your loved ones. Whether you’re planning an engagement party yourself or someone is planning it for your, have your personality shine through.

We’ve gathered a few of our favorite ideas for your upcoming engagement party along with our favorite favor picks to celebrate the next chapter in your life.

 

Mr. & Mrs. 

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The engagement party is your chance to show your loved ones your hostess skills! Throw an amazing party using the Mr. & Mrs. Theme and have fun with it! Decorate with chalkboard signs, a black & white color scheme, and you can use mustaches and kiss prints to give it a fun and playful twist.

Our top favor pick to give your guests is our “Mr. & Mrs.” Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers

 

 

“He Put a Ring on it” 

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Let Beyonce’s “Put a ring on it” song inspire your engagement party…after all it’s appropriate! The ubiquitous symbol of engagements is the diamond ring, so take this idea and get creative. Go all out and decorate cupcakes with faux diamond engagement rings, hang glittery banners, put rhinestones on everything and make sure you show of your bling!

Our top favor pick is our beautiful and practical Chrome Diamond Ring Bottle Stopper

 

 

The Perfect Blend

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 If you and your new fiancé enjoy a hot cup of tea or a strong cup of coffee, perhaps taking that idea and applying it to your engagement will inspire you to host a fun and incredibly unique engagement party. After all, you and your hubby to be are the “perfect blend!” Host a brunch and have a coffee and tea bar where your guests can make their own perfectly blended beverage. Add a few delicious macaroons, pastries, breakfast croissants, and other yummy brunch treats.

Our top favor pick for this engagement brunch is our The Perfect Blend Burlap Bag and fill it your own blend of coffee or tea.

 

 

 Beach

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There’s something so magical about using the beach theme in any event. It’s so versatile and you can tailor the beach theme any way you want for your party. For the engagement party, make it a fun soiree for your guests by encouraging them to leave a message in a bottle for you. Hang a fishing net on a wall and post photos of you and your fiancé as a couple and as children, use sand castles as centerpieces and feel free to use starfish and pieces of coral anywhere you want.

Our favor pick for a perfect beach engagement party is our gorgeously useful Palm Tree Bottle opener

 

 

 

He’s my Anchor

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Take the nautical theme and use it in your engagement party to let everyone know that your hubby-to-be is your “anchor.” This is a fun twist on the beach/nautical theme that you can make your own by taking pride in your fiancé and all that he means to you. Head to the dollar store and pick up a few glass fish bowls that you can fill with sand, starfish, seashells and a candle to use as centerpieces, use sailboats as accents on your tables, tie utensils in knot with a nautical rope and use one of this years hottest colors, dazzling blue, as your color palette.

Our top favor pick is the “Anchor” Nautical-Theme Brushed-Metal Book Mark

 

 

“All You Need is Love”

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The Beatle’s timeless classic “All you need is love” song is the absolutely perfect inspiration for your Engagement Party. “Love” brought you to this very special moment, why not take full advantage of it! For a shabby chic look use white tin buckets with flowers (color of your choice) and use the letters L-O-V-E on each bucket as a centerpiece, hang a glitzy banner with the lyric above your candy buffet table, and have guests write you messages and put them in an elegant birdcage.

Our favorite favor is the “Love Birds” White Bird Tea Light Candles

 

Our Love Story

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 Every couple has a love story of how they met, their first date, how they came to be a couple, and when she said yes. It’s all these tiny, delicious details that make each wedding so unique. Make your engagement party more memorable by letting your guests have a glance at the story of how you fell in love! Use chalkboard posters to detail the dates of each important milestone in your relationship, hang photos from balloons and let them float to the ceiling so that all your special photos are freely on display, quiz your guests to see how well they know the happy couple, and have classic love stories stacked on top of each other with delicate flowers on top to make unique centerpieces. This theme allows you to share your most intimate special moments with your loved ones so make it as personal as you want!

Our pick for this whimsical party is the “Key to My Heart” Bookmark

 

Love in Bloom Garden Party

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 Hosting a garden party for your engagement is a special way to share your joy with your guests. Gardens are so peaceful, beautiful, and uplifting and this could be fantastic for the ambiance of your party. The flowers and plants there serve as décor, you can have a “flower” stand where you can showcase beautiful arrangements and display the favors for your guests. Use the most vibrant color in the garden as the focal point for your décor and use that color in the napkins, the chair sashes, etc. Also, the birdcage can also be a fabulous prop to suit the theme, so invite your guests to write you a sweet message of luck and love for this new chapter in your life.

Our pick for this garden party is the Daisy Delight Gerbera Daisy Favor Box filled with our delicious Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds.

Colorful Extravaganza

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This is the easiest, most creative way to infuse your personality into the engagement party. You can choose your favorite color and use it in the décor, from flowers, to napkins, banners to centerpieces your party is sure to be bright. There are also a plethora of colors to choose from when putting the party together. You can use the popular colors of the moment, such as blush pink, mint, celosia orange, dazzling blue, or radiant orchid and make your engagement party a colorful splash!

Our favorite favor pick for is the Colored Square Boxes with Ribbon.

They come in a variety of different colors to match your color palette and you can fill them with truffles, Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds, or a small piece of cake, or any fun candy. Finish it off with a Coordinating Favor Tag or Rhinestone Monogram Stickers to make it more personal.

 

Wine Tasting

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This is a great idea to save some money on an elegant and virtually effortless engagement party. Invite your guests to bring a couple bottles of wine and create cute “tasting cards” so that each guest can rate each bottle. This gives each guest the opportunity to have a record of which ones they liked best so they can try them again. Start with the whites and move your way up to the heavier reds and serve up different types of cheeses, fruits such as green grapes and apples, meats and crackers and lay them on chalkboard trays labeling each item to have the guests’ pair their drink with a snack. Create a soothing and low-key playlist to set the mood and you have a sophisticated engagement party.

 

Our top favor pick is the Personalized Wine Glass.

 

You can personalize it to suit your special day and your guests will leave with not only a list of wine for them to try, but also a gorgeous glass that they can use over and over again.

 

How will you plan on celebrating your engagement?!

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5 Bachelorette Party Ideas That You’re Dying to Try!

 

When planning the Bachelorette Party the Million Dollar question is “What Should We Do?” And the typical answers are always Las Vegas or a night out on the town. Fun? Yes. New? No. How about trying something completely new for a change!? Capitalize on the bride’s personality and choose an activity that suits her and is exciting and adventurous for everyone. We’ve also selected a few gift ideas that are unique and memorable for the bridesmaids to go along with each of these exciting outings!

DIY Lingerie Party

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You know you want to try this!

This is a perfect chance to bring the girls together and make something gorgeous for the bride to wear on her wedding night. Plan a night where all the bridesmaids meet to hand make cute little under things. It’s a fantastic way to get your DIY on, bond with your group, and have fun making something beautiful! Each bridesmaid can bring sequins, beads, or special fabrics, use catalogs for inspiration and the internet for “how-to” tutorials. You can even get silly and help the bride find ways to model each handmade under-thing for the groom! The bride will have handmade gifts by her bridesmaids and the girls will help make her wedding night special. Just don’t forget the wine. Or the chocolate.

A perfect gift for this sexy occasion is our Bustier Cookie This is customizable to suit  the colors you wish and we can personalize it for you to make it more memorable. Wrap them in cellophane bags and tie them with ribbon to make this a super cute and delicious gift!

 

“Glamping”

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“Glamping” is certainly an unconventional idea for a bachelorette party. But that doesn’t mean it has to be rough! The latest craze is “Glamourous Camping” or “Glamping” for short.  It’s a luxurious way to experience the outdoors without sacrificing the comforts you can’t live without. Glamping is a fresh and creative way to celebrate the last days of being single, so for the offbeat bride who loves the outdoors, this is the way to go.

For the bridesmaids joining on this excursion, an exquisite gift is the “The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Cosmetic Travel Bag

Fill it with necessities such as hand sanitizer, facial wipes, bug spray, small water bottle, sunscreen, lip balm, a mini hairbrush and a compact mirror to complete the surprise for each bridesmaid.

 

At Home Spa Day

So everyone loves a facial, right? How about hosting an at home spa day for the bridesmaids! Why spend hundreds of dollars on fancy facials and manicures when you can do the same at home? Make a relaxing playlist to set the mood, gather some DIY facials, scrubs, and manicure ideas to pamper each other and get going. If you have access to a pool where you live, lounge by the pool to soak up some sun and get a nice tan before the big day. As the day progresses turn the at home spa day into a sleepover! Reminisce about the old days, watch scary movies, order take out, make some cocktails and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great opportunity to relax and unwind and bond with the girls.

A great gift idea for this home retreat would be a gorgeous clutch filled with goodies. Hit up Forever 21 (or your favorite boutique) and grab a clutch for each bridesmaid and fill them with some of our Beauty Essentials!

 

Winery Tour

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 Touring wineries and spending the weekend in a Bed and Breakfast sounds like such a fun and relaxing idea for a bachelorette party for the Bride who loves wine. We all know her.

Some wineries offer a wide variety of activities for groups besides wine tasting and touring so there’s always something to do. Enjoy the local cuisine and experience the local culture while you’re bonding with your group and make it bachelorette party to cherish forever.

For the bridesmaids enjoying the wine country the perfect gift is the Personalized Stemless Wine Glass

Personalize this gift with the date of the bachelorette party and choose from a wide variety of designs to suit the bride’s personality. They will always remember their time with you in wine country each time they pour a glass.

 

“Staycation”

How many times do we have a chance to be tourists in our own cities? Gather the bridesmaids, rent a swanky hotel room in the nearest big city and tour the town as a tourist would! Take tourist photos at all the town’s popular hotspots that you always overlook, eat and drink at the town’s hottest bar you keep saying you’ll go to, take that bay cruise you’ve been dying to get on, and take advantage of the hotels amenities! Play drinking games and guessing games in the hotel room, and give the bride advice to keep it hot and sexy with her new hubby. It’s a chance to enjoy your city in a new way.

A perfect gift for this getaway is our Martini Design Bottle Stopper for all the bottles you’ll be taking to the hotel!

 

Do you have any fun ideas for your bachelorette party?

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Children and Weddings: The Pros and Cons

It’s such a simple question — yet it comes with all sorts of questions you may not have considered.

Should you have children at your wedding party? How about at the reception? If you don’t want children involved, is there any tactful way to let guests know? Is it even right for you (rather than the parents) to decide whether children should be a part of your wedding?

Those are a lot of questions. But then again, it’s a fairly complex (and loaded) topic. Deny children at your wedding or reception and you’ll look like the bad guy. Allow them free reign and you risk disruption — children tend to be bored at weddings, and they’re unpredictable; their good days are very very good, and their bad days are, well, extremely not-good. (See? There really isn’t a tactful way to say it.)

I’m a mother. I love children — everyone’s children.

But I admit I have been at weddings where the children, uncomfortable in their fancy clothing, tired, bored, sometimes sick and often stage-struck, just aren’t…well…as cute as we want them to be. And I’ve felt just as sorry for the children (more so, if I’m honest about it) than for the distressed bride or the annoyed guests.

Pros

Let’s start out with the good news.

• Including children in the ceremony allows them to feel special and to know just how much you love and appreciate them.  For a child, that’s huge. For a very young child, it’s everything.
• Children are sweet and innocent (okay…not always, but at a fancy occasion, they’re the personification of new beginnings). There really is nothing so adorable as a flower girl stage-whispering “hi, Mommy!” as she drops petals on her way down the aisle, or a little man holding the ring pillow with a look of intense concentration on his face. The photos will be adorable.
• Asking for a child to be a part of the wedding party is an honor for the parents as well.
• The children get to practice at “playing grownup” — okay, sue me, I tend to see everything as a lesson when it comes to children.
• Children at a wedding reception can surprise you. They may be at their very best. They love dancing with the grownups (and the grownups love it, too). And today, most wedding venues will offer children’s food plates, a definite plus.

Cons

…And then there’s the flip side of the coin.

• Not every child wants to be in the wedding party. Some children are shy. Others are just plain bored with the idea. If you try to make a little flower girl angel out of your tomboy niece, she may rebel, and will probably dislike her role.
• As I mentioned above, children get bored at weddings, at least semi-formal to formal ones. The night might end in tears, with the parent frustrated and embarrassed.
• Children are delightfully curious, hands-on and practical. They’ll want to touch the decor, they’ll want to run from one end of the reception hall to the other to count how many steps it takes, they’ll want to touch the bride’s dress with the hands they just used to eat the wedding cake with. That’s just kids. And as I said: it’s a wonderful quality. But if you have very definite ideas for the formality and style of your wedding, it will be disruptive.

So What Should You Do?

I did have children at my wedding and at my reception, and I had two flower girls. It worked wonderfully because my style is to involve the entire family and to laugh at foibles (remember the “enjoying the rollercoaster” analogy in Parenthood?). That makes me neither better nor worse than the next bride.

You need to make the decision that’s right for you. However, if you don’t want children at the reception, there’s really no proper etiquette for saying so. The most you can do in this case is to suggest to guests that children might not enjoy the style of festivities you have planned. Never directly ask parents not to bring their children — no matter how you try to word things, they will be hurt. Period. However, putting forth the suggestion that the wedding and/or reception will not be child-friendly can actually be a help to parents and prevent their and their children’s discomfort later.

If you know there will be children at the ceremony and/or the reception, try to dial down your expectations a little. Yes, this is your wedding, but let’s face it: life happens. Even if you’re wary of having children be involved, in reality, families include all ages. And let’s be real here: Uncle Frank with his anti-marriage opinions might be ten times the disruption a cranky toddler could ever be.  So try to lean your ceremony toward your own wishes, but remember that people are people…whether they’re little or big. No matter what, your ceremony will be beautiful…I promise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

 

Isn’t it romantic? You’re going to write your own wedding vows. Or…it’s romantic until you actually sit down to start writing them. What do you say? How do you say it? How can you make sure it’s heartfelt, not trite? And what will he be writing?

Don’t stress — as long as you write from the heart, you really can’t go wrong with wedding vows. Just in case, though, we’ve outlined the steps to writing your vows. Enjoy!

Step One: Clear it With the Officiant

One thing you don’t want to happen is to get to the altar and realize the officiant prefers to use his or her own set vows. More and more couples are writing their own promises nowadays, but you never know. So give the officiant a quick call before you start the process of writing.

Step Two: Give Eachother an Outline

It may sound unromantic, but the two of you really do need to establish the basics before you start writing your vows. You don’t want to be flipping pages at the altar and delineating the history of your courtship only to see him pull out the scribbled back of a store receipt and mutter ”I just really, really, really love you” in embarrassment.

So establish a basic word count (don’t make it too wordy — short and sweet is best), whether or not a little humor is okay, and what basic style you’ll use.

Step Three: Use a Simple Outline

The outline for standard wedding vows is simple. If you don’t want to do things this way, you don’t have to. But if you’re stuck, this easy formula can help.

• Begin with your partner’s name and the basics of your promise. “John, you are a dearer love and closer friend than I’ve ever had, or ever will have.”
• Continue with one memory from your courtship. “Everyone thought it was rather funny that I was the pursuer. But look where it’s gotten us!”
• Give the specifics of your promise. “I will love and cherish you, I’ll pick you up, be behind you in everything that you do. I give my heart to you as your partner and your very best friend. We may not always agree, but I will always, always love you and respect what you have to say.”
• Close with a simple sentence telling him that you love him. “I love you with all my soul, today, tomorrow, forty years from now — to wherever the future may take us.”

Step Four: Print Your Vows

You don’t have to do this, but it’s a nice and very beautiful touch. Have your and his vows printed on pretty stationery and hand them out along with your wedding programs as a keepsake. Or enclose a copy in your thank-you notes.

Step Five: Have a Copy With You

You never know how nervous you’ll be once you’re at the altar. Just in case, hold a copy of your vows. If you’ve memorized them, great! You can look into his eyes as you recite them. But if you stumble or forget a line or two, they’ll be right there for you to read.

It’s really so easy — yet it’s a memory that will stay with both of you forever. Enjoy the process, get creative and when you have a block on what to write next, think about your love for him. It will all come to you. And it will be beautiful.

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Inexpensive Ideas to Make Your Wedding a Success

Today we have a special treat for you, lovelies. Our friend Catherine, lifestyle blogger from London, UK, has agreed to write a guest post for our blog. She’ll be discussing great ways to cut costs on your big day. So without further ado, we give you:

 

Inexpensive (and Successful!) Wedding Plan Ideas

Planning your dream wedding can come with a big price tag. If you are looking to save on your wedding and still have a magical day, then here are a few things you can do to cut your expenses.

Plan a Smaller Wedding

Only invite people who really matter. Stick to sending invitations only to friends and close family. You don’t have to invite your second cousin’s aunt’s family. Invite people in your close circle.

Being with people you love on such an important day is what counts. Spending your wedding with such people would only make it happier and hassle free. You can have your perfect wedding this way and cut down on the spending at the same time.

Get a Steal on the Venue

Since you would be inviting only a close circle of people to your wedding, you can forget worrying about setting the date on a weekend. All your close friends will attend your wedding on any day.

So, get the best deals on reception halls by choosing a week day. Most halls offer cheaper services on weekdays. This way you’d get your dream location for a steal.

If you aren’t big on the location, look for halls that do not really host weddings. Another way of saving money would be to finalise on a location that allows you to have your own catering and doesn’t tie you down with a rather expensive package.

Hire Your Own Caterers

While most wedding halls offer packages that include catering, you might want to check for halls that let you cater your wedding.

Most halls charge a lot of money for such deals, while getting in your own caterers is a comparatively cheaper option to go with. This way you can also avoid serving bad food from unreliable caterers and hire people who actually give you what you want. You could choose the menu accordingly, and cut down on a lot of expenditure.

Do it Yourself

One of the easiest ways to save money is by doing it yourself. It is your wedding, who’d be a better judge of how things should be apart from you. You don’t have to shell out a lot of money for a wedding planner when you can do it yourself. You could turn your dream wedding into reality.

Don’t hire a DJ, be your own DJ. Make a CD with all the songs that you and your partner love. This would be a very romantic and sweet gesture to symbolise your love.

You could cut costs by asking a friend or hiring a non-professional photographer. Make sure you check the photographer’s portfolio before you hire them.

Limit Your Expenses

This could be probably the most important step to follow when you are planning a small wedding. Estimate your budget and then work on wedding ideas. Don’t spend a lot on trivial things. Look for cheap alternatives instead. Make a note of all the money you’ve spent on your wedding to keep your expenditure in check.

While you are cutting down on the cost of your wedding, remember that it is still a very special day. Don’t go completely frugal – just look for cheaper alternatives.

 

About the author: Catherine, life style blogger from London, loves to express her journey and travel related information, such as ESTA. She writes articles for blogs and websites during her free time. Did you like this post? Contact Catherine at lucy.danielgp@gmail.com.

 

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Winter Wonderland Wedding!

The weather is topping the high 90s, the sun index is at a year high and the beaches are clogged with bodies desperate to beat the heat.

So why are we thinking about wintertime? Because our brides are! Yep, believe it or not, my lovelies, winter will come. And now’s the time to start finalizing your winter wedding plans.

White, White, White…

Of course, for winter, it’s all about white — so though I normally have a penchant for ivory, Navajo and other off-white bridal colors, I say for a winter wedding, go full-on white with the gown.

Another “wedding no-no” you can forego with a winter wedding: match your bridesmaids in gorgeous white. Just make sure there’s plenty of color interspersed (you’re still the bride, after all). A jewel-toned bodice with a just-above-the-knee flounce of white is gorgeous for your bridesmaids.

…And a Surprising Splash of Color

For you: be daring and add a splash of brilliant color with a sash, a hair fascinator or big bow.

Winter calls for dramatic jewel tones: royal purple, crimson or deep jewel blue are all beautiful.

Accessories and Add-Ons

Winter allows for more extravagance in your gown as well as your wedding and reception decor. Try:

• feathers – a feathered boa; white swan feathers around the base of your wedding cake
• gems – rhinestones and faux gems in your tiara, on hair fascinators for the wedding party and on vases for the reception tables, and on your cake topper
• metallics – gold and silver are gorgeous touches, especially on your gown bodice
• pearls – always gorgeous for any wedding, pearls are especially elegant for a winter celebration

Winter Imagery for Your Decor

Choose winter imagery for your decor and favors. Snowflakes, white birds, cranberries and winterberries, twinkling frosty stars, pine cones, mistletoe and anything green or red are gorgeous touches.

Snowflake-shaped placecards or placecard holders are a nice touch, too.

Put lots of candles on the tables. Candlelight creates a warm and beautiful environment for your wedding reception.

Festive Seasonal Favors and Gifts

Don’t forget the favors! Try these ideas:

• an elegant, simple pearl bracelet as your bridesmaid’s gift
• pearl necklaces for you and your wedding party
• snowflake-shaped favors, such as wine corks embellished with snowflakes
• glittering, decorated favor boxes
• warm baked treats (brownies or brownie pops, cupcakes, etc.)

As always, let us know what gorgeous ideas you come up with for your winter 2013 wedding — we love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

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Fall Wedding Favors: Bring the Outdoors In!

Calling all Fall 2013 brides! Have we got some pretty picks for you.

If you’re having your wedding reception indoors (and that’s likely, particularly in some colder autumn climates), you can still take advantage of fall’s beauty in the warmth of your reception hall.

Here are a few of our very favorite wedding favors that bring in all the beauty of the upcoming season.

 

Perfect Pair Candle

Still one of our favorites, the Perfect Pair candle was featured in Instyle Weddings Magazine in 2009. “Paired” with a mini version (featured in “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?”), this candle makes a gorgeous centerpiece for reception tables. Small: 2.5″ high; large: 4″ high. Tip: match your favors by serving up Perfect Pair brownie pops.

Autumn Magic Collection Leaf Candy Dishes

Aren’t these darling? Choose them for your reception buffet, guests’ tables or for your bridal shower. Each dish measures 5.25″X5.25.” For gift-giving, each comes in a clear-topped box wrapped in a pretty bow with a matching “For You” tag.

“Falling for You” Scented Pine Cone Candle

Mmmmmm. The scent of these really is divine. The 2.5″ candle comes in a box that measures 3″ high, so they’re suitable for gift-giving. Sold in sets of four. They’re perfect for winter weddings, too.

Pumpkin Patch Brownie Favors

Wow — our brides absolutely LOVE these.  (Psst: so do we.) Each decadent brownie is double-dipped in chocolate and created into an elegant pumpkin shape. Your choice of ribbon styles is included. Please allow 5-7 days prior to shipping to assure freshness.

“Fall Impressions” Glass Photo Coasters

What an elegant way to gift your guests. These contemporary design fall leaf coasters fit a picture approximately 2″X1.75″.  Each coaster is crafted of quality, sturdy glass and has four padded “feet” so no marks are made on the table. Insert your own photo or display with the “For You” message.

Orange Sunflower Cupcake Wrappers

Turn dessert into decor with this pretty Tuscan-style sunflower cupcake wrapper. (Cupcakes not inclued.) Simply place frosted and decorated cupcakes into wrappers. Arrange on the table or set one out at each place setting. These are also great for bridal showers.

Puffy Satin Heart Favor Boxes

Copper, antique gold and mocha are the perfect autumn colors in these shimmery gift boxes. Each has a pretty hand stitched-look heart at the center of the ribbon. They come pre-filled with your choice of white Jordan almonds, white candy coated chocolate hearts, white peppermint hearts or a mini lavender organza sachet.

***

Remember that you can easily blend rustic, “outdoorsy” looks with sophistication for a fall wedding. Silk, satin and organza matched with fruits, pine cones and twigs make a brilliant match that graces any wedding reception table. So too do fun, whimsical items — especially candy or cupcakes.

I have often felt that fall brides are the luckiest; they get the best of all worlds, wrapped up in the sumptuous colors that nature brings. It’s the perfect time of year for a new union — bright, beautiful, cheerful and sophisticated…just like you.

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