And a dream it is! When it come to wedding flowers, baby’s breath might just be the new carnation.
Like carnations, baby’s breath is not exactly glamorous. This seasonless flower has a reputation for being a cheapo filler flower. But en masse and monochromatic – it’s simply wonderful! This standalone flower can be used for wreaths, bouquets, boutonnières, ceremony-aisle décor, event décor, and beautifully staged tablescapes. You will find blogs all over lauding this trend that seems to have taken over the hearts of vintage-inspired brides.
Just this past fall, The Knot event in Philadelphia used baby’s breath throughout, staged in beautiful urns on pedestals and on small cocktail tables as centerpieces. At around $4 for 10 stems (in Delaware), you can get a bouquet and three to five boutonnieres for your bridal party. It is a wedding budget dream! We used baby’s breath in Jess and Bryan’s wedding for the boutonnières and secured them with twine. It was the perfect vintage pairing that the couple was seeking for their fall affair! In the winter, secure pomanders of baby’s breath above the dance floor to resemble snow clouds. Just add a dusting of sparkle with some glitter spray! You could also place bundles of baby’s breath in birch sleeves for the perfect wintry feel!
We are so thankful that the summer season is behind us (for now), even though it means that wedding season is coming to an end in the next month. As sad as it may be, let’s not be mistaken, we are not missing those high 90s and low 100s temperatures! They made us so thirsty that we put together a few options to keep your guests hydrated (and keep your planner from running back and forth to their vehicle for bottles of water for the guests who feel faint) and keep the attention solely on you.
Having an outdoor ceremony? Make sure not to leave your guests parched. Provide a beverage station complete with beverage dispensers of iced tea, mint-infused lemonade, bottles of Pellegrino, or a tub filled with bottles of chilled water. Thinking about going the extra mile? Try infused combinations of cucumber mint water, watermelon mint water, or even lemon basil water. Just make sure to let the fruits and herbs soak for 6 to 8 hours before the ceremony to let the water take in all of the robust flavors. Et voila … you have a refreshing beverage for your guests, and no one will pass out! (Just make sure the bridal party does not lock their knees!)
Having an outdoor cocktail hour or reception and looking to keep the lines down? Try this take on Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue for a self-serve beverage station taken from our couple Kara + Marc. Something Old: Mojito, Something New: Lychi Martini. Something Borrowed: Grandmothers’ secret Sangria recipe. And Something Blue: A Blue Margarita. Beats guests having to wait in those long bar lines during cocktail hour, if you ask me!
Loving those Mason Ball jars? So are we! We adore how versatile these jars can be, used throughout a wedding: escort cards, favors, and drinking glasses for the evening. They’re just one way to go “Green” (and another way to ensure the favors do not end up in the junk drawer, just the cabinet!)
Make sure to have signage letting guests know they can serve themselves. “Find your seat and down your drink”… it’s a great way for guests to grab champagne if they wish or they can toast with their beverage of choice. Want to personalize it just a bit? Try personalized cocktail napkins and paper straws. Don’t forget to leave a trash can for recyclable water bottles, paper cups, and napkins as another option for going “Green!”
I think it is always a nice touch when a couple chooses to include all of their friends and family in a group shot. (And of course it’s a good way to tell who made it to the ceremony and not the reception! ← Insert evil laugh here!) Nonetheless, it is a way to make your guests feel like a part of your big day, especially when it can double as a thank-you card for them to frame and place on a wall or a bookshelf as a keepsake!
If you are really looking to make art, we have found ourselves “pinning” heart group shots. Yes, we LOVE this new group shot trend because it is such a unique way to showcase your guests, and it will be something that you may actually want to include in your album from your photographer. Of course this type of thing is best done outside and may take a little bit of coordinating between your venue, photographer, and of course your coordinator. Here are some pointers in getting the shot of your dreams:
• Scout out the location with your photographer during a walk-through of the venue about the time of the day you are want to get the picture taken. Make sure you minimize as many shadows as possible, depending on the sunlight and positioning during that time of day.
• A group shot is best done immediately after the ceremony (because all of your guests are in one place), so make sure to have your officiant make an announcement to all of the guests to stay around after you make the walk back up the aisle. If you are having a church wedding make sure this is done during the cocktail hour at your venue, and have the DJ make an announcement. Also ensure that all VIP family members are aware so they can plan to be ready.
• If your photographer does not have an assistant for the day make sure that a coordinator that you brought in for the day assists. And if you have not hired one then see if the venue coordinator will be able to assist with lining up all of the guests and making sure the photo is perfect!
• Make sure your photographer has coordinated a ladder with the venue if they are not able to supply one of their own.
• Make sure you have between 75 to 100 guests on hand to make the photo a success!
Still looking for something unique? Try creating your wedding date or new initials and monogram. Just think, 11-11-11 is quickly approaching!
Summer is coming to an end, and the weather has just started to become, shall we dare say it? Comfortable! This is just around the time when I actually enjoy outside cocktail hours and watching the bride and groom from afar, and especially watching the guests. Most often they linger, strike up casual conversation, and then find an excuse to go grab another cocktail before moving onto their next chat. Why not turn up the FUN factor?
After watching so many outdoor cocktail hours at a distance, the one trend I have enjoyed (and even giggle at on occasion) is watching guests partake in interactive games on the lawn. Yes, you read that correctly. Games! No, not the cheesy games you dread when attending a baby or bridal shower (yet even those haven’t been so bad as of late), but actual lawn games. And yes, I mean the ones you may find at a tailgate or even a BBQ! (And don’t forget to put out Adirondack chairs for the spectators!)
They’re interactive and enjoyable to watch, and they’re often even crowd pleasers! Think cornhole, horseshoes, bocce and croquet. Black tie or khaki-suited, we don’t mind if we do. Games are a great way to entertain your guests, and they’re just another way to work your theme and colors into your wedding – think custom-colored bean bags and silhouette-painted boards!. We just adore these images shared by BG Productions from Marissa and Brian’s wedding at the John J. Audubon Center this past season.
I have a confession to make: I am a foodie. I have always liked the idea of candy bars as wedding favors, but I am absolutely in LOVE with late-night treats being served to guests as a way to revamp and refuel their appetites for just a few more sets on the dance floor! If you think back to your single days, before you met the love of your life, you probably spent evenings out with the girls (or boys) dancing the night away and always worked up an appetite. (Well, at least I did!). Evenings ended at the nearest diner or fast-food restaurant, and if we were at the beach then it was a late-night stop at the pizza shop! Should your big party be any different? Well, maybe a little. You can serve your favorite late-night snacks or treats in style before sending guests on their way (or to the after party of the after party!) So it’s been decided: You’re going to find the way to your guests’ hearts through their tummies, but where do you start? Check out these fun late-night snacks and food trends I’ve lined up for you!
How about servers donning white gloves, holding endless trays of shooters filled with sea-salt-and-peppered French fries with ketchup, mini grilled-cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, or milk and cookies? I also can’t shake the idea of mini pizzas, empanadas, pulled-pork sandwiches, tacos, sliders or mac-n-cheese cups. Or how about bite-sized pancakes drizzled with syrup to delight those taste buds?
Photo Courtesy of Blaine and Bethany Photography
Interested in bringing in some local flavor and saving some dough in the meantime? Talk to your caterer about having your favorite pies delivered from the local pizzeria or have Chinese takeout containers filled with your favorite noodles. Want to find the way to my heart? Consider ordering off the dollar menu from McDonald’s and serve trays of McDoubles and their World Famous Fries. Want to take it to the next level? Consider having the wrappers or takeout boxes secured with a sticker that includes your wedding monogram, wedding date, or theme from your big day. That way you know that when your guest throws away your favor it’s just going to be the wrapper. This is a sure way to put a few bucks back in your pocket!
If you want to show some love to your favorite city consider dishing out its famous fare! Philadelphia – Herrs potato chips, Tastycakes, soft pretzels, or cheesesteaks. Cincinnati – chili. Maine – lobster rolls. Chicago – deep-dish pizzas. I think you know where I’m going with this!
Photo Courtesy of Beaux Arts Photographie
You want more? There are always food trucks, and let’s not forget about ice-cream trucks. Being centrally located to four major cities – Baltimore, Philadelphia, D.C., and New York – I am lucky to be able to enjoy tons of food trucks and the so-called new “truckie” conventions! There is something for everyone and every taste – Thai, Chinese, Pizza, Mexican, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and even gourmet desserts. If you are in the Philly area, then check out Guapos Tacos, Sugar Philly, Cucina Zapata, Sweet Box, and Gigi and Big R. Want to do a little homework? Check out the Best-of-the-Best from the First Annual Vendy Awards from Philadelphia this past July.
I love this fun food trend, but I’ll warn you to expect to dig a little deeper in your pocket as it can typically run you about $10 to $15 a guest to do food this way, not including permits, etc. Want a sample before you dish out the big bucks? Look for the next “truckie” convention coming to a city near you!
