Pash Weddings: Fab Wedding Ensemble Templates

Hi folks,
Apologies for being MIA recently. With several weddings just around the corner, it's been a little tough finding the time to post blogs. In fact, it started to feel somewhat like a chore. So I've been collectigng the blogger ideas and now have many things to share with you all - hopefully one of my readers will find this stuff to be useful! :) :) :)

My most recent find has been an absolute timesaver! The wedding ensemble templates on PashWeddings.com are not only gorgeous, they will help those of you who aren't so computer savvy. If creating a menu card or place card seems daunting, use these templates and all you need is Microsoft Word, and your own text to fill in the details.

Enjoy!

Luvs,
C~

Phrase Friday: Keep Calm and Carry On

The perfect mantra to keep in mind on your wedding day. Things will not always turn out perfectly, even when planned to perfection. So to keep little mishaps from ruining your day, repeat to self!

Etsy.com = Online ADDICTION!

Whether you're looking for a monogrammed chair tie or a cake topper that different than the typical b & g figurines...etsy.com will likely have what you heart most desires! Etsy is a site where talented crafters and artsy folks alike post and sell their handmade, UNIQUE items. This can be especially helpful if you're not quite the skilled project master or just simply don't have the time to take on any DIY projects. There is soooo much to be said about having an item that is not mass-produced...knowing that you are in possession of a "one of a kind makes" it more intriguing and special. So check it out, you'll be glad you did - promise!

Candy Buffets: Sweets Galore!!

A brilliant person once came up with the idea of hosting a candy buffet. What an awesome idea! I've always noticed that people love to splurge and give-in a little at weddings. Maybe it's the love in the air? Or the fact that they're in company of good food and loved ones. The candy buffet lets our inner child delight in both a visual and tasty treat! Put together a buffet in the same color as your reception color scheme and you have instant decor. Not to mention the glass apothecary jars used are quite elegant-looking as well. Here's some eye-candy and hopefully some inspiration for your own candy buffet!

"Fill a bag with delightful treats, and just remember, LOVE IS SWEET!"

Such a creative way to personalize your candy table!

I just love the "sweet love" lettering on this table:

Signs are always a cute addition!

"All you need is love... and maybe a little bit of candy. Please scoop responsibly, friends don't let friends dance on a sugar high."

It's always a good idea to place favor bags at the candy table, this way guests can take the treats home and you'll reduce the amount of candy leftover.

Color-coordinated ribbons = love

All images courtesy of kmjdepalma on flickr

Blurb: Fun DIY Project

I've landed a goldmine. Recently while scouring the wedding blog universe, I noticed mention of a site where you can design your own coffee table wedding album. Blurb.com is an online book manufacturing company where you can download free software to create your beautiful, sophisticated masterpiece. Prices start at $12.95 and you have the option of premium, heavy-stock linen paper. You can also add a custom dust cover or instead choose the imagewrap feature -where the image is printed directly on the hardcover front and back.

These albums offer a fun alternative to traditional guest sign-in books or better yet, unique party favors. Place one on each table -detailing your love story and life together leading up to your marriage, and your guests will surely appreciate! What a great way for distant relatives or new acquaintances to get to know the bride or groom!

Signature Drinks Pt II

Below is an article I ran across that I thought was worth keeping---atleast it will be in my archives so that when the day comes that I need to pull drink recipes out of my magic hat, I will have them here for quick & easy reference!

A Signature Wedding Cocktail
Serve a Special Cocktail at Your Wedding
By Nina Callaway, About.com

For brides on a budget, a signature wedding cocktail can be a great way to go. At your wedding reception, rather than having an open bar, serve your guests beer and wine, champagne for the toast, and then one special cocktail. Make sure it has a fun and flirty name, and consider making a festive sign announcing it for the bar. Here are a few suggestions for that signature wedding cocktail:

Love is in the Air

2 oz. sloe gin

2 dashes raspberry syrup

2 dashes lemon juice

1 egg white

Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drop a raspberry in the glass for a special touch.

Wedding Belle Cocktail

3/4 oz Dubonnet

3/4 oz Gin

1 Dash of Cherry Brandy

1 Dash of Orange Juice

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Sealed with a Kiss

2 oz chocolate liqueur such as Godiva or Crème de Cacao

1.5 oz vodka Hershey's Kiss

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake well, and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Put a Hershey's Kiss in the bottom for the added love touch.

Hot Romance

1 1/2 oz rum

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz orange juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail glass over ice. Stir and serve with an orange slice.

And, if you already have a favorite cocktail, feel free to rename it with a cute wedding-appropriate name. If cocktails are not your thing, try a wedding punch. Almost any punch can be a wedding punch, but here are two examples. The first is the luxurious version, the second is more budget-minded. Make sure you have more chilled ingredients standing by in case your guests are thirsty!

Elegant Wedding Punch

Makes 16 cups

1/2 cup Chambord raspberry

1 cup Triple Sec

1 cup Brandy

2 cups pineapple juice

1 liter of ginger ale

2 bottles dry champagne

The night before the wedding, chill the ginger ale and the dry champagne. Combine the Chambord, Triple Sec, brandy and pineapple juice in a bowl, cover, and chill overnight. When ready to serve, combine all ingredients and serve in a pretty bowl with ice cubes.

Traditional Wedding Punch

Makes 20 cups

2 cups vodka

4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice

4 cups unsweetened cranberry juice

64 oz ginger ale

2 cups sugar

Mix all ingredients together and serve in a large punch bowl with plenty of ice. Adjust vodka and sugar to your taste. If you are using sweetened juices, you may choose to forgo the sugar altogether.

Invitation Etiquette

Image courtesy of edytaszyszlo.com

Weddings are the embodiment of traditions and practice - all in the name of love of course! The walk down the aisle, the exchanging of vows, the celebration afterwards...all of this has been done for centuries before our time. (sorry, back to the point now:) So whether your reception is super formal or the opposite, there are customs and traditions that have been established to help you express your joy and excitement for your special occasion. And with that said, wedding invitation etiquette can become an intimidating subject for some folks. There are so many formalities involved! Who to invite? How to address the invitation? What titles should be used? What is an inner envelope? How to deal with uninvited guests? Am I supposed to spell out "four o'clock" or is it OK to simply write "4:00"? What is a pew card? AHHH!

Since info on the web can be sketchy sometimes, I've browsed through and found a few trustworthy sites that I hope will assist those in need!

Here they are:

The Knot - The Q&A section on invitations is lengthy and there are bulletin boards where you can post and search questions by other "knotties".

Real Simple - I like the advice here...Be creative but don't forget the essential information!

Buzzle - The Tips, Rules and Etiquette section is especially helpful.

Wedding Paper Divas - Plenty of information to help you gather ideas, become informed and plan your stationary needs.

Wedding Tips - I would suggest subscribing to the RSS feed for the daily tip of the day, there's nothing like learning something new every day.

Above and beyond all of this, your only true limitation is your imagination and you should have fun with the project of creating your wedding invites.