Creative Guest Book Idea!

Make your guest book table interactive and fun by setting up a Polaroid Guest Book table. Have a close friend or family member stand in as an attendant to take photos of each guest with a Polaroid camera. They can immediately sign their names to the photo and affix onto a page with adhesive photo corners. Now, you can remember (if only their smiling faces) who was at your wedding!
(Photo Cred: Jocelyn Fisher)

FAB FIND: Custom Wedding Maps by Jim Hunt Illustration

Now here is a spin on a wedding map! Jim Hunt Illustrations creates these custom cartoon maps that cleaverly dipict your wedding hot spots. Put them in your out-of-town guest bags...



or send the out as your Save-the-Dates!

Dinner 4 Two: Italian Skillet Supper

~Ingredients~
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons reduced-fat butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 pound small fresh mushrooms
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 tablespoon pine nuts
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons shredded Romano cheese

~Directions~
Flatten chicken slightly; sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, cook chicken in butter and oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm.

In the same skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion, red pepper and pine nuts until vegetables are tender. Add spinach; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in broth and mustard. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Return chicken to the pan; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

Wedding desserts- a nice alternative to the traditional wedding cake

Weddings are filled with customs and traditions, and one of the most sacred of these traditions is the wedding cake. But what are the rules of tradition, if not for being broken! As a planner, I am always thrilled when couples are daring enough to step out of the box and try something different. It truly is a reflection of their personalities! Here are some fun and creative alternatives to the wedding cake...


Cupcakes


Banana Pudding


Rice Crispy Cake


Doughnuts


Pies


Ice Cream Bar


Milk & Cookies








Little Debbie Snacks


(photo cred: The Knot)

Eco FAB FIND: Organic birdseed favors

Handmade favors to order with organic wild bird seed. What a great way to be eco-friendly!

(FIND HERE: 2birdsinlove)

Dinner 4 Two: Thai Beef Steak & Noodle Salad

Cooking can be a good opportunity to bond as newlyweds. But, cooking for 2 can sometimes pose some challenges. So, today I present to you, the first installment of our weekly "Dinner 4 Two" series.

Thai Beef Steak & Noodle Salad
(makes 2 servings)

~Dressing~
3 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 large clove garlic, minced
1½ teaspoons thai chile paste (add a little more for that extra kick)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
½ teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoon neutral flavored oil (like canola or grapeseed)

~Salad~
½ pound skirt steak or flank steak, or a similar thin cut
1 ounce pad Thai noodles, soaked until soft in boiling water, cut into pieces if very long, and chilled
1 large handful mesclun or chopped lettuce
1 large handful shredded cabbage
3 thinly-sliced radishes
1 small julienned carrot
⅓ cup seeded, diced cucumber
1 avocado (stoned, scooped and diced)
⅓ cup diced mango
⅓ cup seeded, diced tomato
2 thinly-sliced scallions
2 tablespoons toasted, chopped peanuts (2 to 3)
½ cup chopped cilantro, mint, or Thai (or regular) basil or a combination (this is best)

Directions:
1- Whisk all dressing ingredients together and let set at room temprature while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2-Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear in a hot skillet (preferably cast iron) for 2-3 minutes per side, or until medium rare. Let the meat rest for a few minutes, then slice on the bias and toss with 2-3 tablespoons of the dressing.

3-Mix the remaining salad ingredients (except the peanuts) in a large bowl, and add dressing until everything is well coated. Divide the salad & noodles between two plates, mound the beef on top and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts.

Happy Cooking!

I'm jonesing for this FAB FIND!

Personalized wedding pop! How neat is this? They make great favors and at the same time provide an alternative drink for your guests! Personalize your bottles with your favorite photos to make your day truly unique!
Get your Jones on!

Let's hear it for the boy!

It won't be often that I give a shout out to another blog... but there will be the rare exception. I recently came across this wedding blog, The Temple of Groom , that chronicles one groom's journey through wedding planning, and I just cannot stop reading it. Wedding planning with great insight and great wit... and from a guy's perspective! Take a peak, you'll be glad you did!


(image cred: Temple of Groom)

Inspiring Quotes

Ever come across a quote that truly touched the very heart of your soul? If so, what a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding and get your guests feeling the universal significance and emotional impact of those words.

There are so many creative ways to incorporate love quotes for your wedding, here are just a few...
- your Save-the-Date cards
- invitations
- ceremony programs
- in your vows
- for your ceremony readings
- toasts
- use on your table number cards
- personalize your cocktail napkins

Some great quotes to inspire:

"We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly while embracing each other."
- Lucian de Croszonza

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."
-Judy Garland

"To get the full value of joy You must have someone to divide it with."
- Mark Twain

"And this our Life, Our beginning."
-Shakespeare

"From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven, and when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, the streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from that united being.”
-Ba’al Shem Tov

"You're nothing short of my everything."
- Ralph Block

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody,you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
-from When Harry Met Sally

"For I have found the one whom my soul loves."
-Song of Solomon

"Bearing and nurturing,
Creating but not owning,
Giving without demanding,
Controlling without authority,
This is love."
-Tao Te Ching

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends."
- Corinthians 13:4-8a

"Once in awhile,Right in the middle of an ordinary life,
Love gives us a fairy tale."
- Unknown

"All that you are, all that I owe to you, justifies my love."
- Marquis de Lafayette

"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness."
- Nietzsche

"Marriage...
Trust is the start of it,
Joy is part of it,
Love is the heart of it."
-Unknown

"What is done in love is done well."
-Van Gogh

Wedding Planning Tips & Advice: Staying sane during the planning process!

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking. As the first major task of an engaged couple, it can't often times test your relationship. Many couples will become stressed by the demands of planning that they will either argue or have no time alone together.

Let's set your mind at ease... it's NORMAL!! You've become stretched thin from all the planning, getting anxious about the upcoming life changes and most likely, having to deal with pressures from family members "helping out."

Here are some tips to help alleviate stress to keep you cool, calm and collected and maybe even reignite the flame that moved you to become engaged in the first place!

1- Communication is key! Talk about what your visions are for your big day and be sure to incorporate ideas from both ends. Remember, it's HIS wedding too! ;)
Contrariwise, talk about and do things that are NON-wedding related! Have a date night with a rule that there will be no wedding talk and whomever caves, has to pay the bill!

2- Share responsibilities! Put together a tasks list with deadlines for each of you to complete. This way you both are taking an active role in the planning and lessening the burden for one to shoulder. It's all about team work!

3- Hire a professional. A wedding planner/coordinator can become your best friend! They can assist with phone calls, setting appointments and running errands that you don't have time to do! It's not uncommon to need a little help during this chaotic time. Don't be afraid to ask for some!

4- Keep yourself in check. When you notice(or have been told) that you're becoming crankier or on edge, its a sign that it's time to relax! Make an appointment to get a facial or massage. Doing so will help you to relax and take your mind of things while, simultaneously preparing you for the big day!

Remember, the goal is to enjoy your wedding day, and the planning that goes with it. So take a deep breath, get organized and everything will fall into place!

FAB FIND: Little Letters pendants by Alex Woo

Show how much you appreciate your maid or matron of honor with a personalized letter pendant.

She'll be so stylish (all the celebs are wearing them)



and eternally grateful!

Here are some from Alex Woo's Little Letters collection:

Wedding dress of the week from the Elie Saab 2010 collection

Elie Saab's wedding dress style Caelum is an ivory, v-neck neckline, a-line, floor-length gown. Embellishments include beading and applique.

Isn't lace lovely?




(Source: Ellie Saab)

Gifts ideas for your groomsmen, under $30

Personalized Groomsmen Cigar Cutter, $8.95


Personalized NFL Pint Glass, $25

Maxam 64oz. Jumbo Flask, $24.95


Personalized Silver Round Cuff Links, $17.95


Stainless Thermos, $13.95


Groomsmen Art Form Money Clip, $23.99


Personalized Multi-Tool with Flashlight, $24.00


Personalized Multi-Function Golf Key Ring, $19.95


Personalized His or Hers Hanging Toiletry Bag, $28.00



Sources: mygroomsmengifts.com, themanregistry.com groomsmen.com, groomstand.com

Setting THE DATE!

So you are engaged! Congratulations! Now that the initial roller coaster of emotions has settled (just a bit), it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty... setting THE DATE. You will find that there is a whirlwind of planning ahead and in order to get any of the other tasks completed; you need to find a date that works for you and your fiancé. Here we'll discuss the important step in the planning process of setting your wedding date.

Often mistaken as a simple step, choosing your wedding date can get tricky if you have a hectic work schedule, busy social life and large family on either or both sides.

1- Give yourself a pat on the back... go ahead, do it! You're getting married! This will be one of the most exciting times in your life and well worth all the effort that you will be putting into the wedding of your dreams.

2- Grab your calendars and have a date check with your fiancé to see if there are any special dates or times of year that appeal to you. Perhaps you enjoy the warm colors and cool temperatures of the Fall or maybe you enjoy the vibrant colors and fragrant smells of the Spring? Is there a special date or month of the year that holds a certain amount of nostalgia? You'll find that selecting a particular time of the year will help guide you in the "theme" you select for your event.
(HELPFUL TIDBIT: Reserve two alternative dates to serve as back-up when moving forward with planning. This way you don't have to start all over with reviewing dates.)

3- Don't hesitate to check dates with close friends and family... especially those you want to extend an invite to be a part of your bridal party. Depending on the time of year you select, many of them may already have vacations booked or other major events on their calendar. By getting a general idea from all of the major players involved in your ceremony, you can give yourself a good idea of what days you can look for.

4- If there is a certain planner (wink wink), location, photographer, or band that is A MUST to have on your team of vendors, be sure to check their availability!

Good luck with planning!