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5 Unique Bridal Shower Themes and Ideas

Jamie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:27:43 +0000

Every bride is unique. And her bridal shower should be too. Some women prefer the traditional friends and family, sit down luncheon. Other’s like to keep it a little crazy and just want some naughty fun with their BFFs. And many couples today choose a Jack and Jill shower. No matter which style is yours, it should still be as unique and special as you are. Here are a few out of the box shower ideas to help you plan the perfect shower for you!

1. Cruise for a Day

If you live in a warm climate, you most likely have access to services that offer dinner cruises or afternoon cruises. This is an entirely unique and exciting way to throw a bridal shower. Invite your guests to enjoy a beautiful sunset as you sip on Mojitos on the lido deck. Use some beach or island bridal shower favors and be sure to tell your guests to bring their dancing shoes. Lounge by the pool, or take in a show. Either way, this type of bridal shower will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

Photo: A La Mode Bride on Etsy

2. Pool Party Bridal Shower

This type of shower works equally as well for the bride or as a Jack and Jill. Let your guests take turns shooting each other with squirt guns or tossing water balloons. Get a spirited game of water volleyball going and get the grill fired up. Who says showers have to be stuffy? Some people prefer them wet and wild! Throw in some cute flip flop favors or beach wedding shower favors too. So put on that bikini, grab the sunscreen and get ready to make a splash with your Pool Party Bridal Shower!

Photos: Weddings Chicks, Style Me Pretty

3. Tea Room Bridal Shower

A Tea Room is a perfect location to hold an intimate bridal shower. Bed and Breakfasts often serve a formal lunch, and that will do if you do not have an authentic Tea Room nearby. Invite the ladies to don their Sunday best, and encourage fancy hats. Many Tea Rooms will have hats for the guests to wear, if the ladies don’t bring their own. Place parasol or floral favors at each setting, or use tea party favors to give your guests something flavorful to take home with them. Come up with your own bridal shower favor ideas by making miniature baskets of herbal teas. Let the ladies enjoy the luxury of being taken back to a simpler time while they partake in your Tea Room Bridal Shower.

Photo: Martha Stewart Weddings

4. Asian Themed Bridal Shower

Fortune cookie favors, Chinese Take-Out Box Favors, and personalized chopsticks are all things that you can use to create an Asian Themed Bridal Shower. Wear a Kimono and place bamboo mats and pillows on the floor. Have sushi served and offer your guests tea and Saki. Keep the theme going by letting your guests make their own meals in the wok! Asian music should be playing, and you can even hire geisha girls to serve the meal. This is a fun and different way to create a bridal shower that will make your guests feel like they are worlds away from home.

5. Born to Be Wild – Motorcycle Ride!

Having a motorcycle ride of any kind is a great way to throw a Jack and Jill shower for the easy riders! Encourage all of the bikers to take a long ride together, and end at a favorite spot or park. Have a pig roast or barbeque, and let the horseshoes fly and the tunes blare! The bride and groom will love having all of their friends around them, and both the young and old can enjoy some element of the day. Encourage guests to come casual, and register for gifts that will keep you riding high as you drive off into the sunset on the road to happily ever after!

Photo: Two Wheel Weddings

5 Tips for Throwing an Engagement Party

Jamie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:51:46 +0000

Photo: Sprinkles Cupcakes

You’ve got the guy, and now you’ve got the ring. And if you’re like most brides to be, you’ll want to share the big news with all of your friends and family members. There’s no better way to let everyone celebrate your impending nuptials than to throw an engagement party. Although there are many different types of engagement parties you can have, there are five basic rules to follow to ensure that yours will go off without a hitch.

1. Send out the right engagement party invitations. The invitation is the first taste your guests will get of the whole wedding event. If you are planning a casual party, use casual invitations. If your celebration will be a formal event, pick your invitations accordingly and be sure that you request formal attire. Don’t leave anything up to chance when sending out the engagement party invitations. Have all of the details spelled out clearly, and be sure to set a definite end time so that there will be no late night stragglers.

Photo: Invitation from Minted.com

2. Whether your engagement party is in your back yard, or at the Ritz, it is still an event to be remembered. Decorate your venue in the style of your celebration. If you are planning a barbeque pool party, be sure your engagement party favors are fun and festive. If you are choosing an adults only sit down dinner, than pick out some distinguished engagement party favors that convey the formality of your affair. No matter what your style, etiquette dictates that you, as the hostess, should return the gift of your guests’ presence with the perfect engagement party favor.

3. Pick your guests carefully. Engagement party guest lists can be tricky. Only invite people to the engagement party if they will be invited to the wedding too. Be sure not to leave anyone out either. Even the littlest oversight on your part could cause big ripples on your big day. The last thing the bride wants to plan for is how to diffuse family squabbles on her wedding day. Start off on the right foot by inviting all of the family members to your engagement party.

4. You’re throwing the party, so you should give the gifts. Never ask your friends to bring gifts to your engagement party, although many probably will. Consider writing something such as “Your presence at our engagement party is the only gift we desire,” or similar words on the invitation, that will let your guests know that they are not required to bring goodies. If they do, place the gifts in a separate room and open away from the party. This will eliminate awkward feelings for those who do not bring gifts.

5. Even though it may be months away, you will have people asking you thedetails of your big day. Unless you want a lot of unsolicited opinions, it may be a good idea to keep the details of the wedding separate from the engagement party festivities. Most brides and grooms will not know the exact date or location of their wedding yet. However, many people will offer their little tips or ideas. Thank them for their input, but don’t divulge any details. The focus of the celebration should be the engagement. There will be plenty of time to evaluate everyone’s ideas for your ultimate celebration.

How to Design a Romantic Heart Theme Wedding

Jamie — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:37:03 +0000

Weddings are a celebration of love. Many brides and grooms design their wedding in a unique, contemporary way. Others plan a themed wedding. But if you are a romantic at heart, you will most likely design your dream wedding around the elements that embody true love.

Photo: Elisabeth Perotin Photography

Here are some simple and easy steps you can take to ensure that everyone who attends your wedding will be swept up in pure romance.

Music speaks volumes. Play classical music throughout your reception. The sound of violins and harps will fill the air with a delicate and delightful ambiance. Place authentic instruments on each table as a place setting and adorn them with rose petals. Even the classics from Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole will inspire your guests to fall in love all over again.

Use love themed favors throughout your event. Place heart shaped bells at each place setting to encourage love’s first kiss over and over again. Or fill a basket with keys to your heart and let your guests play along with unlocking the mysteries that lie within each of them. Decorate the venue with all of the elements of romance, including lace, roses, and heart wedding favors.

Inspire the taste of romance by filling candy dishes or mint tins with heart shaped candy valentines. Create your own and have special messages of love printed on the candies for all to share in your sentiments. Give each one of your guests a heart shaped cookie cutter and let them spread the amorous feeling throughout their own home long after the day is over.

Photo: Photographix

Consider decorating your event with antique elements that create an air of vintage romance. Place natural wooden baskets filled with wildflowers on each table. Set potted plants on windowsills. Drape ivory satin or lace embroidered fabric across the back of the chairs. Visit your local fabric shop to discover different ways that coverings can enhance the atmosphere of your wedding.

Photos: Brides and Shiraz Events

Get creative with the food and drink you offer your guests. Have your caterer create several heart-shaped finger sandwiches or appetizers to serve at your reception. Fill the punch bowl with heart shaped ice cubes or use sugar cubes with a heart motif when serving tea and coffee. Or offer champagne flutes in sets of two that complete a heart.

Create your own wedding vows. One of the most romantic things that you can do at your wedding is to speak your words of love for all to hear. Take some time to put into words just how much your fiancé means to you. Describe how you first met and the journey that brought you to this new beginning. Share with your families all of the things that make your heart flutter and your palms sweat when you are around this special person. This is a surefire way to guarantee that your guests sit a little closer, and hold each other a little tighter during those dances.

Remember that the day is about you and the love you share. Express it in ways that are special to you. Adding a few of these small ideas and features to your day will allow it to retain all of the elements that you want and still strum at
the heartstrings of everyone in attendance.

Hollywood Arrives at HansonEllis. What is the BUZZ?

admin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:37:37 +0000

Paparazzi is always welcome at this event. No Academy Award, Oscars, Emmy Award is required for this red carpet event, just a photogenic smile and the right pose is all you need. In the last years, celebrities have created a big following, from where they shop, eat, and whom they are seen with seems to be our big obsession. We want to look like them, dress like them and buy what they are buying. Who doesn’t want to look and feel like a star.

This month, Hollywood has arrived at HansonEllis. Come take a look at our Red Carpet Banners, all personally designed by our in house designer just for you. You can select from traditional, ethnic, modern, or fun designs to cater to your personal style or wedding theme.

Our Red Carpet Celebrity Banner is great for wedding receptions, bridal showers, bachlorette parties, bachelor parties, corporate events or any social functions. It is a fun way to have you and your guest be photographed and remembered.
Ideas:

Have your photographer take digital group photos of families, friends, or your bridal party and print them out and insert the photo in a frame for them to take home. Makes a great keepsake.

Money Saving Tips for a Summer Wedding

Jamie — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:08:56 +0000

Summer is a wonderful time of the year for a wedding. The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, and love is in the air. If you are planning a wedding during this time of year, there are a number of ways that you can stretch your budget. Read on to find some unique and creative wedding ideas for summer celebrations.

Photos from Martha Stewart Weddings

Take Advantage of Mother Nature

Outdoor weddings are almost always less expensive than indoor events. With very little cost, you can pull off a truly magnificent outdoor wedding. Consider holding your nuptials surfside for an intimate and romantic feel. Simply rent a few chairs and perhaps a trellis. Adorn them with fresh lilies and greenery and let Mother Nature take care of the rest.

Parks and public gardens provide beautiful backdrops to any event. Contact your local municipality to find out how to rent one of these locations for the day. Work with a party planning company and have them provide you with a tent, tables and chairs, and any other items you need to complete your day.

If you have a friend or family member with a truly spectacular yard, perhaps they would be willing allow you to hold your wedding there in lieu of a gift. Ensure them that you will take responsibility for all of the details. And offer to hire a cleaning service to pick up after the celebration is over.

Shop Retail

Summer weddings are more casual than winter affairs. Rather than buying your bridesmaids dresses from a wedding shop, spend some time in local department stores and online. You can often find a wide selection of lovely dresses in many different styles and sizes. This could save you a significant amount of money, and your bridesmaids will probably be able to wear them time and again.

Look through various stores to locate the perfect centerpieces. Many retailers will discount their summer items before the season even begins. This is a great way to get your hands on some very unique and festive centerpieces and party accessories at a significantly reduced price.

Photos from Martha Stewart Weddings

Create It Yourself

Even if you do not live near the ocean, you can easily create a seaside feeling by incorporating beach wedding favors into your celebration. Use shells and natural sea grass to accent your tables. Give all of your guests a pair of flip-flops and sunglasses to really put them in the mood. And hire a steel drum band to help your guests surf the night away.

If you have some family members who are top chefs, ask them to donate their culinary skills to your big day. Perhaps they can prepare a barbeque for your rehearsal dinner. Or maybe they can provide the appetizers at your reception. Either way, nothing says love like a home cooked meal.

Use flowers from your own garden. If someone you know has a green thumb, perhaps they would love to share their creations with you on your special day. Some of the loveliest centerpieces and bouquets come from family gardens. Summer means casual, and wildflowers of cascading colors often make the most stunning arrangements.

Happily Ever After

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:00:28 +0000

April 29, 2011 at 11am

The Royal wedding of William and Kate is less than 24hrs away.

From the Americans to the Brits, we all have anticipated this special day and have been counting down the days for the celebration to arrive.

Some may ponder as to why we are so obsessed with this royal nuptial, having so much media coverage on the young couple all over TV networks and online. Reporting on every move they make, from Kate’s fashion style, to the expansive guest list and down to the type of hors d’oeuvre that will be served. It is not every day that we can witness an actual fairytale wedding taking place as prince charming takes the hand of a fair maiden to be his princess. Secretly we all wish that our wedding would be as lavish, blissful, and memorable and have a happily ever after ending. It’s no wonder we are obsessed with this royal wedding.

The big day has arrived and we cordially invite you to watch with us this royal affair and share in His Royal Highness Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton as they walk down Westminster Abbey to say

“I do”

If you are inspired by the royal couple and their wedding, leave a comment on our blog and share your thoughts and opinions.

Did the wedding meet up to your expectation of a fairytale wedding?

Did Kate’s choice for a wedding dress live up to a royal affair?

Was Prince William dashing and charming and swept you off your feet?

Was the décor romantic and opulent as you pictured?

Ultimately, did the limitless budget make this wedding the wedding of the century?

What would you have done differently if you were Kate Middleton or Prince William.

How to Plan Your Own Royal Wedding

Jamie — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:19:28 +0000

You and your prince charming are planning a wedding to rival all weddings. Although the royal family may not be in attendance, there are many things that you can do to ensure that all of your guests feel as regal as the Queen Mum. Here you will find some unique and creative ideas to make your wedding day a truly royal affair.

Morning Coats or Lounge Suits are the customary for the men in attendance of any royal wedding. Encourage your guests to come in similar attire. Recommend headwear and fun hats for all of the ladies you invite. Dress your groomsmen in lovely tuxes with tails and adorn your ladies with white gloves. This formal couture will create an air of regal elegance.

Place royal accents at each of your tables. Offer all of your guests a Cinderella glass slipper favor or some other fairytale themed item. Place a monogrammed napkin or artistically designed mint favor with your new initials displayed for all eyes to see.

Pick out a special crown and tiara to place on your heads at the culmination of your ceremony. Rent a pair of ornate chairs made of rich wood and place velvet pillows on the seats. Place them at your head table and enjoy the spoils of your day from your rightful thrones.

If you cannot afford to rent a castle, consider holding your reception in a stately mansion. Many historical buildings such as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, will allow you to use their facilities for a fee. These wonderful locales often provide lush lawns and gardens and offer the perfect setting for a wedding with old world charm. Top it off by renting a horse drawn carriage to take you to your country estate.

Photo from Biltmore.com

Music can define a wedding. Hire string musicians such as violinists or harpists to play throughout the day. This type of delicate music fills the air with a beautiful melody that immediately takes people away from the modern world and throws them back into a time of pomp and circumstance.

Invite all of your loyal subjects to your special day with an original scroll invitation. There are many different styles of unique wedding invitations that you can choose from. Pick one that enhances your theme and conveys your message in a refined way. Most scroll invitations are adorned with tassels or seals to give them an authentic feeling. Use a script font to outline the details of your ceremony.

Have a coat of arms made joining your two families together. Work with a graphic designer, or have an artistic friend or family member help you create your own family seal. Accent your invitations, thank-you cards and wedding favors with your distinctive designation.

Traditional royal weddings are set in the morning. Plan yours accordingly, and offer guests tea and scones rather than a cocktail hour. Place buckets of chilled champagne or sparkling cider at each table and keep the menu light and fresh. Shortbread and fruit, along with bagels, salmon and locks are delicious and distinctive menu items that will add an air of refinement to your wedding day.

Add some of these majestic ideas to your wedding planning and you will be sure to pull off a ceremony fit for a queen.

Wedding Season in Full Bloom

admin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:38:19 +0000

The month of May brings wedding season in full bloom. With Mother Nature as your inspiration, Spring weddings give birth to bold and vibrant color combinations. Hues of pink, yellow, orange, green, and blue are a favorite. Pretty much any color combination goes if you are having a spring wedding. If you are not sure if the color is appropriate for the season, color match it to a flower that blooms during this time of the year. In bookstores and grocery stores, wedding magazines are displayed at arm’s reach, making your brainstorming sessions convenient and easy. Daily morning shows give wedding season a boast by putting on fashion show with wedding experts to give tips and advice to create that perfect wedding.

You are never at lost for ideas in the month of May.

Happy Planning!

Cruise Ship Weddings

Jamie — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:05:25 +0000

So you’re ready to set sail on your dream wedding. You’ve got the guy, the guest list and you’ve already booked the ship. But you don’t want your day to be like the hundreds of other weddings that are performed at sea. You want your day to be unique, a day that even the cruise ship staff will talk about for years to come. If you really want to make a splash with your cruise ship wedding, try following some of these great ideas:

Photo from Cruise Critic

Set your stage long before your guests set foot on the ship. Send them a nautical save the date card or one of Mother Nature’s mementos in the form of a sand dollar imprinted on your letter of intent. Follow that up with an incredibly unique message in a bottle invitation, complete with a map to your destination wedding.

Create your own centerpieces made of all natural treasures that you can find at your port of call. Find your own collections of shells and driftwood and decorate them with iridescent paint or sprinkle them with colorful glitter. If the cruise line is supplying the centerpieces for you, enhance them with magical elements of the ocean. Find some miniature seahorses and sea grass and create your own accent to add to each centerpiece. Add your own choice of beach wedding favors to each table to let your guests really feel the magic of the moment.

Rather than just having your guests arrive for the ceremony, let them make a day of it. Offer the ship’s amenities to your guests for the entire day, allowing them to soak in the sun and relax before the main event. In place of a stuffy rehearsal dinner, plan a meet and greet brunch so that your family and friends can get to know each other. Work with the staff to coordinate activities for the younger set too.

Offer special suites to your wedding party and their families. For those who have helped you the most with your wedding, you might want to consider giving them a night or two on the house. Let them take some time to wind down after the dust has settled and the last glass has been raised. That is an excellent way to thank them for all they have done for you.

Most cruise ship weddings play the steel drums and add reggae flair to the event. However, you can pick your own selection of music, or create a fun and festive pirate themed party. Set treasure boxes of gold candy coins on each table and place parrots and tropical birds on every centerpiece. Create a lasting memory by rolling up a hidden treasure map with your name and date on it, and leave one at each place setting. Get really creative and ask the band to play some raucous pirate music and wear eye patches! Let the good times roll as you and your mates kick up your boots to a memorable cruise ship wedding.

Fresh fruits, grilled fish and sushi are all wonderful menu items to bring out the full flavor of the day. Get involved in the planning of your menu and bring some of your own favorite recipes to the table. If you prefer key lime pie over chocolate mousse, make sure the kitchen staff is aware of that and provides you exactly what you want.

5 Ways to Stretch Your Wedding Budget

Jamie — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:56:49 +0000

Planning for a wedding may be the most stressful time in your life. And tallying up the costs could be the biggest culprit for unwanted feelings of anxiety.
There are many things that you can do to keep your wedding expenses and your stress level in check.

1. Budget
The best way to prepare for your wedding is to plan appropriately. Start by keeping a wedding planning guide to accurately predict all of the expenses you may incur. There are many great planning tools designed just for this purpose. But any accounting ledger or notebook will do. If you have a clear picture of exactly how much each element of your wedding will cost, you will better be able to determine which of those items can be adjusted to meet your total allowance.

2. Ask Friends and Family
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. This is especially true when you are trying to save money. If you have a family member who happens to be a photographer, consider asking them to donate their services in lieu of a wedding gift. Or perhaps you have some friends who play in a band. They may very well be inclined to take a reduced fee in order to get exposure at your wedding.

3. Shop Consignment
Your wedding dress will likely be one of the biggest expenses of your wedding. Because you will only wear your dress for one day, this is one item that can potentially save you a large amount of money. Consider shopping consignment dress shops for your wedding dress. There are many designer boutiques that cater to brides and bridal parties. You will have a large selection of gently used dresses to choose from, and most of the time, you will also be able to outfit your entire bridal party as well.

4. Rehearsal Dinner
Brides and grooms often assume that if they have a formal wedding, they must also have a formal rehearsal dinner. Rehearsal dinners are sometimes the first opportunity that family members get to meet one another. Try staging a dinner that is more down-home, like a barbeque or buffet style meal. This will provide an intimate atmosphere and will allow your guests to get to know one another in a more relaxed setting. In addition, this type of meal can be pulled off for significantly less than a formal sit down dinner.

5. Do It Yourself
Many elements of your wedding can be created with the help of a few friends rather than a service. Instead of ordering your centerpieces from a florist, buy the flowers yourself and have your friends help you design your own unique bouquets. Or consider using items like baskets and bowls purchased from a craft store to house your centerpieces. Look through wedding books and magazines to come up with some creative ideas that you can design yourself for dollars on the penny.