Queen Bee For A Day

Hey all you bridesmaids and maids or matrons of honor, we have an idea for you! Every bride could use a special day of being pampered, honored, and adored, even if it’s just for a day. Give your friend a day of royal treatment. All she has to do is clear her schedule and proudly wear the crown of the “Queen Bee”. From Party Blu Prints, comes a 13-page how-to manual to take you step by step through the process of planning the ultimate "Queen Bee for a Day" event for the bride-to-be. Just think how loved she'll feel knowing you put the time and effort into a de-stress session just for her?

Party Blu Print walks you through everything, step by step. Although this is one of the most loving gifts you’ll ever give her, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to pull off.

Download the entire manual by clicking here.

A Burnless Flame

Candles add an extremely elegant touch to your wedding. In low light, the gentle flicker of candles sets the stage for a romantic evening. But, unfortunately, due to safety concerns, many wedding facilities do not allow candles to be used on site. So what are you to do if you had your heart set on a hundred flickering lights?

Meet Ashley Danae Designs. Ashley Danae Designs creates flameless candles that are made of wax and have a deliciously light vanilla scent. The candle’s "flame" flickers like a real candle, but instead of burning down to the wick, you need only a fresh pair of batteries to recharge their light. Unless you walk right up to the candle and pick it up, you have no idea the candle is not real and the best part is you'll never have to replace it.

Ashley Danae's candles also come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles. Just check out some of the samples below.

Lucky Tip: Use Lucky Crow Gift Bags

We found a really amazing company located in Portland, OR called Lucky Crow (great name) that creates the most charming and reusable gift bags we've ever seen. At banquetevent.com we are all about recycling and doing our small part to preserve the environment. So when we hear about a company in the industry also doing their part, we just have to share them with you. Check out the many options Lucky Crow offers from tiny to large in fun and funky colors.


Choose from tons of different fabric selections. Lucky Crow even offers organic options.


Order yours online at LuckyCrow.com

Recipe For Love

At banquetevent.com we are all about personalization. We believe whole-heartedly, that the best weddings don't have to be the ones that spend thousands of dollars making sure each detail is perfect and extraordinary. Extraordinary things happen when you put your own touch on traditional wedding pieces. One way to do this best is through your wedding favors. Our favorite wedding favor of all time is to bake a delectable treat for your guests, include the recipe and neatly package a little taste in a charming box. This can be from your family recipe vault or it can be a new recipe, but either way, the personalization and thought that goes into it makes it special. You can even ask your family or bridesmaids to get involved and help you bake. It will be a wonderful bonding experience and you can eat the leftovers. (Always a plus!)

Here's how to make this favor extra special. First, find the right recipe. Remember, you probably don't want to bake anything that can melt or spoil, so choosing something that won't loose its taste or texture is ultra important. Some great treats to consider would be Italian biscottis, hard candies, crispy cookies like gingersnaps or meringue.


If you need some inspiration for a recipe, visit foodnetwork.com for hundreds of great free recipes. One of our favorites we found were these Meringue Smooches.


Next find the right packages. There are thousands of options available to you and at an affordable price. You can find beautiful boxes in all colors and shapes. Check out these options we found at Beau Coup.


Lastly, to add the extra touch of personalization, have a custom rubber stamp made. They range from $12-$20 and can used over and over again. We found these at etsy.com from Sweet Papery. Also available through Sweet Papery are custom save the date, address, and other charming custom stamps.

We Think You'll Love...

We have no doubt you'll fall in love with these whimsical and handcrafted cake toppers from Chapeau de Gateau. Each Chapeau de Gateau topper is individually created and handmade from the finest quality Mokuba ribbon, and is delivered in a keepsake box as a reminder of your special occasion. Each topper can be customized to suit your theme, color, or personal style. Owner and designer, Alison Dawson started her career as a jewelry, fashion and accessories designer, She expanded her talent by founding Chapeau de Gateau (meaning cake hat in French).

Check out her designs below...






Cake toppers ship from Toronto, Canada.

It’s all about the Cake. Do yourself a favor and get a close look at what it means to the baker/cake designer. Click here to learn more.

You Won't Believe What These Are Made Of

Getting married is such an exciting time in a couple's life. Not only are you vowing to love and cherish, but you are also committing to join two personalities together in one household. Now is the time for you as a couple to create your own personal style together. This is your clean slate to start fresh with a whole new home and interior design and we've found some wonderful, albeit unique, home decor items we think you just might like. After all, you pride yourself on being unique as a couple and are all about setting trends among your group of friends.

We'd like to introduce you to some everyday home decor items with a twist. Below we'll post some images of these items. See if you can guess what they are made of. Find the answers below the image.

Item #1: The Placemat

You may not believe it, but this intricately woven placemat is made of recycled candy wrappers. That's right, if you look closely you'll see the familiar logos of the tasty treats you've been eating for years. This placemat is fun, playful, totally recycled, and calorie-free, to boot! Pick yours up for $26 at VivaTerra.com.

Item#2: Decorative Bowls


You'll never guess what these handcrafted decorative bowls are formed from. Inventive natural sculptor Margaret Dorfman brilliantly transforms edibles into luminescent vessels. Building her bowls slice by slice from fresh produce, Dorfman presses each one into durable parchment, which she hand-shapes to resemble large, bright undulating flowers with vivid repeating patterns. Invisibly coated to maintain their vibrant translucent colors, the bowls comfortably hold a votive candle in a cup. The bowls above are made from Zucchini, Papaya and Beets. Retails for $42 and available at VivaTerra.com

Item #3: Glassware


These may not be as difficult to figure out, but boy are they innovative. Chalk one up for originality for this fun glassware. Comes with white chalk to write on, then erase and re-label as often as you like. The wine and beer glasses are great for a party as guests can write their names on their glass. You can also write expiration dates on the labels for the storage containers. Retails for $6-$12 and available at Cost Plus World Market.

Don't Be A Desperate Housewife!

You're getting married which means its time (if you haven't already) to take control of your own household. No longer can you and your husband rely on mom to pick up after you and keep your nest tidy. But who said you can't clean in style? Even doing the dishes can be a glamorous job when you have the right tools.

Check out these fab house-managing tools.

Look fabulous cooking and cleaning dishes in a stylish apron and rubber gloves from Shop Drops. Whether you're a gourmet chef or can't boil an egg, nobody will ever notice when you're wearing this glamour apron! The matching rubber gloves are vinyl hypoallergenic with a soft flock lining.

Above: Dorothy Apron & Sweetheart Dish Gloves
Apron: $44
Gloves: $22

Whether you and your fiance are moving in together for the first time or you've been living together for awhile, you'll probably feel the urge to re-arrange some furniture and make your nest a home. This handy measuring tape is perfect for use when you need an extra hand and there just isn't one around. This "sticky" measuring tape will help you avoid slipping rulers so you can make sure your furniture will fit in the spaces you want to place them. Available at The Mut and retails for $9.


Who needs a swiss army knife when you can have a stylish and practical took kit from Miss A Kit. The Miss A Kit pocket accessory is perfect for the woman on the go and in need of a few handy tools. The Miss A Kit set includes a flashlight, keychain, needle & thread, safety pin, corkscrew, mirror, pen, tweezers, perfume bottle, bottle opener, screwdriver, scissors, ruler, nail file, pill box and a mini knife. Available in 10 colors and retails for $19.95.

Customized Guest Book

Looking for a creative way to present a guest book at your wedding? Check out Blurb.com where you can create your very own personalized store-quality book in soft or hard cover. Book templates are available for 20-440 page counts and are priced per book and range from $12.95 to $64.95 depending on the book size and page count. Fill your book with old and new photos, stories, captions, and sentiments. Make a wedding book, guestbook, shower book, bridal party gift book, “how we met” book, or a honeymoon book. You can even chronicle your entire wedding planning process that you can share with your children someday.

Just download the Blurb BookSmart Software, add photos, artwork and text and then order your very own customized book. You have complete creative control of your design and you'll receive your book in the mail in approximately 7 to 10 business days.



Why we love it? Since the books are printed on 80-pound paper with commercial printers, you'll get a bestseller look with construction paper prices!

Go Ahead And Splurge, Or At Least Look Like You Did!

There is just something about the word couture that just makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately our pocketbooks don't always feel the same love. So we've researched some of our favorite designer and couture bridal items and found very comparable, yet affordable alternatives we'd love to share with you.

Choosing your dinnerware can be a bit overwhelming with all the choices. Sometimes classic white patterns are the best option when you are just starting to collect china because any other color and pattern can be added on later. But just because the dinnerware is white, doesn't mean style has to be thrown out the window. Here are two fabulous patterns at two price points.


Left: Villeroy & Boch New Wave Premium Gold Dinnerware Collection
Something to rave about… The New Wave from Villeroy & Boch. Clean, modern lines accented with the luxury of gold to create a truly unique dining experience. Elegantly crafted in fine bone china.
Price: 5-piece place setting $150
Available at Macy's
Right: Frost 16-pc. Dinnerware Set - Square
Square patterned with metallic boning on crisp white plates & bowls.
Price: 16-piece set $79
Available at Target

Right now one of our favorite trends is added yellow or gold accents to your wedding day attire and decor. The below shoes are two excellent examples of how to add a touch of metallic to your wedding day attire without feeling like Cleopatra.


Left: Mena Nappa Slingback by Valentino
Buckled slingback peep toe made with gold nappa leather and gold lining.
Price: $595
Available at Neiman Marcus
Right: ARGENT by Nine West
Stylish leather upper sandal with criss cross and cut out detail. Also available in Chocolate, Green, Pink and White.
Price: $79
Available at Nine West

We think cufflinks still make the greatest gift for your groom. Like a woman's shoes, cufflinks can add small touches to man's attire to spruce up and add personality to his style.



Left: 1837 Tiffany & Co. Cufflinks
Tiffany 1837™ Titanium square cuff links in midnight. Sterling silver, titanium.
Price: $375
Available at Tiffany & Co.
Right: Tuxedo Motif Cuff Links, Sterling Silver
Turn any occasion into a black-tie affair with these whimsical cuff links, fashioned of sterling silver with mother of pearl and black onyx.
Price: $65
Available at Fortunoff

There are endless things you can buy for your bridesmaids as thank you gifts, but we still think jewelry is your best bet. Why? For one, its a timeless gift that will last forever. Second, your bridesmaid will wear it and remember your wedding day and how they were a part of it. Third, you can create continuity by having all your bridesmaids wear matching accessories at the wedding. These charming monogram necklaces are delicate and individualized and make the perfect gift.


Left: Little Letters Package by Alex Woo
As a shining celebration of individuality, Alex Woo proudly presents the Little Letters. As seen on the CW show Gossip Girl
Price: $138 (silver) - Add $330 for gold, and $660 for diamond accents
Available through Alex Woo
Right: Tiffany Style Inspired Diamond CZ Pave Alphabet Letter Pendants
Choose your letter and your chain length with these sparkling and sophisticated initial pendants.
Price: $24.99
Available at Overstock Jeweler

Luxury is a right not a privilege when it comes to bed linens. Your bedroom is your safe-haven, a place to recharge and renew your body and soul. So when you register to bed linens for you and your partner, remember that quality comes first. Below are two of our favorites luxury items at two different budgets.


Left: "Amante" 1,020-Thread-Count-Linens available at Horchow
There is nothing quite like Egyptian cotton. Hemstitched Egyptian cotton bed linens in a jacquard-woven tuxedo stripe with the highest thread count ever.
Price: $540-$700
Available at Horchow
Right: Pure Beech® Sateen Sheet Set, 100% Modal, 250 Thread Count
The softness of these silk-like sateen sheets will keep you in bed all day. These unique sheets are made from modal, a high-strength fiber regenerated from the Beechwood trees of Europe. Conducted in accordance with ecological standards and sustainability, these sheets contain no pesticides or toxic substances. The result is a fabric that is extremely soft, durable and wonderfully brilliant in color.
Price: $59-$99
Available at Bed, Bath & Beyond

Pamper the Bride

You are only a bride once, so do the little things to pamper yourself along the way.

Here are some of our favorite bridal treats to help you slow down and enjoy the ride.

1. Here Comes the Bride - by Philosophy

By Philosophy, 'here comes the bride' set includes: purity made simple facial cleanser (2 oz.), hope in a jar daily moisturizer (1 oz.), 2 oz. amazing grace shower gel (2 oz.), amazing grace hair conditioner (2 oz.), amazing grace body emulsion (2 oz.), soul owner exfoliating foot cream (2 oz.), and time on your hands exfoliating hand cream (2 oz.).

Available at Nordstrom
Retails $45

2. Wedding Zen Book

Planning a wedding can get a little stressful - and even the calmest of couples might fantasize about eloping. Before you cancel the caterers, Wedding Zen can help. Learn to apply the principles of classic Zen teachings to the time-honored traditions of the bride, and see how a little namaste can improve your nuptials in a big way. With the gentle teachings of Zen, you'll realize that there's no such thing as perfection and to focus instead on what really matters, setting you free to have a truly wonderful, utterly enjoyable, best-day-of-your-life wedding!

Available at weddingfairy.com
Retails $9.95

3. Lollia Believe Bubble Bath

Uncork a bath-time getaway to a land where the air smells of cabbage rose and citrus, and where your skin is as soft as silk.

Key ingredients: rose water, red apple, bergamot, jasmine, plum, cedarwood

Available at Anthropologie
Retails $32


And we can't forget the groom...

1. Here Comes The Groomed - by Anthony for Men

Guys getting ready for the big day--wedding day, that is--will appreciate the strategy and simplicity of our multifunctional set from Anthony Logistics for Men. Formulated using ingredients geared to men’s skin, the set includes the essentials of good grooming, complete with a handy "Grooming the Groom" instruction card. The nylon mesh bag has a plastic lining complete with a side pocket to hold a razor, toothbrush or other wet items. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to charities that support the fight against prostate cancer.

Available at RedEnvelope
Retails $50

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love these charming hand painted martini glasses by Lolita "Love My Martini" Collection. Whether you're a shopaholic or a chocoholic, a beach bunny or a party girl, there is a special martini glass for you. These hand-painted martini glasses from Lolita are all whimsically named and themed. They also all come with a fun surprise, an individual martini recipe painted on the bottom! These delightful glasses make a perfect gift for any occasion or a great addition to your own collection.



These adorable glasses can be collected to reflect different momentous occasions in your life, including your wedding day, birthday, Christmas, and so much more. You can register for these collectables at Macy's.