The 2010 Puget Sound Wedding Resource Guide is now available!
WASHINGTON EVENTS:
Looking for an bridal event or wedding show in Western Washington? Find it on our Washington State Bridal Calendar.
Couple Spotlight!
Follow Vinh & Jolene through all their nuptial highs & lows...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Start Planning Your Wedding Today at banquetevent.com. We have it all, from banquet sites, to caterers to photographers and more!
Banquetevent.com currently serves the following areas. Choose your area and start planning now!
IN WASHINGTON STATE:
Seattle/Eastside
Tacoma/Southsound
Northsound
San Juan Islands
Olympic Peninsula
Central Washington
Eastern Washington
MORE STATES:
Idaho
Montana
Hawaii
Alaska
INTERNATIONAL:
British Columbia
Planning a wedding in Oregon or SW Washington? Check out our sister company's website, bravoportland.com
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We Think You'll Love...
We don't just think...we KNOW you'll love this new online magazine called Nesting Newbies. Nesting Newbies presents women just like yourself, with great ideas on entertaining, home decor, cooking and more. It is a fabulous find and a great source for inspiration and motivation.
Don't just take our word for it though, take a look at these fabulous tablescapes featured in their latest issue.
Labels: Color, How-Tos, Ideas, inspired, Trends
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Selecting The Best Spring Flowers For Your Wedding
The sun has been shining here in Seattle for the past three days, which always makes us giddy for spring. With spring comes a huge selection of in-season wedding flowers perfect for your bouquet. Because spring is so abundant in floral choices, you can save money by selecting flowers that are in-season, rather than trying to order an out-of-season flower that will inevitably cost you much more. Here is a breakdown of our top choices in flower selection for your spring wedding.  1. Tulips: On everyone's list of spring flowers, these are starting their long period of bloom in mid-spring. 2. Lily of the Valley: Even after the spring blooms fade, the leaves remain beautiful until fall and cover areas where other plants fail. 3. Hyacinth: These spring flowers bring scent as well as color to the spring garden. 4. Orchids: With their exotic colorful blooms, orchid wedding flowers are a popular favourite with brides. 5. Iris: The word Iris means rainbow. Irises come many colors: blue and purple, white and yellow, pink and orange, brown and red, and even black. 6. Peonies: These shrubs carry the garden from late spring into summer. 7. Lilac: These shrubs fill the late spring garden with scent and color. Labels: How-Tos, Ideas
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Bridal New Year's Resolutions
 You've made it to a new year in one piece, even after planning the most significant event of your life. Stressed? Yes. Tired? Absolutely. In need of a little R&R? You betcha! But with all that is left to do to plan your upcoming nuptials, who has time to relax? Everyone realizes this is a very stressful time for you, but a new year also brings new possibilities and a chance to "start fresh". So that is exactly what we are suggesting. Here are a few "New Year's Resolutions" for the bride to be that will help you seize the moment and start the year off on the right foot. List courtesy of Wedding Planning Suite 101. 1. Don't be a Bridezilla. It's easy to get caught up in all the planning and the fantasy of an ideal wedding, and sometimes a bride can forget for a second that she's not a princess. Be kind to everyone who helps you with your wedding and try not to lose your temper if things go wrong.. This relates to the second resolution on this list, which is: 2. Accept that everything won't be perfect. Perfection is impossible, as something always goes wrong when you're planning a big event like this. The image in the magazines of a bride's flawless wedding day is a myth. Accept this, and you'll feel much less stressed and enjoy your wonderful, although not perfect, wedding. This goes for your body image too! If you're heavier than you want to be or your skin is blotchy, so what? 3. Resolve not to do all the wedding planning. Brides seem to get stuck with all the phone calls and trips to the flower shop and all of those other tasks. You don't have time for that, girl! Make sure your fiance understands that this is both of your responsibility. And don't' be afraid to delegate. Asking your friends and family to help you with tasks isn't being a Bridezilla-- it's smart planning (as long as you ask nicely, of course). 4. Stick to a reasonable budget. The bridal industry is a money pit, and you're going to be dealing with an awful lot of people who want to sucker you into buying stuff you really don't need. Resolve to think twice about added expenses. 5. Create a wedding planning schedule (if schedules don't make you crazy). If you're the kind of person who works better with detailed to-do lists, then make yourself one, complete with deadlines, and resolve to stick to your schedule. However, if to-do lists make your feel more stressed out instead of less, this might not be the best strategy. 6. Resolve to send your thank-you notes in a timely manner. Wedding etiquette isn't nearly as strict as it used to be, but this is one rule you have to follow or you'll have hurt feelings. Simplify this process with a system. As you start to receive gifts, make a master list of who sent what. You can also create a stack of pre-addressed and stamped envelopes before the wedding. 7. Be nice to your partner. It's almost inevitable that you two are going to bicker a little bit about all this stressful planning, but resolve to keep this to a minimum. Spend as much time as you can together doing something other than wedding planning. 8. Be patient with your family, including your new in-laws. Your mother might be a little obsessive compulsive about the seating chart, and your sister might be uncooperative because she's jealous. Let them be. As for your in-laws, recognize that this is probably the first major events where you'll be relating to them as family, so you may discover some of their more annoying traits. Forgive them. Understand that wedding planning can be stressful for everyone. 9. Resolve to concentrate on your new marriage, not just on the wedding. This commitment you're making is much more serious than your choice of party favors. Spend some quality time talking to your fiance about your relationship and about this big change you're about to experience together. 10. Remember to enjoy yourself. This is supposed to be a joyful occasion. Don't forget that! Labels: How-Tos, Real Weddings, Social Awareness
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Candle Light to Set the Mood . . .
 These great vellum shades are a great cost savings idea. It's all about how to take a wine glass and make it into a mini lamp candle holder. It’s absolutely adorable and can be used for many different events. With the holidays right around the corner, this might be a wonderful time to try your hand at them. Save-on-Crafts has ready made sets sold 4/$9.99. (This does not include the wine glass or candles.) Made out of fragile parchment, each set contains different shades with cute and whimsical designs that are printed in a faint white. All you need to do is take them out of the package roll them up, drop a candle into a wine glass and add the lampshade. That’s it. Instantly the white pattern is transformed to a darker shade (as if it were a shadow) and a wine glass is turned into a sweet miniature lamp. If you would like to create something unique and save money, here are instructions on how to make your very own Wine Glass Candle Lamps Materials 8-1/2″ x 11″ (21.8cm x 28cm) sheets of vellum (one per lamp) (buy at a paper supply store) Scissors Scissors with decorative blades Decorative paper punch in desired shape Glue pen Wineglass (keep the stems taller if possible for good lighting effects) Votive candle or a LED Battery Operated Tea Light Candle putty (floral clay) 1.Lampshade Pattern: (available at the bottom of this post) 2. Trace the lampshade pattern onto the sheet of vellum. Cut the straight ends and the inner curve using plain scissors with decorative blades. 2. Punch designs about 1″ (2.5 cm) from the lower edge, spacing the designs evenly. 3. Apply a thin line of glue (a glue pen works well for this) to one straight end. Lap the other end over the glued end, forming the shade. 4. Secure the votive candle and set the lampshade atop a wine glass To view this file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader pattern.pdf
Labels: holidays, How-Tos
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Identify Your Color Choices
 Here is one of the handiest little web tools around. It comes to you from DeGraeve.com. Steve DeGraeve's company has been around 10 years now and has some useful and fun items. This is so simple - you will love it. We are using a couple of our previous posts to demonstrate the results. You only need a good url address with a "jpg" photo as part of it. Now copy and paste that url to the link on the DeGraeve.com site and it will provide you with the color family in the photo you linked. This is great for all of the accessorizing you will be doing, as well as your full color pallet. You will see all of the associated colors in the photo. Print it or download it to your phone - and have your favorites with you all the time. Be sure and look throughout our entire blog (archives) and all - for several color options you might like. Also go to Banquet Event Resource's Wedding website to gather more information and photo options. Have fun! Labels: Color, How-Tos
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Finding Your Flair
 Something as simple as an over-sized bow, or maybe it's that perfect pair of shoes that you need. We're talking about your flair on your day. What is it that will make you feel truly special on that day? Sometimes it's an image you have carried with you since being a small girl, or maybe it's just incredible makeup or perfume. It is not always the entire wedding gown, it could be an accessory on the dress, or the color you choose to accent it. Take the time to give thought to one single item that just might be the magic behind the scene as the entire day plays out. Chandelier earrings, statement necklace, something hidden in your bouquet, or possibly a hat that sets itself apart, or the color of your nail/toe polish - make it yours - own it and it will bring you that unique flair. Labels: How-Tos
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It's the Shape of Things
 Earrings make any woman look more charming and attractive. There are appropriate types for every occasion and any woman. Due to the fact they are close to the face, earrings must compliment one’s face shape. There are also several basic styles that can be worn from day to evening and are appropriate for a variety of clothing options and occasions. So let's look at some ideas for choosing which earrings for you. You should identify your face shape first to decide what style of earrings will compliment your face best. Consider what will enhance your good features. Take into consideration the cut and color of your hair, your skin tone, your body size and clothes you’re wearing. Salma Hayek - Round face shape If your face is round you better choose lean, long and angular curved lines. It will elongate and add a little angle to your face. You can wear drop earrings in dangles, ovals and oblongs. Square and rectangular earrings are also good options, as are angular earrings. But make sure that you avoid small studs and hoops and chunky large earrings as well. Oval Face Shape - Wear just about anything (check that hairstyle first) This is a classic shape that will work with almost any style of earring. You can always do some experiment with different styles and decide what looks good on your face. You can wear earrings with soft shapes like studs, ovals and teardrops. Spiraled heavy drop earrings will suite you. Pearl, diamond, or gemstone studs can compliment this face shape if worn with a shorter hair style. However, avoid wearing incredibly long and thin shapes that will just pull you down. Jennifer Aniston - Heart shaped face Look for earrings that are wider at the bottom – tear drops, chandeliers, triangle shapes that begin with a point. Even circular and oval earrings will work with your face shape, so long as they don’t taper as they descend. Pyramid style earring will also look pretty. Steer clear of earrings that are heart shaped very short earrings. Paris Hilton - Square Face Shape Earrings with a round and angular edge will work best because it will help in softening a square face. As long as you avoid harsh angles and square shapes, you can wear just about anything in the earring category. Hoops and curved edges will add the necessary roundness, and drop earrings, long tear drops, or multi-tiered dangling earrings will give a square shape some length. Sarah Jessica Parker - Long or Thin Face Shape You should consider wearing simple studs and chandelier style earrings. Three dimensional earrings will add fullness to your face. To widen this face shape wear circular, triangular (with the point up) and square earrings. However, remember to avoid flat or dangling earrings. Nicole Kidman - Diamond face shape Wear short and wide earrings. A straight line and curves combination will work well for you. Besides, try studs and small drop earrings. Be sure to avoid long and thin earring style. Victoria Beckham - Triangular Face Shape If you have a triangular face you need earrings that will soften the sharp angles. Large oval or small circular earrings will work well for you. Prefer earrings with curves at the bottom and avoid ones that come to a point. Now you have some tips to help you. Go have some fun with a few of the ideas - look in the mirror and really notice the difference in how it evens out your facial shape. Beautiful you! Labels: Beauty, How-Tos
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2009 Northwest Event Show - Register Now
 Not only are we involved heavily in the wedding industry, in our other lives we also publish the Puget Sound Event Resource Guide and produce the Northwest Event Show. The Northwest Event Show brings you a collection of professional event planning services and vendors displaying their best work in one day and in one place. Now in it's 15th year, the Northwest Event Show is the largest and most impressive show of its kind in the area. We invite you to come and make a day of it as you... Eat - The Northwest Event Show feeds you creatively, visually, mentally, and of course physically, bringing together the area’s top caterers, bakers, wineries, and breweries.
Play - Engage in interactive games and activities and enter to win overnight trips for two to some of the hottest nearby retreat locations.
Shop - The Northwest Event Show is the only place you can comparison shop the area’s event vendors and services. From hotels, entertainers, decorators, rental companies and restaurants to printers, convention services and speakers, the Northwest Event Show has it all! ...And the greatest part is, you can tell your boss you’re working! Show details:
Date: September 29th, 2009
Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Cost: It's 100% Free to attend, but you must pre-register at nweventshow.com!
Labels: Food and Beverage, How-Tos, Ideas, inspired, Local Events, Travel
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Amazing Event Design by Antony Todd
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We Think You'll Love...
 We think you'll love this great little gadget called the Canditto. Finally, here is a new alternative to disposable cameras. Simply plug your Canditto into an electrical outlet and you're ready to start collecting all the photos your guests have taken. All your guests need to do is insert their digital cameras' memory cards, and it will automatically and instantly copy the photos they’ve taken in the last 8 hours. At the end of your celebration, remove the two identical thumb drives. Keep one for yourself and keep the other as a backup, or an instant gift to your new in-laws. You can rent a Canditto online for $450, which we admit is high in price. But the convenience of being able to collect your friends pictures is certainly a bonus. These pictures will hold you over while you wait on the professional images from your photographer. And every bride knows just how fun it is to remember all the fabulous details while honeymooning with your new spouse. Labels: Favors, How-Tos, Ideas, Trends
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Lucky Finds At The Drugstore
If the state of the economy has still got you bummed out and penny pinching, we've got all the best beauty products that won't bust your budget. Check out our favorite drugstore finds that will keep you beautiful and on budget. 
1. Olay In-Shower Body Lotion: We've heard it said a million times..."moisturize, moisturize, moisturize..." So when we tried this product by Olay, we we hopeful it would do what it promised. Olay Ultra Moisture In-shower Body Lotion works with the warmth and humidity of your shower to reveal soft, smooth skin after just one use. Just put it on your legs in the shower and you literally won't have to put on lotion again for the rest of the day. We say Horray for Olay! 2. Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Mascara: Thick, femine lashes don't come naturally for everyone, so if you can use a little boost to your dull lashes, we highly recommend Maybellin's Volum' Express Turbo Boost Bascara in Very Black. The masquera stays soft and light on your lashes and doesn't clump. It goes on easily and thickens with one swoop. Great buy! 3. Sleek.look by Matrix Smoothing System Shampoo & Conditioner: We are always on the hunt for the best shampoo that will leave our hair silky-smooth without being to greasy. Our latest love is by Matrix. Try Sleek.look for a truly slick and salon-ready style that will leave your hair shiny and healthy looking. 4. Colgate Wisp Portable Mini-Brush: Fresh breath is always a turn-on, but if you are also a girl that likes extra onions on your burger, you need a little extra help to stay minty. We love these Portable mini toothbrushes by Colgate that easily slip into our purse and let us freshen our mouths throughout the day. You don't even need water. These brushes work great for that quick brush in your car on your way to your afternoon meeting. 5. Neutrogena Moisture Oil Free Formula, Sensitive Skin: We've heard it said a million times...the best way to healthy skin is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. But with so many different types of moisturizers on the market all ranging in price, how do you know what the best product is for the money? There is a reason why some of the manufacturers remain at the top. Try Neutrogena's Moisture Oil Free Formula for Senstive Skin. The formula is smooth and silky and won't feel greasy or heavy on your skin. It's great under makeup or to put on before bed. Just remember to also wear a SPF if you are going to be outside. 6. Salon Grafix Professional Shaping Hair Spray Styling Mist, Unscented Super Hold: If there is one beauty product you can save money on, it's HAIRSPRAY! Salon Grafix Professional Shaping Hair Spray keeps your hair in place all day long and its a great bargain. 7. Biosilk Silk Therapy, Silk: If you have naturally try or frizzy hair, you'll love Biosilk Silk Therapy. Just comb it through your wet hair after you wash it and before your blow dry it and notice the added shine it gives your dull hair. 8. Blistex Medicated Lip Balm, Regular, SPF 15: Chapstick is a godsend in the summer and our favorite brand of all is good-old-BLISTEX. The version that does the trick for our chapped lips is the Medicated version that also includes an SPF of 15 which is always an added plus! 9. Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil: This tiny pencil makes precision a breeze when its time to shape and fill-in those patchy eyebrows. Comes in several colors so find the match that is right for you. Got a drugstore beauty product you can't live without? Share it with us in our comments section below.Labels: Beauty, How-Tos, Ideas
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Tented Elegance
The greatest part about a tented wedding is the endless possibility for wedding themes. Often times, when you select a venue, it will have its own unique personality and it can be difficult to merge your style with the decor and colors of your reception or ceremony site. By having a tent wedding, you can basically start from scratch with theme and colors and you are not confounded by the structure and style of an existing space. If you have a specific theme and color palette in mind for your wedding, but can't seem to find the right space to fit your vision, talk with your local tent rental company of the types of tents available to you. You will be surprised to discover all the options available to you, from open spaces to fully enclosed formal tents, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few of our most favorite "tent wedding" finds. We hope you enjoy!  Images by: Amore Studios, Seattle, WA Images by: Karen Wise Photography Above Wedding by: Delaney Todd Bagwell, Event PlannerLabels: Color, How-Tos, Ideas, Trends
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Good Reads That Made The Cut
Every now and again, we go on the hunt for the best wedding and lifestyle blogs. We've conveniently added some of our favorites in our "Good Reads" section. Here are a few recent additions we think you need to check out... 1. Lotus Haus - The complete lifestyle blog for all things girlie! From weddings to fashion to home decor inspirational ideas, this blog has it all. 2. Coco & Kelley - You'll fall in love with the ideas and color boards created by blogger Cassandra LaValle. Based out of Seattle, Cassandra calls herself "obsessed with style, presentation and design."  3. Poppytalk - If you are the do-it-yourself kind of bride, then you'll love the ideas and creativity of Poppytalk.  4. Karen Tran - If you love all things pretty, then you will absolutely fall for the ideas and design expertise presented by Karen Tran. Based in San Diego, Karen presents floral centerpieces that truly wow and inspire. We dare you not to fall in love.  Labels: Color, Fashion, How-Tos, inspired, Real Weddings, Social Awareness, Trends
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Top Fonts For Wedding Invitations
First impressions always matter, and when your wedding invitation arrives in the mailbox of your wedding guest, you want to "wow" them from the start. Wedding invitations are incredibly important in sending a message to your guests about what type of wedding yours will be. The more formal the script the more likely your guests will understand how to prepare for your event, and will select formal attire to wear to your wedding. If you choose a more fun style font for your invitation, your guests will get the message that your event is a carefree party and may dress more casually. Whatever your theme or style, work with your invitation designer or manufacturer to select a font that fits your theme. Here are some of our most recent favorites. These are all available at Veer.com. 1. Feel Script :: $99
2. Compendium :: $99 3. Montague Script :: $59 4. Adios :: $99 5. Burgues Script :: $99  Labels: Favors, Gifts, How-Tos, Ideas, Trends
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Before and After - via Prop Gallery West
 Welcome to the fantastic final chapter in the Vinh & Jolene Wedding segment. Through two traditional ceremonies, we have come full circle to the fulfillment of the image and imagination of Jolene through the visionary release of Prop Gallery West and Greg Olsen. Each of the two photo segments above offers you the view of the facility before Prop Gallery draped it and of course the after portion. Never never let a little thing like your surroundings give you doubt. Between your imagination and the draping options at Prop Gallery, look what imagination and inspiration create. Jolene is a one of a kind person with the energy of 5 people, so she is for sure NOT your typical bride, however she will be the first to say "Yes you can!" Below is the full final wedding ceremony look completed. Check out the entire video of the process right here: Wedding Venue TransformationCongratulations Vinh and Jolene and thank you to Prop Gallery West for immersing our couple in your gift. Labels: How-Tos, inspired, Real Weddings
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Tough Times Call for Savvy Wedding Planning
 Does the thought of savings hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on your wedding dress have an appeal? Or are you the bride who wore that magnificent gown and would like see another lucky bride enjoy it as much as you did while re-cooping some money to pay for a piece of that wedding? This is a great site called preownedweddinggowns.com. On the day we clicked through, there were over 2182 dresses to choose from. A complete list of designers is available to select from - so enjoy looking - and think about what you could do with the savings. We selected three examples to show you. Top Left: back/front Designer: Cymbeline Sheath Adonis Ivory Label Size: 10 / Street Size 6 Price Paid: $3500 CAD Asking Price: $2000 CAD (Plus Shipping) Condition: New with tags Listing Number: 5264 Silhouette: Sheath Neckline: Spaghetti Straps Dress Description:This is an extremely elegant, timeless and figure flattering wedding dress. You will never find another dress like this one! It has never been worn; has no alterations and the tags are still attached. It is very light-weight and comfortable to wear. It has fine, delicate lace and silk Carmeuse underneath. It is ideal for a bride who is looking for comfort with the utmost elegance and exquisiteness. It was purchased in NYC and made in Paris, France and is a size EUR 40 (which is a size 10 in North America/ a size 12 in the UK/ or a size 6 “street size”). I purchased this for $3500 Canadian dollars and would like to sell it for $2000 Canadian Dollars. Top Right: back/front Designer: Vera Wang $4500 USD Label Size: 10 / Street Size 6 Price Paid: $7600 USD Asking Price: $4500 USD (plus shipping) Condition: Used Listing Number: 4772 Silhouette: Trumpet Neckline: Strapless Color: ivory / cream Dress Description:Vera Wang Gorgeous, fashion-forward Vera Wang gown. It list for $7600. It is a strapless trumpet gown made of ivory silk faille. Tiny pleated gores extending from the bodice to the train. The back has beautiful covered buttons down back covering zipper, fully lined with attached net petticoat, gathered fabric pull to covered button below buttocks. Vera Wang's signature black velvet bow is at knee height on the back. Bottom Center: front/back Designer: Priscilla of Boston Size: Street Size 2 Listing Number: 4293 Style Number: 4016 Ivory Silk Asking Price: $2800 USD (Including veil and dress) Condition: Used Silhouette: Mermaid Neckline: Sweetheart Color: Ivory silk Dress Description:This dress is amazing! The moment I tried it on I fell in love. I just can't bear it sitting in a box forever, it deserves to be worn by another beautiful bride! The dress has two large bows that were supposed to be attached to the back, but I opted to have removed. I still have them and they are included. I had the dress professionally cleaned after my wedding and I also paid to have it busseled, which is shown in one picture. Please keep in mind one of the pictures attached in my ad, the dress is not pressed yet so it appears wrinkled, it was taken during my fitting but was just such an amazing shot of the back of the dress I had to include it. I accept Paypal and cash. If you are in the Dallas area you may come over to try the gown on- cash only accepted if you come to try it on. I am a street size 2-4 Labels: How-Tos, Ideas, Social Awareness
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Put On A Pedestal
A popular new trend in cake display for weddings is to place your cake or cupcakes on a decorative pedestal. Pedestals are fantastic for cakes that are not extremely tall, 3 or less tiers, and for cupcakes because they can help add significance to your deliciously designed dessert. By placing your cake on a pedestal, it gives the allusion that your cake is much larger, even if you have a small wedding. Also, you can save money by ordering a more basic design for your cake, but not loose flair by having a very decorative pedestal to place it on. We recommend setting a table aside for your cake at your reception and using a pedestal in the center of the table. Then add ambiance with different height candles around the pedestal, accompanied by petals of roses or individual orchids scattered throughout the table. When shopping for a pedestal, look for one that you can reuse again and again in your own home for entertaining.  Top Left: McKee/Fire King cake plates (vintage), periodically found on eBay or Ruby LaneTop Middle: 10" Blue Footed Mirror Platter: 10" diameter, 9.25" high. Top Right: 2 Tier Cupcake HolderMiddle left: 8" Mosaic Border - 3 level - Mirror Display Tray Item Code 113307 www.jafgifts.comMiddle: From Artful Home, glass "Paris" cake plate 11" diameter 9" in height Middle Right: 22" Round cake plateau - Silver Plated round cake with design Bottom Left: A chocolate layer delight with red satin ribbons on a traditional wooden 11" raised cake stand. Cake is from Daisy Hill. Bottom Center Left: Square gold cake plateau, offering a unique bronze/gold look to the wedding. Bottom Center Right: Another antique offering from Fireking - Jadite. This particular piece is a 10" round. Martha Stewart also created a contemporary version of these extremely popular glass pieces. Bottom Right: For a smaller more intimate occasion such as a bridal show, here is a glass pedestal and cover possibly found just about anywhere you can find serving pieces. Labels: Food and Beverage, Gifts, How-Tos, Ideas
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Can You Top This?
Cake toppers have certainly come a long way. Brides today are using their cake toppers as expressions of personality. They are no longer just an afterthought, and more and more designers and wedding businesses are creatively introducing artistic elements and unique details to top off the wedding cake. We've collective a few of our favorites and displayed them below for your enjoyment. If you have another unique idea you'd like to share with brides and how you plan to top your cake, please share them with us.  Top Left Corner: Russian Faberge' egg influences in an array of colors from Cake Coquette in San Francisco Left: A variety of toppers with the added enhancement of beautiful satin ribbon. Add rhinestone initials and the result is magical. You can find a number of choices at the Favor Studio.com. Eiffel Tower Topper: A touch of French in everything wedding creates the ultimate high end look, available at Kiki's KlozetAsian Topper: Finally, a touch of culture from the Far East - again beautiful touches from mydreamwedding.ca (Canada). People Toppers: And to top it off in the most traditional of choices with a bride and groom from the collection at Wedding Collectibles. They also have the geek collection - everyone on the cell phone - just plain fun. Labels: Food and Beverage, How-Tos, Ideas
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On a Budget? Try a Candy Buffet
Just because you are on a budget, doesn't mean you have to give up on having a completely awesome theme for your wedding. For a mid-afternoon wedding consider a candy buffet. Mmmmm....candy! Set up a bar with all your favorites and choose the candy that fits your color scheme and personality. All you need are clear glass jars and a trip to your local candy stores and you'll have a plethora of choices, colors, tastes and varieties that will have your guests on a sugar rush in no time at all. If your wedding is in the fall, consider caramel covered apples, candy corn and sweets in shades of orange and yellow. If you are planning a winter wedding, pick up candy canes, cinnamon sticks, and red and white candies. If your wedding is in the spring, take advantage of the pastel candies that come out around Easter. And if you are planning a summer shindig, add a sno-cone bar with flavored ice as a special treat that is as tasty as it is thirst quenching. Above all, be creative and be sure to brush your teeth after such an indulgence. Sweet dreams.  Labels: Color, Favors, Food and Beverage, How-Tos, Ideas, Trends
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Art For The Lapel
The boutonniere can sometimes appear to be the afterthought in floral considerations for the wedding and we say that's a BIG mistake. We've put together some of our favorite boutonnieres to show off how bold and striking this little sprig of color and texture can make to a great suit or tux. This is what we call real flower power! This simple, yet artistic accessory on a man gives him just the right amount of softness without losing any masculinity. There will be tons of photos of the two of you, so make sure you account for even the smallest of details.  In the winter edition of New York Magazine, some fabulous ideas for wedding boutonnieres were showcased and we just had to share them with you. The only trouble is, we can't pick our favorite. Can you?     Click here to view the details on the designers of each arrangement and also the prices. Labels: How-Tos, Ideas, Trends
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Throwing A Bridal Shower
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of throwing my baby sister a bridal shower. Everything turned out beautifully and everyone had a great time. Here are some of the pictures from the event.    Here are some great and easy tips on how to throw a successful bridal shower:Tip 1: Decorations. Try to theme the decorations around the theme of the wedding. Even if you don't know the exact floral schemes and colors, you can usually get a pretty good idea from the wedding invitation. Be sure to display a picture of the couple and also frame or place the bridal shower and wedding invitation on a stand. Tip 2: The Mood. From the moment the bride walks into the room, she should feel like a bride. Make a cd with classic bridal music like "Going To The Chapel," "It's In His Kiss," and "The Way You Look Tonight." Bring in fresh flowers and be sure to light many candles. Girls just love that stuff. Tip 3: The Food. If you plan on preparing your own food make sure you adjust the menu to the time of day. If you are hosting the party at Noon, a typical lunch hour, you'll need to provide a larger menu. If your party is at 3 in the afternoon, you can cut back on the amount of food since your guests have most likely already eaten. No matter the time of day, choose items that can be prepared in advance so you don't have to do much cooking the day of shower. You'll want to greet guests as they arrive and if you are busy in the kitchen you won't be able to do this. Tip 4: The Beverages. No matter what beverage you serve, its always fun to drink out of champagne flutes. Serve sparkling wine, lemonade, pear cider or even water with lime, but whatever you choose keep the beverage options to a minimum, perhaps one or two options. That way you won't have to play bar hostess and you'll be able to save money. Tip 5: The Entertainment. What is a bridal shower without games? But if you are like most of us and have been to many bridal showers over the years, you know the typical drill. So be creative with your game choices. If you can create a custom game that is great, or if you are looking for game ideas, check out banquetevent.com's free bridal shower games. Our favorite is the Madlib activity. Divide your guests into three groups and have them each fill out the madlib. Then have them read their stories aloud. Trust us, its hilarious and helps break the ice. Tip 6: The Traditions. Whatever you do, don't forget the timeless traditions that have been passed down for years and years. Be sure to make the classic ribbon bouquet from the bows and ties from the gifts. Take notes during the gift opening time of the things the bride says and read them aloud as a prelude to the comments she'll make on her wedding night. And be sure to give the game winners a small prize. Above all, have fun and be creative. If you have pictures of your own bridal shower, we'd love to share them. Email us your pics. Labels: How-Tos, Real Weddings
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