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Let’s Grow Old Together, Baby: You’ve Got to See this Unique Wedding Invitation

This is the most unique wedding invitation I’ve seen so far.

The invitation was created by Dom Roberts, the director of the Australian branding ageny, Mash Design for his October 2008 wedding.

unique wedding invitation
unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

unique wedding invitation

 

 

From MashDesign.com

Dom took a week away from other projects to concentrate on creating a unique and memorable piece to be used as a wedding invitation. The concept was to use the concept of ‘growing old together’. Face shots were then taken of the bride and groom which Dom then used as a basis to create a chronological representation of their aging faces into the
future. 10, 20, 30 and 40 years into the future, growing old together. The scarily realistic results where then presented inan A5 booklet on uncoated paper with thread stitching. This was packaged in aspecially designed pack and printed with one colour ink. Many a laugh was had bythose invited to the big day.

My husband and I both got a big kick out of this. But I’ve got to say – this Helena chick (Dom’s Bride) is SUCH A GOOD SPORT. That ‘do’ in the eighth photo is something else! Check out the photos in a larger format at MashDesign.com.

 

Cupcake Crazy: Wedding Favor Cupcake Giveaway

chocolate wedding cupcakes gourmet gift company

*THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

The cupcake craze is far from over. Cupcake crawls  are still popping up from coast to coast. And they’re still all the rage at weddings.

Why? They’re delicious. They’re pretty. They don’t require utensils. They’re economical.  Which makes them a perfect alternative to wedding cakes – and ideal for wedding and shower favors!

I love consumable wedding favors, so when Tawnya from Gourmet Gift Company in California offered up a $100 gift certificate towards her gourmet custom label cupcake mix wedding/shower favors as a contest prize for my readers, I was delighted!

These are not your typical out-of-the-box cupcakes! (Read a review over here ). The mixes are handmade is small batches with wholesome ingredients.  They are all-natural with no artificial flavors or preservatives.  Your guests simply add fresh ingredients from their kitchen and bake. Each box makes a dozen cupcakes. What a sweet reminder of your wedding day!

wedding favor cupcake mixEach mix comes complete with your choice of a white gloss or natural-colored box and your choice of custom personalized label.  

For your chance to win a $100 gift certificate towards Gourmet Gift Company’s custom label cupcake mix wedding/shower favors, simply leave your answer to the following question in the comment section beneath this post:

What was the wedding favor that you received at the last wedding you attended? What made it a good (or not-so-good) wedding favor?

Deadline is 11:59 PM Eastern Time April 20, 2009. The winner will be chosen by the random number generator and posted April 22. The winner will be contacted by email. Contest is open to residents of the U.S and Canada only.

Good luck. I look forward to your responses!

First Photo: Chocolate cupcakes, Gourmet Gift Company

Second Photo: Gourmet Gift Company’s custom label cupcake mix wedding/shower favors in white box

Free Wedding Templates: The Giving Tree Save-the-Dates

the giving tree free template save the dates

Okay, I admit it. I have never read Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree ,but I do love the look of these save-the-dates. And guess what? They’re free for the taking.

I found this free wedding template over at Merriment Design - a lovely blog that’s all about sharing awesome craft and design ideas.

the giving tree book coverKathy, who owns the blog, explains that The Giving Tree save-the-dates were created by Adam Siegel for his fall nuptials. Apparently, Shel Silverstein’s
classic children’s book has special meaning to him and Cristin (his partner).

In the spirit of giving, Adam and Cristin are sharing their template for free. All that is requested is that anyone who uses it leaves a comment at Merriment Design or email Kathy at Merriment Design.

Here are the supplies that are needed:

 For complete instructions on how to create your Giving Tree save-the-dates, go to Merriment Design.

 Please note that if you don’t have Adobe Illustrator and you love this design, don’t give up! Perhaps you know a friend who is a graphic designer that could modify the text for you? Perhaps a talented Etysian could take on the task for a nominal fee?

Maybe there’s another book that has special meaning to you and your sweetie and this will spark some literary save-the -date ideas of your own! If so, let me know. I’d love to hear all about it.

How to Get Your Partner’s Attention: Say it with Notes

Nerves a little frayed? Wedding planning got you in a sour mood? Need an extra dose of understanding from your partner, along with a helping of TLC? Leave one of these Knock Knock notes for your partner, with the appropriate descriptions checked off: 

moodalert1

Then, once the argument ensues about how you are doing all the work planning the wedding, and you feel unappreciated and overwhelmed, you can redeem one of these:

end-of-argument2

At which point, your partner will present you with this: (drink wine, laugh, grow old are checked off.)

id-like-to-do-this

 

Finally, you pull out the show stopper:

loveslave

 Who says relationships had to be difficult?

 (All notes from Knock Knock.)

The Vineyard Wedding: Tips for Winery Weddings

winery weddings outdoor ceremony at Calloway Winery

Thinking of a vineyard wedding? You’re in good company. Vineyard weddings are becoming increasingly popular with couples who want an outdoor wedding.

It’s no wonder that winery weddings have become so popular. Wineries offer an idyllic setting to say “I do.” If you are considering a vineyard wedding, here are some tips to consider:

  • If you are having a weekend vineyard wedding, arrange for a wine tasting for your wedding guests a day before the wedding.
  • If guests are coming in from out of town and staying at a hotel, consider having a bus chartered to escort guests to and from the winery. That way drinking and driving won’t be an issue.
  • If the wedding is outdoors, find out if there is a sheltered area in case of inclement weather.
  • Find out if the winery supplies linens, tables, chairs, tableware and glassware.
  • If you want entertainment, find out if the vineyard allows music or live entertainment. Is there a dance floor?
  • Make sure there is ample parking for your guests.
  • Consider a wine-themed wedding, but don’t feel compelled to have a theme.
  • Consider a wine pairing feast.
  • Offer mini-bottles of wine from the vineyard as favors.

Photo: Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Temecula, California

Free Wedding Templates: DIY Pinwheels

diy pinwheels

Aren’t these  whimsical DIY pinwheels from designer Heather Bailey fantastic? I had lots of fun with these when I was a kid – although they weren’t nearly as pretty as these. Wouldn’t these be perfect for a your flowergirl? Or what about using them in your outdoor wedding ceremony or reception decor? You could also use them as favors if you have a tiny guest list. Use cardstock in your choice of colors and patterns. Heather has a free template for these pinwheels on her blog Hello My Name is Heather. I have not tried to make these myself. Looks like you need a few scrappin’ supplies and a bit of patience.

Check out Heather’s blog for more beautiful design ideas.

Longing for A Long Table: Small Weddings and Long Tables are a Divine Match

I have a thing for long tables at wedding receptions.  Not only do they look stunning, there is something wonderful about having your entire guest list at one table! You can’t get more intimate than that.

Take a look at these brilliant long table receptions and you’ll see why I’m a crazed fan.

long table  wedding jekyll clublong table wedding receptionlong table wedding reception dc nearlywedslong table wedding leigh millerlong table wedding reception picasa weblong table winery wedding

Long Table Reception

First Photo: Jekyll Club; Second Photo: Eventique Weddings; Third Photo: DC Nearlyweds; Fourth Photo: Leigh Miller Photography; Fifth Photo: Dale Wallace ; Sixth Photo: Allegro Photography; Seventh Photo: 88 Events Company

Real Weddings: Julie and Jon’s Art Nouveau DIY Wedding in California

california wedding couple art nouveau wedding

Julie, 26 & Jon, 27

Foresthill, California

Wedding Date: October 10, 2008

Number of Guests: 50

Wedding Cost: $10,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Forest House Lodge

Wedding Reception Location: Forest House Lodge

bride close up diy wedding in california

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Jon and I are a very creative couple, and wanted to do something really fun for our wedding.  We chose to have an Art Nouveau/Art Deco themed wedding, and asked all of our guests to dress up in 1900-1920s attire. To our delight, every single guest did! It was so much fun! I approached the entire wedding as an art project, and I couldn’t possibly be happier with how it all turned out!

Our primary reason for having a small wedding was financial. Another reason for the smaller guest list was the limited amount of guest rooms at the lodge where the wedding was held. We also wanted the wedding to completely emulate us and our personal styles, and we felt that a smaller, more intimate wedding would truly reflect us. The whole wedding was DIY. We designed the invitations (with help from my amazing artist Uncle), the centerpieces and bouquets. The feather fascinators, birdcage veil, and customized guest baskets for all the overnight guests were also DIY. My wedding dress and Jon’s tuxedo jacket and vest were also custom made for us by my amazing seamstress mother.

groom diy wedding in california

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Our biggest challenge in planning an intimate wedding was dealing with the wedding budget. Although it was a DIY wedding, it still was not cheap! We didn’t want to go into debt to pay for the wedding, so we made a list of our priorities, and then cut down on everything else. I, being an artist, absolutely needed an amazing photographer (Tinywater Photography, which was SO WORTH IT!), and Jon, being a chef, absolutely needed delicious food (we had a sit down dinner, and it was great!).

bride walking down aisle

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

We had to cut our wedding guest list a few times. It was certainly difficult cutting the list at first, but we knew it was the only way for us to have the wedding we really wanted. We limited our guests to only very close friends and family members. When more distant friends or family asked us about our wedding planning, we were sure to tell them we were planning a very small, intimate wedding, and I know they all understood. The result was amazing, though. We felt so much love from our guests. It was a really magical event.

wedding guest diy wedding

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We didn’t really have any trouble with the small guest list. I’m sure a few people felt a little left out, but every guest who came to our wedding truly knew Jon and I as individuals, and as a couple, and we felt like that was really important.

outdoor ceremony california diy wedding

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

My favorite memory from the ceremony: Our ceremony took place in a small meadow overlooking a vast valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. As I stood at our “altar,” looking into the eyes of the love of my life, I could hear the quiet echo of nature to my left, and the tangible love emanating from our family and friends to the right of me. My cousin Erika served as our officiant, and wrote a beautiful ceremony just for us. Jon and I wrote our own vows. We both laughed, and we both cried, and I think all of our guests did, too. It was truly an amazing moment.

reception tables forest house lodge california

What were the highlights of the reception?

We had the wedding at an historic inn that used to be a bordello for the Foresthill miners. We got the entire inn for two nights, so all of our guests stayed with us the night before, and the night of the wedding. The hotel also had an awesome game room, so people were playing pool, ping pong, shuffleboard and Rock Band late into the night!

group shot diy wedding in front of lodge

My favorite moment from the reception: Being able to relax, celebrate, and enjoy our wedding with all of our favorite people in the world was so much fun for us. The food was amazing, and our cake was so delicious! I would say the most fun, was when Uni, our Ukelele player, sang some beautiful songs, and we danced and sang along. Also, taking photos with crazy hats that the venue had… and listening to our friend Alan rock out on the piano… the late night appetizers, and an acoustic set from my cousin Erin B.

I also loved the DIY bouquet making party that my maids and I had the night before the wedding. I bought a bunch of flowers from Trader Joe’s, and the girls and I all made our own bouquets. While we made the bouquets, we could hear all the wedding guests playing pool, shuffleboard, ping pong and Rock Band in the game room right next to us. It was so great knowing that everyone was having such a good time, and I didn’t have to worry about playing “host.”

diy bouquet

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The best thing about having an intimate wedding was knowing that all of our wedding guests truly know and support Jon and I. We were so much more relaxed, and enjoyed mingling with all our friends and family. We were also able to have a delicious sit down dinner, and DIY almost everything. Overall, I felt that having a smaller wedding allowed us to customize every detail of the wedding, and to have a fun and artsy wedding that truly reflects both of us as individuals, and as a couple.

outdoors diy wedding couple california

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

My advice for couples considering an intimate wedding is to remember that your wedding is an expression of the love shared between you and your partner. Don’t worry about other people’s expectations for your event, and do what symbolizes you two as a couple. ENJOY IT! Have fun, and don’t stress! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends, trust me, they want to help!

It is so easy to get lost in the crazy hubbub of the wedding industry. Having a smaller, intimate wedding allows you to customize your wedding to truly fit you as a couple.

wedding party diy wedding california

Vendors:

Birdcage Veil, Feather Fascinator, Bridesmaid’s Feather Fascinators: Julie Ke (Bride) She sells them on Etsy.

Wedding Invitations,Custom Cake Topper: Tom Banwell. Etsy Shop Here.

Wedding Photographers: Tinywater Photography

Wedding Venue, Catering, Wedding Cake, Lodging: Forest House Lodge

Custom Wedding Dress, Groom’s Brocade Tuxedo Jacket and Vest: Bride’s mom jayabpeace(at)yahoo dotcom

Live Music: Uni and Her Ukelele,  Erin Banwell

Photos: Tinywater Photography

bride and groom standing on chairs outdoor diy wedding

IntimateWeddings.com Makes Top 100 Blogs List

More happy news. IntimateWeddings.com is on the list. Which list?  BrideTide’s list of 100 Blogs to Follow in 2009. Check it out. The list is a great reference source for discovering websites to help you plan your big day.

DIY Wedding Ideas: Involving Friends and Family

DIY Wedding Cupcakes

Got a creative sister? A mother who loves to sew? What about an aunt that has a special talent for flower arranging, or a brother who is a computer whiz? Why not enlist their help and have a DIY wedding?

Small weddings are great because you can get your wedding guests involved. Having friends and family help you will not only makes everyone feel a part of your big day, it will add a personal touch to your wedding, and leave less work for you. There’s one more perk: A DIY wedding will save you oodles of money!

For Darin and I, getting loved ones involved was not only fun – it made our lives a whole lot easier.

One of the biggest challenges we faced while preparing for our wedding was getting our house ready for the big day. Our parents and friends helped us with everything from landscaping the yard, to mopping the floors. Working alongside our loved ones made the list of chores seem much less overwhelming.

For various DIY wedding-related tasks, we called on the talents of our creative sister-in-law who made the invitations and the place cards, and my mother, who led the flower arranging crew (consisting of myself, my maid of honor and my sister-in-law) in creating centerpieces, as well as the bride’s and maid of honor’s wedding bouquet. Darin’s talented aunt made a lovely silk ringbearer’s pillow, and a friend videotaped the wedding.

During the ceremony, a dear friend offered a prayer that she had written for the occasion, and my brother read one of my favorite poems.

Looking back on our wedding, it is these moments that sparkle among the brightest.

But involving friends and family is not for everyone. For some brides and grooms, the quest for the “perfect wedding” prevents them from getting friends and family involved. They’d rather have centerpieces from the best florist in town than a homemade flower arrangement. They’d much prefer embossed invitations on the finest card stock, than invitations created by a loved one.

For others, getting friends and family involved means a loss of control, and in turn, added stress. Some couples have strong ideas of what they want, and their loved ones just don’t seem to see eye to eye with their plans. 

For these couples, involving friends and family could backfire and create hard feelings for years to come.

Just because family and friends offer help, it doesn’t mean you have to take them up on it. Do what feels right to you.

What if, on the other hand, you want the help of your family and friends to pull off a DIY wedding, but no one has offered? Ask them! It might be that they don’t want to interfere with your plans and they’re afraid to approach you. Maybe offer some suggestions of how they can be helpful to you, or let them provide you with some ideas.

If you’ve decided to involve loved ones, the best way to avoid disappointment is to be specific about what you want. Unless you are the laid-back type that just goes with the flow, it’s best to be clear about your ideas so there is no room for misinterpretation (and disappointment.)

 Ways to get your friends and family involved in your DIY wedding:

Photo: DIY wedding cupcakes from Laurenn and Alex’s Las Vegas DIY Wedding. Photo by Bonnie Berry.

Wedding Ceremony Advice Needed

Okay readers. It’s time to put your thinking caps on and help out a gal who has a burning question about music for her friend’s wedding. Amanda writes:

My friend is trying to find nice pretty traditional sounding music for her church processional that isn’t the same old same old. This is her second time around and she doesn’t want the same stuff from her first wedding (Here Comes the Bride, Pachabel’s Canon) but she also doesn’t want to shock her very traditional family. Any suggestions?

Let’s help Amanda out with some great ideas. Please leave comments below.

Shabby Chic Weddings: Tea Party Wedding Perfect for Small Guest Lists

alice in wonderland annie leibovitz

I didn’t discover Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland until I took a children’s lit course in university. That’s when I fell in love with the story and the wonderful illustrations by Sir John Tenniel.

When I saw this Alice in Wonderland photo by Annie Leibovitz, I was instantly mesmerized. And since my mind is focused a great deal on weddings these days, I couldn’t help but think that this photo (and others in the series) would be a great source of inspiration for an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding.

tea-party-table-country-living

Then I discovered the above photo from Country Living . What a perfect setting for a tea party reception! 

Whether or not an all out costumed-affair is your thing, a tea party reception is perfect for anyone considering an early reception. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to scale back wedding costs (less alcohol, less food), but still have an event that will be unique and whimsical.

tea party sandwiches

Besides, shabby chic weddings are so fun to create. Mismatched tablecloths, teapots, teacups, and dishes can be found at thrift shops and garage sales. Teapots filled with garden flowers can be used as centerpieces (as in the above photo also from Country Living), and colorful lanterns (as shown in the photo below by Rumolay on Flickr) in various shapes and sizes can be used create whimsy.

tea party lanterns

Serve sandwiches and other scrumptious finger foods. Desserts take a starring role at a tea party. Instead of a wedding cake, have a variety of homemade desserts including cupcakes displayed on mismatching vintage plates and saucers. (Photo below by Crumbs and Doilies.)

Charming, inexpensive, and ‘tea’rrific!

tea party wedding cupcakes

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