The kitchen is the heart of the home, where new dishes are tried and family recipes are perfected, so it’s only appropriate to register for items that will help you create your dream culinary space. Sur La Table has more than 9,000 products from the crème de la crème of home brands to make your dream a reality.

Their expansive collection of hand-picked and hand-crafted items from all around the world makes it easy to create the ultimate registry wish list, from artisanal syrups and seasonings for foodies to stainless steel grill baskets and pizza stones for the grill masters, charming cake pedestals and platters for the domestic goddess to cooking lessons and books for the kitchen novice.

Of course, there’s an art to creating a registry, from balancing price points to making sure you register for items that you’ll truly use (trust us, it’s very tempting to scan that crystal cake stand, even if you aren’t a baker). For advice, schedule a free registry appointment for one-on-one assistance with Sur La Table in-store experts to help guide you through creating the perfect gift list during which you can test-drive products, get acquainted with cutlery and receive tips on entertaining.

Now all you’ll need to do is write the thank-you notes …

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Calling all brides who dream of getting hitched in a tropical paradise: we have the perfect venue for your “I do’s – and it’s in a location you wouldn’t expect!

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, located in Cambridge, Ontario, offers the perfect ceremony backdrop for the fairytale-inspired bride. Not only does the Conservatory boast live butterflies that are sure to make for unforgettable photos, it offers an unparalleled  indoor waterfall surrounded by lush greenery that ensures the perfect ceremony year round.

In addition to breathtaking ceremony settings, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory offers a variety of reception options. Whether you dream of a seated brunch reception, or a four course gourmet event, the Conservatory is ready and able to make sure your reception is unforgettable. The venue even offers everything from table linens to wedding cake services, to ensure that your reception is as perfect as dreamed it would be.

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Photos: Brent Foster Photography and  Tory Zimmerman

Barn weddings are still hugely popular. One of the biggest challenges of a barn wedding reception is seating because there are so many options.

If you have a rustic, vintage barn, wooden folding chairs are a great option.  If your barn is more simple and modern, Chiavari chairs or ghost chairs might be a fun juxtaposition to the wedding venue.

Family style seating (long lines of rectangular tables) is one popular style to use for reception seating inside the barn. Family style allows people to talk more closely to one another. Renting farm tables will add to the aesthetic of the bar.  These couples opted for neutral colors that lend themselves to barn and natural settings.

Eloping used to mean a no-fuss quickie marriage down at the courthouse. These days, however, eloping has become a much more fashionable affair. Just because you decided to elope doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous doing it, right? So whether you’re jetting off to Paris, exchanging your vows on top of a mountain, or simply saying ‘I do’ at city hall, here are 10 great dresses to run away and get married in:

1.  Kenna Lace Dress from Anthropologie
Perfect for: Eloping in the park and a picnic for two

During a little trip to the Kawarthas in Northern Ontario a while back, Darin and I spotted some ultra fab beer bottle glasses at an art shop. We were both struck by the clever ‘upcycling‘ concept. That said, we didn’t really want to drop $20 a pop for the glasses, so we left the quaint shop empty handed. Back home I hopped online and discovered a way to make my own beer bottle glasses with a glass cutting device called a Kinkajou. The more I read about it, the more excited I got. But then my heart sank: the device was part of a Kickstarter campaign and wasn’t available until the goal was met.

As the months went on I forgot all about the Kinkajou, until out of the blue someone from the company contacted me to let me know the product was now available, and would I like one to try out?

“Yes please!” (Want one too? We’re giving one away, so read on!)

By the time the Kinkajou arrived, Darin and I had sucked back enough craft beer in cool bottles to amass a decent stockpile. Hard work, but necessary for the project at hand.

Before we go ahead with the full tutorial on how to make your own ultra fab beer bottle glasses (DIY wedding favors? Oh ya!!!), we have to say that although this product is awesome and definitely worth the $50, it’s also a bit tricky. About a third of the beer bottles we cut didn’t turn out – mainly because of alignment issues when cutting the glass. There is definitely a technique to cutting the glass – and we found that some bottles were more difficult than others. So, if you think you’re going to bang out 50 of these in one night, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Also, hand sanding the edges requires time; it took about 10- 15 minutes of sanding for each glass. If you are making these as wedding favors and you’re wedding is still months away, this shouldn’t be a problem – especially if you enlist help from your friends.

One handy tip: If you are making these as wedding favors, head over to your local bar or restaurant and see if they’ll part with their empties. There are lots of uber cool beer bottle designs to be had – and your local swanky bar will be the best source for these – unless of course, you plan on doing lots of beer swilling yourself up until your wedding date. (You can also use wine, liquor or pop bottles – and you’re not confined to making drinking glasses. You can also make candle holders, pendant lights and vases.)

Here’s how to make beer bottle glasses with a Kinkajou: