Color Galore

whether it's a backyard birthday blowout, a wonderful whimsical wedding, or a random retro reunion, i love a party to have a color scheme.  with so many colors the options are limitless.  here are some of my favorites.

yellow-grey-white (i'd also throw in silver accents.... everything needs a metallic)

via bijouxbride.com

turquoise- red- white

via hostessblog.com

navy blue- white- yellow- light blue

via heavenlybloomsblog.com

pink-brown-white

via lyfeanexerciseinhypocrisy.blogspot.com

what are your favorites?  i'm always looking for new and more interesting color schemes!

Registries... What's the deal?

it is customary for couples who are getting married to create registries to show guests what items they would like for their homes.  according to my research marshall-field's came up with the idea of a store based registry in 1924 and then in 1993 target developed the electronic registry!  while it may seem greedy to go into a store and scan every item you want most guests appreciate some guidance.

when registering pick 2-3 stores to register at so that you can choose exactly the items you want and to give your guests options.   when choosing which stores to register at consider their rewards programs.  many places will give you perks for registering them, and not all perks are created equal.  make sure to register for plenty of items at different price points.  some people say to register for 2-3 times as many items as guests.

you can register for anything!  if you want camping gear get it!  if you want home goods, that's fine too! 

looking for alternatives to traditional registries?  try a honeymoon registry like www.honeyfund.com.

the website, www.idofoundation.org allows you to either create a charity registry where people donate to charities of your choice in your honor, or gives a charity of your choice up to 10% of what people buy off of your registries.  what is great about this site is that you register at normal stores like target and macy's and still help out a worthy cause!

also remember that it is considered to be in poor taste to include your registry information with your wedding invitation- it is seen as asking for presents.  instead your wedding party can spread the information informally.  traditionally even your family shouldn't be the ones advertising the information. hostesses of the shower may include the information with the invite. 

any questions? comments? thoughts? are you registering for a kitchen aid stand mixer or a really nice two person tent?

DIY- Paper Flowers

in my post about flower alternatives i showed you paper flowers and linked to a tutorial.  tonight, as i was watching tv i decided to try out the tutorial.  i cut some paper into circles and then, without even tracing a spiral cut the paper in a spiral pattern.  i then rolled it up and presto change-o i had really cute paper flowers... what do you think?

keeping the budget in check: flowers

when it comes to weddings flowers can be a real budget buster.  luckily for you there are many flower alternatives!

one trend i've seen, and love, is brooch bouquets. 

via weddingbee

you can buy these, but they'd be more expensive than natural flowers.  however if you have brooches at home and or can find them cheaply at thrift stores or at stores with costume jewelery you can make this without too much expense.  there are tons of tutorials out there, but i like the one ms. sloth did on wedding bee.

bridesmaids can also carry clutches or lanterns in lieu of flowers as pictured below.

via bluestyle

via hoffer photography

i've also seen bridesmaids carrying pinwheels, parasols, fans, and or potted plants.

besides bouquets, reception decor often involves flowers.  one popular option i've seen around the blogs is paper flowers. 

via talk crafty to me

again there are tons of tutorials available for paper flowers. some people choose to make theirs from old books, magazines, or other recycled materials.  or you can use the scraps of paper left over from invitations, programs, and any other paper materials used in your wedding.  centerpieces comprised solely of candles can be very beautiful.  using fresh fruit is also an option.  some couples use books or other unusual objects that fit with their lifestyle.

what are some options you've found to replace fresh flowers?

Cheers! To Toasting Flutes!

recently i've seen a lot of cute toasting flutes available so i thought i'd give you all a run down of some of my favorites.

His/Her Flutes:

via Macy's

kate spade "darling point" flutes feature sterling silver stems and are engraved with "mr" and "mrs."  available for $60 at macy's. 

via Amazon

mikasa's "cheers bridal party" set of four toasting flutes features four unique designs that are engraved with "best man," "maid of honor," "bride," and "groom."  available for $34.99 from amazon.com.

i like how this set of four would provide a keepsake for each person.  target also has several options but i was having a hard time finding images to post here.


Traditional/Formal Flutes:

kate spade's "grace avenue" flutes feature sterling silver plated stems and "small pewter ribbons."  available for $60 at macy's.

there are many many options out there, but these were my top three choices.  you can also look for toasting flutes that match the cake cutting/serving sets- though i don't see that being necessary at all.  do you have a different set that you like?  show me!

eco-friendly parties... part 1

parties have a tendency to create a lot of waste, but there are some ways to lessen your impact on the environment without sacrificing style and or luxury.  here are some suggestions that i have come across.  even if you do only one or two of these things, you will have changed your impact for the better.

invitations:

go paperless, for a less formal affair such as a birthday party you can consider doing an e-vite.  which also happens to be free so it would help your budget stretch further as an added bonus!  a slightly fancier version of the e-vite is greenvelope.  with greenvelope you create an invitation that looks very traditional.  when your guest visits the site they see an envelope, and an invitation.  the site also maintains your rsvp list.  they have several packages available with the most expensive being $139 for up to 300 invitations!  and they also donate 10% of all profits to a non-profit that works to preserve nature.

if you feel like your guests aren't tech savvy enough to figure out an on-line option there are also eco-friendly paper options!  first there are the "all in one" or "seal and send" options.  these invitations have everything on one piece of paper and often feature a tear off rsvp response card.  the invitations fold up, are sealed, and then mailed eliminating the need for an outer, and inner envelope.  the other option is plantable invitations.  with these, just as the name suggests, your guests can plant the invitations and flowers will grow.  foreverfiances actually has both of these options and even has plantable "all in one" invitations which makes them super eco friendly! 

favors:
at weddings favors are very common.  one thing that couples often do is give a charitable donation in honor of their guests.  this is green because you're not creating waste and it can be green because you can give to a green charity or help off-set the carbon emissions that your guests required because of their travel to and from your celebration.

if you feel the need to give something more tangible you can give a planted plant or herb- these can double as decor on the table which would be helpful to your budget!  here's a great example:

via intimate weddings

the above picture shows the potted plants not just as a favor but also as the place cards.  you could always paint the date or your names on the pots as well to personalize them just a bit!  i've also seen bamboo done.

another popular option is packets of seeds that your guests can plant after the wedding.  

in eco-friendly parties.... part 2 you can expect to see information about eco-friendly choices for attire, centerpieces, and anything else i can think of!