Chocolate Pops for Wedding Favors

One of the most fun parts of planning a wedding is picking out favors. You can really make a big impact with a small trinket. Favors can be grouped together in a beautiful container such as a wicker basket, a painted pail, a silver bowl or a glass apothecary jar. Or you can do favors at each place setting for a finishing touch to your tablescape. Whatever way you choose to display your favor, guests certainly seem to enjoy them!

I've had the opportunity to help many brides come up with wedding favors, small bags of candy with tissue paper, chocolate pops, hershy's kisses wrapped in tulle, bags of coffee beans wrapped in beautiful paper with a monogram sticker, even a full "candy bar."

I think my favorite so far has been the "chocolate pop" on a stick. These favors can be bought by many candy boutiques in the Twin Cities such as Candyland off of Wabasha Street in St. Paul. http://www.candylandstore.com/aboutus.html

However, these favors are easy to make on your own! With a little elbow grease and some tools from Michael's craft store you can create your very own chocolate pop to coordinate with the theme of your wedding. Michael's has a variety of Wilton chocolate molds. They also carry Wilton lolli-pop sticks and Wilton cellophane bags.

Simply buy a few huge bags of chocolate chips, place them in the chocolate molds and bake in the oven. Then put the lolli pop stick into the chocolate molds and put them into the freezer. After they have hardened you can either decorate them with frosting, sugar sprinkles or a different color of melted chocolate! Wrap the finished favor in a cellophane wrapper and tie with a ribbon!

This project can be time intensive but it really is very cost effective and easy to do. If you are looking for a tasty favor to treat your guests with and something that easily coordinates with your wedding scheme, this is a great choice.


PHOTO CREDITS: CHOCOLATE.COM, ACHOCOLATECELEBRATION.COM

Vendor Spotlight - FIVE Event Center

Five Event Center is located in the heart of Uptown, just off of Bryant Avenue South. Although I haven't yet had the opportunity to do a wedding here I did go to see this space because it is definitely a unique location for weddings and special events.

Five was formerly the 5th Precinct Police Station in Uptown Minneapolis. As you can imagine, it blends old world architecture with contemporary and sophisticated decor. It boasts rich colors, sleek stainless steel features, bold textures and unbelievably romantic ambiance. Anyone that appreciates exposed brick and hardwood floors would feel very comfortable here.


When you first enter Five, you are invited by an intimate bar with rich plum hues, a fantastic staircase perfect for pictures and really great bathrooms. Yes, I said really great bathrooms! It isn't often that you find a space where one of the celebrated features is the luxury loo. This is something to brag about, your guests will definitely appreciate the atmosphere throughout the space...in every nook and cranny.

As you head upstairs, you are greeted by a retro cool light fixture that is the perfect backdrop for pictures. Once you reach the 2nd level you are greeted with another stunning room. There are great spaces for an escort card table, cake table and entertainment set up. In addition, there is a service bar on the second level as well. The tables and chairs are so beautiful that you wouldn't need to have linens to have an effective event but with such great colors it would be so much fun to work with colorful linens.

Another great feature about Five is that you can hire any licensed caterer for your wedding. They do have a preferred vendor list but if you do want to work with your own caterer that is an option as well. They also have an i-pod capable system so you could have your i-pod play during your cocktail reception and offer a DJ or live entertainment for the dance!

Five can 200 for a seated dinner and 375 fora cocktail reception. They also have the option of hosting your ceremony there. The 2nd level is perfect for ceremonies, then after the wedding guests go downstairs for cocktail hour while the upstairs is transformed into a reception space. Parking is also included with a valet.

I was very impressed with this venue and would recommend it to any bride that wants to mix the traditional with the modern to create a truly unique wedding. For more information contact them at 612-827-5555 or email five@fiveeventcenter.com. To check out photos of previous events visit the website at www.fiveeventcenter.com.



PHOTO CREDITS: Matthew Blum Photography

Vendor Spotlight - Celebration Generation Cakes

Marie is truly an artist and she has even come up with Chai cake. Celebration Generation cakes are unique because their flavors are so original. Not only that, they do awesome design work. She has flavors like Raspberry Dream, Pina Colada, Banana's Foster and Turtle Chocolate! They are all heavenly.

Although they don't have a storefront, Celebration Generation has proven they are a leader in the events industry. They won the ICON 2008 Award for best cake design, and the famed judge was none other than Sylvia Weinstock. Celebration Generation operates on custom orders. They do cake tastings but they box up the samples for you to take home after stopping by their industrial kitchen. Yes, for those of you wondering, CG is a licensed through the state of MN.

Marie and I connected because we are both small business owners in the growth stage of business. We are absolutely passionate about what we do and we both work hard to stay alive in a very competitive industry. You will find that our pricing is often times better then our competitors.

As I mentioned, Marie has very original flavors for her cakes and this definitely carries over into the styles of her cakes. Of course, she can do a more traditional cake but she definitely caters to the bride that is looking for something unique. She's done everything from a funky retro cake to the traditional white on white cake. She is also an expert in special event cakes and groom cakes.

Finally, Celebration Generation insists on delivering all of their cakes. They want to make sure that all the hours and hard work that they've put into each of their confections makes it to your event unscathed. They can also match your cake to your wedding colors and you can custom create your cake with the help of Marie. In addition, Marie is available to meet you at a location convienent to you for initial consultations. I find that my brides love that I come to them and I'm sure it is true about their baker as well.

In closing, I hope you will check out Celebration Generation cakes. They do great work! http://www.celebrationgeneration.com/about.html


Photo Credits: Celebration Generation

Bridal Sample Sale!

If you are looking to purchase a bridal gown and get a great deal, check out this sample sale.

Floor stock SAMPLE GOWNS will be on sale at

BRIDAL ACCENTS COUTURE

Saturday, December 5th from 10AM to 4PM

30% to 90% off!

DOORS OPEN AT 10AM SHARP!

NO APPOINTMENTS WILL BE TAKEN, SO BE SURE TO COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION

Also included in the sample sale are veils, prom dresses, formalwear, bridal/bridesmaid shoes, purses, gloves, garters, guest books, flower girl dresses, tiaras, jewelry, and more


BRIDAL ACCENTS COUTURE
"Because every bride deserves a couture experience"
4401 County Road 42 West in Savage
Phone: (952) 846-4496 ext 2
Fax: (952) 846-4268
www.bridalaccentscouture.com

Facebook: bridal accents
Twitter: @bridal_accents

DIY Wedding Flowers

Many brides get a big dose of sticker shock when they go to the florist for their wedding flowers. On average, a bride will spend between $2000 and $4000 on bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces for her wedding.

The reason floral budgets tend to be in the thousands is because many times shipments of flowers come from South America or Europe, and then there is the labor involved in creating fantastic arrangements and bouquets. Add in the cost of set up and delivery and you can see how things can get a bit spendy, especially if you are ordering out of season flowers or expensive flowers such as Calla Lilies or Hydrangea.

Most brides decide to hire a florist because they don't want to do the labor intensive process of creating boutonnieres and bouquets. As a planner that has planned weddings for a wide variety of budgets I have actually created centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres. In general, it takes 30 minutes to an hour per bouquet, 20 minutes per boutonniere, and 1 to 2 hours per centerpiece. So, pretty much 8 to 10 hours of floral labor depending on the size of the bridal party and how many tables are at the reception. You can see why many brides decide the cost is worth it. Below are some pictures of bouquets and arrangements I have created.

Alas, sometimes it simply isn't in the budget and yet decor is an essential element in a wedding. So for all the DIY brides that can wrangle up some girlfriends to create your wedding flowers here is a quick "how to."

First, buy your flowers on Thursday if you have a Saturday wedding, Wednesday if you are having a Friday wedding. Check out your local Lunds/Byerly's, Farmer's Market or Sam's Club. I personally love all three because they usually have fantastic pre-made bouquets that can be tweaked to look like expensive wedding flowers.


First, take apart the pre-made bouquet and place the stem in a bowl of water with flower food in it. Cut the stem under the water with a pair of gardening shears. This is so there is a fresh cut which will make the flower last longer. If you cut it under water air bubbles will not infiltrate the stem causing them to wilt.

After all of the stems have had a fresh cut take out any that are damaged or bruised. Pick only the nicest flowers and start grouping in small bundles of three or four flowers. Tape with florist tape. Now that this part is completed you can start to assemble the bouquet.

Take the mini bouquets and start grouping them together until you have an arrangement that you like. Wire the bouquet together with florist wire, or use florist tape. (I like using the tape.)

Finally, use a wide ribbon and pearl head pins to finish. Pin the ribbon into place at the bottom of the bouquet. Wrap the ribbon overlapping each time until you reach the top of the bouquet and then pin. I always like to add pearl head pins in a line up the bouquet for extra security and because it looks pretty.

Boutonnieres are generally a snap. Take a nice smaller flower and some greenery and secure them together with florist tape. Tie a bow (if you wish)right underneath the flower head and viola, you have a boutonniere! Pin on the guys using a pearl head pin.

Arrangements are a bit more tricky. I like to use two or three pre-made bouquets. You can either use florist foam for opaque vases (which I love because you have so much more control over the placement of the flowers) or clear rubber bands if you are using a glass vase. Go through the cutting of the stems, only vary the height.

First, place the best flowers into the vase. You can use the numbering method if you wish so that each arrangement has the same look or you can just eye ball it. I prefer the latter because I think it gives a bit more creative license. Once you have the most beautiful flowers in, start adding the greenery until the arrangement looks full. If you are using florist foam, you are done! If you are not using foam, take the finished arrangement out of the vase and put on clear rubber bands so that the arrangement stays together while it is being handled.

I've done this a few times now for my clients, and although it is a bit more work for me, if I can save them some money in this area so we can put that money into an open bar or great appetizers it is well worth it!



Photo Credits: Wonderful Day Weddings, Lucas Allen from Real Simple Weddings

Vendor Spotlight - Chow Girls

I love Chow Girls Catering. Absolutely love them. I had the great pleasure of working with Heidi and Amy at one of my more offbeat weddings. They provided the Catering for a couple of my clients that insisted on having their wedding reception at Nina's Cafe in St. Paul.

Nina's is situated on Western Avenue in a lovely brownstone building, and they make a wicked Chai! Inside, it has a very retro feel, with a hodge podge of mid century furniture, and beautiful artwork adorning the walls. However, when asked if I could pull off an intimate wedding reception there for about 75 guests, I was a little hesitant. After reworking the floor plan, bringing in a lot of rental items and hiring Chow Girls, this fete was perfection!

Chow Girls did an excellent job with their catering, and their serving. When they arrived they set up their buffet station and table settings after I put on the table linens and put out the centerpieces. It was nice that they worked so quickly and skillfully and did not need a ton of direction from me.

The menu was scrumptious to say the least! Chicken Satay, killer crab cakes, and quiche were passed hors d'oeurves and later they offered a buffet. It was divine. (Yes, I snuck a nibble or two!)


I have to say, their food is delicious, their service is great and the menu is spectacular! It has been a couple of years now, and I'm still raving about them. I hope that I get to work with them again in the near future.

Photo Credits: Wonderful Day Weddings, Chow Girls Website, Cafeapolis Website

Upcoming Trunk Shows

November has a few promising trunk shows coming up! Check these out if you are looking for your gown.

The 3rd Annual Bridesmaid’s Event by Bridal Accents Couture
November 12-14
Bridal Accents Couture
4401 County Road 42 West
Savage, MN


Dual Trunk Show! by Mestad’s
November 13-15
Mestad’s
1171 6th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
800-294-2440


Mori Lee Bridal Gown Trunk Show by Heartstrings Bridal
November 20th-30th
Heartstrings Bridal
1605 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
952.932.9090 Phone

Lela Rose Trunk Show
Dec 10, 2009 5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(4 day event)
L'atelier Couture
493 Selby Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105

http://www.lelarose.com


A new addition to our boutique, Lela Rose has quickly risen to a favorite of all brides! Offering 10% off all Lela Rose special order bridal gowns.

MN Bride Magazine "Best of 2009" Awards

Every year I look forward to going to the "Best of 2009" awards hosted by MN Bride magazine. They throw a pretty swanky affair, and honor the best of the best in the wedding industry. In years to come, I hope that I can at least be nominated. However, I feel a bit funny about asking my clients if they would nominate me. I guess I'll just have to get over that.

This year, the event was held at The Varsity Theater in Dinkytown. This space is truly one of the cooler venues for those couples that have an edge. I really think having a reception here would be sublime.

The event schematic for the awards ceremony was red and black, but done in a funky, modern way. There was also event prop furniture brought in that was really loungey and wonderful. The appetizers were fantastic, there were passed hors d'oeurves and also a heavy appetizers station. Later in the evening they had delectable desserts passed around.

It was a great evening, and I was pleased that one of the vendors I work with Synergy Band won "Best Entertainer of 2009." They absolutely deserve it and I hope to work with them again. They are a the top of my list for live music!

Photo Credits: Scott Haraldson

International Special Events Society hosting Sasha Souza!

I'm so excited! The Mpls-St. Paul chapter of the International Special Events Society is having a program with one of the top wedding planners in the industry as a speaker. Her name is Sasha Souza and she is simply amazing, not to mention a world renowned wedding planner.

Her event design is breathtaking,and she's dealt with her fair share of logistical nightmares. I think I have a thing or two I could learn from this lady! She has been named one of the "Top 25 Trendsetters" by Modern Bride Magazine and also holds the highest honor of Master Bridal Consultant from the Association of Bridal Consultants. Although I don't belong to ABC, I have a lot of respect for them because they are one of the top bridal consulting associations. I chose to become certified with Weddings Beautiful Worldwide which is an international consultant association and a sister company of Brides magazine.

In addition to these honors, Sasha Souza has also been on the show "Whose wedding is it anyway?" and has been named as "Designer of the Year" by Event Solutions magazine. Event Solutions magazine and Minnesota Meetings and Events magazine are both wonderful publications and a must have for event planners.

I'm thrilled that Sasha is coming to speak to us at this event. As a wedding planner and a special events planner I really love going to ISES programs because they always have great educational materials done in an entertaining way. Sasha has a book coming out Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design and I'm sure I'll be getting a copy! She truly is at the forefront of our industry and I look forward to seeing what elements from her events I can incorporate into the weddings I plan for my clients. To get a copy of her book visit Sasha's website at www.signaturesasha.com.

Of course, I will keep you updated on the program and I'm sure I will be blogging about what a great experience it was.

Photo Credits: Signaturesasha.com

Cost Effective Design -Using Nature Inspired Centerpieces

In this economy event design has been scaled back dramatically. Gone are the days when a bride and groom decide to spend $200 per table on floral centerpieces. While I agree that centerpieces shouldn't be overlooked, they don't have to be floral.

In fact, there are many ways to cut back on flower costs by using nature inspired centerpieces in your event design. While I wouldn't recommend a bride carry a bundle of twigs down the aisle, I would recommend she incorporate some willow branches into her bouquet. Then she can use the branches as the main component to her table centerpieces, with the flowers being the accent.

I really, really love moss. It is very easy to maintain, it stays fresh the entire evening and you could even grow your own. Using moss as your centerpiece would be absolutely lovely. Large moss balls filling large hurricane vases with candle votives flanking is dramatic yet simple!

It would be easy to make moss balls by using moss, floral foam balls and a glue gun. Be sure the spray the moss with a spray bottle to keep it moist and it should last a very long time! Another idea would be to use a square vase with moss on top of rocs and then willow branches or tall twigs as the "flowers."

Wheat grass is another really cool option. You could also grow this hearty grass for yourself and use it in many different ways throughout your wedding and reception. I'm thinking that tin buckets filled with wheat grass adorning the sides of pews, or a box of wheat grass displaying escort cards would be so cute! Using wheat grass to surround one simple flower like a Gerber daisy, or mums would make an exceptional table centerpiece. This grass is so versatile it looks great in a pail or a beautiful glass vase.

Another fabulous idea is to use wonderful smelling herbs such as Rosemary or Basil as centerpieces and as an accent in your bouquets. It is pretty easy to grow these herbs and they would look great in Terra-cotta pots or wooden boxes.

The Earth supplies so many wonderful natural elements, especially during the holidays. Pine cones or cattails also make really beautiful centerpieces simply by being grouped together in bunches. The same can be said for rocks and simple flowers like mums. If you group one natural element together in a large bunch it really punches up the impact. So go ahead, collect those cattails from the marsh down the street and tie them with raffia! Stick them in cylinder vase and watch your guests oooh and ahhh over their beauty. This would work great for a late summer or autumn wedding!

Finally, don't forget about edible arrangements that can also greatly reduce centerpiece costs. Coffee beans are absolutely beautiful when poured into a great glass vase and topped with a simple flower. Candles surrounded by pears or apples on a beautiful ceramic dish are also heavenly to the eyes. During the fall, hollowed out pumpkins or gourds filled with mums and roses are simple and stunning.

I think that flowers are always the most beautiful part of a wedding (besides the bride), but that doesn't mean that they have to be used in abundance. Little touches of flowers accenting natural materials just might be the best bang you will get for your buck. Plus, centerpieces that are eco friendly and cost effective are the best kind!


Photo Credits: Top inspiration board - Thoughfullysimple.com,projectwedding.com,banquetevent.com,RachelRay.com,keytoyourheart.com, theknot.com, saveoncrafts.com

Middle inspiration board - intimateweddings.com, flowerworks.biz,woodringsfloral.com, bhg.com, theknot.com


Bottom inspiration board - projectwedding.com, thoughtfullysimple.com, banquetevent.com, MarthaStewart.com, theknot.com, thecandledepot.com, ideasthanksgiving.com, potterybarn.com, bhg.com

Event Furnishings - So chic!

If there is one thing about a wedding that guests absolutely love it is the cocktail hour. Why not make it extra special by creating a lounge feeling during this much needed down time? Designing a lounge area for guests to sip drinks and interact is a great ROI  (return on investment).

I know that most people think that there is no ROI for a wedding, but think again! Return on investment for weddings is a little different, it is measured in the compliments and years worth of discussion about how awesome your wedding was.You are entertaining your nearest and dearest, and if you really want to show everyone a fantastic time having an exceptional cocktail hour gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

I think that incorporating an area where guests can sit comfortably, with great drinks and appetizers and cool mood lighting is perfect. There are so many cool things you can do, especially with all the great modern furniture out there. This furniture basically functions as props and you can rent them from event prop companies and sometimes your local party rental.

If you want a sleek, sophisticated look go for clean lines and bright white. A bonus to this is you can use lighting to create whatever hue you wish! So, let's say there is a color that you love, but it didn't make it into your color palette for the wedding schematic. You could totally use it during the cocktail reception!

http://www.afrevents.com/index.php
http://aarcee.classiceventsandtents.com/index.html

Color Trends for 2010

First of all, I cannot believe it is going to be 2010! I remember what it was like NYE on 1999 worrying about Y2K and all the craziest partying and here we are 10 years later. The colors from Pantone, the authority on every years color trends in fashion and home decor, has decided that the following colors are the trend for 2010.

Molecular - This is the rich, deep blue indigo of the midnight sky. The rich tones of the night are perfect for an evening wedding. It screams sophistication, especially when paired with the creamy color of the milky way.

Byzantine - Picture the color of ancient papyrus. This taupe hue dazzles, especially when paired with it's deeper compliment of mustard or a deeper monochromatic tone, such as wheat.

Urban Field - This tone is of the Earth. Grayish green, moss green, beer bottle green, and even a hint of a subdued chartreuse is absolutely stunning. This is a "trend" that is here to stay, especially with so many brides looking to be Earth conscious. Greens are easily paired with complimentary and contrasting colors. Don't forget Earth tones always work well!

Mimetic - This shade is the deep purple/magenta that is absolutely magnificent! Not only does it include the various shades of lavender, but mimetic can also channel the gray/silver that has been so popular the last year. This year's, pinkish, purplish hue has so many colors it can be paired with. Don't be afraid to go bold, like using a molecular shade as a complimentary color. To contrast, think moss!

Reconstruction - Ah, the deep, dark brown is back. This color is heavier than milk chocolate, more a dark chocolate. Almost black to the eye, but not quite. It pairs so wonderfully with a variety of colors because it is essentially a neutral. In addition to the heavy browns, the heavy reds are back as well. Merlot is a favorite this year!

Neuro Networks - ethereal blues, like the morning sky are absolutely a trend this year. Light blue is not the only pastel to be a top color pick, but the very pale yellow, almost a butter cream is very "in" this year. We are also seeing a pairing of mauve. A mauve with a pale yellow would like fantastic, like the early morning sky.

Universe - Finally, the most popular color ever. Black. Yes, as always it is in fashion again this season. I love black because it really can be used in so many different ways. There is always black and white, with a pop of color like red, apple green or magenta. No matter what, if you include black in your "black tie" affair it will be a hit. I promise.

Walker Art Center - A cool space for a cool wedding

So, on Friday I was invited to go to the Walker Art Center to view the event spaces they have available for weddings. Erin Brunell, Sales and Catering Coordinator for the Walker Art Center wowed me with their impressive menu from Wolfgang Puck and the variety of choices they offer for both ceremony and receptions.

It is popular to do the ceremony outside in the Sculpture Garden or on the terrace off of Gallery 8 and then have a reception in one of their many spaces available.

The space I was most impressed with is their Skyline room which has sleek white walls, and is shaped to look like a snowflake. When you look out the windows of the Skyline room you get such a great view of Minneapolis! During the evening this is absolutely stunning. This space is very sophisticated and understated. It could lend itself to a very dramatic and contemporary event schematic, or something more traditional.


Gallery 8 and & Terrace is another wonderful space. The Terrace is a popular place for a wedding ceremony because it has 180 degree views of the sculpture garden and the city. In addition, you can have tenting on the terrace, and therefore it could be used as either a ceremony site or for a reception. Inside, the Gallery has very funky modern art on the walls with bright hues. This area would make for a great reception, especially with event lighting! However, it also works for ceremonies that are infused with color.

Truly, Gallery 8 and The Terrace would be fantastic for the couple with a bit of an edge. The Terrace is really a blank canvas so it lends itself to any type of ceremony whether that would be bright colors or all white. The Gallery is a bit edgier and would be perfect to punch it up a notch.

Cargill Lounge is yet another option. With its sleek modern sophistication and floor to ceiling windows with great views, this room would be fantastic for a contemporary ceremony. It could also host an impressive reception. Again, this area is a blank canvas, so the event schematic would be done using florals, linens, lighting and furniture props. I could see this space with funky, modular furniture for a very loungey cocktail inspired reception.

Gina & Johnny's Wedding

Gina and Johnny were a wonderful couple to work with. They were both graduate students and history buffs and very fun loving! In fact, the most important part to both of them was that they have a fantastically tasty wedding cake. Queen of Cakes located in Edina was a great match for them, and Terry and her staff did an excellent job. The cake tasted perfect and they followed the directives of Gina and Johnny with vines crawling up the cake and surrounding it.

Gina and Johnny were also very musical, and they love everything classical. This meant having a very old world style of wedding and the colors definitely reflected the sophistication of their wedding. Indigo and ivory with touches of silver here and there made for a perfect palette for their evening nuptials with a formal reception following.

The Wayzata Country Club was a natural choice for the bride and groom, as it was located fairly close to their church in Excelsior. The Wayzata Country Club is a private club in the Tudor style and has beautiful gardens, and the ballroom overlooks the terrace and outdoor swimming pool. The grand ballroom is very elegant with beveled ceilings, and beautiful chandeliers.

For their menu, Gina and Johnny gave a nod to her Italian heritage and served passed hors d'oeuvres such as bruschetta, and also hosted both beer and wine. (A smart idea to offer guests a beverage but without having a completely open bar which can get quite spendy.) They also had Ceaser Salad,Chicken Parmesan, and almond encrusted green beans for dinner. Everything went very smoothly and Katherine and her staff were very friendly and flexible to work with.

Synergy is the premiere 10 piece band for weddings and social events in the Twin Cities and we were very lucky to book them for Gina and Johnny. They were so awesome! The newlyweds and their guests danced the evening away, and it was just fabulous to see the choreographed dances between husband and wife and father and daughter. I would definitely recommend dance lessons to couples for their wedding dances, it is really one of the highlights of the evening to watch a new couple dance their heart out together and look great doing it!

Gina was a beautiful vision that day with a drop waiste white gown from The Wedding Shoppe in St. Paul. This is hands down my favorite bridal boutique in Minnesota. They have dresses for every price range, and helpful staff. In addition, they also do tuxes/menswear and bridesmaid gowns. It was very easy to coordinate the wedding party attire with all of the dresses and tuxes being purchased from the same store.

All of the flowers were from Minneapolis Floral and they did such a fine job pulling together Gina's old world vision. She wanted a very simple color palette of ivory with greens for her floral choices. In fact, she preferred mostly greens with just a few ivory roses to give her centerpieces and bouquets the looked of being plucked from an English garden. Centerpieces were both high and low and staggered so that the aesthetic was very pleasing to the eye. Each centerpiece was placed on a beveled mirror with votive candles flanking it to create dimension and light.

All in all it was a fantastic wedding for a fantastic couple! I was so very honored to be their planner and I really hope to work with Wayzata Country Club again in the future.

Woodland Hills Winery

My husband and I were searching for a winery to visit close to our home for our 7th anniversary and I discovered this beautiful, picturesque vineyard in Delano, MN. Woodland Hills Winery is the real McCoy! It has a lovely boutique and tasting room, a pavilion for music, spacious gardens and even an old fashioned red barn.They do weddings of 100-150 people. They offer sleigh rides during the winter and hay rides from spring - fall. This winery has only been open since 2007 so it is relatively new and they have not done a lot of weddings there...yet!

This little gem would be such a wonderful place to do a quaint wedding, especially for those that love wine. Their "Autumn Sky" chardonnay is absolutely fantastic and their "Crimson Delight" is so tasty, one would forget it is a blush wine.

In fact, Woodland Hills was featured in the Star & Tribune for their "wine of the week" on 7/16/09. I really loved this place. While we were there, they had a large tent set up for the German dinner. This shows that they could absolutely do a fantastic afternoon outdoor reception. For the wedding ceremony, I think the couple could be married on the steps of the boutique, or in front of the vineyard gates. The pavilion would be the perfect place to have the musicians for both the ceremony and reception.

I'm sure there are other options for event set up, but I was spending my time enjoying their fantastic wine instead of thinking about business. However, I soon realized that this winery has great potential to be one of the sought after wedding venues outside of the Twin Cities. Cheers to Woodland Hill Winery! I hope to coordinate a wedding at this venue one day!

If you're going to go theme, do it all out.

It is my personal opinion that if you choose to do a "theme" for your wedding, you should go all out and carry it through. I know there are other planners that would advise against this, and would want you to "tone it down" but then, what is the point? Isn't that just another wedding with a color scheme instead of an actual theme?

Strawberry Wedding - I actually got my inspiration for this while going strawberry picking at Apple Jax Orchard with my little family. It was such a beautiful day, I dressed my daughter in a Strawberry Shortcake shirt, and we went off to pick some strawberries.

The inspiration board below shows some of my ideas, but there are some that haven't been Googled! For instance, you could do Strawberry plant centerpieces in a white ceramic bowl. For table markers, download the images of the Strawberry shortcake gang, label each character and print. Then glue them on a Popsicle stick and have guests find their tables by using the markers instead of table numbers.

Favors would be so easy, strawberries dipped in chocolate (white or dark) and then wrapped in cellophane and ribbon. Putting one at each place setting or grouping them together on a platter would be gorgeous. Other details, such as the cake and bouquet could also be adorned with fresh strawberries. Why not take the bridal party strawberry picking before and gather fresh strawberries to be used? Or, if you were a really savvy bride you could plant your own strawberry garden and harvest your very own bouquet. Of course, flowers could be included in the bouquet, or doing something really dramatic like an all strawberry bouquet would be majestic!



The Ladybug Wedding-
The ladybug wedding would be fantastic for a girl that loves the classic color combo of black and red, but doesn't want something too gothic. Incorporating a ladybug keeps this color scheme very lighthearted. Plus, this would be perfect if you happen to love ladybugs, and are having a late summer wedding!

It would be really fun to have a cake with a million little ladybugs crawling down it, or just one big one as a cake topper. Black dresses with a pop of red, or vise-versa would work well! I think the most fun part of doing a wedding like this would be the paper crafts. The invitations, programs, menus, and favors would be absolutely adorable!

The reception centerpieces could be low, filled with red and black roses and tied with ladybug ribbon. A bouquet of roses, with stephanotis flower and wrapped in black ribbon would be very appealing. In addition, you could look for a great red and black classic car! A black convertible with red leather seats or a red Volkswagen beetle would be absolutely perfect!

Lovebirds Wedding -
The "love birds" theme is so cute if you plan on having a wedding with robins egg blue, but also want to incorporate other complimentary colors such as red, lavender, yellow, white, brown...really the possibilities are endless. This is because it would be so easy to make your own fantastic centerpieces with a trip to Joann Fabrics or Michael's craft store. They carry premade birdhouses that you can paint any color you want. You could easily remove the roof of the birdhouse, stuff it with floral foam and wildflowers and reattach the roof slight off kilter with a glue gun. Of course, you could always just use the pre-cut door and have flowers popping out!

You can find bird nest/egg favors at most favor websites or stationery stores. Speaking of stationery, wouldn't it be grand to have your stationer come up with an original design including the birdhouse? It could be elegant or funky! You could have the birdhouse designed to be part of the invitation or make a bird house invitation! Another great idea would be to have a row of birdhouses affixed to a board and have your escort cards fastened to a hanging ribbon with a pin!

Even the boutonnieres and bouquets could include the "lovebirds". The boutonniere itself could be a miniature birdhouse, and the bouquet could have miniature craft birds added to it. A cake with a birdhouse topper or a cake shaped like a birdhouse would be fantastic! This type of wedding is fun, funky and original. Love is for the birds!

PHOTO CREDITS
Strawberry Inspiration Board: Snippets & Ink, Alvis Cars, Kidspartyguide.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, weddingdetails.com, yummyfavours.blogspot.com, designer co-op

Ladybug Inspiration Board: favorcreative.com, finestationery.com, Marqueetent.com, projectwedding.com,dreamdesignsfloral.com, theknot.com, shoreybeetle.com

Lovebirds Inspiration Board: momentaldesign.com, projectwedding.com,beau-coup.com, crate & barrel, Elizabethanndesigns.com, babushkacakes.com, etsy.com, Todd Oldam floral

I try to identify and give credit for all the stock photography I use in my inspiration boards. If I've missed a source, or if you would like me to remove your photography from my blog, please message me and I will gladly replace it with another image.

Styles of Classic Country Weddings

Whenever I hear a bride say she wants a "classic country wedding" I'm always thinking "Okay, but what kind?" There are so many ways to do a country wedding, whether it is very casual or very elegant. Styles range from shabby chic to rustic. For many of these weddings a great, non-fussy reception filled with comfort food is the focus. Other times, the event is very elegant using the traditional white and cream monochromatic scheme to have a very East coast country wedding. Really, the possibilities are endless!

The most wonderful part of the classic country wedding is that it can be done in any season and they always turn out beautifully. Of course, the most popular time of year for the country wedding is autumn, but really you can do a fantastic wedding at the country house during any season.

Below are a few inspiration boards that I've created using stock photography to show brides how many different ways you can pull off a "classic country wedding."


Sunflower Wedding - The sunflower wedding is usually pretty casual, like the flower itself. Chocolate browns mixed with golden yellows, the warm late summer sun, a glass of lemonade...all of these things lend themselves to the atmosphere of a friendly, happy occasion! Rent an old VW bug in butter yellow, give away sunflower seeds for planting as a favor, and use this amazingly beautiful flower throughout your reception. The most wonderful thing about a sunflower reception is you can go to almost any Farmer's Market in town and find this flower! If you throw a few sunflowers together and bind it with raffia, you have a fantastic bouquet!


Shabby Chic Wedding - This type of wedding is perfect for a feminine bride that has a very secure fiance. Personally, I think a shabby chic wedding looks best in pink, or a light green but just about any pastel will do. This type of wedding is all about those unique yard sale finds. Scour the thrift stores for old teapots that coordinate and yet are all different from each other. Use them as centerpieces and fill them with creamy roses or hydrangeas. Hanging candles, weathered baskets, even old quilts as table cloths can be used to create this classically romantic ambiance. Why not rent the infamous "Pink Cadillac" that Bruce Springsteen sings about, and hang a chandelier from a tree? I'm positive you could find one at a local thrift store, paint it white, and add beading to make a shabby chic statement!



Rustic Country Wedding - This is what most of us think about when we picture a country wedding: a big red barn reception, autumn colors, hay bales, BBQ, and a Blue Grass band. This is truly down home, and autumn just happens to be the most beautiful time of year on the farm. There are so many wonderful ideas to incorporate into an event like this. Many of them are DIY projects such as wiring old mason jars, hanging them to the tree and lighting votive candles.

Other interesting and fun ideas are creating a wedding wreath to hang on the barn door or incorporating gingham, burlap or calico fabrics into the reception. To cover ugly chairs, all you would need is a few bolts of burlap fabric! Measure the chair, then make the fabric about 1/3 longer, of the length and the width. Cover the chair with the fabric and tie with ribbon or a flower swag! Fantastic!

Giving away favors that are personalized BBQ sauce bottles, or jars of jam, honey, or pickles is a great idea! Use a computer to personalize the labels by picking some up from Office Max.

For floral decor there are so many fabulous options such as roses, mums, daisies, sunflowers, and alstromeria. Using berries, wheat and other fruits like pumpkins, apples or squash is another way to add fantastic aesthetics without spending a lot of money.


Traditional Country White
Finally, I really, really love a traditional white on white country wedding. The creamy flowers, weathered wicker baskets, old fashioned chapels all make this style of wedding fresh as a daisy! A wedding done this way will look beautiful, forever because everything is so classic it will never go out of style.











Photo credits:

Sunflower Inspiration Board - Wishpot.com, polyvore.com, weddingloco.com, sunflowergardenwedding.com, examiner.com, ebrideconnect.com

Shabby Chic Inspiration Board - projectwedding.com, stylemepretty.com, debanhams.com, brides.com, theknot.com, istockphoto.com

Rustic Inspiration Board -Martha Stewart weddings, thknot.com, brides.com, crateandbarrel.com, Chysalia Flowers

White Country Inspiration Board - stylemepretty.com, snippetsandink.com, pinkcakebox.com,crateandbarrel.com, istockphoto.com, theknot.com

I try to identify and give credit for all the stock photography I use in my inspiration boards. If I've missed a source, or if you would like me to remove your photography from my blog, please message me and I will gladly replace it with another image.

Color Trends for 2009

As a wedding planner, I love to get my inspiration for event design from many sources. I do a lot of window shopping to see what fashion's new colors are for the season and pair those with traditional neutrals and wallah, an event schematic is born.

For the most part, the brides I work with know what they want, and I love that! It is rare that I have to gasp at a color pairing and try to advise them on something different. However, my favorite type of bride is one that has a contemporary edge with a classic fashion sense and is willing to venture out away from the monochromatic or pastels. Conjoining a neutral tone with a more vibrant hue can result in such brilliance! This can be done with fabric, flowers or even lighting.

So, without further ado, here are my personal favorite pairings for 2009. First and foremost, gray is the new chocolate. This color is so versatile, it can go with a vibrant color, a pastel or an Earth tone! In addition to that, the shade of gray can be dark like slate, or as light as precipitous cloud and it would still look good paired with almost any color.

For instance, a medium range gray with a pastel pink is a very classic color combination. It isn't as vintage as black and pink, or as overdone as chocolate and pink. Surprisingly, Tiffany blue and a light gray look fantastic as well.

If you want to be bolder, a slate gray paired with a butter yellow and crisp white looks amazing! Another great color is a rich salmon, lime green and gray! Think about it, salmon with lime on a silver platter generally has a beautiful aesthetic. Or, if you're going for a more sophisticated color scheme, a shimmery light gray with and indigo blue and ivory would be reminiscent of the evening sky.

Earth tones go great with gray! Chocolate, taupe, burgundy, pumpkin, moss green... they all look fantastic! This would be especially nice if you were doing a "rustic elegance " wedding. Gray overlays with a centerpiece of river rocks, moss and beautiful willow branches would make a stunning, yet low key statement.

Vintage 40's is in! During this era, both muted tones and vibrant colors were all the rage. If you look at this era you see Lingerie in pale mauve, deep ivory, la vender, or a buttery yellow. These soft colors are perfect for an afternoon wedding on a summer day.
However, you also saw bold pairings like an aquama rine blue with candy apple red during this era. The retro feel of the 40's and 50's is a great place to get inspiration for wedding colors if you're a bride with a bit of an edge. Teal, red and white really pops and is perfect for the retro bride that loves the simple lines and bright colors of the 1950's. As you can see, you will have amazing wed ding photos with this color scheme! The 40's a nd 50's are classically glamorous, mid-century co ntemporary or art deco are both the toast of th e design world because they are still so appealing today.

If you want to wander off into the hipster 60's without doing the bohemian/hippie casual style of wedding, ou could also go with something more funky like chartreuse green, white and aqua. Whatever you decide, muted or vibrant, this era definitely has some great inspiration.

Etsy is a great place to seek out the serendipity of vintage colors. :)

Additionally, I am seeing some color combos that are so exciting, as well as extravagant for the eyes. There is deep burgundy and salmon, yes I said it...burgundy and peach! This look is so sultry and can be done in summer or fall!

I also really love a burnt orange paired with a deep teal. It is stunning, especially for a rustic, sunset wedding on the beach. It just reminds me of a late summer wedding at the lake or on the beach in the Caribbean!

Another unexpected combination of colors is a deep navy with lilac paired with lilac hues. They are an unusual use of an almost monochromatic color scheme! Finally, I am still seeing brown and pink paired together, but the shades have reversed. We are now seeing a more light wooden brown, with a deeper pink like raspberry or wine.

Of course, we are still seeing the classic combos as well. Burnt orange and chocolate brown are still a favorite for an autumn wedding. Taupe, blue and chocolate is still a classic and beautiful combination for a sophisticated summer wedding. The monochromatic white, off white color scheme will never go out of style because it continues to have such a fresh appeal, and the green and cream will live on forever. And thank goodness for that! :)

Well, it is been fun discussing color trends I've seen in the industry but also talking about the trends I see forthcoming. Don't forget to go window shopping and check out the colors they are presenting. This is a great way to forecast the new trends for 2010!













Photo Credits:
Gray & Green Inspiration Board - Brides.com, Tastefully Entertaining.blogspot.com
Aqua & Chartreuse Inspiration Board - Brides.com
Teal & Red Inspiration Board - isawred.com, weddingsonthefrenchriveria.com,knot.com, brides.com
Blue & Chocolate Inspiration Board - weddingsonthefrenchriveria.com, favorideas.com, brides.com, photobucket.
Orange & Teal Inspiration Board - weddingsonthefrenchriveria.com
Burgundy & Peach Inspiration Board - tastefullyentertaining.blogspot.com
Autumn Inspiration Board - tastefullyentertaining.blogspot.com

The Candy Bar - a sweet distraction

The "candy bar" peaked in popularity a couple of years ago but it is a concept that is still going strong. In fact, I worked with a couple this summer that had a candy bar at their reception and it was a huge hit! Guests were raving about how beautiful it was, the originality of the candy and there were even some great pictures of the bride raiding it near the end of the reception.

In lieu of giving out individual favors, this alternative allows guests to take a trinket if they wish. The best part is, they are relatively easy to create and you won't find hundreds of dollars wasted at the end of the evening when guests decided to leave without their favor.


Having a candy bar also saves time because it is much easier to have your wedding planner set up this station using apothecary jars, mason jars or other ornamental glass containers then spending hours tying tulle and ribbon around hundreds of favors. You can really let your creativity flow too!

This type of favor is just as beautiful as one at each place setting because of the impact it has. Beautiful glass filled with mouth watering candies such as salt water taffy and chocolate truffles creates a very unique aesthetic. Especially if you coordinate the fabric, jars and candies! Having a flower arrangement and a sign that describes each candy really grabs attention.

Couples have been known to incorporate candies that were important to them during their courtship. For example, if a couple had met at an amusement park, including huge, multicolored, lollipops would be a great way to tell guests about their love story. The other fabulous thing about candy bars is you can use bags or boxes for guests to scoop their treasures into. This offers so much versatility! They can be ornate, or very simple.

Additionally, the size of the candy bar can be as big or as small as you want it to be. It can be filled with expensive candies ordered from across the globe, or your just M & M's with your name and date on them.

Finally, for those of you that don't have a planner, or cannot trust one of your relatives to set the bar up for you, there are a few companies in the Twin Cities that specialize in this type of favor. Love Sweet Love is one of them and many of the fantastic bakeries around town set up sweet tables as well!

If you want to attempt to create this for your own wedding, I would suggest visiting http://www.save-on-crafts.com/.

Save on Crafts has tons of fantastic apothecary jars and cake stands, fabric, and favor bags & boxes. They have everything you could possibly want for wedding supplies.

Wedding Style - 30's Glamor

I recently watched the remake of "Grey Gardens" starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lang. I couldn't help but be blown away by the feminine style of the 1930's and 1940's and how the classic lines of the clothes made every woman look amazing. It has inspired me to advocate for this era in wedding attire. Personally, I feel that we are not going far enough back into the fashion archives for inspiration.

I see that the 1980's have obviously come back into style for today's teens, but I keep hoping that women will see that the feminine beauty of the 1930's and 1940's is the most flattering. After all, skinny jeans and striped shirts with legwarmers only look good through the lens of youth. I can't help but cringe when I see photos of brides from the 1980's with the huge puffy sleeves, lace bodices and full tulle skirts fit for a Disney princess. So here is my suggestion for brides at the turn of the 21st Century... be inspired by the classic, feminine lines of the past but add a new twist. Where will this new twist come from? Hopefully Vera Wang!

It's no wonder that the 1930's and 1940's wedding dresses really never went out of style. Whether you fancy a dress with soft ivory color and cowl neckline or something dove white with tea length skirting and a fitted bodice, each dress highlights the fabulous feminine figure. If you are looking for a dress that will look classic and beautiful 100 years from now, go with a vintage style 30's or 40's dress that plays up your femininity. This doesn't mean you have to actually buy a vintage dress, but look for something with dress lines similar to what women were wearing in those eras. Show off your curves and celebrate the female form!

For instance, a tea length white dress with a pop of pink would be perfect for an afternoon garden wedding with brunch and champagne reception. The fitted waist and full skirt would look fantastic on a petite frame. Very Audrey Hepburn!

For the sophisticated evening wedding, with a cocktails and hors d'eourves reception, something a little slinky would be perfect! Ivory and satin, with a deep v-neckline...this dress is dripping with sensuality. Of course, having a full (yet fit) figure helps to make this type of dress look amazing! Va va va vooooooom!

The classic afternoon church wedding with a formal dinner reception deserves a dress like that worn by none other than Miss Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This divine creation has a fitted bodice, ornate detailing and a full skirt. It isn't quite a ballgown because of the capped sleeve, but it has the feel of royalty. Of course, Jackie O was married in 1953, but her dress is a classic and similar to those worn by the debutante's of the 40's.


Sweet Vintage! This sweetheart neckline in a crisp white with floral detailing at the waist-line is absolutely fantastic and reminiscent of the 1930's. This would look great on the petite bride or someone tall and slender.


Hollywood Glamor

A capped sleeve with beading embellishing the bust is classic 40's. This dress pulls in at the waist and flairs at the hip creating the stunning hour-glass figure so many of us cherish. A pill box hat or period veil would look absolutely fantastic.


40's War brides were feminine, youthful and sexy. This dress reminds me of a pin-up. The satin material, cowled shoulders and sweetheart neckline and tight bodice inspires the feel of a princess without the puffy skirting. The skirt is mostly A-line, which gives this vintage dress a timeless feel.