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Weddings and Wedding Planning

Cori Russell (4,755)
Cori Russell

Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple

Unique Wedding Favors 8 Ideas

Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 (46 days 9 hours ago.) Viewed 34 times.

Wedding favors often evoke a "been there, done that" response from wedding guests. Looking for something a little more memorable than a bag of Jordan almonds? Here are our top choices for a few inspiring guest thank-yous.

Late night munchies
After dancing for hours, rolling out individual snacks like mini hamburgers with a fixings bar are a big hit

Photo shop
Rent a photo booth and let your guests take turns posing for the camera. Set up a DIY station with mini-frames so they can take home their favorite shots.

Escape the Elements
If you really want to impress, give your guests something sublimely stylish yet useful to keep them smiling through the elements: stylish sunglasses (to deflect glare), sleek umbrellas (in case of rain), or cashmere scarves (should a breeze pick up).

Personalized Thank-yous
Place small journals at each place setting, and write every guest a personal thank-you note on the front page.

Make some noise
Liven up the party, and hand out maracas, small horns, or even kazoos - a great idea for a relaxed affair or a particularly festive bunch.

Family-favorites
Gather a collection of favorite family recipes from both sides into a small recipe book or box printed with your names and wedding date.

Final Farewell
Send guests away with a final parting gift, and enlist the parking attendants to place a flower with an attached thank-you note on the dashboard of each car. If you´ll be providing guest transportation, be sure to place a basket of these favors at the front of the bus for guests to take prior to departure.

Give Back
Yes, this idea has been done – but altruism is at an all-time high, and we´re jumping on the bandwagon . Donating in the name of your guests to a charity, one that holds special meaning for the two of you, adds another sentimental personal touch to your wedding.

Get even more ideas for unique wedding favors at this wedding favors and gifts guide.

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Wedding Menu Ideas for Every Season

Posted Monday, September 28, 2009 (55 days 3 hours ago.) Viewed 121 times.

Let your wedding catering take a cue from the seasons with our favorite menu ideas for every season…

Spring Wedding Menu Ideas
Summon the taste of spring with light flavors and delicate textures…
  • In Season - serve a main dish featuring ham or lamb

  • Fresh produce – round out the meal with a bounty of fresh fruits and young vegetables like baby carrots, baby asparagus and new potatoes

  • Elegant sides – serve mini quiches or update traditional deviled eggs by adding salmon or crabmeat

  • Bar favorites – a spring menu seems to call for champagne. Mix up a batch of mimosas for a morning wedding, or create a festive champagne cocktail.
Summer Wedding Menu Ideas
Use your summer menu to invoke warmth, sunshine and fun…
  • Serve lighter fare – think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.

  • Spark up the grill - serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad

  • Head to the tropics - feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.
Fall Wedding Menu Ideas
Bring out the rich and comforting tastes of autumn…
  • Traditional favorites – you cannot go wrong with seasonal standbys: turkey, red potatoes, corn bread dressing, green beans, and honey glazed carrots.

  • Family style – re-create a traditional thanksgiving feast by incorporating your family recipes into your wedding menu and serving the meal family style (if your guest list is small).

  • Hearty proteins - Choose a hearty meat that will pair with heavier side dishes – turkey, roasted quail, rib roast

  • Keep it elegant – you can serve traditional fare in sophisticated, creative ways – present soup or veggie puree in mini shot classes or hallowed out gourds, or warm apple cider in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks.
Winter Wedding Menu Ideas
Warm up to a decadent winter menu with these cool ideas to reflect the season…
  • Hearty dishes – serve heartier fare in sophisticated, creative ways – such as colorful butternut squash puree or warm pumpkin soup in ramekins or shot glasses.

  • Wintery beverages – warm guests with eggnog, spiced wine or mixed coffee drinks.

Get even more seasonal wedding menu ideas in this complete wedding catering guide

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21 Creative Wedding Ideas to Set Your Wedding Apart

Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2009 (67 days 8 hours ago.) Viewed 77 times.

There is nothing wrong with the traditional white wedding, but sometimes it is nice to makes yours stand out from the rest

Todays weddings are all about options that reflect your personalities and style. Weve compiled a list of our favorite non-traditional or unexpected wedding ideas to incorporate into every aspect of your big day.

Ceremony Ideas

Location

If you dont host your ceremony in a house of worship or in the same location as your reception, you can get creative with your ceremony location and exchange vows at sunrise on the beach or at sunset from the rooftop of the tallest building in your metropolitan area.

Grand Entrance

Make your entrance especially unique by being escorted by your beloved pet or by arriving on a horse.

Reception Ideas

Venue Type

Think outside the banquet hall and bring your celebration to a naturally beautiful venue like a garden or museum. Your guests will enjoy strolling around picturesque grounds or appreciating timeless works of art.

Seating Arrangements

Add some visual interest to your setting by interspersing different shaped tables throughout the room or seating your guests at long tables for a family-style affair.

Catering Ideas

Ethnic Cuisine

If you have a strong heritage, have visited a favorite world destination together, or even just have an affinity for a particular variety of cuisine, revolve your menu around that ethnic specialty.

Family-style

Offer delectable comfort foods with a twist, served up family-style a great icebreaker for your guests.

Seasonal

Take inspiration from the season and serve a menu that offers a theme of seasonal favorites.

Flowers & Decor Ideas

Au Natural

Consult Mother Nature for inspiration, and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pinecones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception dcor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance.

Consult your Inner Child

For the kid at heart, fill decorative bowls with your favorite candies such as jellybeans and M & Ms - in your wedding colors.

Entertainment Ideas

Ceremony Music

If "Here Comes the Bride" doesnt suit your style or personality, choose a song that does. There is no written rule that states you cant make your grand entrance to a rendition of your favorite Beastie Boys song.

Non-traditional Instruments

If you desire live music over a DJ, consider tying your musician selection to the theme or location of your event. A beachside bash naturally lends itself to the sound of steel drums, while a trumpet quartet will sound impressive in an elaborate cathedral.

Photography Ideas

Creative Shots

Hire your photographer to follow you throughout your entire day (leading up to the "Do Not Disturb" sign, of course). While it may make you feel anxious to have someone photograph you as you get ready, these shots will help you to remember the joy and anticipation of every part of your big day.

Cake Ideas

Cake-free

If cake isnt your favorite dessert, then dont feel the need to serve it to your guests. Apple crisp, peach cobbler, pumpkin pie, cupcakes, or even glazed doughnuts are a hit at the dessert table.

Sugar-free

The end-of-meal offering doesnt have to be made of flour and frosting. Think savory instead, and visit your local cheese shop to have them construct wheels of cheese in tiers and stacked to look like traditional wedding cake.

Attire Ideas

Wardrobe Change

Todays brides are opting to wear not one dress, but two! Wear an elegant gown while you exchange vows, then slip into something a little more comfortable to round out the evening.

Anything but White

A white wedding dress symbolizes innocence and purity, but if thats not your style, feel free to bring out your colorful personality by adding a splash of color to your attire. You can be as subtle as a colored sash and jewels or as bold as a fuchsia-colored dress.

Stationery Ideas

Ethnicity

If your heritage is important for you to represent on your big day, do some research and find a stationer who offers multi-cultural invitations and announcements.

Creative Touch

For more intimate, casual gatherings, request the honor of your guests presence in an innovative and entertaining way. Heres an idea - have your invite printed on a balloon so guests have to blow them up to receive the message.

Transportation Ideas

Grand Entrance

If the size of your bridal party doesnt warrant a stretch limousine, consider arriving on horseback, on the back of your husbands motorcycle, or in the passengers seat of your dads antique car.

Favor Ideas

Something Useful

Give your guests something they can enjoy for years to come. A small bag of seeds to plant will remind them of your big day every time they smell the flowers.

Donations

With a high emphasis on karma these days, give something back and make a donation to your favorite cause in lieu of knickknacks. Your guests will appreciate the altruistic gesture.

Get even more creative wedding ideas


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