“Bride” Ideas

Well, we got 2 more days, technically. But today in Long Island, it’s gonna hit 70 degrees and that makes me so happy!

It’s been a LOOONG time folks since I’ve posted. My bad. New addition to the family has kept me way busy while being half asleep! LOL

Wanted to share with you a cool new online shop that classy blogger, Sarah, of Classic Bride just opened. It’s called CB Vintage and according to her, “…a carefully cultivated resource for vintage-inspired brides to find unique + chic wedding items for their big day!” Lovely, unique items that will add instant charm to your big day!

I love the look of classic baker’s twine. Our twine was the first to be featured in a wedding magazine way back in 2007. Since then it’s gain in popularity - You can see why! It’s a super way to jazz up your blank favor boxes and favor bags and even holiday gifts and presents!

Materials You Can Purchase Here at our Store:
Cake Boxes
Bridal Hang Tags (shown above in MS12, Candystripes, Deep Red)
Baker’s Twine (shown above in Red/White)

Instructions:
Our generously-sized cake boxes are perfect for that delicious slice of wedding cake your guest will take home. The boxes make perfect packaging for your favors as well!

Our boxes are shipped flat for easy handling and shipping. Place your favors inside the box and then bring up the sides of the box and then close the box. Wrap the box several times with the baker’s twine. Thread one end of the twine through the hang tag. Make a bow tie with the twine for the finishing touch.

I love rubber-stamping and tried to come up with an elegant way to incorporate the technique in producing creative place cards or escort cards. This is what I came up with!

Materials You Can Purchase Here:
Mini Envelopes - Shimmering Metallic (pictured above in Coral)

Materials You Must Purchase Externally:
Pigment-based ink (pictured above in chocolate brown ink)
Rubber stamp in a floral image of your choosing
Homemade paper placecards
Calligraphy marker
8-1/2″ x 11″ scrap paper

Instructions:
I am assuming you’ve already created a paper place card slightly smaller than the width of the envelope. Insert your table assignment card inside the envelope. We used our gorgeous Mini Envelopes - Shimmering Metallic in the color Coral which is a soft shade of pink with a hint of shimmer!

To create the look, we chose a beautiful peony flower image we purchased at our local arts and crafts store. The image is about twice the size of the envelope. We purchased pigment-based ink at the same store and used it to ink the stamp.

Place the envelope on top of the scrap paper. Stamp the image on the last half of the envelope’s width. Since a portion of your rubber stamp is not going to be stamping the envelope, you’ll want to protect your table with the scrap paper. The result of using a large image and offsetting the image is nothing short of amazing!

Let the ink dry on the envelope for at least 24 hours.

Using a calligraphy pen, handwrite your guest’s name to the left of the image. Fold over the envelope to seal the escort card within.

A simple and elegant do-it-yourself bridal craft project for the DIY bride!

Materials You Can Purchase Here at our Store:
5-1/2″ square glassine envelope
Bridal Label - MS5 shape

Materials You Must Purchase Externally:
12″ long x 5/8″ wide decorative ribbon
Decorative cardstock
Pinking shears
Double-sided tape
Your favor (for example: cookies, candy, picture frame)

Instructions:
Measure the cardstock so that it will fit into the envelope. Trim the edges with the pinking shears to give it a decorative edge.

Insert the cardstock into the envelope.

Insert your favor into the envelope on top of the cardstock.

Fold over the envelope’s flap and seal the envelope with the double-sided tape.

Wrap the decorative ribbon around the front of the envelope and secure the ends to the back of the envelope with the tape.

Stick a personalized label in the center of the envelope and on top of the ribbon.

That was simple! The cardstock really beautifies the overall presentation!

I came up with this idea waaaay back in 2002 or so. So simple and thoughtful a gift!

Materials You Can Purchase at our Store:
Sheer Favor Drawstring Pouches
Bridal Hang Tag (shape MHT17)

Materials You Must Purchase Externally:
Potpourri
Tape

Instructions:
Fill a pouch with your favorite potpourri. Pull the drawstrings tight to secure the aromatic contents. Around the neck of the pouch, tie a personalized Bridal Hang Tag to thank your guest for their presence and to wish them a safe journey home.

Using a small piece of tape, have the valet driver dangle your homemade car air freshener from the back of the rearview mirror.

What a creative and practical wedding favor idea!

The following are my predictions of the top 10 wedding favors for 2010…

10. Cherry Blossom - The iconic cherry blossom evokes thoughts of birth and renewal. Perfect embodiments of your new life together. Everything from photo glass coasters to hand fans are available to further accent your cherry blossom wedding.

9. Do it Yourself Wedding Favors - Especially in today’s economy, people look for ways to trim their wedding budget. Use creative favor boxes and favor bags, personalized ribbon and personalized labels and stickers to craft homemade wedding favors that are aligned with your taste and budget.

8. Monogrammed Favors - A classic monogram consists of 3 letters. On the left, the bride’s first name initial is printed. Then the initial of the groom’s last name in the center. Lastly, the groom’s first name initial. Displaying your 3-letter monogram on wedding cocktail mix, wedding napkins or matchbooks barrels adds instant personality to your wedding favors.

7. Icons or Motifs: Incorporating an icon or motif in your wedding ephemera helps to bring all the pieces together. A pair of lovebirds printed on the wedding ceremony program covers, carved out to create a lovely wedding cake topper, or displayed atop practical bottle stoppers all help to create a cohesive look. To further accent a “lucky in love” theme, select elephant tealight candle wedding favors or lottery scratch-off tickets as your unique party favors. Another motif is “mint” to be wherein you can giveaway personalized wedding mints or wedding honey.

6. Eco friendly Wedding Favors - The “eco” trend began a few years ago and has now become a mainstay in our culture. It’s even made its footprint in the wedding industry. Plantable seeded paper, palm leaf hand fans, heart-shape bird seeds, bamboo place cards, organic packaging made of recycled material all help to outfit the “green” wedding.

5. Personalized Favors - It’s not exactly your name in lights. But custom-imprinting your names and date on items ranging from wedding lollipops and wedding coffee to mini candy jars and wedding mints adds instant personality and charm to your memorable wedding favors.

4. Edible Wedding Favors - You simply cannot go wrong with edible wedding favors. And with the myriad of choices nowadays - personalized mint tins, wedding coffee, monogrammed belgian chocolate coins, bridal shower tea, personalized cookies - you’re sure to find something that appeals to you and your guests.

3. Candles - Scented candles and pretty candleholders are practical and one of the few items that guests would not mind displaying in their home. Choose from perfect pair pear candles, bamboo tealight candle holders, orchid shaped candles, table mini lanterns, and decorative glass candle holders.

2. Personalized Audio CDs - Still as popular a wedding favor as ever, personalized cd favors can never disappoint. Package your personal compilation inside a simple CD case with decorative CD labels personalized with your names and wedding date.

… and the #1 top wedding favor trend for 2010…

1. Lottery Tickets - You’re lucky in love! Spread some of that luck with $1 state lottery scratch-off tickets as your ideal wedding favors. Simply tuck in your state’s lotto scratch-off ticket inside a glassine envelope. For scratching, include a penny minted in the year you are to be married. Slap on bridal labels that read “Lucky in Love” or “We get Half!” It’s a wedding favor guaranteed not to collect dust or be left behind on the table.

… and the 11th Trend in Wedding Favors for 2010…

Patterns - Elegant patterns such as damask and toile are making its way into the wedding scene. The ornamental and repetitive pattern of damask can be found on tealight candle favors, personalized labels and tissue. Toile employs a similar repetitive technique, but usually incorporates a pastoral scene. You can find toile pattern on favor boxes and envelopes and personalized stickers.

This Monday November 30th 2009, take advantage of our Cyber Monday 25% off sale!

We’ve got a huge selection of winter themed wedding favors as well as spring party favors that you can stock up on! Take a look at our decorative favor boxes, creative favor bags, wedding ribbon, and personalized labels and hang tags. Be sure to also check out our edible wedding favors and personalized favors, gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. We are known for our do it yourself wedding favors and you won’t be disappointed in our eco friendly wedding favors for your “green” wedding.

Have fun shopping!

OMG! I gotta find a way to get to this sale!

Homemade items by local crafters and even MSW employees will be selling their wares this Sat Dec 5th only. If you’re near NYC this weekend, you might want to drop by! Admission is FREE!

Yowza! It’s been confirmed by Gawker that InStyle Weddings will see its final issue hit the newstands on December 25th. The defunct magazine joins Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. Crazy!

Chocolate Brown is my favorite color and it combines beautifully with other colors. A wedding color palette of yellow and brown speaks fall rustic wedding and is one of my favorite color combinations.

Credits: Lisa Lefkowitz, Caplan Miller Events, Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc., Delicious Desserts, Myrtle & Marjoram, Zoeica Images.com (2), Raya Carlisle Photography, Ariel Yve