Sure, your florist can whip up gorgeous wedding centerpieces, but sometimes we need a little off-beat inspiration! Here are some of our favorites - for guidance to a talented floral designer or for those of you that are industrious, you can do it yourself!
Vase Not Want Not
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your vases, especially if you are a craft type on a budget! This centerpiece uses an old-school fruit juice can. Just fill the bottom with something heavy, such as small marbles or pebbles before you add water and flowers of your choice. Courtesy Better Homes & Gardens
Beachy Keen
A wedding on the coast is certainly special, and a simple centerpiece is an understated way of carrying out the theme. Use any glass vessel you like, even mix them up between tables. You can use shells (or sea glass) you have collected, or you can buy them in bulk online at places like www.usashell.com. Courtesy BravoBride.com
Eat and Be Merry
That about says it all... why not have your centerpieces do double-duty and give your guests some beautiful nibbes? The industry leader is Edible Arrangements, but there are other companies to choose from. Or - you could do it yourself!
Fall in Love
For a fall wedding, pumpkins can be a cool addition. Small ones can be placed under a hurricane with candles, or you could paint whimsical designs on larger pumpkins that match the colors in your wedding. If you (or someone you know) has a steady hand, you could carve your wedding date in different sized pumpkins with an elegant stencil. As seen on ProjectBrides.com
Cupcake Tree
Along the lines of the fruit centerpiece...who doesn’t love a cupcake? Smaller versions can be place in the center of the tables, frosted in your wedding colors, of course. Pretty to look at during dinner, and then when it comes time for dessert - it’s already there!
Photo courtesy www.DivineDisposables.com
Bands of Gold... and Paper
Simple glass containers can be transformed into unique centerpieces to carry the motif of the wedding through. Fit bands of paper and tape around containers, fill with simple white flowers. Or get bright and funky and use bright colored paper and flowers: anything goes!Photo courtesy Better Homes & Gardens
Wine not?
Wine bottles: a favorite for obvious reasons. Use them on the tables as favors to go home, or place a couple of reds and whites on each table for guests to enjoy right there. Custom labels can be made online, at a variety of site, including www.myownlabels.com. Consider getting really creative and putting different quotes or stories that relate to the bride and groom on the back label, too. From www.MarthaStewartweddings.com
Under Cover
This is a pretty centerpiece - turned upside down! Oversized goblets are turned over, candle on top, big flower underneath. Flowers that are sturdy enough to make a statement on their own - like peonies - are a great choice for this look. Courtesy of www.RachelRayMag.com
Fun, right? We'd love to hear what you think, and please share if you have any ideas to share.
Best, Liza
Signature cocktails have never been more popular, and many brides and grooms are using them to add some personal flair to their special event.
The possibilities are endless. You can incorporate your color scheme by creating a cocktail in virtually any color, or you can go classic with the drink while putting your own personality into the glass in which it’s served or even what you want to call it. And they’re not just for cocktail hour: signature drinks can be served in place of the traditional champagne toast, with dinner, or even with (or instead of) dessert.
Here are some of our favorite ideas:
1. Champagne toast…or not.
Maybe you want something different…maybe you just don’t care for Champagne. One cool alternative is Sparkling Shiraz, which is actually a dry red wine that just happens to have bubbles. Or you could try a classic Champagne cocktail like the French 75 – made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar – which for some palates is more appealing than straight bubbly. Or, if you prefer beer, why not serve a round of a special microbrew to toast the happy couple? Beer has bubbles, too, after all!
2. Create a cocktail menu from wedding traditions.
This idea is sure to spark some conversation: have a custom sign made up to place at the bar with these four options… you can get creative with your own picks!
- Something Old (e.g. Old Fashioned)
- Something New (e.g. Acai Berry Mojito)
- Something Borrowed (e.g. Your Maid of Honor’s favorite cocktail)
- Something Blue (e.g. Blue Curacao Margarita)
3. Rename a classic.
If your new last name is Smith, you could serve good ol’ Martinis, but call them “Smith-tinis”. Or, you could always go the celebrity route and combine your first names like “Brangelina”… perhaps Jack and Molly’s signature drink is called the “Jolly”???
4. Bring color beyond the flowers and dresses.
Use your wedding colors to play out the theme with a special drink…a subtle touch that would make even Martha Stewart proud. If your colors are peach with green accents, for instance, you could serve peach Bellinis with a sprig of fresh mint or thyme poking out of the glass.
5. Work your drinks into the rest of your theme.
Beyond colors, lots of couples have an overall theme to their wedding – from a Tiki party on the beach to a vintage-style event. If this is your case, why not extend the theme to everything possible… Tiki parties are better with cocktails served out of coconut shells, and if you’re dressed in classic style, you’ll ass flair by sipping Champagne out of the retro style glasses instead of the more modern tall flutes.
6. Let your garnish be your guide.
Who wants a lemon twist when you can have an edible flower? Cocktails get kicked up a notch when you use interesting garnishes. Flowers such as Hibiscus are edible, and you can also use just about any kind of herb to adorn a beverage. Maybe a touch of lemon verbena for a Lemon Drop Martini… or for a big “wow” factor – how about a perfectly poached shrimp on the rim of a spicy Bloody Mary?
7. It doesn’t have to stop at dessert.
At that later hour when people are ready to get up from their seats anyway, you could actually open the party up for a dessert cocktail hour. Open up the bar for sweeter sparkling wines, ports, cognacs or liqueurs… or maybe espresso martinis! There’s even a cocktail called “The Wedding Cake” – made with Amaretto, white Crème de Cacao and pineapple juice…it supposedly tastes just like a slice of cake.
Does all of this sound great but high maintenance?
Time for a few tips so you can pull this off with style and ease:
-
One way to make serving up the signature drinks less of a headache (and less of a bottleneck at the bar) is to have them made up in bulk, and either served from a pitcher or passed on a tray.
-
You should also always consult your caterer about the pairings of your cocktails with the food, to make sure you don’t create any yucky combinations. J
-
And speaking of food, make sure you have the right proportion of food to drink, and plenty of non-alcoholic versions or options for your guests. All in moderation, right?
As a final note, if the idea of signature wedding cocktails appeals to you, there is actually a website dedicated to the “design of the wedding cocktail.” Get some more inspiration here: http://www.weddingcocktaildesign.com/
Cheers! Liza
It's fun to follow the stars, if not to pick up on style trends then at least to have a good chuckle at all their fanfare. Some of their stunts can be applied within reason for us real folks, and some are completely over the top! When it comes to celebrity weddings, the sky seems to be the limit.
So here some highlights of what certain celebs have done for their special days...and just maybe you can steal an idea or two for yours.
1. Cake or Krispy Kreme?: Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian, Montecito, California
For dessert, the couple stuck with their black-and-white wedding theme and chose a six-foot-tall $10,000 wedding cake with eight octagonal tiers. But the finale of the evening might have been the best part: heart-shaped Krispy Kreme donuts were served to guests as they left at the end of the evening, and gift bags included jeweled flip flops, Voluspa candles and Kim’s proprietary fragrance.
2. Message in a bottle: Brooke Burke and David Charvet, St. Barts
This actually seems kind of sweet, and easily replicable for any ceremony by the sea. Before the end of the evening, this bride and groom put a handwritten message in a bottle and sent it out in the ocean.
3. An aisle of jewels: Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, Boerne, Texas
The Voice star Blake Shelton and his bride did a little "country couture" - instead of a flower bouquet, Lambert carried a four-pound brooch bouquet made of costume jewelry, wrapped with her mother’s vintage lace kerchief.
And making sure not to leave out the pooches, their three dogs Cher, Delta and Delilah also made their way down the aisle wearing rhinestone encrusted collars. Bow WOW.
4. That's a lotta carrot! : Kelsey Grammer and Kayte Walsh, New York
No, not carats, as you might expect. For dessert, a 55-inch-tall (that's almost 5 feet!) carrot cake was served. And in case that wasn't enough, guests also got mini ice cream cones and smoothies!
5. Bollywood all the way: Russell Brand and Katy Perry, Jaipur, India
Are elephants a popular wedding theme these days? The guests at Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's wedding were greeted by a 47-year-old elephant named Tai, which Richie kept as a symbol of good luck. Well, Russell Brand and Katy Perry's wedding at a luxury resort in India also had a couple of these 'unforgetful' creatures. They had a traditional Indian ceremony which included two elephants who walked a red carpet and a wedding procession, known as the “bharat,” where the groom arrived in a buggy pulled by a white horse. He was escorted to his bride by Rajasthani dancers and camel riders. And to kick off their 5-day wedding celebration, it all started with a Bollywood-style feast featuring snake charmers, fire jugglers and dancers. Cirque-du-don't-hold-back, right?
6. Family jewels: Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushneron, Bedminster, New Jersey
Ivanka wore jewelry from the Ivanka Trump Collection with over 42 carats of diamonds and the hefty price tag of $130,000. The guests didn't fare so badly themselves; parting gifts included custom Havaiana flip flops with the words "Jared and Ivanka" written on the soles. Hey, that's a good idea...and relatively affordable!
7. From corn dogs to filet: Eddie Van Halen and Janie Liszewski , Studio City, CA
Although the main course featured upscale Niman Ranch Filet Mignon and Mojito-marinated prawns, the snacks just after the vows were mini corn dogs and hamburgers. Rock on!
8. Hey, big spender: Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Malibu
Can you say big celebrity bank roll? Fergie (aka Stacey Ferguson) and Josh's black-tie wedding was rumored to have cost $1 million. Some of the bells and whistles included the couple’s two dachshunds, dressed in bride and groom outfits, walking down the aisle to the “Peanuts” theme, and a 150-pound cake designed to look like a castle, that took four people to carry it!
9. Tattoo of love: Beth Ostrosky and Howard Stern, New York
It's never too late for a marrying credential: officiating the vows for "The King of All Media" and his bride was actor Mark Consuelos (Kelly Ripa‘s husband) who became an ordained minister on the Internet just one day prior. And never being ordinary, Stern opted out of the wedding band and had the letter “B” tattooed on his ring finger, instead.
10. You can dress her up, but...Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock, Saint-Tropez, France
It started out pretty classy: the wedding took place aboard a yacht with Pamela fully clothed. But as the yacht headed back to shore, Pamela changed into a skimpy white string bikini and sailor cap, while Kid Rock tore off his shirt and puffed on a cigar. What else would you expect?
What are some of the ideas that strike you?
Leave a comment to share the silly, the sentimental, and the stupendous! You never know, you might inspire someone else to take a celebrity wedding idea and make it their own.
Best, Liza
Inspired by our new franchisee in the Rocky Mountain area, I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the latest wedding trends from both the Rockies and ElizaJ’s headquarters: Cape Cod.
Some trends have a universal appeal, so there is a bit of overlap (mini desserts like cake pops, for example). But eastern seaside and western mountain weddings also have their distinct differences. Check out our short list of trends here for some inspiration, no matter where the nuptials are scheduled to take place - and don’t forget to let us know if you have something new to add to the list!
Wedding Trends: By the Sea
-
Sea candy: For very special edible wedding favors, guests might receive a box of delicious chocolate shells on a bed of magic rocks and sugar sand, or even chocolate oysters molded from an actual oyster shell! Speaking of candy, another popular trend is the candy buffet or confection bar: guests help themselves with silver scoops and can fill their own bag for a take-home favor.
-
Foot bling: For a beach wedding, some brides are wearing “foot jewelry” instead of shoes, sandals or flip flops.
-
Circle ‘round: Couples who have smaller guest lists or share lots of friends are using non-linear aisles for the ceremony. Rather than a center aisle, the bride and groom-t-be enter from the sides and have all the chairs in a circle or in the center to symbolize coming together as one family.
-
Clam it up: Clambakes never get old on Cape Cod... and guests love the chance to enjoy a feast with local lobster! Musical chairs? By getting rid of seating cards, the reception has more of a cocktail feel, and encourages more mixing and mingling.
-
On purpose mis-match: To keep it natural and more casual, some couples are going with attire and decor that runs across a range of different styles and textures, while choosing just one color, giving a relaxed chic vibe to the day.
-
Bright by the sea: Colors are bolder -- not as rich as jewel tones, but brighter than pastel. Think celadon green or sage, antique blue, even mustard yellow...
-
Trash the dress? Some beach brides buy two gowns, including a “disposable” one that they can change into and wear while jumping into the ocean with the groom for photographs!
Wedding Trends: In the Mountains
-
“Green up” the reception: Ways to do this range from using compostable paper goods (if you’re using paper), to asking your caterer to bring leftovers to a local food bank.
-
Photo booth fun: Renting a photo booth with back drops and lots of props, so guests can have some fun as they contribute to your wedding photo album.
-
Off-white: Wedding dresses are not just shades of white: black and red are two of the most asked-for colors this year.
-
Big exits: according to rockymountainbride.com, confetti canons and hot air balloon sendoffs will be all the rage.
-
BE the wedding party: Some couples are doing away with the formal wedding party, and inviting only very close friends and family that are all an equally big part of their lives.
-
DIY centerpieces: Instead of glam bouquets and centerpieces, couples with a crafty side might make paper flowers, or gather and arrange twigs, pinecones and flowers for a casual look.
-
Hay there! Hay used for seating can be stylish and fun. Perfect for a rustic chic wedding.
Do you have any wedding tips or trends to share? Please leave your comments and share the love!
Best, Liza
Happy December, everyone!
This month is filled with lots of reasons to celebrate. As we know, parties sometime have an unexpected punch... and I don't mean the champagne punch kind.
A quick Google search produces some pretty funny posts about the strange things that happen to people when they are celebrating. Here are a few of my favorites:
From readers of Real Simple magazine:
“The Tree Fell Over.”
My mom loves to recount the time our tree toppled onto some guests, spilling drinks on the gifts. Now we tie the tree to the window frame with fishing line.
“The Toilet Overflowed.”
Two hours before guests were to arrive for a Christmas Eve gathering, the toilet directly above the kitchen overflowed and water began flooding the bathroom and kitchen. In a rush to get everything under control, my son came zooming through the house with a sopping-wet mop over his shoulder—dripping directly over three baking days’ worth of cookies, pies, and biscotti.
From HRringleader.com:
“The Kissing Guy”
You know the guy. He’s quiet all year at work, kind of awkward. Pour a few scotch-on-the-rocks into him and he becomes a kissing machine. Not pretty. Really.
“Gonna Make You Sweat”Do you remember that song by C&C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat”? Well picture a full dance floor and a secretary and a male employee dirty dancing so much they were drenched. It was like watching a train wreck. No one could look away.
What's your story?
Leave a comment and give your fellow readers something to smile about.
Best, Liza
Ok, so here's the inaugural blog post from a lady that peddles portable johns. Wait! Before you go, don't worry, I don't plan on educating my readers on the finer points of hand sanitizers, and/or how many toilet flushes per guest usage...
As a veteran of the special events biz, I come to you in peace. I've planned and have also attended countless weddings, parties, fancy-schmancy dinners, etc., and I've almost seen it all. After all these years I know one thing to be true: even if you've spent lots of time and money to get everything just right - no matter how much we hyperventilate over the details - something is bound to go awry.
Now don't get me wrong; I run around with taglines that say "Every Detail Matters, and "Ahead with Class" so it's not like I think we shouldn't care when perfection alludes us. My business might sound like a dirty job, but actually, it's a place where we REALLY make a difference on that special day, and I love that.
That being said, my experience has given me the opportunity to not only have witnessed but also to have heard of some pretty funny stuff, and in most cases, most everyone involved are able to laugh about it now...
So, if you're planning an event and want to learn more about why ElizaJ restrooms are second to none, please poke around my website: ElizaJ.com. But if you want to have a laugh, subscribe to my blog feed on the right and stay tuned for entertaining stories and thoughts from yours truly...and hopefully from you, too.
Join in and tell us what went wrong, what went right, or just what's on your mind. Life is more fun when we laugh together and learn from each other!
Best/LIZA