Kitchen Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are always an appreciated gesture at a reception. Along with a meal, dancing (and maybe an open bar), nothing says “thank you for attending” quite like a simple and elegant keepsake for your guests. The trouble is: what will guests be sure to use and enjoy? You wouldn’t want to sink all of your extra money into a trinket that collects dust on a shadowed shelf for the next twenty years. How can you be sure to find a wedding favor that your guests will USE?

Consider purchasing kitchen wedding favors. Kitchen wedding favors are anything that will become a staple in your guests’ kitchens. Kitchen wedding favors can be spatulas, salt and pepper shakers, honey pots, or anything else that will find itself being used repeatedly for as long as your guests continue to have kitchens.

Kitchen wedding favors can also find their way out into the dining room as  little serving trays – such as olive-spreading kits. Your guests will love and use their kitchen wedding favors long after your wedding day, and you can be sure that no kitchen wedding favors will be left behind or forgotten on vacated reception tables.

Floral Wedding Cake Toppers

One of the most important aspects of wedding design is unity. If you’re having a casual western-themed wedding and your tables are outfitted with English garden party centerpieces, it isn’t going to feel right. You might have a lot of ideas and inspiration working for you, but take some time to limit your scope to achieve aesthetic unity at your event.

Your wedding cake topper is not exempt.

If your wedding is spilling over with a certain type of flower (hydrangeas, roses, etc), floral cake toppers can help that look along.  If the same flowers are included on top of your wedding pastry (especially if you’ve included blooms on your wedding cake), floral cake toppers become a unifying piece of artwork. Floral cake toppers are usually able to match the style and color scheme of your wedding, and you have several options depending on your personal taste:

You could, in theory, top your cake with floral wedding cake toppers that are made up of fresh blooms, but you would be robbed the opportunity of an important wedding keepsake. Consider floral wedding cake toppers that simply incorporate your flower of choice, such as a traditional bride and groom surrounded by flowers or featuring a bride with a similar bouquet.

Consider how floral wedding cake toppers add to the simplicity and unity of your event.

With the rise of female empowerment comes the erasing of some wedding traditions (which one of you would be okay with a dowry?) and the rise of some new ones (such as rockin’ short, colorful wedding dresses). One of these new traditions is the male engagement ring. These bands fit the same purpose as the traditional female symbol of promise and commitment, but they usually come a few sizes bigger. Of course, not many men are lining up for the thin silver band with a trio of pear-cut diamonds. So what exactly should future spouses be looking for in this masculine new tradition?

First, it’s important to think about how your man’s ring will look beside the wedding band. If you’re going for a simple silver or gold style, find something that compliments it without overwhelming it. Consider:

Wood Inlay:

These bands come in a variety of styles, but keep in mind you man’s look. They range from thick bands of deep, rich mahogany to thin strips of lighter woods (such as walnut). Woods can also be dyed to different colors. The nice thing about this style is that they are often easy to clean, and the wood can be swapped out for different colors or styles if they become worn.

Interesting Materials:

One of my favorite materials for male engagement rings is also one of the most expensive: meteorite. Meteorite is beautiful and intricate, and not many men can say that they’re wearing something extraterrestrial on their wedding day. These rings can be solid or inlayed into other material. For other materials, think about getting something tough and durable, such as titanium.

Outside Engraving:

Couples have been engraving sweet words on the insides of their wedding rings since the dawn of time, but do something a little different for your man: engrave something meaningful on the outside of the ring. The engraving can be as complex or as simple as you like, and can range from an inside joke to the centuries-old motto of his family. Your creativity is your only limitation.

Geek-Friendly Styles:

If you’re lucky enough to be marrying a fan of the Lord of the Rings, he won’t be looking down on you for finding him an imitation of the One Ring for his engagement band. In fact, I’m pretty sure it ensures the lasting bond of your union. The same goes for rings molded from Lego pieces. Your rings, just like the rest of your wedding, should be an expression of your identity as a couple. So have fun with it!

Bridal Hair Accessories

Bridal hair accessories are what makes a complete outfit on your wedding day. Whether you have your hair up, down, pulled back, front, curly, or straight, every bridal “do” needs some special bridal hair accessories to complete the look. So what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each style? Which bridal hair accessories are best for different wedding styles and venues?

Bridal Combs: If your inspiration is a mix of old Hollywood with contemporary glamour, bridal combs might just be the right bridal hair accessories for you. Bridal combs work best with long hairdos that sweep to the side – these hair accessories should look like they’re held up effortlessly. If you have thicker, longer hair that will look heavy if pulled to the side, opt for a different style.

Bridal Combs are the most versatile of all bridal hair accessories; from sparkling flowers to beaded tendrils, there’s a bridal comb that will fit your look and your venue.

Tiaras: No girl is ever the wrong girl for a tiara. These bridal hair accessories work best for formal affairs and sweeping ball gowns – just like the fairy tales. Almost any hairstyle will work well with a tiara, especially if you don’t have much to work with. Short hair tends to be limiting in the world of bridal hair accessories, but tiaras are a great compliment to any length.

Birdcage Veil: The reason birdcage veils count as bridal hair accessories is this: they’re usually secured by a headband or small pill box hat. Birdcage veils take a special kind of bold to pull off well, especially if you’re opting for a funky head accessory. Vintage weddings tend to rock these bridal hair accessories best, but don’t be intimidated – Birdcage veils are all about the attitude.

Cartoon Cake Toppers

Were you and your future spouse glued to the television on Saturday mornings as children (or last weekend)? Celebrate your love of late nights on Cartoon Network with cartoon cake toppers! Cartoon cake toppers take the shape of all your favorite characters, including the Flintstones (and the Rubbles, if Barney and Betty were more your style), the Jetsons, The Simpsons, and every other famous animated couple. Cartoon cake toppers also showcase your personality to your friends and family on your wedding day. Did your courtship get a rocky start – just like Penelope and Pepe Le Pew or Lucy and Shroeder? Showcase those beginnings with cartoon cake toppers!

Cartoon cake toppers don’t have to come from the small screen – the Sunday Funnies can be inspiration as well. Many a romance blooms while sharing giggles in front of a newspaper on the living room floor – invite Garfield and Arlene or Blondie and Dagwood to take center stage on your unity dessert.

Cartoon cake toppers will add color and fun to your cake or display table on your wedding day, and they make even better keepsakes after the festivities have come to a close. Keep your cartoon couple close in your new home as a reminder of romance’s ability to last through time.

Football Wedding Cake Topper

If you and your betrothed are big football fans and Super Bowl Sunday is the highlight of your year (aside from your wedding day, of course), think about finding yourself a football wedding cake topper. A football wedding cake topper works great as the centerpiece of your main attraction cake (the big fluffy one your guests will be eyeing), or as an accessory to your groom’s cake. A football wedding cake topper also looks great on your guestbook table or alongside your escort cards.

Wherever you decide to put it, a football wedding cake topper will be hard to miss. A football wedding cake topper shows your guests how you and your future spouse bond, and can be a great crowning piece to a themed cake. Did you meet at a college game? Did one of you play in high school? Did you attend rival universities? Incorporate your personal story into your cake and cake topper – a football wedding cake topper should be a piece of your story that guests can enjoy even before they dig in to the dessert!

A football wedding cake topper doesn’t have to be one solid piece, either; individual bride and groom figurines with cohesive themes make it easier for same-sex couples to get a piece of the wedding cake gridiron.

Many brides that their impending wedding day makes a great motivator for their weight loss goals. Upcoming nuptials are a good marker for health goals: your friends and family will be looking at you all day, you’re going to fill several albums with pictures of you and your new spouse, and you have to fit into what will likely be a very expensive and wonderful dress. All of these factors make getting in shape for your wedding an important goal, but try to keep these tips in mind as you’re dusting off your chin-up bar:

Waiting Until the Last Minute will Wreck your Body

Typical engagements last close to a year – so unless you’re running to the altar, you’ve got plenty of time to develop good, healthy habits. Don’t spend months cramming in burgers and fries as you’re addressing invitations only to switch to a cabbage-and-tequila diet two weeks before your final dress fitting. Getting healthy and losing weight is a long, difficult process, and you need to respect your body as you work toward your goals. Start small, and work your way up to taking out red meat and dessert, or drastically reducing your daily caloric intake. Long-term weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you crash diet at the last minute, you’re not going to find results that last.

Dieting Alone Isn’t Optimal

Try to think about weight loss as a reflection of both biology and physics: If your body isn’t getting as much energy as it usually gets, it’s going to find it somewhere else so you don’t starve. Your hope will obviously be that it takes what it needs from fat that you’ve already got, but there are other places your body can find what it wants: your muscles. Unless you’re using your muscles regularly (by exercising them), your body will assume that it’s cool to dissolve them. You will see yourself losing weight, but good luck with the pickle jar in a few months. Incorporate an exercise regimen in whatever capacity you can, and find time for both cardio and weight training.

Don’t Stop

When I was in high school, one of my teachers got engaged in the first few weeks of the year. She immediately switched from high sugar/high fat foods to fresh green salads and colorful, whole fruit, in addition to a high-intensity workout routine that she followed for months. By the time her big day came around, she’s lost more than fifty pounds. When school started the next year, it had all come back.

The reason most diets don’t work is because the people employing them tend to be short-sighted. They think of their new routine as a temporary hardship that will give them results that last forever, but the truth is: You can’t just diet; you have to change the way you live. Make your new habits a part of your life, or the weight will flood back to you as soon as you return from your honeymoon. Use your wedding as your motivation, not your goal.

Eco Friendly Wedding Accessories

If you and your fiancé are environmentally conscious and you want that passion reflected in your wedding day, you’re going to need some eco friendly wedding accessories. The easiest way to remain eco friendly on your wedding day is to communicate your preferences with your vendors before signing any contracts and making any plans. Most vendors are happy to accommodate vegan/vegetarian diets, eco-friendly lighting, and any other environmentally friendly needs that you may have. If you vendor can’t accommodate you, and being eco friendly is a big concern, take your business elsewhere. Environmentally friendly business practices are growing in popularity; your search won’t take too long.

For the smaller stuff, eco friendly wedding accessories are a fun way to show your guests your passion for the environment. Consider eco friendly wedding accessories such as invitations and guestbooks make of recycled or natural paper. These things are better than processed goods for mother earth, and they fit seamlessly into any decor. Select paper products with pressed flowers inlayed into them, or pieces of nature sewn into their lining. Eco friendly wedding accessories don’t have to sacrifice beauty for practicality!

Think about eco friendly wedding accessories for your favors as well. Use that same natural paper for environmentally friendly hand fans for your guests, or find escort cards or menus that can be planted (seeds sewn into paper products are growing in popularity for eco friendly weddings). Whatever you do to help the environment on your big day, eco friendly wedding accessories are there to help!

Bachelorette Party Accessories

Whether you’re getting hitched right out of your family’s home or you’ve been living together for years, every bride deserves a bachelorette party. And every bachelorette party deserves killer bachelorette party accessories.

So what will you need to hit the town with your closest gal pals?

Some bachelorette party accessories that can’t be missed are: themed favors, transportation decals, and sashes that tag you as the lucky future wife. Themes and color coordination aren’t just for the big day; they can also have a place at your bachelorette shindig. Make sure your bachelorette party accessories (such as favors and banners) are coordinated so you can find each other across the club, and make your way back to your ride (driven by a designated driver, of course).

If you’re having your last hurrah in Las Vegas, your bachelorette party accessories practically pick themselves. Go for banners and car decals that sport the iconic sign for Sin City, or bachelorette party accessories that showcase some sexy silhouettes.

Don’t forget favors at the end of the night! Bachelorette party accessories wouldn’t be complete without a few little gifts to give your favorite girls. Show them you appreciate their support with shot glasses dedicated to your last wild night before your nuptials.

Las Vegas Wedding Accessories

If you’re tying the knot in Sin City, you’ve got to be prepared. Las Vegas wedding accessories can take your event from a run-of-the-mill shindig on the strip and turn it into an elegant (yet cheeky and fun) event that would make any traditional wedding blush.

Vegas weddings aren’t what they used to be (though you can still find Elvis impersonators who will jump at the chance to officiate your wedding), but you still have to bring many of your Las Vegas wedding accessories with you. You can count on your chapel for flowers and a musician, but what about flower girl baskets? Car decals? Cake toppers? Las Vegas wedding accessories are the little pieces that really bring your day together, but with a little Sin City flair.

The phrase “Las Vegas wedding accessories” doesn’t necessarily imply the bold and brazen trinkets that a bachelorette party on the strip might have, though that is always an option. There’s no rule that says shot glasses and racy cake toppers are off the table for Las Vegas wedding accessories, but they aren’t your only option. Vegas can be a family venue too, and classy weddings aren’t as rare as they used to be. Accent your decor with Las Vegas wedding accessories that showcase poker themes or the specific theme of your hotel. Little hints of Vegas make your wedding your own, and Las Vegas wedding accessories can set the tone you want for your big day.