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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts in Eco-Friendly Weddings
Eco-Friendly California Wedding Elopement in the Mountains {styled shoot}

Are you ready to head to the gorgeous mountains for a spectacular styled shoot? This eco-conscience photo shoot from Autumn Noel Photography features stunning views of a natural landscape. As Autumn writes . . .  "sheer rock mountains behind us, vast views of the Carson Valley in front, beauty was all around and our beautiful bride and groom fit right in". Keeping with the eco-friendly theme - this shoot showcases unique recycled paper invitations infused with wildflower seeds. A few seeds were even planted right before the vendor team left the location and the storm clouds were rolling in.

Wedding Vendors: includes handmade artists via affiliate partnership
Photographer: Autumn Noel Photography — Ring Dish: Beachwood Street Designs — Dress Store: Betty and Beaus Bridal Boutique — Invitation Designer: Botanical Paperworks — Hair Stylist: Carla Carillo — Makeup Artist: Carla Carrillo — Cupcake Toppers: Cork Country Cottage — Wedding Garter and Better Together Signs: Fallen Star Couture Inc. — Other Location: Hope Valley — Equipment Rentals: Tahoe Entertainer — Handmade Cookies: The Cookie and Crumb — Favors and Gifts: WildBloomerySubmitted via Two Bright Lights

Continue Scrolling for the Full Styled Shoot Photo Gallery

Other amazing features from this wedding are the beautiful vintage yellow chair that was a rental and other items from thrift stores. Many handmade items from small businesses were included and to continue their support for small business, the bride was outfitted from a local bridal boutique. Autumm wrote . . . "As floral arrangements aren't great for the environment we opted out and let nature provide the greenery for this lovely elopement."

Stylish Food Presentation Ideas for Parties of all Kind
Restaurantware {a proud member of my wedding vendor guide} sponsored this post and provided their products for use. All ideas, opinions and photos are 100% my own.
Whether you are planning an engagement party, a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, a wedding, or a party for any celebration - serving food in stylish and unexpected ways is a great way to surprise your guests. It's also a fun way for conversations to get started. I love thinking outside the box when it comes to parties and food. Today, I am sharing with you some stylish food presentation ideas for your next party that I've come up with thanks to the amazing items that are available from Restaurantware {your source for eco-friendly tableware}. I want to know what your favorite food presentation idea is - please share in the comments and let me know what party you have in the works.

Serve your Snacks in Style with Bamboo Cones

Let your guests grab a bamboo cone and snack away - perfect for cocktail parties. Fill them with whatever you choose {here I used blueberries, pretzels and potato chips} and you can either place them in a cone holder or a cute little pail like this one works perfectly too.

Citrus Place Cards with Paper Straws

Place cards are always best when they serve a purpose. This is a fun way for each guest to add a slice of lime or lemon to their drinks. Simply attach a clip art image of a lemon or lime slice with the guests name attached to a paper straw that is inserted into a fresh lemon or lime. The guest can then slice their very own lime or lemon for their drink{s}.

Watermelon with Pearl Topped Toothpicks

Surprise your guests with a super fancy fruit treat held together with pearl topped toothpicks. Makes a super elegant display {my daughter said it looked like the watermelon was ready for a fancy tea party}.

Sweet Treats For Party Guests in Paper Goodie Bags

Surprise your guests with a sweet treat goodie bag to go home with. A cute little way to close the bag is with a folded paper doily, a little fruit clip art image on paper with a clothespin holding it all together.

Yogurt Smoothies are Fun in Mason Jars with Paper Straws

I love how you can get paper straws to match any color palette and there's so many patterns to choose from too - stripes, zig zags, spirals and polka dots. Simply make some yougurt smoothies {or buy them pre-made} and layer them into mini mason jars - top with a fancy lid and add a paper straw. It's the fancy way to enjoy your smoothie :)

Pearl Topped Fruit Skewers

A super pretty way to serve fruit at any party - simply add the fruit of your choice {in any pattern} onto the pearl topped toothpicks and wow your guests.

Candy Favors in Mini Mason Jars

Anything can be placed in these adorable mini mason jars - but I always think candy in the party colors is a great way to greet your guest at their place setting. A fun way to finish off the candy favor is with some twine and a hand-stamped thank you tag with some sequins glued on. I also painted an ombré watercolor background on the tag.

What was your favorite food presentation idea?
Please share in the comments Below . . .

When shopping at Restaurantware be sure to use
Coupon Code BRENDABLOG10 for a 10% discount.
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serving food in stylish and unexpected ways is a great way to surprise your guests
Friday Favor Pick of the Day : Herb Wedding Favors
Herb Wedding Favors | from matchsticks to seed bombs
Your guests will love to receive the Herb Matchstick Garden Favors as a special thank you for attending your special day. "Matchsticks" can be planted to grow yummy basil, parsley and oregano. Each personalized favor comes with 20 sticks and are ready for planting inside in a pot or outdoors in a garden.

These Herb Seed Bomb Favors will make a very unique and eco-friendly gift to all your guests at your wedding reception. Each bag contains three cream seed bombs (approximately 1" each) that are made with compostable paper and packed with herb seeds (basil, oregano and parsley). Your guests will be sure to remember the great time they had on your special day when they see these herbs grow.

The Herb Seeds Rustic Wedding Plantable Favors will make a great momento for the guests at your wedding or special event. The cream colored heart is embedded with seeds that will grow a trio of herbs (parsley, oregano and basil).

Shop All Plantable Favors at The Wedding Outlet
Friday Wedding Favor of the Day : Matchstick Garden Favors
Your guests will love to receive the Rustic Wildflower Matchstick Garden Favors or Wildflower Matchstick Garden Favors as a special thank you for attending your special day. "Matchsticks" can be planted to grow a garden of colorful wildflowers. Each matchbook contains 20 sticks of wildflower seed paper for planting in a flower pot or outside in your garden. Inside the matchbook, you will find the directions on how to plant your wildflowers.
Matchstick Garden Wedding Favors
Details: Matchstick Garden Favors can be personalized with two names and date at no additional cost, but you must order a minimum of 20 wildflower matchstick favors. Available in 6 color options {green, blue, purple, pink, red, and tangerine}.

Shop All Plantable Flower Seed Favors

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Friday Favor of the Day : Stylish & Eco Friendly Favor Tags
Plantable Wedding Seed Favor Tags : they're stylish and eco-friendly
These stylish and eco-friendly favor tags are made using seed paper, which is embedded with high quality North American wildflower seeds. So, after the event, your guests can take them home and plant them to create a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which will remind them of your special day. The favor Tags may be personalized with your names, date and one custom line. They are available in a variety of design styles to match any favor and compliment any occasion. Coordinating place cards are available too.

Shop More Eco Friendly Favors Here.