When it comes to holiday weddings + parties, having special treats is a fun way to celebrate with your guests. Today, I have some sweet ideas to share with you and you can still receive your order in time for the holidays {even with standard shipping}.

First up is Eleni's New York - they are famous for their custom hand-iced Conversation Cookies™. With each cookie being slightly crisp, not too sweet and intricately hand-decorated - they are the perfect dessert or party favor for every occasion. Eleni's is nut free and kosher too. Here's a fun sampling of their holiday collections including the perfect personalized cookie for New Year's Eve.

If you use the exclusive coupon code BRENDASBLOG when you checkout at Elenis - you will save 10% on your order.
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Next up is the set of 2 Home Sweet Home Mug Toppers. Your guests will love being presented their hot chocolate with a cute cookie house perched on the edge of their mug.

And, since ice cream is perfect all year round - how about serving the Ultimate Holiday Ice Cream Collection from eCreamery? The scrumptious flavors include: Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream with Cookie Crunch & Fudge Swirls {top left}, Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream, Eggnog Ice Cream, Double Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Cashew Brittle, Sea Salt Caramel Sundae - Brownie Bites & Swirls of Fudge and Caramel {top right}, Gingerbread Cookie Swirl Ice Cream {bottom left}, Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Candy Cane Ice Cream {bottom right}.

What ice cream flavor is calling your name?

When you Shop at eCreamery from now until December 31st, you can save $10 with coupon code merry10
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this post contains links to affiliates I am proud to partner with

This "wreck" the dress session, photographed by Caroline Ross Photography, is definitely not the typical kind you see. It's also the perfect wedding session to end with before the holidays. Melanie and Brandon were married over the summer and decided to don some of their wedding attire with winter accessories for a fun play date in the snow. On the couple's first date, their waitress had written "Good Night Lovebirds" on their receipt. This turned into one of their wedding themes and their lovebirds cake topper was converted into a Christmas tree ornament {which you will see in this photo session}. There is so much to love about this shoot that took place at the Cedar Green Golf Club - candy cane striped finger nails, snow angels, hot chocolate - it's the perfect "lovebird" winter {holiday} shoot. 

Wishing everyone of my readers that's celebrating the Christmas holiday a wonderful time with family and friends.

I was originally planning to pop in on Thursday and Friday with a few winter themed inspiration boards, but have decided to take a break until Monday when I will share a New Year's inspired post. I am in desperate need of some much needed down time with my family and to refresh myself so I can be ready to bring you a brand new year of inspiration and wedding goodies. I'm now signing off to start prepping the Christmas dinner, crafting a few fun goodies for the table decor and get everything ready for a fun holiday break with my loved ones.

For those that are wondering, Melanie's wedding dress is by Maggie Sottero. She fell in love with it, but soon realized it was discontinued. She proceeded to call over 50 shops in Ontario, Quebec and the US . . . finally finding a dress boutique in Renfrew, Ontario that had her "dream" wedding dress.

Happy 2013. A brand new year is here and that means another year of wedding inspiration has begun. A very happy welcome to all the newly engaged brides that are stopping by my blog for their first time. Over the past week we've had two snowstorms so I've been enjoying my hot cocoa at night to stay warm. That got me thinking about a fun and unique bridal shower theme for the winter months. Why not have a hot chocolate party? It would be so fun to set up a little hot chocolate bar with all the fixings including . . . hot chocolate flavor mixes, candy canes/peppermint sticks {since I think they're fun to have all winter long and they're on clearance right now in the stores}, fun marshmallow flavors, candy coated stirrers, whipped cream and assorted sweet goodies.

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The perfect favor idea would be to serve each guest their hot cocoa in a monogrammed mug that they can take home with them as a gift. If you're feeling artistic, you might like to draw an illustration on each mug with a sharpie. Or better yet, have a crafting table set up before the hot chocolate is served. Let your guests create their very own unique mug design. Since it only takes 30 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees to "bake on" your sharpie design, each guest could have their hot cocoa in a specially personalized mug {just be sure to have the mugs cool before using and let guests now they are hand wash only}. You might consider porcelain pens instead of sharpies if desired.

Since you will want to invite your guests in style, I've gathered up my favorite hot chocolate party invitations from etsy. Now, it's time to get your chocolate fixings together and throw a party :)

Shopping Resources:
top left: Madd Scrapping, top right: Anna Hatcher Design, middle left: Urban Belle Designs, middle right: Hello Brielle, bottom left: strawberry mommy cakes, bottom right: SONNY And Co

Some great ideas for creating a hot chocolate party can be found here, here and here. And, if you're interested in the sharpie on mugs, you can find a great post here.

PS: this post contains affiliate links

Mugs of hot chocolate just got a lot more colorful with these creative flavors of marshmallows. Are you planning a hot chocolate bar at your wedding or party?

I am in the affiliate advertising program with etsy which provides a means for me to earn referral fees by linking to etsy's handmade artists. This post was updated on 12/16/17

You can now offer marshmallows that match your color palette. Or, you might like to offer a sampler of all different flavors for your guests to choose from. Wouldn't it be great to serve homemade marshmallows instead of the standard supermarket ones? They will surely become the talk of the party. The marshmallows showcased below are just a tiny sampling of the amazing handmade marshmallow flavors you can find on etsy . . .

These Italian Stracciatella Marshmallows from Viveltre are infused with rich Belgian Chocolate shavings.

An extra dose of chocolate in hot cocoa is always a good thing. These Peppermint and Chocolate Covered Marshmallows from So Cozy Creations are sprinkled with crushed candy canes.

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Margarita Tequila Marshmallows from Sweetniks are made with fresh lime juice, lime zest and of course, tequila.

These Bubble Gum Gourmet Marshmallows from Sugarpop Bakeshop feature a sweet bubble gum flavor that's blended into a classic and fluffy vanilla marshmallow. It's then sprinkled with colorful sugar pearls and dusted with confectioners sugar.

Which gourmet marshmallow flavor is your favorite?

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