A Unique Wedding Gift
Are you looking for something different and special as a gift for your wedding attendants? Consider creating a custom handbag or clutch from Freddy&Ma that coordinates with your wedding colors. It's something that your maid of honor and bridesmaids will use again and again. Creating the handbag is easy - you simply pick a handbag style, then choose your fabric, and lastly you select the hardware.

Above is a picture taken by Bello Photography showing bridesmaids with their Freddy&Ma handbag (the hazel purse) that was given to them by the bride as a thank you gift.

Thank you to Lisa of PR Wedding Planner for introducing me to this company.

web site find
I recently received a comment on my Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations post that introduced me to a "green wedding" etsy shop. It's called Save the Date * Save the Trees. The shop sells digital Save the Dates. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea and the shop is filled with lovely designs.

Not only are you saving money on stamps, you are saving yourself time and helping the earth by saving trees. You simply choose the layout you like, purchase that design, email your information and you approve a jpeg file. Then you are supplied with a digital save-the-date file that you then email to your guest list. You will actually receive 2 files - one for emailing {72 dpi} and one high-res file {300 dpi} for printing if your guest doesn't have an email or if they don't check their email often.

The digital save the date's are easy on your budget too at only $13.50 per design (summer sale designs are $11.50 each).

I'm loving this alternative idea for either bridal shower or wedding centerpieces - it's a centerpiece and favor combo in one. (Thank you mom for bringing this site to my attention) The company is Florelle™ and they offer bouquets made up of candy-filled wands that each guest at your table can take home. They offer centerpieces for tables of 8, 9, 10, and 12. You select the colors, gourmet candy filling of choice (ex. sugar coated almonds, after dinner mints, sweet heart candies, etc), the size of the wand, and if you wish to, you can personalize the favors with the name and date of your event.

This idea is so clever. And, flowers can still be incorporated into the favor centerpieces if desired. There are over 40 colors to select from and you can have your centerpiece be comprised of one or more colors. There is sure to be a color that will match your event. To speak with a Florelle™ designer, you can call toll-free 1-800-768-7116 or 1-800-746-0429.

Has anybody used this type of centerpiece before? What are doing for your bridal shower or wedding centerpiece arrangements? I'd love to hear your ideas on unique centerpieces.

The Event Essentials had just launched phase 1 of their new website - and it's beautiful. The Event Essentials, with Kim McDowell as the master designer/planner, is a planning and design boutique that offers gorgeous designer stationery pieces with personalized touches. They "will take any event from simple to spectacular from the first to the last impression". They offer designer invitations, distinct event planning and decorative accessories. And their event planning packages have the cutest names: Cubic Zirconia (getting started), One Carat Round (day of director), Two Carat Princess (event designer), Three Carat Radiant (coordinate & design), Four Carat Marquise (full planning), and Loose Diamonds (a la carte).

My personal favorite? The designer invitations with swarovski rhinestones. Who doesn't love a little extra bling? You can also select other types of embellishments such as ribbon or even scents.

With each of the designer invitations, you can select coordinating collection pieces that might include: reply cards, information cards, reception cards, dining cards, place cards, favor tags, table numbers, save the dates, favor tags, programs, and thank you notes.

My favorite part of the site? On the individual invitation pages, there are recommended accessories to keep your theme consistent (seen underneath each of the invitation collection's detailed photos). The accessories are amazing and truly do coordinate with the invitation collections.

PS: The Event Essentials also offers pre-designed or custom designed monograms and couples logos. {see the elegant designs here}

PSS: Looking for even more bling? Come see our online store the Rhinestone Bridal Apparel collection)

I came across the web site for Peggy Porschen Cakes the other day and just had to share it with you. She is based in London, and her site is filled with delightful edible eye candy. The site design is simple and elegant. I know you will have fun browsing thru the sections. And one of my favorite parts of the site? . . . When you mouse over most of the wedding cake images, you can see the amazing detail work. (don't forget to use the arrows under the row of images to see more)

Images as shown (from left to right):
Top Row: Ruffle Rose Cupcakes, Boxed Miniature Wedding Cake, Buds in May Wedding Cake
Bottom Row: Peony Wedding Cake close-up, Aqua Roses Wedding Cake (plus close-up)

Peggy's Site Photography by Georgia Glynn Smith

Peggy and her photographer have also published 2 books which you might enjoy:
Pretty Party Cakes - Sweet and stylish cookies and cakes for all occasions
Romantic Cakes - Cookies And Cakes To Celebrate Love