Always inspiring, Martha Stewart is the source of today’s post. Get creative with coasters and use them at your cocktail reception, or give them away as favours to your guests. You can use any photo or patterned paper to coordinate with your wedding theme and colours. These map coasters are perfect for a destination wedding or for the couple who love to travel:

Glass gift-wrap coasters tied together with a pretty ribbon make such a cute (and functional) favour for your guests:

Get detailed instructions on how to make these creative coasters here: map how-to, glass how-to.

If you try out this project, drop me a line and let me know how it went!

Jennifer

Love it or hate it, James Cameron’s Avatar is the topic of more water cooler convos than we’d all care to admit. I’m usually not a fan of sci-fi flicks, but I have to admit – I really enjoyed it!

A sucker for romance, my favourite part was definitely the love story…which got me thinking…what would an Avatar wedding look like!? I know, it sounds ridiculous, but here’s my take on a Neytiri and Jake Sully union:

Neytiri would look stunning in a nature-inspired Jorge Terra wedding gown, complete with gold Anna Sui gladiators and a beautiful maang tikka on her forehead. She’d carry a bouquet of fresh tropical flowers to meet Jake at the altar of their quaint ceremony in the forest, and their reception would be filled with crystal trees representing the sacred Tree of Souls. Now as for entertainment…you guessed it – a special appearance by the Blue Man Group! 😉

Jennifer

Photo Credits: (top L-R) ‘I Do’-it-Yourself Weddings, Jorge Terra, Designer Events; (bottom L-R) Anna Sui via Shoe Blog, Andrena Photography, Mike Sidney Photography.

A recent consultation with a client inspired this post. The couple is getting married on the groom’s family’s acreage this summer, and they are incorporating a lot of homespun country touches. Fruit-filled pies and jellies, a late-night bonfire for roasting s’mores, and of course, it wouldn’t be a country wedding without hay!

Hay bales used in place of chairs for the ceremony or an outdoor tent reception creates such a rustic feel. You can even create a super cool lounge area by stacking the bales like a couch – simply add some throw pillows, a few cozy blankets in your wedding colours, and voila!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jennifer

Photo Credits: (top L-R) W. Scott Chester Photography via The Green Bride Guide, The Nicols; (bottom L-R) Tec Petaja Photo, The Knot, Sean Watson Photography via The Green Bride Guide.

glam: full of glamour; fascinating; alluring; glittering; prestigious; Hollywood.

Let’s face it – every bride wants a bit of glamour on her wedding day! Here are 5 ways to get you thinking about how you can turn heads at your reception.

1. Consider your colours: When I think “glam” I think classic with a punch of extravagance. Trendy colour combinations can certainly be incorporated into a glam wedding, however I recommend focusing on classic palettes, adding hints of daring colours sparingly. Some examples include black and white with a touch of eggplant purple, or pairing silver and ivory with deep red.
   

   Photo Credit: The Knot.

   

   Photo Credit: Project Wedding.

2. Add ambience: The atmosphere and feeling of your event are key. Spend some time planning elements such as lighting and music to ensure your guests enjoy your wedding just as you’ve envisioned.
3. Think distinct: Adding a unique element to your wedding will make it memorable for your guests. Change up the typical reception format by putting speeches before dinner; surprise guests and your fiancé by hiring a live pianist or singer for your first dance; include a self-serve sundae bar as part of the midnight lunch.
4. Go for glitz: Rhinestones, crystals and metallics – when done tastefully – can really add a lot glamour and elegance to a wedding. Incorporate a few of these elements into your table design or centerpieces, or bedazzle your bridal party and bouquets.
5. Fancy fabric: Quality linens – tablecloths, overlays, runners, napkins, chair covers – can take your wedding reception from ordinary to extraordinary! At most weddings, guests spend a lot of time at their seats, so focus on making the tables look amazing. Textured or coloured linens can dramatically change a room and are an excellent way to incorporate your wedding theme and colours.

Jennifer