The time to start thinking about how you will thank your guests is NOW! Way before the wedding!!! So, think ahead. As you plan your wedding photography, remember to think about the specific pictures you want in your wedding album and to send to family and friend in your “thank you” notes. The Bride and Groom can express their gratitude or convey personal messages in their wedding photography by special arrangement with their photographer.

You can arrange to have this special photo shoot 2 to 3 months before the wedding with their engagement portraits or on the wedding day. You will want a few photos that can tell a story or a series of photos that tell a story. Have your photographer shoot some creative photos for you to include in your “thank you” notes after the wedding. The more creative you are the better, but be sure these photos are a reflection of you as a couple (now a married couple!) Be sure to order an 8 x 10 of your favorite. It’ will make a perfect keepsake to hang in your home. Lets look at a few examples of some fun Thank you cards!

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How did the carnation get such a terrible reputation as a flower? Maybe all those grocery store bunches gave them a bad rap (especially the green and blue ones that are clearly dyed unnaturally) But let’s give them another chance!!! From now on, let’s use their scientific name- Dianthus

See how a simple Dianthus bunch can be made into a simple and creative bouquet? Change the color, add some bling, wrap with a gorgeous ribbon and….. a more subtle, traditional feel with a tad of bling and sparkle! ( I would TOTALLY load this up with a TON more bling, but you get the idea!)

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Crafting something for your big day will not only give your wedding a more personal touch but it will also save you money (so you can have a larger dress budget, of course). A DIY bride will find this a simple project and something uniquely you! This Unity candle looks so much better than any store-bought candle you can purchase.

Materials

Pillar candle
2 taper candles
Transparent vellum paper
Ribbon
Glue dots Double-sided tape can also work.
Gemstone scrapbooking embellishments I used buckle slides and gem dots.
Scissors
Paper cutter

Directions

Step 1: Print your wedding logo horizontally on the vellum paper. Design a simple monogram with names and wedding date using Photoshop. Cut off about 1″ from the top and bottom of the vellum paper using a paper cutter.

Step 2: Attach the vellum paper to the pillar candle using a few glue dots in the back. Double-sided tape would also work for this project.

Step 3: Slide the buckle slide (you can find these in the scrapbooking aisles at your local craft store) on the ribbon and attach the ribbon to the pillar candle using a few glue dots. If you don’t like as much bling, just attach the ribbon to the candle minus the buckle slide.

Step 4: Attach a ring of ribbon to the taper candles using glue dots, and add crystal scrapbooking embellishments to the candles for a little more sparkle.

Step 5: Determine if you need a hurricane vase for an outside wedding.

Step 6 : Enjoy your wedding day!

Craftzine

I have become a HUGE fan of S’mores since I was lucky to taste Sweet Maralyn’s Chocolates, HOMEMADE marshmallows! She was gracious enough to make an OUTREAGEOS S’more bar for one of my events and trust me, once you have these marshmallows, you will never want to open another bag!

Dessert bars are HOT right now. After your guests have been dancing the night away, it is a great treat to have something sweet (keeps their energy up to keep the party going!!)

A s’more bar may be an option if

1. There is a fire pit
   
2. You can find an inside fire station. Many catering companies can bring them.
   

I found this great blog post from Cookie Creatives that gives a great new spin on s’mores- 4 different flavors of marshmallows, raspberry, lime, vanilla, and chocolate.  There were 2 different kinds of graham crackers, 3 types of chocolate, and 2 toppings.  The toasted coconut and chopped toasted pecans were delicious add-ons and stick to the melted marshmallows perfectly! Look at the display of simple plates and bowls for the display as well an incorporating some tin pails and wicker baskets to keep it elegant but summery and slightly rustic. This can be customized to have any kind of color or platters that match your theme!

Since there were so many possible s’mores give guests some creative ideas by attaching tags with different combinations to the end of the skewers with some paper raffia.

I LOVE these suggestions

• Key Lime Pie – honey graham cracker with lime marshmallow, white chocolate, and dipped in toasted coconut:
  
• Dark Chocolate Raspberry –  chocolate graham cracker with raspberry marshmallow and dark chocolate:
  
• Vanilla Nut – honey graham cracker with vanilla marshmallow and  chopped toasted pecans
  
• Traditional S’mores - honey graham cracker with milk chocolate and vanilla marshmallows.  Yum!
  

Another option to include s’mores in your event without the work of building a whole display or making multiple flavors is to package some marshmallows with enough graham crackers and chocolate to make a few delicious treats per guest.  Leave them out by the grill or fire pit along with some skewers and let guests enjoy them at their leisure!

Or another version with simple Cello bags (from Michael’s!) and a matching ribbon

The “royal” wedding of Kim Kardashian had some really awesome stuff that is kind of unique! Black and white attire is one that is a show stopper, IMO.

But they took it to the next level with a 6′ dummy cake (hmmm, was that a cost saver? Time Saver? Or they just couldn’t fathom digging in to something so gorgeous!) Either way, that cake towered over the 5’2″ “starlet” (I hate to call her a starlet- I mean what has she ever really done to have that level of fame? _

Now wouldn’t we all love to go tasting at Hanson Cakes!?!?!? (my reaction would be the same!!!)

So here is her cake!

I must say that I am not impressed (maybe I would need to see it up close and for SURE taste it- well the real cake and not the dummy)

So let’s take some inspiration from her and see what else is out there on the web!

Stunning and elegant! So while you may gain inspiration from the celebrity weddings, the options to make it your style and grand, are endless.

Top (left): Cake by Flour Confections, Pickering, Ontario

Top (right): Cake by Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, New York City

Bottom (left): Cake by Miso Bakes, Los Angeles; jewelry by Style by Yoon

Bottom (right): Cake by Sweet and Saucy Shop, Long Beach, CA