Bridal Party Keepsakes

I love Martha Stewart Weddings magazine! They have the cutest and most unique ideas!

Their Spring 2008 issue features this "tag" idea, which helps transform wedding day accessories into keepsakes for your bridal party.

All you have to do is create custom clothing labels to include you your names or monograms and your wedding date, then affix them to purses, ties, socks, shawls or any other items you plan to give to your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Feta & Strawberries Salad

If you feel like you're about to break your diet and give-in to your sweet tooth, do it in a healthy way and toss some fruit in your salad!

Here's one of my favorite recipes. Prep time is only 10 mins.

Ingredients:
1 pkg (5 oz.) mixed baby greens
3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
3 Tsp. sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup Kraft Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Toss all ingrfedients except dressing in large bowl. Add dressing just before serving; mix lightly. Makes 4 servings.

Now, indulge and rest assured that you'll still fit into your wedding dress after such a delightful treat!

Celebrate with a refreshing Mojito!

Mojito Recipe:

1 lime, quarted

2 tsp sugar

8 to 10 mint leaves

2 oz rum

Splash of club soda

Mash the first three ingredients then add the rum. Shake with ice, then strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice. Splash with club soda and garnish with a sprig of mint. Your guests will love it!

Fondant Quill-Flower Wedding Cake

I LOVE the way fondant cakes look. My taste buds seem to prefer the taste of traditional buttercream frosting cakes, but don't get me wrong - I'll still eat cake! Fondant or buttercream, trust me, I will enjoy every bite!

Click on image to go to Collette's Cakes website.

Live Entertainment..."Out of the Blue"

I met up last night with my friend Joanne (62+ going on 30), who I met years back, when I worked in the Marketing department at the Spa Resort Casino (SRC).

We both love Vino 100 in Cathedral City, which is where we met for a wine tasting and live entertaiment. What a great time I had! It was like a mini SRC Reunion!

It turns out that three of my former co-workers started a band a few years back to participate in the Annual SRC Talent Show, "just for fun."

Four years later and "Out of the Blue" this band continues to perform, now with more experience under their belt, more sound, more songs, and more gigs, providing more fun and a great atmosphere! I am completely impressed!

If you are having a celebration in the Palm Springs desert area, or simply looking for GREAT "live" background music, you have to check out "Out of the Blue."

For more information call Steve: 760-275-1765

Band members:
Melody Manning , Jhonathan Velez, Steve Whitton
Local to Palm Springs, California

Centerpieces and Table Accents

All you need is:
A Martini Glass
Square Vase
Expanding Crystals
(available at craft stores)
Pink Dahlia

All you do is:
Assemble as shown and you've just made yourself a beautiful accent piece for your wedding decor.

Cute and easy to make!

Photo from Wedding Channel Wedding Bells, Spring 2005

Wedding Menus with a functional twist

These unique fan-shaped menus are not only beautiful, they're also three times more functional than the traditional style menus.

Your guests will know where they are seated as they arrive to their table and read their names printed on the place cards which embellish each fan, they will read the menu, fan themselves, and as everyone gathers their purses and shoes after a long night of dancing, they can look at the tags and know which fan is theirs to take home.

Image from Brides Receptions Magazine, Special Issue, 2005.

Wedding Programs

Wedding programs can vary in shape and size. From a flat card, to a folded card, a booklet, square, rectangular, fan-shaped, small or large.

In reality, when we get to this part of the wedding stationery, most people choose a style that simply fits their budget. Since the invitations are what makes the first and lasting impression, it's okay to splurge on the invites and keep the programs and place cards simple and legible.

When people ask me how many programs they should order, I am honest in telling them they should only order programs for about 75% of their guests. I have seen in many weddings, including my own, where there are many programs left over.

As much as you may love them, most couples will share a program. The ladies usually will take one and put them in their purse, while the men...well, they leave it up to their dates to keep one for the both of them. =)

Tip of the Day: Paper Selections

If you like shimmer, but are looking to save a bit of money, we can always incorporate both stock types in your design. By layering shimmer and non-shimmer, the pearlized metallic stocks create a beautiful accent and contrast.

Lavender Bistro

The perfect setting for a garden wedding is scheduled to open this fall in Old Town La Quinta, California.

The new mediterranean-style restaurant is owned by Nicolas Despras, a young man who has learned the trade by working closely with his father, Michel Despras, owner of Le St. Germain Restaurant in Indian Wells.

So here it is, the unveiling of my latest identity design, for what will be the next dream setting for a garden wedding...Lavender Bistro. More details and images coming soon.

Silkflowers, Real Flowers & More

I've had a couple of people ask me recently where they can purchase ready made silk flower centerpieces, so I went on-line to help them with their search and found Silkflowers.com. I found their website easy to navigate and they had some images of very beautiful arrangements.

Some people prefer to buy silk flower arrangements because guests can take them home and keep them for a long time.

But for those of you who still prefer the real thing, there are a couple of local floral & event designers that are sure to deliver exactly what you envision and beyond.

One of them is Arrangements Floral and Party Design, located in Palm Desert, California. The other is Artisan Event Floral Decor, in Palm Sprngs, California.

Because I usually work with clients before the actual event, I don't always get too see how the final day unfolds. Whenever I can't refer anyone I have personally met, or anyone who's work I've personally seen, I always refer clients to the Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association website. They are a group of previously screened wedding professionals that are able to help with all your special event needs.

Tip of the Day: Pocket Invitations

If you're including a reception card, map, accommodations, RSVP card & envelope - pockets are the way to go! Remember, pocket invitations cost more than flat invitations. If you're only including an RSVP card, once it is mailed back to you, the pocket will serve no purpose. If this is the case, allow your stationery designer to come up with pocket alternatives, putting your money to better use.