Jan 26, 2012
Bridal showers go hand in hand with weddings so whether you are hosting one for your closest friend or you are the toast of the day, you want your bridal shower to be a fun, fresh and memorable time! Yours Truly from Lake Tahoe gave Fabulous Living.com a couple ideas on how to breathe a little life into bridal showers. For the full post, here it is – Bridal Showers: Games Are Out, Activities Are In! . So out with the games and bring on the activities that will get guests talking and bonding!
Highlights:
1) A Wine Tasting – have each guest bring a bottle (label covered) or supply a few as the hostess. Have a blind ‘tasting’ and vote on the best one. Even separate with a white wine and a red wine. If you are true connoisseurs, you can get as detailed as voting on different varietals. Great idea is to have the winning bottle or bottles make an encore appearance at the wedding reception!
2) Glam Photo Shoot – bring in a professional photographer and capture the day with a photo session. Theme or activity will add to the the fun. Check out our blog post just on this topic alone – Your BFF’s Glam Photo Shoot.
3) Floral Design – a brilliant idea from Kristi Pohly, owner of Fleur Decor in Denver, Colorado. Treat your guests to a crash floral design course. Hire a designer to supply the flowers and teach the how-to’s. The vase is a great party favor, not to mention the arrangement you bring home (bonus is that you created it yourself!).
4) Cupcake Decorating – from Claudia Copquin, founder/editor of Long Island’s bridal blog – GettingMarriedonLongIsland.com. A fun (and yummy) way to spend an afternoon is decorating cupcakes. Provide stations for the toppings – the more the better. From custom aprons for the guests to awarding the prettiest, silliest or most original cupcake decor, this will be a great activity for a shower.
Happy Party Planning,
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Dec 30, 2011
As the end of this year draws near, I have little ones on my mind. Maybe its the tradition stemming from the Greeks of using a baby to signify the new year or more likely its my own new little baby that we were recently blessed with, but either way, I have been drawn to the cute and adorable images of the smallest members of the wedding party from weddings past. I couldn’t resist sharing a parade of photos of some of the babies that we have had the joy to see in ceremonies and hang out with at the receptions. They sure keep us on our toes as to what they will do next!
How often I have seen a little flower girl’s gaze of awe upon the bride moments before the ceremony as she is surrounded by her bridal attendants putting on the finishing touches… This ‘awe’ has had many faces from curiousity to admiration to a dreamer of when one day they will be a bride themselves. Such is part of the circle of life, little flower girls who grow up to be beautiful brides.
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The unpredictability of little ones adds that spontaneity and character to your wedding ceremony that will always make it uniquely yours. How we watch with holded breath, but simulatneously love, when the ring bearer decides to chuck the ring pillow or if the little ones impulsively decide to add their own dance rendition to their walk down the aisle or if they decide to stand, sit, squirm anywhere but where they rehearsed the day before…
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Head wreaths for little flower girls have always been a favorite and a great compliment to the floral basket. Magical floral wands are super popular now too for them to wave their blessing of love down the aisle… Little boys or little girls can ring a bell to capture your guests’ attention – like they haven’t already – announcing the bride cometh.
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Besides ringing a bell and verbally announcing “Here Comes the Bride” – have bell ringers put a new spin on this by carrying a sign instead along with the ringing bells or go it alone with just the sign. Don’t forget the backside – room here for another message from Just Married and Thank You to be used later on in some well planned photo ops. Clever Etsy artists have lots to choose from here.
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Alternative new ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a skateboard with the rings tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer. If you have a musically-favored little guy or gal (and no stage fright), they could even play a little ditty on their instrument as they walk down the aisle creating a whole new role for this little one.
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Either way – Baby New Year or my new little baby – I am glad to relive and share these wedding moments with you starring the little ones that can not only steal hearts, but also make the forgettable unforgettable.
Have an extra special and Happy New Year!
ew ideas for ring bearers include using ring pillows that are anything but soft and cushy… these can range from floral embellished to a wooden box, burlap or other organic elements or even something as personalized as a tied to it as one of our ring bearers did last summer… If you have a musically favored little guy or gal ey xxx
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Dec 13, 2011
We all know that color is a lot of fun and can invoke a range of moods but what if you are drawn to fresh, pure, perfect white? White instills a feeling of innocence, purity and perfection. A calming feel that is simplistic in nature.
If you tend to favor the “uncolor” over splashes of vibrancy, how do you keep your wedding fresh, memorable and maybe with a little wow factor? Let’s be honest, using all white can be slightly yawn-inspiring. By adding a little (or a lot) of texture, you can make a visual impact and a lingering impression. Lace and floral rosettes are a couple of options that are making a strong statement today in the world of white.
Lace is delicate, imparting an unique elegancy since the softness of lace is always romantic. From vintage lace to modern, think beyond the wedding dress to create a unique wedding style with this fabric from intricate and delicate to bold and solid.
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From invitation accents to hidden antique garters to wrapped votives and mason jars, lace can show up in unexpected places and add a little spice.
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Then there is The Cake! Oh, how do we love lace touches on the wedding cake and especially when it emulates the wedding dress!
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Floral rosettes literally bring added layers of texture to a white wedding style. Rosettes can be used everywhere from back-drops to the table decor to your hair. Rosettes also can be made out of a multitude of materials (fabric, fondant, paper) which is great since they can be used in a range of budgets.
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And we can’t forget The Cake!
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These are just two ideas to provide a little White Inspiration for you!
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Oct 13, 2011
With feather hair extensions being the hottest thing on the market these days, incorporating feathers into your wedding can add a whimsical and romantic essence. But let’s think beyond the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces…what about your hair and your bridesmaids’ hair?
“They can be brushed, blow-dried, straightened and curled (up to 450°F) – basically, they can be treated like natural hair,” says Fine Featherheads founder Dakota Hills. This versatility is crucial in the styling process of bridal hairdo’s. The feathers look gorgeous in elegant updo’s, flirty ponytails, spun into a bun and especially in a glam braid.
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Fine Featherheads are easy to find, effortless to install and could be a fabulous, fresh addition for you and your bridesmaids to celebrate in style! You can purchase the highest quality, original “featherheads” at FineFeatherheads.com or check on their website to find a salon near you. What a special way to create unity in your bridal party, by spreading the feather love…
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Are you more of a DIY type? Installation is a piece of cake. With a few simple tools (you can purchase a small tool kit online) you begin by threading the micro-link onto the hair hook. Then you simply draw a small section of hair from the scalp and slide the micro-link onto the hair. It is key to find the proper place on the head so the feathers lay flat. Viola!
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These beautiful, weightless hair accessories could be the perfect gift for a bridal party that screams personality! Since the feathers can last for one to six months (depending on care), the feathered bridesmaids have a constant reminder of the special times they shared on your wedding day.
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Aug 31, 2011 |
Yummm – everyone loves a warm, just-off-the-fire s’more! And the nostalgic, comfort feeling they instill… Nothing goes hand-in-hand better than Lake Tahoe, the mountains and s’mores but sometimes incorporating these into your wedding might be difficult with open fire rules, the thought of dripping marshmallow on fine silk or maybe it just doesn’t go with your wedding style/look for the big day. The rehearsal dinner can be a good option OR how about a s’mores cake!?!
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From the glorious kitchen of Canadian baker and blogger Sweetapolita, this sinful 6-layer rich chocolate malted and toasted marshmallow cake will be a crowd-pleaser and have your guests coming back for more. The marshmallow filling is full of marshmallows actually toasted in the oven – these little details are what really makes (and takes!) the cake.
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6 layers of dark, moist chocolate cake sandwiching alternating rich and fluffy frosting: satiny Belgian chocolate malted frosting and creamy toasted-marshmallow vanilla frosting with bits of actual crispy marshmallow in every bite. Strangely, the finished cake is not really super sweet–it’s more rich, light, and creamy sweet…
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Okay, mouth-watering yet? No more teasing, here is the recipe for an 8″ round 6-layer cake courtesy of Sweetapolita:
Rich Chocolate Cake
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This is for three 8″ pans, but the layers will be a bit more shallow if you use the recipe as it is written. If you double the recipe, you will be able to fill the pans 2/3 full, resulting in thicker layers. You will have some remaining batter, with which you can make cupcakes, etc. You can also increase by 50%.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Cacao Barry Extra Brute Cocoa Powder (or similar premium brand)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespooon pure vanilla extract
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare 3 x 8″ cake pans with butter and flour or parchment paper. In bowl of electric mixer, sift all dry ingredients. Add all remaning ingredients to bowl with the dry ingredients and with paddle attachment on mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed (you may need the plastic splashguard that comes with mixer) and pour into prepared pans. Batter will be liquidy.
Bake for 20 minutes and rotate pans in oven. Cakes are done when toothpick or skewer comes clean–approximately 35 minutes. Try not to overbake. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes then gently invert onto racks until completely cool.
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Malted Belgian Chocolate Frosting
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Ingredients:
1 lb butter (4 sticks or 2 cups) at room temperature
4 cups icing sugar (confectioners’ or powdered)
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup Ovaltine Classic (brown in colour)
8 oz Pure Bittersweet chocolate, premium brand – chopped and melted
1/2 cup whipping (35% fat) cream
Method:
In a bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the icing sugar and butter and beat on low speed for about 1 minute. Add vanilla and malt powder, and beat on low until well combined. Add the melted chocolate and beat on medium speed until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add whipping cream and beat on med-high speed for another minute. Best used right away.
*Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Chocolate Frosting recipe
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Toasted-Marshmallow Frosting
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Ingredients:
16 large white marshmallows
1 cup icing sugar (confectioners’ or powdered)
1/2 lb butter (2 sticks, or 1 cup) at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
8 oz of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Cream (or Marshmallow Fluff)
Method:
Place marshmallows on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place on lower rack of oven, and broil marshmallows until nice and brown on top, between 30-60 seconds. Remove pan from oven and gently turn the marshmallows over, and broil until they are golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on them–they burn very, very quickly. Combine butter and icing sugar in electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, on low until blended (about 1 minute). Add vanilla and mix on high for about 3 minutes. Add marshmallow cream and toasted marshmallows, and mix on lowest setting for about 1 minute.
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This is a fresh, stylish way to introduce s’mores into your wedding reception with possibly a groom’s cake or cupcakes or even the showcase wedding cake!
Aug 18, 2011
One of the best parts of being a bride? Trying on all the gorgeous, dreamy wedding gowns of course! But wedding dress shopping can also be overwhelming with all the different shapes, fabrics, and styles to choose from. Let us help – here is a little breakdown about the most popular fabrics and some of the silhouettes best for them…
Charmeuse:
Charmeuse is the lightest of all satins. It has a glossy finish that drapes and clings to the body. Charmeuse works best in an evening gown or slip dress style. If you are looking for a form fitting sexy dress then Charmeuse is the material for you!
Cotton:
Cotton is a breathable and comfortable fabric. Cotton is not commonly thought of as wedding gown material but it does create very beautiful gowns. It can be very easily manipulated so it can be in an array of dress designs.
Dupioni Silk:
Dupioni silk is thick with a slight sheen and a coarse, knobby finish. Dupioni is a natural pure silk made from double cocoons. Since Dupioni is a thicker fabric, it works best for fuller silhouettes and modified A-line dresses.
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Photos: Charmeuse: Alix & Kelly, Cotton: Chris Cole, Dupioni: Pronovias Rania
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Duchesse Satin:
Duchesse Satin is a classic wedding gown material. Duchesse Satin is more affordable than pure silk because it is blended with rayon. It has versatility because it works for full as well as straight gowns.
Lace:
Lace is a very delicate and decorative fabric. Lace is typically made from cotton or synthetic materials. Lace is commonly used in wedding gowns as an overlay on top of solid fabrics or even more lace.
Linen:
Linen is typically thought of as a more casual fabric because of its breathability. Linen dresses are common for beach weddings but can also be perfect for a Tahoe wedding. Linen can also be dressed up, depending on the cut and style, and used for more formal gowns.
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Photos: Duchesse: Jim Hjelm, Lace: Amsale, Linen: J Crew
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Silk:
Silk is the most common, cherished, and priciest wedding gown fabric. Silk is a smooth natural fiber. Silk threads are also woven in different fashions and combinations to create tons of other fabrics, such as satin, duchesse satin, charmeuse, chiffon, organza, and even tulle.
Taffeta:
Taffeta is crisp, stiff and a light-weave fabric with a slight rib. It can be made from synthetic fibers or pure silk. Taffeta is an ideal choice for ball gowns and A-lines because it adds volume without adding unnecessary weight.
Tulle:
Tulle the traditional material used for bridal veils. Tulle is a fine mesh netting that is made from silk or nylon. Tulle has become popular in bouffant skirts, Vera Wang popularized this ballerina-inspired skirt style.
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Photos: Silk: Alix & Kelly, Taffeta: Liancarlo, Tulle: Vera Wang
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There are hundreds of different wedding gown materials and combinations available. Hopefully this will help begin to simplify choosing the perfect dress for you. The best way to find the “one” is to try on as many gowns as possible!
