{Bright Idea Thursday} Honoring loved one who have passed away

Recently I did a vendor spotlight on a wonderful etsy company who makes personalized charms to put on your bouquet and I love sharing ideas of how you can honor loved ones who have passed away, so when I found a Christmas cookie recipe that was hand written by my grandmother I had to incorporate it into a blog post! I'm also still obsessed with Kate & William so I had to include her too.

This board is dedicated to my grandmothers and illustrates an old fashion traditional elegant wedding with lace and calligraphy and candles. Click here to see more posts on honoring loved one who has passed away.

sources: doilies, lockets, kate middleton wedding dresses, centerpiece, flowers, family photos

{Bright Idea Thursday} Groomsmen Gifts

There are so many great options out there for groomsmen gifts, but I have only chosen 5 to share today. Have you seen any interesting ideas out there?

Groomsmen Gift Basket

olive oil with rosemary favor

Jambalaya and Hush Puppies favors

Personalized wine bottles

Apple Cuff Links

{Bright Idea Thursday} Doily Love

Don't you just love doilies? There are so many options and fun ways to use them. They are NOT just for your granny anymore! There are the paper ones or hand crocheted ones. You can use them to decorate a cake, add to your table setting as a runner, or put under a plate for place settings, and maybe even have a calligrapher put your guests name on the place setting. You can use them for invitations, wrapping presents, or use as a texture for molding clay dishes. Plus they are great for any occasion!

Source: cake 1, cake 2, cake 3, table runner 1, table runner 2, table runner 3, menu, invitation, envelope, doily favor bags, etsy doily pom, crowns, doily jars, doily umbrellas, doily donuts, doily tussy mussy, diy doily 1, doily bunting, diy doily2, doily wrapping 1, doily wrapping 2, doily wrapping 3, doily wrapping 4, doily wrapping 5, diy doily valentines

{Bright Idea Thursday} Something Blue

Something old, something new

Something borrowed, something blue 

And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

This bride sewed her wedding date into the hem of her dress with blue thread (the perfect something blue!)

{source}
Where did this saying come from? 
A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. So this wedding tradition is definitely English, and many sources say that it began in the Victorian era. Each item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past. "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead. "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride. The borrowed item also reminds the bride that she can depend on her friends and family. As for the colorful item, blue has been connected to weddings for centuries. In ancient Rome, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty, and fidelity. Christianity has long dressed the Virgin Mary in blue, so purity was associated with the color. Before the late 19th century, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true." And finally, a silver sixpence in the bride's shoe represents wealth and financial security. It may date back to a Scottish custom of a groom putting a silver coin under his foot for good luck. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be in the left shoe. These days, a dime or a copper penny is sometimes substituted, and many companies sell keepsake sixpences for weddings.{source} 

{Bright Idea Thursday} Non-Flower Centerpieces

I recently did some research online searching for ideas on non-flower centerpieces to help a client and figured I'd share what I found! Sometimes you don't have enough money in your budget for spending a lot on flower arrangements or maybe you are not a huge fan of fresh cut flowers. Whatever the reason, you may like some of these ideas. 

Buy gift card sets and frame them to put around the tables with candles, this etsy artist does beautiful drawings of historic Savannah locations. Or buy a variety of Savannah postcards and frame them. Instead of fresh flowers use Potpourri in shallow vases, it will smell really nice too. Or combine minimal flowers cut really short that can live for awhile without water and place in vases with fruit. Another way of using minimal flowers is the example with the wine bottles and recycled glass containers, which uses inexpensive flowers sparingly. Going along with the wine theme, maybe you save your wine corks and don't know what to do with them-why not use them as decorative details for your wedding. You could also buy potted plants that are in season or create herb centerpieces to place on each table. Candles can be bought in bulk and look so pretty on their own like the example of the DIY lace candles or just wine glasses with floating candles. If you are feeling crafty and want to include photos for your centerpieces, consider trying to make the DIY photo frames with votives. Your napkins can help with adding a design element to the tables and place settings too. Well, I hope I gave you some inspiration!

{Bright Idea Thursday} Ceremony Programs

Remember our boho beach shoot with Makebelieven? Well I just read a great blog post about her that you can read here. Krissy of Makebelieven is the etsy who made the headband that Nicole wore. One question and answer that I really enjoyed from the interview was: 

What would you like to see at more weddings?

Krissy: "I would love to see more programs that give additional background on the couple…how they met, favorite foods/songs, etc". 

Such a great suggestion - I love that idea!! Here are some more wedding ceremony program ideas for you plus Eco-friendly wedding advice too.

Humorous ceremony program handmade by the bride and MOB

Tiered ceremony programs handmade by the bride and family friend

Programs that are fans! created by 1420 DeZigns

Make sure the programs are secured really well on the fan! These are great because they are also functional!

fan programs

Bridal Party Programs

HOW CAN I MAKE MY CEREMONY MORE ECO-FRIENDLY?

THE FLOWERS

If you use the flowers that decorate your wedding ceremony space as your centerpieces at the reception, you’re getting more use out of the blooms and won’t be throwing them away right after “I do.” It’s also more eco-friendly to choose flowers that are in season, and even better if they’re locally grown. That way less fuel is used to ship them to you. 

THE PAPER

Print your ceremony programs on recycled paper, or make them as short as possible. If you’re having them professionally printed, ask about soy-based inks, which are less harmful to the environment. If you had planned on getting fans for your guests, save paper and make programs that double as fans instead.

THE LOCATION

If you have your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place, no one has to drive from one place to the other, which saves gas. You can also try to have the ceremony and reception within walking distance of each other.

THE FAVORS

Most places do not let you use rice since it's not good for the birdies, but bird seed is a great alternative. Also consider biodegradable paper confetti or bubbles or ribbon wands!

{Bright Idea Thursday} Calligraphy Fonts

Here are 6 beautiful free calligraphy fonts that are perfect for using on bridal shower invites, wedding invites, table numbers, escort cards, thank you cards, and more. I love all of these, but Windsong may be my favorite. Which is your favorite?

download young-love-es font

download windsong font

download lainiedaysh font

download english-essay-regular font

download respective font

download channel font

{Bright Idea Thursday} Sunday Wedding

Update to this post! OMG!!! Someone actually did a brunch-picnic style wedding with donuts and coffee like I did a post about!!! So cool!!! Here are their details and more on Green Wedding Shoes.

sunrise wedding

Having a brunch wedding reception or a lunch reception is a great way to cut reception costs.

There are many advantages to having your reception earlier in the day. One of the biggest is cost. A brunch reception is generally less expensive than dinner. Also, if the wedding venue is a popular one, you might have a better chance finding an opening earlier in the day.

If you are having a buffet brunch reception or luncheon, chances are your guests aren’t going to drink as much as they would at an evening reception. If you choose to serve alcohol, wine and champagne are all that is necessary, although some couples still choose to have an open bar with mixed drinks available. Also having a coffee station with help guests sober up so they can drive home! Although, having your reception run too late on a Sunday night may lead to people leaving too early or not coming because they have to drive home and work the next day.

Choosing to have a wedding on an ‘off day’, can also be a great pick for brides who don’t have a lot of time to plan. You’re much more likely to get the vendors you want (and possibly a special rate) for a Friday or Sunday wedding, as opposed to the traditional Saturday. This is great if you’re a bride with your heart set on getting married soon, but can't find who and what you want for your wedding. You're more likely to get your first choice on a Friday or a Sunday.

Or maybe there is an emotional significance behind a certain date you want for your wedding and want that date no matter what day of the week it falls on. 

Sunday Option 1: start at 3 reception is from 4-9

Sunday Option 2: 1pm cocktails at 1:30 and the reception runs until 6:30pm

Things to consider: if you want a church wedding then Sunday isn't a good day to have a wedding. You would have to work around the churches service schedule, but may be able to do one after their service if they allow it.

Jewish weddings generally have to be on Sundays (the Sabbath is Saturday), so there's not much choice.

Food ideas: Omelet Station, blueberry muffins, scones, donuts, bagels, biscuits, etc
Drink Ideas: Mimosa Bar, Champagne Cocktail, French breakfast or English Tea Time, or a Coffee station

THE ST-GERMAIN COCKTAIL
2 PARTS Brut Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine
1½ PARTS St-Germain
2 PARTS Sparkling Water or Club Soda
Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add Champagne first, then St-Germain, then Club Soda. Stir completely. Garnish with a lemon twist, making sure to squeeze essential oils into the glass. St-Germain is heavier than wine, thus it will settle to the bottom so mix thoroughly. 

 French breakfast or English Tea Time

  Breakfast Wedding with Omelet Bar 

  Delicious Donuts 

 Coffee and Doughnut Selections

 Tea Time Treats

 

 Beautiful Tablescape

Signature Drinks and Drink Stirrers

Classic Champagne Cocktail 

Flower Idea for an English Tea Wedding

If you are having a coffee or tea themed wedding, then a perfect wedding favor for your guests is a personalized little bag filled with unique coffee blends or tea. Or you could consider putting these burlap or cotton bags in a welcome basket for your guests who are arriving from out of town. 

"Love is Brewing" with these burlap bags! Filled with aromatic coffee beans, these rustic burlap bags make ideal and unique wedding favors for any season!

Or try this wedding vendor for a soft bag that is made of eco-friendly unbleached cotton, evoking a simple, rustic charm. You can pick a design and font in the color(s) of your choice and personalize with your names and event date.

This Etsy artist can also make you a beautiful personalized bag at their shop. Check out Julie Sandusky's Idea chic companies online here.

Are you feeling crafty and care to make it yourself?  

Intimate Weddings has a great step-by-step DIY on creating coffee bags here.