Throwing Rice + Alternatives + Options

I sincerely love building the details into the design of a wedding. So, now that I have a little time to take a breath, I want to share a few delicious little details from some recent events.  I hope they spark a a little light, and inspire you to look past the ordinary, and fill your wedding or event with special little touches that will make it truly memorable.

First up, rice throwing at a wedding ceremony.  Throwing rice at the bride and groom or in the air over them as they depart the wedding ceremony and set off on their new life has been a long-standing American tradition. However, this tradition dates back so many years no one knows for sure when or where it started, and rice is by far not the only items traditionally thrown at the happy couple.

This tradition started to change with a rumor, or urban legend that implied that birds would die if they ate the rice thrown at a wedding.  This proved to be untrue, but led to alternative options being chosen by brides and grooms.  16 years ago, I chose to release helium balloons after our ceremony, this too has been controversial.  Helium balloons released into the air will eventually burst and return to the ground in the form of litter. While latex will eventually decompose, it is classified as litter until this happens.

 More recently, sparklers, flower petals, as well as banners and flag waving have taken over as the chosen method of celebrating the joining of two lives.  I love them all,  but am constantly searching for a way to make this ritual special for each couple.

A recent couple, Stephanie and James, had a very specific wish list for their day. When asked which three things were most important for their day, the answer was:  an intimate event with our family and friends, fresh and fabulous food, and a vintage feeling.  The food and florals for this wedding included lots of fresh herbs, including rosemary.  So, when I found an option that included dried rosemary, lavender and white rose petals, I was so excited!  When I saw that this company also offered gorgeous paper cones to hold these scrumptious herbs and petals, I knew this was the perfect fit for this event.

When the herbs and petals arrived from Wedding Blessing Herbs the fragrance coming from the box was incredible!   The company suggests that you store the toss at room temperature sealed in the plastic bag until the event.  I decided to order the doily cones as well to complete the vintage feel of this detail.  They were easy and beautiful.  I chose to display these in a vintage dresser drawer.  The extra herbs and petals were poured into a large apothecary jar for guests to scoop and sniff at will. A sign directing guests to grab a cone, or fill a cone was placed on the welcome table in a gold vintage frame.

As the ceremony ended and Stephanie and James headed down the aisle, guests tossed their herbs and petals in the air.  I was standing at the back of the ceremony and could smell the wonderful fragrance as they passed by.  Great choice!  I simply love this option.

The details make all the difference!

Wedding Centerpieces + Wow

As your guests find their way to the tables you have so carefully dressed and set, you want to give them something interesting, beautiful, unusual and unique to look at as they enjoy their meal.  Here are a few fabulous centerpiece ideas to get you started.

Source: weddingbycolor.com via Angela on Pinterest

This is a great way to show off your engagement pictures, photos of loved ones who coulld not be with you for your special day, or vintage photos of family and friends. 

Photo Centerpiece How-To...
Disassemble three like-sized frames, setting aside their fronts and discarding their backings. Paint or stain wooden frames desired color; let dry. Upload or scan photographs into a computer. With editing software, make the images black and white, and resize them to fit your frames. Print them onto vellum paper with an ink-jet printer. Slip the images into the frames. Using cloth tape, hinge frames together to form a triangle. Stand frames around a candle in a protective glass holder.

Source: twigandthistle.com via Angela on Pinterest

I love this little wishing tree from Twig and Thistle.  The red bird theme would be so unique for a wedding.

Source: google.com via Angela on Pinterest

Give the tables a natural feeling with a centerpiece like this twig and tulip combination.  Easy on your budget, and so simply beautiful at the same time.  Can you say BONUS?! Honestly, these could not cost more than $10.00 to make!

Source: weheartit.com via Angela on Pinterest

Go Bold with your theme!  This is probably the best advice I can give you.  Put your imagination to work, or hire someone who will.  Give your guests a treat by filling the tables with fun, creative little venues that show of your perfect theme, love birds, travel, vintage...whatever that mey be, play it up and go big.

No matter what the size of your wedding, your guest tables are a huge part of the party decor, use these horizontal surfaces to really make your wedding shine, and let your unique personalities take the stage.

Why I love Dessert Tables

I love Dessert Tables because...

An event all wrapped up into a 72" x 30" X 30" space!  That's it, that is why I love dessert tables!  In this little confined space, an idea, design, concept, highlight, climax, and treat of the day, evening, or event takes place.  One chance to make a lasting impression.  If the dinner left something to be desired...this would be it.  A last chance to make a lasting impression.

I've always loved a last chance, after everything else has had it's chance, going out with a big bang is always exciting!

Allison and Sage came along at the 2012 Phoenix Bridal Show,  They were looking for three things....Unique, Asian/American, and gluten free.  They found....ME.  Perfect match, done, got it covered.

After a tasting which included Boston Cream Pie, Black Forest Cake, Blackberry Shiraz Lime Pie, Apple Pie Pops, Cherry Bomb Pops, and Almond Cupcakes, a fabulous East meets West Dessert Table was designed to meet their every desire and wish.

So much  fun, such a diverse and fun group, and a glamorous venue to celebrate a unique and loving relationship.

Congratulations Sage and Allison.

 The table skirt is stretch netting gathered over red chintz.  The topper is a taffeta silk ribbon fabric.  Red lanterns, white vases with gold birds and flowers, red perfume bottles, and  black blossom platters and stands complete the "East Meets West Theme" for this gorgeous table.  Sprinkled with real red rose petals, this was one of my favorite projects of this year.

The cake topper was the deciding factor for the cake design.  A star filled night gave inspiration and the star burst design was born. Gold tipped white peonies finished it off and added an elegant touch.

 Apple Pie Pops, heart shaped, and filled with cinnamon, apple goodness, gluten free, by the way.

 Almond cake with strawberry butter cream, with a surprise filling of vanilla custard filling.  Cherry Bomb firecracker design!

 Boston Cream Pie Petit Fours for the grooms "Western Influence".

Gold, Red and White details blended seamlessly with the elegant venue decor.
The Tre Bella was gorgeous and the table linens in red, gold black, and white were so gorgeous.  The Tre Bella staff was wonderful, so professional, and on top of the schedule for the event.  Couldn't ask for more.