Letterpress Wedding Invitations - For The Paper Snob

With deeply impressed lettering & designs, letterpress wedding invitations are for the truly discerning bride.   They're the ideal choice for creating an air of elegance.   You could say they're the Rolls Royce of wedding invitations.



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Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Favors - First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage ...

What better way to welcome a baby into the world than with favors that protect the world?   Your baby shower guests can grow a beautiful garden with these eco-friendly baby shower favors.

Each adorable handmade pram favor features a lovely variety of wild flowers.   The back of each pram reads "Grow a Garden!".    Priced at $17.84 per set of 12.

Based on customer response, here are our most popular baby shower favors:


"Over the Moon" Vintage Moon Bookmark;   "Bun in the Oven" Scented Candle;   "World’s Gratest Mom" Cheese Grater;   "A Star is Born" Star-Shaped Cookie Cutters all available at Things Festive Presents

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Things Festive Featured in Modern Bride Magazine’s 100 Things We Love

Compiled annually, the "100 Things We Love" list features Modern Bride Magazine's best picks for wedding favors, gifts and accessories for the year.  To be among the ranks of retailers and manufacturers mentioned in this much-anticipated list is truly an honor.

In an earlier post, we mentioned that Modern Bride was planning to feature our Venice Gold Cake Serving set in the "100 Things We Love" issue (Aug/Sept).    Well, it seems that the magazine loved our Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers even more.   They called them "pretty, practical favors" and we are absolutely thrilled.

Coming in at #58 here are our Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers.   As part of our Love Bird Collection, these modern and romantic salt and pepper shakers are finely crafted in white porcelain and make adorable favors for weddings, baby or bridal showers.

The exquisite packaging features a pullout box with the two Love Birds comfortably nesting inside.   Die cut openings in the box cover allows a small peek into the interior.

With our current 20% discount, they’re priced at $3.18 per set and for quantities of 72 or more, they’re $2.80 per set!   For added charm, these favors can be personalized using our versatile Love Bird Paper Ribbon.

As I flipped through the rest of the items on the 100 Things We Love list, I noticed that there were other items that we offer and all at lower prices than those listed in the magazine:



At #6, the Love Blossoms Eco-Friendly Favor Cards with Seeded Paper Blossoms are available in 16 colors and priced at $14.20 for 12 cards ($13.34 for 6+ sets of 12).    At #15, the Palm Tree Favor Boxes are priced at $21.27 for a set of 24 boxes (even less for larger quantities).    At #16, the Novelty Popcorn Cartons are priced at $7.98 for a package of 12.



At #23, the Hand Painted Butterflies are available in four colors and priced at $7.98 for a set of 12.   At #30, the Silver Pear Place Card Holders are priced at $23.98 for a set of 12 holders.    Both at #35, the Thanks for Beeing Here Stickers and Love Bugs Stickers are priced at $.30 per sticker.



At #36, the Meant to Bee Ceramic Honey Pot Favors are priced at $3.56 (even less for larger quantities).    At #67, the Love Dove Place Card Holders are priced at $11.82 for a set of 4 holders (even less for larger quantities).

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Creative Wedding Favor Display Ideas

If you're looking for creative wedding favor ideas, consider these:


Candy Rock Favors:   Perfect for an outdoor setting (like a beach wedding), miniature galvanized pails are filled with sweet treats that resemble pebbles.   Include a note to let guests know they're edible.   The candy shown here is marzipan and chocolate-covered dried fruit.   Print your message onto paper, cut into strips, wrap around the pails' handles, and secure with double-sided tape.   Set the pails in trays filled with turbinado sugar or colored sand.

Boxed Groom's Cake Favors:   Assembled in the shape of a three-tier layer cake, cake boxes hold individual slices of the groom's cake, ready for guests to take home.   Stack the boxes on a cake stand and tuck sprigs of silk flowers between the boxes.

Scalloped Sacks:   This favor display is ideal for a rustic outdoor setting (farmhouse, orchard, etc.)  Use scalloped scissors to trim the tops of glassine bags.   Fill each bag with enough cherries, or other small fruit, so they peek out over the top.   To help the bags stand up, turn corners under at bottoms.   Display favors in wooden crates.   The following inspiration board shows how this favor idea was incorporated into a summer farmhouse wedding.


Courtesy of The Perfect Palette

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2010 Wedding Color Trends – Orange, Pink and Yellow Create the Perfect Palette

The verdict’s in.    The wedding colors that will take center stage at 2010 weddings are: orange, pink, and yellow.   The Winter 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings inspired me to search our product offerings for these vibrant colors.



Row 1:     Orange Favor Boxes;    Pink Butterfly Stickers;     Funky Felt Flower Girl Bags

Row 2:     Tropical Orchid "Just Married" Sandals;    “Love-sicle” Scented Soap Favors;    Floral Funk Favor/Place Cards

Row 3:     Vibrantly Colored Candles;     Mini Wooden Clips with Tropical Flair;     Funky Felt Favor Bags

Row 4:     Orange Berries Border Invitation;     Pink Favor Boxes;     Silk Organza Ring Pillow


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Celebrity Weddings – The Dancing Fairy Tale Prince and Princess

Okay, I’ll admit it!    I’m totally obsessed with Dancing With the Stars (and weddings).    So it was no surprise that I was rather giddy when I learned that Karina Smirnoff and Maxsim Chmerkovskiy (two of my favorite dancers from the show) have decided to tie the knot.

These dancing dynamos got engaged on New Year’s Day and are taking advantage of the hiatus from “Dancing” to plan their nuptials.   Although the couple hasn’t settled on a date (likely to be next summer in New York), Karina is sure of one thing: "I definitely want that fairy tale, big skirt ball gown".

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Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses – The True Sign of a Confident Bride

Would you dare allow your bridesmaids to wear what they wanted to your wedding?   If you simply provided the color choices, would you trust them to arrive appropriately dressed?   The bride who can do that is truly a confident bride, in my opinion.   She isn’t sweating the small stuff and is more focused on starting a new life with the man of her dreams.   She knows that the dresses chosen by her bridesmaids won’t make or break her wedding day and may actually add to its charm and whimsy.

If you take a look at Chrissie and Brian’s wedding photos you can tell that they’re a couple who take a relaxed approach to life.   For them, it’s about having fun.

Find bridesmaid gifts for your girls.    More bridesmaid gifts


Courtesy of Tinywater Photography

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The Baseball Wedding Theme - "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

With a Baseball Wedding Theme, you can show guests that you’ll play on the same team for life.   This theme truly hits home for a couple of baseball sports fans.

Here are some winning ideas for your baseball themed wedding:



Row 1:    Baseball Themed Groom's Cake courtesy of The Knot;    Baseball Cake Toppers - Bride Ready To Hit A Home Run with Groom Pitching;    Baseball Themed Thank You Cards;   Baseball Theme Miniature Sports Gumball Machine

Row 2:    Novelty Popcorn Cartons;  Snack Tray, Baseball Bats & Balls, Favor Bags images courtesy of Snippet & Ink

• Invitations – Give guests a hint of what’s to come with wedding invitations that resemble baseball admission tickets.
  
  
• Decorations – For centerpieces, use flowers and pennants in your team colors.   Fill vases with chocolate foil wrapped baseballs or mini plastic baseballs and add flowers.   Since baseball is a classic American pastime, using decorations in the colors of the American flag would be ideal.
  
  Instead of using table numbers at the reception, name each table after members of your favorite baseball team.
  
  
• Dessert Table – Decorate your dessert buffet using your favorite team’s colors.   Don’t forget the apple pie!
  
  
• Wedding Cake – Have your wedding cake decorated with red stitching to resemble a baseball.   Use a baseball themed wedding cake topper.
  
  
• Guest Book - Have guests autograph a baseball bat instead of using a traditional guest book.   Be sure to have markers available.
  
  
• Cocktail Hour - For a twist on the traditional cocktail hour, serve foods generally found at sporting events:   popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, Coke in classic bottles, Ballpark franks, nachos, beer… You get the idea!
  
  
• Favors – Baseball themed favors will leave guests with fond memories of your sporty wedding day.   Team-themed cookies in favor bags make a sweet treat as do mini baseball helmets filled with candies.   Attach a favor tag with an appropriate sentiment.

Got ideas or inspiration for the perfect baseball lovers' wedding?   Share your thoughts below.

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Wedding Beauty & Spa Treatments – Pretty, Pretty Bride

According to a survey conducted by The Wedding Report, U.S. brides who married in 2008 spent the following to get pretty for the Big Day (on average):

• Facial - $64
  
• Hair Service - $82
  
• Makeup Service - $65
  
• Manicure & Pedicure - $53
  
• Massage - $81

WebMD’s Perfect Bridal Guide offers these tips for putting your best face forward on your Wedding Day:

1. To reduce the risk of redness, irritation, or even allergic reaction, avoid glycolic peels, dermabrasion, or anything chemical for at least one month prior to your wedding day.
   
   
2. Avoid new products -- including shampoos or makeup -- during the month before your wedding.
   
   
3. Have a hair and makeup "dress rehearsal" at least two weeks prior to your wedding, and bring your headpiece to the hairdresser.   Then, take a digital picture to see how you look.   That way, you’ll get an idea of how you’ll look in your wedding photos.

Win a SpaFinder gift certificate to help with your Wedding Day beauty treatments.

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Cheap Wedding Photography – Do You Dare?

As we all know, it’s hard to find an area where the effects of the recession aren’t being felt.    In an effort to help our readers weather the storm, we’ll share inspiring and innovative ways to pull off a spectacular wedding celebration with tightened purse strings.    

Fox News recently aired a segment that featured brides-to-be sharing their cost-cutting strategies.     One idea that really captured my attention involved cheap wedding photography.     It seems that more marrying couples are cutting their wedding photography budget by relying on wedding guests to capture the highlights of the wedding reception with disposable cameras.     Now, the concept of placing disposable cameras on reception tables isn’t new but whereas it was once viewed as a novel idea, couples find it’s a creative way to shrink the photographers’ bill.

What do you think?     Would this cost-saving method appeal to you?     Please share your comments below.


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The Unity Sand Ceremony - Great Indoors and Out!

Although the Unity Sand Ceremony is most often held in outdoor settings, Elaine and Greg of Chicago found that it works just as well indoors.   This couple chose our Nesting Unity Sand Ceremony Set for their special day.



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Wedding Favor Trends - Style is the Word

At Things Festive, we love to observe trends and get into the minds of our “to-be-weds” by noting the types of products most often purchased.   When it comes to wedding favors and bridal shower favors, it seems that today’s bride is opting for favors that appeal to her “fashionista” side as evidenced by our most popular wedding & bridal shower favors:

• Row 1:    “The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Cosmetic Travel Bag;    "Pucker Up!" Personalized Lip Balm;    Purse Valet Handbag Holder
  
  
• Row 2:    “The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed 5 Piece Manicure Set;   
  “Something Blue" Gift Box Candle ;   Slice of Style” High Heel Cake Server

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The Cherry Blossom Wedding Theme - Virtue & New Beginnings

Each spring, people from all over the globe travel to Washington, DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival (an event that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan).

What is it about the overabundance of sweeping branches of delicate cherry blossoms that draws such a crowd?   Perhaps, as spectators are surrounded by billowing branches of cherry blossoms overhead and delicate petals scattered underfoot, they’re reminded of what cherry blossoms symbolize:  virtue and new beginnings.

What better way to celebrate the beginning of your lives together than with a Cherry Blossom Wedding Theme?  Intersperse these delicate blooms throughout your wedding decorations and save your guests the trip to DC.

• Cherry Blossom Mini Pillar Candles
  
• Cherry Blossom Stickers, Cherry Blossom Cling, Cherry Blossom Hand Fans, Sugared Cherry Blossom Spray, Cherry Blossom Table Number Card all found here
  
• Pink Brocade Boxes (top row, right).

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Wedding Giveaway - Customer Appreciation Gift

At Things Festive, our customers are very dear to us.   We value both your business and your opinion.    To receive our latest gift with purchase, please follow the steps below:

1. After making a purchase of at least $24.98 (before discounts and shipping) in our online store, visit our sister site and browse the new Bridesmaid gifts.
   
   
2. Come back to this post and comment on your favorite Bridesmaid gift.   (Click on the "Post a Comment" link at the bottom of the post).
   
   
3. Email us and provide your name, the transaction number from your order (from Step #1), and the name used to post your comment.
   
   
4. We will then send you a gift from our website along with our sincere thanks for letting us know what you think.   It's that simple!
   
   
5. Questions?   Email us.
   
   
6. Please note:   This customer appreciation gift is separate from our monthly SpaFinder giveaway.    All purchases of at least $25.00 are automatically entered into the SpaFinder giveaway.   You may be eligible to receive that gift as well and be pampered like our previous winners.

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Unique & Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings

A simply awesome site to visit for unconventional wedding and engagement rings is Turtle Love Committee.   Turtle Love Committee's philosophy is that the value of the ring should be based on the love and commitment it symbolizes, not the financial expense it represents.   There you'll find a beautiful collection of reasonably priced rings which feature unique designs, real gemstones, and organic elements.



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Wedding Day Beauty Emergency Kit - Keep Your Face Camera Ready

To ensure that your face and attire remain picture perfect throughout your wedding day, planning ahead is essential.    Create an emergency beauty kit so that beauty mishaps can be handled quickly and won’t create undue stress.    That way, you’ll be able to stay focused on your wonderful wedding celebration.

Pack the following items into a cosmetic bag and have one of your bridesmaids keep the bag with her throughout the wedding day (unless the reception site provides a secured area for brides to keep personal belongings).

hair brush hair spray bobby pins earring backs blotting tissues emery board clear nail polish concealer/cover-up mending kit scissors safety pins double-sided tape stain remover static remover facial tissues, cotton balls, cotton swabs

antacid pain reliever eye drops breath freshener/mints hand cream lipstick mascara dental floss toothbrush/toothpaste deodorant your wedding fragrance adhesive bandages tampon super glue

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Green Weddings with Flair - Commit to Each Other and the Earth

Eco-conscious couples can have the wedding of their dreams without sacrificing style.   Today's green weddings can be fanciful and festive without being harmful to the planet.

Some things to consider:

• Having your daytime ceremony or reception in a park versus an energy-consuming reception hall can save up to 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from your event's total output.   You can also cut down on the amount of decorations needed.
  
  
• Seek out local, organically grown flowers to be assured that no residual chemicals (flower production is chemically intensive) remain on the petals.   This will also help to ensure that the fuel used to transport the flowers to your wedding is minimal.   Use the same flowers for the ceremony and reception to minimize waste.
  
  
• Locally grown, organic food is fresher and better for you and the environment.   Arrange for leftover food to be donated to your local shelter.
  
  
• Pinecones, shells and stones are all natural elements that can be incorporated into your decor.
  
  
• Choose a wedding dress made from natural fibers or buy from a boutique or organization that gives part of the proceeds to charity.   Eco-friendly choices for invitations include recycled paper or cotton.   Creating a wedding website to keep friends and family abreast of wedding details will cut down on paper waste.
  
  
• Select wedding rings made from conflict-free diamonds and recycled metals or give rings that were handed down from relatives.
  
  
• Create a charitable wedding registry by selecting products that are good for the environment such as linens made of organic materials or energy-efficient appliances.   Create a registry through an organization that donates part of the proceeds to charity.

Your wedding is the perfect opportunity for you to show your love and commitment to each other but also to show your commitment to the Earth and those in need.


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Wedding Giveaway Winners Announced!

Congratulations to our April 2009 SpaFinder Giveaway Winners.   Here's how they plan to use their gift certificates:

• $250 certificate - Joni G. of Stamford, CT
  "My bridesmaids and I are going to get pedicures"
  
  
• $100 certificate - Tara S. of Pearland, TX
  "I plan on using this GC at Spa Envy in Houston to get a massage"
  
  
• $50 certificate - Shannon B. of Carlsbad, CA
  "I'm going to use my certificate for a purifying facial"

Each month, Things Festive will pamper three of our customers by presenting them with a SpaFinder gift certificate.  It's our way of saying "Thank You" for shopping with us.

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Dessert Table Idea - Combining Art & Confections

This gorgeous dessert table was inspired by a Pucci print and included wonderful details like a custom cupcake tower, custom popcorn cone bar and custom cotton candy sticks.

To create the popcorn cone bar, Amy cut styrofoam to fit inside the tray and then inserted wooden skewers into the styrofoam. The popcorn cones had a small hole at the bottom and were placed on top of the skewers.

More dessert table ideas

Amy Atlas


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Save on Designer Bridal Gowns & Support a Great Cause

At Things Festive, we're huge supporters of Brides Against Breast Cancer.   On their web site, you’ll find ideas for having a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower (or reception) and the dates of their Nationwide Tour of Gowns.   At the gown events, brides can buy designer bridal gowns at huge discounts.   Most gown prices range from $99 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful new designer gowns valued up to $8,000.   Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings.   Over half of these gowns are donated by the designers.   The proceeds from gown sales are used to grant the wishes of terminally ill cancer patients.

Visit Brides Against Breast Cancer to see all of the ways that your wedding activities can benefit this very worthwhile cause.

Purchase beautiful and meaningful favors from the Pink Ribbon Collection and 10% of the net proceeds will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition.   This national organization is devoted to supporting women—young and old—living with breast cancer, and granting the wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients.




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Modern Bride Magazine Loves Things Festive

We're so excited!   Being loved is a wonderful thing.   That's why we're so pleased that Modern Bride Magazine is featuring Things Festive in their annual "100 Things We Love" feature story (August/September issue).   They were so enamored with our Venice Gold Cake Serving Set that they had to have it as part of the 100 loved items.

The elegant, Swarovski Crystal-embellished serving set will be featured just in time for the fall wedding season.





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The Love Bird Wedding Theme – Fly Away With Me

My vision of a Love Bird wedding theme:   bridesmaids and groomsmen sauntering down the aisle as a soloist delivers a heartfelt rendition of Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me.   Representations of the romantic creatures tastefully interspersed into the wedding decor.

Show the world that you and your sweetie are a couple of Love Birds or that you’re bird lovers.    A Love Bird wedding theme can be carried throughout your entire wedding:    from the invitations, to the cake, to your garter and everything in between.



Sources:

Row 1:   Branch Table Centerpieces;   Love Bird Table Number Cards;   Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shaker Favors;  Miniature Wooden Birdhouses

Row 2:   Love Bird Sticker;  Love Birds Cake Topper;  Love Bird Ring Pillow;  Love Bird Water Bottle Label

Row 3:   Love Bird Garter Set;  Mini Natural Bird Nest;  "Love Birds" Bottle Stopper Favor;  “The Nest Egg” Scented Soap Favors

Row 4:   Love Birds Wedding Cake;  Love Bird Flower Girl Basket;  Birds Branch Invitations;  "Love Dove" Place Card Holder


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2009 Wedding Photography Trends

If you're wondering what the 2009 wedding photography trends are, here's what's new and exciting in wedding photography.

• Photojournalistic style - In this photographic style, the wedding photographer will capture events as they happen rather than shoot posed or staged photos.   It's like having your wedding day captured as a documentary.   These photos are often shot in black and white.   Some couples opt for a mixture of posed and candid photos.
  
  
  Photos Courtesy of Michael Candid Photography
  
  
• Fashion Photography Style - Picture yourself as a model in a high fashion magazine.   With this photographic style, it's all about the right lighting and striking the right poses.   The photographer will ensure that your clothing is emphasized in the photos.
  
  
  Photos Courtesy of Jordan Matter Photography
  
  
• Unique Posing - Although wedding photography trends are moving away from traditional posing, more photographers are shooting photos where the shot is staged but in an interesting way.   One of my favorite wedding photos with unique posing featured an overhead shot of a bride and her bridesmaids seated in a circle and looking up at the camera.   It was adorable.
  
  
  Photo Courtesy of Michael Candid Photography
  

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Easy Bridal Shower Menu Ideas

If you're looking for an inexpensive and easy way to feed your bridal shower guests, the easy bridal shower menu ideas you'll find here will make you smile.   With their vast selection of easy-to-prepare baby and bridal shower food you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the shower without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.   You'll find everything from quiche, potato pancakes, vegetable spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms and other delectable finger foods.

If you'll be catering your own wedding, you'll find this source for gourmet appetizers to be a lifesaver.   Award-winning appetizers from Chef Michael Schulson (Style Network's Pantry Raid) and famed party planner Colin Cowie can be shipped to you overnight.   You'll only need to heat and serve.



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