Personalized Wedding Stickers - So Versatile

Using personalized wedding stickers to decorate favor boxes and bags is a simple way to add personality and style to your wedding favors.   The plainest favor container becomes quite festive with a sticker that captures the mood of your event (as shown in the top right corner of the photo on the right).

Personalized wedding stickers also help to create cohesion between the different elements of your wedding celebration.   Give guests a glimpse of your wedding theme by using wedding stickers to seal invitation envelopes (as shown in the bottom left photo).   Available in many shapes, sizes, colors and designs, you're sure to find a sticker that reflects your personal style.



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Fall Wedding Inspiration Board - Amethyst & Platinum

After a customer inquired about wedding accessories in platinum and amethyst, I decided to put together the following fall wedding inspiration board for other wedding couples who may be interested in seeing how these colors work together.   Platinum is a stunning color which beautifully complements aubergine, eggplant and other deep shades of purple.  Resources below.



Row 1:   Boutonniere;   Platinum Bridal Purse;   Bridal Bouquet

Row 2:    Platinum Wedding Accessories;    Invitation;   Platinum Rolls Royce

Row 3:    Vera Wang Bridesmaid Dresses;   Wedding Cake ;   Favor Boxes - image courtesy of

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Outdoor Wedding Decorations - Mason Jars

There's something about mason jars that make me think of quaint country settings.   For outdoor wedding decorations, here are a couple of ways to make mason jars an inexpensive part of your celebration.

You can use mason jars as "packages" for wedding favors.   Just fill with edibles like herbs, honey, preserves, candies, cookies or fragrant potpourri.   Personalize the favors by tying personalized ribbon around the neck.



Use mason jars to create hanging "vases".   With a little wire, you can construct beautiful and inexpensive containers for displaying floating candles, floating flowers or fish.   Hang from a tree and let the sun filter through for a glorious presentation.

To create the hanging vases, cut a piece of wire 1.5 feet long, wind the wire around the jar just below the lip 2 times until you come to the tip of wire that you started with then twist this tip to the base of the wire that is left.   Repeat this process with another piece of wire starting and ending on the opposite side of the first.   Tie the ends of the long pieces of wire together at the top to create a loop to hang the jars from.   Fill the jars with water then add a flower, fish or candle.

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Colorful Bridal Earrings Enhance a Color Scheme

For an extra pop of color, forego traditional pearl and diamond earrings in favor of colorful bridal earrings.   Let these colorful baubles express your whimsical side and enhance your color scheme.   The inspiration board below would be ideal for the bride with Irish ancestry, a May birth month, a love of the color green, or a Wizard of Oz obsession (think Emerald City).



Row 1:    Bride in Green Earrings;    Green Bridal Shoes;   Wedding Cake

Row 2:    Topiary Place Card Holders;    Bridal Bouquet;   Glass Flower Holders

Row 3:    Groomsmen Tie ;    Favor/Place Cards;   Garden Votive Candle Holders

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Bridal Beauty Treatments on the Cheap

Of course you want to look picture perfect on your Big Day and the best way to do that is to get a jump on bridal beauty treatments long before the
I-do's.   Enter The Skinny.

You may be familiar with the new sample sale craze (Gilt Groupe, RueLaLa, etc.).   The Skinny is very similar, except they're focused exclusively on products and services for your skin.    It's the ideal way for brides-to-be and bridesmaids who have skin concerns to save up to 75% on high-end skin care products and spa treatments.   And if you're a skin care newbie, acne sufferer, or have questions about your skin, The Skinny has educational videos and personalized recommendations to help you find the perfect products.

Featured brands include Perricone MD, Lisa Hoffman Beauty, 100% Pure, International Orange, and Organic Apoteke, as well as cosmetic services like Botox from renowned dermatologists... all at affordable prices.

Check them out and put your best face forward.

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Eat Modern Wedding Cake & Be Merry

If you're looking for a modern wedding cake that'll leave wedding guests speechless, check out LeCordon Bleu-certified pastry chef Liz Shim's eat cake be merry website.   The cakes there are absolute edible works of art.

Warning:   You may have to forego the cake-cutting ritual because you won't want to touch or cut any of these stunning cakes!

Find cake toppers and other wedding cake accessories



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The Fruit Inspired Wedding – Tasty and Tasteful

For a fresh summer wedding theme, work fruit into your dinner menu and decorating scheme.    Use produce and florals from local farmers for a chic eco-friendly affair.

Click here for more fruit centerpiece ideas.



Row 1:    Wedding Cake;    Apricot Place Card Holder;   Fruit Wedding Favors

Row 2:    Peach Lavender Jam Favors;    Summer Bride;   Lemons in Vase Centerpiece

Row 3:    Lemon & Floral Centerpiece ;    Fruit Apothecary Centerpieces;   Fruit Centerpiece


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August Wedding Giveaway Winners Announced

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

• $150 certificate - Laura H., Bridgeport, CT
  "Taking my mom for a spa day."
  
  
• $100 certificate - Tina C., Huntington Beach, CA
  "Aromatherapy massage"
  
  
• $50 certificate - Jessica G., Philadelphia, PA
  "Giving to maid of honor.   She was a lifesaver."

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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Traditional Wedding Customs Challenged - Don't See Each Other Pre-Ceremony

Modern brides are opting to put a spin on traditional wedding customs and some simply omit them altogether.   If you're a modern bride and want to approach your wedding with fresh ideas, here's a custom you may want to forego:

The tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the ceremony is being set aside by many couples to allow for creative pre-ceremony photography.   By scheduling a photo session an hour or two before the ceremony, couples are able to capture special private moments in settings like parks, alleyways, and more.

Couples report that doing this makes them feel more relaxed during the wedding celebration and makes for a more memorable photo package.

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Something Blue Bridal Shoes

My must have wedding accessory would definitely be a pair of blue high heels.   It would be my 'something blue'- - Jennifer

Whether you're like Jennifer and want to have blue bridal shoes as your "something blue" or if you're having blue in your color scheme or if you're a Sex in the City fan and want to replicate Carrie's style, these shoes are to-die-for.

Not only will they dazzle your wedding guests but they'll make fabulous party shoes for nights on the town or black tie affairs.


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Vineyard Wedding Theme Inspiration

A vineyard wedding theme is the perfect fall wedding theme since wine harvesting is common during this time of year.   Be inspired by the colors of the vineyard -beautiful purples and rich greens.    Dress your bridesmaids in purple or have them carry rich violet bouquets.    Give wine themed wedding favors so guests remember your wine-themed celebration long after.   Use wine bottles as table number holders or instead of numbers, use varieties of wine to designate tables.   The perfect decorating accent for a vineyard wedding?    Why, grapes of course!  Resources below.


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Row 1:    Wine Cork Place Card Holder;    Wine Tote Bridal Party Gift;   Petite Merlot Wine Glass Gel Candle

Row 2:    Vineyard Wedding Table;    Wedding Couple in Vineyard;   Tuscan Vineyard Wedding Cake

Row 3:    Wine Bottle Table Number ;    Bridesmaid Dresses;   Centerpiece

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Elegant Black & White Wedding Candy Buffet

If you've decided to add a candy buffet to your elegant black and white wedding reception, be inspired by the following images.   Get extra help in designing your candy buffet here and here:



Row 1:   Black & White Candy Buffet;   Bride & Groom Candy Bags;  Elegant Swirlstix in Vase;  Black & White Candy Buffet (minus plastic spiders!!)

Row 2:    Candy Buffet Sign;   Black & White Lollipop;   Black & White Cookies;   Black & White Candy Gummy Penguins

Row 3:    Black & White Candy Buffet ;   Wedding Berries;   Favor Cards;   Black & White Cupcake Tower

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Winter Wedding Centerpieces That Get Remembered

Let these winter wedding centerpieces inspire you to dress up your wedding tables. They’re easy to create so there’s no excuse for having less-than-fab tables at your winter wedding reception.


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Row 1:    Amaryllis & Candle Centerpiece;    Evergreens in Square Vase w/Snowflake Holders ;   Glittered Candles

Row 2:    Candles in "Crackled Ice";    Crystal Branches Centerpiece;   Beans & Berries in Square Vases

Row 3:    Mini Evergreens;    Feathers & Hurricane Vase;   Flowers in Ornament Centerpiece

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Candle Wedding Centerpieces - Simple Yet Inviting

Add a warm glow to your wedding tables with candle wedding centerpieces that are both inviting and delightfully simple to create.


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Row 1:   Assorted Candles in Sand;   Garden Candle Centerpiece;  Floating Candle Centerpiece;  Hugs & Kisses Candle Centerpiece

Row 2:    Water Pearls & Candle Centerpiece;   Glass Flower Candle Centerpiece;   Diamond Tealight Holders;   Orchids & Candle Centerpiece

Row 3:    Lantern Beach Candle Wedding Centerpiece;   Wire Branch Candle Centerpiece;   Candles in "Crackled Ice" Centerpiece;   Jar Candle Centerpiece

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Modern Bride & Elegant Bride Closing Doors

We have just learned that Modern Bride and Elegant Bride, two magazines that have been the go-to-sources for all things wedding, are closing their doors.   It seems that slow ad sales is forcing the mags to shut down operations along with other Conde Nast powerhouses like Gourmet magazine.

As Modern Bride and Elegant Bride close, a third Conde Nast publication, Brides, will increase its frequency to monthly instead of bi-monthly.   To-be-weds will still be able to get wedding ideas and inspiration from magazines like Brides and from wedding blogs like the Things Festive Wedding Blog.

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Bridal Shoe & Handbag Clearance - Shelley George

The sad news is that online bridal gown and shoe store, Shelley George is closing their doors on October 30th.   The happy news is that they're having a bridal shoe & handbag clearance.    All of their shoes and handbags are $19.99!

Enjoy the substantial savings on bridal shoes in satin and luxurious leathers and handbags in clean, simple styles that are meant to be both practical and pretty.


Sunflower Bridal Shoe


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Bridal Shower Recipes - Good Things to Eat & Drink

For unique bridal shower recipes and menu ideas, there are plenty of options available thanks to Martha's 50 Good Things to Eat & Drink at Your Wedding.    Add a touch of sophistication to your bridal shower or reception cocktail hour with the delectable mini treats featured.



Row 1:    Individual Crudités;    Frozen Vodka;   Mini Macaroni & Cheese

Row 2:    Marzipan Acorns;    Phyllo Purses;   Fruity Flowers

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2010 Wedding Trends - Colorful Bridal Shoes

2010 Wedding Trends include the trend of pairing a beautiful and colorful pair of shoes with a white or cream wedding gown.   The more vibrant the shoes the better.   Brides and bridesmaids alike are loving this trend.

More bridal accessories



Colorful shoes at beach wedding;   Red bridal shoes;   Yellow bridal shoes;   Chartreuse bridal shoes

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