Personalized Bridesmaid Gifts for The Cosmopolitan

For personalized bridesmaid gifts that won't break your wedding budget, check out The Cosmopolitan collection of girls-only gifts.  Perfect for bridesmaid gifts, girls night out and other fun girly events.



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Vera Wang's Affordable Wedding Gowns for David's Bridal

Preeminent designer Vera Wang has partnered with David's Bridal to create an exclusive line of affordable couture wedding gowns and bridal accessories (bridesmaid dresses and shoes to be added later).   Most gowns are expected to be priced under $1,500 which is great news for brides as most gowns in her current collection can cost upwards of $25,000.

The new collection will be available at David's Bridal early Spring 2011 in the U.S. and late 2011 in Canada.   I can't wait to see how Ms. Wang brings her impeccable sense of style and detail to this affordable line.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Apothecary Jar Wedding Decorations - Inexpensive Yet Upscale

I've always had a fondness for apothecary jars.    There's just something about them that makes whatever you put inside seem much more special.    Whether filled with guest soaps/beauty accoutrements in a powder room or fresh fruit/snacks in a kitchen, apothecary jars always make an upscale, vintage presentation.

Because they're available in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes, (and are inexpensive -- Target, Michaels, Ikea) apothecary jars are ideal for enhancing dessert/candy buffets, or as centerpieces and favor containers.   As shown below, you can even use them as cake stands.    For added appeal, adorn apothecary jars with decorative clings or stickers that contain your names/wedding date, instructions (i.e. "Help Yourself") or jar contents.



Resources & Credits
Row 1:   Assorted Fillers (wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com); Beach Themed Favors (seaandjae.com)
Row 2:   Flower Garden (theknot.com); Candy Buffet (weddingbee.com)
Row 3:   Jars as Cake Stands (natalylemus.com); Gourds (countryliving.com)
Row 4:   Pedestal Jars (apartmenttherapy.com); Fruit-filled (bhg.com)

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Wedding Monogram Stationery - Focused Elegance

If you want wedding monogram stationery that makes a bold and stylish statement, check out our new Lavish Monogram stationery.   Although the focus is on the monogram itself, the distinctive pattern and color combinations add to the style and elegance of this stationery collection.

Find everything from save the dates, favor stickers, and bulletins, to place cards and wine labels.   Available in seven colors including classic black and white and vibrant tangerine orange.



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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors - Keep Your Earth Day 2010 Commitment

 If you made a commitment on Earth Day 2010 to do your part in preserving our Earth's natural resources, we can definitely help you keep that commitment (while planning your wedding).  With eco-friendly wedding favors and stylish green wedding ideas, your wedding day can be filled with love and responsibility.   Resources follow.



Resources:
Items in Row 1 & 2 can be found here
Row 3 items can be found here

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Turquoise and Gold Wedding Theme

Inspiration for wedding color palettes can come from the most unexpected sources.  The turquoise beads, sparkling Swarovski crystals and golden band of Kenneth Jay Lane's Wedding Cake Ring (top row, center) inspired the turquoise and gold wedding theme below.   Resources follow.



Resources & Credits
Gold & Crystal Toasting Flutes;  Wedding Cake Ring (saksfifthavenue.com); Turquoise & Gold Table Setting (pacificpartycanopies.com); Turquoise Bridal Gown (camelliabridal.co.uk); Favor Box on Place Setting (theknot.com); Bridal Garter; Gold Bridal Bouquet (marthastewartweddings.com); Turquoise Bridal Shoes (theknot.com);  Gold Floral Necklace w/Rhinestones (jewelrystylist.com)

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Things Festive Wedding Blog - Week In Review April 23, 2010

If you missed reading the Things Festive Wedding Blog the week ending April 23, 2010, here's what was featured:

• We reminded readers that the purchase of our wedding accessories and charitable wedding favors helps us to continue to do good.

• A cozy and romantic Love Birds winter wedding theme was highlighted.

• The first wedding wish granting organization was introduced.

• An unusual and sophisticated beach wedding theme color palette was presented.   

• Fresh from Bridal Market 2010, Fall 2010 wedding gowns were revealed.

 
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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Fall 2010 Wedding Gowns - Fresh From Bridal Market 2010

 Bridal Market April 2010 revealed some of the most beautifully embroidered and embellished gowns ever.   Fall 2010 wedding gowns will definitely turn heads based on the collections presented at this stylish event.  Check out Aisle Dash's coverage and view more exquisite gowns.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Beach Wedding Theme in Orange, Taupe and Brown

Beach wedding themes often have color palettes that contain azure blue, sky blue and sand.  For a new twist, the board below shows a sophisticated beach wedding theme using tangerine orange, taupe and chocolate brown as the color palette.   It was inspired by our Orchid Glamour wedding stationery collection in Tangerine Orange.  Resources below.

Wedding cake (classy-wedding-ideas.com); Bridesmaid dress (J. Crew); Bridal bouquet (theknot.com); Orchid Glamour favor sticker & table number card; Chimayo cocktail (myrecipes.com); Reception scene (theknot.com); Flower girl dress (flowergirlprincess.com); Groomsmen suit (theknot.com)

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Non-Profit Organization Makes Wedding Wishes Come True

The world's first non-profit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding, is helping individuals with serious illnesses enjoy a special day without thought of existing health conditions.    This organization will help with everything needed to have a dream wedding.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Love Birds in Winter Wedding Theme

What could be more cozy and romantic than two love birds nestled together on a blustery winter day?  Let the following winter wedding theme inspire you to create your own romantic winter imagery.  Resources below.



Resources & Credits
Winter centerpiece & bridesmaid w/bouquet (Forever Photography Studio)
Love birds favors & Love birds note cards
Bird themed wedding cake (rebeccathuss.com)
Wedding couple in snow (Like a Dream Photography)
Snowflake ornaments
Winter ice bracelet
Birdcage tealight holders

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Charitable Wedding Favors - Use Your Wedding to Do Good

Your purchase of our wedding accessories in general and charitable wedding favors from our Pink Ribbon Collection help us to provide continued support to Pink Initiative and the Young Survival Coalition.   Why not use your wedding to "do good"?

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Things Festive Wedding Blog - Week in Review

Here's what you missed this past week on the Things Festive Wedding Blog:

• Save on original wedding songs for the remainder of April.

• Event planning guru, Colin Cowie shared why he feels personalized wedding napkins add to the festivity of the day.

• Check out these affordable bridesmaid dresses and enjoy free shipping.

• Our February wedding giveaway winners were announced.   

• Up your wedding's luxe factor with an iconic and stylish Burberry Wedding Theme. 

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Burberry Wedding Theme - Fashionably Regal

The inspiration for the Burberry Wedding Theme board below came from my newly purchased Burberry Regent handbag.    I had added it to my wish list and just decided to give in and treat myself (I've been a good girl).

If this wedding theme tickles your fancy, go beyond incorporating the famous novacheck pattern into wedding decor.   Consider that Burberry was granted "Royal Warrants" by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and add regal elements to your decor as well.   Base colors of red, taupe, black and white are a great place to start.



Resources & Image Credits:
Bridesmaid dresses (nytimes.com)
Burberry inspired bow tie
Crown wine stopper favor
Burberry flower girl dress (burberry.com)
Table settings (garyandjuliewedding.wordpress.com)
Burberry themed groom's cake (churrolandiabakery.com)
Bridal bouquet (reception-wedding.com)
Burberry cufflinks (burberry.com)
Candles & holders (potterybarn.com)

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

February Wedding Giveaway Winners Announced

Congratulations to our February 2010 SpaFinder Giveaway Winners.   Here's how they plan to use their gift certificates:

• $150 certificate - Joyce W., Bemus Point, NY
  "Bikini wax for swimsuit season."
  
  
• $100 certificate - Alysse F., Mesa, AZ
  "Sundari facial."
  
  
• $50 certificate - Kayla A., Berlin, NH
  "Scalp treatment."

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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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses with Free Shipping!

For adorable and affordable bridesmaid dresses, you have to check out the collection at Shabby Apple. For a limited time, they're sweetening the deal by offering free shipping (use code weddingship).



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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Personalized Wedding Napkins - An Expert Weighs In

In an earlier post, we shared the merits of personalized wedding napkins including their ability to inexpensively enhance a wedding color scheme.   On his web site, lauded event planner Colin Cowie gives his take on the benefits of wedding napkins:

"Remarkable events are achieved in the finer details.  A beverage napkin may otherwise go unnoticed, but print a personalized message on your napkins and they will become conversation pieces and even souvenirs."

Find Personalized Wedding Napkins in 71 designs and 24 colors



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Original Wedding Songs – Save During April

For the remainder of April, save on original wedding songs from T Carter Music. In addition to free shipping, there’s an awesome discount on wedding music packages. With this deal, it’s easy to get all the music you’ll need for your special day.



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Things Festive Wedding Blog - Week in Review

If you missed reading the Things Festive Wedding Blog this past week, here are the tidbits we presented:

For old school romantics, a vintage Hollywood wedding theme was inspired by a new member of our wedding stationery collection.

If you want to cover your tats on your wedding day, one of these tattoo concealers will get the job done.

Be inspired by the must-have wedding accessories of other brides-to-be.

Learn how to plan a wedding using the Internet and social media and take a load off.

More ideas on how to plan a wedding using the Internet and social media.

Nothing says “Hello, Spring” like our ideas for strawberry wedding decorations and favors.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Strawberry Wedding Decorations - Favors, Table Numbers, and Treats

In my opinion, the strawberry is the official fruit of spring.  I can't imagine Easter dinner without these luscious, red darlings as part of dessert.  For weddings that take place in the spring (and summer), incorporating strawberries into your wedding decorations will add both color and freshness.

Mini Strawberry Table Numbers; Strawberry & Cream Dudes;  Chocolate Covered Strawberry Wedding Cake; Mini Strawberry Shortcake Kits
 
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How to Plan a Wedding Using the Internet and Social Media - Part 2

Continued from post of 4/8/10:

If you already have a Twitter account (if not, get one at twitter.com), you can use it to locate wedding bloggers, vendors, and wedding-related sites and follow them.  This is a great way to find discounts, giveaways, wedding trends and product reviews.  You can follow Things Festive on Twitter if you like!

If bridal party members live far away, use your Facebook page to post photos of tux and bridesmaid dress possibilities.  Your attendants can offer opinions and suggestions right on the page.  In addition to posting your wedding registry on your wedding web site, why not post links to the registry on your Facebook page?

StumbleUpon is another social media site that's great for finding wedding-related articles.  The articles that you'll find have been "stumbled" upon by other Internet users as being chock full of useful information.  To find what you're looking for, enter the keywords in the search box.  For example, if you're looking for ideas for planning an eco-friendly wedding, enter "eco-friendly wedding" in the search box.

If you're planning a destination wedding and a lot of guests can't make the trip, live stream your wedding to them using UStream.

Although the Internet and social media sites can lighten your wedding planning load, you don't want to go overboard.  It's still good form to send invitations and thank-you notes through regular mail.

Got more ideas for using the Internet and social media to plan a wedding?  Do share.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

How to Plan a Wedding Using the Internet and Social Media

With the plethora of tasks to be completed between the engagement and wedding day, a couple can use all of the help they can get.  Although there are some tasks that must be performed in person (cake tasting, venue inspection, etc.) a great deal of the wedding can be planned using the Internet and social media.

After the wedding date is selected, the next step in the planning process is often choosing a wedding color palette.  Click here for color palette ideas and web-based color palette tools.  Your color choices will impact flowers, decorations, bridesmaid dresses, linens, cake and invitations.   You can use the Internet to locate save the date cards that coordinate with your wedding style and colors.

Before mailing your save the dates, it's a good idea to create a wedding web site or blog.  The URL of your wedding web site can then be printed on your save the dates (or invitations, if you prefer).  Allowing guests to subscribe to your blog posts via RSS feed will keep everyone updated regarding all events associated with your wedding.  You could also create a special Twitter account or Facebook page and have blog posts automatically stream to these social media outlets.

Check out tomorrow's post for more ways to Plan a Wedding Using the Internet and Social Media

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Brides-To-Be Share Must Have Wedding Accessories

The best inspiration often comes from other brides-to-be. When asked the following question: "What is your must-have wedding accessory - the one thing you must have to make your wedding day complete?", here are some of the responses received:

• Hair accessory to add color and style! - Brittan S.
• A sophisicated, rhinestone wedding headpiece by Stephanie Browne of Australia - Vicki W.
• Bride and groom keepsakes are the must-haves of our wedding because we want something to remind us and others of our special day forever. - Allison F.
• The square vases are our must have accessory to complete our Asian wedding! They will be filled with green bamboo to complement our plum tableclothes! - Adriana F.
• We are getting married at a Castle so I MUST have the perfect Tiara!!! - Amy M.
• My must have is the "Curvy and Burly" Figurines. My man is 6'8" and I am definitely curvy! - Barbara W.
• HAIR PIECE - Lindsay W.
• Wedding Get-a-way Car Figurine is so unique and cute. - Jennifer B.
• My must have wedding item would be wedding favors! Wedding favors are what the guest walk away with and remember and love.  Its a peice of the wedding for them to take with them. I love your classy wedding favors and I know when I leave a wedding with a great wedding favor its memorable. - Karen R.
• a monogrammed cake topper! - Jannese S.

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Tattoo Concealer - Which Provides the Best Coverage?

If your adorable Snoopy tattoo doesn't complement your vintage lace wedding dress, here are a few products that will make it disappear (temporarily).  After consulting with dozens of brides-to-be with a similar dilemma, the following products were given top honors:

(1)  Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer Stick (local drugstores or Loreal.com)

(2)  M.A.C. Studio Sculpt Concealer (cosmetics counter at fine department stores or maccosmetics.com)

(3)  Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer (sephora.com.  TIP:  visit a Sephora store to try before you buy)




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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Vintage Hollywood Wedding Theme - For Old School Romantics

This Vintage Hollywood Wedding Theme board was inspired by our new Vintage Hollywood collection of wedding stationery.  It's the perfect theme for a couple looking to add old school Hollywood charm to their wedding celebration.  Taking a cue from the stationery collection, starting with a color base of black and white then adding a pop of color will make this theme truly special.  Resources below.



Vintage Hollywood table number card & favor tag;  Bride & Groom cake topper;  Bride Dress & Groom Tux favor bags;
Rolls Royce Phantom (starcitylimo.com)
Centerpiece (weddingdimension.wordpress.com)
Audrey Hepburn wedding dress (source4interiors.com)
Wedding cake (jenniferskog.com)
Film reel (hollywoodmegastore.com)

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Things Festive Wedding Blog - Week in Review

This past week on the Things Festive Wedding Blog, some fabulous and budget-friendly wedding ideas were presented.  We love presenting ideas that are kind to your wedding budget but don't look cheap.

• Stylish and fresh outdoor Irish wedding ideas were shared to make celebrating your Irish heritage along with your wedding a cinch.

• We used our Orchid Glamour stationery collection as inspiration for a stunning beach wedding theme.

• Baby's breath and eye-catching vases combine to create budget floral arrangements that are sure to impress.

• Bring on the bling with bridesmaid jewelry gifts that you'll find hard to give away.   

• Every bride can be stunning in one of these affordable designer wedding dresses. 

• The curvy bride is celebrated in these exquisite full figure wedding dresses 

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Copyright © 2007-2011, Things Festive Wedding Blog. All rights reserved.

Affordable Full Figure Wedding Dresses - Here Comes the Curvy Bride!

Every bride deserves to feel special and beautiful on her wedding day.  The right dress can accentuate your curves and make the most of your figure.  Check out these affordable full figure wedding dresses that celebrate the curvy bride.  (Want to celebrate your voluptuousness even more?  The Curvy Bride cake topper is the perfect topper for you.)


Dress #1 and #2 from Plus Size Bridal; Dress #3 and #4 from Nordstrom.com

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Affordable Designer Wedding Dresses - So Divine

You have to check out these divine yet affordable designer wedding dresses.  Part of the Weddings at Nordstrom Collection, most dresses are less than $600.



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