For your next event, consider sending hand-lettered invitations instead of a plain ‘ol envelope with an Avery label 5960. I know what you’re thinking. “But labels save SO much time!” Well, with a little bit of practice and a proper pen, you’ll be cranking out letters in beautiful script faster than you think. As a bonus, you’ll gain a new talent as lovely penmanship is a rare gift these days.  Hand-lettered invitations also give a personal touch, showing your guests that you put time and effort into the process. If you like the look but just don’t have the time, you can also look into contracting a calligraphist to help.

Cheers!

Picking a box for your favors can be overwhelming with all the options out there. Embossed wax seals are an easy way for you to upgrade any standard favor box and create a sophisticated, classic look for your celebration. Consider the idea for weddings, masquerades, or even corporate events. Stamp your initials, a company logo, or even the words “thank you”; the options are limitless.

The item’s you’ll need:

1.       Sealing wax sticks

2.       Candle

3.       Customized seal stamp (available at local stationary stores or online)

4.       Moist sponge

5.       Favor boxes with a matte finish

6.       ¼” satin ribbon

To use the wax, hold the stick of wax firmly at one end and dowse the opposite end into the flame of a candle, allowing the drops of melted wax to fall onto the surface where you wish to make your seal. When enough wax drops onto the surface, remove the wax from the flame and use the molten end to stir the wax mass to remove any discoloration and spread the wax evenly. Leave for a second or two, then apply the seal. Make sure you have moistened the seal on a wet sponge to minimize wax sticking to the metal when stamping. Finally, set them aside in a cool place to harden. Avoid placing the finished products in direct sunlight which can melt the wax. The finished product will look like those pictured here.

Cheers!

To all my fellow wine enthusiasts in the world, here's a fun theme for your next celebration.

Wine bottles from your favorite Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir; come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Why not use them to create fun, eclectic centerpieces? The varying heights and shapes give volume to your table and the classic green bottle doesn’t vary too much in shade so they work well as a grouping.

Another perk is that the look works with a wide color scheme so you can ask your floral designer to incorporate different colored calla lilies to fit your color scheme. You can also ask them to accent the table with moss, burlap or whatever your heart fancies to complete the look you are going for. Keep in mind that your floral designer will need the bottles in advance to select the perfect grouping for each table.

The best part? It’s a fun way to share your love of all things wine with your guests! So the next time you have a gathering of friends and family over, think twice before tossing those wine bottles. You just might get another use out of them.

Cheers!

I absolutely love it when brides get creative with their wedding centerpieces. The right table decor seamlessly ties together the sincerity of the ceremony with the celebration atmosphere of the reception. My advice is to steer away from the standard decor options (mirrors, floating candles, crystals, etc.) and use your reception venue's atmosphere to help develop your theme ensuring your whole wedding has a consistent energy and feel.

It's also important to remember that some wedding centerpieces compliment a wedding theme while others are specifically meant to be a main, bold focal point of the day. Knowing the difference is key to setting the right atmosphere for your celebration.

This head table decor was definitely meant to be the main focus of the party. It was the first thing guest's saw as they walked into the reception. It really set the tone for a magical evening. It played off the stunning backdrop of the Bayer Estate which has a natural garden, vintage feel. Complimenting centerpieces were created for the remaining dining tables to carry the theme throughout the celebration.