Cake Pops :: Cake on a Stick!

Incase you haven't noticed, cake pops are all the rage in the wedding world right now. These super cute bite-size treats make the perfect favor to send home with your guests. They can even substitute for your entire wedding cake (as pictured above)! Lovebites, a Pittsburgh based bakery makes these delicious little sweet treats if you are interested in giving them a try. Check out their wedding section for details on cake flavors and various packages available. 

P.S. Rebekah, the owner/creator of Lovebites, has so graciously offered a discount to all SPW brides, so if you're interested, give me a buzz, and I will fill you in on all the details : )

Photo courtesy of Magic Your Way Weddings & Photography via Lovebites.

Real Weddings 2011 :: Kate & Adam 06.18.11 {Part 2}

Last week we posted Part 1 of Kate & Adam's "Kate Spade Garden Party" themed wedding. Today, we are bringing you Part 2 with more of their preppy details! Enjoy!

The dress/custom hanger. Kate's dress was handmade by her Mother. Absolutely incredible!

The invitation. Don't forget to send your photographer an invitation! 
 

Apple escort cards. Too cute!
 

The Cake.

Custom card basket.

Guestbook signage.

Guestbook/gift table. 

Centerpiece. Gorgeous!!

Place setting - custom napkin rings and menu cards. Love the preppy look!

Menu cards.

Stripey Straws. Need I say more?

Table # & centerpiece.

Tables. Love those Chiavari Chairs! 

Flip flops! Helpful tips here.

Favor Table Signage. 

Favors - Eat'n Park Smiley Cookies.

Late night bite. Mini sliders! 

Photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

For Your Dancing Feet :: Flip Flops

Some say flip flops at weddings have gone "out of style". I disagree. What girl doesn't like to kick off her heels, throw on a pair of comfy flip flops and let loose on the dance floor?! Comfort doesn't go out of style. See my point? Not to mention, I still see flip flops at over half of our weddings each season. This "trend" doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. In fact, I've had at least 3 brides contact me within the past few weeks asking for advice on flip flops. Therefore, I thought I would write up a few helpful tips on this subject. 

• How many? Go through your guest list and count each woman/girl attending. I recommend having enough pairs for just about every single one of them. You don't want to leave anyone out. They will go quick, trust me!
• What sizes? This is tricky. Obviously, you aren't going to ask each guest their shoe size; therefore, I recommend purchasing the most common sizes: 7, 8, & 9. Be mindful of the little girls too - if you're inviting children, you should also think about purchasing a few smaller sizes as well.
• How to display? Get creative...there are no rules here! Think about your wedding style, and what type of container would suite your style best. Most common way of displaying? In a tub (as pictured above), basket, bucket, or even wooden box. Don't forget a cute sign too ;)
• Where to purchase? Hands down one of the most popular stores to get cute & cheap flip flops is Old Navy. Don't forget about stores like Target and Kohls too.

Tip :: If you have the ability to color coordinate the flip flops by size, I highly recommend doing so! As you'll see in the photos above, the bride not only color coordinated them, but also added fun little size tags to each pair as well. Totally optional, but definitely practical! 

Photos courtesy of Leeann Marie Photography.

French Macaroons

You've probably seen these colorful little beauties popping up everywhere in wedding magazines and blogs lately. These cookies really are just about the cutest cookies out there, so today I thought I would share some macaroon inspiration with you. Enjoy!

Photo credit # 1 :: Rowell Photography
Photo credit # 2 :: Talia Events
Photo credit # 3 :: New Zealand Weddings
Photo credit # 4 :: Bakerella

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

I seem to be on a dessert kick lately (can you tell from our recent blog posts?!), and just couldn't pass up these mini cinnamon rolls on a stick. How perfect would these be for a fall or winter wedding? I love the idea of sending guests home with a warm treat after the reception is over. These cinnamon rolls would also work great for a bridal shower or Sunday morning brunch.

Photo courtesy of Zoe Bakes.

DIY Hot Cocoa Favors

You may or may not already know this about me, but I absolutely despise coffee. My beverage of choice in the morning? Why, hot cocoa of course! I stumbled upon these cute little DIY hot cocoa favors on the Ruffled blog this morning, and immediately wanted to share. Super affordable (only 35 cents each!) and easy to make, these would make great favors for fall + winter weddings. 

For complete detailed instructions on how to make these for your own wedding, click here. 

Photo courtesy of Ruffled.

Cupcake Escort Cards

 

I think I actually squealed out loud in excitement when I came across these cupcake escort cards on EAD! These unique escort cards can double as a favor + dessert for your guests. Perfect for a smaller wedding, bridal/baby shower, or even rehearsal dinner. No matter what type of event you choose to make these for, they are sure to be a big hit with your guests!

For more details on these too-cute-to-pass-up cupcake escort cards, including instructions on how to make them, please visit Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs. 

Black + Yellow Candy Bar Theme

This black + yellow candy bar is perfect for the bride looking to incorporate a bit of 'Pittsburgh Flair' in to her wedding! 

Photo courtesy of Swank Sweets. 

Dessert on a Stick? Yes, Please!

Ok, whose up for doing one of these dessert ideas at their wedding? These would be a total hit!!

More dessert on a stick ideas, including photo credits can be found on Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Kid-Friendly Activity Station

If you're planning to invite children to your wedding, you may consider putting together a kid-friendly activity station like the one pictured above. Laura, our July 17th bride, created this fun activity station using items from the Dollar Store. My favorite element is the adorable candy centerpiece she made from lolly pops and jelly beans - this was a HUGE hit with the little ones at the reception! Other items she included were coloring books, crayons, a mini curling board game, glow sticks, and even fun party straws. The activity table certainly did not disappoint, and kept the under 10 crowd busy all night!

{tip: use a Styrofoam ball for the top half of the centerpiece & completely cover with lolly pops}

Photo taken from my iPhone {pardon the lack of quality}.  

Say Farewell with Sparklers

I'm all for big dramatic farewells at the end of a reception, especially when it creates the perfect photo opportunity like sparklers can! Sparklers are one of my favorite ways for couples to make their grand exit at the end of the night. We've all seen the throwing of rice, birdseed, bubbles, and confetti, so why not change it up a bit?! If you're thinking of using sparklers for your grand exit, it's important to check with the venue ahead of time to find out what their policy is for sparklers. Additionally, I also suggest telling your photographer ahead of time as well. This is definitely a photo you wont want to miss out on!

Photo courtesy of The Knot.

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

This afternoon I stumbled upon this adorable website, Flour Pot Cookies, a unique and decorative cookie gift company. The Flour Pot specializes in handmade cookie gifts and party favors. They offer a wide selection of cookie favors for all occasions {as seen below}, but perhaps my favorite item are their adorable Bridesmaid cookies. Each bridesmaid cookie comes individually wrapped in a super-cute polka dot gift box for only $10! These personalized cookies are the perfect way to ask your girlfriends to 'Be My Bridesmaid'. Best of all, The Flour Pot is based out of PA and ships nationwide! Check out their website for ordering details.



Photos courtesy of The Flour Pot.

Small Gestures for Your Guests

We've all seen the typical guest favor boxes and other trinkets that are commonly used as guest favors, and most of you have probably seen the 'Out of Town Gift Bag' ideas as well. So today I wanted to talk about other small gestures that you can do for your guests to make their event experience a little more comfortable. Everything from flip flops to sunscreen to blankets. These simple and fairly inexpensive gestures are the perfect way to say thank you to your guests!




{Photo Credits}
Photo # 1 - Flip Flops
Photo # 2 - Personalized Water Bottles
Photo # 3 - Pink Grapefruit Soda
Photo # 4 - Blankets & Sunscreen Bucket