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. 

Mini Desserts in a Jar

What's not to love about mini desserts in a jar?! Good for your waist line and oh so adorable! Perfect for weddings, bridal showers, and holiday parties! 

Photo Credit 1 :: Green Wedding Shoes

Photo Credit 2 :: Cakies Blog
Photo Credit 3 :: Our Best Bites  

Happy Holidays!

Well, we're officially on holiday break! This will be our last post for a few days, as we spend this time with our families for the holidays. Also, just a reminder that our office will be closed starting today, Wednesday, December 22nd through Monday, December 27th. We will be back in the office on Tuesday, December 28th.

From all of us here at Simply Perfect Weddings, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful holiday season!

Photo courtesy of Craig Photography. Sneak peek from our 12.4.10 wedding - more pics to come soon!

Real Weddings 2010 :: Michaela & Jim 10.16.10 {Part 1}

On October 16th, we had the great pleasure of working with Michaela & Jim, a fun loving couple from Chicago. When I first looked through the photos from their day, I was in complete and total awe! Thanks to their phenomenal photographer, Joey Kennedy, there are way too many good photos to share in just one blog post; therefore, Michaela & Jim's wedding will be a two part series. 

Michaela and her bridesmaids started the day off with hair + makeup at Caruso's hair salon in Upper St. Claire, PA. Following hair + makeup, the ladies made their way to the church to assist Michaela with putting on her gorgeous wedding gown. I don't use the word "gorgeous" lightly here either...her gown was absolutely stunning, and Michaela looked fantastic in it! Incase any one is wondering, her gown is a San Patrick Edimburgo. And as if her gown wasn't gorgeous enough, take a look at those killer "something blue" shoes!

Their heartfelt ceremony took place at St. Louise de Marillac, Michaela's family church. After the ceremony, guests were shuttled over to The Fairmont Hotel, where the reception was set to begin.

Stay tuned tomorrow for their must-see reception details, including a complete list of their wedding day vendors.

All photos courtesy of Joey Kennedy Photography.

Real Weddings 2010 :: Brienne & Adam 10.30.10

I had been looking forward to Brienne & Adam's wedding since last summer, when I first spoke with Brienne about her rustic themed wedding. I love rustic weddings infused with soft, romantic elements, and Brienne & Adam's wedding was just that! Brienne & Adam were married on the last weekend of October in Greensburg, PA. Luckily, the weather was still cooperating, and Brienne & Adam ended up with a picture perfect fall day. Infact, just about every single one of our couples this year had fantastic weather for their wedding day...we like to think we bring a little luck with us to each and every wedding ;)

Brienne & Adam tied the knot in a gorgeous Catholic ceremony that took place at Saint Joseph's Chapel on the campus of Seton Hill University. Following the "I Do's", guests made the scenic drive over to Stonehenge Lodge, a quiet and beautifully landscaped setting. The lodge is set in a private mountainous area overlooking a fresh water pond. Guests enjoyed cocktails on the porch of the lodge before being ushered inside where the real party was about to begin! Brienne & Adam are such a fun couple, and their wedding was certainly no exception. Upon entering the lodge, guests were treated to several sing-along skits (a long-standing tradition in Adam's family), that included a custom version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". The entire bridal party got up on the dance floor to lead the skits, even handing out lyrics to the songs so that guests could follow along in the fun! 

The fun was far from over though...following a wide variety of delicious entrees set up in the form of stations, guests enjoyed an endless supply of homemade cookies from the traditional Pittsburgh cookie table. Let me just say that Brienne & Adam's cookie table wins my vote for one of the best displays we've seen this year! In addition to the fabulous spread of cookies, Brienne also surprised Adam with a baseball themed groom's cake. Following dinner + dessert, guests danced the night away thanks to DJ Todd, who kept the crowd entertained with high energy dance music and a costume-filled trunk for guests to let loose with (what could be more fitting than costumes and props for a wedding on Halloween weekend?!). 

I loved seeing Brienne & Adam's wedding day come to life. Everything from the color palette (purple, lavender, and chocolate brown), the mason jar centerpieces, the polka dot details, the mini pie favors, and the handmade wooden table #'s...her vision came through exactly as she had shared it with me during our first conversation.

It was an amazing day shared by many family & friends of this lovely couple! Congratulations again, Brienne & Adam! We wish you two nothing but the very best in the years to come!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings
Ceremony Venue Seton Hill University Chapel
Reception Venue Stonehenge Lodge 
Photographer Caryn Azure Photography
Caterer Elegant Catering
Rentals Y&S Party Rentals
Cake Joy's Cakes & Cookies
Florist Garden Gems (family friend)
Entertainment DJ Todd Entertainment
Transportation Vogue Limousines

All photos courtesy of Caryn Azure Photography.

Groom's Cakes

Traditionally a Southern wedding custom, groom's cakes are an excellent way to show your hubby a little extra love on the day of your wedding. For those that may be unfamiliar with the origin of the groom's cake, it is a long-standing tradition primarily seen in the South; although, they are making an ever growing appearance all over the U.S. these days. I know I've personally seen quite a big jump in groom's cakes here in the Pittsburgh area over the last several years. 

So, what exactly is a groom's cake? It is simply a gift in the form of a cake from the bride to her groom. Groom's cakes are typically much smaller than a wedding cake, and are decorated in some fashion to honor the groom - whether it be his favorite hobby, favorite sports team, or his alma mater. 

Groom's cakes can be served in a number of different ways. Traditionally, they are served at the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. Although, many brides choose to serve them at the actual wedding reception, in addition to the wedding cake. Either way is completely acceptable. If you do choose to serve the groom's cake at the wedding, it's always a good idea to choose a different flavor from your wedding cake; typically groom's cakes are chocolate. To switch things up a bit, consider surprising your hubby with his groom's cake at the reception, or provide individual cake slices in to-go boxes for guests to take home at the end of the night.

The groom's cake pictured above was from one of our recent October 2010 weddings - the groom is a huge baseball fan (not to mention he worked for a baseball team!), so naturally, it was only fitting that the bride surprise him with this Boston Red Sox cake.

What are your thoughts on groom's cakes? Will you be surprising your soon-to-be husband with one? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Photo courtesy of Caryn Azure Photography.

Real Weddings 2010 :: Marisa & Daniel 08.28.10 {Part 2}

We're finally getting caught up on posting our 2010 weddings...can you tell we've been a little busy lately?! ;) Today we're bringing you Part 2 of Marisa & Daniel's eco-friendly chic wedding. For more on Marisa & Daniel's wedding, including Part 1 of their big day, click here, here, and here. 

Incase you couldn't already tell from their ceremony, Marisa & Daniel chose to incorporate small details throughout their day that made big impacts on their guests, and also made for some great photos. Many of their details were done D-I-Y, and for those that weren't D-I-Y projects, Marisa enlisted the help of the fabulous world of Etsy. Everything from the handmade window seating chart, burlap table runners, wooden flower boxes, and even the color palette were all carefully planned to create the complete look Marisa was going for. 

Marisa & Daniel's reception was held in the always beautiful Outdoor Garden of Phipps Conservatory. Upon arrival to Phipps, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors' devours in front of the fountain and mingled throughout the gorgeous garden area. Following cocktail hour, guests were escorted up to the outdoor tent area, where the reception was set to take place. They were greeted by a handwritten window pane seating chart, an interactive wedding tree guestbook, and the gorgeous table views shown above. Trust me when I tell you there were a lot of "ooh's" and "ahh's" by the ladies. The decor and overall ambiance were a big hit with their guests (and vendors)! Guests enjoyed a delicious gourmet meal thanks to the fabulous staff of Rania's Catering (one of my favorite caterers to work with in all of Pittsburgh). Following dinner, guests were treated to scrumptious cupcakes from Dozen Bakeshop. After a few toasts and scheduled dances, guests hit the dance floor with the help of Pittsburgh DJ Co., who kept the dance floor packed all night long! 

It was definitely a night to remember! Congratulations again, Marisa & Daniel! 

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings
Ceremony Venue Mellon Park
Reception Venue Phipps Conservatory
Photographer Craig Photography
Caterer Rania's Catering
Cupcakes Dozen Bakeshop
Florist Mocha Rose Floral Design
Entertainment Pittsburgh DJ Co.
Hair & Makeup Pretty Hair Salon 
Rentals All Occasions Party Rental
Transportation Lenzner Coach Lines

All photos courtesy of Craig Photography.