Sunday Inspirations | Social Hour Fun

May 18 | Signature Drinks | by Cynthia
_______________________________

Looking to add some special touches to your wedding? Social Hours are a great way to jazz up your day. They are normally 45 minutes to an hour long, so you have a limited time to make an impression. A signature drink is a great way to treat your guests!  Whether your taste leans towards a fruity, umbrella-type of cocktail or straight up whisky on the rocks,  this is the perfect time to have fun.  

We love these "made-for" drinks that not only look good in the glass, but taste good, too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos and cocktail recipes courtesy of Swooned.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

:: :: ::           :: :: ::          :: :: ::

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Looking for a way to combine your love of signature drink and guest gifts?  Introduce them to a mini version so that they can remember the fun that they had at your wedding when they return home.

 

Image credit

 

Image credit

 

Image credit

Wedding Inspirations | Our Favorite Parent Gifts

Traditionally, brides and grooms purchase gifts for not only their wedding party, but their parents. We think showing your parents some love on your wedding day is a wonderful idea - after all they did raise you! Here is a look at some of our favorite, budget friendly sentiments you could gift your parents on your wedding day.

We love the idea of giving your parents a wedding album after the big day. Your parents will love looking through all of the shots your photographer took and it is a wonderful way to remember all of the little details! And trust us - they will love bringing the book to Christmas and family functions to show you and your groom off!

source

We think giving each parent a personalized handkerchief is a wonderful way to say thank you and will also come in handy for all of their tears of joy! These little cuties also make great sentiments and can be used again and again or they would be precious framed afterwards!

source

For something a little more personalized for each parent, we love framing a wedding photo with a sentimental quote, note or message. Gifting something that can be displayed in the home is a wonderful sentiment of such a special day and also makes for a wonderful conversation piece!

source

We must say, our favorite gift for parents may just be a simple, yet thoughtful note. We can assure you taking the time to thank your parents for raising you, supporting you, or helping with the wedding will mean more to them than anything else. 

source

xoxo,

Ashley

The latest finds

I found these beautiful clutches from BeeGeebags.com.

Wouldn't they be beautiful bridesmaid's gifts? Love them!

With all of the colors and patterns, there would be plenty to choose from to fit the style of your wedding.

Words of Wisdom

Here are some words of wisdom from the American Academy of Wedding Professionals.

Copyright 2009 Deborah McCoy, all rights reserved.

Today we'd like to talk to you about the right way to ask for gifts. After all, we know it's impolite to include registry information in an engagement party, shower, or wedding invitations. and what's worse is to ask for cash!

The reasoning is this: You cannot dictate to your guests the type of gifts you'd like to have. and it's not up to you to tell them where to purchase them. And to ask for cash is the ultimate faux pas especially when your wedding invitation only asks your guests for ".the honour of their presence." and that's not spelled P-R-E-S-E-N-T-S.

So how do you solve the problem? Spread your registry information through the grapevine. Tell your family and bridal party to spread the word. and use the Internet to your advantage. Most couples have wedding websites to provide information to their guests and family members concerning all pre-wedding festivities and parties, etc. Putting your wedding registry information on your website for your guests to access is perfectly appropriate.

When it comes to showers, your hosts can be a little pushier. Maybe you'd like to go to the Caribbean on your honeymoon so your maid of honor throws a Caribbean Honeymoon Shower. When guests call to inquire, the MOH will say, "Sue and Bob really want a Caribbean honeymoon so I thought I'd help them out a bit. Bring a gift they can take with them and if you can't think of anything, greenbacks will do : -)."

Although the bride and groom may never ask guests for cash, the guests may ask your family and friends and bridal parties what you'd like to have and in this case, it's OK to tell them.

Giving gifts

Giving gifts to your wedding party remains as an ongoing controversy among brides and grooms. Are we required to give our wedding party gifts? I am paying for their hair and makeup, isn't that a gift enough? Isn't just being asked to be in our wedding a special honor in itself? My answer to these questions are yes and no.

Asking friends and family to stand up with you is a great honor, I agree, but have you stopped to add up all that they are spending for your wedding? If your friend is a struggling college student or recently lost his job, then the money that they are putting down on your wedding could be a hardship. It is time to think like an attendant.

For women, the costs are more than men; dress, hair, makeup, shoes, jewelry, shower gifts. A bridesmaid spends an average of $550.00 by the time she walks down the aisle. Ouch! So, to gift your maids with their hair and makeup is very thoughtful and welcomed. Do I think that you should give gifts to your attendants? Yes! They are doing a wonderful thing for you so giving a token of your appreciation is the least you can do for them. It doesn't have to be a grandiose gift, just something heartfelt and individualized for them.

How about paying for half of their dress, pay for their hair or makeup to be done, treat them to a spa day, or purchase the jewelry for their ensemble? You could do a beautiful gift bag full of the latest beauty products, tickets to a well-sought after show, a year's subscription to something they have been wanting but couldn't afford, or many other lovely ideas that let them know you deeply appreciate them being with you on your special day.

Guys, you aren't off the hook; showing your buddies your appreciation is just as important as well. How about a day at the golf course, on you? Paint ball, the shooting range, a night in the town, court side seat tickets to a sporting event, etc. You get the idea. Make it fun and memorable and above all, don't forget to say: THANK YOU!

By the by, the beautiful, handcrafted bracelet shown above is available through Special Events. These are beautiful and become a heirloom keepsake! How lovely to wear on your wedding day.

Check these out!

Want to give your wedding your own personal stamp of style?

Check out these websites that let you customize anything for any occasion.

http://www.expressionery.com/ They create customized stamps to leave a lasting impression with your guests.

http://www.shutterfly.com/ is a great website to use if you would like to create a customized, one of a kind guest book. You can upload your photos and then have your guests sign around them. This is one book that you wouldn't want to store away in the attic! Right now, they have an offer to save 20%.

Love those savings!!

http://www.treebeginnings.com/ is a web site that lets you chose trees to give to your guests as green favors. Just think of all of your guests planting a tree in memory of your marriage; they would not only be honoring your wedding, but also creating memories within their own family!

http://www.partyfloor.net/ lets couples place their initals on the dance floor.

So elegant!