Save the Date – Get Creative

You’ve gotten engaged, started planning your wedding and have picked a date. Now what? It’s time to send out those save the date cards. Save the dates are a way to let everyone know to keep the day for your wedding open before you send out the formal invitations closer to the wedding. Save the dates don’t have to just be a boring card. You can get creative!

Many save the dates are a picture of the couple announcing the date of the wedding. These photos don’t have to be standard photos. Have fun with them! If you’re having a winter wedding take a picture with each of you playing in the snow. You can be on the ground making snow angels and the photo can be taken from above. You could be having a fake snowball fight. Have the photographer wrap the two of you in Christmas lights. The writing you choose to put around the picture can then match whatever style you’re going for.

If you don’t want to have writing around the picture of you two take a picture of each of you holding a small chalkboard or poster board with “save the date” written on one and the date of the wedding written on the other. 

While many couples decided to have a picture of them as the card you don’t have to. If you’re having a beach wedding the save the date could be a picture of each of your hands in the sand with a wedding band placed on the ring finger of each hand. You can use props to announce the date of the wedding. Take a picture of the bottom of his and her shoes. On the sole of each shoe have “save the date” and the date of the wedding. 

You can get creative with the packaging of the save the date as well. Send out magnets instead of a card. Have the card look like a postcard. Make it a pop-up card so when the card is opened the picture or words can jump off the page. 

Save the dates can speak to each couple individually. Do something that represents the two of you. The possibilities are endless.

Party Favors – Think outside the Box

At the end of a party it’s a nice gesture to give each guest a favor, a little token of thanks for coming. This does not have to be anything big by any means but it can be something which you’ve put some thought into. This is a great time for your creativity to shine. You can even make them yourself!

For ideas you can draw inspiration from the theme of the party. If you’re having a music themed party or wedding a nice complimentary favor could be a small kazoo. Everyone will have a funny keepsake that will remind them of that day. Or you could give out a lollipop in the shape of a musical instrument. This may not last long but it sure will taste good.

You can get ideas from the season you are throwing the party in. If you are having a winter wedding or party give guests a favor that plays to the season. You could give out a pair of wool socks to everyone. These can be bought or if you have someone who is crafty in the wedding they can be handmade. Make a take home smores kit. In a plastic bag include a graham cracker, piece of chocolate and marshmallow. Tie it all together with a nice bow. If you’re having a summer wedding give each guest a pair of sunglasses. Or for a tastier option give a cookie shaped like a pair of sunglasses or the sun.

Edible favors are become more and more the trend. Give each guest a heart shaped cookie with the date of the party or the bride and grooms name on the cookie in icing. Make a DIY cake mix. In a small jar put all the ingredients required to a make a small treat, whether that be cookies, cake, or a cheesecake. Attach the recipe to the jar.

You can stick with something simple like bubbles or sugared almonds or you can think outside the box and have fun with it!

Food Bars - Fun Food Trends For Your Next Party

Who doesn’t look forward to the food at a party? We all have to eat, right? Make the meal something special by getting the guests involved.
A recent trend that is popping up is food bars. Take one base item and make a buffet of side items so party guests can make their own treats. This way guests can make what they actually like instead of having a pre-assembled meal or treat.
Have an ice cream bar. Start with a bowl of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Put out lots of toppings for people to choose from such as rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, graham crackers, M&M’s and cherries. Then add bottles of chocolate, caramel and peanut butter topping. Don’t forget the whipped cream.
You can do this with the main meal as well. Have a hotdog or hamburger bar. Give guests a plain hotdog or hamburger and let them put as many toppings as they want on it- cheese, onions, tomatoes, relish, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo, even pineapple! Try it with pizza. Start with a plain cheese pizza. Put out any combination of toppings you like from pepperoni and sausage to french fries and mozzarella sticks.
Already have the main meal planned? Have a baked potato bar or popcorn bar or hot chocolate bar- the possibilities are endless.