better than bridal: guest books

You know us, we like things a little different.  So when we stumbled upon these creative ideas for wedding guest books, we knew we had to share.  Take a peek at what we found.


Wedding Puzzle Guest Book by Bella Puzzles


Tag guest book tree via Elizabeth Anne Designs.


Fingerprint guest book "tree" by Bleu de Toi

artistic inspiration: lemons

Today we're featuring an artistic inspiration spotlighting by this tangy fruit. Incorporate these little guys into your spring or summer soiree - they're sure to add a burst of color, hint of texture, and zing of flavor.












Okay, what really inspired this post was this cake with the lemon toppers. How cute are those?!

Images: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15

Smashing! The Rosemary Cocktail


A martini can go a lot of ways.  Classic, modern, luxe, posh, uptown, downtown.  We like the idea of serving this twist on the classic at a minimalist, ultra modern fête.  Gold accents encouraged for extra glitz.    

Ingredients:
16 pimento-stuffed olives, in brine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 (6-inch) sprig fresh rosemary
1 bottle (750 ml) gin
1/4 cup dry vermouth

At least 1 day before serving, combine the olives and chopped rosemary in a small dish and pour over some of the brine from the olive jar to cover. Cover and refrigerate.

About 1 hour before serving, rub the sprig of rosemary between the palms of your hands for 10 to 15 seconds and put it in a cocktail pitcher. Pour the gin and vermouth over, stir to mix, and refrigerate.

Just before serving, add a generous handful of ice cubes to the pitcher and stir gently for a minute to give it an extra dose of chill. Pour the martini into stemless martini glasses, leaving the ice behind in the pitcher. Very briefly rinse the olives to remove any clinging rosemary and spear 2 each onto cocktail picks or small rosemary sprigs (with lower leaves removed), adding a pick to each glass.

Cook's notes: Double or triple all the ingredients, refrigerating extra to refill the pitcher as needed. Marinate the olives up to 1 week ahead (be sure they’re covered in brine) and refrigerate. Prepare the gin and vermouth with rosemary and refrigerate up to 2 hours ahead. 

Recipe via. Image credits: 1/2/3

delovely d.i.y: treat bags

Photos by Weston Neuschafer Photography

Candy stations and homemade treats are the perfect party favor nowadays. Who doesn't love to leave a wedding with something sweet to eat?! Now all you need is the perfect treat bag for your guests to fill full of goodies.

These sweet and simple d.i.y. treat bags can be customized in so many different ways. You choose the ribbon (whether it be satin, lace, or raffia), the stamps, and a unique message to fit the theme of your wedding.

These candy bags can be made in less than two minutes, which is great if you have to make a couple hundred of them! Plus, they are super budget-friendly.


What you will need: paper bags (these are from Uline), ribbon, rubber stamps and ink pads, a hole punch, scissors, and, of course, treats!







Send us photos of your delovely d.i.y. treat bags! We'd love to see all of the different variations.

Better Than Bridal: The Rock

For today's Better Than Bridal post, we are taking a look at some unique alternatives to diamond wedding rings.  Don't get us wrong, we love us a nice rock, but these sweet rings make us rethink the traditional diamond.  Perhaps it will inspire you, as well.

1. This rough cut black diamond ring is drop dead gorgeous, with a little bit of bad ass thrown in. Ring by Melissa Joy Manning / 2. Yes, it's a diamond solitaire, but the setting is so gorgeous, how could you say no? Ring by Kate Szabone.


1. Wow.  Just wow.  Ring by Janish Jewels. / 2. What's better than one diamond?  Oh, that's right.  Three diamonds.  Ring by Janish Jewels.


1. The sweetest thing about this set is not the champagne diamond (although it is fab!), but the wedding band in the shape of a little twig.  Rings by Sarah Hood. / 2. Platinum? Check.  Multiple diamonds? Check.  Three bands.  Oh yes.  Stacking rings by Single B Beautiful.


1.  This ring reminds me of the promise ring I had in high school.  I love it's simplicity and the fact that it so obviously says, "I am diamond-free and proud of it!".  And, really, who could resist that tiny heart?  Ring by Contagious. / 2. If I got married all over again, I would want this ring.  Sleek, simple, and would remind me of the reason to get married every time I looked at it.  That would be love, people.  Perfection.  Ring by Zahour.


For the dudes! 1. We love the idea of a fingerprint engraving on the inside of his band instead of text.  Subtle and utterly personal.  Ring by Chris Parry. / 2. Wood and metal.  What could be more masculine?  Ring by Jewelry by Johan.

Etsy Vendor Love: Pomp and Plumage

Pomp and Plumage has been on our radar for a long time.  You might say we are more than a little smitten with their gorgeous line of wedding accessories.  Not only are Denise and Ian super talented, but they are super sweet, to boot!  We had the chance to ask them a few questions to get to know them a bit better.  Would you like to meet them?  Yes?  Well, today is your lucky day!  Read the interview below, then head to their shop post haste and see all the goodness that they have to offer.


Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Pomp & Plumage is a partnership between Denise Cole and Ian Cole, a husband and wife team who live in a lovely little town situated between the farm fields, forests and vast expanse of Georgian Bay in rural Ontario, Canada.  We've been in the wedding market for a year now and maintain a busy Etsy storefront when we're not at our day jobs (Denise is a high school art teacher and Ian is a naturopathic doctor).  Denise is the lead designer and also makes all of our fascinators, veils and garters while Ian makes the boutonnieres and coordinates shipping.


How did you get started creating your beautiful pieces?

Denise has always had a love of good design, and Ian has always been the practical mind behind things, not to mention an exceptional craftsman.  When Denise was young, she designed all sorts of things and sold them along the shore to cottagers in the small beach town she was raised in (including rocks painted to look like valuable gemstones at a low point, and original watercolours at a high point).  We were married last summer and after our wedding Denise was still thoroughly obsessed with wedding design blogs.  So, we started designing some pieces, having designed many things for our own wedding, and soon Pomp & Plumage was born. We aim to provide pieces rich in texture, colour and detail that tell stories of their own and give brides of independent spirit and discerning taste alternatives to the mainstream bridal market.


What are your top three favorite materials?

1. Feathers; silky, wispy, buttery soft, perfectly hued natural feathers.
2. Moss & twigs; they add an element of earthen texture that cannot be found in fabricated materials.
3. Vintage lace, tulle and brooches; they help us craft a rich narrative in our pieces, and they're usually of much higher quality than newly manufactured materials.


What is your favorite part of a wedding?

The ceremony.  Hands down one of the loveliest moments that life has to offer.  A very close second favorite part of weddings is, of course, the design.

Want more?  We thought so. Find Pomp and Plumage all over the internet: web | etsy shop | facebook

artistic inspiration: provence

Today, we're taking a little trip across the pond and drawing inspiration from the Provence region in France. We think it would be delightful to see the colors, textures, and food from this region translated into a casual, rustic wedding. Start with an outdoor venue, mix in a vintage dress, add romantic flowers and bunches of lavender, sprinkle in rustic elements like vintage cafe chairs and milk bottles, toss in a fabulously rustic feast complete with figs, cheese, and crusty bread, and finish the whole thing off with gorgeous trays of macaroons. Um, to the bride who throws this fête? We'd like an invitation, thanks.


Draw a little color inspiration from Provence! Olive green, fig purple, lavender, sage green, and cream pull together the look and feel of the French countryside.


image credits from top: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Delovely D.I.Y.: Paper Chains

Don't let memories of pre-school construction paper and sticky paste deter you! We love the idea of a "grown-up" paper chain and think they're such a fun (and inexpensive!) way to apply color and texture to your wedding. Drape a few casually in the trees at an outdoor rehearsal dinner or reception, or hand them vertically en masse as a stunning backdrop for a dessert bar or photo booth wall. The possibilities are endless! We particularly like the idea of using double-sided scrapbook paper for an extra pop of color. Grab your bridesmaids and your glue sticks, whip up a few cocktails, and make it a party!

image credits: left/right
How about swapping in a paper chain in areas like these? Create a stunning paper backdrop for your beverage bar or perhaps recreate this ceiling focal point as a gorgeous "chandelier" over the head table at your reception with paper chains, poms, and paper lanterns.

Image credits: left/right

smashing! cocktail: the starlight royale


We love the concept of a signature cocktail at an event.  Be it a fancy martini or a secret family concoction, your guests will love the thought put into keeping them refreshed (and relaxed!). Every now and then, we'll feature a new signature cocktail from around the web or created by us.  Have a smashing recipe you'd like to submit?  We'd love to feature it (and taste test it, let's just be honest)!

This week, we're channeling Marilyn with a sparkly, pink cocktail jazzed up with a little lime, gin, and sugar on the rim.  Serve in champagne saucers for Gatsby-esque flair.  Delicious? Yes.  We'll take one (or three). 

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lime juice (or 1 1/2 ounces per shaker), plus more for rims
1 1/2 cups gin (or 2 ounces per shaker)
1/2 cup superfine sugar (or 2 teaspoons per shaker)
1 bottle brut Champagne or sparkling wine (or 4 ounces per shaker)
Fine sanding sugar for rims
Grenadine

Mix lime juice, gin, and superfine sugar in a 2-quart pitcher; chill until ready to serve, several hours.

To serve, dip rims of glasses in lime juice, then sanding sugar, to coat with a 1-inch-wide band.  Measue 4 ounces Champagne or sparkling wine into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Add 3 1/2 ounces lime juice-and-gin mixture, and shake; strain into two glasses, and add 2 to 3 drops of grenadine to each.  Repeat. (Serves 12)

Recipe via. Image credits: 1/2

Whoppee! A Bright Birthday Party Tablescape

On December 27 So Smitten planned and designed an intimate Italian dinner party for a friend's birthday. Using inspiration from brightly-colored Fiestaware, we used paper lanterns, simple flowers, and paper straws in all sorts of colors. Macaroni Grill catered (Robert the Delivery Man sang "Happy Birthday" in Italian), Sweet and Saucy Shop made the Oreo-flavored birthday cake, and Italian jujubes were scattered down the center of the table. The wine and beer were flowing, and guests were laughing all night long.

Holiday Party for PMA a Smashing Success

We planned and designed Pacific Maritime Association's holiday party this year. The event took place in a private room at Tantalum Restaurant in Long Beach, California, with a beautiful view of the Marina. Their food was delicious (Truffle Mac N' Cheese?!), and the drinks were flowing (especially the signature cocktail The Drunken Elf - yum!). We decorated the room from top to bottom, created the red and white floral centerpieces, and brushed up on our chalkboard sign skills. In addition, we had an elaborate and delicious dessert buffet with all types of candy and desserts by Miss Priss Cupcakes. The movie Elf played in the background while the guests enjoyed games of pool and darts. Michael Farmer Photography had a photo wall set up with all sorts of fun holiday props, and guests took home instant prints as party favors. All in all it was a smashing success!