Archive for January, 2010

Making your own wedding favors can be a great way to save money and time, not to mention, it’s a great way for you to add your own personality to each and every place setting. To get easy, affordable favors, consider using some of the DIY favor supplies from Daisy-Days.com and filling them up with some of these wedding day favorites:

1.) Chocolates

Give your guests a reception treat that’s purely decadent and delicious by slipping a homemade truffle or some of your favorite chocolate candies into a favor box or bag from Daisy-Days.com.

2.) Mints

Refresh your guests by including some peppermints, butter mints, cinnamon mints, or other breath-freshening candies in your favors. A great after-dinner treat!

3.) Jelly Beans

Everyone loves the sweet taste of jelly beans, plus, with so many flavors and colors to choose from, you should have no problem finding the right ones for complimenting your wedding theme.

4.) Jordan Almonds

Jordan almonds are a classic wedding treat and if you’re planning on putting these into your favor bags or boxes, you can be sure your guests will be delighted. Feel free to choose the Jordan almond colors that best compliment your wedding color palette.

Making the guest list can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a wedding and if you’re at that stage where you need to start booking your venue and selecting wedding invitations, it’s time to start looking at your guest list. If you want to stick to your budget while ensuring that everyone on your list has a great time, use some of these tips to trim away those unwanted (and expensive) guests that are keeping you from having the wedding of your dreams.

1. First and foremost, keep in mind that your guest list is between you and your fiance. Don’t let any other friends or family tell you otherwise. Just because your Mom wants to invite her best friend from work doesn’t mean you have to.

2. Keep your budget in mind when making your guest list. If you have a quote for 100 people from your venue, then stick to 100 people. Remember, more people means more cost when it comes to your overall occasion. If you want to spend more on entertainment, food, reception decorations, or even the honeymoon, you may want to consider having a more intimate affair.

3. Don’t invite anyone who may cause drama on the big day. It’ll only take away from the fun.

4. Invite people you really want to share in this occasion, not just everyone you know. Choose your guest list wisely and make sure that either you and your fiance have a solid connection with everyone on the list. You don’t have to invite your college roommate whom you haven’t spoken with in 10 years.

5. Consider the size of your wedding venue. Some locations keep strict limits on how many are allowed at a ceremony or reception. Make sure you’re in compliance with their rules so that you don’t get charged extra on your big day.

If you don’t have a ton to spend on the décor for your reception and are planning on relying on the already beautiful tables set up by your venue to add some personality, then you may want to check out some of these cheap, easy, and fun ideas on how to customize your reception so that your wedding day feels far from cookie cutter:

1. Make a great first impression with your guests by creating a stunning entry way. Try setting up a table that features photos of you and your fiance, your families, or other special events in life that helped lead you up to this important day.

2. Switch up your look by changing your wedding dress, hair, shoes, hair accessories or jewelry for the reception. Remember, the bride is going to be the focus of attention – so wow your guests with something different as you dine and dance the night away.

3. DIY a photo booth by setting up a backdrop somewhere in your reception area and setting up a camera on a tripod. Then, appoint someone to man the camera or let your guests have some wild and crazy fun themselves. Be sure to include fun accessories that fit in with your wedding theme so that guests have something to pose with.

4. Choreograph a dance with your groom, bridesmaids, or even the entire wedding party for some unexpected fun.

5. Instead of worrying about a crazy, huge wedding cake, try serving up a variety of desserts inspired by family recipes. Recruit friends and family members to contribute to your flavorful dessert table.

We are thrilled to have a guest author today as we celebrate the launch of the first of the new Kate Aspen 2010 wedding favors. Brides all around the world have loved Kate Aspen favors for years, and we’re proud to carry them on our site. Without further ado, please enjoy our guest post from Jennifer Fallon of Kate Aspen.

Jennifer Fallon is the CEO and Founder of Kate Aspen.

I’m delighted to introduce the first of our 2010 new product launches on this blog today, and thank you Daisy Days for giving me the opportunity.

At Kate Aspen, we enjoy a wonderful relationship with brides-to-be – listening to their dreams for the perfect wedding and doing everything possible to help them reach their goals.  I’m personally grateful to every single bride for making Kate Aspen favors a small but memorable part in their most important day.  They (and you) are the reason we’ve committed this year to offering even more new product launches tailored to brides’ exact specifications!

Today we’re launching twenty-six wedding favors and a fun, functional bridesmaid gift.  You can see the entire line in the video, but let me touch on a couple of highlights I’m particularly proud of, which isn’t easy to do.  I’ve very proud of them all!

The fleur de lis bottle stopper and place card holders we launched in 2009 attracted so much buzz that we’ve added two more fleur favors to the collection, a gorgeous votive and elegant coaster set.  Presentation-ready and tied with a classic bow, these two new favors expand the Euro-Chic theme set by their predecessors, and give brides elegant new choices for practical favors that won’t stay behind on the table.

2010 brides are looking for a way to add a touch of “green” to their weddings – eco-conscious options from renewable resources.   With this launch we’ve added the eco-friendly “Natural Impressions” photo album and cutest recycled paper pad and pencil set, aptly named “Write from the Heart”.

Oh!  And last, let me mention the new bridesmaid gift “Let’s Do Lunch”.  Thermal -lined and ready to personalize, this little tote is sleek enough to be a fashion accessory, and smart enough to keep your food just a little cool or just a little warm until you’re ready to enjoy.  Such a thoughtful gift!

Contemporary, elegant, eco, and clever – I promise you’ll find something “oh-so you” in the new launch, or something “oh-so new” to mix and match with our current favors.  Enjoy the video!

Jennifer

With the release of Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, more and more brides have been thinking about tossing their current wedding plans and opting for a fairytale inspired occasion that will wow guests, as well as capture the sense of timeless romance inspired by the stories. Thinking about choosing a fairytale theme?

Try any of these ideas to make your occasion feel like a dream come true:

The Dress

Instead of going for a slim, sleek, and modern wedding gown, go instead for something fit for a princess. Full ball gowns, lots of detailing, and dramatic cuts are the perfect fit for any bride looking to dazzle her Prince Charming. Top off your ensemble with a glittering tiara to feel like royalty.
The Cake

Go for an over-the-top cake with lots of decadent layers and detailing, or if you’re feeling daring, go for a castle-shaped wedding cake that’s topped off with a Princess and the Frog Cake Topper. Your guests will love this fun detail, not to mention, it’s perfect for capturing your fairytale theme.

The Favors

Your guests will never see frogs the same way when these adorable Princess and the Frog Favors adorn your place settings. Stylish and simple, these Fairytale Wedding Favors are absolutely perfect for occasion.