A Beautiful Alternative to the Sand Ceremony

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

sand-ceremony-1.jpg

First it was the unity candle, then the sand ceremony.  What is a sand ceremony?  you may ask. Well, according to the website, “How Stuff Works”, (see citation below), it is:
“At its simplest, a sand ceremony involves a symbolic blending of two different-colored sands into a single vessel. The meaning is clear: The blending of two different beings, the bride and the groom, into a single, inseparable unit that is theirmarriage — the joining of their lives. Hard as it would be to separate out those grains of sand, that’s how difficult it is to separate these two people. It usually takes place after the exchange of rings and vows (although it can go before or even during), and lasts just a couple of minutes.” http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/cultural-traditions/sand-ceremony1.htm

 

But people, especially brides,  are always trying to be different, unique.  A forward thinking company came up with a new idea…that of providing a bride and groom glass beads that they can blend together at their wedding ceremony.  The beads are then shipped back to the company in a prepaid box to be made into a beautiful, colorful work of art. The hope is that it will become a priceless family keepsake.  Please see the description below from the company’s own website.  Be forewarned, however…their pieces of art do not come cheap.  The bowl below retails for $ 539.00 US Dollars.  That is a mid-range price.  A few are less…a few more.

bogart_bowl_gold_gallery_large

 

THE SAND CEREMONY ALTERNATIVE.

Unity in Glass™ has taken the unity ceremony to the next level of artistic expression.  Unity in Glass is an extremely thoughtful and lasting alternative to a sand ceremony or a unity candle. Together with you, we create a work of art to remember your wedding for a lifetime.

“With your custom made Unity in Glass sculpture, vase or bowl, you are taking the Unity Ceremony to the next level of personalization and artistic expression. As a lasting alternative to a unity candle or a sand ceremony you are creating a symbolic, highly personal, one of a kind art piece for your home. The process is collaborative and captures your spirit. You’re working together with a highly skilled glass artist to create a work of art that will last a lifetime. You will share the story of your special day for years to come.”  http://www.unityinglass.com

Will KK and Tyler do this…keep reading to find out!  🙂

Header: weddingwindow.com

 

Mocha, Anyone?

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

 ST_DIY_test_tube_instant_mocha_mix_favors_0001

I was looking around pinterest the other day, and ran across this DIY Martha Stewart favor idea.  Somethingturquoise.com gives a nice ingredient list and step by step instructions. This is an adorable, idea, and best of all, it’s consumable.  I think the best favor ideas are those that the guests can eat or use and then…they’re gone.  Who really wants to keep an item from someone else’s wedding?  I read once where the bride and groom gifted their guests with Waterford Christmas ornaments with their name and wedding date engraved on them.  But would you REALLY hang them on your tree?

SUPPLIES:

  • Martha Stewart Crafts darling test tube favor kit (halloween themed)
  • sugar
  • dry creamer
  • instant coffee
  • dry milk powder
  • cocoa powder
  • salt + cinnamon (optional)
  • mallow bits and chocolate sprinkles (optional)
  • sticker paper
  • FREE label downloads below
  • recipe card print out

Instant Mocha Mix

Serves 28
Mix these 7 simple ingredients together to create a delicious ‘instant mocha mix’ that is wonderful for gift giving! Especially wedding favors…
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 3/4 cup sugar
  2. 3/4 cup dry creamer
  3. 1/2 cup instant coffee
  4. 1/2 cup dry milk powder
  5. 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  6. optional;
  7. 1 tsp. salt
  8. 1 tsp. cinnamon
  9. mallow bits
  10. chocolate sprinkles
ST_DIY_test_tube_instant_mocha_mix_favors_0002
Instructions
  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a blender until completely combined. That’s all there is too it!
To brew
  1. Add 1.5 tablespoons to an 8 ounce glass of hot water or milk
By Jen | Something Turquoise
If you really want to personalize a favor and include your name and wedding date on something…how about cute mugs to go with this mocha mix??  Vistaprint.com has mugs available to download your own pictures onto mugs.  The cost is $5.99 per mug, (their sale price!), plus shipping and handling.  If you have a couple hundred guests,  just this item along can run you in excess of $1,200.00.  So choose your wedding favors wisely…
Images #1 and #2  somethingturquoise.com
Header: www.weddingwindow.com

Sweetheart Table?

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

images-57

 

Will you have a Sweetheart Table, or head table?  So what’s a Sweetheart Table?  Well, YOU may know the answer to that question, but to be honest, until I started planning weddings, I didn’t.   A Sweetheart Table is a special table just for the bride and groom.  The official definition of a Sweetheart Table, according to the wedding gurus at the knot, www.theknot.com, is as follows:

“A sweetheart table is a small table set up for just the bride and groom at the wedding reception. The happy couple sits together, facing their guests, with their wedding attendants and families at tables in close proximity. The advantage is that you get to spend time together and enable your wedding party to sit with family and friends. If you’re not comfortable with being the focal point at the wedding reception, you can have a head table. Your head table can be similar to the other reception tables or it can be a dais table (elevated), to stand out. The head table can consist of all the wedding attendants or include the parents, siblings, grandparents and anyone else who is very close to the bride and groom.”

 

images-60

 

Maggie and Rob had a head table, as did Kenny and I.  I don’t think the newlyweds or Kenny and I would change our choice, but the Sweetheart Table offers perks too.  KK and Tyler have chosen to have a Sweetheart Table.  One thing their wedding coordinator told them, “Commit to taking a moment at the reception to be alone.  Enjoy the happiness around you,  enjoy the music, the dancing, the ambiance.  It’s over so quickly”.  I think a Sweetheart Table allows a couple to do this. Otherwise, your wedding table will effectively be no different to all those loud dinners you’re going to have with your kids in the future on your glass dining table and 6 chairs, in your big semi-detached house. Of course your guests will visit you at your own private little oasis, but hopefully you’ll have a couple of those “Special Moments”…

 

images-58

 

 

images-59

 

mbwep.com Header

Image #1 theknot.com

Image #2 www.projectwedding.comwww.pinterest.com

Image #3 www.pinterest.com

Image #4 www.weddingchicks.com

Wedding Favors – Wow!!

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

11005

 

Ok…I love these!  If you choose favors, it’s best to give something that will be used.  Who doesn’t need an extra wine stopper or corkscrew?  This favor is not only something your guests can and WILL enjoy, but it can be personalized as well.  It meets all a bride’s ‘take-away’ bucket list.  We all love our names emblazed on things.  Kenny and I had our names all other everything at our wedding… sad, but true…  :- )  

Check out the picture below.  This is innovative, useful – (Yum! – your name and wedding date are one them!), and relatively inexpensive.  In a previous post, “Will You Have Extras At Your Wedding?”  I mentioned late night snacks.  This fills that criteria.  Not only are these popcorn containers pretty and cute, they look like they could be a DIY project.  Print out the papers a couple of weeks in advance, pop the corn a day or two ahead of time, store it in airtight containers, and package them up.  Remember to ask a reliable person deliver the bundles to the reception.

 

cheap-wedding-favors

 

 

wedding-eco-tree-favor

What about an altruistic favor?  These replantable tree saplings fit the bill.  You can also personalize them with your name, wedding date, or anything you’d like to have immortalized… and you would be helping the planet.  This could be prepared ahead of time, and would need no refrigeration.  Just remember to keep them moist.

succulent-wedding-favor

It’s funny…I never liked succulents when I was growing up in California…but now…it seems like home.  I think these are charming, thoughtful, low maintenance gifts.  A simple tag can personalize them, with either your name or your name and wedding date.

I’m not sure what KK and Tyler will choose for their favors.  But rest assured it will be novel, useful and lovely.  It’s how they roll.

 

 

Header image: mbwep.com

Image #1 www.favorsdepot.com

Image #2 chicweddingfavors.com

Image #3 thepinkbride.com

Image #4 handmadeandcraft.com