Skip the Traditional Recipe Sharing

My sister is getting married next year so we have started to discuss her bridal shower.  She decided since she doesn't cook and most people forger not to bother with creating a collection of recipes.   So we have come up with two alternative ideas....
The first is to ask people to bring cleaning tricks to share.. like use this household product to get wine out of carpet and then supply that product.
The second idea is to ask everyone to bring their spare change to feed the honeymoon piggy bank.
Now since participation isn't always great with these extras we thought we would give away raffle tickets and create a basket to give away.  So instead of asking just for these items you can just say purchase raffle tickets for a great basket giveaway.  For every cleaning gift or $1 you get a ticket.   Other ideas could be stock the bar and for every bottle receive a raffle ticket.  Or every kitchen item brought in gets a ticket.
Hope this helps those planning showers :)

More for the Great Outdoors

I think the girl scout in me was the inspiration here, but how cute would it be to create S'mores gift packages either as a welcome gift and invite your guests to spend "S'more time with you" before the wedding or as a wedding favor as an after party gathering.  You could brown lunch bag it to keep it simple and casual or fancy it up as much as you want with personalized labels on your chocolate bars, ribbons to tie everything together.  Or if you really want to keep it simple you could create post card size invites or even simpler print fliers to invite your guests to spend "S'more time with you".

(Photo provided by Wikipedia)

For the Great Outdoors

There are so many wonderful options for centerpieces, but here is one inspired by the nature lovers that love to go hiking.  Purchase glass conisters that have lids or you could even use small mason jars and stack them in a pyramid and they could double as the wedding favor.  Fill the glass container with your favorite trail mix or make your own.  If you want to add more color you can add ribbon to match the colors of your wedding.  Easy & simple.  And I'm huge fan of the fact that you're not just spending money on something that will wind up in the trash that night or the next day...at least your guests can enjoy your centerpiece as an after party snack or for energy the next day :)



Check out the colors the trail mix can bring to your centerpiece...





(Above photo found on e-how.com)



(Above photo found on ThriftyFun.com)

Or if you have something already in mind for your centerpiece this would make an excellent wedding favor or welcome gift.....think brown paper lunch bags stamped for decoration filled with trail mix.  So cute!!!

Sweet Dreams...

Such a cute wedding favor idea for evening weddings or even as just an added treat for guests staying in your hotel block.  Whether it is a candy bar with all yours and your significant others favorite candies or candies matching your color scheme or candy that matches your theme a cute cellophane bag or jar with a sticker on it saying "Sweet Dreams".  Or maybe a large candy bar at each placesetting with a candy wrapper (you can buy them already printed or buy the wrappers and print them yourself) saying "Sweet Dreams" or a prefilled jar with that same label (and maybe even a cute ribbon).
Or if you already have a wedding favor in mind you could ask the hotel you have your wedding block at to leave a candy bar or jar or bag with "Sweet Dreams" on each persons bed or in their room the night of the wedding (kind of like a mint on the pillow kind of idea).
You get the idea....
As always if your having any problems coming up with ideas for your wedding please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to come up with an idea for you.

Wedding Favors That Make a Difference

How many wedding favors have you gotten that wind up in the trash or just collect dust somewhere in your house?  My husband and I attended a wedding where the bride and groom made a donation in the name of each guest to the American Heart Association and gave each guest a red American Heart Association bracelet with a tag attached letting them know that they made that donation in their name.  Seriously...how awesome is that!  There are so many different foundations out there that could benefit from this generous gift idea...please spread the word and lets make this a trend.  Many foundations sell small items where the proceeds go to research like pins, koozies, pens, etc.  So before you go spending your money on a favors think about giving the gift that could save a life or maybe even millions of lives one day.

Bridal Shower Recipe Book

I know it has been a while, but I'm back.  Today is an idea for the traditional recipe book given to the bride at the shower and usually contains recipes from everyone that attended or was invited.  Usually the host sends out recipe cards with the invites for the guests to fill out and return.

Well, for my sister's I decided to do it a little differently.  We did a scrapbook recipe book.  And here are some reasons why:
1.  She can add recipes to it any time
2.  The recipes are protected from liquid and food with protective covers
3.  Even if guests forget to write out their recipe ahead of time and to bring the recipe card with them, many people have a favorite recipe memorized that they can still help fill the book
4.  It becomes an activity at the shower
5.  And it truly is a one of a kind :)

Supplies:
Binder
Paper
Protective Covers
Scissors
Glue
Stickers
Markers
Pens

Here are a couple photos to help give you a better idea.

Go Green for the New Year!

I went to the grocery store the other day and as you walked in the store they had a sign that said Make it a New Years resolution to bring your bags.  This inspired my next idea and by now you've already guessed...

Instead of using gift bags that will just get thrown away for your welcome bags why not purchase reusable shopping bags.  I'm sure you can find some really cute bags at your local stores or even online or you can order them custom made.  Or if you and your fiance are environmentally friendly people this may even be a fitting wedding favor.

Go Green and you may get others to join you...and just think if they do everytime they go to the store and use your bag they'll be reminded of your special day :)