Tag, You’re It: Using vintage style luggage tags as escort cards, your guests won’t have any trouble locating their seating assignment. Or cut out your own and loop twine  or ribbon or the string through reinforced the hole punches. {The Whimsical Paperie}

Map Quest: Find vintage maps and hang on easels or pipe and drape to create a backdrop for photo opportunities. You guests will take advantage of the photo opportunity. {Photos by Stephanie Williams}

Globetrotter: Hit up second hand shops, Craigslist or Ebay to find affordable globes. Use the globes as centerpieces or use them to flank the floral will add a nice touch to the table and reduce the need for florals. {Project Wedding}

Seating Assignments: Use envelopes and stamp (stickers or printed images in shapes of stamps are recommended, no need to add up costs for no reason) for your guests escort cards. {The Knot}

Standby List: Set up your guest book area with stacked vintage suitcases and postcards of your favorite travel locales. Or use postcards from your honeymoon destination and ask your guests to fill out a welcome home message. Ask your bridal party to drop off stamped postcards in mail, so you have some welcoming messages upon your return.

Passport Approved: Find ways to add the travel bug to the details to really tie in all the elements. Using a passport-like template for your wedding ceremony, it can provide the details needed to navigate the nuptials. {Style Me Pretty}

Stamp Attack: Use several stamps to add up to the correct postage amount, but choose stamps that feature flags from other countries or images of unique destinations. Checkout USPS to see their stock of stamps.  {Source}

All Aboard: Boarding pass inspired invitations will set the tone for an international affair. {CeCi New York}

Excess Baggage: Speak with your cake vendor to see if they do custom fondant designs. Having a stacked cake resembling suitcases will be a sweet way to celebrate your union. Request travel stickers to be added to the cake that show off memorable places you’ve traveled together. {Sweet Life}

Marriage is a journey, why not travel with your best friend? Happy travels!

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Potent and bold colors like red and purple are combined to make a very strong wedding palette. This mood board sets the tone for a fabulous evening fete set downtown, surrounded by the warmth of your guests and candlelight.

Float On By: Set the mood for your outdoor ceremony with the flicker of candlelight bouncing off the water. {Source}

Tower of Power: Dramatic and demanding, this cupcake tower with a two tiered cake makes for a great centerpiece for a buffet of sweets. {Source}

Appletini: To cut cost of the bar, feature a personalized cocktail. If you got in engaged in NYC, call it the Big Apple. Or if your fiance loves jokes, call Monkey Business and hang little plastic cocktail monkeys. Talk to your venue or bartender about creating a unique drink and showcase your style on your day.

Calla Me Bad: A bouquet of dark and succulent purple calla lilies. A bouquet with the same flowers, especially all of striking callas, will be a dramatic statement. {Source}

One Hit Wonder: Sumptuous satin  {After Six; $150}

That’s Clutch: House your necessities (lipstick, bandaids, Tylenol etc) in a fashionable clutch. {Dessy; $16}

By Candlelight: To follow the floating candle theme from the ceremony, line your reception tables with large glass vessels filled with water and topped with a floating candle. Calla lilies are exquisite flowers, but also carry a hefty price tag. To cut costs, use one stem and immerse in water. {Source}

Three’s Company: Add a trio of candles to your buffet tables and reception tables for warmth and decorative touch. Line them up for a more striking visual. {Ikea; $3)

Stick Your Neck Out:  Silk shantung cravat will dress up the neck of you favorite men. Cravats are an alternative to bow ties and ties. {Dessy; $30}

Glass House: Hang these bulbous glass mini-houses from large branches to help frame the reception room with a romantic glow {CB2; $4}

Table Manners: Layered linens show off contrasting colors to add another dimension to the space. Gossamer fabric covers the chair mimic the draped look of the table. {Source}

Invite Only: The invitation is the usually the first thing your guests will see. This helps set the tone for your backyard bash or upscale gala. This particular invitation is not longer available (or hidden, as I can’t find the source). However, just browsing through Etsy and other invitation ships (Invitation Consultants), I found a several substitutions, which may be a better option.

Peep Show: White shoes are no longer the standard. For pictures and the ceremony, show off your tootsies with a peep toe. The constrast of the white dress with a bright colored shoe makes for a fab photo. Then, treat your feet to a comfortable shoe so you can dance the night away. {Zappos; $85}

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Bone Collector: The tricked out appetizer plates will surely make your head spin. (Pottery Barn; $5)

Fright Invite: Custom invites with a cauldron full of skulls and eerie font will haunt your guests’ mailboxes. (Wheeler Studios; $2)

Gourd-geous Garland: DIY garland directions are easy to follow and can be hung anywhere for instant harvest decor. The gourds are aplenty at your local grocer.

Fierce Fireplace: Drape dark ivy around your mantle to add a somber feeling to the space.

Painted Pumpkins: Why carve when you can paint? Forget the standard Jack-0-Lantern look, paint spider webs or outline the trunk of a tree on your pumpkin.

Dreadful Drinks: Set up a drink bar and print off the recipe cards for each drink. The black vodka sets the tone for all three drinks.

Wicked Welcome: Before your guests enter your haunted house, have them wipe their wearing feet on this welcome mat. (CB2; $20)

Feather Your Nest: Set the tone for the party with a feathery wreath for your front door. Want a cheaper options? Make one yourself. Buy a metal wreath (Target; $30)

Bat Cave: Place removable bat vinyl decals on the walls of your house to instantly increase the haunt factor. Remove when you are done and save for next year. (Wilson’s Graphics;$30)

Sinister Sweets: Create a food buffet with a theme centered on color. Don’t forget to include dark chocolate!

Any other ideas? What are you going to be for Halloween? We have four parties to attend (that’s what happens when Halloween falls on a Saturday) and I am still tossing around ideas.

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Bundles of Joy: Buying bottles of pink juices (Trader Joe’s, World Market or your local grocer) will help keep with the monochromatic scheme. Wrapping the bottles in fun colorful print and sealing with oversized pink diaper pins will bring bring out the baby themed without being tacky.

Tree of Life: A simple DIY project will make a boring gift table come to life. Once the tree is painted and set in the foam, it is ready for decorations. If dried Manzanita branches are out of your price range, use Mitsumata branches instead, they are more affordable. Embellish with pink baby pacifiers ($1.99), pink safety pins ($1.99) and pink ribbon bows. All can be found at your local Joann Fabric.

Waterlogged: To keep things simple in this overloaded pink party, submerse your flowers in large glass vases. Scatter them through the party space to keep the table clear for your guests’ food plates and drinks.

Pillow Talk: Tossing a few throw pillows around the seating area, will really make it cozy with color. Lovely ruffles that accent the hot pink and baby pink pillows are a great way to incorporate color and feminine frills to the party. (Hettle; $17)

Banner: Etsy can be a non-stop stop for most events. This is the ultimate way to welcome your guests and Jami, your guest of honor. Frills, ribbons and pink colors are all featured in this customized banner. Send a personal request via Etsy convo, as her shop is currently away due to an influx in orders. (Burley Girl; $30)

Tabled: Using linens that are aligned with the party’s colors will really make the party over-the-top. Layering a hot pink table runner atop of a light pink or white table cloth is more dramatic than just a table cloth. If you really want to push the pink limit, only use linens in shades of pink (ie napkins, runners, table cloths etc). (Table Cloths Factory; $2.99)

Cuppy Cake: Cupcakes are delicious alone. But add a cupcake wrap to add more color to the delicious dessert. Cupcake wraps come in a variety of colors and designs. You will definitely find one that will fit your needs. (Paper Orchid; $13)

Shades of Pink: While you’re at Ikea, pick up some very affordable pink vases. The chubby round vase ($3.99) can be used to run down the table runner on the table, while the tall skinny vase ($1.99) can be used to flank the food table. Both come in your party’s colors. (Ikea)

Ring of Love: These lovely sparkalicous napkin rings can be found at an Etsy shop (surprise!). Tie your napkins in these rings to really add some drama to your tablescape. Wait, did I just use tablescape. Oh, Sandra Lee. (Divine Design; $12)

Floats Your Boat: Kari lives in Portland (love) and our local Ikea is having a 50% off on all Grodby candles. With a set of 10 floating candles (in various shades of pink), float the candles in vases of water. The party will be during the afternoon, there may be no need to light the candles. However, if it is a normal Portland afternoon, it could be cloudy and candles bring instant warmth and comfort to a space. (Ikea; $1.99)

Feather Your Nest: Feathers maybe over the top, but they do add a bit of fun to the setting. If feathers are not your thing, giant wooden letters (also found at Joann Fabric) can be used to welcome Jami’s newest addition. Using the baby’s last name or baby’s initials are a great way to personalize the event.

Menu
To keep things simple, I would suggest ordering from a local deli. My favorite is Elephants Delicatessen and there is a location close to you as well. Their menu includes party platters that make hosting a snap. It also helps that their food is made with local ingredients and kills your hunger immediately with their fresh and simple.
If you are want to cook and prepare the food. Here are a few ideas:

Antipasto platter
Cheese plate (3 types: goat, Gouda and blue)
Seasonal fruit tray
Quesadillas de Camarones
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
Puff Pastry Paneer Wheels (Sub paneer with cheddar or Swiss for the mama-to-be)
Olive Cheese Bread

Dessert
Cupcakes from St Cupcake
Lemon bars (or something not too sweet)

Drinks
Frozen Grapes for a splash of color (use raspberries as well)
Melon Cooler (sub watermelon for the cantaloupe)
Various pink drinks

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Don’t forget to enter to win cupcake note cards, cupcake toppers and tissue poms for your next party. Cheers!

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Colors: pink, orange and pops of lime
Theme: youthful, modern and fun

Top Row: Fluffy Pink Ranunculus Boutonniere; Personalized Jones Soda; Short Silk Bridesmaid Dresses
Middle Row: Rock Candy Decor; Tiered Cake, Groomsmen Ties
Bottom Row: Low key centerpieces; Balloons; Poppies and Grass

Does the rock candy bring you back to your childhood? How about the giant balloons? To create a “ceiling” for the outdoor space, adding balloons will help make an outdoor space feel more intimate. The personalized soda labels are a great way to add a peronal touch to a favor. This can also serve as a escort card. If you don’t want to pay for the customized price, create your own labels, print and adhere with Zots.

These options are a fresh way to bring back elements of your childhood without making it look like a birthday party.

Cheers!

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Cakes; Flowers; Invitations; Cake Topper; Bird Cage Card Box; Wedding Programs; Nest Favors; Candy Bar; Birdseed Decoration; Party Decor; Ring Bearer; Bridesmaid; Parasol; Party Setting; Glass Vases

Just a simple mood board. Request your gratis mood board today.

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1) Wet Paint: Chalkboard paint is a fun way to add a touch of “class” to the shower. Using mini terra cotta pots (online, craft or Home Depot) and black chalkboard paint, you can create simple and easy name cards. Paint the entire pot and then write with chalk the name of the guests. It will act as a name card and favor. Buy a flat of flowers and potting soil to add some green to the scene. (Image Source)2) Tree of Life: To add some much needed height to the table, use dried myrtle branches and place in your chemistry beakers. One branch per vase should be enough. Too much will take away from the rest of the décor. If you don’t want to buy online, check out Michael’s for a  huge selection on dried branches and flowers. Just don’t forget their 40% coupon they have in the Sunday paper. (Nettleton Hollow; $18.50)

3) Apples to Apples: To continue the teacher theme, scatter some crisp Granny Smith Apples to tables. In between the stacked books and beaker vases. If you piled them in a glass hurricane, dress it up by add some ribbon. (Source)

4) Pop Quiz: To keep your guests occupied while you greet and direct traffic, create a quiz about the bride-to-be. As an ice-breaker, go over the answers as a group. Be sure to ask a variety of questions so a specific group of friends/family won’t be able to answer them all. (Martha Stewart)

5) Tagged: Write little quotes such as, “Countdown to Gown – 56 Day”, “Blushing Bride”, “Something Old…”, “Going to the Chapel” and place on the back of each chair. You can cut out your own tags or order from your local craft store or buy from an online store. Tie with coordinating ribbon.

6) Turn Tables: Using the white linens from the restaurant will add an uncomplicated base for building your table centerpieces. If the venue has other colors, ask for both white and the color and layer the tablecloths on top of each other.

7) Apple of His Eye: To get the look of customize printed invitations, customize on your home computer and print with your printer. These crisp and green printable invitations and matching green envelopes from Crane Co are perfect for the occasion. A personalized and editable .doc template has been provided. If you don’t want to print at home, take them to Kinko’s for a small fee. (Crane and Co; $15 for 10)

Takes the Cake: Order a simple butter cream cake and decorate yourself. Add a ½ inch satin ribbon to the girth of the cake. If you want to add apple slices, toss with lemon juice so they don’t turn brown.

9) You’ve Been Framed: For simple and budget friendly prizes, buy some frames in lime and black and insert black and white pictures of the couple. Add some ribbon and display the frames near the cake. (CB2; $1.95)

10) Bookworm: For a simple DIY décor project, borrow some thick books and cover with pretty wrapping paper. On the bind of each book, write important locations from their relationship (where they first met, got engaged, first date etc). Place the books in stacks down the length of the table. It was required to cover books in middle school, so if you don’t remember, try watching this video. (It is a bit slow, but it will refresh your memory).

11) Chemistry Class: Beaker-like glass vases add some height to your table. Place on the stacks of books for your centerpieces that won’t obstruct the view for the guests. (CB2; $2.95)

Nicole was also looking for some outfit options. I couldn’t just decide on one dress. With the summer lines coming out, everything looked just too cute.

1) Wrapped Up: A lovely swiss dot paired with a lightweight fabric makes for a great summer dress. (J Crew; $60)

2) Green Theme: Sticking with the green and black theme, this tank style dress with billowy skirt is a match made in heaven. (Anthropologie; $128)

3) Mary Poplins: Simple and sophisicated are two words that decribe this dress. Pleats add a bit of flair to the empire waisted skirt. (Gap; $60)

4) Ray of Sunshine: This no-fuss cotton dress is bright and cheery. The adjustable ties can be tied in the front or in the back. (Nordstrom; $118)

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1) Invite Only: The style of the invite creates the first impression for any event. An invitation with pockets will contain party details and directions. In addition, it will help guests on theme of the party and the level of formality. Use zebra print scrapbook paper or wrapping paper (cut to fit the pocket) to provide a nice background for the invite.

2) Fabric of our lives: Zebra print fabric from our local fabric store can create a runner for your tables. If you do not want to sew the hems, just folding over the edges and using an iron can create a nice crease. Layer several layers of fabric can create a more dramatic pop of color than just one runner. Do what is best for the budget

3) Paint by Letter: The craft store will have large wooden letters, paint and coordinating ribbon to do this project. If the name of the baby is not known, use the last name. Once the baby’s name is known, paint the first name to give as a home welcoming gift. Or if you are strapped for time and prefer to just order your customized set. Here is a store offers customized names. Check around etsy.com and ebay for similar options.

4)Hug a Bunch: A gift box tied with colorful pink and green ribbon is pretty enough. However, when it it is filled with hugs, it is a sweet thank you for your guests. Too bad you can’t package real hugs, I guess chocolate is somewhat of a good substitute.

5) Bright Idea: Using the paper lanterns can really bring the theme together. Check out your local World Market and Luna Bazaar for the zebra, pink and green paper lanterns. Hang them around the area with pink and green ribbon or tring them across the room with white string lights.

6) Pop your Top: Izze Natural fruit drinks is a great way to have the bubbly without the alcohol. Create a bar with various fresh puree, club soda and Izze.

7) Dye Hard: It was hard to find hot pink/magenta/fushia/raspberry colored fabric napkins that did not break the bank. A easy and cheap way to remedy the situation is to use Rit Dye. Fabulous Fuschia 12 is only $2.35 a box and will create the color I need. If you are looking for other colors besides the standard 26, there is a list of color equations for creating “that” color. The dye will transform plain white cotton napkins into my perfect palette. Be sure to follow the instructions!

Flower of Youth: How lovely are you!? Using your local flower farm is more affordable than ordering fresh flowers or buying them at the store. Luckily, the shower is during dahlia season and Swan Island Dahlias is a close and ridiculously affordable place. You can choose your choice of colors and/or specific flower. This is the “Cha Cha Cha” that blooms to 4-6 inches across and boldly displays bright magenta pinks.

9) Pretty, Pretty Cupcake: You can find anything on the internet. I didn’t even know that zebra cupcake papers even existed. Lo and behold, I found them. Thanks to Bake it Pretty, I will now have black and white zebra papers and pink and white for all my cupcake needs.

10) Monogram Me: If the baby’s name is known, you can use the first letter of the baby’s name throughout the party. The monogram tags can be used to top the cupcakes, the party favors, around the vases of the flowers. Anything you want! Be creative

You don’t have to stick with zebra print, use any animal you want. Bear in mind that certain animal prints are more common, thus easier to find. For example, World Market has leopard and cheetah print lanterns, but they do not have snake skin patterns. What do you think? Do you have any “wild” ideas?

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This is not for the budget friendly. You help ease your nerves; just put it into perspective…you are helping our economy by spending!

1. Earthy elements: Since the tent has high ceilings, having a tall flower arrangements can help bring the ceiling down. Using twigs, reindeer moss and modern square vases, these arrangements are sleek and beautiful.
2. Sights and Sounds: Find a local Céilí dancing group and ask if they will perform for some entertainment. Céilí (pronounced: kay-lee) means party is similar to square dancing but the footwork is more complex. In addition to the dancers, hiring a bagpipe player will make a dramatic impression on your guests. If you weren’t a beer drinker before, hearing the bagpipes will surely cause you to grab a pint.
3. Fabric of our lives: Fabric can also be very beneficial. Drape the fabric from the ceiling and create a more intimate space and adding some color at the same time. Start from the middle and work your way out. It will also cover that unsightly metal.
4. Lights & Camera: Add these lights to set the mood for a party. These will hang below the fabric and create a great ambiance without taking up valuable floor space.
5. Hot Potato: For something hot, crispy and delicious, have a deni fryer on site. I highly suggest having a sober cooker manning the station all night. When you pull out a fresh batch, just watch the crowds around the table get thicker.
6. Here’s your sign: Order a few of these personalized signs to claim your space. The themed pub signs will surely be a conversation starter.
7. Custom Coasters: Your guests need a place to set their drink down when they are grabbing some grub. Order some personalized coasters to help prevent watermarks. Well, seriously, it is more of a table accessory.
8. Serveware: Of course you need green cups, plates, napkins, utensils etc. Find them in various shades of green.
9. Warm my buns: These outdoor space heaters will help your guests stay toasty.
10. Rent a tent: If you have a yard big enough for a tent. Rent one! If you have adjoining driveways, another option is asking your neighbor to share the space. If you do this, you must invite them to the party .
11. To you, from me: There are a million options out there for invitations. Find ones that suit your needs.
12. Bead Me: To make things more festive, order a gross of the beads. Everyone needs 144 green shamrock beads.



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Artichoke and Leek dip and Irish Brown Bread

Fresh vegetable tray

Fresh fried potatoes

Izze green apple soda

Cheese plate and fruit

Irish coffees and a keg in Guinness

Homemade Irish Corned Beef and Vegetables

Oatmeal Stout Brownies (use green dye for the cream cheese mixture)

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