Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

No Gifts Please

Amidst all of the natural events in the world and the declining economy more and more couples are saying to their guests, "forget the gifts." We are planning our ten year anniversary party and not only do we not need any more chotchkies, we certainly would rather the money guests would have spent be used for a better cause. We are seeing more brides and grooms, birthday men and women, and others planning parties include on their invitation "No gifts, please." Many are going a step further and including an additional card saying "In lieu of gifts, we request that if you can, please donate to one of these causes close to our hearts." They then provide the name of the charity, website and often mailing address. I find giving gifts is more fun than receiving them and I think often this happens when you just have accumulated enough stuff in your life and/or you reach your mid-to late twenties - but that's just my opinion. Below find the top 5 charities that couples and party throwers are requesting their guests donate to - you may find they are close to your heart as well:

March of Dimes, Doctors Without Borders, U.S.A. Harvest, American Red Cross, and Unicef.

Are you ready for some football?!

It's that time of year again. Time to gather around the tv, eat til you can't move and yell at grown men through the tv/wait for the commercials.

As a self-proclaimed football freak and advertising geek - Super Bowl Sunday is like the holy grail to me. Unfortunately, I'm a little less than pleased about the match-up (I was hoping for Jets-Vikings), but I'll manage. Although I won't get to see my Jets take on the man who left them for a shot at the playoffs ( Brett Favre), the game still promises to be intense with this year's NFL MVP, Peyton Manning, with the Colts and Mr. 70.62% completion (a league record), Drew Brees, and his Saints.

Even if you're not a football fan, the Super Bowl is still practically a national holiday. Like Thanksgiving, it's one of those times of the year when everyone gets together with their friends and family. But, instead of surrounding the turkey, Christmas tree or menorah - the television is our focal point! Companies spend millions of dollars for a mere thirty seconds in front of your eyes - and the Super Bowl ads are talked about as much as (if not more) than the game the Monday after.

 

Aside from my favorite sport, and my favorite hobby (watching tv), Super Bowl Sunday also features another of my past times - food! But not just any food - snack food. Like Brittany, I enjoy a good barbecue, with hot dogs, hamburgers and of course, chicken wings. But watching the big game is nothing without chips and dip! Whether it's tortilla chips and salsa, or potato chips and sour cream and onion dip - I can't get enough.

I'm pulling for the Colts this year, just because Peyton Manning went to an SEC school like I did. Although, I can't say I'll be disappointed if the Saints pull off the win. So who are you rooting for??

Invitations:

First Down, Ready For Some Football, Superbowl Champions, Night Game

Invitation of the Week: Cure for Cabin Fever

Mod Cocktails - Too cold outside? Where is the groundhog? Celebrate winter with cocktails!

{Fab*Bride} A Bridal Spotlight on Jen!

This week's Fab*Bride was nominated by Heather and Grayson of Jagger Photography, based out of California/Washington.  What's great about this fantastic duo is that they find fun ways to capture couples - they photograph real moments, laugh, and love.  This is most definitely the case with Jen and Jeff, whose Morris, Illinois wedding was a simple, gorgeous ceremony in the park with a backyard barbecue reception.  The couple has a lovely vintage style, which is most definitely reflected in these photographs. So what did Heather have to say about this Fab*Bride? Well...

"...Why I think Jen was unique, well there are a ton of reasons!  From the first email she sent me you could just tell she was so laid back and sweet.  She told me some of her ideas and I fell in love with their wedding, they are exactly the kind of people and wedding we love shooting!  We flew to IL and got there on the wedding day to find her in the backyard setting up.  I was shocked!  Most brides are getting their hair and nails done, lounging in the room and just enjoying it all, this girl was working!  It was so funny to me.  Later I saw that she did her own hair and makeup which also blew me away; she was just so easy to deal with!  Nothing was a huge deal, no blow ups, no freak outs, she just went with the flow.  Everything at her wedding was handmade and so crafty, that is exactly what I love so I was exciting to take every photo.  I loved the story of their relationship; we got to talk a lot while she was getting ready and she told me all about how they'd moved around and everything.  Her wedding was so quaint and beautiful.  She was amazing and you could tell everyone at this small wedding just adored this couple. I wish I could shoot them everyday!"

Well we wish we could look at photos this adorable everyday too!  Let's ask Jen her questions and take a peek at her wedding day!

What was the inspiration or concept behind your wedding? I grew up trying to make sense of a dual heritage and feeling like I never completely fit in.  Whether it be extended stays in Mexico or daily life here in the states I was different, ni modo.  All of that blossomed into a need to stick out, to be the first and only.  It goes without saying that one of the most important days of my adult life was a celebration of individuality.

The moment I saw your wedding photos, I instantly felt the love between you and Jeff.  You two look care-free and most certainly in love.  What does Jeff inspire in you? Jeff is the single most brilliant person in my life and one of the most beautiful souls there will ever be.  He challenges me to never stop adding to what I know and where I've been.  His strength throughout his ongoing battle with cancer inspires me to remain positive amidst all adversity.  It's inspired me to be after what is truly important in life, spirituality and justice vs. materials and self-service.

Your wedding dress is simple, elegant, and lovely – tell us about your search for the perfect piece.  How did you go about accessorizing to finalize your look?  I wanted a dress that was natural...elegant but understated.  I was looking for something that wouldn't go out of style and I knew it would end up coming from J Crew.  I was torn over several of their wedding gowns.  There's something so sweet and romantic about the one I chose.  Some gold ribbon around the waist added a perfect little something and was a way to match my groom. I hadn't really been able to picture myself in a traditional veil and when I saw this unique headpiece I was head over heels.  It was the perfect amount of 'flashy' to go with my simple dress.  It was all very easy to wear and I felt timeless.

Chic Birthday Barbecue | Inspiration Board

It's February, and among the many exciting events this month brings, Superbowl, Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras, another big one is my birthday! This year, my birthday falls on the day before the Superbowl, so it's definitely an eventful weekend for me. Now, I didn't plan a birthday party for myself (I usually don't), but I will be going down to Miami to be with friends and family for a huge Superbowl party. So, in lieu of an "all about me" birthday party, I have put together an inspiration board of what my party would consist of if I were to plan it myself.

As you can see, I went with a barbecue-themed birthday. From this, you could probably gather that I'm a pretty simple, easy-to-please type of girl. I've grown up going to barbecues. They are easy, fun, and the food will always hit the spot. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a night on the town with friends, but if I it had my way, we'd be snacking on cheeseburgers and enjoying the sunshine.

I wanted to add my own flare to the party, so I decided that this particular barbecue would be very chic and modern... or at least it would try to be! The color scheme would be bright and colorful with bold graphic shapes. The food would be tasty and fun to look at, and the apparel would be trendy and fun!

So, to start any party, you need invites, and making a decision on something like that is huge for me. I came up with three (Cookout Couple, Kabob, Flippin' Foods), and narrowing that down any more would probably take a few days! These three invites are full of great colors and pull the theme together perfectly.

Next is the food, served on this bold and of course, colorful dinnerware. The traditional chips and dip would most likely be present, but I also wanted some fun hors d'oeuvres that would be fancy, but still keep the casual, outdoor barbecue feel. For this, I found some scrumptious-looking hot dog-inspired hors d'oeuvres. Mini cheeseburgers would be the main focus of the meal, as mini-anything makes everything more fun. And to finish out the deliciousness, cupcake pops made by Bakerella!

Last, but not least is my idea for attire. I know that a barbecue isn't the best place for cutesy dresses, but this party would be the perfect setting for some fun and flirty dresses. My pick would be this Clara Bow strapless dress from Lulu's.

And that's it! My chic birthday barbecue is complete. I imagine it to be a huge success. Have you planned a themed birthday party of your own for scratch or have thoughts on mine? I'd love to hear about it!

Tweet with me @brittanica2

{Masqueraded Elegance} How to Host A Lavish Mardi Gras Soiree!

It's February and Mardi Gras is just around the corner.  You might ask yourself, what is Mardi Gras? Well, Mardi Gras, which is French for 'Fat Tuesday,' refers to the day before the ritual Lenten fast begins.  It is marked with eating rich & delicious foods, dancing, dressing up in masks and costumes, parades, and many other celebratory activities. Believe it or not, we've been living in Mardi Gras season ever since Epiphany on January 6 and will continue to do so until it culminates on Fat Tuesday, or February 16, 2010.  While Mardi Gras is different from city-to-city (it is also referred to as Carnival or Shrovetide), in the United States it is most popularly celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) - a perfect hot spot for a party, or at least a great city with lots of color & culture to serve as inspiration for your next masqueraded event!  So, since it's in season, let's start planning!

 

If you're hosting a Mardi Gras event, here are some helpful hints to get you started:

• Pick the perfect invitation! We've chosen Mask of Elegance as a jumping off point.  Some reasons why this is a good one to start with are that it's black and white, the perfect backdrop for whatever color palette you will choose for your party.  Also, it comes with matching enclosure cards and seals.  You really want the entire package when you are organizing a lavish affair!
• Choose your hues! The typical colors of Mardi Gras are green, gold, and purple. The tablescapes we've chosen incorporate lots of crystal, china, candles and other luxurious details, as seen in Mimi & Hamilton's masquerade wedding (via Brides.com) and Aruna's Bold, French Inspiration to Reality Shoot (featured on Style Me Pretty).  Basic neutrals such as brown or black can ground your color scheme, but also make a truly bold statement.  Whatever style you choose, whether it be casual, spunky and colorful, or elegant and understated, but with a twist, be sure to carry every detail out to it's fullest.  
• Feast on delicious foods! Serve Hurricanes as a signature cocktail.  Incorporate delicious, traditional New Orleans food into your menu.  Jambalaya, seafood gumbo, red beans & rice, and Mardi Gras king cake are all typical dishes you would munch on - yum!  Serve appetizer portions if you're having a standing cocktail event, or buffet-style if you're having a backyard bash.
• Dress the part! These adorable dresses from ModCloth are perfect party-wear! Something colorful and ruffled packs lots of punch, whereas something glitzy with embellishments might also be a good option for a night-time affair.  If you're hosting more of a costume party, be sure to tell your guests to go all out. Hand out prizes for the best-dressed (perhaps a costume parade is the best way to judge)!  Masks, beads, face paints, feather boas, and wigs are all must-haves for a crazy fete.  Make sure to have some handy if people walk into the room in 'normal' attire.  If you're a bride having an elegant masquerade-themed wedding, opt for a gorgeous headpiece or veil that will make you stand out amongst your crowd (we love the Her Name Is Lola vintage piece from ban.do).  Tastefully apply glitter to your eyes or wear colorful accessories that pop against your gown.
• Make it memorable! People always remember a good party.  So be sure to play wonderful tunes from famous New Orleans Jazz musicians.  As parting favors, give your guest a confectionery bag of pralines.

Planning a colorful, modern or unique event?  Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!

When in Rome...

 
With a couple of weeks left until Valentine's Day (and the movie of the same name) - maybe you're already itching for a new romantic comedy?

"When In Rome" starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel (aka Tad Hamilton!) comes out today and looks to be just the right appetizer for the love fest coming up in a couple of weeks. After all, what is more romantic than a wedding in Rome?!

After seeing the trailer all over the place for the past couple of weeks, I decided to check out some real life romantic photos. I stumbled upon Rome Weddings Photography, which features some gorgeous images by an extremely talented photographer, Rochelle Cheever. I've included some of her images above, and a few more below. They are absolutely stunning and the brides and grooms she has worked with are extremely lucky to have these photos to cherish for the rest of their lives.

 

Ciao!

Invitations:

Bellagio, Sunflower Fantasy, Grapes and Such 

    

Supporting The Pink Initiative

 

Last night, a few of us from Fab*Blog attended an event planned by Elan Event Studio (Tampa, FL) to benefit the Pink Initiative. The Pink Initiative is an organization made up of wedding industry professionals who are dedicated to funding breast cancer research. Invitation Consultants is passionate about this cause, and we are always happy to lend our time and talents to the organization. It's among favorite causes, and it's definitely our favorite color : )

The cocktail party was a vision in pink with glowing lighting, fuchsia roses, a shimmering cake, and cotton candy. The entertainment was a go-go dancing pink haired gal who really shook her booty for the cause.  We had a great time, and we were really happy to spend time with others in the wedding industry who care about this very important cause.

IC and Fab*Blog will continue to support the Pink Initiative with our exclusive pink bridal shower invitations. All profits from the sale of these invitations are donated to the Pink Initiative. 

To find out about how you can get involved, please visit The Pink Initiative

Wednesday Trendsday: Sweet Paper Banners

Paper and fabric banners, garland, pom poms, and papel pacados are just about everywhere! They are oh-so-cute, and so easy and affordable to DIY! No wonder they've made their way to invitations. Check out these cute cupcake and banner invitations: Cupcake Girl and Happy Cupcake by Ashley Woodman of Simply Put. A festive trend is Mexican papel pacados which are colorful lattice like designs that are typically cut into tissue paper. The gorgeous papel pacado above is custom designed by Etsy seller, aymujer. Similar banners are featured on Sunlight Siesta, an adorable invitation by Picture Perfect that is fitting for a Mexican fiesta. 

So, what do you think? Will you be trying out this paper perfect trend anytime soon?

Fab*Blog Feature on Party Perfect | The Mitzvah Planning Experts

Today, I am excited to bring you an interview with Laura Cohn and Debbie Mintzer from Party Perfect, based in Orlando, Florida. These ladies are pros at creating truly unforgettable Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. From pre-planning to reception, and everywhere in between, they've got it all covered and it's sure to be a wonderfully special event. They had lots to tell us about Mitzvah planning and how they go about making each party perfect!

Personalization: Do your clients often come to you with their own theme or ideas? What’s the most important element of the party to them- the food, the music, the venue? Most often, our clients do have an idea of their own theme, but sometimes they look to us for guidance on the best and most cost-effective ways to incorporate this theme into their event. Personalizing and branding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is what we feel is our specialty. We create a party logo for our clients that we carry throughout the party: custom menus, DJ splash screens, place cards, favors, signage, and so many other details that make the party extra special and help convey the party theme.

Invitations: How do you choose them and what are important things to remember about invites? We look for an invitation that is unique and represents the individual style, color, and thematic elements of the event. For Mitzvahs, this presents a challenge, because there are so many unique elements to a Mitzvah invitation (the religious service invitation, the party invitation, info for kids vs. adults, RSVP, etc).