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Food Bars

This is seriously one of the coolest food displays I’ve seen in quite some time {and it’s so simple}! Guests can choose from a variety of sauces and other condiments to personalize their meal.

Sauce & Condiment Bar

Photo: Natalie Franke

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Catering 101

Dinner is such a major portion of wedding related events, so make sure you know exactly how your caterer functions. Here are a few basic things to ask them before your big day:

  • How are last minute requests handled?
    If there are a few people that show up who didn’t rsvp, will your caterer be able to accommodate them? If some guests don’t show, will the caterer be able to remove a few place settings and adjust accordingly?
  • Who will be there on wedding day?
    It’s always best to have your main point of contact there on wedding day. They’ll know all the details that have been discussed so nothing gets overlooked.
  • What is included in the per person price?
    Does it only cover food/beverages, or are things like staffing, linens, etc. built in?
  • Where does the left over food go?
    Many caterers will pack up to-go boxes for the bride and groom, but if you’d like extra for your parents or bridal party make sure to let them know.
  • Have they worked at your venue before?>
    It’s always nice to work with a caterer that is familiar with your venue. If they haven’t worked there previously, try to arrange a site visit with you main contact so they can get the lay of the land.
  • What’s the difference between a service charge and a gratuity?
    Some caterer will add a service charge to their pricing to cover things like fuel costs, overhead, etc. You can ask that they automatically add on a gratuity to your bill, or you can give your gratuity to the banquet captain the night of your event {they’ll make sure it’s evenly distributed to all the banquet staff}.
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Artisan Cheese Displays

Brides + grooms are upping the ante this year with cheese displays. They’re usually the same old run-of-the-mill displays, but I’m loving the idea of featuring artisan cheese + a someone who specializes in cheese profiles. Guests can learn all sorts of interesting tidbits, and it makes for a great conversation starter!

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Photo: Jenny DeMarco

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Invitation Etiquette

Coming up with the perfecting wording for invites is no small task. And one of the trickiest parts is deciding how to let people know what the dress code is. So here are a few quick tips on wording that important side note:

  • Black Tie: this is the most formal dress code. Specifying “Black Tie” implies that men should wear a tux and women should wear a floor length gown.
  • Black Tie Invited: this still implies that the even is upscale, and the majority of guests will in fact don their best outfits!
  • Elegant Attire or Formal Attire: gentlemen will usually opt for a nice suit + tie, and women will wear a long, formal dress.
  • Cocktail Attire or Cocktail Chic: this calls for dress slacks + button down shirts for men, and shorter {but not too short} cocktail dresses for ladies.
  • Casual Attire – this is common for garden and beach weddings. Most guys will don a pair of khakis and the ladies may wear a pretty sun dress.
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RahRah Designs

These monogrammed bathing suits are the perfect gift for bridesmaids! Host a fun summer pool party and present each of your maids with a summer essentials bag {think sunscreen, some cute shades, and a pair of pretty flip flops} complete with this super cute bathing suit =)

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Check out more here!

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Cake Pulls

This is a tradition you don’t see much of anymore, but I totally love it! It’s the perfect activity for a bridal shower, and each lady chooses a ribbon to pull out from the bottom tier of your cake. Each ribbon is attached to a pretty charm, which signify luck, love, and all sorts of exciting things!

  • Hot Air Balloon or Eiffel Tower – A life full of adventure and travel
  • Claddagh – Friendship, Love, & Loyalty
  • Star – Your wish will come true
  • Anchor – Adventure is around the corner
  • Four Leaf Clover – Good luck
  • Flower – Blossoming love
  • Heart – New Love
  • Fleur-de-Lis – Love and Prosperity
  • Kite- Something fun is about to happen
  • Wishbone – Success
  • Ring – Next to get married

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    Photo: Jen Fariello

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Personalized Wedding Hangers

Aren’t these handmade hangers the perfect gift for your bridesmaids? These are especially great if each maid is wearing the same dress {much less confusing if each one is labeled} =)

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Via: Etsy

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Bridal Beauty ll Glowing Skin

Have you ever heard the saying that you are what you eat? Well I’ve never met a bride that didn’t want perfect skin on wedding day, so it’s important to think about the food you put into your body, not just the beauty products you use. Here are a few of the best foods to help get your skin in tip top shape for wedding day:

  • Salmon – this fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids + protein. It’s also full of vitamin D and selenium, which helps protect skin from UV rays.
  • Walnuts – these have lots of protein + copper, a mineral that boosts collagen production. Walnuts also make for a great snack {they’ll keep you from munching on less healthy alternatives}.
  • Kale – I personally am not a big fan of this one, but it’s full of vitamins A + C, fiber, and calcium. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory!
  • Blueberries – blueberries have tons of vitamin A, which helps to normalize oil production {no one wants shiny skin come wedding day}. Try adding these to oatmeal, or toss a handful into your morning smoothie.
  • Lemon – my favorite item on this list! This citrus fruit helps our bodies purge excess water weight. Add a slice to a cup of warm water, or simply squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto a salad!
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Personalized Stamps

These monogrammed stamps are the perfect way to add even more personalization to your wedding invites! They even come in different denominations and sizes =)

Monogram Stamps

Via: Zazzle