A Special Pillow, A Special Message

Oh yeah, I am back....life has just been a little cuckoo, but I hope to jump back in the swing of all things wedding...including a giveaway for my latest book, The Everything Wedding Checklist Book: All you need to remember for a day you'll never forget (Everything Series)

For now I had to share this fabulous idea with you. My dear, sweet friend Sarah from Modern Country Style fashioned this sweet cushion to celebrate Valentine's Day, complete with wedding year and location. Isn't it just perfect!

Can't you imagine the possibilities....

Wedding or anniversary gift.

Ring bearer pillow.

A couple of cushions on a sweet bench at the wedding.

A Valentine's present.

An engagement present.

Go visit Sarah for a tutorial on how to make this sweet cushion and just say hi because her blog is lovely. 

Q and A Time! And Last Call for the Cold Plasma Giveaway!

Wedding season is upon us!

OK, it really never ends anymore!

But before I go on...

The Perricone Cold Plasma Giveaway ends 4/28

Enter HERE!

 I first posted this back in September

{I think I hard 2 readers then}

but, I get this one particular question a lot.

So, I figured...let's revisit the mystery of the gift.

MYTH: The cost of the gift (received from the invited guest) should be equivalent to what the per-person cost of the meal is.

TRUTH: No. No. No. An invitation to a wedding is not a trade out. A guest is not expected to first of all even know what you are spending per-person, much less be forced to spend that amount on a gift. The bride or groom does not get to dictate the price range of their wedding gifts (even if they tried to do so with their registry!). Now, the expectations of gifts - money vs. actual gifts - and the "cost" of the gifts do vary from region to region, so you may need to adapt this advice to your particular area.

Happy Planning!

Celebrate Your Family Tree

There are oodles of ideas and projects and thingamabobs
for weddings and the like...but every once in awhile -
which, luckily, is actually happening more often than not thanks
to some super-crafty and talented peeps...YEAH! -
something comes along that I just fall in L-O-V-E with.

And this Wedding Pillow from Creek Bed Threads is it!

This custom pillow with felt tree applique is just the perfect addition

to your new home...the one you share as a married couple.

Did you notice the heart carved in the tree with the initials!

OH MY! Too clever for words!

Imagine how great that would look in your home...

or just imagine the look of on the face of

the lucky bride {or groom} you buy this pillow for!

Go visit Creek Bed Threads etsy shop,

and while you are there take a gander at the other amazing items

Erin has to offer and be sure to check out the Wedding Pillow.

Get Your Cooker On!

I will admit when I got married I did not know how to cook...

but I did register for an apron...

Maybe I thought that would inspire me...not so much!

BUT I bet if I would have had a super-cute apron

like the ones from Lima Bean Designs,

{designed by Kelli at Sustaining Creativity in a Busy Mom's World}

I would have been rockin' the Stand Mixer

and Food Processor a lot soon {they spent 7 years in the box}!

Lima Bean Designs aprons are fabulous and

they come with a large pocket and and attached towel.

I have 3 now...and I actually cook too!

So brides...get your happy cooker on and

start off married life with a super-cute apron!

P.S. Stay Tuned...an apron giveaway is coming up on 504 Main.

Oh Shoot That's a Great Gift!

A few weeks ago, while perusing through blogland,

I came across a giveaway a blogger was having and

fell in L-O-V-E with what she was giving away.

Seriosuly how FAB is this?

Seriously, is this not a fantastic bridal shower or wedding present?

These wonderful prints are from Oh Shoot Photography

and would make any bride or groom happy as can be.

 It is a wonderful personalized gift.

There are so many different ways of creating the print

to capture individual (or as they case may be couples) personalities.

How does it work?

-Send an email requesting a proof...

-You can have up to 9 letters in your collage...

-The info for the top or bottom could be...wedding date, wedding year, wedding location, etc. 

-Oh Shoot Photography is happy to help with ideas once you tell them the occassiononce I hear what occasion they are looking for.

-Pricing is only $30 for one 10x20 print.  Frames can be purchased for as little as $20 at most retail stores.

Oh, but wait...these collages are not only good for weddings...

they are great housewarming presents, anniversary presents,

to celebrate a birth...pretty much anything you

can think of and can be personalized with parents names,

kids names, grandkids names, the year your house was built.....etc.

Go check out Oh Shoot Photography 

for a fun, fabulous and totally unique gift or addition to your home.

Gifted Ideas...A Family Crest Necklace

A few weeks ago as I was perusing blogs, I happened upon designer Lisa Leonard's blog (seriously, go check it out...it is beauitfully designed and has amazing photos). Well, It just so happened that on this very day she was blogging about her new family crest necklace...it was instant LOVE!

As a wedding planner, I am constantly asked (usually at the last minute) "Was I supposed to buy Bride-to-be/Groom-to-be a wedding gift?" Most grooms and brides hear about this little tradition and freakout after already having spent a ton of cash on the wedding. Who says that the wedding present must must have lots of zeros in the price tag or come wrapped in a certain-color-blue box?

So, back to the story, when I saw this necklace, I just thought it was the perfect gift for such a momentous occasion, and wanted to share it with the wedding world. It is a personal and unique piece of jewelry, and it is a special way to say "Welcome to the family." I, personally, could think of nothing sweeter than that!

I could go on and on...this gift is perfect for so many other occasions too. Can you imagine your future mother in law's face if you presented her with a family crest necklace? Or what a perfect gift to celebrate your anniversary?

Lisa has great jewelry and goodies for brides, grooms, bridesmaids, groomsmen, the families...and, well anyone! Go now and check out Lisa Leonard Designs...you will not be disappointed! I am ordering mine too (to celebrate 12 years of marriage!).

Happy Planning (and shopping!)

Mythical Mondays

Before we go any further...YES, I know it is Tuesday. Now on to business...to continue on with the Myths of Wedding Plan, here is Myth #2.

MYTH: The cost of the gift (received from the invited guest) should be equivalent to what the per-person cost of the meal is.

TRUTH: No. No. No. An invitation to a wedding is not a trade out. A guest is not expected to first of all even know what you are spending per-person, much less be forced to spend that amount on a gift. The bride or groom does not get to dictate the price range of their wedding gifts (even if they tried to do so with their registry!).