Wedding favors for under $1.00

Wedding favors are a perfect little way to say "thank you" to your guests for celebrating with you (and for sending a gift or charitable donation). However, we all know that buying gifts for 200 of our friends and loved ones can really add up.  And in times when everyone is pinching, I thought I would scur the net for some cute (and cheap) wedding favor ideas that leave a lasting impression on your guests, but not on your pocketbook.

Make a splash with a cute sugar cookie starfish, and send your guests home with the cookie cutter too!  They'rre only $.55 if you buy more than 50.  Find them at http://www.littlethingsfavors.com/

I am a big fan of Paris themed weddings, and these adorable Eiffel Tower key chains are a perfect way to say "Merci!" Find them at http://www.candlesandsuch.com/

I LOVE this "love" place card holder.  A perfect take-away, as your guests can use it to hold a picture of you on your wedding day!  Buy more than 50 and they're only $1.00 a piece!  Find them at http://www.myweddingfavors.com/

Vegas wedding?  Here is a perfect treat to keep the vibe going... chocolate poker chips.  Find them at http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/

Unique Ways to Personalize Your Wedding

I love Wilshire Graphics Press, INC Embossers!  They are the perfect way to customize any and all wedding details.  Create a monogram embosser for invitations, envelopes, thank you notes, use it on table numbers, menus, programs, and escort cards.  For a small investment, you can create a very cohesive (and upscale) look. Desk top embossers from Wilshire start at $55 for a stock design and start at only $65 for a custom design.  And they will help you create the perfect monogram... something you can use years after your special day has passed.  Check them out at http://www.wgpress.com/

Another adorable idea... personalized ribbon. http://www.beau-coup.com/ has such fantastic favor items, it is ridiculous.  Order a favor box for $.60 and dress it up with satin ribbon that has been printed with your names, and add an adorable customized favor tag... and you've got your self a perfect, one-of-a-kind favor set for under $3.00 (including candies or seeds to stuff inside).

For beach weddings, even though you may intend to make it short and sweet, the folks baking under the sun feel like they have been there for a decade.  Yes they are excited about the nuptials, but that doesn't stop the head sweat  from a hot, hot sun.  Enter adorable paper parasol favors.  A perfect present and a functional one at that.  These cutie beach-themed parasols can be found at http://www.favor-frenzy.com/

Plain parasols can be found at http://www.efavormart.com/ starting at only $3.99 per umbrella. 

Another untapped source of easy and unexpected customization items... look into business promotions companies.  They often carry neat items that are designed to be customized.  Sure, they're biz to biz centered, but just think... you're busting into an untapped wedding resource.  You'd pay twice as much if they knew they could market to brides :)  Check out this cute imprinted sand pail and shovel set for $3.28 a piece (or less!).  Fill it with jelly beans, and you have the favor idea to beat.  http://www.sun-rise.com/

Lastly for tonight (but I will be back with more) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of custom socks.  You know, little feets start to hurt after bouncing around on the dance floor.  Offering custom monogramed socks is a cute way to say "we want you to be comfortable, and keep the party going! Kick off your shoes and get back out there!"  Check out http://www.wearthepear.com/ and use their super easy flash customization site.  You can choose colors and styles, and create some adorable monogramed socks for your special event.  That is a favor that will not be forgotten.

Worlds Most Expensive Diamonds

It's been a rainy grey day, and that made me what to find some sparkle.  The insurance on these blingy's would cost as much as a house. Every year. I don't know if that is true, since, unfortunately I am not the one insuring them.  Above is a picture of the world's most expensive diamond ring ever sold-- an internally flawless light blue cushion cut diamond--priced at a mere 9.49 million dollars and weighing 7.03 carats.

How would you like to set this rock on your finger?  You'd need a sling to hold your arm up.  108 carats and a hefty $16 million price tag... Man I wish I owned Sotheby's.  In fact, what a fun place to waste time day dreaming http://www.sothebys.com/  You can browse through the masterpieces and rarities up for auction.

This is by far my favorite diamond ring ever.  A totally flawless white diamond set above a gorgeous pink diamond.  Who would have thought... no, one giant perfect diamond is simply not enough.  Let's do two! A little over 10 carats and only a little over 1 million bucks, this baby could be yours!  Check http://www.debeers.com/ to claim your prize. 

Making the Best of a Best Man's Speech

Wedding speeches are always a point of concern for the bride.  She laughs, gets weepy, feels warm and humbled by the speech her maid of honor gives... but then she enters the danger zone.  The best man's speech.  He can say any stupid thing that has related to any number of debaucherous events the groom has either attended or born witness to inadvertantly (I know the, "I didn't know where we were going" excuse doesn't usually fly, but whatever).  It truly does fire up a tinge of panic in an otherwise calm and collected gal.  And sometimes may even result in an outright brawl.  Not a good thing on the happiest day of your life.  No new husband likes to have $250 worth of roses and lilies smashed in his face. This does not bode well for the future of the man-friendship either.  Soon, he'll stop calling because she doesn't want him hanging out with guys like you.  She'll suggest becoming besties with some dude who's dating one of her co-workers.  You cannot risk replacement.  This is perhaps the most important cluster of words that will ever come out of your mouth.  It may very well be the single thing that determines the future of your man-friendship.  My suggestion is this: just stick to making fun of your buddy.  Like the guy on this video...
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=34286186

Fall Splendor

With the flu shot drought in the Indianapolis area worsening, I drove 60 miles out into the boonies to finally set my mind at ease by making sure my munchkin is protected, at least against the seasonal flu.  And although the three hours lost could have been a real pain, I was able to enjoy perhaps the most beautiful fall foliage I have ever seen.  The trees were absolutely breathtaking--bright bursts of yellow, golden rod and red.  I would so love to be a bride this weekend, exchanging vows under a canopy of nature's beauty.  We often don't take the time to notice (I feel like it has been years since I have really notice the leaves changing).  I encourage you all to take a breath and look around.  It is a truly spectacular time.  And for those who don't get much tree color changing action in their neck of the woods, check out the best fall floiage webcams on About.com (http://forestry.about.com/od/fallcolor/a/fall_web_cams.htm) The national forestry has cameras all over the country and pics are updated, so you can enjoy the changes in the leaves in real time.

Black and White and Yellow Wedding

I am definitely feeling black and white and yellow lately.  Maybe it's because I am updating my website using those colors (or maybe I'm using those colors because I am just feelin it... hmm, a chicken and egg question...). In any case, I put together this little inspiration board with wedding stuffs I think are pretty. Black and white is timeless, and little pops of color make it personal and unique. I know that next year we will likely see a lot of monochromatic wedding pallettes, but black and white are here to stay.

 I think the birth of a black velvet portfolio invitation with white interior and yellow ribbon was just born.  I gotta get crackin' on that.

Stationery Art

Brings new meaning to the idea of Paper Doll...

Necklace made out of comic books!

Gorgeous paper Quilling

I just came across the most fantastic paper art I have ever seen! Not only is the gal (Ann Martin) a fabulous artist in and of herself, she finds some of the most unique paper arts I have ever seen. This will totally change your idea of what "paper" means. Out of sight!

New Invitation Trend for 2010?

Although I love, love, love silk invitations... I have fallen in love with a new invitation style, and have created the perfect unexpected and one of a kind invitation based on it. The folio. Everyone LOVES the silk folio, especially since it is a more affordable option relative to a custom silk box invitation. But to be honest, I think it can be a little, well... understated. Snazz up your folios with a custom satin brocade or even white leather. We have created both for clients recently, and I think this may be the new trend for 2010. Contact us for more information about creating the perfect one-of-a-kind folio invitation for your special event!

I am a terrible blogger... but I'm gonna try harder

Adorable Affordable Boxed Invitation Eiffel Tower Wrapped Gate Fold Invitation

So, my last post was in January. I am a bad, bad, blogger. but I am going to try to turn over a new leaf and post at least 3 times a week. Call it an early New Years resolution. And to start off my new blogging frenzy, I want to introduce Glory B. Stationery, my new store on Etsy. (http://glorybstationery.etsy.com). Revelry Invitation Studio, LLC (my couture invitation design studio) is doing great! But I wanted to create a line of unique and affordable invitations (prices range from roughly $3.00 to $14.00 for a complete invitation set). Stuff I can let my imagination run wild with. I have cooked up some elegant and whimsical stuff, and am adding to it frequently, so hopefully Glory B. will become a new fan favorite. I've loaded a couple of Glory B.'s designs to perk your interest. Hope you'll stop by!