Get Creative with Unique Custom Details

I am a huge fan of customization. I think it is what truly makes a wedding a special event.  As a guest, it is the little details that you remember most when you leave, and that make you feel like a special participant in a momentous occassion.  I wanted to share a few of my favorite special touches, starting with these adorable monogramed parasols from Customized Wedding Creations.  They also offer some of the most fabulously over-the-top handpainted aisle runners I have ever seen. 

  

Going beyond handainted monograms and stylized text, they incorporate hand beading and Swarovski crystal embellishments in their "Glamorous" line.

These customized flower girl banners are adorable...

as are these picture perfect chair covers.  Congrats Traci!

And of course these super elegant silk place cards created by Revelry Invitation Studio

I love, love, love these engraved river rocks from sjengraving on Etsy.  If you have no budget to bust and want to give a favor that your guests are sure to keep for a long, long time, these are absolute must-haves!

If you are the type who doesn't take yourself too seriously, have Lilimandrill's create a whimsical stamp of you and your soon-to-be and use as a monogram or logo replacement on invitations, place cards, menus, and favor tags.  Cutey Patooty! 

Do you have an adorable custom wedding detail you'd like to share?  Send your story and pics to info@revelryinvitations.com

*Special shout-out to the amazing photography of Studio222 (flower girl banners, chair covers, and silk place cards)!

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Awesome All-Inclusive Deals

Who needs a vacation?  I do!  So I went shopping around for an awesome vaca and found some fab deals.  I am a HUGE fan of all-inclusives.  In my experience, you get more than you pay for, and can often find really great deals. I love the idea of sitting around the pool and having people bring an unending stream of daquari's to me, with the occassional plate of nachos sprinkled in.  Sign me up!

Please do your own research and read the fine print before booking any vacation.

So here are some great deals I found:

AWESOME DEAL #1: Holiday Inn Sunspree Montego Bay, Jamaica -- starting at $619 per person w/ air for 6 nights between April 11 - June 24, 2010

All-inclusive beachfront resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Features a 180-foot-long, lagoon-style pool encircles a garden island occupied by an outdoor stage. The beach stretches 350 yards along shallow water that remains calm in most weather. Near the beach's center, a sunning pier with lounge chairs extends over the water. The property has four tennis courts, and live nightly entertainment, six bars, seven restaurants, theme nights, a disco, an extensive pool area and night tennis, Teen's area with game room, and supervised children's activities. The 18-hole championship Ironshore Golf Course lies 2.25 miles (3.5 km) from the resort. Kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free in the All-Inclusive Plan, when sharing the same room as parents or adult companion. The new Spa is equipped with a Massage Treatment Room, Facial Treatment Room & Salon Area for hair care, manicure and pedicure.

All-Inclusive Plan includes:

-Accommodations as selected

-Unlimited food and drinks

-Fitness and recreation facilities

-All resort activities and entertainments

-Watersports: Use of pedal boats, kayaks, windsurfers, and snorkeling gear

-Taxes and gratuities

* See CheapCaribbean.com for details

AWESOME DEAL #2: Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico -- starting at $489 per person with air for 4 nights

Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa inhabits the edge of a natural jungle; guestrooms are spread throughout 42 three-story buildings set into the forest. This unique environmental friendly beach resort features forty-two 3-story buildings with a total of 778 rooms and lies in an extensive natural area at the edge of an exotic jungle surrounded by mangroves and natural lagoons. Property includes 6 restaurants, 9 bars, swim-up bar, kid's club, aqua park including 17 waterslides, tennis courts, disco and more!

ALL-INCLUSIVE FEATURES:

- All meals (buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and buffet dinner), snacks and dinner in our speciality a la carte restaurants

- Unlimited domestic beer, soft drinks, house wine and domestic & international cocktails 24 hours within the Resort

- Free use of the sauna, steam room, whirlpool and fitness centre with exercise equipment

- 2 Tennis Courts with night lights (one of them multi sports court) with unlimited day and night use. Includes equipment (balls & rackets), proper attire and court shoes required.

- Watersports Center: introductory diving course, snorkeling equipment, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Sailing (lessons not included), Boogie Board. Snorkeling gear and Scuba Diving lessons in pool.

- Daily activities program: Guided walking tours, archery, darts, boccia, table tennis, language lessons, dancing courses, billiards, football, basketball, Aerobics, Beach Activities. Pool games and Water aerobics. Water polo. Beach Volleyball and Water Volleyball.

- Discotheque from 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM with no cover charge.

- Indoor/Outdoor Theater Nightly with Cabaret Shows, Music Halls and Theme Nights.

- Kids Club from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM - Parents or adult supervision required for children 2-4 years of age while in the kids club.

- Teen's Club from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Teenagers 12-17 years).

- Entertainment and facilities for children and teenagers

- Evening entertainment: A variety of evening shows, live music (once per week)

- TAXES AND GRATUITIES INCLUDED

* See CheapCaribbean.com for details

AWESOME DEAL # 3: Iberostar Paraiso Beach/Del Mar Resort in Playa Paradiso, Mexico -- strating at $699 per person with air 5 nights

Located on a kilometer-long white-sand beach. Comfortable units are nestled within 35 acres of lush tropical gardens. An offshore reef creates calm waters for sailers, snorkelers and ocean swimmers. All rooms have balcony or terrace, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite, mini bar, hair dryer, in-room safe and coffee maker. Features six restaurants, seven bars, a swim-up bar, lagoon-like pool, basketball, tennis courts, dance classes, kids club, and disco. 

ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAN INCLUDES:

-Accommodations as selected

-Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks

-Unlimited imported and domestic drinks

-Nightly entertainment including a live Caribbean orchestra

-Non-motorized watersports

-Kids club

* See CheapCaribbean.com for details

 AWESOME DEAL # 4: Grand Oasis Marien, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic - starting at $489 per person with air for 4 nights

Special activities include motorized watersports, Sea Pro Dive Center for both certified divers and beginners, golf, and Spa. This beachfront hotel features 325 guestrooms, each with a balcony or ground-floor patio. Tropical decor in the rooms includes terra cotta tile floors, sand-colored walls, white ceilings with moldings, and orange and green fabrics. Bathrooms have tub/shower combinations. eatures ful gym, nightly entertainment, kid's club, giant pool with waterslides, wind surfing, water aerobics, water polo, minigolf, and 6 bars/restaurants.

ALL-INCLUSIVE FEATURES

- Accommodations as selected

- Breakfast lunch and dinner buffet style. Dinner a la carte at any of the specialty restaurants (no reservations required)

- Snacks all day

- Unlimited drinks, national and a selection of international brands in all bars and restaurants

- In-room minibar (2 national brand beers, 2 sodas) restocked daily

- 2 bottles of water

- Non-motorized watersports

- Diving lessons in the pool

- Tennis courts and Fitness Center

- Daily and nightly entertainment activities

- Discotheque/Sports Bar (drinks included)

- Taxes and gratuities

* See CheapCaribbean.com for details

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Bridal Survival Kit

You're the maid of honor.  You are the bride's trusted confidant.  Your are her giggling buddy.  You have had her back through thick and thin.  And now you are in a position of honor in her wedding... or a position of authority.  You will be the one the other girls look to when there is a last minute problem.  Make it easy on yourself by creating, a bridal survival kit.  It is a cute and thoughtful (and very useful) way to make sure you can save the day no matter what happens, cape optional.

There is two options: buy one pre-made (as shown above from http://www.packageperfect.net/). Or make your own.  But what to include?  First check the sample/travel aisle at your local drugstore.  Grab toothpaste, baby wipes (DO use on a light stain on a bridal dress.  DO NOT use a bleach pen... it will turn the spot yellow), tums, Tylenol, a sewing kit, a first aid kit, and mouthwash.  Then find yourself some spray deoderant (it's always nice to share with the other girls if necessary... no one wants a hot bridesmaid to bring on the funk). You'll also want to include an emery board, bobby pins, aerosol hairspray (you'll want a full size, not a travel size), scissors (the little eyebrow ones are good), pressed powder, tissues, breath mints, hand lotion, and a folding hairbrush.  Stash it all in a hat box, and it is a cute thank you gift/wedding armory for the bride. 

I found some adorable handmade survival kits on projectwedding.com

I love the individual survival packs... you can create one for each of the bridesmaids so they don't have to track you down in case of emergency.  Plus, they can be small enough to fit in a fancy little handbag.

Made your own adorable survival kit?  I'd love to post it!  Send your pics to info@revelryinvitations.com

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Request for Real Wedding Photos and Stories

pic from funnychill.com

Hi All!

So I hope your day was a productive as mine.  I am serious... not kidding.  I got new tires on my husband's Jeep today because I like to wait until it is so dangerously bald that we skid backing out of the driveway. Luckily as I walked in the shop my son zeroed in on the only girl his age in the place.  I think they were engaged by the time we left.  He tried to pick her up (literally, not figuratively).  Pulled her hair. Threw her on the ground and tackled her.  Sounds like the male mating practice truly is an innate primitive thing learned at birth. Many a man in my former dating years got me the same way.  I have since learned a nice dinner and a movie go a long way. Anyhoo,  it was a match made in heaven (he is only 2 1/2 years old btw). 

On another note, I am hoping to get some real life wedding pics ffrom eager newly weds.  I have some from my clients, but I am itching to feature all the glorious goodness of weddings from all over the country.  It's the little things I am interested in... the little things that make your wedding so special and uniquely you.  If you get chosen as a feature, we will give you 20% custom birth announcements! You know it will come in handy ;) We'll offer this discount until June 15, 2010 (and the discount will never expire). Send your stories and pics to info@revelryinvitations.com

Hope everyone has a snazzy day!

Hot New (Affordable) Custom Graphic Invitations

It has been busy around here, and I thought I would share a trio of gorgeous and super-affordable swirl invitations we concocted today.  The first one is an invitation with a vellum jacket printed with our custom swirl pattern.

This invitation is sealed with a simple monogram seal

The second invitation in the series is a 5" x 7" swirl invitation with a satin ribbon wrap and monogram seal.

Shown are comlimentary response card and reception card.

Last but not least in the trio is a square swirl print gatefold invitation with thin satin ribbon wrap and a monogram seal.

Any of these designs can be customized to fit your particular style and vision.  Just shoot me an email: info@revelryinvitations.com 

Unique Cake Toppers on Etsy

Every once in a while, I like to get lost in the beautiful creations made by crafters and artisans on Etsy.  There are so many unique pieces available to customize your wedding and to add those special touches that really make a wedding an event to remember.  Today I have been scouring for awesome cake toppers, and found this fabulous creation by Original Creations by Apryl.  She takes wire and gemstones and creates these uber luxe gemstone trees.  I want one just to have one. 

I love the classic yet contemporary look of this mirror acrylic monogram topper from Milan Creations.  This would sure add a bit of drama to an otherwise very understated cake, and this kind of drama is good!  They also offer fabulous rhinestone monogram toppers in a variety of styles and colors.

So cupcake-cakes are all the rage, and I Love, Love, LOVE these edible butterflies from Sugar Robot.   These magnificent pieces are created on wafer paper and printed with edible ink, then sealed with a sugary lacquer.  These would look fabulous on a tiered cake cascading down the side.  This is a definite keeper!

Being from da' nort woods, I got quite a kick out of this deer hunter cake topper from Fins N' Horns.  This beats a deer hunter grooms cake any day of the week (sorry Heather :)  They also create custom novelty cake toppers for other sports fanatics... and what girl can tear her future hubby away from the big game?  No pun intended.

Last but not least is this fabulously exquisite Phantom of the Opera cake topper by La Dona Carmen

It truly exudes the romance and opulence that a lover of the opera seeks.

Be sure to scour etsy for your perfect finds and support independent artists whenever you can! 

Damask Pocket Fold Invitations

I am so excited about the new addition of pocket fold invitations to Revelry Invitation Studio's line-up.  Here is a gorgeous damask pocket fold invitation that we create for a vow renewal ceremony.

We created a custom damask pattern to complement the bride's chocolate and ruby color scheme and used a thin red satin ribbon to add contrast and elegance to the invitation.

We included three enclosure cards, each bigger than the last so they stacked neatly in the right hand pocket.

The pearl pocket fold invitation was then wrapped with a luxe satin ribbon and held closed with a sparkling rhinestone buckle.  I just love it!

Want a custom pocket fold invitation for your special day?  Just shoot me an email, and we can start creating the perfect invitations for your special day!  info@revelryinvitations.com

Don't Make The Number 1 Mistake With Your DIY Invitations...

So I have been in contact with a gal who is having a horrible time trying to find mailers to fit her custom invitations.  This seems to be the most significant and often overlooked part of the DIY process.  You have a gorgeous idea of what you want for your invitations... you spend $$$ on all your supplies, and tons of time painstakingly crafting them.  But it is all worth it because you have the perfect one-of-a-kind invitations.  But wait a tick... how do you get them to your guests?  They don't make an 8" x 8" envelope?  Or a 7.5" square mailing box?  This is a panic moment because your options are expensive... custom boxes or envelopes.

I always advise my DIY brides to make sure they can find an envelope or mailer for their invitations before they order custom silk panels or silk folios.  And though it may seem like your options are limited to boring envelopes or ho-hum corrugated mailers, look for awesome presentation pieces, like this damask packing tape from http://www.paper-source.com/

Or this adorable lace print packing tape from http://www.tapeswell.com/...

This makes even the most standard box look fabulous. Use it like you would a ribbon around a standard corrugated mailer box and you have an instant gift presentation for your invitation.

Using regular boring white envelopes?  Jazz them up with wrap around envelope labels fro http://www.tapeswell.com/

The addressee is on one side, while the return address is printed on the other.  Too cute! 

Add a semi transparent monogram to your envelopes, or a filigree print.  You can even find a desk embosser and have it outfitted with a custom monogram or your return address for a luxe look on the cheap. Just keep mailing in mind when the design bug gets you.