A guest book is a great way for family and friends to share best wishes with you and congratulate you on your special day. Usually filled with quotes of wisdom, loving words, and fun stories about, having a guest book is a great way to remember those who shared the wonderful moments with you on your wedding day!
As I was looking through pictures of some past Stella weddings, I saw a photo of a frame with the couple’s photo and a pen provided for people to write on the mat around the couples engagement photo. It was such a cute way to have all the people’s loving words in one place and could easily be hung somewhere for everyone to see. This got me thinking about other possible ideas for alternatives to the traditional guest book.
- ceramic cups, bowls, plates or vases that can be signed by guests and then later used by the couple
- individual cards and envelopes that guest could write private messages in and stick them in a decorated basket or box for them to read later
- signing a bottle of wine that will be drank at the wedding in a silver pen to keep the memory of that night
- having a blank paged book and having either a photo booth or a Polaroid camera for them to take a picture and then write something next to the picture like a scrapbook style guest book
- creating a paint by numbers canvas and invite guests to each paint a small section creating a unique wedding memento
- supplying an old type writer and having guests type lovely words and contact information on note cards
These are just some of many ideas that you can take into consideration when planning a fun and creative way for guests to give their love, share fun stories, or congratulate the bride and groom!
Photo Sources (clockwise from top left) 1, 2, 3, 4
Posted by::Kelsey (event assistant)
I love that brides are opting to ditch the traditional veil, and are choosing alternate pieces that reflect their style. You can still look chic and stylish and still look like a bride without the bulk of a veil. Opt for a decorative hair accessory that compliments your wedding style and location. These looks can range from vintage & classic to modern & chic.
There are many options for sprucing up your hair on your big day. You can use flowers–real or fake, big or small–for that extra bit of detail. Ribbon, feathers, headbands, and jewels or pearls can also do the trick. Simply pin these accents alongside a fabulous up-do to emphasize its shape. Display a dramatic flower over one ear for a more exotic and beachside look. A hair accent is the perfect option for a wedding on the lake, as the traditional veil can quickly turn into a picture nightmare when paired with a gust of wind!
Still one for tradition and not quite ready to ditch the veil all together? Simply add a modern twist. Couple your veil with an accessory—a great looking clip to attach the veil or small, enhanced bobby pins to hold your hair for a hint of pizazz. Bring a little color into your white wedding with a small pop of color through these accessories, or keep it monochromatic white for a more classic look.
Don’t feel like you are obligated to wear the standard veil—look into alternate hair accessories that really make your personality shine, and give you confidence in walking down that aisle with an amazing look!
Photo Source
Posted by:: Gina (event assistant)
There have been so many changes going on around here lately, and I am so excited to be able to officially announce some of them this week! First up is a team addition that we are absolutely thrilled about!
Brittany Johnson first joined us as an event assistant in the Spring of 2009, and after graduating from Taylor University, Brittany is now officially joining the team as a full time Event Planner. Brittany is a perfect fit—she’s one of the kindest, most caring people you will ever meet, she goes above and beyond in absolutely everything she does, and she has a true excitement and passion for helping people to plan amazing events—she is going to be an amazing asset to our brides & grooms!
Brittany will be based out of Grand Rapids and will be planning & coordinating weddings in both Southwest Michigan and the Grand Rapids, Holland and Grand Haven areas! She’ll be available for consultations in both Grand Rapids and St. Joseph and brides interested in wedding planning services in the Grand Rapids, Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Muskegon areas can contact Brittany directly at Brittany@stellaeventdesign.com! Next week we’ll be posting a full bio and a fun Q+A with Brittany—stay tuned!
Welcome, Brittany—we are so extremely excited to have you as part of the Stella Event Design team!
Think a rose bouquet is an overused cliche? Absolutely not! Classic red or white roses are always a hit, but if you want something that stands out, try spicing up your basic rose bouquet by choosing vibrant colors, mixing varying styles (like beautiful garden roses & spray roses) or partnering it with small accents or details.
When it comes to colors, your choices are virtually endless and you can easily match roses to your wedding color palette. With varying types of roses, you can keep your bouquet monochromatic while still incorporating different sizes, textures and hues.
Keep some leaves attached to the roses to add a touch of nature into your ceremony, or go sleek and modern without them. Don’t be afraid to use roses in your bouquet because you think that they are too common—but instead, think of creative and unique ways to personalize this versatile flower.
More unique and fabulous rose bouquets
Posted by:: Gina (event assistant)
If you’re in the market for your “something blue” for you or your bridesmaids, then there is no better place to find fun, unique, and handmade pieces than at the stores of etsy. Yes, I’m a huge etsy fan, I’ll admit it! The thing I love most about etsy is that not only is there an abundance of beautiful items to browse through, but there are items for every style and every price range.
Remember, when it comes to your wedding, you will have many events leading up to your big day that will be special, and worthy of some memorable new outfits & accessories—engagement parties, showers, bachelorette parties, engagement photos…
I think the glass chickadee pendant (above center) would be absolutely perfect for a garden party style bridal shower, and I imagine it paired with a ruffled white sundress with some some strappy silver sandales. The necklace (far left) is bold and elegant—perfect for a rehearsal dinner or bachelorette outing! And if you’re looking for a simple yet personal gift for your bridesmaids, consider one of these monogrammed wax seal pendants (far right) available in a variety of colors!
vintage broaches & sating roses-$142, chickadee glass pendant-$32, turquoise wax seal pendant-$30,
Who says you need to wear white on your wedding day? Some brides are saying no to the traditional white wedding gown and are saying yes to bold and unique color! Dresses come in all different styles and all different colors, so if you’d like to step outside the norm and add some unique flair to your wedding, consider adding a bold pop of color to your wedding day attire.
Or, if you’d like to incorporate color, but not in such a bold way, then pastels, lighter shades, and accent pieces are also a great way to express your individual style. Your wedding dress will be front and center in most photos and is a unique part of you and your wedding. so express yourself and your unique style by opting to rock a not-so-white frock!
Still a little too much for your taste? Add a touch of color by finding a fabulous pair of colored shoes, pairing bold colored accessories with a traditional white gown, or opting for a colored sash!
Photo Source
Posted by:: Kelsey (event assistant)
A few months ago we were approached to help with an article in BRIDES magazine, about creative wedding receptions for under $10,000. Four event planners were each given a creative location, and we were asked to plan a reception at an artists gallery! I had to decide how we would most effectively spend our $10,000 on the venue, food, entertainment, decor and more!
This was a lot of fun, and about a month after writing my section, we were actually contacted by a couple to help them plan their quirky and fun reception at a local art gallery, so now we are getting to bring this article to life! I got my copy in the mail on Saturday, but it comes out on newsstands tomorrow, and you can read all about how you can plan a fun wedding for under $10K in a unique location.
