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When the weather gets cold, I can’t help but start to think about tasty hot beverages. I don’t drink coffee, but I’m a huge fan of hot cocoa! Which got me thinking about the fun ways you could incorporate it into your holiday entertaining.  Start with some delicious gourmet hot chocolate, and then provide as many delicious garnishes as you please!

Tasty topping ideas:

• Peppermint sticks
• Cinnamon sticks
• Homemade marshmallows
• Ginger snap cookies
• Chocolate chips (or mint chocolate chips, even better!)
• Marshmallow fluff
• Rock candy sticks
• Homemade biscotti
• Chocolate dipped spoons
• Whipped Cream
• Nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices to dust on top
• Candy crumbles: toffee crunch, peppermints, candy bars
• For the adults: Peppermint schnapps, Kahlua or Baileys

I think a fabulous assortment of cookies would be the perfect accompaniment to a hot cocoa bar, and you could even create some “take home” mugs for your friends and family to enjoy later. Include a keepsake mug, hot cocoa mix and a chocolate spoon, and wrap it beautifully.

If you’re having trouble finding inspiration for the look of your big day, don’t think you have stick to the traditional two color wedding concept to tie all the elements of your wedding together. There are lots of other areas you can draw inspiration from, so don’t be afraid to get creative— after all, it is your day! Here are a few different types of unique inpspiration to get you on the right track…

Era-Inspiration

Draw inspiration for your wedding from an era, like recent couple Megan+Will. They chose a 1950’s garden party as the theme of their wedding and reception. All the details, from her dress to the table arrangements were 50’s inspired (and many pieces were vintage!) and it made for a beautiful and one of a kind event! (Photos by Ben Pancoast Photography)

Geometric-Inspiration

Use geometric shapes as the focus of your wedding, just like bride (and Stella Event Design friend) Amanda! With her polka dot dress as inspiration, she she carried her love of polka dots through all aspects of her wedding from the cake to the escort cards. There were even polka dots on the brides maid’s bouquets! (photos by Nicole Dixon)

Textile-Inspiration

Be inspired by fabric, or a pattern you love. A great example of this is from April Foster, of April Foster Events! She recently entered the Inspired Creations Contest hosted by Elizabeth Anne Designs and The Sweetest Occasion. She incorporated a blue and green fabric pattern into her design concept, from the dessert buffet to the table setting, making for one perfectly tied together display, and it’s a great example of a modern twist on the two-tone wedding! (Photos by Megan W Photgraphy)

So, when it comes time to choose your theme, don’t be afraid to step outside the box and find inspiration from an unexpected place. Incorporate your personality into your special day, and you’ll make it as unique as you are!

Posted by:: Emily (event assistant)

At a recent wedding I attended in the Grand Rapids area I was introduced to something I had never seen before at the reception. As we entered the reception area two pianos were set up facing each other. There was no DJ or even a band, but  instead the bride and groom opted for dueling pianos! At first I was a little skeptical, thinking to myself  ‘piano music all night? I don’t know…’, but after I listened for a while and realized how amazing the pianists were I completely changed my mind.

They played some great classic songs with some fast and some slow. On top of their impressive piano skills their vocal skills were amazing as well! They had everyone on their feet all night! Also, on certain numbers a few guests joined in, playing the drums, saxophone and even at one point a trumpet! It was such a creative and fun element of entertainment to have at the reception. If you’re thinking of a great way to liven up your wedding reception, I highly suggest a dueling piano musical experience. Check out local venues, bars, and restaurants for potential entertainment as well as online for local pianists and you (and your guests) will be glad you did!

Posted by: Kelsey (Event Assistant)

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)

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,

For their July 2009 wedding, Jessica+Bryan knew they would have some older guests who would need to be shielded from the sun, should it be a hot day. And of course, it was!  Pretty white paper parasols were given to guests who needed some extra protection from the sun, while Jess+Bryan tied the knot on the shore of Lake Michigan, and after the ceremony, the bride put her own parasol to use during wedding photos! Not only did it keep some of the sun off of the couple as they visited local beaches for their post-ceremony photos, but it also made for a lovely prop!

All photos by Brookelyn Photography

In 2009 we had a lot of couples utilize their engagement pictures and personal photos to personalize their weddings! From engagement photos gracing their card box, to custom guest books filled with engagement shots, to table numbers accented by pictures of the couple—2009 couples used photos to share their love with their friends and family and add a fun and personal touch to their receptions. Such a simple thing, but I love it!

My favorite photo-op of 2009? For their May wedding at Mill Creek barns, Megan+Greg named each table after an “adventure” they went on together (ie. a vacation or trip), complete with a picture of the couple in that spot! It was pretty impressive considering there were 20+ tables at their reception….I don’t know that my husband and I could come up with 25 of our own vacation spots, let alone have an adorable picture of each!

Megan+Greg’s wedding at Mill Creek Barns in Southwest Michigan

Photos by Two Pair Photography

This time of year it’s always fun to look back at the last season and think about everything that happened, and all of the wedding trends we loved! Last year we blogged a “Faves of 08″ series, and I loved reflecting on everything so much, that it’s going to be a yearly tradition on the blog—so welcome to “Faves of 09!” We’ll be recapping our favorites of 2009 over the next few weeks!

Simple Floral Centerpieces

This year we had a lot of brides that embraced simple and clean designs for their centerpieces. Some utilized a simple gathering of wildflowers, others used several large blooms such as hydrangea, and even a clustering of 3 different flowers can make a simple, stunning and affordable option for centerpieces.

A green wedding tip: Re-use your flowers! If you’re using flowers on your pews, put them in vases for your cocktail table, to dress up your gift table, or add them to your centerpieces.  Use left over altar arrangements to dress up the bar at your reception. You’ll get more bang for your buck and will lower your impact on the environment by using less stems!

Centerpiece Photos (L-R): Two Pair Photography, Ben Pancoast Photography, Kelly Powers Photography

When brides come to their consultations armed with “inspiration,” I love it!  Because while a bride may say, “I want a simple, modern look,” that can mean a lot of different things to different people. One brides ‘simple’ chandelier is another brides gaudy nightmare. This weekend I met with a super fun 2010 bride who brought her own inspiration ammunition—but what I loved about it was that there wasn’t a single image from a wedding in her pile of pictures. She brought photos of paintings, pieces of art, fabrics, book covers and patterns. It all fit together perfectly and helped her to describe the “feeling” she hoped to create for her day. And I got it. I left her consultation feeling confident that I had a grasp on the very special style she hoped to reflect at her wedding.

While you may see “inspiration boards” everywhere covered in pictures of centerpieces, linens, color combos and dresses, remember that our wedding inspiration can come from anywhere! Whether it be wedding pictures, a piece of art, an amazing swatch of fabric or the lyrics to a song—use whatever you can, to develop a clear vision for your wedding style!

photo sources: antique books, letter, veil, painting, plates