Flowers from Bloomtastic

bloomtastic

If you are looking for a wonderful florist, I have to say that  Bloomtastic is the best! I may be a bit partial since they did my wedding, but I think they are great. They entire staff is very knowledgeable and are willing to give you great ideas that fits with your theme and budget. Here are some pictures from a recent wedding from Bloomtastic. The bride’s bouquet was designed of roses, carnations and cymbidium orchids. Bridesmaid’s bouquets were designed of dahlias, roses and cataylea orchids. The centerpiece was hydrangeas and oriental lilies. Breathtaking!

 

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Peach and Chamomille Mousse Cakes

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I am a sucker for desserts! I LOVE them! That is probably why I am always looking for fun dessert options for weddings. Wedding cake is a given, but…..dessert bars are becoming super popular. Tartelette is always a great site to check out to get super stylish and yummy dessert options. These Peach and Chamomille Mousse Cakes are gorgeous and look soooo yummy! The inspiration was fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. To get the recipe click here!

 

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DIY Tin Can Table Numbers

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Here is a super cute and cost effective idea for table numbers. These tin can table numbers are courtesy of the 100 Layer Cake blog and they are too cute for words! I love how they are inexpensive and eco-freindly.

 

Materials:

 

drill (with an appropriately sized bit)
gold spray paint
tape
candles
a ruler
letter size colored paper
spray mount
exacto knife
cutting mat
and your number stencils, which you can download here.

 

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Instructions:

Step 1: Tape off the inside of your cans so no spray paint gets inside. Spray the outside of each can with the gold spray paint (or any color you like). Be sure you don’t hold the spray can nozzle too close to the tin can, which can make for drippy, runny lines down your pretty table numbers and no one wants that.

 

You may need to do two or three coats depending on how opaque you want to the color to be.

 

Step 2: Once your cans are dry, wrap your printed number stencil around each tin can.

 

Step 3: Drill. Yay! Start by drilling the outline of the number first (following the stencil line), and then work your way in. It certainly doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more holes you can drill, the more light your can will give off.

 

Step 4: Slide your colored paper into the can on the opposite side as the number. Mark the paper with the appropriate height and width (you don’t want it to cover your numbers. Next trim the paper to the correct size using your cutting mat and exacto.

 

Step 5: Spray mount the trimmed paper to the inside of your can (opposite the number). And you’re done! We used red paper but you can of course use whatever color you like. If you’re using a color you’re not sure about, consider doing a test can first and lighting it that night to make sure you like the look before you finish the rest of your numbers.

 

Click here for more pics and source.

 

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Cherry Smash Cocktail Drink Menu Option

 

Cherry Smash

(photo by: Pornchai Mittongtare)

Here is a beautiful and yummy drink option for your cocktail menu. This is a Cherry Smash from Epicurious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

* 1 cup fresh pitted Bing cherries
* 1/4 cup kirsch (clear cherry brandy)
* 1/4 cup sugar

 

* 1 cup ice cubes
* 6 tablespoons Courvoisier or other premium Cognac
* 1/4 cup orange curaçao
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon Cherry Heering liqueur or other cherry liqueur

 

Preparation
Combine cherries, kirsch, and sugar in medium bowl; stir to blend. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours, stirring occasionally. (Brandied cherries can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.)

 

Place 2 Martini glasses in freezer and chill at least 2 hours.

 

Place 3 brandied cherries in each of 2 chilled glasses; crush cherries with back of spoon. Combine ice cubes, Cognac, orange curaçao, lemon juice, and cherry liqueur in cocktail shaker. Shake well, strain into Martini glasses with cherries, and serve.

 

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2009 Wedding Trend Alert~ Strike a Pose

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(picture source)

Everyone takes a ton of pictures at weddings. Nothing new and different about that! However, brides and grooms are now setting up areas at their reception designated for striking a pose. Many couples are creating an area with a beautiful backdrop to take pictures of their guests and to take some formal pictures. If the picture station is decorated right, it can become a beautiful decoration in it’s self. This is true in the above picture. In this picture Lena and Joshua (the bride and groom) are posing against a backdrop of Marimekko fabric reproduced from an early-1960s pattern. This makes for a beautiful backdrop that helps create the retro atmosphere at the reception.

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Yummy Cupcake Recipes

Cupcakes have quickly taken their spot in the wedding sphere. The childhood treat has been transformed into an elegant display at weddings world wide. I love the idea of cupcakes because of the  ease of them. There is no cake cutting necessary. Simply grab and eat! Plus they are agreat way to cut the cost of a wedding! Here are some super yummy and unique cupcake recipes. They are listed from left to right. Simply click on the name and you will be taken to the recipe. Enjoy!

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Devil’s Food, Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing , Banana Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream, Peanut-Butter and Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes

 

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DIY Paper Vase Favor Bags from Once Wed

favor bags

I think that this favor idea from Once Wed is simply precious. Plus, it looks so easy! That is always a BIG plus. I love the little vase on the bags and how there is room for a personalized message from the bride and groom. I think anyway you can make your favors more personalized the better!

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Materials:

 

• pliers
• mini artificial flowers – $1.99/bundle of 18 available at Tinsel Trading Company or your local Michaels
• masking tape
• paper favor bags 3.5? x 2? x 6.75? – $2.99/16
available at Michaels
• patterned paper of your choice
• white glue – my personal favorite is made by Tombow and is available here.
• solid color cardstock
• paper scissors
• white gel pen – $1.24 available at Create For Less
• mini clothespins – $1.87/50 available at California Paper Goods

 

Instructions
1. Using a pair of nice sharp pliers, cut the tops off of 4 or 5 miniature artificial flowers so that they are approximately 1.5? long.

 

2. Bundle flowers together and wrap with a small piece of tape. I got this cute plum roll of masking tape
here, but floral tape or any old masking tape will work well for this.

 

3. Tape flower bundle down to paper bag, centered and approximately 1? from the bottom

 

4. Using template, trace shape for vase onto backside of the patterned decorative paper and cut out

 

5. Fold under edges approximately 1/8? and run a bead of glue along both tabs.

 

6. Press firmly in place onto bag over flowers. I found it easiest to hold and secure one side for a few seconds and to then press the other side down.

 

7. Cut a piece of 8.5? x 11? solid color cardstock into 1? strips. Fold strips in half and using scissors, snip a notch at the folded end to form two paper flags. Write your message onto the flag, fill bag with contents, fold top of bag down 1/2? onto itself 3 times and clip flag onto the front using a miniature clothespin.

 

Your cost will vary depending on how many of the supplies you already have on hand, and how many bridesmaids you have, but these favor bags shouldn’t run you more than $10-$15 total.

 

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Drink Option French 75

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Ingredients
* 1 lemon
* 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
* 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup
* 1 cup ice cubes
* 1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine, such as brut Champagne, chilled

 

Preparation
Using zester or paring knife, slice peel from lemon in long, thin spiral. Reserve lemon for another use and set peel aside.

 

In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

 

Curl lemon peel around finger to create twist at least 6 inches long. Garnish drink with twist and serve immediately.
Source

 

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