Foodies Unite

Ok, so I admit, I am a bit obsessed with food.  I love it, and really share the sentiment that everybody loves food, am I right?  So to follow my previous post in regards to favors, I came upon a great little tid bit on Etsy today.  As with food (of which I obsess), you will also hear me talk about Etsy waaayyy tooo much.  What can I say?  It is a vintage wedding designer’s dream come true and an amazing resource for bride’s everywhere.

The Diverse Delectables of Etsy features an array of fabulous homemade confections crafted with love and affection. All wonderful options for gifts, favors, and dessert offerings at your wedding table.

This is where I will be doing the bulk of my Christmas shopping as well. I heart Etsy!

xoxo – Jane

Favor a little gift?

Many of our clients often struggle with what type of favors to provide to their guests.  Remember..wedding planning is supposed to be fun, so….

• Rule #1:  Don’t stress too much about the favors.  Yes, they are a small important item, but honestly, your guests are there with you to celebrate your love, not to get away with the goods.
• Rule #2:  Make the item personal.  Stay away from the “wedding favor” sites and stick to items that you and your hubby love and in turn, want to share with those that you love.  Your guests will appreciate learning a little bit more about who you are as a couple.
• Rule #3:  Make it palatable, meaning:  Choose an item that your guests will enjoy.  For instance, if your fav snack is peanut butter honey pickles, let think about this for a moment.  Yes, you consider them the best thing since sliced bread, and yes, they are a yummy and delicious, albeit, weird snack, but will your guests love them as much as you will???  The answer s likely… not so much.
• Rule #4:  Make it pretty.  You spend so much time, energy, and money making your wedding beautiful.  Don’t interrupt your gorgeous table-scape with an item that does not match or compliment your theme.  If you do end up choosing an item that may be outside your decor schematic, place the favors on a separate table for guests to serve themselves.

Here are a few favor and packaging ideas that we adore. courtesy of our favorite homemade treasures: Etsy (www.etsy.com)

These muslin bags are perfect for your favorite confections, shawls, or any other uses.

Tree seeds in bottle with stopper – share your love for the environment by asking guests to plant a tree in your honor and as their tree grows, so will your love for each other.

Polaroid coasters – For the photography enthusiast.

Stamped Paper bags – find a design you love, or stamp them yourselves and stuff these full of kettle corn or garlic roasted peanuts that you get at your local farmers market.

Fleur De Sel Caramels – If you have not tried salted caramels, you are missing out my friend.  These little delicous morsels can be bought in bulk and placed in your own packaging, or can be packaged by the seller.

Surprise Brownie Bliss Cookies from Sweet Bliss Bakery (http://www.etsy.com/listing/61002147/surprise-brownie-bliss-cookies).  Food is always a good idea, especially when they are baked with love by you yourself, or if time is an issue, simply enlist the help of your favorite neighborhood bakery.

Daylight Savings

Just a reminder to all of our mainland US brides out there: Hawaii doesn’t experience a time change for daylight savings, so we have listed some new time differences for you, just in case your iphone World Clock is not handy:

Alaska – 1 hour ahead

California – 2 hours ahead

Vegas – 2 hours ahead

Denver – 3 hours ahead

Houston – 4 hours ahead

New York – 5 hours ahead

xoxo- Jane

Private Wedding Estate in Tahiti

Tahiti Bound!

Some family friends recently went for a 2-week stay in Tahiti…I know…completely jealous!  They went to visit another family friend of ours who just happens to own an amazing black pearl farming business on the island of Moorea.  They have an incredible home of which they rent out and it has become available for private Tahiti weddings as well!  Anyone interested?  We are dying to do an event in Tahiti… I mean come on..who isn’t?

The 3 bedroom, 220 sq. meter villa features a private office (just in case) and it’s own private gym!  The rates are incredibly reasonable, especially compared to what you find in Tahiti normally.  Imagine yourself beach-front, tropical drink in hand, soft island breeze, calm lagoons and far off waves crashing on the outer reefs!  There is also plenty of yard space for a party of any size, but knowing Tahiti, you will want to keep it small and intimate. A beautiful wedding adventure awaits!  Contact Belle Destination Weddings & Events if you would like to receive additional information for your very own private Tahiti wedding at this gorgeous locale!

Karen & Chase in Paia Maui

What better place to have a wedding than your very own ocean front, family vacation home on Maui? This gorgeous was just the perfect setting for Karen and Chase to exchange their vows and party until the late hours of the night!  Their closest friends and family gathered in the back yard of what has got to be one of the most gorgeous views of North Shore Maui nestled right in Paia Bay. Wendy and Tyler of  Blue Lily Photography did an amazing job at capturing the magic of the special day and they were so pleasant to work with. When I first met Karen and Chase during the beginning stage of the planning process, I was instantly excited about working with them. They are a fun, down to earth, hip, young and energetic couple of 2 beautiful kids and needless to say, their wedding day was exactly that! They chose a black & white and yellow color pallet which was just perfect for this mid summer affair. Aloha Events Catering executed a delectable meal including one of my all time favorite… butternut squash with sage brown butter sauce… so yummy! Fun cocktails like Lahaina Lemon Drop Martinis  and Jalapeno Margaritas were tray-passed to thirsty guests during the cocktail hour while the sun was setting behind the West Maui mountains. So many personal touches were made by the crafty bride herself, from hand drawing floral designs on the bar menu to fabricating custom cocktail umbrellas, no detail was overlooked.  The dessert bar was definitely a big hit! Melissa McKelvery, owner of  the Paia shop Penguini Gelato made dozens of delicious cupcakes all made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. She also served fresh gelato and sorbet from behind the dessert bar including a watermelon ginger sorbet that was a perfect cooling treat for the wild dancers who ruled the dance floor! The photo-booth was definitely a scene not to be forgotten; roars of laughter could be heard as guests slipped into Hawaiian print shirts and mu-mu’s, carrying toy ukulele’s and snorkel gear competing for the funniest picture… It  was a blast! Thank you Karen and Chase for having Belle be a part of your special day!