Always a Blogsmaid

May Day!

Mayra is actually too busy to post lately, (it seems she has some actual weddings to plan...go figure :-) but she REALLY, really liked these invitations from A Day in May and wanted me to spread the word and share the love with you!

I don't know if some of you have noticed, but there are just a TON of great graphic design shops out in San Francisco doing awesome custom wedding invites and A Day in May was one of these great companies.... until now!  They are now ALSO in New York and blessing East Coast brides with their gorgeous letterpress designs at relatively reasonable prices (it's still Letterpress). 

Actually, we've had our eye on A Day in May for some time.... they've been featured in some amazing magazines from Martha Stewart to Elegant Bride and more.  From the classic to the downright special, they have all the bases covered.  Here are some of the ones that Mayra liked (and I like them too!)

In the Bag...

Last week, Xochitl did a post on wonderful colorful wedding shoes. Now, I am going to tell you how to pack them up! Soomean at Shubilove sent over some images of these awesome and affordable shoe bags. I loved them!

A fun way to pack up your wedding shoes!

They are also great for packing up for your honeymoon! 

I personally hate when food touches on my plate (maybe I've watched way too many episodes of Monk), but I must admit I have cared of my shoes touch. However, if you do care, then you can buy these separate bags!

Making an Exit: Rice Alternatives

Let's face it, for many reasons (not least of which is harming birds), throwing rice after your ceremony doesn't always fly (ha! I made a punny.)  Here are some alternatives that I really liked.  

A few years ago we did a ceremony where they used Chinese Confetti Cannons, the clean-up was rough, but it looked gorgeous! Our brides found these on Canal Street in the city, but you can buy a slightly less formal, but not less dramatic version at Party Mart

Are you having an evening ceremony? Maybe getting married in the winter when the sun sets early? Try Wedding Sparklers! You can find them at Sparkling Ceremony.

My family loves to give wedding bell favors at weddings. I must admit that it sounds really cool to have so many people ringing their bell after the ceremony is over. You can find these cool bells at Nuptial Knick Knacks:

 

If you are a real romantic, you may prefer rose petals. You can have your florist handle this, or if you are afraid of them staining your dress, you can always buy freeze dried petals online. You can find them at Beau-coup!

 

What will the guests be showering you with after the ceremony?

This Blog has Gone to the Dogs

We met up with one of our past clients last night and met their new puppy, Oliver. I fell in love with him. So this morning I decided that I was going to write a post about dog wedding outfits. Little did I know that I was going to be so entertained. Honestly, the only reason I stopped looking for other options was because Xochitl looked over and said, "are you STILL looking for dog outfits". 

Little Oliver gets his clothes at Trixie and Peanut, which is where I found these outfits. They are awesome. I love that they have a Bridesmaid option!

I love that this tuxedo has a corsage. I literally just started laughing as I saw the image again! You can find it at Doggie Designer.

Are you having a more casual day? Maybe you don't want him all dressed up to help you carry the rings down the aisle. What about this T-shirt? You can get this at Doggie Vogue!

Is a dress too much? Maybe you want just a little something. What about this tiara from Unique Dog Clothing?

And last but not least, this dress from Little Diva Dog looks so nice!

This post made me want a dog! 

****UPDATE****

One of our clients just sent us this photo after she read the blog. Not wedding related...just adorable!!

Big Pun: Fun Shower Favors

I love puns. Nothing makes me laugh more than a good pun. I wish people thought that I was "punny". Anywho, I was looking for favors the other day and found a website that had me laughing all morning. They may be a little too much for you as a wedding favor, but they are great wedding shower favors! 

Whoever wrote the captions for Uncommon Invites made my day. Here are a few of my favorites:

The "Love is Brewing" timer:) Who couldn't need an extra kitchen timer? I would love this if I got it as a favor!

This "Love...Let me count the Ways" Heart shaped calculator.

What about a peeler? Try the "A-peel to my heart" Stainless Steel peeler!

My personal favorite, the "Gratest Love of All" Cheese Grater.

Not only are these all "punny", but they are also all useful! 

Rain or Shine.....

Since it is cold and rainy outside, I thought I would focus my blog post on Showers today:) 

Rain on your wedding day is considered to be a lucky omen. I find that my brides never quite take it that way when they see showers in the forecast for their wedding day. You can't change the weather...but you CAN be prepared with a fabulous umbrella!

Rain or Shine in midtown carries this umbrella, that I love (you can get one with a white handle):

These Vintage Style Pagoda Umbrellas from Signature Bella will keep you protected:

Are you a little more romantic? Maybe you need a ruffle? Check this out at Think Wedding:

If you want a little more color, Pare Umbrella has great stuff! It took me a while to find a favorite, but I think this is it. 

Personally, I am in love with this. I know, not that "bridal", but I saw it and it made me chuckle, so I am throwing it in.

Remember, the day will be wonderful, rain or shine!

Flip-Flopping (in a non-political way)

There are very few things that I love more on this earth than flip-flops. My love for them is so great, that I even wore them during the fall and early spring while I was in college, and New England is no place for flip-flops during those months! I just couldn't bring myself to put them in my closet (where they belonged). 

Our brides often want to provide flip-flops for their guests, and I always support that idea! What better to have them dancing all night long? It is easy enough to do yourself, buy cheap flip flops in a few different sizes and put them in a few different baskets. If you would rather buy them ready made, then try these options:

 At Seaside Gift Baskets you can customize the tub and the colors! You get 20 pair for $138.

 Kate Parker Weddings has them in a few different colors, and starting at $225 for 25 pairs.

I know that this probably works best in tropical areas or during the summer...but I support this idea regardless of geographical area or season!

Goofy Guestbooks

I often find that people don't know what to write in guest books. It's a lot of pressure! Well, at least I think it is when I am a guest. I never know what to say and always end up saying "Best of luck in your new life" which is totally bland and generic.That's why I think that these guest books at The Guestbook Store are so perfect!

Guests wont have to wonder what they should write to you:) 

You can choose a formal or casual version (formal shown below):

 

They have a few different designs to choose from, which range from traditional to fun!

Quirky Cake Toppers

I love wedding cake. I know that this means that I am a member of a dying breed, but I love all things fattening, so I am one of the people anxiously awaiting the cake when I am a guest at a wedding. I also really love cake toppers. I think it says a lot about a couple, and I like to see where they want to take it. Here are a few I found that I like:

This is so creative. They are clothespins! You can find this at The Small Object.

You can show off your city AND your favorite teams with this cake topper.

For all those brides who are expecting, you can find just the cake topper for you at Things Festive

This is a little more adventurous! Casa Bonampak sells this cool cake toppers! Maybe because we are Mexican, these don't seem so strange:)

Xochitl needs to have these on her wedding cake. She is often dressed in all black and I call her a Ninja on those days. That makes me laugh! The Ninja Cake!!! Goose Grease makes them, as well as other actual cake toppers (the ninjas were not in the wedding section).

Stuff It

If you are having a destination wedding, or having a large number of friends and family coming in from out of town, you may want to have a small welcome bag for them at the hotel when they arrive. 

They are very easy to make if you have the time. A personalized note (they are making the hike into town for your wedding, make the time to write them a personal note!), aspirin, gum, mints, bottled water, a map of the city, and a piece of fruits are good basics to throw in there. 

If you don't have the time and are looking to buy something pre-packaged, then these are some good baskets:

A New York themed basket from Chelsea Market Baskets are adorable and only $25!

This made me want to have a wedding in Colorado. My Favorite City has for most major cities and can be shipped to your hotel block locations!

A simple, but useful welcome basket. Fill-r-up on the Upper East Side does these wonderful baskets. They delivery AND allow you to include an itinerary of events for your guests. A wonderful basket that is only $22.53!

If you are having a Destination Wedding on a beach, then I LOVE these bags. You can find them at Bring it in a Bag and they can even personalized for your wedding.