Trends We Love: The Turndown or "To-Go" Gift/Favor

Welcome bags have long been considered a "must-have" for any wedding couple expecting lots of out-of-town guests. At Weddings by StarDust, we still do quite a bit of them for our wedding planning clients, but another fun trend we've been seeing more is the turndown gift or the to-go favor. Brides and grooms will pay the hotel staff to place a small token of appreciation on the pillows of their wedding guests as a nice surprise when they return to their rooms. Some ideas: chocolates or an eye mask.

This is extra-cute with a note wishing your guests Sweet Dreams!

Encourage your guests to sleep tight with a room darkening eye mask.

Another twist on this is the to-go favor. Newlyweds enlist the valet team to place a little special something in their guests' cars or on the shuttles to hotels. Some ideas are a CD of special songs that will remind guests of the evening's celebration, a late-night snack or breakfast in a box or a hangover or recovery kit! Get creative - your imagination is the limit!

For a fun surprise, have the valet put the CD on to play when the guest gets in the car!

What could be better than having breakfast at your guests' fingertips first thing the morning after?!

Donuts make a great late-night snack or breakfast the next day.

Mmmm...donuts and milk - the perfect marriage!

Wedding reception recovery kit: vitamin water (plain water will do), Tylenol, mints, Alka-Seltzer, Vitamin C and anything else you can think of to make the morning after easier on your guests.

If you love the idea of incorporating special touches like these throughout your wedding weekend but aren't sure where to begin, considering consulting one of our fantastically creative wedding planners! Weddings by StarDust planners make wedding planning easy and fun! Book your appointment for a consultation online.

Inspiration: Golf-themed Wedding Details

So. You might have heard there's a little golf tournament going on next week. It's called the Byron (the HP Byron Nelson Championship, to be exact), held at the fabulous Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. And the week after that, there's another one: the Colonial (aka the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial), played, naturally, at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

We adore golf. Many of our planning clients ask us to schedule golf outings for the groom and his groomsmen on their wedding weekend. We started daydreaming about these lovely North Texas wedding venues and this magnificent game and were inspired to put together some fun golf-inspired boards. "A golf-inspired wedding?!" you might ask. Yes! It can be elegant, not cheesy or over-the-top; you can work in subtle details incorporating this theme, and it can be sophisticated and fun!

These fun golf-inspired wedding invitations will set the tone for your event and let your guests know there in for a treat!

We love these tee-time-inspired boutonnieres, perfect for the golfing groom! And how 'bout those playful socks?!

Some clubs will actually allow you to marry on the course, or you can style your outdoor ceremony space to resemble the green. We love these little boy flag bearers and how fun are those ball baskets for ceremony programs?!

Escort cards are a great way to bring in whimsical touches expressing your theme. Consider golf ball votive holders, bundles of golf tees or flags.

Your reception table centerpieces are another great way to bring in the golf! Maybe reserve the more playful arrangements for cocktail tables!

Don't forget dessert! Let your guy get creative with his groom's cake - a golf bag or giant golf ball is perfect! We love these golf ball cake pops and themed cookies. Or consider a dessert buffet featuring several golf-theme treats.

Favors are another simple way to ease a golf theme into your wedding design. Cake balls, chocolates, golf tees or monogrammed golf balls are all great options!

Last, but not least, a golf cart send-off is the perfect exit from your golf-themed wedding!

Seriously, don’t you find these details darling?! Any golf lovers out there who plan on working some golf inspiration into your wedding day?

image sources: Joseph Mark, The Knot, Oh So Beautiful Paper, Style Me Pretty, Table 4 Weddings and The Thompson Photography Group and Whitney Lee

Pi Day Inspiration – Pie at Your Wedding

Happy Pi Day! For those of you unfamiliar with the math-based holiday, March 14 (or 3/14) is Pi Day in celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), which often shortened to the value of 3.14 from its infinite form. You can learn more about the celebration here or here. Believe it or not, this holiday is celebrated worldwide by math geniuses and regular Joes alike with (what else?!) pie! And that, of course, will be our focus today!

These mini pies in picnic-chic to-go baskets are great favors!

Inspired by this fun holiday, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the oh-so-tasty pastry, pie. It’s such a delicious treat, a true comfort food and comes in so many different varieties! Cream pies, fruit pies, custard pies…large pies, mini pies, pie pops…we think this all American little sweet is perfect for weddings! Here are several gorgeous presentations of the delectable treat that we hope will get you thinking “pie” as you start pondering your wedding desserts.

This festive pie bar is the perfect alternative to wedding cake.

 

Offering lots of varieties will insure you've got something for everyone!

Varying heights of your pie table display adds interest and elegance.

Presenting pies in a tiered fashion is a fun wink at traditional wedding cake.

A pie buffet can be every bit as lovely as a wedding cake display!

Tiered mini pies with flags makes a fabulous presentation.

This tiered and stacked pie display is perfect for this rustic wedding.

Offering both mini pies and pie pops lets guest choose just the right amount of dessert!

A perfect replica of a traditional pie, these tiny apple pie pops are just adorable!

Pie pops make perfect favors!

A selection of packaged pies are a great way to say "thanks!" to your guests.

What do you think, ladies? Anyone planning to have pie a their wedding reception? Happy Pi Day! We hope you celebrate by grabbing a slice!

image sources: Bridal Guide, Brides, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Every Last Detail, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings and Wedding Chicks

Trend Alert: Whimsical Cocktail Clouds

With warmer weather finally heading our way and spring knocking on our door, we could not be more excited about the carefree feeling that this season can bring! Springtime heralds in all things new, fresh and fun! Spring weddings often lend themselves to more whimsical elements, and we adore this particular touch of whimsy suggested by Martha Stewart Weddings: "cloud" garnished cocktails!

Seriously, how precious are these beautiful cocktails adorned with fluffy goodness of sweet cotton candy?! These feature differently flavored varieties by Spin-Spun out of Chicago. The all-natural (as in fat-, gluten-, nut-free and no preservatives and artificial colors or flavors, etc.) confection is offered in luscious flavors such as coconut, peppermint, strawberry and cinnamon, to name a few.

But did you know Dallas has its very own gourmet cotton candy company too? Fluffpop offers organic and exotic flavors including cherry, guava, lychee and caramel in a few options, such as tiny pops to accent drinks, a live spin action station for your special event and mini-mason jars perfect for wedding favors! Check them out to see the full line of flavors and ordering options. Such fun treats will make your guests so happy, they'll feel like they're walking on clouds!

Trend Alert: The Biscuit Bar

With wedding planning dominating your brain, you’ve not been your usual brilliant, on-top-of-things self lately. In fact, some of your friends might say you’ve been a bit of a flake. Well, we would like to help you out by suggesting you do flaky the right way by adding a biscuit bar to your wedding reception!

Ahhhh, biscuits…little fluffy clouds of buttery goodness. Who doesn’t love biscuits, right?! Every tender and tasty bite just blankets you in southern comfort! There are so many fab ways to put together a delectable biscuit bar – display them piled high on platters, stacked on tiered plates or nestled in deep, tea towel-lined baskets.

You’ll want to offer guests a variety of toppings: jams and jellies (sweet and savory!), flavored butters and honey varietals would do nicely. If you really wanted to go indulgent, maybe include gravy on your biscuit bar. Mmmmm...gravy!

Consider including some fillers if you want something more substantial, such as glazed ham, cheeses, roasted turkey and bacon.

And the variety of biscuits you could offer is virtually unlimited! Consider an assortment of offerings such as old-fashioned buttermilk, herb, whole wheat, sweet potato and cheddar chive, just to name a few. Oh my stars, is your mouth watering yet?!

Don’t forget your cute signage!

A biscuit bar works equally great for cocktail hour (a little cushion for cocktails in guests’ empty bellies), a station as part of your small plates dinner or a late-night snack! Or, ensure your guests will enjoy sweet dreams by sending them home with a little bag of lovely pillows of happiness - er, biscuits. Pure bliss!

 

 

images via 100 Layer Cake, Southern Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Weddbook and Wedding Chicks

Fun Favor: Sunglasses!

We are really loving the gorgeous sun this morning after all of that rain, and we can't help but think that we're about to start a L-O-N-G stretch of sunny days as we move into the summer. That means that you better have some shades handy at all times to protect your peepers. And that got us thinking about weddings...because, well, everything gets us thinking about weddings. That happens to you, too, right?!
 
So anyway, inspired by the sun and the trend of useful favors, we realized that sunglasses are a great idea for a thank-you token for your wedding guests! Sunglasses would be a fun and practical wedding favor especially if you are planning an outdoor ceremony or reception. Not to mention, how fun all of the cutesy sayings you can incorporate would be! Check out these darling examples!
 


Shades of love

Eye candy

Blinded by love

Some favor companies will even personalize your sunglasses favors with your monogram and wedding date

 
Think of all of the silly pics your wedding photographer is sure to capture with guests dancing with their shades on. Or they can make great props for your photo booth. And they just might come in handy the morning after for your friends and family that may have enjoyed your reception a wee bit much. Their usefulness is boundless, so add sunglasses wedding favors of your list of ideas to look into. We know, groan. Sorry, couldn't resist! Enjoy this beautiful and sun-filled day!
 



image sources: Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Snap