I love this picture of one of my favorite clients. Have a spooktacular Halloween!

This is such a cute idea. I love it when my clients bring in something new.

Inspirational candy buffet.

T

HAPPINESS

Sangria! Sangria!

This is a GREAT option for a specialty cocktail at your wedding. It's a pretty summer drink, too, and looks awesome in a glass punch bowl or pitcher! 

• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lime, sliced into rounds
• 1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
• 8 maraschino cherries
• 2 cups carbonated water (optional)

Directions

1. In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.

Lace Backs

Love the backs of these dresses. Lace is back, and I have missed it!!

Which is your favorite, and why? Did you have a dress similar to one of these? 

Send us your picture-- we want to see!!

We are all about this lemon and jade color scheme! So pretty! What are your favorite summer colors? Planning a wedding? Which colors are you considering? 

Inspiration Board: http://thegreendandelion.blogspot.com

As Promised...

We promised our lovely followers a similar recipe to the Pomegranate Mojito we had a few weeks back, here at Grand Volute. We can't give the exact recipe out, because, well... it's that good! Here is a similar recipe, however, provided by our very good friends at Bacardi. :)

Pomegranate Mojito! 

12 fresh spearmint leaves 
1/2 lime 
1 1/2 ounces Bacardi Superior Rum 
1 ounce pomegranate juice 
2 tablespoons simple syrup* 
Club soda
Lime wedge, for garnish

Muddle mint leaves and lime in a shaker. Cover with rum, pomegranate juice and simple syrup. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime wedge and sprigs of mint.

Makes 1 drink.

*To make simple syrup, mix 1 part sugar and 1 part water. Heat in a pan until the sugar dissolves.

(For legal purposes... We do not condone underage or excessive drinking. Take it easy, people!)

Images to Inspire! Day 5.

 

http://www.bowtiesandbliss.com

Images to Inspire! Day 4.

Images to Inspire! Day 3.

madefromscratch.co.nz

Images to Inspire! Day 2.

Images to Inspire!

This week, we're going to keep the text to a minimum, and let your creative juices do the talking, with solely image posts. Enjoy.

http://theknottybride.com

Love this bride's canary yellow birdcage! What a great way to add a pop of color to your wedding ensemble! :) 

http://styleunveiled.com

Flower of The Month: JULY

Can  you believe that we are into July already? It seems that just a few short weeks ago we were sliding around on the icy Michigan winter roads. I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer weather. July's official flower is the larkspur, definitely a flower that isn't often incorporated into wedding themes. It's a beautiful flower, however, and can easily be incorporated into centerpieces and flower arrangements. 

We Want Your Ideas!!

Okay, guys. This is your chance to give us some feedback.

Anything you'd like to see Grand Volute do? How about, is there anything that you wish we'd STOP doing?

Is there anything that you'd recommend we change, or do you have a wonderful experience you'd like to share with us? 

Anything you'd like to be added to our menu? 

Anything you'd like to see on the blog? 

This is your opportunity!! Write us a note!

Fourth of July!

Wanted to take a moment to share some of the excitement that happened this past weekend here at Grand Volute.



SPARKLERS!


Our lovely couple chose to incorporate sparklers into the (outside portion!) of their reception! It was definitely a unique, relatively cheap, and very memorable aspect of their reception that made it truly memorable. :)

http://www.dslfireworks.com

Last Minute Wedding Tips

Couples get married quickly for a variety of reasons-- family illness, military commitments, and, well, lets face it, excitement! This blog has some great tips on how to plan a wedding quickly! It would be great for the procrastinator couple, who is simply behind with their wedding planning. Check it out!

Happpy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all of our lovely dad friends!! We want to focus today on the father's role in a wedding ceremony. Most brides choose to have their father's walk down the aisle-- in fact, most dream about that moment as much as they dream about kissing their new companion at the end of the service. Dad's are also invited into a father and daughter dance, during most receptions, and are also often to prepare a toast for the happy couple, as well. Those are all pretty typical ideas, however. What about some more unique roles that dad can play in the wedding experience? 

 

Many dads are simply waiting to be invited. Invite dad to help pick out cake, flowers, and invitations. Maybe he isn't so excited about those things? Invite him to help out with the groom's duties-- have him assist in picking out tuxes, his daughter's ring, and honeymoon destinations! 

Many men laugh at the fact that the father's duty is simply to simply suffer through giving his daughter away, but the fact of the matter is, that the "suffering" goes away, when he is included! Give him some jobs! He will love you for it (believe it or not!)

Outside DIY Wedding-- Chair Ribbons!

Planning an outdoors wedding for this summer, or perhaps next summer? We love this DIY tip from emmalinebride.com. 

Here at Grand Volute, we are able to host outdoor weddings, and will even provide the chairs for all of your guests. They're white chairs, and are classy by themselves, but, unfortunately, chair covers don't work well for them. But hold on a second! This is even better! 

Decorating each chair with coordinating ribbons really spices up the outdoor setting, and looks absolutely wonderful  when the wind blow a bit! They're easy-- simply loop them around the back of each chair, and ribbon can be SO cheap! Even cheaper than chair covers. :) 

Think about it!  

Wedding Dance! THRILLER.

Color!!

Now, I totally understand the appeal of having uniform colors for the bridal party, but this bride chose to allow her bridal party to express themselves a little more. She assigned a color to each person, and simply went with it! Each person had their own color, and that was that! Flowers? What ever color coordinates with their assigned color! Super fun, cheap (!!) and unique! 

http://bridalmusings.com/2011/04/a-chic-unique-oh-so-creative-rainbow-wedding-part-1/

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from Grand Volute Ballrooms!!
Have a wonderful, safe weekend, filled with many laughs, friends, and family!

Welcome to June!

The flower of the month for June is the Rose-- such a classic! 

Not many people know that meaning of the rose, and exactly what makes it so special. 

The meaning of the rose is passionate love and beauty. 

Roses, as most people know, come in a variety of colors, so if you're considering roses for your wedding, you may want to consider the meaning behind each color rose. We'll help with this, below.

Red: "I love you!!" 

White: "I am worthy of you!" or "You are heavenly!"

Orange: "You are my secret love!"

Yellow: "I am not worthy of your love!"

Red and White together: "We are inseperable!"

Pink: "Please believe me!"

Now... you know! Let's celebrate June-- buy your sweetie a rose or two!

Happy Memorial Day-- A Love Story

The war was in full force and Arnold Lopez Gray had enlisted in the Army.  After graduating from the Air Forces Navigation School in Texas on April 22, 1943, he married Hazel on July 26th 1943.  It was shortly after their marriage he was sent overseas to fly combat missions against the Germans.  Little did he know on his 10th mission he would have a story worth repeating for the rest of his life…
His plane was shot down over the North Sea by the Germans, and although he survived the attack he was plucked out of the icy waters by a German U-boat.  He had become a P.O.W. in December 1943.
Hazel, a new bride received news of his failed mission, but nothing more.  The telegram she received simply said, “Lt. Arnold L. Gray is reported missing in action.”
She had to wait until March 15, 1944, to hear that he was indeed a prisoner of war in a German camp.  Actually this ended up being quite a blessing, as the German camp took excellent care of the prisoners, unlike the Concentration Camps.  Unknown to the Nazis, Arnold had taken German in high school for three years.  He was able to listen each day to the communiques broadcast in German over the loudspeakers.  He would in turn, translate the current war updates for his fellow inmates keeping them well informed of the progression of the war.  He was aptly given the name “Scoop” for his service.
After 18 months living life at a snail’s pace somewhere in Germany, the camp was liberated as the war came to a victorious end for the American prisoners of war.  Arnold had survived his long captivity, and would soon be reunited with his bride.
This is his letter from Barth, Germany, dated May 10, 1945:

Sweetheart,
At last I can write you and say just what I please.  I don’t know whether this will reach you before I get home, but it’s worth taking the chance.  You cannot realize the joy I have experienced at being liberated, and the prospects of being with you soon.  The Germans pulled out of here on April 30th, and we took over.  The Russians arrived on May 2.  Since then we have been impatiently waiting to get out of here…
…It has been a long time and you have not been out of my thoughts for one minute.  I’ll close now, sweetheart, hoping and praying that we will be together very soon for all time.  I love you with all my heart.
Your loving husband,
Arnold

They were reunited and lived a long, happy life together.  Their final years were lived in Florida – a state they grew to love as much as their native Rhode Island.  Although separated by death in 2001 – they have been reunited together in their final resting place at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
http://theromanticvineyard.com/2010/05/27/a-memorial-day-love-story/

Happy Memorial Day from Grand Volute Ballrooms. 

Photography Albums

You've spent hundreds of dollars on wedding photography, but what will you do with it all now that you've settled in? Don't stuff your gorgeous pictures in a box!! Find a great frame and keep your favorite wedding picture in a prominent location, and find a really great album for the rest of your pictures. Keep them on display on a coffeetable, or somewhere that they'll be looked at! Be proud of your pictures! Show them off!! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61122628/ooak-lace-wedding-memory-book-tree

We love this handmade lace photo album! 

Find a beautiful album, and a beautiful frame, for your beautiful pictures! It just makes sense!

We love the unique "knot" aspect of this wedding invitation. The pictures below make it fairly self-explanatory. The text on the card reads,
"KNOT:
LOOP THAT IS FASTENED AND LOCKED SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE, AND THE MORE ITS ENDS ARE PULLED APART THE MORE IT TIES TOGETHER."


This would be a great DIY invitation that your guests would be sure to remember. Check out the pictures below.

 

http://bridalmusings.com

Make Your own Banner!

Wanted to quickly share this awesome link with all of our friends! This link will bring you straight to a lovely blog, that has downloadable links to THE cutest banners. The best part about this deal-- it's such a cute banner, and will work with baby showers, wedding showers, bachelorette parties, graduation parties, weddings--- you name it! It's colorful, and fully customizable. Simply download the letters that you need (the most common letters have duplicates!), string them together (we suggest simply putting two slits in each corner, and threading some cute ribbon through) and hang! Voila! A cheap and cute banner!

http://ruffledblog.com/printable-alphabet-bunting/

Cupcake Week!

Mirabella Confections, one of our favorite bakeries, does cupcakes, and they do them well! Take a quick gander at these beautiful cupcakes from Mirabella! They are super cute, super fun, easy, and great for large and small parties, alike! 

Cupcake Week!

http://pinkcherrymama.emmalinebride.com/

Looking to save a few bucks when it comes to wedding desserts? Go to a wholesale store, such as Costco or Sam's Club, and order your cupcakes there! Then, look into having custom cupcake toppers made, and top each one with a topper! You'll save hundreds of dollars-- possibly more!

It's Cupcake Week!

This week, we will be posting about cupcakes, because, well... who doesn't love cupcakes? 

emmalinebride.com

Cupcakes have been all the rage lately-- they are an individually portioned, delicious, and cute alternative to the more traditional wedding cake. 

Initially, many brides are turned off to the idea of a cupcake alternative to the traditional cake, but think again-- they can be absolutely stunning-- possibly even more stunning than the traditional cake.

Cupcakes are, also, more customizable, because of their size. they can be strewn throughout a decorated table, or, as seen here, placed on pedestals, on beautiful vintage plates.

Cake Pops!

We love these Cake Pops! Not into the whole fancy wedding cake idea? Maybe you're having a candy buffet, and want to incorporate your wedding cake into that theme? Consider cake pops! They're individually portioned lollipops of cake on a stick for easy eating... and they're super cute!

Alternative to Wedding Rings: Tattoos!

Many young married couples are opting to skip the traditional wedding bands, and go for something a little more unique-- tattoos! It definitely takes a special couple to be able to pull this one off, but if you can do it, by all means-- do it! Very unique and eye catching! Would you do it? Let us know!

Herbal Centerpieces

A few weeks ago we posted about including herbs in wedding floral arrangements-- check out these herbal centerpieces! Super cute! I'm sure they smell wonderful, as well! 

Here at Grand Volute Ballrooms, we are super excited for summer. We are trying something new this year: growing our own herbs! Next time you visit, be sure to check out our raised beds in the back! We will be growing lots of different herbs, and if you check them out, pick a weed or  two for us! :) 

For more about incorporating herbs into your wedding, check out: 

http://www.sparkleandhay.com/rustic-chic-wedding-accent-herbs

Flower of the Month: Lilly of the Valley

Welcome to May! Feels nice doesn't it? The official flower of May is the Lilly of the Valley. We love it because it is so strongly scented. It is a classic, and be used to create either a more contemporary or traditional feel. It is very delicate, so, if used fresh, it may be used best for centerpieces, rather than for bouquets. Either way, it is gorgeous!

Free Printable Save the Date Cards!

Free is always fabulous! Free and cute is even better!
Loving these cute, free, printable, and customizable Save the Date cards!

 To download and customize, click HERE.

Happy Wedding Day!

Today is the big day (as we are sure everyone has noticed!)
Spend a few moments today soaking in the fairy-tale-like setting in England.
Everything is perfect for Kate and William!
We hope that, here at Grand Volute, we can create a fairy-tale-like setting for you, too!
While you watch the wedding coverage, keep your eyes peeled for the different traditions that the Royal Family is partaking in. They are surely setting trends for the next few years of wedding planning!

Eight West!

We will be on eightWest on WoodTV8 shortly! Keep your eyes peeled!! :)

Royal Wedding: Intimidated by your in-laws?

 We love following the Royal Wedding. Mostly because Kate is so down-to-earth!  We borrowed this story from ABC News.

Royal Wedding: Intimidated by Your In-Laws? Try Marrying Into the Royal Family!

Kate Middleton Seems To Be Taking It All In Her Stride

Posted by GABRIEL O'RORKE

|

April 12, 2011, 8:56:47 AM EDT

Kate is envied by many, but can you really imagine having royal in-laws?
"I think there's almost a maternal bond between Camilla and the soon-to-be Princess Catherine," ABC News' royal contributor Duncan Larcombe said of Middleton's future-stepmother-in-law, Camilla Parker Bowles. "There's a genuine friendship there."
When William was away on his recent trip to Australia, Camilla and Prince Charles invited Kate to the ballet.
Also, a short while back, Kate and Camilla were spotted lunching together. It was a very long lunch and full of wedding discussions.
A fellow diner heard someone say: "We can't have trumpets, the ceiling is too high."
Sometimes, Prince Charles' wife surprises us all. For example, her reaction to the engagement:
"It's the most brilliant news" Camilla said. "I'm just so happy for both of them. They are so happy. It's wicked!"
Prince Charles, we hear, is also very fond of Miss Middleton.
"I was quite nervous about meeting William's father," Kate said, "but he was very, very welcoming, very friendly, it couldn't have gone easier really for me."
And Charles has been helping Kate with wedding planning.
"You know he's over the moon, actually," little brother Prince Harry said when interviewed by ABC News on his recent partial trek to the North Pole.
"He's had a lot to do with the wedding, which is really really nice. And is so unbelievably busy yet he's managed to make time to help Kate out with the music and stuff like that, the processional music."
"He's obsessed with his music," Harry said. "So the two of them have been slaving away, getting everything right. So it's fantastic, really."
Kate seems like she was born for royalty.

Check us out on Eight West!

Keep your eyes peeled for us on eightWest tomorrow during their coverage of the Royal Wedding!! Mary Ellen is becoming quite the regular! We are so excited to be able to participate in the Royal Wedding festivities!!

Kate Middleton Admits Pre-Wedding Jitters

We wanted to share this story with you. Everyone feels anxious before their big day... because it is a big deal. We hope that this story will help any of our brides who may be feeling anxious before their big day to feel a little bit more "normal." If it doesn't help, simply be glad that your wedding won't be broadcasted internationally! This story has been borrowed from ABC News. 

Radiant Kate Admits Royal Wedding Jitters

Kate Admits Pre-Wedding Nervousness in Visit to English Countryside to Open an Academy and Launch a Prince's Award

Posted by KYLIE SOBEL

|

April 12, 2011, 11:20:09 AM EDT

|

Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton talk to youngsters from a local soccer club at Witton County Park, Darwen, near Blackburn, England, April, 11, 2011. Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

(Alastair Grant/AP Photo)

Before her wedding day, nerves are natural for any bride. Kate Middleton admitted her own pre-wedding jitters yesterday, during her final public appearance with Prince William before their wedding.
Despite the rain, Kate looked remarkably polished in her navy suit, while touring the East Lancashire town of Darwin and greeting members of the crowd of 5,000 who had gathered.
Amanda Wood, a 49-year-old Asda grocery store employee, asked the bride how she is feeling.
"I asked her if she was nervous about her wedding. And she said 'Yes of course I am.' Then I told her she's beautiful," Wood told The Daily Mirror.
A few weeks ago, ABC reported that William also admitted a creeping nervousness. "I was telling everyone when I did the rehearsals the other day and my knees started going, tapping quite nervously," adding, "It's quite a daunting prospect but very exciting, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it."
In just 17 days, 2 billion people worldwide will watch as Kate walks down the aisle at Westminster Abbey to marry her fiancée.
Yesterday, upon greeting Margaret and Alwyn Davis, an elderly couple from Blackburn, Kate noted the rapidly-approaching April 29th date. Margaret recounted the interaction to The Daily Mirror, saying, "We said hello. And I said to her I wish you all the best with your wedding. And she said 'Yes I can't believe it's coming very soon now.'

An Interview with McVities: Royal Wedding Confectioners

Hospitality for the Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding: The Music

Prince William and Kate have chosen two choirs, one orchestra, and two fanfare teams to perform their music at their Wedding Service. The Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Chapel Royal Choir, the London Chamber Orchestra, and the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, as well as the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry will be performing. Wouldn't it be a treat if we could all have that! Wow!

Both Prince William and Kate have taken time to hand select the music for their Service, which will include a number of well known hymns, choral works, and even some specially-commissioned pieces. 

During the reception, Claire Jones, the Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales will perform. 

How great would it be to be able to have live musicians at your wedding... Grand Volute Ballrooms can provide that!! 

2 Days! Royal Wedding!

We are so excited for the Royal Wedding! 2 Days until the big day! There is so much secrecy surrounding the intricate details of the wedding, but there is also a TON of information that is being released regarding William and Kate's wedding details. 

As we have mentioned before, anyone who is looking to be married within the next year or two should definitely watch the ceremony-- they will be setting the trends for upcoming weddings! 

Today, we will focus on the  floral arrangements that Prince William and Kate have selected for their ceremony. They've chosen to work with London-based floral designer Shane Connolly and his team of florists to design their wedding arrangements. He is known for creating unique displays, so be sure to pay special attention to his work! The specifics of the arrangements have yet to be released, although, we do know that eight 20 foot high trees will be included in the ceremony. How unique! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that! After the wedding, all of the floral arrangements will be on display for public viewing. 

Vegetarian and Gluten Free Easter

Here at Grand Volute Ballrooms, we strive to meet the needs of our customers-- whatever they may need! We often have individuals with special dietary needs; we are dedicated to create quality meals despite the dietary restrictions of anyone! The most common dietary requests that we have are related to vegetarian and gluten-free meals. Are you planning an Easter meal, wanting to meet the dietary needs of your loved ones? 

Consider eggplant parmesan, or a pasta dish (with vegetarian sauce, and of course, no meat) for your vegetarian guests. For sides, vegetables and fruits are, of course, fair game, as well as vegetarian rice (be sure that there is no chicken stock added).

Gluten-free individuals can consume meat, as long as it is not stuffed, or marinated in a soy based marinade. Most sides, as long as there are no wheat or soy products are fine for gluten-free guests. 

You may consider simply asking your guests what they would choose if they were planning the meal-- go with their ideas! Try something new. They will be honored that you are willing to try their own foods!

Cooking for individuals with special dietary needs does not need to be overwhelming. Try to enjoy it; use it as an opportunity to create a more unique meal than what your family is used to. Chances are, your vegetarian and gluten-free family and friends will be honored by this decision, and the rest of your guests will enjoy a change in your traditional meal!

Easter Brunch

At our house Easter is synonymous with brunch. It is probably my favorite meal to serve guests. With a little planning most things can be prepared the night before. I have included one of my previous brunch menus. I hope you enjoy and please let me know how everything turned out.

 SPRINGTIME QUICHE
6 asparagus spears, blanched
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
6 slices bacon, crumbled
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
1 9 inch pie shell

Preheat oven 400 degree.
Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
Saute onion 5 min. or until tender.
Transfer onion and next 3 ingredients to a bowl.
combine eggs, milk and nutmeg in another bowl. Season with salt to taste and stir in onion mixture.
Pour into pie shell and bake 25-35 min. or until center is set.

BERRY CREPES WITH ORANGE SAUCE
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
1 tablespoon sugar
9 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup orange juice
8 pre-made crepes

Combine berries and sugar in a small bowl; set aside
To prepare sauce, beat cream cheese and honey until light; slowly beat in orange juice.
Spoon about 1/2 cup of berry filling in center of 1 crepe. spoon about 1 tablespoon sauce over berries.
Roll up; place on warmed serving plate and repeat with remaining crepes. Drizzle any remaining sauce over crepes.

Don't forget to pour yourself a nice mimosa. Try my favorite Zardetto Prosecco with either orange juice or if you really want to do it Mary Ellen's way try adding a splash of St. Germain liqueur to your favorite Champagne.

Royal Wedding Cake!

Looking for the next big thing in terms of the wedding cake for your special day? The Royal Wedding will be leading the way this year as far as wedding trends go, and you can count on us, as far as being sure that you're well informed! 

The Prince has chosen a Chocolate Biscuit Cake for the special day. What is a Chocolate Biscuit Cake? In England, biscuits are, of course, cookies. The cake consists of pieces of vanilla cookies in thick chocolate. 

This cake will be served in addition to the traditional fruit cake. Both will be prepared by McVities Bakery, which has been responsible for creating the royal cakes for quite some time-- since 1893, with the marriage of George V. 

Want to try it? A recipe is below. This recipe is very similar-- but not exact-- to the recipe that Prince William has requested. 

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

Start to finish: 3½ hours (30 minutes active). Servings: 12.
The royal family prefers McVitie’s brand Rich Tea Biscuits for their chocolate biscuit cakes, but any firm butter cookie can be used in this intensely rich and chocolatey no-bake treat. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers; the cake gets better with time. Recipe by Alison Ladman.
For the cake:
7-ounce package
butter tea biscuits
(sold in the cookie aisle)
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons
(½ stick) butter
16 ounces (about 2½ cups) bittersweet chocolate
bits
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup heavy cream
6 ounces (about 1 cup) bittersweet chocolate

Coat a 7- or 8-inch round springform pan with cooking spray.
To make the cake, break up the biscuits into ¼- to ½-inch pieces with your hands; you want chunks, not crumbs.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the cream, honey and butter. Microwave on high for 1½ minutes, or until bubbling. Add the chocolate, and stir until melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla, then the crumbled biscuits. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top. Gently tap the pan on the counter to eliminate any air pockets.
Refrigerate for 3 hours, or until thoroughly chilled.
Once the cake is chilled, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and cream. When the mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and add the chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
Carefully remove the sides from the springform pan (you may need to slide a paring knife around the inside upper edge to ensure the sides come away cleanly from the cake). Invert the cake onto a wire rack, then remove the bottom of the pan from the cake. Set the rack over parchment paper to catch drips.
Pour the glaze evenly over the cake, allowing it to drip down and completely cover the top and sides. Allow to firm up, then transfer to a serving plate. Refrigerate leftovers.

 

Herbal Wedding Bouquet

Believe it or not, herbs are actually quite beautiful, and can make a wonderful addition to any bridal bouquet. You may be surprised at how easily your florist can incorporate fresh herbs into your bouquet, adding a natural, fresh smell to your wedding. Surely, you'd be reminded of your wedding day each time you stumble across a pinch of thyme or rosemary, lavender or mint. Consider it-- it would be so unique and memorable.


Picture via: http://www.creatingawedding.com

Royal Wedding Goodies

The Royal wedding is fast approaching-- can't make it to England to properly celebrate? Stuck behind your desk on the big day? Order one of these fun tins of Royal Wedding Goodies to celebrate in your own way! This tin contains 16 different treats, all Royal Wedding themed. Very fun! 

Consider doing something similar to this for your own wedding-- buy small tins, and fill them with assorted decorated cookies to match the theme or colors of your wedding. So cool. 

Photo via: http://thebijoubrideblog.blogspot.com/

Tin by: http://www.biscuiteers.com/ -- Check them out! They have amazing products.

Guest Book Ideas

Many couples want a way to remember all of the individuals who spent their special day with them, so they purchase a frilly guest book that simply gets tucked away and looked at once every five or ten years... what's the point in that?! For the couple that is looking for a more useful guest book, that is a piece of art, rather than a closet-space killer, check out the ideas below!

One idea, is to purchase, or ask a woodworker friend to create a blank puzzle for you. Have each guest sign the puzzle, assemble it, and have it framed or preserved in one way or another.


Another idea, is to purchase something that the two of you love-- have the guests sign this, instead. This couple chose to purchase a guitar, and have guests sign it.



Another idea, would be to have a poster made-- anyone with a few skills in photoshop would be able to help. Ask your engagement photographer if he or she may be able to help. This couple chose to have a concert flyer-like poster created, and had their guests sign it. This would be so great hanging on a wall anywhere in the house!


Many people opt for the fingerprint idea-- usually with a tree. Have your guests each stamp their finger on a picture of a blank tree, and sign their name. A more unique version of this, is to have guests stamp their finger as balloons! This couple chose to have their balloons carrying away the bridal vehicle. We think a cool idea would be to have the balloons lift the house from "Up!."

Regardless of what you choose to do, be sure that it is something that reflects you as a couple! After all, it is your day, isn't it?

Photos and ideas via: http://www.bowtiesandbliss.com

Button Candies for Candy Buffets

http://www.emmalinebride.com

These candy buttons are super cute, and easy to make! These are customizable to weddings-- simply dye the candy to match your wedding colors! Find a mold for candy buttons, available at craft stores, or specialty baking outlets online, and press your filling into the mold! Easy! Consider these for baby showers too! Very Cute! The recipe for the candy filling is available below.

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 drops peppermint oil
• any color food coloring paste (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and confectioner's sugar. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring paste, or leave white.
2. Roll mixture into small balls, and place on waxed paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar. Let dry for about 2 hours on waxed paper, then freeze or refrigerate.

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung! - Planning a spring wedding? We are loving this eco-easy decorating idea. Plant small amounts of wheat grass in egg shells, and simply place them in cardboard egg cartons. Place them in the center of each table, and voila! Eco-chic at it's finest. This is so springy and fun! 

Picture via: http://www.momtastic.com

Loving these Wedding Photos!

The photo found to the right was shot at Chicago's Navy Pier! This is exciting-- Navy Pier offers such a great atmosphere, and is so close to West Michigan. Most photographers are more than willing to travel, and with Chicago being so close, this idea is quite feasible. Either for wedding photos (either taken before or after your special day) or for engagement photos, having your pictures taken at Navy Pier would be so cool. Not looking to travel? Check around during your wedding month to see if any state or county fairs are in progress. This is so unique and fun.For more pictures, see David Brancho's Portfolio at: http://www.davidbracho.com/

Photography: David Brancho