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

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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

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

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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.