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Just a couple altars...

2012-05-02T19:25:43Z

Gorgeous altar. Created by the Aspen Branch and photographed by Andrew Clark
Created by the Aspen Branch.

Pintrest... why we LOVE it!

2012-04-30T20:35:44Z

Pintrest has turned into a GREAT planning tool for us. It is so easy for clients to connect to our boards and see what we are looking at and easy for us to see their boards and have a really good feel for their style and themes. It makes it so much easier to get the right image in your head... no more guessing if we're imagining the same color...

What could be easier?

Succulent Book

2012-04-23T16:21:53Z

Succulents are always really appealing to me... how clever is this to go with the book/invitation event?

Very Unique Invitation

2012-04-17T16:17:26Z

I LOVE this! This is a really special invitation and quite a labor of love!
I wish someone would have us put this idea together for them... It's right up my alley!!!
http://www.jessicaclaire.net/index.cfm/postID/451/The-Most-Fabulous-Wedding-Invitations-I-Could-Imagine
The photographer, Jessica Claire, created these for her wedding...Very clever! I'm "in"! I would modify it quite a bit, but love the concept!

Bachelorette Parties

2012-02-19T23:43:27Z

I'm sharing this from Colin Cowie... they are good ideas (what can I say...)

Five genius bachelorette party ideas that skip the bars but still raise the bar—in a good way.

Male strippers and pub crawls can give bachelorette parties a bad name. If you're not the kind of girl who goes for those sorts of things, it may have been tempting to tell your BFFs to call it off entirely--until now.

Etiquette FYI: any friend can plan and attend this party. Unlike the bridal shower, a bachelorette party isn't restricted to those invited to your wedding. But to keep it manageable, it is best to keep this party to 10-20 max.

Here are five alternatives to stuffing bills down a beefcake's briefs or pounding shots decked in a veil.

Surf's Up

Are your girls game for a weekend jaunt? (It's a great option when you're bringing a group together from different parts of the country.) Why not entice them to jump on planes and meet at an all-female surf camp?

Quite a few venues (we're talking about Chica Brava in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Surf Sisters in British Columbia; Northwest Women's Surf Camps in Oregon; Surf Diva in La Jolla, CA and Swell Women in Maui, Hawaii) offer weekend-long surf lesson packages that also include accommodations, meals and other activities. Before taking the plunge, what's better for girl-bonding than riding the waves together?

Ohm Yes

Or keep your luggage at home and arrange a mini-wellness event that includes the requisite private yoga session at your abode. Karen Lindenberg, who practices "deep, honest, vinyasa" at her Seattle-based Phyzz Yoga studio, specializes in teaching wedding-related parties with different degrees of experience.

"It is the utmost importance to have a teacher who is easily able to adapt instruction to suit students' different ability levels." She bills about $150 an hour--and will bring everything from mats to music to your home.

Another etiquette tip: the bride shouldn't have to contribute to paying for the activities at her bachelorette party. It is okay for the hostess to ask the other guests to pitch in for the cost of the affair. Surprise the guests with monogrammed yoga mats, such as these from My Custom Yoga Mat, as party favors to thank them for their contribution.

Sleepover Party!

You're never too old for a good, old-fashioned sleep-over party. So gather the ladies and stay at a hotel that feels like the most luxurious home-away-from-home: one with an in-house restaurant, gym, spa, the works.

Take the Wauwinet Inn in Nantucket, Mass, for example, with its mere 32 rooms. You and the girls can book spa appointments at their Spa By The Sea, then grab cocktails and dinner at its restaurant, Topper's. A girls'-night-in has never been so satisfying.

What's Cookin'

All this girl power in one room can certainly make one more than a bit peckish. So consider a night that revolves around a catered meal--cooked by a personal chef at your home. Integrating the dinner's prep into your night's activities can be a real blast--minus the drag of dirtying any well-manicured hands!

Celebrity chef Devin Alexander, author of a steady stream of calorie-cutting cookbooks (like I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening) advises getting referrals to insure you get a qualified culinary master. Or think about giving the pro some direction: "See if they can make some of your fave recipes," suggests Alexander, host of FitTV's Healthy Decadence and chef on NBC's The Biggest Loser.

Say, Spa-aaah

Who can say no to hours of pampering? Why not organize a spa party at a day spa that can accommodate large groups or even hire a couple of masseuses and few manicurists to come to a private residence.

Pick your favorite local haunt and ask the manager if they do house calls or log onto online directories like PuurSpa for listings in your area.

These alternatives to a strip-tease just may be harder to resist.

--Erinn Bucklan

http://www.colincowieweddings.com/inspire-me/celebrate/beyond-a-girls-night-out?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=engagement&utm_campaign=status

color trends

2012-02-09T17:36:58Z

Take Advantage...

2012-01-28T00:49:15Z

Take advantage of events that happen in the area... this was in Aspen on Jan. 14 for an event called Winterskol... can't beat it to end dinner and move onto dancing
Check with the Chamber of Commerce where you plan to get married and see if they have great events that you can incorporate into your weekend.

nice warm winter wedding

2011-12-07T20:14:25Z

Fall Crafts - Birch Bark Containers

2011-11-12T21:20:26Z

Flower Arrangement in a Birch-Bark Vessel

The Martha Stewart Show, November 2010 http://www.marthastewart.com/286090/flower-arrangement-in-a-birch-bark-vesse

Rated

100100(6)6

Impress guests with a charming floral embellishment for the holidays: seasonal blooms arranged in a handmade birch-bark container. Less formal and more unique than the standard vase, this rustic vessel adds texture and beauty to any arrangement.

Floral and event designer Lewis Miller shares this easy how-to.

Tools and Materials

Pine box
Pieces of birch bark
Heavy-duty staple gun
Scissors
Heavy plastic sheets
Oasis floral foam

Birch-Bark Vessel How-To
1. Using a heavy-duty staple gun, attach birch bark to the sides of the pine box.

2. Cut the bottom edges of the bark so the container sits level.

3. Line the interior of the box with heavy plastic. Add floral foam to support the flower arrangement and prevent leakage.

Fall Floral Ideas
Lewis recommends combining flowers, foliage, and fruit in orange, brown, and green tones for a modern autumnal display. Here are some of his recommendations.

Flowers: Autumn hydrangeas, Capriccio roses, brunia, chrysanthemums
Foliage: Black privet berries, gray mullein leaves, senecio, garden ivy
Fruits and Vegetables: Persimmons, artichokes, Seckel pears

FUN & FUNNY: First

2011-09-15T17:05:22Z

I admit that the wedding season got away from me and I got off-track with my blog... I'm back now...

we're looking at the fun and funny for this session:
All summer I have been amazed at how FUN everything was. From an incredible game of paintball with the whole rehearsal dinner group to "glamping" (that would be glamour camping) for the ladies bachelorette party (champagne and mani/pedis included).

Unusual and fun is the way to go... there are traditions that will be important to one or both of you and I recommend indulging in those, but the wedding should be a perfect representation of you as a couple. Make it an event that you would want to go to.

Wedding images

2011-06-25T14:17:10Z

I've finally had a little time to download a few photos from the past couple of weeks...
I'm sure Clint Shuttlesworth (the photographer) will have many more amazing shots, but here are a few to get you going...

the bridal suite...

Reception:
can't wait for better photos because these really don't do it justice... it was stunning!

Greenvelope

2011-06-08T21:48:09Z

Sam's the man at www.greenvelope.com... he'd like you to check out the website and if you order you can use a coupon:

Name: CreativeWeddings

Discount: 15% off any package

Expiration: No set expiration

Thank you Sam!

Invitations

2011-06-07T20:27:35Z

The invitation will set the tone for your wedding... that is a given...there are SO many options (classic and contemorary)

For those of you who know me you'll know my taste runs pretty classic, but I can still really appreciate the variety.

My favorite bridal gown designer is Monique L'huillier. She has a line of invitations as well which I am pretty fond of (so fond that I carry it...)

I love the look and feel of Letterpress the most.

I also love Oslo Press. They engrave wood laminate and they are a statement and a half...we've done some custom work with them and they are GREAT... guests keep the invitations around because they are so cool (one person is still using his as a coaster...)

I have to remind you to use recycled products wherever possible! If you are feeling totally green you can also use an online invitationer

www.greenvelope.com
Quite a few styles, but lord knows I'm big on customizing!!! They will track your RSVP's for you which is pretty nice.

So, there you have some options... of course you can't go wrong with Crane's or William Arthur or numerous others. Good luck!
contact me if you need suggestions...

DIY ideas: Napkin Rings

2011-05-28T18:57:56Z

origami...
Origami invitations are pretty popular... now you can continue on that theme

beaded...
Beaded using your colors

a wooden aspen leaf ornament...
it can be any ornament, of course, but it's a nice keepsake

My favorite would be to go to a clay center and make some super cool ceramic rings and glaze them... that would be a GREAT favor!

whether it's beads, feather, flowers, a family tartan or engraved pewter... it's a great way to personalize the table and your guests would have a great keepsake...

Gratitude: the final element

2011-05-26T19:31:30Z

The final touch for the thank you note...

Personalized stamps... of course...

Take a favorite image from the wedding, shower, engagement shoot... and make it a stamp.

I generally use
www.zazzle.com

but the post office uses several including:
www.photostamps.com

Got to say... it's a nice touch!

Gratitude: Segment 3 - The Note Card

2011-05-19T19:46:30Z

I love to visit the local stationary shops... a great shop will have tons of options for you. The stationary doesn't need to be personalized as long as it's personal (though you may have thank you notes that match your invitations or a monogram).

If you don't have a great shop near by, look online:
www.stationarystudio.com tons of options
www.jamitpublishing.com Denver based unique cards
www.crane.com totally classic

PLEASE remember: Be as green as possible. It's important to write the note, but is is also important to use recycled papers.

Sometimes a postcard is perfect as well if it speaks to the gift or your relationship.

Be creative and have fun wtih the notes... you'll be glad you spent the time later.

Next up: I'm just not sure yet...

Gratitude: Segment 2 - Write a Great Thank You Note

2011-05-12T16:36:00Z

Just like a blog - keep it short and sweet, but there are some very important inclusions...
- address the recipient as you would if you were having a conversation with them. (i.e. Uncle Bill, Joanie, Mr. Rogers)
- Begin and end with a thank you.
- Include the name of the gift (exception cash) and tell the recipient how you will use (or how you have already used) the gift. (i.e. "I think of you every morning with my first sip of delicious coffee from the Keurig. It's perfect. Thank you!")
- If the gift is cash there are a few different rules... do not state the amount and don't refer to "money", simply thank them for their generosity (or generous gift) and let them know how you plan to use it. (i.e. "Thank you for your generous gift. It will go a long way towards our new home together.")
- I like to make a personal reference to an experience that you and the recipient shared as long as it is brief. (i.e. "The coffee maker will remind me of the day we spent in Boston going to all of those music shops.") Generally there won't be a need to elaborate much more since they were with you and likely remember the event. If you can't think of something fun that you did together, skip it... and go to "thank you"
- End with another "Thank you"

BTW- No One is too busy to say "Thanks!"

Gratitude: A little goes a long way! Segment One (that means there will be more...)

2011-05-04T17:51:00Z

You're engaged, you're thrilled and your friends and families are super excited for you! There are a lot of things that are going to start to happen... well wishes, dinners to celebrate and engagement parties to name a few. It's time to start brushing up on your handwriting because you will have a lot of thank you cards to write!
There are certainly websites that can help you with this task, but the secret is to practice. We just don't write like we used to and honestly... it is more special for the receipient to receive a note card than an email. Then again... a rushed, haphazard note is noticeable. Take the time to say "Thank you!" and really mean it. Your friends and families will appreciate it and you will feel better about it too!

Next up: how to write a great thank you note...

Style Me Pretty

2011-05-02T20:27:00Z

I wanted to share this link to the Style Me Pretty page from one of our weddings this past Summer. It was a lovely wedding with the ceremony at ACES and the reception at the St. Regis Aspen.

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/04/11/aspen-wedding-a-legend-of-the-hummingbird/

Welcome

2011-05-01T20:09:27Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.