If you're hosting a bridal shower any time soon, be sure to check out these cute invitations from Invitation Consultants.  There are three invites that were designed by the fab people over at Invitation Consultants specifically for Pink Initiative, a non-profit organization that funds awareness, outreach, education and research for breast cancer.  All the profits from this special line of wedding shower invitations will be donated to Pink Initiative.

So, to recap: you get brownie points for being the best BFF a bride could ask for, some cute invitations for your soiree, and you'll be helping a good cause to boot.  Could being a hostess get any better? We think not.

You can check out the other designs for the bridal shower invitations here. 



PS: Full disclosure - We don't get paid for these posts in any way, but I do serve on the board for Pink Initiative.  If you'd like to be involved in this organization or simply want to learn more about it, you can find more information here.

New to the Blue Orchid Designs blog?  Welcome!  Here are two of our most popular series from the archives that you may find interesting as well:

30 Days to Plan a Wedding - Practical and professional advice on almost every aspect of wedding planning. 

Wedding Vendor Hiring Guide - Real questions to ask your wedding professionals before you hire them. 

Happy planning!

If you're tying the knot in the New York area, or want to create a small destination wedding, be sure to check out the Pop Up Wedding Chapel put on by Brooklyn Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings and The Wedding Library.  Here is some more info from Brooklyn Bride:


What it is:
The Martha Stewart Weddings Pop-Up Chapel. Six days to walk down the aisle in a custom-designed chapel, with décor and styling by Martha Stewart Weddings, featuring DIY Style ideas from our Summer 2009 issue, Wedding Library members, local artisans and Etsy vendors. It’s not as cheap as the local courthouse, but for a mere $500 you get a full package deal, including the officiant, cake, photography, bouquet, and a champagne toast for the bride and groom! The Martha Stewart Weddings Pop-Up Chapel can seat up to 20 of your closest friends and family. Also - it’s a chance to have your wedding featured on marthastewartweddings.com

For more information, check out Brooklyn Bride!



Image created by Ice Cream Social

Having a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower in the Scottsdale area?  Here are some fun restaurants that offer up stylish ambiance (so you don't have to spend your budget on decorating) and delicious food that is sure to wow your guests:


Asia de Cuba inside the Mondrian Scottsdale
With a private dining room (and adjoining patio), Asia de Cuba is perfect if you're looking for a hip vibe with modern style.  With its mostly white decor, it can easily be dressed up with some bright florals or left alone.  And the food (not to mention their mojitos) is phenomenal. 



Bloom
Also modern in style is Bloom, from the Fox Restaurant Concepts family.  Their private dining area is fabulous for a more intimate group and the restaurant has an upscale yet updated vintage vibe.  Think Mad Men with a modern twist and without the depressing yet brilliantly written story line.  I had lunch there recently with the forever talented Kelly Ashworth and seriously there was not one thing on the menu that looked unappealing.



Frank and Lupe's
One of my fave places for Mexican food and a staple in Old Town Scottsdale, Frank and Lupe's is perfecto if you're looking for a more casual atmosphere but don't want to settle for casual service or quality.  Their private dining area can accommodate larger groups and if that weren't enough, their menu is full of yummy margarita options.

What are some of your favorite places for a rehearsal dinner or wedding shower in your area?

One of the surprise areas of a wedding budget is often the vendor meals. A vendor meal is, quite simply, the meal your wedding vendors eat during a break. Here are some questions that commonly come up about vendor meals from brides:

Why do the vendors need to eat?
Most wedding professionals who are there on your wedding day are usually on their feet for hours at a time: wedding planners for 12+ hours, photographers and videographers for anywhere from 6-10 hours, and the band for 4-6 hours. Since most are there over a meal hour, they need to take a break to refuel. A vendor passing out from not eating is probably not the way you want your wedding to be remembered.

Which vendors do I need to provide a meal for?
A good rule of thumb is to provide a meal for anyone who will be there over a meal hour or for longer than five hours. For example, if your wedding photographer is scheduled to start at noon, they can (and should) eat lunch before they arrive, but dinner should be provided since they will most likely be there until 8 or 10 pm.

Why do I have to pay for the meal when I am already paying them?
This is where it can get tricky. Many vendors have contracts that outline meal requirements. If yours doesn't, then technically, you don't have to feed them. However, this means that your vendor will need to leave your wedding venue, find something to eat, and then come back. The amount of time this takes means that they will miss a part of your reception that they need to be present for. Bringing their own meal (like a sack lunch) is often not an option since most venues do not allow any outside food on property.

What does a vendor meal normally consist of?
Vendor meals vary from location to location, but the standard "boxed lunch" (a misnomer since it is usually not served at lunch) generally consists of a sandwich and some chips, and maybe some fruit.

Why do vendor meals cost so much?
Good question. The aforementioned sandwich/chips combo averages about $35 per person in the Phoenix area (hot meals cost more). And no, those chips do not hold the cure to any diseases. 

Other things you should know:
If you're not hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator, find out ahead of time when and where the vendor meals will be served and communicate that to the professionals receiving them. Most wedding professionals prefer to eat at the same time the guests do because it is the time when their attention is least needed.  For example, your guests don't want photos of themselves eating and your DJ usually isn't doing much emceeing during the main course.

Also make sure that you find out from your vendors how many staff they will have with them on their team that day. Many photographers and videographers have additional people shooting (commonly referred to in the industry as "second shooters") and possibly assistants.

Find out when you are interviewing venues or caterers how much the vendor meals cost and be sure to include them in your budget from the beginning.  This will save you from the surprise of the expenditure later. 

One of the items in my wedding emergency kit that I use the most is one of those "As Seen On TV" products - Wine Out. 

Forget the Tide sticks, Shout wipes or any other stain removing product - this is the one that will work on almost anything.  I've used it time and time again to remove both red and white wine stains, blood, dirt, lipstick and more from brides' dresses (and from some groomsmens' suits).  It is sold in several sizes and I get mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  We carry the one ounce purse size shown in the photo ($3.99) in our emergency kits and we use it at almost every wedding. 

Whether you're a bride or bridesmaid, be sure to tuck some of this into your wedding day bag.  You will be an instant hero when you whip it out and save the day by saving the dress. 

What are you planning on packing in your wedding emergency kit?

One of the gifts in our swag bags from The B-List Conference a few weeks ago was a headpiece from the one and only Jennifer Behr.  If you've been in the throes of wedding planning for a while, then you've seen her name all over the place (including being recently named as a Modern Bride Trendsetter).  If you're recently engaged, however, allow me to introduce you.

Jennifer Behr is a ridiculously talented designer out of New York who creates hairpieces for the bride who wants something different from the traditional veil.  From simple headbands to understated birdcage veils, Jennifer's fashion-forward pieces add the perfect detail to your wedding ensemble.

You can see more of Jennifer's talents on her website.

Are you wearing a veil or headpiece for your wedding?  If so, what style are you aiming for?



photo from Jennifer Behr

I am totally loving these chalkboard removable wall decals from Off The Wall Expressions and at only $15, they are a steal!

These would be the perfect addition to a DIY photobooth at a wedding, rehearsal dinner or even an engagement party.  You could also use these in lieu of a guestbook by setting some chalk out in cute tins or baskets and a note letting your guests know to snap a photo with their "thoughts" of glad tidings.



Photo from Off the Wall Expressions