The Anti-Stripper Bachelorette Party

When you think of a Bachelorette Party, the first image that pops into your head is of a night of craziness and usually there is some type of male stripper involved. Even though this is the image most people associate with  a Bachelorette Party, there are so many other things and fun ideas to do for a Bachelorette Party. Here are some new ideas for your next Bachelorette Party (minus the male stripper!).

Spa Day

Weddings can be a stressful time and one of the best things for a bride-to-be is a day of pampering. A great bachelorette party idea is to plan a Spa Day. Who doesn't love a mani and pedi?!? A lot of salons and spas have group packages for this type of party. There are even companies that will come to your house such as SPArty and other Mobile Spa companies. Check out SPArty here. A nice idea would be for everyone to chip in to get the bride a massage. After your day of relaxation, head out to a nice lunch or dinner and don't forget the champagne!

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Cooking Class

What's better than enjoying good food and a glass of wine with your girls? Try out a cooking class for the foodie bride. There are some local places that offer private cooking parties or you can just sign up for a public cooking class. Here are some local places to check out:

Clean Your Plate

Viking Cooking School

William Sonoma

You get to learn some new recipes, have fun with your friends and enjoy a great meal!

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Wine Tasting

Another idea for a bachelorette party is a Wine Tasting party. What's a bachelorette party without wine!? This is a great opportunity to taste a bunch of different wines and enjoy time with your girls. There are plenty of local wineries that offer tastings. Here are a few to check out:

Laurita Winery

Nassau Valley Vineyard

Chaddsford Winery 

After you enjoy your wine tasting, pick a bottle you all like and enjoy a nice lunch at the winery. Just remember to arrange for transportation! Some restaurants also offer wine tastings or can put together a nice tasting paired with some great food.

Sarah and Carmen's Wedding at Laurita Winery

Old School Sleepover

Remember how much fun you used to have when you were younger at sleepover parties?! Take it up a notch and throw a bachelorette sleepover. Order some pizza, make some cosmos and snack on goodies while you're watching girly movies. Play old games like Girl Talk, Truth or Dare or get out the Ouija board for some laughs. Maybe even prank call the groom for fun!

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Beach Weekend

A great bachelorette party idea is a weekend at the beach. Plan a weekend away at the beach with your best girls. Spend the day lounging on the beach and then hit the bars and clubs at night to celebrate the bride-to-be. Don't forget the sunscreen!

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Casino Night

Try your luck at a local casino or a racetrack. This is a fun and different way to celebrate your bachelorette party. See if the casino offers a class on how to place blackjack or craps. Enjoy a nice dinner and then hit the tables and slots. Who knows, you could walk away with some extra cash for your honeymoon!

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There are so many things you can do to celebrate the Bachelorette Party. Think outside the box and do something different. 

-Go bowling! There are some fun places that offer party packages so you have your own space and lanes. Check out Lucky Strike Lanes. 

-Check out your local orchard and book a hayride. You can take a haunted hayride or fall harvest hayride. This is a fun fall evening and everyone can bundle under blankets and sip hot chocolate (or something a bit stronger) while riding a hayride under the stars. Most places offer a bonfire afterwards too. You can roast marshmallows and tell funny stories about the bride. 

-Go to a Baseball Game. Have a bachelorette tailgate party before the game starts. Watch your favorite team and celebrate your friend getting married.

Be creative and think about what would make the Bride happy!

-Nicole  

Featured Bride Friday

We are so excited for our fall weddings! Read on below to find out about one of our October brides, Erin and her fiance, Rhett!

Names of Bride and Groom: Erin and Rhett

Wedding Date: October 15th, 2011

Ceremony Location: Lower veranda at White Clay Creek Country Club

Reception Location: Veranda Room at White Clay Creek Country Club

How did you and your fiance meet?: We met on Fat Tuesday in 2008. I was not happy to be at the bar my friends went to. A friend of mine knew a friend of Rhett's and they started talking. Rhett made a comment about how he liked my "red" shoes. I politely replied "they are pink," which incited a friendly banter about my shoe color. (Technically, they are raspberry.) We talked about many other things that night, including our mutual love of horses and exchanged numbers. Our first official date was a week later. 

Tell us about the proposal: Every year since we've been together we vacation with my parents and our dogs in Saratoga Springs, NY over Labor Day weekend. This also happens to be closing weekend at Saratoga Racetrack, which is the primary reason we travel there. 2 years ago, while at the racetrack, we were walking and one of us mentioned that a proposal on the finish line at the racetrack finish would be a good spot. The following year, my parents and brother joined us after the races for a drink. Rhett, my dad and brother, separated themselves from myself and my mom to "go to the bathroom." While they were gone, I spent the time complaining to my mom how he kept saying that because of the economy we couldn't get engaged until the end of the year (I thought he was having cold feet). Rhett and the rest of my family returned and we starting walking. He started saying really sweet things about how much he loves me but he always says things like that so I still wasn't catching on. The next thing I knew, he wasn't next to me anymore because he was down on one knee and asking me to marry him. Of course I said "YES!!!!" 

What is the overall theme of your wedding?: Our wedding theme reflects our mutual love of horses. Our wedding colors are Orange and Purple with Dark Brown accents (Rhett went to Clemson University). We've used our theme from the placecard table (interlocking horseshoes made from daisies), to the signature drink (mint julep...of course!!), to the placecards (featuring jockey jersey in different colors to denote meal choice) and lastly to our "Mr and Mrs" chair signs which will say "Stallion" and "Filly."

What has been your favorite part of planning?: Thinking of ways to incorporate our theme without being too overbearing.

What has been your fiance's favorite part of the planning?: Good question...

What are your looking forward to most on the wedding day?: Celebrating with friends and family!!!!!

What is your fiance most looking forward to on the wedding day?: He says seeing me walk down the aisle. 

Which vendor has been your favorite to work with?: TJ and Erin Proud!!! (I swear this isn't a solicited plug.) TJ has been really helpful and the invitations came out unique and beautiful. He's helped make my ideas come alive. Also, TJ and Erin helped bail me out of an invite fiasco (After I ran them over with my car. Long story......)

What is your biggest worry about the wedding day?: Weather...the ceremony is outside. It's covered but I'm worried I'm worried it will be too chilly or too hot. 

What makes your wedding unique from all the others?: I think our theme and ways we've incorporated it, is pretty unique. 

Give three words to describe how you imagine you'll feel like the day AFTER the wedding: Tired, Excited and full of Love.

Where will you be spending your honeymoon?: We are island hopping for 2 weeks!!!!! (Thanks to my awesome and loving fiance!!!)

Thanks for participating Erin! Below you can see their invitation and a picture that is the inspiration for their centerpieces. 

Sarah and Andy's Wedding

Sarah and Andy were such a fun couple to work with! They were married in June at Newtown Presbyterian Church where Reverend Joshua Blakesley performed a touching and personal ceremony for them. Sarah's brother sang "The Prayer" during their unity candle lighting, it was beautiful. After the ceremony, Sarah, Andy and their bridal party went out for pictures. They used mustaches as props and the result was absolutely hilarious formal photos, perfectly fitting for this couple. Their reception was held at Forsgate Country Club in New Jersey and they surprised everyone (even their bridal party) by entering the ballroom on a golf cart we decorated! Their guests loved it! Each table number was a bottle of wine for guests to sign and each table had a Flip Cam on it with a note telling the guests to film all of the fun! Andy is a video producer so he is going to put together all of the footage to make their wedding video. Their bright and colorful bouquets were created by Monday Morning Flowers, along with the centerpieces. The delicious cake was made by Mendokers Bakery and matched their color scheme perfectly! A big thank to you Philadelphia Photographer, Smirnov Weddings, for sending us these amazing images! They did a great job of capturing how much fun Sarah and Andy have together!

Congratulations Sarah and Andy!

Ideas for Out of Town Bags

Whether your guests are traveling twenty miles or two thousand, Out of Town Bags are a great way to thank them for making the trip to celebrate with you. They're filled with supplies, local treats and other goodies for your guests to enjoy during their stay. They can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. 

Start by figuring out your budget and how many people will be using your hotel block. This will give you a better idea of how much you can spend on each bag. Remember, you don't have to give a bag to each guest. Many couples opt to provide one per room instead. Be sure to find out your hotel's policy for distributing them. Some charge a fee which will add to your costs. 

After a budget has been nailed down, think about what kind of container you'd like to use. Do you want your packaging to be the star of the show or something simple that will let the contents shine? How large does it need to be? Keep in mind that you'll have to take all of them to the hotel with you, so be sure whatever you choose is relatively easy to transport. Here are some popular choices.

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Gift bags- Simple and classic, they come in just about any color or size and they won't break the bank.

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Boxes- Gift boxes, Gable boxes and even oversize Chinese take out containers are a great alternative to bags, but still offer variety and can be decorated in a number of ways. 

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Tote bags- Your bag can act as a gift itself. There are several gorgeous options out there including ones that are city specific. If you're pretty crafty, you can buy a plain tote and decorate it yourself. For a green option that may be a little cheaper, try reusable grocery bags. 

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Themed Containers- Let your container represent the look and feel of your wedding. Use a sand pail for a shore celebration, a picnic basket for a rustic affair, or a lunchbox for a reception at a children's museum or school. 

Once you've found the perfect container, it's time to fill it! Here are some items to consider.

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Welcome Letter and Itinerary- Write a note to welcome your guests and invite them to any activities you have planned such as after-parties or brunches. Remind them of your ceremony and reception times as well as any shuttle arrangements you've made. Having these details together in one place will keep everyone informed and on time. 

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Maps and Brochures- Show your guests the best of what your city can offer. Stop by your local visitor's center for guides, maps and brochures of local attractions including historic sites, museums or even zoos. Websites like VisitPhilly are great resources for ideas and maps that you can print yourself. Be sure to include your favorite spots, restaurant suggestions and the best ways to get around. 

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Snacks- Bake cookies for a homemade touch or buy snacks in bulk at Costco or BJ's. A few single serving items per bag will do the trick. Food is also one of the easiest ways to add some local flair to your bags. Philadelphia brides have plenty of popular items to choose from like Tastycake, Peanut Chews or soft pretzels. Other Pennsylvania brands include Herr's, Utz and Hershey's. Couple's getting married at the Jersey shore could opt for favorite's like Salt Water Taffy, Fudge or Kettle Corn.

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Drinks- Bottled water is a cheap and easy way to keep your guests hydrated. Colorful sodas like Jones are also great. Cater to the adults with a sample of your favorite local beers. Philadelphia is home to Yards, Victory and Philadelphia Brewing Company. South Jersey boasts Flying Fish, River Horse and Delaware is known for Dogfish Head. 

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Gift Cards- Is there a Starbucks or Wawa around the corner from your hotel? Give your guests a $5 gift card so they can grab some coffee or a hoagie.

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Toiletries and First Aid Items- While most hotels rooms are stocked with shampoo and soaps, other small toiletries or first aid items are a great idea to help your guests with any minor issues. Minimus is an excellent site for purchasing individual travel-sized items like Advil, Band-aids or wipes. You can also select items specific to the nature of your event. Small bottles of sunscreen are ideal for a beach wedding while bug repellent is perfect for a backyard event.

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Games- Keep your guests entertained with simple puzzles and games. Sudoku is always popular. Crossword puzzles and word searches can be customized for your wedding by several sellers on Etsy. 

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Postcards and Souvenirs- Give your guests a little something to remember their trip. Postcards are inexpensive and fun. Include a stamp so guests can send them to friends. Local souvenirs, no matter how kitschy, can add a special touch. Magnets, key chains or even pens are easy options.

Do Not Disturb signs we made for Kyle and Olin's Wedding  *coming soon*
Photo courtesy of Philip Gabriel Photography

Personalized Items and Keepsakes- Add a little something unique to your bag. Personalized "Do Not Disturb" signs are a cute way for guests to let the hotel staff know they're still recovering from the festivities. Customize a CD with your favorite songs for people to listen to on the trip home. Add your names and wedding date to one of hundreds of keepsakes on sites like Beau-Coup or The Knot. 

Whatever you choose, your guests will definitely appreciate the thought you put into your Out of Town Bags. 

-Laura

We love Thank You cards!

We just received a very nice Thank You card from Christina & John who were married at the Camden Aquarium on September 10th.  Becky and Erin had a great time coordinating the many moving parts to their fabulous wedding day and we're thrilled that Christina & John were as happy with the final result as we were!  Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Burns and thanks for the kind words :)

Green Wedding Ideas

Going Green has been a growing trend in the past few years. Whether it be joining the recycling movement, starting to eat organic, or lowering your carbon footprint, there are many things you can do to "go green". But now, couples are taking going green to a whole new level by doing everything they can to have an eco-friendly wedding- they aren't only dedicating themselves to one another on their wedding day, they're dedicating themselves to the planet as well. You know, it's not just all about you, well kind-of. 

Here is a step-by-step look at how you can "go green" with your special day by reducing, reusing, and recycling.

The Ring

Ever see the movie Blood Diamond- come on ladies, I know you saw it just to see Leo speak with an accent. Well anyway, much of what you saw in that movie replicates exactly what is going on in the diamond industry in Africa. Blood diamonds are diamonds that are mined in areas of conflict and the money made off of them actually goes to supporting war in that country. So the first step to starting off your green wedding starts with the rings. 

• Reduce- If you are buying a new ring, make sure to research companies to see if you are buying a conflict free ring. Keep an eye out for those rings labeled "conflict free" under the Kimberly Process, which helps work to reform diamond mining in conflict countries in Africa. By doing this, you can reduce your impact on conflict mining around the world. 
• Reuse- By reusing a family heirloom ring or purchasing one at a vintage or antique dealer, you are cutting your footprint in half. If you don't like the style or design of the ring, you can always have it reset or refinished to make it uniquely yours. There's no better way to go green than by reusing.
• Recycle- Make sure to make a note to your family that you want your rings to be passed down to the next generation when the time comes. You will feel good knowing you are keeping a tradition alive  and also making sure the ring doesn't sit in a drawer for the rest of time.

The Invitation

Let's face it, you spend all that time designing your invitations, picking out the perfect colors, the best font, your signature seal, and the truth is most of those invitations will be thrown right out after the wedding day. Here's how you can do your part in lowering your use of paper. 

• Reduce- Reduce your paper footprint by using one of the many online programs that help you create gorgeous one of a kind e-vites (or email invitations). Guests can receive the invitation through email and RSVP through the site- making it easier for you to track your wedding guests and their food preferences too. 
• Reuse- If you know what seeded paper is, you'll know why we love it. Seeded paper is a sustainable recycled paper that actually has seeds embedded in paper. Print invitations exactly how you normally would, but after your wedding your guests can dig a hole, bury the paper, water it and watch it grow. Your guests will be happy to see that the invitation was reused and made a beautiful plant in their backyard- and they will surely never forget your wedding with this. 
• Recycle- Even if you send e-vite wedding invitations, you still may want to print a few for yourself, your immediate family, and especially your grandparents who may not have email access. Don't feel pressure to go completely green- invitations make a great piece to frame in your new house, so feel free to splurge on this one. But, make sure you use 100% recycled paper and print with vegetable or soy based ink.

The Dress

We know it's the biggest part of your wedding day, and a moment you will probably remember for the rest of your life- picking out your wedding gown! With so many styles and designs to choose from, we know it's hard to choose just one. But here's some advice on ways you can make your decision a bit easier.

• Reduce- Reduce the amount of material that ends up in a landfill by choosing a sustainable gown material. Believe it or not, there are many companies that make fully sustainable wedding gowns made from hemp, bamboo or organic silk or organic cotton. Your guests will never know the difference, but you'll feel good in the dress you're wearing. Consider the materials in your fiance's suit and your bridesmaid's dresses as well. 
• Reuse- Just like you can go vintage or buy cosigned with your ring, you can do the same with your ring, you can do the same with your dress. Check with the women in your family to see if there are any special dresses that have been saved, and see if you want to continue the tradition by wearing them. Don't be afraid to also discuss taking a family dress and making it your own, by taking off the 70's sleeves or the 80's bow, you could make a dress that is perfect for this decade. 
• Recycle- If you're going for the more untraditional look, choose a dress that you think you might actually be able to wear again. Tea length dresses, or pale toned dresses can often be used again for the other events. Do the same for your bridesmaids and let them choose dresses then can wear more than just once.   

The Decor

There are several ways you can add special decor and features to your event and also make sure to keep it eco-friendly. Research local decor companies who make sustainability their priority or take matters into your own hands and find products on the internet that fit these descriptions.

• Reduce- Choose flowers that are organic and also flowers that are in season in your local area to reduce the issue of having to ship flowers in from other parts of the country. You can also reduce your impact by choosing centerpieces that are free of plastic and utilize natural objects for design. 
• Reuse- Plan to have the flowers and decor used at your ceremony to be reused at your reception. And instead of throwing out flowers and centerpieces at the end of the night, allow guests to take them home and enjoy them for the rest of the week. Also, make sure you save your bouquet and dry it out to be reused in a photo album or scrapbook that you can create later on.
• Recycle- Choose a florist who uses a lot of recycled packaging, decorations that can be recycled, and place cards printed on biodegradable or seeded paper. 

The Food and Drink 

Let's be honest about another thing. As years go on, guests easily forget what your dress looked like, what flowers you carried, what songs were playing during the reception and so on...but the one thing that everyone always seems to never forget is the food!

• Reduce- You can reduce your carbon footprint by bringing in food, beer and spirits that are organic and above all local. Ask to see where your venue gets their meats and produce and ask if they can get many of your items locally. Now to the most important part- the alcohol. Do some research to find what local wineries are in your area and see if they can supply the wine and champagne for the night. As for spirits, there are many new organic vodkas and liquors, so do your best to choose those. Same with cake! Choose an organic local bakery that makes their cake free of food dyes and artificial  preservatives and do your best to provide guests with fare trade teas and coffees. 
• Reuse- Be realistic with the amount of food and drinks you are ordering, we know more is always better, but a large amount of waste from weddings comes from the leftover food. Try saving leftover dinner items for a luncheon the next day and make sure to box pieces of your cake for your guests so that you assure it doesn't go to waste. You can also partner with local food banks or homeless shelters to have your leftovers served to those less fortunate. 
• Recycle- If you use any disposable products, make sure their biodegradable or compostable products that are made from materials other than plastic. Check also to see if your venue has a full recycling and composting system so that all of your wedding waste can be recycled.

And Last But Not Least

• Hair and Make-up- Use hair and make-up artists who utilize organic and natural beauty products. They're not only good for your skin and hair, but also for the environment. 
• Photographs- Make sure your photographer is using digital imaging of course, and try to tell guests not to bring disposable cameras, instead, have them go digital too and upload all of their photos to a sharing site or Facebook, instead of printing them in an album for you. 
• Favors- Instead of giving a favor that might very well be disposed of, choose instead to either give an eco-friendly favor like a small plant or seeds, soy or beeswax candles, or organic cupcakes or chocolates. You can also go fully green by having donations made to local charities in your guests honor. 
• Transportation- Reduce your carbon emissions by having your ceremony and reception in the same location. Also push guests to car pool as much as possible or to use public transportation and avoid using gas heavy limos or trolleys. Instead, use eco-friendly transportation options like electric cars or horse drawn carriages. 
• Honeymoon- You can also continue your green theme by doing your best to keep your honeymoon environmentally friendly. Try to cut down your travel, walk and rent bikes once you have arrived to your destination, eat the local fare and food that's native to the area, stay at a green hotel, and more!

-Caitlin