Not Just a One Trick Pony...

That's right, sir-y! Uncommon Weddings has more creativity then it knows what to do with, and thankfully plenty of friends having fun events that need to be planned.

Today, I'd like to share with you an elegant, graceful, backyard rehearsal dinner truly fitting the elegant, graceful hostess and Mother of the Groom. I've know Teresa, her husband Chuck, and their family almost my whole life. I don't remember a time when they were not a part of my life. My dad was one of Chuck's groomsmen when they got married, and yes, my cheesy, camera hogging, chubby face was the flower girl. I was 4. I'll see what I can do about getting you a picture.... or not.

When I started helping Teresa's son and to-be daughter in law with their wedding, I also started talking with Teresa about the rehearsal dinner. I could sense her deep yearning to throw an elegant event, welcoming the bride and her family into their family. But also knew the financial challenges that their family faces, as well as health challenges that Teresa faces. On top of all this, I should probably tell you that Teresa is the Owner and Head Instructor of Manners and More and the authority on all things etiquette. Well if you guys know my style, I'm sure you can anticipate my anxiety. :-) In most cases, I'd rather throw the etiquette out the window then follow it. But Teresa's gentle spirit and encouraging personality are irresistible.

So, are you tired of my ramblings and ready for some pictures????



The event was held at the Grandparents of the Bride's home on a peaceful cove off of Mountain Island Lake. The primary color, sage green, was pulled from the bride's wedding colors and was paired with lots and lots of crisp, clean, simply elegant white and vibrant pops of yellow.



The groom is not a huge cake fan, so we decided that cookies in cookie jars could do double duty as center pieces and dessert! And who doesn't like having their dessert sitting right there in front of them! I mean... you don't even have to GET UP! Hello!!! Additionally, I had just enough glass cookie jars left over from our wedding. So, the only additional things that needed to be bought were some scrapbook paper and some ribbon. Love it!





I made little tags to go on the cookie jars that echoed the scroll pattern on the napkins.

To further dress up the tables, and take this event from a back yard BBQ to an elegant event, we decided to go with one of my old Martha Stewart favorites... tissue poms. These are exceptionally easy, VERY economical, and really add that little bit of pizzazz! I had my partner in crafting crime and her husband over for pizza the night before the rehearsal dinner and we laughed and laughed while making these and watching tv.



So... the event was a success, the hostess was beautiful as always, the bride and groom were beaming, and the night ended with an evening pontoon boat ride captained by the Father of the Bride for the couple and their wedding party. What else can one ask from one evening???

Up this weekend... a Tea Party Birthday Party for one of my best friend’s daughter. Oh how fun!!!

Chad & Alexia's Teaser Pictures by Charlotte Photography

It's official! Chad and Alexia are officially husband and wife! The week leading up was hectic and crazy, but I have a feeling that's just the nature of the biz. We had a few challenges (look for a longer story about the fire alarm going off!), but nothing that couldn't be solved fairly easily.

The wonderful and Amazing Rebekah and TJ Petrino from Charlotte Photography captured the day. I know you don't want to listen to any more of my ramblings; you really just want to see the pretty pictures. So, I'll shut up and get right to it!!

The handsome guys in thier totally cool outfits designed by the groom.



The stunning girls. Loved the use of different dresses and different colors for the bridesmaids' dresses! Alexia had a great vision, and it came out looking so unique and yet purposeful. LOVE the way Rebekah was able to capture the excitement that was literally tangible. This group of girls worked so hard the whole week to make this everything the bride hoped for!



There ceremony was performed by the father of the groom! It was so sweet to watch because you could tell how honored he was to have the opportunity to marry his son.



This couple is so much fun! You can see thier excitement right after the ceremony, and their anticipation to "get the party started!"



But before that could happen, Charlotte Photography worked their magic!







Then it really was time to party! And of course, no wedding reception is complete without a cake cutting!

Uncommon Weddings worked with the bride and groom to translate their wedding logo into cupcake sticks. They came out beautifully and really added a personal touch!



The bride ordered the "flowers" for her bouquet off of Etsy. If you would like more details, feel free to post a comment and I'll find out the exact seller. It was beautiful, and I don't think a single person felt like anything was missing even though there was not a single fresh flower!



Although not as hot as the days and weeks prior, it was still warm the night of the reception. Plus the dance floor was packed! The bride decided to take advantage of the fan, and of course Rebekah and TJ were there to capture it!



But all good things must come to an end, and the bride and groom rode off into the sunset... night surrounded by their loving friends and family!



Congratulations Chad and Alexia! Uncommon Weddings is overwhelmingly honored to have participated in making your day a success. Enjoy your honeymoon, and we'll see you when you get back!

With Whipped Cream and Cherry On Top: Making boring gifts fun

Have you ever struggled to find the right gift for a bridal or couples shower or a wedding present? Registry gifts can be so boring. I mean who gets excited about a set of towels really? And gift cards (although greatly appreciated by the couple) are even worse. That's when the urge to go off registry kicks in, and once it does it's hard to fight. But your practical sides reminds you that sticking with the registry or purchasing a gift card are the most sure fire ways to make sure that the betrothed couple gets something they can actually use.

I'm reminded of a FRIENDS episode where Monica and Chandler receive a particularly hideous punch bowl. Upon Chandler asking if they can return it, Monica states that there is no receipt so where would they return it. Chandler then says, "I was thinking maybe to the street... from the balcony?" :-) You don't want a similar conversation to go on about your gift. So, I encourage you to stick with the registry or gift cards from the registered stores.

So, how then to solve the dilemma spicing up boring gifts? Well, I have two suggestions for you today, and I'd love to hear the creative ways you have solved this problem.

First we have an idea for that old stand by of a set of towels. Well, actually it's two sets of towels but you get the picture. For a while now I've been hearing about the "diaper cakes" that have been making their rounds through the bridal showers lately. It's a simple idea. Cloth or disposable diapers are rolled up and stacked on top of each other to resemble a tiered cake.



(Source)

So I started thinking, why can't I do this with regular sized towels for a shower????

Well, I jumped on my trusty Google and started searching. Come to find out I'm not the first one to have this idea. After obtaining some inspirational images and downloading some instructions, I ordered the double set of towels and crossed my fingers.

When they arrived I immediately sat down and started working. It was amazingly easy to do. Simply fold the large towels into thirds and roll up. Do the same with the hand towels and the wash clothes. Then stack them on top of each other and decorate with silk flowers, ribbon, and anything else you think looks pretty. Having a creative block, then simply flip through a few pages of wedding cake pictures on The Knot and you'll most likely have more inspiration then you've ever wanted! So... what did my towel cake look like? Well, please excuse the crappy picture. After all that work I only got one picture of it and it's not the best, but...



But that's not all! With two showers back to back for two couples, I had another opportunity to get creative. This couple doesn't know quite yet where they are going to be living. On top of that they are both young and therefore really need everything. So, with Charlotte just getting a new IKEA (sound the angles, aaaaaaahhhhhh!) they simply requested IKEA gift cards.

Well, I couldn't just give a gift card, because, well... I'm just OCD and crazy like that! While at IKEA to get the gift card and introduce my mom to the awesomeness that is IKEA, I spotted my favorite type of flower vase. It's short and rectangle and awesome! There is something about the shape of this vase that makes even a flower futz like me into freaking Martha Stewart. So, I decided to pick it up and figure out how to package the gift card in it. That way they got what they really needed, but I was able to pass on some of the wisdom I had gained as a spouse. (Although two whistles, one for each, to blow when they feel that a fight is getting out of hand and becoming unfair would have probably been just as wisdomuss.)

I filled the vase with tissue paper and made a paper rose to fill the vase. (Paper flowers, especially roses, are incredibly easy, just time consuming. So, if you have a wonderful, amazing, selfless husband like mine who is happy to "crinkle" paper petals for you, you are extra blessed!) I then slipped the gift card in the back of the vase. And wrapped some matching paper and a tag to the front. So what did it look like?



Don't ask me why I forgot to get pictures of the towel cake but remembered to take this one outside in order to get awesome artsy pictures! I, myself, don't even understand the inner workings of my brain sometimes.

So what creative, fun ways have you all found to package sorta-kinda-boring gifts? We'd love to hear! Happy Friday everyone! I hope your weekend is full of creativity and joy!