{Planning Tips} Let them eat…cupcakes!

wedding
I know, I know, cupcakes in lieu of cake is no longer a revolutionary concept.  But, I still think it is a fantastic idea and fun way to show personality, especially if you LOVE cupcakes like I LOVE cupcakes!
My husband and I had a cupcake tower instead of a cake.  We had a favorite bakery for a couple of years (big shout out to Vanilla Bakeshop!)  and we were lucky enough to get to have that bakery do our cupcake tower and for our venue to waive our cake cutting fee and allow it.  Our guests went nuts over those cupcakes.  Plus we picked our favorite flavors and it was easier to feed to each other during our “cake cutting.”  And it allowed us to make adorable signs that told guests what flavor of cupcakes were on which level and cute little flags with our monogram on them.
So for all of you brides out there who are considering cupcakes instead of a traditional cake, I say go for it. They make for yummy treats and great pictures!

Cupcakes and tower design by Vanilla Bakeshop, Signs and flags by Tilde Designs, bird cake toppers by Cotton Bird Designs, and photos by Jennifer Roper

{It’s in the Details} Vintage Keys

DIY, florals, vintage, wedding

I like to tell myself I started the trend of antique keys that I’m starting to see on paper goods, in weddings, and even at Tiffany & Co.  While I know deep down that isn’t true (obviously) I did think of the idea to use vintage keys in my wedding before I had ever seen anyone else using them, and my mother and I hunted for about 16 months for them.  We scoured flea markets, antique shops, estate sales, any place we could think of to find a key for each guest that would attend my wedding.  And they were a big hit.  Now, everyone that attended my wedding has a little piece of it at home with them, as my husband and I do, and I love that.  Here are some ways we used the keys in our own wedding:

Tied to our escort cards
Tied to our florals
In our ring photos

All photos by Jennifer Roper, Florals by Greenwich Floral Design, Calligraphy by Barbara Kua

{It’s in the Details} Ring Bowls from Paloma’s Nest

wedding

There are some great alternatives to the boring ring pillow.  One of my favorites are customized ring bowls from Paloma’s Nest, another of my favorite etsy sellers.  The ring bowls come in different sizes and prices, and can be customized with your names, wedding date, or whatever your heart desires.  My favorite is the gold trimmed bowl.  Which one is your favorite?






Even if you don’t have a ring bearer, you could use a ring bowl to carry your rings in and pass them around your guests (remember my ring warming ceremony post) or photograph your rings in one.  Then you also have a beautiful keepsake long after your wedding has passed.