Cheese Tasting Soiree

A party of wine and cheeses is super simple because it is the ideal make-ahead celebration! Slice and set out the cheeses on trays two hours in advance to get them up to room temperature (cover with plastic wrap). To create the ultimate cheese board, include one of each of the following cheeses: a blue, a semi-firm, a super-aged, a pungent and a mild cheese. If you don’t know much about cheese, get recommendations from your local deli.Label the cheeses so your guests will know what they're eating and where it's from. Offer different breads and crackers as well as sliced apples, pears and grapes.

Take your décor inspiration from cafés and use butcher paper down the table instead of a tablecloth and display bowls of lemons and green apples in place of flowers. This will give a rustic and fresh feel while making cleanup a breeze. Early set up and easy clean up allows you to relax and enjoy a glass of wine with your guests.

Bridal Vintage Brooch Bouquet - One of a Kind Heirloom for your Wedding Day

This bridal bouquet is entirely made from vintage brooches, mostly rhinestone brooches and even earrings, on gold-tone metal. Each 'petal' was hand assembled, carefully placed over a silk Hydrangea flower stem serving as filler material, and lovingly arranged into a stunning bridal bouquet.

All rhinestone brooch colors were selected in a peacock color theme, including teal, blue, green, purple, and even some amber color hues. There are approximately 75 rhinestone brooches in this bouquet!

This particular brooch bouquet was made for another bride and the photos serve merely as an example of what I can do for you in terms of a customized bouquet. I can make one for you in any color combinations, or in silver-tone, please contact me for a custom order.

I would also be happy to customize a brooch bouquet incorporating your own brooches into the bouquet that you may have collected over time or have inherited from your family. What a special heirloom this would be. Unlike traditional bridal bouquets that wilt and die, you will have this brooch bouquet forever and can display it in your lovely home, if you like.

The crown of the bouquet is about 7 inches in diameter, and the stem is also about 7 inches long. The stem has been covered in satin fabric, with a ribbon lining the top of the stem and laced around the entire length of the stem, held in place by crystal pins. A small rhinestone brooch lends the brooch bouquet stem the finishing touch. NOTE: Please be careful, this bouquet is not suited for tossing!

Find Out More at: www.etsy.com/listing/76836551

Illuminate Your Wedding Centerpieces

If you are a DIY gal at heart and have decided to take on doing your own centerpieces, here is a very cool addition. Instantly take your wedding centerpieces from ordinary to extraordinary! The appearance of diamonds shimmering just beneath the water's surface is an effect that can be easily created with these diamond-looking lights. The glow is brilliant! Select your fresh flower combination and a clear glass container. IKEA or Walmart are some places to stock up on glass containers for a very reasonable price. Place the light in the bottom of the container. It's a shining addition to your clear vase arrangement that is weighted to stay in place at the bottom.

These diamond-looking lights are an incredible decorating tool. With 3 LED bulbs per light, the amount of illumination is amazing. These have been specifically designed for use in clear glass containers and will light up upon contact with the water. Lights will burn continuously for 40+ hours with an exceptional brilliance for the first 20 hours. Priced as low as $5.38 at www.photoframesplus.com

Invitation Etiquette Dilemma: Asking for Money in Lieu of Gifts

There are various reasons why many couples prefer to receive money instead of gifts. You already know that the invitees will most likely bring a gift, so why not just ask them to bring cash instead? Whoa, wait a minute!

Honestly, there isn't a nice way to ask for money instead of gifts. You can do it if you insist on being tactless, but some people will be terribly offended. You shouldn't try to direct your guests' generosity in advance to something you want instead, whether it's cash or anything else--as if you are entitled to gifts of your choice (or to gifts at all, for that matter).

It is considered bad manners for the bride and groom to mention anything in writing, such as placing a note in their invitations, indicating that they want monetary gifts, or where they are registered. It is presumptuous of the couple to tell guests what they expect or to imply that a gift is expected at all! Remember, this is not about the gifts or the money, this is a party celebrating your love and union, not a gift grab. If you get something you don't want, too bad (it should only be the worst problem you ever have!). It is up to the guests to do what they want. Many guests, of course, want to know what would please the couple most, but ultimately every gift is voluntary, let alone size and type of gift.

If you do receive gifts you cannot use, either try returning the gift, selling it, or make a generous donation to a charity. Remember that wedding gifts are not an entry ticket to your reception--your guests don't have to buy you anything. And whatever you receive, whether a check or another fondue set, accept any gifts you get graciously and write a sincere thank you note. Great advice from www.classyannouncements.com!

Get Your Game On with Bridal Shower Entertainment

The Bridal Shower is the first personal get together before the wedding. There are many different options to host a dazzling, festive shower. Start with your color selection and select the items that will go well with the theme and also the personality of the bride. Once you have decided on food and décor, you’ll need some entertainment. Here are three game options sure to bring plenty of laughter.

“Bridal Shower Bingo,” Game

Put bridal banter to good use with bridal shower bingo. Even though your shower will be unique, you’ll still hear classic bridal talk like “congrats!” “bridesmaid” and “wedding cake”—so make a game of it with this fun shower activity! Best of all, bingo is perfect for guests of all ages.

This vibrantly colored bridal shower game has unique bingo words. Phrases pre-printed on each card and come with enough playing pieces for 21 guests.

Looking for bridal shower game ideas? For a fun, tasty touch, give each guest a roll of life savers. Each lifesaver candy can be used to mark the squares as words come up. Once someone yells, "Bingo!" guests simply pop the treats in their mouth, everyone's a winner!

“And the Bride Wore," Game

Everyone's eyes are on the bride—but will they remember what they see? Test your bridal shower guests with our "And the Bride Wore" game.

Once guests have mingled with the bride, send her out of the room and hand a game card to each guest. Guests must then write down what the bride is wearing. The guest with the best memory wins! Play this five-minute game with as many guests as you'd like; instructions are included. Game sheets are made of heavyweight paper and measure 11"L x 8.5"W.

“Bridal Shower Trivia,” Game

Take bridal shower games to a whole new level with these terrific trivia teasers. This bridal shower trivia game features cards with questions about weddings, traditions, love-themed facts, statistics and more! Keep things lively by imposing a time limit for each guest to correctly answer their trivia questions. Go around the room, one by one. The speediest guest wins a prize!

You'll find unique questions such as "Approximately what percentage of men and women get setup up on dates through their friends?", "What percentage of men kiss their wives before they leave for work?", "What is considered the traditional gift for a first wedding anniversary?” hidden on each trivia card. Cards are available in sets of 99 and measure 3.75"L x 2.5"W.

These three games and others can be found at: www.beau-coup.com. Let the party begin!