Do Your Guests a {Favor}::

With all of the tantalizingly delicious food offerrings served at your wedding reception, coupled with the awarding winning, one-of-a-kind confectioner's delight- The Cake, one has to ask- "Why give my guests favors"?
Favors are 'the icing on the cake' {if you will} of your well-planned wedding event. It is the take home gift that continually thanks your guests for being a part of your very special day. Favors can be edible or practical and functional. Whatever type of favor that you decide to offer to your guests make it memorable by adding your personal flair. That personal touch can come in the form of the calligraphy that you choose to scribe your guests name. It can be the style/color/print/design that you choose to wrap this special gift.
Regardless of the item you chose to offer as a favor and the very special flair that you embellish it with, remember to make it personal--and your guests will forever, for always remember your special day and the special way that you 'thanked' them.

{photos via RT::special thanx}

Bridal Registry::

Getting The Word Out... The tried-and-true method of getting the word out about your Bridal Registry is word of mouth. Once you've registered, tell anyone who is close to you { i.e., parents, bridal party} and provide them a comprehensive list of your registry sources. Included in that list should be the names, addresses, contact information {phone number, internet address}. Most people know to ask a couple or their close family and friends.
As tempting as it may seem and despite that store personnel may tell you that it is okay: Do not include registry lists of information of any kind about gifts in your wedding invitation.
Some guests may be offended by the seemingly overt emphasis on the gift than them joining in the celebration of your union.

Bridal Registry...

Happiness Spread in Expected Ways...
Not every couple is comfortable registering, and not everyone needs or wants tangible items.

The following can fulfill your wishes and can help your guests with gift selection:

** No Registry:: Couples are not obligated to have a registry. Planning an intimate wedding or your guests are all family and friends who know your needs and tastes? There may be no reason to register. Or you might register at one or two locations for a limited number of items.

** Charitable Gifts:: Steer guests to a specific charity that is special and near/dear to you. Provide contact information and a brief explanation as to why this charity is special to you. Be certain to inform guests to make their donation in your name {as a couple}, established charities will notify you of donations made in your name.

** Honeymoon registries:: Available through many travel companies and agents, these registries allow guests to contribute to a couple's honeymoon-trip fund. Be certain to work with a reputable company and that they have a system in place for informing you a each guests gift.

And The Wedding Wire Award Goes to...

CONGRATULATIONS! to Eliana and her fantastic hard working team! They are they proud winners of The Wedding Wire's 2009 Bride's Choice Award.

"WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that By Your Side Events has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™!
In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means By Your Side Events is one of the very best Wedding Planners.
Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews. “We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.” "

Prance over to these great ladie's blogspot, and leave them a whole lot of blog congrats!

{MARTINI Monday} ::

Purple Rain Martini:

Ingredients:
1 Shot Triple Sec
1 Shot Blackberry Liquer
1/2 Shot Lime Juice

Method:
Shake all the ingredients with plenty of ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled Martini glass.

Garnish:
With a slice wheel of lime and a blackberry sliced to sit on the rim of the cocktail glass.

Additional notes: Gorgeous combination of blackberry and citrus flavours.