Top Trends, Ideas & Inspirations..according to The BB.

We're about to ring in a new year - where oh, where has the time gone?

2009 was a fantastic year for The Bride's Butler.
We had our first 'official' wedding as a certified, registered company, and executed 4 weddings in the year. Great start for a part-time business, I'd say. We also did some advertising like being an exhibitor at the March Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase, and by participating in word of mouth gatherings like Rona's Ladie's Night and a Hamilton Business Network meeting. This past year, The Bride's Butler created a Facebook group, which is currently being transformed into a Facebook Fan Page which is a better format for our type of business. Please become a fan if you aren't one already!

So, while looking back at our achievements this year, it got me thinking about some of my favourite Wedding & Event trends, ideas and inspirations from 2009. Below are some of my favourites from the past year.

#1 - ETSY.com

I just love this website! It's pretty much like an online flea market for all things homemade and vintage. Search for specific items, or simply pick a category like 'weddings' and see items like veils, cake stands, jewellery, invitations and more all available for purchase. If you like the DIY look, but aren't all that crafty, ETSY is definitely the way to go to save time and money.

#2 - Flowers & Fascinators

Most brides are wearing their hair in a more natural style for weddings, so to add a touch of personality and class, many are adding flowers or fascinators. Fascinators are typically flowers with beads, crystals, tulle, and feathers. Sometimes they can have a small headpiece with a veil. Simple, elegant and beautiful.

#3 - Eco Friendly Chic

Everyone should try to make as many elements of their special event green; like using recycled paper for your stationary and paper goods, or creating menu items with food from local suppliers and giving eco friendly favours. My favourite favours for guests are either ones they can eat with little packaging, donations to charities, or plant/tree seeds and bulbs.

 

#4 - Bird Themes

Bird themes for weddings and special events (like Baby & Bridal Showers) this year seemed to have taken flight. Peacocks, doves, sparrows and owls have popped up in many event details like; stationary, napkins, favours, decor items and even in attire pieces - like garters, ties and fascinators.

#5 - Colourful Shoes

Dress up any outfit with a pair of colourful coordinating shoes. Add a splash of colour to that little black dress with a pair of pink, yellow or even animal print heels! Many brides will wear shoes that are their favourite colour, or that matches their bridesmaid dresses for that extra added style and personality.

Those are just some of my favourite trends, ideas & inspirations from 2009.

I have plenty more, but one more that comes to mind, and will always be a favourite for each and every year are - Proposals!

I love hearing how someone proposed, where they popped the question and how they told their family and friends the fantastic news. The Bride's Butler personally congratulates Jenn & Brett, Nikki & Mark, Christine & Chris and Kayla & Kyle on their 09 engagements.

Let's celebrate 2009 on New Years with happy memories of the past year, and with hopeful ambitions for the year ahead.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

BB Tip #7 - January is "Bridal" season. There are plenty of Bridal Shows to attend. You can find a listing at www.ontariobride.com. Wear comfy shoes, bring a reusable bag for all of the info you will gather and take labels with your name, address, phone number and wedding date for all of the contest ballots.

Remember, if you're feeling overwhelmed after meeting tons, and we mean tons of vendors, call us and we'd be happy to meet with you for a consultation meeting.

Pictures from: blog.weddingpaperdivas.com, blissweddingmarket.com, birdcageveils.com  & etsy.com

It's So Tinsle!

I saw a little bit of the Disney Holiday Special "Prep & Landing" the other night. I had it on when my good friends Jenn & Brett over - whom by the way got engaged two nights prior! Yay!

In the show one of the elves would say "That's so tinsel!" whenever he was excited - sort of like Paris Hilton's "That's hot" - or if you're an 80's child "Rad, tubular and wicked!" So needless to say, I've adapted the slogan this holiday season.

So, what do I think is "so tinsel"?? Themed parties - especially the ones where it's mandatory for you to wear your ugliest Christmas sweater (or vest). You know the ones....with the 3-D images, or lights that actually light up. Or how about the puffy paint, or the bedazzled Christmas trees? I like to refer to these wacky sweaters as "Cosby" sweaters - which if you don't know is due to Bill Cosby from the Cosby Show (yes, I'm an 80's kid if you haven't already figured that out) :)

Next time you are going to a holiday bash, raid your closet (or your parents) or even make a trip to a consignment shop and get yourself decked out in the ugliest, most tacky Christmas (or Cosby) sweater you can find! It'll be soooo tinsel!

 

Holiday Cocktails

It's the holidays...time to whip up some feastive goodies, and serve some holiday inspired drinks!

While entertaining this year, reduce the costs of serving alcohol by offering signature cocktails. Give your guests 2  options, and use the same base alcohol (like rum or vodka) for both of them. Also, serve domestic beer and wine.

If you really want to limit your costs, ask guests to BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) and just offer your signature cocktails.

You can choose your signature cocktails either by the name - like a Christmas Cosmo, or Peppermint Stick, or simply choose them by colour - like Sour Appletini or Pomegranate Martini. There are plenty of cocktail recipes on the web, and also premade drinks can be found at the LCBO if you didnt want to shake or stir your own.

Match your drinks with your colour or theme of your gathering, and be sure to offer virgin drinks for those that are DD or under age. You want everyone to be able to celebrate the wonders of the season with you.

If you didn't want to serve alcohol at all, there are plenty of other options like holiday eggnog, mint hot chocolate and ciders.

Be sure to have fun this holiday season, but please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive.

Cheers!

Label with Mabel

To help stay organized and trendy this season invite Mabel into your home!

Mabel's Labels offer a variety of labels for the holidays and for the rest of the year.

During the holidays, kids will be getting plenty of new items as presents and to help keep those new, often expensive items returning to your home after they go to school or daycare be sure to label them with Mabel! Each label is personalized with a name and icon and come in a bunch of styles and colours.

This year, I purchased the Curbsides for our house and my parents house as stocking stuffers. These house shaped labels go on your blue box, garbage can and green bin so that if they roll down the street or get blown away they will be returned to the right house.

Also, John and I got personalized Address Return Labels for our many Christmas cards. Staying organized is one sure way to ease the stress of the holidays - and if you, like me are also planning a wedding for next year, you'll surely want to stay as organized as possible.

Dashing Through December

It’s December, the month of holiday festivities!

The days and weeks will fly by faster than those 8 little reindeer do on Christmas Eve, so we want to make sure that this holiday season you are prepared for all of your home parties, dinners and open houses.


Choosing a colour theme for your dinner party or event

You don’t have to stick to the traditional colours of green and red when it comes to decorating for Christmas – you can be as creative as you’d like!

Popular colours and themes this year are blue and silver (Winter Wonderland), gold and purple, or purple and teal (think peacocks) and even black and white (the ever popular damask).

Mix and match your two favourite colours, or pick a theme, like one of my personal favourites; Victorian and use colours like gold, pale pink and cream.
The possibilities are endless!

Take a look around in the shops for inspiration and know that you only need a few pieces of your colour choice to make a statement.

Colour accents can be displayed with:
- Napkins
- Place card holders
- Centrepieces
- Table setting pieces like glasses, bowls or chargers


To save money, browse your local thrift store for unique pieces for your table and mix and match different shades of your chosen colour or ask family and friends to borrow pieces from their homes for your event to be eco-friendly chic.

Here are some ideas showing colour for the holidays.

These photos are for inspiration purposes only, they are not from our portfolio.

The Bride's Butler can recreate these looks for your next party or event.

Photos from: hostess with the mostess