Wedding Favors

November 18, 2009

Parisian Week Trend: Hidden Surprises

There were beautiful fashions, unique decorating ideas and eye-catching trends at the Salon du Mariage at the Carrousel du Louvre. But there was also something...else. Everything had a little something...extra. Whether it was a layer, a removable train, a stunning hemline or a fun way to present favors, the Salon was like a treasure hunt full of "Hidden Surprises!"

HiddenSurprises

1,2. Big, beautiful ball gowns straight out of a fairy tale were draped in layers of tulle, accented with silk flowers and feathers, shimmering with sparkles. And then the magic continued — those skirts could be removed once the grand entrance was over and the party began!

3. Even traditional gowns had a little bit of flair...and a lot of dare! Gowns were beautifully styled with all the trimmings in the front, but when they were turned around — Wow! The bare, the bling...beautifully daring!

4. The favorite decorating accent? Glass cloches. Small ones were used to top tiny floral arrangements holding place cards. Mixed sizes and shapes were clustered as centerpieces, topping objects that matched the theme (flowers, seashells, etc.). Big ones covered stacked goodies on cake plates. Hidden under glass, the treats were even more enticing!

5. Demure for the ceremony, still beautiful for the party — all it takes is a wrap in an eye-popping color that can be removed later to show the details of the dress.

6. Like the lavish layers of tulle in this skirt aren't enough, there are silken flowers and butterflies hidden among the folds. How secret-garden sweet!

7. The best of both worlds — a dress that's short and stylish in front with a long train in back that still feels "bridal."

How do these trends translate to your wedding? Add little surprises — from invitations to favors — to keep guests delighted throughout your entire celebration!

A little peek-a-boo and a LOT fashion-forward! Our Zoe invitation is held in a clear, plastic wrap accented with bright white flowers.

Zoe layered wedding invitation

A beautiful wrap and a lavish ribbon — opening this Lindsey invitation is like unwrapping a gift!  PLUS - you get to select the folder color, inside invitation card, and ribbon color, and personalize to fit the formality with your choice of design, fonts and ink colors.

Lindsey layered wedding invitations

If the short-long hemline dress caught your eye, you'll LOVE this "Regal Presentation" wedding invitation  from Monique Lhuillier. The short-fold, embossed jacket and two ribbons make a definite fashion statement.Monique Lhuillier Regal Presentation wedding invitations

It looks like a cake — but it's really a circle of beautiful, wedge favor boxes!  Display them on a cake plate and hide candies, nuts, a gourmet chocolate or mints inside to complete the surprise treat. They're also available in mocha satin to coordinate with your wedding.

Embossed White Wedge Favor Boxes

It's a little touch, but it will mean so much — add this tiny memory bouquet frame to your bouquet to keep good thoughts of a loved one close to your heart during the ceremony.

Memory Bouquet Frames

Only you and your groom will know that underneath that elegant exterior is a Wild Thing! Be a little daring and wear an animal print garter under your gorgeous gown for a touch of fun.

animal print garters

Loving the surprise-in-the-back look? Check out our brand new invitations featuring printing on the front AND the back! They're not only stylish, they're a great value — you can print all your reception information on the back, eliminating the need for a separate card. These invitations are coming soon to the website; look for them after the first of the year.

 FrontBackPrinting

Au revoir — until Friday’s Parisian post (which will have you dazzled)!

Jean M Wedding Invitations and Accessories

November 09, 2009

Donating to charity in lieu of giving favors

Your wedding day is all about you, right? Of course! But it's important to remember that it's about MORE than you, too! Your wedding is a celebration of love and joy and the incredible good fortune to have met someone you want to spend the rest of your life with.


That's why so many couples today are sharing their joy and good fortune with others at their weddings by donating to charities in lieu of or in addition to giving favors.


When this is your choice, let guests know in a beautiful way how you have honored them. Consider your décor and your wedding colors, and get creative!


If you're donating to a charity in lieu of favors, the simplest and most elegant way to let guests know is by printing a pretty enclosure card with wording like:

In lieu of a favor,

a donation has been made

in your name to...

(charity name)

You can also print a line explaining who the donation is being made in honor of (In honor of Grandma June, a survivor) or (In memory of Peter Williams and Anna Barker).

 donation in lieu of favors

Arrange the cards at each place setting or next to their escort cards at the entrance to your reception. Accent the cards with embellishments that coordinate with your wedding colors and theme, or that speak to the significance of the charity you've donated to (pink ribbon) for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research, a seal printed with a heart design or a heart-shaped charm for the American Heart Association, yellow ribbons for the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, etc.).


If you still want to give your guests a little favor treat, wrap up your cookies, candies or other items in pretty favor bags or boxes, add a ribbon and include a printed favor tag or seal with wording telling you have donated in their honor.

 InLieuCookieBags

Some couples are even asking that in lieu of gifts, guests donate to a charity of the couple's or the guest's choice. How do you let guests know this is your preference?

While I usually don't recommend including wedding registry or gift information with the wedding invitations, I consider this an exception. Print an enclosure card with wording like:

In lieu of gifts,

please make a donation

to the charity of your choice

(or to the American Heart Association, etc.)


Print the enclosure on the same paper color as the rest of your ensemble, or on a different, coordinating paper color to make it stand out.

 in lieu of a gift

Guests will appreciate your generous invitation to celebrate with them, and they'll love your generosity toward others on your special day!

Enjoy!

Jean M Wedding Invitations and Accessories

October 05, 2009

I share my best wedding planning ideas with Brides.com!

JeanMPortrait
I was honored to share some of my wedding planning ideas in a recent Brides.com interview. Click through to their site to read the article and get great ideas about wedding favors, wedding invitation colors and what you really shouldn’t worry about at all!

 

Read Interview


Enjoy!


JeansSignature

September 14, 2009

It's your last chance to save during my "favor"ite sale of the season!

Don't miss your chance to save 15% on ALL FAVORS

Pearl shimmer favor boxes  

Order now — the sale ends at midnight tonight!

Enjoy!

JeansSignature

September 11, 2009

It's my "favor"ite sale of the season — and it's only for 4 days!

Why is it my "favor"ite? Because it's all about FAVORS!  All wedding favors, including unique wedding favors, favor boxes, favor bags, favor containers, favor tags, ribbon, matches - ALL FAVORS are on sale right now — shop to your heart's content and save 15% off your order!

Which favors will be your "favor"ites? Here are some of mine to get the ideas flowing:

CellophaneBags

 




A prettily decorated, gourmet cookie in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon?

 





2pieceFavorBoxes ClassicFavorBoxes

  TuxDressBoxes





Tiny treats dressed up in our tux and gown favor boxes?




Colorful sweets in glass votive holders decorated with stickers?

 Votiveholderfavors

Tiny favor boxes or colorful organza favor bags hanging from our stylish scrolled favor trees?

 ScrolledBrownFavorTreeScrolledSilverFavorTree

Start shopping, get creative — and SAVE 15% on all your favors!

Hurry - Sale ends September 14.

 

Enjoy!


JeansSignature

August 12, 2009

Style made easy — just choose your personalization!

I can't wait for you to see our new, fresh and stylish save the dates and invitations available in the great designs and combinations shown here! We've selected the paper color and design for you — just personalize them with your choice of ink, wording and font. Visit www.myjeanm.com for more of these great designs — look for the "JM" symbol shown to find them and start personalizing!

 

Gray Damask Save the Date Cards

A damask pattern adds a dramatic flourish to this gray save the date!

GrayDamaskSaveTheDateCardslr

Pink Floral Save the Date Cards

Sweet, tropical-style flowers add a touch of paradise to this petite save the date — perfect for destination weddings!

 

PinkFloralSaveTheDateBella

Personalize your save the dates FREE with…

• up to two ink colors

• up to two fonts

• your choice of wording

• your choice of colorful envelopes

                                             

Brown Damask Wedding Invitation Cards

Vintage-style damask is given a contemporary look in this invitation's design — perfect for your stylish wedding in the fall or anytime of year!

Brown Damask Wedding Invitation Cards

Aqua and Black Damask Layered Wedding Invitations

Aqua damask and black paper — elegant, eye-catching and oh-so you!

Aqua and Black Damask Layered Wedding Invitations

Personalize your invitations FREE with…

• up to two ink colors

• up to two fonts

• your choice of wording

• your choice of colorful inner envelopes and outer envelopes

Add a unique touch with personalized ooh la color envelopes accented with your wedding color!


Also check out our colorful, coordinating napkins and favor boxes to complete your wedding theme!

High-quality cocktail napkins and dinner napkins are personalized FREE in a variety of options to suit your style:

• your choice of 180 designs

• your names and wedding date

• your choice of 66 monogram styles

• a fun phrase or saying with your names and/or wedding date

Choose our pacific blue napkins or our espresso napkins shown here — or one of our other beautiful colors to coordinate with YOUR day!

 PacificNapkins1EspressoNapkins2

Purchase our high-quality, two piece favor boxes blank for accenting with ribbon or seals, or order the boxes personalized FREE in a variety of options to suit your style:

your choice of 180 designs

• your names and wedding date

• your choice of 180 designs plus personalization

your choice of 66 monogram styles

• personalization is printed in your choice of 25 foil colors and 38 fonts.

Choose our cream shimmer favor boxes or black favor boxes shown here — or one of our other beautiful box colors to coordinate with YOUR day! Mix and match the lids and bottoms of our two-piece favor boxes for impact.

BlackFavorBoxes CreamShimmerFavorBoxes 

Enjoy!

JeansSignature

August 03, 2009

Two new stickers — SO MANY ideas for using them!

You've got great favor containers, the perfect treats to go inside them, and now you need the perfect, personal finishing touch. What's a bride to do?

Accent with fun and fashionable, new personalized stickers! The stickers are available in five great colors to add a splash of style to your reception.  Our stickers are designed to fit the tops and sides of our favor tins but they can be use in so many other ways, too.

favor tins  

Use just the round stickers for adding a colorful, personal touch...

sheer favor envelopes




sheer favor envelopes...

 

favor envelopes




colorful bellaTINA favor envelopes...



SportsFanFavors

 



organza favor bags...

 

gifts


 

and even your gifts!

 





The long, narrow side stickers can be wrapped around so many styles of favor boxes to add a unique accent...

gray favor boxesblack favor boxesbrown favor boxes 

AND they can create a fun finishing touch to your favor bags, too!

celloophane favor bagsfavor envelopes  

And while you're at it — use the stickers in great combination on large favors, like our white cake boxes.

 

CupcakeLargeFavorBoxes

Enjoy!

JeansSignature

July 20, 2009

Autumn decorating ideas you’ll “fall” in love with!

Weddings in autumn have special appeal. The weather is cool and nature practically decorates herself, providing a beautiful backdrop for your celebration of love AND the season! Whether your look is rustic or elegant, there are so many creative ways to accent your décor.

Autumn colors are uniquely beautiful, so be sure to incorporate them into your save the date cards and invitations to give guests a sneak peek at your wedding style and the tone of the event. Opt for rich, soft colors like this “Jean” invitation in cream and mocha paper…  

 

Espresso save the date card     cream and brown layered wedding invitation

 

…or go bold with colors like spice, olive and merlot paper shown on our “Beth” invitation — of course, with beautiful coordinating ribbon!

 

FallSpiceInvite

 

Don’t forget the matching items that will make your wedding a stand-out, like printed menu cards, place cards and table number cards

They may seem like small items, but don’t overlook the decorating and style impact of personalized napkins.  Choose napkins that coordinate with your wedding colors and have them printed with an autumn design or a monogram in a glistening foil.

 

Espresso Napkins

 

Display your favors, foods and other items creatively incorporating the beautiful things autumn has to offer. Need ideas? Search floral shops or go on a nature walk and collect branches, berries, leaves, nuts and interesting grasses for accents with natural elegance. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Arrange personalized favor boxes in trays lined with nuts…

 

Fall Pillow Boxes with Personalized Seal

 

…or use colorful leaves to set off the personalized stickers on cellophane bags filled with chocolates.

 

cellophane favor bag with personalized stickers

 

Make sure your favors coordinate with your autumn wedding theme! It’s easy to do with the simplest additions. Add a personalized, leaf-shaped tag to favor boxes…

 

LeafTagsPicotRibbon


 

…accent a cellophane bag filled with mixed nuts with spice ribbon and a personalized, matching favor tag

 

CelloBagwTrailMix

 

…or give leaf-shaped cookie cutters as a fun, meaningful memento of your fall wedding!

 

LeafCookieCutter

Enjoy!

JeansSignature

July 17, 2009

What’s hot now? Having a “candy bar” at your reception! Your guests (and you) will love the special treats.

Looking for a unique, fun and SWEET way to welcome guests to your reception? Set up a “candy bar” for them to enjoy and to get them mingling before dinner!


CandyFavorBar2   CandyFavorBar4


You’ll have a great time setting up your candy bar! All you need to do is…

• ask your reception site to provide a round, square or rectangular table large enough to hold all your treats

• rent or purchase a tablecloth that coordinates with your wedding but also makes the candy bar stand out, like a cloth with a little sparkle or a pretty floral or subtle stripe pattern

• shop for chocolates, candies, mints, lollipops, gumdrops, jawbreakers, gumballs and other sweet favor fillers in your wedding colors (be sure to sample each treat…you know…to make sure they’re delicious!)

• collect a variety of vases, containers and tiered stands to hold all your candy

• also collect pretty scoops guests can use to help themselves to the candy (tie ribbon to the handles for a special coordinating touch!)

• order personalized favor boxes, treat bags and favor envelopes for guests to use to hold their treats

• ask your venue staff or a good friend to set up the candy bar so it’s ready for your guests when they arrive at the reception


Get ready for lots of “ooh-ing” and “aah-ing” and lots of fun memories!

Enjoy!

JeansSignature

June 19, 2009

What’s hot now? Serving your food creatively at your wedding and when you’re entertaining!

Caterers have known this important trick for years: HOW you serve the food at your event is just as important as WHAT you serve.

 

I know what you’re thinking right now: “How in the world can I make it happen for MY wedding or party?” Relax — here are some great and easy ideas to get you started! Once you have a creative plan for serving your appetizers, drinks, salad, main course and desserts, meet with your caterer to put that plan in to stylish, unforgettable action.

 

                                   Appetizers-3-TierStand

Arrange appetizers, desserts or snacks on tiered stands to add interest to your tables and to make the food easily reachable.


 

Olives-HeartFavorBoxes

 

 

 

Dish up individual servings of olives, hors d’oeuvres or tiny desserts in little bowls or uniquely shaped containers. Add a mini spoon to make sampling fun and easy.

 

 

 

Fruit-SquareVotiveHolders

Square candle holders are also a great way to present individual servings of fruit, shrimp cocktail or other goodies. Arrange them at each place setting or at a buffet so guests can help themselves. You can even add a tag personalized with a cute message like “Sweet!” or “Enjoy!”

 

Some containers are so versatile, they can be used for several purposes throughout your event. Classy flared glasses like these look stylish when serving everything from your signature drink to a refreshing sorbet to a veggies-and-dip appetizer. For fall weddings and parties, soup is a great appetizer or part of the main course. Serve up soups and other hot dishes in hollowed pumpkins or gourds for an eye-catching, mouth-watering display. 

 

             Vegis-FlaredGlassHolders    Sherbert-FlaredGlassHolders   Fruit-FlaredGlassHolders   Soup-FlardGlassHolders

 

Make your individual wedding cakes or desserts look even more tempting by elevating them on upside-down glass vases filled with interesting items that coordinate with your look and theme, like nuts, shells, fruits, etc.

                                Desserts-LargeVases

 

Presenting food creatively will make your reception or party an experience for the senses — one guests won’t soon forget!

Enjoy!

Jean_Sig_rt