Jean M Blog

Parisian Week Trend: Black, White and Bedazzled!

** Don't forget to leave us a comment for your chance to win our fantastique Eiffel Tower Centerpiece! Today's your last day to enter.

Black and white weddings have been popular for years, but leave it to Parisian designers to take the trend to a whole new level! Bling and brilliance accented everything from gowns to table settings in a look that could only be described as "bedazzling!"

1. The scene was set with strands of crystals dangling from the ceiling in shimmering curtains. Sparkling crystal chandeliers were the focal points for reception tables and other décor.

2,3. Black, white and bedazzled – evident in this table design featuring black hydrangeas, crystal chandeliers with black candles and handsful of crystals scattered among the settings. Even the menu cards and place cards had tiny rhinestone accents on them.

4. Bejeweled gowns were a hit at the fashion show, whether they were totally blinged out...

5. ...or set with a hint of sparkle that still caught the light.

6. In love? Spell it out in crystal beads on your dress for the world to see!

How do you add Parisian dazzle your weddings? Add sparkle, glitz and glamour to every element, from invitations to favors!

Go dramatic and glamorous with our Jasmin custom layered wedding invitations in black and white paper layers — notice the rhinestone accents!

Remind you of those curtains of dangling crystals in the photo above? We thought so, too! Monique Lhuillier's "Delicate Inspiration" invitation  translates the look onto gorgeous, heavy paper and sparkling silver foil.

Top off your dazzling wedding day look with a headband-style wedding tiara set with a multitude of rhinestones.

 

Want to add a little bling to everything? We don't blame you! Use our adhesive rhinestone add-ons for a sparkly finishing touch for your wedding invitations, wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, thank you notes, wedding favors and so much more! Also use our pearl add-ons for variety.

Make each place setting dazzling with place cards tucked into rhinestone-studded frames that guests can use to hold a special photo after the wedding.

 

It's all in the presentation! Set up your drinks station with crystal toasting glasses and black napkins printed with a toasting design in silver foil set on silver trays lined with blingey crystals. Eye-catching!

 

All eyes will be on your and your cake when you cut it with this attention-getting, rhinestone handled serving set.

 

Send guests home with a little brilliant bling of their own! Swarovski crystal accented wine bottle stoppers make a perfect gift that will recall your dazzling wedding for years.

 

I hope you have enjoyed our little trip to Paris this week and have gotten beaucoup ideas for adding high-fashion style to your own. Au revoir until next week!

P.S. Because we're thankful for YOU, we're offering you three ways to save, beginning TODAY! Offer expires November 29^th. Hurry — order and start saving now!

 

You could win this Eiffel Tower centerpiece — très fantastique!

Remember — as a special "merci" for reading our Parisian Week blogs, we're giving away one of our fabulous, Eiffel Tower Centerpieces.

 

All you have to do to be entered to win is leave us a comment and let us know how you'd incorporate these Parisian trends into YOUR wedding.

 

We'll randomly select a winner and will notify them via a blog post next week.

Good luck!

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!"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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

Parisian Week Trend: Queen for a Day

A colleague of mine just got back from Paris, where she attended an amazing wedding show, the Salon du Mariage at the Carrousel du Louvre. She shared all her trend, inspiration and idea discoveries with me and my team — and we're so excited to pass them along to you on this week's blog.

I'll be highlighting Parisian trends in wedding design, décor and style, and I'll also be showing you how Jean M can help you incorporate those trends and make your wedding "fantastique!"

PLUS — as a special "merci" for reading our Parisian Week blogs, we're giving away one of our fabulous, Eiffel Tower Centerpieces. All you have to do to be entered to win is leave us a comment and let us know how you'd incorporate these Parisian trends into YOUR wedding. We'll randomly select a winner and will notify them via a blog post next week.

______________________

 

Parisian fashion and event designers have always had their fingers on the pulse of what women want. And from all the glitz and glam they presented at the Salon du Mariage, it's evident that the hearts of today's brides are absolutely a-flutter about being "Queen for a Day!"

 

1,2. There were dramatic, regal looks from head to toe with gowns of lavish layers, splashes of sparkle, fluffy feathers and rows of ruffles, and looks were finished with neo-classical style, lace-up shoes to match!

3,4. Single, add-on elements absolutely screamed modern royalty — like delicately feathered boas draped over shoulders or Elizabethan-style neck ruffs paired with ultra-contemporary gowns.

5. No royal wedding would be complete without Prince Charming, right? The Parisians went whimsical and featured Monsieur Frog prominently — even on centerpieces!

6. Speaking of Prince Charming, there was nary a traditional black rental tux in sight for the Parisian grooms of 2010. Oh no. They were decked in rich, creamy brocade jackets with satin ascots...

7. ...and in dapper top hats, walking sticks, cutaway jackets and pinstriped pants worthy of attending their "queen!"

So how do you turn these Parisian dreams into your wedding reality? Start with an invitation worthy of your royal-style wedding.

Love the lavish, layered look? Our "Audrey" wedding invitation features three fabulously embossed layers all tied together with a satin ribbon. Also check out the coordinating Audrey table number cards and Audrey menu cards. Ooh la la!

 

Dreaming of a designer look for your wedding? Jean M is proud to present fashion designer Monique Lhuillier's wedding invitations and stationery, created especially for the bride who wants classic, elegant invitations with a modern twist. Monique Lhuillier’s invitations were inspired by her bridal fashions and incorporate only the finest papers and printing processes. Her "Timeless Filigree" wedding invitation has a crest-like design at the top to tie in with your royal theme.

 

Accessorize your ceremony with the richest brocades and regal, satin tassels of our Silver Brocade Collection. The flower basket, ring pillow, guest book and pen will set an ultra-elegant tone for your romantic moments.

 

And then add dazzle to your reception with our crown-inspired regal flutes, regal serving set and regal candle stand set.

Crown every personalized item with our crown design! Emblazon your favor boxes, wedding napkins, menu cards, place cards and more.

 

And while you're at it, crown yourself, too! Add this sparkling gold wedding tiara to your hairstyle and you're to be an even more beautiful center of attention.

 

Want your own touch of whimsy? Jean M's version of Monsieur Frog — a sweet, stuffed frog ring pillow — is just awaiting your kiss and "I Do!"

 

Au revoir — until Wednesday, when we'll be back with more chic wedding trends from Paris!

A color story to inspire you: PINK!

When you have your heart set on a pink wedding, know that you're in good company. Pink is such a beautiful and romantic color that it's always remained popular with brides, staying a steady favorite throughout the changing trends and seasons and fashions over the years.

But perhaps the best thing about a pink wedding is the sheer variety of shades you can choose from. Pale petal or fuchsia, cotton candy or watermelon — or a combination of all of those shades — pink is absolutely gorgeous!

We've put together a Color Story in Pink & Fuchsia to get you inspired for planning your pink wedding. Just look at all the fabulous options you have for mixing, matching, coordinating and making your day PERFECT in Pink!

Here's how you can pull this look together:

1. Fuchsia favor boxes printed with your choice of 180 designs, your names and wedding date, your choice of 180 designs plus personalization or your choice of 66 monogram styles. All in your choice of 25 foil colors and 38 fonts!

2. Jean invitation with fuchsia and white papers, fuchsia and melon ribbons — for getting your pink wedding theme across the minute guests open your invitations!

3. Gem initial pick for adding a just-right touch of sparkle to your wedding cake and floral arrangements.

4. Round menu cards in princess pink paper to whet guests' appetites and appeal to their senses of style.

5. Lush, bright pink flowers tied with luxurious ribbon in (you guessed it) shades of pink!

6. Colorful enclosure cards in fuchsia paper and black ink, here with a fun picture story of your wedding day timeline as reception cards.

7. Hot pink dinner napkins printed with your choice of 180 designs, your names and wedding date, your choice of 66 monogram styles or a fun phrase or saying with your names and wedding date. Don't forget the cocktail napkins — in pink! 

8. Silver scoop for dishing up candy at your candy bar. Add a little pink ribbon for the perfect finishing touch!

9. Gusseted organza bags in pink — filled with pink candy and personalized, round sticker, they're oh-so-pretty!

10. Quilted satin cosmetic bags in shiny pink will make your maid of honor feel extra special. They're also available in brown with pink embroidery for bridesmaids and white with pink embroidery for the bride!

11. Pre-punched place cards make it easy for you to accent them with ribbon — in any shade of pink!

12. Buy our satin, grosgrain, chiffon and silky weave ribbon by the roll for endless decorating! Use it to accent bouquets, decorations, favors, floral arrangements, gifts, boutonnieres and corsages and so much more.

13. Rhinestone cluster hair pins are a just-right touch of sparkle for your wedding-day haristyle (because remember that pink and sparkle ALWAYS go together)!

14. My daughter, Holli, on her wedding day. She had an all-white wedding with beautiful touches of pink, from bouquets to ribbons.

15. Our round memory bouquet frame is a beautiful way to keep the memories of loved ones close. Tie it to your bouquet with coordinating ribbon.

16. Favor matchbooks in champagne pink are a pretty — and useful — favor guests will love. Order them personalized with a monogram, or with your choice of design along with your names and wedding date for a personal touch.

17. Floral table number cards in shades of pink and green will lend a garden look to your tables no matter what time of year your pink wedding is held.

18. Guest towels in pink are perfect to use for dinner napkins and to have in the powder rooms for guests to use. Order them personalized with a design, monogram, names and wedding date or a fun message to coordinate with your pink wedding.

 

Enjoy — and here's to a perfectly pink wedding!

 

P.S. Be sure to tune in for Jean M Parisian Week next week! My colleague went to Paris and attended a wedding salon, and she came back with all sorts of inspiration to share with YOU. You won't want to miss the "ooh la la!"

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).

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

Enjoy!

How to throw a fun and energized wedding reception

You have planned every last detail for what will undoubtedly be a beautiful wedding reception, but have you given any thought to entertaining your guests? Here are a few tips to help you throw a fun and energized reception that all of your guests will enjoy.

Lounge areas set apart from the music and the dining area are all the rage. Provide couches, chairs and floor cushions for guests to gather and relax and visit with each other.

• Set up a gaming room for gambling fans to try their luck and take a break from the reception action. Provide billiard tables, casino games and a poker table with a dealer.

• Have the videographer set up a stationery camera so guests can record their own messages to the bride and groom throughout the evening.

• During cocktail hour, consider offering a dance class. Guests will have fun learning and it will get them in the mood to dance later on. It also might help coax a few of those shy closet-dancers out onto the floor.

• Place a card with the words to your first dance song at each place setting so guests can serenade you during that magical first dance.

• Try candy instead of cake. Set up a candy buffet that is sure to entice every taste bud. It adds to your wedding décor AND it’s a fun way for guests to mingle and satisfy their sweet cravings.

• Write place cards with a few words that describe each guest. They will appreciate the thought and you will have a blast describing your friends and family with words like “super mom” or “wildly entertaining.”

Now, use your creative side and come up with some unique-to-you wedding reception ideas for your fabulous reception!

 

Enjoy!

Personalized cake tops that say YOU!

Your wedding cake is like a canvas for you to show your personality, your style and your creativity — in everything from the colors, the decorations and the shape.

So don’t forget about the ultimate personal touch to your cake: an engraved, crystal-like acrylic cake top!

They’re as far away as you can get from stiff, old-fashioned couple cake top figurines and as today as you are.

We’ve come up a great selection of personalization options for you, so you can make your cake top your wedding cake’s crowning glory.

 

Monogram Cake Top

How about a cake top engraved with a big, bold initial — your new last name initial, that is!

 

 

Round Verse Cake Top 

A touching verse surrounds your monogram with meaning.

Custom Square Cake Tops 

Design your own cake top! Choose your monogram or a design and your wedding cake to be engraved for a one-of-a-kind look. Choose square cake tops like these or…

 

Custom Round Cake Tops

…round cake tops with the same personalization options!

 

A touching verse backs your names and wedding date. How romantic.

 

Want to see more options? Click here to shop all of our personalized wedding cake toppers!

Enjoy!

Adding a signature touch to your cocktail hour

After the vows are said and you’ve walked down the aisle, you and your guests will be in the mood for celebrating! Make your cocktail hour festive with personalized details and fun and festive refreshments.

Set up a design-your-own drink bar so guests can mix and customize their own Bloody Marys or other drinks, and print cocktail napkins with an invitation to enjoy.

 

You can even request that your signature drink be made in your wedding color (like a pink "marrymartini") for a fun and pretty touch — and order personalized cocktail napkins to match!

 

Encourage toasting (and maybe even roasting!) by providing napkins printed with a toast design.

 

Be sure to have plenty of those personalized napkins on hand for guests to use while they’re sipping. They’re sure to be a hit!

Enjoy!

“Glam” gifts for your fashionable bridesmaids

When my daughter Holli got married, we had the best time planning, shopping and dreaming for the perfect day. But we had a difficult time finding the perfect gifts for her stylish bridesmaids. We eventually found great appreciation gifts for them, but I wish I would have known about these oh-so-glam accessories then!

The added “bling” make the items so fashionable and so fun for the girls to use at the wedding and long afterward. You get to choose black for drama or white for a sleek look to match your bridemaids’ personalities. And best of all, they’re all on sale now!

Black card cases with quilted faux leather tops or white card cases with a gold-tone fleur de lys on top are great for keeping business cards or credit cards handy.

Little black wristlets with a crown design or white wristlets with a fleur de lys accent are the perfect size to hold an ID, lipstick and change.

 

These boxes are oh so cute!  The black faux patent leather jewelry box with a gold crown or white faux patent leather jewelry box with a gold fleur de lys design hold all their precious bling. The animal print interiors add a fanciful touch.

Bridesmaids on the go? Help them travel in style and keep their jewelry safe while they do! Choose black or white hanging jewelry cases. The animal print interiors are so “in.”

I love items that multi-task, like these very glam key chains with mirror compacts attached. Choose the black crown mirror key chain, or the white fleur de lys mirror key chain.

Large enough to fit all their beauty necessities, but compact enough to pack easily.White faux leather make up bag or black faux leather make up bag - the perfect make up case! The animal print interiors make them extra fun.

Perfect for last-minute makeup checks before walking down the aisle, and for tucking into a purse or pocket for nights on the town. The black quilted faux leather compact or white fleur de lys compact are oh so cute!

 

All these items are ON SALE NOW and you could save up to 50% on some items!

Go glam — and enjoy!