The Chinoiserie Wedding: Asian-Inspired Elegance

My Summer '09 To Do list was short, and I had the best intentions to do the following:

1.Learn Japanese. 

2. Go to the Dunes

3.Visit my friend kbesque in Chicago, hit both zoos and one day of Lollapalooza

4.Throw a party

Needless to say, summer is half-passed and I haven't done anything but the latter, and I'm doing it again in about 10 hours (yikes!).
What I have managed to accomplish is a bit of self-illumination. Now when someone asks, "What's your style, Kitty?" I can tell them I like Chinoiserie!  Thanks to a sweet blog I discovered this spring, Chinoiserie Chic, I have learned the random Asian antiques, sake cups, kimonos, Buddhas, and koi koi everywhere in my home are actually a design choice called, "Chinoiserie," pronounced, "chin-wah-zee." Kittens, you simply must visit her blog if you like to look at beautiful things.  Meantime, if you're planning a spring wedding or a party pertaining to Asian cultures or travel, have a look at these things to get your imagination primed!

Dig these fabulous fans (stick-handled, or festooned with ribbons) printed on both sides and used as programmes! I'm gaga over these little "double happiness" favor bags, too (see below)! They could be filled with scrumptious little treats, like the obligatory and ubiquitous but always delicious Jordan almonds, or even fancy tea.

Looking for the perfect gift for hipster bridesmaids and groomsmen? Sake sets! Paired with a nice bottle, these $20 sake sets (below) are sure to be a hit!

Cherry blossoms piped onto fondant icing(above). The cake topper translates to "Double happiness," an auspicious Chinese blessing. This modern, Zen-ny cake would be off the chain for any bride lucky enough to be getting married during Hanami (cherry blossom season, usually late March - early April). If you're in Portland, Oregon (or Washington DC for that matter), run-don't-walk down to wherever you need to go to reserve your venue during this beautiful time of spring. Your pictures will be gizzzorgeous and you'll have the most original fete ever, I promise!

It's a party favor! It's a place card holder! It's a little snappy coin purse when the party is over! The trifecta: fun, functional and likely to be reused instead of chucked away!

Pass out paper parasols to guests at your garden wedding and/or hang them (interspersed with some sort of chandelier) throughout your outdoor tent for instant elegance. Seriously, tulle and twinkle lights are sooo tired!

Unity Sand Ceremony: Perfect for a Beach Wedding

When we got married, we used an engraved glass and oil candle for the unity portion of our ceremony. Today, it sits prominently beside the only 8 X 10 photo of the wedding we were able to afford. We light it on our anniversary (when we remember), and I keep it in a conspicuous spot in case I ever have to run out of the house and can only take what I can carry. Yes, I know that's crazy, but my son's baby book is also nearby!

I love the idea of a unity sand ceremony in lieu of the same old song and dance with the candles. It is especially appropos of a beach wedding, and might be a nice touch for a blended family on the occasion of a second wedding.

The Ultimate in Personalized Favors

Your (your kid's, your dog's, your bff...) face on a pop bottle! Popular with hipsters, cool kids, and mothers who allow pure cane sugar but not icky corn syrup, Jones Soda will be a hit at your next gathering. You could use them in centerpieces for your son's bar mitzvah, or tag them with a message and send them off singly as party favors. Perfect for a couples shower, birthday party or just for fun. We think it's eco-friendly, too because the bottles can be recycled or saved after the drink is gone. Personalized Jones Sodas: what an awesome idea!

When Cake is Too Much of a Hassle

      Is a cake too much of a hassle for your party venue (such as the office break room or a distant location)? Why not get some fancy cookies instead? They'll be easier to transport and can double as party favors if your budget is tight. If you don’t have the patience and skill to make your own super swanky cookies, you can buy gorgeous platters of them at Beau Coup Don’t be ashamed to procure them, kittens. Not everyone can make cookies like Muffy!

If you serve cookies, you're not compelled to provide utensils or plates: two less things you have to worry about, and a greener idea to boot!

Midsummer Color Inspiration

I saw a little inspiration on coco+kelley and decided immediately the next girly party I have will incorporate this color scheme of taupe and salmon, chartreuse and cream! Sweet! Now all I have to do is decide upon an occasion! Perhaps a midsummer moms' lunch for neighborhood ladies...

Party Favor Tips

         Sure, you can save a significant amount of money by putting some party favors together yourself. Conversely, you can save a lot of time by purchasing ready-made gewgaws and fra fras. What you don't want to do is waste both time and money wandering and schlepping from party shop to party shop, over to the stationer, and every craft store in between.

When you’re planning an event, little expenses can add up quickly. Figure out what you need before you buy anything. Pay for shipping as few times as possible, and take advantage of internet specials on merchandise and/or materials. Forget about impulsive brainstorming purchases that you'll "return later if it doesn't work out."  Even if you plan to make your own party favors and decorations, peruse the favor supply companies to get cool ideas. Be sure that hand-crafting is something you have time to do (learned that one the hard way with my little lavender topiaries ca. 1996).

    Whether you make or buy, think sustainably! Feature party favors someone will actually use, like candles or cookies. Nobody really likes tchtochkes anyway, so instead of boring old picture frames, why not give a cute little bag or container of flower seeds (see below)?

 

    

Bring The Bling: Cake toppers for modern brides

     Leave it to Beau-coup to break out the best wedding cake topper ever! Also perfect for an engagement party cake since it features the bride’s diamond ring. Better yet, why not show up at your sisterfriend's engagement party with this fabulous frafra! Try not to steal the show!

     If bling is your thing, don't worry kitten. You won’t have to use your spinster cousin’s Precious Moments figurines on top of your hipster cake creation, nor will you endure pasty rosettes or hideoderous silk flowers. Instead, you can have this shiny and original ornament that will keep well in a flat scrapbook or memory box. It makes even the simplest of cakes look fabulous!

    Beau-Coup can also hook you up with similar metal toppers depicting dancing couples or even gorgeous devotional symbols to decorate religious cakes! Click the photo above to see more designs!

     These unique silver plated diamond tea light holders (above) will make every wedding reception table shine. Also perfect for diamond (60th) anniversaries and engagement parties, princess-themed parties or even corporate events revolving around a “diamond” theme. Click the photo to get more information.