Link We Love: Tote-ally Awesome

Posted by Shira Savada, Real Weddings Editor

MAPTOTE began just a few years ago when Rachel and Michael decided to turn the reusable grocery bags they found while on vacationing in Germany into inexpensive keepsakes. The couple decided upon their return that they wanted a Brooklyn tote. And so it all began.

Manufactured and printed in the couple’s hometown of Brooklyn, NY, the bags are not only eco-friendly because they reduce the use of plastic bags, but they’re made of earth-conscious materials that leave a minimal carbon footprint (brownie points!).

Fall Harvest

Posted by Britni Wood, Style Expert

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: fall really is my favorite season. I love the idea of the harvest as a wedding theme, and October is the wonderful month when gorgeous olives are picked from their branches and cured or made into oil. Olives and their branches have the most sophisticated look when used in your wedding decor and can give your guests a feeling of being in the Tuscan countryside. Enjoy all these earthy delights from our past issues.

   

top: candy olives in burlap pouches, black olive and sage madeleines.

middle: an olive branch buffet, harvest table centerpiece and favors

bottom: gold band cake with olive branches

Easy Favor Bags

Posted by Katie Hatch, Style Director

Look at these darling favor bags! They're from the Martha show, but I think they'd be great for a wedding.  They're easy to make—they only require clothespins, paper bags, and a heart or other embellishment—and they offer a little mystery of their own. Guests will be wondering what's inside all night! These are obviously Valentine's Day themed, but add just a simple shift in color, and you can match them to your wedding palette.

And they remind me a bit of the favors from Laura Normandin's wedding

I also think they could be super cute with a monogram affixed to the clothespin, or a "thank you" that you could print out in multiples. What else would work? It seems like the options are endless!

When Guests Take the Centerpieces

Posted by Talley Sue Hohlfeld, Etiquette Expert

Over on our reader message boards, a bride is looking for games for guests to play in order to award her reception centerpieces to them as prizes. That reminded me of this practice—one I'd never heard of until I went to my first wedding with my mother-in-law. At the end of the evening, she picked up the centerpiece and started to carry it away. When I objected, she assured me, "Oh, yes, usually, they do give the centerpieces to the people." But they hadn't said anything about it! I'd never heard of such a thing.

I discovered that indeed, in her social circle, the centerpieces are often given away (most often to the oldest woman at the table, or to the couple at each table who has been married the longest). And yes, the deejay or emcee does make an announcement.

But I've also heard stories of guests walking off with the centerpieces when the containers were rented, or belonged to the florist. (Jayme Smith Murray purchased Martha Stewart Whiteware footed compotes from Macy's to use at her reception, intending to pass them on to her florist; I was panicked on her behalf.) Every now and then, a reader says she's going to use her own collection of vases or milk pitchers to hold the centerpieces and I think, "ooh, label them!" I have fantasies of how to tell people not to snag the centerpieces (a round card underneath the vase, so when you pick it up a red circle screams "Don't take the vase!"; a discreet p-Touch label). It keeps me up at night sometimes, but what do you expect from an etiquette enthusiast?

What's going to happen to the centerpieces at the end of your reception? Is this a common practice in your circles? And will you need to head it off?

A New Twist

Posted by Kate Berry, Floral and Event Expert

Like the wedding industry itself, our magazine is all about finding fresh new ways to present bouquets, vessels, and favors among other things. And how do we do that? Let's say it all together: INSPIRATION! I was looking through my books for exactly that when I came across Traditional Japanese Packaging by Hideyuki Oka, which has served as been an amazing resource for us throughout the years. You can see how it has inspired us in the past, here, here, and here. As I flip through it now, I'm finding tons of new ways to wrap favors.

Of course, at times we brainstorm crazy ideas that don't work, but the process is half the fun—sometimes those crazy ideas become something really interesting. You should try it when planning your own wedding and see where your ideas take you. Take the nail story in our latest issue. The images are definitely a departure for us, but they're just one of many instances where our crazy idea actually worked. Do you have any stories like that? Are there any ideas you've had that you dropped because they were a bit out there?  I'd love to hear about them.

Stars and Stripes

Posted by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director

As tomorrow is the 4th of July thought it would be fun to share some Martha Stewart Weddings ideas inspired by "stars" and "stripes" (not your holiday red white and blue but in a range of wedding palettes) I especially adore these star sparklers, how fun!

 

Mini Gold Star Sparkler from Tops Malibu

 

Sparkler gift tags

Mondo Spaklers can be put into the ground for a grand entrance.

Crystal star hair piece

A sparkling moon-and-stars topper

Greatness Is Looming

Posted by Britni Wood, Style Expert

Proud Mary is just about the coolest little company out there today. Owners Harper and Molly have created an "Ethnic Modern" collection of bags and home accessories that marry their contemporary design aesthetic with traditional methods of weaving and printing. They enlisted the help of Nest, a non-profit that works with women artisans in developing countries, to source the production of fabric and products. And the results are swoon-worthy—the cutest and most socially responsible bags and pillows you've ever seen! Wouldn't they be gorgeous as bridesmaid gifts or on your arm as you stroll the beach on your honeymoon? I'm in love with the Diamante collection, but you can find the entire collection on their online store, and be sure to read their cute blog LLOSO.

clockwise from top: Diamante Tote, Raya Tote, Raya Coin Purse, Diamante Coin Purse, El Sol Tote

DIY Favor Boxes

Posted by Katie Hatch, Style Director

After years of working on crafting stories, I've come across some pretty amazing helpers. One of them is called The Ultimate Tool, sold by Crafter's Companion. It's for scoring paper, so you can easily and quickly make envelopes, favor boxes, and bags once your paper is cut. Here are a few pictures of the demonstration:

They started with a simple square piece of cardstock.

It's just scored four times across, twice each way (to create 9 smaller squares). 

By now, there are diagonal score lines in the four corner squares, which make it possible to fold up the sides.

You can close the box using ribbon thread through punched holes, or you can make a top and get a complete box. Of course, it's so nice to make custom boxes out of your own papers or even envelopes for the toss or the escort cards. Check out the rest of the projects here.

Wrap It Up

Posted by Katie Hatch, Style Director

Furoshiki!

No, it's not some newfangled restaurant in the city. It's the Japanese tradition of wrapping in fabric. And it's also the online store that teaches you how to wrap like a Furoshiki master. Consider it when you want to wrap bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts, wedding favors, or anything odd or bulky (see the watermelon wrap here). The website is a great place to get an overview of some of the traditional technique, and it also sells unique fabrics intended for this purpose, although you can always just use a piece of cloth with torn, pinked, or carefully cut edges. Here's a classic furoshiki wrap:

 
I also love the idea of using an unexpected fabric, like this mohair from The Wonder of White in our Winter 2007 issue:

or in a simple pink cotton (from Pink and Orange: A Modern Setting)—a great and inexpensive way to make an impact with color:

Or if you're leaving your out-of-town guests a gift in their rooms, you may want to use the wine bottle wrap:

What unexpected wrapping are you using for favors and other gifts?

Love In the Afternoon: Valentine's Day Favors

Posted by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director

Valentine's Day is almost here, so thought I'd share my homemade valentine with you. What do you think? It's pretty versatile; you could use it as a favor at your rehearsal dinner or wedding. Tomorrow, I'll be presenting this idea and many more with Martha on the MARTHA show!

Every year, my valentine is a box of candy topped with a photo of my kids holding a sign that says "Happy Valentine's Day" (again, something a couple could do with a sign that says instead "save the date" "just married" or "thank you".) You can make these signs on the computer, or even have a friend with great handwriting write out the words. If you've hired a calligrapher, you could also ask them to write the words. On my sign, I used calligraphy by my friend calligrapher Maybelle. Here are the components you'll need to make it—all great sources for packaging and sweets!

The box:

1. Red box- Paper Mart
2. Red twine- ULINE
3. Photo (taken by my very good friend, wedding photographer Donna Newman)
4. Card (done on your computer. I printed mine at Intergraphics)

What’s in the box:

1. Cellophane bag- Nashville Wraps
2. Personalized stickers (you can get plain or send custom art- 1000 for $35 - ULINE
3. Assorted candies: gummy hearts- Dylan’s Candy Bar; red mix - The Cocoa Room; hard candy- Papabubble; XO's- The Sweet Life; Licorice dogs- Candy Direct

Polka dot ribbon- Raffit Ribbon

(in case you want to do this as a save the date)
mailing boxes- Intergraphics

If you are getting married and working with a stationer, you can always try to incorporate some element of your stationery (maybe its a monogram, a motif or an icon) into the design of the labels or the cards. Stationer Cheree Berry often does custom design work for these projects that coordinate with her stationery, or you can have her design for you independently.

Don't forget to tune in to MARTHA tomorrow!