Wedding Wednesday Inspiration: Diamond Blue Decor!

Diamond Blue is a unique, vibrant color, characterized by class and elegance. Take advantage of that and dazzle your guests with our wide variety of diamond blue decor! Look to inspire readers with blue items like satin chair sashes, chevron table runners and round table covers and more.

Your cake is an important part of your wedding and decor so choose wisely. Keep it simple and elegant with a solid blue cake. Add a little flair with a large white bow! Whether you decide to go with an eternity blue and transparent diamond wedding band, whether with a solitaire blue diamond wedding ring paved with white diamond stone accents, the final look is going to be absolutely amazing. Not only brides can opt for a beautiful and outstanding wedding ring with blue diamonds but a modern groom too! It all depends on the setting you choose for the blue diamond/diamonds. For guys, perhaps a scatter or a flush set type of blue diamond wedding band can make a more suitable selection. Hang blue paper lantern from the ceiling and create an enchanting atmosphere for your guests!

Source: koyalwholesale.com

Source:http://weddingandrings.com/wedding-rings-with-blue-diamonds/

Tip Tuesday: 15 Cheap Wedding Ceremony Decoration Ideas on a Budget

Whether your wedding is in a big, elegant church, or a rustic, old garden, or at a white, sandy beach, the backdrop and decorations of a wedding ceremony can really make a lasting impression. And luckily, a pretty ceremony doesn't have to cost a fortune. When it comes to ceremony decorating, less tends to be more. Additionally, you can save some money by being creative and keeping it simple. Here are 15 ideas for decorating your ceremony while sticking to your budget.

Save Money on Ceremony Decorations at a Church

1. Use Your Venue’s Decorations If you’re getting married in a church, see what decorations they have for you to use. Many have candelabras which can add sophistication to your ceremony. Also, you may not have to decorate at all if you plan to get married during Christmas or Easter time when churches are already adorned with flowers and greenery.

2. Use Candles Instead of Flowers Candles are a lot cheaper than wedding flower arrangements, and can often be more romantic. Use them at the altar, to line the aisle (make sure they’re in fireproof bags or enclosed in glass to prevent fire hazards), or even in place of bouquets.

3. Get Some Potted Plants In the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, they lined the aisle of the beautiful Westminster Abbey with big, potted trees creating an English garden atmosphere. You can do something similar by bringing some potted plants from home or borrowing a few from a friend.

4. Buy Lots of Tulle There are so many fun things that you can do with tulle to decorate, but here are two of my favorites. The first thing you can do is create a canopy effect with the tulle. Have a few friends hang some from the center of the ceiling and then drape it down to the corners of the altar or stage. To complement the tulle canopy, use tulle to make bows to put on the pews or rows of chairs.

5. Decorate the Altar Only If you have a beautiful wedding venue already, there is no need to go overboard with your decorations. Perhaps all you need is a simple arrangement at the altar.

6. Decorate Your Own Unity Candle This is a fun and easy project that can be done in less than one hour. Go to a craft store and buy a plain, white candle that is at least two inches in diameter. You will also need to buy a ribbon (at least two inches wide) and some sequins. To assemble your own unity candle, glue the ribbon around the bottom of the candle and then glue the sequins on the front of the candle so that they spell the first letter of the groom’s last name.

7. Go Shelling                                                                                                                                                                                   If you live by the beach and have access to free shells, put them in clear vases or hurricanes to be used as wedding decorations. Although shells would be a great addition to a wedding near the ocean, they would also be a beautiful added surprise to a landlocked wedding as well.

8. Throw Down Some Flower Petals Even if you do not have a flower girl, you can still throw down some flower petals along the aisle. This can be done as part of the decorating process before the guests arrive. Flower petals are inexpensive to buy compared to actual flower arrangements, so if you really want flowers but don’t want to spend the money, this is a great way to add them into the decoration of your ceremony.

Save Money on Ceremony Decorations Outdoors

9. Pick a Naturally Beautiful Setting Outdoor garden, beach, or mountain weddings are already decorated for you. For example, if you’re getting married at a farm, throw down some hay bales for seating and you’ve got a rustic, but romantic aisle to walk down. If you want a garden wedding, make sure you get married in the spring when all the flowers are in full bloom.

10. Have a Focal Point There needs to be some sort of focal point that you and your spouse-to-be meet at to be wedded. The focal point will act as a frame around the event. Some of the most common options are arches and gazebos. First check to see if you will have one provided to you by your venue. If not, you can buy one, rent one, or make one. Unless you are a carpenter or a handyman, you should probably opt to rent one. I suggest renting an arch since they are typically cheaper than gazebos and look just as nice.

11. Hang Some Christmas Lights If you are getting wed in the evening, white Christmas lights are a must. And if you’re renting an archway, it would be the perfect place for the lights. Also consider hanging lights in some of the trees if you will be in an outdoor setting.

12. Mow the Lawn This may seem obvious, but if you are getting married in a backyard, start working on the lawn early to ensure that it will be ready in time for the big day. If the yard is kept up with regularly, it will look better for the wedding. Also, start early to plan out what flowers and plants you want to feature. Planting bulbs months in advance will save you from buying more expensive flowers to plant the week before the wedding.

13. Use a Theme to Guide You I went to a wedding not too long ago that had an amazing “Zen” theme throughout. Some of the decorations included paper parasols, lanterns, and bonsai trees. They even had rock gardens as the wedding reception centerpieces to complete the theme. What’s great about using a theme is that you only need a few elements to make a big impact on the overall impression of the ceremony.

14. Light It Up In addition to white Christmas lights or candles, other ways to light up your evening are to use luminaries, torches, and lanterns. Use what is most appropriate given your particular wedding venue. Also, keep in mind whether or not children will be at your wedding and if it would cause any issues to have open flames.

15. Blow Bubbles Although this may sound childish, bubbles can actually add an elegant touch if done correctly. If you’re going to use a bubble machine, make sure that the machine is out of sight and that the bubbles are not coming out too quickly or too slowly. Also make sure that the bubble machine is not too noisy.

The key to successful wedding ceremony decor is simplicity. Clean, elegant flower arrangements, a few strategically placed candles or some potted plants to add a little greenery are all you need to create a romantic and memorable ceremony. Less is more – which ultimately means more money in your wallet.

How did you decorate for your wedding ceremony? Were you able to keep the cost of decorations low? Send us pictures of your big day at helen@favoredbyyodit.com

Source: http://www.moneycrashers.com/cheap-wedding-ceremony-decoration-ideas-budget/

Inspiration: Scrabble Theme Wedding Ideas

There are so many brides and grooms opting to use scrabble letters for their wedding these days. Whether it is for their "Save the Date" cards or place settings, brides and grooms have come up with creative ways of incorporating their most loved game into their wedding.

  Source: http://justbeefashion.blogspot.com/2012/06/scrabble-decor.html

Tip Tuesday: How to Throw a St. Patrick's Day Themed Party or Wedding

Are you thinking of throwing a St. Patrick's Day themed party? Looking for a little inspiration? Well look no further!

Here are some fun and festive menu ideas for your St. Patty's day soiree! Deviled Eggs are an easy and popular appetizer. Add a twist to your classic recipe by adding a couple drops of green food coloring! If throwing a children's party, satisfy the little one's sweet tooth with a candy bar. Spice up an adult candy bar by adding some lime Jello shots. And for the more health conscious host, substitute the sweets with green fruit kabobs. Kiwis, grapes and green apples are all you need to make this delicious and nutritious snack. If you're thinking of tying the knot on St. Patrick's Day, green is definitely the wedding color to go with. Keep the decor simple and elegant with light centerpieces and white table linens. You can make a statement with your cake by going green with a lucky leprechaun hat or opt for a more subtle and traditional cake. We saved the best for last! Whats St. Patrick's Day without a drink or two? Follow the link below for recipes  that are sure to please!      http://valuablejunkurbancowgirl.wordpress.com/?s=St+Patricks+day+drinks+&submit=Search

#ThrowbackThursday Taking it Back to the 1930s

We’re taking way back this week for Throwback Thursday; back to the 1930s!

        

This vintage style wedding gown is sure to be a show stopper. Just look at those Jewels! All eyes will defiantly be on the bride when she walks down the aisle in this stunning piece.

Add a little bling to the bride with this gorgeous brooch bouquet.

Lets not forget about the bridal party! These ladies look stunning in their gowns.

Photo by Jess Kornacki 

Capture the glamour of the 1930s with sleek and simple table settings. Mirrors, gold and crystal scream elegance!

You can go with either circular or rectangular guest tables for the reception. Round tables create a more intimate atmosphere where long tables create an open feeling. And don’t forget, lighting is everything! Placing candles on each table gives a space a more romantic vibe.

And what’s a party without cake? This beautifully crafted cake can serve as more than just a delicious desert. The elegant flowers and shimmering pearls can add to the decor of the wedding. Instead of having one large cake, try placing one of these as the center of each guest table. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

These vintage dictionary word necklaces make the perfect party favor. You can customize each one by selecting your own word or phrase.

Now here are some tips on how to create your own 1930s themed dream wedding.

The Dress 

            If your thinking early 30’s then you need to be looking for a fitting flowing gown, and be considering slippery higher sheen fabrics. Cowl Necklines, curved trains and even medieval sleeves can be a major part of the overall look.              The most exciting thing about planning a 1930s wedding is choosing the clothing. You can either find genuine vintage pieces, or have reproductions made. Many bridal shops have brilliant selections of vintage style gowns, and you can find some specialists online that actually reproduce vintage wedding clothing.

Groom

Okay, so the bride is now perfectly dressed and ready to dazzle come the wedding day. What's left to complete the stunning vintage picture? Why, the groom of course!Making a comeback, popular tuxedo can be thought of as a much more modern wedding choice. In fact, during the 1920s and 1930s, the morning suit was the usual choice for weddings. It wasn't until the 1930s that the tuxedo began to work its way into acceptable wedding attire.Go trendy and pick up a tuxedo; they’re making a comeback anyway! The original vintage suits of this era are truly spectacular as well; if you can find one in your size, snap it up!

Venue/Entertainment

Use the entertainment of that era as inspiration to create a 1930s-themed wedding. The 30s was the golden era of the lindy hop, a type of swing dancing popular from 1935 to 1945. This exciting partner dance that features slides, jumps and throws is entertaining to watch, so if you are feeling adventurous you could hire professional lindy hop dancers as the entertainment for your wedding reception. Other popular dances from the 1930s include the foxtrot and the rumba. Take lessons to learn either of those dances and perform it as the first dance. Another option is to invite the wedding guests to join a conga line during the reception. Conga lines were popular in nightclubs in the 1930s so if it was ever time for a conga, it’s definitely at your 1930s wedding.

Wedding Wednesday: Radiant Orchid + Red Inspiration!

Radiant Orchid is the color of the year for 2014. And we cant agree anymore with Pantone that this color is ‘a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple’ and we would also like to add – perfect for weddings! One of our Favored Brides asked us to create a Radiant Orchid & Red Inspiration board to showcase the rich, luxurious color that has been described as  “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones. Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”  and one that will be sure to inspire throughout the wedding color themes of 2014.

Wishing you a happy Wedding Wednesday to all of our newly engaged brides to be! Enjoy this time & some pretty Wedding Wednesday posts about Radiant Orchid wedding decor.

A blend of fuchsia, purple, and pink, brides can’t go wrong with this exotic, warm color. It’s bold, exudes confidence and will be vibrant against that white wedding dress.

How gorgeous are those bouquets!? Raspberry and Plum Bellini's are the perfect Signature Cocktail for a Radiant Orchid wedding theme! Raspberry & Plum Bellini's Anyone? Check out the Brides matching nails too!

Are You A Jewelry Fanatic? Host a Stella & Dot Trunk Show, You'll Earn Style Rewards!

 

Hi lovely ladies!

Since spring is around the corner what better way then to support a stylish business by hosting a style session! My good friend, Seble is a Stella & Dot, Independent Stylist and looking for some new hostess to partner up for sharing the style and ordering on several occasions. As you already know, Im a girls girl and love anything to help my fellow females!

The new spring collection of Stella & Dot launched on January 13th. This line is probably one of the best thus far and Seble can’t wait to find some fabulous ladies who’d like to host a Stella & Dot Style Session and see these gorgeous pieces in person!

If you have friends and/or family who are jewelry fanatics and fashionistas, please connect with her so they can benefit from hosting a style session! The average hostess gets over $200 in free jewels and more at 50%! It is simple, easy and fun!

Contact: Seble Alemayehu, Stella & Dot, Independent Stylist at 571.344.3848 (Cell) and tell her Favored by Yodit Events sent you :) Checkout the spring collections here: www.stelladot.com/seblealemayehu.

RECAP: ZAAF Launch Event at Barcelona Wine Bar on Superbowl Sunday!

Favored by Yodit Events had the pleasure of planning the Official Launch event for ZAAF™, a new collection of luxury apparel and leather accessories produced by highly skilled artisans in Ethiopia. The event was helped at the NEW! Barcelona Wine Bar in Washington, D.C. and guest enjoyed complimentary cocktails, food & Georgetown Cupcakes! Congrats to Founder & CEO Abai on the new venture and continued success!

Barcelona's brunch cocktails, bellini's & mimosas and yummy mini empanadas were some of the tasty items on the event menu!

Guests loved the handbags!

How cute were these Georgetown Cupcakes with the ZAAF Logo???

Abai & I (Yodit)  take a quick picture in front of the ZAAF Step and Repeat! Love her!

Abai gives the ZAAF story and why she started the company to guests!

Ethiopian Artist Wayna & friends take a photo with Abai!

The main goal of the event was to introduce fans to the brand, the founder and each piece which is made to exacting standards and showcases beautiful craftsmanship and natural resources unique to the region it draws its inspiration from. ZAAF™ is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. More information can be found on http://zaafcollection.com/.

Need help planning an event? Contact us at www.favoredbyyodit.com/contact. Let us take care of the details!

Photo credit: Malik Photography

How to Host A Superbowl Party in Style!

Superbowl Sunday is only a month away! While the typical parties will be serving Buffalo wings and pizza, we have a few suggestions to help host your party in style! I pulled a few of our favorite recipes that will have your guests running into the kitchen every chance they get!

Triple Pork Sliders

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork

• 1/2 pound fresh Mexican chorizo sausage, casings removed

• 1/4 cup finely grated pepper jack cheese

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 8 slices applewood smoked bacon, cooked crisp

• 16 small dinner rolls, sliced in half

• Curly leaf lettuce

• 3 sliced plum tomatoes

• Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat a flat top grill pan to medium-high heat.

In a medium bowl, mix the ground pork, sausage, cheese, shallot, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Form the meat mixture into small equal-sized patties.

Cook the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and serve on split rolls with a half a slice of bacon, lettuce, tomato and Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise.

Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Sriracha)

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together in s medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Can be made a day ahead.

Smoked Gouda-Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

• 2 links Mexican chorizo, casings removed

• 1/2 pound smoked gouda, shredded

• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onions

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup cream cheese

• 3 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 12 large jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded and halved

Directions:

Special Equipment: parchment paper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Brown chorizo in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, red onion, egg, cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and salt and pepper, to taste. Press into jalapeno halves and assemble on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Grilled Shrimp with Orange-Habanero Mojo

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon seeded and chopped pickled habanero chile peppers (or use 1 tablespoon habanero hot sauce)

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 16 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 pound)

Directions:

Soak eight 8-inch wooden skewers in cold water for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the mojo: Combine the orange juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, the pickled habaneros, half of the garlic, the cilantro, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl; whisk well and set aside.

Combine the remaining garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Skewer the shrimp and brush with some of the oil-garlic mixture on both sides; season with salt and pepper. Grill until opaque, about 2 minutes per side, brushing with the remaining oil-garlic mixture. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with the orange-habanero mojo.

Tips for a Delicious Vegetarian Thanksgiving

There has never been a better time to host a meatless Thanksgiving: The huge variety of vegetables and grains available at farmers' markets and specialty food shops is staggering, making it easy to create an incredible vegetarian meal. For the best meat-free holiday feast, follow these smart tips. One of the best: Skip the fake turkey. Instead center the meal around a hearty vegetable dish like this baked acorn squash stuffed with chestnuts, apples and leeks (below). Here, more satisfying and indulgent vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes Source: Foodandwine.com

Thanksgiving Vegetables

From green bean casserole to brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon, here are fabulous Thanksgiving vegetable recipes.

Thanksgiving Greens Recipes

From classic creamed spinach to crispy baked kale with Gruyère cheese, here are superb greens recipes for Thanksgiving.

Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts

From moist banana cake to chocolate and pistachio biscotti, here are delicious and healthy Thanksgiving desserts.