Where Do I Put My Card?

Gift Card Holders can be an excellent way to add an accent to your reception that goes with your theme.  Gone are the days of the traditional card box:

I’ve seen the bird cage A LOT lately and think it is very cute and can go with many themes, but I wish brides would try something different!  Depending on the look you are going for, there are SO many different options that you can experiment with.  You may even take a piece of junk and dress it up to fit your wedding.  Here are a few that I’ve seen, and some I haven’t that I would like to see!

An idea I love and encourage: The Vintage Suitcase or Trunk

Going along with the vintage theme, a typewriter case.  Also really cool if you have the typewrite and people can type you notes.

I don't see it as much as I would expect at the winery, but a wine crate is an easy card holder!  You can also get them personalized which would make a great keepsake. Really, you can do any sort of crate...like a vintage Coke crate.

If you want to stick with the winery/wine theme, you could always make a slit in the top of a mini wine barrel

A Mailbox...yep...put cards where they are supposed to go!

But if you're really set on the birdcage, you could always go with a variation...like a lantern?

Bridesmaid Gifts 101

If I’ve learned anything from eavesdropping on the bridal party, you don’t want to be corny when it comes to the gift you give to your bridesmaid.


DON’T give:

-Bath products.
Don’t give them something they will use and then it’s gone. It also looks like you really didn’t put any thought into it.

-Lots of little things.
In this case, less is definitely more. Don’t spend $50 on a bunch of junk, spend $50 on one nice item.

-Jewelry.
Sure, you think that matching hot pink necklace and earrings are fab, but are your bridesmaids really going to wear that? If you decide to give jewelry, make it tasteful and plain.

-A shirt that says “BRIDESMAID”.
Ultimate cheese. They are going to wear that shirt once, then it is going to go in the back of the closet.



DO give:

A Clutch

http://www.windsorfashions.com/
-Allison O’Keefe-Kean gave this as a gift to her bridesmaids and it was a hit! What was inside? A pair of Victoria’s Secret panties, a Starbucks gift card for the morning after, and some lotion. “I wanted to give them something special that they can use again that is stylish, not something cheesy like jewelry they will never wear again”, says Allison.


A Keepsake Box

http://www.beau-coup.com/
A great gift that you will use forever.


Pajamas
http://www.thepajamacompany.com/
Mara Day, wedding photographer, saw this at one of her weddings and absolutely loved the idea! “PJ’s can be used again and again unlike some floofy scented soap and bubble bath that probably don’t like in the first place!”, says Mara.



Tea Box with Monogram

http://www.americanbridal.com/
Something different! I personally love this idea. This item is very classy and timeless. You can go home and use it today or years into the future while entertaining.