Upcoming Wedding

    This weekend we are looking forward to working 

  with Erin and Rick on their special day!

Details to follow for what is expected to be a beautiful wedding!

Images: Kilker Photography

Autumn Approaches!

As the summer comes to a close, uncover must-have recipes for the Fall!

These pumpkin mousse shooters are petite, delicious, and low-cal; they are a festive dessert for any event this season. They even add an extra dose of decor!

2 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened

1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin

3/4 cup fat-free milk

1 package vanilla fat-free sugar-free instant pudding mix

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

3 cups thawed reduced-fat whipped topping, divided

4 gingersnap cookies, crushed

Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.  Add pumpkin, milk, pudding mix, cinnamon, ginger and cloves and beat about 1 minute or until 

smooth.  Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping.

Spoon 1/4 cup mousse into each of the eight 6 oz. dessert glasses.  Spoon 2 tablespoons whipped topping over mousse in each glass.  Top with 1/4 cup mousse.  Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.

Just before serving, top each shooter with remaining whipped topping and gingersnap crushed cookie crumbs.  Enjoy!

Recipe found at: www.eat-yourself-skinny.com

Hearts

I heart my team! 

A big shout out to the jpb designs team -    Karla, Meredith, Lily, Caroline, and Kristin

Thank you for your positive spirit, ability to rise to the challenge, willingness to help, coordination in all things, smiles, laughs, and most of all friendship.  

Working alongside of you has been wonderful!  

I'm looking forward to a successful and fun-filled fall wedding season 

with the best team I could ask for. 

Eco/ Green Themed Inspiration Board

Images Found- First Row: Glass Bottles Decor- www.inspirationgreen.com, Bridesmaid Dresses- www.weddingaces.com, Eco-Friendly Favors- www.onewed.com. Second Row: Table Scape- www.pegasusnew.com, Plate plus Bouquet- www.dressdress.org, Recycled Invitation Paper- www.onewed.com. Third Row: Burlap Plant Display-www.simplybytamaranicole.blogspot.com, Recycled Cans- www.indulgy.com, Food Selections- www.poshpaperweddings.com.

What Fun! Jaclyn & Chris get hitched!

For Chris and Jaclyn's wedding, I first met with Jac's mom and aunt.  They were too much fun!  I knew I would be in for a super fun, interesting wedding.  After meeting with the bride and groom while I was down in their neck of the woods - the Carolinas - I was super excited for this wedding.  They had the best attitude:  they just wanted their guests to have fun.  

Check out the great images below from Wendy at Hickok Photography!

  

For those of you who haven't heard of this, Jaclyn and Chris chose to do a wine ceremony during their ceremony.  Essentially, they hammer into this box a bottle of wine and letters to each other, which they will open all of many years down the road.  The idea is so sweet!  And, I thought this was a nicely decorated box, too. 

       

I really enjoyed how the tables had different centerpieces on them.  We had two different types to set up.  Did you notice their attention to detail?  The ribbon around the mirror plates is in different shades of their wedding blue.  

Jac & Chris chose to work with a superhero theme!  How unique!  They named each table after a superhero and made little signs to represent each one. 

Jaclyn's aunt made them a bags game for their wedding reception. The Londontowne & Gardens area is large enough to have space for this kind of fun!  And, like I mentioned, the couple just wanted their guests to be having fun, so they gave them plenty of options of things to do.  Jaclyn and Chris each had their own board with one as a mermaid and the other as a superhero with a cape!  And, aren't these bags adorable?

Unique music sent the bridal party down the aisle and the Star Wars Theme provided a great backdrop for the recessional music!

Can you see the superhero t-shirt under the groom's tux?  If I am correct, I think a different one of Jaclyn's aunts made these little characters.  Too cute!

Wendy set up a great photobooth with such a cute fabric background. 

Isn't this a cute little picture?

So, this next part was absolutely my favorite part of the night.  For the ceremony, Chris and Jaclyn asked me to lay out ribbon wands on each individual's seat.  The programs described how the couple wanted the guests to hang on to those wands all night.  The guests were to use them at dinner, on the dance floor, and for the grand exit.  That they did!  Everyone seemed to have a really good time with them!  Right when we got everyone lined up for the final exit, the band leader brought his microphone over and started singing - and getting the crowd to sing - to entertain them while they were lined up.  It was great!  Everyone was having an amazing time!  So, this next shot brings back some great memories of the night. 

The couple decided to hire their photographer for one final hour to head out on the town.  They took off for downtown Annapolis where they were able to dance the night away and steal some great shots!

Jaclyn and Chris, it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your wedding day!
You are two fun spirited people who have so much love to spread.

Vendors:
Venue:  Historic Londontown & Gardens
Caterer:  The Main Ingredient
Florist:  Jean Clare Shea Designs
Band:  Soul Expressions
Photographer:  Wendy Hickok Photography
Hair:  Mindy Whalen
Make-up:  Nicole Hesneperger
Transportation:  An Extraordinar Limousine Inc.
Rentals:  Grand Rentals Events

Raw Bar

If you asked someone from Maryland to describe the state, there is a high likelihood that the topic of seafood will come up. From crabs to oysters, Marylanders love the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the ocean. In fact, raw bars at weddings are a great way to incorporate a little bit of this Maryland tradition, especially in the summer months. 

Image Found: www.northendfish.com

 The Raw Bar presents a clean, elegant and inviting atmosphere for guests due to its buffet style and preparation. 

Image found: www.rinconprweddingplanner.com

 Incorporate an ice sculpture to keep things cool or add martini glasses to bring an extra elegant touch.

Image Found: www.drexelbrookcatering.blogspot.com

 Why not take advantage of one of the best things the east coast has to offer and wow your guests with these yummy treats?

Love these Sweethearts!

We are super excited to help out Erin & Nick this weekend on their wedding! We are honored to be a part of such a special day.   

I can't wait to share all of the great details.  It is going to be beautiful! 

Healthy Wedding Cocktails

Whether you’re trying to go down those last five pounds, looking for a healthier lifestyle or inclined to try something new; there are healthy, tasty and relatively easy cocktail recipe options that work well for any style of wedding. Today it’s become fashionable to try a variety of spices to create a new subset of cocktails. It’s time for traditional mixers like Sprite and Cranberry Juice to move over, now spices such as chili powder, lavender and ginger are stealing the spotlight at the wedding reception!

Image Found: www.arabiaweddings.com

If drinking chili powder seems a little too adventurous to you and your guests (and I really don’t blame you) you can find other healthy options that substitute soda with fruit juice, meaning a more natural cocktail with less calories. A few options such as a Fruit Salad Cosmo can be found at http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/3-delicious-wedding-cocktails-2571315.html. 

(ginger and whiskey) Image Found: www.healthline.com

A great suggestion is to have a couple’s cocktail. Why not start your marriage with a great drink that your guests love and that you can name whatever you want?! Have the taste of your drink match your style as a couple; sweet, spicy, exotic or put a twist to a classic drink. You can also make the color of your cocktail match a theme. There are so many different options that its easy to personalize your cocktail.  

Image Found: www.sheknows.com

Here is a recipe for the Ciroc Lola from http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/ciroc-lola-vodka-champagne-cocktails. It sounds like a delicious and incredibly flowery way to end this summer.

Image Found: www.eventsbylafete.com

• 1 ounces of Ciroc Vodka
• 1 1/2 ounce pomegranate juice
• 1 teaspoon elderflower liqueur  
• 1 splash champagne 
• 1 orchid blossom

• Stir all the ingredients over ice to chilled and strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.
• Top with a splash of champagne and garnish with a orchid or if preferable, another flower (edible if you desire) 

Lawn Care Party

Since January, I've been planning and preparing for my son's third birthday.  At that time, I asked him what he wanted his party to be centered around.  His response, which I could have put money on, was "tractors" -- but I didn't want to do the usual John Deere tractor themed party.  So, somewhere along the lines I decided to go the route of a Lawn Care Party.  I figured that would be sure to include all the equipment he loves:  tractors, leaf blowers, weed whippers, diggers, etc.  Despite the party being on one of the most humid days our summer had to offer, I think everyone had a great time!

For the decor, I found the tutorial for yarn balls on pinterest!  

I ended up with two of them under our big umbrella.

Then, I took a bunch of old frames and spray painted them yellow and added black chalkboard paint to the glass.  I used this one below as our menu.

With tractors all over our house, they ended up being great resources for the food table!

I set the picnic table as a paint your pot station and then changed it over as a place for the kids to eat. 

We happened to have these tree stumps that I used as seats for the photo booth. 

The crate off to the left held props and a chalkboard sign that held the description.

Our "tool shed"

We felt that the kids would enjoy sitting on the rider mower.  So, we parked it out back and made it a part of the decor and theme.

I bought the lattice at Lowes and spray painted it to be the food table backdrop.

The three types of material came from Hobby Lobby, on sale of course.  I wanted to add the orange in order to detract from a strictly John Deere feel.  

Below I made sack lunches for the kids.  I found these stickers in our house that I could use to print their names on the bags.  

I was so happy to find these tractors on Etsy - as well as the cupcake wrappers!

My mom helped me with the photo booth props.  She used her cricut machine to cut out an owl, a duck beak, a pig nose, etc.  We had fun with it!

It was so fun!  Now I'm on to planning a January 2 year old party.  I can't wait!

Black and White Inspiration Board

Images Found: first row: Candy table- www.eventpros.wordpress.com, Bridal Bouquet- www.weddingdesign.com, Wedding Dress- www.stylemepretty.com, Invitation- www.okinvitations.com. Second Row: Candles- www.black-and-white.weddings.com, Cake- www.weddingtips.tk. Third Row: Table Scape- www.prettypeacockpaperie.wordpress.com, Bridesmaid Dresses- www.weddingevents.com, Escort Card Table- www.budgetdreamweddings.com, Flowers- www.weddingsonthefrenchriviera.com.

Minty Fresh

One of the most popular colors this year is mint. It has colored shoes, skinny jeans, jewelry and now weddings! This subtle fashion statement is now redefining color options and themes for weddings as it continues to grow in popularity. In fact this cheerful color is perfect for a bride who wants to be fashion forward and edgy without losing her wedding's elegance.

Image Found: www.indulgy.com

One of the great things about mint is the fact that you can find so many great products and designs in the color. Here is a great opportunity to allow your bridesmaids to choose their own style of dress because this unique color does not come in one million different shades (think trying to find the right shade of red from six different dress stores). Also its easy to find mint earrings, shoes or ribbon; all that match perfectly with the bridesmaid dresses!   

Image Found: www.indulgy.com

A really cute idea for a wedding favor is to have mint colored mints!

Image Found: www.3d-memoirs.com

This color has taken off as a theme. People are sending out mint wedding invitations, having mint colored cakes, and even indulging in mint colored table settings. Mint looks great with a variety of colors and can be used for a day or nighttime wedding. Brides are loving the color so much that they are even making their wedding dresses mint!

Image Found: www.weddingdressespictures.net