Personalized Unity Sand Ceremony Vases

For many couples who choose the beach as the backdrop for the exchanging of their vows, a unity sand ceremony provides a unique and memorable way to commemorate their love and loyalty. Instead of the traditional merging of flames in a unity candle, the couple symbolically joins their lives with the blending of sand. Unity sand ceremonies are typically short in length, lasting only a couple of minutes, but are long on meaning. During the ceremony, the bride and groom each have separate containers holding different colors of sand, and then pour their sand into a shared unity vase where the grains are forever intermingled. The container with the combined sand is then kept as a keepsake of the couple’s love, loyalty, and devotion.

There are many versions of the sand ceremony vase sets available on the market. Each set is unique and romantic in it's own way. Bellacroft is proud to feature unity sand ceremony sets from Lillian Rose, Cathy's Concepts and Weddingstar!

Personalized Unity Sand Ceremony Vases

Sweet 16 Traditions with Bellacroft

Sweet 16 celebrations are a time for love and family tradition. Here are a few traditions to incorporate into your upcoming Sweet 16 celebration:

The Father-Daughter Dance

Also performed at weddings, the father daughter dance is a way to celebrate a father and his all-grown-up daughter! Have the birthday girl choose a song that is special to her and her dad.

Shoe Ceremony

Similar to the Cinderella fairy tail, this ceremony features the birthday girl trading in her flat shoes for high heeled shoes, often presented by a father, grandfather, uncle or any other significant male. This is a symbolic transitioning from childhood into womanhood.

Tiara Ceremony

This ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the male brings a tiara instead of shoes. The tiara is placed upon her head to symbolize her becoming a woman. Many families blend this ceremony with the shoe ceremony.

Candle-Lighting Ceremony

This ceremony (similar to the unity candle ceremony at a wedding) features 16 tapers to set out on a table in pretty votive cups. The birthday girl could light her first candle from one large candle that symbolizes her parents or family. The first candle is for the girl's parents. The second candle is for brothers and sisters. These can be substituted for any family member if the birthday girl is an only child - many families incorporate a 17th candle for luck.

Sweet 16 Party Favors

Baby Shower Cupcake Theme

Cupcakes are little adorable celebrations of heaven - which is why they make the perfect baby shower theme! Featured on York & White, these baby shower favors are available in pink or blue and are the best gift!
Pair each favor with yummy cupcakes as dessert! [courtesy of Food Network]

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

Icing:

• 1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions

1 drop green food coloring

• 6 large ripe strawberries, hulled
• Green sanding sugar
• Fresh mint leaves or candied leaves

Equipment: 6-cup jumbo muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

In another medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 2 minutes. While beating, gradually pour in the butter and then the vanilla.

While mixing slowly, add half the dry ingredients, then add all the milk, and follow with the rest of the dry ingredients. Take care not to over mix the batter. Divide the batter evenly in the prepared tin.

Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove. Cool on the rack completely.

For icing: Mix the confectioners' sugar and lime zest in a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing. (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but take care if the icing is too loose it doesn't set properly.) Add food color to make a pale pastel green icing.

To assemble: Remove cupcake from its liner. Cut and remove a strawberry (coned) shaped portion of cupcake from the top of each cupcake, leaving about 1/2 to 1-inch of cake in the bottom. Stuff each cake with a strawberry and cover with a little bit of cake. Spoon and spread icing over the top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar. Top with small mint leaves or candied leaves.

Baby Shower Favors

History of Confetti

The term "confetti" refers to several pieces of paper, mylar or metallic material which is usually tossed at special events, especially weddings. Confetti is created in a wide variety of colors, and also available in imaginative shapes and styles. There is a very large distinction between confetti and glitter. Glitter is smaller than confetti (pieces usually no larger than 1mm) and is universally shiny. Most general table confetti is also shiny. While it is referred to as metallic confetti, it is actually metallized pvc. The most popular shape of confetti is the star. Seasonally, Snowflake Confetti is the most requested shape. While confetti is extremely popular for weddings, it is also commonly used at other social events such as Bar Mitzvahs, anniversaries, birthday parties, baby showers and more!

Many wedding receptions feature confetti scattered across tables. Many brides also prefer confetti be tossed instead of rise as it gives more shimmer.

By tradition, the Italian confetti (sugar coated almonds) are given out at weddings and baptisms (white coating), or graduations (red coating). These gifts are often wrapped in a small tulle bag to give as a favor to the guests. For a wedding, they are said to represent the hope that the new couple will have a fertile marriage.

Wedding Confetti

Halloween Wedding Theme

You can have "haunted" memories by saying "I Do" with a Halloween wedding theme! If Halloween is your favorite time of the year, there is no reason why you can't make this your bridal theme. Celebrate all the fun that Halloween has to offer. Decorations are simple to find, and if you start now, you can certainly accomplish this by October!

Color Ideas

o Black
o Orange
o Brown
o Red (bloody red)
o Yellow

Invitations and Stationery

o Black Cats
o Shape the invitation like a witch's hat.
o Make it look like a piece of candy corn.
o Shape it like a pumpkin or jack o' lantern.

Floral Arrangements and Flowers

Any flower can be used, but try to stick with your planned color scheme:

o Roses (red and black and orange)
o Gerber Daisies (orange)
o Lilies (orange and other colors)
o Sunflowers are yellow and brown and truly add a fall flavor.
o Orchids (In Orange)
o Black roses

Decor:

o Jack o' lanterns can be used for illumination
o The jack o' lanterns can also be used for centerpieces.
o Have ghosts hanging around to adorn the place and add mood.
o You can also have an area in the reception that looks like a cemetery complete with headstones.
o Pumpkin Themed Candy Dishes
o Halloween napkins
o You could use pumpkins hallowed out or ceramic ones for vases for flowers.
o Have guests come in Halloween costumes and they can be part of the decorating.

Food

Any food that is "fall" related is appropriate for this type of wedding. Here are a few ideas:

o Turkey and dressing
o Pumpkin soup
o Sweet potatoes
o Make roasted pumpkin seeds available for snacking before dinner is ready.
o Baked apples
o Spiced apple cider
o Pumpkin pie

Wedding Favors

o Your guests will really enjoy being kindly rewarded for attending your wedding.
o Have fancy bags of Halloween candy to give to your guests.
o Votive candles come in black and orange and would be nice to give.
o You can also find Halloween themed candles to give too.
o Halloween themed key chains

Locations

Basically, any location can be transformed into a "spooktacular" venue, however here are a few other ideas:
o Another location would an old stone church.
o A unique place would be an old mansion that looks like it may be haunted.

Baby Shower Themes by Arlene Pecora

If you're planning a baby shower, the first step to consider (other than the date!) is the baby shower theme. Selecting a theme helps you to select the coordinating invitations, games, decor and favors for the party! It also helps create a mood that your guests (or guest of honor) won't soon forget!

Prior to selecting a theme, decide on what the mommy to be would find enjoyable. Many themes are gender based (pink for girl, blue for boy and green for surprise). This can certainly be modified due to taste and many themes are gender neutral as well.

You also need to determine if the shower will be before the baby arrives or after.

The tea party is a lovely theme for women and can be combined with any of the other below party themes that you might have in mind.

Arlene Pecora's Baby Shower Themes:

• Baby Diaper Cake
• Teddy Bear
• Gift Basket
• Stork
• Harvest Moon
• Nursery Rhyme theme
• Baby invitation theme
• Baby safari theme
• Winnie the pooh theme
• Christmas theme
• Baby Shower cake theme
• Baby girl theme
• baby duck theme
• Baby boy theme
• Baby game theme
• Baby butterly theme
• Noahs ark theme
• Decoration theme
• Frog shower theme
• Book shower theme
• Rubby ducky theme
• Sports theme
• Care bear theme
• Ducky theme
• Teddy bear theme
• Snoopy theme
• Tigger theme
• Jungle theme
• Princess theme
• Angel theme
• Cowboy theme
• Precious moments theme
• Sports theme
• Jungle theme

Selecting The Perfect Wedding Favors

Planning a wedding requires hours upon hours of wedding planning - including selecting the wedding favors! Traditionally, the bride and groom would leave a wedding favor on the side of the plate of the guests. Wedding favors are simple little gifts that symbolize thanks and appreciation for the guests. Unfortunately, the process of selecting a wedding favor isn't so simple. Here are a few tips for selecting the perfect wedding favors:

The first question to ask yourself is what type of wedding you want? Large or small and intimate? These are just a few questions to ask to yourself. After you have figured, it would be easy for you to start narrowing down your list.

Secondly, determine how many guests you will be inviting. Then you will need to think of your guests. How many are attending? This helps you stay in budget as well as know how many favors to order - that way you won't have a number of excess.

Thirdly, and perhaps one of the most important - theme! Come up with a joint theme for your wedding which will help you select favors. you have to consider both of your personalities and tastes. What is common to both of you? Choose a favor that could tell a story about you and your future husband.

Lastly, you need to set a budget you can afford. Wedding planning can be extremely expensive - so set a realistic budget and try to stick with it!

Wedding Favors

Selecting the Perfect Wedding Cake Topper

One of the first things that a bride will do when planning her wedding is selecting a wedding theme or color scheme. This sets the way for planning every aspect of the wedding - including the cake topper!

While a simple accessory, the cake topper can actually be considered one of the main focal points of a wedding reception. Many brides and grooms select cake toppers that coordinate with their theme. Another common cake topper is a humorous one - one that speaks volume about the brides and grooms personality!

Many couples select cake toppers from Weddingstar which include:

• The Love Pinch
• Gone Fishing
  
• Bride with the Upper Hand
• And more!
  

Many brides and grooms also select monogram cake toppers which also serve as a lasting keepsake. You can have one monogram to signify your last name or you could have three, the Bride's first initial, the Groom's first initial, and then the last initial that you now share. These cake toppers can be customized by adding colored Swarovski crystals that compliment your color scheme and fonts can be chosen that are formal or whimsical. These are simple and inexpensive ways to personalize your cake to bring lasting memories to your wedding day.

Signature Grand: Ending Your Wedding On a Sweet Note

Dessert is considered a “sweet ending” to your wedding reception. Many brides and grooms are scrambling for the perfect, unique dessert idea. Signature Grand suggests the latest wedding trend: dessert buffets!

How do you go about putting this dessert decadence? The options are almost endless! If you have a relatively small area for the buffet, put out a collection of beautiful little bite sized treats. Signature Grand recommends: petit fours, iced sugar cookies (with your monogram!), mini martini glasses filled with treats and clear glass cylinders filled with candies. This is also a great way to present your wedding “goody bag” favors if you tie your favors into the dessert. Candy such as personalized M&M’s, chocolate bars or traditional Jordan almonds will do!

Other couples decide to do the dessert bar in a very big way. If your budget allows, offer treat stations (similar to a dinner buffet) with cupcakes, cookies, pies, etc. Many couples do an ice cream theme with an ice cream bar! Guests can create their own frosty treat! When deciding on your desserts, think about what sweets go well with coffee or champagne, which is what your guests will likely be drinking.

Speaking of drinks, it is a wonderful idea to coordinate a mini bar station next to the dessert station. Serve up fresh cappuccino and espresso, along with regular coffee and decaf. Offer guests liqueurs, such as Bailey’s Irish crème or Kaluha to spice up their drinks. Wine or champagne goes well with anything chocolate covered (marshmallows, strawberries, pretzels, etc!)

Many brides coordinate the dessert buffet with the rest of their wedding, especially if it is in a separate room. Everyone wants their wedding to be memorable and unique. The best way to do this is to end it with on a “sweet” note!

Wedding Budget Tips: The Wedding Dress

Your wedding dress is part of the center of attention - unfortunately it can also cost an arm and a leg. That is why Signature Grand Weddings recommends purchasing a "previously loved" wedding dress. Pre-owned wedding gowns are a great way to stay in your budget. Whether you’re buying at a local consignment or from an online web site, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect pre-owned wedding dress:

Condition- If you are considering a previously owned wedding gown, then the condition of the gown is everything. hen inspecting a gown in person, take it to a well-lit area of the shop. Inspect typical problem areas, such as hemlines, underarms, and zippers, and do a scent check to ensure there are no offensive aromas like body odor, perfume, moth balls, and cigarette smoke. While a professional cleaning ($50-$100) may take care of make-up and light soiling, stains from wine, grass, and food are tougher to tackle.

Has the dress been altered? Generally, wedding gowns can be altered up or down 2-4 sizes, but if the dress has already been taken in or let out, there may be little give – if any – to accommodate a custom fit. When examining in person, check to make sure seam allowances are adequate for sizing to fit. If buying an altered dress from an online seller.Si

Signature Grand Weddings features several articles that will help any modern bride and groom plan the wedding of the dreams - whether they're on a budget or not!

Signature Grand Weddings

3Fun Baby Shower Games

Aside from the food and the mommy-to-be, the main area of baby shower entertainment stems from the baby shower games! Here are a list of the top 5 more popular baby shower games:

Truth or Dare: Baby Style!

This is a fun trivia game specifically for baby showers! These questions can be family related as well as revolving around the baby's name, due date and other fun trivial facts. The guest thaanswers the most correct questions wins!

Name That Baby Food!

This is a fun one and it can be done in two ways. The most popular way is to simply remove or cover the name of the baby food so that guests guess the food solely based on color. Jars may not be opened or tasted. Another method is TASTE. Many guests aren't brave enough to conquer this one! Guests that guess the correct food the most win!

Measure The Belly!

If the mommy to be isn't shy about her belly size, guests guess the amount of ribbon (or string) that it would take to wrap around mommy's belly entirely. Guests that guess the closest win!