Storkie

Backyard Wedding Extravaganza Inspiration Board

Mandi — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:55:23 +0000

Outdoor backyard wedding extravaganzas are starting to make headlines! With a little creativity and planning, these events can be elegant and breathtaking at any budget. There are so many pluses with tying the knot at your house: Intimate setting, familiar atmosphere, convenience of home, and cost (free) to name a few… And then actually seeing your backyard transformed into a tranquil paradise…priceless!

Get Creative with Carnations

Mandi — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:33:49 +0000

I assisted one of my best friends when she was preparing everything for her wedding. When we arrived at the floral shop, the first thing she told the florist was “no carnations”. Of course no carnations I thought. Let me say, first impressions are not always right.

Especially for a bride on a budget, carnations are surprisingly one of the most versatile flowers available. They can be transformed into gorgeous bouquets, interesting centerpieces and stunning accent pieces. Mix a tightly packed pink carnation bouquet with pink roses and Voila! A budget friendly bouquet without losing any of the “wow” factor!

Enjoy the beautiful montage carnation inspiration…

5 Ways to Bring Origami into Your Wedding

Rachel — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:00:53 +0000

Breathtaking Origami You Must Include in Your Wedding

Origami has been a wedding tradition for thousands of years – at least in Japan. So take a page from our friends due east and start folding (and don’t stop!). Be it 1,000 paper cranes for good luck, or a cost-effective and ever-lasting paper flower bouquet, origami is all the wedding rage. Check out five ways to make it a part of your Big Day.

1,000 Paper Cranes

Legend says that if you fold one thousand paper cranes before your wedding day, your marriage will be long, happy, and full of good luck – in short everything you want it to be.

They also make a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

Images courtesy of Altmix Photography and greenweddingshoes.com

Create whimsical ambiance for a whimsical wedding.

Image courtesy of Polkadotbride.com

They can be all white, or match the color scheme of your reception.

Images courtesy of ecochicweddings.typepad.com and thelovliestday.com

Cranes can even be used to add some Japanese flair to a woodland setting.

Image courtesy of oncewed.com

Centerpieces for Every Aesthetic

Candles and flowers are par for the course in the wedding world. Add in a few paper accents, though, and your centerpieces go from blasé to beautiful.

A little bit country.

Image courtesy of Mrs.Origami (via Flickr)

A little bit modern.

Image courtesy of beinlovedesigns.com

A lotta bit stunning.

Image courtesy greenbaboondesigns (via Etsy)

Flower Power (the paper kind)

Wedding flowers are part of the Top 6 Wedding Expenses – but not if you use paper petals.. For a look that is both practical and perfectly pretty, try origami bouquets!

Old-timey and elegant.

Image courtesy of WhetherPaperworks (via Etsy)

Full and flourishing.

Images courtesy of theprincessofpopups.com and bethorigami (via Flickr)

When roses fail, try lilies.

Images courtesy of theprincessofpopups.com and zzilch (via Flickr)

Paper not a part of your plans? What about fabric? It can be folded just a beautifully as paper, and is often more lush looking.

Image courtesy Lunatiger (via Etsy)

Paper Favors

Your friends and family expect a little somethin’ to remember your celebration by. Give them a gift befitting of your Big Day.

Fold up your good fortune, and let your guests take it home.

Image courtesy of hansonellis.com

Dainty origami boxes can hold candy or other creations.

Image courtesy of beinlovedesigns.com

From bouquets to centerpieces, paper flowers are timeless.

Images courtesy of zzilch (via Flickr) and elizabethannedesigns.com

“Cootie Catchers” are fun to play with during inevitable crying during the best man’s toast.

Images courtesy of Katskrafts (via Etsy)

Light Up Your Night

Paper lanterns are elegant and extraordinary – especially when the ceiling is covered with swaying, glowing orbs.

Colorful flowers that glow from the inside out…

Image courtesy of weddingbee.com

…or bight white that shines nuptial splendor.

Image courtesy of weddingbee.com

Color and paper boxes transform a plain string of Christmas lights into an eye-catching creation.

Image courtesy of whimsidoodle (via Etsy)

Are you Hungry? Babies Dressed as Food!

Mandi — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:17:59 +0000

These adorable baby pics remind me of my grandma’s favorite phrase: “ohhhh you’re so cute I could just eat you all up!”

Which is your favorite baby food-costume?

Oh no! Hilarious Baby Photos!

Mandi — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:06:23 +0000

Adorable baby photos!

Babies rocking out, sassy attitudes, angry and shocked pucker faces, these priceless baby photos are sure to get you laughing… what a great way to start your day!

Oh so adorable! What are these babies thinking?

Mandi — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:10:20 +0000

Babies are always so precious…but especially when they’re sleeping. You can watch their expressions change as they dream, in minutes they can shift from smiling, to frowning to just plain blissful… what do you think these babies are dreaming about?

Get Married with your Pooch!

Mandi — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:34:01 +0000

They’ve been your best friend for years, possibly even longer than your soon-to-be! Of course their approval and acceptance is what helped you fall even more in love with your beloved. Why not include them in your ceremony? As long as they’re well behaved of course!

There are many ways your pooch can play an important role in your event from simply being a witness, to standing with you at the altar to even being the ring bearer. Take a look as these inspiring photos below for ideas.

Favors Depot has adorable Pooch Tuxedos and the Ring Bearer pillow you see above.

Make sure your pooch is well nourished, exercised and has had the ability to relieve himself/herself before the ceremony. But most of all, make sure your pup is well behaved and is being watched by a capable party… while these memories are hilarious later, wedding upsets like these can be super stressful when they happen.

If all else fails – play dress up at home!

Pink and Gold Wedding Inspiration Board

Mandi — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:52:12 +0000

Elegant and sophisticated, Pink and Gold go together beautifully to set the mood for your long anticipated celebration! Here’s a lovely inspiration board that showcases this lovely combination…

Also check out our beautiful selection of Rehearsal Dinner Invitations.

Happy Celebrating!!

Colorful Summer DIY Centerpiece Ideas

Mandi — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:35:37 +0000

Brighten up a room with colorful flowers captured underneath upside-down wine glasses and topped with a fragrant candle. This is a creative and elegant way to transform ordinary inexpensive glasses into unique and sure to be talked about candle holders.

Fill a tall glass vase with whole fresh citrus fruits for colorful but simple centerpiece.

Single Gerber Daisies in small round glass vases create very simple but elegant table decorations which can be as colorful or neutral as you wish by the flowers you select.

Who would have thought test tubes could make such an exquisite table accent? These ordinary test tubes have been wrapped with colorful string spindles and then used as a tiny vase holding a single flower.

Alternative to this ~ Fill a vase with sliced lemons or limes and fill with water and flowers.

Do you know of any other clever DIY ideas? Please share!!

Happily Doing It Herself!

Awkward Invitations You Don’t Want to Receive

Rachel — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:53:16 +0000

Awkward, uncomfortable situations abound. We have taken it upon ourselves to showcase just how versatile our cards and invitations really are with this selection of awkward invitations. Because no matter how terrible the news, or how uncomfortable the event, everyone still loves receiving a Storkie invitation.

The Let’s Catch Him Cheating Invitation

The Baby Making Invitation

The Intervention Invitation

The Wedding Un-Invitation

The Help Me Move Invitation

The Invitation to Your Own Firing

The Audit Invitation

The It’s Time for Your Root Canal Invitation

The Jury Duty Invitation

The Clown College Graduation Invitation

The Pet Funeral Invitation

DIY Beach Wedding Theme Centerpiece Ideas

Mandi — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:19:30 +0000

Are you planning a beach themed wedding? If you’re on a budget, worry not…gorgeous doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg with these DIY Beach Theme Centerpiece Inspirations.

Have a great weekend,

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner 101

Mandi — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:22:26 +0000

The purpose of a rehearsal dinner is to thank the wedding party and everyone involved in planning the event and to relax and enjoy each others company the night before the wedding. It’s often an informal event held after the rehearsal, the evening before the wedding.

Who Pays?

Traditionally the groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, but there are many scenarios that are seen nowadays. Sometimes both parents host it together, other times the couple budget the dinner into their overall expenses.

Who plans it?

It is traditionally the groom’s mother who plans the rehearsal dinner, ask your future mother-in-law if she would like to and is able to.

How do I invite my guests?

Printed invitations should be sent out a few days after you send your wedding invitations. You can find an array of elegant and inexpensive rehearsal dinner invitations on our website.

Should I invite out-of-town guests?

Rehearsal dinner is traditionally for the wedding party and immediate family. However, if you can afford the additions, inviting out-of-town guests is a nice gesture so they’re not left alone in an unfamiliar town. If you are not able to, be sure to include some local restaurants and things to do on your wedding website for your out-of-town guests. Another option is to invite them to meet you for drinks after dinner.

The rehearsal dinner is the perfect time for the bride and groom to give thanks and toast their families and the wedding party. It’s also a great idea to include other activities such as ice breakers, pool, poker, volleyball or other interactive activities that will allow the two families to get to know each other better and relax before the big day.

If you’re not hosting a bridesmaid’s luncheon the rehearsal dinner is a wonderful time to give out bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts.

Congratulations!!

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky Wedding

Mandi — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:02:31 +0000

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky were officially married on Saturday night July 31, 2010 at the Astor Courts Estate in Rhinebeck, New York. Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton released this statement:

“Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”

Chelsea wore a Vera Wang ivory strapless gown with a raw edge laser-cut silk organza skirt for her ceremony as well as a silk tulle cross-back Grecian gown for the reception. She also asked Wang, who was one of their 400 guests, to design her bridesmaids’ dresses, gorgeous strapless bias-cut lavender chiffon gowns.

Enjoy a few of the pics from the wedding… Wow!

3 Unique DIY Centerpiece Inspirations

Mandi — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:20:05 +0000

Many newly engaged couples find themselves working with a tight budget for their wedding… here are 3 very different unique centerpieces that are easy to do, look great, and are affordable!

For the crafty and ambitious couple, a tight budget doesn’t have to mean boring, cheap or sparse. In my hunt for amazing DIY centerpiece ideas I found these very unique gems and I just had to share!

5 Minute Artichoke Candle Transformation from Wedding Chicks

Rustic DIY Centerpiece from Design Sponge Online

Fish Bowl Centerpiece instructions

Which is your favorite?

Enjoy!

Wedding Blog Roll

Rachel — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:00:14 +0000

We’ve compiled a mega-list of wedding blogs. Check ‘em out and enjoy all the awesome wedding reading and pics…

Enjoy all the wedding blog goodness!

DIY Glowing Candle Centerpiece Inspiration

Mandi — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:17:28 +0000

Glowing candles can create a gorgeous ambiance, especially if you’re having an event in the evening.

More impressive than typical votive candles, these beautiful glowing inspirations combine flowers suspended in water, floating candles and other accents such as small river pebbles, gemstones or glass beads.

Ideas for Flowers:

Roses Petals Floating
Rose – 1 Long Stem – Submerged
Orchids – 1 Stem or 1 Flower Submerged
Cherry Blossoms

Ideas for Accents:

Small river pebbles
Gemstones or crystals
Rounded glass stones
Sand

Happy Decorating!

Unique Baby Shower Theme ~ Aviation Inspiration

Mandi — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:42:19 +0000

Aviation Day Baby Shower? Why not?!?

Airplanes make for a super cute boy shower theme, and there are so many ways to get creative… The sky is the limit! *pun intended*

National Aviation Day is observed in the United States on August 19 each year to celebrate the history and development of aviation. The day coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright who, together with his brother Wilbur, piloted the Wright Flyer. They are credited with building the world’s first successful airplane with controls that enabled them to steer the plane.

Another national aviation holiday in the United States is Wright Brothers Day on December 17 each year.

Enjoy our Aviation Day Inspiration Board below!

Pink and Chocolate Wedding Inspiration Board

Mandi — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:52:28 +0000

One of the hottest color combinations this year is chocolate brown and pink… brown is the new black! The soft warm feel of brown paired with refined and classy pink is an exuberant mix.

Enjoy a few of our newest Wedding Invitations “Rapture Layered 1 & 2″ as well as our elegant Chocolate Brown and Pink Inspiration board below.

How about a 3D Baby Shower cake?

Mandi — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:12:30 +0000

One of the best ways to plan a fun Baby Shower theme is to design it around a special cake that will serve as your table centerpiece! What makes a better impact than a custom piece of edible artwork?

A 3D cake is a normal shaped cake, square, round or rectangle that has been carved into a base form which is the foundation to create the final design. Then three dimensional molded designs are formed on top. These designs are often white modeling chocolate, but it can also be gum paste or fondant.

Check out some of these cute 3D cakes Inspirations below!

Did you have a fun 3D cake for your party? We would love to showcase your cake and your event. Email us at blog [at] storkie [dot] com

Happy Baking!

Throwing an Unforgetable Bachelorette Party

Mandi — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:46:13 +0000

Although we have been holding events to honor the bride-to-be for centuries, what we now know of as a bachelorette party has only been common practice since the mid-1980’s. Created primarily to establish gender equality and to mirror the bachelor party, the first book on planning bachelorette parties wasn’t even published until 1998. Since this is a relatively new event and expectations are not set in stone you’re allowed a lot of freedom for planning.

Some great ideas for bachelorette parties can include a night out on the town, intimate parties at home, and themed parties such as a spa pamper party or a recipe or cooking theme party. The most important aspect to planning this event is to really get in touch with the honoree – what is her style? What does she enjoy doing? Does she like going out on the town and drinking or does she like staying in and pampering herself? Enjoy our bachelorette party inspiration board below!

Have any fun girls night out party ideas?? Please share!