Wedding Entertainment: Unique Ideas For Your Celebration

Are you looking to have a wedding reception like no other?  Start out by listing your likes, hobbies, favorite season - things that will define who you are as a couple.  Decide on your likes and dislikes and unveil your personal style.  Once you've done this you're ready to move forward and create your wedding theme.  Here are 10 creative {and very unique} ideas to make your wedding reception POP!

1.  Consider your venue.  Are you into art?  Have your reception at an art gallery.  Do you love gardening?  Go to a Botanical Garden.  Not into dancing?  Set up a lounge area where your guests can kick back and socialize.

2.  Hire professional dancers, hula hoop girls, belly dancers, a steel drum band or a mariachi band.  What is the style of your wedding? 

3.  Bring out a "Breakfast Buffet" later in the evening.  Mimosas and Bloody Mary stations?

4.  Serve food and drinks that are regional.  Do you live on the East Coast?  How about a delicious seafood soup?  Are you a southerner?  Add sour-cream cornbread to your meal.

5.  Add a cigar roller to your event.  Even if you don't smoke cigars, this will be a huge hit!

6.  Bring in an artist.  Find someone that can do caricatures or water color paintings.  This takes care of your guests favors.

7.  The photo booth is always a popular and fun idea.  Have some props available.  You can even make this part of your "guest book".  Have your guests take their pictures then glue them into a provided book and leave you a special message. 

8.  Go with a Carnival Themed wedding.  You really can't go wrong with cotton candy machines, carnival rides and games!

9.  Have yard games available.  Set up a frisbee golf area, play some croquet, or just kick a ball around.

10.  Hire a professional band and make your reception more of a concert.  I worked with a couple that did this for their reception.  They weren't expecting most of their wedding guests to come, but they all did and danced all night...it was great!  They brought pizza in around 10pm to keep the energy alive in the room {the band even MC'd the garter and bouquet toss}.

What are you going to do at your wedding reception?  Leave us a comment and share your details.

The Parties Before The Wedding: Bachelorette Party Ideas

It's time to get the girls together and have some fun, but you're not really sure what to do.  Sure, you could do the typical "bar-hopping", and maybe you will at some point, but why not make it more personal and fun {without the sick feeling in the morning}. 
Here are some fun ideas for you and the girls to have a fun and memorable time before the wedding.

• Find a rodeo and some country bars for some fun country dancing

• Head to the local spa for a day of pampering.  Mud baths, manicures, pedicures and finish it off with getting your hair done before you all head out to dinner.

• Spend a day out on the boat in the water.  Find an island, eat some yummy {yet healthy :)} food, drink some homemade lemonade, and play some water volleyball.

• Go on a canoe river trip or a rafting trip

• Put on your cowboy hats and boots and take the girls for a day of horse back riding on the trails.

• Rent a trolley and do a winery tour.  Make sure to eat along the way and drink a lot of water.

• Arrange your own "Pampering Party".  Make some cocktails, finger sandwiches and other delicious foods to munch on, play the bride's favorite movie in the background and mix up some DIY spa treatments. 

• Make up your own wine and cheese party.  Everyone should bring their favorite White and Red wines and some cheeses of different flavors, fruit, crackers/ bread, and of course, some chocolate.

• Organize a scavenger hunt around town.

• Do a cupcake baking class together.

• Go create some pottery.

• Spend the day out on the slopes.  Or, try something new, like rock climbing!

• Run a marathon then go out for some good food and celebration.

Watch later this week for some fun game ideas for your bachelorette party!

Theme Thursday: Blush Pink Romance

A new trend that I'm noticing in weddings this year so far is soft colors and very romantic.  This is an elegant, romantic board following through on the Blush Pink color. 

One of my favorite new finds {a perfect addition to this wedding} is the Pearl Paper Cone, from the David Tutera collection, found at www.koyalwholesale.com

Add some crystal garland for hanging and it is perfect for rose petals, confetti, rice, birdseed, or dried herbs.  Or, put it at your aisle seats and add a little floral for your ceremony. 

Leave a comment and tell us your wedding colors!

Real Proposal

Are you and your fiancee movie buffs?  Well, here is a great way for your guy to pop the question.   It's kind of long, but so worth watching!!  Kudos to the guy that put this together and congratulations to the girl!!

Wedding Traditions: Something Blue

You know the saying:  "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"  Today, we are going to give you some unique ideas for the "Blue".  Blue is my favorite color, so I could really go on and on, but here are some of my favorite ideas for you to add into your wedding day:




First is my favorite new find.  I LOVE David Tutera and strive to be as good at my job as he is.  He has a new line of products offered through one of my favorite shopping sites www.koyalwholesale.com  and this is his something blue.

These are some more of my favorite ideas for you.

What will your "Blue" be?  Leave a comment and share.  Happy Wednesday!

Fat Tuesday: Get Out Your Beads!

I LOVE New Orleans!!  The music, the food, the people, and of course, the parties.  Here's a little bit of fun New Orleans style music to help you get in the mood on this great Fat Tuesday!

Try this yummy meal for dinner tonight. Straight from Emeril...so you know it'll be good!
Bloody Mary
Andouille and Chicken Jamalaya
King Cake


Happy Fat Tuesday!

The Fit Bride: Simple In-Home Workout!

The hardest part of an exercise plan is getting started.  Try to use the motivation of looking great for your wedding day to get you going.  Once you have made that decision to get healthy it is best to have a plan to follow.  Below is a short in-home workout that will be effective and get you going in the right direction. 



Find a place in your house with enough room to move freely and dress in comfortable clothes.  The exercises are described below with pictures to help you with the form.  Try doing each exercise 10-20 times twice, with a one minute break in-between each one.  Keep moving to keep your heart rate up and burn the maximum amount of calories. 

Warm Up - Jumping Jacks (1-3 minutes)


Split Squat -  Wide split with weight staying on the front heal.  Drop down until your back knee almost touches the ground then return to start.  Keep your head and shoulders up to keep back straight.  Switch legs!


Standing Punches - Stand in an athletic stance with feet shoulder width apart.  Fully extend one arm out and back and then switch.  Move quickly as if punching a heavy bag.   Use anything around the house as weight (cans, milk jugs, etc).

Squat Jumps - Squat down until knees are at about 90*.  Keep head and shoulders up and jump as high as you can in the air.  Squat back down and repeat.

Bentover Flye - Grab the weights you used for the punches.  Bend your knees and while keeping head up bend over at the waist to 45*.  Keeping arms straight, flye out to the side like you are flapping your wings.

Seated Twist - Sit on the ground with your knees bent.  Hold something heavy in front of you and lean back until abs become activated.  Twist your head, shoulders, and weight from one side to the other making sure you don't sit back up.

Squat Thrust - Start in standing position then crouch down to place hands on the ground.  Kick your feet back into a push-up position.  Then return back to the standing position.  Jumping at the end would be a good way to make this one harder.



If you have any questions about this short program or would like to learn more please e-mail me at andy@hfhonline.com.

Goodluck and Get Fit,
Andrew

Matrimonial Monday: A Flash-Mob Proposal

What a super fun way to pop the question!  It doesn't matter how it's done, I still get teary.

How did your guy propose to you?  Share the details...we all want to know!
Happy Monday everyone.

Fashion Friday: Creer {Create} Beauty.Image.Style

I do love Fashion Friday's!  This is a fun little show that happened at The Underground Chicago, in Chicago, IL.  Certainly not a Pronovias Show {watch for the purple clip}, but there are some GORGEOUS gowns. 

So, get your drink and enjoy.

My favorite is at 2:44, what is yours? 


Happy Friday Everyone!

Theme Thursday: Tangerine and Pink Wedding Inspiration

The sun is finally shining and the weather is getting warmer every day.  Tangerine Tango - the color of the year - is such a fun color so that is what I had to go with today!  Seductive, yet bright and encouraging...I love it!

What are your wedding colors?  Are you incorporating Tangerine Tango?  Please do share!

Fashion Friday: Princess For a Day

I LOVE these gowns from Alfred Angelo!  The Bridesmaids gowns are gorgeous and the little "maidens" gowns are adorable.  I hope this brings some inspiration to you for your wedding day.

Which is your favorite?  Do you have your dress picked out yet?  What is the style and who is the designer.  Share the details! 

Keep the Party Going: Breakfast at Midnight

It's getting late and your guests have had the time of their lives.  You've given them a day full of celebration, a delicious meal and an evening full of dancing and laughter, but now they are starting to feel exhausted, and nobody is really ready to go home.  It's time to bring out more food. By giving your guests a little something to energize their bodies with, the party will be going on long past midnight!

A good time to think about offering a late-night snack is about 9:30pm, if your reception is until midnight.

One suggestion I have for you - a Breakfast Buffet.  YUM!!! Below are some ideas.

Yes, that's bacon!

Is there really anything better than Bloody Mary's to go with a breakfast buffet?

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

Mimosa Bar

Espresso {this will take your guests out of their comas!}

Egg and Bacon Muffins

A Crepe Station

Here's a yummy menu for you to offer up in the late hours.

• Fresh Orange Juice

• Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Berries with Maple Yogurt

• 5 Oz. Center Cut Filet and Scrambled Eggs with Grilled Tomato and Cheddar Cheese Potato Soufflé

• Assorted Breakfast Bakeries

• Sweet Butter and Preserves

• Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and a Selection of Herbal Teas

Are you having late night snacks at your reception?  Tell us what's on the menu.

Fashion Friday: Definately NOT Your Grandmother's Fashion

Fashion Friday!  We are bringing it back!!  Check out this Bridal and Eveningwear Fashion from Lanyu.  The show was in Beijing - I kinda like it!

Would you wear any of these?  Tell me what you think.

The First Dance: Make It Great

I am in love with all things wedding and even more so when a couple goes above and beyond and adds elements of "them".  The first dance is one of the biggest traditions of the wedding reception.  This is the first time you will dance together as husband and wife.  Picking the song is one of the hardest parts of this.  He has his favorite, you have yours, but how about something like this:

If you had a fun first dance and had it taped, please leave a comment and tell us what you did.

The Fit Bride: Easy Healthy Dinner

I was eating dinner last night and was thinking that it was the perfect meal to put on this blog.  Eating is one of the hardest things to to today!  Eating HEALTHY that is.  Everyone is looking for quick and easy and that usually ends up being processed garbage.  Below is a meal I make on a regular basis that can be modified to be different each meal.  I will write what I had last night and some options to add.


3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic
1 Cup Fresh Snow Peas
1 Cup Fresh Cut Broccoli
1/2 Cup Fresh Cut Carrots

(other veggie choices: Mushrooms, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes)

Season to taste with:
Basil
Oregano
Pepper
Paprika

Throw in frying pan and cook vegetables about half way.  While cooking vegetables boil a small amount of whole wheat or vegetable pasta!

When veggies are cooked about half way add some sort of lean meat...  I have tried these below and cooking times vary!

Lean Venison Steak
Shrimp
Scallops
Chicken

Toss everything together and enjoy!

Eat Healthy,
Andrew

Signature Events: You're Invited

Last week I started posting some of my favorite "Designs of the Day".  Here are the invitations created to help you're wedding celebration start off as unique as you are!

Custom Invitation

Custom Invitation

Custom Invitation

All of my invitations are custom created for every couple.  Any of these designs can also be turned into Anniversary Invitations, Birthday Party, Baby Announcements, Graduation Announcements/ Invitations...anything you could possibly want.