For an elegant, multi-purpose party, try a Wine and Cheese Soiree. (Perfect for an Engagement Party, Bridal Shower, Anniversary Party, or Retirement Party.) This theme is casual-meets-elegant at its finest, and the preparation and décor are simple! To start, select your favorite cheese and wine combos (for advice on delicious pairs, try thenibble.com ). Grab a few extras for a beautiful spread (nuts, chocolates, grapes, etc), and place them all on a slate tile (found at any Home Repair/Tile shop). The various colors in the cheeses, fruits and nuts are what make the platter so elegant. To add extra color, place a few sprigs of Rosemary or other garnishes. Images from: www.greenyourdecor.com http://www.thegreenhead.com/ http://www.plowhearth.com/welcome.aspThis platter could be on one main food table, or placed sporadically on small tables throughout the room. A possible arrangement would be to have small tables with a different wine/cheese pair on each one.  After putting together the menu, you can label the types of cheese and various wines with cork place cards. The different wines can be showcased at various heights by using a cork stand.

The rest of the décor is easy but gives an elegant flair to an otherwise casual atmosphere. To start, lead the way to the party room with a themed twist on luminaries. Using wine bottles with candles inside gives your guests a hint at what’s to come while giving a beautifully unique pathway to the party.

Once your guests are inside, greet them with a room softly lit with low-hung string lights of round bulbs. This gives an intimate feeling and reflects the atmosphere of a European wine cellar. Continue the theme of the recycled wine bottles from the outside by placing several taper candles in wine bottles as candle sticks. Because wine bottles come in a variety of sizes, the candles will vary in height and will provide beautiful lighting at eye-level to compliment the soft lighting provided by the string lights.

Finally, to give your guests a memory of the occasion, provide a small cheese spreader as a parting gift. This not only reminds them of the party theme, but is something that a person could always use more of. To make it even more personal, purchase silver spreaders and have them engraved with the occasion’s purpose and date.



Many thoughts come to mind when I think of the numerous possibilities that can make up an eco-friendly wedding; and to be honest, I was not really fond of the fact until I did a little research.  As it turns out, there are some really awesome ways to incorporate an eco-friendly lifestyle into almost any type of wedding. As an aspiring planner, I really want to cover my bases and be prepared to take on any type of wedding; but a green wedding?  How does that work?  You’d be surprised how simple it can be!  The main thought for me is style:  nobody wants to compromise their style and inspiration for their wedding, for any reason.  For most, they may already be compromising a lot due to a limited budget.  A green wedding is not an excuse to sacrifice anything; but rather a way to lessen your effect on the earth through the impact of your wedding. Here are a few options to consider:

Images from Hostess with the Mostess and Brides.com

• The ring: There are several options for an eco-friendly ring. Have you ever thought of getting a grandmother’s ring reset? Yes, this is a great green decision! One piece of information I found to be disturbing is that it takes about 20 tons of mining waste to come up with just ONE gold band.  There are some truly unique styles available from vintage stores and sites.  Don’t forget, you can always get the stone replaced.  A great site to visit is Sumiche Jewelry Co. It is the only company in the U.S. that uses Certified Green Gold and Platinum. Their jewelry is handcrafted and created from Certified Fair Trade/Eco-Gold and Platinum. All diamonds are certified Conflict Free.
• The invitations:  When you really stop and think about all of the paper used at a wedding and reception, it can be kind of outrageous.  Not only from the invitations; but the place cards, menus, and thank you notes, etc.  There are many alternatives when it comes to any of your paper needs; such as 100% recycled, partially recycled, and even no-tree use options.  Ask your supplier if they offer any of these alternatives.  You may be surprised at the creative and unique styles offered.
• The flowers:  Your decision on your wedding flowers has the most potential to be eco-friendly out of almost anything.  Consider choosing a local-area florist where organically grown, in-season, local flowers are an option.  Try Organic Bouquet for some amazing eco-chic options.  Just ordering locally grown flowers can have such a small impact because of the emissions from having them imported.  You can even throw in a bulb as a wedding favor.

There really are so many ways to have a wedding with the lowest possible impact on the earth, but a favorable impact on your guests.  You can definitely have that dream wedding and still incorporate some green trends into your special day, and maybe even surprise some people when you are able to claim that those super sophisticated invites were made from recycled paper.  

Name: Sarah Bullock

College: University of West Florida

Region: Pensacola, FL

Sarah is currently working on her third college degree at the University of West Florida, in Hospitality Recreation and Resort Management.  She has been a resisdent of Pensacola, Florida for her entire life and absolutely loves living there.  Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, boyfriend, and especially her pit bull. Sarah completed Simply Eventful's Summer 2009 Internship Program, and will be part of the Simply Eventful Coordination Team starting in Spring 2010. Sarah loves all things wedding planning, including creating timelines and studying industry trends.

New Wedding Cake Trends

Every girl dreams of the day she gets to marry her prince charming. It is a day full of love, celebration… and cake. You may ask yourself why I say cake. A cake can become the centerpiece of your reception. It can capture your personality, the theme of your wedding, and the relationship between you and your groom.  New trends with wedding cakes have been popping up all over the wedding scene. These range from unique, brightly colored cakes to small and detailed. Even grooms’ cakes are becoming more and more popular. These new trends are creating memorable cakes that are stealing the spotlight at weddings across the country:

A topsy-turvy wedding cake covered in bright pink and geometric shapes www.abccakeshop.com1.Cupcakes-Many brides are choosing to stray from the traditional three-tiered white cake. Cupcakes have become a popular choice for many. The cupcakes are set up in the shape of a cake. Usually, the top of the cupcake is a small cake. This is used for the bride and groom to keep and eat on their first anniversary.

2.Bright colors-Many brides are choosing to use hot pink, green, blue, and other bright colors on their cakes. Some brides are even choosing bold patterns such as polka-dots, stripes, and geometric shapes.

3. Unique shapes-Topsy-turvy cakes are becoming a staple at many weddings. These cakes have been seen all over television and are gaining popularity. These cakes usually also incorporate bright colors as well.

4. Details-Small details are adding a unique, yet delicate look to cakes. Sugar flowers are an intricate detail that add not only visual interest but also a unique edible flair. Many bakers can also create details on cakes that replicate the bride’s gown.

Groom’s cakes, a typically southern tradition, are becoming a tradition nation-wide. These are the most unique of all cakes. Usually, they represent a favorable hobby, sports team, ect. of the groom.  This is an opportunity for the groom to show his personality.

Depending on your style, your cake may take center stage or be a subtle piece in the background. No matter what you choose, whether it be bright colors, unique shapes, or intricate details, it is your cake. Make it what you want. Have fun and let the cake represent you and your wedding day. Don’t forget to “have your cake and eat it too!”

Name: Emily Franklin

College: Kennesaw State University

Region: Pensacola, FL

Emily is a senior at Kennesaw State University. After working in many different areas of weddings she developed a passion for them. Emily has experience working in photography, catering, floral, and planning. She enjoys learning about all the new trends in weddings and gathering more ideas to use in the future. Emily got engaged on New Year’s Eve and is currently in the process of planning her own dream wedding.