I have a great article to share with you today that has unique ideas for bridal party gifts. Whether you are looking for a gift to thank them for being a part of your wedding day or a special gift for the holidays - here are 3 unique approaches to finding the perfect gift for your bridesmaids.

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Standing up for a friend or relative at her wedding is an honor, but let's be honest, the bridal party gifts are also part of the fun. Take a unique approach to gifts for your bridesmaids. A purse or a trinket box are traditional go-to's but don't necessarily reflect the relationship you have with each member of your bridal party. Step outside the flower-lined aisle and give your girls a gift that will make them smile and think of you every time they use it.

1. Individualize

Just because your attendants are all wearing the same gown or same color doesn't mean they'll all like the same gift. Pick an overall theme and give each person a version of it that speaks to them.

Buy each bridesmaid a charm bracelet and adorn it with a wedding-related bauble and an ornament that represents them specifically. For example, a heart charm will remind each lady of you, while a dog charm for your pet enthusiast friend shows her you know where her heart lies.

Give each woman a bottle of her favorite wine or cocktail ingredient with matching glassware. Put a cosmopolitan mix or bottle of vodka in a bag with martini glasses and a fun cocktail recipe book. Or pair a bottle of wine with glasses and stemware charms.

2. Personalize

How about cashmere scarfs and pashmina wraps you can embroider with each bridesmaid's name or initials? Match the wraps to the color of their dresses if your wedding day might be chilly. Or get each girl her favorite color to wear the other 364 days of the year.

Pamper your attendants with a spa bag embroidered with their names. Fill the bag with massage oils, scented candles and body lotions. Match eye masks, moisturizing gloves and socks to the color of the bag. Oprah suggests including makeup and perfume samples, as well as other great 'freebie' gifts you may have received during your holiday shopping at department stores like Macy's. Make the at-home spa experience even more indulgent with a loofah and a CD of relaxing music.

3. Reminisce

If your bridal party members have been in your life for a long time, give a gift that celebrates your lasting bond.

Consider a heart-stamped, U.S. state pendant for each bridesmaid. If everyone hails from the same place, the matching state charms will evoke a sense of history. If each woman is from a different area, the variety of states will tell the story of your journey and the friendships you made along the way.

Buy photo albums or scrapbooks at your local craft store and create a memory book for each bridesmaid with mementos of the good times you've shared. Recount the memories each photo brings to mind with a caption beside it. Use images from the Internet of favorite movies, bands or hairstyles from times past for added history. Fill the album up or leave blank pages for each bridesmaid to add to as your shared memories continue.

No matter the gift you choose, make it unique with a modern-day "mix-tape" of songs on CD that mean something to you and each of your bridesmaids. Create your own liner notes and give the story behind each tune.

“Rose is a shopping expert who always knows where to get the best deals.”

— Rose Hinson {article author}

The Wedding Outlet, Weddings are Fun, Macy's, and Shutterfly are proud partners with Brenda's Wedding Blog. Please note, no compensation has been exchanged for their feature in this post, but your support of them is what will keep this blog going.

I'm thrilled to have Stacy of Bel Vino Winery {located in Temecula California}, joining us today on the blog to take a look at five ways you can transform your winery wedding from the traditional wine themed wedding into something that fits you as a couple and is gorgeous and unique for your guests. I now turn the blog over to Stacy . . .

Whether set at an East-coast, Napa or Temecula winery, it seems as though every winery themed wedding provides a glamorous, yet rustic charm to each and every wedding. As we know, vineyard wedding locations can dramatically affect the style of wedding a bride selects but with many wineries and vineyard weddings looking similar, how do you make your winery wedding unique?

Idea Number 1: Think Outside the Box

Most winery weddings use corks, wine bottles and wine crates as part of their décor but lately it seems as though that is all vineyard weddings consist of. What if instead we created multi-level hors d'oeuvre styled centerpieces? Think outside the box with an assortment of cheese, crackers and grapes as table centerpieces. This would create an intimate, personalized and new way for wedding guests to enjoy cocktail hour food, socialize and enjoy the centerpieces at a whole new level.

The above photo showcases what we mean. But instead of cheeses, crackers and grapes, this fun table display used the centerpiece to share delicious sushi (but you get the idea). Photo courtesy of from My Favorite Flowers

Idea Number 2: Change the Venue

When I write to change the venue, I don’t mean to stray away from a winery but to look into other room options than the traditional tasting/barrel room or veranda deck overlooking the vines. What if instead, you had your wedding among the vines themselves? While it would be a more outdoorsy and casual setting, it would absolutely provide a change of scenery from a typical vineyard wedding and set your wedding apart as unique.

A Jonathan Edwards Winery wedding among the vines | photo by Robert Norman Photography

Idea Number 3: Go Monochromatic

While wine country weddings make us think of rich reds, deep purples and wood tones (which are always lovely), why not change things up with a monochromatic winery theme? Instead of reds, utilize the white wines with their rich champagne tones as inspiration. Crème/gold linens, ghost chairs (clear acrylic), gold plating and white flowers will add glamour, while the monochromatic style will be one-of-a-kind and stylish.

Idea Number 4: Think Industrial

Warehouse weddings with industrial tones are becoming more common for the modern bride so why not implement a love of wine and urban landscapes by requesting to have your wedding in the processing room? Most wineries have large stainless steel tanks, vaulted ceilings and industrial equipment in their processing room which would be made beautiful with the right selection of table linens, centerpieces and more. Plus, having a wedding here would definitely be different from any other winery/vineyard wedding we’ve ever seen before.

Fermentation Room of the Ventolera Winery in Chile | photo by Cristobal Palma

Metlock Ames tasting room

Idea Number 5: Make it More Than an Event

If you are considering an intimate wedding of less than 100 guests, why not make it more than an event with a tasting? Guests can celebrate your nuptials and learn about the proper way to drink wine, find their new favorite and truly have a great time. You’ll have an intimate time with those closest to you and your special day will be different than any other winery wedding anyone has ever been too. For a less expensive option that includes a high guest count, you could also utilize the large amount of space many vineyards have by having lawn games or other entertainment.

Rustic Chic Wine Tasting Wedding

Making Your Winery Wedding Distinctive

With so many winery weddings looking similar, you can make yours distinctive by thinking outside the box, changing the color scheme or thinking of wine as an industry. Would you add any of these ideas to your winery destination wedding? What are the ways you are or have made your wedding distinctive from other weddings which may be considered similar? Share your thoughts in the comments.

About the Author
Stacey Waldron loves to discuss weddings and is an expert on wine country weddings since she is the Internet Marketing Director for Bel Vino Winery located in Temecula California.

This morning we're starting the day off with a great guest blog from Ross who works at a London based mobile bar company.  He's here to tell us about a great way to make your wedding unique by carrying the wedding theme you’re exploring (or have already chosen) right through to the drinks. He writes . . . "I like consistency; it really adds an extra touch to offer a special cocktail that matches the colour scheme, décor or feeling you’re trying to create." And, now here's Ross with more . . .

Classic Mojito, Shade Hotel Wedding

Holding your wedding in the city gives you the possibility of having an urban glamour theme. I envision a modern and clean décor at a restaurant or hotel with lots of light, and then serving Lechee Martinis as an option. You could also go with my personal favourite the Comopolitian; its name and sweet taste give it a glam feeling. There’s always the Classic Mojito made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint. It has a clean taste with a mint and lime garish, making it look fresh with an upscale allure. 

Sunflower Centerpiece, Fig Sidecar, Bulleit Manhattan

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to an autumn romance theme. I love the idea of designing a decor with the colours of the changing leaves: deep reds, pumpkin oranges and earthy browns. The sunflower centerpieces will go nicely with the Bulleit Manhattan you can serve. This cocktail is a perfect blend of bourbon whiskey and sweet vermouth with a maraschino cherry at the bottom. The Fig Sidecar is a beautiful red that will match your theme and has a seasonal flavour. Make things romantic with Love in a Glass, it’s not a cheap option as the original recipe includes GreyGoose Vodka; however, there are always substitutes. It also includes two liqueurs making it both delicious and its name will go well with the intimate atmosphere you're planning.

Vintage Dress, Martini, Vintage Shabby Chic Cake

Imagine having a vintage chic wedding and offering your guests old time classics with an added element of sophistication. I picture a dress with lace and short, white gloves, and a reception with soft colours and a black and white wedding cake. Serving a Tom Collins could be your something old, as it’s been around at least since 1876. You could also choose the smooth taste of a Gin Rickey, first created by a bartender in Washington, DC. There’s always the classic Dirty Martini, which has been popular for seventy years and for good reason. Made with gin, vermouth and garnished with a lemon (or olive), the dirty martini has a clean look to it that will match the elegant theme you're creating. 

Then there’s the wedding theme that never gets old: tropical beach. This can be done in part by choosing a destination wedding in a warm climate; or it can be created with decorations that include seashells, starfish and sand. I would go with classics like the Alabama Slammer or Paradise as they are colourful and fun. If you want to go a bit fancier, I wouldn’t go with a Pina Colada (too cliché), but go with the Bahama Mama Sunrise or Hawaiian Island Sunset instead. 

Just remember that whichever drink you choose to match your themed wedding, it’s bound to wow your friends and family as they celebrate the union with you and your partner. 

Ross works for www.hirethebarman.co.uk, a London based mobile bar company. At weekends he tries to escape the city and loves going surfing on the dramatic Welsh coast.

"Love is grand, just like the earth we live on! So let's not take either for granted. Instead, let's do all that we can on a daily basis to preserve our precious gifts in life!" — Leslie

So happy to have Leslie of WeddingGiftsCompany.com joining us today with great ideas to help you plan an eco-friendly and stylish wedding.

As a bride, one of the most celebrated moments in life is giving your hand in marriage to your soul mate and to your best friend. And in doing so, as a bride, why not reflect the things that matter most to you on your special day. After all, your wedding day is a day that reflects your individuality! So make sure to enhance the day with the things that matter most to you.

Eco-friendly weddings have become a growing trend amongst brides. And for a good reason. And because the wedding industry is taking note of this growing awareness, manufacturers are producing ideas and products that contend to those who ware environmentally conscious.

It's easy to incorporate the eco-friendly theme into every aspect of your wedding. Here are just a few ideas:

eco-friendly wedding venues : country wedding, destination wedding, botanical wedding, mountain wedding

Venues: When choosing a venue, you may want to celebrate the beauty of nature by having the wedding outdoors. You may consider a country wedding on a farm, a destination wedding on a tropical beach, a botanical wedding in a beautiful garden, or a mountain wedding in a picturesque valley.

eco-friendly wedding stationery: vintage plantable wildflower invitations, tree of love plantable wedding invitation, seed paper thank you card, floral wreath seasons invitation

Stationery: One of the biggest trends right now in the stationery industry is invitations that are created with plant-able paper that grows. That's right. Guests will be able to recycle the invitation by planting the card which is made out of garden seeds. With a little bit of sunshine and a few drops of rain, they will be able to see a beautiful garden grow. This plant-able paper, which is made out of seeds, can also be used for the thank you cards, table cards, wedding favors and more.

potted succulent wedding favors

Favors & Gifts: Shopping for eco-friendly favors is easy with so many manufacturers aware of the growing trend. And if you are a DIY bride, the ideas are endless. Just think green. You may go to a local nursery and purchase mini terra cotta pots. Simply fill them with soil, plants and lots of love. You may use wooden sticks to personalize the favors and write a special message of thanks. Gifts and favors that are made out of bamboo are also a great idea for eco-friendly weddings, as bamboo is a renewable resource.

paper bag menu

Menus: Food is an essential part to every wedding reception. Once the venue is chosen, it's time to configure the menu. Depending on the venue of the reception, you will either use the chef on premise, or outsource the food to a local catering company. Either way, you want to make sure to sit down with the chef and discuss your eco-friendly theme. You will find that it is easy to create menu items that are organic, colorful and full of flavor. Consider seasonal ingredients that are locally-grown without pesticides.

So as you can see, with an eco-friendly wedding, you are able to celebrate your love and celebrate the earth at the same time. After all, what could be more beautiful than saying 'I DO' in an atmosphere that embraces your love for the things that matter most in life.

the above article is courtesy of Leslie, owner and passionate blogger of www.WeddingGiftsCompany.com

Summer is definitely here in the northeast - we're right in the middle of a heat wave with temps reaching 90+ all week. PS: if you need me this week, you will likely find me at my parents house with my two girls and the big inflatable pool they bought this year.  Joining us today is the husband and wife wedding planning and design duo - Sojourner and Milo of Erganic Design based in New York. They are here to share their Top 4 Summer Themed Wedding Trends . . .  

1. Ombre Color Palettes are fresh and visually inspirational. Using analogous colors in block sections makes a bold statement.

2. Soft Color Tones for Flowers are popular in the summer. Try selecting a bold color for the bridesmaids dresses (like Red) to counter the soft understated colors of the flowers.

3. Have a dramatic send off . . . Sparklers will do the trick. Sparklers are a must have for summer nights. They're fun for your guests and great for pics.

4. Non-matching bridesmaids dresses are a chic trend. The colors should be complementary to each other, and work well optically within photos.