Can you believe it's already the holiday week? I have the BEST styled shoot to share with you in celebration of my last post before the holiday {my festive-fetti™ even gets tossed in the air to celebrate}. It's now time for me to take a little break to get ready for the festivities and celebrate with family and friends. I wish you and your loved ones the very best this holiday season and if you are looking for a super fun way to thank your bridesmaids for being in your wedding - you will LOVE what I have for you today. It's a Holiday Cookie Exchange with the bride and her bridesmaids to say "Thank You for Being My Bridesmaid". You simply bring your favorite cookie for the holiday season, eat a few of course with hot chocolate and/or wine to celebrate, and then pack up a sampling of each remaining cookie in a pretty box to enjoy back at home.

Are you ready? It's time to invite your bridesmaids to a get-together for festive fun and yummy cookies. It's a super special way to say thank you for being my bridesmaid.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Wedding Vendors:
Photography:  Debbie Ringle Photography
Flowers, Styling and Details:  EightTreeStreet
Hair and Makeup:  Bobby Pins and Blush
Stationery Design:  Allison Barnhill Design
Calligraphy:  Allison Dee Calligraphy
Designer Wrapping Paper:  Fig 2 Design
festive-fetti™ and Gift box details: FestiveFetti
Cookies and Desserts:  Wegman's
Linens:  CVLinens
Gift boxes:  Target
Blue Goblets by The Pioneer Woman for Walmart
Brush Trees, Holiday decorations and gold mason jars: JoAnn Fabrics
Bridesmaids/model dresses:  Charlotte Russe
Venue:  Private Horse Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia

the post contains links to several affiliate programs

When it comes to holiday weddings + parties, having special treats is a fun way to celebrate with your guests. Today, I have some sweet ideas to share with you and you can still receive your order in time for the holidays {even with standard shipping}.

First up is Eleni's New York - they are famous for their custom hand-iced Conversation Cookies™. With each cookie being slightly crisp, not too sweet and intricately hand-decorated - they are the perfect dessert or party favor for every occasion. Eleni's is nut free and kosher too. Here's a fun sampling of their holiday collections including the perfect personalized cookie for New Year's Eve.

If you use the exclusive coupon code BRENDASBLOG when you checkout at Elenis - you will save 10% on your order.
>>> Click Here <<<

Next up is the set of 2 Home Sweet Home Mug Toppers. Your guests will love being presented their hot chocolate with a cute cookie house perched on the edge of their mug.

And, since ice cream is perfect all year round - how about serving the Ultimate Holiday Ice Cream Collection from eCreamery? The scrumptious flavors include: Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream with Cookie Crunch & Fudge Swirls {top left}, Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream, Eggnog Ice Cream, Double Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Cashew Brittle, Sea Salt Caramel Sundae - Brownie Bites & Swirls of Fudge and Caramel {top right}, Gingerbread Cookie Swirl Ice Cream {bottom left}, Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Candy Cane Ice Cream {bottom right}.

What ice cream flavor is calling your name?

When you Shop at eCreamery from now until December 31st, you can save $10 with coupon code merry10
>>> Click Here <<<

this post contains links to affiliates I am proud to partner with

The holidays are upon us and what better way to celebrate than with these free printable holiday gift tags I created for you.

View fullsize

Of course, they are even better when attached to a sweet little package with jewelry inside. Right now, at Blue Nile, you can save 15% off regularly priced jewelry thru December 23rd so you are guaranteed to have your pretty bling gifts arrive in time for holiday gifting. Simply use coupon code BLUE15 at checkout to save. Oh, and the best part? Blue Nile is offering Free FedEx 2 day on all orders, and it bumps up to Free overnight delivery on all orders placed on December 22nd and 23rd. I'd say it's time to start shopping, saving 15%, and wrapping up your jewels in the Blue Nile signature box {or satchel} with these pretty holiday gift tags.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Terms: *Offer valid on select regularly-priced jewelry purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount code, cannot be applied retroactively. Offer is only valid on select jewelry items while supplies last. Without limitation, offer will not apply to sale merchandise, preset diamond stud earrings, preset diamond pendants, loose diamonds, Build Your Own Diamond Jewelry®, Build Your Own Ring®, Build Your Own Earrings®, Build Your Own Diamond Pendant®, Monique Lhuillier Engagement, Truly Zac Posen Bridal, Colin Cowie Engagement, custom engagement rings, preset engagement rings, gift certificates, custom orders, backordered items and jewelry cleaning products. Discount will appear at time of check out AFTER the Promotion code BLUE15 has been entered and does not apply towards any duties, taxes or shipping insurance fees. Void where prohibited. Offer expires at 11:59 PM EST on December 23, 2015. The offer terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Other restrictions may apply.

This download is for personal use only and cannot be re-sold and/or used commercially. Once downloaded, simply open in a photo editing program and print {preferably on photo paper to keep the brightness of the gems}. There are 8 on a single page, simply trim in half vertically and horizontally and then each in half again. Enjoy and feel free to share how you're using them on social media by tagging me @weddingsites - I would love to re-share.

Wondering why today's purple and red wedding inspiration {with touches of grey} says it's "absolute"? Well, that would be because it was inspired by the Dyson Absolute. I recently had the amazing honor to receive the latest Cordless Dyson creation and have fallen in LOVE. This vacuum is a must-have registry item for all couples. The full scoop on why is below this gorgeous inspiration . . .

View fullsize

See below for the shopping links to the items featured in the inspiration board. Now, back to that Dyson Absolute. The vacuum is very eye-pleasing and pretty to have around with it's purple + red colors with sleek grey. This vacuum is cordless, mighty powerful and comes with a huge assortment of attachments {which I personally love to have}. It vacuums like a heavy duty upright, but it's super lightweight at 5 lbs. This vacuum features two Dyson-engineered cleaner heads and can collect everything in it's clear container — from large debris to fine dust — from the carpets to hard floors. It can even clean from the floor to the ceiling and converts super fast and easily to a handheld. It's HEPA filtration captures allergens and expels cleaner air. Are you ready to add the Dyson Absolute to your wedding registry?

Purple and Red Wedding Ideas

Purple and Red Feather Bouquet - for something completely unexpected and unique
Painted Glass Vases - absolutely ideal for DIY centerpieces
Red and Purple Watercolor Wedding Invitation - invite your guests with this handmade beauty
Red Favor Box - so cute for bridesmaids gifts or favors for the guests
Purple and Red Tie - great way for the guys to bring in the color palette of your wedding
Silver Amethyst Teardrop Crystal Earrings - gorgeous for the bride or bridesmaids, could even gift the bridesmaids with these earrings in the red favor box

PS: While I was gifted a Dyson Absolute, the opinions in this post are all mine. This post contains affiliate links to shops I'm happy to share with you.

My Holiday Wedding Gift Guide is one you won't want to miss as it's filled with gifts for the bride and groom, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, and even your flower girl. Of course, each gift can also be for anyone on your list this holiday season. Today, the spotlight is on unique gifts for all the ladies in the wedding. From the bride to her bridesmaids, to the flower girl{s} and even the mothers. You can see the wedding gift ideas for the guys here.

These Handmade and Personalized Leather Initial Necklaces from Lindsay make pretty gifts for the flower girl or junior bridesmaid. They feature a hand-painted letter and Czech glass beads. You can personalize the necklace by choosing the letter and the girl's favorite color.

The Karolina Kimono - a timeless and romantic wedding gift for the bride

What could be more lovely than this elegant, lace robe trimmed in velvet? Trousseau worthy, timeless and romantic, this Karolina Kimono from The Giving Bride is a statement piece that will make the bride feel happy ever after.

Katie at Green End Designs is now offering hand painted wedding dress portraits in either acrylic or oil on canvas. Commemorate the dress of your life with a gorgeous painted rendition of your dress.

These Marquee Labradorite Earrings from Green End Designs would make a beautiful gift for the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride and groom. They have a cubic zirconia post and are set in vermeil. Green End Designs also offers you the chance to insert your own style into your bridal party and wedding jewelry with custom necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.