Glassy Baby Will Light Up Your Life

I've seen many colored votive holders in the past, but very few have rivaled the beauty of the Glassy Baby. Perhaps it is the fact that with nearly 100 colors available, you can find exactly the shade of blue you're looking for or perhaps it is the fact that it takes four glass blowers to make just one of these glasses that consists of three layers of glass. No matter what the reason, they are sure to provide plenty of smiles whether you use them for votives, as a bud vase, or even to sip on something. Of course, something that requires such care to make isn't going to come cheap. The Glassy Baby retails for $40. That's each. HOWEVER, one of my most favorite things about this company is that they rent these beauties out for your special event at $5 apiece. If you are looking for an alternative to your typical table setting, these sure would do the trick to add that extra something. Oh, and just to make it even better-I bet you didn't think that was possible-Glassy Baby also donates a portion of their proceeds to charity. Founder Lee Rhodes developed the Glassy Baby while battling lung cancer and is using her product to give back to people in need. Be sure to check out GlassyBaby.com, and if you are in WA state or NYC, you can check out one of their stores too.

Creating a Consistant Theme for a Wedding from Invitations to Favors

It may seem unnecessary, but creating a wedding logo for your big day really makes a statement. That's what we did for the lobsterbake wedding I did in June. I have to admit that I lucked out because the bride's brother is an amazingly talented graphic designer that did the hard work on it, but I also think that the fact that we carried the logo throughout the wedding really made a statement and actually made it a lot easier when it came to deciding how we were going display other things. The monogram surrounding the logo made it's way into almost all of the details of the day from the invitations to the favor.

I have to say that the place cards were quite possibly one of my favorite details. We struggled with how to fit everything on the cards when the sail of the boat stuck up so high into the place card, and then it dawned on me to add a burgee to the top of the sail, and I love it! Those who were allergic to shellfish also got a pirate flag on their boat. We used the same lobster graphic as we used elsewhere to denote who was having lobster for dinner.

Because there were so many out of towners traveling in from across the country, we knew there would be some people who had never cracked a lobster. Printing out diagrammed instructions framed by a border with our logo for each table helped out the guests.

Simple signs with the logo lets people know where they should leave gifts and cards.

And of course the favor couldn't have been any cuter with the logo on it. I LOVE these wine glass favors and they are super reasonable over at Favor Favor.

But you can't just hand someone a glass. We packaged it up with a cute little thank you tag with our signature lobster. It's the details that make the difference!

Newport Wedding: Sweet Berry Farm

Last fall a very good friend approached me about planning her wedding for her. She is the type who cares about the details but never bought a wedding magazine. She and her fiance gave me these simple guidelines: it had to be a clambake with lawn games and there must be dark and stormies and Narragansett beer. The rest was up to me which couldn't have been more fun. After taking photos at her family's summer home on Easton's Point, everyone headed over to Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, RI for a beautiful ceremony against the backdrop of the orchards followed by lots of merriment. It is nearly impossible for me to pick my favorite photos (all taken by the amazing Maaike Bernstrom Photography) from the day so here is a series from the day that was described by guests and the couple as "epic". Throughout the week, I'll post many more pictures and discuss the details in more depth. Enjoy!

Flowers by Sarah Rodgers Florals.

Food by McGrath Clambakes.

Cake by It's My Party with fresh picked strawberries from Sweet Berry Farm.

*all photos by Maaike Bernstrom Photography*