AisleDash

A simple and practical shower theme is the recipe shower. Each guest is sent a recipe card in with their invitation. (If you like the ones in the picture, you can find them and more at Pink Bathtub on Etsy.) The guests fill the card out with a favorite recipe, and when they arrive they share the story of that particular dish: why they like it, why they think it suits the bridal couple, who gave it to them ... any little tidbit that will make its special significance clear.
The people at Apartment Therapy suggest that sharing these stories can replace the need for wedding shower games, but if you really like shower games, there are all manner of food-related activities that could go along with this idea.

Here's one: put a pinch of a different spice in each of several small plastic bags. Hand each bag around the circle, along with a felt pen, and have each guest write their name and what they think it is on the outside of the bag. The person who gets the most correct answers wins!

You read our post about the floating candle centerpieces, and you really want to make them for your reception. Thing is, you want something unusual, let's say, oh ... unicorn candles! Yes, unicorn candles to go with your fairy-tale theme. Sadly, you just can't find them anywhere.

There might be a solution. Instead of hunting in candle stores, try cooking supply stores. If you can find a cookie-cutter in the shape you're after, you're all set, because you can actually make candles from cookie cutters. You'll need the cutter, of course, some modelling clay, wicks and wax. If you're adding scent or color, you'll need those, too.

For complete how-to details, head over to All Free Crafts and follow the instructions. As long as you're appropriately careful when working with hot wax, you can easily create one-of-a-kind candles for those centerpieces!

Last week we told you about SKYY Vodka's special wedding cocktail recipes like "The Proposal," and "The Blushing Bride." The makers of SKYY Vodka also make a fusion liqueur called X-Rated, and they've got the perfect X-Rated recipes for your bachelorette party (or an X-rated honeymoon!).

X-Rated is a pink blend of vodka, oranges, mangoes, and passion fruit. It even tastes sexy. For a some great X-Rated drink recipes for your bachelorette party, flip through the gallery below.



For more delicious cocktails that are great for your bachelorette party or any occasion, visit www.xratedfusion.com.

Imagine yourself walking down this aisle for your winter wedding. Wouldn't you feel like you were taking a romantic walk through an ice-coated forest? The pale branches glitter with what looks like ice crystals, or even glass, but is in fact plastic -- it will last longer than ice, and cost a whole lot less than crystal!

Given that each branch is coated in the plastic ice crystals, you might fear this would be a very time-consuming and fiddly craft. In fact, assuming you don't paint the branches, each one probably takes no more than 10 minutes to assemble, and is done when the glue dries in an hour! If you wanted to paint the branches to match your color scheme, this would become a two-stage craft: first the painting and then drying, and then, likely the next day, the glue and crystals.

For more samples of plastic crystal crafts, and full instructions on this craft, check out Save-On Crafts.

Light creates mood. Brilliant daylight bouncing off crystal wine glasses raises the spirits. Candles create a romantic mood. Too little light is somber. The lighting you choose at your ceremony and your reception will do a lot to create the mood you want for your event, whether that be playful, reverent, romantic, or something else entirely.

Save-On Crafts has an interesting page of ideas. Whether you want the tall and feathery centerpieces shown above, or the more subtle immersible LED ice cube, or the funky glow necklaces, there's an arrangement that uses it. You can make them as shown, or use the ideas as a springboard for your own creativity. (And of course, SaveOn Crafts can provide all of the necessary bits and pieces to enable you to make them yourself!)

For more information and a wide range of other delightful centerpiece ideas, check out SaveOn Crafts.

This cute little card is probably too informal to be an invitation for any but the most casual of weddings, but we can certainly see it being used for a wedding shower invitation or a thank-you note. Maybe an invitation to the bridesmaid's luncheon? If your dress was made for you by a friend, or even by a professional, this would be the perfect thank-you for her.

All you need are a couple of pieces of card stock, a paper doily, some tape and glue. The crafter added a gold belt, but you could use whatever embellishment you choose. It's a simple, but very effective craft. For more instructions and pictures, check out Zakkalife.

This would be a fun activity for a bridal shower. Put this pot in the center of the buffet table beside a cup of pens and a pile of slips of paper in various colors. Over the course of the party, each person in attendance can write down a piece of advice or a word of wisdom on one or two of the slips of paper. At the end of the evening, the bride-to-be will be able to take home a little pot of good wishes from the people who care for her!

If you'd like more information on the Secrets pot, check out Wrapables.com.

An outdoor event, whether shower, luncheon, or actual wedding reception, calls for specialized service. We love the simplicity and practicality of this item. It's not hugely fancy -- nor hugely expensive! -- but it works.

There's a compartment below for ice, and three trays above for different foods. The upper trays are vented so the cold can reach them better, and lidded to keep the cool in and the insects out. It allows for easy transportation of food, for hygiene, and for reasonable temperature control. Oh, and it revolves, too!

Though the tray is cited as a means to keep things cool, we wonder if a little hot water in the bottom woudn't help keep warm things warm, too? Simple and practical, and won't break the bank. If you're interested in this revolving serving tray, check it out at Wrapables.com.

In this day and age of limited time and budgets, it's tempting to some couples to skip the rehearsal dinner. After all, it's just more money spent, and everyone might be just as happy resting up for the real party, right? Wedding experts say that the rehearsal dinner is not mandatory. But, before you scratch it off the planning list, consider its important role in the nuptial weekend. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is gives the bride and groom a chance to thank the bridal party and other close friends and family who have helped with the wedding. And, since it's a smaller, more intimate, and usually more relaxed evening, you might even enjoy it. It's one last chance to connect before the rush of wedding and honeymoon begin. Given its true function, your rehearsal dinner does not have to be elaborate or expensive -- even your favorite diner or coffee shop would do. So, think twice before nixing it, and consider planning a casual and fun evening for you.

What a terrific activity for a shower -- and a shower gift in one! Bring one or two of these "Happily Ever After" pillows to a shower, hand it around amongst the guests, and see what good wishes and great advice come back! Each pillow is 10" x 10" (about 22 cm each way), and comes with a fabric marker. The front is beautifully embroidered with "advice on Happily Ever After" stitched in flowing script. There should be plenty of room on the cotton twill for several people to jot down their words of wisdom.

Although the markers are permanent, of course, you'll want to preserve them, so be sure to spot-wash only as necessary. For more information on the Happily Ever After pillow, check out Wrapables.com.

This dress is great-all around. It's a fun party dress and would be perfect for a swanky rehearsal dinner. It's short and sleek and white - making it a fine option for the hopelessly chic bride who wouldn't be caught dead in a princess ball gown. And it also has a definite 80's vibe (check out that belt) and a tiered skirt - which makes it white-hot and trendy.

It also comes in black (picture after the jump) - a look your bridesmaids will love. On the other hand, YOU could wear it in black to your rehearsal, right?

Lauren by Ralph Lauren - $280 at Macy's

All of us at AisleDash find creative inspiration from other Web sites and entertaining blogs on the Internet, as there are some true and talented gems out there to draw from. One blog I frequent for it's originality, intense and incredible color palettes and true creativity is Hostess with the Mostess (www.HostessBlog.com). The brains behind the brilliance, Jenn Sbranti, recently (and graciously!) took some time to answer a few questions that should help all brides-to-be and party planners for the upcoming wedding and entertaining seasons.

What are some up-and-coming themes in entertaining that you see emerging? For instance, we featured a pink-and-brown week on AisleDash.com, which has been a hot color-combination in weddings (and parties) for some time now, but what are some color combos or new themes that our readers might be pleasantly surprised to see in the coming seasons?

I'm starting to see a lot of color palettes featuring jet-black combined with a bright contrast color. Some of my favorite examples include yellow, aqua, lime green or coral-red paired with black. These color combos are especially great for summer because the bright element creates a playful, summery feel, and the black adds a chic, elegant factor that's perfect for special occasions like weddings and evening cocktail or dinner parties

This is one shower game that won't need a whole lot of explanation, and which everyone, from your 10-year-old neice to your 90-year-old great-grandma, will be able to play. Instead of BINGO, the card reads BRIDE. (What else? Well, GROOM, we guess, but they don't seem to have any of those ...)

The cards have love and wedding theme items in each box, and the play proceeds as in a standard bingo game, with someone shouting out "BRIDE!!" when they've covered the required squares. If you're looking for a little family-friendy, old-fashioned fun for your shower, this would be an excellent choice.

For more information on Bride Bingo, check out Wedding Solutions.com.

We're trying to imagine a wedding at which you'd be using these. Is there a couple who'd march down the aisle to a kazoo choir rendition of The Wedding March? Would some brave soul give these to the flower girl and ring bearer? It would have to be a very informal wedding where kazoos would be the wedding favors. And if you gave out kazoos, would you also give out bridal ear plugs?

We know that there undoubtedly is a couple out there who would love to use kazoos in the festivities, and if you're reading this, we'd love to hear from you. What do you think? Would a kazoo or two be just the thing for your wedding? If so, how would you use them?

(And if you're interesting in purchasing your very own wedding kazoos, follow this link.)

Planning an outdoor party for your pre-wedding festivities? Here are a few simple tips to keep things flowing smoothly.

1. Have a Plan B. If it's too hot, if it pours rain, if the bugs come out and drive your guests buggy, you'll need a back-up plan. You might rent a marquis, or move to a screened patio, or light up the citronella candles -- but be prepared for the less-than-romantic realities of the great outdoors.

2. Paper napkins are convenient, but cloth are less likely to blow away. What's convenient about chasing your serviettes around the lawn, anyway? Wrap the cutlery in a cloth napkin, and tie with twine or a pretty ribbon.