Candy Stations have become one of the most popular wedding day favors over the past few years! Candy stations are a great way to bring out a couple’s whimsical personality, and are always a guaranteed hit with the guests!

Some stations are unique and colorful, others compliment a couple’s wedding colors perfectly and completely! Whichever approach you decide to take with your candy station, we always recommend purchasing a little extra candy—just in case we need to replenish it for you!

Here is a little candy station checklist of the items that you will need for your big day:

1.) Candy, Candy, CANDY! Many couples will purchase different types of candy, so that their guests have a variety to choose from! You can never have too much candy, trust us! :) 

2.) Jars and Holders! We have found that glass jars and holders work best! Different shapes and sizes will add a unique touch for your candy display.

3.) Scoops and Tongs for the different candy that will be displayed on your station.

Little advice: scoops are always better for M&M’s, Sixlets, gummi bears, and little candies! Tongs are a better option for any wrapped candies, gummi worms, etc!

4.) Bags for the candy! This is where you can get a little creative if you want! We’ve seen many couples provide monogrammed bags for their guests’ candy with their wedding date on it, just to add a little personalized touch for their special day.

5.) Signs! What better way to make a candy station yours, than by adding a cute sign for your guests to see! “Love is Sweet, Take a Treat” is one of our favorites!

And of course, here are a few candy stations we’ve seen over the past year!  

Wedding favors are a traditional way for couples to express gratitude to their guests for being apart of their big day!

Over the years, wedding favors have come in all shapes and sizes ranging anywhere from small votive candles, customized coasters, to anything chocolate-y and delicious!

Today, many couples are finding new and unique ways to say a simple “Thank You” to their guests—whether it be a simple thank you card at every place setting, dessert bar, or even setting up a candy station after dinner, wedding favors are always a great personal touch!

Below are some of our favorite and most popular favors!

•  Lindt Chocolate Boxes
•  Customized M&M’s
•  Jordan Almonds
•  Miniature Whoopie Pies (one of our favorites!)
•  Christmas Ornaments (winter weddings)
•  Hot Chocolate Mixes (winter weddings)
•  Cookie Mixes (new!)
•  Planting Seed Packets
•  “Mint to be” mint candies
•  Candy Apples (fall themed!)
•  Customized Coasters
•  Customized Shot Glasses / Beer Glasses
•  Cuzies
•  Photobooth Favor Magnet Frames
•  Dessert Bars
•  Candy Stations (check back in a couple weeks for another post about these!) 

Our advice: Any way that you can personalize your special day with details and decor, please do so!

Pictures - Many couples will display pictures of their love story throughout the room to create a more personalized touch. We have seen this done by many couples by simply framing photos of the two of them over the years—which could then be used for beautiful décor or even as individual table numbers! 

Signs - A very popular trend (thanks to pinterest and etsy!) are for couples to incorporate signs into their wedding day details! Some of our favorites include: Mr. & Mrs. Block lettering to be displayed on your sweetheart table, social media signs (Instagram = most popular!), Love Story Timelines, Welcome & Thank You signs, marque letters, and many more! Signs and cute sayings are just another way to make your special day reflect the two of you!

Memorial Tables – Memorial tables are another popular idea for couples on their special day. Memorial tables are a sentimental way to pay tribute and acknowledge friends & family members who have passed on. Many couples will display pictures of their loved ones, light a candle in their honor, or even dedicate a single chair/table to those who are unable to be present on their day. 

One of the many (and possibly the hardest) wedding decisions you will make for your upcoming big day is selecting songs for your special dances!  Are you looking for a song that represents your relationship with the other person you are dancing with? Are you thinking more along the lines of an upbeat song, because you know anything slow might cause the tears to flow?! Which ever song you do select, make sure it is one that you love! J

Traditional dances such as the “father/daughter”, and “mother/son” dances are ones that you will typically find at most weddings. In recent years, we have had the honor of seeing many brides dancing with their mothers (as their father may have passed away), grandparents, and even our couples dancing with their children to celebrate a special moment in time!

We have compiled some of our favorite (and popular!) songs for your dance with that special person on your big day!

Father/ Daughter Songs:

1.) My Little Girl – Tim McGraw

2.) Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

3.) I Loved Her First – Heartland

4.) Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

5.) The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra

Mother / Son Songs:

1.) A Song for Mama – Boys II Men

2.) My Wish – Rascal Flatts

3.) I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

4.) Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd

5.) You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins

Wedding Date: February 12, 2016

Wedding Color: Eggplant

The snow covered courtyard glistened, as we awaited the arrival of the new Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle in their limousine.  

As Nia stepped out of the limo in a beautiful ivory gown, her new husband Billy greeted their photographer Stephanie with a great big smile. This was the night they had been waiting for, and it had finally arrived!!

Winter Weddings allow you the opportunity to embrace the romance and magic of the season in so many ways!

So… you can only imagine how excited Stacy, myself, and our special events team was when we saw Nia and Billy’s winter décor and details come to life! From beautifully lit garland and pinecones, to sparkling snowflakes, and romantic candles throughout the room—Nia and Billy’s winter wedding was picture perfect and we were so honored to be apart of it! 

Nia & Billy, we wish you both all the very best! 

Here are just a few of the special moments and details that we captured from their big day! 

First Dance Song: "Can't Help Falling in Love" 

Are you looking for a way to make your wedding night extra memorable? Something as small as the guest book could be a simple way for you to have a wonderful way to remember your special day. Spice up the memory of who was there to celebrate your big day and opt for a more creative route! 

Date night Jar: Leave out a jar and blank strips of paper and have guests write down their best dates night suggestions for you and your new spouse to enjoy after the wedding. You can also have guests write down their best advice. And by the end of the night you will have a jar that will help you keep the fire burning for many years to come.

Define the Couple: Grab a dictionary and have guests circle and sign a word that they feel best fits you as the couple. This is a fun way for people to show you how they feel about your relationship and get guests to think outside the box.

Build a Quilt: A quilt is a show the significance of the merging of two lives and to also remember all the people who were there to share the moment with you. Cut out a generous amount of cloth squares and provide fabric markers that guests can sign and you can later combine into a quilt. Not only will you be able to use it when cuddled up on a cool night you will also remember all those who shared your special day with you.

Map It Out: Do you have guests coming from all over the country or even the world. Celebrate each of your loved ones heritage by having guest sign a map from where they have traveled from to join you on this special day. Or provide a map of the location you got married in and have guests sign that, you can then frame it and hang it in your home to always remember.

Polaroid Photo Album: Polaroid cameras are a quick and perfect way to change up the traditional guest books. Because they print instant pictures, have guest snap a quick selfie of themselves print it out and add it to a photo album. This way you will always remember who was a part of your big day!  

Home Warming Gift: Instead of a traditional guest book, use your guest book to create your own house warming gift for your home. Choose something that means something to you as a couple, if you love the beach use seashells, if you love to hike-- try pebbles or anything you want. Have guest write their names on them and add them to a large glass case. This creates a wonderful centerpiece for a table or something you can hang in your new home together! 

Wedding favors are a way to show your appreciation to your guests for joining you on your special day and are the perfect way to add a touch of unique style to any wedding. Here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect wedding favors to share with your guest as a token of your appreciation.

Play up Your Theme: Does your wedding have a specific theme? Play it up with your wedding favors. Planning a beach themed wedding, hand out seashells. Having a rustic wedding? Offer your guests mason jars filled with candles or your favorite candies. It will be a perfect touch to wrap up a wonderful night.   

Get Seasonal: Wedding favors are a perfect way to tie in the season in which you are getting married. If you getting married in the winter, Christmas ornaments with your names and wedding date on them are a great way for guest to remember your special night for years to come. If you are having a fall wedding-- package pumpkin-flavored baked goods or candy apples for guest to stay in the fall spirit even after they go home. For spring, potted plants are a cute way to commemorate the season. And for the summer weddings, hand out sunglasses or personalized coozies for guest to enjoy all summer long.

Double Up: Use your wedding favors as double duty. Glassware is a perfect wedding favor that you can use for more than one purpose. Photobooth photo printouts double as both a fun activity and a  favor for your guests. Or, you can even tag your favors with each guest name and table number and use them as the seating card.

Be Practical: Edible favors are always a good idea when it comes to wedding favors. Guest can snack on them on the way home if they have a long drive—so anything from candy stations to a cookie bar will always be a hit!

Do it yourself: Homemade gifts are a great way to show guest that you care. Although homemade favors aren’t always the easiest they are usually the most meaningful, and cheapest too! Pick wedding favors that express your personalities, speak to the wedding setting, or share something you love with your wedding guests. 

Outdoor wedding ceremonies are a must in New England, it is one of the few places that you can experience all the seasons throughout the course of 12 months. But throwing an outdoor wedding can be tricky no matter what the season is so here are a few tips on throwing the perfect outdoor wedding!

Use nature – The best part of getting married outdoors in the natural beauty of nature. Tie in the seasonal nature with the décor, whether it be the changing leaves in the fall or the bright greens and blues of the summer, work with the nature around you to make your ceremony beautiful.  Don’t just stop at décor, tie in the nature of the seasons with the food as well. Use fresh veggies or create a delicious specialty cocktail with the flavors of the season.  

Inform Guests Beforehand- Make sure you inform your guest beforehand so they can come prepared. A small note on the wedding invitation will go a long way to your guests. Heels are often a big problem when it comes to outdoor weddings, if you’re getting married in a grassy outdoor space warn your female guest to not wear their sky high heels, or even better now you can purchase heel protectors that prevent heels from sinking into the grass.

Offer Guest Accommodation - Whether you are having your wedding in the dead of summer or during the cooler fall months it is important to offer guests accommodations to make your ceremony more enjoyable for them. If your wedding date is on the hotter side make sure there is plenty of cool water for guest. You can even make your programs into hand fans for guest to use during the ceremony. If you wedding is on the cooler side offer blankets at seats and hot cider or cocoa so guests can stay cozy in the cool air. (Our recently married couple Jennifer and Zachary provided blankets, hand warmers and hot apple cider for their guests during their evening outdoor ceremony!)

Decorate- Although nature is often the most beautiful décor, make sure to incorporate flowers and lighting to give your outdoor wedding ceremony a beautiful touch.  Lighting is a great thing to take advantage in an outdoor wedding.  Get creative and add a touch of romantic ambiance to an outdoor wedding. Align your aisle with fresh (or faux!) rose petals and light your way as you walk down to say “I Do” with candles and lanterns! 

Everyone knows that weddings can get expensive. From flowers, to finding the perfect wedding dress there are tons of expenses that come along with celebrating your special day. Here a few tips to help you keep the costs down while still having the day you have always dreamed of.

Flowers- Flowers are a huge, often over looked, cost of many weddings. Order flowers from your local floral shop (our three recommended florists!) Or, if you are trying to stay within a certain budget-- try skipping floral center pieces all together, depending on your wedding it might be perfect to have an alternative to flowers such as candles! Our three-tiered candle lit centerpieces create a beautiful, elegant touch!

Photographer- Wedding photographers can be a big ticket item at your wedding. Photographs are an important part of capturing your special day, so a photographer is a must. Hire local talent (our two recommended ones!)

Dress- Try a used wedding dress or borrow a wedding dress from someone in your family. Not only will it save on one of the biggest costs of the wedding, but it will also be a sentimental touch to walk down the aisle in a family members dress. If you don’t have that option, or are looking for something a little different try finding your dress at a discount bridal stores or trunk sale.

Wedding Cake- The national average cost of a wedding cake is around $500. To save some money, try something other than a typical 3 tiered wedding cake. Serving cupcakes or having a candy station is a fun way to cut back on the cost of your typical wedding deserts.

Hire a DJ- If you’re trying to keep costs down and deciding between a DJ and a band, often times a DJ is much less expensive. Another upside to choosing a DJ is the eclectic range of music you can play with a DJ.

Get Crafty- Do it yourself décor is a fun way to add your own personal touch to your wedding and save some money in the process. Get creative and make your own signs or seating place cards to tie into the theme of your wedding. You could also go as far as making your own wedding favors for your guest to take home at the end of the night.

Start early – If you’re not rushed to get everything you need, you will have time to shop around more, compare prices, and plan to hit big wedding sales. Starting early allows you to plan for any unseen financial costs that may arise.

Miscellaneous – Miscellaneous cost can add up fast and are often over looked. One charge that often can be avoided is delivery charges. If you, or someone you know, are able to pick up items like the wedding cake, flowers, etc. you could be saving on the high cost of delivery charges. 

Use a Credit Card with Good Points- No matter how you slice the cake, while planning a wedding you will be charging a lot of expenses. It is important to take advantage of a credit card with good points, so you get the most for your money.   

Fall is finally here and soon the leaves will be changing and air will become a little crisper, but that doesn’t mean wedding season has to end. In fact, fall is one of our favorite times of the year to plan a wedding. Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks for taking advantage of all that fall has to offer.

Take Advantage of Nature- Fall may be one of the most unique times of the year. Take advantage of the beautiful color pallet when the leaves begin to change. Make sure to snap a few pictures outside in front of some foliage or take the seasonal décor inside to bring the unique nature of the season to you.

Play with Color- If you’re planning a fall wedding play with different colors. The changing of the leaves makes for a beautiful color pallet, everything from deep purples to burnt oranges. Color is a great way to incorporate the season’s beauty into your wedding.

Indulge in Fall Foods- Fall offers some of the best and most indulgent foods of the season. Play with fun fall flavors from pumpkin to apple pie even Thanksgiving turkey. Offer guests the quintessential fall indulgence, caramel apples. You can even package them up and offer them to guest for a sweet snack after a long night of dancing.

Warm your guest up- Fall time the weather gets cooler, remember to warn guest if you are planning on having an outdoor wedding. Also try providing blankets on each of your guest’s chairs so if the weather does cool down your guest won’t be left shivering. Another helpful touch would be serving hot apple cider or hot cocoa as a cozy treat to warm guest up.

Fall has so much to offer and because it’s not the typical wedding season your guest won’t feel wedding whiplash. So don’t count out the fall when planning your wedding.