Southern Weddings/Mason Jars

Photo credit Ruffled

Mason Jars have been long since associated with the South and although canning, preserving, and pickling was done all over the country, country style living would almost always include a mason jar somewhere.

What's interesting is that the Mason Jar was invented and patented in 1858 by Philadelphia tinsmith, John Landis Mason.  Pretty good for a northerner.

I recently spoke to a Mother of a bride, who's daughter got married last year, used the Mason Jars as favors.   She said her guests drank all night using the jars and the guests took their jars home as a favor (like the above photo).

Mason jars are cheap....I mean inexpensive, which means you won't break the bank.  One bride I know of would like to full her jar with peanut brittle.  This is a sweet ending for the night, but what else can you full a jar with?

Salad in a jar

Mason Jar Salad.  I came across this idea via Bellissima Vita The Blog.  Easy to do just layer as you see above (how to), keep these jars cool on ice, and provide a brown paper sack to leave with. 

Tiaras and Tantrums

Pickles yeah fill it with pickles or even pickled watermelon rind.  If it's a Southern style wedding why not go hole hog.  Now you could pickle the cucumbers yourself (recipe) and that would be very impressive, but I recommend buying pickles from a local pickling business (see bottom of post for links).

Spring Mason Jar Crafts

Use the mason jars as center pieces.  Clustered together will look lush and beautiful.  Choose same, similar, colored flowers for a uniform chic look.

This post can go on and on with ideas but just make a search for ideas and you will have your fill.

Supplies:

Brooklyn Brine Company

The Pickle Guys

Mason Jars Uline

Webstaurant Store Drinking Jars

My Own Label

How To Make Labels 

These Favors Suck... Are Succulent

Succulents Galore

Succulents make great favors, center pieces, boutonnieres, and more.  They require little to no care and lovely to look at.  And best of all the price is right.  The above Succulents (Succulents Galore/Etsy) are priced at $29.00 for 24, that's about $1.20 each.  

Below are a few ideas, just click the photos for more info:

...and whatnot

Yes Please

Ruffled/Succulents and Vintage Silver

Brush Fire Photography

Give Your Guest A Fever

I was introduced to Feverish Gourmet Popsicles via the Today Show.  Entrepreneur and owner Felecia Hatcher fell flat on her face while attempting to chase an ice cream truck in heels. Upon her decent to the ground she came up with the idea of a hip ice cream truck with upscale ice cream catering for adult events (she was on the ground for a long time).....

As you can see Feverish is not only great for kids, but wonderful for  summer/beach/garden weddings (Wedding Gourmet Popsicle/Ice Cream).  Flavors are unique (Mimosa W/Strawberries, Strawberry Mojito, and more).   You can also customize the popsicle stick, making it very personal.  It's a cool, fun, favor that will leave your guest feeling refreshed.

Feverish Gourmet Popsicles

Stick It To Them

Now for a wacky idea that is really functional. The Duct Tape Wedding favor, this is something your guest can actually use, there are tons of websites including, The Duct Tape Guys that have ideas for Duct tape use. Well I thought of one more. A wedding favor, it's cheap and useful. If you go to the right Dollar Store you can pick up most rolls for at least, hmmm.... $1.00! Or you could order it from Jam Paper. Have personalized sticker made that says "We're Stuck On Each Other" (oh, come on that works) be sure it includes your wedding date.

Let me know what you think, better yet tell me your creative, unusual, kooky, out of the box, idea for a wedding favor.

Beanin' Good

I know, I know real clever title, could be the COFFEE. That brings me to this, did you know that Starbucks has a literacy program. With each Latte Mocha Smatta Calatta, you are making a contribution to make it possible for everyone to sit in a cafe (Starbucks or any other) and read. You could easily give Starbucks gift certificates as wedding favors.

Starbucks, is not the only company with a conscience. Coffee Kids.org (above) is righting a wrong. Farmers earn less than 4 cents a pound (WHAT!) they pick by hand. Coffee Kids creates partnerships with local organizations. The partners provide technical resources, training, and follow through to communities to implement grass-roots projects. Read more about Coffee Kids and how they are helping. Here's how you can help too.

Make favor gifts of coffee from a participating coffee vendors or make a donation to Coffee Kids in lieu of wedding favors. It will feel real good when you are beanin' good.

Sketchy Favors

New York is just an adventure you will never know what you will find. As you remember my run in with a Parrot Man (A New York Experience). Today I sat next to a man on the train sketching, which is not unusal, I have worked out a few design ideas on many of my subway rides. He was doing these fast portrait sketches and asked if I would like my portrait done. I said thank you but I would not be making a purchase today. He really appreciated my honesty. Then I thought this would be a great wedding favor. So I asked would he do this at weddings or other events. He said YES! As a matter of fact Orin has done a few weddings and will work with you and your budget (don't be a cheapskate). Each guest can leave with an original sketch of themselves making this a favor they will cherish and keep.

P.S. That's not me in the sketch but that was what he jotted his info on. Maybe I'll frame it.

Contact the artist at orinink@yahoo.com 718.313.3254

I Love This #3

Last year at the magazine launch of World Bride, in the gift bag was a tin, Bouteaque Tea. I was happy as a clam, because I do love tea and the flavor was the Rubious Raspberry Herbal Tisane. Oh my, was this a delicious tea. First of all, when I opened the can, the scent was intoxicating, sexy, and calming. I brewed my first cup and Oh My God, this was heaven. The tea is so flavorful, bold and yes sexy.
Then I was thinking, how fabulous this would be as favor gifts and this is how you can do it:
There are 6 flavors to choose from but I recommend choose one or two for your guest. Each 4 oz tin is $15.00, this is pretty expensive, but if you can afford this for all your guest, go for it.
* When buying in large quantity, make a deal.*

DIY this idea and it can be more affordable. Purchase the tins, which I found goo gobs so choices on line. Fill the tins up with loose tea. Then secure with a sticker and I think your guest will love it.

Below a few helpful links:

E Bottles.com

More Tins

Sophie's Favors

Personalized Labels

Beau-coup.com

Print My Thing

Mini Cupcakes A Bite Of Perfection

Cupcakes are all the rage for weddings these days. As a matter of fact, they are probably in danger of being passe`. But, don't get your tulle in a bunch, I just love the bite size mini cupcakes. It's just enough and you don't have to feel so guilty eating one (if you eat five, you need to get on your knees). There are tons of companies that make mini cupcakes or there are recipes for you to give it a try yourself. Even the mini size gives you a little more room to be creative with the flavors. Cut your cake, but serve your guest a mini buffet of different flavors. I know they will be taking more than one, but they will get a kick out all the new and fun flavors.

Check out these cupcake companies

Carrot Cakes Online

212-473-2002

Tonnies Minis, Not Just Cupcakes Anymore

Kumquat Cupcakery

kumquatcupcakery@gmail.com

Buy one of each flavor at the Brooklyn Brownstoners Flea Market

Every Sunday, Lafayette and Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn

The Bells are Ringing!

The custom of ringing the bells at the wedding was to keep evil spirits away. They not only rang bells, they hit pots, pans, and anything that would make loud disturbing sounds. Many believed that evil spirits liked to hang around newly married couples. The more noise they made the less evil work could get done.
Today, the bell ringing is used to serenade the couple leaving the church, entering the reception, or just to get the couple to kiss.

Below these bells are perfect for a wedding fashioned with a cultural flair. The brass bells have markings at the center tied with a "Raffia-like ribbon". Complete your wedding favors by gifting your guest with these bells and they will make a joyful noise for you and your love!

Brass Bells above are about 1" with Raffia-like ribbon at ends and a stripe markings at the middle of bell.

$3.50 each

(This does not include Shipping and handling)

To purchase the bells for your event

please call

Cassandra Bromfield at 718.388.2055