Sunrise Creations Blog

You know how some weddings just stand out in your memory?   I’ve decided that it’s often because of the little details which show thought and care which make one wedding different from another. 

I’ve been thinking about place cards lately.  They are a necessary part of any function but sometimes they can be a little routine, can’t they?  What if we put some extra effort into finding quirky place cards?  How much different might that make to the way we remember an event?

Here are some of the clever ideas I have come across. 

These little hand decorated biscuits serve as place cards and they are edible so they have a dual function.   By Also Heaven, these pretty cookies will attract attention.  .

Of course, not everyone likes sugar.  If your wedding is eco-friendly, uses a nature theme or has a green colour scheme, why not use something like these apple place cards fromSugar Bowl?

 

These little lollipop place cards are by DIY Weddings but they would be just as much fun at a children’s party. Don’t they look fabulous?

I love this look, too. By Southern Living, it uses little bird’s nests and eggs to hold the place card. You could create your nest out of straw and write the name on the egg. How good for Easter.

There are more ideas over at Oh So Beautiful Paper but I love these ones. Satin ribbon, an old fashioned key and a handwritten, vintage style name tag. So pretty.

 

It’s the tiny things like place cards which turn a wedding from pretty to magical.

What ideas can you come up with?

Bonbonniere are the little gifts or keepsakes you get at a wedding as a token of appreciation from the bride and groom.  Whilst they are tradition in Italy, they have become more and more popular in Australia as well over recent times.

Traditional bonbonniere contained a tulle bag holding five white sugared almonds, each almond representing health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.  Attached is usually a card with the date of the wedding and names of the bride and groom.

In more recent times bomboniere have taken many different forms and really creativity and imagination are the only things between you and amazing bonbonniere. 

Whilst most Australians associate bonbonniere with weddings, traditionally they are used as guest gifts for any special occasion such as engagement, anniversary, christening, communion or confirmation.

A quick google search will show you just how many options there are for bonbonniere.  You can choose from traditional or create little handmade gifts such as candles, bath salts, chocolates, cookies and more.  You could find something quirky that really represents your personality. If you are a coffee lover you could use little jars or sachets of special coffee.  You could frame the name at each seat so the frame becomes the gift while it fills a functional role at the reception.  You could use candles or plants or CD's filled with photos and your wedding vows. It's really up to you.

Use your imagination when it comes to packaging your items and tie the colours in with your wedding theme. When creating packaging make sure it can withstand being moved around and placed in handbags etc.  Noodle boxes are a definite favourite when it comes to bonbonniere packaging.  Always be sure to include a thank you message for your guests.

A relatively new bonbonniere concept is to have gingerbread cookies made with guests individual names included. These are used as place cards for the tables and then double as the bonbonniere. 

There really is no limit as to how creative you can be with your bonbonniere but keeping it tasteful is always best.

Let your creativity shine and make your thank you gift one to remember.

As you know, I believe that by selecting a theme for an event it makes decisions about colours and decorating styles much easier.

When I create a theme for an event I like to gather inspiration from magazines and online.  The images help me develop a picture in my mind about the way I want the event to look.  I want to share an example with you.

This collection is inspiration for a vintage themed christening.

These ideas were collected from the following sources:

 Christening Kids- stunning antique styled christening gown 
Amazon-  fabric Bunting
 Handley Beard Event Planners- a stunning christening design
Vintage Rose Collection - superb rustic elegance
 Favor Ideas- gorgeous crystal stroller bonbonierre
Classic Function Centre - delightfully floataway table setting.
 Kara's Party Ideas-  a blog full of clever ideas including the pretty cake with booties.
Sunrise Creations - the pretty vintage styled invitation.

One of the latest trends in today's weddings, is a self serve candy buffet. This has my name all over it!

Here is photo of the candy buffet Stewart and Monique put together. Monique collected vases and glass bowls in different shapes from friends and family and filled them with white chocolates and white lollies.


Monique recounts: "Everyone created their own take home lolly bag - it was demolished! It was very cost effective and a talking piece. I included white chocolate Tim Tams, milk bottles, cool mints and wafers - there was nothing left!"

Here are some things to think about when planning your candy buffet:

• Buy enough candy!
• Plan it through the eye and not the numbers. A large table overflowing with candy has more of a presence at your wedding.
• Clear containers with varying heights and shapes change your candy buffet from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Consider putting boxes or containers under the table cloth to create different levels.
• Add some flowers or candles as a finishing touch

Thanks Stewart and Monique for sharing!

To see how Stewart proposed to Monique, click here.

We attended a wedding a year ago where instead of a bonbonniere the couple decided to donate the money to a cancer charity and placed a discrete message on the place card to signify this. To our surprise there was much discussion around this and quite a number of newly engaged couples were inspired to do the same. Cancer touches everyone.

I recently suggested this to a client and she started to cry, as they had recently lost 2 people very close to them. They were so touched to be able to make them a part of the wedding celebration.

You may like to word it as follows:

“In lieu of a traditional bonbonniere we have made a donation to an organisation this is close to our hearts, the (name of charity).”

Other comments brides have made around this include: