BIG FAT CAKE » BLOG » Archive for January, 2010

tying the knot

January 31st, 2010

There are many many stories and cultures that have contributed to the term “tying the knot”.  Whatever it may mean or where ever it may have come from, it has stuck to be associated to mean “getting married” in today’s society.  Here are few cute examples of this term used {literally} in save-the-dates.

from cardstore.com

from cardstore.com

from www.lovelyinvitations.co.uk

image from www.i-do-it-yourself.com

image from www.i-do-it-yourself.com

from eestationary.com

from eestationary.com

How to tie a knot card

from mygoodgreetings.com

from mygoodgreetings.com

from minted.com

from www.polkadotbride.com

Destination Wedding Invitation

January 29th, 2010

Destination wedding invitations can be as formal or information as you want. Of course, you can use your destination as a theme. A friend had a great idea to make her invitations in the shape of a passport. Before she sent out the official invites, she sent out emails four months ahead so that guests could fare-watch their plane tickets or take advantage of group discounts.

There’s a lot of information involved when inviting guests to a destination wedding so this invitation was perfect because you could add as many pages as you needed.

She did a great job with her invite! Paper was from Pearl Arts and the photo was printed on photo paper from a typical office store.

Transforming Blank Slates

January 27th, 2010

While searching for ideas, I came across this website called taylorcreativeweddings.com. They have super modern and ultra-hip furniture collections that you can rent for your wedding. They work with the brides, vendors, or wedding planners and transform blank slates into designer rooms. They offer furniture and props for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, lounges, bride/groom suites, and bar areas and are available 24/7, 365 days a year! Here are some of my favorite looks that they’ve created:

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Just saw this video save the date this morning.  Apparently it’s a growing trend, but since the couple took their video down from YouTube, it tells me that if you want to keep your wedding gate-crasher free, you might not want to post it on a social networking site!

Here’s the video as part of the CBS News report.  Update: here’s the full video.

I always say that a wedding invitation sets the tone for your wedding – it’s the first thing your guests will see from your wedding, so I believe you should “wow” your invitees with them!  I’ve started drooling over boxed wedding invitations – not the sort where you get 100 in a box from Target, but the sort where every guest receives their invitation in a *box*.

To many it probably seems over the top, but it’s truly amazing what some people come up with. Of course, you still need to stay within your budget, but if you have a pretty big budget or a very small guest list, then consider this option!  Expect to pay at least $30 and up per invitation if you get them done professionally, and I would guesstimate that your DIY starting price would be around $8 – of course, the pricing would all depend on what you use to make your invitations!

This is a folio invitation presented in a silk box. I love how it incorporates a beautiful photo of the couple! (Found at Elizabeth Ann Designs, Photography by Love Letters)

These are Miss Gummi-Bear's invitations on WeddingBee. They're way cute with the Gocco'd Kraft Paper box.

This company design and print wedding invitations, and the bride then put them in boxes and tied them with ribbon.

When you are creating boxed invitations, the sky's almost the limit in the various 3D pieces you can include in your invitations. I love these with the orchids included.

Thai Silk Box supply Thai Silk invitation boxes and can also design your entire invitation.

These ones are created by Revelry Invitations. Note that if you're going to include embellishments on the outer box, you're going to have to have a special way of delivering your invitation to your guests!

Wrapping your invitation in a layer of beautiful tissue paper adds an additional touch of elegance.

I love how simple yet beautiful these ones are. And that box pattern? Love it!

What say you? Will you be delivering your invitations in a box?

from Masa Li Li

My hubby and I were a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to take many photos together on our wedding day due to the rain. So there was a suggestion for us to take some “hun sha” photos in Taiwan since we were there for a few months. So when we arrived, GT’s relatives sent us a few studios’ websites. Masa Lili, which was one of them, was supposedly one of the best. Unfortunately, everything is in chinese but the photos are beautiful.

from Masa Li Li

Last week, I went with GT and his cousins to Masa Li Li. The service is absolutely like nothing I’ve ever seen in the States. The studio provides all the outfits for the bride (wedding gowns and evening gowns), hair, makeup, accessories, and props, as well as outfits for the groom (if needed). The package also includes albums, framed prints, as well as little printed cards for the bride and groom to pass out to family and friends. These cards can vary in size and shape as the couple chooses.

from Masa Li Li

I realize what the unique thing is about taking these photos in Taiwan is the backdrop. Within one day, we will be able to access the sea shore, the forest, the botanical gardens, and an old estate (now a historical landmark for tourists). That is basically our agenda tomorrow.

from Masa Li Li

After we agreed on the terms a few days later, we returned to the studio to pick out my outfits and discuss with the photographer what we wanted. They have an amazing collection of dresses, which range from traditional qi paos to edgy evening wear. I had a great time trying out all the different dresses. The assistant also helps you pick and choose the right dresses for the environments/backdrops the couple had discussed with the photographer. All the components that make for a special picture is well thought out.  For a similar service and product, we are only paying a fraction of the price in the States.

from Masa Li Li

So tomorrow is going to be the shoot. I will follow up with another post about the day. To be continued…

Discount for Honeymoon Lingerie

January 24th, 2010

I love to support new and small business, especially when it works in my favor. :O) In celebration of their soft launch, Tashi Lingerie is offering Big Fat Cake shoppers 10% off total purchases placed now through 2/14/10 using code SRM33259. Plus, there’s free shipping for purchases over $100. Right now they don’t have a store front so it’s all online.

Source: Tashi

And a few words from Tashi Lingerie about themselves:

Tashi Lingerie offers bridal, wedding night and honeymoon perfect lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear and accessories from lingerie staples Eberjey, Huit, OnGossamer and NuBra to labels-on-the-rise including Clo Fortuna and Luva Huva.  Tashi is especially proud of their eco-friendly lounge pieces from Eberjey’s Eco Dream line (made from 100% Organic Bamboo Jersey) as well as select items from Luva Huva (made from Anglaise Cotton).  The site offers pieces that are “accessible luxe,” with retail prices ranging from $5.00 – $100.00.  Founded by New York-based entrepreneur, FIT alum and Holistic Nutrition guru Natalie Steiner, TashiLingerie.com aims to cater to your innermost desires, moods and femininity – your inner you.

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

January 22nd, 2010

Have you thought about how you’re going to pop the question? Some brides will ask over lunch or dinner, while others will ask through a card. Your bridesmaids will be supporting you through the whole wedding planning process and will be spending lots of time and money to make your wedding happen. So what if you want to do something special? After finding that greeting cards were impersonal, a friend had a cute idea of personalizing her requests through DIY cards and boutique cupcakes from Cupcakes Actually. Everybody loves cupcakes!

Here's a cute way to ask your bridesmaids through personal notes and cupcakes

With the help of experts at Paper Source, these are the materials she started with.

She glued white paper to the cardstock, added sticker, and tied a bow. Picture is blurred to protect identities. :O)

The envelopes had a print inside that matched the outside label.

Tons of wedding showcases this month! Here’s another one called Bride and Groom Unveiled. It’s more high-end and held at Mandarin Oriental. Regular tickets cost $55 but with Groupon you can purchase for $35. Act fast though because there’s only 15 Groupons available and only 12 left.

Source: Groupon

Drink Displays

January 20th, 2010

I love going to weddings and seeing what creative ways the drinks or glasses are displayed.  I came across a few websites that offer short-term rentals of canoes, boats, wagons etc. for weddings and other parties.  To give you an idea, check out http://www.vermontweddingprops.com/wagons/. Drink displays, such as self-serve wagons or canoes, allow guests to help themselves and are great for creating a more comfortable feel at your wedding.  I attended one of my friend’s weddings a few summers ago who had a self-serve canoe filled with bottles of water and beer.  It was so easy to just walk up and grab a drink without having to wait in line for the bar. They also had bottle openers tied along the canoe with twine for easy opening as well as pre-cut limes.  Too cute! 

This is pic of my friend's self-serve canoe full of drinks at her wedding