Ombre Cakes



One trend I'm loving right now (and really have for a while now) is using many shades of one color, or ombré. While still picking two or three main colors for your wedding or event, try singling out one of those hues and varying the saturation.  Purple is a really great color to try this with, as is green. Below are some pictures of cakes that have incorporated this design technique, just fantastic!!



This was the inspiration cake for this post, sort of! I saw a larger version

(4 tiers by [NineCakes.com]) in the Spring 2011 'The Knot' Mag. The one

pictured above is [Maggie Austin].

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! [pretty little wedding things]

[pretty little wedding things]

 Try using textures with your hues. This adds a dramatic elegance.

[Martha Stewart Weddings] If you're adventurous, click source link
for the recipe!

This is one of my favorites. Simple, yet fabulous!
[Madly Stylish Events]

Love the apple! Shapes can also contribute and
help tie in a fabulous theme [Half Baked, Miso Bakes]

GORGEOUS
[pretty little wedding things]

   

If you're really creative, you can even
ombré the inside! [Style Me Pretty]



 
Try the ombré trend for BM dresses or even florals!  What color do you think this technique would look best in?  






What's Happening, Chicago (August 16)
1. Free Movie Tuesday, Sixteen Candles @ 7pm
2. Museum of Contemporary Art Farmers Market, Tuesdays 7am-3pm

How To: Tissue Paper Flowers

Saving money is hard to do. But throwing a beautiful event does not mean having to break the bank. There are many ways to save a few dollar$ and impress your guests. We do have to admit, most of the time this does means putting in a little extra elbow grease - but that's the fun part!

One great way to remain under budget, fake flowers. Most hear fake, anything, and cringe. Not the case with Tissue Paper flowers. With so many different patterns, colors and sizes to mix and match, (as we like to say) the possibilities are endless. And with 100% recycled paper now available, you can honor your budget and our planet!

Supplies You'll Need

1.  Tissue Paper

2. Green Wire (stem)

3. Scissors

Here's our 'How To' to Perfectly Festive Flowers

1. Fold one piece of Tissue Paper accordion-style, each fold roughly 1'' thick

2. depending on the size of flower you want, cut accordion strip into segments (flowers shown are 4 segments per sheet of Tissue Paper)

3. Cut two 1/2'' slits in the middle of each segment

4. String thin wire through slits of paper, fold wire in half and twist wire to form 'stem'

5. Separate folds of the Tissue Paper using your fingertips in a back and forth pattern, molding into a beautiful flower

Save Money with Mismatched Centerpieces

Party decor can really add up when you're searching for just the right pieces.  Lots of hosts and hostesses can spend countless hours looking for the right number of matching vases. But we're here to show you how beautiful mismatched can be! Using mismatched pieces for your decor and table centerpieces is super easy and affordable and eco-friendly at that! By purchasing mistmatched pieces, you can search for the right price, and you can find vases at second-hand stores and yard sales, preventing one man's trash from ending up in the landfill!

[source]

Going mismatched is a simple and easy way to decorate your event. Just follow a few simple rules and you'll be on your way to inexpensive centerpieces that will wow your guests.

[source]

1. Choose pieces that are all the same color (or in the same color family), but vary in the shape and size.  By sticking with the same color vases, the centerpieces will look similar, but not matchy-matchy. As Stacey from What Not to Wear says, 'it doesn't have to match, it just has to go.'

[source]

2. Use flowers in the same color or family to bring together mismatched vases.  In the picture above, the vases themselves are barely noticed. Instead, you're focusing on the bright yellow flowers, so why waste tons of money on vases that your guests won't really see?

[source]

3. Use ribbon or another accessory to tie together the vases. Just like you see above, you don't have to use the same pattern of ribbon, but by using the same colors on each, the vases coordinate without being matched.

4. Or go for your own look with completely different vases with no unifying theme.  As shown in the top picture, even different vases with different flowers can look stunning together.

Have you put together mismatched centerpieces? We'd love to see how it turned out. Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to share!

Eco-Friendly Aisle Runners

Hapy Friday, everyone! 

It seems little by little, every aspect of the wedding industry is going green. And we have another one to share with you today: eco-friendly aisle runners or, as they like to call them, Eco-Runners! Brought to you by Customized Wedding Creations, these beautiful runners are available in a variety of colors and styles to suit your wedding day needs.  But the best part is they are eco-friendly! Read what the company has to say about them in their own words:

"Eco-runners™ are completely customizable using all-natural products and organic paints. Made from melted down plastic bottles, this aisle runner is 100% recycled polyester and is painted with water-based paints free from chemicals and solvents. No harmful dyes or chemicals here. The best part, you’d never know this aisle runner is recycled fabric. It looks and feels just like our standard fabric aisle runners!"

How awesome is that!?  Eco-Runners come in six beautiful colors and two perfect sizes. And each runner comes with two custom paint colors to match perfectly with your wedding decor.  For information on pricing, sizes, and ordering, click here. And if you're ready to be inspired, check out our favorite picks of their designs below.

So what about you? Are you inspired to have an Eco-Runner at your wedding? 

Delicious Centerpieces

There's just something about using food as a centerpiece that I just love. Maybe it's the simplicity, or the beautiful natural colors and tones.  Or perhaps it's the fact that the food can often be reused or at the very least recycled or composted.  Whatever it is, I love an edible centerpiece.  I also love that they can be much cheaper than their floral counterparts.  (Think about it: a dozen lemons is way cheaper than a dozen roses!)

We've gathered some of our favorite images of edible decor for you to feast your eyes on. We hope you'll be inspired to try this at your next event.

[Artichoke source] [orange wreath source] [potato wreath source]

[lemons source] [citrus slices source] [green apples source]

[cranberries source] [tomato baskets source] [pumpkins source]

So what about you? Have you ever used food as decor for an event? Leave us a comment or send us a picture of your event. We love to show-case reader submissions!

Re-Wine Soy Candles

Searching for the perfect centerpiece for your next event?

Wondering what favor to give out at your wedding?

Looking for a great eco-friendly gift?

Look no futher!  Re-Wine Soy Candles from Greener Landz is the perfect answer to all three! Greener Landz is the brain-child of two friends who had a passion for the green lifestyle and were struggling to make ends meet.  Named for their kids, Greener Landz has expanded to offer design services and products with the Earth in mind.  Our favorite item in their catalog is the Re-Wine Soy Candle!

[source]

We think these are just perfect for so many occasions.  Greener Landz collects bottles from local restaurants and bars (saving them from the landfill!) then cuts, smooths, and fills each one with eco-friendly soy wax.  One of our favorite features: you can pick the bottles they use for your candles!

[source]

These candles make a perfect centerpiece for a wine and cheese party or a vineyard wedding.  Heck, they'd be great at a non-wine themed event!  They also make great hostess gifts and favors for your wedding guests. Greener Landz will even help design you a custom label for your candles! For more info on these candles, check out Greener Landz on Etsy.

And be sure to check back with us soon. We're working on an awesome give-away from Greener Landz very soon!

Let the Madness Begin!

Second to Christmas, this may just be my favorite time of the year.  St. Patrick's Day is upon us.  And so is March Madness!  This is a great time to get together with friends and family to watch all the big games, cheer on your alma mater, and talk some smack! But most of all, it's a great excuse to throw a party.

Selection Sunday is just over 48 hours away.  Why not invite the whole gang over for an impromtu gathering?  This would also be a great time to organize a basketball pool (if you're into that sort of thing).  For me, this week is all about cinderallas, bracket-busters, 12s vs 5s, and a whole lot of crazy prognosticating (my inner-voice sounds a lot like Dickie V). 

So you're throwing together a last-minute shin-dig for this weekend's Selection Show. What do you need?

Snacks
The show is on at 6 pm (est). Invite your friends over around 5 and do light hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and they'll be headed home to dinner when the show's over. Mini pigs in a blanket are always a big hit and super easy!  Baked sweet potato chips with dill dip and mini soft pretzels are also sure to be a success! For dessert, how about some basketball themed cakeballs?  With chocolate coating and a thin black icing gel, these would be darling for the party.

Drinks
It's Sunday, and after a long weekend of early St. Patrick's Day revelry, your guests will probably want to take it easy.  White wine citrus sangria is one of my favorite laid-back drinks. It's so easy and so pretty. Your guests will love it.  Of course, we also recommend having some beer on hand for the guys, who will probably scoff at drinking sangria.

Decor
While this is a last-minute gathering, you shouldn't shirk on decor.  As my mother always says, "Presentation is everything."  If your guests are all primarily fans of the same team, go for your school's colors as the motif.  Plates, napkins and cups can reflect this theme easily enough.  A few small vases of flowers or candles in the right colors, while subtle, can create a more welcoming atmosphere.  Mildly scented decor can also add a pick-me-up to any room that needs a bit of freshening up.  If you've got a party store nearby, stop in to pick up some pom-poms in your school's colors.  Arrange them in a vase just like flowers.  If you have a little extra time, make some of the infamous Martha Stewart pom poms to hang over your buffet table.

Who will you be rooting for this year in the NCAA tournament?  Are you planning any festivities to cheer on your team along the way?

Suggestion Saturday: Daffodils Flower Shop

With Spring not so far away, our minds are on: Daffodils

What: 'Daffodils' Flower & Gift Shop

Where:  1935 W Armitage Ave (Bucktown, just east of Damen) 773.276.1000

Why: Because of their quality.  WGIC has used Daffodils several times for events (and even a few times for personal bouquets) and we've never been disappointed. The owner, Michelle, is very helpful and always willing to work with a fixed budget; and she's super creative with her arrangements. You won't be disappointed!

When: For your next event or just to brighten your day! Their flowers are always fresh and beautiful. 

Who: Anyone, anytime!

'Outdoor Garden Party'

We were recently contacted to help plan a 1st birthday party. And we couldn't wait to get started putting our ideas down on paper!  We provided two idea boards with two pretty different themes and ended up meshing them together (final result is picture #3):

Theme #1: Elegance

1. centerpieces would be minimal, square vases with sand and white Japanese Mitsumata Branches

2. birthday girl's name attached to centerpiece for that extra touch

3. All white lanterns hung from ceiling mixed in with butterflies tied to fishing line. To give the impression the butterflies are flying through the clouds

4. ADORABLE favor tags found on etsy.com - these are such a fun way to add that special touch

5. Loose example of what the ceiling would look like

6. Lanterns sit on food and desert table, and possibly scattered throughout the room

7. centerpieces for children's tables would have bugs sitting in moss

Theme #2: The Hungry Caterpillar

1. centerpieces would house green and red apples with plastic bugs scattered inside

2. Seat cushions would add that extra pop of color where guests would least expect it

3. Yellow Gerber daisies would sit in 6'' square vases throughout the room on beds of moss

4. White chairs with seat cushions colors from pictures 2

5. Adorable favor tags let guests go home with a reminder of the theme

6. Cupcakes are so easy for children's parties. Less fuss, no cutting, each the same size!

With those two themes as our starting point, and given the feedback from our client, this is what we decided on:

Final Theme: Spring Color!

1. Centerpieces with more color. Instead of sand at bottom of square vase, yellow stones will be added. Colorful butterflies and bugs with sit in the Mitsumata branches

2. Desert table will be lined with moss for the opaque yellow vases/cake stands/plates to sit. Varying sized glass vases will also be filled with orange/yellow/pink candy. 6'' square vases will house brightly colored yellow Gerber daisies (see picture 5)

3. Lanterns will be yellow/pink/orange and will still hang from the ceiling along with white butterflies

4. Centerpieces of children’s tables will have foam board attached underneath for children to stick colored pencils and crayons for easy access (with little bugs glued to the tops for added detail, of course!)

5. Gerber daisies and other seasonal flowers in yellow and light orange will be spread throughout the room

So what do you think? What theme worked for your child's birthday party?

***And don't forget to enter our first Give-Away!***

Contest ends Monday, March 1st

CLICK HERE

Holiday Party Decor

We're deep into the midst of holiday party season, but if you're still looking for a last minute decor idea for your party, look no further.  Tissue paper pom poms are a great and affordable way to fill a large space with vibrant colors.  This easy DIY project is something older kids can help with too.  And with tissue paper coming in every color of the rainbow these days, the possibilities are limitless. 

We originally discovered these pom poms on Martha Stewart's website...no wonder they are so perfect!  Here's her how-to and here's a few samples of the pom poms in use.  We've seen them at weddings, parties and even used as permanent decor in children's rooms and nurseries.

Have you used paper pom poms for decor at your events? Send us a picture and you could be featured on our blog.

Turkey Day Decor

The Big Meal, as we like to call it, is fast approaching.  With just a couple days left to bake and cook and prepare, we wanted to share a few ideas for making your table even more impressive.  We've mentioned Paper Source before. It's one of our favorite stores for beautiful paper goods.  And Paper Source offers a wide variety of eco-friendly products.  With two stores in Chicago, Paper Source is close by for a last-minute trip.  Here's a few of our favorite picks for the season:

Placecard Leaf Stickers

"I'm Thankful" Placecards

Turkey Placecard Holders

Fall Leaf Wreath

We Bleed Orange and Blue

Although we're a long ways from Florida, our two lead planners, Katie and Alison, are both huge Gator fans.  And it tickles us pink when we can find a way to incorporate our two favorite colors subtly into any event.  Now even if you're not a Gator fan, we think you'll find these Thanksgiving tablescapes quite beautiful.

Have you found inspiration for your Thanksgiving table yet?  We'd love to hear what you have in store for your guests.