Wedding Coffee

My love of Starbucks is not a secret to anyone - which is why when I saw this picture I had to talk about it here!!!

Source

Is this not the best idea?! :) When else do you get to have your Starbucks cup say something as cool as that? It's romance in a cup!

They sell the double-insulated cups now too that you can write your usual order on to make them permanent - how awesome would it be to do this as a wedding keepsake for the coffee-loving couple?!

What do you think - wedding day coffee run, anyone?

Escort Cards vs. Seating Charts

Receptions can be chaotic, nobody knows that better than the wedding planners! On the day you say "I do," the last thing you want to be is stressed out. Making sure guests are in the right place at the right time is one of those small details that will help your day go a lot smoother!

Cutting down guest confusion starts with the seats. Whether you choose to do escort cards or display a seating chart, there are certain things you want to make sure you do with both.

Escort cards can add another dimension of personalization to your wedding. Make sure they're alphabetized though, or else that could present a problem with guests trying to locate their seats. Also, escort cards are also better suited for plated dinner receptions, allowing the caterer and servers to differentiate between meal choices. Make sure that you mark them clearly though! For example, light green and dark green isn't a strong enough contrast.

Here are some cute escort cards we've seen recently...

Lemoncello Escort Card

This couple used these Lemoncello-filled bottles as double-duty escort cards and favors for their Little Italy themed wedding! Just another small detail to personalize your wedding. I bet this was a wedding favor guests actually used too!

Grassy Escort Card Field

Getting a small patch of grass to display the escort cards is a great idea! They are all upright and it adds a pop of color to an otherwise potentially boring area.


Now, on the flip side, displaying a pretty seating chart would be less expensive and environmentally greener. Unless an escort card is exceptionally pretty or useful, guests don't tend to hold onto them.

Take a look at some of our favorite seating charts we've found:

Blush Seating Chart

How pretty is this! And again, fairly easy and inexpensive to make. The list is alphabetized by the last name so guests can easily find their seat.

Window Seating Chart

This is one of our favorites. It's surprising easy to find discarded windows, and they look so nice and original! What a great idea :) Again though, arranging the names alphabetically, instead of by table, would make it easier for guests to find themselves.

Escort cards or seating charts, pick a side!

What style do you prefer?

Sweet Save the Date's

Now that you're engaged and the date's been set, the excitement's beginning to set in! Many couples elect to hire a photographer and get engagement pictures taken to use for their Save the Date's. We picked out some of our favorite professional Save the Date photos to share with you!

Rural Save the Date

Isn't that so sweet? Rustic, rural weddings are so popular right now, and we've never seen a shoot that incorporate the fence like this!

Timeline Save the Date

We love the idea of including a timeline as your Save the Date. Often times, guests aren't privy to the play by play of your relationship, so what better way to make sure everyone knows your sweet love story?!

Now, if a professional photographer isn't in your budget for engagement photos, we've also included some of our favorite DIY Save the Date options.

Tie the Knot Save the Date

We love clever and quirky wedding ideas - anything to make it your own! This play on words will certainly be memorable for guests.

Shadow Save the Date

This shadow Save the Date is so cute, easy, and CHEAP! The shadow is made using a piece of cardboard...seriously. All you need is a friend to snap the picture!

Photo Booth Save the Date

We love the idea of having photo booths at receptions (SO much fun!), but these photo booth Save the Dates are pretty adorable too! Plus you can get as creative as you like with them :)

What are your favorite Save the Date ideas?

The 'First Look' Debate

As weddings have evolved and brides have become more modern, an increasing amount of couples have opted to ditch the tradition and decide on a 'first look' of each other before the ceremony.

Now legend has it that it is bad luck to see each other beforehand, but we have to question how something as special as this could be considered bad luck...

Touching First Look

Don't get us wrong - we completely understand the desire to keep to tradition! And if you are a couple that feels seeing each other before the aisle isn't for you, we love that you're keeping with this time-honored sentiment! However, there are a lot of upsides to taking a peek at your soon-to-be before you actually tie the knot, and we're all for it if you are!

For one, this may be the only private moment you have together all day. From the moment you walk back down the aisle together you will surrounded by congratulations and photos and family and friends and TRUST US, it will be a lot. A sweet moment together will calm and center you both.

It also gives you great pictures! After the first look, you'll be able to take all the gorgeous pictures together as a couple as well as with you bridal party and even family, if you have the time. Giving you time to enjoy and be a part of your cocktail hour and reception.

Now, if you're still undecided about whether having a first look is for you, maybe you can compromise when you see this picture. No bad mojo here, and still sweet, fun pictures :)

Blindfold First Look

Isn't that the cutest?! What a wonderful idea!

And for the steadfast and traditional brides, here's a different kind of first look entirely, but just as sweet, all the same...

Dad's First Look

Aren't dads just the best?! Don't forget about this other, and first, important man in your life! 

What's your stance on the great 'first look' debate?

Shout-Out to Our Grooms!

Footstone Photography

Here at MasterPiece Weddings, I've had so many grooms lately completely involved in the wedding planning process that I had to write a post dedicated to just them!

I think it's seriously amazing that so many grooms these days aren't just sitting on the sidelines repeating the standard "yes, dear" and leaving all the details for their brides to figure out.

I've mentioned it before, but it's worth repeating, that the best and most memorable weddings are those events that really tell a story about the couple and who they are together. Grooms should be involved and giving their two-cents about what they like too! It's about both of you beginning your new life together as one - there's no better way to get started than by undertaking the planning together. Having a partner to share all those crazy detail decisions with and lean-on when navigating tricky family waters makes the whole thing much easier.

So here's to you, Grooms everywhere that are becoming their Bride's hero's by not leaving all the planning up to them - you rock and we love working with you too!

DIY Shoe Bling!

We're rounding up this week with a little DIY Bling-tastic Inspiration! We fell head-over-heels, literally, for this great do-it-yourself project and we had to share it with you.

Check out these amazing jeweled heels!

Images via Emmaline Bride

These would be stunning on any Bride and Bridal Party. We found this great tutorial on Emmaline Bride created by Honestly WTF. Click here for all the DIY Instructions!

Sounds like the perfect Bridesmaids Girls Night to us!

Are you ready to bling-out your wedding shoes too?!

Table Runners Instead of Centerpieces

Not everyone loves the look of table centerpieces at their reception. If you're one of those people, consider the lush look that floral table runners create!

Table Runner via Alexan Events

It's such a unique idea and can be accomplished with so many different types of greenery. Check out how amazing, fresh and summery this table runner mixed with fruit is!

Table Runner via Alexan Events



These ferns would be amazing at any woodsy, garden or tropical location. Just use floral accents that compliment the locale. Or, do away with flowers, and just use bunches of candles - so romantic!




Table Runner via Alexan Events

Gorgeous, right?!