Wedding Wednesday: Illustrated Menus!

You know me, I am always looking for ways to add a bit of 'oomph' to the little details, and when you are seating a group of loved ones on your big day after your heartfelt 'I do's', it seems everyone is always ravenous!

So how do you break the ice with a round of guests who don't know each other and get them talking?  Well, bring up the delicious food that is coming their way with a fun menu card, that's how!  I love color and a bit of whimsy of course, but you can also keep things elegant with classy graphics & calligraphy font too!

Take a look at this array of examples, there is sure to be something here to get those gears a-turning . . .

(via images from Jean-Pierre Gary and Kiera Ormut-Fleishman)

Whimsical fun . . .

(via In the Treehouse) 

(menu by Merry Maps) 

(via Martha Stewart) 

(image from  Regina Volpi Baerwalde) 

(image from Meg Perotti) 

A 'Where the Wild Things Are' inspired shoot . . .

(above two photos courtesy of By Ksenia)

Beautiful & beachy . . .

(courtesy of One Plus One Design) 

 (courtesy of Yellow Owl Workshop)

(from The Knot)

One for the littles . . .

(from Pink Orchid Weddings) 

How about a little fun?

(from Oh Lovely Day) 

 (via Thayer Allyson Gowdy )

And I saved my favorite for last; this menu card can let your server know which options your guests have picked for dinner . . . brilliant!!

(via Heidi Ryder Photography)

What a great way to keep the theme & colors of your wedding carried right on through to your meal time!  Go ahead and get creative . . . this is the part of your big day where the REAL party starts, after all!

Wedding Wednesday: Mish Mash~Getting it all out There . . .

Have you ever cleaned out your closet and found a whole bunch of stuff that you want to keep, but can't 'categorize' as any one thing?  Well, in going through all of my wedding inspiration pictures I have saved over the past several months, I seem to have managed to hold onto the most lovely & random photos...ones that I have been excited to share with you but haven't found the day or the post to do it!

So today I have decided to throw a 'mish mash' at you of assorted ideas to take a look at.  Who knows, maybe they will ignite just the spark you need as you are planning your big day or maybe you will just find yourself with a whole bunch of pretty pictures to stare at?  But either way, I hope you are entertained . . .

Cake Crazy . . .

Don't you just love those rosettes?

Lovely Locks . . .

And my very favorite . . .

Ravishing Rings . . .

Photo Booth Fabulous . . .

Reception Love . . .

Beautiful Blooms . . .

Paper Pretties . . .

Best idea ever . . . an 'I spy' game to keep the kiddos busy!

Nifty Napkins . . .

For the coffee bar . . .

Wine-loving favors . . .

A stunning 'Thank you' card photo-op!

Now I WARNED you it was a mish mash, didn't I?  But I do apologize if your head is spinning a bit:)  Whew, I feel ever so much better getting that all out there!  See you tomorrow!

Wedding Wednesday: Beautiful Bunting Cards & Invitations . . .

Now if you haven't happened to notice from all of the parties, weddings, and holiday decorations we have featured here over the last year, Juneberry Lane LOVES bunting!  Any type of banner or garland just brightens the whole room and makes everyone smile.

And these glorious bunting invitations & cards have precisely the same effect.  Send them out to your party guests, friends, or valentines and you are sure to get a little gasp of delight as they open up the envelope and find the tie-able treasure inside!  Check this out . . .

 I am just so smitten with that glassine white cookie envelope, aren't you?  And how about these fabric stunners . . .

Or you could put just the date inside?

Remember those adorable 'Will You be my Bridesmaid?' paper doll cards that we featured a few months back?  Take a look at these little lovelies . . .

Aren't those just the most creative things?  Think of all of the fun your guests will have opening up that little envelope and untying the string to find all of the details of your special day or a very important question inside?  

And don't forget to contact Juneberry Lane for any and all custom invitations, save-the-dates, or cards that you may be looking for!  We love personalized, creative orders, after all!!  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Wedding Wednesday: Fantastic Favors . . . Homemade Nutella!!

I am so excited to bring you this amazing recipe today.  Always being a fan of homemade favors and gifts from weddings, to holiday parties, to Christmas presents, I am truly a sucker for anything in a classic mason jar, topped with a swatch of burlap or a vintagey-mod fabric, and tied tight with a twine bow.

There are so many options for what to fill your little jars with, but I think one of the best is definitely this divine homemade Nutella recipe from Su Good Sweets.  And even better, this delicious spread is even more delightful than the chocolate yumminess you get in the store bought version!  Just check this out . . .

Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread (Better Than Nutella!)

Yield: about 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:
~ 2 cups whole raw hazelnuts
~ 1 cup powdered sugar
~ 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
~ up to 1/4 cup vegetable or nut oil
~ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1.) Preheat oven to 350° F. Place hazelnuts in a single layer on a shallow baking pan. Toast until the skins are almost black and the meat is dark brown, about 15 minutes. Stir the nuts halfway through baking to ensure an even color.

2.) To get rid of the bitter skins, wrap the cooled hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Rub until most of the skins come off, but don’t worry if some remain.

3.) Process nuts in a food processor, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until they have liquefied, about 5 minutes. First, you will get coarsely chopped nuts, then a fine meal. After a little while, the nuts will form a ball around the blade, and it will seem like you only have a solid mass. Keep processing. The heat and friction will extract the natural oils, and you will get hazelnut butter!

4.) When the nuts have liquified, add the sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Slowly drizzle in enough oil to make a spreadable consistency. Since the mixture is warm, it will be more fluid now than at room temperature (don't worry, the consistency will be perfect in a few hours!). Transfer the spread to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for 1-2 months. For best results, stir the chocolate-hazelnut spread before using.

And a few pointers:

~ Please use whole raw nuts, and toast them yourself to intensify the flavor. Pre-toasted or pre-chopped nuts are often spoiled.
~ To further intensify the nut flavor, use unrefined nut oil, which is tan in color. Peanut oil is especially cheap in Chinese supermarkets: 20 ounces for $2.38! So if you’re looking for a “gourmet” ingredient, try an ethnic market.
~ You really need a full-sized food processor to make nut butter, not a mini version or a blender. I recommend a 7-cup Cuisinart: it’s large enough for most household tasks but isn’t too bulky.

Gorgeous packaging options . . .

Not much room in the budget?  No worries, just use butcher paper . . .

You remember these oh-so-pretty vintage fabric covered goodies . . .

You could even cover your jars in ombré tones and place them in graduated order on your favor table . . .

Or burlap (which you can get for a song at Jo Anne's) gives it that rustic elegance for a fraction of the price of regular material.

These would be wonderful handmade gifts for teachers, friends, or co-workers for the upcoming holiday season too, don't you think?  Happy Wednesday!!