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Stress-Free Holiday Party Tricks!!!

It's Holiday Party Season again and I wanted to share some great tips I found for you to host a stress-free party this year! Plus, There is no need to spend a fortune to decorate for the holidays instead be a little creative and turn your house into a winter wonderland!

Make a List

Perhaps the ultimate way to create a stress-free holiday is to live by a list. Plan ahead, and don't be afraid to delegate. "Know what you're capable and comfortable doing and give other people things to do," says Kathy Gunst, culinary expert and author of Relax, Company's Coming!and co-author of Stonewall Kitchen Harvest. Asking guests to help with a party-related task makes them feel more involved, so never be afraid to ask.

Candy Bar

Who doesn't love candy? Create a "candy store" on an entry or side table with jars in various sizes. Fill them with colorful taffy, chocolates and gummies, and put scoops and small baggies on the table. Plus, candy has a long shelf life (especially individually wrapped kinds), so you can enjoy the look all season long.

Wrap Gifts Early

Use holiday gifts you will be giving this season as décor in your home before you give them. Make them beautiful, and enjoy them yourself for as long as you can." Choose a coordinated group of papers, bows, and ornaments that look great in your home, and stack them throughout your house on side tables.

Dress Up Your Cocktails

Instead of plain ice cubes to keep drinks cool, place grapes and cranberries in your freezer now, so that come party time, you can use a couple of frozen fruits to add a quick and thoughtful touch to a cocktail or sparkling water. The shapes add dimension, color, and something to chew on when that delicious libation is swirling over your tongue.

Deck the Halls

Monica Gullon, former caterer, food editor and frequent entertainer, suggests going with the unexpected. "Bowls of vintage ornaments (from your family's collection or a flea market) grouped by color or glass bowls filled with white twinkle lights can both look striking. Or place a bare branch in a vase and hang small ornaments from it."

As for your exterior, you don't need a house encrusted in twinkle lights to make an impact. Try a single stand-out wreath, potted evergreens, or a big bow on the front door.

Great tips from InStyle & HG TV!

As we all know Vera Wang is one of the best designers out there when it come to bridal gowns, but with her name come a BIG price tag too. That is until now.... just released a few images of her new White by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal spring 2012 collection! Now you can feel like a celebrity on your wedding day and not brake the bank! The collection will be available starting February 2012—just in time for fresh Valentine’s Day engagements.

This satin-faced organza and horsehair A-line gown features an origami draped bodice and pick-up skirt. The dress also includes an exposed-tulle train and grosgrain sash.

Inspired by Kim Kardashian's wedding reception look, this Georgette mermaid gown features draped straps, Chantilly lace appliques at the bodice, and a dramatic skirt with basket-weave organza blossoms and petal embroideries.

Inspired by Kim Kardashian's wedding dress, this tulle ballgown features Chantilly lace appliques at the bodice, a basque waist, and cathedral train.

Learn more at Davids Bridal & InStyle

Official Royal Wedding Portraits Revealed

Courtesy of People

Monique Lhuillier Named Two of Her New Wedding Gowns ‘Catherine’ and ‘Pippa’

Famed bridal designer Monique Lhuillier, who has dressed celebrity brides such as Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Pink, and Alicia Silverstone, unveiled her newest bridal 2012 collection recently. Lhuillier named each of the gowns with a woman’s name, as she typically does, but we noticed something interesting this time around. Two of the looks in her new lineup have names with a royal ring to them—Catherine and Pippa! The “Catherine” gown, right, looks fit for a princess with long sleeves, a high neckline, and an all-over lace approach. The “Pippa” dress, left, looks like it could be for a bridesmaid or maid of honor (and Pippa Middleton is the maid of honor at sister Catherine’s nuptials) with a short hemline and a more body-hugging silhouette.

Courtesy of Monique Lhuillier & InStyle

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Flowers: The Meaning of the Bouquet

Did you take a good look at the bouquet Catherine Middleton‘s carried along with her Alexander McQueen gown and Cartier tiara? Vera Wang commented on CNN that she loved it because it didn’t overpower the dress, and there’s a reason why. Middleton chose the flowers because of their special meanings—she carried Lily of the valleys to symbolize the return of happiness; Sweet William flowers for gallantry; hyacinths for constancy of love; ivy for fidelity, marriage, friendship and affection; and myrtle, the emblem of marriage and love. The myrtle is actually from a plant that Queen Victoria planted in 1845, and was also used in the bouquet of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947.

Courtesy of InStyle

You wont want to miss this....

You wont want to miss The Garden Grandeur happening MAY 1, 2011 from 11-4 at Juntunen Gardens in Mount Vernon, WA! We know that planning and coordinating a wedding can be an extremely hectic and overwhelming process. With that said come and meet vendors from Skagit, Snohomish, Island, Whatcom, and King Counties in every category, to help with as much or as little as you desire. Get your tickets for $12 before April 15, 2011 or $15 at the door. Also, if your a vendor you'll want to me apart of this event too! Learn more about this amazing event at

Planning and coordinating a wedding can be an extremely hectic and overwhelming process. Come and meet vendors from Skagit, Snohomish, Island, Whatcom, and King Counties in every category, to help with as much or as little as you desire. This casual garden setting will provide the perfect atmosphere to allow you to interact with vendors that can free you and your family to savor every moment of your special day! Whether you want your occasion to be large or small, simple or elaborate, traditional or contemporary, we are here to help! Enjoy meeting vendors from the following categories: Accessories/Favors~Beverage Service~Cakes~Catering~Decorating~Event Planning~Florist~Formal Wear~Health & Fitness~Invitations~Music/DJ~Officiant~ Photography~Rentals~Salon Services/Beauty~ Transportation~Travel~Venue~Videography and much much more!!!!

http://www.skagitweddingshow.com/

We hope to see you all there!

South Africa Anyone?!?!

If any of you watched The Bachelor this season then you had the chance to see how AMAZING a trip to South Africa could be. I just fell in love with it & think it would be a once in a life time trip for any couple for their honeymoon!Here is a guide to some of the spots you won’t want to miss:


Lion Sands Private Game Reserve: Brad shared an incredible safari experience and overnight dates at this luxury reserve in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Chantal got to experience the Chalkley Treehouse, a bush bedroom built around a five-hundred-year-old Leadwood tree with the comforts of a five-star lodge. Guests at the reserve can also enjoy astronomy, bush walks, hippo tours and wildlife lectures. Each lodge has an outdoor heated swimming pool and viewing deck. (www.lionsands.com)

Blyde River Canyon Helicopter Tour: A helicopter is one of the most spectacular ways to view the northern Drakensburg. On this tour, guests are picked up from the Lion Sands helicopter pad and fly to the Blyde River Canyon to see views of Three Rondawels & the Blydepoort Dam. The helicopter then passes over the Berlin & Lisbon falls en route to a secluded picnic spot next to the Pinnacle. A picnic lunch is served with breathtaking views as far as the Kruger National Park. After lunch, the helicopter flies past God’s Window, Wonder View, Panorama Falls and over the town of Graskop. (www.lionsands.com)

Elephant Whispers: Brad and Emily rode on Tembo, a six ton African Elephant on one of their final dates. Elephant Whispers is an interaction and safari venue located on the banks of the Sabi Rver. Guests can interact with elephants as well as saddle-up for a ride down a shady path to check out the magnificent views. (www.elephantwhispers.co.za)

God’s Window: Brad and Ashley shared a romantic picnic at God’s Window, named for its panoramic views from 6,000 feet above Blyde River Canyon, the Lowveld, and the Kruger National Park to the Mozambique border. Walk the path through the evergreen tropical rain forest to the view points.

One & Only Cape Town: Brad and his final two women stayed at this urban luxury resort at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. While in Cape Town Brad and Emily enjoyed shark cage diving at Dyer Island and a helicopter tour including stunning views of the Cape of Good Hope. (http://capetown.oneandonlyresorts.com/)

Ernie Els Winery - Brad gives out his final rose at this winery in the town of Stellenbosch, in the heart of South Africa’s beautiful wine country. The spot was selected because of the stunning landscapes and panoramic views of the Atlantic and Cape Town. (http://www.ernieelswines.com)

2010 Wedding at Juntunen Farm & Gardens!!!

I was recently introduced to Stella & Dot…..I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to know about this great company. I love their stuff & so do come big time celebrities. They have something ever girls will love & worth taking a peek. If you're a bride looking for jewelry for your special day or a something fun for your bridal shower they are sure to having it at Stella& Dot! Stella & Dot would be another great place to find gifts for the bridal party & they even have a little girl’s line too...so even the flower girl can get a fun keepsake from the wedding. The best part is thier price point at Stella & Dott is perfect for any girls budget. Come see for yourself what a great find this company is! Happy Shopping!

A southern tradition....The Groom's Cake!

The Groom's cake is a long-standing tradition in the south and a fun gift a bride can give her groom! Think back to a scene in "Steel Magnolias" where all the women are having a discussion about a red and gray cake in the shape of an armadillo. That armadillo was the groom's cake Shelby was planning to give her husband-to-be.

The groom's cake is typically smaller than the wedding cake and is decorated to reflect a particular hobby or interest of the groom. My husband is a huge Boston Red Sox fan so when we got married I went with a Red Sox themed grooms cake & he loved it...so did all the other Red Sox fans at our wedding!

Here's a little history of the "Groom's Cake"....The groom's cake was not to be served to the guests while at the wedding reception, but rather it was to be sliced up, placed into packages and given to them as favors when they departed. Single women at the wedding would take their pieces of cake home and sleep with it under their pillows in hopes of dreaming of their future husbands.

While groom's cakes are a tradition in the south, elsewhere it is really a matter of preference. There is no rule, but if you want to add a sentimental touch to your wedding day, then honor your groom with his own cake. It is a sweet gesture that will give your guests something extra to talk about.

We LOVE all the Valentine's Day details...

Toady's the day...the day of LOVE!!! We wanted to share some of these fun details with you so you can make this a day to remember for the love in your life.

All of us at Creative Celebrations hope you have an amazing day with your love!!!

Photos courtesy of Brenda's Wedding Blog