Weddings in a barn are popular. The Spring 2010 Chanel show in Paris will probably inspire many brides to be. Second to walking barefoot on a beach, I am curious to see if many brides and grooms will opt for walking the aisles barefoot in a hay path.

The gold basket could make an awesome container for the centerpiece. You could recycle the idea and make your own. I believe that the bride and groom must distribute one by one the party favors. Decorating a few baskets would add a fancy touch. It is more original than a tray.

To know more details about this fabulous presentation by Chanel, read what Garance Doré had to say about her experience at the fashion show.

October 15th, 2009 Update: you can see the construction of the barn in a video on Wallpaper. It took 6 weeks to create the concept of the barn and 38 men working full time for a week to assemble it.

+ photos: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters on Times Online, Garance Doré

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Dressing up a soft drink table for a party deserves as much attention than setting a regular bar. Both have to be pretty and inviting. This week provides delightful examples of what you can do to make it grand.

That quest started by this Old fashioned soda bar featured on Project Wedding. The concept was to find several old-style soda bottles. They collected 14 soda drinks. They made it beautiful by lining the sodas by color. This is a merchandising trick that you often see at fine stationery stores. They also suggest to not put them on ice. Instead, keep them on the fridge until the last minute.

Like they say, the hardest thing is to find the old-fashioned bottles. If you have relatives who live in several parts of the country, ask their help to expand your collection.

Print Your Own Soda Labels

Inspired by that project, Amy of Eat Drink Chic made templates to print your own soda labels. They are available in two font styles. It may be simpler than looking for the old style brands. You could buy bottles from different brands for a more realistic effect.

Homemade Lemonade Stand

Finally, the appeal of the old-fashioned homemade lemonade stand does not die. Here they used big jars with tags and ladles to serve the lemonade. Anyone with some carpentering experience can build a cute lemonade stand.

Fabric pennant banners hanged on the stand mimics the vintage look. You can follow the instructions on Mommy Diaries to learn how to sew your own banner or head to etsy to find one that you like. You can refer to some of my favorite flag pennant banners.

MORE:
+ Project Wedding
+ Eat Drink Chic
+ One Love Photo

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The best hostess knows that it is up to her to find ways for her guests to interact. When you host a big event, you cannot be there to introduce everyone. To avoid awkward moments or to explore new conversation topics, why not plan a conversation starter game.  With games that look as great as those ones, everyone will want to participate.

The three games I selected involved some do it yourself tasks. You probably have recognized her style. You will find the detailed set of instructions on Martha Stewart Weddings site.

I Knew you when…

During cocktail hour, each guest sticks a flag where they written their name into the year she met either the bride or groom. I imagine doing this at a milestone birthday party. Everyone later share how they met. Since you need something that you have no problem pinning the flag, ask the print shop for an oversize print to be mounted on foam board. It will be a nice souvenir for the guest(s) of honor.

Change is Good

You put vintage coins on a cute box wrapped with a ribbon. Each guest opens their box. One by one they tell the story of something good that happens to them on the year of the coins. Shown here are the chic Semikolon gift boxes. I bought the same collection to neatly store my magazines.

I Spy…

This is a game that will occupy the kids. Equipped with their own portable or digital camera, the kid who took a picture of the most challenges on the list win. This is why I think a cheap digital camera will work best for this game. It is called I spy but it could have be named I shot.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR:
+ I Knew you when – including
+ Change is Good
+ I Spy

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Many people, including couples who are getting married, opt for a rustic party theme. These are good reasons for that. It is style that is inviting, that feels warm and cozy.

You may have heard that Starbucks opened a new store concept, the 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea. Despite the design controversy, there are decor ideas that you can reclaim for your next rustic decor party. What caught my attention are in details. As you know, details are what transform an ordinary party into an extraordinary adventure.

The first item that I noticed is the old style teakettle. I think it is gorgeous. Setting an area outside for guest dogs to drink water is a nice touch when you are having a barbecue at the cottage or a long drive from home.

Another design idea that is worth recycling for a big party is the self-served counter. It has the charm of the general stores. Think how you could use that concept to serve food instead of setting a predictable buffet table. It is simple to reproduce the look. Visit flea markets to get your hands on vintage wood boxes. Secure them at an angle.

MORE:
+ Via PSFK – they took the photos with a phone
+ Press Release of 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea

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I was interviewed last Friday by a Montreal-based journalist about the art of making menu when you hosting a party at home. My best advice has always been to cook dishes that you are familiar with. This way, you will not stress out. Your meal must taste great. It is not the time to experiment. To make your dinner special, simply be original with the food presentation.

The home cooking approach is invading formal events like weddings. The New York Times published Readers’ Wedding Food to illustrate this trend. You will see that it crossed over a wide range of wedding budgets, from high to low.

Easy Inspiring Food Presentation

It is not complicated to serve french fries in paper cones. But it makes it more special. You can use parchment paper, newspapers like they do in Belgium or gingham waxed paper. Opt for professional grade grease proof waxed paper to keep your food.

I gathered from the NY Times article the best pictures that you could use for your parties this summer. My photo collage at the top would be perfect for Canada Day or the Fourth of July. As you can see this home cooking trend mixes with eating seasonal food.

+ Lobster bake on the beach in Massachusetts – photo by Paul McEvoy
+ Decorate a cheese platter or for a grand event, your cheese and charcuterie table with seasonal berries and figs
+ Be creative when preparing skewers of vegetables and fruits. An old-time favorite appetizer is a Caprese salad assembled on skewers. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar or put a small bowl of balsamic vinegar for dipping.

2009 Trends in Weddings

Going back to the article on the New York Times, it talks about the current trend in weddings, even upscale weddings, to serve home cook style meals. People do not do it for saving money. It costs the same and sometimes more to elevate comfort food. This trend started out of a desire to feel less opulent. It also conveys authenticity to their celebrations. Is it representative to what you have seen in weddings this year?

One thing I would say it that guests should dress up even for a simple country weddings. It is a special occasion for the bride and groom. Tell them you know how special this day is by NOT wearing casual clothes. It is one element of etiquette that I strongly believe in.

SOURCING:
+ Waxed Paper Red Gingham $5 USD for 50 sheets
+ Down-Home Celebrations by the New York Times

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I introduced last April this exquisite Champagne cooler. I got the chance to see many in person at the Interior Design Show of Toronto. Do not look in the exhibit; it was only accessible to VIP guests.

I have the chance to be a good friend of Harry Wakefield, the founding editor of MoCo Loco. If you recalled, Harry was one of the 3 bloggers invited on a Design Trends by the Minute panel at the show.

Not only did I drink a superb rose Champagne (pink) but I got the complete demonstration on how works the coolest cooler on Earth. This unique piece of technology is an avant-garde interpretation of the French candelabra. This explains why the cooler illuminates thanks to rechargeable battery.

Globalight retails for about $800 if I am not mistaken. But do not rush to the store; the Globalight cooler is only available in Europe.

In the shadow (bottom picture), you see a guy taken a picture. This is Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy. Look at some of his pictures on Maxwell’s highlights of IDS 2009.

Go see more pictures of the VIP lounge and bar on a photo album of AHWKV’s page on Facebook.

+ Globalight for Veuve Clicquot

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These refined floral arrangements for a Gentleman’s birthday are creative and unique. In fact, I am not familiar with several flowers they used for those.

The brides and grooms of Beautiful Blooms are not afraid to select bold colors floral arrangements for their weddings. At least Elisa and Jesse weren’t. I like their choice of flowers: the shape and the color palette. For good reasons, Beautiful Blooms was a pick of the Best of Weddings 2008 by The Knot.

+ Beautiful Blooms – get directions p 215.925.9300
1011 N Hancock St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19123

MORE:
+ A Gentleman’s birthday: photography by Marie Labbancz
+ Elisa and Jesse wedding: photography by Michael Branscom 
+ Via Style Me Pretty

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My friend Jaime of It’s a Jaime Thing is hosting her first giveaway. She has 4 signed copies of Intimate Weddings by author Christina Friedrichsen to give away.

My wedding was an intimate wedding. We had 70 guests. The main appeal of a small wedding is that you really pass time with all my guests. Everybody wants to speak to you. Plus there are the pictures, the games, the dancing and the eating.

A Glance at My Own Wedding

Initially, I set the limit at 40 guests but my husband wants more guests to share our joy. And it was hard selecting the few. We settled for 70 guests.

You have to take tough decisions to stick to a small number of guests. We were lucky to have parents who let us have it our way. We split the guest list half and half between friends and family. It was important to us that our friends be present. The number of close aunts and uncles fit well. We invited the cousins with whom we always played as children.

On the plus side, we indulge in a luxurious venue, a fine cuisine meal and make sure that the celebrations were a lot of fun. Our wedding was extraordinary. I could have asked for more.

With the level of details that today’s brides want, planning a small wedding enables you to have it all. It is not just about money, all the time-consuming handmade projects can be a nightmare to manage with a huge wedding.

Intimate does not means to be crowded in a room. Try to select a venue with a room size slightly bigger than what you need. By spreading the extra space across the room, you can create an even more luxurious feeling.

Update: Christina Friedrichsen runs a Web site full on advices on how to host the perfect intimate weddings. She also has a blog.

It’s for You and Your Husband

Before you decide what kind of weddings you wish for, why not read Intimate Weddings. You have until March 4th, 2009 11:59pm EST to enter the It’s a Jaime Thing giveaway. Whatever you decide, my best advice is that at the end of the day, you and your husband had the wedding celebrations that please both of you. We sure did.

SOURCING:
+ Intimate Weddings by Christina Friedrichsen $10.19 USD
+ Intimate Weddings Web site

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Table numbering is not just for weddings. They are a must for any big sit-down dinner from a baptism, a sporting club party to a wedding anniversary.

These table number cards are cute and modern. Except for the yellow-checkered oval table numbers made by Creature Comforts, they all came from Martha Stewart. I love them all.

The photo table number would be great for a bridal shower or a baby shower with a picture of the couple or the mom to be. You could replace the wine bottle by a reusable water bottle for an outdoor theme party.

Martha supplied two templates with no number, in case you need to add your own number or other text. If you have Photoshop, you can use any of these templates as the basis for making your own.

Scrapbook paper and wrapping paper create stunning background. You can either use a stamp or a printer to add the table number.

SOURCING:
+ How to make the Photo Table Number
+ Table Number on Wine Bottles
+ Take a Number Templates
+ Mustard yellow-checkered Table Number Templates

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When I saw this on TV this morning, I was in awe! This is the simplest idea to impress your guests at your next dinner party

How to make fancy After Eight Chocolate in 7 steps

Christian Escribà demonstrated for a TV5 show called Mixeur. The recipe is an idea from the cooking genius, Chef Ferran Adrià of El Bulli. I took pictures from my TV, which explained the lower image quality.

1. You start with fresh mint leaves.
2. Deposit the leaves on a waxed paper sheet in a cookie tray.
3. Pour hot chocolate on each leave – my choice would be dark chocolate
4. With a spatula, spread the melted chocolate to create a layer
5. Deposit in the fridge for cooling down
6. Carefully turn and remove the paper
7. Use a dessert tongs to place them in a serving plate

With a recipe so simple there are no reason why not to serve homemade mignardises after your meal.

After Eight Wedding Cake

If you like the idea, you can order from Pasteleria Escribà the After Eight wedding cake where white chocolate suits better the occasion.

If you understand French, you can watch online the episode 5 of Mixeur with La famille Escriba, Philippe Starck and more.

SOURCING:
+ Recipe images from MIXEUR, les goûts et les idées
+ Pasteleria Escribà

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I love this naturally chic yellow 3-tier cake. The design is so simple yet it is truly original. This is not your typical wedding cake. I envy today’s brides. You can infuse so much more your personality and have fun with wedding themes.

Their story behind this cake studio has a cute twist. Two sisters founded Cakegirls. As you can imagine, Mary and Brenda cater to the high-end market with cool modern wedding cakes and one-of-a-king specialty cakes. Meet the sisters in a video on WeTv.

Birthday Cakes

The farm animals cake is so cute. This kid party must have been awesome.

Their specialty cakes push the boundaries of details in cake decorations. They are truly marvelous cakes.

SOURCING:
+ Images from Cakegirls
+ Get directions to Cakegirls p 773.404.3147
2207 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60618

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Upscale Versions

Add elegance with any of Juliska’s glass domes and cake stands. Juliska is renowned for its craftsmanship glassware. For a casual chic dinner to a formal dinner, opt for either Ursula Tea Cake Dome and Pedestal Set or the Isabella Medium Cake Dome and Pedestal Set.

On A Budget

The Michelangelo Masterpiece Footed Cake Plate with Cover by Luigi Bormioli is a small indulgence.

For the Thanksgiving brunch, use glass domes to cover pastries, croissants and cheese. Glass domes also have their places in everyday life. To my dislike, my cats still jump on the kitchen surfaces. Clear plastic sheets do not resist the feline curiosity. Therefore, a pair of glass domes is on my Christmas wish list.

For more ideas, read my other posts on the subject:

• Glamorous Pastry Domes
• Colorful Cake Stands at Huset
• Four remarkable cake stands
• Madame de Pompadour in Westmount

SOURCING:
+ Ursula Tea Cake Dome/Ped. Set by Juliska – $298 USD, dome alone $148, pedestal $150
+ Isabella Md. Cake Dome/Ped. Set by Juliska – $398 USD, dome alone $198, pedestal $200
+ Luigi Bormioli’s Michelangelo Masterpiece Footed Cake Plate with Cover at Amazon.com – $44 USD
+ Glass Domes at Pottery Barn – small $19 USD, medium $29 USD

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