Get Inspired: Two Lips, Tulips, Two Hearts, One Love

Over the weekend we saw a special feature on the ability to grow tulips in warmer climates. Because we live in the Pacific Northwest, tulips grow beautifully and easily in our very own backyards. Since we are gearing up toward the peak tulip season in our area, we've designed today's inspiration board as a celebration of this wonderful time of year.

Theme: Two Lips and Tulips
Colors: Bright Purple and Fuchsia, with touches of Green



Top Row: Multicolored bouquet from Flower Picture Gallery; Fiona tulip invitations from Designer Pi; Parrot tulip wedding cake from Studio Cake
Second Row: Vintage wedding gown photography from Kelli Jo; Real weddings from The Knot; Silk tulip dress from H&M
Third Row: Dramatic black calla lilies and tulips from Wedding Flower Ideas; French Tulip flower girl shoes from Cade and Co.
Bottom Row: Tulip earrings from Art Made By Tammy; Wholesale tulips from Wholesale Blossoms; Bridesmaids featured by Platinum Weddings

New Eco-Friendly Honeymoon Attire from H&M

Don't you just love it when big companies do big things to improve the environment. So do we. And we especially love it when they do it in such a way that we benefit personally. Talk about a double-bonus. From H&M comes a new Garden Collection, a perfect wardrobe collection for your upcoming honeymoon. The Garden Collection by H&M is made with environmentally adapted materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton and organic linen. By choosing these garments you contribute to a more sustainable world.

Plus these garments are incredibly adorable. Just check out a sample below.

Butch Meets Bakery

What is it about a cupcake that makes a woman's heart go pitter-patter? Is it the miniature size that makes us think we are eating less? Or perhaps it's the gob of sweet, sugary delight neatly swirled on top? No matter the reason, cupcakes are a woman's pure delight. But, why don't men seem to respond in the same way when offered a little perfectly packaged treat? What is it about a cupcake that somehow makes it just a little bit girly?

Well, for all those men out there that believe cupcakes are for women, we have a revolutionary culinary treat for you. From a New York bakery called Butch Bakery, comes a new wave of masculinity in the form of a tasty sweet treat.

Choose from six styles of cupcakes: Woodland Camo, Wood Grain, Houndstooth, Plaid, Checkerboard or Marble. You can also choose from 12 flavors including: Rum & Coke (the pause that refreshes - this rum-soaked madagascar vanilla cake with cola bavarian cream filling is a knockout), B-52 (this one is the bomb: kahlua-soaked madagascar vanilla cake with Bailey's bavarian filling), Campout (you'll be begging for s'more of this graham cracker cake with marshmallow filling and milk-chocolate ganache), and Beer Run (butch meets buttercream in our chocolate beer cake with beer-infused buttercream topped with crushed pretzels).

The ladies are officially jealous.

If you don't live in the New York area, don't fret. Butch Bakery is expanding their delivery options this year and should be able to ship to your neck of the woods in no time.

Get Inspired: Dancing With The Stars

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, right? For those of us at banquetevent.com, we, like thousands of Americans, are hooked on Dancing With The Stars. And since the new season kicked off this week, we've designed an inspiration board sure to win the mirror ball trophy. Just add color, lights and a little rhinestones and feathers to jazz up your decor and you are on your way to planning a wedding that will dip, uh we mean tip, the scales.


Theme: Dancing With The Stars
Colors: Bright, bold hues of pink, royal blue and silver.

Top Row: Floral Ball cake topper from Wedding Collectibles; Image from New Year New You; Wedding gown from Model Novias
Second Row: Rhinestone camera from Wed Glitz; Image by Amore Studios; Wedding featured at Ruffled
Third Row: Disco bachelorette party invitation from Paper Perfectionist; Ballroom at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Seattle
Bottom Row: Feather headpiece from LovMely; Room design by Aria Style; Lighting by Hollywood Lighting

Beautiful Brooch Bouquets by Fantasy Floral

Creativity is always key when planning a wedding. That is one of the reasons we love this bright idea from Fantasy Floral. Fantasy Floral uses beautiful brooches to create unusual, yet incredibly beautiful wedding bouquets. From heirloom pieces, to brand new modern designs, these custom bouquets provide an unusual, yet truly spectacular detail for your wedding.

Get Inspired: Lucky In Love on St. Patrick's Day

In honor of St. Patty's Day, we've put together an enchanting inspiration board sprinkled with the luck o' the Irish. We've heard it said many times that it isn't easy being green, but we have to disagree. Clearly, being green is the way to be.


Theme: Lucky In Love
Colors: Green of course!

Top Row: Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Clover sachets from Veronica Sun; Image by JKoe Photography
Second Row: Invitations from Two Poodle Press; Image by Rebekah Westover
Third Row: Auburn Golf Course; Edible eye candy featured at Manolo for the Bride
Bottom Row: Bridesmaid dress by JCrew; Colin Cowie design featured at Brides; Brooks Brothers suit featured at Brides

Seattle Brides: Our Picks For The Top "Best Views" in Washington

Selecting a wedding venue is often the most difficult part of planning a wedding. Luckily for us who live in the Pacific Northwest, we have a variety of venues that offer incredible backdrops... from city to country to water views and more. We'll be beginning a series of Seattle and Washington Highlights every Monday so be sure to check back often if you are planning a Puget Sound wedding. Today we feature our picks for the top Seattle and Washington venues with the best views.

Best View of Elliot Bay: Chinese Room at the Smith Tower

The Chinese Room is the elegant and intimate crown jewel high atop the Smith Tower, offering spectacular views in all directions. Accommodates up to 99 guests.

Best Overall Waterview: Edgewater Hotel, Seattle


A classic Northwest Wedding Celebration… The vision you’ve imagined since childhood.   All the makings of your magical day await at The Edgewater, Seattle’s only hotel nestled right on the water, at Pier 67. Accommodates up to 300 guests.

Most Unique View: Emerald Downs

Mount Rainier sets the backdrop behind the racing track for this majestic facility. Conveniently located midway between Seattle and Tacoma. Accommodates up to 500 guests.

Best Bellevue View: The Harbor Club, Bellevue


The Harbor Club Bellevue awaits you with amazing views of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline, as well as the Olympic and Cascade mountains.  Accommodates up to 450 guests.

Best Garden View: Kensington Gardens


Elegant English Manor and Formal Gardens, quietly tucked away on 23 acres, provide an elegant backdrop for intimate entertainment and business events. Just minutes from the city, yet a world away.

Best View of Lake Union: The Lakeside

Located on the north end of Lake Union, The Lakeside offers panoramic views of Seattle’s skyline, artful catering, and an elegant two-tiered banquet venue for your wedding entertainment.

Best Rural View: Lord Hill Farms


This unique country site offers breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains and the Snohomish Valley. Accommodates up to 5,000 guests.

Best Nature View: Salish Lodge


With breathtaking views of Snoqualmie Falls, the Salish Lodge & Spa is ideally suited for an intimate reception or formal ballroom gala of up to 200.

Best View of Seattle: The Space Needle


Predictable? Yes. Overrated? Never! The Seattle landmark’s catering team offers personalized attention to every detail of your event and customized menu planning. Accommodates up to 350 guests.

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love these one-of-a-kind tutus from JuJu's Tutus. After all, who can resist a little flower girl in a puffy princess skirt? Not us, that's for sure. All of their tutus are individually created from yards and yards of apparel & bridal quality tulle that's hand cut and wrapped around elastic bands. Every waistband is wrapped in either satin ribbon or coordinating tulle depending on the style.

Check out JuJu's shop here. 

Get Inspired: Mad Hatter Wedding

Over the weekend, the new Tim Burton film, Alice In Wonderland scored bigtime at the box office. And since life often imitates art, we expect to see some Alice-influences in wedding trends in the upcoming months. Today's board helps all you fairy-tale brides jump into a wonderland of whim and fantasy. If you have a fabulous imagination, then this theme is just for you. Whether planning a full-on Wonderland wedding or a fun and whimsical bridal shower, this theme can charm the socks off of just about anyone. Just don't be late for this important date, this trendy theme may be in one minute and in a rabbit whole the next.

Theme: Mad Hatter Wedding
Colors: Any and every color

Top Row: Alice in Wonderland digital print from Magpie Mine; Image by Alex Ramon; The Electric Birdcage
Second Row: Tea Party invitations from LL Free Girl; Large cheese game from Castle Party; Mackenzie-Childs teapot platter
Third Row: Tableware from Mackenzie-Childs; Bridal collection from Jorge Manuel; Favor boxes from Pink Cherry Mama
Bottom Row: Bouquet featured at Brides; Cake by Mikes Amazing Cakes; Alice in Wonderland hat by Zara Carpenter

We Think You'll Love...

We don't just think...we KNOW you'll love this new online magazine called Nesting Newbies. Nesting Newbies presents women just like yourself, with great ideas on entertaining, home decor, cooking and more. It is a fabulous find and a great source for inspiration and motivation.

Don't just take our word for it though, take a look at these fabulous tablescapes featured in their latest issue.

 

 

Get Inspired: Southern BBQ Wedding

We were recently contacted by one of our faithful Lucky in Love readers with a request to present a high-class Southern BBQ wedding board. We love requests like these because it gives us the opportunity to personalize our boards for a specific wedding. Today's board features good ol' fashioned BBQ motifs with sophisticated twists that turn this down home theme into one high class event. Congratulations Jerri, we hope this helps you finalize some of your ideas.

Theme: Southern Charm
Colors: Lime Green, Black & White

Top Row: Limeade from Food Channel; Southern charm wedding from Brides; Table setting image by Amanda Kraft
Second Row: Good Grub cutlery bags from Miss Pickles Press; BBQ style event by Caroline Carter; Invitations from The Indigo Bunting
Third Row: S'mores Favors from Miss Pickles Press; Southern charm cocktails from Brides; BBQ Catering from Good Old Days
Bottom Row: Low country luxury from Brides; Bride and Groom via The Unpredictable Bride; Photo by Geoff White Photographers

Get Inspired! A Patriotic Wedding

Now that the Olympics have finally concluded, with the United States winning an impressive 37 medals, we all can't help but feel just a little bit more patriotic. So what if we didn't, win the most golds, we took home the most overall medals and that is pretty darn impressive. Today's inspiration board is a blast from the past where we put together a patriotic wedding theme.


Theme: A Patriot's Wedding
Colors: Good Ol' Red, White & Blue

Click image below to enlarge.


Top Row: Princess Bride Couture; Table setting by Rented Elegance, Linens by Alice & Grand Event Rentals at the 2008 Northwest Event Show; Christian Louboutin pump; Invitations from Moxie Papergoods; Chocolate-covered strawberries from Kaspar's Catering
Second Row: Anna's Flowers; Table decor by Grand Event Rentals; Belle Chapel; Gown from Something Blue: A Fine Bridal Boutique
Third Row: Trinity Nightclub, Seattle; Ice bar from Amazing Ice; International Jewelers ring