Dallas-based wedding planner Donnie Brown (donniebrownweddings.com) has planned the nuptials for over 2,000 couples during his fabulous career. Keep reading for his top 10 ways to keep your bank account in the positive when planning your own trip down the aisle.
Jul
30th
DIY - Monogrammed Cookie Favors
By Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
"You can use any sugar cookie recipe, but I would definitely experiment with it. It is important to use a dough that doesn't lose it's shape. The thing that really gives the cookies a professional look is to top them with fondant, rather than frosting. You can buy fondant pre-made at craft stores, such as Michael's or you can use my easy to make marshmallow fondant recipe {listed below}. I highly recommend the marshmallow fondant over store bought, it tastes so much better. The fun thing about the fondant is you can cut it with the same cutter you used for the cookies and it looks so nice and neat.
Don't be afraid of the monogram. I know a lot of you have never used a decorating bag before but it is really just like writing with a pen, just play with it for a few minutes before you start on your cookies. If you make a boo boo, you can wipe it off and start over. You can buy disposable decorating bags at your local craft store and just use a decorating tip with a small round hole. You may want to try a couple of sizes to get it just the way you want it. When adding your monogram be sure to use royal icing {recipe below}. It will get hard like candy.
Let your cookies set for several hours before boxing or bagging. Here we paired two tiny monogrammed cookies in a clear view box {from Papermart},with some white chocolate covered almonds and some yogurt covered malted milk balls. I bought the candy in bulk at Henry's, our local specialty food store, but you can use any candy you want. I love using chocolate covered almonds or colorful Jordan almonds. For a real splash of color you can use the brightly colored chocolate covered fruit. Fun, fun, fun!
There are so many great cookie cutters available on-line that you can make your cookies any size and shape you like. Here we used a fluted 2.5 inch cutter for the cookie and then cut the fondant with a 2 inch cutter that wasn't fluted. I like to mix and match. You can buy the sets of square cutters on line at Instawares.
These tiny monogrammed cookies were being added to care packages that the bride was putting together. They were really cute, I love the small size. Notice I used the plain square cutter for the cookie and the smaller fluted cutter for the fondant. The fluted fondant really dresses them up.
All bagged up and ready for delivery.
100 Clear Favor Bags - $14.95
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Marshmallow Fondant Recipe:
- 16 oz bag of white mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons of water
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup Crisco shortening
In microwave safe bowl combine marshmallows and water. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove bowl from microwave and stir, return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Repeat until mixture is melted and smooth. It usually takes about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 of powdered sugar to marshmallow and mix. Pour remaining powdered sugar onto board and pour marshmallow mixture over powdered sugar. Coat your hands in crisco shortening {I mean seriously}. Knead powdered sugar into marshmallow as you would bread dough until it is smooth and elastic. The mixture will be very sticky at first and if you have small children at home they will want to help. To store fondant, place in ziploc bag and squeeze out all the air and refridgerate. You can make fondant up to two weeks in advance.
Royal Icing Recipe:
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder {Wilton makes a great one available at Michael's}
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 6-8 tablespoons water
Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks {about 8-10 minutes on medium speed}. I would start with 6 tablespoons of water and add more if too stiff for piping, keeping in mind you have to push it through that tiny hole. You may want to add a little frosting to the bag and experiment with consistency before filling the entire bag. You want the frosting to be soft enough to pipe easily, but it must hold its shape.
courtesy of stylishgiving.com
Jul
30th
Planning for Kids at Your Ceremony
By Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
If there will be small children involved in your wedding, either your own or young siblings or relatives, you need to take a few precautions to make sure the day is joyous for them, too. When deciding on flower girls and ring bearers think twice about asking children who live far away. It’s not a bad idea, but you need to make sure they have ample time to get to the wedding location. Young adults can be fitted for outfits in their hometowns, but children’s nerves flair up easily. You might find at the last minute that young ones have stage fright. Rehearsals can help a lot, but any doubts you have should be discussed with the parents of the children, so no one’s feelings are hurt.
Jul
27th
Purse Style Holders - Favor Box - $0.59
By Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
These boxes are fab find and perfect to use as favor boxes although they are indeed purse style gift card holders. The boxes measure 4 1/2 inches wide and 3 3/4 inches tall. They come in 6 colors including black, gold and garnet (red).
Jul
27th
Textile-Inspired Cupcake Wrappers - $0.96
By Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
photo credit cupcaketakethecake.blogspot.com
"Similar to haute couture, all our designs are custom-created and made from high-quality materials with an extreme attention to detail and finish. The product when assembled into its cupcake shape has a continuation of the pattern with an intent of not showing any “seam”..."
Jul
26th
DIY Lemon Cake with Butter-Cream Icing
By Carlise (Carla) ShepperdSo many wedding cakes these days are made with fondant which may not taste the best but can be decorated much easier. If you want a traditional wedding cake then a butter-cream cake is a much cheaper alternative to a fondant cake, even if you were to do it yourself.
The YouTube video above is perfect of any of small budget bride who want to take on the task of making their own wedding cake. The video goes through step-by-step from beginning to end teaching just how to bake a lemon wedding cake and frost it with butter-cream icing.
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Jul
24th
The Lose 10lbs Bridesmaid Dress
By Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
"Shirred mesh bridesmaid's dress engineered to beautifully banish any figure flaw and instantly perfect your entire bridal party. Built-in power-mesh panty begins just below the bust to control and smooth midriff, tummy and rear. The shelf bra supports beneath an overlapping V'd neckline that draws the eye upward and flatters the bust. Horizontally shirred bodice defines the waist and conceals imperfections. Softly flared skirt balances proportions. Hidden back zip. Floor-length; 39" from waist. Polyester; fully lined for a smooth look. "
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