This inspiration board features rich colors for a winter wedding. Create a truly winter wonderland with the featured Platinum Design set. The set is made from premium duchess satin and accented with rhinestones and pearls. The Ella Invitation, by New and Blue, is customizable with the option of 100 colors and 70 different fonts allowing you to create the perfect winter invitation. For more winter wedding favors click here.

Photo Credit: New and Blue, Brides.com and Martha Stewart Weddings

Wording for an adult only reception can be tricky especially if close family and friends have children. Instead of spending countless hours figuring out how to word your reception card, The Knot suggests altering the wording of the RSVP card. Have the RSVP card read: “We have reserved ___ seats in your name”. After the RSVP cards are printed, you have the ability to fill in how many seats you reserved for the couple. Example: A printed “2″ means no kids.

If you would like a little more flexibility in the wording you can have your RSVP wording read: “Please reserve __/__ seats in our name”. After your RSVP cards are printed fill in the last blank “Please reserve __/2 seats in our name”. This will allow your guest to fill out how many of the reserved seats they will need.

This idea came from the Martha Stewart Weddings - and it is fabulous! If you are someone who loves sending out birthday cards, anniversary cards, special occasion cards, then this idea is especially for you!

At your wedding, next to your guest book, lay out a birthday calendar (these calendars are not year specific, only month/date specific). Place a little note next to the calendar instructing guests to sign their name on their birthday. By the end of your wedding you will have collected all of your friends and families special dates, which will allow you to send out the appropriate cards.

Personalize your wedding menu by serving some of your favorite comfort foods. Think- french fries, mac and cheese, burgers, pizza, grilled cheese, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and more. Your guest will thank you and leave your wedding with a very full stomach. Have fun and get creative with personalizing your menu, everyone loves comfort food!

Photo Credit: Brides.com, The Knot, Thenibble.com, Martha Stewart

When it comes time to sit down and write that wedding toast you have been putting off for weeks, probably even months, it can seem daunting. Its a big moment and all eyes will be on you. Below are a couple tips from the book: Your Special Wedding Toast by Sharon Naylor.

1. Know yourself- Remember to be yourself, relax, and deliver your style of toast, your way. You can’t stand up and deliver any speech that isn’t your own personal style.

2. Introduce Yourself- Make sure to say your name and how you know the bride and/or groom. Before you launch into your speech it is important to make sure the guest know who you are.

3. Open Strongly- You’ve got everyone’s full attention and if you don’t give them something intriguing and engaging in the first fifteen to twenty seconds, you’re a goner. So open with a quote, a funny anecdote, or a well-chosen joke about the bride and groom.

4. Make eye Contact- You want to connect with your audience and have them connect with you as well as what you’re saying. Make sure to make eye contact with the bride and groom along with the audience.

5. Watch your hands- Your hands give away your jitters level, so be mindful of not touching your hair too much, twisting your ring, taking your hands in and out of your pockets - all of these are unconscious moves.

6. Finish Strong- Tie back into your opening statement if you can to finish your speech off as if in a perfect circle. Complete the metaphors and bring the guests back to your opening quote.

7. Smile- Let your great personality show. The bride and groom chose you for this role and wanted you to speak to their guests because they knew you’d be great. So let your true self shine through- even if you mess up.

Hopefully these tips are useful and will provide a good foundation for your wedding toast. For more wedding toast ideas and other wedding resources check out New and Blue online.

Today’s inspiration board features the newest member of the New and Blue Invitation Suite “Jolie.” For the bride who loves everything French (wine, bubbly, shoes, cheese… oh the list)!! Enjoy these pictures for a lovely French wedding.

Photo Credit: Bride.com, The Knot, Project Wedding, Weddings In France

Today rehearsal dinners are ranging from backyard BBQs to plated dinner at restaurants but the great thing about this…there are no rules. Yep, that’s right, no rules! The guest list can be as extensive as including out of town guest, or as simple as only the wedding party. The menu can feature a seven course meal or finger foods. It is totally up to you!

The rehearsal dinner is a chance for the wedding party to mingle and get to know each other a little better before the big day. It also serves as a wonderful opportunity for the bride and groom to thank everyone who made their wedding happen. If you want to show your appreciation with a little favor for guests check out these bottle stoppers. Choose from various shapes and themes to match the essence of your wedding.

Have more questions about rehearsal dinner etiquette? The knot has a great Q&A section.

We get asked all the time about unique guest book ideas. While we love pictures, Polaroid’s, note cards, or anything personalized this next idea might take the cake…. or serve the cake.

A guest signature plate. The idea is simply amazing and will allow you to remember your wedding day, every day. Head down to your local paint shop, (here in Portland we love Ready Paint Fire) and pick up a serving platter or large plate that has not been fired. Also pick up various paints or a few colored pencils (matching your wedding colors). Make sure the pencils and paints are the appropriate style that will not fade once the plate is fired.

Set the plate out on your wedding day with a note, which will allow all your guests to sign the plate. After your wedding take the plate back down to the local shop to have it fired and glazed. Once the plate is done you will have a wonderful serving platter or a piece of art work to hang in your new kitchen.

Looking for a more traditional guest book? Check out New and Blue’s large selection on guest books and pens.

We love, love, love this next local venue idea!! Picture a wedding featuring a view, in the city, with endless decor options and at an extremely reasonable price. What’s not to love??

The Rooftop Terrace at Hotel deLuxe is a beautiful open-air venue with a stunning view of Portland. The top floor of the five story parking structure is a blank canvas which leaves the decor options for a wedding endless! The Rooftop Terrace allows outside food and beverage/vendors or for the couple to use the on site resources from Hotel deLuxe and Gracie’s Restaurant.

For more information and pricing contact: Lizzie O’Leary at 503.219.2093

Photo Credit: Kate Kelly Photography

Inspirational Wedding Colors - Determining your wedding style, to choosing the color palette that best reflects your personality, to special religious or ethnic customs, this wedding checklist has it covered. It’s fun, easy to use, and best of all - it’s free!

2-Tier White Standard Tulle Veil - Embellished with a delicate beaded scatter and edging consisting of luminous seed beadsand sequins, this veil will make you look and feel amazing.