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.

If you are a bride or bride-to-be then you know by now the gifts from your guests are following in. Once the invitations have been sent out, you can expect the gifts to come at all different times - up to a year after your wedding. It is important to stay on top of writing your Thank You cards as you receive your gifts. It will be overwhelming if you decide to wait till after the honeymoon and realize the massive chore ahead of you.

Need some cute Thank You cards? Through New and Blue you are able to customize and personalize your thank you cards. The cards can be ordered to match your wedding colors or have you and your new husband’s name written on the front. The options are endless. Check out the different options for yourself.

Our newest invitation to the New and Blue Pearl Collection is Love Pedals. Love Pedals features a simple layout with a tandem bike. The colors and fonts are 100% customizable, which allows the invitation to match all wedding colors.  Enjoy!

What mothers want (and need) to know before their daughter walks down the aisle.

Mother of the Bride Outfit: No MOB should look like they are part of the wedding party and on the other hand they should also not look like they are part of a different wedding all together. The MOB outfits should complement the maids’ color hue. If the maids’ are wearing a traditional black, the MOB may want to look for color similar to charcoal. Once the MOB has selected her outfit, she should then inform the Mother of the Groom (MOG). The MOG should pick a dress that is similar in color, length and formality. Check out this link for descriptions on various dresses and styles.

Brides- On your big day, don’t forget to take pictures with Mom. There are a lot of traditional father-daughter photos (walking down the aisle, dancing, and more), but there are not so many mother-daughter ones. Show your Mom how much you care and take a few extra pictures- just the two of you.

Credit: Brides.com, New and Blue

The first dance you share as husband and wife is a very special moment and quite endearing to your guests as well.  Take time to think about the song you will use before the wedding and speak with your fiancé about it.  Whether you choose something different or decide to stick with tradition and sway to a popular first dance song, be sure to practice before the rehearsal and squeeze in a few dance lessons if possible! Here’s some contemporary and often overlooked, tunes:

•  Too Good to be True by Lauryn Hill - a soulful remake of a Frankie Valli classic
Luna by The Smashing Pumpkins
I Will Always Love You by The Cure
Forever in my Life by Prince

Or consider these less played, but still popular options:

• Songbird by Fleetwood Mac
• Beautiful by Gordon Lightfoot
• So This is Love by James Ingram
• Nothing’s Gonna Change my Love for You by Glenn Medeiros
• Romeo & Juliet Love Theme composed by Tchaikovsky

We decided a little bit ago to do some industry research on good bachelorette party ideas (lucky us, right?). After brainstorming and visiting some places, one of our favorite spots was Portland Beauty Bar.

The Portland Beauty Bar located on 1st and Ash is a vintage beauty parlor serving stiff drinks. Monday through Friday from 4-7pm and Saturdays from 6pm-2am, bachelorette parties are able to take advantage of their Martini’s and Manicure happy hour. For only $10 you can sit back and enjoy a manicure while sipping on a delish martini. For parties of six or more, call ahead to make a reservation. For more information check our their website.

Don’t forget to stalk up on your bachelorette party favors before hitting the town. For sashes, crowns, buttons and games visit us in Portland or online.

Could this be the greatest love of all
I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall
So let me tell you this..

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment…like this    By: Kelly Clarkson  Wedding Song Lyrics : a moment like this

Wedding cakes are now an integral part of Papa Haydn’s repertoire. Whether it’s a whimsical fantasy based on your own idea, or a selection from the extensive and colorful portfolio provided by the pastry chef, a wedding cake from Portland ’s premier dessert house is guaranteed to please even the most discriminating palate. So scrumptious your mouth will water thinking of your combined favorites. He’s wild about raspberries; you have a thing for chocolate? It’s a match made in Italian Cream! Try this: alternating layers filled with raspberry jelly and chocolate mousse. Beautiful fresh flowers to decorate your cake is always an elegant touch. To make your day complete cut your cake with wedding accessories and much more at New And Blue wedding boutique.

As the time gets closer to your wedding date, having thank you notes on hand is going to be essential. It is important to keep on top of your thank you notes as your wedding gifts start arriving. Don’t wait until after your wedding to write all your thank you notes or the task will be overwhelming.

If ordering your invitations through New and Blue, you are also able to order matching thank you cards with your invitations. It is a great way to make sure you have plenty of thank you cards on hand (not mention they will match).

If you have already ordered your invitations, browse through the New and Blue pearl invitation line to find the thank you card you like best. Through ordering with New and Blue you will be able to customize names and colors for your thank you cards.

Packing for your honeymoon is a task. How are you suppose to fit all your cute outfits and shoes into one bag? Especially if your new man has you packing in a carry-on! As featured in The Knot, there is a solution to at least one of those problems… FootzyRools.com

FootzyRolls are stylish, comfortable, rollable and foldable shoes. A perfect solution to your honeymoon packing problems. Check out their website for more details on the various colors and patterns available.

While also preparing for your honeymoon don’t forget to grab a new “Just Married” tote. Don’t be shy… this is your honeymoon!!

Happy Packing