We love when a new invitation book arrives at New and Blue. Checkerboard just sent us a rejuvenated collection of classic invitations and accessories that we are crazy about!  The designs are fresh and will be sure to attract the bride that is searching for simple elegance but who may also desire an updated twist on tradition.  This book also features a wide selection of creative monograms that can be carried over to your envelopes and even your envelope liners.  Plus, they have just introduced double envelope liners for the bride that wants to add an extra touch of sophistication.

Concerto is one of our favorites but stop by New and Blue to view the entire collection. 

Here at New and Blue we see brides on a daily basis.  We get asked questions on wedding etiquette, floral and favor ideas, invitation wording, and just about everything else wedding.  One of the most frequently asked questions is- do you know where I can find bridesmaid dresses?  I honestly believe that no bride wants to send her closest friends down the aisle in a hurricane of tulle, but the bottom line is that cute and versatile bridesmaid dresses are hard to find.  I’ve done some searching and here is one that I absolutely love.  This light and airy silk chiffon dress by J.Crew is priced at $170.00, comes in nine different colors, and would be perfect for a spring or summer wedding.   

The sun is beginning to shine in full force and flowers are blooming in abundance, spring is a beautiful time of year to have a garden themed wedding.  When planning your wedding, its nice to have a centralized theme that you can incorporate into all of your wedding pieces.  Here at New and Blue we have multiple garden themed decorations, gifts, invitations, and other fun wedding accessaries. All of which would compliment your garden themed wedding beautifully.  All items pictured below are available at www.NewandBlue.com.

Have I mentioned that we have a sweet tooth at New and Blue?  Someone just filled the candy jar (so mean!) which is really a cake pedestal with a glass top, which of course has me thinking of cakes.  Not just any kind of cake, because if you knew me you would now I don’t get excited about cake, but cheesecake cakes are all together another story.  Towering cheesecake goodness made from the freshest ingredients by Portland Style Cheesecake.  What a great way to put a twist on the traditional wedding cake and give your guests a surprise treat.  All cakes are made from scratch, are never frozen and have no preservatives.  I have enjoyed a tasting and I must say that Marionberry, Italian Blackberry and Chocolate Grand Marnier are my favorites but don’t let me decide for you.  Call today to set up a consultation and tasting, while browsing through their portfolio of designs and discussing your ideas.  Owner, Kim Haines, and her team make the experience delightful and take extra special care of the delivery on your wedding day!  Click here to view their gallery of wedding cakes.

Here at New and Blue we are loving parasols right now and think they can be a great addition to a wedding. They fashionably shelter you from the sun, are a great wedding accessory, and can be used either as a substitute to bouquets or as a compliment to them.  There are a plenty of options when choosing these accessories but one we especially like is by Pamela’s Parasols and is pictured below.  This company allows you to personalize parisols to match a wedding color scheme, have them monogrammed, feathered, blinged out, or you can even go green by choosing one from her Organic Collection.  Either way, you can’t go wrong by choosing one of these gorgeous parasols.

How many times did you wear your bridesmaid dress?  Most of us wear them just once, and after that special day, they take up permanent residence in the back of our closets among mothballs and those other items that we can’t quite get the courage to be rid of.  Well, your barely worn bridesmaid, prom, and other formal dresses could very well make a high school girl in need feel like the belle of the ball.  Prom can be such a monumental moment for teens and many girls are unable to find affordable dresses to wear to this special occasion.  Organizations like donatemydress.org and The Glass Slipper Project help get your dresses to girls in need.  So, if your looking to do some spring cleaning, check the back of your closet and maybe you’ll find that your something old can be a teen’s something new!

Escort cards are used to “escort” your guests to a particular table whereas a place card is used to assign your guest a seat at that table.  It is not necessary to assign your guests a particular seat but it is a really nice gesture to assign them to a table.  (There is nothing worse than when it is time to take your seat for dinner and a couple has to split up because there are no longer two seats together.)  In most instances, you can use one escort card for couples and families, if all from that family are at the same table.

If your guests made a meal selection on their RSVP, then their escort card can also serve as their place card so that the servers know which meal to to serve them.  In this instance, you would then need a escort card for each person.  It is always a good idea to ask your caterer how they prefer you make this designation.  Some recommend different colored cards or stamps so that it is easy for the servers to see.  Escort cards are usually placed just outside or inside the door or area leading to the reception. 

Here are some creative ideas from Martha Stewart:

Choosing your wedding color scheme is a pivotal decision which can help set a guideline for your other wedding decisions- think invitations, flowers, etc.  The wedding color palette influences the theme and mood of your wedding; from dress to decorations, color is a key! When I was perusing the web the other day I came across this great site that can help in creating your perfect wedding color combination.  The Palette Generator by Big Huge Labs creates a custom color palette based on a photograph.  I loved this photo of Sienna, Italy by Albert Hofmann and pictured is the corresponding color palette.  I think there are some gorgeous combinations for spring!

New and Blue loves all things wedding but we also love sweet treats in the afternoon.  You know, that time in the day when you start to get a little tired and you are so sure that sugary morsel is just the thing to power you through to closing time?!  Well, today is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s and even though that has nothing to do with weddings, it has everything to do with our sweet tooth and you can bet a few of us will be in line at our nearest scoop shop later today.  Plus the weather here in Portland could not be more perfect for a scoop of Vermont’s finest.  To find the scoop shop nearest you click here.

New and Blue offers many garter options for the soon to be Mrs. They’re available in many sizes, colors, patterns, sold individually, or in sets of two.  “Two?” you might ask.  A bride came in the other day and asked the same question; “Why the two garters?”.

Well, one garter (usually the more small and simple) is taken off by the groom for the toss and the other is saved as a keepsake of the special day.  Brides may choose to wear these garters on the same leg or one on each, depending on personal preference.  There are so many garter options but a few we like are a classic set by Weddingstar which has a tailored bow and a rhinestone buckle embellishment, available in light blue or white.  Another one we love is pictured below and is by Beverly Clark.  Both available at www.NewandBlue.com.