2013 Trend: Save the Date Style

 I am working with my 2013 brides on their Save the Dates, and several different styles have emerged. I have never had a specific "Save the Date Style," as I have two schools of thought...

I absolutely adore when the save the date is an introduction to the feel of the wedding and the first piece of a beautiful stationary suite.  On the other hand, I LOVE the idea of using the save the date as an opportunity to be fun and creative.  If there ever is a place to do something "cute" and "fun" within a formal wedding, the best place to do it is with your 'Save the Date! 

Love the motif that is carried throughout this Ceci New York stationary suite

The Save the Date here is fun, but still coordinates with the other pieces

Lehr and Black is known for their celebrity clientele and these stunning save the dates show why!

The flourish from above is seen again in the beautiful invitations

Now, onto the fun...

How cute would this be with a certain red soled shoe?!?

Such fun with a giant calendar!

Use your engagement session as a opportunity to get "the image" for your dave the date

I love how simple and sweet this save the date is.  Very clever!

What is your save the date style???

{Photo Credits: 1&2-Ceci New York, 3&4-Lehr and Black, 5-Hassas Photography, 6&7-Publiboda, 8-Wedding Chicks}

TREND REPORT: Cookie Coffee Cups

While enjoying my morning cup of coffee and skimming Perez Hilton (I know, I know, but it is my shameless guilty pleasure) I stumbled upon a new culinary masterpiece, the cookie cup!
I immediately thought two things: 

1. My monogrammed ceramic coffee mug has now lost all appeal 

2. This could be the next big things at weddings!

Here is the explanation from the coffee company Lavazza

First you drink your coffee and then you eat… the cup! Cookie Cup is the edible cup designed by Enrique Luis Sardi together with the team at the Lavazza Training Centre and Cataldo Parisi, head chef of the confectioner’s kitchen at Number 10 San Tommaso. 

Cookie Cup is an example of the results achieved from research into food design: it’s not just about coffee, but also the container — because once you have enjoyed the dark beverage you can also eat the cup. The cup is made of pastry covered with a special icing sugar, which works as an insulator, and makes the cup waterproof hence allowing you to use the cup and then appreciate its taste, so to eat and drink coffee along with a biscuit at the same time.

Doesn't that look so delicious?!?  I can just see espressos, coffee, hot chocolate and more being served in these at weddings this Fall!

POPSICLES...The New Cupcake?

In the event industry, certain confections have their very own ‘15 minutes of fame’.  We, at SoCo Events, lovingly refer to them as “Stylish Sweets”.  As Heidi Klum says on Project Runway, "...one day you're in.  And the next day, you're out."

However, over the past few years, one of these “Stylish Sweets”, better known as the cupcake, has remained in the spotlight.  This sugary obsession has beaten all odds.  Boutiques donning multiple flavors have popped up everywhere.  One of our hometown favorites, Georgetown Cupcake, has a television show on TLC called DCCupcake.  It was recently reported that Sprinkles Cupcakes will be available 24/7 to the Washington, DC community as early as August 2012 with their famous cupcake ATM.   This cupcake machine is expected to dispense over 1,000 cupcakes a day!

Sprinkles Cupcakes ATM: Photo Courtesy of Phoenix New Times

As much as our sweet tooth LOVES this trend, it was no surprise to us when we started to see a new sugary treat strutting it’s stuff around Pinterest and with shops popping up all over the east coast such as popbar in NYC.  We are thrilled to see where this Gourmet Popsicle and 'Poptail' trend goes.  We will be more than happy to taste test along the way!   

popbar NYC which specializes in gelato, sorbet, and yogurt pops.  The Gianduia bar features
 dark chocolate-dipped, hazelnut-topped gelato, Pistachio Drizzle and Vanilla Splash.
This shop also lets you customize your pop, from the stick up!

Watermelon Mojito Poptail - Photo (and recipe) courtesy of endlisssimmer.com

Red Velvet Dark and Stormy Popsicle - Photo (and recipe) courtesy of endlisssimmer.com

Samoa Popsicle - Photo (and recipe) courtesy of mybakingaddiction.com

Lemonade Stand Popsicles - Photo (and recipe) courtesy of somewheresplendid.com

Mango Orange Yogurt Popsicle - Photo (and recipe) courtesy of 6bittersweets.com

2012 BRIDAL TREND: LACE AND SLEEVES!

Brides can thank Kate Middleton for the 2012 wedding fashion trend -- long sleeves and lace!  We are thrilled that this trend might be here to stay.  The long sleeves and lace trend is a fashion forward twist on a very classic look.   

Think Grace Kelly meets Kate Moss.  

Kate Middleton

Not only was this look prominent on the runway during Spring Bridal Week 2012, but it has been embraced by celebrities.  We expect to see this elegant look for quite a few years to come.

Grace Kelly

Ivanka Trump

Drew Barrymore

Lauren Bush

Ashley Biden

Below are some of our favorite pieces from the Spring 2012 Bridal Shows.

Reem Acra 2012

Monique Lhuillier 2012

Carolina Herrera 2012

The Sweet Mini: Miniature Sweets in a Major Way!

I don’t know about you, but I just can’t seem to get enough of mini desserts! I love to incorporate bite-sized sweets into client’s event menus.  With so many different styles and tastes, the sweet mini is sure to be a palate pleaser.

Mini sweets are such a fun way for a couple to share their favorite desserts with their guests.  By offering a variety of sweets, you are giving your guests a taste of something sweet without exhausting their appetite for wedding cake. As a versatile addition to any event menu, mini desserts compliment even the grandest of cakes and work equally as well as part of a dessert bar or as passed late night dance floor sugary treats.

Enjoy the gallery below of some of my sweet mini faves! 

You can’t go wrong with The Classics.

Assorted mini cookies & mini brownies

(Photo credits clockwise: Pinterest, Baked Perfection, Project Wedding,

 Visions of Sugarplums, Cupcakes and Cashmere)

Great summertime wedding 'Sweet Treats'.

mini pies, mini pie pops & mini fruit tarts

(Photo credits clockwise: Not So Humble Pie, 

Home Cooking in Montana, Inspired to Share, Something Swanky)

Melt in your mouth ice cream treats.

mini ice cream cones & ice cream sandwiches

  (Photo credits clockwise: Annie Eats, Womans Day, Pinterest, Martha Stewart Weddings )

 

Mini Cupcakes!

(Photo credits clockwise: Pinterest, Texas Cottage, Poppy Talk,  Follow Studio, foodnetwork.com )

Mini Milkshakes are always a crowd pleaser!

(Photo credits clockwise: camillestyles.com, Party Perfect Blog, theknot.com ) 

Mini Wedding Cakes, Cake Pops & Mini Cake Bites are a great option

if you opt out of the traditional wedding cake.

Soyummy and something for every color scheme

 (Photo credits clockwise: Plum Pretty Sugar, Pinterest, Cake Journal,  The Girl Who Ate Everything, Pinterest)

When the party continues into the morning hours, I love the idea of 

serving up some mini breakfast goodies to your guests. 

Mini Pancake, Mini Waffles, & Mini Donuts

(Photo credits clockwise: Pinterest, Martha Stewart Weddings, cruzine.com, imgfave.com, Pinterest, ruffledblog.com) 

It is always fun to send your guests home 

with a little late night snack or mini breakfast!

“To go” Donuts are a supercute favor!

(Photo credit: Shauna Younge )  

And that is just a taste of what you can do with mini desserts. 

So…what is your favorite sweet mini?