We all remember where we were the day Kate Middleton married Prince William. Women all around the world gathered in front of their television sets to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride’s carefully guarded secret – her wedding gown. The Alexander McQueen dress bedecked with gorgeous lace stole our hearts and has since created a new trend in wedding apparel.

Lace is a timeless material that stands the test of time. In fact, lace is being incorporated in many aspects of weddings – from the wedding dress, to the cake, to the invitations, and of course, the decorations.

One of the hottest trends for weddings this year is the combination of lace and burlap. Country-casual meets elegant and sophisticated! This simple and romantic pairing creates an alluring, yet familiar mood for the wedding reception and Kate Aspen’s “Lace” Exquisite Frosted-Glass Coasters completes the look.

Happy planning!

Images courtesy of: Style Me Pretty and Martha Stewart Weddings

Now more than ever, Americans are celebrating at home with their friends and family. Tight budgets may not allow for expensive nights out, but with the growing popularity of Pinterest and foodie blogs, regular, everyday home-entertainers are hosting exquisite parties on a shoestring budget.

You see, it’s not your mother’s dinner party anymore.  No need to bring out the good china or create individual Baked Alaskas. Today, the trend is a simple, non-pretentious, casual event with your closest friends.

Create a chic, casual look by draping vintage textiles (a.k.a. old bed sheets) in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Serve a family style meal made from a few, high-quality ingredients. Have each guest bring a bottle of their favorite wine. Create a setting where your guests’ contributions are an integral part of the event and invest in the little things that make them feel important and appreciated.

Kate Aspen’s unique favors can make the evening even more memorable without breaking the bank.  For example, for just a few dollars, you can elevate your table’s décor with Kate Aspen’s Love Songs Bird Cage tea light that doubles as place card holder.

Or for your next wine-tasting party, incorporate these affordable, witty Wine Cork place card holders to denote accompanying appetizers.

We have a wide variety of trend-right favors and place card holders that turn a humble event into an unforgettable affair, even if you are on a tight budget.

Tough economic times come and go. But here at Kate Aspen, we hope that you always remember to cherish what’s important and celebrate life’s simple moments with your closest family and friends.

Ciao!

Victorian Weddings for 2012
We’re talking trend here! The Victorian wedding theme has been around since, well, since the Victorian era, named for England’s revered Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 until 1901. Lately, there’s been a surge in Victorian-style weddings, setting the stage for an already-acknowledged trend for 2012

And why not? The Victorian era is remembered mostly for its romance and exquisite fashion in clothing and décor. Queen Victoria provided us with more than just an elegant style for modern-day weddings. When she wore a white wedding gown to marry Prince Albert, she broke new ground that we still walk upon today.

Romantic in Every Way!
Let’s get right to the good stuff! I absolutely must let pictures speak my 1,000 words. Here are gowns, jewelry, shoes, tuxedos, bouquets, tabletops, cakes and more we might see at your Victorian-style wedding…

Favors and a Silver Anniversary Surprise
Did guests get favors in Victorian times? Absolutely! Early in the era, there were usually three wedding cakes—a small white one for the bride, a small dark cake for the groom, and an elaborate cake (traditionally a dark, rich fruitcake with white frosting and ornate decorations like scrolls, orange blossoms and other flowers). The cake was cut, boxed and given to guests as they left. The bride’s cake was packed away for the 25^th wedding anniversary. Even now, the top of a wedding cake is preserved for the bride and groom to enjoy—but on their first anniversary! Good thing, right? I can’t even imagine how 25-year-old wedding cake would taste!

At least the guests got fresh cake. You can still give a slice of your wedding cake as a favor to guests using a wedding cake favor box kit. But Kate Aspen has designed a few favors ideal for a Victorian wedding. Behold the “Key to My Heart” Victorian-Style Bottle Opener, the beautifully boxed “Love Dove” Chrome Bottle Opener and lovely “Love Songs” Birdcage Tealight and Place Card/Photo Holder.

There’s one favor for which we have the women’s movement to thank. They eliminated a Victorian custom that no longer has status as a tradition—after the ceremony, the bride was never congratulated. Why?  It was implied that the honor was conferred upon her in marrying the groom. Now, brides and grooms are fortunate to have found each other—so, congratulations all around!

Happy Planning!

There’s just something about bygone eras that have us longing to recapture them.  Whether it’s the romance, the chivalry, the sense of style and fashion or the elegant charm—there are so many reasons to consider a retro wedding theme.  If you’re a quirky romantic and looking for a different way to exude elegance at your event, the first thing you should do is choose your decade.

Decade Decisions

1920’s
Jazz things up with a 1920s period party with dapper dudes in zoot suits, and dainty women with glamorous hairdos showing their sleek sense of style.  Flapper dresses are a must for your bridesmaids, and if you can find a place that resembles a smoky speak easy to hold the reception, it would certainly be the cat’s meow.  For a stylish getaway, hire a classic car to do the honors.   Look for simple ways to highlight the roaring twenties in your décor by adding a few art deco pieces on the tables.

1930’s
Inspired by the Great Gatsby, you’ll find feathers, classic tailored suits and an easy elegant style in this era.  Nothing overdone but everything in perfect balance can describe the look you should be going for.  Think birdcage veils with a feather accent and side-sweeping hairdos.  Learn how to swing dance, foxtrot or rumba so you can have a big band play at the reception amidst tables accented with ostrich feather centerpieces.  Offer cocktails that would have been available in the 1930s such as the sidecar, the whiskey sour and the mint julep.

1940’s
Create the look of an upscale lounge at the reception with table lamps and candles.   Our damask vellum shades can really help pull the look off beautifully.  Use small tables that seat four instead of the large round tables that seat 10 for a more intimate look.  Crystal is always elegant, so hang beaded strands from the ceiling for a different effect.  But, keep it simple.  World War II was going on during this time and most had to make do with a little—except for the Hollywood crew, of course!  Cameo and black are a wonderful combination for this era.

1950’s
Get ready to juke and jive down the aisle in a 50’s inspired dress with petticoats and a sweetheart neckline.  Chose a palette of pastels and pumps for the bridesmaids, and deck the gents out in pompadours and skinny suits.  With this theme, you can have fun with vivid colors and lively music.  It is the rock and roll era after all!

Timeless Touches

It’s amazing how much difference 10 years can make when choosing the theme for your flashback festivities.  But, regardless of the decade you choose, there are a few ways to add a retro vibe to any celebration:

- Have your photos done in black and white instead of color
- Place wedding cameras on the tables to get pictures from a variety of vantage points (guests can capture the most amazing, unexpected things.)
- Simple classic elements like our chandelier coasters and candles transcend any era and always add a touch of style
- Music makes a big difference and can instantly set the mood for the day whether you go with a live band or download songs to you ipod
- A Polaroid guest book is a creative alternative that catches guests in the moment, and they can write their message below their picture

Groovy!

Happy Planning!