Carnival treats are making there way into weddings more and more. Whether it’s an entire reception created around the carnival theme or an end-of-the-night pick-me-up for guests, these are some delightful creations by local farmer’s markets.

Cotton Candy :: local company, Sweet Nothings creates all natural cotton candy. The one I sampled last weekend was made with maple sugar. Just think, all the fun of fairy floss without the massive stained mouths and hands…white wedding gowns rejoice!

Shaved Ice :: Sure there are shaved ice vendors, but do all of them show up in a vintage VW bus? Myke’s does. Bring a bit of fun (that also looks good) to your carnival with some ice.

Kettle Corn :: The smell of kettle corn can ensnare you from a mile away and draw you in. Warm and sweet, this treat might just be perfect for a later summer wedding where fall is only slightly in the air. My current favorite is Whistle Stop Kettle Corn.

Hot Dogs :: Renowned local hot dog gurus, Hemplers are hard to get a hold of retail, but if you can get them to cater to your event, expect applause. Oh yes, these are some good dogs.

For more carnival treats, check out this inspiration board on Snippet & Ink, this one from Bliss Event Group, this one from Grey, Likes Weddings, this one from Intimate Weddings, and finally this post on My Creative Invitations.

Almost all the vendors listed above can be found on the Bellingham Farmers Market website. Don’t forget to check out your local farmer’s market some great finds!

Image source: Snippet & Ink

One of the side effects of a bride-driven business is that sometimes the groom gets forgotten. I know of some grooms that are happy with smaller roles in weddings, but that doesn’t always apply to every guy out there. But where do these involved guys go for advice? Let’s face it, 99 percent of the websites out there are geared towards the ladies, but every once in a while, you come across a gem written by, for and about the guys.

Groom Power is one of those websites.

If you check out my links page, you’ll see a list of sites just for the guys, and I’ve just added this one. Benjamin Roe, the creator, is a thirty-something Londoner who got married last year and had this to say about the experience that drove him to create Groom Power:

“My wife had plenty of places to turn to for wedding advice - I am sure there are as many wedding magazines in the US as there are over here, lots of books, lots of really helpful websites, lots of online wedding forums with brides generously offering tips and advice.  Of course this helped both of us, but I couldn’t find anything much that was specifically for grooms.  So after my wedding I wrote down everything I had learnt and put it on the web!  I also spoke to lots of male friends who have got married in the last few years and got their tips too.  Hopefully grooms-to-be will find it helpful.  There’s advice on the site that you wouldn’t find in your average bride-orientated forum (choosing your best man, surviving the stag night, etc), and we generally try to come at things from a male perspective.  For example, when choosing a wedding ring I am sure most women aren’t too concerned about where gold and platinum rank on the Vickers hardness scale, but guys love that kind of stuff, so it’s on the site.”

There are few things that truly bug me about the wedding industry, but one of them has to be that in my area of the world, renting tuxedos for babies and toddlers cost as much as renting adult tuxedos. You’d think the lesser amount of material would mean a smaller price. The only thing I can think of is the fact that little guys tend to get messy, but parents are usually kind and change clothes after the ceremony.

So, while I’m thinking about children, I’d like to share where you can get these mighty little tuxedos for less.

Children’s Consignment Shops

That’s right. When parents have children’s clothes in good condition, they either give them to friends, sell them on Craig’s List or sell them at a consisgnment shop. My favorite consignment shop in Everett usually has one or two on display by the register. And just like most wedding wear, it’s only been worn for a few hours.

The best parts: getting it for less AND selling it when you’re done.

I started physical therapy after baby Emmeline was born, and sadly, I will have to put my 2009 event season on hold. 

It was a hard decision, but I’m no good to my clients if I’m not good for myself (the parallels of motherhood here are amazing). I’m too much of a perfectionist to give people anything less. I’m sad, and I know the wait will be a long one for me.

The good news is I will be back and available for 2010 weddings and events, and I will be keeping up with the wide world of events here on my blog. I love blogging and “meeting” all the wonderful people out there on the Internet who share my passion.

So, I’m still here, and I’m still just as excited about all the wonderful events that life brings. I hope you’ll stay tuned.

Sorry for my absence. In the last few months, I’ve added motherhood to the list of things I do, and I’m loving it. It’s motherhood that has inspired this post.

Formal wear for babies and young kids can be tough. There’s finding something that fits (and still fits when the wedding comes around), keeping it clean, and hoping that it’s comfortable. Shoes are are one of the tough ones. Most formal shoes have laces, and aren’t that comfortable for little ones.

Enter Robeez. These soft-soled shoes for babies and young ones are a hit with parents (my girlfriends love them), and are actually useable outside of the wedding. Here are some more of the formal looking ones that would work for about any occassion.

…And for those who like a little more color.

Because comfortable kids are happy kids (and have happy parents!)

Get Hitched, Give Hope is tomorrow! If you haven’t heard about this great bridal event, visit www.gethitchedgivehope.com

Okay, so this is a slight cheater post. I say slight because I have blogged about this gal before, but it was way back in December when I had one reader…myself. So my second stop on the Bellingham Farmers Market tour brought me back to my favorite cupcake lady (and I say favorite because she’s so dang cute!).

Icing on the Cake is a Bellingham based company run by Liz Kovaks. You can read my full review of the last time we met. I keep bugging her for a website, which I understand is in the works, but until then you’ll have to take my word for how scrumdiddlyumptious these babies are. They come in two sizes and an assortment of flavors that will have you talking with your mouth full in no time.

She’s gained a following with her cupcake campaign, and she’s fast becoming a fixture at the market. Here’s another local review.

So besides the obvious wedding cake substitute, these would also make great pick me ups for the wedding party when they need a hit of sugar after long hours getting ready (and the mini size would allow for no smearing), cute edible favors, will you be my bridesmaids bribe, sugary hors d’oeurves, kiddie treats, end of the night and out the door gifts…really the possibilities are endless.

So far clothes, cupcakes…next up in the Farmers Market series…jewelry!

Sorry for the absolute lack of blogging lately; I’ve been out sick and well, the computer has been the last thing on my mind this week. (Bad blogger…no biscuit for you!).

But, I couldn’t let this go without posting. The much talked about cell phone law takes effect in Washington State today. What does this mean for the wedding world? Well, if you have a hands-free device, not much, but for the rest of us who haven’t converted…watch out. This means vendors and brides and grooms alike. And let’s face it. So much of wedding planning is done via cell phone, it’s hard to get around. So just be careful out there. No one wants to get pulled over for cell phone usage on the way to a tasting.  

To read more about the law check out the Seattle PI article here.

Image source here. 

I had a few more great pictures from the May 24th wedding that Stacey Jehlik coordinated, and I just had to share. Everything about this reception venue was gorgeous. Even the bathrooms! Tony’s Catering owns The Fairview Club, and it really is a vendors venue…so easy to work in. Anyway, on to the pictures!

This would be one for Wordless Wednesday, but I can never let a picture go without a few words. This is Stacey Jehlik, Wedding Coordinator extraordinaire, fellow ABC member, and owner of Breathe…Savor the Day. I was lucky enough to be asked to help her with a wedding last holiday weekend, and while at the rehearsal, I snapped a few pictures. This happens to be my favorite…

This is what a wedding coordinator looks like. It really explains why there aren’t a lot of pictures of coordinators on their own website because they never stay still when they’re on the job. Cheers to you, Stacey…it was a beautiful wedding!