Company and Cheer

The soon-to-be-wed light *up* when they chat about their floral vision for their wedding day. Some dream of big, bold arrangements that steal the show, while others envision them playing a subtle role. For me, connecting with my clients about this aspect of their design is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process. I find so much joy in guiding throughout the stages — from initial inspiration, to custom design creation, and onto the final execution.

Constructing a solid design plan and mood board is only part of the grand floral project. It is just as crucial that you transfer it to the hands of an effective Floral Designer. I work closely with them during the designing and planning phases. Not only do they take the lead on the actual construction and installation of florals, but they also offer the expertise that is essential to ensuring the outcome looks and feels the way you are imagining. There is nothing quite like witnessing the reaction couples (and their loved ones) have when they see everything brought to life on wedding day.

I reached out to my go-to floral designer extraordinaire (his official title as far as I’m concerned), Drew Hawley of Flowers for Dreams. He offered up three things he wished every wedding couple knew and I’m looping you in, below.

VENUE COST VS. FLORAL COST

Embrace your specific space.

It’s important to keep your venue cost top of mind when planning your florals. Drew says, “Oftentimes these two vendors have a correlation. If you are booking a grand open space you most likely will want to fill it with grand floral items and rentals that really make the space your own.”

On the flip side, he says, “If the venue is already ornate and decorated in a manner you enjoy, you can have subtle centerpieces that glow with ambient love.” This can help save your budget. We both agree it’s smart to book these two vendors early. Drew adds, “You can lock in some great prices and have peace of mind knowing your date is saved and ready to go.”

Planner Tip: When discussing your florals with your planner, designer, or florist— be sure to expand on the reasons you chose your specific venue. This may help your vendor team emphasize your favorite aspects within the design we create.

MORE THE MERRIER OR LESS IS MORE?

In this case, size really does matter.

Next up, Drew gives his insight regarding the size of the wedding party. It may seem obvious that the more in the party, the more it is going to cost, but he adds, “Not just from a floral standpoint but also from the rest of the vendors.” He points out, “You will need a larger head table with a larger amount of items for decor, more photographs with longer booking times with the photographer, additional gifts, and so on.”

“One perk to an abundance of bridesmaids is the bouquets!” Drew explains, “these are valuable items that can often be repurposed as table centerpieces.” As a thrifty planner, I am always on the lookout for ways to add dual-purpose elements to a wedding design. This is a fabulous way to make the most of those precious (and pricy!) blooms.

Planner tip: Have vases ready to rock n’ roll with fresh water wherever you want your bouquets to land. Organize this with your planner and florist to be sure they are seamlessly added to your reception decor after group photos are complete.

EXCESSIVE EUCALYPTUS

Sadly, it may cost you *and* Mother Nature.

“We all love it and enjoy its aroma, however, it is time to part ways with using Eucalyptus in weddings.” We are in agreement that there should be a sunsetting of this popular greenery option— for a few reasons. Drew continues, “not only from a trending standpoint but also from an environmental perspective. Growing eucalyptus requires large quantities of water and leads to topsoil erosion.” Additionally, it is becoming increasingly expensive to include on your wedding day, due to it’s high demand.

Drew suggests allowing your florist to explore alternatives that will be in line with your vision and budget. He points out, “There are plenty of local foliage varieties with similar textures and silhouettes as eucalyptus. They would integrate beautifully with numerous color palettes.”

*(Photography by: SB Photography and Design*)

Planner Tip: Mix and match foliage to add dimension. This will give you fuller looking arrangements and wedding personals (bouquets, boutonnieres, etc.).

Still searching for a fabulous florist for your big day? Not only will you be ecstatic with your custom Flowers For Dreams wedding design, it’s a purchase you can feel great about. They love weddings and they love giving back. You can see here how donations made from their flower profits add up to real change in your community.

I look forward to sharing more “insider scoop” from vendors in the event industry. Comment which you would love to see next!

XOXO,

Jenna

Looking to plan a wedding that is unique to you and your partner? My guess, since you are reading this post, is that you aren’t one to pull all of your ideas from weddings you’ve attended in the past or lean on others to make your design decisions. Creating an inspiration board (via Pinterest or other presentation mode) is an approachable way to start the planning process and keep track of ideas you love. Additionally, it’s a visual tool you can use to relay your wedding day vision to your vendor team (planner, florist, bakery, etc.).

As exciting as it may be to create a fresh “Wedding” board, scroll away, and save hundreds of looks you love — try to take a beat. Maximize your planning efforts, create an inspo board that feels authentic, and avoid wedding design overwhelm by using the steps below.

CHECK YOUR FEELINGS

Spend time reflecting on how you want your wedding to feel.

Think of yourself as a director of your big day. If asked about why you love your favorite film, you probably wouldn’t say *just* “the wardrobe”, or that you solely love the setting. You would probably talk about how you’re drawn to the mood, aesthetic, or feeling that those aspects produce together. This same idea can be applied to the aspects of your wedding design and the feeling they will create.

Even if you’re already feeling confident that you have some details decided — spring wedding, baby blue hydrangeas, silky bridesmaids dresses — it’s fruitful to dig a little deeper. When you reflect on wedding pics you’ve gushed about in your feed or paint the mental images of your “dream wedding”, what feelings are you met with? A lightness? Maybe whimsy or romance?

Lean on tone-setting descriptions as a guide and continue to gather inspirational images that cue those same feelings. This will set you on the right path to designing a cohesive wedding that will leave guests feeling a certain way.

TALK TO YOURSELF

Conduct solo Q+As to direct your visual search.

During your hunt for inspiration, you will come across images that stand out to you and fit the feeling you are hoping to create. Rather than adding it to your board on auto-pilot, ask yourself why you really like that table setting, for example. Is it the pastel palette you’re drawn to? The twinkle of the soft candlelight? Is it the impact of the textured linens drawing you in? Answering these questions will help you hone in on your design preferences and direct more specific searches.

CATEGORIZE, MY DARLING

Showcase your specific taste.

When you start discovering what aspects of inspo images you love, (floral installation, place setting, etc.) you can begin organizing your board with those titles. Having categories allows you to efficiently find specific examples later on when you are connecting with vendors about your wedding design. It lets viewers of your inspiration board know exactly what drew you in about each image and gives them a stronger sample of your taste. Like multiple aspects within one photo? Save it to multiple categories!

PINTEREST TIPS:

Try using the “more ideas” feature once you have a few pins saved in your more specific boards. It will search for similar images that may help evolve your idea even further.
Adding “to-dos” to specific pins is a tool that can help you stay even more organized during your inspo search process. Add notes to yourself, track your thoughts, or make a list of questions to ask vendors.
Be sure to share your beautifully curated boards with the vendors that would find them helpful! This way, they can check back at different times through the planning process to see more of your ideas.

I hope this post leaves you feeling inspired– to get inspired! Best wishes as you work through this process and plan the wedding of your dreams.

XOXO,

Jenna

Some parties are planned well in advance, and some come pop up a little more quickly. Take on the next get-together that comes your way with confidence—using these three DIYs and a few household craft supplies. Each of the sections below provide how-to’s and tips for creating party props. Additionally, they all feature one of my personal favorite materials—rolled craft paper.

DOODLE RUNNER

One DIY— three purposes!

Functional decor is always a big “heck yes” in my book. This easy-to-create table runner serves as a festive accent, an interactive activity, AND helps with after party cleanup! Win-win-win.

Make this custom for your party by choosing cookie cutters that fit your theme. I decided on these cute animal ones, this time around. Kids (and adults!) have a great time filling in the shapes with their own colors and adding doodles to the spaces in-between. Having a built-in, creative activity at the table helps keep the party contained to one area.

The paper runner helps with spills and cleanup from cake time too. Just roll it right up—crumbs and all!

Try it out:

Pull & cut a length of paper from your roll that will extend past your table top.
Add a thin layer of craft paint to a disposable plastic plate or palette.
Dip the cookie cutter shape lightly.
Press onto your brown paper runner.
Continue the the full length.

Tip: Use a large variety of cookie cutter forms to create exciting areas to color. Be sure to change directions as you’re stamping so that there are right-side-up shapes at every seat. 🙃

FRINGE COLOR-BLOCK BANNER

Tie together your party area.

Not only does this colorful banner add festive flair, it also adds an anchored backdrop and dimension to your party photos.

Make this custom for your party by choosing paint colors that match the mood you are trying to set. I was going for a playful feel, so I went with bold colors that pop. You could easily transform the vibe with pastels for a “tea-party”, earth tones for a “boho bash”, etc.

Try it out:

Pull & cut an arms-length of brown paper from your roll.
Fold in half length-wise (hot dog style 😉 )
Cut to make three double-folded sections.
Cut down the folded seam of each—giving you nine total flags. Feel free to make more for a longer banner!
Using foam brushes, add color to just over half of the flag.
Once dry, use scissors to cut “fringes” that almost reach the top edge of the painted sections.
Add two holes to each flag with a puncher and string together using wire, yarn, or decorative trim.

Tip: Play with the amount of coverage you add while painting. I opted to leave it more transparent & sparse in areas to give the flags more texture.

CUSTOM CROWN

Make your tiny guests feel *extra* special.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just having a fun Friday get-together, putting on crowns makes it even more exciting. This DIY will help you create paper crowns that are customizable and durable—lasting well beyond one wear.

Try it out:

Draw a horizontal line that will form your crown’s top. Make your line long enough that it will wrap just past both ears. I used a classic zig-zag design for mine. The further you draw the line from the edge, the taller your crown will be.
Connect it to the edge of the paper with two vertical lines.
Use your scissors to cut one paper crown shape.
Trace and cut to create a duplicate.
Sew the two identical pieces together to create a stronger form. This could be done by hand, but I used my compact sewing machine to save time. Use contrasting thread to add a pop of color cohesive to your party.
Use your puncher to make four holes in what will become the back side of the crown (on the bottom half).
Lace ribbon through the holes to create an adjustable fit.

Once the crowns are pieced together, you can get creative with the design. I chose to keep these simple, allowing the kids to decorate further if they wished. Using my Cricut, I added their names in a playful font. Then, topped each crown peak with a tiny pompom.

Tip: Use a wide stitch to secure the paper crown cutouts together. It will prevent them from tearing and makes the color accent more noticeable.

I recently added a wall-mounted paper roll station to the kitchen and it has been super handy. I use it for anything from gift wrapping to food prep (and everything in between)! I was excited to come across this one with a tray to hold my snazzy gold paper shears and markers for making quick notes.

I hope this blog has sparked your imagination and has you excited to plan an at-home party for your littles. Wishing you and your company, cheer.

XOXO,

Jenna

Please note, if you make a purchase using some of the links in this post, I may earn a small commission. It is never expected, but a way for readers to support the blog and keep it going! Interested in additional items pictured in this post or others? Click here to shop more.

Don’t let the timing of this blog post fool you. It’s so important, now more than ever, to show people they are loved (not just on Valentine’s Day!). I hope this post helps spark your own creativity and encourages you to surprise a friend, partner, or family member with a warm gesture. Below are three unexpected methods to deliver your message of love.

SPELL IT

Sweeter than a candy heart.

It can be a daunting task to pick the perfect card or find a thoughtful gift. Show up with (or drop off) your loved one’s favorite treat — topped with a doting note! Taking the time to craft a custom message by hand will make your recipient feel special and the delivery will feel genuine. It’s a playful way to send a message that’s short and sweet.

Make it: Paper and felt are great materials to use for this project since they are lightweight. Draw or trace your letters without a space between. Cut out your word shapes and glue to a wooden skewer. I used my Cricut machine to complete this project— this tool is great for intricate cuts. Offset multiple layers and colors to create a shadow effect. Have fun!

FRAME IT

Showcase the meaning of a moment.

Gifting a framed photo is a common way of showing that a memory together is important to you. Send the same message, but in an unexpected way. Frame an artifact that represents that special snapshot in time. Concert tickets, park maps, game night scorecards, or carryout menus… items that may be meaningless to others— but are momentous to the two of you.

On a recent trip to CA, Seth and I spent a beach day struggling to complete just one puzzle from the crossword book we pick up. We were so excited, when on the way home, we finally solved the last clue. If I had only framed the “pretty pics” when I got home, this lovely little memory may have faded. I gave it visible home on our wall and showed him how much I treasure our small moments together.

Tip: These display frames make for a fabulous gift. They look luxe, are simple to hang, and allow you to change out the contents in seconds. I have one in each room and use them as a rotating showcase. Because they look fabulous without a matte, they house pieces of all shapes and sizes.

SET IT

“Table for two please.”

Dining together is one of the most customary ways to celebrate a relationship with someone—dinner dates, lunch with friends, and family get-togethers. A meal may be an expected way to share a little love, but include details that make it feel like a new experience. Surprise a loved one by setting up a thoughtful space for the two of you to share.

Tip: Find a new location. Make it feel “out of the norm” by hunkering down together away from the dining room. Pull plush pillows up to your coffee table set with elevated pieces like these pretty pink bowls, metallic glasses, and color-dipped chopsticks. Create a 5-star experience even if you’re only serving up your favorite take-out.

Hopefully these ideas have you feeling all the love and ready to celebrate someone special in your life.

XOXO,

Jenna

Opening your home to visitors is a wonderful way to keep your loved ones near and an opportunity to make lasting memories. It allows you to play one more round of rummy or enjoy one more Moscow Mule together— since the only place your guest has to travel, is down the hall! Continue reading if you are hoping to go beyond the routine “tiding up” in your guest room. The sections below will help you prep a space that feels like home and allows your company to rest easy.

MAKE THE SPACE

Give a nod to a boutique hotel stay by creating a little luxury oasis.

It’s important to provide an area to unpack. That may mean clearing the top few drawers of a dresser or moving your coats from the closet. This allows them to feel settled and at-home. Keep personal items to a minimum in your guest room. This space is best served uncluttered.

Providing ample lighting can help make even the smallest space feel open. Light-filtering linen curtains offer privacy, while still pulling in enough natural sun to have your guest feeling refreshed in the morning.

Falling asleep away from home can be difficult (no matter how lovely your guest room may be!). Minimize that factor by providing extra cozy layers to tuck in at night. Add comfortable bedding options that they can pile on to match their personal sleeping preferences.

Tip: Light-in-color linens not only look bright and airy, but they allow your house guests to rest-easy that they are freshly laundered. These towels have a high-end feel but are affordable enough to stock up the linen closet. For a little splurge, treat your guests to a night under this silk filled comforter. Its temperature regulated— making it a perfect layer for all seasons.

CONVENIENCE FACTOR

Plan ahead for your guest’s needs.

Avoid late night trips to the kitchen or awkward bathroom closet scavenger hunts by providing necessities in the room. Some of these items include water carafe/glasses, towels/washcloths, soap/shampoo/lotion, and charging dock. These are simple gestures that allow your guest to feel *extra* special and relax without feeling burdensome.

Tip: Gather bathroom essentials together— make the trip down the hall easier. Providing a basket or tote gives them a way to carry what they need, to and fro, without dropping their towel.

KEEP IT FRESH

Add “newly set” touches.

The key to giving your house guest a true 5-star stay lies beyond the normal dusting or tidying up. Budding flowers, straight from the laundry linens, newly folded towels — all give the sense that things were prepared especially for their stay. Cue those deep breaths of relaxation…”ahhhh“

Tip: Keep the au natural aroma going with essential oils. I enjoy the blend of lavender, blue sage, and clove found in the “Sanctuary” concentrate from Grove Co. Mix a few drops of your favorites with water in a gentle mist bottle to create a room fragrance that enhances (but doesn’t overpower) the other fresh scents of the space. Click here to claim a free Grove Gift set!

SO SWEET OF YOU

Greet your guest with a little gift that says “glad you’re here“.

One option, is to shop local for a welcome surprise. A treat from your neighborhood bakery or a small batch candle co. are great options since they can be enjoyed right away during their stay.

Otherwise, you could send your guest home with a takeaway right from your home (and heart ♥️). Package up a loaf of your should-be-award-winning banana bread or fresh cut herbs that show off your green thumb.

Tip: Keep eco-friendly Kraft paper on hand. I use it for many things around the home—wrapping up gifts being one of them. It’s a universal option that can easily be personalized with a note, stamp, or doodle.

ADD AN EXPERIENCE

Maximize the memory-making.

We alllll love a Netflix night, but amenities that are a bit out of the norm or have a nostalgic flair offer a more exciting activity for guests. One idea, is to pull a selection of records you think they may enjoy and set them up with a player.

Tip: Try this portable record player. It gets a lot of use at my place. I love that you can easily move it from room-to-room and that it doubles as a bluetooth speaker.

SANCTUARY ROOM SPRAY:

Empty room spray concentrate into the Reusable Spray Bottle.
Add water to the bottom of bottle neck.
Replace nozzle & gently shake to mix.
Spritz into air to freshen spaces and enjoy the refreshing fragrance.

I have discovered a majority of my favorite home products using Grove. Click here to give it a try, claim your free gift set, and find the items needed to create your own essential oil spray.

I’d love to hear the ways you make your guests feel special in your home — comment below!

Wishing you and your company, cheer.

XOXO,

Jenna

There’s certainly something special about sitting down at a beautifully set table with friends and family to share a meal. Hosting a dinner party is an opportunity to open your home and share quality time with loved ones— BUT, whichever way you slice it— it’s a lot of work. The five sections below are meant to guide your planning process as you create a memorable table setting and experience for your guests. The goal is to save you time, energy (and a bit of $$$) that could be better spent in the kitchen, crating your signature dish. Bon appétit!

FIND YOUR INSPIRATION

Choose an item that speaks to you. Allow it to set the tone for the rest of table design.

I recently came across a few pieces of vintage Staffordshire Ware at a thrift store and was immediately struck by it’s pattern and colors. It serves as an eye-catching accent for this tablescape.

Tip: Update a basic cake stand by layering a statement plate. Use it to elevate food that will stay on the table throughout the meal. It will create more space for family-style dinner dishes. “Pass the potatoes please!” Create this look with my favorite versatile stand!

CONSIDER NEW COLOR COMBOS

For an unexpected look, challenge yourself to use hues that may not necessarily be considered the traditional ones of the season.

No shade towards the holiday OGs, red & green— but I was feeling winter blues. The festive color featured on the inspo pieces was the perfect starting point for this bold design. Repeating with taper candles, glassware, and floral garnish brings this monochromatic palette to life.

Tip: Keeping within a color family allows you to mix & match pieces while still keeping it cohesive.

MIX IT UP

Incorporate elements of different texture, size, and shape for depth and interest.

One of the most exciting aspects of eclectic design is that you can showcase more of your favorite table wear and decor pieces all at once! Create consistency or contrast through color, material, pattern, shape, or style.

Tip: Choose one or more piece(s) of each place setting to keep consistent and create an “anchor”, then enjoy experimenting with the rest! In this case, I used the same utensils, plates, napkins, and bowls but switched up the glassware and chargers for an eclectic feel.

ADD LIFE

Florals and greenery are a classic way to dress a table, but consider adding other organic elements.

Once place settings are set, the table top can become crowded. Opting to include edible decor elements as part of your design helps you best utilize the space. These golden Bosc pears are the perfect sweet treat to showcase this time of year.

Tip: Adding fresh produce to your table is an easy way to reflect the current season. IMO, fruit & floral are always a winning combo.

BE PLAYFUL!

Add character, cue the smiles, and get the dinner conversation started with a surprise element.

Finally, for the pièce de résistance! This part of the design is all about making your guests feel special. Get creative and personal with the setting for a memorable meal. These festive, beaded napkin tassels are a bespoke touch.

MAKE YOUR OWN BEADED TASSELS:
1. Cut one end of the tassel loop to create one long strand.
2. Slide letter beads on strand and double knot end.
3. Secure a piece of matching thread to name charm under knot.
4. Tie around napkin or wine glass stem.

Enjoy the time you spend at your table with loved ones.

Wishing you and your company, cheer this season!

XOXO,

Jenna

Keep happy hour happy— for everyone. Let the five sections below help guide your planning and reduce your stress between “Wanna stop by my place for drinks?” and “Welcome, c’mon in!” You may find hosting friends and family for cocktail hour quite effortless if you set yourself up for success (and have the right things on hand).

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

When guests are intended to craft their own cocktails, keep it to a few ingredients.

Choose spirits and mixers that easily mix & match. This will ensure drinks end up tasting as good as they look! Although it’s tempting to pull out everything in your liquor cabinet, it leads to an overwhelming amount of options. Even party-goers with the most novice mixology skills will feel confident creating a yummy cocktail as your intentional selections guide their decision making.

Tip: Provide versatile mixer choices such as as tonic and club soda. Top Note offers a range of award-winning, artisanal options that uplift a variety of spirits. Their “Special Edition: Fan Mixed Pack” features all the essentials you need on-hand for hosting.

KEEP IT TOGETHER

If you want to keep your cocktail crafting area clutter free, it is important to group items together.

When ingredients and barware are effortlessly returned to their original spot every time, it ensures each guest gets the best drink-building experience. For a cohesive setup, transfer ingredients to aesthetically pleasing containers, such as corked jars and decanters.

Tip: Put glassware on a large tray. This will help catch inevitable spills and keep over-pours contained. This heavy-duty marble piece is a versatile option that adds luxurious touch. To add warmth, try this wooden serving tray. Both options look great paired with this handy ice bucket!

AT YOUR SERVICE

Hosting a smaller-sized group makes it easier to create an exciting, bespoke guest experience.

Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times that call for the classic red Solo Cup, but intimate events are a great opportunity for you to put more stylish serve wear to use. Drinks just taste better in vintage glassware, am I right? ; )

Tip: Hit up your local thrift store to collect special glasses. Don’t worry if you can’t a full, matching set. Stick to a color palette, then mix them up!

GARNISH GAME STRONG

Provide fruit, herb, and spice options that compliment your selected spirits and mixers.

A hearty array of garnish allow guests to create a flavorful and memorable cocktail without an over-complicated process.

Tip: Keep it feeling fresh with toppers that taste and smell like the season. Cue Mariah Carey and a crackling fire for these wintertime cocktails— garnished with large organic cinnamon sticks, Sicilian candied orange peel, and anise star pods.

ACCESSORIZE, MY DARLING

Straws, swizzle sticks, charms, and napkins offer opportunities for you to get a little creative with your cocktail crafting.

Gift tags are a super simple (and inexpensive!) way to add festive flair and allow guests to keep track of their glass throughout the evening. Like the look of these? Find them here.

Tip: Don’t go overboard. Be sure your drink decor doesn’t get in the way of practically enjoying the beautiful beverage.

MAKE YOUR OWN WINTER BITTERS COCKTAIL:
1. Fill your favorite glass with ice.
2. Pour 2 oz. small batch gin over ice.
3. Mix in limited-release Top Note Gentiana Tonic.
4. Garnish with organic cinnamon sticks, Sicilian candied orange peel, and anise star pods.

If you have a fantastic winter-time cocktail recipe of your own, please share it —comment below!

Wishing you and your company, cheer this season!

XOXO,

Jenna