Willow Writer Julie “wines” about favors!
Favors – Out or In?
As most of my friends are all getting married now, many of us have questioned whether or not to do favors. Favors in the past were always a must for any wedding. Most of our parents question the decision NOT to do favors. However, with so many people forgetting to take their favors at the end of the night, and knowing that most favors ultimately end up in the garbage, a lot of my friends are now substituting the favor for a donation to a meaningful cause or charity.
My fiancé and I have been teetering back and forth on the idea, as we have a handful of charities that are very important to us. Yet, we also don’t want our guests to leave empty handed. My mom came up with a great favor idea that believe it or not, was pretty inexpensive. Wine bottles!
Wine is definitely not going to go to waste, whether all guests remember to take their bottles home or if it’s left at the hall for our families to take home…..A win/win! My mom went to a wedding where they tied the guests’ place cards to each wine bottle, so it worked as more of a decorative place card as well.
We are still deciding if this is the right choice for us, since we would also love to donate to a charity that means a lot to us. But hopefully this could be a potential idea for you! The front U-shaped table would look ultra classy with wine bottles decorated on it as the guests come in. Just remember, The Willow Room does not allow these bottles to be opened, so make sure your guests don’t pull any wine openers out of their pockets and start gulping one down! I’ll be posting a picture of whatever we decide soon!
Happy planning,
Julie
Watch Chef George cook up some Roasted Root Vegetables!
This is a great, hearty winter dish. Enjoy!!
February Recipe from Chef George: Roasted Root Vegetables
Roasted Root Vegetables
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Idaho potatoes, peeled and medium dice
- 2 small carrots, peeled and cut on the bias
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and medium dice
- 1 medium sweet onion, skinned and diced
- 2 oz. olive oil
- 2 oz. goat cheese crumbles
- 1 oz. Kalamata pitted olives
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a small sauce pan place potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots. Cover with water and simmer until al dente. Drain and pat dry. Next in a medium size skillet or cast iron pan, heat olive oil until hot. Next, place onions in first, to start browning, then put the blanched root vegetables in and let brown really well. Last but not least, add in olives and adjust with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, serve and finish off with the goat cheese sprinkled over the top.
Willow Writer Julie Shares A Post About Her DIY Vintage Table Numbers!
Now that all the big things are taken care of, we’re down to less than 5 months and its time to start thinking about the small details! Saw these picture framed table numbers on Etsy, but couldn’t get over the price. I decided to make my own for a lot less!
After several trips to the dollar store, I was able to pull off this vintage table number look for less than $30.00! I found these mix-match silver and gold frames in 5x7s at The Dollar Tree.
Then I searched online for “vintage border” and got some great templates to put into Microsoft Word. I just downloaded a font that I liked from a free font website to type the numbers and added them to the framed clipart.
Putting these inside the frames gets the look that I loved for a lot less than what it would have been to buy something already made on Etsy. I got a pack of vintage looking printing paper at the craft store to print on, so I’ll post a picture of the finished product as soon as they’re done!
I think with a lot of votives on the table, pearls hanging from the centerpieces, and these easy DIY frames, it will pull off the romantic feel I’m going for. Very excited!
Words of Willow 