Wedding Blog

A great way to decorate a kid’s birthday party or another fun event that features sweets is a candy topiary. There are all kinds that you can make, but here is a Gum Drop Topiary. You can make with multiple colors. This particular events utilized the colors pink, yellow, and green, so we stuck with that.

Things you will need from Michael’s or another craft store:
1 – 4″ round Styrofoam floral ball
1 – small block floral foam
1 – bucket or other tin to hold the topiary
1 – dowel
1 – box of tooth picks
Paint and a paint brush
Other decor that you may want to include sticking out of bucket (example: beads, moss, etc)

Things you will need from a candy store:
5 – bags of gum drops with the colors you plan to use

Instructions:
1. Cut the dowel to about 18″ if not pre-cut

2. Paint the dowel green or another color that goes with your decor

3. Stick the floral foam block into the bucket. Make sure the block is begin enough to sit tightly inside the bucket.

4. After the dowel has dried, stick the dowel straight into the block of floral foam sticking straight up and down. Make sure it is straight.

5. Stick the styrofoam ball on top of the dowel right center in the middle of the ball and push gently until height you want. Make sure it’s at least half way into the ball to keep it sturdy. Be careful the dowel doesn’t go all the way through the ball.

6. Cut all the toothpicks into half. Take each toothpick and stick it into the bottom of the Gum drop (half way) and then stick the gum drop in the ball.

7. Continue to add grump drops in designs you like until completely full.

8. Adding rock or something heavier into the bucket to keep balance since the gum drops will make the topiary top heavy.

9. Then you are ready to add any additional decor (moss, ribbon, grass, candy, etc) as the finishing touch.

Once you have finished, you have a candy gum drop topiary. They are great for parties. You can make multiple of them for centerpieces, or simply use on a sweets table. You can also create using dum dum pops, jelly beans, and other favorite candies.

Cindi White
Charmed Events
www.charmedevents.com
info@charmedevents.com

The 2nd Annual Diamond Dash, a large Scavenger Hunt will be here in San Diego, October 2nd, 2011. Couples will gather at Balboa Park at 1pm and race all over downtown San Diego solving clues via text messaging. The race will end at San Diego Natural History Museum where there will be an after party that takes place from 4-5:30pm. The winners will be announced at this time. Grand Prize winner will receive a $15,000 Diamond Engagement Ring!

Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting task.  But instead of letting the cost of a diamond ring put their engagement on hold, local San Diego couples now have a new way to find a ring to put on her finger.

They’re using location-based, mobile gaming technology.

“We wanted to do something for the community that nobody else was doing” said Jennifer Borba Von Stauffenberg of Charles Koll Jewellers.  “By embracing this new technology, we’re able to give away a beautiful diamond ring in a way that’s fun for everyone.”

Charles Koll Jewellers is the first San Diego jeweler to partner with the Google-backed mobile gaming company, SCVNGR. By developing a location-based game accessible via mobile phone, Charles Koll Jewellers is giving couples the ability to  follow clues from their cell phones throughout the city in search of a $15,000 diamond ring hidden somewhere in downtown San Diego.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.charleskolldiamonddash.com/.
Are you interested in participating?

To sign up for a chance to find the ring, couples are required to submit their love stories at www.CharlesKollDiamondDash.com.  The diamond ring to be hidden is currently on display at Charles Koll Jewellers along with details on how to play.  Charles Koll Jewellers is located at 7007 Friars Road in San Diego.

The best places to catch the action will be: 

1.) Balboa Park from 1pm-2pm for the event kickoff to catch hundreds of people in matching t-shirts starting the race.
2.) San Diego National History Museum from 4pm – 5:30pm for the after-party where winners will be announced

In addition, this free community event will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Participants are encouraged to bring donations to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure efforts to educate and research about causes, treatment, and find for a cure for breast cancer.

About Charles Koll Jewellers
We are San Diego’s premier diamond source. We feature an exclusive collection of Designer diamond engagement rings as well as custom created diamond jewelry. For 58 years, we have been committed to perfecting the ultimate combination of creativity and technical achievement. We believe that quality should never be compromised. Each exquisite jewelry design is selected with this philosophy in mind.

About SCVNGR
Founded in 2008 by a 19 year old Princeton drop-out, SCVNGR has grown into a San Diego gaming company with partners in over 12,000 locations. SCVNGR is played by completing challenges from your cell phone at different locations to earn points that can be redeemed for real-world rewards.  SCVNGR is funded by Google Ventures, Highland Capital Partners and Balderton Capital.

Good Luck Hunting!

Cindi White
Charmed Events
www.charmedevents.com
info@charmedevents.com

Thinking about a country style wedding? Some great photos taken by Memory Maker Photography at the Baxter-Kennison Wedding I attended this August.

They utilized bright summer colors complimenting with a rustic barn style scenery. The ceremony was located outside in a bright garden setting with a variety of in season hanging floral baskets.

Cindi White
Charmed Events
http://www.charmedevents.com/

Many venues will require you to obtain rider insurance that protects their facility from any damage caused during your wedding. The cost of this expense is typically very low and many times will be incorporated into the contract. It can range from $25 and up.

 The real question is, “can you protect your wedding from rain, fire, natural disasters, and other damages that might affect your wedding”? Yes. In addition to the damage rider policy, many venues might also require you or your wedding planner to obtain wedding insurance to protect the wedding itself. This type of insurance can protect the money you have invested into your wedding if something goes array. Costs can start at $95 and up. Wedding insurance can protect you from:

• Lost photographs
• Natural disasters (rain, hurricane, earthquake damage, etc)
• Unexpected leave of absence that requires a postponement or cancellation of the wedding
• Deposits made to vendors who go out of business prior to your wedding or do not show u
• and more…

Cindi White
Charmed Events
www.charmedevents.com
info@charmedevents.com

Bride finances the following:

• Groom’s wedding band
• A wedding gift for the Groom
• Bridal attendant gifts
• Guest book

Groom finances the following:

• Marriage license
• Ketubbah (if required)
• Bride’s engagement ring and wedding band
• A wedding gift for the Bride
• Tux or suit rental
• Blood tests and exam if required by state for marriage license
• Boutonnieres for yourself and all attendants
• Corsages for mother and grandmothers
• The honeymoon
• Officiant

Bride’s family typically finances the following:

• Engagement party
• Engagement and wedding photos
• Wedding consultant
• Wedding stationary includingsave the date, invitations, RSVP cards, and thank you cards
• Ceremony fee
• Bride’s gown and accessories
• Reception
• Music
• Flowers
• Father’s boutonniere
• Transportation
• Bridal attendant luncheon (optional)

Groom’s family typically finance the following

• Rehearsal dinner
• Wedding gift for Bride and Groom

The Bridal Party typically finances the following:

• Bridal shower
• Their wedding attire
• Traveling expenses they may have
• Gift for the Bride
• Bachelorette party

Male attendants/ushers

• Formal wear
• The Bachelor party

None of these expenses are set in stone. Today, so many couples have their own distribution of who pays for what. This is just a good guideline to start.

Contact us today for a consultation.

Cindi White
Charmed Events
http://www.blogger.com/www.charmedevents.com
info@charmedevents.com

After you have picked that spectacular dress with the 4ft train, you need to know how to wear the dress so you can actually walk and dance in it. Typically at least 6 weeks prior to your wedding day, you’ll need to go to your seamstress for your fitting. While you are there, it will be very important to learn how to bustle your dress. It’s best if someone comes with you to your final fitting so they can learn how to bustle your dress. Typically it would be a Bridesmaid or Maid of Honor. Many times, it has also been the mother of the bride.

There are many types of bustling. It really depends on the type of dress and how your seamstress adds the bustle. This video will show you how to bustle your dress using a simple under bustle, an over bustle, or a nice French bustle.

I urge you to share this wtih your attendant if they did not accompany you to the fitting. Make sure to ask the seamstress lots of questions at the fitting, because all dresses are different and they don’t automatically come with the bustle.

Cindi White
Charmed Events
http://www.blogger.com/www.charmedevents.com
info@charmedevents.com