Balloons

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Use golf tees to stake balloons in the ground! This is a great idea to line a driveway! Another fabulous idea that would work with this is put glow sticks inside the balloons and stake them into the ground. It would make the party have a cool atmosphere.

Bachelorette Keepsake

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At the beginning of the night have the girls kiss the same piece of paper and sign their names on their lips. This makes a great keepsake for a bachelorette party or a girls night out!

Photo Idea for House

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Take a photo like this of you and your husband/fiancee in all four seasons. Then, do a grouping on the wall for your first year of marriage. This is a wonderful!  Same spot, same pose, different season, different clothes!

Champagne Treat

How Yummy Does this look!! Pour Champagne over Cotton Candy. For a sweet bubbly drink!

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Tracking RSVPs

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Guests often forget to write their names on the RSVP. With an invisible ink pen, come up with a code and write it on the postcard. Easy code: make your guest list and put corresponding numbers with it and ta da! you have a system.

Cost of a Wedding

Whenever I run across these statistics, I always want to share them so you all have a base/average price. Remember to negotiate with most of your vendors especially the florist. They can most always reduce some of your cost without taking anything away. Some of the prices are a little off kilter but it gives you an idea. And as for the "cheap" alternatives, I say don't give up something you really want just keep shopping around for the best price. I did that with my florist and I ended up saving $800!! Also hire a professional caterer no matter what.

Monograms

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You can find these huge letters at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby. Buy some Christmas garland and wrap around it then add a ribbon to the top and hang on your door. Could be used for any kind of event as it can be wrapped in anything. Would look great behind the head or sweethearts table or on the reception venues doors

Wedding Bee

The greatest thing I have found lately is :

http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/

Check it out. You can buy and sell wedding items! It's wonderful. I have bought tablecloths and lanterns off this for cheap! You can literally find anything you want. Just be aware shipping costs can be expensive.

Cost of a Wedding

Here is another interesting chart on the costs of a wedding. This is from 2010 so it's a little outdated, but prices have stayed the same pretty much.

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Beauty and the Beast Inspiration

I absolutely love this centerpiece. This was recently used in the wedding of American Idol winner Lee DeWyze. I love it because it reminds me of Beauty and the Beast! If only I were having a pink/red color wedding, then I would totally do this. Place a book with a small vase and single rose underneath a glass bell jar and there you go! Don't forget the candles.

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Wedding Portrait

This is a wonderful idea! Talk to your wedding photographer about having a portrait made up like this. Your first dance picture with the lyrics of the song printed next to the picture!

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Cootie Catcher Wedding Program

How cute is this! Cootie Catcher Programs. It's a creative way to tell your guests the info about the ceremony. 

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Bouquet

How cute is this idea! To finish off the bottom of your bouquet - take pearl head or crystal corsage pins and put them in the bottom of the stems.

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Apple Dumplings

I apologize if I have already posted this, but this is the best dessert recipe. It is so easy and it feeds a lot of people, plus it is so delicious!

CLICK HERE for the recipe

Rustic Wedding Ideas

Here are some pictures that I have complied on Pinterest that I think are really great for an Up North, Woodsy, Rustic Wedding theme.

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Drink to person ratio

Here is a chart to help you figure out how much alcohol and mixers for your parties! It's an estimate, obviously if you have a family that likes to drink you will need more! These are just guidelines.

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Something Blue!

How perfect is this for your something blue!!

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Creative Idea!

I have always wondered what to do with all the greeting cards that I have gotten for various holidays and with my wedding coming up I don't want to clutter my house up with a drawer full of cards. After all, I really want to keep those personalized wedding cards and read the well wishes for years to come! Here is an awesome idea I found on Pinterest. Get a small binder and a hole puncher and you will have a book with all your wedding cards!! How cool and organized is that!

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Wedding Update

For all of you who have been following my blog, thanks for your patience while I have been really busy. I got engaged almost a year ago and we decided to have a long engagement because most our relationship was long distance, so we just want to make sure that being together every day wouldn't make us crazy and it hasn't. It has only brought us closer together.

I have to say that I am way ahead of my wedding planning. My wedding date is June 15, 2013. I bought my dress and veil. I booked my venues, my DJ, and my photographer. I have a cake tasting and catering appointments set up. I am doing all of my own decor and flowers, which I have collected most of my props for that. All I can say is when you get engaged enjoy 2 weeks of it, and depending your time before the wedding, don't procrastinate. You will make yourself crazy.

Also when you being wedding dress shopping, bring your own strapless bras. The ones they provide for you haven't been washed between uses. They are nasty! I know, I worked in a wedding dress store. You should bring a camera with you and a note book to write down the style of the dress and what you liked and didn't like about it, if you are still considering buying it!  One last piece of advice always ask if there is a special offer if you buy your wedding dress right there and then. I got a $200 veil free!!

Welcome Bags

If you are having a destination wedding or when a lot of your guests are coming in from out of town, it is nice to have a welcome bag waiting for them in their hotel room. You can put any thing in the bags. I suggest some snacks both healthy and some junk food, bottles of water, Map of the area along with brochures of fun things to do in town and maybe a list of good restaurants they should try. Another great thing to add is something that is local to your area, i.e. Florida -oranges, or some special item that is only made in your area like a sample of key lime lotion. Here is an example of a simple bag:

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Non-Edible Flowers

Just for reference, here is a list of poisonous flowers. There are a lot that are not edible. Just be careful which flowers you use on your cake. Some of them can sit on the cake, just make sure the caterers know to take all the flowers off before serving.

Poisonous Plants and Flowers
Common Name	Botanical Name
Aconite (wolfsbane, monkhood)	Aconitum spp.
Anemone (windflower)	Anemone spp.
Anthurium	Anthurium spp.
Atamasco lily	Zephyranthes spp.
Autumn crocus	Colchicum autumnale
Azalea	Azalea spp. (Rhododendron spp.)
Baneberry	Actaea spp.
Black locust	Robinia pseudo-acacia
Bloodroot	Sanguinaria canadensis
Boxwood	Buxus spp.
Burning bush (strawberry bush, spindle tree, wahoo)	Euonymus spp
Buttercup	Ranunculus spp.
Butterfly weed	Asclepias spp.
Caladium	Caladium spp.
Calla (calla lily)	Calla palustris (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Carolina jasmine (yellow jessamine)	Gelsemium sempervirens
Castor bean	Ricinus communis
Cherry laurel	Prunus caroliniana
Chinaberry (bead tree)	Melia azedarach
Christmas rose	Helleborus niger
Clematis	Clematis spp.
Daffodil	Narcissus spp.
Deadly nightshade (belladonna)	Atropoa belladona
Death cammas (black snakeroot)	Zigadenus spp.
Delphinium (larkspur)	Delphinium spp.
Dogbane	Apocynum androsaemifolium
Dumbcane	Dieffenbachia spp.
Elephant ears	Colocasia antiquorum
False hellebore	Veratrum viride
Four o'clock	Mirabills jalapa
Foxglove	Digitalis purpurea
Giant elephant ear	Alocasia spp.
Gloriosa lily	Glonosa superba
Golden chain tree (laburnum)	Labunum anagryroides
Goldenseal	Hydrastis canadensis
Heavenly bamboo (nandina)	Nandinaa domestica
Henbane (black henbane)	Hyoscyamus niger
Horse chestnut (Ohio buckeye)	Aesculus spp.
Horse nettle	Solanum spp.
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis
Hyacinth bean	Dolicbos lab lab
Hydrangea	Hydrangea spp.
Iris	Iris spp.
Ivy (English ivy)	Hedera helix
Jack-in-the-pulpit	Arisaemia triphyllum
Jerusalem cherry	Solanum pseudocapsicum
Jessamine (jasmine)	Cestrum spp.
Jetbead (jetberry)	Rhodotypos tetrapetala
Jimson weed	Datura spp (Brugmansia spp.)
Jonquil	Narcissus spp.
Kentucky coffee tree	Gymnocladus dioica
Lantana	Lantana camara
Leopard's bane	Arnica montana
Lily of the valley	Convallaria majalis
Lobelia (cardinal flower, Indian tobacco)	Lobelia spp.
Marsh marigold	Caltha palustris
May apple (mandrake)	Podophyllum peltatum
Mescal bean (Texas mountain laurel, frijo lillo)	Sophora secundiflora
Mistletoe	Phoradendron spp.
Morning glory	Ipomoea violacea
Mountain laurel	Kalmia latifolia
Nightshade	Solanum spp.
Oleander	Nerium oleander
Periwinkle (myrtle, vinca)	Vinca spp.
Philodendron	Philodendron spp. (Monstera spp.)
Pittosporum	Pittosporum spp.
Poison hemlock	Conium maculatum
Potato	Solanum tuberosum
Privet	Ligustrum spp.
Rhododendron	Rhododendron spp.
Rock poppy (celandyne)	Chelidonium majus
Schefflera	Schefflera spp.
Spring adonis	Adonis vernalis
Spurge	Euphorbia spp.
Star of Bethlehem	Ornithogalum umbellatum
Sweet pea	Lathyrus spp.
Tobacco	Nicotiana tabacum
Trumpet flower (chalice vine)	Solandra spp.
Water hemlock	Cicuta maculata
Wild cherry (black cherry)	Prunus serotina
Wisteria	Wisteria spp.
Yellow allamanda	Allamanda cathartica
Yellow oleander (tiger apple, be still tree, lucky nut)	Thevetia peruviana
Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow	Brunfelsia spp.

Welcome Summer!

Thank you for your patience waiting for new posts. I'll treat you all with a summer inspiration board. Enjoy!

Bouquet, Soda, Bridesmaid, Aisle, Shoes, Rings, Boutonniere, Centerpiece, Lanterns, Cake Table

Blog Vacation

To my loyal readers- 

I am taking a small hiatus from my blog as my employer has started her own blog and has put me in charge of updating it. 

That blog will be updated about 2-3 times per week. The url is  www.mbflorals.blogspot.com  

Check it out and know that it is me updating it!!

I will start updating my blog again starting in June! 

Thank you so much! 

Lizzie 

Bridesmaids Love

It's awesome to get yourself (bride)  a personalized hanger, but consider getting your bridesmaid's personalized hangers as well!

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Bridal Suite

This is such a wonderful idea. Having signs for a bridal suite and man cave! It's that extra touch that doesn't cost much that will make your wedding over the top.

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Path to Love

How cute is this idea! On the path way to the church, ceremony area, or reception area... It's a pathway of your story leading your guests to the wedding.

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Party Pinatas

Another use for pinatas besides beating them open: 

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This will keep your cards safe! Whatever your theme is as long as you aren't going for super formal, I'm sure you can find a pinata to go along with it. 

Strictly Weddings

I found this website on Facebook that I love! Check it out, like them on facebook:

Strictly Weddings

Wacky Wednesday: Kennedy Space Center

How cool would it be to have your wedding/reception at Kennedy Space Center! You could have a beach wedding on the Space Coast then head to Kennedy Space Center for a unique reception! You can even have an astronaut come to your party!

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Path to your Wedding

Beautiful Decorations

I absolutely had to share these pictures with you. The decorators for these weddings are ridiculous!!

Ridiculous Cake!

Yes, this is a cake. I had to post. It's incredible.

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Inspiration Board: St. Patrick's Day

Happy March! To honor the beginning of this new month, you get to enjoy an inspiration board I made for St. Patty's Day!

Table, Bridesmaids, Boutonniere, Mum Ball, Invitation, Bouquet, Place card Holder, Bride, Candy

Happy Leap Day!

Happy Leap Day!

DIY Aisle Decoration

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Take Flower boxes and spray paint them the color of your choice. Put styrofoam or something like it in the bottom. Stick the white/silver/black sticks or whatever color you choose in the foam, then cover the foam with fresh or fake flowers.

Easy and simple! Just the way brides like it.

Google Docs

I read an article in the news paper on Google Docs for weddings...

Check it out: Click Here

Barbara Ortutay said, "I picked Google's tools over dedicated wedding planning websites such as the Knot for a few reasons: I didn't want to be bombarded with girly girl ads, think inside the box advice, and expensive must have lists. I didn't want to join a site that asked for my full name, address and other personal information. "

Additionally, Google Docs template for couples to be to solicit mailing addresses from guests for wedding invitations! You can even make a wedding website!

Do's and Don't of DIY

The Knot has this great article on the Do's and Don'ts of do it yourself. In Black is the article and Red is my comments.

5 DIY Dos

Your Makeup: If you do your own makeup, you'll be in the privacy of your home or hotel room -- and you won't have to book an appointment (or worry about being on time)! Grab a few basics: foundation, powder, eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. Put on enough to accentuate your best features. Worried about looking washed out in your photos? Do a trial run and have a friend take a few pictures.

- I don't agree with this at all. I think that you should have your make up professionally done. It's not that much money in the overall cost of the wedding. Trial runs are a must! 

Your Ceremony Decor: The ceremony lasts less than an hour, so it seems like a waste to pay big bucks for specialty arrangements, especially if the site is pretty on its own. Create hanging baskets or vases filled with locally grown flowers. Doing so is both eco-friendly and cost-efficient. Or, instead of flowers, buy candles and place them throughout the space. Use any extras you may have to brighten your newlywed nest.

- I agree with this. Buying lanterns at Big Lots and putting candles in them and hanging them on shepard's hooks - great idea and it looks beautiful! 

Your Favors: A quick way to save money on wedding favors is to add a personal touch. Sweet treats are a safe choice. Grab a box of your favorite mix and start baking. Pack them in colorful boxes or cute bags. For nonedibles, wrap up tree saplings or donate to charity. Be sure to give guests handwritten cards that say you've given in their name.

- Agree ALL THE WAY!! You can save tons of $$$ this way! 

Your Invitations, Programs, and Save-the-Dates: Specialty papers, postage, and card sizes can cost hundreds, and you still might not be able to find exactly what you want. Head to a local paper store for a DIY kit or choose stock paper in any color and print stylish invites right off of your computer. Avoid the mistake of getting too fancy and using oversized envelopes -- they cost extra to mail.

- The save the dates and programs yes, but the invitations I think should be professionally done. Depending on the style paper and how ornate you get, invitations aren't too expensive. 

6 DIY Don'ts

Your Cake: Whether it's a missed teaspoon of sugar or a tilted tier, a wedding cake disaster is hard to fix. Yes, it would be much less expensive to buy a few boxes of cake mix and do it yourself, but the quality in the end could be lacking. Decorating and transporting a wedding cake is quite difficult and best left to someone with the knowledge of how to handle your confection without damaging it.

- TOTALLY AGREE!! I had a bride have her Grandma make her cake and it was tilted! Another bride wanted her family to do all the food. BAD IDEA. don't do it. It will normally be a disaster. 

Your Photos: Your photographs are one of the few tangible things you'll have to remember your wedding. All of your loved ones may promise to capture every moment, but what happens if they get distracted or have a camera malfunction? If it's important for you to have high-quality images and hundreds of great shots, hire a pro. You'll be glad you did when you see your picture-perfect album.

- Agree 120%. 

Coordinating it Yourself: You've organized every minute detail so far, so why shouldn't you be in charge on the wedding day? Because you won't be able to relax. Hiring a coordinator for the day can be a lifesaver. While you're getting pampered, they'll be setting up and averting any crisis that may occur. When everything isn't going perfectly, you'll be none the wiser. Trust us -- peace of mind is worth the extra expense.

- I have to agree with this one right? Being a planner and all!! :-)    Believe me, this is true. Unfortunately, brides don't figure it out until the day rolls around!

Your Centerpieces: A beautiful centerpiece sets the mood of the reception. From sophisticated to fun, you can create a setup that will wow your guests -- with a florist's help, of course! Flowers can cost upward of $3,000, depending on your taste and the season. Although it's a larger part of the budget, it's worth every penny. Your wedding florist will ensure that you get exquisite displays filled with the freshest blooms.

- This one I'm on the fence about. It all has to do with your budget and what you want to spend the most money on. At my wedding, I'm making all my own centerpieces. You can get really creative. But some people might not have the time or want to make these pieces! 

Your Catering: Catering a large-scale party is a huge undertaking, even for a culinary whiz. You'll be hard-pressed to get enough food together for a hundred people and keep it hot -- even if you make the best dish in town. And, once you get it made, you'll need a reliable staff to serve it. Caterers are trained to make it happen; they have the support staff to serve you and your guests in a timely manner.

- This goes along with the cake. Please have a professional do all your food. 

Your Music: It's tempting to rock out to your favorite tunes, and you might think it's easy to do so with an iPod. Not quite. You'll be limited to the music that you love as a couple, not necessarily what everyone else will like, and you'll be stuck with the premade playlist. Music pros are trained to read the dance floor. They can speed it up or slow it down so that your guests are footloose into the wee hours.

- Totally agree with this. You need an MC to help the flow of your wedding. Believe me it makes the night better. Hire a DJ. 

Read more: DIY Wedding Dos and Don'ts - DIY Wedding Ideas - DIY Wedding Projects - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/diy-do-it-yourself-weddings/articles/diy-wedding-dos-and-donts.aspx#ixzz1m1nhVsiX

Photographers Reasons

I ran across this posting and that it would be good to share. This is a letter from a photographer in response to a craigslist posting where a bride went on a rant chastising photographers for charging $3000 for a wedding.

Here is the photographers response:

"Dear Bride,

I am a wedding photographer in the Erie, PA area.  Wedding season only last about 4 months here, so I photograph an average of 20 weddings per year for an average of $2500 / wedding.  (which totals about $50,000 / year).

- That being said, I am a small business owner, so I pay all of my taxes, totaling about $15,000 / year which leaves me with a gross income of around $35,000

- Of that $35,000 I pay $600/month in rent for my small house and garage which I converted into my studio (which is where I would be editing your wedding images at) $35,000 – $7,200 = 27,800.
- Then I have my car, which I would use to get me to and from your wedding, which I pay $400/month for the lease, Plus $200/month in car insurance = $7,200 = $20,600.
- To get to your (and my other brides) wedding consultation,  second wedding pre-consultation, the wedding itself, and to and from the printers I need gas money = $840/year = $19,760
- I also have insurance in case you sue me, or if any of your drunk guests would happen to break any of my equipment = $500 / year.  =$19,260
- You also probably found me through my website, which I pay $30/month for hosting, and another $30/ month so that you can view your photos online and share the images with your friends and family =  $720 = $18,540
- Or perhaps you found me through my advertisements in the newspaper or local bridal magazines, OR a bridal show that you attended that I paid to have a booth at $18,540 – $1,000 = $17,540
- I also pay for my own Health insurance in case I were to get hurt at your wedding = $250/month = $14,540
- and I pay for a second shooter for your wedding, so that you can have more images and different angles, as to make sure you get the best images possible at your wedding = $200/wedding = $10,540
- I also need to have a new pair of shoes every season because my shoes get worn out and dirty from season to season = $100/year =$10,440
- I need high speed internet so I can upload all of your images online, my home phone for my business and my cell phone so I can communicate with you = $2,500 / year = $7,940
- Oh yes, and I also pay a lawyer to make sure my contracts are iron clad and an accountant to make sure that I am paying all of the taxes I need… = $500/year = $7,440
- Sometimes I attend workshops and seminars to teach me how to better my business, and make my client happier (that would be you), as well as keep up on the trends and learn new techniques so that I can make sure you have the best quality images available.

That would technically leave me with about $7,000 / year to feed myself, buy groceries, pay for my heat and electricity, cloth myself etc…. BUT, usually I end up re-investing whatever I have left on
upgrades and new equipment:

During your wedding, I bring my professional equipment that I use so
that I can make sure you have the highest quality images.

- I have 2 Canon 5D Mark II cameras (because you always need a backup in case of a camera malfunction which would ruin your big days photographs) which cost $2500 / camera = $5000
-I also have quality lenses which can capture your special moments in
low light situations:
Canon 24-70 f2.8 lens = $1,200
Canon 70-200 f2.8 lens = $1,300
Canon 50mm f1.4 lens = $500
Canon 100mm f2.8 macro = $600
Canon 10-22mm f3.5 wide angle = $800
- and I have speed lights to catch the fun moments at your reception:
- 2 Canon 580EX II = $1,200
- Also multiple battery back ups and memory cards, lens filters, light stands, umbrellas, light boxes, external battery packs and a bag to carry everything in.  = $1,500
- Because this is equipment, sometimes I need to have it serviced or cleaned to make sure it is all working properly = $200

After spending 8-10 hours at your wedding, I then come home to my home office and spend about 20-25 hours editing your images, creating your album, blogging about your wedding, posting pictures on facebook, ordering you prints and burning your DVD’s

- I edit your photographs using a 27inch imac computer = $2500
- I edit your photographs on Adobe Lightroom = $200 and Adobe CS5 =
$400 (for the upgrade) and $900 for the new program.
- and I print your DVD’s on a printer which = $300
- Using ink = $200/year
- and I buy the DVD’s and jewel cases your getting printed =$300 / year
-I archive all of your photographs on 2 2TB external hard drives = $500
- And I also back up all of my photographs online so if there was evera fire in my office, you would never lose your photographs = $400/year
- I also have office expenses as far as buying paper, staples, envelopes, packaging, filing cabinets and files, etc. etc. etc.
- I also spend time and money ordering your prints and albums, paying for shipping, going to the post office etc.

All of that being said, I’m usually in the hole at the end of the year, and take on many family portraits, senior portraits and corporatejobs in order to make ends meet.

Photography is my passion and my livlihood, and it is also EXPENSIVE. Yes, it seems like a lot of money for one day, but one day isn’t all we spend on your photographs or on our business.  You will spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress or flowers or a venue or on
catering which you are going to have for only ONE DAY, but your photographs will be the only thing you have to remember that ONE DAY for the rest of your lives.

I’m extremely insulted by your craigslist post and hope this sheds a little light on why we charge $3000 for one day of your memories which are going to last you forever.

-Nikki Wagner, Photographer."

What do you brides think? 

Wacky Wednesday: Renaissance Festival

Live out your medieval fantasy and step back into 16th-century England at various Ren Fests around the country.

Check out these fun pictures:

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Floral Beer

How COOL is this!!

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1. Buy big plastic beer mugs

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2. Gems

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3. Carnations (it looks like foam)

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Sparkly Champagne Jello

For a wedding shower and over 21 party/reception:

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Ingredients

• 12 cups brut Champagne or sparkling wine (4 bottles)
• 2 cups sugar
• 8 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Bring 6 cups Champagne and the sugar to a boil in a medium pan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; let cool. Mix remaining 6 cups Champagne and gelatin in large bowl. Let stand until softened. Stir in sugar mixture. Chill until set, at least 6 hours or overnight. Scrape gelatin with a serving spoon, and place in serving bowl; serve with whipped cream.