We look forward to sharing your wonderful wedding day photos and special story with other mothers.

WHAT:  Win a $500 Gift Card from the stunning www.TeriJon.com collection sponsored by RehearsalDinnerGuide.com.

WHY:     Mother’s are special.  Between juggling work, children and other responsibilities, it’s often hard to find the time to do something special for yourselves.  We would like to spoil one lucky mother and give her a chance to dress up for a special occasion.

to receive an invitation to enter the contest.

Each pin will be entered into a drawing on Thursday, June 7th and winner will be  announced at 9:00 p.m. on this blog post.

WHEN: Lasts the entire month of May! Contest begins on Wednesday, May 2^nd and ends on Thursday, May 31st.

Below are just a few of our favorite dresses you may choose to apply the $500 gift card.  To view all of the outfits, please go to www.TeriJon.com.

Don’t forget our ongoing, daily promotion that offers 10% off all TeriJon.com with coupon code RDG!

Photo: www.bkcphoto.com Hope you enjoy our favorite dresses from www.TeriJon.com and good luck with winning $500!   Citrine Jeweled Sleeve Taffeta Gown, Item No:  17228C http://www.terijon.com/shop/size-18-dresses/jeweled-sleeve-taffeta-gown/pid/1066/33#P=F

Blush Taffeta Gown with Jewel Neck, Item No: 29080 http://www.terijon.com/shop/evening-dresses/blush-taffeta-gown-with-jewel-neck/pid/969/16#P=F

Sleeveless Silver Lace Top Cocktail Dress, Item No. 2845D http://www.terijon.com/shop/guest-of-wedding/sleeveless-silver-lace-top-cocktail-

dress/pid/992/41#P=F   Embellished White Dress, Item No. : 29053 http://www.terijon.com/shop/guest-of-wedding/embellished-white-dress/pid/947/41#P=F Photo:  www.BelletheMagazine.com

3/4 Sleeve Taffeta Shirt Dress, Item No.: 29085N http://www.terijon.com/shop/bar-mitzvah-looks/3-4-sleeve-taffeta-shirt-dress-/pid/1019/42#P=F Taffeta Petals Cocktail Dress, Item No. :  7235 http://www.terijon.com/shop/color-infusion/taffeta-petals-cocktail-dress/pid/264/11#P=F Printed Chiffon Cape Gown, Item No. :  27074 http://www.terijon.com/shop/classic-black/printed-chiffon-cape-gown-/pid/933/35#P=F   Photo:  www.StyleUnveiled.com Blush Side Ruffle Dress, Item No. : 29063 http://www.terijon.com/shop/pretty-pastels/blush-side-ruffle-dress/pid/954/45#P=F

A composition that's breathtaking!

Source:  www.BelletheMagazine.com

Orchids Rim a Martini Glass

Source: www.bflorals.com

Shades of Green w/ Tall White Tapers

Source:  www.rjackbalthazar.com

Beautiful for a Fall Wedding Celebration

Source:  www.bflorals.com

Orchids Steal the Show

Source:  www.CaboFloralStudio.com

Goldfish contrast w/ purple orchids

Source:  www.bflorals.com

"LOVE BIRDS"

Source: www.Juxtapost.com

Spring has officially sprung and with it comes a rebirth that is so refreshing!  Besides the longer days, the mornings seem more cheerful, thanks to the birds that come alive with their sweet songs.

Hearing the tweeting birds recently has reminded me of a  favorite theme used at wedding celebrations,  the “love bird” theme.

Below I have posted some cute ideas that can be used if you want to display your “love bird” affection for one another at your special wedding events.  The theme can be carried in print via your save-the-date, to favors, bridesmaids gifts, centerpieces and much more!

Cute to use image of "luv birds" in Save the Date

Beautiful on Escort Card

Source:  www.weddingwire.com

Super cute on Favors

Source: www.Etsy.com

Birdcages as Centerpieces

Source:  www.BelletheMagazine.com

Spring Bridal Party ~ Love the tophats!

Source: Ann Wood Photography

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

Source:  http://www.rehearsaldinnerguide.com/Sample%20Invitations

Great for holding Cards

Source:  www.ElizabethAnnDesigns.com

Bird's Nest as Bridesmaids Gifts

Source: www.Etsy.com

Hanging Birdcages are Beautiful!

Source:  www.Juxtapost.com

Bird Nest Centerpieces so Cute!

Source:  MarthaStewart.com

Mirrored Bird Cages Capture the Romance

Source:    www.http://vintagehome.tumblr.com

So cute for Cake Toppers

Source:  www.Bhdln.com

A Cardinal Cake...My favorite bird ever!

Source:  www.BrooklynCake.com

Love Birds on Menu Cards

Source: www.Etsy.com

Menu Card with Bird Cage

Great idea: Tie small bird cage to bride's chair

Sources:  www.Style Me Pretty.com

Rustic Centerpiece w/ Bright Florals in Mason Jar

{Source:  amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com}

I have been wanting to post on {succulents} as a design element perfectly suited for rehearsal dinners for awhile and finally here it is!

Below you will find these plants in some of my favorite arrangements as well as showing how utilitarian this mighty plant can really be!  From kissing balls to favors, to decorating menucards and placecards, to adorning a wedding cake and a stunning bridal bouquet, the many ways to use succulents in wedding design are endless.

In particular, I love to pair them with shades of soft pink or magenta!

Please tell me which one is your favorite ~ Elaine

A Kissing Ball with Texture

 {Source:  www.lifeonthebalcony.com}

{Source:  http://delovelyaffair.blogspot.com}

Like color? Paint them!

{Source:  Melissa Jill Photography}

Adorn a Wedding Cake

{Source: www.SweetandSaucyShop.com}

Dress Up Menu Cards

{Source: www.JLDesigns.blogspot.com}

{Source:  www.StyleMePretty.com}

So pretty with shades of pink!

{Source:  www.ChandelierEventsBlogspot.com}

Fill Hurricane Glass with Pinto Beans & Succulents

{Source:  www.HeavenlyBloomsBlog.com}

{Source: www.RuffledBlog.com}

Great for Boutonnieres

{Source: www.RachelEvents.com}

The wording of each are different and show great examples of the text that hopefully you will find helpful too!

Each of the following can be ordered at http://www.rehearsaldinnerguide.com/Sample%20Invitations.

Be sure to check our page on invitations out as there are many more fun, contemporary and elegant invitations to select from.

Elegant Chandeliers

Artistic

Western Cowboy

Luau Theme

For Foodies

Great wording

Pretty Paisley

Tropical Beach Theme

Celebrate with Bubbly

"An Evening Under the Stars"

Lattice with Elegant Script

Anyone that has experienced a “true” Mardi Gras in the “Big Easy” knows that amidst all the parades, it’s the food that is the highlight of New Orleans.   So, below are a few favorite things to serve at a Mardi Gras themed rehearsal dinner.  Most are best suited for a cocktail style party with several “mini-bites” so guests can mix and mingle.

Each dish is from Southern Living Magazine and recipes can be found here @ http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/mardi-gras-00417000077186/.

For a little bit of Mardi Gras listening music, check out:  http://www.pandora.com/?_sl=1#!/stations/play/760816185340686998/.

And be sure to include a fun centerpiece such as this one from Southern Living to capture the spirit of Mardi Gras!   Lush with magnolia leaves and hydrangeas, the colors and symbols of Mardi Gras are layered throughout: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

Bacchus God of Wine adorned as Table Centerpiece

Creole Shrimp Deviled Eggs

Mini-Oyster Po-Boys

Mini-Muffulettas

Mini-Crabcakes with Garlic Chive Sauce

Crawfish Dip

Chicken & Sausage Jambalya

When I think of Valentines, I think of chocolate, hearts and a fabulous dinner either homemade or at a favorite romantic restaurant.

But what about doing something a bit different this Valentines?!?

In addition to the scrumptious, mouth watering chocolates and celebrating in the evening, why not start off with a Valentine’s Breakfast where you and your sweetheart can start the day and end the day “Valentine style”.

If time in the a.m. doesn’t permit a Valentine’s celebration, then do this the weekend before as it makes for a wonderful brunch.  Also, use these ideas for your own wedding brunch and let us know what you think!

Below are some fun, creative and different ways to setup your own beverage station or “watering hole”.   We love “whimsical”, and “not so expected” little details that make a wedding celebration so personal and unique.

Using unique containers such as wheelbarrows, canoes and even boats can make a beverage station a fun place to mix and mingle.   Bales of hay and rustic oak barrels as the base for your beverage station bring in that popular “rustic” touch.

Let us know which one you like best!

Credit:  www.RusticWeddingChic.com

Credit:  www.luxeandlace.blogspot.com

Credit:  www.tenjuneblog.com

Stacks of Hay ~ Great for Barn Weddings

Credit:  www.saraspartyperfect.com

Build a bar in a boat ~ great for beach or nautical wedding rehearsal dinner theme

Credit:  www.leah-theinsidestory.blogspot.com

Credit:  www.inspiredbythis.com

Remove a picnic table board, replace with gutter = instant wine cooler!

Credit:  Outdoor Oasis

Since Rehearsal Dinners are more casual than the wedding day and many are celebrated outdoors, we love celebrating with friends and family over a warm fire while having a treat that is so much fun such as s’mores.

Can’t you just feel the warmth of the fire and the taste of melted chocolate atop roasted marshmallows with graham crackers, yummy!

S'mores around a burning bonfire adds "warmth" to rehearsal dinner celebrations

If you don’t have the great outdoors at your fingertips to build a bonfire, then consider giving s’mores as a favor as a special way of thanking guests for spending time with you on your special day.

There are so many cute ways to package the trio of chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers.  Here are some of our favorites:

"Take Home S'more Fun!" makes a great wedding rehearsal dinner favor

From http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/09/the-great-outdoors-a-camping-we-will-go

Another great wedding rehearsal dinner favor: "Sending you S'more Love!"

From http://nicolemacaluso.wordpress.com.

If you are having a rehearsal dinner down south, it never hurts to add a little southern flavor on the tag like this example below:

From ProjectWedding.com, a s'mores favor "southern style"

If you really want to “wow” your guests, serve them a sinfully delicious S’mores Martini..it’s just as fun!

Serve a "S'mores Martini" and top with a marshmallow

From http://www.ellerochelle.blogspot.com, here’s the recipe:
THE S’MORES MARTINI

1 oz. chocolate vodka
1 oz. Baily’s Irish Cream
1 oz. chocolate liquor
1 oz. Cream de Cacao
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. heavy cream
Toasted marshmallows, graham crackers (crushed), chocolate syrup, bamboo Martini skewers.

Dip the rim of glasses into the chocolate syrup, then into the crushed crackers. Chill glasses in freezer.
Pour all remaining ingredients, except marshmallows, into a Martini shaker filled with ice, and shake until well blended.  Pour into really nice glasses.  Skewer the toasted marshmallows on the bamboo skewers, place across the rim and serve..for about 2 servings.