{Guest Post} Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Wedding Favor + Free Printable from Marry This!

Edible Wedding Favors never looked or tasted so GOOD!

Hello de Lovely readers! I am Allison, and I blog over at MarryThis! Mellissa and I have been talking about doing a guest post swap for a while now, and I am so excited to finally be here! Today I am sharing with you a fabulous, frugal wedding favor that your guests will be sure to enjoy – Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies! Hello, serious yum!

With stuffed-cookies being all the rage on Pinterest right now, I thought they would make a perfect wedding favor. Not only are these cookies so easy to make (be sure to check out my baking tip below), but they also came in at less than $1 each! Now, THAT'S something to celebrate.

"It's What's Inside that Counts" Cookie Wedding Favor - How-To and Budget Breakdown

{All project photos via MarryThis!}

Here's what you'll need:

- Pre-baked oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies, cooled (my batch yielded 24 cookies)

- Paper sleeves in your choice of color/pattern (I chose yellow chevron)

- Full sheet label paper (to be fed through an inkjet printer)

- Scissors

- Plastic wrap

Project Instructions:

1.    Download your free “It’s What’s Inside that Counts” cookie printable! Add your initials and print on white full-sheet label paper. Never used a MarryThis! customizable printable before? Visit our printing FAQ page to learn how to add your own initials to these labels in Adobe Reader (it’s easy!). Cut out each label and set aside.

2.    Assemble your pre-baked Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies. I followed this recipe. BAKING TIP: The trick to this recipe is to add the correct proportions of cookie dough to the top and bottom of the Oreo. I added about 80% on top and 20% on bottom, which seemed work great. DO NOT add equal amounts of dough on each side unless you want your cookies to look like this. (Hey, in my book, if it tastes good it’s a win!)

3.    After your cookies are fully cooled, wrap each cookie in plastic wrap to give them a longer shelf life and prevent grease from staining the paper sleeves. Place each wrapped cookie UPSIDE DOWN in a paper sleeve. You want the flat surface facing up so the label is easier to adhere.

4.    Fold down the top inch of the sleeve (to make a clean crease), and then fold in half again over the cookie. Adhere label to seal the paper sleeve shut. Viola! It ain’t rocket science, people.

These favors should stay fresh for up to a week (don’t forget to plastic wrap the cookies!). Best of all, these favors are so easy to assemble, you could have a baking party with your bridesmaids and knock out all your favors in one night. 

 

Budget Breakdown:

- Chevron paper sleeve: .25 cents each

- Label paper: .25 cents per sheet (6 labels to a sheet)

- Cookies: About .30 - .50 cents each, depending on the quality of your ingredients

Grand total per favor: Less than $1 each!

I hope you love these favors as much as I do! (Trust me, you can’t go wrong with cookies!) Send us some photos of your finished wedding favors so we can share with other readers. This is the best kind of inspiration!

Happy Friday!

xo, Allison

P.S Let us know what you think about this awesome recipe and guest post by leaving a comment below. Check out all our other Edible Wedding Favor ideas on PINTEREST!

Allison Doty is a graphic designer in the beautiful city of Boise, Idaho who is obsessed with all things beautiful. She is the founder of Allison Doty Graphic Design and Art Director for Marry This! Allison is an alumnus of Sigma Kappa and Washington State University where she studied Journalism and Fine Art. While Allison wishes she could stick to one hobby she finds herself as more of a hobby collector than an actual hobbyist (recently she has learned to play the ukulele … ish). 

Rainbow Wedding Decor - Top Trend for 2013 by Art Deco Gal

Looking forward to a wedding next year and want to know the hottest wedding trends for 2013? Look no further, Art Deco Gal has the trend forecast for you right here on de Lovely Affair. Each week I'll bring you the best for the 2013 wedding season, from wedding dresses to decorations, bridesmaids, themes, and flowers. And other predictions you'd like me to make, just let us know.

Today is all about THE hot trend in wedding décor for 2013 - Rainbow Colors. If the devil's in the details, look no further than this bold prediction!

Rainbow Wedding Decor - It's a Skittles world out there!

Photo via Modern Wedding Hawaii 

I guess everything old really IS new again! Rainbows are BACK and these bold colors are going to be THE popular theme for weddings next year! A confident couple with outside the box thinking is likely to pull this off - a color explosion is not for the faint of heart. This loud, vivid color palette screams fun and frivolity, joy and pure happiness, so be prepared!

Photo via St. George Weddings (decor) & Weddingish (flowers)

From dresses to lanterns and pinwheels, wedding cakes to guest favors, rainbows are popping up everywhere! I'm keen on the idea of showcasing all colors so that no one color is dominant, quite a departure from the monochromatic palettes we have been seeing lately. Remember to temper it with white or neutral as this color scheme can appear harsh and tacky when overdone. Think My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding....yeah that kind of tacky. Done right - super tasteful!

Photo via Cakes for Wedding, Topper via Bittersweetz Esty Shop

I think a perfect place to put this trend front and center is with the ladies! Bridesmaids dressed in brilliant rainbow colors are a natural compliment to the bride's traditional white attire. Talk about POP! Tie it all with flowers, each girl with the same color as her dress or mix them all together for each bouquet - just keep the colors consistent. Make sure your bouquet is an explosion of the same colors to keep the wedding brand going!

Photo via Emmaline Bride (top) and Modern Wedding Blog (bottom)

Photo by Our Labor of Love

Truth be told, there is no hard and fast rule about which form your rainbow colors take - they don't have to be in a straight line. Try to add different variations, mix it up and have some fun playing with the hues and the color palettes.

Photo via Nicole Rene Design

Last but not least, offer of a rainbow of sweet treats that are sure to please any palette! Dessert tables and candy bars are by nature bright and vivid to attract the wandering guest - sort of like a bee to a flower. A color overload here is flavorful and fun, a delicious way to say thank you for being part of our day!  And with so many candies and sweets to choose from, this should be relatively easy to create DIY style and on a budget.

Photo board via Bridal Tweet

Hope you've enjoyed our romp around rainbow wedding land - there are so many gorgeous wedding images and ideas from which to choose! The most important thing I can say is - take it and make it your own, have fun with this wedding trend and don't be afraid of color! Make sure to head over to Pinterest and check out de Lovely Affair for more trend ideas.

Make Your World Colorful,
Clare - Art Deco Gal

P.S. You can follow Clare and all her vintagie goodness on her blog aptly titled Art Deco Gal

Top 10 Wedding Dress Trends for 2013 + Fab New Designer

Art Decor Gal's 2013 Wedding Predictions

Looking forward to a wedding next year and want to know the hottest wedding trends for 2013? Look no further, Art Deco Gal has the trend forecast for you right here on de Lovely Affair. Each week I'll bring you the best for the 2013 wedding season, from wedding dresses to decorations, bridesmaids, themes, and flowers.  Got any other trends you are dying for me to cover, just let us know!

Now for what every bride worries about the most, her Wedding Dress. Looking into my crystal ball…I see HOT, elegant trends for 2013 - the length, the variety, the style, perhaps the best year yet!

Short
Short is the new black. My first forecast is that more and more brides will be opting for short wedding dresses, channelling the Mad Men trend and all things 1950s/60s.  I love this short 50's style design London's by up and coming Sabina Motasem! Seriously, a designer to watch, be sure to check back for our interview with her!

Photos via Sabina Motasem & Wedding Dress Info

Colored 
Black is the new Black! I predict we will see brighter, more daring wedding dresses next year spanning all the colours of the rainbow including black! Vera Wang ROCKS a runway with these dark beauties.

Dresses: Vera Wang

Peplum 
The Peplum skirt is everywhere right now! It is a very wearable and flattering style and has been spotted on a number of wedding dress fashion shows such as Amsale for Spring/Summer 2013.

Photo via One Wed

I’m Bringing Sexy Back!
Next year, I predict the back of the dress will be the most detailed and glamorous part of many wedding dresses. One wedding dress style I absolutely love is the portrait back wedding dress. As you can see they mirror some of the vintage wedding dresses from years ago but with a modern twist. Illusion (sheer) backs are also very stylish and sophisticated. Long necklaces draped down the back of a plain dress can also look stunning. Sabina Motasem designs dresses with this detail and covers a number of these trends with her latest collection. www.motasem.co.uk

Photos via Wedding Bells Blog

Illusion (sheer) backs are also very stylish and sophisticated. Long necklaces draped down the back of a plain dress can also look stunning. Sabina Motasem designs dresses with this detail and covers a number of these trends with her latest collection.

Designs and Photo via Sabina Motasem

I love interesting back detail on a wedding dresses, and opted for this at my own wedding, because the back is such a focal point.  Think about the ceremony - the majority of the ceremony your guests will be looking at your back. At the reception, as you are dancing your first dance, they will also be looking at your back…get my point?

Lace 
Thanks to Kate Middleton and Grace Kelly, the lace trend is here to stay and will be everywhere next year. Lace is elegant and timeless and evokes a glamorous era from the past.
 

Photo via Enchanting Events

   
Cowl Necklines
So much inspiration came out of the Royal Wedding and no more so than Pippa Middleton's cowl neck bridesmaids dress. Badgley Mischka and Carolina Herrera are hopping on this new trend, an elegant alternative to a strapless or halter dress. Sexy and feminine, perfect for a spring or summer wedding.

Photo via Be U Weddings

Birds of a Feather

Feathers, Birds, Birdcages – you name it, Birds will be flocking everywhere next year and they make for a beautiful, natural wedding theme. Feather skirts, boleros and embellishments on gowns, shoes and bags will be very on trend for 2013.

     Photo via 3D Memoirs

 The Great Gatsby

This one is very close to my heart. Thanks to Baz Luhrmann, new fabulous life has been breathed into The Great Gatsby. It's a trend that has been around this year and is set to stay. Think pearls, slinky satin dresses, dropped waists, cute bobs, finger waves, feathers, peacocks and black and gold. My vintage dream theme come true!

Dresses: Jenny Packham. BHLDN, Jenny Packham, Shop Ruche

Photos via 3D Memoirs

Pantsuits

Traditionally, many brides on their second or third marriages - or just older brides - tend to go more towards the pantsuit. Now, it's for anyone and everyone! This sassy style recently seen at an Oscar de la Renta fashion show elegantly shows off your feminine figure, while making a strong statement at the same time. Gender roles, what gender roles?

Photo via Enchanted Events

Convertible dresses
Transforming your look from wedding dress to evening gown can be costly and time consuming, especially when you just want to enjoy your wedding day. Dresses next year are functional, smart and futuristic – with clever tailoring, zip sand hooks, turning a long elegant dress into a cute cocktail number or vice versa!

Photos via Arabia Weddings

There you have it, my Top 10 Wedding Dress Trends for 2013! Will you follow the crowd or go with your own drum? I'd love to hear which dress type you might be choosing. Leave a comment below and then join the conversation over at Facebook and Twitter!

Be bold, be brave, and be you!
Clare O’Connor - Art Deco Gal

http://artdecogal.com, Twitter @artdecogal

1950's Retro Engagement Shoot with Aimee and Jason

Love neon lights, red leather diner seats, Classic Coke and antique cars? Then have I got the couple for you! I'm super in love with this retro engagement session of deLovely Affair's guest blogger Miss Aimee and her sweetie Jason. She says "As a couple with a love for all things classic, retro and unique, we thought channeling our passion for the 1950’s would be a perfect way to encompass what the two of us are about vs. having a nice set of pictures."  I would say they accomplished both with the help of Nikki Lanoue Photography of Bridgewater, MA. 

I have a serious thing for neon lights and this shot just tickles me pink! Happy Days somehow comes to mind or maybe that classic 50's movie Grease! 

I simply love those red leather booths to go along with Aimee's fierce shoes!

Location: Fast Freddie's Diner in Hampton, NH

 These retro cars are the bee's knees over at Mantown Motors in Danvers, MA

 And then a final stroll down the boardwalk in their hometown of Newburyport.  This is an engagement shoot with all the fixin's and perfectly tailored to this one of a kind couple.

Check out Miss Aimee's post discussing her super fab 50's engagement shoot and offers tips for other brides-to-be! Thank you again to Nikki Lanoue for these amazing photos.

What ways are you owning your engagement shoot; making it stand out from the rest? Leave us a comment below - we wanna know! As always, you can find up on FACEBOOK and follow up on TWITTER.

Have a deLicious day,

Creating Cultural Wedding Invitations - Guest Post on Wed Loft

Good day de Lovelies! As you may know, in addition to this here lovely blog, I am also a guest blogger over at Wed Loft, the blog for Wedding Window. They help you create awesome websites for your upcoming wedding; check them out, seriously!

Anywhoo, I wanted to share with you my article that was posted today because it covers an important topic in wedding planning: The Invitation...AND more important: Creating Cultural Wedding Invitations. Invitations are your guests' very first look into your wedding, so make a statement and make it count!  My four best tips, use Color, Pattern/Texture, Language, Imagery and you've got a personal, meaningful wedding invitation. And at the end of the day, all weddings should be just that!

My four best tips, use Color, Pattern/Texture, Language, Imagery and you've got a personal, meaningful wedding invitation. And at the end of the day, all weddings should be just that!
Hope you enjoy this wedding invitation article and I look forward to your comments. Head over to FACEBOOK and let me know what you think. Oh yeah and EVERYONE is talking about us on TWITTER, come join the convo!

Happy Designing,

{Monday Eye Candy} Miss Aimee's Retro Engagement Session

We are super in love with this retro engagement session of deLovely Affair's guest blogger Miss Aimee and her sweetie Jason. She says "As a couple who likes to live outside the box and with a passion for all things classic, retro and unique, we thought channeling our passion for the 1950’s would be a perfect way to have our “happily ever after” photos (as we liked to call them) encompass what the two of us are about vs. having a nice set of pictures."  I would say they accomplished both with the help of Nikki Lanoue Photography out of Bridgewater. Thank you Miss Aimee for sharing this little peak with us!

Hope this makes your snowy Monday a bit sunnier...yeah I know, snow on the first day of spring.

I simply love those red leather booths to go along with Aimee's fierce shoes!

Location: Fast Freddie's Diner in Hampton, NH

 These retro cars are the bee's knees over at Mantown Motors in Danvers, MA

 And then a final stroll down the boardwalk in their hometown of Newburyport.  This is an engagement shoot with all the fixin's and perfectly tailored to this one of a kind couple.

Check back tomorrow for the first post by Miss Aimee as she discusses her super fab engagement shoot and offers tips for other brides-to-be! Thank you again to Nikki Lanoue for these amazing photos.

As always, you can find up on FACEBOOK and follow up on TWITTER.

Have a deLicious day

Guest Blogger - Miss Aimee, An Engagement Tease

So Lovlies, I want to introduce to you to the newest member to the deLovely family, a bride-to-be with sass, style and a vision all her own.  She and her sweetie are the very definition of modern day multicultural couple...they are young, cool, making their way in the world but also proud their background.  I am so excited that Miss Aimee has agreed to let us into her own wedding planning world...with all its ups and downs, joy, laughter and love.  She will be guest blogger her way to aisle and we couldn’t be more excited for her.  So without further adieu, I give you our very first Guest Blogger and a sneak peak at her out of this world engagement shoot...and seriously folks, check out those shoes....to literally die for...literally.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Hey everyone, I’m Aimee and I’m a bride to be but even more than that I am someone who was lucky enough to find their soul mate. A wedding is just one day within the many days you are about to share with your significant other, something I pride myself in remembering each and every day. Beyond that I thrive on being a bit of a domesticated diva at home and strive to always life live as I wish as opposed to the “norm” of society. I love to do anything that allows my creativity and desire to be anything but cookie cutter shine through. I treasure life for exactly what it is and look toward the potential of the future. I believe giving back to others, is more important than being the one on the receiving end. I am lucky enough to have met the person who not only exudes those same values but is one of the most selfless, caring and amazing people I have ever met.

How did you meet? Believe it or not the actual spot we first met was demolished, Goodtimes Emporium, in Somerville and is slated to soon be an Ikea. It doesn’t hurt that we both love the Swedish home products company so we will surely be back for a nostalgic visit. It was a simple meeting of the minds (and an insatiable love for live music shows) that brought us to the once live music venue to see some local bands back in 2004. And the truth is I don't remember the bands but I do recall exactly how handsome Jason looked as he walked in that night and exactly how much my heart skipped a beat when we first spoke. And as they would say, the rest is history…

How did Jason propose? That little part I am going to keep a secret, but needless to say Jason organized a little thing in my favorite little spot and of course I said yes...nuff said. Over the 7 yrs together, we have prided ourselves in being anything but the norm. When you see what others are doing, why want to be like them? Take a hold of your own life’s reigns and dare to be different! At a young age we all grow up seeing the movies where the man scatters rose petals, there is champagne and maybe some violin music rolling over the credits to some that may be romantic but to me it’s just ordinary. One of the things I love most about myself, my fiancé and my relationship is we have never been another carbon copy of what a couple is and neither was our engagement. I will say that it was something so very “us” without all of the fluff that countless couples before us have done. It was unique, original and completely encompassed the past 7 years we have been together.

Tell us about your engagement shoot: Our photographer is the amazing Nikki Lanoue. She was not only professional but a complete joy to work with. It's great to have someone working with you who not only understands your concept but has a true excitement for your vision. The shoot was basically a culmination of everything we encompass. We love to be different yet take inpisration from those before us who not only did it their own way but did what made them happy regardless of society. James Dean, Rita Hayworth, Elvis Presley, Veronica Lake were people who exuded such amazing style, confidence and originality, we had no choice but to gather our shoot inspiration from a retro point of view. We are both truly old souls who find these eras not only exciting and inspiring but truly capture the simple essence of what mattered in life, the people and the feeling. I mean just look back at those amazing Hollywood kisses many stars shared, pure passion.

So with all that, I am looking forward to keeping people on their toes. I am excited to be as non-blue print wedding as possible. For me it’s one day before the rest of your days together, so why not make it entirely original? If I’ve seen it done before, I don’t want to do it-creativity is key! And I can't wait to share it with you!

~* ~* ~* ~* 

Stay tuned because over the next week we will be featuring more of Aimee and Jason's engagement shoot! I can't wait!  You can also check our her blog When Me Becomes We , where she chronicles her life with Jason as a couple, their two story fixer upper, and what it is really like to become a WE. Not to be missed, I promise!

If you could be born into any era, which one would it be?

Remember, become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Have a deLicious day!