what I love: cake toppers

I have a treat for you! This Wednesday, I've invited Invited's lead day-of coordinator, Annie Oudom, here to share what she loves this week! So, Annie, take it away!

Happy, happy, Wednesday everyone! 

I have a few friends that are getting married this year, and they all know how much I live and breathe weddings. One of the infamous questions they always ask is: "What should I do for a cake topper?" My answer to any wedding question is: "The possibilities are endless! But what is it that YOU love?"

There have been so many unique wedding cake toppers that I have seen in my day! Some I question... but nearly all of them I absolutely love. Not only are they unique but I adore the fact that they represent the bride and groom. Whether it's traditional or something a bit wacky, it should really highlight you - as the bride, and your fiance - as the groom. After all, this day is all about the both of you, right?!

We have come a long way since these classic cake toppers:

Although classic is nice and traditional, and nice and... err... ok a bit on the boring side for my liking, I can definitely appreciate them! I've spent a lot of time on Pinterest, either searching for ideas for my own (future!) wedding, or helping out friends decide on what would best suit them for their cake 

Here are some of my favorites:

Cake toppers that resemble the bride and groom

How incredibly cute is this?? I love the fact that the toppers have details of the bride and groom down to a T.

Just flowers
I absolutely love this. The cake looks so dainty and so pretty that I don't even want to eat it! Using flowers as a topper adds a great touch to the cake because it isn't too overpowering.

Monogrammed cake toppers
I also do like using monograms for cake toppers. I'm sure you have seen monograms with the bride and grooms initials of their first name with their last name initial in the center. Or, like the picture above, just using the initial of the last name. What I also love about this particular monogram topper is the bling. I do love my bling. There are just some things I can't deny.

Hello Kitty!
This cake topper speaks for itself. Everyone needs some Hello Kitty in their life, right?!

So loves, what are some unique ideas you have for cake toppers?

what I love: 2013 - Big Things!

Hello lovelies, and happy 2013! (I know I'm SUPER late to the bandwagon on that whole happy new year thing, but please forgive me! We've been busy.)

Speaking of busy, we've marked some major milestones in the last few months here at Invited! To begin, we've officially opened our LA office, and Pavaune (that's me!) gets to spearhead that office. I'm a California native, so it's kind of like a little homecoming. Needless to say, I'm thrilled! Our LA clients seem to be pretty ecstatic too!

So I'm pretty sure you're wondering... who's running the DC office?!  That's the even more exciting news! Ruby Dichirico joined the Invited team last year, and she's heading the DC office. She's absolutely unbelievable. With more than 100 weddings under her belt, all of you DMV brides will absolutely be in the best hands!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

What's more?! Annie Oudom, who's been with Invited as one of our fabulous assistants for about 2 years now, has been promoted. She is now a day-of coordinator! After 2 years of experiencing all the ups and downs that DC weddings could throw at her, she's ready to take on wedding days as the head honcho!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

Finally, we were lucky enough to have Leo Druker photograph us for all-new company head shots. It was an incredibly fun time shooting with him, and now we can speak firsthand as to how at ease he makes his clients feel! I'm beyond thrilled by the shots that came of it, so thank you Leo!

photo credit: Leo Druker Photography

Needless to say, we have some very big things in store for 2013 - from coast to coast!

what I love: brunch weddings

I am back in the mix of things after last week's wisdom teeth emergency and today's what I love feature is just as fun as last week's frozen yogurt trend... brunch weddings!

As a wedding planner, I get asked constantly for cost-saving tips, and one I like to suggest that couples often forget to consider is brunch weddings!

Photo credit: Stefan Sisters

I love brunch weddings because breakfast food is so diverse! From Belgian waffles to eggs benedict there's something to satisfy everyone's morning appetites! There are also a number of ways to get creative with breakfast foods! Check out this bacon, displayed perfectly for a rustic, laid-back event:

Photo credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs via Jennifer on Pinterest

Keep in mind, bacon in a jar, like a lot of other ideas on some of the most fabulous wedding blogs is too far "out there" for some, and I like to encourage brides to not get too carried away with ideas they garner from styled wedding shoots (as they often don't reflect real weddings), but you can be creative! Like with this doughnut cake for example!

Photo credit: Bronze Budget Bride via Pinterest

A traditional wedding cake can cost an upwards of $500, but Krispy Kreme donughts are as inexpensive as $9 per dozen! That's a huge cost savings, if you ask me!

May I also suggest heading to some of DC's bottomless brunch spots to get the creative juices flowing? Yes, please!! You know how we love our brunches here in the District!
Here's a quick list of my personal faves:

Includes Unlimited Mimosa
Saturdays

Masa 14 - an Asian flare

Beacon - big, bright, and beautiful

The Getaway - in Columbia Heights

Scion - patio seating available (Spring is upon us! Let's get outside!)

Sundays

Ping Pong - til 4:00 pm
W Hotel  - rooftop seating available!
Ardeo - til 3:00 pm with unlimited champagne, not just mimosas!
Smith Commons H Street - also with a rooftop patio

Vinoteca - bottomless kir royale, bellinis, and mimosas

Not Unlimited Mimosa, but Great Food

Birch & Barley - til 5:00 pm

Founding Farmers - yum!

Belga Café - small, but classy
Blue Duck Tavern - has a brand new patio!

Firefly - gluten-free menu available

Now, of course, brunch doesn't automatically equal an inexpensive wedding! For any restaurant with a delicious brunch menu and a private function space, I'd certainly recommend calling and pricing out a full wedding reception and seeing how they can work with you and your budget. Nonetheless, I think it's so very important to realize that there are definitely a lot of local choices for this type of reception!

What do you think of brunch weddings? It is certainly what I love this week!

Check out more breakfast wedding ideas right here.