Tips for Throwing a Backyard Wedding

The summer wedding bug has bitten me hard!  I've absolutely fallen in  love with all the gorgeous pictures I keep coming across of beautiful outdoor summer weddings, with rustic and shabby chic details, mason jars and repurposed furniture.  Backyard weddings are so cozy, so quaint and so sentimental.

But, planning a backyard wedding takes a lot of work - probably more work than most people realize. There are so many more things to consider when planning a backyard wedding than when planning a wedding at an indoor reception facility.  Use the article I just posted, "Practical Tips for Planning a Backyard Wedding" as a starting point when you're ready to begin planning your own backyard wedding.  View this Pinterest board to view some pictures of other backyard weddings for inspiration and ideas for your own wedding.

Hot Trends for Summer Weddings

Summer has arrived with a bang this year here on the East Coast.  Just like the old saying - "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it'll change," summer arrived well before the official first day with temperatures near 90 and high humidity.

With summer comes wedding season!  June is still the most popular month for couples to tie the knot.  As I browsed boards on Pinterest and Lover.ly, beautiful summer details can already be found in weddings.  From bold, colorful dresses, to rustic glam accents like lace, twine, burlap, plus lots of mason jars, summer wedding season is going to sizzle this year.

Read my article posted on the Top Wedding Sites blog about Summer Wedding Trends for more information on what to expect at weddings this summer, as well as how you can incorporate these details into your own wedding.  Browse through this Summer Wedding Trends Pinterest board that I created for some additional inspiration.

What other trends do you think will be hot this summer?  What unusual or unique elements do you have planned for your own wedding?  Leave your comments below.

P.S.  Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.  Thank you to all who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Mother's Day Gift Idea - Sun Jar

Is your mom the sunshine of your life?  Why not give her a little piece of the sun in Convenient Gadgets and Gifts Sun Jar for Mother's Day this year?

Mother's Day is rapidly approaching.  Don't wait until the last minute to buy mom a gift this year!  Yes, it is the thought that counts, but show mom that you put a little more thought into her gift this Mother's Day, rather than stopping on the side of the road to purchase a bunch of overpriced flowers on your way to see her.

The Sun Jar is a large mason jar, made of frosted glass with a traditional clamp lid.  It works with a rechargeable battery, a solar cell and LED lights.  Inside the jar, are two switches, one to charge the battery, and the auto on/off switch.  The Sun Jar works by soaking up sunlight during the day.  When it gets dark, the Sun Jar automatically switches on and gives off a beautiful, warm glow.  The Sun Jar also has a waterproof seal, so you can leave it outside all the time if you wish, without the weather harming it.  These are so much better than candles for outside use on your deck or patio.  Candles burn down and need replacing frequently, and can be affected by wind and weather.  Sun Jars stay lit no matter what.

The literature inside the box said The Sun Jar should stay lit approximately 5 hours after letting it charge in direct sunlight.  I tried my Sun Jar out last night and it stayed lit from 8:45pm until the sun rose this morning when it switched off - way more than 5 hours!

Not only would this make a wonderful gift for mom, they would be the perfect addition to a shabby chic or rustic wedding.  I've seen so many pictures of mason jars with candles inside, lining outdoor pathways, or gathered together on tables. Sun Jars would eliminate the need to keep checking on the candles - and prevent the fire hazards presented by candles. (Many historical venues won't even allow candles.)  Sun Jars would also make beautiful centerpieces and table accents.  Visit Convenient Gadgets & Gifts' website for more information about the Sun Jar and other great Mother's Day gift ideas.

Disclosure:  I received the Sun Jar at no cost for this review.