Isn’t there something special about setting a beautiful table? Arranging fresh flowers, using beautiful linens, displaying food on ornate serving platters… A special occasion like a bridal shower really isn’t complete without a beautiful table setting.

One element that can elevate a lovely table is candlelight – whether it’s with rustic lanterns or delicate flickering votives, the glow of candlelight can make any event feel magical.

Lanterns are the perfect touch to complete a rustic table setting. Mini lanterns cast a warm glow, and they make the perfect favor for guests to take home!

Tealight holders can be sprinkled along the table for a subtle glow, or used in groupings for a big impact. These dainty accessories are the perfect accent for an elegant table display. Even an ordinary wine glass can be elevated with the addition of a tealight and vellum shade. Tuck them between low floral arrangements for height and sparkle.

Happy planning!

Everyone will be all smiles at your wedding, but it might not just be because of your love—we would like to think that our cheese-inspired wedding favours had a bit to do with that, as well.  Taking one look at these useful, practical utensils in our signature stand-out packaging, your guests cannot help but smile.  No matter what theme you are planning for your sentimental shindig, there is a totally complementary favour for your special day.

Italian
Mama Mia!  Have we got a favour for you!  Ready to help guests slice their favorite pizza pie—with extra cheese, I am sure—this fun wedding favour is perfect for casual weddings, pizza lovers or for families of Italian decent.  Packaged in a mini pizza box, there is just no topping this stainless steel slicer.  With each roll of the cutter, guests will be reminded that “love” makes the world go round!

Eco-Friendly
Have a heart for the earth? Give a heart from the earth!  A small gesture that can make a big impact on your guests—and the earth, this heart-shaped cheese board is made of eco-friendly bamboo and is just the right size for parties or personal use.  Add a bit of brie and a glass of wine, and your guests will be in for a smashing evening at home.

Royal Wedding
Presenting your own “coat of arms,” this elegant fleur-de-lis spreader will make your guests feel like royalty!  Sleek, sophisticated and full of style, this cherished symbol of nobility can grace your tables—and the tables of your guests at home.  Ready to spread appreciative sentiments all over the place, it is a great way to help create a royal wedding of your own.

Wine
Not just for wine enthusiasts, a wine-themed wedding is a delightful way to celebrate your love.  Name each table at the reception after a different type of wine and add these Vintage Reserve spreaders as a unique wedding favour.  Perfectly suited for the theme, the cork handle is classic!  Guests will use it often for wine and cheese socials, jams and all sorts of delicious treats.  Uncork the possibilities with this fabulous favour.

Hen Party
Although the wedding is the main focus, it is not the only event.  One highly anticipated event leading up to the wedding is the hen party.  Since smiles are sure to abound with your fun gathering of the girls, including this grater in their welcome bags or as a thank-you gift will give them one more reason to “say cheese!”  Featuring a beautiful bride wearing a “grate” gown, she’s one of a kind, just like you.

Happy Planning!

Great news, girls! You called for more glamour and personalisation, and we’ve responded. Kate Aspen announces the 2011 Collection to add the little touches to weddings, showers and all of life’s special moments!  And wait until you see what we have for bridesmaids!

Feast your eyes on “The Kensington” Collection for bridesmaids—five coordinating gifts in stunning ivory and black, featuring a classic damask design. The ruffled apron and oven mitt come as a set, and you can mix-and-match with the cosmetic travel bag, the reversible tote and the tumbler. Oh, yes–these beauties can be personalised! There are some bridesmaids out there who don’t know how lucky they are yet!

Trend-setting is always in style at Kate Aspen. Take your pick of these delightful new designs—stylish and practical! Gold is making a comeback, and our gorgeous “Golden Brocade” Photo Coasters reflect the trend. Just as glamorous are the “Chandelier” Frosted-Glass Tealight Holder and the eye-catching “Chandelier” Mirrored-Glass Coasters.

The coasters go right along with everyone’s growing passion for entertaining and travel—wonderful inspiration for our favour artisans, who designed the “Traveltini” Martini Luggage Tag, the “Martinis & Manicures” Four-Piece Stainless-Steel Manicure Set, the “Oh, So Cosmopolitan!” Reversible Recipe Coaster, and the “Vintage Reserve” Wine Bottle Tealight.

We’re still going places with several new additions to our collection of French-themed favours.  Tres magnifique are “La Tour Eiffel” Chrome Bottle Stopper, “La Tour Eiffel” Chrome Bottle Opener, the Fleur-de-Lis Scented Soap, the Fleur-de-Lis Stainless-Steel Spreader and the Fleur-de Lis Openwork-Metal Bookmark. What a lovely way to say merci and au revoir to your guests!

Our brides asked for more personalised favours and more incredible edible favours, and Kate Aspen answered with a yummy array of personalized options, like our “Bottoms Up!” Cosmopolitan Cocktail Mix, “Sweet Send-Off” Favor Jars, mouthwatering “Meant to Bee” Gourmet Clover Honey and “Spread the Love” Gourmet Strawberry Jam. The favor jars, honey and jam are also available as baby shower favours!

For the eco-conscious bride and host, here are two terrific bamboo favours. You’re going to love this “Tastefully Yours” Heart-Shaped Bamboo Cheese Board and Spreader. Planet-friendly practicality, right? And picture this bamboo work of art—the “Breezy Bamboo” Bamboo Photo Frame/Place Card Holder. Did you know bamboo symbolizes, among other things, longevity and flexibility—two very important attributes of a happy marriage?

And for one of life’s other sweet celebrations, we’ve got you covered! Kate Aspen’s 2011 adorable, imaginative baby shower favours include the “Baby On the Block” Alphabet-Blocks Stainless-Steel Spreader, “Li’l Scribbles” Baby Notepads, “Gimme Some Sugar” Sugar Tongs, “Baby Announce-mints” Mint Tins and more. We also added to our “Cute as a Button” collection—with a frosted glass tealight holder and round photo frame.

This was just a sneak peak at the 2011 collection, so please check out our new arrivals and be inspired!

Happy planning!

Amanda’s first bridal shower was a family affair.  Friends and relatives from both sides of the aisle gathered in Raleigh to celebrate her upcoming wedding in a traditional fashion, sort of.  Lovely ladies in lovely dresses gathered  around a table filled with lovely, tasty tidbits, all lured to the gathering by this delightful invitation, handmade with loving care by Sue.  Exquisite touch, no?

Tiers of cucumber tea sandwiches, fresh fruits luciously displayed in a carved melon, tangy homemade lemon bars just like ma’am used to bake awaited the honoured guests. A little sweet, a little savory – the time-honoured recipe for a perfect afternoon party, when served, of course, with a deliciously festive punch.

Amanda’s favourite teapot, her Grandmother’s vintage finest, was filled to the brim with lovely freesia and hydrangea from the garden.

Guests all rallied ’round to watch Amanda unwrap delightful and practical treasures for her new life as Mrs. Edwards.

Auntie Della would have simply loved it.  Auntie Della, you see, was a delightful, high-spirited and independent woman who loved to travel, having touched every single continent in the the world, including Antartica. She so loved her little nieces (Amanda and her sister, Julia, seen below.)

Auntie Della  passed away several years ago.   However… Auntie Della did have one favourite dress she wore to every special occasion ever – teas, weddings, funerals, and what not.  It was Auntie Della’s dress-up dress, and she looked absolutely lovely in it. When Amanda and her sister Julia were wee little things, they openly admired Auntie Della’s dressy dress at a family gathering.  Auntie Della, duly flattered, left it to them in her will. (really)

So we’re delighted to report that Auntie Della really was there, at least in spirit, along with 30 years’ history of beautifully framed photos of her, in the dress, enjoying other family celebrations.

Next week, as we get closer to Amanda’s Big Day (and Mark’s, seriously Mark – we aren’t forgetting you here…), we’re going to a Stock the Bar party!

And did we mention the honeymoon at Hotel ME Barcelona?  So much more on that later – so much!

Happy planning!

Start your own wedding favour traditions with Kate Aspen favours for your treasured wedding guests…