Sweet Memory Creations

Same Sex Marriage Cake Toppers

Studies show legalizing Gay Marriage in Washington D.C. will result in over 14,000 weddings over the course of three years, which means a boost for the local wedding industry and the overall economy.  Many small businesses, corporations, and independent contractors come together to produce a typical wedding: florist, photographer, Favors, invitations, caterer, churches, inns, hotels, limousines, reception halls, etc.  What an EASY way to stimulate the national economy!

Aside from religious and political disagreements, a Same Sex Wedding Ceremony is like any other (perhaps a bit more fabulous!).  Any couple planning to marry wants an amazing venue, a cozy reception, a talented photographer and a room full of family and friends to shower them with gifts and love.  California continues to debate Prop 8; the rights of many same sex couples hanging in the balance.  Regardless of the court’s final decision, gay and lesbian couples will continue to celebrate their love, holding meaningful ceremonies in every corner of the country, with or without the state’s blessing.

The prevailing political climate can rain on your parade of love and unity only if you let it!  You have found the person of your dreams and want to spend the rest of your lives together; is there a better reason to celebrate?  Call it a commitment ceremony, a wedding, or something else entirely—you deserve to have the party of a lifetime, with all the bells and whistles of a ‘traditional wedding’ ceremony, if you so desire.  Many people are curious and cannot help wondering about the differences between a Same Sex Wedding and a typical straight wedding.  Let’s see…

Obviously, attire will be a major point of difference.  A groom marrying a groom will most likely each sport a tuxedo.  A bride and a bride can each choose a gown, or one may prefer a fitted tuxedo.  The language used in the reading of the vows is also a noteworthy difference.  The couple can be referred to as “partners” or “spouses” as instead of “husband” and “wife”.  That’s about it.  Individuality, values, and cultural background will influence the flavor of a ceremony and guide the wedding planning more so than sexuality.

Recently, there has been an increase in services directly catering to Same Sex Weddings, as the Gay and Lesbian community is notorious for sparing no expense when it comes to having a good time at big ticket events.  Now you can find “Save the Date” Invitation Cards with same-sex illustrations of two grooms or two brides!  There are also Specialty Wedding Cake Toppers available with a groom and a groom side by side or a bride and a blushing bride.  If the free market is any indicator, Same Sex Weddings will be more commonplace in the years to come.

Autumn Magic Collection Leaf Candy Dishes

Autumn is such an intimate and lovely time of year for a wedding.  The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and fireplaces keep us warm as we gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays.  You can capture this lovely sentiment in your Fall Wedding!  With respect to the availability of your VIP guest list, planning a Fall Wedding is less likely to conflict with family vacations (an often overlooked factor).  The peaceful and poetic ambiance of the fall season can inspire and accentuate the theme of your wedding.

Securing your venue should be near the top of your Wedding Planning priorities.  The quicker you book your location the quicker you can mail invitations, hire a caterer, and plan transportation.  Since your wedding will be during the cooler months, an indoor destination is ideal.  Churches, Inns, halls, and even barns can be great locations; each with its own sense of warmth and intimacy that works wonderfully for a Fall Wedding.  A bit of ingenuity and clever decorating can turn any venue into your own personal paradise.  Dimming existing lights, or using colorful bulbs can dramatically enhance the mood of your venue; a simple yet powerful technique.

Don’t worry about the cool weather when shopping for the perfect dress; you will be indoors, so no need to compromise on account of Mother Nature. If you want outdoor pictures, have a wrap handy, or be ready to smile during your chilly photo shoot!  Consider accessorizing with gold jewelry, a beautiful compliment to the warm colors of autumn.

Talk to your bridesmaids about wearing red, yellow, orange, or maybe even brown dresses; these warm colors will look stunning against the surrounding autumn foliage.  Your wedding party pictures will be gorgeous in front of the natural backdrop of big trees and changing leaves.

Take advantage of the season’s soft beauty when considering your decorations.  The flowers you choose for your wedding should also be warm colors.  You can give your venue and reception hall that down-home, cozy feeling with strategically placed leaves, wheat stalks, and a cinnamon candle centerpiece.

A novel twist on the traditional Thanksgiving feast is a great way to kick off the holiday season.  Instead of turkey, serve a roast or quail for a succulent fall cuisine.  You can serve each of these meals with warm apple cider to complete the experience.

Finally, dazzle your guests with our thoughtful and useful Fall Wedding Favors. We offer a huge variety of Fall Theme Wedding Favors ranging from the elegant Fall Leaf Bookmark Favor to the tasteful Autumn Themed Wine Bottle Stopper.  Check out our Fall Themed Candles, Coasters, and Place Card Holders.  Personalized Photo Coaster Favors are always a smash hit because of their substantial weight and obvious utility, making them the perfect thank you gift for guests and a perfect addition to your Fall Wedding!

"Little Book of Memories" Place Card Holder/Mini Photo Album

The dress, the church, the food, the cake–even the place card holders at the guest tables were perfect–and you have it all on film!  Everybody you love was laughing and dancing and celebrating your marriage and the pictures tell the whole story: your parents on the dance floor, your new husband with a face full of wedding cake, and your friends posing hysterically.  What is the best way to keep these Wedding Photos safe and sound so you can share them with your children and grandchildren?  Take advantage of digital photography technology and online storage for your upcoming wedding. 

The internet is a great resource that can help you Preserve Your Wedding Photos.  You can email digital photos to out-of-state friends or you can create an online Wedding Photo Album that can be accessed from almost any computer!  The Online Photo Album is an excellent option because of its affordability and versatility.  Even if you had extra cash, it would be a tedious task to make and send copies of all your prints to guests.  The Online Wedding Album allows for safe storage in one central location and easy sharing.  You and your guests can relive that special day with the click of the mouse!

If you prefer printed pictures, there are ways to prevent premature deterioration of Wedding Photos.  Even if you create an album online, you will want something tangible (like a scrapbook) to pass around at family functions.  Scrapbooking lets you include physical items from your wedding (i.e. pieces of fabric, ribbon, dried flowers from the centerpieces or bouquets, etc.), adding to its sentimental value. It is VERY important to use Acid-Free glue dots, glue spray, or mounting squares to prevent deterioration of your pictures. 

You don’t need big money to build an amazing album.  Be creative, be resourceful, and remember that these memories are priceless and should be protected as such.  Because computers are not perfect, you should always keep multiple backup copies just in case something happens.  It is a good idea to save digital pictures on your hard drive as well as a CD or DVD.  If anything should happen to your printed photos, then you will still have the electronic files, and vice versa.  One day, your great, great grandchildren may look at your Wedding Album and be inspired to make one of their own, so take care in preserving those priceless moments!

Relaxing Tub Tea

You’re engaged!  Congratulations!  Now you are faced with the difficult task of Wedding Planning.  Finding a venue, a dress, a caterer, invitations, etc.  Suddenly, planning your dream wedding went from being fun and exciting to a whirlwind of overwhelming responsibilities.  This IS normal for people who want to plan their own wedding but be encouraged- it can be done!  Before you crumble under the pressure, consider some of these simple ways to manage the inevitable Wedding Planning Stress.

1. Make a simple, step-by-step to-do list.  How does one eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!  A well-organized checklist is helpful.  Every time you check off an item, you will feel a little bit better. You can’t hire a caterer before you find a venue; you can’t choose your bridesmaids’ dresses until you pick a color scheme.  Just like algebra, determining the order of operations is half the battle.
2. Next, delegate your work load and recruit some help!  Bridesmaids are not only for wearing dresses and looking pretty in your Wedding Photos!  They can tie ribbons onto Wedding Invitations, make important phone calls, run errands and take care of other tasks that will lighten your load and lessen your stress.
3. Stick to your budget!  Decreasing your expenses will decrease your stress.  Make sure you (and your helpers) shop around for lower prices, package deals, and off-season specials.  If your heart is set on a certain item or service, delegate someone to search online, hunt for bargains, and negotiate with merchants to get the best possible price.

Stress cannot be completely avoided or eliminated, but here are a few ways to cope:

• “Me time”- take an hour to unplug and enjoy book or a funny TV show.  Giving your brain an hour to relax will definitely help recharge your battery.
• Exercise- physical activity releases endorphins that will give you an increased sense of well-being, calming your nerves and giving you perspective.
• Girl’s night- A few girlfriends, some cocktails, a cheesy pizza, and a cheesy movie are just what the doctor ordered for some instant stress relief.  Surrounding yourself with positive energy and excitement will help you feel better and less stressed.  No talk of Wedding Planning allowed!

Understand that Planning Your Wedding will be stressful, but realize that you are surrounded by supportive people with helping hands.  Share the burden and remember to take it one step at a time.

Take a look at our wonderful Soap and Bath Favors, they will be sure to de-stress you and make you feel relaxed.

Sweet 16 Photo Frame

We Americans celebrate many different coming-of-age milestones during early life.  While certain cultures and religions employ their own rites of passage into adulthood, there really is no hard and fast rule that states how and when an American child becomes an adult.  Adolescence is a unique American concept, marking the years before and after puberty, but young people mature at their own pace; some minds are years ahead of their bodies and others remain childlike well into their third decade!  Your family may have its own tradition when it comes to celebrating birthdays, but a Sweet Sixteen birthday is cause for an extra special shindig, and there are plenty of ways to make it fun and exciting.

Sixteen-year-olds are not exactly adults in the eyes of the law, but in most instances they are capable of making rational decisions and are to be held reasonably responsible for their actions.  If you are debating on whether or not to have a Sweet 16 Party for your teen, it might be a good idea to ask them directly.  The social pressures of being a teenager can make Planning A Sweet Sixteen Party trickier than you might think.  What if the ‘wrong people’ show up to the party?  Or worse, what if the ‘right people’ do NOT show up?  In an effort to give your teenager the time of her life and a memory she will cherish forever, you could inadvertently give her a panic attack and a life-long aversion to parties.  Unless you are 100% confident in your guest list, Sweet 16 Party Theme, and your child’s affinity for surprises, you are probably better off asking for their input. If you have a pool and are celebrating a summer birthday, the backyard bash is always a safe bet and holding the event at home is cheaper than renting a venue.  Personalized Lollipop Favors are great because you can label these edible treats with your name and birthday as a sweet reminder of your special birthday party!

A day at the beach is popular theme that is easy to plan and fun to execute.  A Hawaiian barbeque is another good idea for an outdoor Sweet 16 Party.  Whichever theme you pick, Sweet Memory Creations has cute, clever, and affordable Party Favors that you can give your guests as a thank you for coming and a sweet reminder of the party.  You can’t go wrong with Picture Frame Favors; they are thoughtful, useful, and your guests can reuse them over and over again.  Our Personalized Sweet 16 Party Favors that can be customized especially for the birthday girl!

Cross Design Travel Candle Favors

Between mommy’s baby shower and your new bundle of joy’s first birthday lies an exciting time of milestones and development.  Baby’s first words, first steps, and other fun new beginnings are huge for the family but do not necessarily warrant a full blown party, complete with punch and pie.  A Baby Christening, however, is a religious celebration that generally takes place in the first year of life and is always followed by a gathering of friends and family.  Non-religious families may also hold similar celebrations, such as a baby-naming ceremony, as a way of formally introducing the baby to the world in the presence of family and loved ones. 

Traditional Christening Gifts include pewter, silver and china.  These delicate and classy gifts will be cherished by the child for many, many years as a keepsake that can be put on display on a mantle or in a china cabinet.  Assuming the baby has already been named (this would not be the case for a baby naming ceremony obviously) then a personalized gift would be perfect for the occasion.  Personalized Baby Christening Gifts like tins, mugs and plates make great mementos; silver cross or a pair of cuff links engraved with the baby’s name is an excellent choice for a thoughtful gift as well.

Baptisms, Christenings, and Baby Dedications are also an opportunity to honor the Godparents of the new baby.  Godparents have an important role in the life of the child, providing guidance, mentorship and a supplemental source of wisdom throughout their life.  In some cases, the Godparents can assume legal guardianship in the event that something happens to the biological parents and they are unable to care for the child. 

You will want to send all guests home with a Christening Favor to remind them of your baby’s first ceremony and to thank them for their participation.  What would be practical than this Silver Cross Design Mint Tin?  Key chains, Picture Frames, Bookmarks, and memo pads are all lovely Favors, many of which can be personalized with the name and birthday of your new baby!  Whichever ceremony you are planning for your child, religious or non-religious, Sweet Memory Creations has the Gifts and Favors that you are looking for to make your celebration a special day to remember!

Traditional Indian Wedding Cake Topper

We all remember the recent YouTube video sensation of the bridesmaids and groomsmen dancing down the aisle to a popular radio song.  While this may have not been a Traditional Wedding procession, it sure was memorable and fun and created an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance!  Weddings are a lot of hard work and it can be easy to fall into the monotonous routine wedding planning details.

Booking the venue, finding the perfect dress, choosing clever Wedding Favor, picking the right color scheme, tasting different cakes, and all of the other components that are necessary in planning any wedding can be draining and tedious.  But don’t forget that this day is yours to enjoy!  Beyond the painful details, you should be able to do things your way and maximize your enjoyment.  Even though you still need to put in the hard work of planning your wedding and be considerate of your guests, you can still make it fun and an experience that is all your own!  Your guests will end up thanking you for a break from the predictable and Traditional Wedding Ceremony.

Wedding traditions are often strongly influenced by one’s culture which may seem odd to those on the outside.  For example, Indian Wedding Traditions often include the painting of the hands and feet with henna, the same substance used for temporary tattoos.  Italian weddings often include wearing green the night before the wedding for good luck.  Asian-themed weddings often include Cherry Blossom Favors, many of which can be personalized with a special message for your guests.  Some cultures go so far as to stretch out the wedding celebration so that it lasts more than one day!

In addition to unique cultural traditions, traveling might be considered an unusual wedding tradition for some people, but commonplace to others.  Maybe you don’t want to get married in your local church or even at a nearby beach and instead found a beautiful garden in Florence where you and your future husband wish to tie the knot.  These plans may be prohibitive for some potential guests, but your close friends and family will surely make the effort and you will end up with a cozy and intimate exotic wedding.  Maybe you will even start a new Wedding Tradition for your family and future generations.  Maybe you would prefer to bring back forgotten traditions from the past.  Victorian weddings often included a small bag with bread, wood, coins, cloth, and sugar that symbolized the things you would need for a prosperous marriage and a long happy life (food, clothes, shelter, money, and of course a sweet companionship).  Although this is a relatively tame and minor tradition, it could be a special custom you could start for your family and a way to make your wedding a little more special.  Different or conflicting traditions could cause problems or create conflict, IF you let it.  Consider blending traditions to create a custom ceremony, or maybe even hold two separate ceremonies (this is also a creative way to include extended family members that would otherwise not be able to attend – if you have an east coast wedding AND a west coast wedding, then you could celebrate two anniversaries!).  Whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure that this day is perfect for the two of you.  Your wedding day is your own, so make it as fun and as untraditional (or not) as your heart desires.

Royal Carriage/Coach Design Mint Tins

You have been dreaming of this day since the moment you learned about love and weddings.  The idea of marrying the perfect man has been firmly fixed in your mind ever since you saw your first Disney movie as a little girl.  Now that you have finally found Prince Charming, he swept you off your feet, and you get to spend the rest of your life with him!  It’s a love so blissful that it can only be described as a fairytale love story.  So why not take the magic of your perfect union and translate that into a fairytale themed wedding ceremony?  Make the first day of your marriage just as magical as the day you first fell in love!  Some might think of fairy tales as fantasy or only appropriate for children, but there are many ways to plan a sophisticated fairy tale wedding that will be just as perfect as you envisioned it.  Unique Wedding Cake Toppers with fairytale figurines are essential accessories for planning the perfect fairytale wedding.

Now, it’s time for the reception and here is where you can really have fun with the fairy tale theme of your wedding.  Picture a reception area with a beautiful marble fountain in the middle of the venue.  White lights twinkling overhead while the band plays music that permeates the night air.  Finally, it is time to cut the cake.  It has three tiers and is decorated with the same soft pink rose colors that lined the isle.  Even the Unique Wedding Cake Topper is fairy tale themed.  Sweet Memory Creations had dozens of options for the perfect wedding cake topper for you from the traditional and Fashionable Bride or Groom Cake Topper  to the “Almost Perfect Frog Prince” Groom Figurine.   

This special day should reflect the beauty of your loving relationship down to every last detail.  Having a fairy tale themed wedding can be the perfect way to literally make your dreams come true.  When you look back on this day, you will know that it was the perfect beginning to your Happily Ever After.

Spring is in full swing and that means graduation season is right around the corner.  Parents and grandparents will be beaming with pride as students receive their diplomas, degrees and certificates, and many family members will be traveling long distances to share in the joy of these monumental achievements.  These milestones are precious moments that will be treasured for a lifetime and should be celebrated as such!   If you are planning an after party, Sweetmemorycreations.com is your source for Graduation Party Favors Ideas and decoration supplies.

Most will opt for an expensive restaurant shin dig, renting out a large event room and paying top dollar for every guest’s meal.  But there are plenty of other options that are more affordable and can be just as much fun, if not more.  Hosting a graduation party at your home can save you a bundle on inflated restaurant food and beverage costs while giving you the freedom to decorate as you please, creating your own unique party theme.  Our Graduation Lemonade Packets are the perfect favor on a hot summer day!  Also, just because you don’t live near the ocean doesn’t mean you can’t have a lovely Beach Theme Party!  Give your grad an unforgettable evening; and for your guests we have a nice selection of Beach Theme Party Favors that are sure to please.

Aside from getting your driver’s license and turning 18, graduating from high school and college is the most significant rite of passage in a young person’s life.  Such an accomplishment is cause for joyous celebration.  As parents, it is important to honor those special moments and give your grad a proper send off into young adulthood.  Beach Theme Party Favors like our Starfish Wine Opener, Wine Stopper Set and Bottle Opener make great gifts for college grads and parents alike.  This spring, skip the expensive restaurant party and plan an outdoor bar-b-q or pool-side get together to celebrate your grad’s special day!

Sweet Shoppe Candy Boxes

Before you bring a new life into this world, you first must be showered with love, adoration, and gifts; it is tradition!  The typical baby shower is marked by good company, refreshments, and fun activities that include games like guessing the flavor of various mystery baby food jars, baby bingo, and guess the size of mommy’s tummy using toilet paper squares as units of measurement.  While these gatherings may not be quite as wild and crazy as a bachelorette party, your guest of honor is sure to have a great time and everyone in attendance will have fond memories for years to come.  Whether you are hosting an event or helping to plan one, Sweetmemorycreations.com has Unique Baby Shower Favor ideas to help you throw a successful party.

While guests will be bringing gifts for the expectant mother and maybe even some snacks for the party, it is the host’s job to entertain.  In order to fulfill that responsibility, a good hostess will want to send everyone home with a party favor that will serve as a sort of souvenir; a keepsake that will forever remind them of the fun they had.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a goodie-bag or even one specific novelty item.  Everything from the invitations to the napkins can be personalized to serve as mementos or party favors that enhance your event, but why stop there?  Thank your guests for their attendance and support with fun, creative gifts and prizes that they will make everyone smile.  Practical Favors like compact mirrors, letter openers, and cookie cutters are great because guests will not only get a kick out them when they open them, but they will also think of your baby shower every time they use it in the future.  Picture frames, bookmarks and candles are popular favors and can be very reasonably priced.  You can put your personal touch one any of these items to create a Unique Baby Shower Favor that your guests will definitely enjoy and appreciate.  Giving a thoughtful trinket is the least you can do to show appreciation for your guests. 

We know it can be tricky planning a fun shower, and choosing the right decorations, supplies and party favors is only half the battle.  Let us help you find the perfect gift for your guests.  Whether you are looking for cute baby gift ideas, fun party decorations, or a Unique Baby Shower Favor, we have just what you need to make your day even more special.