Still Deciding On Favors? Consider Thistle Farms For Your Wedding!

 At the ABG Sex and the City II party last summer, I first learned about Thistle Farms and their amazing work. At that point, I had already picked some edible favors for our guests but was totally intrigued by the idea of favors that support charity.

I was contacted by Carolyn at Thistle Farms to introduce me to their mission and ask that I do a blog feature here on Big Spoon Little Spoon. However, if you follow other Nashville bridal bloggers and newlyweds, you probably already know all about them through Louise at The Thirty Something Bride. Her feature from last year puts anything I can write here to shame.

Thistle Farms is a Nashville-based non-profit organization which has great wedding options that are earth-friendly, budget-conscious and support a great cause!

The hand made items are created by women who have survived lives of violence, prostitution and addiction.  Purchases of Thistle Farms products directly benefit the women who make them.  They have recently come up with some bridal-specific ideas including gift baskets full of our handmade bath and body products, perfect for brides to give to their bridesmaids or coordinators to give to their brides.  For more information about our custom bridal product, visit their website.

When you incorporate Thistle Farms into your wedding, you are showing others your belief in the power of love by personally helping women who are on the road to healing.

Now that you know all about them and their wonderful work and products, go check them out at a variety of places around Nashville, such as the Frist Center gift store, Fire Finch, Ten Thousand Villages and Wedding 101.

Budget Review: Food, Cake & Favors

Catering

Down South Delights

Contact: Rita Rowland

{photo courtesy of DSD - thank you, Rita!}

What We Got

Six hors 'd oeuvres on beautiful serving dishes; choice of two beverages; all cutlery, plates & napkins; back of house staff & complimentary cake cutting

$2100

Deposit

{required to book your date & applied to your balance}

$100

Total Cost: $2100*
 *This total does not include gratuity
______________________________

 Alcohol

There wasn't any! We had a dry reception. It was a personal choice based on the budget, proclivities of our family & friends and the shortness of the reception itself.

 Total Cost: $0.00
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Cake

Hermitage Bakery

{another photo courtesy of DSD}

What We Got
3 tier wedding cake with cream cheese butter cream icing
{two traditional white tiers and one chocolate; 
included ribbon decoration}

$167 (plus tax)

Delivery
{Our wedding was on a Sunday, thus additional charge on delivery}

$50

Cake Accessories
Cake stand, monogram cake topper and cake bling
{purchased or made by yours truly}

$48

Total Cost: $289.51
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Candy Buffet Favors

 {shot before the jars were filled, but it's all I got at the moment - thanks MIL!}

Candy

We purchased way more candy that was used. Thank goodness our coordinator didn't open all of it - smart lady! I returned half of what I purchased to Sam's Club.

(1) 56 oz bags of classic M&MS
(1) 56 oz bags of classic Hershey's Kisses
(1) 44 oz bags of Reese's Pieces
(1) 54 oz bags of original flavor Skittles
(1) 6 lb bags of gummy bears
(1) 290 ct tub of soft peppermints

Accessories & Favor Bags
100 favor bags with hand-stamped "thank you" tags and tiny spoons

 {I did not include the apothecary jars purchased. They've become household decor or sold.}

Total Cost: $70.62 
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Total Food, Cake & Favor Costs: $2850.13

I Want Candy

via Pier 1

I know many of you out there are sick of seeing candy buffets ... well, tough! We're having one! A mini-one! Big Spoon and I decided on our engagement trip that because we both love candy so much, we would do a candy buffet that would double as guest favors.

I love photographs of candy buffets that are color coordinated. I don't love them enough to seek out color coordinated candies for ours, however. It's hard enough deciding on candy types, budget, buying jars and actually purchasing the candy to worry about it matching ... not to mention, it's much more expensive to color coordinate than not. Our colors are black, ivory and rich fall flowers. We're getting married close-ish to Halloween, so we're just going to have a multi-colored, mini-candy buffet. 

I bought 100 ivory organza drawstring bags at 50% off during one of Hobby Lobby's sales and at the Crafts & Cocktails party, my wonderful friends and MOH hand sewed on a "thank you" tag and tiny spoon to each one. Our wedding guests can then fill the bags with candy to take home with them.

With the help of my coordinator Margaret, this Project Wedding post, a nifty little calculator and research, research, research ... I managed to buy the candy we need for the buffet for under budget at Sam's Club. 

Part of the problem with ordering the candy online now is that almost every vendor suggested "chilled shipping" or worse, didn't offer it. Essentially, they were asking me to pay extra for shipping supplies to ensure it wouldn't melt or take the chance of it melting. Thing is, it might melt anyway! Um, no.

Obviously, we incurred a small markup at Sam's Club in order to not pay for or worry about chilled shipping and the extras the online websites tack on. It made more sense to drive to Sam's and pick the candy out myself.

I estimated 0.3 - 0.4 lbs of candy per guest for 100 guests. I purchased 48.25 pounds of candy, six types:

(3) 56 oz bags of classic M&MS
(3) 56 oz bags of classic Hershey's Kisses
(2) 44 oz bags of Reese's Pieces
(2) 54 oz bags of original flavor Skittles
(2) 6 lb bags of gummy bears
(1) 290 ct tub of soft peppermints

If you add in the apothecary jars, favor bags, tiny spoons and candy costs, the total comes out to approximately $160.00 or $1.60 per guest. However, I do plan to sell or use the jars as decoration after the wedding, so do they really count? Wink, wink.

100 Tiny Spoons

I don't think I have to explain. I couldn't resist 100 tiny spoons when I found them on eBay. My intention is to design "thank you" tags for our candy favor bags and tie a little spoon to each of them.

But, what happens to my baby spoons when they go home with people? I'm not sure I can bear to see them go.