Bridechilla™ Tip #47

Tip #47 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Keep us in your social media radar!

With a new year comes new changes. Whether you’re taking us up on date ideas with your beau or vowing to put down your iPhone more, sometimes change is all anyone needs. So, what’s new with us? Bridechilla™ has decided to begin updating our Facebook followers via Off The Beaten Path Weddings. All that means is we are taking our chill to a new Facebook platform, so that we can be more efficient and bring more chill inspiration to all of our Bridechillas. Bridechilla™ actually started with the makers behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings out of Napa Valley – so now we are simply going back to our “home” to stay. All we ask of our readers in this week’s chill tip is that you make sure you have “liked” Off The Beaten Path Weddings on Facebook. If you haven’t, you can do so here. This will help us keep in touch with you as our fans and following, and help you be in touch with us and all the inspiration we plan to bring you in 2014!

Bridechilla™ Tip #46

Tip #46 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – New year’s resolution: Go on more dates!

Remember those? Dates. Those wonderful outings where you go on a nice bike ride together, dinner, or maybe it’s one of those nights you want to spend on the couch watching the latest episode of Breaking Bad.. or Modern Family, if you’re like some of the us at Bridechilla™ and Off The Beaten Path Weddings. Being a chill bride and wife means keeping the chill alive, or romance alive, by making sure you take the time to go out on dates or at least create some free time to spend with each other, without the distractions. So let us help you out with some pre-planned date ideas, and please feel free to share your own!

January
Go ice skating, enjoy the winter wonders while they are still here.

February
Surprise each other. It wouldn’t hurt to make the date Feb. 14th either… 🙂

March
Each pick a movie on Netflix or at your local Blockbuster… get a carton of your favorite ice cream and make a night of it!

April
Use a Friday night to get some friends together and have a game night, OR go on a double date with another couple.

May
Spring is here so use the season to your advantage. Got a backyard? Plant a garden together… if you don’t have that much space, go on a wildflower trip.

June
Be active together! Going on a bike tour in the beautiful Napa Valley is always a great idea.

July
Go on a camping trip together.  Spending some time outdoors and out of cell range would be a great way to bring you and your beau closer.

August
Cook a meal together. Choose a theme like “breakfast for dinner”
or “Mediterranean Twist” to make it fun.

September
Plan a vacation or getaway for you both to look forward to the following year

November
Keep it simple! Go out to a local sports bar and watch a game together.

December
Go Christmas Tree shopping together, decorate the house together, and make it something you do together every year.

AND REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!

Bridechilla™ Tip #45

Tip #45 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Add some chill, delicious, goodness to your holiday dinner with seasonal desserts.

Just in case you haven’t seen our last Bridechilla™ Tip or our other blog posts, you must know that we are all about the seasonal touches that can be added to any event. Whether it be your wedding or a dinner party, we are here so that you can let us help you gather ideas for any function lacking that pumpkin centerpiece, apple garland, or fruit thank you favor. Because we are always watching out for ideas for our hostess bridechillas. As much as we love embellishing holiday decor with nature, we are going to talk about the FOOD today. The best part, in that case… the DESSERT.

recipes via clarY pfeiffer and ruche

As promised, each and every one of these has a small seasonal touch that we cannot help but find irresistible. If you find yourself drooling over any of them, here is where you can find the recipes so that your holiday grocery shopping lists can be ready for the holidays.

Recipe links: Blackberry + Blueberry Tart / Apple Crisp / Bourbon Pumpkin Cake / Persimmon Walnut Cake / Vegan and Gluten Free Espresso Banana Donuts

Bridechilla™ Tip #44

Tip #44 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Use one of our favorite Fall wedding design details: apples. And guess what? We’re going to help you out.

Photo via ruffled and nessa k photography

In October, we were chasing the best pumpkin design details, over Summer, we were all about the perfect ways to use produce in your wedding, and now… apples! It may not come by any surprise that we are at it again, falling in love with more farm-to-table touches. That is one of the KEY chill details from our team at Off The Beaten Path Weddings out of Napa, California.. so don’t be surprised when we discover another way nature can embellish your wedding. Now, enjoy our top 5 favorite ways to use apples in your wedding decor – some of these are REALLY chill!

via MEG SMITH AND Snippet & ink

●   APPLE GARLAND  ●  We had to start off with one of our favorites. This apple garland is just too too perfect for an orchard inspired wedding.

via ruffled and nessa k photography

●  BOBBING STATION  ●  How fun is this? Imagine how funny it would be to be watching your guests go after these… definitely a lot of laughs to be had!

via ruffled and nessa k photography

●  ESCORT CARDS  ●  Or, just use that bobbing station for good looks and let your guests find their seats with apple embellished escort cards.

via southern weddings + JEN HUANG PHOTOGRAPHY

●  ON THE TABLE  ●  Bring some color to your table by placing apples on the plates as wedding table decor, or even use them in the centerpieces!

via BEST PHOTOGRAPHY green wedding shoes

●  APPLE CIDER  ● And finally, how could we leave this stunner out? Hallow out the apples and serve hot apple cider (spiked and not spiked options, of course!) to your guests in a fun, unique way.

P.S. Need some ideas on how to keep the dudes entertained at your wedding? Check out Bridechilla™ Tip #43 for ways to get your groom and the rest of the guys having more fun on your chill day.

Bridechilla™ Tip #43

Tip #43 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Keep the guys chill too, and check out these three ways to keep men married on the chill day.

 Photo via Kyle Hale

There are plenty of astonishing ways to keep a wedding day appealing to the guests. While everyone loves to dance and hear the toasts, we must admit every wedding is dominantly entertaining mostly for the guests that are women. There are heaps of flowers to admire, cute cupcake or macaroon towers, wedding rings to gawk over, the list goes on. Meanwhile, what’s keeping the guys entertained? As a Bridechilla™, it’s important that we remember that men get married too, so let’s talk about a few little ways to keep them included on one of the chillest day of your lives.

via Off The Beaten Path Weddings

●   SCOTCH BAR  ●  Some of us at Off The Beaten Path Weddings might say this is something EVERYONE can enjoy, but we think it’s safe to say the guys will gravitate towards this rather a lot more than they would a blushing bride cocktail or a bouquet toss… so let’s let them have their fun too.

via EmmalineBride + Pinterest

Seriously, try this one out for your wedding day, the guys will not be disappointed! This also brings us to our next dude-friendly wedding treat…

via Off The Beaten Path Weddings

●  CIGAR ROLLING  ●  This was a huge hit at previous Off The Beaten Path Weddings. Nothing says wine country charm like someone rolling fresh cigars for the guys to enjoy. Feel free to keep this one a secret from your groom until the reception, it will make a great surprise gift!

via Pinterest + Off The Beaten Path Weddings, Wendy K Yalom Photography

●  PHOTO BOOTH  ●  Everyone loves a photo booth, but we all know the guys secretly love wrapping boas around their neck for a silly photo or five. You can even hire companies like the Flying Camera or simply talk to your photographer about having a photo booth at the reception for guests to take some snapshots to remember the day with.

via Off The Beaten Path Weddings, Tanja Lippert

P.S. Need some ideas on how to keep him involved in the planning process? Check out our 5 ways to get your groom to help out with wedding planning.

Bridechilla™ Tip #41

Tip #41 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Come get inspired with us on our AUTUMN PINTEREST board.

Not that anyone needs an invitation, but we’re just so full of inspiration over on Pinterest that we have to talk about it a little bit. Last year, we went nuts with Off The Beaten Path Weddings over chevron pumpkins… and to tell you all the truth, we’re still pretty much in love with them. But this year, the pumpkins just keep getting better and better.. just take a look!

Moving on to the autumn tables we’ve been swooning over. Aren’t these just gorgeous?

And this was pinned based on the pretty factor. (You know you do it too)

These pins have our stomachs growling for that Thanksgiving meal! But we still have a while to go, so let’s just use this time to get inspired and hopefully achieve a holiday table as lovely as this.

Desserts…

And the beautiful escort cards…

Last but not least – don’t we just love these Fall Harvest looks for this season? Swoon.

Happy pinning everyone! Be sure to find out where all these amazing looks cam from onn our Pinterest board: the Autumn Inspiration

Note: all photos from the inspiring people we follow on Pinterest unless otherwise specified.

Bridechilla™ Tip #40

Tip #40 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Try this for a change: embellish your wedding day with potted plants instead of fresh cut florals.

Photo by Jose Villa Photography

Happy first day of the rest of your lives together. We can think of so many reasons to try potted plants as decor opposed to fresh cut flowers, but let’s start with the obvious: they last! What says everlasting love better than florals that will live beyond the beauty of your wedding day? Bridechilla™ has already fallen in love with potted herbs and plants for thank you favors, but now we would like to offer another eco-chill alternative.

Photo by Carly Bish Photography

By having potted florals as your table centerpiece, you can open your floral options up to even the more sensitive flowers that would normally wilt when snipped from the stem. Feel free to choose potted gardenias, and let your guests enjoy the amazing aroma of a flower they normally wouldn’t be able to enjoy at any other wedding.

left photo and middle photo via pinterest, right by Jess Barfield Photography

With the cost of floral design costs, why not spend your money on something that you can take home to have for years to follow instead of just one day? Take home the potted plants and adorn your backyard, front steps, tables, coffee tables, etc. with memorabilia of your wedding day. You can even send them home with your guests!

Photo by Sloan Photographers

We can see this trend rocketing to the top very quickly. It’s simple, affordable, and full of reasons to try. What potted flower would you try for your table centerpieces?

Bridechilla™ Tip #39 – It’s a GIVEAWAY!

Tip #39 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Take this one for that furry friend of yours, and enter to win a Bridechilla Doggie-tee (it’s so easy, trust us).

Hello Bridechilla’s! You heard right! We will be choosing not ONE, but TEN lucky chill gals to win our Bridechilla™ wear made especially for dogs. This giveaway is perfect because there are only 3 easy steps to enter and if you win, your pooch won’t shiver one bit during the upcoming cold seasons. Why not give it a shot?

Top photo by Michelle Pattee + bottom three by Onelove Photography

We have countless grooms and Bridechilla’s from past Off The Beaten Path Weddings that have followed Bridechilla™ Tip #11 and have had their special furry guests attend their wedding day.

Photo by Allison Fairfield

Off The Beaten Path Weddings always welcomes dogs to the ceremony, as they are family too. We even have a Pinterest Board dedicated to our furry friends, so no surprise that we keep a product in our Bridechilla™ Store for them.

Photo by Catherine Hall Studios

Remember Anna & David’s wedding with the luscious dessert bar? You can bet they invited the furry family friends too.

Photos by Lili Dirkin

As you can see, we love our animals and so do our couples. It is important that you are responsible when bringing the chill pup to your chill day, and this infographic by SimplyBridal can help you with that. But we will help you with giving him or her something chill to wear.

Photo by What Shanni Saw

Now, here is your chance to with THE DEJA:

For the 4-legged Bridechilla supporter – organic baby rib stylishly-fitted tee manufactured by American Apparel for all sizes of dogs… and if you can get one on your cat… go for it!

• Color – Butter with Tangerine trim
• 100% organic cotton baby rib construction
• Cut to avoid doggie mess
• The Deja measures 16″ from collar to hem when laid flat.
• Shrinkage: Will shrink an average of one size when put in the dryer.
• For medium sized dogs, 30-50lbs.

We are so excited to be giving ten of our lucky Bridechilla™ fans The Deja for a little furry friend of theirs. We would love to award ten lucky anti-bridezillas this chill product, so please continue to scroll down to find out how easy it is to win… GOOD LUCK!

ENTRANTS MUST:

• Like Bridechilla’s Facebook Fan Page OR have (1) friend like the page if you are already a fan on Facebook.
• Post a photo of your chill pup on Instagram, with the hashtag #bridechillagiveaway
• Leave a comment letting us know you’ve entered and how many times. Each “Like” is an entry, and every Instagram post counts as another entry.
• It’s that easy! Good luck & please share this with all of your chill friends and brides-to-be!

BRIDECHILLA™ GIVEAWAY Contest starts Thursday, September 12th, 2013 and will be ending Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at 12PM (PST). TEN winners will be chosen using random.org. 

Winners were announced on Facebook and Instagram (@otbpw)!

Bridechilla™ Tip #38

Tip #38 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Remember the key behind a chill day is a chill team.

Lily Ann Page Photography

Anyone else up to their ears in weddings right now? Wedding season has reached it’s peak and we’re realizing how amazing it is to be working with such a chill team, that we have to share with our Bridechilla’s how much we value the staff behind Off The Beaten Path Weddings.

So far, we have celebrated one anniversary, one rehearsal dinner, five weddings, and plenty more to come. And there is not an event that goes by that we don’t feel thankful for our staff, and we must recommend this tip to our readers: having a strong, reliable, chill team will maximize the chillness of your wedding day. Make sure you have vendors you can trust with your wedding and creatives that you can connect with. Whether your wedding is designed, planned, and catered by Off The Beaten Path Weddings or another company, be sure to have a team behind the company that will deliver the chill day you deserve. Below, we have a few questions for Mary Ellen Murphy, Chief Inspiration Officer and Owner of Off The Beaten Path Weddings about having a chill team and how to find one.

What kind of qualities should a strong team have to execute an Off The Beaten Path Wedding?
Passion, a strong work ethic and desire to truly please, and a supportive attitude towards others on the team. The willingness to do whatever it takes with a smile on your face and pride in seeing the end result.  I focus on the key passion and talent of each individual team member and put them in roles where they excel..which ultimately leads to an amazing experience for the bride and groom, their families and their guests.

What advice would you offer to a Bridechilla-to-be searching for the ideal vendors?
I so strongly believe in the Team approach, that I have created my brand around that. For others putting their own team together, I would focus on putting vendors together who consistently work together. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of that.

Tell us about your favorite OTBP event so far this season and why it was so successful.
Well, hard to play favorites because you would never ask a parent who their favorite child is 🙂 Every wedding and couple is so different. However, as I am answering your question, I am still coming off of the “high” of last Saturday’s wedding in Healdsburg. My Off the Beaten Path Team-both Culinary and service were AMAZING. I often jokingly say to them, I will never give a 10 but shhhhh, they were at 10 🙂  And the wedding was a visual stunner – all because my team working together are a inspirational force!

Thank you to Mary Ellen and the OTBPW Team, we’re so grateful
for all of your hard work!

Be more on top of the Bridechilla™ Blog by being on our e-mail list! Send your e-mail to gloria{at}offthebeatenpathweddings.com to be added!

Bridechilla™ Tip #37

Tip #37 – How to be a BRIDECHILLA™ – Bring a little flare to your chill day with TEMPORARY TATTOO favors for your guests!

Photo by The Reason

We’re always glad to see brides doing new twists on the thank you favor. Some of our favorite ways to say thank you can be found on our Pinterest or in this post on using seasonal produce for favors. However, this idea has yet to show up on our radar until now. Can you say CHILL?

Photo By Joyeuse Photography

When we hear the phrase, “temporary tattoo” there’s a chance we’ll immediately think of the vending machines outside the grocery store. You know, the ones with the candy necklaces, the fake jewelry, and then there it is… the 50 cent tattoo machine abundant in some of the most horrid artwork you can find. FORTUNATELY, temporary tattoos have come a long way. For a modern temporary tat for your guests, check out Tattly.

Tattly is a temporary tattoo store for design-minded kids and kids-at-heart, they have a broad choice of artwork to choose from so that you can have a “tattoo parlor” full of options. So say goodbye to the clip-art tattoos and say hello to some chill artwork that is non-toxic, printed with vegetable-based ink, and fun for all ages. We love this temporary “Forever” tattoo (ironic, right?) for your wedding guests, or even this “Smitten” one, or a simple “YAY!“.

Photo via Bowties and Bliss

Besides, what can be better than seeing the best man after a few signature cocktails with one of your tattoos on his forehead?? Have fun with this one, Bridechillas!

Be more on top of the Bridechilla™ Blog by being on our e-mail list! Send your e-mail to gloria{at}offthebeatenpathweddings.com to be added!