Lil Carb Cauliflower Mash

Here we are again!  The holidays are upon us. How exciting!!! I feel like this time comes faster and faster every year. I have made it my main focus over the past 3 years to be thankful as much as I can and not wait until Thanksgiving or even Thankful Thursdays instead, I try my hardest to be positive every day and to be thankful and grateful every day.  It has changed my life!  The best way to learn how to get on this thinking wavelength is the book The Power by Rhonda Byrne. I have talked about her and her book before but I can't stress enough how much it truly changed my life!  Check it out! ha. OK I'm done talking about her book again! ... for today! lol

Thanksgiving makes me think of a full belly and a happy smile and a nap.  There are so many carbs on the Thanksgiving table between potatoes and bread and stuffing and so much sugar from the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce and all the desserts that last year being Jason and I's first year going low carb- it was more than difficult. So this year I'm going prepared! I am going to my mother in-law, Vera's house this year and I plan on bringing the zucchini gratin I made last week and posted about here and I'm also going to bring a switch up on one of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes- mashed potatoes!  But I make it with cauliflower and I bet most people wouldn't even taste the difference- you might like it better! Now that we are eating lower carb I actually prefer cauliflower mash.  Potatoes always made my stomach feel too full - don't get me wrong potatoes taste like a gift from Heaven they are SO yummy! But for some reason the starch just makes me extra full even after eating only a little bit.  That's where cauliflower mash is perfect because it satisfies the  mashed potato craving but it's a totally low carb recipe! I love going to a family get together and bringing a low carb dish and having everyone love it!  Who knew that eating healthy could taste so good?!

Zucchini Gratin!  Get the recipe from my previous blog post!

Even better- this recipe is super simple with an ingredient that I bet no one will guess and its very versatile.  Hint: the secret ingredient was told to me by a friend that puts it in his mashed potatoes and everyone loves them so I tried it and it works for cauliflower as well as potatoes!

Cauliflower Mash:
1 Head Cauliflower cut into medium florets
2-3 Tbsp Mayonnaise (I use Hellmans regular mayo) SURPRISE secret ingredient!
2 Tbsp Butter or more depending on what you like!
Salt and Pepper to taste

I steam the cauliflower for 4 minutes then add it right to my food processor with the rest of the ingredients and pulse until the cauliflower is the constancy of mashed potatoes, takes about 20 seconds.  Taste and then add more salt, pepper, mayo or butter depending on personal preference.  Cauliflower heads can range in size so start on the low end of the mayo, butter, salt and pepper, and taste as you go.

Here's a tip- If you make this and your main dish isn't ready yet I just put the lid on the food processor and it will keep it warm for about 30 minutes. Pulse right before you serve and it will warm it through.

This base recipe can go in so many directions! I listed a few of my favorites here:
Cheddar Mash- Jasons fav!
Add 1/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese and stir into the warm, already pulsed mixture and top with 4 slices of chopped crispy bacon.

Garlic Mash (my fav!!!!):
Add half a head of roasted garlic to food processor and pulse and add other half of roasted garlic head and stir in. 1/2 flavor and 1/2 chunks of garlic ha!

Chive and Sour Cream Mash-
Substitute the mayo for sour cream and increase the amount to 3-4 Tbsp then top with 3 Tbsp chopped chives!

My Asiago chicken served with red pepper spiced cauliflower and garlic cauliflower mash!
Recipe for the whole meal to come soon! 

The possibilities are endless!  In fact I still haven't decided which kind I'm going to bring on Thanksgiving this year but what I do know is that adding being thankful into my everyday routine made me realize and remember that life is precious and there are so many things to be thankful for!  Start now and continue through next week and on into the New Year- be thankful every day! Treat every day like it's Thanksgiving :)

Wedding Wednesday- Honoring the Memory of Loved Ones

As I started planning my wedding there was a very important person that I knew would not be able to attend in person. This person was a detrimental part of my special day but he was only able to be there in spirit. This person is my Dad and he passed away in September, 2011.  Today would have been my parents 31st wedding anniversary - almost as if on purpose today is Wedding Wednesday and I would like to dedicate it to my parents :) I would also like to share what I did to honor my Dad and keep his spirit alive at my wedding.

Leading up to the wedding day, in my car I would listen to the various songs that I had chose to narrate my wedding day.  I would encourage every bride to do this- its a great way to creatively visualize the day.  I listened to the song for the bridesmaids walking down the aisle, my song for walking down the aisle, the song Jason was going to dance with his mother to, etc.  Every time I felt tears welling up. In my heart I knew my Dad was with me then and even on the day of the wedding I know he was there partying with all of us and crazy enough when I heard those songs on the day of the wedding, I did not shed one tear!  I have balled my eyes out at weddings in the past few years so I was sure I was going to break down on my day but I didn't.  This made my happy because I knew he was there and giving me positive energy.  What a great feeling!
There were many things that I had to decide on because my father wasn't going to be present on my wedding day.  I'm going to share my decisions with you and maybe help make a what could be a painful situation a lil better.

Walking Down The Aisle

The first thing that crossed my mind was- how was I going to walk down the aisle?  I pondered the thought of someone else walking me but decided against it.  I wasn't comfortable with any other male figure taking the place of my father so I opted to walk down the aisle alone. It was very serene and I would recommend it to anyone if they are having thoughts of uncertainty.  I was nervous about tripping over my dress and making sure I was smiling enough and of course the walk down the aisle which I started above my guests and walked around a balcony and then down a grand staircase- but it went by like a blur!  If you can believe it ha! The adrenaline that I had pumping through my veins got me down the aisle without even a tear.

Because my dad wasn't physically there walking me down the aisle I wanted to do something where he was with me... this was difficult because I really had no idea what I wanted to do but one day I was on Etsy and I found a lovely woman who makes glass charms of pictures that can be taped or attached to your shoes and then in fact your loved ones can be with you while walking down the aisle.  I can't tell you how happy I was to have found her!  She did an amazing job!!! I would recommend her to anyone. What a unique way to celebrate someones life.
Heres the link to her Etsy Store.

The front of both charms

Back of one charm, quote from the show Phantom of the Opera- Christine sings about her father who has passed away- beautiful song and lyric, perfectly describes my thoughts.

Back of the second charm with my wedding date

Father Daughter Dance

This was my 2nd thought.  There was a song that I knew for years was going to be the song that I would choose and for a lil while I decided to skip the dance all together but then my mom said I really should do the dance with someone. I decided to dance with my husband.  I'm so glad I chose to have the dance a part of the wedding.
Another decision I was happy about was that typically the mother-son and father-daughter dance are done right at the start of the reception.  I wanted to wait and not cram everything into the first 20 minutes of the reception so we did those dances about an hour and a half into the reception.  I loved how it broke up the night.  Plus it got people back into the ballroom and back out onto the dance floor.  Our venue was spacious and allowed guests to be upstairs, on balconies, outside on the porch, as well as in the ballroom so it helped to rope everyone back in for all the events of the night.

My Something Blue

I wanted to follow tradition and have something old, new, borrowed, and blue.  My Dad was a retired member of the New Jersey State Police and I wanted to honor him in a unique way. I used a patch from one of his uniforms and had it sewn into the bottom layer of my dress as my "something blue".  I had thought of that idea very early on in planning when on Pinterest I found a pin where a girl had a piece of her dads blue uniform sewn into her dress.  I just thought it was such a thoughtful idea and made for great pictures. The NJ State Police triangle is yellow and navy blue so it was perfect for my something blue!  My seamstress that altered my dress did it effortlessly and said she loved the idea!  If you think about it there are endless ideas of things that you can get sewn into your dress or your husbands tux- even if its just pinned into the rented tux.  Definitely something to think about including.

Including Dad During the Reception

Besides dancing with Jason in honor of my dad I also had my Uncle Steve give a toast at the beginning of the reception and I asked if he would announce a moment of silence for my Dad.  I really enjoyed this moment because in the middle of the most hectic day of my life, I was able to take a breath and say a few words in my head to my Dad and it made me instantly happy with a huge grin. Although leading up to the wedding I thought at this point I would cry but - still no tears!

In memory of my Dad I had an area set up as a small memorial- lucky for me there was a large chest in the entry way of the ballroom that everyone would pass multiple times throughout the night.  I set up a few votive candles on top of it that I had embellished with lace and a large candle that I had lit before the ceremony even started so that it was his candle that burned through the night- I now keep that candle in my living room by his picture. I also had included his State Police hat and a framed photo of him. When I ordered the charms for my shoes she included an extra set of charms!  Which was perfect because I wanted to display the charms in this area. I went looking online for something that I could use for them to hang from.  I found a jewelry "tree" that was a silver upside down calla lilly (my wedding flowers!).  It was really perfect. In a frame that I found at Michaels I had a sign made with the quote that says: "Because someone we love is in heaven, a little piece of heaven is with us today."  I thought that perfectly explained my feelings. 

I thought this area had just enough to make it into its own memorial space. I was very excited with how it came out.  

There are so many ways to honor guests that have passed away.  There are endless ideas on Etsy, Pinterest, and even just searching through wedding blogs. I'm really proud of what I did to honor my dad and I think he would be proud too.  Remember its your wedding- you can make up the rules as you go and do what makes you happy :)

~Love you Dad XO~

Meatballs n Sauce!

What a way to start the week! Here in New Jersey it was what most would call a dreary day filled with rain clouds.  To me I would say it was a great day! - I have always enjoyed rainy days. There's a sort of comfort that eminates from them. I enjoy a sunny day just as much as the next girl but with rainy days they just make me want to listen to Sinatra and smile. Rainy days take me to my happy place :) I couldn't wait to get home today to climb into Jason's big sweatshirt and cuddle on the couch- which is right where I am now!

A rainy day and a sunny day arn't positive and negative- they are only what we make them. Instead of thinking of rainy days as sad or depressing look for the positive in them.

When I was planning my menu for the week yesterday I decided to make a batch of my tomato sauce so I could make more than one meal this week using it! And WOW did it come out good!  On Sundays I love to try new recipes or experiment with old ones- it's the perfect time to just get lost in my thoughts in the kitchen.  To start off my menu I made homemade tomato sauce and meatballs served with hot Italian sausage for Sundays dinner.  It was magnificent! Even though we are eating low carb we don't sacrifice flavor. The only thing we sacrifice is garlic bread and pasta *sad face* - but it is still such a yummy dinner!

I started out making the sauce.  I added olive oil to a stock pot and browned up onions and garlic until they were translucent and wafting beautiful smells throughout my kitchen- I don't know if there is a better smell than that of onions and garlic sautéing - call me crazy... to that I add in some red wine to flavor the onions.  I used old trusty Cabernet.  I let that cook down a lil before I add in the chicken stock.  Bring that to a simmer and reduce it by half. This takes about 5 minutes.

Next I add in 3 cans of tomatoes. You can use any combination of crushed and diced tomatoes. I especially like the canned tomatoes that include other spices.  I have combined them in a tons of different ways and the sauce always comes out perfect.

*Olive Oil Story*
We were out to eat on Saturday and at the restaurant we were at they had a little sign saying they sold olive oil from Greece- we asked the bartender and found out the owner was greek and has family in Greece that made olive oil and they shipped some here to sell at their restaurant! $5 a jar and if you bring the jar back they refill it for $4- not a bad deal at all and lovely olive oil!!
Keep your eyes open you never know what you will find!

Today I used 2 cans of crushed and 1 can of diced tomatoes. To counteract the tomato's acid I add in 2 packets of Truvia.  Stir this well.

I am a Hart so of course I need heart measuring spoons!

Next I added some additional seasonings. Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, a bay leaf, Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese. If you don't have the cheeses do not worry- they were in my fridge so I added them just for an extra salty bite.  If you want a spicier sauce here is where I add in crushed red pepper. I added in 2 tsp and it is perfectly spicy.  This mixture gets brought back up to a simmer and cooked for an hour.

Now at this point I usually just let it sit on the stove and hang out until it's ready to be gobbled up but into the kitchen walks my hubby and he stirs the sauce and says he feels like really smooth sauce instead of chunky so all I did was take out the bay leaf and used my emersion blender and blended it until it was really smooth.  If I would have known I could have just used all crushed tomato instead of chunky but it all worked out in the end! You can adapt this sauce recipe to your liking as well whether you want a chunky sauce or a smooth sauce, spicy or mild, etc. And if you change your mind in the middle just blend it together ha!

Blended sauce Mmmm!!

Now on to the meatballs!  I went back to the stove and into my cast iron skillet I sautéed onion and garlic in butter until it was soft and translucent. Then I added it to my meatball-mixing-bowl to cool.  I am not going to clean the pan I just used because I am going to cook my meatballs in the skillet to brown the outside before finishing them in the oven- just to give them that extra bit of flavor.

Once the onions and garlic have cooled a little I added in Italian seasoning, 1 pound of ground beef, 2 eggs, panko bread crumbs, whole wheat bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and pepper.  I add in the ground beef last and mix all of the other ingredients well together so that when I add in the meat I don't have to over mix it to get all of the ingredients combined.

Then I heat up the cast iron skillet again and form the meatballs into balls and cook on as many sides as I can brown before adding them into the oven to finish cooking- I can usually get 3 sides browned.  At this point I also cooked the sausage in the oven too making sure to poke a few holes into each link.

Side 1

Flip for side 2

The infamous side 3 I was talking about!

Into the oven they go!

While the meatballs and sausage are finishing cooking in the oven and the sauce is simmering away on the stove I make my "pasta" aka spaghetti squash.  I can't say enough good things about spaghetti squash and how it satisfies my pasta craving!  I poke a bunch of knife holes in it- being really careful of course- and then pop it into the microwave.  For a medium sized spaghetti squash I will do 4 minutes on high then flip it over and microwave another 4 minutes. Once its done I remove it with oven mitts on each hand and keep them on while I cut it open and scoop out the seeds- or you could be a normal person and let it cool down- at this point I'm too hungry to wait!  Then using a fork its really easy to rake out the flesh to resemble noodles!  I plop it right onto the plate and add the sauce right on top- never would miss the pasta!

SAUCE:
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp butter
7 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
3 Tbsp red wine
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
3- 28oz cans crushed or diced tomato
2 packets of truvia 
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Romano cheese

Heat up a stock pot over medium heat, add butter and olive oil and sauté the garlic and onions about 4 minutes until soft and translucent.  Add in the red wine to deglaze and flavor the onion and garlic.  Let reduce down for about 2 minutes.  Then add the chicken stock and bring back up to a simmer and reduce this down for about 5 minutes. Add in the cans of tomato and stir well to combine.  Next add in the spices and the Truvia and stir again.  The cheese as well as the crushed red pepper are optional but will add spice and give a nice cheesy flavor- if you are using them add now!  If you have a parmesan rind that also flavors sauce well!  Once all ingredients are combined simmer for at least an hour stirring occasionally.  After the ingredients start to simmer I usually lower the heat so it is just at a low bubble. Otherwise it splatters everywhere - for me at least!

MEATBALLS:
1-2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, diced small
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef
2 eggs
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup panko 
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Sauté the onion and garlic in about 2 tbsp butter on medium heat. Cook about 5 minutes until onions are soft.  Put into bowl that will be used for mixing meatballs. Do not clean skillet- meatballs will cook in it very soon.  Once the onion and garlic mixture has cooled slightly mix in the Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper. Next add in the 2 eggs.  Mix well so all ingredients are combined. Add in the Parmesan and bread crumbs. This should look like a thin paste- this helps so when we add in the meat you don't have to over mix- so add in the meat and get in there with clean hands and mix until combined.  Put skillet back on the stove on medium-medium high heat.  Add in about 2 Tbsp olive oil and form the meatballs and drop them right into the hot skillet.  Turn them once and then if theres a 3rd side you can balance the meatball on then brown that side too. Once all sides are brown stick them into the oven and cook another 10-15 minutes. This is for medium sized meatballs. Golf ball sized if you will- if yours are smaller or bigger the cooking time will need to be adjusted. 

Once they are ready add them to the top of the glorious spaghetti squash pile and cover in plenty of tomato sauce :)  I also baked hot Italian sausage with this meal and it was fantastic!  Cover in parmesan cheese or if you're like my husband serve cottage cheese along side topped with a little sauce---- I've never heard of it either but he has to have cottage cheese every time we eat anything with tomato sauce- too cute.

Now that Sunday dinner has come and gone I am left with the rest of the dinners for the week:

• Teriyaki chicken and broccoli stir fry served with Sriracha cauliflower
• Garlic and rosemary marinated pork tenderloin served with lemon and pepper asparagus spears
• Asiago mushroom chicken breasts served with zucchini gratin (yes I am making it again lol)
• Meatloaf served with lemon parsley cauliflower
• Chicken parmesan roll ups served with sautéed eggplant and homemade tomato sauce

More recipes to share! And more great food to look forward to this week!

lil carb Sausage & Pumpkin Soup

250 calories and 6 net carbs per serving!

Watch me cook this soup!

What's better than a warm bowl of homemade soup on a fall day?! What's better than a bowl of warm pumpkin soup on a fall day?! What's that you say- Pumpkin doesn't sound too appealing in a soup??  If you thought that then you would get along with my husband.  When I put my menu up on the fridge and he read "Sausage and Pumpkin Soup" his nose scrunched up and he said "I don't think I'll like that".  Little did he know that I know him more than he knows himself and I knew he would love this soup ha! And so will you because it is super hearty and packs so much flavor and I love the way the pumpkin thickens the soup but doesn't add the raw pumpkin flavor you are probably picturing.

*UPDATE: I just made this soup because of a craving I was having- don't judge me. It's April and I originally made this soup in October but it's delicious any time of the year!


lil carb Sausage & Pumpkin Soup- 6 servings
1 Tbsp olive oil
16 oz hot Italian sausage, casings removed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 15 oz can of pumpkin**
1 package of mushroom 6-10 oz- any kind you like, chopped
4 cups chicken stock
2 Tbsp red wine
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1 cup of heavy cream
Chopped scallions, for garnish
Mozzarella, for garnish

Heat oil in cast iron stock or soup pot over medium high heat, brown sausage and drain.  Add in garlic and onion and cook until onion is translucent- about 2 minutes. Deglaze pot with the red wine and scrape brown bits of sausage from the bottom of the pot.  Then add in mushrooms and cook another 2 minutes.  Then add in all the spices and stir well to incorporate. *Next, pause and take in the wonderful smells in your kitchen* Add in the chicken stock and mix well. Then add in the can of pumpkin and stir well again. Simmer for 25 minutes stirring occasionally.
After soup has simmered for 25 minutes add in the heavy cream, stir well and let simmer another 15-20 minutes.
Garnish the warm soup with a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese and a few scallions.

Yum yum, this soup will warm your lil hart! Such wonderful flavors!  It really is the perfect fall -or any time you feel like- soup!

**When buying canned pumpkin I like to buy organic pumpkin puree. The one my store carries is low carb, but just check your labels. Stay away from cans that say "Pumpkin Pie Filling", they will be high carb and very sweet!

!HAPPY OCTOBER!

Wedding Wednesday- The Bridal Party

Whats next in importance after choosing your groom or bride?  Choosing your wedding party!  For some reason when I was thinking of writing this post I kept picturing the end of 27 Dresses and all of the bridesmaids at Katherine Heigels characters wedding haha!

27 Dresses- Great movie to watch if you are planning a wedding!

When choosing your bridal party there is a lot to consider.  For some people they might want to keep the bridal party very small with just a maid of honor and a best man. Other people want multiple bridesmaids and groomsman along with a flower girl, ring bearer, family dog, etc. It's totally up to each couples preference. I even like when the parties are uneven.  Sometimes the bride and groom don't have an equal amount of people on each side. I think its so cute when walking back down the aisle a girl has a groomsman on each arm or vice versus.  What I learned from planning my wedding is that you can do whatever you want, you can have 10 people in your bridal party or 2, or none! You can have 5 bridesmaids and 7 groomsman. Who cares?! It's your wedding and when it comes down to it I would much rather have extra people in the bridal party then leave someone out because it made the numbers uneven.

Jason and I chose to have 4 bridesmaids and 5 groomsman, and 1 maid of honor.  If you are trying to decide who will be maid of honor there is always the option of having a maid of honor and a matron of honor. (Maid is unmarried and matron is married) If the groom wants to have 2 best men or none- just do it! No one is going to question it and if they do who cares because its your wedding! ha

There are some important things to consider when picking a bridal party:

• If you look back at your photos in 20 years will you still be in contact with the people in your bridal party. Some people might not care about this question but to be honest it was something that crossed my mind.  In fact, everyone in my bridal party is a member of our family. Cousins, cousin-in-laws, sisters, brothers, brother- in-law... they are all people who will be in our lives forever. Actually there was one groomsman who wasn't in our immediate family but him and Jason have a bro-mance that I know will never end so it's pretty much the same thing. 
• When choosing the size of the bridal party make sure you make limo/car rental reservations that will accommodate all the members. Getting bigger limos or more than one can be costly.  Figuring that into the budget before hand will help keep within your budget.
• Make sure before you book your hair and makeup team for the big day you get a head count of how many girls will need these services. Remember Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom, Flower Girls, and sometimes Grandmothers are also included in this time of the day so make sure that there are enough hairdressers and makeup artists to get the job done in time. Check to see if it will cost more money to have extra hands working on your bridal party and triple check the time needed to get everyone done.  If you are traveling to a salon make sure you give yourself ample time to get everyone done and then time to get back to the ceremony location and time to get dressed.  This tip is very important because it could dictate if you are late on the day of your wedding which is not a good thing.  As with everything on your wedding day- if you give yourself enough time to plan everything you will be fine!
• Depending on the place of your reception you will most likely be given a bridal suite and a groomsman suite- make sure to double check with the venue/ceremony location that the allotted rooms will be able to accommodate the size of your bridal party. Most brides might not think of this but some rooms for getting ready are very small- definitely something to think about. 
• Just like limos can eat into your budget remember that it is customary to get the bridal party gifts before the wedding as a way to say thank you for being in the wedding. This is often an over site when making a wedding budget but if you have 10 people in the bridal party that is  10 people who need gifts. You might not know now what your gift to everyone is going to be as you're planning but factor that into the budget for the size of your party.  Most bridal party gifts that I found were cheap and in-personable so I went out of my way to find practical items that my party would use and not just something generic from a wedding website.  That took lots of work but it was totally worth it! 

Since we are talking about bridal party gifts I decided to show you what Jason and I gave our bridal party!  Maybe it will give you some ideas for your own gifts- remember you don't need to order something cheesy from a wedding website, there are plenty of websites like Etsy and even Amazon were you can find gifts that you can tailor to your bridal party. You don't even need to give everyone the same thing- we didn't!  Check it out:

This is some of the gifts as I displayed them at the rehearsal luncheon that we had for the bridal party. 

The Girls

I did bags for each bridesmaid, my maid of honor, my mother, and Jasons mother. 

For my gifts for the girls I made them each up a tote bag with their first initial and how they were a part of my wedding- I had myself a 'Bride' one made with blue thread to match the maid of honor and that was the only bag i used on my honeymoon! I also bought them the earrings I wanted them to wear in the wedding and I customized tube top dresses that I wanted them to wear on the day of the wedding! I love those dresses and I wear them all summer long so when I was trying to decide what to get my girls to wear I thought of this one day and knew this is what I wanted! Unfortunately no where online customizes and sells these dresses so I had to get creative.  I bought the dresses on Amazon and then took them to a local shop to get them embroidered. They all came out amazing and I got myself a white one that said Bride on it!  That is what everyone wore while getting ready on the day of the wedding- it made for some gorgeous pictures of the bridal party! My sister Lizzy was Maid of honor and her favorite color is blue so I used blue for her accent colors and bright pink for everyone elses. I also included a personalized card to each girl thanking them for being a part of my special day.

My sister Theresa's gifts

For my mom and Jason's mom I wanted to do something similar to the bridesmaids but not exactly the same.

I had pink robes customized with their initial for them to wear while we were getting ready and I also had them personalized totes made. For their gift I had glass jewelry dishes made with their initials. I also wrote them a personalized letter thanking them for everything.

The Guys:

For the guys Jason wanted to get them something fun so he found a metal flask/cigar holder/ zippo lighter.  He had all their initials engraved into it as well!  The bullet you see on the gift is actually a bottle opener and it is engraved with each guys last name! We got one for Jason's dad too! These were a big hit with the guys. 

For Jasons dad we got him 2 beer mugs engraved with his initials and for Jason's one groomsman who doesn't drink we got him a leather bag with his last name engraved into the leather. 

Everyone loved the gifts we gave! It took a little extra time and searching to get it all right but since I had given myself plenty of time to do it I was never stressed!  The gifts are only one small part of the wedding but they go hand in hand with picking your wedding party- once you have a wedding date set its never too early to search and order gifts for the bridal party.

___________________________________

Once we chose our bridal party we wanted to ask them to be in the wedding in a unique way. For the bridesmaids I had hangers made and mailed them with a card asking them to be in my wedding!  For the guys I handmade cards asking them! It doesn't have to be anything crazy but when you put thought and effort into the little things people really appreciate it. I also think the gifts really got everyone excited for the wedding! Plus the cigars in the guys cards came full circle when they were given another in their gifts at the rehearsal dinner before the wedding!  

Close up of the bridesmaid hanger

Card front for the girls

Card inside

Hard to see but I had a white one with Maid of Honor customized for my sister, the rest were dark wood with Bridesmaid

The guys cards front and back! Ha this couldn't be more true- good thing Jason lets me do whatever I want ha!