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Ask Casa: Garden Gifts For Wedded Friends?

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:30:12 -0700

Hi Casa,

My friends just got married, and even though I attended their wedding (gorgeous, by the way!), I still haven't given them their gift. I feel a little guilty about it, but I just couldn't imagine getting them a cheese grater or a set of pillow shams from their registry. I want to get them something a little more unique. So, when they told me at the wedding that they'd recently decided to start a garden at their home, and basically were starting from scratch, I knew that I wanted to get them something to help them in their gardening dreams. They're starting a big gardening project upon return from their honeymoon, so I'd love to have my gift waiting for them. Do you have any ideas for reasonably priced, cool, and unusual garden gifts?

Thanks in advance,
Mosspink

To see my suggestions, read more

Hi Mosspink,

No worries about not getting your friends their gift before the wedding - after all, even if Emily Post disapproves, most people won't fault you if it takes you up to a year to get them a gift. I've found some out-of-the-ordinary ideas for gardening gifts. My first thought was to find some unusual item from the San Francisco-based store (and website) Paxton Gate. You have to call in your order, but with cool items like Hori Hori Digging Knives and Slovakian Watering Cans, I think it's worth the minor hassle.

Since you want their gift waiting for them by the time they get back from their honeymoon, another idea is to find a local nursery and order specific, interesting plants for them for their garden. Try native perennials, which will be easier to care for in the long run, or opt for an intriguing mixture of heirloom vegetable seeds.

I've also rounded up some beautiful garden items from ShopStyle, including bird feeders and fountains. I hope one of these inspires you! Whatever you get, I'm sure your newly wedded friends will love your thoughtful gift.

Good luck in your search,
Casa

Lily Rain Chain & Copper Basin - $119.00	Welcome Rock Boot Scraper - $19.99
Mini Blossom Hummingbird Feeder, Red - $29.00	Tall Copper Birdbath - $179.00
Aidan Gray Rusted Urns - $39.00	Embossed Terra Cotta Planters - $24.99
Citronella Candlepots/Stands - $2.95	Blue Egg Birdhouse - $59.00
Garden Composter - $70.00	Indoor/Outdoor Small Paper Lantern String Lights (Set of 10) - $9.99
Nightingale Lantern - $18.00	Hip Haven Retro Bullet Planter - $100.00
Tranquility Wind Sculpture - $55.00	Capiz Windchimes - $12.99
Galvanized Planter - $14.95	Go Zero Plant-a-Tree Charitable Contribution & Certificate - $2.00
Solar Island Fountain - $79.00	Lighthouse Bottle Lantern - $75.00
Small Orb Spreadable Trellises, Set of 2 - $33.00	Honeycomb Lantern, White round - $15.00
Terracotta Bird House - $80.00	Kamani Wood Mushroom, Large - $59.00
Galvanized Thermometer - $39.00	Chalkboard Storage Trugs - $10.00
Copper Pots, Square - $1.00	Waspinator - $30.00
Galvanized Flower Bucket - $35.00	Titanium Garden Seat - $149.95
Perch! - Birdfeeder - $84.00	Wood-Handle Pruning Shears (Set of 2) - $70.00
Forged Watering Nozzles (Set of 2) - $70.00	Small Rubber Tubs (Set of 6) - $320.00
Kadota Fig Plant - $98.00	Wall Mounted Bird House - $80.00
The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden - $20.00	The Green Book - $12.95

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Steal of the Day: Glass Tealights With Garden Stakes

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:45 -0700

Ready to throw a garden party? With this set of Glass Tealights and Garden Stakes (originally $59.99, on sale for $29.99), your garden will be the hit of an evening party, as the glass tea lights gently illuminate its blossoms and greenery.

This set includes 12 powder-coated black metal stakes that are almost three feet high, and different colored glass tea light cups. They'd also look lovely illuminating a walkway at an evening wedding or reception. For extra garden party glamour, consider planting some moonflower seeds, which will bloom at night. Can't you imagine the night-blooming flowers twining up the garden stakes?

Engagement Party: Garden Games

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

There are so many parties leading up to a wedding, but they all need not be formal, sit-down affairs. I propose (pun intended!) a garden party to celebrate your upcoming marriage. This way you can play games instead of just standing around drinking glass of champagne after glass of champagne trying to make small talk with your future aunt-in-law's third husband.

These simple lawn games are a great way for guests from the different parts of both of your lives to mix and mingle.

Bocce Ball: Lawn bowling fits in perfectly at a garden party. You can hone your aim and skill as you try to hit the pallina. Here are the rules to bocce ball, so you can be prepared for your next match.
Badminton: Anyone can play badminton and it is sure to cause a bunch of belly laughs as folks hop around trying to hit the slow floating birdie.
Croquet: One thing I love about croquet is that you can easily play the game wearing a skirt. Remember Heathers? Here are the rules of croquet if you need a refresher course.
Volleyball: Kick the action up a notch or two with a volleyball game or tournament. Since volleyball is more athletic than the other games mentioned, you should definitely include information on your invites that the game will be played and the guests interested in playing should bring appropriate attire.

Do you have a favorite garden party game? Share it in the comments section below.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

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Ten Floral Dresses for a Garden Wedding

FabSugarUK — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:00:57 -0700

As the days are longer and sunshine finally breaks through the rain clouds, I'm sure you have a wedding or two to attend. As it can be stressful choosing something appropriate to wear to a garden wedding, I thought I would help you out by selecting ten floral dresses for you to peruse. Click through to see ten of the best options for a range of budgets.

View Slideshow ›

Cool Idea: A Haunted Wedding

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:29 -0700

After I wrote my post about California haunted houses, one of my Sugar friends emailed me to say that she'd actually gotten married in one of them!

She writes, "I got married at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg. It’s such a beautiful old house, and the grounds are absolutely breathtaking. The main house is the part that’s supposed to be haunted, and I have to admit, it is a little creepy. It’s charming and old-fashioned, full of gorgeous antiques, but it absolutely feels like a haunted house. We held our ceremony in the gardens, our reception on the patio, and stayed in a carriage house behind the main building, so we pretty much avoided the potentially haunted areas entirely (and that wasn’t an accident)!"

Have you ever attended a wedding in a haunted home, or someplace that was rumored to house spirits? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

Photo courtesy Kristyn Stroble Photography

Très Bizarre: Wedding at Wal-Mart!

TresSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Hanging flower baskets and seasonal foliage sound like elements of a beautiful wedding setting. They're also part of Wal-Mart's lawn and garden department. One couple, Robert Vickrey and Crystal Newsome, decided that they might as well get married at Wal-Mart's in-store garden!

The newlyweds, who both work at Wal-Mart, didn't mind being in the store on their day off. Crystal, the deli manager, met Robert, the grocery department manager, on the job. They were also happy to share their special day with both family and co-workers.

Perhaps Wal-Mart will soon get into the wedding-hosting business. They already have plenty of aisles!

How-To: Throw a Garden Bridal Shower

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:15:54 -0700

My lovely sister recently threw me a garden bridal shower. She knew that I wanted a low-key, simple affair that focused on my friends, and with that in mind, she came up with the concept of a garden tea party. This casual affair was a fun, backyard gathering that my sis made elegant with her decorating choices and signature style.

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Wedding Season Continues, It's Time For Planning Mania

PopSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:55:00 -0700

Hey there brides-to-be, it's time to move beyond the newly-engaged bliss and get down to some serious planning. This week we are going to help you kick things off with Wedding Planning Mania!

Start by getting organized with Savvy's Wedding Planning Checklist and have some fun choosing your registry with Casa's Registry Roundup and our Downloadable Registry Guide. Thinking about a destination wedding? Check out these helpful tips from destination wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss. Geek has some helpful tips on how to choose a photographer, videographer and more, while Fit reminds you how to stay healthy during this stressful time with her Dos and Don'ts of Healthy Wedding Planning.

Not planning a wedding, but still want in on the fun? No worries, we have plenty for you as well! FabUK has rounded up Ten Floral Dresses for a Garden Wedding and check out Pop's Couples We'd Love to See Engaged!

We have lots more where those came from, check out all of our wedding coverage here!

Fit and Fun Engagement Parties

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Weddings call for many celebrations, but all those parties don't need to be formal affairs. There are many fun ways for you to celebrate your engagement and bring guests together without having to stress about seating arrangements. Here are a few of my ideas for healthy and fun engagement parties.

Garden party: In my mind, a garden party is just a little more formal than a BBQ, but games are a featured activity nonetheless. You can play badminton and croquet. The Italian lawn game bocce ball is a fun way to engage (pun intended) guests of all ages. I also like that the Italian word for kiss, bacio, sounds a lot like bocce - it adds a romantic twist to the game.

Healthy cooking class: Many chefs, restaurants, and catering companies offer hands-on cooking classes, where every guest gets to play chef. Guests are placed into small groups to prepare different dishes. At the end of the class, you all sit down to eat the feast you created. Many of these schools allow you to participate in planning the menu, so you can opt for healthier fare.

See my third idea when you read more.

Square dance: How long has it been since you have been to a square dance? Not only does a square dance offer the perfect opportunity to wear your fave cowboy boots, but you will also burn some serious calories while you do-si-do. This is a great way for everyone to mingle.

Need more wedding inspiration? Check out all of the Sugar network’s wedding coverage here.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:08 -0700

Check out Caroline Lubbers' dreamy home.- Design*Sponge
Let's talk greenwashing.- Daily Danny
Buy furniture for you and match it to Fido's.- Shelterrific
Explore some smart ideas for decorating a nursery.- Making it Lovely
Create an elegant, kid-friendly garden.- AT:SF
Would you welcome a tattooed table to your home? - PointClickHome
Make your own wedding invitations.- Craft