Think of anything you’d like– candy bars, ice cream sundaes, even rice crispy treats– and then take it to the next level! Here are some ideas that your sweet tooth (and your inner child) are sure to go crazy for.

Whatever the Weather…

The time of year is one easy way to pick a desert.  Banana splits (or in this case a a roasted plantain topped with coconut ice cream, dulce de leche syrup, and toasted coconut) for a yummy summer treat. For spring time, individual cupcakes topped with sugar flowers are a sweet ending to your wedding meal. Espresso is an elegant way to warm your guests up before sending them out into the winter night (especially one like this, sprinkled with edible gold leaf and spiked with hot chocolate and vanilla-infused liqueur). Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

Not Just For Kids…

Your favorite childhood treat has a newer, chic-er cousin. Here we’ve got nuggets of Rice Krispies Treats sprinkled with hazelnut praline and surrounded by crème fraîche.  If Jell-O is what you fancy, try jelly with green tea and mint, garnished with kiwi and lemon peel. Crackerjack fan? Try the grown-up version made from caramel corn and vanilla cola sorbet with crème anglaise and sponge cake layers. Yum!! Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

It’s all in the Presentation

Even the simplest of ideas can be dressed up in a way that makes it stand out from the crowd.  Below, the humble honeydew is given a new look with sprigs of fresh oregano and a stylish margarita glass. If pecan pie is where your heart lies, you will love these mini-chocolate bourbon pecan pies, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce! Are you thinking cheesecake? How about a petite cheesecake (mini things are always fun) served with crème fraîche, fresh berries and mint! Photos & ideas from Brides.com.

Can’t go Wrong with Candy

Depending on your style, your candy selection can be glamorous enough for even the most upscale affair, or familiar for your casual event. For something impressive (and organic!) try these sugared jelly candies (called “vellies”) made from vegetables, fruits and herbs. Your guests can indulge their sweet tooth with an assortment of candies in old-fashioned jars or contemporary displays. Choose your favorite colors and types, from jelly beans and candied fruit to rock candy and M&M’s!

When trying to come up with the perfect ending to your wedding dinner, The Knot has some great  ideas to think about that might provide your inspiration:

• A special dessert at  your favorite restaurant.
• A regional specialty that symbolizes where you live/ grew up.
• Your favorite childhood candies or candy bar.
• Your favorite comfort food.
• A delicious discovery you made while traveling.
• Something from your ethnic background.

For a gallery of even more gorgeous, mouth-watering wedding dessert ideas, click here to visit Brides.com!

The Valentine’s Day tradition started in the early 1700s, and for centuries it was celebrated with an exchange of handwritten notes and handmade tokens of affection.  (You can thank the Victorians for today’s Valentine’s Day style—they liked their paper goodies dolled up with lavish images of lovebirds, cupids, and flowers!)   When printing technology began to improve, mass-produced cards become the norm. But if your local drugstore’s offerings fall short of your grand expectations, you can opt to create handmade Valentine’s Day gifts and greetings that are truly authentic, and won’t fail in the romance department either.

Wikipedia says that lovers have traditionally expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines“).  So whether you chose something edible, grow-able, or save-able, your loved one will sure to delight in the sweetness of your hand-made tokens of love.  Below, Brides.com asked eight of their favorite designers to share their best ideas for homemade valentines.

DIY Moleskine “Top 10″ Photo Album

v

Turn an ordinary blank sketchbook into a romantic photo keepsake.

• Read our directions

Fondant “I Heart U” Pops

Pastry chef Melody Brandon shows us how to transform ordinary donut holes into a special treat.

• Get the instructions

Sweets for My Sweet!

Baker Naomi Henderson shares a simple tutorial on decorating with fondant to create cute cupcakes.

• Read it here

Matchbook Scrapbook

The design mavens behind Nice Package explain how to make a custom scrapbook for Valentine’s Day.

• See how here

“Love Grows” Bulb Garden

Studio Choo presents a stylish Valentine’s Day centerpiece that you can easily make at home.

• Learn how to create them here

Simple Mason Jar Arrangement

Event designer Megan Fickling demonstrates how to turn supermarket staples into clever centerpieces.

• Read the instructions

Paper Punch Valentine

Stationery designer Sally Shim gives the how-to’s for an easy DIY valentine.

• Get the directions

Candy Matchboxes

Stationery designer Brooke Reynolds shows us how to turn matchboxes into sweet candy containers.

• Read the how-tos here

Do you have a favorite homemade Valentine idea? Please share it with us!!

Invitations: The first whiff of fall comes to your guests in the mail. Decorate Save-the-Date cards and invitations with vines, leaves, scroll work, and flourishes for ultimate autumn elegance.

A gold leaf seal on the envelope or a sprinkling of colorful silk leaves when they open the invitation is a pretty touch!

Decorating ideas: Glittering maple leaves will help give your reception a magical autumn look, whether displayed on a wall or as part of your centerpieces. A unity candle or bridal bouquet wrapped in gold satin ribbon is pretty and sophisticated, especially trimmed with bows and pearls. And what do you think about those precious flower girls scattering baskets of autumn leaves or dried flowers instead of rose petals?  This taupe rhinestone basket will be just the thing!

Centerpieces and Table Decor: A simple vase of flowers surrounded by red and gold flower petals becomes a lovely tribute to fall’s beauty.  To wake things up even more, use eye-popping table linens in orange or crimson. You can also engage the stunning contrast of dark green tablecloths and bright flowers and accessories. Incorporate maple leaf garlands, pumpkins, fruits, tree branches, and of course fall-colored flowers such as yellow sunflowers and red roses. If you want to go with a fall harvest theme, use baskets overflowing with flowers, fruits, gourds, pumpkins, and berries.

Bouquets and flowers: Speaking of flowers, there are so many glorious options to chose from! Gerbera daisies and roses in autumn colors, calla lilies, dahlias, sunflowers, mimosa, delphinium, gladioli, bouvardia, orchids, birds of paradise. Intertwine these flowers with fruits, berries, ivy, grasses or twigs and finish off with soft ribbons or metallic accessories for a look that’s unique and gorgeous!

Wedding cakes and cupcakes: For a final taste of fall sweetness, decorate your cake with colorful frosting, ribbons, and scroll work, adorned with candied flowers, leaves, acorns, and berries.

Here are some gorgeous wedding cupcake ideas. I love the elegance of this cream and brown combination:

Get colorful and try a fun mix of colors like these pink and green-iced cupcakes:

You can keep it simple…

or you can really dress em up!

OOOH! Look at awesome blue snowflake cupcakes! (Perfect for that winter wonderland wedding!)

And these pretty rose cupcakes:

Add a delicate touch with these gorgeous
Filigree Cupcake Wrappers: