Summer Refreshment

As we get into the thick of summer, you might be looking for a great way to cool off. Check out these unique summer cocktails for a burst of refreshment!

P.S: If you like them, you may even consider adding it to your wedding menu as a tasty signature drink for your guests to enjoy!

Queensparke Swizzle

• 2 ounces light rum
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• .75 ounces simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
• 1 brown sugar cube
• 1 handful mint

1. Add mint into a shaker and muddle
2. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and brown sugar cube into the shaker and fill with ice
3. Shake vigorously 6 - 8 seconds
4. Strain ingredients into a glass tree-quarters full of crushed ice
5. Add bitters and top with crushed ice
6. Garnish with a mint sprig

Platino Fresco

• 2 ounces 100% blue agave tequila
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice.75 ounces simple syrup
• 3 slices cucumber
• 1 handful mint

1. Add cucumber and mint into shaker and muddle
2. Add tequila, lime juice, and simple srup into the shaker and fill with ice
3. Shake vigorously for 6 - 8 seconds
4. Strain ingredients over fresh ice in a glass (may also be served up)
5. Garnish with a cucumber slice with a mint sprig through the center

Gold & Delicious

• 2 ounces applejack brandy
• .75 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
• .75 ounces clover honey syrup

1. Add all ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice
2. Shake vigorously for 6 - 8 seconds
3. Strain ingredients into a glass
4. Garnish with a fan of apple slices

DIY Centerpieces: Floating Candles

Candles are one of the most popular items used in wedding decor. The soft lighting created by a candle's flame truly adds a touch of romance and intimacy. But rather than just using an ordinary votive or tealight candle, consider incorporating a "spiced up" floating candle into your centerpieces, on your cake table, or as decor accents. To "spice up" your candles fill a glass vase approximately half way with fresh fruit or flowers. Consider lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, and almost any type of fresh flower heads. Carefully fill the container with water, leaving about 2 inches at the top. Place your floating candle on top of the water.

Don't be afraid to get creative! There are tons of different options for filling your vases. If you are having a fall wedding, you might use colorful leaves. If you are having a winter wedding or glitz & glam decor, you might use diamonds or rhinestones. The possibilities are endless!

Give the Gift of Cocktails

If you are on Facebook (and who isn't these days), you have probably received at least one "virtual cocktail" from a friend. I know I have and I have to say it is pretty fun to pass them back and forth. But, wouldn't it be even better if they were real. Well, Patrick Ledbetter evidently felt the same way and decided to start a new website called GiveReal.com where you can give the gift of real, live cocktails to your friends. Simply select a drink for your friend (or at least a suggested drink, they get to choose their own), type in their name and email, add a personal message, and pay with a credit card. Your friend is then notified via email that they have a gift, which they can redeem at any bar, restaurant, club, or cafe that accepts credit cards. How cool is that! Now you can celebrate with your friends and family, even if they are miles away!

DIY Centerpieces: Jeweled Lamp Shades

To create a truly unique centerpiece for your guest tables, cocktail tables, or even as a decor accent for your home, simply add modern or vintage jewelry to the shade of a small lamp. Slip bracelets or necklaces over the top of the shade, using the slope of the shade to hold them in place. Or...you can attach mix-and-match clip earrings around the edges. This is an inexpensive way to transform a plain, ordinary accessory into something original and fabulous!

Raise the Cake

Are you looking for something besides the good 'ol, traditional silver cake stand to show off your wedding cake? Check out Raise the Cake, a new company that designs custom cake stands to match your wedding decor. There are several pre-designed options, from modern to glitzy to fun and funky. Or...you can set up a consultation to have a stand custom designed to your exact wants and needs. This is a great way to express your personality and really make your wedding cake stand out!

A Happy Couple: Lisa & John

Lisa & John

February 14, 2009

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to work with this terrific couple! Lisa & John are such fun, caring, easy going, happy people and definitely 100% in love. I adored their relationship and the special way that they looked at each other...especially on their wedding day.

Lisa & John chose "the day of love" to celebrate their marriage, which seemed to be very fitting. The ceremony was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, where a close friend and pastor performed their service. Their palette of cherry red and baby pink created a very beautiful reception at Glassworks. The soft candlelight that surrounded the centerpieces added the perfect touch of romance. A breakfast buffet was served, complete with made-to-order omelets. After dinner, guests enjoyed mini wedding cakes topped with fresh fruit and edible flowers, as well as their signature drink, a Washington Apple Martini.

Lisa & John had a perfect day. The weather might have been a little chilly, but the rain held off, and (thankfully) there was no snow to be seen. Thank you to Lisa & John for allowing me to be a part of your special day and to all of the wonderful vendors who helped to make it a success!

The Perfect Palette

You just have to check out The Perfect Palette blog! I came across this fabulous site while browsing the internet and absolutely love it. They have creative ideas and photos for virtually every color palette and combination. It is a great way to visualize how your color selections will look on your wedding day. And if you are torn between a few options or don't have a clue what you want, this site can definitely help you make an informed decision. The possibilities are endless!

Unique Guest Books

Oh yes...the infamous wedding guest book. Almost every couple that I work with asks this question: What can we do with our guest book besides just having a list of signatures? Many couples today are deciding to move away from the traditional "autograph book" and are in search of something that will be more fun and entertaining to look back at and that will truly capture memories of their special day. 

There are numerous fun and creative options out there, one being a scrapbook style album from the Guestbook Store. Each guest is given their own page where they can write wishes for the bride and groom, stories about the couple, how they are acquainted, where they traveled from, and even draw their own pictures. After the wedding, you simply place all of your guests' pages into your album. It makes for a great keepsake and will be much more fun to look at down the road than a list of autographs.

The Guestbook Store has over fifty different album designs to choose from and numerous different page layouts (both formal and casual) so that you can create a book to reflect your tastes and personality. Check it out online at www.guestbookstore.com.

Check back for more fun and unique guest book ideas!

Spring Craft: Graduation Gift Box

Graduation is right around the corner! If you have a friend or relative graduating this year, consider making your own unique gift box. This miniature cap has a secret compartment to hold a small gift or money. It is simple and fun to make and is sure to be a big hit at the party!

GRADUATION GIFT BOX

Supplies:

1. 4" square piece of cardboard

2. 2.75" diameter round cardboard box

3. Acrylic paints in red and black (or other desired color combinations)

4. Flat and round paint brushes

5. Paper fastener

6. Thick white craft glue

7. Ice pick

8. Black tassel

9. Fine liner brush

Directions:

Paint the square piece of cardboard and round cardboard box red or other desired color. Let dry. Paint a second coat if needed. Paint the Paint the lid black inside and out. Let dry. Paint the head of the paper fastener black. Let dry.

Glue the top of the lid to the center of the painted cardboard square. Using an ice pick, pierce a small hole in top center of lid, through both the glued square and the lid.

Insert the painted fastener through lid from the outside to inside. Loop a small black tassel around the head of the fastener. Press firmly in place and spread metal fasteners apart to hold in place.

Finish the round box by painting stripes or dots. Paint black stripes with a fine liner brush. Paint dots by dipping the handle end of a paintbrush into paint and dotting onto the surface.

Gown Preservation

Probably one of the last things you are thinking about during your wedding planning process is how to care for your gown AFTER the wedding. Thankfully, Slate NYC is making it easier for brides to make these arrangements. They are offering the first world-wide dress cleaning and preservation service. Simply go online to www.slatenyc.com, enter your location, dress designer, retail value, and description, and you will be given an instant quote (including shipping). Once your order is placed you will receive a prepaid, insured garment box to ship your gown in. It will be returned to you, ready to be stored, in about 2 weeks. You can also track minute-by-minute progress of your order online. At least one thing on your list just got a little bit easier!