Cocktail Napkins

It seems my clients are loving the 'Did you Know' Cocktail Napkin idea. Some people say personalized cocktail napkins are not being done so much. My clients love them - I think the standard name and date thing is out but lets think outside the box a little.

Erika's mother gave me the tips - it was a surprise for the couple.
We had the pink offered with champagne, the turquoise at the bar and lastly the white at the raw bar.

Guests really enjoyed the tips and got to know the couple a little better. Another inexpensive way to personalize your wedding.

Tip of the Day

Reminder:

Before you print your programs please have your officiant, priest or minister review it.
He or She will make sure the order is correct.

I would hate to have 200 beautiful tied programs that had wrong information....

Details

I am so excited for this weekends wedding - I always get excited the week before a wedding, especially if it is a full service client. I have been working with Erika and Matt for over a year. There are so many details and I am busy this week preparing.

It did get me thinking - most brides have no idea what goes into the last minute planning of their event. They don't know what is required until they have to do it. If they don't have a planner to guide them through this process it can be overwhelming.

For example I just faxed over a room layout to the country club - it shows table layout, what linen goes on what table (we have 4 different colors), what the table # is (we have pictures of the couple in front of the # around NY), how many people are at each table, the color of the lights around the room and what (out of 3) centerpiece goes on what table. It also shows where the string trio will play, where the band is to set up and where the Frank Sinatra impersonator will be.

I have also sent the same layout to the florist-Phoebe's and Eventions-the lighting company.

The good thing is Erika doesn't have to worry about this. I have it covered! Unfortunately some couples don't 'get' this until the week of their wedding.

Sparkli' Treats

Are you ready for your Memorial Day BBQ this weekend?
Everyone loves Marshmallo Treats - sparkle it up!

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

1 bag (10-1/2 oz.) JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows (6 cups)

6 cups crisp rice cereal

24 wooden pop sticks

1 tube (0.68 oz.) each: red, white and blue decorating gels

2 Tbsp. each: red, white and blue sprinkles

LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; lightly grease foil.

MICROWAVE butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 45 sec. or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Microwave 1-1/2 min. or until marshmallows are completely melted, stirring after 45 sec. Add cereal; mix well. Press cereal mixture firmly onto bottom of prepared pan; cool.

REMOVE cereal mixture from pan, using foil handles. Cut into star shapes, using large star-shaped cookie cutter. Insert wooden stick into side of each star. Decorate with gels and sprinkles. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Sippin

Memorial Day is coming up this weekend.
You have your grilling items I am sure...now you need a fun cocktail!

Strawberry Basil Mojito

3 fresh strawberries
3-5 fresh basil leaves
2 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. white rum
crushed ice
club soda

Slice the strawberries and place at the bottom of a tall glass along with the basil leaves. Pour in the simple syrup and muddle the mixture. Stir in the rum and top with crushed ice. Top off with club soda and garnish with strawberry slices.

Even better its red!
As a non alcoholic option serve up some lemonade with frozen blueberries now you have your red and blue!

Emergency Kit

So after Saturday's wedding I found a few more things to add to my emergency kit.

Disposable Razors....yes a bridesmaid needed it.
and
Nice Men's black dress socks.

and as a tip for all of you brides - spray your body with spray antiperspirant/deodorant - it is better then baby power and will help keep you from sweating in your gown.

I can't believe how many times I used my kit on Saturday. Some weddings I never open it, others I might as well be J Lo and have it tucked in my jacket - oh wait who am I kidding it would NEVER all fit.

If you don't have a wedding planner with an E kit then make sure you make up a little one of your own. Tampons, big safety pins, bobbie pins, hairspray, chalk, breath mints, tissues, deodorant and stain remover.

Congrats to the Sandhu's

Yesterday was a wonderful wedding - I really enjoyed working and planning Becky and Harry's wedding. It was my first Indian Wedding and there was a lot of learning and adapting to do.

In the morning I went to the Gurdwara and witnessed the Indian Ceremony then there was a 6:30 Christian Ceremony at the Hyatt Penns Landing followed by the reception. Lots of food and tons of dancing - The Hyatt was fantastic to work with - I can't believe they got 500 people in that ballroom.

Congratulations!!
Stay tuned for some of the professional pictures from Artistic Imagery.

Hostess for the shower

I am frequently asked about who should throw or host the bridal shower - Well traditionally its the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids but can also be an aunt etc. It should not be the mother of the bride or sister (unless she is the MOH and getting help from the BM). The shower is a gift giving occasion so its sometimes viewed poorly if given by the mom.

These days with parents living in different areas then the couple there is sometimes more then 1 shower. The bridesmaids will have one in the brides home town, the grooms sides family and friends and the brides mom's friends and family and sometimes even work will have a shower.

If you are looking for some cute shower invitations check out my website for some of these cute invites.

Favors for your Shower

When deciding about a favor for your guests think about when and where they can use it. This goes for the shower or wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started.

I like the Heart shaped bottle stopper from Beau-Coup - definitely would use this.
or if the shower is a tea party, how about a tea tape measure. You never know when you might need one.

Food is always good - wrap up some cookies with a personalized sticker or how about some yummy jelly beans.
and my favorite - candles.
Yankee Candles has really cute personalized votive candles.

Spring Showers

Its bridal shower season so I thought I would do a few posts on tips to make your day fun and meaningful.

This is probably the first time your friends and family from both sides will meet. Although your hostess will be planning this event they might need your help in introducing the two sides of the family.

Some things to do to break the ice:
Play a game - I know I know it sounds cheesy but it really lightens the mood. It can be simple: Go around and have everyone introduce themselves and say something using their initials. ie: My name is Meredith and I love macaroons. Then have the guest say something funny about the bride or couple. At my shower everyone wrote on a notecard a funny memory of me, I picked a card, read it and had to figure out who wrote it, then I opened their gift.

A more elaborate game - Shower Bingo, your guests will mark off gifts that you open on a grid, when they get Bride they win - this really gets your guests interacting and makes watching you open your gifts fun.

Just get your guests talking about you, your fiance and the wedding and they will automatically click with everyone there!

Bring the Derby Home

Are you ready for the Kentucky Derby - check out ways to 'Bring the Derby Home' at Kentucky Derby Party. If you want something besides a mint julep try out this libation.

Bar Americain's Kentucky Bramble

by Bobby Flay

3oz. Gin
1oz. Chambord
1/2oz. Simple syrup
1/2oz. Fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves Ice cubes

ice 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves Ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with the ice and shake very hard to break up mint. Serve straight-up in martini glass.