Reception « One Beautiful Blog

Your “Favor”-ite tunes!

April 8th, 2011

Edible Favors are always a crowd pleaser! However, I am the first to admit that I probably already ate the cute little m&m’s with your initials on them before even leaving your wedding. It makes the ride home even more wonderful.

But sometimes, it’s nice to get to take the favor home and think of the couple every time you use it. A gift that can be used for years to come is timeless. That is why, one of my all-time favorite favors is a custom CD with fun music that we danced our shoes off to at the wedding! It is simple, meaningful, and I can upload it into my iTunes program! The best part, it’s easy to do and it gives you a chance to throw in a few of your favorite love songs with your sweetie.

If you’re a DIY bride, it can be easy as pie to do on your computer at home. Or, you can always reach out to a company and have them do it for you. These particular ones are from www.giftcds.com. Put some ribbon on it or wrap it like a present (in your colors of course!) and place it at your guests’ place seating and they’ll be excited to unwrap what’s underneath!

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How to Raise The “Bar”: Q & A

March 29th, 2011

Our bar is turning out to be extremely expensive. What are some ways we can cut back without looking “cheap”?

While a bar at your wedding can be costly let’s go over a few tips that can make it more manageable. The best way to get a bang for your buck when planning you’re wedding bar has been well noted as offering a “Signature” drink. The simple reason for this is that you will pool all of your bar resources into a few simple ingredients. A great example is a Mojito which is traditionally made of five ingredients: mint, rum, sugar, lime juice and sparkling water.

If limiting your bar selection is not your top choice another great option is to purchase the ingredients for a great bar from a local super store. Costco and Sam’s Club offer a great selection and at very fair prices. One of the highlights of purchasing from a wholesale store is the generous return policy. Worrying about the tab during the evening will be a non-issue because you have the ability to return any unopened bubbly and will have predetermined your maximum spent. The same is true with a great non-member wholesale store, BevMo! but with a nice plus they deliver! Again, limiting the selection will save you money and with less options (three hard top shelfs, one red and one white) you can keep your guests interest longer, and keep your overall budget down.

One other pointer that I think is important to keep in mind is the actual bar staff. You can give them guidelines on pouring, for example, a full to-the-brim glass is unnecessary. Also, offer non-alcoholic refreshments when guests arrive and before the ceremony. After the ceremony offer an open cocktail selection and with dinner offer wine. If you are a fan of champagne toast absolutely offer one. However many pre-poured glasses go un-sipped so instead let guests toast with what they are already drinking.

A last sage piece of advice is to only offer what you feel comfortable serving (some brides love tequila but others have seen their guests get rowdy after a round of shots).

Cheers!

Photo credits: Amy and Stuart Photography, Hazelnut Photography

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A Cookie or A Cake…

March 18th, 2011

Are you bracing yourself? I don’t really like cake–gasp! I know, it’s a sin! I mean, please understand, I’ll eat cake in order to get my sweet fix, but I prefer other desserts. I’d rather have a gooey chocolate brownie or a soft peanut butter cookie… maybe some fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate. I can’t be the only one! So what do I do when I’m “supposed” to have a wedding cake to cut into?!

Tradition, be thrown into the wind! There are plenty of other ways to satisfy my (and my guests) sweet tooth while still maintaining the allure of a beautiful cake. These are some of my favorite creative ideas. Warning: you may get very hungry while looking these over!

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Style Me Pretty Feature!

March 2nd, 2011

We are delighted to be apart of a wonderful feature on the ultra fabulous Style Me Pretty blog!

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“Champagne Reception”

November 11th, 2009

As you remember from a previous post, Cassandra Santor was Featured Coordinator for Bride & Bloom Magazine: Designs for Weddings and Life. She was asked to create a “Spring Reception” and came up with this Gatsby inspired, peach and champagne theme. “The dinner settings were soft, sophisticated, and billowy, perfect for an intimate setting.” Each person received a flight of champagne (three two ounce pours, one for each course) and the purveroys details were tagged on each stem in a style that fit perfectly with the invitations created by Lisa Tse of Ink Box Design Botique.

What wasn’t talked about in the previous post is the cake. The cake was a design from Kennedy Confections in Massachusetts. They created this one of a kind three-dimensional fondant covered cake on location in Newport, Rhode Island at the spectacular Belle Mer. To this date, this is one of Cassandra’s favorite cakes. She loves the simplicity of the design, yet it makes a bold and elegant statement. The icing comes off the cake in swirls and takes the skilled professional hand of an expert confectioner.

Check out the cake in all its glory.

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Eco-Dinnerware (chic, elegant, unique)

July 1st, 2009

www.verterra.com

Have you ever thought of eating your dinner off of fallen leaves? No, didn’t think so. Neither had I until I found VerTerra Dinnerware. This single use dinnerware made from fallen palm leaves looks cool and feels kinda neat. If you are planning your wedding and thinking of eco-alternatives this might be a good fit for you. One benefit is the cost, at ¢28 a plate you are not going to break the bank being environmentally conscience (which does seem to be the case most of the time). Bonus Note: they offer light and dark tones

Eco-Warrior? Check out www.allshadesofgreen.net

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