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Fun Cocktail Food

Spice up your cocktail hour menu by adding a variety of internationally-loved foods. The presentation is unique and the food looks delicious!

Serve guests a platter of these tiny bell peppers stuffed with a tasty filling like chorizo & saffron rice.

Cool off with shots of gazpacho splashed over watermelon balls.

Make the food your own by having mini empanadas filled with lobster picadillo, and topped with the bride's & groom's initials. 

Serve the soup du jour (savory egg-lemon is shown) in tiny teacups instead of bowls.

Favors for the Destination Wedding

Having a destination wedding? Thank your guests by giving them a fabulous favor that also travels well, and will forever remind them of your special day.

Supply your guests will a sleek pocket-sized travel book that includes all of the city's best restaurants and nightspots. Make sure to add your names & wedding date to the book!

Give guests a personalized luggage tag so that they can easily spot their bags while traveling to your wedding location. Pick out bold tags like the ones shown, or select tags that go with the theme of your wedding.

If your wedding is located in the tropics, then give your guests some fans to cool themselves off with. You can pick fans made of palm like the ones above, or create custom-made fans with your wedding day details written on them. 

Welcome Krista and Robert

Welcome Krista and Robert to the celebrate! family. We are so excited to help you plan your dream wedding for next February.

Krista and Robert are planning on having a beautiful beach wedding followed by a fun reception in hues of blue, pink, and green. Here is an inspiration board created with Krista and Robert in mind.

Ali's Inspiration Board: Plum and Pewter

As you all know my sister, Ali, is getting married and Jen and I are so excited to be able to plan this magical day for her. Since Ali's favorite color since we were ever so little has been purple, we figured it would only be her perfect day if everything was dressed in purple. We decided on a pewter accent to really make the day elegant. Here is her inspiration board:

What do you think?

Drying Your Wedding Bouquet

Here are the simple steps on how to properly dry your wedding bouquet :)

1. Hang the bouquet upside down in a cool, dry, dark place.

2. After it dries, place it in a box lined with tissue paper.

If you do not have space to store the bouquet, then you can always select a few blooms to press. Place the blooms in a dictionary with a paper towel over them and close the book- making them flat. Consider using the pressed flowers to decorate your first-anniversary card or in a wedding scrap-book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!

Today one of the owners of celebrate! is turning another year older. Happy happy birthday, JEN!!! We all feel so blessed to spend another wonderful birthday with you. We hope your day is full of complete bliss!

Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

I read this great article from L Hayes about why to hire a wedding planner. Since this is one of the biggest questions that I get asked I thought it may be good to hear it from another knowledgeable source:

Weddings are something that all of us dream of as being romantic and oh-so-perfect. But of course when the time draws near and we have to actually plan our wedding ceremony, reality steps in and we realize that all is not as cozy and exciting as it seemed. A professional wedding planner is just the answer for calming down the frantic pace of the nitty-gritty that goes into wedding planning. But if you are still not convinced, let’s take a look at all the things the wedding planner or wedding consultant will do for you and save you the last minute anxiety.

Stress Management
The first thing that automatically comes along with planning a wedding reception is a lot of stress. There are a million details that go into planning the perfect wedding ceremony and reception. If you treat your wedding as one big project, this project is going to need a project manager who is going to be your wedding planner. They are going to help keep out all the stress by doing what they do best, management. They will manage even the smallest details from the budget to all the different things that will require hiring or contracting wedding vendors. They will do all the leg work for you, not only making you stress free but giving you ample time to take a break, pamper yourself and also give you time to spend with your family and friends.

Budgeting
The wedding budget is obviously a very important part and needs to be done prior to everything else. As novices in event planning, we often land up wasting precious resources by making the wrong choices which a wedding coordinator is well versed with and knows how to get you the best deals from the best vendors. Also a wedding planner will guarantee the services he or she provides through their own reliable vendors. Wedding vendors will often do favors for a planner that they do lots of business with, but would not be available to the bride or groom. Do not worry that they will smother your ideas. A wedding planner will work in coordination with you. In fact all you have to pay is about 10-20% of the total wedding costs. Although this fee can vary, you will still be saving a lot of money.

Distinctive Appeal
Often the bride and groom get carried away by various fantastical things that are just not practical. They can’t decide how to make their wedding ceremony special and distinctive from others. A wedding planner will help you to realize your ideas in a realistic way and also provide you with their own suggestions to polish and shape your ideas all the way to a unique wedding.

Ready Choice
With so many possibilities, the bride and groom can feel overwhelmed and often land up buying something they don’t plan because they have been cajoled by friends or family. A wedding planner will know who the best in the business are and guide the bride and groom into buying just what is right for them.

Middleman and Shield
Although hard to believe, you can get hounded by all the different caterers and florists you may have visited. Also, wedding vendors you choose may ask you a hundred technical questions you may have no idea about. That is where your wedding coordinator will step in to act as a go-between and keep you away from all the unnecessary headache.

Finally, do your self a favor and consider contacting a wedding consultant today. You may be surprised at what is really possible for the dream nuptials for you and your bride or groom.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L_Hayes

Upcoming Bridal Show

Come and meet Florida's premier wedding planning company, celebrate!, in person at the Bridal Fantasy bridal show on Sunday, August 30th starting at 1pm at The Renaissance Resort at the World Golf Village.

Visit http://www.mybridalconnection.com/ for more information and to buy tickets to this grand event.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The 2009 Fall Bridal Fantasy inside World Golf Village

500 South Legacy Drive

St. Augustine, FL 32092

(904) 940-8637

We hope to see you there!

Beach Cakes

One thing about weddings that I love: cakes! I am always so amazed by all of the detail that goes into the making of a wedding cake. To continue on with beach theme wedding details, I found these fabulous cakes to share with you. Enjoy!

Beach Weddings

Since we are located in Ormond Beach, Florida, I thought that it might be nice to share some unique wedding details for a fabulous beach wedding.

One interesting idea is to "say no" to the 5-person wedding band, and to consider having a steel drummer and a classical guitarist instead. Have them play your favorite classic tunes, reggae style.

When it comes to your bouquet, use bright exotic flowers along with a shell detail. Add different shapes of flowers to add more texture and wrap the bouquet in a crystal wrap treatment to add an elegant touch.

Although flowers may be beautiful in the bouquet, they may sway too much in the breeze if used for aisle decorations at the ceremony. Instead, consider decorating the beach aisle with starfish or other fun beach emblems.

Starfish aren't the only way to really incorporate the beach into your wedding. Use sand dollars as seating cards for your guests by simply writing each person's name across the top.

Also, don't forget to add details to the cake to complete the beach wedding feel!

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Themed Placecard Holders

A fun way to decorate your reception is your placecards. Adding intricate details will help your guests remember your wedding for years to come. Check out my favorite placecard holders from Beau-Coup:

This would be a couple who loves to go boating or who is getting married at a yacht club.

Perfect for the wine enthusiast couple.

Great for the bride who cannot add enough flowers to her wedding day.

Planning a beach wedding. Let your reception carry out your beach theme,

starting with the placecard holders.

Wedding Centerpieces

I was browsing through some pictures & found some great examples of beautiful table centerpieces. Maybe some of these will inspire you for your wedding day decor!

Maid of Honor Checklist

Are you the Maid of Honor in an upcoming wedding? Follow this checklist to help the bride with some fun wedding tasks (and get the wedding planner involved!)

• Plan the shower and the bachelorette party (if the bride asks for one.)
• Spread the word as to where the bride & groom are registered... make sure to do this before the bridal shower.
• Keep a record of all the gifts. As the MOH, keep a list of the presents that the bride receives at her shower along with who gave them to her.
• Go dress shopping! Help the bride look for her gown and shop for bridesmaids' dresses.
• Coordinate the bridesmaid duties. 
• Give the bride help where needed- from dress fittings to addressing invitations.
• Say a few words. make sure to prepare a toast to the bride and groom to be given at the rehearsal dinner.

Cocktail Time

Here are some more sweet cocktails that you may want to serve on your special day. A good idea is to have a wine and beer bar with one or two signature drinks.

Strawberry Watermelon Mojito

1 1/2 oz. Smirnoff Strawberry Vodka

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. mint-infused simple syrup

1 cup fresh seedless watermelon, cubed & chilled

1 bunch fresh mint leaves

Club soda

To make mint syrup, bring 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and add 8 to 10 mint leaves. Let cool for 30 minutes. Strain. Combine vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, 1/2 cup of watermelon and about 10 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass with ice and remaining watermelon. Top with club soda.

Rum and Pomegranate Izze

1 1/2 oz. Bacardi White Rum

1/4 oz. Cointreau (orange liqueur)

splash of lime juice

2 1/2 oz. Izze sparkling pomegranate juice

colored sugar (for rim)

Dip rim of glass in water, then in colored sugar. Combin rum, liqueur and juices with ice in the glass, and stir.

Sakitini

2 oz. Ketel One Vodka

2 oz. Msumi Okuden Kantsukuri Sake

strip or slice of seedless cucumber (for garnish)

Combine vodka and sake with ice in a cocktail shaker, and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with cucumber.

Catering Trends for 2009

Want to add a little something to make your wedding even more unforgettable? Consider following one of these catering trends, because sometimes it's all about the food. 

1. Play with color by incorporating your wedding day hues with your wedding day food. For instance, if your colors are red and green, ask your caterer to serve shot glasses filled with layers of edamame and lobster trifles. You can also serve oreos or ice-cream sandwiches if your colors are black and white.

2. Set up a bubble bar and let your guests play bartender. Have the caterer set out bottles of champagne, prosecco, and sparkling California wine, along with liqueurs and fruit juices. Your guests can pick whatever they combo they like and enjoy their own custom-made cocktail. Remember, the prettier the bottles and glasses, the prettier your bubble bar will be.

3. For cocktail hour, you may want to try setting up food stations with a chef at each one who can plate your meal while pairing delicious food flavors together. Two popular stations: a ceviche bar for the seafood lover, or a chip station paired with a variety of home-made dips.

4. Go green with either an organic made salad or free-range chicken. Also, many winemakers and spirit producers are offering organic beverages, so ask your caterer about putting organic wine or vodka on the menu.

5. Have a family style meal. Let the food be your decor and create more interaction amongst your guests by letting them pass the serving plates around the table to each other. Choose large plates of bright-red steamed lobster or a colorful vegetable risotto to really set the scene.

Happy Birthday Kendall!!

One of our favorite brides turned another year older today.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDALL! We hope all your birthday wishes come true!

Anne and Ryan's Wedding

This past weekend Jen and I had the privilege of watching Anne and Ryan tie the knot. Anne and Ryan exchanged wedding vows on the breathtaking staircase inside Sunset Harbor Yacht Club. The night was a magical night and even the rain couldn't put a damper on their special day. By the time the night was almost over the skies cleared for Anne and Ryan's getaway departure, a boat from Knotical Weddings. The night was truly a night to remember. Stay tuned for their gorgeous wedding photos from Narrative Image.

Lyndsay and Tim's Engagement Session

Leah from Leah Jean Photography captured some gorgeous photos of Lyndsay and Tim at their engagement session a few weekends ago. Here is a sneak peak:

Rebecca and Andrew's Reception

Jen and I are so excited...Rebecca and Andrew finally decided on their wedding reception location in St. Augustine. I am so happy to announce that their reception will take place at The White Room. Here are some pictures of the beautiful facility:

Fun Summer Color Schemes

I just love the summer time. Weddings can be dressed in all sorts of fun colors from bright greens, to orange, to fun blues. Here are a few of my favorite color schemes. Enjoy, hope they inspire you!

Great Shot

The amazing photographer, Gretchen Whipple, at one of our May weddings took this great picture of Jen and I. We loved it so much, we just had to share it.

Thanks Gretchen, it was so wonderful working with you.

Stay posted to see Gretchen's beautiful work for Molly and Len's wedding. I will be posting them soon.

Cocktails

Here are a couple of cocktails that will be crowd pleasers whether you make them for your bridal shower or your wedding day.

Rose Spritzer

3  750-milliliter bottles rose wine

6 ounces (3/4 cup) dry vermouth

24 ounces (3 cups) club soda

Combine the wine, vermouth, and club soda in a large pitcher and serve over ice.

Bourbon and Ginger Cooler

32 ounces (4 cups) bourbon

80 ounces (about 10 cups) ginger ale

2 oranges, sliced into thin rounds

Combine the bourbon, ginger ale, and orange slices in a large pitcher and serve over ice.

Enjoy!