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!