Tipsy Thursday - Champagne 101

I love a bit of the bubbly.....I love toasting and the clinking of the crystal, everything about it is festive! Celebrations just don't seem complete with out it.

Most people serve a Champagne or sparkling wine for toasting! FYI, they are the same thing, except that sparkling wine is not made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France.

There are a variety of Champagnes that have very different tastes and complement different foods.

These are the most common varieties, from the sweetest to the driest:

-Demi-sec

-Dry,

-Extra-Dry

-Brut (the most popular)

Long stemmed flutes are the best for serving champagne it enhances the flow of bubbles, and the glasses should not be chilled in order to maximize your bubbly experience.

Be sure to sample your champagne prior to the big day. I'm sure you can find something to celebrate!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photo of the Week- Confetti Getaway!

This is the ultimate in getaways! I convinced the venue to let us do it, only because we agreed it would be cleaned up (didn't know what we got ourselves in to!)


What a great way to end a holiday wedding celebration!

Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you in 2010.

Photo of the Week- Winter Wedding Cake

We continue our Photo of the Week theme of holiday wedding ideas

with these Holiday Wedding Cakes! Evergreen, berries, and holly decorate the cake.

Pinecones with white chocolate dipped edges, and chocolate sticks.

The frosting on this cake depicts a wintry scene of snow covered mountains, and trees.

Tipsy Thursday - Yummy Signature Drink

I often do a pre-ceremony cocktail hour. Especially nice during the winter months when you are waiting for those late arrivals. During the pre-ceremony cocktail time we serve a signature drink. Many of you prefer a non-alcoholic choice that still sets the mood. Give this one a try.

The Apple Cinnamon

2 oz cranberry juice
4 oz chilled apple cider

Directions

Fill a wine goblet with ice. Add 2 oz. cranberry juice and 4 oz. chilled apple cider. Stir to mix. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Photo of the Week-Winter Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Ok...if you haven't figured it out.....I LOVE Christmas! If I was to marry my hubby again I think I would get married during the holidays so I could have a winter wedding.....ok who are we kidding, I think I'd have to have 5 weddings to cover all the wedding designs I love!

BUT....today for Photo of the Week I just couldn't keep it at one! So here's several winter centerpiece ideas for you!

For this winter inspired wedding, the bride chose a white and silver color palette. The vases were filled with snow and tall silver branches, decorated with tons of crystals and silver ornaments (that later became favors). On this table we used ice blocks with tealights in the top, surrounded by mounds of fake snow and flowers. (Note, the mounds of snow were handy to cover the tray that collected water as the ice melted).

This was a simple centerpiece I did for a trade show....great vase (I call it the IKEA vase), again filled with fake snow, calla lilies and surrounded by silver candelabras and beautiful cut crystal.

This is one of my favorite tables...I loved putting together the all white details. White orchid spray, pearl and crystal linen with faux fur edging, again cut crystal for that elegant icicle feel. Even the chair caps and napkin rings were fur!

I love the all white look! What's your favorite?

Tipsy Thursday- Frostini...another great signature drink!

Yes...we are forgoing our usual wedding etiquette tips for great holiday signature drinks.

My hubby is a Starbucks addict...so this one is for you babe!

Give the Frostini a try!

FROSTINI

Ingredients

1 part Starbucks™ Coffee Liqueur

1 part Starbucks™ Cream Liqueur

Splash of DeKuyper® Peppermint Schnapps

Directions

Shake ingredients over ice. Serve in a martini glass.

Photo of the Week- Wintry Bridesmaid Flowers

I love winter weddings, there are so many places to find inspiration! Are you looking for something different for the bridesmaids to carry down the aisle? For this holiday wedding we chose a white fur muff (faux of course ladies!) with a sprig of holly attached.



There are so many wonderful ways to create a magical wintry feel for your ceremony. I love the idea of the bridal party walking down an aisle lined with sparkling snow drifts, candles, and tall white trees creating a magical pathway. The ladies can carry a huge bouquet of white hydrangea with a silver ribbon and bells at the ends or a candlelight ceremony with the bridesmaids carrying a candle circled with white flowers. Hmmmm......this totally has me in the mood for snow!

Tipsy Thursday- Holiday Signature Drinks

Ok, something about this time of year...all the parties....friends gathering...a few drinks here and there...it always gets me thinking about great signature drinks for a winter wedding!

Give this one a whirl! (Thanks to http://www.thedenverchannel.com/)

Vanilla Peppermint Martini

Serves two

Ingredients

2 ounces vodka

2 ounces half and half or cream

1 heaping tablespoon hot cocoa mix

1/4 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Peppermint Extract

1/2 teaspoon pure chocolate extract

1/2 teaspoon pure Tahitian vanilla extract (Madagascar or Mexican if preferred)

Ice Chocolate syrup

Mini candy cane

Directions

Add all ingredients except the syrup and candy cane in a shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a swirl of chocolate syrup and candy cane.

Photo of the Week- Christmas Wedding Flower Girl

To get in the spirit of the season, here's one of my fave photos from a winter, Scandinavian, Christmas themed wedding! The flower girl was adorable, and she loved her evergreen halo & Lucia crown. It was perfect for the candlelight ceremony.