Mouthwatering Signature Wedding Cocktails

Add a personal touch to your wedding reception by offering up a signature cocktail to your guests.  Deciding on the perfect signature drink for your reception may be as simple as matching colors or as involved as telling a story about how you met.  With the huge variety of drink options available, it's no secret that you are going to need to do a bit of research to really find the right cocktail for your wedding.  (But hey the taste testing makes it totally worth the research!).

To decide on the right cocktail, consider picking a drink that includes your favorite liquor, one that matches your color scheme, or one that simply just sounds delicious.  To add a personal touch, choose a drink that fits with your personality or tells a story about how you met.  Seasonal drinks are an easy way to impress too.  Spring or Summer wedding?  Think clean, crisp, and fresh drinks that have lime, lemon, or mango flavors.  Fall wedding?  Consider spiced apple cider.  Winter wedding?  Peppermint drinks, eggnog, and cinnamon spiced cocktails will appeal to the season.

For those looking to save a little money, skip the cocktails all together and offer an assortment of your favorite wine or beer as your signature drink.  You will save time and money by simply limiting the amount of ingredients.  For the less frugal bride and groom, consider offering two drinks instead of just one.  His and Her drinks are a great way to get the conversation flowing and make both genders equally happy.  Offer one drink that has a rougher edge like an Old-Fashioned or Manhattan for the men and another with a feminine appeal like a Cosmo or Sex on the Beach for the ladies.

NA Wedding?  Just because your wedding reception is alcohol free, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun.  Simply turn your signature cocktail into a wine-free sangria or a pumped up punch full of fruit slices and berries.  Vintage coke bottles, personalized cups, striped straws, and other whimsical accessories are all great ways to jazz up NA drinks.

To help you with inspiration for your own signature concoction, we scoured Pinterest and came up with these mouthwatering cocktails and drink stations that we just love.  Cheers!

Don't forget to name your signature cocktail.  After all, it's called signature for a reason.  Try out name generators like this one to take your wedding drink to the next level.  Still unsure what drink to serve, here is another great drink generator for never ending recipe ideas.

Image Credits: Mason jars with striped straws, Drink station, Lemonade bottles, John Daly sweet tea, Mason jars on green tray, Drinks with blue umbrellas, Makers Mark mason jars, Fruit filled punch, His and Hers drink station, Apple bourbon, Winter cocoa, Bridesmaids with vintage bottles, Mason jars with striped straws, Chalkboard sign, Maple leaf mason jars

Things We Love - Succulent Summer Wedding Flowers

Soft, supple and so sweet for a summer wedding, succulent flowers are one of the many things that we love! Recently we have noticed that these fleshy little beauties have found their way into wedding ceremonies and reception decor everywhere. The unexpected use of these non-traditional flowers makes for a striking and simply lovely look! While usually a soft green or gray shade of these plants are used to accent more traditional floral selections, these plants also come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. For all you nature conscious brides out there, these plants are known for their eco-friendly qualities. The plants are able to survive in very dry and arid climates and can survive on very little water. Because of their easy growth, usually no pesticides or chemicals are used. Also, the plants live nearly forever! Once succulents are cut for use in your bouquet and other wedding decor, they will last for weeks and can then be planted! These hearty flowers are perfect for summer weddings because they can withstand the heat of the day without wilting. Check out our inspiration board featuring gorgeous succulents paired with shades of green, cream and yellow.

If you think you might be interested in incorporating succulent plants into your wedding theme check out these popular varieties: Aeonium, Graptoveria, Echeveria, Rosularia, Sempervivum.

Image Credits: Engagement ring and succulent from Green Wedding Shoes, Bride and groom, Boutonniere close up, Peony succulent bouquet, Bridesmaid bouquets, Imagine succulent wedding favors, Daisy and succulent centerpieces from Simply Bloom Photography, Chair and bouquet

Apricot, Peach, and Blush - A Wedding Color Story

Spring and summer weddings will be full of romance and soft colors this year. One of our favorite palettes combines shades of apricot, peach, and beautiful blush. The warm tones in this color scheme are invitingly soft and delicate, yet manage to be subtly striking and breathtakingly gorgeous. We've seen these colors used most often in vintage and Victorian inspired themes, so we combined them here with hints of lace, English roses, and beautiful Victorian cameos. This look has everything a blushing bride could ask for, with a whisper of romance and a hint of hopeful spring blossoms.    

Image Credits: Peach and Lace Dress from Simply Bloom Photography, Burlap and Cameo invitations from Invitation Crush,  Cupcake Heart Photo from Ooh Pretty Shiny on Etsy, Pink Cupcakes from Martha Stewart, Cameo Cake from JL Designs, Roses and Lanterns from Lisa Lefkowitz via Snippet and Ink

How to Use Cake Toppers to Create Stunning Centerpieces for Your Wedding

Wedding centerpieces do not have to be large flower filled vases that break the bank or floating candles that are used most commonly. If you are looking for a way to create something that is truly unique and different then you should consider cake toppers. Yes, cake toppers. Wedding cake toppers come in so many beautiful styles and designs that you can create something that is completely original.

Cake topper picks are a new and trendy item we see on wedding cakes, but don't forget that these picks can also be stuck into your flower center pieces to add drama and interest. If you love DIY like we do, then consider creating your own unique centerpieces with this idea. Stick the picks in vases filled with sand, rocks or floral foam. You can use your initials, monogram and even spell out different small words, like LOVE, JOY, KISS or U&ME according to how large your vases are. This look will definitely create a buzz at your wedding reception.

Bride and groom figurine cake toppers have certainly come a long way since your mother got married. You can find figurines that are funny, serious, and romantic, with blonde hair, red or blonde. Place different bride and grooms on each table to show off you and your fiancés hobbies, sense of humor or romantic style. The figurines can sit on the tables with votive candles and flower peddles surrounding their unique pose. This idea is not only fun by your friends and family will love it.

Personalized cake toppers would add a special touch to each table centerpiece. You could place the cake topper on a mirror with decorative table confetti and votive candles to create a stunning look that your guests are sure to love. This also gives you a way to show off your personality. Personalized cake toppers come with many design options, color themes and letter style. You could even have something different printed on each cake topper to give your guest something to admire and talk about during your reception.

Ornamental cake toppers are another perfect way to show off your personal style. Choose a cake topper with a modern design or something that matches your heritage such as an Irish claddagh design. You can also take these gorgeous love birds and place them in a nest and lay one on each table as the photo shown. This is a beautiful and very special way to show your wedding guest, friends and family your taste, personality and style.

When it comes to making a centerpiece there is no wrong answer. I hope these ideas inspire you to create a masterpiece of your own. The most important tips are: keep it simple, keep it out of your guests view line and make it unique to your wedding. Good Luck.

Sundresses and Sandals - A Bright and Cheery Wedding Color Story

With the winter well underway, we are ready for bright and cheery spring and summer weddings!  Check out this lemon, tangerine, and sangria inspiration board.  With the bright yellows, oranges, and pinks you will be sure to love the exciting photos we have collected with warm and sunny days in mind.  The fun and cheerful wedding ideas featured here have us daydreaming of sundresses, sandals, and flowers in our hair.

As shown in the inspiration board, there are many great ways to bring color into your wedding.  One of our favorites is the use of bright blooms in so many different ways.  We love colorful flowers in different types and sizes mixed and matched for a stunning look.  Depending on your location, you may even be able to grow or pick wildflowers in every shade imaginable.  Have your florist, or a friend with a green thumb, give you some recommend some great types of flowers for your wedding.

Image Credits: Lemon Centerpiece, Bright Bouquet, Cake, Mason Jar Drinks, Umbrellas, Flag and Flower Centerpiece, Handkerchief, Bright Flower Centerpiece, Yellow Shoes, Macaroons, Reception Table, Bride’s Bouquet