Author Archives: molly

With warm weather upon us, I thought it was time to share a couple of summertime cocktails. For you brides who have yet to pin down your signature drink for your wedding day, these are two options that would satisfy almost any wedding goer.

This  first drink was concocted using a Food Network lemonade recipe.  It was twisted into a refreshing gin drink that gets even the non-gin drinkers begging for more.

• 2 small sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving (optional)
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
• 1/2 cup agave nectar or other natural sweetener, or more to taste
• Gin
• Seltzer Water
• Lemon slices, for serving (optional)

Directions (for the lemonade):
Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the rosemary and a pinch of salt. Cover and steep, 30 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and cool to room temperature.
Stir the lemon juice, agave nectar and 2 cups cold water into the pitcher. Add more lemon juice or agave nectar to taste.
To Make the Drink:
Pour two ounces of Gin into a glass filled with ice, top with Rosemary Lemonade and finish with a splash of seltzer water. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary.

The second recipe is just plain bubbly and delicious. It is perfect for the bride who doesn’t want to have a “signature” drink, but still has a champagne toast. Add a little creativity to the toast by kicking the normal champagne up a notch.

• 1oz. Pomegranate Juice
• 4oz. Chilled Champagne

In a Champagne flute, pour in the pomegranate juice. Top with Champagne
Garnish with pomegranate seeds or raspberries if desired.

ENJOY!

Credits: lemonade here and champagne here

This wedding reception, full of vintage and earthy details, took place in the backyard of the bride’s parents home. The location was obviously so personal to the bride, but her event shined with other DIY details making the event a true personal expression of the bride herself.

White vintage lanterns dotted the lawn, and twinkle lights were strung over an area where cocktail hour took place. Her place cards were made into little flags and arranged on a mossy base. Vintage lawn furniture with different fabrics sat at random intervals in the grass, offering laid back seating areas for guests. Wedding pictures of family members were placed on the tables bringing in yet another personal touch. Loosely arranged flowers added pops of colors in the lush backyard.

A dinner tent was also in the backyard. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked in…there were live TREES sprawling from floor to ceiling amidst long rows of tables. It created an atmosphere like none other—guests felt like they were dining in an enchanted forest!

One other playful detail that I still laugh at when I see the picture: the earplugs she placed out for guests who may find the music too loud!

Always remember to make your wedding day an expression of who you are…just like this bride did.
Don’t be swayed by the visions and opinions of others because after all—this day is all about YOU!

photos by molly lorincz

Who knew there were so many choices when it comes to serving your guests on your wedding day?  I can honestly say I had no idea how many options existed until stepping through the doors of the catering company I now work for.  I walked into a world of seemingly endless service options!  There’s plated and buffet—which most everyone knows of,  and then there are Stations, Cocktail Style service, Russian service, Family Style, French service… the list goes on and on.  I wanted to take a minute and give you a brief education about two styles we are seeing more and more out here on the East Coast.

The first being Family Style Dining:
This option is a perfect for a bride looking to have a sit down dinner, but doesn’t want it to be super formal. This service helps guests feel “right at home,” and offers guests a variety of options. Food is prepared, placed on big beautiful platters (if you have a good caterer) and set on the table for guests to pass at their leisure—just as if you were sitting at the Sunday dinner table with your own family. This also allows guests to pick and choose what they would like to eat, without being as extensive as a buffet. This style also eliminates people having to choose “beef or chicken” beforehand which means less tracking and organizing for you!

The second and rapidly growing in popularity is Russian Style Service:
This style is popping up more and more out here. It’s Family Style Dining with a higher-end feel. Food is prepared and arranged just like Family Style, but the waitstaff does not leave the food on the tables. Instead, the staff walks around each table serving guests from a variety of food he/she has to offer. This requires a larger number of servers, and therefore will cost you a bit more than Family Style or a plated dinner, but it makes for an impressive service.
Don’t get overwhelmed with options. First decide what kind of feel you want guests to have on your wedding day. If you find yourself a good caterer, they will be able to point you in the direction that is right for you!

Photos by Molly Lorincz

Signature cocktails are a fantastic way to treat your guests and add yet another personal touch to your wedding day.  Creating a specialty drink to match not only your taste, but the theme and colors of your event, can only make your wedding reception that much better.  Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good beverage at a wedding?!

There are so many good drink recipes floating around the internet these days. Start searching for ideas–our pinterest page can jump start your search! Bring the recipes and ideas to your caterer to recreate or simply ask them for suggestions. I’ve included one recipe idea to get you thinking (it’s seriously amazing).

Smores Martini

•2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
•1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
•1 oz. White Creme de Cacao
Combine all ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake and pour into a martini glass which has been rimmed with chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with chocolate covered mini marshmellows. Enjoy–I don’t know how you couldn’t!

Enjoy the rest of this visual drink inspiration!

 Photos by Molly

It’s those last minute preparations that really drive home the point: your big day is fast approaching! And what’s one of the main things that you absolutely cannot do until late in the game?  Seating charts. You have to wait until you have all of your RSVPs…ugh!

But there is a bright spot:  Place cards.

There is so much room for creativity and personalization when it comes to place cards and yet, they are often a detail that brides completely overlook. You don’t have to spend a ton of time on these.  Simply picking paper in shades that tie in with your wedding colors and arranging them with precision can have quite the effect.
Letting the florist do most of the work on the card table is also a great way to save you time and draw a lot of attention to a detail we all know is important…I mean who isn’t anxious to figure out if they are sitting with the hot single guy or (please no) Aunt Dottie?

Combining the guests’ favors along with their table number is smart way to ensure that guests actually pick up their table card. (Added benefit: it also lets you off the hook from worrying if they will remember to get their favors).

So for you creative girls–there are so many fun things you can do.  Look at what these brides came up with:Sometimes it’s the simplest of details that end up making a lasting impression with your guests.  Get creative—or don’t—but just don’t overlook those all-important little name cards.

Photos by Molly Lorincz