Great Holiday Cocktails

Tis the season to be jolly! Try these festive cocktails at your next holiday party. I’m sure they will brighten the spirits of your guests.

Candy Cane Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 candy cane, crushed for garnish

• 2 oz. strawberry vodka

• 4 dashes of white crème de menthe

• 2 ½ oz. cranberry juice

• Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the crushed candy cane on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, crème de menthe, cranberry juice and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 cups pear nectar, chilled
• 2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
• 2 cups seltzer, chilled

• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey

• 1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

Directions

1. Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer and whiskey in a pitcher. Divide pear wedges among glasses and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

Gingerbread Apple Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz Domaine de Canton

• 1 oz vanilla vodka

• 2.5 oz apple cider

• A few drops of lemon juice

• Orange zest

• Agave syrup

Directions

1. Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs.

2. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass.

3. Freshly grate orange zest on drink and serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Delish

And it all started with the tree...

Looking for a unique was to add some pizzazz to your holiday season? This Christmas think about adding an unexpected twist to this joyous occasion by having a colored Christmas tree. Then check out Treetopia for a fabulous selection of trees. From the traditional tree to the cool and colorful (think Pink tree) to everything in between, they’ve got it. Here are some of our favorites:

White

Champagne Gold

Orange

Our Favorite this year...Candy Apple RED!

Pretty in pink

Tuxedo Black

Custom Card Boxes - A Bride's Best Friend

While planning her own wedding, Marni Gold, creator of Creative Custom Card Boxes was searching for a unique and secure way to store cards during her wedding reception. Frustrated with the limited selection of card boxes available at the time, this DIY bride rolled up her sleeves and loaded her hot glue gun and went to work. The final product was a beautiful custom card box that was simple, elegant and most importantly - it went along with her wedding day decor. What started out as a simple project to create something custom fro her own wedding has now turned into a successful business.



Today while looking at Marni's site I found 3 custom card boxes that I am absolutely in love with for the fall wedding season.

Champagne and Chocolate Brown


Chocolate Brown and Orange

Ivory and Chocolate Brown

So if you are looking for a unique way to store your wedding cards, check out Creative Custom Card Boxes.

"Q&A with the Event Diva"

Well it's Wednesday and you know what that means....Q&A with the Event Diva. This week we have a question about invitations and entertaining at home.

Thanks for your questions and please keep them coming!

Q: I am thinking about planning a little get together for some friends and would like to send out invitations. Can you tell me how far in advance I should send the invitations out? Is there such a thing as sending out the invitations too early?

A: When sending invitations out for a party I usually follow the 3 week rule. Sometimes I will send them out 4 weeks prior to the event if it is close to a major holiday. This allows you ample time to get on people’s calendars before they make other plans. However sending them too far in advance (more than 4 weeks out), you are taking a risk that they may completely forget about your party (which I’m almost sure will happen). Either way, I would also suggest following up with your guests with either an email reminder or a phone call about a week before your party to get a final count and to make sure that no one has forgotten about your party.

Q: Whenever I have a party at the house, it never fails that everyone almost always ends up in the kitchen. For my next house party, how can I ensure that this doesn’t happen?

A: I completely understand what you are going through because it always happens to me too. A simple solution to this common problem is to put the bar as far away from the kitchen as you can. Remember this simple rule, people will always gather either around food or the bar. So by keeping them both out of the kitchen you reduce the risk of having your party end up in that one room. Space permitting, I suggest setting up several drink and food stations through out the house so that your guests are forced to move around during the party. This also avoids bottle-necking and long food and drink lines.

Got a question for the Event Diva? Email us at info@beckwithevents.com - and include in the subject line "Q&A with the Event Diva". We will try to answer all questions in the order in which they were received. Check back every Wednesday to see if your question is listed.

HAPPY PLANNING!

We would like to take this time to thank all the service men and women for all that you do to protect our country. We appreciate, love and support you!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

"Q&A with the Event Diva"

It's that time once again this week and we're still talking about weddings!


Q: I am on a very limited budget for my wedding and would like to provide my guests with a nice wedding favor as our way of saying thank you. The favors that I have picked out are a bit expensive, to save some money is it necessary for me to give one to each guests, or can I give them per couple?

A: It is absolutely okay to give favors per couple. Just keep in mind your single guests that you may have invited as they should give them their own favor so they won’t feel left out. The tricky part is going to be deciding on how to distribute the favors. Putting the favors on a “favor table” runs the risk of people taking more than one favor. To remedy this I would suggest using place cards during the reception. With the place card, you are putting their name in the exact spot you would like them to sit at the table. Simply place the favor between the two place settings so they will be able to see that the favor is for the both of them. For your single guests, simply place the favor directly above or on top of the place setting so they will know that it is for them.

Q: I have been reading the one way to save money on your wedding is to plan it during an “off” month. What are the “off” months?

A: The winter months (January – March) tend to be the least popular for weddings. Whereas June, August, September and October tend to be the more popular months. December is also starting to become more popular for weddings all due to the holidays. Because the demand is less during the winter months, you’re more likely to find places (ceremony/reception) who are more likely to offer specials or deep discounts. These discounts can often extend to other wedding services like rentals, photography, flowers, videography, etc too.

Got a question for the Event Diva? Email us at info@beckwithevents.com - and include in the subject line "Q&A with the Event Diva". We will try to answer all questions in the order in which they were received. Check back every Wednesday to see if your question is listed.

HAPPY PLANNING!

It's Official!

Things have been busy around the office for the past few weeks! We are working on some new and exciting products and services that we will be launching in the next month or so, so keep your eyes on the bolg for more details. We are also putting the finishing touches on re-launching our radio show "Cocktails and Conversations". Look for our re-launch debut on June 4th.

Our latest breaking news is that our very own Erika Beckwith was named the Atlanta Wedding Advice Examiner for examiner.com! You can check out her page here!

"Examiner.com is the insider source for everything local. Covering thousands of subjects across hundreds of cities and towns, Examiners come from all walks of life and contribute unique and original content to entertain, inform, and inspire their readers. Examiners are credible, passionate and knowledgeable local influencers. Launched in April 2008, Examiner.com serves 70 major markets across the country. Examiner.com is a division of the Clarity Media Group, and is wholly owned by The Anschutz Company. " Taken from http://www.examiner.com/

We hope you will drop by and check out her page!

“Q&A with the Event Diva”

Q & A with the Event Diva

This week I thought we would tackle some common questions I get regarding weddings.

Q: How much time do I need to plan a memorable wedding?

A: About 10 years ago my answer would have been for couples to allow anywhere from 12 – 18 months to plan their dream wedding. However today it all depends on the couple and how much time they have to invest in the planning process. My rule of thumb in planning is pretty simple, the more time you are willing to invest up front with the planning the better. But typically it will take most couples 12 months to properly plan and pay for a wedding. Keep in mind the key to planning your dream wedding is working with an experienced planner and vendors who are great at what they do. With the right mix of wedding professionals a fabulous wedding can be planned in any amount of time!

Q: With the current state of the economy, is hiring a wedding planner even necessary?

A: The current state of the economy is the reason why every couple SHOULD hire a wedding planner. A great wedding planner will streamline the planning process for the couple. There are so many vendors out there to choose from, by hiring a wedding planner he/she will help you select the right vendor that meets your criteria and fits in your budget. A great wedding planner in the end will pay for her/himself and will ultimately save you money in the end. Keep in mind that a wedding planner’s prize possession is her vendor list. We work hard to maintain relationships with great vendors who offer top notch products and excellent service. Because of our relationships we are oftentimes able to negotiate great deals on behalf of our clients saving them hundreds of dollars.

Q: Do you have any money saving advice for couples planning their wedding?

A: Yes, first things first – create a realistic budget! This will be your blueprint throughout the planning process. Once you know what you can comfortable afford, you empower yourself to make “smart” money decisions.

Got a question for the Event Diva? Email us at info@beckwithevents.com - and include in the subject line "Q&A with the Event Diva". We will try to answer all questions in the order in which they were received. Check back every Wednesday to see if your question is listed.

HAPPY PLANNING!

Introducing a New Blog Feature

When people find out that I am an event planner I somehow instantly become their “go to” person whenever they have questions about planning their event. Almost daily friends, family, friends of friends and friends of family will either call or email me with their event planning questions. From how to select the perfect caterer to invitation wording and everything in between, if there is an event planning question to be asked I’ve probably heard it. So…for that reason and that reason only, I’ve decided to create a special blog section called “Q & A with the Event Diva” which will post every Wednesday where I will try to answer some of your event planning questions.

So…if you have a question that you would like to have the Event Diva (that’s me) answer, email your question(s) to info@beckwithevents.com subject line “Q&A with the Event Diva”. Each week I will select a few questions to answer and will post them to the blog. Who knows, your question could be featured next, so check back often!

Tweeting on Twitter

Well we have gone and done it...we have jumped on the social networking bandwagon and have joined the twitter family. And believe it or not but we are having a blast!

Feel free to check us out at http://twitter.com/atleventdiva

Tweet you later!

Celebrating Mom!

"Who ran to help be when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother." -Ann Taylor

We celebrate Mother’s Day every year and with good reason. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs a woman will ever have. You are on call 24/7, 365 days a year. There are no sick days, personal time off or vacation days accrued. You can not call in a sub for the day and there is no retirement. There is no salary, bonuses or cost of living adjustments. Yet, it is the most rewarding job a woman can do. A mother’s hard work is often overlooked sometimes unappreciated. So with Mother’s Day this Sunday (May 10th) what better way to celebrate mom, to simply say “Thank You” for loving me than by hosting a Mother’s Day brunch in her honor.

Below you will find nine (9) easy steps for planning a memorable stress-free brunch honoring that special lady in your life…you mom.

Step 1: Set your budget. With the economy being the way it is keep in mind that it isn’t necessary for you to break the bank just to show your mom that you care. Knowing how much you can comfortably spend up front will help you plan how to celebrate mom on her day - stress free.

Step 2: Create a theme. Building a theme around your mom’s interest and hobbies is guaranteed to be a hit. If your mother is a gardener, incorporate some of her favorite flowers from her garden into the décor. Does she love to scrapbook? If so, make 12x12 collages filled with fun family photo’s and place them throughout the house. Incorporating her favorite things into the theme, like her favorite color, flower and music will give your brunch that “special” touch and show your mom that this day is all about her.

Step 3: Choose the location. Hosting the brunch at her favorite restaurant is always a great option, however you may be limited in the amount of personalization you can do. Some other places to consider are a park, special event facility, and your backyard (weather permitting). Keep in mind if hosting the brunch outdoors; always have a back up plan in the event of bad weather.

Step 4: Create the guest list. Are you planning something grand or just planning on inviting your immediate family? My rule of thumb is to always let your budget dictate your guest list.

Step 5: Send out invitations: Whether you decide to have a small intimate gathering with only family or a grand affair, it’s always nice to send out invitations to your guests. No matter how simple or elaborate the invitation is, make sure it includes three basic elements:
· The date and time of the event
· The location, including directions and phone number in the event they get lost and need directions
· The attire – let your guest know how they should come dressed to the event. Is this a casual brunch held outside in the backyard or will it be held at the Four Seasons? Letting your people know how they should dress takes the stress of what to wear off your guests and lends to a better event for all attending.

Step 6: Create the menu. Are you hosting the event at a restaurant? If so pick your mom’s favorite one. Or if you’re hosting the brunch at your house, are you going to have it professionally catered or will you be doing all the cooking yourself? Whichever you decide keep in mind your mom’s favorite foods when planning the menu.

Step 7: Plan the entertainment. Hiring a band or DJ are always good options, or you can keep it simple and create a play list of your mother’s favorite songs and burn them on a CD or put them on your mp3. If children will be attending, have them write poems that they can recite during the event.

Step 8: Take lots of pictures. Designate one or two people as the official photographers to capture the special moments of the day. You can also place disposable cameras in various places for the guests to snap candid photos during the brunch.

Step 9: Have fun! Make the event a fun experience for everyone involved.

Most of all remember what the day is all about – it’s about celebrating mom and treating her like a queen for the day. You don’t have to go to extremes because in the end, it’s the little things that count and mean the most.

Hiring a Wedding Consultant, a Wise Investment

Congratulations you’re engaged…now what? After the proposal of your dreams you spend the next few days making tons of phone calls and visits to share the exciting news and to show off the ring, then one day as you are flipping through a wedding magazine it hits you - you have to a wedding to plan!

Where do you begin?

Who do you call?

The task of planning a wedding to a newly engaged bride can seem quite overwhelming. Where should you have the reception? Should you have a buffet dinner or seated served? Should you have it outdoors or inside; what if it rains? Your wedding will likely be the most elaborate and expensive party that you will ever host, and you want it to be perfect. For this fact alone many couples are deciding to hire a professional wedding consultant.

What was once considered to be a luxury only reserved for the famous and affluent, hiring a professional wedding consultant has actually become a necessity and can actually be a smart move economically. A wedding consultant should be considered a part of your wedding expenses when determining your budget, not an additional expense.

The scope of the consultant’s involvement in your wedding is entirely up to you. You can have the consultant plan as much or as little as you desire. If you find that you are a “hands on” type of bride and want to do the planning yourself you can still enjoy the benefits of a wedding consultant by selecting only the services you need.

Wedding consultants can provide an array of services to their clients which can include:

• Determining the wedding budget – This should be one of the first things you should do after getting engaged. Costs for weddings vary greatly depending on factors such as location and your wedding style. A wedding consultant can help you decide which aspects of your wedding are important to you and the overall look you are trying to achieve. Based on your priorities, your consultant will determine realistic ideas of what things will cost to help you achieve your overall vision all while keeping within your budget.
• Referring Qualified Vendors – Putting you in touch with qualified vendors that are within your budget is the most important job of the wedding consultant. While referrals from family and friends are great, their style and budget may not reflect your own. A wedding consultant, knowing your budget and style of wedding you are trying to create will refer vendors that meet your criteria. A wedding consultant’s prize resource is the relationships she establishes with other wedding professionals. Therefore he/she may be able to negotiate a better price than you may obtain as a one-time customer.
• Stress Reducer/Confidante – Planning a wedding can be a time of great joy and often time’s one of great stress. Many couples find themselves riding on the roller coaster of emotional tension during this time in their lives. Not only are they preparing for the biggest day of their lives, they are also under going a life-changing process and starting a new family together. Sometimes it’s nice to have a third party who is neutral listen to you as you let off steam about family disputes or someone to simply bounce ideas off of who is not emotionally tied to the wedding.
• Time Manager - Many of today’s couples are immersed with responsibilities involved within their personal and professional lives. With career commitments, family responsibilities and maintaining active social lives, many couples are finding it increasingly difficult to find the extra time needed to plan the wedding of their dreams. A wedding consultant can set appointments for you, keep track of deadlines, develop a timeline and payment schedules.
  

Hiring a consultant does not mean that you will have to give up control of your wedding. However, it does mean you will have someone who is knowledgeable of the wedding industry that will look after your interest. Realizing the benefits of hiring a professional wedding consultant early in the planning process will allow you and your family the luxury of enjoying your special day without having to worry about whether the flowers have arrived or if the correct linens have been placed on the tables. Keeping everyone on track can be stressful for the bride and groom as well as their families however it’s all in a day’s work for an experienced consultant.


Erika Beckwith is an experienced event planner specializing in both social and corporate events. She is also the founder of the event planning firm Beckwith & Associates LLC which serves the Metropolitan Atlanta Area. Visit her website at http://www.beckwithevents.com/.

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