Wedding Cakes Basics

One of our favorite reality TV star Kim Kardashian is getting married and we could be happier for her.  Next on her wedding day check list...select the wedding cake.  On this episode of  Get Married The Dish you can get tips from the cake pros on the dos and don'ts of cake selection and tastings.





Happy Planning!

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiquiri

Strawberry Daiduiri from Real Simple

 

Now it's just wouldn't be summer if you didn't have a cool and refreshing Strawberry Daiquiri at your next soirée.  Here is a quick and easy recipe that your guest will love!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients
1 pint strawberry sorbet
1 1/4 cups light rum
6 cups ice

Directions
1. In a blender, workin gin batches, puree sorbet, rum and ice until it is smooth
2. Transfer into a large pitcher and stir to combine.  Add water to the mixture if necessary to adjust the consistency of the drink.  Serve immediately.

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Pineapple Mint Punch

Pineapple Mint Punch from RealSimple

 Pineapple Mint Punch

Serves: 20



Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
3 quarts pineapple juice
1 liter gin
1 liter club soda
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh mint leaves
ice, for serving

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and ½ cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes; let cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar syrup, pineapple juice, gin, club soda, lime juice, and mint. Serve over ice.

Mid-Week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Vodka Cranberry Cooler

Vodka Cranberry Cooler fom Real Simple

Vodka Cranberry Cooler

This is one of my all time FAVORITE "go to" cocktails that I love serving to family and friends on a "hot" summer night!

Ingredients

4 12-ounce bags cranberries (fresh or frozen)

4 cups sugar
3 liters tonic water
1 liter vodka
1 cup fresh lime juice
cream soda and ice, for serving

 

 

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and 2 cups ofwater; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to a large bowl, starin the remaining syrup into the bowl and let cool.

2. Add the tonic water, vodka and lime juice to the cranberry syrup.  Serve over ice and top with a splash of cream soda.

 

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down ~ Tequila Grapefruit Splash

Tequila Grapefruit Splash from Real Simple

Tequila Grapefruit Splash

This is the perfect punch to serve at your next summer cocktail party.  Make this cocktail the night before your get-together and serve in carafes so you guests can serve themselves.

Serves 20

In a large bowl, combine:

2 quarts of fresh pink grapefruit juice
1 liter of tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec
3/4 cup Campari 

Directions:
Mix well and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.  Add 2 liters of ginger ale before serving. 

Celebrate the 4th in style with these easy and fun ideas

With the 4th of July right around the corner (ummm it's Monday in case you didn't know) and if you've found yourself stressed for a little "extra" time to plan an amazing celebration - you can now sit back and relax because we've got you covered.  Our friends over at Hostess with the Mostess has come up with some super cute/quick/easy and affordable ideas that will have you and your guests celebrating in style!

Check out some of their cute ideas here.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy 4th of July!

Join us on Saturday, July 2 special guests Cookies and Corks and The Wine Coach

Art of the Reception ~ Talk about adding that WOW factor

I came across this amazing time lapse video from Celeste Studios of Greg Kalamar a performance artist from California who comissioned to create a painting of a couple wedding reception.  He painted the reception as it was taking place at the venue.  Talk about adding that "WOW" factor to your event.  Plus at the end, the couple had an amazing piece of art to commerate their special day!  The time la


TIME LAPSE: The Art of the Reception from Janice Celeste on Vimeo.

Check out this GREAT space for your next summer soiree!

Looking for a cool, hip space to host your next summer soiree?  If you are in the Atlanta area then you must visit my friends at the Loft at Castleberry Hill.  Right now they are offering 50% off their space rental for events held on Sunday - Thursday but you must book by June 30th to get this great deal.  For more information on their space and this great promotion visit their website or give them a call at (404) 522-5678 and tell them that Erika {Event Diva} sent you.


Happy Planning!

4th of July Cocktails

This 4th of July, celebrate the holiday in style by serving one of these amazing cocktails at your BBQ bash!

Fourth of July Cocktail from Guy Fieri

Fourth of July Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin slice jalapeno or Serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired. 

Strawberry Sucker from Rachael Ray

Strawberry Sucker

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 ounce vodka (2 tablespoons)
• 2 ounces strawberry schnapps (4 tablespoons)
• Club soda
• 1 strawberry, halved

Directions:

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add the vodka and schnapps and top with club soda. Garnish with the strawberry.

Watermelon Mint Cooler from Real Simple

Watermelon Mint Cooler

 

Ingredients

• 4 cups seedless watermelon chunks (about 1 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups lemonade
• 1/2 cup fresh mint

Directions

In a blender, puree the watermelon and lemonade; strain if desired.  Stir in the mint and serve over ice.  For an instant cocktail: Stir in 1/2 cup vodka or tequila before serving.

Patriotic Margarita from Coastal Living

Patriotic Margarita

Toast your country all year long with this red-and-blue beverage, one of many signature drinks featuring the vodka-based liquor HPNOTIQ.

To make this festive cocktail, follow these simple steps.

1. Puree thawed frozen strawberries.

2. Blend 2 tablespoons each of the strawberry puree, dark rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and ½ cup crushed ice in a blender until smooth.

3. Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons HPNOTIQ into a glass, and top with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the strawberry mixture.

Red, White and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini from Bar None Drinks

Red, White and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini

 

Ingredients

2 oz. Hpnotiq 

1 oz. Citrus Vodka 

1 splash(es) Lemon Lime Soda 

Grenadine 

Directions

Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass and slowly add a touch of grenadine. Garnish with chopped coconut.

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down

Let's celebrate summer with this refreshing cocktail!  Nothing says summer like an Apricot Bellini. 

Photo and recipe - www.weightwatchers.com

Ingredients
3/4 cups of chilled apricot or passion fruit nectar
3 cups of Champagne or sparkling wine or Prosecco (chilled)
1/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
6 pieces of mint leaves

Directions
 Pour 2 tablespoons of nectar into a Champagne flute and top each glass with 1/2 cup of Champagne or sparkling wine or Prosecco.  Garnish each with a few raspberries and a mint sprig into each glass.  Serve immediately.

Mid-week Cocktail Cool Down

For my health conscious host and hostesses out there, this cocktail is just for you.  Although this cocktail is low is calories, you can rest assured that its NOT low on taste.  Make a batch of this yummy drink for your next soiree and your guests will love you for it!

Photo and recipe - www.weightwatchers.com

Fruity Sangria

Ingredients
3 cups low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail - make sure it's cold
2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped (if you can't get fresh, frozen will work too)
2 medium apples, chopped
1 cup dry red wine
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon or to taste

Directions
Place all of the ingredients in a large pitcher, stir together and allow to stand for approximately 30 minutes.  Pour into glasses filled with ice and enjoy!  This recipe yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

Event Diva's Drink of the Week - Sparkling Margarita

Image from www.bhg.com

Nothing says summertime like a delicious margarita!  I found this amazing margarita recipe on the BHG website the other day and I would have to say that this one is a keeper and will be in heavy rotation this summer. 

To make this yummy cocktail you will need:

1 cup blanco (white) tequila
1/3 cup agave nectar
2/3 cups lime juice (fresh lime juice is the best however if you have no desire to squeeze limes then lime juice from concentrate will work too)
1 1/2 cups sparkling wine or Champagne

Lime peel strips for garnish

Directions

Combine half of the tequila, lime juice and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake for 5 seconds and strain the mixture into three glasses. Repeat with remaining tequila, juice, and agave nectar. Top each serving with sparkling wine or Champagne. Add a lime peel strip. Add additional lime juice to taste.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Cheers!

Cocktails & Conversations w/Sister Save-A-Lot

Spring is in the air!

According to the calendar it's spring and when I think of spring I think of my all time favorite cocktail; the Sea Breeze. This super cool and super easy drink will definately put you in a lazy spring day kind of mood.


To make this cocktail you will need:

• 1 3/4 oz. vodka
• 3 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. grapefruit juice
• lime wedge for garnish

 

Directions:

 

1.  Pour the cranberry juice and vodka into a highball glass half filled with ice.
2. Stir mixture well.
3. Top off with the grapefruit juice.
4. Garnich with the lime wedge.

 

Cheers!

 

Bridal Tip of the Day

Make sure you break in those dancing shoes before your wedding day. You absolutely LOVE your new 5 inch Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik’s but they may not be the most practical choice. We suggest that you walk around in your new shoes prior to the wedding to break them in and add cushion inserts if needed.

Remember - happy feet make a happy bride!

Candy Bar Anyone???

Image from Hostess with the Mostess

In case you didn't know, a planners BFF is none other than the World Wide Web...yea that's right, you heard me the Internet.  When planning an event, the very first thing I will do (after meeting with my client that is) is fire up my trusty laptop and search for images that I can use for inspiration.  One of my absolute FAVORITE sites to look at is Hostess with the Mostess.  The dynamic team made up of Jennifer and Sonny Sbranti (yes, friends - husbands and wives CAN work together) never fail me or their audience with providing us with some yummy eye candy and easy DIY ideas to get those planning creative juices flowin'. 

 While working on my little one's 2nd birthday party, I stumbled upon this lovely candy bar.  Isn't it absolutely adorable?  There are a few elements that I'm thinking about using for the upcoming party.  I will provide more details about the party in a later post.  In the meantime if you think this picture was cute, you must check out the rest of the post...you'll LOVE it!  To read more about this whimsical lollipop inspired dessert table click  here. 

Until then...
Happy Planning!

The Love Story - Celebrity Wedding: Tia Mowry & Cory Hardrict - InStyle Weddings - Celebrity - InStyle

The Love Story - Celebrity Wedding: Tia Mowry & Cory Hardrict - InStyle Weddings - Celebrity - InStyle

5 Ways To Make Your Wedding Unique

Tired of the "cookie cutter" wedding?  Do you want to take your wedding from drag to fab?  Below we share 5 tips to add some spice in your wedding day!

1) A fabulous way to make a wedding unique is to incorporate the cultures of the bride and groom. Whether you feature a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, the breaking of the glass, jumping of the broom or traditional foods, I think incorporating one’s culture is a beautiful way to add depth and uniqueness to your wedding.

{Jumping the broom by Annie Lee}

2) Another way to add dimension to your wedding is to entertain and “wow” the guests with creative interactive experiences. Some examples might be adding a photo booth, a dessert buffet of your favorite desserts, a cigar roller, or a port and cheese tasting. All are non-traditional items that you wouldn’t find at weddings past and also provide an interactive element to your wedding that your guests will enjoy and best of all remember for years to come.

3) Think outside the box when it comes to your wedding décor, more specifically your table centerpieces. Instead of using traditional flowers, try something a bit different. Some ideas might be incorporating a few stunning vintage bird cages, elegant crystal chandeliers, or even miniature wedding cakes as centerpieces.

{weddingbee.com}

 

4) Make your wedding special and different (not to mention “wow” your guest) plan to include over the wedding weekend some different activities for your guests to participate in. Plan a mini tennis/golf tournament; a Clam bake for all your guests; a morning hike; a luau or a Sunday brunch, just to name a few. Adding some creative activities for your guests really helps add a whole new unique aspect to your wedding.

5) However the most important part of making a wedding unique is to incorporate the passions and personalities of the bride and groom. For example, if the couple is really into wine, use that theme and infuse it throughout the wedding. You could have the tables named after vineyards you love, set place cards in wine corks, use deep reds and browns as your color scheme, and bring in wine barrels to add additional décor to the room. Bringing in who you are as a couple is very important in making your wedding special and unique!

 {Flickr photo: camillestyles}

Springtime Entertaining Tips

Spring, hands down, is my FAVORITE season.  With this season, the weather starts to get a little warmer and the days become longer.  Spring/summer is the easiest season for entertaining too.  Parties are expected to be causal, seasonal foods are plentiful and  reasonably priced, and mother nature has taken care of all of your decorating needs.  With Memorial Day right around the corner, we have come up with some easy summer entertaining tips that are guaranteed to make your next fete a success!

1.       Lighten Up Your Menu

When planning your next outdoor soiree try to use as many fresh, seasonal ingredients in your menu as possible. As the weather gets warmer appetites for heavy recipes start to shrink. Go for salads, fresh fruits and grilled food in place of stews and casseroles. You will find it’s much quicker and cooler to prepare these items in the warmer weather and your guests will welcome the seasonal change.

2.       Make Sure You Have Plenty of Ice

Never underestimate how much ice will be used during a warm weather event. Even if the party is inside, guests are still feeling the heat of the spring/summer days and will want lots of ice in their drinks to help cool them down.

3.      Don’t Underestimate How Many Beverages You Will Need

You can best believe that there are never enough drinks available in the spring/summer!  From soda to bear to mixed drinks, there never seems to be enough.  Whether your guests are simply mingling outside and chatting, or playing a vigorous game of volleyball, you can rest assure they will work up a thirst now that the weather is warmer.  When determining your beverages for your next warm weather gathering, make sure to include plenty of bottled water in your beverage arsenal. Sometimes nothing does the trick like a nice icy glass of water.  Event Diva Tip: Place a bucket of fruit filled ice cubes on the side to add a little extra pizzazz. Your guest will LOVE them!

4.       Keep Your Décor Colorful and Casual

There's no need to lug your expensive place settings and décor outside for your next BBQ. Take the advantage of the casual atmosphere the warm weather brings to use inexpensive melamine and other plastic materials at your next outdoor bash. If you don't own any, it pays over the long haul to invest in a sturdy set of summer dinnerware. Colorful dishes help to create a festive mood, it's better for the environment (think green) and it's cheaper than buying disposables (trust me it will pay for itself in the end).

5.      Provide Shelter

If you're hosting your outdoors party during the daytime make sure to provide your guests with options for escaping from the sun. Whether you rent a tent, place groups of chairs under a shady tree, or set up tables with umbrellas, your guests will appreciate a place to escape from the heat. Event Diva Tip: When planning events outdoors, always have a plan B in the event Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with your vision of sunny skies and delivers some unwelcome rain. 

Happy Planning!