Warm and Fuzzies

Another feel you can go for with your winter wedding is the Warm and Fuzzies take-- something that oozes comfort and down home warmth! And what says that better than a s'mores bar and a hot chocolate bar? Drape the tables in tea lights, drape yourself and your bridesmaids in little faux fur capes, and put out some mac and cheese or apple tarts and your guests will adore your warm and fuzzy wedding!

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

Keep up with these items and more on my Winter Wedding Pinboard on Pinterest!

Inspiration Graduation!

I have sooooo many friends graduating this month that I'm overwhelmed! Several of my staff members and their significant others, girls I welcomed in to the AOII house my senior year of college, and just plain friends are all taking that big sigh of relief and holding on tight to that snazzy piece of paper! Graduation parties were all the rage in high school, so why not college? Probably, it's a little harder to coordinate, but if you have the time and a little spare change... why not celebrate a HUGE achievement?! So, here you have it, my inspiration board for the graduation party of the decade!

1. Rhodes College, 2. Paper Lanterns, 3. Sangria, 

4. Invitations, 5. Central BBQ, 6. Cupcakes

What's better for graduation than a great outdoor area (like Oak Alley at my Alma Mater), some festive paper lanterns, Sangria (you should really check out the recipe on that link!), BBQ and cupcakes, and unique invitations?! 

Something for Everyone!

I've been thinking about this particular subject for a while now-- ever since the press started pondering the menu at Chelsea Clinton's wedding. Many outlets slammed the family's assumed choice of a vegan, gluten-free wedding, and shamed them for pressing their own dietary needs on the guests, and though I generally would agree with that, I'm quite certain that the Clinton/Mezvinsky event had enough funding to get some tip top options. But what about you? What if you can't afford to dish out $100/head? 

I believe that you should put out something for everyone at your reception-- yes, the wedding day is "all about you" but your guests are there to help you celebrate and have surely been a part of your life and therefore a part of everything leading up to this day. Notice that I didn't say audience, I said guests... When you have an intimate dinner party, it's easier to know off the top of your head if you should adjust the menu for allergies or dietary lifestyles, but a party of more than 10? That gets tricky.

This is where a buffet comes in handy-- sure, it's not as formal as a sit down dinner, but that doesn't mean it can't be just as classy and high-brow. These days, companies like Avalon Catering offer some amazing choices for a cocktail reception (fancy speak for buffet), including Georgia peaches wrapped in serrano ham, cheese and preserves, tortellini, pork shoulder, and oh so many more. If you're doing stations (another form of buffet), they offer h'ors dourves like gazpacho, lighter fare like bean salad, sage tarts, pasta salads, and main courses like Georgia trout and beef brisket! 

The point is that no matter your dietary needs and the needs of your guests, looking in to the cocktail and station alternatives may be the best way to suit everyone's needs and provide delicious food at the same time!

The buffet at my friend Jill-Marie's wedding-- Chopped BBQ Pork, Crab Souffle, Fresh Crudite, Stone Ground Grits, Cheddar Cheese Ring

Wedding Day Munchies

My husband and I went to an art opening last night that featured a couple of new businesses of the food type-- my favorite were the treats set out by Bear Maker Bakery! They had cherry lime-ade cookies, amaretto bites, bourbon pecan shortbread, and Nutella cupcakes. YUM! My wedding had cupcakes because my husband bakes and we didn't have several thousand to throw at a cake; the cupcakes were a hit and we got to choose loads of different flavors! BMB got me thinking last night about a wedding dessert bar. What couldn't you do with a dessert bar?

Amy Atlas Events of New York designs some AMAZING dessert tables, and I think they're just perfect for a unique wedding or event.

Imagine an amazing spring time or carnival-themed event, or even having little bags on the corner for a build your own favor table!

 1

A romantic winter wedding would look stunning with these yummy chocolates and lolipop trees adorning your dessert table. Even a spring wedding or Valentine's would benefit from the dreamy feel.

 2

Halloween weddings are growing in popularity, and why not? Look at all the fun you can have with the dessert table; I can only imagine the fun plans for the reception and guests!

3

I know we all love the tradition of the cake cutting, and there's nothing to say that you can't have a cake at the center of your dessert table design, but think about these options when considering your budget. A delicious cake from the Publix bakery with fondant and decoration will run you around $40, and the treats you put all over the table for your guests to much on can cost under $200 depending on your head count, so why bother spending $400+ for a wedding cake that perhaps not everyone can enjoy? 

Get creative, go a little crazy, take some queues from the brilliant Amy Atlas and add that something special to your event!