You have the flowers picked and the menu is in place, now its time to focus on the cocktails. Signature wedding cocktails have long been the trend but more recently we have seen couples take them to the next level by using one of their go to cocktails from their favorite restaurant, or  by putting a personal spin on an established cocktail. Consider the following tips when you are planning out your signature wedding cocktail.

Make it personal: Whether you decide to choose your cocktail by tying in the colors of your wedding or by picking a favorite cocktail of you and your fiance, go with the cocktail that best represents you as a couple as well as individuals. If  you and your fiance differ from your choice cocktails, why not offer his and her drinks? This way you can offer something personal from the both of you. Other ways to personalize your cocktails is by including monogramed stir sticks, designed straw flags, and fun signage.

Ingredients: Ingredients are key. Be sure to check with your venue to see if the ingredients you need for your chosen cocktail are available, or if your cocktail calls for a premium liquor or special addition that they don’t typically have on hand. If an ingredient isn’t something your venue keeps in stock, don’t fret usually the Beverage Manager will be able to special order it for your wedding day. Another component that often gets forgotten are garnishments that need to be  muddled, zested, twisted, etc., most likely the garnishments needed are stocked daily, but we recommend double checking just to be sure there will be enough on hand for your cocktails.

Overall Experience: Not only do you want your cocktail to taste delicious, you also want your guests to be wow’d by it’s presentation. You can do this by creating unique signage, using different glassware then what would normally be used, including colored sugar or salt, or by incorporating an element of fire or ice. No matter how you decide to present each cocktail, ensure the overall look and feel compliments the rest of your wedding day’s decor and design.

Signature cocktails are a fantastic way to personalize your wedding day and add some fun to the festivities! Have fun with the process, and make sure the cocktails you choose are a perfect representation of you and your fiance!

Images: jason&anna photography

For everyone who loves a little sparkle, we have a great new product to share with you: Bling Wipes!

Ellie and Evan Richardson, an amazing husband and wife duo, saw the need for an individually packaged, on-the-go jewelry wipe.  In just a few seconds, your jewelry will go from looking dull and drab to as shiny and sparkly as the day you got it. The unique solution they have created will restore the shine that oil, make-up and lotions leave behind on your jewelry.  This is a great gift for the newly engaged or any jewelry lover. Go now and order your Bling Wipes!

P.S. We use these wipes ourselves and love them! We do not do sponsored posts and were not paid to say we love this product. We just love Bling Wipes! Also, how cute is the packaging!

VENUE: Arizona Biltmore

COLOR PALETTE: Shades of Purple and Hints of Gold

INSPIRATION: Art Deco, Classic Sophistication

It was such a pleasure not only working with Michelle and Jordan, but getting to know them during their planning process! They are absolutely adorable! Watching their vision come to life on their wedding day was such a joy!

Michelle & Jordan were married earlier this month at Arizona Biltmore’s intimate Cottage Court in a beautiful outdoor ceremony surrounded by their family and friends.  Michelle’s inspiration was art deco design, shades of purple, and creating a memorable experience for their loved ones. We worked closely with Tansy Floral Design to ensure Michelle and Jordan’s vision came to life. The gorgeous florals included  an array of purple shades as well as art deco chic feather accents. At cocktail hour, which took place on Squaw Peak Terrace, guests were greeted with Michelle & Jordan’s signature cocktails.

Their reception took place in the Grand Ballroom, and was beautifully decorated with shades of purple throughout. Michelle chose to add dimension to the room by having a combination of high and low elaborate centerpieces which featured a fuchsia peacock feather. Each place setting included a classic purple napkin from BBJ Linen and a gorgeous gold rimmed Arizona Biltmore house charger. Purple uplights were brought in from MT Sounds that lit the columns of the Grand Ballroom and tied it all together.

Please enjoy their video from the very talented Serendipity Cinematography.

THANK YOU to Mary with Melissa Jill Photography for the beautiful images.

THANK YOU to all the incredibly talented wedding professionals that made their wedding day so special!

Venue: Arizona Biltmore

Photography: Melissa Jill Photography

Cinematography: Serendipity Cinematography

Florals: Tansy Floral Design 

Makeup: Ashley Nicole 

Rentals: BBJ Linen

Calligraphy: Bella Grafia

Ceremony Music: Sweetwater Strings

Officiant: Gwen Waring

DJ: MT Sounds

Venue: Brophy Chapel and Desert Botanical Garden

Color Palette: Ivory, Burlap and Pink

Inspiration: Desert Foliage & Rustic Romance

Danielle and Jimmy were married this March in a gorgeous ceremony that took place at the historic Brophy Chapel. As you can see from the photo below, the picturesque chapel greets its patrons with impressively high ceilings, an intricately ornate altar and dozens of stunningly vibrant stained glass windows. Brophy Chapel offered not only exquisite beauty, but also sentimental value to these Brophy Prep/Xavier alumni who began their love story years earlier at the school’s high school prom.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to a cocktail hour at Desert Botanical Garden. They enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres by M Catering and signature drinks by Pour Masters. The couple’s featured signature drinks were representative of the places their journey through love has taken them.  The Desert Sipper, a prickly pear margarita, highlighted the couple’s desert origins, while the City Slicker, a Manhattan, paid homage to their new roots in New York City. Desert Botanical Garden was a perfect backdrop for the desert floral arrangements designed by Petal Pusher. idieh design created a custom escort board that allowed guests to visualize where they were sitting prior to entering the ballroom for dinner.

Upon entrance into the ballroom, dozens of lanterns hanging from the ceiling and beautifully decorated long tables mesmerized the guests. Each table featured a simple ivory linen which was paired with a burlap table runner created by the bride and a centerpiece created from desert foliage by Petal Pusher. The décor of the tables and warm illumination from the lanterns provided the perfect ambiance for a romantic dining experience. Once the lights went down, the ballroom was instantly transformed by the up-lighting provided by Classic Party Rentals. As the night came to a close, guests were treated to mini doughnut favors, which ensured that everyone left the wedding with a sweet taste in their mouths and love in their hearts.

It was an honor to work with Jason & Anna Photography, thank you for all the amazing photos of the wedding day!

Thank you to all the amazing wedding professionals that were involved in this lovely day.

Ceremony Venue: Brophy Chapel

Ceremony Musicians: String Serenade

Reception Venue: Desert Botanical Garden

Catering: M Catering

Bartenders: Pour Masters

Florist: Petal Pusher

Escort Board: idieh design

Band: Blu Note Entertainment

Rentals & Lighting: Classic Party Rentals

The definition of etiquette according to Wikipedia. Etiquette (pron.: /ˈɛtɨkɛt/ or /ˈɛtɨkɪt/, French: [e.ti.kɛt]) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. The French word étiquette, literally signifying a tag or label first appeared in English around 1750.^[1]

Etiquette gives us a guideline in order to which we are to behave. When it comes to wedding etiquette there is an abundance of information available to research and consider when planning your wedding. One very important part of your wedding night are the toasts. Typically your maid/matron of honor, father of the bride and best man will give toasts at your wedding reception. Here are some tips for them to consider when writing and delivering their toast on your wedding night.

1. Timing is everything: Not only should the one giving the toast consider the length of their toast, they must also keep in mind when they will be delivering the toast in the evening. They should have had an opportunity to have a bite of food, and should try and limit their alcohol intake prior to their toast. Talk through the expectation of timing and length of each toast with those you have selected to speak. We recommend giving them a guideline of keeping it to 3 minutes max.  Often times, toasts will go over the time limit provided, so having a time limit makes this task not as intimidating as it could be without a guideline.

2. Practice makes perfect: Truly, practice is everything! Most people are not comfortable speaking in front of large audiences. Make sure those speaking at your wedding practice their toast in front of a mirror or friends and family. Remind them that they have been chosen to be in the wedding and to give a toast, which shows you have faith in them.

3. Keep it clean: Literally, keep your toast clean and appropriate. This isn’t the time to air any dirty laundry about you as a couple or about themselves and past memories during your “wild days”. Too often toasts can turn into confessionals. Have them utilize this time to talk about their favorite traits of you as a couple, and each of you individually. Remind them that there are many guests in attendance that may not understand their sense of humor, or that you don’t necessarily know on a close, personal level.

4. Know the material: I highly recommend writing down your toast. If your speakers are ones that tend to go off in tangents, this is especially true for them. Make sure they have an opening, something they’d like to share about the couple, a closing and a cheers!

5. Positive Energy: Make sure they keep their toast positive, regardless of any feelings they may have or think they should share. This is your wedding night, and the toasts should be happy, light and show the love each of these people have for the bride and groom.

I hope that these tips will help those you have chosen to prepare for their upcoming toast! If you’ve hired a videographer, remind them that their toasts will be videotaped so they are prepared. When you talk to them about their toasts, give them a bit of a pep talk and let them know that you know they will do great and you have confidence in them. Most people thrive on recognition. Most importantly, have a Happy Wedding Day!

Images: Left: winecellarge.com Middle: oncewed.com Right: golocalworcester.com