Showing posts with label cocktail hour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cocktail hour. Show all posts

2.16.2012

Thirsty Thursday: Moscow Mule

Since being in Denver, I've discovered the most delicious drink and I just had to share it with you. Also, since researching this drink it's come to my attention that Oprah is also a fan. Drum-roll please....I give you the Moscow Mule!

It's low in sugar and relatively healthy as far as cocktails go. Made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime, this drink is not too sweet. And I just love how they're served in copper cups. Seriously, how cute?


Here's a fun little history of the drink from Wikipedia...


The mule was born in Manhattan but "stalled" on the West Coast for the duration. The birthplace of "Little Moscow" was in New York's Chatham Hotel. That was back in 1941 when the first carload of Jack Morgan's Cock 'n' Bull ginger beer was railing over the plains to give New Yorkers a happy surprise... Three friends were in the Chatham bar, one John A. Morgan, known as Jack, president of Cock 'n' Bull Products and owner of the Hollywood Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant; one was John G. Martin, president of G.F. Heublein Brothers Inc. of Hartford, Conn., and the third was Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff, Heublein's vodka division. As Jack Morgan tells it, "We three were quaffing a slug, nibbling an hors d'oeuvre and shoving toward inventive genius". Martin and Kunett had their minds on their vodka and wondered what would happen if a two-ounce shot joined with Morgan's ginger beer and the squeeze of a lime. Ice was ordered, limes procured, mugs ushered in and the concoction put together. Cups were raised, the men counted five and down went the first taste. It was good. It lifted the spirit to adventure. Four or five later the mixture was christened the Moscow Mule...




Does your area of the country have a drink they're known for?

8.03.2011

Nashville Wedding Recaps: All In The Details

As much as any bride, details were a huge focus during my wedding planning. I wanted to ensure that our guests had a fun experience-- that they left feeling and seeing the love between Ryan and I, as well as having a blast. It was important to us that everybody was dancing and having a good time.

One of the ways we ensured this, was to hire a DJ that we knew would rock the house. Josh Rose of Cosmo Creations did not disappoint. I've said it before and I've said it again-- if you have an upcoming event, hire Josh!

Now onto the details---

Gold chargers purchased from Brocade Designs
Satin napkin (teal) from Connie Duglin Linens
Satin Pintuck Table Linens from Connie Duglin Linens
Clappers tied with corresponding ribbon, courtesy of my mom. Funny story- we were at the party store the week before the wedding...I picked these up and told my mom how fun they'd be for our entrance or exit. She told me that they were tacky and dismissed the idea. Fast forward to our wedding day- ELATION! When I heard those little clappers on our entrance my heart was singing. What fun!


Table numbers, designed by Amanda of Customized Stationary, represented our favorite restaurants that we've eaten at together

The table number stands are from Black Lion. Those were surprisingly hard to find, so if you're interested in buying mine (I have 22) please let me know!

Gray working per usual it- making ordinary glasses look fab!
Another gorgeous centerpiece by Hillary and her team from Brocade. We had 3 different types of centerpieces, to make the room more dynamic. This also helps cut costs, so you're not doing large pieces on every table. 
Water with, lemons and limes, and fruit tea. So refreshing since it was 100 degrees!
Our bar menu, which lists our signature drinks Playa Mujeres Mojito (our honeymoon site) and Jack Daniels and Coke (the groom's favorite). 
A bridesmaid bouquet resting on a cake stand. Use your bridal party flowers as decor!
The cake! A simple Swiss dot was perfect for us. The cake was white with lemon filling. Hilary scattered left over flowers around the cake stand. 
Fruitwood folding chairs. Order chairs! I cannot say this enough! In my personal opinion, chair covers are too much fabric, and often distract from the rest of the decor. Unless covers are provided by your location, you'll likely save money just ordering chairs. These chairs were perfect for our rich color palette. My only preferable choice would've been gold chiavari chairs, but we decided that $12 per chair was too much. 
Guest book writing station. The guest book sign gave instructions that read "Please write your wishes for the new Mr. and Mrs". This was also designed by Amanda at Customized Stationary.
A shot of the guest book in action


Fruit display during the cocktail hour. We wanted to ensure our guests weren't overheated, so our cocktail hour food consisted of mainly cold items. 

Bruchetta station during the cocktail hour. Catering was provided by Down South Delights.


Customized napkins. Loved these! We chose three sets: a peacock feather, cowboy boot, and "All you need is LOVE". They weren't too expensive, watch for a sale from The Knot, and were a fun conversation starter.

Our totally awesome guest book, designed by Amanda of Customized Stationery. This print mimicked the layout of the ballroom, giving our guests a tip on how to find their seats. This was truly a labor of love, but I was thrilled with the way it came out, and love that we now have it displayed in our bonus room. It's a great reminder of the family and friends who were there to celebrate with us. 
Centerpiece
Centerpiece
Pintuck Linens, Gold Charger, Teal Satin Napkin
Drink Station
Close up of cake- sigh!


Were you a "details" bride? Or if you weren't consumed with details, what was the one detail that made your wedding unique (or just your favorite detail)?

5.12.2010

Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest...

...Put our service to the test. Tie your napkin round your neck, cheri, and we'll provide the rest!
Okay too much Disney fun for Miss SE. When we first hit the ground running with planning, I was an incredibly ambitious bride to be. Pomanders? I'll make 100 to line the aisles of the Cathedral. Guest Book? I'll print all the hanging cards with cute sayings and tie the ribbons myself. Now there's 94 days until the wedding and this bride to be is feeling somewhat overwhelmed!

Today I'm looking for guest book inspiration. My wonderful florist Hillary, from Brocade Designs, will be setting up a gold manzanita tree on a bed of ivory hydrangea. We'll have cards with ribbon laying around the tree, and encourage guests to write well wishes and hang them. Martha had a cute article awhile ago about having prompts on the cards, such as"love is..." or "always remember...", in case some guests have writer's block. I love this idea- and we'll definitely be doing it! Now if I could just find that article...

Here's some alternative guest book options. How are you planning to do your guest book? I'd love to hear your ideas.

**Update** I found the article from Martha!